"We could have this baby now" - Greg

I love my husband but he scared the crud out of me when he said this. My response was one of pure panic. No we couldn't! We haven't taken any classes, the nursery is only almost finished, we barely have clothes, nothing to feed him with! Alot was going through my head that we have NOT done and how we are so not ready for him yet. But as calm as Greg is he pointed out that he merely meant that at 32 weeks Nolan's lungs are developed and it wouldn't be 100% scary if we had him right now.

Of course we want him to stay in and bake awhile longer, but we are also very excited to meet him. What will he look like? Who will he resemble? Basically, whose genes will be more dominant/stronger, as we like to put it :) We think he will have skin in between our colors (tan and transparent), we think he might have curly hair, light eyes, and an adorably large tukus (butt). The last part I have just learned will most likely be true when I went to the doctor yesterday. I keep feeling my little man push but I have not been able to tell what part of him I was feeling. Come to find out its his butt, and man does that span a large surface ;) Greg calls it his Lawler butt, because we know it wouldn't come from me. And I love that my man will be blessed with not having a boney butt like me.

So we did go to the doctor yesterday and learned that Nolan has taken his final turn into the head down position! What a good little boy. The doctor said he must have known she was going to give him a stern talking to if he had not. It was a quick visit but that's because everything looked great! I'm gaining weight right on track, blood pressure is normal, his heart beat is strong, and his positioning is terrific! Here is to hoping this all stays the same.

So now on to what I have been up to. I am finally in the nesting stage. I know we were married OVER a year ago but I still had some presents that needed to be returned not only at my house but from my parents as well! I want to clear our rooms of all boxes and I need to do the same at my parents, because in November we will be living with them! Greg has a rotation at Methodist, located in the medical center in Houston. So to cut down on him having to drive to and from in traffic (as I did for a year) we decided to live at my parents house, less than 5 miles from the med center. This will be awesome, because we will have my parents to help. But it will also be an adventure for everyone. We will be getting use to having a new baby in our lives and my parents will go from empty nesters to having a married couple with a newborn living under their roof. Good thing my mom has ear plugs to sleep with ;) But I am very excited to have their help and we are extremely thankful that they are letting us stay with them for the month!

Now back to returning the gifts. I took only about 5 items back to Bed Bath & Beyond and received over $200 in store credit, which I learned we will be able to use at the soon to be opened Buy Buy Baby! What perfect timing! I knew procrastination would come in handy at least once in my life ;) So I decided to return to other stores as well.

Felt like I was really earning Greg and me some money so I decided to go and spend a little. There is a Carter's very close to our house and I have been dying to go in there, but have stopped myself as I knew I would go crazy. As I pulled up the windows were covered in posters advertising their Labor Day Sale, every 50% off!!! Are you kidding me, PERFECT!!! So I dared to enter, and what is the first theme of clothes that I see, Bulldog theme! I couldn't resist all the little adorable outfits for our little man! So I might have bought a "few" things. But Greg couldn't get mad because 1-it was bulldog theme, too cute to get mad at 2-it was all 50% off 3-I was using the credit card that gives us points. He says thats how I justify spending money to him, earning points. Thank you Venture card.

So here are pictures of Nolan's growing bulldog theme wardrobe!

 A zip up jacket with a onesie and pants

 Best Buddies onesie

 Button down polo shirt with Best Buddies onesie and corduroy pants

 Collared onesie and sweatpants

 Coverall, perfect halloween color

 I LOVE the footies on these coveralls

 He has to have a little prep in his wardrobe

Velour coverall, in case its cold in Houston ever

Can't wait to meet our little guy, and put him in all his adorable outfits! He will rock the bulldog look almost daily :) Thank you Carter's! 

Torrential Downpour

The final piece of furniture has arrived. However, it was an adventure trying to get it in the house :) I went last Saturday when Greg was post call to pick up the hutch from the distribution center in Sugarland. I needed his car and then needed him to be home to unload it. As I approached League City I saw very dark clouds and kept praying that it was south of us and the rain would not fall on my new hutch in the uncovered back of the truck. I almost made it. As I exited the freeway the clouds parted and a torrential downpour started. I started freaking out because Greg was still sleeping, I could not move the box, and we had no covered parking! I pulled into our driveway and constructed my amazing plan. I put flattened, used boxes covering the hutch box so they would absorb the rain. Then I cut open trash bags to cover those boxes because I didn't know how much it was going to rain. As I finished my master plan I noticed the rain that had already accumulated in the bed of the truck was seeping up the bottom of the box. So I HAD to wake Greg. I definitely don't like waking my hibernating bear when he is post call. But he was so wonderful and came out immediately and brought the box inside! I felt so bad waking him up early. He thought all my efforts were awesome but silly too.

Long story short, we got the hutch inside! And now I can show you pictures of it all put together!

Here it is...the final major piece of furniture...the hutch!

The right side of the room

The left side of the room, with a few new pieces

Notice the bulldog mobile mom bought! 

As well as the bulldog decal on the wall :)

I am so excited to see it all coming together! Now to just hang the bookshelves, curtains and fan. I'll keep you posted!

And, while on our anniversary vacation time Greg & I went to his family lake house. We were driving in to town to grab lunch and saw a road sign, Nolan Rd! We had to stop and take a picture. Then I got to thinking. Lauren had given me a picture frame that we wanted to put a picture of Lane and Nolan together in. So I had my friend Corey touch the picture up and I am so excited with how it came out. Our boys together, even if its just their names. 

We are in the final stretch

We have hit the final leg of this race we call pregnancy. I am now 30 weeks and I get to go see the doctor every 2 weeks. Its so nice because by the time I get around to telling everyone I know all the good news from one doctor appointment it's time for the next appointment with more updates! It is so fun!

We went to the doctor on Tuesday. His heart rate was great, 155 bpm, I am finally on the weight gain track and am averaging the normal 1 pound a week. We also got to have a measurement ultrasound to see an approximation of how big he is. Based on the measurements he is measuring 30 weeks 2 days, and I was 30 weeks 3 days, so perfectly on track. He is measuring about 3 pounds 7 ounces. Greg looked up online how this could possibly predict where he will be at birth. Nolan should double weight by full term, 37 weeks, and that would put him at 6 pounds 14 ounces. I can definitely do that. However, he will probably come later and we estimate if he comes at 40 weeks then he could be at around 7 pounds 7 ounces. I am thinking I can do that, as long as he doesn't go much bigger. I canNOT do a 8 plus pound baby. So we shall see how nice my little boy will be to me, his mommy. I want him to be tall like his daddy, but am all for him growing once he is out of my uterus :)

We have decided to get a pool going on multiple things concerning Nolan. You can guess as to date of birth, time of birth, weight and height. Just post your guesses and we will see who wins! I am guessing he will be born October 12th at 10:17 pm weighing 7lbs 1oz and being 20.5 inches long. I don't know why I feel those numbers but I do. Let's see how good my mother's intuition is already. No matter what he will come out being he must fit into this...

Greg and I decided before getting pregnant even the first time that He gets to "brainwash" the boys towards UT and I got the girls for Baylor and/or TCU :) Nolan better start practicing putting his horns up now!

Now on to the nursery. We have added some bulldog touches. Here are some pictures!

I purchased the prints from etsy and bought the frames from Aaron Brothers. 

I painted the trim grey to match other grey accents. 

I ordered the bulldog print from etsy and again the frame is from Aaron Brothers. 

I cut the print too short so I had to add ribbon to cover the extra space. Oops. 

Now we are just waiting on the hutch! I can't wait. I love sitting in the room and admiring where our little boy will sleep. I can't wait to see him and be able to hold him and rock him to sleep in the room, change his diaper and just play with him in there. 

Nursery: Halfway Point

Most of the furniture has come in!!! After talking on the phone with Kara about how I have to wait until the end of August to get all my furniture in at the same time the distribution center called and said some of it had arrived and if I wanted I could come pick it up whenever I wanted.

I had to wait a week so that Greg had a day off to help put it together and set it all up in Nolan's room. So I set off to Sugarland this past Friday to pick up the crib, nightstand and mattress. Much to my surprise when I called to confirm they ALSO had the dresser and glider! I was so excited! The only thing missing for the nursery is the hutch. So mom and I went to pick it up. Thank goodness we took the truck, because it filled the entire thing!

Greg had his work cut out for him. I recommended that he call a friend to help him unload, but everyone was busy or out of town. So he did it all on his own!!! Then he had to put the crib together and put all the pieces in the nursery. Remember I got the glider larger so it would be comfortable for Greg, well it was so big that it did not fit through the door in one piece!

Over the weekend Greg worked hard, for the KC, and got it all put together. I am so excited. Now we just need the hutch, and a few finishing touches. I need to get some pictures for the wall, curtains, a pillow and we are set! Here is what we have thus far. So excited!

The nightstand: 

Some Baylor paraphernalia, a bulldog lamp, and a picture frame from Lauren.  

 The dresser without the hutch:

UT paraphernalia, a NYC police car we got on our "babymoon", 

Greg's baby shoes, mommy & baby bear. 

The right side of the room:

The large and in charge glider.  

THE CRIB:

I love this crib, and the picture frame my mom bought. 

I will put his name in the white stripe. 

I can't wait until the finished product, and for Nolan to arrive and enjoy this room. I spent last night, the first night, relaxing in the room just imagining him playing in this room, sleeping and me rocking him in the glider. Less than 3 months to go!!!

Big Events for a Big Belly

SO much has happened in preparing for Nolan lately. First, I'll start off with a funny pregnancy story. Greg was being a sweet hubby and recommended that we go on an ice cream date last night. So we went to Marble Slab and got some ice cream. Little did we know that eating something so sugary so close to bed time was going to keep Nolan up ALL night. I still jump when Nolan kicks so I was tossing and turning all night. Everyone tells you to get your rest while you can before the baby comes. Much to my surprise the lack of sleep starts before the baby comes, I guess in preparation in a small part to what you will experience once they are here. I have definitely learned my lesson, but I don't think Greg is ready to laugh about this story yet, he is still tired :(

Next, I am so excited to get to the fun family celebration part of my pregnancy, the showers! I am so happy to celebrate Nolan with our families. Nolan is so loved and I can't wait for him to get here and see all those who love him gather around him.

After talking on the phone with Kara, Nolan's aunt, about his nursery and everything that is coming in for it and what I still have to wait on, I got a phone call that some of the furniture has arrived in the warehouse here in Houston! I thought I was going to have to wait until all the furniture was delivered together to even hear anything but they called to let me know some of it has arrived! And to add on top of that I can come and pick it up as it arrives instead of paying for delivery at the end of August. Finally I have something to put in Nolan's room!!! Im so excited! So next week we are picking up his crib, mattress and night stand. And his bulldog decal has arrived along with the bulldog lamp and puppy paw play mat. Just waiting on the keep calm and love bulldog poster and the four custom made bulldog prints.

Mom & Dad's influence

Decal

Bookends

Everything is coming together and getting exciting. I am so excited for him to get here!

Also, I forgot to note that I am back into my home made groove again. This all started last year when making our save-the-dates. I got the idea to save some money and make ours. I ordered vintage Welcome to Texas post cards and ordered a stamp to hand do everyone of them. And at that point mom and I were not use to the whole ordering for a wedding thing, and instead of ordering how many households we needed to send invitations to we ordered how many PEOPLE we were inviting. Needless to say we still have many left over. Then I decided to make every place card for the wedding, about 270! That was very tedious but I was very proud when it was done.

Now I have taken on making the thank you cards for gifts. I looked online and anything I wanted that was personalized would be $1.50 at least for EACH card. Way out of my price range. Since I had the stuff from last year I decided to make them myself. I couldn't decide which color scheme I liked best so there are 3 versions. Here they are.

The back is personalized with his initials, Nolan Thomas Lawler

I'm having so much fun making stationary things, so if you have an idea of something you want and can't find it, let me know and let's try to make it!!! I'd love to start doing this for fun from home to help support our family :) 

The waiting game

If Greg were home I bet he wished we had the furniture and things here already so I would stop ordering things online for Nolan. It is so hard to sit here and just wait for my baby, and his fun baby things.

So I thought I would share some of my nursery findings. You can also follow my pinterest to see what I get as well.

Ordered this from etsy.com in 11x14 and will frame it. 

Ordered this also from etsy.com in grey. It is a wall decal, about 20x18.5

Ordered this from luxeyard.com in white. They are bookends that I will paint slate grey. 

And here is the bedding I think  Im going to go with. I will order it through Baby's 1st. 

Now I am just going to try and figure a perfect bulldog pillow for the glider, paint bubble letters to hang on the wall (just purchase from Hobby Lobby) and I REALLY want to find a bulldog mobile. THEN I think I'll finally be satisfied with enough bulldog accents for Nolan's nursery :) 

If any of you find cute bulldog things you think I might like, please let me know! 

Houston, We have a viable baby

 We are now 25 weeks and 4 days. Nolan is now a viable baby should he make an early entrance into this world, which I hope not for quite awhile. Like I have said each worry milestone we pass is replaced with another. We have passed the viability check point and now to wait until the 32 week mark, then 37 and then DELIVERY! It is starting to go faster, and as I have heard from my mother friends it all only goes by faster once they arrive. So I need to try and enjoy my last few months without a major responsibility.

These next few months Greg and I are going to try and get as much couple time together as possible before Nolan's arrival. We are going to have dinners, movie dates, and even enjoy his first vacation week that he specifically requested over our one year anniversary! We will be going to his lake house and visiting his family, as this might be the last trip we have until after Nolan comes. We also will shower Lacey with as much attention while also trying to prepare her for her little brother!

I have been reading online about how to prepare your dog for a baby. A main thing is to introduce Lacey to Nolan's things and let her sniff them as much as possible before he arrives. As the room starts to get put together Lacey is definitely taking an interest in his things but I need to make sure she doesn't think they are hers, to chew on. The play mat/rug came in the mail today so I put it together. It is foam and Lacey took a quick liking to it, as a chewy.

Went to the doctor yesterday and the check up went great! I was concerned about my weight gain and was going to ask the doctor about it but she came in beaming that I have doubled my total weight gain in one month! Now at over 6 months pregnant I have gained a whopping 6 whole pounds! Haha. But as long as my doctor is happy and not concerned then I am happy and won't be concerned. My blood pressure is fine and Nolan's heart rate is good.

I will be going back in 3 weeks for my diabetes testing and other end of second trimester testing. I can't believe I am almost two-thirds of the way through my pregnancy! Then starting in August, my third trimester, my doctor wants to see my every two weeks, just to be safe and closely monitor Nolan. I like that I'll be going to see her more often. I doubt it means more ultrasounds but it will mean I don't have to call and bug her staff with questions all the time because I'll always see her in a few days so I can ask her myself.

Now we are going from waiting in limbo to everything coming quicker, 30 mph to about 60 mph, here we go!