Christmas 2009

Kyle and I had a wonderful Christmas! I have really enjoyed my time off of work and have kept myself busy! On the day before Christmas Eve, Kori and I went over to mom's to bake our traditional iced Christmas cookies. Mom got a bunch of new Christmas cookie cutters and we tried out a new way of icing the cookies. They turned out soooo cute! Mason told mom that they were "famous" cookies and that she was the best cookie maker of the whole world! Here are some of our creations...

I made this little Coots gingerbread family...Kyle, Kyla, and baby Lane!

Kori and I showing off some of our best ones!
And here is mom with her "best" one. Ha ha!

We spent Christmas Eve with my mom, Kori, and Mitch. We ate our traditional enchilada soup dinner and then headed out to church for the 8:00 service. When we got home we took our yearly pictures and then opened all of our gifts!

This picture was a little challenging, but we ended up getting a decent one! All of the dogs are looking and no one closed their eyes!

Mom gave us a cute bib that says "No more silent nights" to use for Lane's first Christmas.

And Lane gave "Mums" a bib to keep at her house when he comes over.

He also gave bibs to Aunt Kori and Uncle Mitch!

We always change into our pj's after church to open presents. Thanks mom and Kori for the great gifts!

When we got home from mom's house, Kyle was so excited to exchange our gifts to each other. He handed me a small box to open and inside I found an envelope with a number 1 on it. I read the card inside and it was a poem that led me outside to our garage refrigerator. In the fridge was a card that said #2 and it sent me in to the extra bedroom. I kept following the rhyming clues and eventually ended up in the office. The last card said that Scout had the "keys" to my final clue, and i looked on her collar and found a tiny luggage key. Kyle was sitting in the office chair with a small carry-on suitcase at his feet. I quickly got the key off of Scout's collar and opened the suitcase...and inside was a MACBOOK PRO!!! I was soooo excited! I have been wanting a Mac laptop for 2 years now and did not expect to get one this year because of the baby coming and other expenses. I felt bad having Kyle open his gifts after my huge surprise from him, but he was happy to get new running shoes and was very excited to see that I bought him 2 tickets to the Mavs vs. Lakers game in February.

Here I am showing off my shiny new Mac!

The next day we woke up and headed to the Coots' house for Christmas morning. I didn't take any pictures :( but we had a great time. Claire was as generous as always and did not disappoint with her gifts. I got some new boots, a cute diaper bag, new perfume, gift cards, and lots of trinkets and cute gifts for Lane. Both my mom and Kyle's parents gave us Best Buy gift cards to go towards a video camera to use when Lane arrives. We also got some Babies R Us gift cards together to put towards our nursery furniture. After gifts, we ate lunch and played a few rounds of the game "Apples to Apples."

The day after Christmas we headed to Brady for our 3rd and last celebration. We had fun playing with Mason and Marley and Mason was very excited to show off his new Wii that Santa brought him. We ate delicious enchiladas, tamales and chalupas for dinner and opened presents that night.

Here is our last Christmas picture as a family of 2 (+dog). Next year we will have our baby boy in the picture!

Me and Paw

The whole gang with Paw

Mason had fun opening his gifts and got some wii games from me and Kyle and Gator Golf from Kori and Mitch.

Marley was sooo cute and seemed to have a great first Christmas. She got some cute new outfits and was very happy! I just love this picture of her!

It's always sad when Christmas is over! Now comes the not so fun part of taking down Christmas lights and decorations and heading back to work. :( Now we can just look forward to March!

28 Week Update

Today marks the start of my 28th week of pregnancy! Hello 3rd trimester! I thought I would start documenting a few stats from now on so I can look back and see what was happening and when.

28 Weeks

Total Weight Gain so far: 12 lbs
Belly Button: In, getting a little bit flatter
Stretch Marks: None yet!
Cravings: Fruit, especially apples and mandarin oranges.
Sleeping Situation: So far so good, no problems falling asleep or staying asleep! Still waking up 1-2 times a night to use the restroom.
I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and wearing my hoodies. None of them are long enough to fit over my belly anymore!
Annoying symptoms: Very itchy skin, occasional leg cramps, and just last week I started getting what I think is acid reflux or indigestion. I have never had any of this in my life, but late at night I have started feeling a burning lump in my throat and assume that it is acid reflux.
Exciting news this week: LOTS!
1. Last week I was laying on the couch watching a movie with Kyle and Lane was kicking a bunch! I lifted my shirt and noticed that my whole stomach was moving! There was a huge lump to the right of my belly button and then the left side of my stomach started twitching and my belly button started moving all around! It was crazy! He is definitely getting bigger and more and more active!

2. Kyle and I went to Babies R' Us on Monday during his lunch break to register for some big items. Mom and Kori will be going with me to register for all of the little things later this week. Kyle and I picked out our stroller, pack n' play, swing and bouncer, monitor, and a few other things. We also bought our nursery furniture and it should be delivered in the next week! Here is a picture of the furniture:

3. This morning I went in for my glucose tolerance screening. I was dreading this because I had heard such horror stories about the juice I was going to have to drink. It was orange flavored and actually didn't taste that bad. I am not a good "chugger" and had to finish the bottle in 5 minutes, so it did make me gag a few times, and I felt a little nauseous while waiting to have my blood drawn, but I did fine. Glad it is over and hopefully the test will come back ok!

4. I had my 28 week appointment today and it went well. I didn't get a sonogram, but I did get to hear the heartbeat. Dr. H said that at 28 weeks the baby will most likely be more active than he will ever be. He said that Lane is taking full advantage of being able to move around because there is still room in my belly. He said as the weeks pass, he will slow down a little because he is getting cramped! That explains why I am able to see so much movement going on on the outside of my stomach! I go back in another month and then will start going every 2 weeks.

Here is a picture of me at exactly 29 weeks (taken a week after I posted this.)

finalist!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE:

Well, my photo didn't win first place, but Ree did award all of the other 9 finalists with a $100 gift card to B&H Photo!

Original Post:

Ahhhh! The Pioneer Woman chose my photo as one of the top 10 finalists!!! She is announcing the winner tomorrow...keep your fingers crossed for me! If I win I will definitely have to cut Paw a portion of my prize! Here is the link:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/12/black-and-white-finalists/

Pioneer Woman Fame

Oh my goodness! I was so excited when I checked one of my favorite blogs today to see that my black and white picture of Paw made her page! I read The Pioneer Woman's blog daily and entered my picture into this contest about a week ago and then forgot all about it. When I checked out the photography section of her blog today my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw Paw's picture! She is choosing a couple of winners from all of the B&W's she posted to get a prize on Sunday. There were some other amazing pictures, so I am not holding my breath, but it is still so cool to see your name and photograph on a blog that THOUSANDS of people read! Here is the link to the page:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/12/your-black-whites-part-2/

Paw said he is going to need a royalty on that picture and that he needs to start charging by the wrinkle. :)

I ♥ Faces - "Pets"

Yay! It's pets week at I ♥ Faces! Scout and I have had many little photo shoots, and while looking through photos of her, I kept coming back to this one. I caught her mid-bark and I love that her little ears were flopped up in the air. This photo really captures her feisty personality! Now go check out all the other precious animals at I ♥ Faces...

Belly Pics

Now that my belly has really started to show I thought I would post some pictures of the progression so far. My 8 week picture was really bad quality and I am kicking myself now for not taking a better one! After all, it will be a while until I look like that again!

Here is a picture of me at 24 weeks and 2 days.

And here is the progression from 12 weeks to 24. Baby boy is growing fast!

I ♥ Faces - "Sweet Dreams"

It's been a while since I've entered an I ♥ Faces contest, but this week I had a few cute pictures to choose from for the "Sweet Dreams" theme. I ended up choosing this picture of my friend's baby Nate when he was a newborn. This was taken in the hospital when he was just a few hours old. There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!

Bedding Samples!!

Well, the baby bedding sample fabrics finally came in and we have pretty much made our decision!

Here is the polka dot fabric that first caught my eye. I just love the colors in it! The bumper will be patchwork with this fabric and the 2 different blue colors in solid minky fabric. The lady is going to embroider Lane's monogram in the middle of the bumper in chocolate brown. I can't wait to see the finished product!


Now we need to purchase the crib and changing table, and our rocking chair! Here is the crib I like best so far:

Long time no post

Well, not much has really been going on around here...I have been feeling pretty despite the head cold that I have had for a few days. I STILL have not received the fabric samples for the baby bedding, and am getting a little impatient! Hopefully by next week they will be in and I can post pictures then. Lane has still been kicking away. I can tell he is beginning to get into sleep patterns. I feel him some in the mornings, then again around lunch time, and ALOT at night time. My stomach has really popped out in the last month and I am now getting to where lots of my pants and shirts are a little too tight! I went to the Hulen Mall GAP last night (they have a maternity section) looking for a couple of good pairs of maternity jeans, but am having the hardest time finding some that fit just right. I am picky about the waist band and it seems like if they fit in the legs and hips, they are too big in the waist. Maybe I am just not big enough in the belly quite yet and I will grow into them. (Or maybe my hips and legs are too big.) I didn't end up getting any pants, but I did find a bunch of really cute maternity shirts! I can't believe I am already half-way through this pregnancy! March will be here before we know it!

Birthday Boy

Happy 27th birthday Kyle!! I love you very much and I know Lane will too. I hope your 27th year is perfect!

"Kicking around" some different bedding ideas...

I have been having the hardest time finding crib bedding that I like for little Lane. I have looked ALL over the internet and in stores and only a few sets have caught my attention. Mom and I decided to go check out a few places in Canton that make custom baby bedding from fabric you choose. We asked my mother in law Claire to come along and headed out Halloween morning. It was rather overwhelming at first because I have never been to Canton before. It is a giant flea market/craft fair that has so much stuff! We finally found our way to the bedding place we had set out to find. After about 20 minutes of looking at fabric samples we found one that I really liked. It was chocolate brown with big ivory, cream, dark blue and light blue polka dots. We found some coordinating colors and started designing with the lady that owned the booth. She mentioned a fabric in the same polka dot pattern but somewhat different colors that I may like, but didn't have the sample for us to see. She wrote down all that I liked and is going to send me the swatch of the other option this week. I will put pictures up on here as soon as I receive the samples and see what you all think! Both options are pretty much the same colors, just different layouts. I can't wait to get his bedding ordered and get started on the room! Now we have to find a crib!

Later that same night I kept feeling something weird in my stomach. It was Lane kicking! I have been waiting and waiting to feel something, especially since 2 of my pregnant friends who are due around the same time as me began feeling their babies kick weeks ago! At 19 1/2 weeks, on Halloween, and on the day I found his crib bedding, he started kicking up a storm! He must have been as excited about his crib bedding as I am! It feels like the inside of my stomach is twitching or kind of like bubbles popping in there. I am sure it is him, because I am still feeling it this morning. We go back to see Dr. H for our 20 week check up this week, so I will be posting my sono pics soon!

Scout

Today is our first baby Scout's 3rd birthday! Kyle and I adore Scout and even though she can be wild and crazy at times we still love her! After my cousin's family came to stay with us last weekend with their newborn, we quickly found out that Scout needs some work on her baby behavior... She was very curious and wanted to sniff and lick baby Marley. She also took Mason's new toy truck outside and destroyed it, along with one of Marley's pacifiers. Hopefully once Lane comes she will get used to the new addition! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOUT! We ♥ You!

Our little family...December 2006. Exactly 2 weeks after we got married.

Baby Scout was so cute in her Longhorn hoodie!


Baby Scout and Daddy
Posing with Momma. She was still a pup here!

One of the many naughty things she has done. Still cute though... :)Scout on her 1st birthday. Smiling about her new toy!

Scout on her 2nd birthday. She got a long dog like the one on her first birthday. Now that I know she destroys and pulls out the stuffing of anything stuffed, I rarely buy her stuffed toys anymore!


Scout's first Halloween as Pocahontas.
Still supporting the Longhorns in her "Scout" jersey!

Here is her Halloween costume last year. She hates wearing clothes!

Scout September 2009.
Scout in her Halloween costume this year! Sweet little banana.

It's a.......BOY!

On October 6, 2009, Kyle and I went to see Dr. Hernandez for our 16 week check-up. I was soooo excited about this appointment because I was sure he would be able to tell us the sex of the baby. He said he was 80% sure it was a boy at my 12 week appointment, but since then I had taken an over the counter urine test that "predicts" the sex of your baby and it had a girl result. Our appointment was at 3:30, so the school day went by really slow! We were so disappointed when Dr. H wasn't able to tell us for sure what we were having!! Little L.C. was not being cooperative and would not give a clear shot! Dr. H said that our baby was just nice and comfy and a little modest. We were told that he could maybe boost the percentage to 85% boy, but he was too unsure to say 100%. When I went to check out and schedule my next appointment they told me that I would have to wait another month to come back in. :(

I decided to call a local sonogram place in Mansfield that specializes in 3d sonograms and also does 2d. They said they could see me that Saturday! Kyle and I woke up early and headed to our appointment very anxious and excited! It was a really nice place that projected the sonogram picture onto a big screen tv. Just as the woman put the machine to my belly I said "I just hope the baby cooperates a little more this time." She immediately said "I already know what it is, I just saw "it" fly by." Ha ha! We were so happy and shocked that she could already tell! She ended up taking a few 3d pictures for free and put everything on a dvd for us to take home. We also got a cd of all of the digital pictures. All of that for just $69.00! It was well worth the price!! Here are a few of the pictures she took:


This one looks a little creepy to me because it looks kind of like a smiling skeleton!


And here is the proof that we will have a bouncing baby boy in a few months!


This is one of the 3d pictures. It is sort of hard to see, so I labeled the parts.


That little foot already has lots of cute shoes to put on it!


And here is one of the pictures that Dr. Hernandez took. It is one of my favorites. He said Lane just likes to lay back and relax like he is in a hammock. His little leg looks so long and skinny here! Knowing our baby is a boy makes everything seem so real! Now we can actually call it by name and not have to say "the baby!" I have already done some alot of shopping! Right after our appointment Kyle and I went to Target and picked out an outfit and a few other items for Lane. Then that afternoon Kori and I went to the mall and I bought Lane his first pair of tennis shoes! I can't wait to see him in them! Maybe he will like shoes as much as his Mommy!

I ♥ Faces - "Blue"

My cousin's little boy Mason has made many appearances on my blog for the I ♥ Faces contests. Every time I see him I follow him around with my camera taking pictures. It is great practice for me, because most of the time he is being an active little boy and is not too enthusiastic to have his picture taken. On this particular day he had been smiling for the camera as he played outside of his house. After a few too many pictures in his opinion, he gave me this face and I knew he was about finished with our little photo shoot! The blue shirt, blue eyes, and blue background made this my best choice for this week's "blue" themed contest!

Baby L.C. - 12 Weeks

On September 10, 2009, we went in for our 12 week check-up with Dr. Hernandez. He got started with the sonogram and said everything was looking good. He showed us all of the limbs and the baby was moving around a lot! At first it was just sleeping and we saw it's profile. Then it's little arm started moving and from then on it was never still! Dr. Hernandez surprised us when he said "I think I may know what you are having if you guys would want to know." With it only being my 12 week appointment I was really shocked that he was saying this! He kept quiet for a minute, just looking around, and then asked if I thought I knew what it was and if I had been having any dreams about what it was. I told him no and that I had no clue, but that at my last appointment there was a pink pacifier on the ground right by my car door and I took it as a sign. :) He started laughing and said, "well, I think you may be having a little boy." Kyle and I were looking at each other and smiling and both of us said "Little Lane!" Dr. H said not to go painting the room blue, but that he was about 80% sure it was a boy! We will see if he is right when we go back on October 6th!!


This picture is the baby's profile and it is laying on it's back. This was the first picture when the baby was being really still.


This one is kind of hard to tell anything, but the baby is head down and it is looking right at the camera. The dark places are the eyes and mouth! It looks to me like he/she is smiling a little!

This last one shows one of the hands when it was waving at us!

After our appointment we had to decide if we were going to tell anyone because it was so early and he wasn't 100% sure. I decided I couldn't keep it in for a whole month, so we decided to have an early "Reveal Party" with our parents and family. We had them over that Sunday and Kyle cooked ribs and mom brought the side items. Kyle whipped up some "special" cupcakes and I iced and decorated them. The surprise was that when they opened the cupcake wrapper and took a bite, the cupcake would be either pink or blue.

Here are Kori, mom, and Claire opening their cupcakes. Scout was excited to see if she was getting a sister or brother!!



Or maybe she just wanted a bite. ;)


Danny excited to see blue!


Proud parents!
Here are the cute cupcakes

Baby boy blue!!
Who knows? If the doc is wrong, we may need to whip up a batch of pink cupcakes soon...