Thankful for...(Day 2 & 3 combined)

This weekend has been filled with lots of time with friends.  I am so very thankful for our wonderful friends.  Jon and I have really come to realize the true meaning of friendship and who our real friends are during the 7 years we have been together.  We have made some new friends along the way and some of our old friends have faded out of our lives, but those who are still around are very important to us! This weekend we have had the opportunity to celebrate some of our dear friends daughter's 2nd birthday and we found out they are expecting a baby boy in April! We are so excited for them! We also watched two of our friends get married and helped celebrate at their reception. It was so much fun and we hope nothing but happiness for the newlyweds! The next few days we will have friends in town from Fort Worth that we haven't seen since January! We are super pumped and can't wait for them to meet Lillian!  As I said earlier, this weekend has been filled with lots of time with friends who I am very thankful for! 

These are a few of my favorite scriptures about friends...

Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 12:26

Welcome to Parenthood!

I can't believe that our sweet baby girl has already been here for a week! I told her last night that she needs to stop growing up so fast! This week has really flown by and went a little something like this...
Saturday- Happy Birthday Lillian! I plan to write a separate post with her birth story.

*first family pic*

Sunday- We were still in the hospital but were blessed with lots of visitors who came to meet our baby girl.
Monday- We got discharged from the hospital and got home around 4 in the afternoon. Our first night at home was pretty good. She woke up about every 2 hours to eat, but mommy and daddy didn't get much rest between the time it took to feed and change her and put her back to sleep, to the fact that she was already having reflux and we were scared something was going to happen to her if we fell asleep.
Tuesday- We were up and about early headed to the pediatrician to have Lillian's bilirubin level checked. (It was 14.8) We also spoke with the doctor about her awful reflux. She agreed with us that it's not very common for a baby her age and she said we needed to wait until my milk came in to see if it got better. The rest of the day went by and did include a little sunbathing to help get her bili down. Then night time was upon us. It was an awful night that consisted of pretty much no sleep for anyone in the house.

*she loved sunbathing*

Wednesday- Totally exhausted, we were up and headed to the pediatrician again to have her bilirubin checked. It went up to 15, so we sunbathed more that afternoon. Our friends, Kay and Matthew and their son Luke, came to visit. It was nice seeing them and sharing a few good laughs. That night Jon and I took turns staying awake holding Lillian while the other slept. Yes, I'm sure we sound like lunatics but it worked for us and we actually were able to get some sleep.

*Luke and Lillian*

Thursday- (Jon's 31st birthday) A little more rested we headed back to the doctor's office and found out her bilirubin was down to 14.1!! Once it starts going down it doesn't go back up so we were really happy. That afternoon Lillian had newborn pictures taken. She did so good and slept so well. Come to find out my milk had come in the night before at some point and now she was getting a belly full and was able to sleep much better. Thursday evening our friends Billy and Jennifer and their daughter, Riley came over and brought us dinner to celebrate Jon's birthday. It was so nice of them and we really enjoyed their company. Thursday night our baby girl slept so well, which meant mommy and daddy did too!

*she loves taking a bath*

Friday- It was nice to not have to get up and dressed right away to go to the doctor. Jon's uncle and his wife Danna came in for the day to visit and meet Lillian. We had a really nice visit with them that unfortunately was cut short. I called my doctor to let her know that my swelling was not getting better and almost seemed to be worse. Just before I called I had Jon check my blood pressure and to our surprise it was 152/98. I let the doctor know and they wanted us to come in right away. We all three loaded up and off to the doctor we went. Almost immediately they sent us to the hospital. I was freaking out, which was not helping my blood pressure at all! At the hospital they started checking my blood pressure every 15 minutes and drew a ton of lab work. The doctor wanted to make sure I wasn't going into preeclampsia or developing HELLP syndrome. While at the hospital my blood pressure got up to 170/104. After resting in bed for quite a while my blood pressure came down to 130s/80s. The doctor came in after we were there about 4 hours to let us know that all my lab work looked great. He wanted to keep me overnight but agreed to let me go home since Jon could check my blood pressure. He discharged me with instructions for strict bed rest and started me on a medicine for my blood pressure. We came home that night and I immediately got on the couch and stayed there all night. Poor Jon had to take care of me and Lillian. Lots of extra prayers were said that night.

*Lillian with her Great Uncle Jeff and Great Aunt Danna*

Saturday- Lillian did great the night before so we (well me for sure, not so much Jon since he was doing everything except feeding her) started the day feeling pretty rested. My first blood pressure check that morning was in the 120s/80s. Alleluia! We were able to let out a little sigh of relief. That morning Aunt Candace came in town to visit and meet Lillian. Our day consisted of lounging on the couch and loving on our week old baby. Our sweet friends, Paul and Mary, brought us dinner and dessert. It was so delicious! I know Jon was super thankful since that was one less thing he had to do and worry about.  Even more thankful now for the Meal Train.  Throughout the day my blood pressure stayed good. Prayers answered! I am so very thankful for that! We ended our week with a good bath and another good night for Lillian.

*Aunt Candace and Lillian*

This week has really gone by quick. There have been lots of ups and downs. Lillian started out the week pretty rough with her high bili and severe reflux but ended on a good note with her bili going down and minor reflux! I, on the other hand, have ended the week on a stressful note but hopefully things are getting better. I will go back to the doctor Monday and hopefully be released from bed rest.
Jon and I feel so blessed to be Lillian's parents! We don't know what we did to deserve such a beautiful and sweet baby but we are so very thankful! We are loving every second of her!

Showered with Love

On January 12th a group of sweet friends and co-workers hosted a baby shower for me and Lillian. My sister was also one of the hostess and was able to come in town, along with my sweet friend, Adrianne, from Fort Worth. It was so wonderful and filled my heart with so much joy. I was overwhelmed with the love for me and Lillian expressed by everyone that was there! We received so many awesome gifts that I am so grateful for! Here are a few pictures from the shower...

[the beautiful-and delicious-cake my sweet friend, and now mommy, Kay had made]

[Lillian's going home outfit from my MIL]

[Kelli filled one of Ethan's baskets with goodies for Lillian-what a sentimental gift!]

[with Lillian's grandmothers]

[with the sweet hostesses-minus Kay who was headed home from the hospital with her 2 day old]

[the travel system we registered for-the gift from the wonderful hostesses]

On January 27th my sisters in law, along with my MIL and mother, hosted a beautiful baby shower for us.  It was a great time with family and friends.  I am still so thankful for all the gifts and love that everyone has shown for Lillian.  She is one blessed little girl already!!

[super cute bow holder- thankfully she is going to have a lot of hair and will need lots of bows]

[the sweet hostesses bought Lillian a swing! we will be using that often]

[with the hostesses]

[cute decor]

[more cute decor]

[the yummy cake my MIL had made]

Today at work a patient's wife gave me a blanket that she made for Lillian.  It is so beautiful and really meant a lot knowing she thought about me and our sweet baby girl.  I feel so blessed and truly loved by everyone!  I think we are officially ready for Lillian Grace!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas snuck up on me once again this year. It really does not feel like it should be Christmas already!  We just got our Christmas tree 2 days ago (yes, that's right, 4 days before Christmas day).  I have had my house decorated for weeks with all my holiday decor, but we never made a trip to get a tree.  Jon said he didn't think it felt like Christmas without a tree so he went Friday night and picked one out for us.  I told him that we will have to be more on the ball next year since we will be introducing a new life to the traditions of Christmas.  I will say that I do love the Christmas season.  Some of my favorite things to do during this time of year are...
-driving around to look at Christmas lights.  I love to get a mug of hot chocolate and jump in the car and check out all the houses lit up.  I will admit that some of the houses are quite amusing with the blow up decorations and the Clark Griswald wanna-be's.   We have been around a few neighborhoods a couple times this year.  I am looking forward to next year when we can dress Lillian in her Christmas PJs and drive around to show her all the lights.
-enjoy the music.  There is just something about Christmas music that makes you happy and want to smile.  Now there are some songs that become annoying after you hear them 25,000 times in a day on the radio, but for the most part all Christmas music is enjoyable.  For the past 2 years we have driven to Dallas to go to a Christmas music concert of sorts at Jon's uncle's church, Prestonwood.  It is a megachurch to say the least with an enormous choir.  They put on a wonderful Christmas program.  It always brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!
-going to parties.  Whether it's a tacky Christmas sweater party, a night with the girls, or an office party, it's always nice to get together with friends during this time of the year.  My work had our Christmas party this year at Zocolo.  It was a lot of fun and made me even more thankful for my job.  I really feel appreciated where I work and I am so thankful for that!
-baking goodies.  I like to bake anyway, but during this time of year it really is fun.  I made some treats and bagged them up for the people I work with.  This evening I plan on making even more yummies, like fudge, cookies, and a pie!  I hope everyone is ready for some sweets.
-spending time with family.  My sister made it in town yesterday and will be here for a few days.  It's always nice having her in town.  We are heading out to my parents on Christmas eve night to eat and spend time with my parents and grandparents.  On Christmas day we are having lunch/dinner at our house and Jon's parents and uncles will be here.  Then Friday we are getting together with Jon's sisters and their families.  To me the holidays are all about family and spending time with one another, enjoying each others company, laughing and just having a good time.  I know this will be even more important to me in the coming years, since Jon and I will have a family of our own.    Jon and I have been talking a lot about traditions that we want to start with Lillian, and just the thought of having her around this time next year brings so much joy to my heart!  It's crazy to think that we will finally meet her in 2 shorts months!  I've been saying all along that once Christmas gets here it will be just about time for her to arrive.  Well Christmas is here, now it's time to get myself in gear and get ready for this sweet baby girl.
I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that we remember what the season is really about.  Take the time to hug your friends, tell your family you love them, and thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us!

A Time to be Thankful

Although I should be thankful everyday for all the things He provides me, I tend to get busy in my every day life and do not always take the time to think of the things I am truly thankful for.   I do feel that I am overall grateful and thankful for the life I have been given, but there are specific things I would like to point out that I am very grateful for this year.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that I am pregnant.  I do thank God every day that He has blessed me with the ability to carry a child.  Unfortunately not every woman has the opportunity to be pregnant.  Before I became pregnant I always had a fear that I would be one of those women.  I see it a lot nowadays, especially since a lot of girls my age are now wanting to be moms.  When I found out I was pregnant I was shocked but definitely thankful.  Being able to feel Lillian move and kick inside my belly is an awesome feeling and one I am truly grateful for!
I am thankful for my health.  I may have a few set backs here and there (headaches, cankles, etc.) but those are nothing in comparison to those fighting for their lives or battling lifelong illnesses.  Being in the healthcare field I see all sorts of sick people, and I am so very thankful for the health I have been given.
I am thankful for my husband.  God knew what he was doing when he brought us together.  We have become very close and matured together in our relationship with the Lord in the short amount of time we have been together, and I can only imagine how much better it will get in the years to come.  We have been through quite some tough times already, but with God leading the way, we have made it through and come out stronger in the end! I love my husband dearly and thank God always for bringing us together!
I am thankful for my job!  It took me quite a while to find a day job, and I am so happy to be working where I am now.   I am actually able to be off for Thanksgiving, allowing me to spend time with family.  What a thing to be thankful for!

And a few "small" things I am thankful for:
-the dishwasher!  There is nothing I despise more than doing the dishes!
-good smelling candles
-the warm sunshine on a cold day
-ice cream
-hand me downs (I actually have quite a few things to wear thanks to my friends' maternity hand me downs)
-compression socks
-gas in the tank (of my car of course)

I am really looking forward to 4 days off from work to be able to spend time with family and friends.  After all, they are the most to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

LSU vs Miss St

Every year the ENO crew gets together for a LSU game.  I was never able to go because I was working, until this year.   Jon and I planned on going as soon as we knew the date.  I was really looking forward to it.  I had never watched a game from inside the stadium! (I was in Baton Rouge quite a few times in college for games, but never made it in to the stadium for the game) Then Jon got hurt, and we had no idea how we were going to tailgate and make it to the game with him on crutches.  Then he got a wheelchair and decided to call the ticket office to see if they could accommodate.  We ended up being able to sit in the handicapped/wheelchair section with an awesome view!
The morning of the game we got up with the sun (or maybe before) and got ready and headed to the campus.  Fortunately we were following Nathan, Kelli, and Terry's lead because Jon and I were rookie tailgaters.  We found our spot and got things set up.  A little before lunch the rest of the crew made it out.  Terry and Nathan whipped up some wonderful jambalaya in a cast iron pot that is at least a century old!  It was probably some of the best jambalaya I've ever eaten!  We took a walk to pick up our tickets from will call and to see Mike the tiger in his cage.  We went back to our tailgating spot and hung out until game time.  Of course we then made our way to the stadium to watch the tigers defeat the bulldogs.  It was a really great time and I'm so glad we were able to go this year!

Terry & Nathan aka The Cooks

Kelli & me

tailgating with the hubby

view from our seats

LSU vs Miss St game

It's Time...

One of the latest trends is to have a party to reveal the gender of the expected baby.  Jon and I debated on whether to have a party or not, and ended up deciding to have one.  I had an idea for the theme right away, but that was changed due to the time when we found out what the baby will be.  I knew I wanted something different, something I had not seen many people do.  I googled and brainstormed and finally came up with the theme of "It's Time."  I used clocks as the main decor and used a cuckoo clock as the reveal.  The biggest challenge was finding a cuckoo clock!  They don't sell those things in the stores, so I went to the internet.  I was shocked to see the price of cuckoo clocks!  I finally found a kids cuckoo clock from a company in Europe.  I told my mom about it and she found it on Amazon and ordered it for us.  I was so thankful!  Once the clock came in the party planning was in full force!  A local invitation shop was able to design and print the invitations exactly how I wanted them.  Then I planned out the menu.  Since it was in the late afternoon we served snack/appetizer foods.  Next, I decided to make clock cookies for the party favors.  (I will save those for a separate post.)  Everything came together really well.  It was a rainy day, but a fun and exciting afternoon.  I am so thankful for all our family and friends who came to celebrate with us!  We truly feel so blessed!

Old Wives Tales Board

Smores & Peanut Butter Cup cookies

Bacon Wrapped Potatoes

Caprese Salad skewers & Rotel Cups 

future mommy & daddy

It's a girl!!! Lillian Grace is due 2/25/2013 and we are so excited!!!

Four Seasons

We have four seasons we recognize around our house...winter, spring, summer, and football.  We are definitely in football season now.  Our LSU flag is flying and our new LSU wreath (from my sweet friend, Adrianne) is on the door.  Jon is constantly "researching" so that he can make the right decisions and play the right players each week in his fantasy football teams. (Yes, I said teams...he has three!)  I am a fan of college football over NFL, but I sit and watch most all of the games with him.   I think one of my favorite things of football season is the get togethers.  You all know I love to entertain and have people over.  I also enjoy getting together with our friends at their houses too!  We've been hanging out with some friends on Sundays for Saints games (although Jon is a Cowboys fan).   We went to our friends, Billy & Jennifer's, this past weekend to watch the LSU vs Idaho game.  I was in the mood to bake and decided to make something to bring over to their house.  After browsing Pinterest, I came up with a tiger striped cake!  The picture was super cute and the instructions seemed easy enough, plus I had all the ingredients on hand.  I made the cake mix, halved it, and dyed each half.

Then I alternated each color cake mix in the pan.

I baked the cakes according to the directions.  I iced the cakes with a chocolate marshmallow icing.

Then I decorated the top for the tigers.  I definitely need to take a cake decorating class, or at least, start practicing a lot more.  I have a ways to go on the look of the cake.  I also learned a valuable lesson.  I iced the cake on the cake carrier since I knew we were taking it somewhere.  Well, it didn't like the ride very much, because by the time we were at their house the top layer had slid halfway off the bottom layer.  From now on I will be putting toothpicks in to hold the two layers together.  Needless to say, cutting the cake was a disaster, but it still tasted delicious!!

GEAUX TIGERS!

birthday, babies, and pickles...

This past weekend we took a quick trip to Forth Worth to visit Adrianne and Ruben and celebrate their baby, Julian's, 1st birthday.  Adrianne went all out planning for this celebration under the "Big Top."  Here are a few pictures from the party...

some of the goodies

Adrianne made this!!

I can't believe Julian is already a year old!  He is such a happy kid! We always enjoy visiting with them and wish that we could make it over to Fort Worth more often.

While we were over there we stopped at a few stores that we don't have here in the Port City.  One of those being Buy Buy Baby.  If you are not familiar with this store, it is owned by the same company as Bed Bath & Beyond and basically is just the same but all baby things.  I walked in the store (it was my first time) and told Jon that I thought it was awesome and overwhelming!  They have everything you could ever want and/or need and them some!  We saw quite a few things that we feel would be unnecessary but other things that we definitely needed.  Surprisingly we didn't buy anything.  I think mainly because we are waiting to see if Tiny Cox will be a boy or a girl.
Another place we stopped at was Central Market, which is one of my favorite places ever!  I stocked up on some fruity candy and we picked up a few other things, including lobster tails and mussels.  Jon cooked the lobster and mussels last night for dinner, along with twice backed potatoes and salad...talk about delicious!! (I didn't indulge in the mussels)  While we were at the store I spotted this pregnant girl's best friend...

A pickle bar! They had all sorts of different flavored pickles!  I played it safe and bought a few of the New York Super Sour Pickles.  They are super sour and super good at that!
We have and OB appointment this week, which is always something we look forward to these days.  Unfortunately they are not planning on doing an ultrasound this time, so we will have to wait a few weeks to find out what gender Tiny Cox may be.  The anticipation is starting to wear on me!!  I'm still pretty certain it is a girl, soon enough we will see.