Mom's Birthday!

We celebrated Mom's birthday a week early.  It was great to all be together again.  The "Giblings" (i.e. Gist Siblings) decided to throw her a small birthday bash.  We figured, what does she like the most? Family, water, outside .... so we opted for  a tritoon on Grapevine Lake.  The weather turned out to be perfect!!

 The only picture of the balloon.  It lasted a little bit, but then flew off ... oh well.

 The Giblings are back!

 One of the best drive by photobombs ever!

Happy Birthday MOM WOW MOM WOW - We love you!

National Sibling Day

I never really know the exact date of National Sibling Day.  I always see people posting something on facebook, and this is one of the only times I jump on the bandwagon. Even though I give my family grief about the "middle child syndrome", I do love hanging out with my brother and sister.  It is so much fun when we are all together, even if they do make fun of me a little more than usual :) 

The classic South Padre picture - one of my favorites!

Baby Shower!

Our Baby shower was absolutely AMAZING!!  We had so much fun, and we are so blessed to be surrounded by our friends and family to celebrate our little boy.  We can not thank everybody enough for coming miles away from Louisiana, Houston, East Texas, Austin to celebrate with us.  What a joyous occasion!!

 Derek being a good uncle! I love that this book is twice the size of everyone.

 The beautiful hostesses.  Dede, Mom, Bunny, Alison, and Jill.  We are so blessed to have these leading ladies in our life.  Dede and Jill have been bffs with mom since the 7th grade.  They have been through everything together, and now they are so amazing to help celebrate all of the momentous occasions - weddings, showers,  babies, birthdays - the list goes on.
Ms. Bunny is known as my "Wednesday Mom".  When I was in pre-school, I would go over to her house every Wednesday with her daughter Melissa to hang out and play.  We always made grilled cheese sandwiches on her homemade bread (which I am still obsessed with).  She is another life time friend that I am so thankful for.  LOVE THEM ALL!!

 The cutest cake ever!!  This was probably one of my favorite decorations.  It was too cute to eat - thank you Alison!!

 Love being the Aunt to these two!

 

 Mike and Franky - they came all the way from Shreveport!

 Leah, Maria, and Terry - Love that Derek's family was able to make it.  It was so special to have everybody together again!

 This is one of my favorite gifts.   Linda's mom made this us - our first handmade blanket!!

 Poppi!

Mom and Granny

 The only picture I have of Derek and I together.  Love the little converse shoes from Maria, Mark, and Franky.  We are going to have stylish boy - can you say stylish when referencing a boy? I think I need to work on that :)

 

Love MOM/Mimi

 

I love this picture that Ali put together.  Wedding dress shopping to Baby showers - never a dull moment!

Love the Springer's/Cobb family.  We grew up with the Springers and always went on family vacations together to Estes Park, CO.  We look a little different these days with new additions.  Can't wait to start new traditions with 3rd generation :)

 

Start of the 3rd Trimester - 28 weeks: The Sciatic Nerve

We had our 28 week appointment and everything went great, at least for "the babe".  He is sitting quite comfortable, 150 beats/min for his heart rate.  The doctors say I am measuring "small".  One of these days I'll remember to really ask what that means, I always forget when I am there.  I think this is the first time I have ever heard that I am "measuring small", so I will take it - HA! They always know how to make a girl feel good :)

Even though our boy is quite comfortable, I have been quite uncomfortable.  Week 28-29 was probably the most painful week I have had so far.  Apparently, the babe is sitting on my sciatic nerve which is causing a cramping/stabbing pain all down my left glute and hamstring.  It is a miracle if I can take 10 steps without stopping or sitting down in major pain - literally - NO EXAGGERATION! It is so hard to describe, but all I can say is that it is sooo painful.  I have started physical therapy and acupuncture to help with the pain and to get our little one in the correct place.  So far it has helped and I am doing much better, but I still have a dull soreness down my left leg.  I tell everybody its a good day when I can walk and Derek doesn't have to help me get dressed in the mornings. Apparently this could stay for the rest of the pregnancy.  Everything has been great so far, and I want to make sure our boy is comfortable and healthy for the last trimester; however, if he could just move over 1 inch that could make all the difference in the world for me!!

Weekend of Fun

Derek and I needed a weekend to go out and have fun! So we did just that.  Starting with our favorite local hotspot - Donn's Depot.  Donn's is the old Austin train depot turned into one of the best bars - at least in our opinion.  There is always an amazing band playing, and then you mix that with great friends, dancing, and the BEST people watching, you are just setting yourself up for a successful night!

Sunday morning we headed out to Dad and Sally's.  We had a great day filled with Coopers, airplanes, tractors, and bluebonnets.  If that doesn't spell out Texas Hill County - I'm not really sure what does!

 Baby Davis' first time at Coops.  Normally he kicks all day, but I think he is even in a food coma.  So good and so worth it!

 Coopers on 3 ...

 MEAT!

 Oh yes, this is happening ... a picture says a thousand words.  I think this is hysterical.  I feel like I am regressing back to my Poolville, TX roots.  Let's just call this a Texas hill country limo ride around the Llano airport.

 

Not my favorite pic, but I wanted to post for the memories.  The bluebonnets are amazing and out in full force!!  I love the hill country during this time of year.  Note to self - take selfies BEFORE you have a gluttonous day at Coopers :)

Thankful for Sisters!

I just had one of those weeks, and it all came crashing down Friday afternoon.  So who do you call to vent and let it all out ... YOUR SISTER!  (And believe me, I let it all out - ha!)  Ali is great - she knows how to listen and then provide her support and encouragement when needed, while most importantly - shooting it to you straight.  I wanted to post her note that she sent so I can reference this in the future.  These were just the words I needed to hear, and so thankful that she felt called to send this. 
Thanks Ali - love you!!


Stop trying to work things outbefore their times have come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda. If it isn’t, release it into My care and go on about today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life: a time for everything, and everything in its time.
A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you. Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
—Ecclesiastes 3:1
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33

26 Weeks

This is a graffiti wall on Jo's Coffee on South Congress.  It has become the hot picture spot in Austin for tourists and locals over the past couple of years.  Even though this is pretty cliché for Austin locals, I still love the message.  We took some of our engagement pictures, post wedding pictures, and now some baby pictures.  I think it is fun that this Austin staple has been a great memory in every chapter of our lives.