Christmas Fun Part 2

On December 13th, my sisters joined Chris and I at the dr's office to see Owen's ultrasound.  It was a quick ultrasound only 15 minutes, but I think they enjoyed seeing all his parts on the screen!  Spine, tummy, hands, heart, and FACE!!!  Oh, that face that I have fallen in love with and I just can't imagine what it will feel like to see it in person and KISS it!

Just in case you didn't remember his face!

The rest of the day consisted girls day out!  We shopped, ate and then baked Christmas cookies and if  you are interested you can see us in action below!

Part 1:  What cookies are we going to make?


Part 2:  A little cookie cutting time! 


Aren't my sisters beautiful?? Don't they look like sisters and I am the random one thrown in!  haha!

the cookies!

sisters:  Sara (the middle child), Robyn (the baby) and me (the #1)
I am so lucky to have these women!

so back to the cookies, they were awesome when iced with whipped buttercream icing!

I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! 

Christmas Fun at the Holmes: Part 1

Yippie the tree is going up! Notice the turkeys still need to come down from the mantle.

My sweet santa hubby!

My Goofy Santa hubby!!

LOVE HIM!

Did you need a close up of that face?  I did!

Me fluffing the tree with attitude!

Owen, what will you look like next year when we put the tree up??

And of course the old faithful picture taken at arms length!

28, 29, 30, 31 week belly pics

Wow, I am way over due for the bump picture updates!

28 Weeks:

This is in front of my friend Christie's tree!!  We had a great night with friends, 

eating chinese then hanging out at their house after Camryn went to bed.

29 Weeks:

I spent this week working on Owen's room and Christmas shopping!

30 weeks:

31 weeks:

This was the night of our Christmas party for our friends and their kids!  It was a great night full of laughter and cookie decorating!  I thought it was funny to try on the apron over the big belly and we decided to use this picture for our weekly addition!

How far along: 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: more than I probably should have
Maternity clothes: yes, though I am not loving my maternity pants anymore, they are getting too tight around my belly and the band at the top that used to be above my bump is now cutting into my bump.
Stretch marks: .........truthfully.....yes......on the underside of my boobs!  Ladies don't forget about the lotion there!
Sleep:  well I am still tossing and turning and now not sleeping as much.  My left shoulder is really bothering me when I lay on it and my right side falls asleep when I lay on it so.....tossing and turning between pain and limbs falling asleep.  The couch and guest bed have been visited on different nights.
Best moments this week:  All the kicks and movements are so wonderful and just make every day special.  Belly button in or out?: 1/2 flat and the top 1/2 is starting to pop out.
Craving: Cookies and milk are our best friend!
What I am looking forward to: Seeing all our family at all the Christmas celebrations this week!!!

31 weeks by baby center dot com:   This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

a little show from Owen

so i didn't realize how CLOSE Chris was zoomed in on my belly!  Oh well, enjoy!

some dr apt updates with pics

Eye Dr appointment:  the blood from the back of my eye is gone, but the optic nerve is still red and inflamed (not good); but the good news is that my vision test show that I gained some vision back!!  So we are keeping a "eye" on my eye.

30 week u/s:  we went in today to check on my partial placenta previa, no move on the placenta's placement, but Owen is measuring right on track at 3.5 pounds!!!  Chris weighed just over 3 pounds when he was born, but this little boy is going to stay put for a little while longer!  Everything looks great with us!!! Enjoy the photoshoot!  Chris thinks he has my nose!! 

some updates

Well, the holidays are here and that means TONS to do!  I've been so busy here is a little recap and a hint of whats ahead:


Saturday and Sunday were our childbirth blitz classes.  We learned a lot and got a tour of the local hospital, even though we will probably be delivering at the Greensboro Hospital.  Next week we are taking the Infant CPR class and in January the breastfeeding classes.

Monday:  I picked up the birthday invatations for a special little girl that is almost 1 and then had a great lunch with her mommy catching up!

Tuesday: I had an orientation with the unemployment office, good info but a bit dull.

Today: I babysat a precious 2 month old little girl to help out a friend and I also dealt with the gas company (LONG story there).

Tomorrow/Thursday: is a busy day.  I am eating lunch with a fellow blogger for the first time, Krista!!  Then I have my follow up eye doctor appointment, please say a prayer that my eye bleed has gotten better and no surgery or medication is needed.  If all goes well I will end the day with a birthday/holiday celebration at another friends place before heading back to btown.


Friday: no plans except for usual house cleaning, cooking, and catching up from this busy week.  Maybe, I will finish my Christmas shopping!  Oh, did I mention that Owen will be the big 3-0!! 30 weeks!

So, I do have to mention that I WON a contest!!  I entered to win $500 worth of Avent products and I WON!!  WOW!  I feel so blessed!!!  It includes a manual breast pump, a twin electric breast pump, a breast milk storage set, a bottle warmer, 12 bottles and a bottle brush.

PS: I know my 29 week belly pic is still stuck on my camera and it is almost 30 weeks on FRIDAY!! OPS!  Bad blogger......

bloggers get excited! FREEBIE!

Shutterfly is offering 50 Christmas cards to bloggers who blog about their stuff!

We've used shutterfly for tons of stuff in the past from photobooks to personalized gifts, it is so fun to see your pictures come to life in person, how many of us take tons of digital photos and never do anything with them.  I am guilt of this!!

Click here for the link to their Christmas cards, or here for calendars, or here for holiday invitations!  See they have stuff for everything!

Right now I am debating between the following 2 cards.

I think once I select a picture to  use in the card I will know which one to purchase!!  I just love getting christmas cards in the mail so I figure others love getting them too and we all know I have a little extra time on my hands right now!!!

If you are interested click here, to find out more about how you can get your free cards too!