A look at Mom with Caroline

(This was a few days before I was put on bed rest...)  This photo was taken at Megan and Tres's (Ben's cousin) wedding shower.  I had a photo shoot (per the famous Elizabth Guess) when I was pregnant with Luke and I have not done anything of the sort for my dearest Caroline.  So, here is my documentation of my pregnancy sweet Caroline.  I am about 34 weeks here.  And my hubby looks so handsome! 

As of today... Bed Rest

Tuesday night I went into the hospital with pretty severe pains/cramps/contractions. I was told I was 4 cm dilated and contracting - that my baby was coming tonight! I was so fearful! Ben was in Dallas and 5 hours away with miles of tornadoes between us. Thankfully my mom was with me but I just could not calm down. All I could think about was not being fully ready, baby going into the NICU and Ben not making it in time. They admitted me - gave me necessary meds and pain medication. Then, all of a sudden she stopped her progression forward. I remember sitting in the bathroom - trying to get a grip on things and just praying like crazy. Things are not so bad. I have my mother here and the baby is healthy so far. My dad is with Luke with many people ready to jump in.  We are in good hands, and God is the only one in true control.  So, I was able to calm down - especially when Ben made it!

I was released this afternoon (2 days later) with bed rest orders until baby gets here.  The docs do not think it will be too long but who really knows...  So, now I have the challenge of staying off my feet.  I am trying to figure out how to exactly stay off my feel without becoming a T.V. aholic.  I will work on my travel albums. Probably get caught up on bridal shower/baby shower gift orders.  But, what else?  Any good book recommendations?  Help!  How do I survive bed rest?!?!

I found this cartoon below!  Yikes!  No thanks.

Which one do you like the best?!?!

A few sample shots of Spring 2012 fibi & clo sandals. 

Memos from Monster Truck Jam

Well, we had an afternoon full of adventure at the Monster Truck Jam in San Antonio.  We thought Luke was going to go nuts but instead he just sat there and watched - very little emotion.  The decibel levels were outrageously high!  Thankfully we had earplugs plus I held his little jacket over his ears most of the time for double protection. 

Monster Jam is separated into two sections - the races and the freestyle sections.  He did not seem too excited about the races - actually I thought he was going to fall asleep.  But, after intermission, he perked up for the freestyle round and even gave a few claps and points for the totally crazy drivers/stunts.  For some of the more "boring" freestylists he pulled out one of his books and decided to read a little bit.  But once the crowd perked up and the more exciting trucks started performing - boy he was focused. 

It was a fun experience - it was my first time too.  I was ready to go after an hour and a half or so... The noise level was so high and I had my fill - without headphones. (Plus I kept worrying about his little earpieces falling out.) I think little Luke had fun - it was very stimulating. 

I must say I still prefer watching Ben's extreme off-roading competitions to this monster truck rally.  To me, it seems more strategic and not as ridiculous... but, either way, it was great to experience the show!

Guess what we are doing Sunday afternoon!?!

Get ready little Luke - you are going to have a blast pointing your little heart out at all the wheels, trucks and lights!! 

Clark's Botanicals - Birch Box Beauty find

A few months ago Ben surprised me with a monthly membership to this high end, deluxe beauty sample gift service called Birch Box.  Every month I have received the most fabulous samples with brands including NARS, SmashBox, and many others that I have researched and found in LA and NYC as the newest, latest brands.   I have yet to be disappointed - except they run out! 

This month I received exceptional skin care products including a moisturizer from Clark's Botanicals.  I am basically obsessed with it and I have only used it for 3 days!  My skin looks and feels incredible.  The moisturizer has glycolic acid in it - so you must wear sunscreen if you use it in the morning.  I use in morning and night.  It is fabulous.

The story behind the product is really moving also.  The founder is a young guy named Francesco who had a swimming accident and became paralyzed.  Because he went from active to not, his skin changed drastically.  His father, a physician, and Francesco worked together to come up with a skincare line to help him and then others!  He is also a spokesperson for the Christopher Reeves Foundation and a portion of each purchase goes to that Foundation.   




www.clarksbotanicals.com

I really want to purchase a full size of this moisturizer after I finish my sample.  I will say it is a bit pricey - $115 - but I am in LOVE with it! 

From all the press, it looks like the lip tints are really hot!





33 weeks...

Often I am filled with hope; sometimes I am consumed with dread.  Often I feel blessed; sometimes I feel resentful.  Sometimes I am downright giddy.  Sometimes I am so sentimental an AT&T commercial sends me over the edge.  Sometimes I feel gorgeous, earthy, and powerful.  Sometimes I feel like a helium balloon with gravity shoes... A delusion, you say?  Certainly not.  Look, I'm not crazy - I'm pregnant.  -Arlene Modica Matthews

I read this quote last night and it so perfectly describes me right now at this stage - 33 weeks pregnant.  Today I am feeling pretty awful - to be honest.  Not to complain but to put it simply - the pressure and pain is so excrutiating, it makes it hard to function.  I want little Caroline to stay put for at least another month... but geez louise the third trimester is no cake walk.

I haven't read my devotional in a couple of weeks but today I was so happy to read it.  I have read from the same devotional for years - I never tire of it:  'Streams in the Desert.'  Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

My translation - Hang in there.  Meeting this little girl at the right time - when she is ready - will be SO worth it.  And, I know this.  Looking at my sweet son - who was just playing cars on the side of my bed with a huge smile on his face - is another reminder of how the most painful of experiences (labor+) can bring out the most wonderful, life changing special outcomes.  Ben and I are so happy with our little family of 3.5 (including Dakota) - soon to be 4.5.  :)  We were just talking about it last night... how blessed we are!

Fun party weekend in Corpus!

We had a great weekend in Corpus this weekend enjoying festivities for Ben's cousin, Kate, and her deb weekend of fun!  These are pics of us before heading off to a Mad Hatter party complete with a real white rabbit, a caterpillar ice sculpture smoking hookah, and the queen of hearts moving through the party with her skirt of colorful delicious desserts.  (My camera died otherwise I would have some great pics.) 

Ben is very proud of little Caroline!  She is very much making her appearance here...

Christmas Trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico

This Christmas Ben, Luke and I joined George and Daryl (Ben's parents) on a fun trip to the island of Vieques off the coast of Puerto Rico.  After traveling from 6am until 7pm, we made our last flight from San Juan to Vieques - a 9 passenger puddle jumper.  Luke absolutely loved this loud ride and ended up falling asleep half way through the 20 minute flight! 

We stayed at the W hotel on Vieques.  Vieques is an old US Naval Reserve and it was basically a proving ground - bombing, target practice, etc... It is now vacant of the navy and is slowly growing as a tourist destination.  The beaches are absolutely pristine and empty (minus the thousands of sand flies or "no see-ums" that come out at sunset and eat you alive...)  The rest of the day the beaches are great.  Our hotel was right on the water and Luke enjoyed a fabulous view each day.

I love this picture - Daryl and George, on our exploring adventure day, trying to find the old sugar mill and bunkers.  We found TONS of bunkers but we were unsuccessful with the old sugar mill.  The cartoon map was not the best guide - but that is all we had!

Me and Luke at "Green" beach at sunset.  Such a great picture - those dang "no see-ums" - so sneaky.  Thankfully Luke and Ben went into the water and were spared from what the rest of us were not - BITES, BITES, BITES!

Luke was having so much fun swimming with his Dad!!  So fun to watch.

All dressed up and ready for the Pig Roast and dancing!

After a great week in Puerto Rico, it was time to go home!  We brought in the New Year playing hearts and enjoying room service!  Our little walker was so busy, he did not make it past 7pm most nights.

With a busy week behind him, Luke and his grandmother DAHT caught a ride at the airport to the gate.  What a fun Christmas vacation to Vieques complete with a trip to the largest bioluminescent bay in the world - a bay that has dinoflagellates that light up as a defense mechanism.  So as you glide through the water or fish dart off, they light up causing a neon-like effect.  Amazing to see - only at night of course!

Bob the Builder pedal ATV

Luke's best friend Crayton gave him a battery pedal car - it goes a speedy 1.5 MPH.  Ben put it together for Luke yesterday and Luke quickly learned how to drive the car (steering comes later.)  Luke loves his car and cannot wait to race Crayton!!

Luke spent today driving up and down the hallway enjoying the ride and only stopping for a short break here and there.  He has been feeling a little under the weather - this truck seems to cheer him up a bit!