August 7th...5 years!

Last Friday we celebrated our 5th anniversary! I can't believe that we have been married 5 years- the time really has flown by, yet I also feel like I have known Ray for SO LONG... much longer than 6 years. I am so thankful for the blessing that he is in my life and can't imagine life without him. It has been so fun to see him grow into a wonderful daddy as well. He loves Claribel so much and she has him wrapped around her little fingers.

Above is a picture from when we were first dating- We went to Daniel and Amy's wedding in Beaumont with Lori and this guy Vlad (remember that character Lori?).

and a few pictures from the wedding- definitely one of the happiest days of my life- the happiest until July 10, 2009 and that day ranks up there pretty high as well!

Here we are in Jamaica on our honeymoon- What a wonderful vacation- I really can't believe that it was five years ago!



And finally, we went to La Riviera for our anniversary dinner. Monie kept Claribel which was nice, since when she is with us we are a little distracted (not that I don't mind being distracted of course :) ) It was just nice to be able to focus on the two of us for the night.

It was a lovely dinner with my honey.

Happy 5th Ray- I look forward to MANY more years to come!

CG's Baby Shower...

I am a little late in posting this, but I had the pleasure to help hostess a baby shower a week ago Sunday for a friend from High School, Christina, with some other friends from High School that I have not seen in FOREVER! It was so nice to catch up with so many people that I have not seen in 10+ years... Laurel, Jessica L, Anne W, Whitney, Kendra, Dara... Of course it was all I could remember to make sure I had anything I might need for Claribel that I completely forgot my camera... Hopefully I can track down some pictures since Christina's sister Mary had her camera... I did take pictures of the diaper cake I made for a center piece. It was a fun project and looked really cute with the cake and flowers on the table. I have a feeling there might be more of these in my future :) I included a few other homemade items on the cake that I was planning on making for CG before we decided to do a diapercake: 4 burpcloths with fabric topstitched down the center, a little taggie blanket, and a flannel blanket with yellow on one side and a handsome navy stripe on the other. Most of the items on the cake were ones that CG registered for- the shoes, rubber duck that has a "hot" indicator on the bottom, the toys, pacifiers, and the baby soap and baby lotion that is at the center of the cake. Here are pictures going around the cake to the right...

outings...

We have enjoyed a few outings as a family of three including dinner at Jose's and sno-cones at JJ's, dinner at Jose's and shakes with d and Monie, a few Target runs, Cheddar's, and Sunday School and lunch this past Sunday. This is a picture of little bell after her bath and in her sleeper right before we went to Cheddar's last Saturday night. She just looked so cute all ready to go I had to get a picture. Her little cheeks are chubbing up quite nicely :)

This is a picture of some snuggle time during a movie last night. She was wearing a onesie from Ray's co-worker Shanthi that says "Who needs a superhero when I have my dad?" Indeed...

family...

Grand-E and Popsi Uncle Tuck and Aunt Rebecca

Aunt Rachael
Auntie Allison

Poppop and Becky (Becky is also waiting to see what Claribel calls her)

2 weeks...

Claribel, I can't believe you are already 2 weeks old (and a few days...)! The time has flown by and we just can't imagine life without you in it. You are such a good baby and hardly ever cry unless you are hungry or need a new diaper. Of course, your daddy and I think you are just the cutest and sweetest little thing we have ever seen! I think you are quite spoiled as far as being held most of the time, awake or asleep. You have both of us wrapped around your tiny fingers and daddy really loves time with his "little bell" as he calls you.

Your daddy had two weeks off from work which was really nice, but he had to go back to work this week, which has been a transition not having his help all day long. It is nice that he is here for work so we get a nice lunch break together and there is no "commute" time home from work.

You have some crazy hair that just sticks up all over and we just love it!

It seems that you enjoy bathtime most of the time, just so long as we have the warm water running on you and you don't get too cold. We always wrap you up in the cozy hooded towel and take our time getting you lotioned and dressed in your gown. You look so cute in that hooded towel, all bright eyed.

You really like your Wubbanub pacifier that I got for you in Dallas. The lady at the shop was suprised that I wasn't buying one when I went to pay for the pages for your baby book. It is a pretty neat little thing and you can hold on to it pretty well to help it stay in your mouth... you are quite the sucker...

I really enjoy our special times together when I am feeding you, something only I do right now and I am not eager to give up that time. I am always so amazed at how perfect you are while we sit there in the rocker... your tiny little fingers, toes, and sweet little nose... I had to stop listening to the Lullaby CD that Monie gave us because every time your daddy walked in I was crying just thinking about the words to the songs "that you are only little for a little while" and how I was so happy to finally be "welcoming home my little traveler that I had waited for so long. I had to convince him over and over that it is not postpartum depression and that I was just happy and overwhelmed by the love I had for you right when you were born. I have to wait awhile until my hormones settle down a bit and then we can listen to that CD again... We have been enjoying Fernando Ortega though and other songs that your Daddy put on a playlist for us.

and Frannie... she likes you pretty well too. She doesn't like it too much when you are upset and makes sure that we are paying attention to you when you make those little squeaks. She was really excited when we brought you home and was pretty wound up- she has definitely settled into the new normal watching over "her baby", making sure you are safe and happy.

The first 48...

"Whatever you want!"

d said while holding Claribel

Uncle Andrew & Auntie Allison

When Andrew came and saw Claribel at the end of the day he asked Auntie Allison what she did all day and she said "this is it!"

Doing my job - getting Claribel ready for skin-to-skin time with Mama...

Claribel in her papoose - she has some pretty wild hair...may have inherited some calics from Daddy.

We need to get pictures from Auntie Allsion and Grandma's camera. And Claribel is looking forward to meeting Aunt Rebecca & Uncle Tuck and Aunt Rachael this coming weekend!

Claribel Elaine is here!

Claribel Elaine Thomas was born yesterday at 6:22 PM weighing 7 lbs 8 oz, 21 inches long. Both Melissa and Claribel are doing well and we expect to go home Monday morning.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Independence Weekend...

We thought it was pretty funny that our last weekend of "independence" before our sweet baby arrives involved Independence Day. We enjoyed celebrating with friends (one of their daughter's birthdays) and then fireworks from the Reed Arena Parking Lot. I must say that it was refreshing once again to be in B-CS and not in DFW where everything is so over the top. We made it out to Addison's Kaboom Town twice while living up there and it was incredible, but pretty overwhelming the money spent on fireworks.

It cooled off with a nice breeze in time for fireworks (or waiting for fireworks) and I was happy that Ray was able to see his fireworks this year. He really loves the 4th of July and fireworks, really the month of July and I am so happy that Claribel will provide him another reason to love the month of July!

Ray took the above photo... i looked over right in time- seriously that is a big belly... and some really swollen feet. I never knew how bad my finger joints would hurt from all of the fluid retention as well (I don't think my fingers LOOK that swollen, but I sure feel it)

Hooded Towels

I was really disappointed when registering at how thin the hooded towels were. So, I went to Tuesday am and bought some towels and wash rags to make my own. This was a project I did awhile back, super easy with endless possibilities for embellishment. I just cut the towels in half and the wash rags along the diagonal, matched up the squared corners and added binding. The pink towels are kind of small, but the white ones with green rags were more of a bath sheet size and will be a good size for her when she is bigger as well.

It is always nice to use up scraps of fabric that I already have as well for a project :)

last nursery picture...

Here is the missing nursery picture from the last post. This is the wall opposite the changing table, to the left of the crib, to the right of the dresser. This piece was in Monie's parent's house, a lovely shade of green and Dad painted it- It is really neat how the color turned out so pearly (Monie was of course our color consult). Mom and dad took it home last week to finish scraping the glass from spraying it and mom found the cute pink knobs. I really love the size of it- perfect for baby! Above is her name in the unfinished letters I found online and painted. That was a fun little project :)

her nursery...

Well, we finally have *mostly* everything hung and done in her room, so I thought I would post some pictures- I am so happy with the way everything turned out and know we will enjoy spending a lot of time in her room

Ray and I painted these verses for her room (have to credit the ETSY shop Red Letter Art for the inspiration)

Close up of the inside of the bedding- I had a bear from d and Monie just like the dark brown one only mine was light brown (and I decided to put lotion all over it to make it softer, you know, like our skin... didn't work out quite so well). I ordered the mobile from PB Baby- Mom felt very strongly that Claribel would be missing out if she didn't have one that played music and spun around. I really like it, so grandma and mama are happy :)

This is the outside of the bed to show the fabric on the other side of the bumper- creamy white with mint green polka dots. The bed skirt has baby pink satin ribbon between the fabrics that won't be visible until it is altered as the mattress lowers. It was such a blast picking out fabrics and ribbons at High Fashion Fabric in Houston with Monie (which seems like forever ago). That place is amazing!

This is to the right of the crib- rocker/ glider, another verse (click on the picture to be able to read it), and the changing table/ bookshelf that my talented husband built.
Better view of the changing table. It has the narrow shelves on the sides for books and we can use it leter for toys, books or whatever. Ray did such a nice job, Dad sprayed it with his rig and I am just so happy with the end result!
This the wall opposite the crib, a piece of my grandad and grandmir's furniture. The drawers are perfect because they are pretty small to hold small clothes :) To the left of this is the closet, to the right is the door. The wall to the right of this and to the left of the crib will have a small china cabinet type piece that is so cute that Dad sprayed the same creamy white as the changing table, but it still has some work to be done to have it ready. Above it will be her name in wooden letters that I painted. Right now there is only the C and L and the beginning and end hanging up so I will add a picture once that is done.

So there it is... pretty much all ready for little miss to make her appearance. Now, I am just doing other little things that will be nice to have done, but are not necessities before she is here... 12 more days!

let the countdown begin...

I just had my 37 week appointment and am happy to report that little miss has a deadline :) Dr. B is going to induce July 10th if she has not decided to come yet. She will be out of town the next week, and I am glad because I really want her to deliver the baby, she has been the greatest doctor! I am really glad to have a light flashing at the end of the tunnel. Now, we just need to finish up a few things around the house :) And, sorry Karen, but she will not make it to your birthday on the 17th or Ray's on the 15th.

I wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then...

This country song has been stuck in my head the past few days... here are some of the things I still wish I didn't have to know...

1. That my feet could swell up so much and look like elephant feet that no shoe on earth (esp. not one that Dillard's carries) can handle.
2. The heaving and ho-ing that would take place to sit up/ roll out of bed for the many bathroom trips each night.
3. How I could be SO ready to have this sweet little girl here, yet also hope for more time to get all those little things done.
4. That I can never wear a shirt more than one day before it is off to the hamper because of dropping something on it while eating/ drinking, etc.
5. That the swelling of said feet in item 1 would bring back pain from an ankle sprain over a year ago!
6. How hard it would be to concentrate on walking normally when I really want to rock back and forth in a waddle while I walk...

Of course I also didn't know how amazing this whole experience would be, having a living growing baby in my tummy, shifting all around :) And, in retrospect, this last 8 months has gone by pretty fast... although it hasn't always felt like it...

hot...

So, last night our AC decided it was tired of being pushed to the limits and quit on us. Ray realized and came and told me around 11 pm. I had noticed it was feeling warm, but had been asleep since 8:30 (yes, that is my bedtime these days). We decided to stay and hope it didn't warm up too much, not wanting to pack a bag and waste good sleeping time to go find an air conditioned room. It wasn't too bad, thankfully and the AC guys are supposed to be coming out today.

I feel bad though since Ray works from home these days, there is no relief for him. He said when he came back from the gym this am Fran-dog came out of her crate really slowly with her tongue hanging out wanting to check and see if it was cooler outside... funny... we have one spoiled dog that LOVES the AC as much as we do!

6 more weeks...

I truly can't believe that I only have 6 more weeks until Claribel's due date! It has gone by really fast, yet slow at the same time. I have much still to accomplish, but at this point, I have a place for her to sleep and feel like she could come and it would be fine. Still on my list are organizing her room... the majority of which can hopefully happen this weekend, painting some wooden letters that spell her name, painting 2 canvases for art for her room (Ray is going to do this), dad is going to spray her changing table amd another piece of furniture for the room, and that should be it.

We decided to go ahead and unpack the rest of the boxes that had not been unpacked from our move a year ago February. Our house was not completely done, so lots of boxes have been in the garage. It felt really good to deal with all of that stuff- repack and organize stuff to use once we have another bedroom/ bathroom, take tons of stuff to Goodwill and get a box together for Half Price Books. Phew... it was quite a chore last weekend, and our house is still a disaster of sorts, but it feels good to have dealt with it.

Ok, it is off to bed for me- I pretty much make it to about 8:30 and am ready to hit the sack. Makes it hard to get much done during the week after work :)

Oh, and Claribel is moving around and growing like CRAZY! It has been really neat the past two weeks to be able to feel her head or bootie (not sure which one :) ) and feel her move really clearly and see my stomach move when she does. What an amazing thing to feel and experience...

oh... and last night...

Ray and I made these Blueberry muffins (without the yogurt blueberry sauce). AMAZING!

i have emerged... sort of...

So, yeah... it has been a LONG time since I last posted... LONG TIME!!! I have about 4-5 posts that I have started that need pictures and was having trouble, oh a month or so ago when I was trying to download them from the camera (so there might be a few that show up soon before this one since they post in the order I created them (if I remember correctly). Ray is supposed to help me, I keep saying "i need to do that"... but alas, hasn't happened. So here is a post sans pics.

I have been up to...
1. Naming our baby girl Claribel Elaine. We love the name and are SO excited. After all the inward debate as far as telling the name, we decided to tell and honestly have only had positive feedback... so if you don't like it... go ahead and keep it to yourself :) haha... Elaine is my mother's name, btw...
2. Sewing up a storm- Crib skirt, crib bumber, burp cloths, a little "taggie" type lap blanket, embroidering a few clothing items and a few blankets... next up is my baby book cover, that I want to have done for the shower next week- I am using the bedding fabric so people can see what I have chosen.
3. Registering
4. Aqua moms water aerobics class which I still totall love- Can't wait until our neighborhood public pool opens up and is warm enough to go there as well.
5. Figuring out childcare- We have found a wonderful lady that is going to come to our house!
6. Taking CPR (including infant) and first aid class with St. Jo's
7. We are signed up for childbirth class this Saturday, gonna be a long day...
8. Ordering goodies for Claribel's room- Rug, Best chair (rocking chair- amazing), crib
9. Ray has been busy building her a changing table/ bookshelf- It turned out so nice and I can't wait until it is painted. Dad is going to paint it as well as a table in our Living room that has needed some dark wine-red paint and possibly another piece for Claribel's room from Monie's dad's house.
10. Washing, ironing, sorting, hanging, folding beautiful baby clothes. There is SO much for little girls and for all of you local folks- Once upon a child is amazing!
11. Learning about cloth diapering, spending some time in the little boutique in town that sells cloth diapers. My sister Allison was in town and went with Ray and I when we went to register there and it was pretty funny- I guess I hadn't mentioned to her that we were going to cloth diaper...
12. Working full time
13. Trying to do all of this and still get in bed around 9 pm. I seriously crash out about that time.