BEYOND ready.......

So, I am 33 almost 34 weeks, and I am BEYOND ready for Parker to arrive! I can't wait to hold, him, but most importantly to just look at him and rejoice at how thankful I am =] The pregnancy journey- definitely took a toll on me at some points. I will have to admit that I had a fairly easy pregnancy with him though. There were probably 2 weeks out of the journey that were rough for me while the others were tolerable and for the most part pleasant.

I see some of my friends who are having it alot worse, but hey in the end it will all be worth it and we will all look back and not even think about the "hard times" but we will all look at how blessed we are =] I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks which I will be 35 1/2 weeks! I'm ready to hear if I will have a c-section or actually go through labor! I'm thinking c-section, but hey I'm not the one with M.D. at the end of my name!!!

What's new with me?????

* Officially can't sleep more than like 4 hours a night! Oh well, good preparation for what's to come =]

* No more fried food- indigestion BADDDDD!

* Have gained about 26 pounds, but I feel like I have gained 90!

* We are now in single digit weeks until our sweet baby boy arrives! May even be sooner than 8 weeks!!!

* Our house should be complete around October 1! Thank goodness- the last thing we are waiting on is the counter top installation...whoo-hoo!

* I have been told (more like "warned" to me) that Parker is going to be a "large" baby, but has now been changed to be will be "BIG." Which basically means it's looking like he will be 9+ pounds! Whew! Oh well, it will all be worth it when I get to hold my baby boy!

* Did not have "cravings" until about 2 weeks ago and now all I want is a cold sandwich or salad...yummo!

* Childbirth classes are a MUST! I love them...we only have two left and I am kinda sad =[

* BEYOND excited that one of my besties is pregnant! Although I am almost through my pregnancy, she and I will get to enjoy it together for about 2 months total then I will be there for her with whatever she needs! Her and Derek are going to be WONDERFUL parents =] I can't wait to find out what baby Graves will be- I'm going on record and saying GIRL, but who knows! This is going to be the best 9 months of her life- advice to you Rosie: enjoy it because it will FLY by!

* I go back to the doctor on September 16 and should have a better ETA for Parker! He might be earlier than Nov 2. if I have to have a c-section due to his size! I'll DEF. let y'all know!

Love you all =]

1 year to my wonderful hubby!

This past weekend Cody and I went to San Antonio to celebrate our one year anniversary! Time has flown by- seems like just yesterday I had those butterflies in my stomach about walking down the aisle! We left Saturday morning and headed for CABELA'S...yes, I must say that I love that store almost as much as my husband =] We got Parker some camo gear then headed to P.F. Changs...yummo! Starting at my 12th week of being pregnant, chinese food has sounded GROSS to me...so I was very happy that I am able to stomach it and tolerate it now! Whoo-hoo =]

After lunch, we headed to Bass Pro Shop -again I love these two stores. My feet were killing me, so we decided to head to our hotel and lounge for a bit! When we got there, I was over lounging! Haha! I wanted to go walk and be "tourists". Well, that didn't last cuz it was that time for my hubby- what time you might ask? Beer time! We went to the Irish Pub right across from our hotel, and I got to people watch while Cody enjoyed his beers and cigar! Then we watched the game then off to bed we went! It was the perfect weekend =]

Cody,
I love you very much and thank God everyday that I am blessed to be your wife!

3d ultrasound

Yesterday we went to have our 3d ultrasound done- and I was truly taken back by how they were able to do this! The process was a little overwhelming for me- broke out into a very bad sweat, which is not like me- I'm always cold! My nerves were really acting up! I was sooooo excited to be able to finally see our sweet baby boy! It brought tears to my eyes and (besides my wedding day) was the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! Seeing our little Parker moving around and being able to see his sweet face was the most amazing feeling that I think anyone can have or experience! He does have my lips (I think), but that is probably it! He will be a little Cody made over! =] All in all, the wait to finally have this done and the whole process were such a blessing! There was even a picture that they took of him smiling with his arms crossed around his chest! I love him more than I ever thought I could love something! Truly God is amazing, and I thank him everyday for what he has blessed my life with: amazing friends and family, a great husband, and a beautiful baby boy that we will meet in about 2 1/2 months! Yay!!!

13 more weeks!

I can't believe that in approximately 13 weeks my baby boy will be here! This journey at first seemed to be dragging along- I remember at first getting so antsy to get to my 18 week appt. to find out the sex and here I am now 13 weeks away from seeing this beautiful creation! I can't wait! Next week (28 weeks) I enter into my last trimester! I am soooo excited! Mwah!

Upcoming events!

August 11- We are finally going to get our 3d ultrasound done! They advised me that the ideal time is between 28-32 weeks and August 10 I will be 28 weeks! Crazy that I am already 6 1/2 months along! This journey has been the most amazing experience of my life! I can't wait to meet Parker and for all of our loving friends and family to meet him as well! He is already so loved- I know one person in particular who can't wait and that is my dear friend Rosie! She is going to be the best Godmother to Parker! I am so excited to see their relationship- it will truly be remarkable!

August 22- One of my amazing friends Lindsey is throwing me a baby shower! She and I have been friends for forever it seems- honestly it is like 12+ years that I have been able to call her a friend! She came to me and said she wanted to throw me a shower, and I was so thankful! I can't wait...knowing her it will be a ton of fun! Thanks Lunds =]

August 30- Hello- where has the past year gone??? Mine and Cody's one year is coming up August 30! It is so crazy to sit back and reflect on the past year! Being married to Cody has been wonderful! I love being able to call him my husband but more importantly calling him the father of my child!

September 20- I will officially be an old hag! Yes, I will be turning 26! Good grief!

September 26- Rosie and Amber are throwing me another baby shower! This one is a themed party- bedtime stories! Should be so much fun! I can't wait =]

~ "Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life." Thanks guys, I love you all!!!

Parker: The soccer player

I swear that Parker is going to be the best little soccer player EVER! He is constantly kicking me and now it is in the rib area because he is so long! I feel like one by one my ribs are breaking. It is the most amazing/weird feeling. I am just sitting here at work and BAM- jab in my right side, then jab in my left followed by a swift kick right in the dead center of my tummy! I would not for one second complain about it though. When he kicks I know that he is good and everything is going smoothly!

Due date- My due date has been moved up 6 days...Parker was measuring further along that what my "original" due date measurements were, so Dr. Seirafi moved me up to November 2! I can't wait- it should be here before we know it! Time has definitely flown by!!!

Me- You can definitely tell that I am prego now! I don't even have a chance of trying to hide it if I wanted to- but I would never try and hide it...I love every minute of it! You can tell exactly where he is in my belly due to how I am carrying!

XoXo!!!!!!!

Ultrasound

Well, I was wrong- I thought that the 3d ultrasound was going to be tomorrow, but that is not until next month- I swear I get confused so easily now! BUT- We did get to see Parker!!! Well, Cody saw him last time, but I was way too nervous/scared/excited to look. He was moving around like CRAZY! For a brief second it looked like he was waving at us! It brought tears to my eyes! It was such an amazing and somewhat overwhelming feeling...definitely one of the best days of my life to finally be able to see my little son!

The doctor took a lot of pictures of the 4 chamber heart (that looked great he said), pictures of the brain (again looked great), pictures of his noggin (looked great- big like his daddy's), his tummy (great), a picture of him smiling (cute =]), pictures of his femour (great), and a picture assuring us that he was indeed a little boy! He said that everything looked great and that we were having a healthy and BIG/TALL little boy! I swear his feet are already the size of mine! I am 23 weeks and 4 days prego today- I have gained 15 pounds which they say is normal- actually he said it was a little under, but I was healthy so it was fine! Sunday will be 24 weeks=6 months! I remember like it was yesterday when I took a test out of curiosity hoping to God that it would come back positive. 6 months later I am carrying one of God's greatest creations! I am about to enter into my third trimester and surprised to say that my pregnancy journey has gotten easier over time- I have heard that it gets harder! I am very achy in my lower back area, which the dr. said is normal due to how I am carrying! OMG- So the doctor said before hand that the average baby's weight right now was around 1.10 pounds...well, Parker weighs 1.70- big baby on the way! Haha!

3D Ultrasound tomorrow!

Tomorrow me and Cody and my mom are going back to Scott & White Temple to have a 3D ultrasound done of Parker! Last month when we went down there, it was for a stupid reason that my then Doctor mis-diagnosed! So, I was a nervous wreck and never even looked at the screen to see little Parker! NOT ONCE! I stared at the ceiling and bawled- 45 minute ultrasound seemed like 5 years! The doctor looked and checked everything to reassure me, but I still could not look! At the end when I heard those sweet words "Everything looks great and normal" I was relieved but still not 100%. So tomorrow is a big day for me to be able to see my baby and this little miracle that I am carrying! He is very active so I feel him constantly, but being able to see him will be the best day of my life! Tomorrow can't come soon enough =]

Mission Accomplished!!!

So, this weekend we were very productive with our new house! We both agreed that the color of the brick HAD TO GO!!! So, I went and picked out a new brick color and new front door color. On Friday, we painted some to see if we liked the color...and we both did! It made such a HUGE difference to the outside of the house! It lightened everything up and made it look like a totally different house!!! We finished the painting on Sunday thanks to my dad and Carla, my hard-working hubby, and Cody's parents! I tried my hardest to paint, but the fumes were kinda getting to me so I MOWED! Yes, you heard me correctly- Kelli became a little yard-mower...and can I just tell you that I wayyyy liked it! Sunday was probably the longest day of my life- we started at 8:15 that morning to make sure we had a full day and finished around 4:30. Borderline TORTURE! We also purchased the shutters for the front of the house- I have always wanted a tan brick house, black shutters, and reddish front door! And that my friends is what we are doing =]

Parker's room- Can I just tell you that I might want to have his room??? It is going to be so cute! I found a picture online of this nursery that one wall was painted like a fire station! IT is so cute and is going to be perfect with the bedding and rest of the decor I got! Yes, Rosie I know- I need to not buy everything and save stuff for the shower- but girl, you know me well enough to know that I can't do that! Parker has enough clothes right now to last him a year and never have to wear the same thing twice- I know it's a sickness! BUT, with him being born in November- I am getting all of the off-season stuff CHEAP! So it works out perfectly!!!

HOPEFULLY, we will be moving to our new residence around September! I can't wait!

It's the little things......

First of all I have to start out by saying that I think I have the most caring and generous friends- hands down! Three of my friends have decided that no matter how busy they are or how hectic their work is, they want to throw me showers! Can I just tell you how blessed I am to have them throw me a shower for Parker! It's the little things that these three girls do for me that make me so thankful to call them friends! Throwing a shower for someone takes time which is something that is very valuable now-a-days, but they have not even thought twice about it! These three girls are the true definition of "friend". Rosie, Lindsey, and Amber- I love you all very much, and I am beyond grateful to have you in my life and for all of you to be with me through this journey! Each of you has helped me more than you will ever know...words could never express how much I think of each of you! I can't wait for all of you to meet Parker- he is one lucky little guy =] Thank you all again from the bottom of my <3!!

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”

" Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things"

Thanks Rosie =]

8 Things I am Looking Forward to:

* Meeting our little son, Parker!!!

* Moving into our new house =]

* Watching my husband be a terrific father!!!!!

* Being able to intensely workout again!

* There to be a freeze in TEXAS- ha, funny I know!

*To watch one of my dearest friends be a great God-mom to Parker- he is very lucky!!!

* Our one year wedding anniversary!

* Taking a big vacay next year- hopefully with our friends or with my Dad and Carla =]

8 Things I did Yesterday:

* Worked

* Cleaned house again- I'm wayyy obsessed now!

* Got us Little Caesars for dinner- mmmmmm! Me and Parker were happy =]

* Answered a million phone calls at work

* Loved on my doggies

* Went to our new house to see the progress

* Slept like a baby last night- first night in a while!

* Watched the Bachelorette =]

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

* Have a singing career

* Either be a nurse or teacher so I could be around kids 24/7

* Have an unlimited bank account to shop all the time =] =] Cody would kill me though!

* Live right beside all of my friends so I could see them EVERYDAY!

* Go to Paris, France

* Try to help one of best friends with her journey- although she of all people does not need it! She is one of the strongest people I know!

* Lay out all day and sip on diet cokes and parrot bay!

* Play softball and volleyball again

8 Shows I Enjoy:

* The bachelorette

*Real World Cancun

*Deadliest Catch

* FOOD NETWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Real Housewives- love them all!!!!

* Any movie on Lifetime

* Two and a half Men

Some of my favorite quotes

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

"Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare
False friends are like leaves, found everywhere."

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are."

"A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. "

"Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others."

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Two words to describe my new Doctor: LOVED HIM!

Every prayer has been answered! He was the nicest, most personable, most compassionate doctor. I could not have asked for a better doctor that suits me and what I wanted in a care provider! From his staff to his joking with Cody to HIM being excited about Parker's heartbeat- he was a true blessing from God! I have been very overwhelmed (along with Rosie) about the whole switching doctors process, but I truly believe that it paid off for both of us more than we ever thought it would have! I can't wait to continue my pregnancy journey with Dr. Seirafi! It is so great to see how something hard for you to do can turn into one of the greatest things! WAHOOOOOOO!

New Dr. visit today!

So, today is the day that I have been waiting for- my new doctor! Scary yet so exciting at the same time...I will let you all know when I get back ho wit goes- wish me luck =]

Fantastic weekend!

Saturday we started out with getting massages and facials! AMAZING! It relaxed us both (after a somewhat intense Thurs/Fri)! Then we headed to San Antonio to start celebrating! When we got there, Cody said we should do something indoors....to which I replied it's the riverwalk, we have to go! Stupid stupid me! It was miserable...half of the riverwalks sidewalks were closed due to construction and it was blistering hot with no breeze! So, we went to one of our fave bar/pubs there and I watched Cody drink and I had water and a caesar salad...YUM! Then it was time to head to dinner!

Let me just say that I was super excited about dinner! I have heard nothing but great things about Chart House! Anyone going to San Antonio soon must try it out! It is very similar to Reunion Tower in Dallas! Yes, it was pricey, BUT for the atmosphere and food...totally worth it! We were 75 stories up...it was wayyyy high! The whole restaurant was revolving while we were eating! Cody's food look amazing. He said it was the best prime rib and lobster he has EVER eaten in his life. MY food was heaven on earth! I had parmesan crusted snapper with crab on top and it was all in a garlic butter- DIVINE =]

Then we went back to our room at 9:30 and ordered some movie that was a stupid $13.99 and fell asleep 10 minutes into it...haha I was pooped and he was a tiny bit tipsy! All in all it was a fun and very different trip down to San A for us, but definitely what we both needed! Can't wait for the 4th! YAY!

This heat is insane!!!

Oh my gosh- this heat was annoying before and is now just pure uncalled for! I'm over it! Ready for the weather people to say "Hey Texans, it's going to be like 70 or even 80 degrees instead of a scorching 100+! ANNOYING! Come on people say it with me...bring on the cold, bring on the cold...haha! Warm weather is great, but good golly this is just too much! Ok, I'm done venting about something that I will never be able to change...just makes me feel good =] Tata loves!!!

Interesting facts:

Facts about yours truly!

* Can't sleep late anymore to save my life- those of you who knew me well, know that this was something I did well- sleep late! Now I go to bed at 11 and wake up at 4...then lay there til 6! Boo!

*Like Tiffany and Rosie both, I check my alarm probably 15 times before I finally go to sleep...I'm OCD on that now!

*I have become obsessive with doing laundry...when Cody and I take clothes off they go straight to the washer to be washed...it irks me for them to sit in a basket now!

*Chinese food- totally out! Gag me! No thanks...never again!

*It irritates the living crud out of me to be like even 2 minutes late somewhere! I'm a very punctual person!

*Love, love, love the lake, beach and pools, BUT not so much a big swimmer- can someone please explain this to me!

*My dream jobs would either be a teacher or labor and delivery nurse- how fun! I love kids with everything I have and think these two jobs would be so rewarding!

*OBSESSED with diet dr. pepper and water! Yum Yum!

*Hated sweets and ice cream before Parker, now I'm borderline obsessed!

*Scared to death to fly! Sends chills down my spine on the way to the airport!

*I am thankful for everything that has come my way. Be it bad or good, it has helped mold and shape me into the person I am today! I strive to be the best wife I can be and hope that I can be half of the mother to Parker and future children that my mom is
to me!

*Motherhood- can't wait! Most importantly I can't wait for my friends to be right there with me and get to see them go through everything! From morning sickness to headaches, to ultrasounds and good dr. appointments, I CAN'T WAIT to hear that they are at this point! I know it will happen- God is still just working on the perfect baby for them!

*Friends- I have the best, hands down! Some of them are my best friends and some that I have not known for very long, BUT they are truly remarkable people. Two of them especially for their strength and courage! The trials they have endured would have broken some people, nope not them! It made them stronger individuals, encouraging partners for the husbands, and a friendship that you would not think could get stronger...has! I am grateful to be a part of their lives and to call them "friends". You two know who you are...I don't have to name names- and based upon the description I wrote- I'm sure anyone who knows these two knew right off the bat who I was talking about! Y'all are true examples of angels on earth!

Those are just a few little facts that I could think of about myself! Love you all =]

San Antonio!

This weekend to celebrate buying our first house, we decided to take a much needed vacay Saturday to San Antonio! We are going to go to the spa here before we leave to help relax us both! Cody fought a pretty big fire at the beginning of this week and poor baby he is way sore, so I thought a massage would be perfect for him! As for me, no massage- BUT facial time baby! LOVE them and a good friend of mine is giving it to me- even better! Then we are heading to one of our favorite cities (where our honeymoon was and staying at the hotel where baby Parker was made)...San Antonio! Something about that city....I just love it! Usually we do the whole "pub crawl" kinda vibe, but not so much now! We are going to eat at Chart House (Tower of the Americas) for a celebratory dinner! I can't wait!!! It sounds amazing and should be very romantic! All in all, this is probably more of a much needed get-a-way for me as opposed to Cody, but he can't complain! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend =]

Casa de RICHARDSON!

It's official- we own our first home =]

I could not be more excited!! This took some time and a little more work then Cody and I had expected, but in the end it worked out, and we now have a house of our own! It is perfect for the two of us (soon to be three)! I'm 100% glad that the process is over though- we had some bumps in the road but it was all worth it! I'll put up before pictures soon (we are changing a LOT of stuff to it). I'm wayyy picky! Haha! But I do have to say that I love fixer-upper houses...you can totally customize it to your taste! Can't wait to move in and invite everyone over! MUAH!!!!!!!

Our NEW casa!

Oh my gosh- can I just tell you how excited I am that we are closing on our house on Thursday! Cody and I have been waiting over a month for everything to be finalized and it FINALLY is! Whoo-hoo! I'm so excited because of the added room this is going to bring for us! Currently, our house is 2 bedroom 2 bath and was perfect for us. BUT, our first little casa is def. too small now =[ Kinda bittersweet! The new house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a dining room (yes, that is something I wanted more than anything), HUGE laundry (I am probably most excited about this- why? I have no clue..haha), and the best part to Cody is the 1.5 acres that our little doggies will now call home! It's perfect for us! When we are all moved in we will most definitely have everyone over for a BBQ or something! This is such an exciting time for us, and we are both thrilled! Yay for new Casa de Richardson =]

Coming soon....NEW DOCTOR!!!

Hey guys!

Ok, I think I am starting to figure out the blogging world =] Yay, about time!!!

Well, Cody and I made a big decision the other day to switch doctors! It was VERY hard for me...I'm not really one up for change! One of my dearest friends, Rosie, has been through alot with the same doctor. She went and had a second opinion and based upon that visit it confirmed to me and my husband that a change was definitely needed! I am very excited/nervous to change, BUT you have to look at the bigger picture about what is not only right for you but also what is right for your baby! So, I go on June 30 to Dr. Serafi (spelling?) and could not be more excited! I have heard WONDERFUL things about him! Yay for a new chapter in Baby Parker and our lives!

It's a BOY- Parker!!!

After a horrific and totally uncalled for scare, we found out that baby "Rich" is now a health little boy, Parker! Thank goodness! Not one person should have to through what Cody and I did this past week! I'm sure that my stress level was elevated to its MAX! Needless to say...everything worked out and November can not come soon enough!