Nursery is Done

We got the plantation shutters put in today, literally one day before my due date. Whew! So I guess that makes our nursery officially done and I finally took the "after" pics of the room tonight. Look back on past blogs to see the "before" to remind yourself, if you want. Notice the fun bedding my friend Sarah made for me--LOVE IT SARAH!!! The baby pics on the wall are of Ryan and I that I found when we were about the same age, in the same pose, with the same ugly 1970's carpet, in different colors, we are leaning against. Weird right? I thought it would be neat to see who the baby looks like. The "G" is either for Guendaline "Guen" Ann Fennell or for Graeber "Grae" John Fennell. We will see any day now.

Last of the Baby Showers

This weekend was a nice 3 day weekend with my husband. Since Ryan worked this past Saturday, he had this Friday off. Now that I have my weekly ob/gyn appointments on Friday, he went with me. I got up early and went walking before my appointment. It was actually a pleasant, not so hot morning, to take a walk. Then we went to my 920am appointment where the doc told me that I have gained 21lbs and now 1.5cm dilated. A whopping 0.5cm more! Not any other news besides that. Then Ryan and I were off to Lowes to do some returns, Target to pic up a few things, ate at Which Which for lunch and then HEB for some groceries. We came home and cleaned up around the house and I was exhausted after that. I took a long nap and woke up to get ready for shower #3, my work shower (see pics). It was at 7pm so when people got off work they could come too. It was very nice and once again, got lots of prezzies! Shout out to all my work peeps---THANKS! I came home around 930pm and crashed, even after my long nap.

Saturday got up and made Ryan and I a big egg breakfast. I wanted him to feel great for when he later had to go and donate blood at our church blood drive. I drove him there and back and of course he did fine. We did stuff around the house and I started cooking for our guests that were coming over that evening. We had Sarah, Aaron and Chris over for dinner as one of our last quiet dinners before this baby comes. I made a replica of La Griglia's Paglia e Fieno which is Fettuccine, Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Peas, Pancetta & Parmigiano Reggiano with a salad and cheesecake tortes for dessert. We had fun visiting and enjoying their company.

Sunday, we went to church and our Sunday school class had a prayer brunch for us. It was very nice and people gave us lots of prezzies there too. Right now, it is neatly packed away in the baby's room, but I know in a matter of weeks all that stuff will be strewn over our house. Being the neat freak that I am, that makes me freak out, but I know I will get over it when it comes to sleep vs. cleaning house. This evening Ryan installed the carseat for my carseat check at the fire station this Wednesday and I packed my hospital bag. I think we are ready for this kid. I don't know what else I can do to prepare except get lots of sleep. 11 days and counting...

The Final Days As A Couple...

Ryan and I both worked Saturday. Today, Sunday, after church, we went to the Astros game for free with tickets Ryan received at work. So we decided to head to "the big city" and go see the game as part of some fun last activities as a COUPLE. We had a good time but left early (at the 7th inning) because we were both tired. We did manage to eat some yummy baseball food of nachos and a hamburger. That put us into a nice food coma when we got home. I have to work tomorrow but Ryan has Labor Day off, hope you do too. Here are some pics from our big outing. 18 days and counting...

Shower #2 in Houston

Wow, this weekend was a whirlwind. It started with my first day off Thursday. I ran many errands, went to the mall and happened to find a new dress for my shower for $15 (see pics), came home and cooked a few things for the family that was coming into town the next day.

Friday I went for my usual walk around the neighborhood. Then off to my now weekly appointments at my ob/gyn's office. Everything is still the same, no changes, so that is good. I went to get my nails and eyebrows done for the big weekend, notice my pink toes to match my pink dress. My parents arrived into town right after I finished up at the nail salon. We met at my house and they got to see the nursery for the first time, although still not complete. We went to have lunch at the yummy Blue Water Seafood and had some poboys. We drove around my neighborhood because my parents are considering buying a patio home or renting an apartment when the baby comes. We did drive-by's of about 5 different places. Then I took them back home to rest and I headed to my hair appointment. You would think I was getting married again with all my beauty treatments. After my haircut I came back home and chatted with my parents and Ryan came home from work. Ryan's mother and Ryan's aunt, who flew down from Princeton, New Jersey, just for my shower, came over that evening. Aunt Linda's visit was a suprise to me. So nice! My sister Missy drove in from Austin and so did my friend Randi and by the time everyone got to my house it was 8pm. We had burgers on the grill and called it a night.

Saturday morning Randi and I got up early and went walking around my neighborhood before she, myself and my mother got ready for the shower that day. Ryan and my dad went to work on the house doing a list of "honey do's" that was a mile long. Mom, Randi and I left for Amazon Grill where Randi, Sarah, and Tootie were putting on the shower. It was so nice. Sarah made all the flower arrangments herself, Tootie brought the cupcake mini's which were darling and Randi made my homemade baby shower invites. We had a good time eating ceviche, amacones, empanadas, with salad and their yummy salsa with plantain chips with some delicious LOOKING mojitos and margaritas. It was perfect for the ladies luncheon. Then we opened prezzies and I made out like a bandit. So much baby stuff, I cannot wait to show you in the final pics of the nursery (soon to come). After the shower we headed home and showed Ryan and my dad all the stuff from the party. I am sure they were thrilled. Randi headed back to Austin that afternoon and Ryan and I rested while my parents went to Mass that evening. For dinner Saturday night, Tootie and Chad came over and we had pizza from Double Dave's and a homemade salad. I was still so full from the shower that I did not eat anything.

Sunday, Ryan and I went to church and came home where my mom had made lunch of King Ranch Casserole, rice, beans. Ryan's mom, Ryan's Aunt, Tootie and Chad all came over again for lunch. After everyone ate, everyone went home. My parents headed home to San Marcos and Ryan's Aunt was flying out early the next day. I rested that evening since I had to work Monday. I was exhausted. I hope that you had a great weekend as well. It was so much fun to see all my friends and family this past weekend. Love, Liz----Count down 23 days!