Aggieland 2011

Every year, our family makes it's way to Aggieland to yell for our Aggies at a football game, eat great food and spend some quality time together. We hope to be able to continue this tradition throughout our lives - as it is a great time and crucial to the development of "Future Aggies!"

This year, we had a great time, as usual! We always try to get there just in time for lunch at the Dixie Chicken, where you can find the best hamburgers on this planet and a wonderful side called Tijuana fries! We make sure, each year, to get a picture of Kaylee in front of the Chicken. Here is how much our girl has grown from her first trip!

2007 - Technically, this was her first trip to the Chicken, but not during football season!

2011 - Oh, how much our girl has grown!

I also love getting a picture of Kaylee and her daddy on their way down "Bottlecap Alley." I picture them walking it together even when she's grown up and having little Aggies of her own!

2008



2011 - My loves!

I made it a point, this year, to get some extra special family photos taken during our trip. Next year, there will be a new member, so this year seemed like one of those moments I wanted to commemorate!

I love my family, and I love Aggieland - my second home! These are some very special memories we share together, each year, and, win or lose, we always manage to enjoy our time spent together there! Here's to many more years and memories to go!

Love and Blessings,

Jessie



Growing Up...

Today, Kaylee and I went with my sister and her kids to Love Creek Orchards in Medina to their pumpkin patch. It's a place we try to go every fall, and they have lots of fun for the kids and some great photo opportunities, as well! We first took the kids when they weren't quite two years old, and they really enjoyed it. Last year we weren't able to go with my sister, but we did go with some other friends. It was really nice to have all three kids together this year, and it's crazy to think that there will be one more added to the mix next year!

As we made our way through all of the different activities, painting pumpkins, the big haybale maze, petting zoo, etc., it was crazy to think how this has become a part of our lives and our childrens' lives. I can remember the first year we took them, and to think about how much they've grown, it kind of makes me sad. I couldn't help but go back to look at photos from the previous years to see how much our babies are growing up. Here's a flash of the years past for you to enjoy, as well!

2008

 



2009



2010



2011





16 Weeks!

Today, we had our 16 week appointment to listen to the baby's heartbeat, again! This time, Kaylee was along for the ride, and I was very much looking forward to seeing her reaction. A month ago, when I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, Dr. Cornett really had to get in there to find this little one. Today, she barely touched the doppler to my belly and that little heart was beating away at 160 bpm! Kaylee thinks it sounds like the wind blowing, so now, everytime she hears the wind, she says, "That sounds like my baby's heart!" When asked what she thought about the whole situation, her reply was, "It's really loud, and it's nice, too!"

Kaylee is still very concerned about this baby going away like our last baby. She even told Dr. Cornett that she really hoped her baby was still okay. I think this stems from the fact that I have been sick with a stomach virus for the past two days - one that I got from taking care of Kaylee when she had it Sunday and Monday. I think, or at least I hope, that next month when she gets to "see" the baby again, that her mind will be put a little more at ease, and that she will be able to really envision her baby arriving in the next four months!

So, for all of you awaiting that big gender announcement, you better hope that November 15th is the magic day that this little one decides to do that perfect "pose" and let's us know if he is a he or she is a she! We will be blessed either way! Until then, I will work on getting my health back in order, feeling this little one wriggle around in there (yes, it started last week!!!), and looking forward to seeing "pictures" of my little sweet baby in less than a month!!!

Love and Blessings,
Jessie

Occupying My Time...

We are now at 15 weeks! Hooray!!! Time is really flying by, and if I didn't already have enough other things to do, I have now decided to take up crafting. I blame it on Pinterest - that site is addicting!

I used to be artsy when I was younger, but over the years, other things have begun to occupy my time. I don't really think anything has changed, but for some reason, I have developed the urge to create things for our home. For anyone that has visited our house, you may have noticed that there are a lot of bare walls. I have been very wary of putting things on the walls without being 100% sure that I can live with them for the entirety of my life.

Let me give you a back story to that fear. I come from a long line of borderline hoarders, and I have sworn to myself that I would never succumb to the urge to "collect" too much of any one item. My Oma had shelves of tchotchkes collected from various places and displayed throughout her home along with family photos. My mother has taken it to another level, even moreso, since having grandchildren, and has collectables, momentos from their travels, candles, photos and more, filling shelves and on the mantle of my parents' fireplace. Rather than replace older photos with new ones, she just gets new frames and the "clutter" continues on. I'm not knocking anyone for doing this...it's just not my taste. While I love having photos of family and friends throughout my home, I have always loved the look of model homes with the more artful appeal. I'd like to think when my home is "complete" someday, it will be a good balance of both. I want people to know a family lives here, but I also like the classy and clean look! I am determined to prove that you can have both!


Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones surging throughout my body, or maybe it's just boredom - I have no idea the source. These bare walls are screaming for my attention! The first project I took on was an addition to Kaylee's room. She loves butterflies, and she's always looking through the potterybarn kids magazine longingly wishing for one of the cute little girl rooms they display. She brings the magazine to me from time to time expressing her wishes for something that would be good for her room. Awhile back, she showed me some butterflies they had for the wall, but for anyone who knows, nothing sold by potterybarn is cheap. A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon a tutorial on Pinterest on how to make the butterflies shown in those magazines out of scrapbook paper. Who knew it was such a simple task? I decided to go for it! I grabbed some scrapbooking paper that I have used to do some other projects for Kaylee, printed out a butterfly pattern on them, cut them out, folded up the wings and put them up on her wall with command hook tape (for easy removal in the future). It was way too easy, and turned out so very cute!

That project took all of 15 minutes, so I decided to attempt another item I had found on Pinterest. In Kaylee's bathroom, there is an entire drawer devoted to the storage of bows, ribbons, clips, hairbands, etc. The drawer is overflowing, and Kaylee is always getting new bows for her hair. When we moved into the house, Kaylee was not quite two, so we just decorated her bathroom in what we had lots of - rubber duckies! She is quickly growing too old for rubber duckies, and I have been wanting her to have a more mature bathroom, even if she'll be sharing it with a baby brother or sister. The project I found seems to be a good start and something to work around when looking for new decor for her bathroom. Plus, it's a bow holder! Talk about two birds with one stone! All I needed was an old picture frame, some cotton batting, some fabric, colorful ribbons, spray paint, and a handy husband helper! I "stole" a frame from my parents that had been hanging in their storage building for years, spray painted it with an ivory color that we had on hand, and gathered the other materials while it dried. I had Gene cut me a backerboard to fit the frame (since it didn't have one), and I wrapped it with the batting and fabric. I then spaced out the ribbons to my liking, and fastened it into the, now dry, frame. I had Gene staple on a thin piece of cardboard-like material to the back to finish it off, and voila, it was done! Rather than hang it on the wall, I am going to get an easel to display it on the previously vacant countertop in the bathroom. I like to think of it as functional artwork!

 As stated in a previous post, we recently "remodeled" our office. I had made a trip to Kirkland Home (one of my favorite places), for some decorating inspiration, and I did manage to find a few items that I thought suited the room. It has still been left with two bare walls, though. I have been brainstorming on what I should do with those walls for some time now, and I finally decided that at least one of them needs that combo of an artful, yet personal, touch! I have made this my current project, and I have chosen an item that I found on Pinterest (of course). Though I have some work to do on it, I wanted to share with you what the end product will be similar to. Yes, that's a curtain rod fastened to the wall with screws displaying block lettering that has been modge podged with scrapbook paper and vinyl lettering. I plan to purchase some black picture frames to display photos of our family in a collage above the curtain rod. I am very excited about this, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

So, aside from dance, soccer, grocery shopping, errands, parties, housework, yardwork, playing incubator, doctor's appointments, teeth cleanings, cooking, baking, entertaining Kaylee and preparing for the upcoming holiday season, I have now found one more thing to occupy all of those hours left in the week - crafting! I am really enjoying it! I guess now we'll just have to wait and see what the 16th week of pregnancy has to offer next week! Until then...

Love and Blessings,
Jessie

UPDATE!!! HERE IS THE FINISHED OFFICE WALL PROJECT:

14 Weeks!!!!

As promised, I am posting an update on our bump! Today, we are exactly 14 weeks along, which officially, puts us in the second trimester! I know what you might be thinking....12 weeks is the first trimester...right?!! I thought this for years. After all, three months times four weeks per month equals 12 weeks. Nine months is full term...well, not in doctor's terms. That 40 week thing gets me, too!

I have to say, this first trimester was very different from when I was pregnant with Kaylee. Of course, there was that whole, "Will I miscarry?" question at hand. Fortunately, I felt really positive that everything would work out this time around. The biggest difference that I experienced was morning sickness. With Kaylee, I was sick morning, day and night well through the first trimester and into the second. This time around, there's been nausea to deal with occasionally, but it was more constant hunger than anything. Unfortunately, this has meant that I have had to eat - A LOT! This was hard for me going from barely eating to eating for what seemed like eight. (Not really, but I did feel a bit hoggish!) For awhile, I was terrified it was twins just because of the hunger factor. When I went in for my 12 week appointment, I was sure Dr. Cornett would be concerned about my weight gain. Apparently, four pounds isn't that bad because she didn't say a word. I still couldn't help but add it up in my head, though. Literally, I had gained a pound a week since my initial appointment with her. I certainly hope this trend doesn't continue! Luckily, things have leveled off this second trimester, and it seems that my eating habits have become more human once again. So many people have told me, "You're having a baby, you're supposed to gain weight!" The way I look at it, though, is that my bump is only about an ounce right now, the fluid adds a little more weight, and the rest is all mama! It's not like I didn't have a fat storage for this kid to work off of - that's what Kaylee did! I lost 15 pounds during the first trimester with her! I guess I'll just have to deal with the fact that this little one likes more cushion than that which is already available! Such a picky little thing - already!!!

So, as much as I dislike this part, I will, as promised, post bump progress photos. The first photo is the one I took the day I got my positive test - 4 weeks. The second was taken this afternoon - 14 weeks. (I know you are supposed to try to wear the same clothing for each photo, but I mistakenly took the first photo in my "small" jeans that I do not dare try to fit into today!)

14 WEEKS

4 WEEKS

Things have definitely....filled in...so to speak. Here's to hoping I can get back on the weight loss track after this little one makes his or her debut!

I was told today that I look cute pregnant, which I am sure was just kind words for a chubby mama! I'll take them, though! I am looking forward to getting an actual bump rather than what looks like a big dinner, and it can't come soon enough!

Gene and I were discussing the other night how quickly this pregnancy seems to be going. In six more weeks, he or she will be halfway cooked! April still seems so far off, though, to meet our little one. I keep telling myself to enjoy every moment of pregnancy, and in reality, I know there is so very much that needs to be taken care of before the big birthday! Kaylee asks all the time, "When can my brother come out?" (Yes, she thinks it's a boy!) We keep telling her that the baby has a lot of growing to do. She has been putting more thought into life when this baby gets here. She asked the other day where the baby would sleep. We showed her the room, and told her that if she wanted, she could have that room, with a bigger closet, if she wanted. She firmly told us NO with a dramatic explanation of not wanting to give up her butterflies and her pretty bed. Even after explaining to her that we would move everything and even offering to paint the room pink for her, she was standing her ground with her original NO. So, it looks as if this baby, whether it be a brother or a sister, gets the best closet in the house - besides mine, of course!

Things I am looking forward to in the second trimester:

1) No nausea! Well, it's still lingering a bit, but pretty much has said, "Farewell!"

2) Baby bump! I know I've "grown", but I'm ready to look like I'm smuggling a basketball under there!

3) More great blood pressure! So far, so good, and I hope it stays that way! I struggled with hypertension with Kaylee during my entire pregnancy, eventually going on bedrest and being induced two weeks early because of it. I know that the bigger the baby gets, the more pressure will be put on my body, so all I can do is pray that God and Dr. Cornett can keep things under control!

4) Boy or Girl?!! Yes, I will be sure to let everyone know as soon as we find out one way or the other. Right now, it is looking like we will be finding out around 20 weeks, which will be around Thanksgiving. I know it seems so far away, but it will be something that we will be "thankful" to find out!

5) Quality time with Kaylee! I know that once this baby does come, my time alone with Kaylee will be much more limited. I plan on getting to the zoo with Kaylee at least one or two more times before the holidays, as well as trying to do some other activities! Before long, she will be in school, and these days will only be a memory!

6) Feeling baby!  I know this little one is wriggling away in there right now, but I can't feel anything yet. (I blame all that cushion!) I can't wait to feel this little one growing and moving about, and I am looking forward to seeing Kaylee's face the first time she can feel him or her, too!

There is so much more to list, but you will just have to wait for me to blog about it later! I LOVE the second trimester, and I plan on enjoying every single moment of it! I have my 16 week appointment in two weeks, so I will be sure to post any important updates then! Until then, keep us in your prayers!

Love and Blessings,

Jessie

I'm a Lucky Woman...

I think we women, as wives, sometimes tend to overlook how lucky we are to have the men that we have in our lives. I guess, for myself, I grew up with a father that could do, fix or build just about anything, so, naturally, I just assumed when I found my husband, he would be able to do the same!

When I met Gene, back in college, I found out quickly that he was knowledgeable on many subjects. He had worked with an electrician since he was a teenager, and that was the work he was doing when I met him. My family was excited about this because it was the one thing my dad had no interest in messing with - electricity! He came in handy when it was time to change out wiring in an old house, upgrade an electric service or just put up a new fan! Shortly, after I met Gene, I ended up having to have my car fixed, and I shelled out a LOT of money to do so. Gene told me a week later that I could've bought the parts, and he could've installed them for free to save me $$$ - too little, too late! He had worked rebuilding old model cars for the "old man" in Big Spring, so he knew a little about engines. He is now the official at home mechanic for stuff like changing out brakes and other little jobs. I think my dad enjoys that as well! So, he could do electrical and mechanical...still not everything...right? Nope! He took a side project on to remodel the guest quarters of a good friend of our's in College Station. By the time I married Gene, two years after meeting him, I had found out that he could do just about anything asked of him. Well, he wasn't the greatest painter, but I guess you can't be good at everything!

As a little girl, I had always expected my daddy to build my house. When I married Gene, I knew he would be a big part of that, too. Working for Tilson, Gene had the connections to get the stuff done that we couldn't do ourselves, but for the most part, he and my dad built our house from the ground up! I remember going through a ton of houseplans, trying to find that exact one that would meet all of our expectations. It was impossible - I was so picky on what I wanted. Finally, Gene said, "Just draw it up, and we'll build it." That is exactly what I did. At around 2 a.m. one morning, I woke up with the exact plan in my head. I got up, flipped on the bedroom light, put it on paper and showed Gene. He liked it, and had a friend involved in drafting draw it up "officially." This November, we will have been living in this house for three years! It is hard to believe it's been that long already. I know, though, that I wouldn't have it if it weren't for Gene!

(During the building process...)

You wouldn't think it, but even with a new home, you can still find things to change. When we built, there were a couple things left for future projects. One of those was our office. Call it a "blank slate" of some sort. This past fall, I finally decided what I wanted for that room. Gene walked in from work one day, and I handed him a drawing of what I wanted. His reply, "You're going to have to buy this." I was shocked! "YOU, can't build it?!!" I replied. I just couldn't believe my ears. I set down my drawing, and put the thought of my dream office in the back of my mind. By the end of the week, I caught Gene with the drawing out in his workshop beginning construction on my new built-in! It turned out beautiful! See for yourself...

(I have to give my daddy credit for the paint job on the built-in and the walls! Like I said, Gene isn't a painter!)

Since I have gotten pregnant, I have been nesting like crazy already! I am on a mission to reorganize every closet and cabinet in this house. One closet that has driven me crazy since we moved in is our hall closet. The shelves we had installed were the simple wire closet shelving, which are fine for clothes, but not blankets and larger items. I was always having issues with items falling off the shelves or just not fitting all together. Everything would end up on the floor, and you couldn't even walk into the walk-in closet. I wouldn't even show it to people when they wanted to tour the house - I was so embarrassed! A week ago, I asked Gene if there was anyway we could change out those shelves. He told me to draw up what I wanted, and he would do it. Here are the before and after shots...

(Before)

(After)

It's like heaven behind those doors!

When Gene and I decided that we were going to get married, and we were discussing our lifelong dreams and goals, he told me, "I will do everything I can to give you everything you have ever wanted!" At the time, I just assumed they were words of love, but reality usually tells us that we don't get everything we want. Well, Gene must be pretty good at defying those odds, because here is the list of things I wanted out of life at that time...

1. I want to get married. (Check)

2. I want to live in a big beautiful home with a big yard in the Hill Country close to my family. (Check)

3. I want three kids. (Workin' on it!)

4. I want to be a stay-at-home mom. (Check)

5. I want us all to be happy and healthy. (Check - most of the time!)

I'd say he's kept his promise, and he continues to do so every single day! He listens to my hopes and dreams for the future, and I have no doubt that he'll do whatever he can to support those. Whether I decide to start my own business or go back to school, he will be beside me, rooting me on!

While Gene may not be good at cleaning up after himself, and he may not be one to help clean the house or do laundry, he is a wonderful husband, father and provider for our family! He was rough around the edges when I met him, but I have done some work on him over the years. You can say he's done much of the same for me. Never a day passes by when I don't thank God for giving me this man to love. We are still a work in progress, and that is how it should be! I wish for many more years to grow and change with this man I call my husband, and I hope that I never forget that I'm a lucky woman!

Love and blessings,

Jessie