Texas Lou

Archive for the ‘Spring’ Category

Good afternoon and happy Thankful Monday!

Today I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for a wonderful visit from my mom that isn’t over yet!  My mom flew into Charlottesville on Thursday afternoon and after picking her up, we met Sarah and her mom for lunch at the new Zinburger where we enjoyed some delicious burgers (and I got a bananas foster shake for the babies).  After that, we spent a quiet night at home with Ben.  Friday morning, I made mom breakfast in bed and then we ventured out so I could  show her some of the University of Virginia grounds and then we went to the Downtown Mall and had lunch at a local diner, the Nook.  We then met Ben at the hospital for our most recent ultrasound and then followed up with dinner at Ben’s parents’ house with his parents and sister and nieces who were in town from Ohio.  Saturday, we went to the opening Farmer’s Market of the season where we tried some delicious food and bumped into lots of friends.  Afterward, we got dressed up for my amazing baby shower where we celebrated with awesome people, crafts, food, games, and gifts!  Mom’s visit would not be complete without a trip to one of our favorite places so Sunday, we continued our weekend by having brunch and the best blood mary’s in town (virgin for me) at Beer Run followed by shopping for the babies.  Then we came home and had a delicious roast and veggies that mom had made us in the crock pot.  She’s still here until tomorrow so we have some more fun times ahead of us.  I love my mom and love when she comes to visit!
2. I’m thankful for getting more done to prepare for the babies’ arrival.  Last week, I got some more gifts and hand-me-down items from generous friends and family.  I also got my TDAP shot and think I found the babies’ pediatrician.  In addition, I found a dress for my baby shower that I actually liked (I thought I was going to have to wear maternity jeans after searching for a maternity dress unsuccessfully at both Old Navy and Target).  I also had my glucose screening and passed which means I don’t have gestational diabetes…HOORAY!  In addition, Ben and I attended our first child birth and baby basics class last Wednesday which was exciting and informative!  Things are all starting to come together!
3. I’m thankful my babies are still safe and growing.  Although the doctor says there is now a higher chance I may deliver early, both my Tex and my Virg are doing well.  Tex is head down (YAY) and weighed an estimated 2 pounds and 13 ounces on Friday.  Virg is still transverse near my ribs and weighed an estimated 3 pounds and 2 ounces.  Both had strong normal heartbeats and are growing at the same rate.  Even though the doctor had some not so good news about me, I am very thankful I do not (yet) have to go on bed rest and also so thankful that my babies are healthy and have made it this far.  If they were to be born now, they’d most likely be ok after lots of time spent in the NICU (but I pray this doesn’t happen).
4. I’m thankful for beautiful warmer weather we had all weekend while my mom was in town.  It was so nice to do things outdoors with her and walk around on the Downtown Mall.  It’s also been nice to show her some of our plants and springtime blooms since the only other time she’s been to our new house was when everything was dormant and wintery at Christmas time.
5. Lastly, I’m thankful for an AMAZING baby shower on Saturday!  I’m grateful for my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and good friend Crystal who all worked so hard to make the day so special for me.  I’m also so grateful that so many wonderful friends and family attended to help me celebrate my babies.  I’m thankful my mom could visit for the occasion, and I’m so thankful for all of the generous gifts from my friends and family.  Ben, Tex, Virg, and I are also so lucky and blessed to have all of these wonderful people in our lives.  I leave you with some lovely photos (courtesy of Sarah) from the shower:

Virginia Mom, Me, and Texas Mom

Sarah, Crystal, and I with the lovely paintings that the very talented Crystal made for us!

My sister-from-another-mister and I

Some of the adorable and creative onesies that my shower guests made for Tex and Virg!

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!

Today, I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for making it to 27 weeks (today) and so far keeping myself and my babies healthy with no known complications.  If I can just make it 10 more weeks!
2. I’m thankful for having savings that allowed me to pay my car off early so that I won’t have that $660 monthly bill hanging over my head after the babies are born.  I got the title to my Subaru in the mail yesterday!
3. I’m grateful for all of the wonderful gifts we have received so far for our babies including but not limited to a temporal thermometer (I tried it out yesterday on myself), baby bath towels, a diaper bag, and a humidifier for the nursery.  My friends and family are so wonderful and generous!
4. I’m thankful for a great boss, coworkers, and company who have been very supportive throughout my pregnancy.
5. I’m thankful for warmer weather.  Although we are supposed to get more snow tomorrow, I’m so grateful for the few 60 and 70’s days (particularly on the weekends) that have given us a break from the cold.  I know long-lasting warm weather is just around the corner and I will be able to wear my flip-flops again!

Have a great day!

Good morning!  Spring is actually FINALLY here and we’ve been having beautiful weather so that is definitely something to be thankful for!

In addition to my gratefulness that spring has arrived, I’m also thankful for the following:

1. I’m so thankful that Ben and I close on our new house this week!  I can’t wait to live in a house again…it’s been 8 years since I’ve lived in an actual house!  So long apartment living!
2. I’m very happy for my cousin Jennifer and her new husband Eric.  They got married in Florida this weekend and I’m extremely thankful for Facebook and all of her friends and family who posted pictures of the beautiful event and lovely family so that I could share in the celebration.
3. I’m thankful for the new friends I’ve made at work who have made working here feel much more comfortable and happy.
4. I’m thankful for all of the wonderful people who have offered to help us move and fix up our condo to get it ready to rent.  We are lucky to have such kind and generous people in our lives.
5. I’m thankful that in less than two weeks, I will be a first-time home owner AND I’ll be in Texas visiting my family!
6. BONUS:  I’m thankful that the Farmers Market is finally back in season.  I went early Saturday morning to enjoy it and missed it so much!  I’m glad its back for another 9 months!

Have a wonderful and beautiful week.  I hope everyone is lucky enough to enjoy some warm and beautiful spring weather (sans allergies of course)!

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Thankful Monday blog post!

I’m thankful for the following (and lots of other things not listed here as well):

1. I’m thankful for modern medicine, especially allergy medicine.  It’s spring time and with that time of year comes seasonal allergies.  Mine are as bad as ever so I’m very happy to have some Allegra, Zyrtec, Flonase, Nasonex, etc. for some sweet relief.
2. I’m thankful for my in-laws, especially my mother-in-law  Virginia Mom, who helped us celebrate a lovely Easter Sunday with a delicious lunch, great company, and Easter egg dying!
3. I’m thankful that we were officially approved for our mortgage loan on the house we have under contract.  I’m also very thankful for the wonderful inspection and appraisal that it received, the great deal we are getting on it, and the nice and friendly couple who are selling it to us and have taken such great care of the house.
4. I’m sad that one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead, is over until October, but very happy and grateful that its Sunday night spot will be replaced with another one of my favorite shows, Game of Thrones.
5. I’m thankful for another Monday and a new month to start fresh!

Happy April, happy week, happy everything!

Good morning and welcome to my Thankful Monday post!

Today, I’m thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for a wonderful day with friends yesterday.  First, we had breakfast at the Tavern on the James and then we went to the James River Brewing Company that I’ve been wanting to try for a long time.  It was great company, great food, and great fun!
2. I’m thankful that I have amazing women in my life who are all willing to put in the effort to keep in touch.  Friday night, I met up with several of the ladies I used to work with at VGT for dinner and drinks.  It was so nice to catch up with everyone and I’m always grateful to have another Girls’ Night to look forward to!
3. I’m thankful to have so many friends who are pregnant or who have recently had babies.  Not only am I thankful that their pregnancies all seem to be going well, but I’m also so happy to see so many wonderful friends bringing new life into this world.
4. I’m thankful that Spring is here!  Although we had about 3 inches of snow last night, we had a beautiful, sunny, and warm day on Saturday that Ben and I enjoyed by running 5 miles along the river.  I think this is the last of the snow we will have this season.
5. I’m thankful again for the opportunity to work from home today.  As I mentioned before, we had snow overnight and it is supposed to continue to snow until this evening so I’m very glad I have a job that allows me the flexibility to work from home so that I don’t have to risk my safety and others’ on the roads.

Have a terrific week!

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Thankful Monday blog post!

Today I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful that Spring is almost here and we are already starting to see some pretty purple and yellow flowers blooming.  Although we haven’t had a ton of snow this winter, it has felt so dark, cold, and long so the idea that Spring and longer days are on the horizon makes me so happy!
2. I’m thankful that our longest training run for the Charlottesville Ten Miler is finished.  We did 11 miles yesterday (ok I only did 10.8). and it feels so good to know that the race will be shorter!
3. I’m thankful that we finally have a house under contract.  I know it is not ours yet, but it’s the closest we’ve gotten so far to finding our new home.  My fingers are crossed that inspection, appraisal, and closing all go as planned.
4. I’m thankful for a weekend that was filled with fun and many friends, including Nita, Sarah D., Collin, Sarah W., Scott, Kennith, Courtney, Deb, Robert, and Crystal.  I also got to see lots of family this weekend including my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and nephew.
5. I’m thankful for sunshine because it makes me feel so good and happy!

I hope you have a great week filled with lots of sunshine!

Greetings on this beautiful spring Mother’s Day!

First and foremost I’d like to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there, especially my mom! Since both mothers and spring give birth to new and beautiful life, I thought I’d post some lovely pictures of all the blooming flowers, fruits, and vegetables growing in my future in-laws’ garden!

Lovely Blooming Peonies

I try to go for a walk during my lunch break a couple of times a week since my office building is located in a semi-rural area.  There are some wonderful views and plenty of plant life nearby.

These are some shots of dogwood trees located near the property.   Dogwoods are Virginia’s state tree and flower and I think they are quite lovely when they are blooming in the spring.