Aunt Jenn's Baby Shower & Brown Bunny

This weekend was Jenn's baby shower. Jeff's sister, Jenn, is expecting her first baby in December. Jenn and Jade are super excited about having baby Analeigh. They both love kids and have had such fun being an aunt/uncle. The shower was held out in Aledo at Debbie's house. We got there early and helped stuff goody bags and play with baby Luke. Afton loved being a hostess-again. She took it upon herself to be "Vanna White". Each time Jenn opened a gift, Afton snatched and then walked it around the room to show all the guests. She loved the 'oohs & ahhs'. Jenn recieved some beautiful gifts and looked lovely. We stayed after the shower and played with Mimi and then went to dinner.









Sadly we left Brown Bunny in Aledo. Anyone who has met Brown Bunny knows that this caused a problem. Afton has never had an attachment to anything besides her paci. Dolls and toys have come and gone, Afton hasn't noticed. But after Becka's bunnies moved to Idaho, Afton feel deeply in love with Brown Bunny and her sidekick, BunBun. (Afton got BunBun when she was in the NICU.)

The Infamous Brown Bunny


We made it through the night without Brown Bunny, but the next day, tears came when Afton saw that she still did not have her. Since my dad got Brown Bunny for Afton at Barnes&Noble, we made up a story that Mimi was going to drop her off at B&N for us. We thought we were so clever. There is a B&N in Southlake, we planned on just running in, buying a new one, and saving ourselves a trip out to Aledo to get the original. Of course, when we got there, Brown Bunny was sold out. Turns out that she is the most popular of all their stuffed toys- go figure!

We had to do some quick thinking and tell Afton that Mimi actually dropped her off at another B&N. We sped down the road to the B&N off of MacArthur and 114. Luckily, Brown Bunny was there! We ripped off the tags before reuniting her with Afton. Although she was a bit suspicious at first (we told her that Mimi must have bathed her really well b/c she looked so new) Afton took the bait. I don't know how much she believed us, or if she just really wanted her bunny back, but she is happily playing with new Brown Bunny as I write this. We will get the original back from Mimi this weekend, so that we will always have an extra Brown Bunny on hand. Moral of the story: If your child loves something, have more than one of it!

Brown Bunny & BunBun- together again

8 out of 8

I've made it to 36 weeks!!! We did the biophysical profile today, which measures the overall health of the baby. The profile consists of 5 areas- breathing, movement, muscle tone, heart rate, and amniotic fluid. Maisy scored a perfect 8 out of 8. She now weighs about 6 pounds and is in the 40th percentile for size. Dr. Wai says that we still on track for an Oct.16th delivery- there haven't been any changes to my cervix. My blood pressure remains good 118/80. I am going through the usual list of pregnant gal complaints-swelling, heart burn, shortness of breath, cramps, back ache, head ache, clothes not fitting etc. But overall, I am doing really well. I am trying to focus on the positive and keep in mind that I only have 3 weeks left.

So here is my list of positives-
1. I am able to get out & have fun (football games, the fair, pumpkin patch etc.)
2. Diet 7UP still tastes good
3. People give up their seats for me :)
4. I have an excuse to eat dessert everyday
5. My husband really is sweet and pampers me daily

GrapeFest & TCU Game

We had a great weekend. On Friday, we took Afton to GrapeFest in downtown Grapevine. She loves going to the "fair". She rode a few rides, although this is the first time that a few of them looked 'too scary'. Afton is usually not afraid of speed/danger etc. But I think now that she is almost 3 and a half, she is learning that when you do something dangerous, you might get hurt! We also listened to music (Afton danced in front of the stage), ate a bunch (corn dog, kettlecorn, cotton candy, lemonade, nachos!), and shopped a bit. No weekend is complete without an injury, poor Afton got her fingers smashed in the Port-A-Potty door. It sliced two of them and hurt really bad. Luckily I had a few Dora band-aids in my purse and that is what prompted us to buy cotton candy.











Then on Saturday, we went to the first TCU home game of the season. We searched all over Fort Worth that morning for a new TCU cheerleading uniform, but they were all two pieces. I don't like the idea of my 3 year old showing her tummy and it's still a bit warm for layering. So since that will probably be the only TCU game we actually make it to this season anyway, I got Afton a pink petti-skirt and purple football shirt. I think she actually looked very chic!

Afton had a blast at the game. She loved seeing all of our friends, playing with Luke and family, watching some of the game, and running around like a wild-woman at the tailgate. It was actually the best time I have had with her at a TCU game. She was very proud to dance around in her "TCU ballet" outfit too!

4 Weeks and Counting

So I went back to the doctor today and it appears Maisy is happy! We never thought we'd make it to 35 weeks, but now we are planning on delivering on Oct. 16th as originally planned. Maisy has dropped, but I am not dilated. I will go in every week now until she is born. We are doing a sonogram next week b/c I am still measuring really small. But I have been like that whole pregnancy so I am sure that everything will look good. I have never pregnant this long! I am happy that everything is going so well. But these fast weeks are a uncomfortable to say the least. I can't wait for next month, when we can finally meet our Maisy Lou.

Grease is the Word

I didn't get a chance to post these photos, so this was actually from Sept.5th. Jeff treated the girls and me to a night on the town. It was my last 'hurrah' before Maisy comes. We went to "Grease" at Bass Hall and had dinner in downtown Fort Worth. Taylor Hicks from American Idol played the role of Dream Angel, the guy who sings "Beauty School Drop-Out". He finished his one song with a solo on the harmonica- very soul patrol. I had a great time, what girl doesn't love Grease!?

I Rock My Hairbow

Aunt Jessie found this shirt for Afton at "Let's Pretend Tea Parties". It says " I Rock My Hairbow" which means that this shirt was made especially for us! I think this is my new favorite shirt. Here are some pics of her working her new shirt.

Big Sister Tea Party

Instead of having another baby shower, we opted to do a Big Sister Tea Party. It was a chance for Afton to celebrate her new role as a big sister and have some fun girl time. 5 little friends, plus about 20 big friends joined us "Let's Pretend Tea Parties" in Grapevine. The little girls dressed up, got their make-up done, had their nails painted, ate cake with tea, made Big Sister photo albums and then opened presents. I was really touched by all of the thoughtful gifts and cards our we received for Afton and Maisy. We are so blessed to have so many loving people in our lives.

Maternity Photos

I never did maternity photos with Afton because she was born soooo early. But this time around, I seem to be doing great. So when a friend from high school approached me about doing them, I decided to give it a try. I am so happy that I did. What a fun way to remember this special time in our little family's life. Plus it helped that she takes amazing photos! http://splendorphoto.blogspot.com/

Back to School

Afton was so excited to start school. She is going to Chapel Hill this year because we are now members of White's Chapel Church. She has enjoyed her new teachers, friends, and the fact that she doesn't have to nap at school! It was a little strange leaving her there and coming home alone. Last year I taught at her school, so I felt like we were never really apart. But I have had a chance to rest, catch up on housework, make more tutus, and get a pedicure! I am trying to enjoy some quiet time this month because all of this will change once Maisy arrives. Plus when I picked up Afton from her first day of school, she stopped me in the hall, looked me straight in the eye and said "Mom, you are the best mom, I love you!" I guess absence does make the heart grown fonder.