Back yard paradise

You might remember in June of last year we started a HUGE project in our backyard. Well that project is now about 90% complete. Last June we put in a paver patio. You can see pictures of that process here. Then in July we did the landscaping around the patio except in one small area. You can see pictures of that here. We planned on putting a pond and waterfall in dirt hole/mound. Well almost a year later we have completed the pond/waterfall. It actually wasn't has hard as we thought. The paver patio was MUCH MUCH harder. But poor Tommy had to do most of the work himself because a pregnant woman isn't much help. So we started out with this on Friday...

A not very attractive mound in our yard with a huge hole at the bottom.

And then Saturday morning we woke up and got to work putting in the pond liner and laying the rocks inside the pond. By about 12:00 (including a trip to the stone yard to get more rocks) we had this...

We finished placing the stones and pebbles and added water to make sure the pump and all the piping were not leaking.

Ahhh, it worked, it actually flowed!!!

So beautiful!
I was exhausted from carrying small rocks and squatting to pick up rocks so I went take a one hour nap at about 1:30. When I woke up Tommy had mulched around everything and finished up all the little details. He is so great!

This is so relaxing to come home to. I can definitely see us sitting on back patio listening to the waterfall while Abigail runs around the yard and plays with Cajun. I'm so glad we finished this project. I still need to do some landscaping around it and put lighting in the landscaping but all that can be done gradually.

It was worth waiting almost a year for this...

My side of the family is coming over on Friday for a crawfish boil and I can wait to utilize the patio and show everyone Tommy's hard work. Everything looks great!

35 weeks

I know I skipped the 34 week post but I have been so exhausted and busy with preparing for the baby that I didn't have the 5 minutes to write the 34 week post...so here's 35 weeks/35 days left!!

How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 30...ouch, I didn't want to reach that number and I still have 5 weeks left. I hope I don't gain too much more but it seems like my body has been retaining alot of fluid lately.
Maternity clothes? I'm getting tired of them.
Stretch marks? still none!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next 5 weeks that they don't start popping up.
Sleep: Hasn't been too great lately. I can only sleep for about 2 hours at a time then I'm awake for 30-45 minutes. It's all in preparation for those late night feedings.
Best moment this week: we go the car seat installed and finished buying all the little last minute things we will need. I think we're ready! If only I could finish packing my hospital bag. I've been putting that off for weeks now.
Movement: she hasn't been kicking and tumbling as much but I can feel her sliding around and getting comfortable.
Food cravings: Chocolate again...Easter candy, yum. That might explain those 30 pounds too.
Gender: the ultrasounds still say its a girl but we'll know for sure in only 5 short weeks
Labor Signs: I've have a few cramps/contractions in afternoons about 3 or 4 days a week. Other then that, she's still growing in there.
Belly Button in or out? still in
What I miss? being able to bend over to put on my socks and shoes.
What I am looking forward to: the hospital tour next Tuesday. I have lots of questions.
Weekly Wisdom: I'm uncomfortable, tired and very ready to see and hold this baby, but I know she still needs those few weeks to grow and develop so I just need to be patient.
Milestones: 35 weeks down, 35 days to go!

33 weeks

How far along? 33 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 27

Maternity clothes? can't get away from them. I'm about ready to pack them up and store them away for a while.

Stretch marks? still none!!

Sleep: my bladder is getting smaller and smaller and it's getting harder and harder to get comfortable so sleeping is getting more and more difficult.

Best moment this week: feeling all of her kicks and punches, realizing how close we are to having a baby in our arms.

Movement: yep, she's still rolling around in there.

Food cravings: Lasagna

Gender: pearls, and tutus, and ballet shoes....I'm getting so excited about having a little miss priss.

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks and I think I've had a few real contractions but nothing that has been consisent or uncomfortable.

Belly Button in or out? still in, at this rate I don't know if it will ever poke out.

What I miss? sleeping more than 2 hours at a time...its all in preparation for those late night feedings

What I am looking forward to: our first hospital class tonight on breastfeeding

Weekly Wisdom: I can have a natural child birth. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of woman do it every day so I know I can manage the pain and have a healthy natural pregnancy.

Milestones: only a few more weeks until she is full term!!

32 weeks

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 26 lbs...woo hoo no weight gain this week. I've been sick all weak so I didn't have much of an appetite
Maternity clothes? yep...and Tommy's T-shirts are now my pajamas
Stretch marks? still none, i'm keeping my fingers crossed
Sleep: Between coughing, trying to catch my breath, and trying to get comfortable...sleeping just isn't going so great.
Best moment this week: finally getting rid of this cold. And Tommy winning 3rd place in the jambalaya cook-off this weekend!! It was delicious.
Movement: yep, I think space is starting to get limited so she's not moving as much. But when she rolls around my whole body jumps.
Food cravings: Pizza
Gender: girly girl
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are now pretty common.
Belly Button in or out? still not out.
What I miss? being able to breathe
What I am looking forward to: going on our hospital tour in a few weeks.
Weekly Wisdom: No matter how many baby/pregnancy/delivery books I read and how much I research, I still won't have a clue what labor is really going to be like. I'll have to experience it to believe it!
Milestones: each day is a milestone.

31 weeks

How far along? 31 weeks


Total weight gain/loss: 26 lbs.


Maternity clothes? oh yes


Stretch marks? still none but my skin is starting to burn on the top of my stomach so I know my skin is stretching.


Sleep: I've been fighting a cold and chest congestion lately so sleep has not been very great.


Best moment this week: The baby shower. Seeing all of our family and friends and getting some awesome gifts.


Movement: We'll definitely have to enroll this girl in some gymnastics classes


Food cravings: nothing lately.


Gender: after all of the adorable dresses and pink clothes we got this weekend, she better be a girl. Not to mention, I made a pink and black tutu for her Friday...I can't wait to see her in it.


Labor Signs: A few Braxton Hicks each day.


Belly Button in or out? flat, when i cough it sticks out a little


What I miss? sleeping on my stomach


What I am looking forward to: watching her and Tommy interact...he's going to be such a great dad.


Weekly Wisdom: We're going to a baby to hold in our arms very very soon.


Milestones: less than 2 months!

30 weeks

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs.
Maternity clothes? I think I'm actually starting to like wearing them.
Stretch marks? none!!
Sleep: I can't get enough sleep. I wake up in the morning ready for a nap and after a nap I'm ready for bed again.
Best moment this week: Seeing her for the last time before she's born. She looked great. The doctor said the cyst is completely gone and she is growing very well. She is about 3 lbs 6 oz now which is the 48th percentile.
Movement: Its so strange to watch my stomach move around. She definately likes to roll around and tumble at night.
Food cravings: chocolate, and with all the easter candy in the stores lately its been hard to resist.
Gender: Miss Abigail
Labor Signs: I definately felt a few Braxton Hicks last week.
Belly Button in or out? still in
What I miss? Having energy. Hopefully once we get some warmer weather I can start doing this outside and that will help me stay energetic. I hate being stuck in the house all the time.
What I am looking forward to: The next 9 weeks! I can't beleive we only have 2 more months left this has gone by so quicly.
Weekly Wisdom: Everything has a way of working itself out.
Milestones: only 2 more months!