23 weeks

RIP gorgeous Phoebe girl 

Lovin' our new front yard

The fountain (thanks to Michael)!

Landry sporting my new necklace before bedtime 

Phoebe's final pic

Breakfast fun with my babe

This smile lights me up every time!

Cruising in a cool cart shopping for pumpkins

Happy girl

The past week has not been the best.  Yesterday, we put down sweet Phoebe.  I still can't believe she's not on my lap as I write this post.

To make a very long story short, she had a chronic illness that made us finally come to grips that she would be better off in kitty heaven.  It was the toughest decision of my life and I have been a ball of tears all week about it.  I have had her for eight years and she was the sweetest most gorgeous cat I've ever known.  My days won't be the same without her.  I will miss her every morning at my door waiting to say good morning and every night curled by my side as I watch TV or type away.

During the heartbreak, there were some fun times over the past week too.  Last Friday we had a lovely dinner out with friends and Saturday Paula and Todd invited us over for a cookout play date.

Sunday Michael had a one-on-one day with Landry while I hit the lake house to check on progress and meet with contractors.  The place is starting to really shape up and look so cute.  I so wish it was ready now to enjoy some quiet downtime this weekend while still weepy.

This week was very busy with Jones job tasks (in addition to the lodge, I helped Karen pull together her backyard for a baby shower yesterday).  Luckily, I got to come home mid-week to a new, stunning, (finally finished) front yard.  We hired a landscaper back in July to whip our front yard into shape.  We had never tackled it since moving in and it was a project I always wanted to complete once I felt a little more settled inside.

Michael actually found the inspiration -- this gorgeous antique fountain at a local store near his work -- and we accented it with leafy green plants, rosemary, and holly.  It turned out absolutely gorgeous; I still can't believe I get to live in this house when I drive up front!

Today I took the day off to spend time with Landry and perk up my spirits.  We had breakfast at my favorite cafe and then shopped a local market for pretty pumpkins and gourds.  We placed them in all of our new pots this morning and the yard looks so festive.

Phoebe used to wait by the arched window in our front sun room for us to get home each day.  It sure wasn't the same driving up today...

Last night Jon, one of my best friends, took me to this delicious new Mexican restaurant which helped me find my smile.  Michael and I plan to make the weekend extra fun with quality family time to help make the days pass a little faster and happier.

I'll be 24 weeks -- six months! -- on Sunday, which is also very good news.  Barrett is kicking more and more each day.  It's so thrilling to feel him move and the sweet sensation is an instant mood lifter.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

22 weeks

Last weekend we toured Bradley's new apartment
and then had brunch in his hood.  His place is cute!

My little speed demon (on a bike, anyway)!

I walked into my bedroom this weekend to find Landry
cracking herself up in our mirror bedside tables

Brunch with Uncle B before hitting the lake

Can't wait to cuddle up with family and friends
 in our cute little cottage this fall!

When daddy's away, the girls will play!  Michael was with a handful of guys at his family's cabin this weekend so Landry and I had a fun-filled four days with friends.

My girlfriend Jaclyn kicked off the fun by bringing dinner over to the house Thursday from her favorite little Thai place.  The next morning we had coffee with my friend Kari and hit a couple shops to help her pull her son's nursery together (we're meeting tomorrow to walk through her new house and make a list of to do's to get started on, too).

Friday night I cooked a big pot of my mom's famous tortilla soup and Bradley came over for dinner.  It was great catching up with him.  He got some quality time with Landry and even took her for a spin on her cute purple bike he bought her for her birthday.

Saturday I shopped for clients all day and then kicked up my heels at Paula's house for a play date with the kiddos.  We noshed on Italian while the three amigos played until they were completely tuckered out and ready for bed.

Sunday we met up with Bradley for brunch before I dropped the peanut off with my in-laws to meet my contractor at the lake house.  Michael met me out there (it's just 30 minutes or so from his cabin).  The house is still in demo mode but starting to shape up.  They've started painting the exterior, finished scraping the interior ceilings and removed all of the old countertops, carpet, and a couple partial walls.  It's going to be so cute when it's finished; I can't wait for install next month!

Yesterday I had an all-nighter at the lodge.  We took off at noon and didn't get home until 11 p.m. Luckily, we got a ton done so it was well worth the trip but I'm still dragging from the fun-filled weekend, day trip to the lakehouse and then crazy day at the lodge.

Sweet Barrett Steven has logged some major miles in this tummy!  I saw my doctor last week and got to hear his heartbeat.  Everything is going well right now except my lower back is really bothering me at night.  Late at night I feel him move from time to time but expect that to really rev up in the next couple of weeks.

Landry turned 18 months last week.  She loves school and has totally adjusted to her new schedule.

This Sunday I was getting dressed in our closet and placed her at my heels so I could keep my eyes on her.  She pulled herself up to Michael's shoe shelves and started playing with his laces (like she does often).  All of a sudden I noticed her holding his shoes and just standing there with no assistance.  I clapped and cooed and she was so excited at my reaction she just stood there for 30 or 45 seconds.  She stood on her own a few more times over the course of the day and even took a single step a couple of times.

Fingers crossed she'll be walking soon!

21 weeks

We lost our childhood dog this week. So glad I got this picture with Landry.
RIP Bailey girl

Her first day of school!

Her first school art project.

Playing with the peanut outside before daddy's birthday dinner party

The birthday boy post dinner; next year is the "big" birthday

Laughs with my girl Kerri

My old DMN crew; miss working with these girls so much!

Crazy hair after swimming last weekend

Dinner with her homies

East Texas farmer's market.  Or peeeeches, as Landry calls them.

Had to include this pic.  Cristina tested pigtails on the peanut this week.
I don't think she's a fan

Happy Saturday!  I finally have a minute to sit down and collect a few thoughts after a very busy two weeks.  I'll be 21 weeks tomorrow, woohoo!

Last weekend my close friend Kerri was in town from Chicago; she just moved there after five years in Abu Dhabi.  We used to work at The Dallas Morning News together and she's always been like a sister to me.

We had such a great weekend from a one-on-one lunch to a big fat brunch with all of our old DMN crew.  It was so good to see her and I definitely spent much of lunch trying to convince her to move back :)  Since she moved away, I've dated/married Michael, bought a house, started businesses, and had a baby with another on the way.  It's crazy to think how much life I've lived in five years!

Friday we had dinner with my in-laws and I met several family members from Louisiana that were in town for the LSU/TCU game.  Saturday night we celebrated Michael's birthday with four couples.  We had a nice dinner and cocktails afterwards.  It was great to catch up with his old pals, especially since some have moved away and we don't get to see them often.  We kept this birthday celebration low key but next year will be a blowout to toast the big 4-0!!!

On Labor Day we went to East Texas to pick up the lake house keys and meet our contractor to go over the remodel.  We had so much fun exploring our new little (that's putting it lightly) town and discovered the cutest bakery for lunch that we will hit every time on the way out there for the weekend's pastries and desserts (I can't wait to have you taste the cherry "ice box" cookies, Dad!).  They even have a chic little coffee bar inside where I will definitely log some serious hours.

The house looked very different empty.  I am so excited to put our stamp on this cute little cottage.  They started demo this week and are doing electrical this weekend.  I will be back out next week to bring supplies and paint.  I have just about everything purchased for the remodel, it's been fun to buy materials that are more traditional than my everyday taste (although I still have some funky schemes up my sleeve).  We hope to be done in six weeks, fingers crossed!

Our general contractor on the job was good friends with the former owners of our place and logged a lot of hours on the property.  He told Michael that our cove on the lake has some of the best fishing on Lake Palestine (pronounced pal-e-steen, as the locals will tell you).  Michael is excited to test the waters and teach Landry how to fish!

On our way out of town we hit the local farmer's market and bought a basket of peaches for Landry.  She's already blazed through them!  They had everything from fruit to jams and pies.  We will no doubt shop the market every time we're in town.  I already love our little getaway so much!

To top off the holiday weekend, we met grabbed pizza with Paula, Todd and the twins. The kiddos had a ball all lined up in a row eating their food and "talking" to each other.

This week was Landry's first full week of "school."  She did great!  The first day back she was more hesitant to see me go at drop off but quickly adjusted and had a good day.  Paula and I met up before pickup and went to school together to get the three amigos.  We were so happy to find Landry and Gabriella on the ground sharing a toy and playing happily together.  It melted our hearts!  They are already such good pals.

By Thursday Landry was happy to arrive and even slept the full nap time (it's nearly two hours!) for the first time.  Both days she made little art projects and her daily report card said she was cheerful and helped put away toys.  I'm such a proud mama bear!

My other little cub is also doing great.  I'm starting to feel Barrett move a little bit when I'm sitting still, especially at night.  Yesterday while at lunch with girlfriends I really felt him kick!  I have a feeling that it's just a matter of time before he's a little wiggle worm.

I feel like I'm growing by the day.  Somehow I'm still in my pre-preggo jeans (I think it's just days until I can't button them any longer), but my belly is so much bigger than when I was 21 weeks with Landry.

I'm pretty much over the nausea, but my lower back is really bothering me.  We think it's because I'm carrying the little guy a lot lower than my first pregnancy coupled with all of this new weight in my tummy.  I haven't worked out in weeks -- maybe months -- so I hit the gym this week to try to stretch my back and build up some strength to help carry this bowling ball.  Hopefully it will help me feel better soon.

This week I got some fun news: I have a new decorating gig -- in CA!  While visiting family a couple of weeks ago, I met with a darling girl about her home in Newport Beach thanks to my friend Samantha.  She and her husband are about to do a very massive remodel on a bayside home.  She's this groovy actress and has a very cool eye.  We are going to have such a blast shopping for their home.  I'm being very selective about clients these days, but this is truly a dream gig given the location and client's style.  I'm very excited to get started!

The Jones gig is going well.  My custom projects -- mirrors, pillows, tables, benches, etc. -- are starting to arrive and it's very exciting to see the vision come together after months and months of planning.  Our install has been pushed back to November -- the day after my flea market -- so the next couple of months are truly going to be the busiest of my life.

Luckily, when the dust settles it will be holiday season and time to nest with my big ol' belly.  I'm very much looking forward to that time with friends and family before Barrett arrives.  What a year this has shaped up to be!