December (32 - 36 Weeks)
We started off our December by going downtown to Sundance Square to see their GIANT Christmas tree. We didn't go to the actual tree lighting and I'm so glad. Too many people and you can't get a good picture. So we went on a random night, still got the same experience and didn't have to be shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of people. This tree is huge and so beautiful! They also had Santa there and Brooks said, "I don't want to see him." Haha! Fine by me haha
After seeing the tree while we were walking back to our car we stopped at an ice cream shop called Melt. It was good, I'm glad I tried it. It's a little over prices but it is local and fresh made so it was a fun stop. We stopped by Dan's office so I could see the renovations they did last year and his new desk. Brooks loved seeing where Dad works and it was fun to visit.
The weather has been up and down but when it's beautiful outside we try to make sure we enjoy it! We met some friends in the park one day and brought food to feed the ducks. Sometimes they won't come to you but this time they FLOCKED to us. I had frozen peas I wasn't going to use and they LOVED them. They were almost in out laps, would eat out of our hands and Brooks thought it was hilarious (and maybe a little scary). It was fun to spent time with our friends outside!
We put up our Christmas decorations the day after Christmas and Brooks insisted on taking the same picture we did last year with his Rudolph ornament he made so of course I went a long with it! We also went to the library and he insisted on a picture too.
One night when Dan was out of town Brooks asked what we were having for dinner. I told him I wasn't sure. He said we should go out for dinner. I laughed and asked ok... where would you want to go? He said Whataburger! And then continued to talk me into it for the next 30 minutes and I gave in, why not?! As I parked at Whataburger I was finishing a phone call. A car pulled in next to me SO CLOSE that I wouldn't be able to get out, or get Brooks out of his car seat, no less with a giant pregnant belly. So ANNOYING! I was afraid they were going to scrape down the side of my car trying to park. It was awful but thankfully I was still in the car, reparked. We ended up getting out of the car at the same time and went into the restaurant. She was an older lady and wasn't wearing shoes. She just had socks on like it was the normal thing to do. Suddenly the parking job just totally made sense haha!
We ordered our meal and Brooks ate his whole meal! I mean he's usually a good eater but he devoured everything! Make me feel good when you spend extra money to eat out and they eat it all!
Brooks made this cute stocking ornament at Home Depot. It's supposed to hold a picture of him but one day I found baby Jesus from one of our nativities in it! It made me laugh and I loved it so much.
We went to Dan's work Christmas Party and it was the same as last year, a Casino night but this time the dress was Ugly Sweater! I had a hard time finding something to fit the belly but I also didn't want to feel too ugly because I already feel very large being so pregnant. So I decided to make a joke out of it and found this one at Walmart. I didn't win but I felt like I did haha!
We went to the Haslet Christmas in the Park. They bring in 'real' snow for the kids to play in and Brooks enjoyed it until his hands got really cold. We looked at the vendors, went on a train ride which Brooks loved! We weren't able to stay too long because it was also the night of our Ward Christmas Party.
Our Ward Christmas party was nice! Typical Christmas dinner, some fun nativity photos and a service activity. Most of the season Brooks has been pretty adamant about not seeing Santa and I never pushed it. It didn't really bother me and I didn't want to force or scar him. However, at our church Christmas party with a smaller crowd, surrounded by his friends from church who were excited to see him, he got a picture with santa! The fact he was giving out candy canes helped a lot too. I let him decide and he wanted to sit on his lap but was fully prepared for him to freak out. He totally surprised me and was suddenly so smiley and giddy about it! Made my heart melt!
33 Weeks!
I started making some freezer meals during the month of December and made a lot of them! I saved a lot of money by choosing recipes with ingredients I already have, need to use or already use frequently. I spread them out and just did what I felt like doing that day and it was great! Within a couple days I had filled both our freezers and had to stop so we could eat some of the other foods to make more room! And that's what I've been doing since, making some here and there when there's room in the freezer. My favorite way to make a freezer meal is to make a big meal for dinner and freeze the rest! So easy, two birds with one stone! I think I'll do a more in depth post about freezer meals and what I did so I can look back and remember what worked and what didn't
I spent lots of time making these ornaments for out primary teachers. They each have the names of the kids they taught that year.
Dan recently got a RecTed smoker and it's been amazing! It has a lot of cool features that enable him to control and monitor the temperature from his phone. We smoked this turkey and it turned out amazing! Probably one of the best turkey's I've ever had. The probes in the smoker make it so easy to not overcook the bird.
We went to look at lights one night and started at our local Haslet park. They always have these fun light displays and music set up all of December. The last three years we've taken this same picture of Dan and Brooks with the arch.
He gave Rudolph hugs and then we drove around the neighborhoods to look at lights. I think the most unique thing I saw (and the most TEXAN thing) was this Santa Whataburger inflatable. I had to take a picture because it was so hilarious! Where do you even buy one of those?
34 weeks
Chick Fil A has some fun freebies in December so we went and got some free cookies one morning to eat while we grocery shopped at Winco. Then I realized we also did this last year! I guess it's tradition now!
This year VS last year
I had to laugh and take a picture of this. His hand just resting comfortably in his waistband. Why is this is such a man thing to do and where so they learn it? I know SO many men that just do this subconsciously and I just think it's so funny.
Brooks had his dentist appointment and because he's not officially 3 they move him up to a big chair. I thought (and prepared him for) the same routine they always have done, just while lying in a big chair. Usually they just brush his teeth with a normal tooth brush, floss, check his teeth and do some fluoride. However this time they used the polisher, water and suction just like a normal dentist appointment and he did so great! Plus they even did x-rays! Some many things I didn't mention or prepare him for and he handled them like a champ! I was so proud of him and how he behaved so well. And he had no cavities!
Brooks has recently been very interested in building. Before he'd want me to build everything for him which I didn't always agree to. I tried to gently nudge him to use his imagination and suddenly he's getting it. I love seeing the things he's been building and I'm actually rather impressed with the creations he comes up with and the balancing he's been doing!
Our friend Blake was in town to buy and car and drive it back home, and while I don't have any pictures of the evening he was here, I do have this picture of the Honey Butter I accidentally made him buy me. We were getting treats and other things and I put this in the cart meaning to buy it myself, forgot and he bought all the things I put in the cart, fail! Thanks Blake!
We became friends with the Wasdens when we were first married and have kept in touch ever since. Brooks warmed up to him immediately and loved that he bought a cool new car (a mini van). We took Blake to Babe's and by the end of the night Brooks was calling him, 'Other Dad' haha! So funny and so good to see him!
I had to wake up Brooks from a nap to go to an OB appointment. Brooks is usually a BEAR when he wakes up and anything can set him off. He woke up with the craziest bedhead, sticking STRAIGHT up. I wanted to fix it but he was adamant about leaving it so I didn't argue. I'm so glad I brought the iPad with us because we were waiting in that room for an hour. He was being so good I was happy to reward him with a show on the iPad which he usually only gets on road trips.
I found some motivation to make some Christmas treats and deliver them to our neighbors. We made peanut butter blossums, oreo truffles, fudge and chocolate crinkles.
35 weeks
Christmas Sunday at church. I thought it was weird that our church decided to only have sacrament meeting on a Sunday that didn't fall on Christmas Eve or Christmas but when the day came I was so thankful for the needed break. Running the Primary is literally running behind the scenes and with so many people out of town I would have had to find a lot of last minute subs that day. I was so grateful to listen to the Christmas program and speakers and enjoy the needed break!
The Monday before Christmas we decided to do something fun for the break and have a mini staycation. We went to the Dallas zoo and saw all the animals, ate dinner there (side note that Brooks had a successful #2 in a public toilet. If you have a toddler you know how big that is!) then went back out at dark to see all the zoo lights. It was so pretty and so fun. The Dallas zoo is pretty similar to the Fort Worth but because we went at a later night than normal we got to see more action from animals that are usually sleeping- like the cheetah, so cool!
Brook's face haha! So content just to sit on this tortoise.
After we saw all the zoo lights we went a got a treat then drove to our hotel for the night. We stayed in Grapevine and used points. Since no one was there the night before Christmas Eve and Dan has status, they upgraded us to a huge room! We had to bedrooms and two bathrooms with a balcony where you could see the planes landing and taking off - Which Brooks loved. We had a fun evening spending time together, watching Christmas shows then eventually going to bed.
We woke up the next morning to snuggling and watching a show in bed, eating a delicious breakfast at the hotel then going swimming in the pool! This was part of the reason we wanted to stay at a hotel was to swim in the pool for fun! Brooks didn't last super long but we still had a fun time and enjoyed relaxing together. We came back and got ready then went to Outdoor World because it literally right next to our hotel to just look around.
We came home, took naps and started getting ready for Christmas Eve. We ate steaks and potatoes, read the Christmas story and sang Christmas songs. Brooks was so cute pointing out each part of the nativity scene as it came up in the song.
We said goodnight and put him to bed. Then Dan and I relaxed until later when we filled stockings and put out gifts for Brooks to find in the morning. I even woke up early to make sure I was up and awake so I could see his initial reaction Christmas morning. It was worth it and magical!
For Christmas I honestly didn't want to buy Brooks a lot. He has a lot of great toys that are age appropriate, they he loves, many are open ended and foster creativity and he plays with ALL of them. We've gone through his toys and have decluttered but have left all the ones he actively plays with and love. I couldn't imagine just buying him more stuff just for the sake of the holidays. So, I opted for more learning, activity oriented games and books. A couple times before Christmas I felt guilty for not buying or splurging on my child (comparison to others was getting to me!) but I kept reminding myself that Christmas isn't about the gifts and we can still have a magical Christmas without buying everything my 3 year old thinks he wants.
So in Brooks' stocking he got some candy, new socks, new underwear, a new electronic toothbrush, a new notebook, a sesame street book (Costco), two learning preschool books and a Thomas sticker book (a HUGE hit thank you Costco again) and a Sarge (from Cars). Dan and I got new socks, treats, pens, calendars, phone charger and smores sticks in our stockings. We opened our stockings and then had some breakfast- monkey bread and egg and hash brown casserole, yum!
The only toys Brooks got for Christmas were some hot wheels, 3 small vehicles and a fishing game all of which he loves! The rest of his gifts included new books, a playdoh bucket, new clothing, new boots, some coloring books, a new games and some new crayons. Lots of fun learning activities and things we can enjoy together, I love it. The best part was that Brooks was so happy and so thankful for everything he got. Erased all my doubt and mom guilt about not going 'all out' just because I could for Christmas.
For Christmas my big gift was a Kindle with a case! I'm so excited to read on it and have already started breaking it in. I also got a lot of kitchen and organization supplies I needed, new slippers, Dan received a lot of fun new things for his smoker- hot gloves, pizza stone, butcher paper, cast iron pans
We spent Christmas day relaxing, watching Christmas movies, playing with new toys and playing games. It was so nice to hang out together in our PJs all day. We talked to family, played outside (because it was in the 70's). We smoked a ham for dinner and had it with martenellis and it was a great evening together with out little family.
Dan had two weeks off over Christmas and New years so we also smoked a Trip-tip and it turned out amazing!
36 Weeks
How far along: 36 weeks (8 months! Only 4 weeks max left)
Baby is as big as a: head of kale
Total weight gain: 22 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yes all the way! Somethings are even starting to feel tight.
Sleep: I officially get up to pee every night. I have my pregnancy pillow but it's not making all my dreams come true lately. Some nights I sleep well other nights I toss and turn. One night I even ended up on the couch and finally fell asleep out there.
Movement?: A lot of 'trying to get out' movements- or at least that's what it feels like. The very looow kicks and jabs have started too.
Symptoms: My muscle pain (PGP) comes and goes but when it comes it's really bad. Like walking is very painful. I try to do stretches and exercises everyday to keep it at bay but this is different from my first pregnancy. I've had a little bit of heartburn, nothing awful though. I've had some swelling in my hands and feet mostly over Christmas and New Years and wonder if my increased salt intake is to blame. I'm drinking a ton of water to try to counter it. I've also started to have rib pain. Like my ribs are being stretched and separated but thankfully that should go away at the baby starts to drop... hopefully soon!
Food cravings: Chocolate and anything that's not water. I'm always so thirsty and I do drink a lot of water but sometimes I just want juice, milk or soda! I can't wait for our sonogram after the new year!
For the evening we went to the Leopolds, let the kiddos play until bedtime, then after we got them down we snacked all night and played games until we rang in the new year. It was such a fun and time and we're so grateful for awesome friends like them.
Here's my top nine for 2019
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