25 Weeks and 100 Day Count Down!!!

Well I'm 25 Weeks and 5 days pregnant today. 100 days from today is my due date. That's so exciting!!! Let the count down begin. Well not much changed in a week except me. I feel like I gained some more weight. I'm feeling large these days, but my doctor assures me that rapid weight gain during this stage of pregnancy is completely normal. Brandon keeps telling me that I look beautiful and I'm pregnant not fat, but it's just like I woke up one day and I was huge. And I know I'm only going to get bigger. I feel great and Hannah is doing amazing so I guess it's just the sacrifice I have to make to have a healthy baby, but it has been a "huge" adjustment for me.

25 Week Bump Photo


In other news Hannah's nursery is starting to take shape. The walls are painted, the crib is assembled, the curtains I ordered just came in last night and we hung those.

They really brighten the room. What doesn't brighten the room is the ugly blinds that came with the house when we bought it. They are so crummy and dingy and we will be replacing those sooner than later.

We also got her dresser that will double as a changing table last week. I love it! We got it off Craigslist and it looks brand new, but a brand new one from Ikea costs $300 and we paid $125 :)

Originally I was going to paint the dresser, but the finish on this one is so nice that all I decided to do was change out the hardware. And as luck would have it I found the yellow and white knobs while out Christmas shopping at World Market on Sunday. I loved them and they were on sale!!!

I also love it because the drawers are already lined in yellow and white paper. So great!!! I really think this was a steal.


Also her crib sheet and changing pad cover came in last night from the same company I got the curtains from.
I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

I found a great addition in my linen closet of all places. A crocheted blanket that was given to us as a wedding present. It's really colorful and super soft, but I never knew what to do with it. It looks perfect in her room.
Also, I got a couple of light switch plates from Hobby Lobby on sale that look great on the walls as you enter the room.

Can't wait for her bedding to come in. It should ship in January some time. Well that's it for now.

Little This, A Lot of That

Well this is going to be a super long post. I have so much to talk about.

First lets start with Christmas Stuff. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Hughes house, except for the whole presents under the tree thing. Ha! Last week I decorated the inside of the house including both of our trees, our dinning room, the mantel and Brandon put up all the lights on the house. I love seeing it all come together. Here are some pics.




This is my centerpiece on the dinning room table. I just got cheap cardboard boxes and wrapped them in scrapbook paper that looked like wood and then made fake floral arrangements in them. I got the stems from on sale at Hobby Lobby. Then just placed them on mirrors and gathered pine cones, little red ornaments and candle holders I already had to fill in the spaces. I really liked how it turned out.





Last weekend we got started on Hannah's room. Yay!!! I got her bedding ordered which I'm so excited about, along with some other things that should come in within the next few weeks. We chose her paint color, finally, and got it up on the walls. It's called Jamaican Aqua. I'm so excited to have the room painted. This room has been a blank slate since we moved in and it's so nice to finally have a purpose for it. We also emptied out her closet and I'm most excited that we got to set up her crib which has been sitting in a box in our garage for several weeks. Here is the progress.

Yes I realize that I'm 6 months pregnant standing on a ladder painting. A big "no no" I'm sure, but I was careful. We got paint that was low in VOCs so less toxic odors that could be harmful for me and the baby. We also had the window opened to ventilate the room. Just in case any of you were concerned.


I also painted this trunk to match the walls that Brandon and I found for $50 at an antique mall that we planning on storing toys and such in.


Finally a 24 week baby update. I'm 24 weeks and 5 days pregnant today. Only 107 days til my due date. Very excited. I'm getting bigger, but I feel great! I'm able to still do everything I want I just have to take breaks and know my limitations. Baby is just kicking and moving like crazy and I love that. Brandon has been able to feel her and that is really awesome. I found out today that I'm more than likely going to be able to take off 8 weeks after the baby's born and between my extended illness pay and Aflac pay I should be good. So that's a relief. Just one less thing for me to worry about. Well that was a super long post. I told you it would be. I'll leave you with my 24 week baby bump photo.

23 Weeks!!! Made It, Just Barely

Well since it is my last day of being 23 weeks pregnant, I thought I'd better get this blog in. We were in Dallas over the weekend and I hadn't really recovered from that yet. Our trip was good. Hopefully I can post some photos soon.

We were suppose to fly to Dallas, but as I was checking in for our flight the day before I noticed I booked for us to leave at 9:30am Thanksgiving Day from Dallas heading to Lubbock and our return flight from Lubbock to Dallas on Saturday. Major OOPS!!! Can't believe I did that and can't believe I didn't catch it before then. I blame it on pregnancy brain vomit.

Well after talking to the airline and finding out to change the flight was going to cost us about $250 on top of what we had originally paid, we decided driving to Dallas was our only option. Ugh!!! So we got up around 5:30am Thursday and headed to the city. We got there around 11:30am so it wasn't too bad. We got to bring Teensy with us too which we weren't planning on, so it all worked out.

Coming back from Dallas was a little more hard on me. I was super tired when we got back home. I took a 2 hour nap and went to bed around 9pm. I didn't even stay up to see Tech beat Houston in our last game of the season. Oh well.

Sunday we spent the day hanging up Christmas lights and putting up our trees. Everything is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Hughes house. I love decorating. I'll post pictures soon.

Tomorrow I'm 24 weeks!!! It's hard to believe than less than 4 months our little angel will be here. It was really crazy to think that this time next year she'll be 8 months old. Wow!!!

Here is my 23 week baby bump pic. I think I really look pregnant now. What was a small bump is now big and I really can't hide it anymore.

22 Weeks

Well I'm 22 weeks pregnant almost 23. It seems like I get later and later in my posting each week. Well I had a busy and emotional week last week. Friday was Jon's funeral and it was really hard to get through. I had tears rolling down my face through the whole thing.

It was held at First Baptist where I grew up going, where Brandon and I were married, where Laura and I met and where Laura and Jon were also married. The church was packed. By the time we got there at 1:30pm the bottom seats were all full. We had to sit in the balcony. You have never seen so many State Troopers and officers in all your life. The whole choir loft was full. Laura spoke about Jon. She did an amazing job and know one expected her to do that. She showed such grace, courage and strength. I was in awe of her and I know she touched many lives with her words.

One thing she said was she wanted Jon here more than anything in this world, but she knows God has a plan and purpose in all of this. She knows that God just loved Jon so much that He wanted him there with Him in heaven and she was okay with that. I love her for saying everything she said and am so proud to call her my friend. Be in prayer still for her and her family as they prepare for this holiday season without Jon.

After an emotional Friday, I had a little fun on Saturday and ventured out to the Civic Center with my mom for Holiday Happening. I didn't buy much. Just a few little headbands and flowers for Hannah that were cute and a good deal. It was a lot of fun just the same, and my mom got some great stuff. That night we went out the the 50 Yard Line Steak House with Jean Bledsoe and my grandma to celebrate her birthday early. It was fun and delicious.

Sunday was my mom's actual birthday. I spent the day shopping for myself though. Ha! I bought a few things to wear to Dallas. Shopping for maternity clothes is exhausting. Especially when you go to the mall. Especially when you walk all over the mall and wear yourself out. Despite total exhaustion, Brandon and I had my mom over for dinner Sunday night. It was yummy. Brandon did an amazing job cooking as usual. I made a chocolate cake with whip cream and cream cheese frosting that had Hershey Bar with Almonds mixed in. So good!!!

This is a quick week. Only two more days of work and then off to Dallas for Thanksgiving with my brother.

Here's my 22 week bump pic.

Farewell to a Hero

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" psalm 34:18



On Monday night one of my good friends from college husband died in a tragic car accident. He was a State Trooper serving in the Garza County area near Post, TX. That night he was responding to a call while on duty and lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a concrete culvert off Hwy 84. Here is a link to the story.

Click Here

He leaves behind a beautiful 6 month precious baby girl Kacyn. She will never get to meet her daddy so Laura asked those of us who knew him to write a letter to her to have for when she gets older.



This is the letter I wrote:

Sweet Kacyn,

I’m a friend of your parents and had the sweet privilege of knowing your dad. He was an awesome man which I’m sure you know by now, because I know your mom has told you all about him. They loved each other so much. It’s the kind of love that is contagious, and when you thought about one of your parents you couldn’t help but think of the other.

I think your mom wanted to start having babies immediately after they said “I do,” but your dad was a little more cautious. I think he realized that great things happen to those who wait. You, Kacyn, were definitely worth waiting for. The day your mom found out she was pregnant with a little girl I was so excited. Not just for your mom, but for your dad. I just knew that a little girl was exactly what this big, tough guy needed in his life to melt away that rough exterior. That is exactly what you did from the moment you were born until he went to be with Jesus.



I’m just sorry I never got a chance to see him with you, but I know that you were his life. He did what he did in his life all for you. He served those who needed to be served for you. He protected those who needed protection, all to provide for you and your mom. The picture above is worth a thousand words to me now. It’s a perfect reminder that even though your daddy isn’t here in the physical world, his spirit and legacy will be with you and protecting you all the days of your life. In times of joy and sorrow, carry your dad in your heart. And when you can’t go on anymore, trust in your Heavenly Father and He will carry through. Take care of that mom of yours. She loves you more than anything in this world.

Love,

Jennifer Hughes

My heart is breaking for my friend who I love so dearly. She is so brave and strong and I admire her strength during this time of great sadness.

Today is the funeral and burial and I know it's going to be a sad time for her, his family and anyone who was touched by his life. Please be in prayer for her during this difficult time.

21 Week Update

Well I'm 21 weeks almost 22. The only thing I can say about this week is that I'm getting big. I feel really big and I know I'm only going to get bigger. I don't know how or when it happened, but one day this week I woke up and thought I really look pregnant. None of my pants are fitting properly. In fact today I'm wearing a pair of gray work pants that I will seriously not be wearing after today due to the fact they are digging into my skin. In fact I have eliminated several pairs of pants in my wardrobe this week because I can no longer stand to wear them. A friend of ours was very generous, however, and donated several pairs of maternity pants to me. I guess I'm finally forced to try them on.

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my check-up. Everything was still great. The baby of course was moving around like crazy and it was hard for my doc to measure the heart beat. It was still in the 155-160bpm range. My doctor was really excited when we told her we found out we were having a little girl, and she loved the name. I go back Dec 13th and then Dec 28th. After that I go to her every other week until 36 weeks and then it's every week til delivery. Wow!

The next big adventure for us is traveling to Dallas next week for Thanksgiving. We're going to be staying with my brother and sister-in-law and their dog Pecos like we did last Christmas. I can't wait. It's going to be a short trip. We fly in Thanksgiving morning and fly out Saturday morning, but it will be a nice break. Maybe I'll get to to do a little bit of shopping while I'm there too.

I'll leave you with my 21 week bump photo.

Baby Girl's Room

Well we have officially known for a whole week our precious baby is a little girl. It's so overwhelming at times. I think about her all the time and what kind of baby she'll be and what her personality will be as she grows. I'm so blessed beyond words to be carrying this little miracle. I love her so much already.

Well I've changed my mind on the nursery theme. I knew I would :) I liked my other inspiration, but I came across a few designs that I just fell in love with. So this is what I have so far.

This is the new color scheme


It's bright and girlie and I love it. These are some of the nursery photos I'm drawing inspiration from.




We already purchased her crib and we should be able to pick it up next week. That means we really need to decide on a paint color. I've put some samples of light aqua shades on the wall. I just don't know yet. I'm going to pick up a few more today. This is a picture of the crib. It's the dark espresso color. We'll see what color it really turns out to be. I purchased in online at JCPenny.com


I've also ordered fabric swatches for her bedding. There is a company that makes custom bedding that is comparable to some of the other bedding I've seen around. I want the yellow and white with a little fuchsia accents.



This is a photo of the bedding that will be similar to what I'll have made.


And here are some accessories that I would love to add.




This is a wall decal I would love to put above her crib


Well that's it for now. I can't wait to get started.