Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Wow it seems like just yesterday I was blogging about putting up our Christmas decorations and now it is almost here. The last few weeks have been fast and furious around the Jarrett household with lots of Christmas parties, family gatherings, doctor’s appointments and the normal hustle and bustle of this holiday season. Last weekend we traveled to Dallas for the annual Jarrett Christmas gathering. This year the party was at Aunt Linda and Uncle Jerry’s house which is always a special place to me because when I first moved to the metroplex they let me live with them for a few months while getting adjusted to my new life and looking for an apartment. As always it was a fun time with all of the family! We also had our family Christmas with Justin’s parents and his sister Lisa and her husband Steve. Of course Ava Kate came away with the most gifts of all. I don’t think she is going to be spoiled or anything! Unfortunately I came home with another sinus infection. All this crazy weather really isn’t helping.

Last week we had two doctor’s appointments- one with my OB and one with the specialist. We got to have another sonogram with the specialist and she has really grown since the last one. She is now almost 2lbs and about 13 inches long. The doctor said she is still measuring right on track for a March 25th due date. They said I am measuring right where I should be. And the best part of all is they said she is now big enough to survive outside of the womb which was such a huge milestone and so good to hear! When he was doing all of the measurements and he was measuring her head I said is it big? He looked at me funny and said no it is normal. I said well me and her father both had big heads so I just kind of figured she would also. I’m sure he thought that was an odd question. We also watched the epidural video last week and I had my glucose test which many of you know I was a little worried about. I managed to not pass out although I did come pretty close. I think I’m finally starting to learn how to keep myself from fainting. I was also getting a little concerned about labor and talked to my doctor about that last week and she told me she has had lots of fainters but never once have any of them fainted during labor. I kind of thought well that is reassuring but at the same time I also thought I might just be your first!

The nursery has come a long way since the last update although not without some small and large hiccups. We got to pick up the changing table and the side table and they both looked great and matched the other furniture that Justin painted and stained very well. Justin finally got the crib painted and stained although it was quite an undertaking. The spindles and the varnish finish on the crib both proved to be headaches to paint over although he did it and it looks just beautiful! In the middle of all this there was a spill on her carpet which put a pretty large ugly stain in it but yesterday we had someone come out and patch it and no one would ever know. The fabric for her chair finally came in and we got the chair and ottoman recovered and they are gorgeous! Last night we got most everything hung up on the walls and her mobile hung on the crib so now all that we really lack is her bedding and curtains which will be started on in the next week or two! I imagine I’ll be spending lots of time sitting in there reading to her, singing lullabies and just dreaming of the day I get to see her face!






“God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love… the all of Christmas which is Christ.” – Wilda English

I hope this holiday season is a wonderful time of joy, hope and peace for you and your family. I didn’t quite get to sending out Christmas cards this year with all the other events that were happening so below is our online Christmas card to you all. My sweet friend Kimberly was kind enough to take some photos for us for a Christmas card but then I just never did get it together. If we had sent one though this is what it would have said.

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with joy!
With Love,
The Jarretts
“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

I have had this song stuck in my head. I love this time of year more than any other time of year. This is when my very sentimental and somewhat cheesy side comes out. My mom created lots of sweet traditions for us when we were growing up and I have continued most of them since Justin and I got married. It has been so exciting to me this year to think about how next year our Ava Kate will be here to be a part of those traditions and I'm sure I'll have some new ones I create just for her. Some of my favorite Christmas traditions are every year my mother has given me an ornament and so now my tree is a collection of memories. Pulling each ornament out of the box and putting it on the tree brings back memories of years past. Justin and I now do the same for each other and so I also have special memories of past Christmases with him. I already bought Ava Kate's first ornament- a glass bird. Since her name means "like a bird" and her nursery has lots of birds and nests in it I thought nothing would be more fitting than a bird ornament. It was the first ornament to be hung on the tree. Another favorite tradition is tree night. This is the night we put up the Christmas tree and decorate it. Growing up we would go pick out a fresh Christmas tree and usually have some yummy snack foods and hot chocolate while we decorated the tree. In the background Christmas music was playing or else a Christmas movie was on. This is another tradition I have carried on. Sunday Justin and I decorated all of the house and got the tree set up. We got lots of yummy snack foods and watched Elf with all the lights off except for the lights of the tree. We also had a tradition on Christmas morning. Natalie and I could not get out of the bed until we heard the Bing Crosby record playing White Christmas. I can't wait to continue this tradition with Ava Kate although instead of a record I'm sure we'll use the ipod. If any of you have favorite family traditions I would love to hear about them.
I have always loved the classic look of white Christmas lights. I love pulling up to the house and seeing the beautiful glow of the lights.
My nativity is one of my favorite parts of our Christmas decorations. I love putting it out every year and remembering the wonderful story of our savior's birth.
The stockings are hung on the bookshelves- no chimney in this house!
Our sentimental tree! It is not beautiful and themed but all the memories it holds make it so special!
My sweet little bird's first ornament!
The ornament I got at the Nutcracker Ballet my mom and I went to when we lived in Denton. The Nutcracker Ballet is another one of my favorite things about Christmas and definately a tradition I'll start with Ava Kate.
The ornament our dear friend Randy gave to me when I was a little girl. Randy passed away when I was in eighth grade but she has always been a very special person to me!
The ornament we bought the year we went to New York right after Christmas and during New Years. It was such a romantic trip and a wonderful place to be at Christmas time. It will always be one of my favorite memories with Justin.
The ornament Justin gave me our first Christmas together. It has always been my favorite one he ever gave me- so sweet and romantic.
One of the first ornaments my mom ever gave me and look it is a bird. It is barely held together and has to be gently propped on a branch because the hook fell out of it but it has always been one of my favorites.

The Nursery

We have accomplished quite a bit on the nursery in the last couple of weeks. It is now painted a beautiful rose color with a pretty pink shadow ceiling- between Justin, mom and I we got it done in a weekend. The closet has also been painted and all of her little clothes are hanging in it. Justin painted and distressed her dresser and her bookshelf. The dresser already has clothes in it and the bookshelf is already full of all the books we have bought for her along with the ones of mine my mom saved for me. My dad and Justin got the chandelier partially hung although it is going to have to come down and have a little work done since a couple of the lights are not working. Four of the eight fabrics for her bedding, curtains and rocker have arrived and they look just beautiful with the paint color. Justin is working on priming and painting her crib which has been a little more of a project than I think either of us had imagined. By the end of the week we will probably have the rest of the fabric for her room along with the changing table and nightstand. So check back in the next week or two for more photos! You will notice in the pictures all the decorative items are just spread throughout the room. I want to wait until all the furniture is in its place before I hang anything. I have definately been in the nesting phase. I find it hard to sit down at all and I pace the hall and constantly pop my head in and peak in the nursery. I finally had Justin put the rocker and ottoman in there even though they haven't been reupholstered yet so I would have a place to sit. I love to sit in there and look at all her little things and dream of the day I get to sit in there and rock her and sing lullabies to her and read to her. You'll notice in the picture below we have our travel system now too. That was our Merry Christmas from Nana and Pop. What a wonderful Christmas gift that we will get lots of use out of!

My belly has really started to pop in the last couple of weeks- Thanksgiving helped with that. We also can see her moving now which is one of the coolest things I have ever seen and also a little surreal! Sometimes we both will just sit staring at my belly for the longest time just waiting to see her move again. I think I finally am about over the nasty sinus infection I had for a couple of weeks. I'm just so thankful to no longer have to take any medicine. I know the doctor says it is okay but you still can't help but worry about how it is impacting the baby. We were able to get back to the gym this morning which felt great! I always feel so good when I go back after I've been out for a while. I just feel like I could do anything when I'm in there on the bike getting my heart going and blood pumping. Right now life is good, no great! It is my favorite time of year, I feel good, I get to enjoy feeling my precious little bird moving all through the day and only about 3 more months until I get to meet her in person! I feel tremendously blessed and thankful right now! "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3
Freshly painted!
Didn't daddy do a great job on the bookshelf!
All her little clothes and shoes hanging in her closet and don't forget the tutus!
The pretty chandelier and dresser and my favorite seat in the house right now!
Merry Christmas from Nana and Pop! Thank you!
24 Week Belly Photo!

Letter to My Bird

My sweet little bird,
You have become my only thought these days. I have definitely entered the nesting phase probably a bit early but all I want to do is prepare everything for you. I have a hard time sitting down and resting because all I can think about are all the things I want to get done for you before you arrive. I am probably driving your poor daddy crazy with all my to do lists. Every penny I have I want to spend on you. I am a lover of fashion- shoes, purses and pretty clothes but ever since I found out about you I could care less about any of those things unless they are for you. It is amazing how much a tiny little life can so drastically change you even before I have gotten to hold you in my arms and look in your sweet eyes. I can only imagine that in that moment this love and this desire to provide you with everything you need is only going to be magnified. Feeling you move has also become an obsession. I just sit with my hand on my tummy waiting for your next move. It is just such an amazing thing to feel you move and to have those sweet moments with you. One night not too long ago I woke up in the middle of the night and just couldn’t get comfortable. As I was laying there you started moving and you kept moving for quite some time. I just laid there enjoying feeling your every move and praying for you and your future. It was one of my favorite moments with you so far. One of my favorite past times these day is just to sit and dream about you. The other day your daddy said "Gosh I'm ready for her to get here, I'm just so ready to see what she is going to look like." I feel exactly the same. It is sort of a conflicted feeling because I enjoy so much knowing you are growing inside of me and seeing and feeling you move but at the same time I'm so anxious to actually be able to hold you in my arms and finally see your sweet little face! What a wonderful and amazing blessing you already are to us!
I love you dearly!

Your mommy

22 Week Update

Sorry I’m a bit delayed in my update. The last two weeks have been pretty busy. I finally got the 20 week belly photo added to my last post. I'm not doing a very good job keeping up with this. We enjoyed our weekend with Justin’s mom and I survived another busy Christmas Carousel weekend. My good friend Hannah was in town with her two little girls last week so we also got to visit with them. Campbell is as cute as can be and JoAnna kept us very entertained. It was fun to see what we have to look forward to in the coming months and years. My grandmother returned safely from her mission trip to Tanzania. We are all very glad to have her back home safely. I know it was an experience she will never forget and we enjoyed getting to hear about her trip over pizza Friday night while also celebrating her and papa's 55th wedding anniversary. They have created an amazing legacy for our family! Friday night Keller was not ready to leave grandmother and papa’s and so I told him he could stay and spend the night with us. He hadn’t spent the night with us since before we got pregnant and I figured we better have our slumber parties now because I think it will be a while before we are up for that once Ava Kate arrives. We really talked up the special pallet that we made for him in the floor beside our bed and he was so excited to get in it. Since I sleep with about four pillows now Justin doesn’t get left with much space so I knew having all three of us in the bed would be a bit too crowded. He did good and Uncle Justin was sweet enough to lay down on the pallet with him until he fell asleep. About 1:30am I woke up to a little wimper as Keller crawled into our bed. Needless to say we got a taste of what the nights to come will be like. Saturday morning Justin and Keller went to get us donuts- that is one of Keller’s favorite things!

Ava Kate’s crib and all her stuff were starting to take over the guest room so we decided it was time to start getting the office cleaned out. Justin and a friend got the big furniture moved out Saturday. Sunday Justin and I spent all day in a reorganization frenzy! It was absolutely crazy. Cleaning out the office turned into cleaning out not only the office but also the laundry room, several closets, the armoire, bookcases and the garage. And when I say cleaning out I mean we literally pulled everything out and went through it and put it all back. In the end though we ended up with a completely empty office ready to be transformed into a nursery and lots more storage for all the baby things that will soon be filling our house. All the dust we encountered in our big cleaning project seemed to stir up my allergies which then turned into a miserable sinus infection. Fortunately we already had an appointment with Dr. Mascarro Tuesday so she was able to confirm it was indeed a sinus infection and give me some medicine. Today I’m finally starting to feel a little better. One day in bed doesn’t bother me but after two I start getting a little crazy so I was very happy to be feeling well enough to get to go back to work today. Since we got the office all cleaned out Justin started painting last night. He got her closet painted and we are hoping to get the room done by the end of the weekend so we can move all of her stuff out of the guest room next week before Grandma and Grandpa arrive for Thanksgiving!

My Precious Grandparents Celebrating 55 Years!


I just had to include a photo of this darling little tutu we got for our precious ballerina!


Our handyman!

Half Way!!!

Well I am officially half way through my pregnancy. The last 8 weeks have just flown by and I’m sure the next 8 will go just as fast with the holidays upon us. I absolutely love this time of year and I love this part of pregnancy! I just feel so good and have energy and I am enjoying getting to feel Ava move pretty much everyday now. Last Thursday she really started moving a lot and has been moving everyday since then. It is such a wonderful and amazing feeling and I just find myself sitting still waiting for her next movement. I really seem to notice it when I am sitting at my desk at work. She seems to be waking up around 10 or 10:30am at least on the weekdays. Boy it would be nice if she kept that schedule but somehow I don’t think that will be the case. Justin was so anxious to feel her move and kept saying I think she doesn't like me because everytime he would put his hand on my tummy she would stop moving but last night he finally got to feel her move and you should have seen the huge smile on his face! He didn't just feel her once but several times. We were sitting in our bed watching TV and he had just made hot chocolate for his mom and me and Ava Kate must really like hot chocolate because I felt her more last night than I ever had before. It was so fun to finally be able to share that moment with him! Grandma also got to feel her move!

Wednesday we had our sonogram with the specialist and he checked for any abnormalities. He said it is definitely a girl and everything looks just great and she is 13 ounces and 10 inches long and on track for March 25th. We will continue to see the specialist every six weeks because he likes to watch IVF patients a little more closely. Justin’s mom got to come in town and go to the sonogram with us and my mom so that was fun for her to get to see Ava again. She has grown a lot since the last time she got to see her. Then we spent the rest of the day shopping and I don’t think Ava Kate will be hurting for clothes, shoes or hair accessories. We also received a couple more really sweet gifts from friends yesterday including a beautiful blanket with her name on it and a precious apron that says My Little Cupcake! I can’t wait to bake cupcakes with her in our cupcake aprons.

Speaking of baking cupcakes we have a large order we are doing for a vendor to put in her booth at Christmas Carousel this weekend. I’m also in the style show again this year and finding outfits for a pregnant woman at Dillards was a little interesting considering they don’t carry maternity. Fortunately I haven’t gotten too big yet. I do get to wear some pretty funky heals and I’m hoping I don’t have a balance issue and trip and fall up there. I’m the only one with a baby bump up there so that should be funny! Between style show rehearsals, meetings and work shifts for Christmas Carousel, baking cupcakes and getting through year end at work it has been a crazy week and won’t slow down until Sunday! I’ll be begging for lots of foot massages this week. And of course we’ll do some more shopping for Ava Kate at Carousel!

20 Week Belly!

Another Miracle!

Since I started this blog I have been amazed at how many people have contacted me and said they were going through a similar experience or knew someone that was. I always trusted that God was not allowing us to go through this incredibly difficult and painful journey without purpose. I truly believed one of the main purposes was so we could be there for others who were hurting and going through the same thing. Through this blog God has really allowed me that privilege. Today I found out one of the girls that had contacted me is now pregnant! We have been emailing for several months now and even though I didn’t know her all that well before she contacted me she is someone I share a very special connection with now. She has become a friend. As I waited today for her results I was going crazy. She had really been on my heart this month and I had been praying for her a lot and just really wanted this to be the month for her. Finally this afternoon she emailed and told me her good news! Praise God for yet another miracle!

I have really started to blossom in the last week or so and I think when I post my 20 week tummy picture you will see much more of a difference. I'm feeling lots of stretching going on. I also think I have started to feel Ava Kate move in the last week. It is so fast that I second guess myself but I’m pretty sure that is what I’m feeling. I'm so anxious to start feeling her all the time and for Justin to be able to feel her. My mom found her journal from when she was pregnant with me and we realized her due date with me was only 3 days before my due date. She first felt me move right about this time too. It was neat to see how alike parts of our pregnancies have been. She can hear my voice soon if not already so I'm going to start reading to her at night and singing her lullabies. I'm 19 weeks today which means I'm almost halfway there which in some ways blows my mind. It seems like just yesterday I was still longing to be pregnant and now here I am 4 and a half months away from getting to hold my little miracle in my arms!

It has been a really fun week. Last week my mom and I went and picked out fabric for her bedding which was so much fun since that is something we’ve been dreaming of getting to do for a long time now. Saturday Justin and I pulled the crib out of the garage and cleaned it up and got it set up. We weren’t sure if we were going to have all of the pieces so we wanted to go ahead and set it up to be sure we weren’t missing anything. It was definately a team work event getting the crib set up. You'll see in the pics below Bella and Oscar decided to join in on the fun. We found we were missing one "small" piece- the springs that the mattress sits on- kind of important. Luckily my dad found it in their attic so her crib is all set up although we’ll just be taking it back down in a few weeks so Justin can get it painted. That afternoon all my family went to the pumpkin patch which was quite an adventure. Ethan and Keller were not all that interested in being there so we took a few pictures and were on our way. It was fun to think that next year Ava Kate will be with us. Sunday after church we went to Old Navy and bought her a few outfits for next spring including a precious little tutu skirt! I also learned about a wonderful website called www.etsy.com. I have spent many hours on there since I found out about it. If you haven't checked it out you really need to. This week I went and picked out her changing table and side table to sit by the rocker at a cute little place called The Furniture Junk-It. The lady buys furniture at garage sales and flea markets and repairs it and paints it whatever color you want with an antique finish. It is very cute, shabby chic and reasonable! I also took the fabrics for her room and picked a beautiful rose color paint to put on the walls. Of course her nursery is still an office full of all Justin's sport memorabilia so his Thanksgiving break will be busy getting the office cleaned out and ready to become Ava Kate's nursery. I can't wait to watch it all come together and become the perfect nursery for our precious baby girl!

Fabric for Ava Kate's bedding, rocker and curtains

Bella and Oscar looking at Justin as if they were asking "What are you planning on putting in there?"

Ava Kate's crib courtesy of Aunt Natalie- this was her crib as a baby!

Two little farmers!

Happy to be at the pumpkin patch!

Ready for a nap!

Sweet Ava Kate

You are truly a dream come true, a miracle and one of the greatest joys I have ever known! I am so thrilled to be able to write this specifically to you now. I love being able to call you by your name now. Your name has been chosen for over 4 years. Ava means “voice or like a bird” and Kate means “pure.” I love your name- the way it sounds, what it means and most of all that it’s yours. I always knew we would one day have our Ava Kate. After all your nana has referred to you as Ava Kate since before you were conceived. You see your nana really needs a little granddaughter to have tea parties with. When I was a little girl we used to have wonderful tea parties in my bedroom and we would set the table and sometimes your pop, my dad, would bring me flowers home after work so we would put them on the table. Of course there were some empty chairs so my stuffed animals would join us. One day you, me and your nana can have a tea party together at that same little table that we still have and saved just for you. There are a lot of people that are very excited about you! I know your grandma is going to be burning up the road between here and Houston and she will enjoy spoiling you rotten! You are going to have lots of fun with her. And between her, your daddy and your grandpa you are liable to be a little golfer! And the men well lets just say you are going to have several men wrapped around your tiny little finger. Your daddy is so excited to be getting his Ava Kate! He already loves you so very much! Your pop and grandpa while they might pretend to be tough and nonchalant, they are both softies at heart and let me tell you little girl you are going to melt their hearts. In fact I bet you already have! Of course there are so many others in our family that are just as thrilled about your arrival- your grandmother and papa, aunt Natalie, aunt Lisa and uncle Steve just to name a few! Even your cousin Keller who was adamant that you were a boy is very excited to meet his new cousin Ava Kate. And I know Lila is thrilled as well because she has been telling me for a while now that she hoped I was having a baby girl because she had a box of socks to give you. You are one very loved baby girl! Ever since I learned you were my Ava Kate I have been dreaming of things like rocking you to sleep and singing you lullabies, dressing you up for photos, having tea parties and enjoying having a partner in my Saturday morning concerts for your daddy. I’m also having a lot of fun planning out your nursery. I love little birds and nests and anything robins egg blue so I’m going to paint your walls robins egg blue and make your room very vintage and girly! In fact I stopped in Its About Time on Monday when I got the news and I picked up a few things for your nursery already. I want to create the perfect “nest” for my sweet little bird. You can see in the pictures below we have already been accumulating things for your room and you have some darling little girl clothes already too. Of course it wasn't all us- your grandma and nana have already been shopping for you and we have received some really sweet things from friends as well. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that in 5 months or less you will be in our arms. For so long you have just been a dream in our hearts and now you are a reality. We are so thankful for you and count you as one of the greatest blessings we have ever received from the Lord. Every moment of waiting and wishing and wondering when we would be blessed with you was worth it. We didn't know if we would conceive you naturally, with help or if we would adopt you but we both knew we would one day have our Ava Kate. God always knew His plan for you though just like He knows His plan for the rest of your life! The day I get to hold you in my arms for the first time will be the greatest day I have ever known! I love you my little songbird!

Dr. Says...

Today was a very exciting day! We had our appt with my doctor and we were not sure if we would get to have a sonogram or not so we had prepared ourselves to have to wait until our appointment a couple of weeks later with the specialist. When I pulled up to the doctor’s office and saw only one parking spot available I thought things don’t look so good. Then when I walked into the waiting room there were more people than I’d ever seen in there. We figured since it was so busy and we had to wait almost two hours to go back that we were not likely to get a sonogram. But when they called me back the nurse said before I weigh you I want to ask you something. She told me that Dr. Mascarro wanted to do a sonogram but the other doctor was in the room so I could either wait for the room or just skip the sonogram. Well what do you think I said? Of course I said we will wait for the room! She went ahead and weighed me and I had actually lost a pound probably from being sick with that stomach bug and by the time she finished that the room was available. While we waited in the room for the doctor to come back we were all so excited to get to see our sweet baby again and to know if he/she was an Eli or Ava. When the doctor came in and started the sonogram and got to the part where she asked us if we were interested in knowing if it was a boy or girl. I quickly said yes we are very interested. I think we all were just holding our breath as she looked. When she finally said it looks like a girl to me I said really? I had just been so certain it was a boy. I looked over at Justin and he had tears in his eyes and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. My mom was also thrilled. Of course I was so excited as well just a little shocked. I had always imagined myself with a girl but then for some reason I really thought I was having a boy so it just really caught me by surprise. Looks like most of you were right when you guessed girl. I believe the final numbers were 12 votes for a boy and 38 votes for a girl. Of course ever since we found out my head has been swirling with ideas and dreams and thoughts for my sweet Ava Kate! She was so sweet in the sonogram and she even waived to us. You could see her little hand and her spine and ribs so vividly! She was pretty calm although she was wiggling around in there a little bit. I know I’m biased but I already thought she was really beautiful!

Abundantly Blessed!

Well I missed the 16 week update last week so here we are at 17weeks. The last couple of weeks have been pretty crazy. The last month has definitely gone much faster than the first few months did. The baby is now the size of a baked potato. Its skeleton is starting to turn from cartilage to bone. It weighs about 5 ounces and is about 5 inches long. I am feeling lots of sensations but I think what I’m feeling are the ligaments in my uterus stretching but still not feeling baby moving yet. It is exciting to think that I could start feeling that anytime now. With all the different sensations I have going on though sometimes it is hard to know what I am feeling. My belly is definitely starting to pop out there more. I’ve included an updated belly photo below. There is quite a bit of difference since the last photo. This coming Monday we have our next appointment with my doctor and might get to have a sonogram if she has time. If not we will have a sonogram in about 3 weeks so we should know in the next few weeks if we are having an Ava or an Eli.
17 week belly!

Last week I had a stomach bug and it took me most of the week to get over it. I finally got my appetite back this week. It was a little scary because I was worried about the baby and if it was getting all the nutrients it needs but everyone kept telling me the baby was getting everything and I was the one not getting the nutrients which would explain why I was so weak and tired last week. Last Thursday evening we had my work party which was a Roaring 20’s Murder Mystery Dinner. It was a pretty interesting evening. I played the sultry jazz singer and Justin played the sleazy politician. It was fun to see everyone all dressed up and out of their normal character but I wish I had been feeling a little more lively. I am on the event planning committee at work so it is always nice to see our hard work paid off and I think it did. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and liked that we did something really different this year.
Yes that is a blackeye (a fake one) and a wig and with that greased back hair Justin really looks the part of a sleasy politician doesn't he!

Sunday was our 6 year anniversary! We had a wonderful weekend together. Saturday morning I had a very relaxing massage and facial and Justin brought me home the most beautiful flowers. That afternoon Justin and I went camera shopping and got a new SLR camera so we are ready to take lots of photos come March. Of course we went to get one camera and got there and we were talked out of buying it and into buying the bigger one. I have to say I am very pleased with our purchase though. That was our anniversary gift to each other. Sunday Justin woke up with a bad migraine so we stayed home from church and I decided to prepare a romantic dinner at home rather than go out for our anniversary dinner. I woke up with a burst of energy that day so I put on a pot roast with potatoes and even seared it before putting it in the crockpot this time. I’m always trying to achieve a roast that is as good as my mothers but never can get one to turn out quite as good as hers. This one was pretty close though. I also made a broccoli rice casserole and yeast rolls to go with it and Justin’s favorite chocolate chip cake. I made a little playlist of some of my favorite love songs and pulled out the china and candles for dinner. I think it was our most romantic anniversary so far and I had the most fun planning it all for him. Looking back on the last 6 years I can definitely say year 6 has been the best so far. Even though we went through some really difficult times this year especially with the failed IVF, we grew closer than ever. I think we have settled into who we are and we have really learned to love each other for who we are. I couldn’t imagine life without Justin. He is my best friend, my strength and my calm. He takes care of me and loves me more than I could have ever asked for. As I look at our life together I know God has blessed me abundantly!
My beautiful anniversary flowers!
Our romantic candlelight dinner!

Fall is here! I have really enjoyed the cooler weather this week. Partly because I was just ready for it and also because the maternity clothes I have bought have mostly been for cooler weather so it has been fun to get to start wearing them. Fall and spring are my two favorite seasons. I always get so happy when the weather starts cooling off and I start thinking about making a big pot of homemade chili, being able to put on cozy sweats in the evenings, curling up with a cozy blanket and watching my favorite shows and of course putting out my fall decorations. I'm afraid this year I may only get as far as decorating the front porch with flowers and pumpkins though.
Our fall front porch!

15 Week Update

I know I am long overdue on an update but the last week has been pretty busy. Last Wednesday we had our first appointment with my doctor here. When I had spoken to the receptionist the week before she said we would be having a sonogram so Justin, my mom and grandmother all came along. Of course we were all excited to get to see the baby again and hopefully find out if our pearl is an Eli or an Ava. Unfortunately the doctor did not have time to do a sonogram because she had to go deliver a baby so we will have to wait a while longer. We did get to hear the heartbeat for the first time which was very cool! We will go back to see her again in a little over 2 weeks and will see the specialist in about 5 weeks. My doctor said she would try to do a sonogram at our next appointment if she has time so we might know in 2 weeks or it might be 5 but we will definitely find out at the sonogram with the specialist. He will also check everything else out to be sure the baby looks healthy.

I am now 15 weeks along and the baby is the size of an apple. I am excited that I could start to feel the baby move anytime now. The nausea is completely gone and has been for a while which is a huge blessing! I know some people have to live with it the whole 9 months so I’m very thankful it is gone. I am getting my normal appetite back somewhat and going back to eating some of the things I hadn’t. In fact last Sunday I woke up and told Justin lets have Casa Herrera for lunch after church. I had not wanted Mexican food in a long time and it was really good! I am still pretty sleepy so still taking naps quite often. My belly is definitely starting to pop out there more. I’ll post belly pics with next weeks post. We are heading to Houston this weekend to visit Justin’s parents, celebrate both of their birthdays and try to do some maternity clothes shopping. Hopefully I’ll be more successful than the last attempt.

Justin has gotten very protective and also very sweet! Last weekend I had a baby shower at my house for my college roommate Kammi. Friday night Justin had been getting the house cleaned and I had been baking and decorating the table. When I finished I told him to let me finish up the dusting and he said no you can’t do that it has chemicals in it. So then I suggested that I vacuum which he and my friend Jill then informed me I’m not supposed to vacuum when I’m pregnant because something about using the muscles to push. I said I do a lot more than that at the gym. Speaking of the gym every morning when we leave the gym he asks me how high my heartrate got and if it is higher than he thinks it should be he lets me know. Can you imagine when this baby gets here how protective he is going to be? I like to tease him about it but I do find it to be very sweet actually. He has also really been into touching my belly. Last night he looked at me and then at my belly and put his hand on it and said I think it is so cute with the biggest smile and then he said I love you! It was really sweet.

As I said earlier the last week has been pretty busy. The cupcake orders had really slowed down the last few months and then last week I think I got about 7 or 8 calls for orders and a couple of them were for big orders. I had to turn some of them away because most of them were for last weekend which was the same weekend as the baby shower at our house. So it was a busy week getting cupcake orders out and getting the house ready for the shower. The shower was a lot of fun and it was wonderful to see Kammi and all her family. We lived together all four years of college and it is exciting that we are now having babies just a few months apart. She and baby Kathryn got lots of good stuff and of course it was fun to look at all the sweet baby things. Below are some pics from the shower.






That evening Justin and I finally went for our celebration dinner. We had a really good dinner at the Beehive. In Sunday School we are studying “The Five Love Languages” and my love language is acts of service. Our assignment for last week was to ask each other throughout the week how our love tank was doing (basically are you feeling loved). When we were sitting at dinner Justin asked me and at first I just laughed at the question but then the more I sat there and thought about all he had done to help me get ready for the shower I said it is very full! The basic idea behind it is that everyone feels love differently and there are 5 love languages- physical touch, acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time and gifts. The point is to find out what your love language is and what your spouse’s is and to love them the way they feel it. Often we love others the way we feel love but the problem is that might now be how they feel love. I think we have both already learned some new things about each other from doing the study and I highly recommend it for all couples. It is also applicable to your children so that has been interesting to think about it from that viewpoint as well.

Boy or Girl

A friend suggested I list all of the wives tales about the sex of the baby and put my answers and what they supposedly mean. I figured since we might get to find out this Wednesday I better hurry up and do it so here it goes.

Morning sickness- girl
Heartbeat over 140- girl
Age at time of conception and number for the month conceived added together is an even number- boy
Chinese Gender Chart- girl
Feel less attractive pregnant- girl
Craving salty foods- boy
Craving fruit- girl
Face breaks out more than usual- girl
Urine is dull yellow color- girl
Blossoming up top- girl
Wedding ring on string moved side to side- girl
Sleep on left side- boy

Looks like the wives tales point to girl and most of you think girl but they say the mom's instinct is often right and my gut feeling is its a boy. Daddy however still thinks it is a little girl. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

13 Weeks

This was a very exciting weekend for baby Jarrett. Friday night we had a big night. We met my parents, sister and two nephews at the fair. We had some yummy Aggie fries and burgers. Keller was much braver this year. He rode the ferris wheel with Justin which was a little scary at first but by the end he had a big smile on his face. He also rode the dragon roller coaster with Nana and liked it much better this year than last year when he rode it with Justin. Ethan enjoyed an ear of corn on the cob- he was pretty cute eating it with his little overalls on. Of course everyone had to have some dessert so most everyone had funnel cake but me and Keller went for the cotton candy. It was a lot of fun but also very hot and humid! Justin and I left early to head to the big rival game- Abilene High versus Cooper. In case you don’t know Justin is a Cooper alum and I’m a former Eagle so there was some family rivalry going on. It was quite an adventure just getting to the game. By the time we sat down I was pretty worn out and very hot and there was no breeze at all in that stadium. Thank goodness the Eagles pulled off a win, although it wasn’t the best game I’ve ever seen.

Saturday I got to help a friends mom get her registered for her baby shower. It was fun to look at all the sweet baby stuff and imagine picking things out for our baby in the coming months. Baby Green is going to be one well dressed baby girl. I almost had another fainting spell when we were at Surprise’s but after sitting down and drinking some water I was going strong again. One of my oldest and dearest friends, Robyn, was in town this weekend and so were her sister in laws. All of us along with her mother and all six kiddos headed to the fair again. Fortunately it was much cooler Saturday. I got to enjoy some more fair food and watch the kids enjoy the rides. It is always fun to spend time with the Pittman family because they are pretty much an extended family to me. After all that fun though I needed a nap and I got one. We spent the rest of the weekend with family and friends and resting. It was a pretty big and exciting weekend compared to how we have been spending most of our time the last few months.

Today I'm 13 weeks along. Officially at the end of my first trimester. I think I’m finally starting to get a little more energy and the nausea is pretty much gone now so maybe we will have more big weekends in the coming months. I figure we better do as much as we can while we still can. My first appointment with my doctor here in Abilene is next Wednesday and I’m really hoping she will do a sonogram and maybe be able to tell us if it is a boy or girl. We aren’t anxious or anything! Today Justin sent me an email with the meanings of the two names we have picked. Eli means "offering" or "the Lord answers" which gave me chills when I read it. This baby is such an answer to our prayers and the prayers of many others and it also reminded me of Hannah's prayer for a son, "If you give me a son I will give him to you all the days of his life." Ava means "voice" or "like a bird" which is also fitting considering how much I love to sing and hope one day my child will sing with me and I also really love little birds and nests and plan to decorate the nursery with them if it is a girl. Either way I think we have the perfect names for our sweet baby. I also figured it was time to start documenting the growing belly so below is my first belly photo. It is starting to be more noticeable and my wardrobe is getting more and more limited so I did a little bit of shopping Sunday and got a few cute things to get me through the next few months.