Giving of the Thanks

Well, my second favorite holiday of the year has come and gone.  I really can't believe that this year is almost over.  Are we sure that's right?!  I remember when I was young and my parents used to say that I kiiiiind of thought it was just something adults said to create conversation.  I certainly never felt like my semesters were going very quickly.  Of course, when you have to learn about space every single semester, it's easy to see how one might feel that way.  (Yeah, yeah- North Star and Orions Belt.  Got it.)  Turns out my parents really did know what they were talking about though because time as an adult is flying.   Who'd have thought?  ;c)

Back on track... this year Thanksgiving rudely placed itself in the middle of Ryan's bad week at work.  Bad week = working days Monday through Wednesday and nights Friday through Sunday.  Thankfully, he at least had Thanksgiving and most of the day Friday off.  We made the most of it by hitting up both the Martin and Boarman family abodes in that short span of time.

We started out on Thursday morning at Ryan's parents' house in the dirty branch.  The morning and afternoon were filled with delicious scents, lounging around and watching football.  Kylie kept us all entertained with some newly acquired colorful vocabulary (thanks Texans), shoe sharing and making sure that we were all appropriately covered in the way of band aids.  A delicious meal of turkey, sausage balls, pink stuff, green bean casserole and stuffing capped off what I would definitely call a perfect holiday. 

Who needs the green beans when you can just eat the fried onions by themselves?  Why has no one else thought of this?!

Lola & Harley are excellent turkey carving supervisors.

Kylie pie showing off the newest addition to her line of seasonal animal noises.

Turkey coma or lack of turkey pouting?  It's very hard to say.

Kylie making my shoes look goooooood.

The absolute best part of family meals- lounging around on the sofa together afterwards.

Uncle Ryan looked like he needed to accessorize that stinky foot with a Disney Princess band aid.

After Thanksgiving feast #1, Ryan, Lolers and I hit the road to head to Conroe for the evening.  Upon arrival we were immediately greeted with wine (or in baby & I's case- blueberry grape sparkling juice) and even MORE delicious smells.  While most people choose to follow a meal with dessert, Ryan and I opted to follow it with another equally large meal because that is how we roll.  After round #2 of turkey, homemade stuffing, fruit salad, corn casserole, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie we finally tapped out of the eating game for the day.  I may have spoke somewhat questionably of the lack of zipper/button on maternity pants in my last post, but after experiencing that wonder during the biggest eating day of the year... I'm beginning to think they may make an appearance annually.  We went to bed that evening full of both amazing food and gratitude for the wonderful families and friends we've been so blessed with.  

The next day we spent most of the morning and afternoon car shopping with Jules and just lounging around the house.  After Ryan left for work in the late afternoon, my parents set up the fire pit we'd given them last Christmas for it's maiden voyage.  After all, any opportunity to bust out the awesome denim Gallery Furniture jackets we have is one that the Boarman's choose to seize.  It was so relaxing to sit around and gab with the family.  It's so rare that the 5 of us all get to be in the same place at the same time.

The reason Caddy & JJ probably look so in awe here is that it's the smallest fire they've seen in probably 2 years.

No fire trucks involved in the making of this photo.

The remainder of the weekend was filled with more talking, laughing, football and general family bonding.  Oh, and we bought a Christmas tree.  :c)  The Boarmans are not typically known for their amazing tree-picking skills.  Over the years we've been known to think we've found "the one" only to arrive home and realize one side of branches appears to have been attacked by a wild pack of squirrels, a completely crooked trunk and/or a Dolly Parton-esque shape which makes you terrified to add any ornaments to the upper half.  While I don't have any pictures of the final product this year yet, I truly believe this year we may have bucked that tradition.  

Caddy doing some very precise measuring.  Thankfully she was in charge of the mental math portion of this excursion, not me.

Matt looking very enthused about the prospects of this ol' fir.

All in all, it was an absolutely perfect Thanksgiving.  I know that I say this often, but I truly mean it- Ryan and I are so much more blessed than we deserve to be.  Thank you to all of you in our lives who make it that way.  Special thanks to our families for sharing their homes, their food, their hearts and their graciousness with us.  We love you all!

I think this picture perfect encapsulates the weekend.

"You're Not Gonna Eat My Candy!"

This Halloween Ryan was kind enough to switch shifts with one of his co-workers who has children so that he wouldn't have to miss taking them trick or treating.  That left me and the Lolers on our own.  Tiffany and Ryan's parents were sweet and invited me over to help them take Kylie trick or treating.  Kylie is quickly approaching 2 1/2 which is SUCH a fun, interactive age.  I would venture to say it was the first year that she was able to pretty actively participate in the festivities.  Plus, let's not lie- I love any opportunity to hang out with that little toot... so I gladly accepted.

Little Miss was Elmo during the day at school.  I didn't get to see that costume in person, but you know I'm not above hi-jacking a picture from Tiffany and posting it here anyway.  :c)

Tickle-me-Elmo has nothing on Kylie.

After school Tiffany & Kylie ran home to do a costume change, as any great diva would.  She transformed into a cat.  More familiarly known to those in Kylie's inner-circle as a meow-meow.  Ryan & Tiffany's grandpa's wife, Nancy, and Nancy's daughter handmade the costume.  As you can see below, it was absolutely precious.  Kylie particularly enjoyed letting us all know she had a tail.

 Another Princess Whiskerface!

This one is my fav.  Kylie & Tiff.

Nothing wrong with a little pre-game lollipop before hitting the road.

Tiffany, Kylie and I hit the streets just before dark.  At first, Kylie was pretty shy and just stared at anyone who answered the door.  By about house 3, our little social butterfly shed her cocoon.  She was quick to let people know what cats say, pet their dogs, nearly walk into one home and to attempt to take an entire fistful of candy rather than just one piece if the bucket were offered.  Kylie's methodology for candy eating was much like any good woman's - eat as much as you can as soon as it comes to you.  "Oh, I have a few minutes in between the next house?  I guess I'll go ahead and polish off this box of dots.  And maybe this lollipop too."  Needless to say, by the time we made it home she was on quite the sugar high.

 Team Trick or Treat 2k12.

Miss Independent leading the way.

That's a biiiiig cat.

The rest of the evening she enjoyed answering the door and handing out candy to anyone who came by and freely passing out her candy to the rest of us.  I had so much fun and really appreciated getting to be a part of Miss Kylie's evening.  It's hard to believe that next year at this time, Miss Meow Meow will have an accomplice!  Thank you to the in-laws for inviting me, feeding me and keeping me company.  :c)  I hope you all had an equally awesome Hallow's Eve!

Those silly trick or treating novices - don't they know I already got all the good candy?

Kylie & Pawpaw dishing about dots.

 

 

 All's well that ends in a tickle fight.

Welcome Back, 20's!

I realized the other day that I'm doing a fairly horrendous job of documenting this pregnancy and while daily I don't feel like there's too  much exciting stuff going on I know that one day I'll want to reflect upon this time.  So from here on out I'll try to post an update at least once a month.  Better late than never, right?

I may have just kissed my 20's good bye, but on October 21st they resurrected themselves in the form of weeks of pregnancy.  October 21st was 20 weeks and thus the official halfway point of this journey.  I really haven't been taking pictures of my belly or anything mainly because I still think it looks like I'm incubating several rounds of chinese buffet rather than an actual human child.  However, one day at work I recognized that I actually did look a little bit pregnant if you squinted right and tilted your head just so.  My sister didn't really believe me, so I had no choice but to send her an awful picture snapped in our work bathroom.  Oh yes, I went there.

 This is what 19 weeks & 2 days looks like from a work bathroom.

This is what 21 weeks & 3 days looks like.  This time from our own tiny half bath.  (Why yes, I DID get a new phone case - thank you for noticing).

This is 22 weeks with a photobombing Lola.

So now that we've covered my appearance - how am I feeling?  I actually feel pretty great.  My energy level is back and I'm loving it.  I'm finally being productive again which Ryan and the dust bunnies in our house are all very thankful for. The only physical thing that's really notable is that I am already having a hard time sleeping.  I wake up what feels like every time I roll over and have become almost physically incapable of sleeping past 6:30 or 7:00 am.  (Mom, are you gasping?)

For a few weeks now I've felt INCREDIBLY sporadic things that I think might be movement but then talk myself into thinking they're something else (like my PB&J making itself at home).  On Saturday October 20th, I started feeling something more consistently that I'm pretty sure is our little dance/soccer star in training practicing her high kick.  I actually felt it the first time as Ryan and I were discussing possible middle names.  We finally decided on one and I interpreted her kick as her vote of approval.  Since then she has also kicked her approval of both Chick-fil-a and Lupe's.  Girlfriend clearly has impeccable taste.

What else, what else?  Ryan & I have started tackling some nursery planning tasks.  I'll cover those in another post at a later date once things start coming together.  Currently the nursery still looks like a big brown cave with brown carpet and brown walls inherited when we bought the house. 

I have also nobly taken on the task of making sure that baby girl has an appropriate wardrobe ready when she arrives.  I was proud of myself for waiting 5 days after gender reveal before I started purchasing things.  I would say that's quite the embodiment of self-restraint, right?

 I could just eat this up.  That's awkward though, so I'll refrain.

Girlfriend's got to keep her feet well clothed.  Duh.

Ryan despises Uggs.  He once stole an ex-GF's Uggs and hid them from her.  So the fact that he sanctioned this fake Ugg purchase is a testament to a father's love.

Baby girl is not the only one who's expanding her wardrobe these days.  I officially dove into the maternity wear pool.  Let's discuss for just a moment, shall we?  Maternity pants are simultaneously the most amazing and weird things I've ever purchased.  Going to work in pants that have no zipper or button makes my inner accountant feel like I'm breaking some very cardinal dress code rules.  Additionally, the service in the maternity stores is top notch.  They must be used to some crazy hormonal women because they are on top of their game.  Why yes, you can get my fitting room started after I've only barely grazed one item.  And THANK YOU for telling me that I don't look nearly as far along as my cow-feeling self is.  The wedding industry could learn a thing or two.

We had our anatomy scan on October 29th at just over 21 weeks.  Everything went well and homegirl is measuring right on schedule.  Another important tidbit - she is still a little miss.  It would have been really awkward to explain the hot pink "I love Daddy" sweatsuit I bought if her parts had morphed.  Apparently she now weighs 1 pound.  Where the others are coming from is anyone's guess.  Here are some pics of my favorite little ladybug.

 Putting her best foot forward.  Brendan, she is probably channeling your ability to do the Cha Cha Slide here. 

Sweet little ladybug profile.

Double your Pleasure, Double your Balloons

A week after our mini-gender reveal, on October 13th, my dear friend Jenn G, had her gender reveal.  Jenn is pregnant with TWINS and she's due the day after me.  It's really nice to have a friend going through the exact same thing as you are so that you can compare notes.  When you have those annoying should-my-stomach-be-making-that-noise kinds of questions, it's reassuring to have someone just a text away to ask.  It's especially great with Jenn because she has a precious older son, Noah, so this isn't her first rodeo.

Of course, I couldn't miss her gender reveal!  Ryan & Brendan had to work, so Jen and I hit the road for for the shindig as single ladies.  The fiesta was at Jenn's parents' beautiful home in Clear Lake.  The set up was mind blowingly impressive.  From a beautiful table of sushi, crab, vegetables and fruit to a dessert spread complete with festive cookies and cupcakes - it was evident no detail was spared.  I plan to enlist them to decorate for my next party.

Mmmm... crab.

Beautimous dessert spread.

 Pink or blue - everyone wins with cupcakes.

Jenn & Taylor opted for the balloon gender reveal, which I LOVE.  It makes for such fun photos.  (Editors note: by fun photos I mean if you have someone who knows what they're doing with cameras.  I don't fall into that category, so let's not look below with any expectations of prize-winning photography, mmk?)  Around 8:00 pm we all filed into the front yard to see if Noah would be a big brother to two princes, two princesses or one of each.  By the light of the street lamps we all found out that the Gartz crew will be welcoming....

The guests of honor!

Moment of truth... 

Baby A is a... little lady!

Baby B unveiling... Also a she... I apparently missed the boat on capturing the second set of pink balloons.  Doh.

 First family photo.  :c) 

Two little girls!  I'm so excited for all of them.  They'll make such a perfect little family.  I can't wait to meet Anniston & Blakely, and I'm sure our own little bean can't either.  Congratulations Jenn, Taylor & Noah!  We love you.

Sugar & Spice or Frogs & Snails?

Saturday October 6th, after 54 excruciating hours, the gender of our little jelly bean was revealed.  Ryan spent all day Friday grocery shopping, cleaning and preparing for everyone to come over.  Saturday morning he prepared a delicious spread of brisket, homemade baked beans and his critically-acclaimed pico & queso.

While Ryan was being super-husband, I busied myself with highly important tasks like... painting my nails festively.  Is he lucky or what?!  Apparently the anxiety of waiting on the gender reveal was far too great for me to actually apply myself to productive activity.  Besides running out to the store to get some paper plates and classy red solo cups.  (Oh, were you thinking that having a child would mean a red solo cup-free household?  Ha- cute.).

Team Pink or Team Blue is the new Team Edward or Team Jacob.

I forgot to take a before picture.  Pregnant ladies put food in front of photography.  So sue me.  :c)

Everyone patiently feasted on the toils of Ryan's hard work and then immediately demanded that we get down to business and cut the cake already.  Who are we to disappoint the masses?  Little Amy or Little Ryan?  Tu-tus and tiaras or suspenders & bow ties?  Carpooling to dance or to baseball?  We'll let the pictures tell the story.  Digital drumroll please...

Nervous anticipation...

 SHUT. UP.  Is that really... Noooo...

Mmmmhmm, it most definitely is...

 PINK!

 Apparently when I threatened Ryan's life and limb if he did this at our wedding, he did not think that ban extended throughout the remainder of our life time.  I've since cleared this up.

So excited to spoil a(nother) little princess... this time of the non-furry variety!

 Mamacita opening the envelope to make sure the bakery followed directions appropriately.

I guess I haven't covered anywhere on this blog what Ryan & I's official gender guesses were, have I?  Ryan thought from day 1 that this little bean was a girl.  He was so convinced that he nearly bought a pink cashmere sweater from J. Crew in week 8.   As many of you can likely identify, this is very out of character for him.  I, on the other hand, told most people that I logically thought it was a boy but for some reason I couldn't fully commit to that.  Why did I logically think that?  Because on my Mom's side of the family EVERYONE has a girl first.  My grandmother had my mom... in the next generation my Aunt Jan had Kara, my Mom had me, my Aunt Jean had Ashleigh... in our generation, Kara had Ava, Travis & his wife Miranda had Shiloh and about a month before our gender reveal we found out that my cousin Ashleigh, who's due in January, is also having a little princess.  How long can that pattern continue?!  Guess we'll find out when Julie has her first, won't we?

After the grand reveal, everyone was so elated that we celebrated in true Ryan Martin style.  What is that, you ask?  Why, with jaeger, of course.  Ryan busted out a bottle that has been in our freezer since before our wedding, apparently waiting for this very occasion.  The remainder of the evening was spent watching football, looking through my old baby book and enjoying celebrating with some of our favorite people.  Thank you so very much to everyone that participated and for all the love and support.  It was an absolutely perfect day and I look forward to sharing many more with you all when baby girl gets here.

No pregnant wombs were harmed in the making of this photo.

Cheers to many tea parties in our future.  :c)

Quickly after the celebration the boys assumed their usual Saturday/Sunday positions.

 Julie & Jen discussing their future babysitting plans.  After overhearing them I feel fairly certain Ryan & I may not go on a date again until this child is 18.

 Tiff & Kylie.  I'm so excited that Baby Martin will have such an awesome older cousin.

You might think Lola is pouting here (*cough* she is), but i prefer to think of it as getting her beauty rest to chase a little one around the house.  (P.S. I realized that I did a pitiful job of getting photos from the party... How did I completely miss getting the grandparents?!  I promise they were all there!)