Nathans Sweet Sixteen

Did I say sweet sixteen? I meant 1st Birthday.  I mentioned before I was nostalgic... but that is an understatement.  I went through all my pregnancy pictures leading up to the big day and then went thorough all the pictures and videos of Nathan from the last year.  What a wild year, and I cannot get over how fast it went! 

Here are some pictures from the big birthday party.  We did "Nathan's Hotdog Party".  If you have never heard of Nathan's Hotdogs you're not alone - most people from the south haven't.  Google it! 

We served real Nathan's hotdogs, had a ball pit for the babies, and watched Nate smash his cake & open presents - It was such a fun day! 

Cheers to many more birthdays and birthday parties with the friends and family that we love!! 

 

1 Year Down....

Well, I guess I shouldn't quit my day job and become one of those super-mom bloggers. I haven't blogged in over a year - I know its been over a year because my last post I was still pregnant with this crazy little guy and I had no. earthly. idea. what I was in store for....

6 month-ish shameless selfie
I am sporting the no -makeup "I woke up like this" look 

Andys and my world has been rocked.  Nothing can prepare you for parenthood.  Nursing school & Medical School sleep deprivation ain't got nothing on the exhaustion that is being a parent of a newborn.

On the other hand - absolutely nothing can prepare you for the joy and love your heart feels from the moment of their first cry..... 

 Its like God knows what he is doing and makes the love you feel for that baby so strong that you will sacrifice sleep and drink lethal amounts of coffee (at risk to yourself) to keep that new little human alive ;). 

I wish I would have continued blogging over the last year.  Nates first birthday has come and gone {next blog post} and it got me feeling nostalgic.  As I read my old pregnant posts I regretted not better documenting his first year.

So even if its just for my mom and my friends Aubrey & Madison (who admitted to reading), or really just for me,  here goes try #2 of becoming an aspiring blogger.... Don't get your hopes up! 

Maternity Pictures

I mentioned my good friend Jordan in my last post - she works with me & is one of the most generous, kind hearted people I know.  She is hilarious so when we work together she keeps me laughing all day long.  She is just a great friend and I am blessed to know her! 

She is SO talented & took these INCREDIBLE pictures for me the day of the baby shower at her house for table center pieces - what was done for decorations for a party will now be something I cherish FOREVER! 

Jordan, you are so freaking talented and I can't thank you enough for taking these! I want to frame them all!!! I LOVE YOU :) 

Family of "Three" - Buddy was not on his best behavior for this photoshoot - he chewed through his leash and went straight to the water {hence being soaking wet}. We think he is acting out because he knows there is big change coming!

I'll say "Buddy where is your brother" and he will put his nose on my belly....he knows more than we think! 

Love of my Life

This one is for you Aunt G-Baby ....Thanks for the shoes!

I never knew my heart could love this much
<3

-Aly 

Off to pack baby hospital bag...mine is packed and ready to go! Andy and I went shopping and bought baby's coming home outfit today...cannot believe he is almost here! 

36 Weeks!

So, as I hinted before, I have been watching a lot of "16 and Pregnant" on MTV lately.  I can't say I have ever "liked" this show - but every time I see it on the channel guide it is of those car-wreck situations where you just can't stop watching.  I think I have grown to actually enjoy it because it helps me put a lot shit I worry about into perspective.  

For example - Being "25 and Pregnant" I worry about my baby daddy having the car seat installed correctly, Those girls on "16 and Pregnant" are worried if their baby daddy has a car...

Being "25 and Pregnant" I worry if my water will break at my place of employment, "16 and pregnant" - worried about water breaking at prom...

"25 and Pregnant" - I worry about deadlines - "How many days do I have to get baby on my insurance? When do I have to call and report maternity leave? Are all my bills paid and house in order before baby comes?". "16 and Pregnant" - worried about deadlines too - but more like "when is my English paper due?"

If a weekly dose of trash T.V. is what it takes to cure me of being completely neurotic, than so be it, bring on the next episode.

Next up ...BABY SHOWER! If you want to know how completely LOVED you are get pregnant and have a baby shower. People love babies and love celebrating whoever is having the baby.  Baby Navetta and I were spoiled at my baby shower in Tyler and then again at shower thrown by my friends in Lubbock.  I cannot THANK everyone enough for all the sweet {and useful} baby gear we received!

I also want to say a special "Thank You" to my grandmother who always hosts the most "pinterest-y" parties at her gorgeous house on the lake! I love you Nana and loved celebrating Baby Navetta with you! Also Thank You to my mom and and mother-in-law - I may be biased, but this baby is going to have the best grandmothers {and is going to be very spoiled}! 

I wish I had pictures from my Lubbock shower, but all I have is this cute invitation...My friend Jordan and her husband Mark were awesome hosts as we drank beer, watched football, and opened baby presents at their house {O'Douls for me of course}! 

And last, but certainly not least...

The mystery that is - PREGNANCY CANKLES

This happens to me on long car rides and after my 12 hour shifts at work.  It is effing weird to look down and have NO ankles and to have toes that resemble cocktail weenies. Strange confession -  I like pushing in on the swelling and making intentions then watching how long it takes the indentation to go away - Its the nurse in me - there just something about  +3 pitting edema! {I know only a small amount of readers are going to think that is funny..aka the nurses..everyone else now thinks I am a complete weirdo} 

So that's it! my long overdue update. I am thankful to be healthy and to have a healthy baby growing in there! 3 1/2 more weeks to go - which means I would be happy making any day now a BIRTH- day! 

Andy and I at the Sitka Wedding in San Antonio - This was our last baby-free road trip/mini vacation as a party of two!