33 weeks

Guess who was taking the picture...Travis so I had to show some skin

My belly is growing very fast at this point but my energy is still high.  Thanks to my new diet my swelling is really cutting back.  I am not that uncomfortable but putting on my sock in the morning requires me taking a few breaks to catch my breath. I am noticing that the OR rooms are feeling much smaller and I am not adjusting as fast as I should because I still try to squeeze through places that I will not fit. She is a real mover and you can see her and now feel her many movements and start to make out different body parts.  She is head down and only a few more weeks and we get to meet our baby girl.

Girls Night

I didn't want to crack my mask but Travis is loving the fresh feel on his face

 Travis and I have limited time together, which will only decrease with the soon wanted addition to our family, but I talked Travis into have a beauty night.   We trimmed our nails and massaged our feet and my favorite did a deep cleansing facial mask. I think Travis really did enjoy the extra glow his face had after the mask.  We watched movies and just hung out! It was perfect! I have so much fun with Travis and am so glad he won't shy away for trying thing out of the norm.

Surprise Shower

The biggest highlight was that my work TOTALLY surprised me and threw Travis and I a baby shower.   It was so much fun and I was so thankful that my sister and mom could be there to share in it.  Travis said he wanted to take us girls out and I suggested Mexico Lindo (which was exactly where he wanted us to go). If I would have known that we were going to my baby shower I would have looked much cuter but I was hot from the day and already extremely swollen at this point and just threw some clothes on. 

As we walked in the restaurant we were moved to the back and I walked in to almost ALL of my co-workers.  Everything was perfect! I had so many gifts from baby clothes, monitors, pack'n plays, diapers, shampoo and wash and so much more.   It was almost overwhelming!  I couldn't have planned a more perfect baby shower!  I am so thankful to have a friends who have become like a second family to me here in Louisiana. 

The Hunt for BBQ

Pack-A-Pig

While Kenzie was in the south the desire for BBQ became ravenous.  We had a real adventure in Shreveport where we asked the locals if there was a good BBQ restaurant near by.  They raved about a placed called "Podnuh's."  It is pronounced like if you were saying, "Howdy Partner."  We set off to find this great BBQ restaurant but as we drove we found ourselves in a more shady part of town and when we pulled up to the restaurant there were NO cars.  My mom quickly got on her Iphone and looked up reviews.  The first three were great but on almost every third to fourth one a customer was food poisoned.   Travis had a bad feeling and convinced Kenzie we should try somewhere else to eat.  At that moment some more locals came out of a building and so Kenzie bravely walked over and asked where we could find some great BBQ and after she declined Podnuh's they recommended "What-A-Burger" at this point Travis yelled at Kenzie to get back in the car.We ended up eating at a Irish Pub since that was all we had time for.  

The next day though Kenzie's craving for BBQ had not left so we went to a place called Pack-A-Pig in Leesville. We met Benjamen who had taken the business over from his father and been doing BBQ for over 50 years.  We got it to go and met Travis at his work were we enjoyed good old southern BBQ without food poisoning.

At the pool where Travis brought us strawberry daiquiri (mine virgin of course)

At church

 

Kenzie saving my hair

Beginning of July (I was 32 weeks pregnant)  my mom and sister came out to Louisiana to visit before the baby was born.  It was so nice to have family come down experience the jewel of the south.   They got in on Friday and we went to a local place called Tunks.  It was highly recommended to Travis and I.  We got a good laugh when Kenzie had to choose between frog legs and alligator.  It was the beginning of her culture shock. 

The next morning we drove up the Shreveport, LA where we spent all day shopping at the boardwalk.  It was a lot of fun and I bought so many clothes for little Guppy.  Kenzie bought hair supplies and so on Sunday after church Kenzie went to work on my hair. 

Family photos

This is my favorite

This was as much skin as I was willing to show

Travis really wanted maternity pictures done.  I didn't understand the point of taking pictures of me when I have never been bigger, but it was important to Travis so I made an appointment with a friend.  In the end I was glad that we did take them.  The only problem I faced was that I was really swollen and it was so hot  my hair couldn't have been more frizzy!  Travis originally wanted those pictures where I am basically naked holding myself to cover up a little and I had to let him down because there was no way you were going to have me take my clothes off and capture it. 

This was the last time I could fit my wedding ring on.

4th of July

Still early in the evening while the community was setting off fireworks

So much smoke from all the local fireworks

This was the flag the Travis helped hang

Travis helping take the flag back to the fire station

This year for the 4th of July Travis volunteered at the New Llano fire station.  He was out in the heat all day preparing for the big event.  In New Llano the community can come to the park and set off their own fireworks under the supervision of the fire station.  It starts at about 1800 and then at 2100 New Llano puts on their own fireworks show.  It was really fun to sit and watch others set off firecrackers.  My favorite part of the night was when a firecracker started a fire in the grass and I watched Travis run out there and stamp it out.  As soon as he got back in position he looked at me and smiled and I gave him a big thumbs up.  Travis has been volunteering every Thursday night until about 2230 at the fire station.  It is a really long day for him because he still works his 12 hour day with the Army.  I am so proud of him and every week he comes home excited about what he learned. 

Vrrrrrooooommm!

Our New 2012 Honda CR-V

Front Seat

Trunk

First ride in our new car

Travis and I just bought our new Honda CR-V! After months of research I had narrowed it down and the Honda won it.  We spent two weekends working with the dealership and we got a steal of a deal on our car.  Travis and I love the new car and can't wait to put Guppy in the back seat.  The other great thing that came out of it is the man, Danny, who sold us the car became our friend (only in the South).  After we picked up the car we met him and his wife, Casey, for dinner.  We had a great time and plan on having dinner again with them next time we are in Alexandria.  I know Travis's favorite feature is the bluetooth capabilities and being able to sync his phone with Pandora while we drive. 

Baby Shower

Refreshments

 

 

Guppy's Cake

Moby wrap and little outfit from Rene

Summer, Lisa and her baby Adysen (2wks old)

Lessie and Mary from Bible study

Rene the photographer and me

Guppy's new homemade blanket from Chicky (Susan)

I had my very first ever baby shower this weekend.  It was a lot of fun. I always get really nervous when a party is about me but this was very low key and just fun to be with friends.  Unfortunately most of the people I invited were out of town or had prior engagements.  We started by having refreshments and just introducing everyone.  We played two games.  The first was you had a sheet of paper that had different points for the things in your purse. The second game I picked characteristics that I wanted Guppy to have from Travis and I.  For example her eyes to by mine but her legs to be Travis'.  Then everyone else did the same and the closest one to mine got a prize.  It was really fun! Mary cracked me up because there was one character they could fill on their own and Mary said she hoped my baby had Travis's butt.  She is so funny! We opened presents and had cake.  I got so many clothes, books, baby carrier, a nursing cover, Guppy's first bracelet, and so much more. 

Travis during this time went out with his friends and went miniature golfing.  I think he would have rather have been at the baby shower.  He did swing by in the beginning just to say hi and spy on us ladies.

Dinner and A Show

People just starting to come in for the dinner portion

Me at the table waiting for George and Mary to stop socializing so I can eat!

Double date number two

 A few weeks ago our good friends George and Mary invited us to go with them to a dinner and show at Fort Polk Showboat Theater.  I had never been to the dinner option of the play but had been to a few of the shows.  It isn't the best acting because all the actors are local volunteers, but it is nice to have something to do in Leesville. 

My favorite part of the whole night started before the show.  Travis and I arrived early and were waiting for George and Mary.  We saw their car pull up so we got out of the car and I told Travis to go open up Mary's door.  He ran up there and opened the door and to both of our surprise two older woman came out of the car.  They defiantly were not George and Mary.  They looked as shocked as Travis to see one other.  Travis then said, "Are you excited about the show?"  I lost it!!! I was bent over trying not to pee on myself.  This didn't make the elderly woman feel any safer unfortunately because now they have this strange pregnant woman laughing at them in the middle of a parking lot.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! George and Mary did arrive and we told them of our mistake and we all laughed about it.  

Dinner was great before the show. It was ribs, roasted veggies, salad, roll and then lemon cheesecake for dessert.  George and Mary knew everyone else in the theater so we were introduced to a lot of other people.  The show was called "Spin Off."  It was about a bank employee who's friend at the bank stole the banks money and tried to say it was an accident.  There was laughter, love and action! It was really cute and we were so glad we went.