Baby Boy's Name!

Have I mentioned that we picked a name for our sweet baby boy? I don't think I've announced it on the blog yet- just realized that! I am sure you have all been anxiously awaiting.... :)

Benjamin Ryan Dwinell- calling him Ben!

This is a name that we had on the original list of names. We went back and forth adding names, taking off names, coming up with new names, etc. Ben was at one point off of the list, but then made it back on. Actually right before I went into pre-term labor a few weeks ago we did decide on his name. I let Ryan ultimately pick and we decided on Ben! It's a classic name and I've always liked it!! Can't wait to meet him (although I'll gladly wait another few weeks!!)

Hope you are all staying warm! Brrr!!

New Season of The Bachelor!

I am so excited that The Bachelor has started up again! Ryan and I love watching this show (not sure if he would admit that!!)! And it is super exciting that Jake is from Denton and lives in Lantana! Kim and Katie- have you seen him jogging around?? Ha- that would be funny! He seems like a really nice guy, kind of cheesy at times but I get the vibe that he is genuine. Ryan about had a fit when Jake was throwing the football the other night on the show- he does totally throw like a girl, but hey, that's okay!!

Anyone else watching the show this season??

Enthralling weekend!

The bed rest blues have officially set in! Thursday night Ryan, Addyson and I just stayed home. Ryan made dinner and we rented "Four Christmases" on PPV. It was cute! Addyson went to bed early and so did we- probably about 11 or so. This is the first time in a LONG time (maybe ever) that we haven't stayed up until midnight! We never really do tons on New Year's Eve, but usually something! So, pretty uneventful night!

Friday is the day I LOVE to go out shopping for good New Year's deals. Not this year! Ryan was in a wedding this weekend so the rehearsal dinner was Friday night and the wedding on Saturday. Friday he left the house at about 11:30 to go meet the groom for lunch and hang out and watch football. Then he went to the rehearsal dinner. I was supposed to attend all of these festivities, but of course, I didn't. Do you all feel sorry for me yet?? I was having a semi-pity party for myself! I went over to my parents house and my mom cooked a really yummy dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and lots of other yummy sides that I love (and of course, black eyed peas!). Addyson stayed the night and I came home at about 10 or so. I couldn't have just brought her back with me- but my mom said she would keep her and then bring her home in the morning- I didn't argue! Ryan got home at about 11:30 or so that night.

Saturday was just plain boring! I had Addyson home for a little while that morning and then Cheryl came and got her and took her back to her house because Ryan was at the wedding. He again left at about 11:30 (it was an afternoon wedding) and got home at about 11:30 that night. It seemed like everyone I knew was either at that wedding or out doing something fun! I had already bought this super cute maternity dress from Pickles and Ice Cream to wear to the wedding and now it just sits in my closet, unworn. It's black velvet (perfect for a winter wedding) and a size medium, so if anyone needs to borrow it- call me! I can't take it back because it's "formal wear" and there are no returns on that. Lovely! I just hung out at the house and did things I probably shouldn't be doing (laundry, going through some of Addyson's closet, etc). I was feeling fine, so I felt it was okay to be doing a few things!

All-in-all, I am getting bored just being home! Only 5 more weeks though and that's not bad! I get off bed rest and my pills on Friday, February 12th (36 weeks) and so if I go into labor anytime after that they won't stop me! Maybe we'll have a Valentine's baby??? :)

I did go in to the doctor last Monday for my gestational diabetes test and I passed. My doctor was convinced that I had it because he measured so big at 27 weeks (almost 3 lbs) and then when she measured my tummy at 29 weeks, I measured 31 cm (or 31 weeks). I passed my test just fine and so I guess Ryan and I just make big babies!

Baby Registry- Need your help!!

I am in the process of registering for baby boy! It's been a little difficult since I can't actually go to Babies R Us and roam up and down the aisles, but luckily I can create and update a registry on-line as well! I'm trying to go through all of the categories and think of what I need, but I feel like there is so much new stuff out there and available since Addyson was born 3 years ago! It's crazy how much things change! So, I need a favor! Will any of you moms out there (or anyone that has seen anything cool lately!) reply and let me know what "must have" items you use daily or that you received and you couldn't live without? That will help me tremendously as I'm having a hard time thinking if I've covered all my bases!

One thing I just put on my registry is a jogging stroller. The stroller I had with Addyson was part of a travel system and it's really not the best stroller in the world. It would probably work fine, but I've heard lots of good things about jogging strollers and so I thought I would give it a try. Does anyone have one that they would recommend or not recommend? Any features that I should be sure and look for? Just curious!

Thanks!!

Christmas Day!!

We woke up to a White Christmas on Christmas morning and it was so pretty! I don't know that this has ever happened! What a great start to the day!

Addyson opening her presents! She kissed the Diego finger paints Santa brought her!

Of course she got plenty of Princess dress up clothes- after she opened all of them she did not want to open anything else. We tried on each and every outfit with all of the accessories- that's all she wanted to do! Finally we got her to open the rest of her presents- slowly but surely!

This one is her fav!

Ryan and I gave her the dollhouse from us- we had it in our room and so she waited on the couch with her eyes closed while Daddy brought it out!

In yet another dress and she loves her big new dollhouse. I must say it is super cute and looks great in her room! The colors are so cute and the rooms are decorated really cute as well!

Later that day we went over to Nana and Pops for the rest of the day. We didn't do presents with them yet- we're doing that on Sunday. The kids played- here Addyson is wearing the Cinderella dress that she puts on EVERY time we go to Nana's and she is water color painting.

The boys in the kitchen- Ryan made the beef tenderloin and it was super yummy! I love it that he is such a great cook!! He also makes yummy drinks- him and Brittany were drinking dirty martini's all day with blue cheese stuffed olives. Everything about that drink makes me want to barf!! I like sweet drinks, I hate blue cheese and I hate olives with a passion! They loved them though!

Here are the kids eating dinner! We have them eat before the adults and then put on a movie for them while we all eat our dinner. It usually works out pretty well!

We had a great time and we're looking forward to Sunday of opening more presents!!

Today, Saturday, we (well, Ryan) took down all of the Christmas decorations and got the house back in order. As much as I love putting Christmas up, I always like taking it down! Our house feels a lot less cluttered and clean and it's nice to have it back in order!

Chrismas Eve

Christmas Eve day was full of fun! That morning we had brunch over at Gram's house which is an annual tradition. She always makes a really yummy breakfast and all of the cousins come over and we exchange gifts with Grams and do all of the kids presents between cousins. Don't worry- I was laid up on the couch most of the time! Addyson did lock herself and Katie (18 months old) into Gram's room but Ryan bribed her out with some candy. At least she was able to figure out how to unlock the door!

Brittany and Caleb (7 months)

Addyson got out Gram's bible and was speed reading- so cute!

Brooks and Bosten- we got them guns and holsters, handcuffs and lots of rolls of caps that smoke! You're welcome Britt!! She said to get ready for paybacks!

Addyson sipping her OJ- Grams gives the kids nice champagne glasses with a sugar rim- they all feel so special and they love it!!

Christmas Eve afternoon- Daddy assembling the doll house (more pics of that later!)

Christmas Eve night- we went to church which was really nice. Addyson participated in the nativity scene as an angel. This pic is hard to see her unless you know where she is- she's standing in the top left of the pic. I always love the Christmas Eve service!

Chrismas Eve night we went to my parents for dinner and presents with them. The girls were tired but when we started in on presents they woke right up! Here's Addy with her Sleeping Beauty princess doll.

Princess jammies....

My mom made baby boy a blankie! Very cute!
The girls in their sunglasses!

At home on Christmas Eve- we put out cookies for Sants and some carrots and celery for the reindeer.... Nite Nite!

Pre-Christmas!

I have several posts to do, but I'll stagger them out like I've done before. Hmm, de-ja-vu, last time I did this I went into labor!! Let's hope that doesn't happen again!

The week before Christmas we had several activities going on (most of which I could not partake in!). Sunday, 12/20, our neighbor's dressed up as Santa and Ms. Claus and invited everyone in our neighborhood to come over and take pics in their front yard with all of their decorations. My parents came over and brought dinner and Hallie, Stewart and LeeAnn also came over. It was fun!

The girls were pretty hyper that night... )

Monday night, 12/21, I was supposed to go to Uncle Julio's in Fort Worth with some girls for dinner. We had planned this a while back. Well, sweet Kimmie offered for everyone to come over to my house and they picked up On The Border Fajitas instead and everyone came over and hung out! It was a lot of fun and of course good to catch up with everyone. Below is Kim, Whitney, Nicole, Jennifer, Marcy (pregnant with twins!), me and Katie.

Wednesday, 12/23, Addyson had her Christmas party at Mommy Nessa's house. I ventured out of the house for this as I knew I could just go and sit on her couch and be fine! I feel really bad missing anything to do with Addyson and so I wanted to go and be there for her! It really wasn't a big deal- the kids had some cupcakes and they had drawn names for presents. It was cute- all of the kids over there are really sweet and Addyson loves it over there which makes me happy!

Addyson anxiously waiting to open her present!

Hallie, Sophia and Addyson

The kids eating their cupcakes in the playroom

Wednesday night Ryan went out to dinner with his whole family to Eddie V's. He got Addyson all ready for bed and fed dinner before he left and so all I had to do was put her to bed, which I had no problem doing! The only problem I had was that I was super jealous as I have really been wanting to eat at Eddie V's! I looked up the menu while he was gone and imagined what I would order!! Ryan promised that he would take me there as soon as we had a night off- hmm, that's probably only 6 months away!! :) They had a good time and he saw Chelsea and her family there also!