3 Year Anniversary Trip Day 4

Our last day was short! We slept in late, packed up, checked out, and headed to Twisted Root for lunch! We love the Fried Ride. If you haven't gotten it, you need to. My favorite on the dish is the fried sweet potato chips and Casey's fav is the fried pickles. We typically don't like onion rings, but even those are good here! After lunch we came home and cleaned up the house, put up the Christmas decorations, and relaxed before getting ready to go out for New Year's Eve! Here are a few pictures!

Well, that's the conclusion to our 3 year anniversary trip! It was a lot of fun and we're excited to celebrate a lot more in the future:)

Happy Birthday, Casey!!!

This post is dedicated to my wonderful husband, the birthday boy!! Today Casey turns 28 years old! I am going to brag on him a bit and say that I think that he has accomplished so much in his 28 years! First off...I have let this go unnoticed, but Casey is holding his diploma from DTS in this picture. After 6 years in grad school Casey completed his 120 hour master's degree from Dallas Theological Seminary! He is now a master of theology! DTS doesn't have graduation ceremonies in the winter, so Casey will walk across the stage on May 7th. He will have a new baby girl there to clap and support him as well. We both think it is neat that she will be in some of those pictures:)

I am so proud of him and feel that he has accomplished a lot in 28 years! He has taken 240 hours of classes since high school - that is a lot!!! Most post-graduate degrees are anywhere from 30-60 hours, but his was 120 and he stuck with it while working a full-time job (click here to see why the Th.M. is so much longer than other seminary degrees). Not only did he finish, but he finished with honors - not to say that I am surprised since he finished with highest honors from UT (how many people do you know who only made one B in all of college? Sheesh!).

I am lucky to be married to such a hard-working and diligent man. 

Casey Coats Th.M. :)

Casey has done so much for me in the 7 years that we've been together and I am very thankful for him! Happy 28th birthday! I love you, babe!

3 Year Anniversary Trip Day 3!

The next day we got up and ate breakfast at the hotel and then went to the Biblical Arts Center - it's a museum in Dallas that Casey had never been to before (I hadn't been since 10th grade). We enjoyed looking around! Afterwards we went back to the room, got ready, and went to Inwood Theater! It was so great! It had all the comforts of Gold Class Cinema, but for half the price! We found a 3-person couch in the middle of the theater with ottomans to prop up our feet, blankets, and pillows. We also had candy, popcorn, and a drink. We saw How Do You Know - I give it a B+. I liked it, but again, it could have been better with that cast:) Afterward we drove around a little and then went back to the hotel for our milk and cookies:)

We could see these guys taking off this movie advertisement and thought it was crazy that they were hanging off of the building using water! I guess it's necessary, but I would not want that job!!!

See how scary that is?!

taking some belly shots before leaving the hotel. I was about 23 1/2 weeks. 

Eating lunch at a cute little pizza place across the street from our hotel!

The weather was good this morning.

Action shot;)

I thought this porch was pretty cute:)

That night we went to the Inwood Theater off of Lovers Ln.

I loved the couches, blankets, and pillows!! So comfy!

Casey wouldn't let me take a picture of him. I guess he was tired of the picture overload since Christmas. I hadn't had a camera since July so he got out of the habit of taking lots of pictures. I am slowly reintroducing him into my picture-taking lifestyle. :)

Day 4 is still to come! :)

Week 27

Week 27

Fruit/Veggie/Item
a head of a cauliflower

Size

She is about a two pounds and 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended! 

Baby Changes (Source: www.babycenter.com)

This week, she's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Best Moment this Week

This has been a pretty chill week baby wise. I have enjoyed seeing my belly twitch and knowing that there is a baby in there. Crazy! I also had a lot of fun taking Casey out for his 28th birthday last night:) He will be 28 tomorrow!!

Gender

sweet baby girl! Sawyer Grace:)

Movement
She's still moving like crazy!

Food Craving

none

Sleep

sleeping pretty well because I've been exhausted!!

What I am looking forward to

We bought a chandelier for the baby's room today so I am excited to see it get put up! I am also getting excited about my baby showers! :) and my next doctor's appointment on February 8th.

Symptoms

The back pain is a little bit better right now, but now I have acid reflux daily which is NO fun. I also feel like I have to use the restroom way more than usual…and usually I don't even really need to go. Such an odd feeling.

Weight

I won't know exactly until February 8th, but my guess right now is about 12 or 13 pounds.

3 Year Anniversary Trip Day 2!

The next day we got up, got some donuts and chocolate milk and ate breakfast in the park. We then went to North Park where I got several maternity tops on sale at Gap! Then we saw The Tourist at the AMC there. I give it a B. I liked it pretty well, but it wasn't amazing like it should've been with 2 top actors. After the movie we went back to the hotel, relaxed, and got ready for dinner! I was so excited because we were going to Texas de Brazil (this was our anniversary dinner)! I LOVE the all-you-can-eat salad bar and meats. Yum! I had told Casey a while back that we should go to a place like that while I am pregnant because I can eat way more;) We also ordered dessert and took it back to our room.

At our anniversary dinner at Texas de Brazil!

Our hotel building

Playing around with the panoramic setting on my new camera! This is the view from our window.

Playing a little pool in our hotel after dinner - I actually beat him a couple of times! :)

I don't like this picture because I'm trying not to laugh, but it's the only that Casey took of me that isn't blurry!

Day 3 coming soon!

Week 26

Week 26

Fruit/Veggie/Item
the length of an English hothouse cucumber

Size

She is about a pound and two-thirds and 14 inches long with her legs extended! 

Baby Changes (Source: www.babycenter.com)

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. 

Best Moment this Week

This week we finally finished painting the nursery (well, Casey did! Thanks babe!!) and got the last piece of furniture! We also registered at Babies-r-Us and Target!!! :)

Gender

sweet baby girl! Sawyer Grace:)

Movement
She's still moving like crazy!

Food Craving

none

Sleep

still waking up to use the restroom, but the back pain is a little better now.

What I am looking forward to

baby showers! :)

Symptoms

some back pain and fatigue

Weight

I have gained 10 pounds in 26 weeks! Not too shabby!

3 Year Anniversary Trip Day 1!

Every year on our anniversary we go somewhere for a few days and relax and spend time with one another! Our anniversary falls at the perfect time of year because Casey gets the week between Christmas and New Years Day off and our anniversary happens to be December 29th! Obviously I am also on Christmas break during this time. On our first anniversary we staying in Dallas for 3 nights, last year we stayed in Austin for 3 nights, and this year we stayed at The Magnolia in downtown Dallas for 3 nights! :) We had a lot of fun, but I would say this anniversary was a little more low key than the past 2 years because I am a little more tired pregnant and we have been spending more money lately with the baby coming (doctor's appointments, baby furniture, and future hospital stays). We still did a lot though and enjoyed each other's company very much! :)

We started our trip on the 28th. We got up that morning and ate breakfast, got ready, and packed. Before we left Casey gave me his anniversary present to me - a beautiful shadow box encasing my wedding bouquet, a picture of us on our wedding, an invitation, and our program. I absolutely love it! It was a very sweet surprise! He never mentioned anything about it to me and I love that he can surprise me with gifts that I adore!! :)

We left for our hotel around 4pm. The hotel was a surprise to me and I loved that it was right in the middle of downtown! The Magnolia is in the old Mobile building (the one with the red horse on the roof) and our room was extremely nice!! We debated about whether it was the best room we'd ever had before and I think we decided it was either tied for first or a very close second. We got changed and went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was yummy, of course. Afterwards we walked over to The Container Store and then Barnes and Noble. We both like to just look through books in there, so that was enjoyable. We went back to the hotel and got our free milk and cookies, took it to the room, and watched Wall Street with Michael Douglas. I give it a C+…it wasn't all that great.

Here are some pictures from day 1 of our 4 day anniversary rendezvous!

the pictures really can't do it justice because of the glare on the glass and the bad lighting

I took a bunch trying to get a good picture, but really couldn't - you'll just have to see it in person! :)

Our hotel!

the views from our room - we were on the 21st floor so we got some pretty neat views - especially at night!

had to get a pregnancy shot of course

this was the red horse I was referring to that is on top of the Magnolia Hotel - they had several inside and around outside as well. 

Well, there's day 1 for ya! Days 2-4 will be posted soon :)

Week 25

Week 25

Fruit/Veggie/Item
rutabaga - what is that?!

Size

Our baby girl is now a pound and a half and is 13 1/2 inches from head to heel!

Baby Changes (Source: www.babycenter.com)
She's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Best Moment this Week
getting the furniture!!!

Gender

sweet baby girl! Sawyer Grace:)

Movement
she is kicking like crazy and somedays I wonder if she ever sleeps!

Food Craving

none (except the usual popcorn and jalapenos and dr pepper that I liked anyway:)

Sleep

wake up a lot with back pain...

What I am looking forward to
my doctor's appointment on Monday!! I am also looking forward to registering soon!

Symptoms

bad back pain, unfortunately. Also, I've been really sick this week, so that's not been good, but I don't think it's pregnancy related.

Weight

I have probably gained about 10 pounds, but I won't know exactly until my next doctor's appointment on MLK day (this coming Monday). I wouldn't be surprised if I've lost a few this week with my sickness :(

Christmas Festivities & Fun

Most of our Christmas festivities started on December 19th with Christmas with my dad's side of the family. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures that day! :( 

We spent Christmas Eve's Eve (the 23rd) with Charlie & Ginni looking at Christmas lights in Highland Park. Our first stop was Starbucks for some hot coffee to take in the car. After getting our coffee we snapped a few pictures by the pretty trees in the parking lot :) I stole these from Ginni!

 

 

 

On Christmas Eve Casey and I went to the service at c|Life and then came back home with my mom and Casey's parents to eat some dessert and hang out a little. Here's our little family (minus our kitty Ella) on Christmas Eve. 

Casey, Lauren, and Sawyer in the belly;) Technically her first Christmas:)

  

Momma & I

Christmas morning! This is the small tree in our living room.

Our mantle and stockings!

Ella's stocking - she got 2 toys:)

Lucy's stocking! She got some treats and a toy:)

 My stocking! Casey got me an awesome iPhone player, Tim McGraw CD, and 2 beanies! :)

 Casey's stocking! He got a cd and a beanie as well! 

Our big tree in the front room!

Casey & I exchanging presents! We love spending this time together on Christmas morning and are excited about our little girl joining in with us next year :)
 

If you're wondering why my photos are not all that great/clear it is because they are ALL taken on my iphone! I haven't had a camera since July (when we got mine wet in Mexico)!! I got one for Christmas though and am so happy about it! I love it. But anyway, that's why all my Christmas pictures are a little on the blurry/dark side.

After opening presents at home and reading the Christmas story Casey and I headed over to his grandmother's house to meet up with his family and eat lunch!

It looks like I cut out several people's heads but I was really just taking a picture of Caleb here, haha! I did get a pretty good picture of Mitch in the background though:) 

 We all have a stocking with our name on it:)

Next year there will be 3 new stockings (our baby girl and Stephanie's twins!)

 Caleb opening one of his many presents!! :)

 Beverly opening a present!

I got baby clothes for Christmas and I loved it! :)

 Stephanie made me these adorable baby beanies! I just love them and they are already in Sawyer's chest of drawers:)

After lunch and presents at Casey's grandparents we head to my grandparents in Mabank! As a kid this was my favorite part of Christmas and I think it probably still is. I love the house and the memories and of course my Momma Sheila and Pappa Donnie! :) Also there is my mom and Uncle Russell.

Casey helping my mom and grandma carry in some presents!

 You have got to be kidding me - do you see all of those presents?!?!

Mom & I in the presents:)

 Casey was very excited about his new boots! My grandparents own a western store and it came in handy:) 

Casey & I in our funny hats that my mom gave us to wear! Haha!

with Momma Sheila

Lucy giving Uncle Russell some love<3

Every year my mom gives us a special ornament for that year - here is one of two ornaments having to do with a new baby:)

Pappa Donnie opening his presents!

My mom got me an AWESOME present!!

It is all of my favorite tshirts from as far back as elementary school thru college made into a very soft and comfy quilt!!!

 If you notice you'll see several church shirts from Mimosa, my trip to Italy, senior trip, 6 Chix shirts, and many Phi Lamb and A&M shirts!

 I absolutely love it! It is such a neat treasure! I also love that there is one patch that is from a shirt Casey got when he was in 6th grade - he was in an opera and it is his picture with the cast.  

Well that about sums up our Christmas festivities! It was our 2nd married Christmas, but our 7th Christmas as a couple! Crazy! We each still have the first Christmas gifts we gave each other:)

I am already excited about Christmas next year with our first little baby. I know it will be fun and memorable. This Christmas was also memorable knowing that it was our last one to spend alone.