Houston Wedding Getaway -Day 3 - Saturday

The Big Day!!  The wedding didn't start until 7 pm, so we had all day to hang around and kill time.  At 4:30 pm Brian and I went up to the bridal suite with Chris and hung out until the limo picked us up at 5:30.

The two guys looking sharp

 

This picture cracks me up -Brian's shoulders look gigantic, which makes his head look small

 

Limo ride to the church

 

I loved the bridesmaid dresses and the colors - my camera didn't do them justice -Brittney's sister is on the right and could not be any sweeter.  The girl on the far left has the exact same due date as me, so it was fun to chat with her. 

 

Brian, Brittney, Chris and Kristen

 

The Happy Couple --I Loved Brittney's dress- she looked so pretty

 

Michael and Melissa

 

Dick and Mary

 

I have had this dress for years and years and thankfully it hides a lot - my baby bump was missing.  It looks like bird poop on Brian's arm, but it was actually wax.  Chris spilled wax everywhere trying to light the unity candle, and so for pictures the two guys traded jackets - it's nice to have a twin around.

 

Delicious cake - lemon layer, amaretto layer, chocolate layer, and vanilla layer 

Chris' groom cookie cake - nice shout out to the Colts

 

The groom and his men

We had such a fun night!  We lasted until 12:55 am -the party wrapped up at 1 am -which, by the way, is 2 am eastern time (I haven't stayed up that late in a long time, not even at New Year's).   It took me two days to recover.  I have to say that Brittney's entire family (from her mom and dad and sister to aunts and uncles and cousins) was so...nice.  I don't know if I've ever been around such a big group of friendly, loving, welcoming people.  We stayed in Houston until Tuesday.  Sunday and Monday we hung out at the pool all day, read a lot, napped, and went to dinner in the evenings.  It was perfect!!  I didn't take any pictures after Saturday.  We had such a great getaway.  Brian went back to work on Wednesday, but  I took the whole week off.  I'd like to say I'm getting organized for the baby, but really, I'm not doing anything but enjoying some much needed time off.

Houston Wedding Getaway - Day 2 -Friday

Early Friday morning we got a call from Brian's parents asking if we wanted to go to breakfast.  We ended up going to IHOP.  So far we're 1/3 for local places.  Here's a picture from the 9 of us that came down from Indiana for Chris' wedding.  The pews for Chris' side will be a little lacking-thankfully he has some Texas friends who will help fill in some space.

 

Getting ready for the rehearsal

Rehearsal

 

Amazing dinner at Maggiano's

 

Michael and Melissa

 

Dick & Mary

 

Belle & Anne

 

Larry and Jenny - they drove 20 hours from Indiana

 

The Happy Couple - Love Brittney's dress

 

Leaving the restaurant at 11:30 - WAY past my bedtime!!  --I think I look really pregnant in this picture.

Day 2 was even better than day 1!!

Houston Wedding Getaway - Day 1-Thursday

We headed to Houston Thursday for Chris and Brittney's wedding.  We wanted to arrive a little early so we could hang out with them.  We arrived at noon on Thursday -thankfully we had an easy flight, because we usually have issues.  We drove straight to our hotel and met up with Chris and Brittney, Melissa and Michael, and Doug.  We went to a delicious restaurant named Texadelphia and had the best Steak and Cheese Subs.  I wish I had taken a picture of the sandwiches --They Were So...Good!!

The Omni Hotel - we had a great room and great view

Our view

After lunch Melissa and I hung out at the pool for 3 hours and the guys got together for a mini bachelor party.  

We wanted to eat at all local places, but ended up at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, which was fine - it was also really good.  Brian and I were full, so we brought our cheesecake back to our room.  My sweet-toothed husband got to the dessert before I had a chance to get a picture.  We got the chocolate mousse cheesecake - yum!  The picture doesn't do it justice- it looks like mashed potatoes.

 Melissa and Michael at dinner - thankfully Melissa and I brought sweaters to wear because we were freezing in the restaurant, even though it was still 90 degrees outside at 10 pm.

 

Great day 1!!  We got back to our hotel at 10 pm and quickly got ready for bed and crashed hard. 

Baby Love: 17 wks

Just a quick update

I have been feeling movement for the past week.  I love it!!  I love the little flutter feeling.  Brian actually got to feel baby move, also.   One of our sonographers got these cute pictures of Little Man today.  He was trying to hide his face from us.  I also love how he is sitting - Indian style. 

The second one is not as good, but I love it because he is sucking his thumb

Love this Little One!

Baby Love: 16 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Due Date:  11/18/11

Gestational Age:  16 3/7 wks

Here's a picture of our not-so cooperative little man - he wouldn't get out of this position:

Size of baby:  size of an avocodo- weighed 6 ounces today

Morning sickness: Thankfully I am feeling so much better!!!  I still have nausea occasionally, but overall I feel 95% better. 
 Total weight gain/loss:  I have actually gained a pound, but am still down 10 pounds.   Unfortunately, Brian is still down about 5 or 6 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes:  Not yet.  Most of my clothes are baggy in butt and legs, but tighter in the belly.  My belly bump is definitely growing.   

Gender:  Boy!

Highlight of week:  Brian and I went on a date Friday night.  We had such a great time.  We've not been on a date in about 3 months because I have been so sick.  We had a gift card for Carrabba's and was delicious.  My stomach has shrunk from 10 weeks of eating very little, so I was only able to eat a few bites, but the bites I did have were so good. 

Lowlight of week:  ??Hmm...can't really think of anything. 

Today I had an anatomy ultrasound.  I'm finally starting to believe that we're going to have a baby.  I've really been praying for the little man.  We truly feel that he is a gift from God and we want to do everything possible to show him God's love for him.  We want to not only teach him about Christ, but also live our lives as a disciple of Christ.

I have bought the book Baby Wise to help get our baby on a eat, play, sleep schedule.  --What other books do we need?  It's so overwhelming.   The Baby Whisperer??   Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson??  The Father Connection??  Grace Based Parenting??  The Mission of Motherhood??  Revolutionary Parenting??
--- Please let me know what books you all have read and what you would recommend.  Thanks!!

Chocolate Strawberry Torte

I made this dessert for Memorial Day.  I was really happy with how it turned out since I'm not really into baking (I love cooking, but not really baking).  Unfortunately, by the time we got to Todd and Kristin's house it had split - looked like an earthquake had gotten it, but thankfully it still tasted good.  Brian was really proud that I made the cake and whipped topping. 

I had forgotten to say a big Thank You to everyone who was and is in our military.  I'm so thankful to live in a free country.  Brian and I appreciate the sacrifices you have made and are currently making.