Twas the Night Before BABY!

So here we sit the night before the big day. So many different thoughts and feelings are going through both of our minds. Excitement is prob the biggest one of them all. Brycen cant sleep as he is also anxiously awaiting the arrival of either his new sister or brother.. He keeps saying he really wants a sister, and then proceeds to explain to me how reverse psychology works..

Jon and I are set to arrive at the hospital at 10am with my c-section scheduled for Noon.  I pray for a very smooth surgery and the healthy arrival of our new baby...

Everyone ask us what we think this baby is. Even thou ppl don't believe us, we have no idea what we are having. We have prepped ourselves for a lil girl as that is what everyone seems to think.. We also think that the ultrasound tech slipped as she called it a " she" during our ultrasound. Also in a previous post, Michelle and I took belly shots together and her belly is very different than mine , and we know for sure she is carrying a boy.. I do have a few hesitations on committing to " IT" being a girl for the following reasons.. I feel exactly as I did when I was pregnant with Brycen. This babies heart rate has always been in the 130 range, and they say boys tend to have lower heart rates.  I am carrying very high and to me seems to be all in the front..While I know these are all just an old wives tale, it does make me think...

None the less tomorrow we will meet our baby.. We are all very excited...I know the waiting room will be packed with our families and a few of my very dear friends..

Is it a Boy or a Girl??

13 sleeps to go... OMG

OMG.... Only 13 sleeps till we meet our sweet little baby.. That is crazy to me... This picture really kind of made it a reality for me.. 

But to be honest with you I have never felt more calm and ready for something in my entire life.  I think my lack of urgency and stress is causing others to stress :) My boys are very ready and super excited.. I can't wait to see each of them with our baby.. Also can you believe Christmas is next week??

37 weeks 4 days..

Well here we are at 37 weeks 4 days.. Had a great Dr.'s appointment today and everything still looks great.. Baby Pate is quite cozy in it's current living quarters and has no intentions of trying to make an early appearance.  Just as last week " IT" is still laying in the breeched position with it's feet directly on my bladder. Not enjoyable by any means. Here are a few snapshots of the belly, def growing.. I feel huge at times, but I also feel great and realize it could be a lot worse.. I feel very blessed that we have had such an easy and enjoyable pregnancy..

I think Brycen is nesting....

So I have to write about my boy... Such a sweet kid, yet always has been a kid that could care less about cleaning his room, or keeping anything tidy for that matter.. Its been an on-going threat that I am going to switch him to one of the smaller rooms so he wont have so much room.. Not that I would ever actually take his room away from him, but a little threatening never hurt a kid.. Last Wednesday he came home from school with a fever and complaints that he had a sore throat. We got home gave him some medicine and let him just lay around. When it was time to tuck him in for the night, I went upstairs and much to my surprise Brycen and Mr. Bubbles had become best friends.. He scrubbed his bath tub, toilet, bathroom sink, mirror, organized the linen closet and even washed his bedside table and tossed a little cologne on it for good measure. I was in total shock.. What or who has taken over my messy kid that could care less about being clean?? I have to say it was one of the most precious things I have ever seen, my boy is nesting...

Come Thursday morning we go to the Dr. and get confirmation that Brycen in fact has strep throat just as I suspected.. We get it once a year and it always takes on the very same pattern. Lucky for him he was prob only really laid up for about 1 day and then was up to his usual shenanigans. However FF to Sunday, I leave and go to the grocery store. As I walk in Jon says you wont believe it but Bry is upstairs cleaning his room. Jon was dying for me to see how good he was doing but I was not allowed upstairs until he was done.. To say the least the nesting bug has really bitten Brycen because that boy has never cleaned his room like he did.. I mean he got under his bed , organized his movies, books, toys, everything put away right where it should be..
I'm even more happy to say that today is Thursday and his bathroom and room are still super clean..

I love you buddy... You make your mama proud!

36 weeks 4 days...

Had our usual Dr's appointment today.. Had our last ultrasound, everything looks great and the little nugget is weighing in at 6lbs on the nose. Its so weird how before you could see so many details of your baby on the screen. Space is limited in there so know we can just sneak glimpses of body parts.. We got to see an ear and a hand with 1 finger sticking out ( no worries it was a good finger).. We have entered the last phase of Dr's appointments, the joy of physical checks.. As of today we are sealed up with no indication of labor..
Thursday is my last day of work and I am officially on maternity leave.. I have to say I have been really looking forward to that day, but its a tad bittersweet..

Baby Pate & Carter -Say Cheese!!

If you know me you def know my Best Friend Michelle.. For years she has told me that in order to fulfill my friendly duties to her I was required to give her a baby. She justified this because Amber and I were pregnant at the same time, and it was only fair that I have that same experience with her.  I can't lie, Im glad the man upstairs made this happen for us. Michelle and I have been side by side for every important milestone in our lives thus far and this is just the beginning of a whole new chapter.. In true Michelle fashion, she insisted we capture this moment on film.

We are exactly 10 weeks apart. I am 36 weeks and Mich is 26 weeks.. We were pretty shocked once we were side by side how different our bellies actually are. Michelle is very low and seriously looks like she swallowed a basketball. Carter isn't hiding by any means.. Me on the other hand am carrying very high and kind of all over the place. I thought it was kind of like a basketball but once I saw Carter's dormitory I quickly realized Baby Pate is all over. 

Showered with Love...

I don't think I can possibly express our thanks and gratitude to all of those who have come out and celebrated our upcoming arrival with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing families and friends.

This weekend the Pate Ladies ( minus me) hosted a beautiful and very well thought out shower for us while the boys of course arranged their own golf outing.. Men celebrate babies in very different ways. Here are a few pictures from a very fun afternoon.. I absolutely adore all of these women.

 

YaYa strikes again

Yaya is the best.. She thinks of it all. She wanted to make sure and host a small baby shower to include even more family and friends, that have for the most part probably known me my whole life.. Once again, we are so fortunate to have so many people that love us and are excited about the upcoming arrival of Baby Pate.

A huge thanks to Yaya & my sister for making this happen..   My parents have truly filled the role of being grandparents just as I remember mine. What a sweet gift :)

33 weeks....

Today we have officially hit the 33 week marker.. My best friend made a comment last weekend in the midst of my sleepless night drama that I only have a little over a month left. I think that was my first " Oh Shit " moment as I realized that we are def on the home stretch.. However we are super calm and ready in every way to meet our baby..I just cant wait to finally give it a name and allow it to have an identity.

We had a Dr.'s appointment today.. All looks great and Baby Pate is growing right on target as it should.  It's currently laying transverse across my belly and weighing in at 4.6lbs.. Babies are supposed to grow about .5lb a week, so I think we are well on our way to solid 8lb baby.. Just how I like'em, " Chunky"..

Baby is also looking backwards so this is the best shot we were able to grab, not very good but you can kind of see its profile, a lil nose and lips..

As for me, well I feel great until it comes time to get in bed.. For a girl who loves sleep this is becoming very annoying. I cant get comfortable, once I do I have to pee and it begins the process all over again, I toss and turn all night long , move to the couch and then back to my bed. Poor Jon, he is a trooper. He sits up with me sometimes as I struggle to get back to sleep. He really wants to help me and constantly ask " what can I do or get you?", secretly he is prob like go to sleep lady and please quit waking me up... I  have been cleared to take Benadryl at night , which has def helped.. I just don't like to do it everyday.. Baby Pates sleeping quarters have def grown. I feel huge..

Happy Halloween!

Please meet Bloody Skeleton Boy, aka BRYCEN..

I think he really enjoyed Halloween and scored ample amounts of candy

I got to stay home with the pumpkin and pass out candy while Brycen and Jon cruised the streets. Lets just say, Brycen was mortified when Jon and I started speaking of painting my belly. Again it all goes back to the fact that my little boy is growing up and mom now falls into the " embarrassing" category. He made me promise I would keep it covered and not answer the door with the pumpkin on display, but really how could I not answer the door with this piece of work?

On a side note.. I would like to personally boycott Halloween on a school night.. Its just not nearly as fun. I think Halloween should always be celebrated on a Friday or Saturday night.

Couples Cook-Out

This weekend our friends hosted a Cook-Out in Baby Pates honor.. It was honestly perfect  in every way and we are very lucky to have such incredible people in our lives. It was great to have all of you together, as each of you has a very special place in our life. Thank you again for coming and helping us get ready for the arrival of " IT"...

Happy 9th Birthday Bry!

WOW... I can't believe my little boy is already 9 years old.. You always hear parents say time flys when it come to your kids growing up. I never really understood this until Bry. 9 years ago a little, okay maybe not so little 8lb 4oz screaming little boy got placed into my arms and I have been forever changed since that very moment. I thank God everyday for that little boy as he has made me who I am today.

Bry is very much a little man.. He LOVES reptiles, fishing, hunting, video games and anything else that screams "Boy". Do I dare say he loves to read? I am proud to say my son no longer wants to be a garbage man or a video game tester and has moved on to wanting to be a Veterinarian who specializes in reptiles.. Finally something Mama is on board with.


We have done a lot together in 9 years and I cant wait to see what the future holds for you. Happy Birthday Bear, We love you!!!!

3rd Trimester

Seriously.. I can't believe we are already here. Went to the Dr today. Passed my glucose test and Little Pate is growing right on schedule. I go back in 2 weeks, still can't believe I am at the 2 week visit point.. I have to admit I still feel great and don't have too many complaints.. Sleeping is prob my biggest complaint.. I can't seem to get comfortable and that really sucks as this girl loves to sleep.. The last few days have been pretty annoying as I wake around 2:30-3:30 a.m every morning and can't seem to fall back asleep till about 5. I get that maybe the baby gods are trying to prepare me for the sleepless nights ahead, but I am a big girl and will deal with it when the time arrives.

Everyone says its time to hang up the heels and switch to flats.. I'm trying , its just hard to let go of something you soo dearly love. I did get some FABULOUS shoes this weekend with a small wedge so I am making some progress in the right direction.
We are officially in the final stretch of this pregnancy. I have to admit I can't wait for it to be over for many reasons..For starters we get to meet " Tiny" and welcome it into our wonderful world, but I'm ready to get my body/wardrobe/WINE back.

Here are the latest shots of " Tiny's" living arrangements...I asked Brycen the other day if he thought I could win a beauty contest and his exact answer was " NOT WITH THAT BELLY". Got to love your kids for keeping it real!

Ever growing Bump....

Well as of today I am officially 24 weeks and 4 days.. We had our normal monthly Dr's appointment and got to sneak a peek at our little nugget. Everything looks great and we are growing right on target for a 12/31 EDD. Tiny topped the scales at 1.38lbs. So crazy to think I have a little human growing inside me with all its body parts that weighs just a bit over a 1lb..



We are 6 1/2 months along and everyone seems to think that I don't look it.. I hear a lot of you don't look like your that far along. Which they could all be lying to make me feel better but some days I feel huge.. Here is kind a visual of what my body has done over the last 10 weeks...

14 weeks 4 days


20 weeks 4 days


24 weeks 4 days



33 Years Ago I blessed my family with my birth on this very day.. Or better said, I was fortunate enough to be born into the family that I was 33 years ago. My boys took great care of me and I really couldn't have asked for a better day, except maybe a glass or two of my favorite vino.. Happy Birthday to Me!!

Nursery

I found a picture of a nursery online and absolutely fell in love with it.. Since we are not finding out the sex of Tiny it has made buying things very difficult for me. Come to think of it, that's prob Jon's motive behind not finding out.. The less Alex knows the less money she will spend..

With Holiday sales we figured Labor Day weekend was the perfect time to buy a crib and dresser and get it delivered. So we did just that. For all of you that know my husband, you know very well his passion for shopping or lack there of to be honest. However he was a very willing participant, and I am glad we got to do it together.

I mentioned to our family that the 3 P's were accomplished - Painted, Purchased & Put Together. Here is our end result thus far.

First Day of 3rd grade

I can't believe Bry is already starting 3rd grade... Time really has flown by in every aspect of the word. I know most moms worry about the 1st day of Kindergarten and most wonder if they will cry.. I am proud to admit I cry every year. I cry when he gets out of the car because (he is too cool to let me walk him in) and I think I cry even more when I pick him up on the 1st day.. I don't get the privilege of picking him up everyday so I always make a special effort to drop and pick him up on the 1st day. At least until I am told that its " Not Cool" to get dropped off by your mom. I'm sure that day is coming.



Being this little boys momma is the best thing I have ever been given the honor of doing.. He makes it easy. I don't think I could have asked for a better kid. He is well mannered, polite, smart and has a heart of gold..I think he has matured well beyond his 8 years of life. Bear - we wish you an awesome 3rd grade.. We know your gonna do great!

20 Weeks- 1/2 way done cookin....

I can't believe it, we are officially at the halfway point in this pregnancy.. I have to admit I feel great and for the most part have had a very ez and smooth pregnancy. The 2nd half should fly by as we always have a very busy fall season with birthdays and holidays..Its my favorite time of year but has def added a different level of anxiety to my life.. I can't believe I am already starting to check ppl off of my Christmas list. Santa's workshop is def up and operating..

Today we had our 20 week ultrasound.. Normal people would have been finding out the sex of their baby but not us.. We are waiting for the big "Surprise"! I never in a million years thought I would be one of those people that could not find out, I am nosy and like to know it all. However I am over it and cant wait to meet our little nugget..Here is a snap shot of " Tiny " and its current living quarters..

Creams & Beers

After a fun and eventful weekend in Shreveport for Andy's wedding and before Bry goes back to school we decided to take a small family vacation..
We packed up the car and headed to Galveston to a small beach house we rented for the week. It was PERFECT..My boys had an absolute blast fishing ALL DAY requesting solely a cold beer and a cream soda.. I could have gone without jamming my toe into one of the chairs in the living room at approx 11:50pm one evening and seriously ripping my toe nail almost completely off. Come to find out Mama needs to make sure and pack a first aide kit to avoid midnight runs in search of band aids and all the other good stuff..

Mr. & Mrs Andrew Pate

Well we just returned from a fantastic weekend in Shreveport.. Jon's lil brother Andy got married and we couldn't be happier for him and Jessica.. The entire weekend was perfect.


Bry had an absolute BLAST.. Uncle Andy is like god to him.. So he was thrilled to be there and help in anyway he could.. That boy has some major dance moves and I can only hope that he continues to have the same confidence that he has today as he matures. He spent quite a bit of time swimming and was convinced he was part human part sting ray - hence the nice scrape on his chin.


I can finally lay to rest my worries of not fitting into my dress. As I mentioned in the past, I ordered my bridesmaid dress not knowing that I was pregnant. Needless to say, Tiny and I fit right into our dress and looked perfect.

Congrats Andy & Jessica, we wish you guys a lifetime of love & happiness. Enjoy your honeymoon in the Bahamas..

Life as We Know It....

Is all about to change!!!



Jon and I found out that we are expecting a New Years Eve baby and couldn't be more excited. It took us quite awhile to get here, and on several occasions wondered if it would really ever happen. For me, it was a total shock. I cruised around 15 weeks pregnant with Brycen and had no idea. Its crazy that I picked up on some of the very 1st symptons this time around. I would like to think that experience has made me smarter and more aware but somedays I am not soo sure.

After a several rounds of test,medicines and a roller coaster of the most hellacious hormones, we decided to take a break and pick back up after our very busy summer. Jon's brother Andy, is getting married in July. So I figured if I wasnt pregnant by February we would just wait till after the wedding. Im not the biggest fan of looking like a beached whale in pictures, specially ones that people will look at forever. I'm just hoping that my bump will do just as it did with Brycen and stay "incognito" till after the wedding. I have a dress to squeeze into..