Lessons From Mothers

My mother always taught me, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Let me tell you how much more true this is, towards pregnant women. {A side note: I have had the BEST pregnancy. I have had zero incidents of morning sickness, zero stretch marks, zero pain...100% best pregnancy, hands down.}

Yesterday, I went to the mall to look for maternity dresses for several events I have coming up. I got side tracked and ended up shopping for my little Peanut instead. A nice man was in line behind me, checking out at The Children's Store and he said to me, "How far along are you?" I kindly responded, "7 months." He said, "Wow, you are so little to 7 months pregnant." I smiled, thanked him and walked away feeling even more great about being pregnant. HOWEVER, later that afternoon, as Cullen and I went to the mall to shop for these dresses, a mid-50s aged cashier and I had an exchange of words at Dillard's. Our conversation went something like this:

Rude Lady: How far along are you?
Me: {With a smile} 7 months!
Rude Lady: Oh. My daughter is 8 months pregnant....{pause, deep breath in from her as she looks me up and down}. But, don't worry, she is really petite.
Me: {Happy smile turns to "Just-be-pleasant-smile"} Thanks.

Our exchange of words ended there, with me feeling like a lard-ass because her daughter is petite.

Since I was a little girl, my parents taught me, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." This is especially true towards pregnant women. So, world, PLEASE THINK TWICE before you say something to me for the next three months. You might catch me on a day where I just can't be pleasant; and, I would just hate to be ugly to anyone so close to crossing the pregnancy finish line.

Here is my 27 week pregnant belly. I refuse to post these pictures on Facebook. So, if you are one of the few who read this blog, and have asked for a belly pic update - this one's for you:

Five on Friday

I have several friends who post "Five on Friday" facts. I thought I would give it a try.... Here are five facts about the Mills' life on Friday:

• Today is Friday. I made it through another week. I have for the first time in MONTHS have no obligatory/mandatory plans this weekend. We are getting together with friends of ours for dinner Saturday, for fun.
• I ALMOST slept through the night last night. I woke up once. It was incredible. I woke up after what I THOUGHT was HOURS, fully rested, only to find out it was 1:00 a.m. I felt like the world had given me a gift of another full night's rest.
• Today I am one day closer to labor and delivery - and for right now, I am very "at peace" with the whole process. Even though it WILL be painful and even though it will be worth it, I feel very at ease with the entire Labor and Delivery process. ASK ME AGAIN AS I AM IN LABOR...I am certain my answer will change. Right now, I worry more about how by baby is growing. I pray for him to be healthy and happy, and have a quick recovery from the trauma that must be on their end of delivery.
• I had a "mother moment" with both of my dogs this week. I was told that dogs need time to adjust to a new baby - I thought this happened AFTER the baby got here. Brodie (who is five) and Millie (who is four) have both had accidents in the house this week AND Brodie bit me yesterday. Yes, it was an accident that he bit me, but it has never happened before. I had to sit down with both of them and yell at them....then love on them and tell them everything was going to be okay - BUT DON'T DO IT AGAIN. Is that considered mixed messages?? Should I work on my approach before Noah gets here???
• Finally, If you know me at all - you know I live off TO-DO lists. I have started one for my spring break week.... After I finished writing down the preliminary list of things to do that week, I realized Spring Break needs to be two weeks long. I am going to clean out our office to turn it into Noah's room, have the carpet's cleaned, finish our wedding album (Yes, we did get married 2.5 years ago), start the baby album, shop for weddings and showers coming up. ( They need gifts, and I need outfits - best of both worlds!!), and a few others that are not coming to me right away - which is why I write everything down!!

I hope my five on Friday finds you doing well! Have a fantastic weekend! I know I will!

Third Trimester!!!

Today is a BIG day. Today marks the beginning of my third trimester. TWO whole trimesters down, ONE long, expanding trimester to go. I hear this is the longest trimester... however, I think the 1st trimester was pretty darn long. Let's just pray for the best.

Baby Noah, you have just a few more months inside my tummy. Be good to your mommy. Don't make me grow TOO TOO much. I love you, and we can't wait to meet you!

26 Weeks, 5 Days

Often, conversations with me and strangers are very similar and short. Often it is questions. "How far along are you?" Do you know what you are having? Oh how sweet, do you have a name picked out? How has pregnancy been??"

Today, I am 26 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Up till now, it has been so...not what I was expecting. I was talking with Cullen the other day, and I asked him if this is how he thought I was going to be while pregnant. Did he think I would gain a TON of weight, be sick all the time, be moody and temperamental? We agreed. We both thought I would be not as well off as I am. I am so thankful how easy this pregnancy has been. For him and I both.

I was reading online about pregnancy in the 27th week via Baby Center, Just Mommies and a few other websites. Here is a short list of things I have to look forward to. Let me share a few tid-bits:

• I should feel my baby move regularly. This is due to hiccups and acrobatic workouts. Fact. Noah moves more and more daily. Not only does he move, I swear he is practicing drills inside my tummy. Sunday morning, Noah was kicking so hard, Cullen moved his hand off my "bump" because it got so weird (for him, not me).
• 27 weeks marks the beginning of THIRD TRIMESTER. Two down, One to go!! This is the final home stretch. Cullen and I are soooo excited to meet baby Noah. I asked him the other day at dinner what he is most excited about. Do you know what he said? "Teaching him the three-step drop." It is a football play. Yep, our first child - and that is what he is most excited about. That is Cullen for you. No mush. No gush. Just football.
• Baby Peanut weighs 2.2 pounds (on average). Wow, a two pound baby. I feel like that is so much, and it is so close to 7 or 8 pounds full term. It makes me nervous though to think it took Peanut 27 weeks to grow to 2 pounds, yet in the next 14 weeks, he will gain 5-6 more pounds!!!
• This week, I may be experiencing shortness of breath and pain in my rib cage. For me this is half way true already. Shortness of breath is kicking in for sure. And, with a growing uterus, I am finding it much more difficult to eat meals. Last night, at my JSL meeting, I found that after one SMALL slice of pizza, I could hardly breathe and didn't want any more pizza. WHAT? ME, NOT WANTING MORE PIZZA?? What has this world come to???

There are a ton more things going on this week during pregnancy. However, these were the fun ones that apply to me. You can google many others, but thankfully, the do not apply. Have a super week.

Jealousy Pains?

This weekend, our dear friends, The Durbins welcomed to this world Kylie Durbin. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and she is simply perfect. Cullen and I went to visit her Saturday in the hospital and Sunday at home and oh boy, did my little Noah kick me the whole time. He kicked and kicked and kicked.... to the point where I felt he and I needed to have a brief "Mommy can play with other babies" conversation.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVED every little kick and jab, but, goodness, I think Little Noah is a little jealous! :)

Hope your weekend was great!

Babies, Babies, Babies

I wanted to tell the Beck Family, CONGRATULATIONS on the arrival of their 9 pound 4 ounce little piece of perfection!! Rusty and Brittany, I can't wait to meet your sweet Tyler!!

I also wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to the soon arrival of perfect little baby girl, Kylie Durbin! She is on her way as I type this!!


We love you all, and can't wait to spoil your perfect little angels!!

Welcome To The Club!

In several posts on this blog, I have talked about verbal milestones. We had the first question, "so, when are you due?" (which I was only asked once or twice), the common question, "So, can you feel him move?" (which always follows in conversation of baby talk.)

Recently, {I would say, about a week ago}, people have started to ask regularly, "so, are you having a boy or a girl?", "When are you due?" or they just offer their pregnancy stories {which I love}.

I feel like it has really put me into the "I really look pregnant" category. And, I think it officially allows me to be in the pregnant mommy club. While some would think this ticket was punched 6.5 months ago.... it really isn't. When you don't feel pregnant, and when you don't look pregnant, people don't really take you serious in the pregnant mom club unless they are pregnant or recent mommies themselves.

Yesterday, a young girl, 5th grade ish, was sitting down when we walked into a restaurant for lunch. She looked at me, and immediately stood up and said, do you want my seat? It was so kind of her. {For the record, I declined - probably because I didn't want to sit next to her dad, but....)

All that to say.... I feel like I really look pregnant. I really feel pregnant. And, I am two weeks away from my third trimester. Whoo hooo. We are on the downhill slope now.

Tonight is our second installment of Childbirth Class. Stay tuned for updates. If you are not familiar with last weeks saga go here. I am hoping this week is more comical and less uncomfortable.

Noah's First Valentine's Day!

Today was Noah's (kinda) First Valentine's Day. During church this morning, our Pastor was talking about how St. Valentine's Day came about, and love in the biblical and emotional sense. Throughout the entire time Pastor Keith was talking about love, Baby Noah was kicking me. He kicked me regularly. It seemed as though as soon as Pastor Keith was finished talking, Noah was finished kicking. Coincidence? I think not. I love you too, Baby Noah.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

I am not one for a hyped up Valentine's Day. While it is great to be showered with gifts, it isn't necessary just because it falls on a particular day. However, Cullen made this Valentine's day so special. SO.VERY.SPECIAL. I woke up around 8:00 a.m., to Cullen leaving the house. He gave me a kiss and told me he is running to the grocery store to buy things to make me breakfast. He made me ham and cheese biscuits. My favorite. When he came home, we made breakfast together. We switched cards. His card was signed from "Daddy and Noah", which included a gift card for a new digital camera for Baby Noah's arrival. HOW SWEET!

After breakfast, Cullen and I went to Church. The message was outstanding (to read another sweet Valentine's story from Church go to Baby Noah's blog.). We ran errands after church, went grocery shopping, and just hung out together all afternoon.

I love Cullen so much. He made today perfect. It wasn't the gifts; it was the sweet gestures of just being with each other all day. I felt like the luckiest woman in the world today. AND, guess what? This will be the last Valentine's Day ever without children! Yay!

Facebook CAN Be A Good Thing

Have you ever sat around your house, bored out of your mind, wondering "WHAT IN THE WORLD CAN WE DO TODAY?" I can remember so many weekends, or week nights that Cullen and I would want to go do something fun, something out of the norm for us. It would be just then that the conversation would occur:

Me: Hey, what do you want to do tonight?
Cullen: I don't know. Let's do something different.
Me: Like what?
Cullen: I don't know. What do you want to do?
Me: I don't know. We always go to dinner and a movie....what else is there to do.
Cullen: I don't know. Let me look around and find something different.
{birds chirping, Crickets creeping..........}

Dinner and a movie were great fun that night.


Well, my Austin City Limit's {and surrounding areas) friends. I have the answer. I was on Facebook last night and was caught by a list of "365 things to do in Austin, Texas." It is a great list. I am only going to list the top 30, but, the link is at the bottom to see the entire list. Enjoy!!

1. Mozart’s Coffee
2. See Bob Schneider
3. Cap City Comedy Club
4. Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trails
5. Bridal Extravaganza
6. Austin Segway Tour
7. Visit University of Texas Co-Op
8. IMAX Theater at Bob Bullock Museum
9. La Fuente’s
10. Rudy’s BBQ
11. Blanton Museum of Art
12. Volunteer at Town Lake Animal Shelter
13. Austin Boat Show January 14-17th
14. Sprouts Farmers Market
15. Texas Basketball Game – Lone Star Shootout
16. Enjoy the view at the Oasis
17. Hey Cupcake!
18. Climb Mount Bonnell
19. Tuesday Trivia Night at a Local Bar
20. Kerby Lane Café
21. Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center
22. Peter Pan Mini Golf
23. Huts Hamburgers
24. Stubbs BBQ Gospel Brunch
25. Grow your own organic food & flowers at Sunshine Community Garden
26. Dog & Duck Pub
27. Taste of Austin
28. Indoor Rock Climbing
29. The Belmont
30. Le Garage Sale

They add one more every day: Enjoy! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/365-Things-To-Do-In-Austin-Texas/254063342821

24.5 weeks.

Today I am 24 weeks and 5 days. (For those of you who do not translate quickly from weeks to months, that is 6 months and a week)

Many of you ask about belly pics. Since I love you all sooooo much, I thought I would share. I will share with you a clothed belly bump, and unclothed belly bump...you know, this will help be break the modestly levels down a little. :)

A Real Eye Opener

Most of my blog posts are semi-serious... wrapped with a comical or happy little bow. Let's get serious for a minute.

Cullen and I went to our first of four childbirth classes at the hospital last night. I was on the phone with my mom prior to our class and I told her, Cullen hadn't had anything to drink, and we are watching a birthing VIDEO. Yikes. I told her I would be shocked if he makes it through the video without vomiting, or wanting to vomit. She got a good laugh and knew I would have great stories to tell after class. Want the story??

Turns out, I was the weaker one. Through the video I found myself laughing at inappropriate times; I found myself weak-stomached, a bit disgusted at times and wondering if I am the only mother, who six months into pregnancy, thinks maybe this wasn't a great idea??? Yes, for a split second, I did think - Can I really do this?? It wasn't the actual Labor and Delivery that threw me for a loop. It was the idea of being completely exposed. Emotionally and Physically. I am emotionally vulnerable to this new life, to the doctors and nurses, to my husband (who I am not sure will make it through L&D) AND, new information to me, I am COMPLETELY EXPOSED. Naked. I know, I know. Most of you are thinking, "wasn't that a known fact?" NOPE. It wasn't. I thought, for some odd reason, there was a modesty shield, or cloth that was hung that separated me from "whats below." Nope. Not a chance. The sad thing is, if you know me at all, you know that I am NOT modest. Turns out, pregnancy has sure done a number on me!

Last night, the lady running the class did assure us that the hospital staff is very careful to protect your modesty until the absolutely have to expose you - that is just not something I want to see, and it is for sure something I don't want Cullen to see. Pregnancy is going to scar him enough, much less those images.

Enough of the rant. To be boldly honest, last night scared me. It made me cherish my little baby boy RIGHT NOW. I like where he is. Inside me. Covered. I am finally nervous about labor. Not the pain. The pain will be worth it. It is the emotional roller coaster that goes with it.

I am glad I have a supportive partner, friends who are going through it with me, and mothers who are there to guide me through. I have never been so thankful to have such a supportive circle.

I will leave you with my constant thought... to quote Thomas the Train, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."

More Kicking (Is this becoming a theme?)

Baby boy sure is an active little boy. Cullen hopes with every move, he is in my tummy practicing his "three-step-drop" for football season {in several years}. Last night, I was sitting in my chair next to Cullen, watching a movie. Noah was kicking, kicking, kicking. Just for fun, I lifted up my shirt just to seeeeee if I could see Baby boy move. Just my luck, you could. You could really see my belly kick. It was so precious...and weird. I paused the movie and had Cullen come stand behind me to watch the alien move in my tummy. As predicted, he stopped. If Noah is anything in real life like he is in the womb, I am pretty sure he is going to be a momma's boy. He will just not show off for his daddy.

On a "overall pregnancy" note: I am officially 24 weeks pregnant tonight. No morning sickness, no weirdness. This has been the best 24 weeks of my life. I feel good about myself, I feel like God has blessed me with such a little miracle to raise with the man I love with all my heart. I don't know if Noah knows how lucky he is to have a model to watch as he grows up. I will instill in him how incredible his daddy is. I would consider myself a lucky woman, if in 26 years, I can look at my son's life and see a small reflection of my husband. Here is to the next 16 weeks. I hope it is as enjoyable and as perfect as the first 24 weeks have been. 4 more weeks and we are into the 3rd trimester. It is only a downhill slope from here.

Triggered Smells.

Did you know that being pregnant has shown to enhance sense of smell?? Yesterday, the wind blew while I was under a tree on my elementary campus. It smelled just like spring. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath in. For just a moment, I forgot that the sun wasn't out; I forgot that the weatherman said it was overcast and 50% chance of rain. I smelled yellow honeysuckle flowers, and little caterpillars hanging from the tree. Oh, Spring. How I miss you. Damn you, Puxatony Phil, for predicting six more weeks of winter. Until then, I will leave it to the new heightened sense of smell.

Did you know that being pregnant has shown to enhance sense of smell?? After school was over yesterday, I got into my car and for some odd reason, my car smelled like the pink bubble gum medicine you are given as a small child. Do you remember the doctor prescribing that?? Gosh, I love the smell of childhood - that is one of the best smells ever.