Circus & Easter Preparations

Saturday we went to the circus! It wasn't a fabulous show...but it certainly kept our attention! They had some "hardware" problems and two people almost fell from a rope tied to the ceiling onto the pavement below! It was SO crazy!! I really wanted to ride on the elephants - but Aurelio insisted I wait until I have a child to bring with me as an excuse. After the circus we went shopping for a nice bed set for our spare bedroom. It took forever; but we finally found just the right one; that wouldn't break our bank. It felt like such an accomplishment...lol. After all that walking and being out and about I was pretty tired and was happy to be heading home. We were able to have a nice evening together watching another DVD on baby development in the womb - a PBS version. It was actually very medically informative; I'm sure we won't remember half the stuff we learned; but it was neat to watch anyway.
I was however able to finish my second baby's blanket while watching the movie! :) My next project will be to crochet a baby's bonnet. I'll start that sometime this week.



We were invited to a chihuahua Easter party; so I went looking for some good fabric to make a dress for the girls. Here is the first one I made today...I have to find a new pattern for Lily because she's gotten too big/fat for the small chihuahua patterns I currently have. It would be nice if I could get really good at them and could start selling them to the other girls in the chi group :)...






Aurelio spent his Sunday doing some coding for a game he's writing. The dogs were happy to cuddle up next to him and lounge the day away. Hopefully he was able to get a lot accomplished! :)

I should note that he also cleaned up the garage and took all our extra boxes up to the attic. He also took the dogs outside to play; they are just LOVING him today :).

We're almost done with our taxes and are keeping our fingers crossed that we can get some money back to help pay our midwife for the birth...it's looking pretty good so far.

As always I'm counting down the days until NH...18 days left! :) I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone! When I get back Rosie is coming to stay with us for a few days - so April is going to be a great month!! :) Can't wait!!

BABY UPDATE!!!! :) :) :) 28 Weeks 6 Days

We had our last sonogram today!! The baby is 2 pounds 14 ounces today and my placenta has grown up and out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!! Which means we are a go for the home birth we wanted!! We are SO excited!! The sonogram expert said "You are so healthy - there's no reason for you to be here!" :) Little did he know that I was planning a home birth...

Joyce Nelson will be our midwife and her assistant Robin will join her for the delivery. I'll have my first "official" appointment with her on April 10th at 10am. Where she'll listen to the baby's heartbeat and measure my tummy. The doctor who measured my stomach today said that he thought our baby was going to be between 8-9 pounds - but I can't say I have much if any confidence in him. Our sonogram tech estimated a normal size baby; probably around 7 pounds...so we'll just have to see. I feel like it's going to be a big baby though. I can't believe he/she is already 2 pounds 14 ounces!! We didn't get very good sonogram pictures; they said it's because the baby has reached a size that is difficult to show on the monitors. The pictures we got just look like blobs and you can't really pick out the different limbs or anything. I'm glad we counted toes and figures last time! :)

I also took the glucose test this morning...which involved taking more of my blood - but we'll get the results back on Monday.

The baby was really active last night, but she/he wasn't the one who woke me up at 1am...it was Daisy! She had to go potty...then I had to go potty and I was hungry...so after a bowl of cheerios I was UP. I ended up falling back asleep around 3:30am and had to get up at 7am for my doctors appointments. Needless to say, I'm a little tired today. It makes no sense to me that my body is "preparing me for lack of sleep" with lack of sleep...NO SENSE AT ALL! That's just crazy talk! I did however get a chance to do some research online regarding diaper choice. I'm really leaning towards doing cloth diapers - the easy ones that are all in one piece and grow with the child. The bumGenius 3.0 diapers seem to be getting the best ratings from moms.

I found some great patterns for baby bonnets, sweaters and booties online and would really like to crochet some...though the patterns all seem to be written in a foreign language and I'm still having trouble desyfering it. I'm almost done with the boys blanket; so I'll put more time into the booties and bonnets after I've completed that.

Happy Birthday Grammy H!!!!

Today I woke up on the right side of the bed for a change! :) I was so restless yesterday; but today I'm able to go with the flow and get some chores done and it feels good.

I had two dreams last night about the baby - and the baby was a boy in both of them!! Aurelio has also had dreams about the baby and it's always a boy...BUT Grandma H is certain it's a girl and she has also predicted that I will deliver earlier than my due date! My midwife has predicted that I will deliver approx 10 days after my "due date" of June 13th...I'm not sure who I want to be right - though as we approach June I'm sure I'll be ready to have my body back.

Baby Reis is practicing moving his/her arms and legs; but has stayed away from my ribs for the most part - which I greatly appreciate.

Aurelio and I watched a Discovery Channel movie last night that takes you from conception to birth inside the womb. It was really neat to see what the baby looks like at the different stages. The new technology (3-D and 4-D Ultrasounds) allow you to see what your baby really looks like - not just the skeleton that the normal ultrasound gives you. Of course most insurances don't cover it - it's about $200 to go get a 3D ultrasound done. We're not going to do it because we want to keep the sex of the baby a surprise...along with it's facial features. The movie contained a lot of information on the growing fetus/baby; one of the things I found interesting was that the baby can actually remember things; such as songs you play frequently and other regular noises. It can also hear the moms voice much easier than anyone else's because everyone else's voice has to travel through all those layers and fluid to get to the babies ears. That's probably one reason why the baby favors me over daddy ;) (Just kidding Aurelio.)

Aurelio reads the baby Dr. Seuss stories at night to get him/her to settle down and let me sleep. It seems to work pretty well; and I'm enjoying a little more shut eye. Regardless, I know the baby is going to love it's daddy. He/she is very lucky. :)

We are taking the baby to his/her's first circus this Saturday! Though, I suppose we shouldn't count it as her/his first since they won't be able to see anything - just hear the noises. I plan on taking full advantage of our last opportunity to go to the circus as a couple and get myself some cotton candy! :) I'm sure next year will be much more enjoyable - and even more so when our child is old enough to really enjoy it and remember it.

We are also planning on going to the Dallas Arboretum again on Sunday if the weather cooperates. We've had a rainy/thunderstorm week and I'm looking forward to the sun. Sunday is supposed to be our first sunny day; so lets hope that holds up and we don't have to wait until Monday to see the sun. Though I'm sure Aurelio would be happy to get out of mowing the lawn this weekend ;).

Restless Wednesday

Looks like we'll be getting thunderstorms for much of the week. The rain is great, but I'm starting to get a mild case of cabin fever. My car sure isn't made for any kind of inclement weather; though I have to say it sticks to the road better than my miata ever did.

If you have any ideas on things to keep me busy; let me know! I feel like my days are spent cleaning and eating. I have pretty much scrapbooked myself out, and though I'm learning how to crochet; I can't very well sit and do that all day either. I've read a bunch of books on pregnancy and newborns, and I've taken a million baths. I feel like I need some kind of variation, something exciting...yet there is always something that needs to be cleaned or dinner that needs to be cooked - or dogs that need to be fed or taken outside. I've got myself stuck in a little rut of mundane tasks that is driving me crazy!

The baby still favors my right ribcage; but it's starting to hurt a little less. Maybe that area is just going numb...lol.

I had lunch today with a girlfriend of mine who is 32 weeks pregnant; she commented on my high heals and told me it won't be long now till my feet are too swollen to wear them. I'm trying to focus on the positives, and how in the next few weeks I'm just going to get bigger and bigger and more uncomfortable...so I should enjoy today - but heartburn and nausea just take the fun out of everything! I can't wait to hold our little baby - seems like the day will never get here. Though I know the second they are born I'll blink and they'll be one, then I'll blink again and they'll be 18.

Some day's it's really hard to be so far from the northeast...today is one of those days. When you just want to hop in the car and hang out with those most familiar to you.

Anybody doing anything special for Easter this year? Aurelio and I were thinking of decorating easter eggs and making some easter treats.

Stormy Tuesday

Whoa! It just started pouring rain out of nowhere! I was checking my e-mail and getting myself psyched for a nice relaxing bath, then WHAM! Pounding on the roof...then it was gone within the hour! Crazy Texas weather! It's now perfectly sunny with clear skies.

The baby kept me up all night, and I think I kept Aurelio up with all my tossing and turning. I think this will become the norm from now on. As my tummy is getting stretched by our not so little one...

I made some sugar cookies (from scratch) today and a pineapple tofu stir-fry for dinner. Aurelio found the stir-fry to be too sweet for his taste - but somehow the sugar cookies were just right ;). At least I can bake...if not cook. Lately I've been trying some new recipes and they've just been awful. If you have some good dinner recipes, PLEASE send them my way (jennniferlynnreis@gmail.com) Aurelio will be thankful :). I really enjoy baking; but cooking dinners has never been my forte and I fear I may never get the hang of it. No wonder Aurelio snacks all day at work... ;)

I joined the "All You" magazine book club and am looking forward to reading The Inn at Eagle Point by Sherryl Woods? It doesn't come out until March 31; but the hype makes it sound like it's going to be a great book. The local library is ordering some copies and I have requested one - so hopefully they will call me as soon as they arrive and I can grab one; because our first book club meeting is April 3rd (conducted online of course). Could be fun :)

Dallas Arboretum

Aurelio mowed our lawn for the first time since we moved in! Spring is FINALLY here!!! :)




We had beautiful weather this weekend and took the opportunity to go to the Dallas Arboretum. It was SO beautiful and peaceful we felt like we had stepped into another world. The smell of all the flowers was intoxicating.

We had a picnic packed and found a great place on a grassy knoll to sit and eat our sandwiches and sip our sparkling juice. I have never been so obsessed with grass before - the grass at the Arboretum was so amazingly soft - I just couldn't get over it. I actually made it a point to take off my sandals and walk barefoot!!

We got a family pass so we'll be able to go many times this year. You are allotted 5 tickets per trip - and those tickets do NOT have to be for just family. So, I'm planning on bringing some of my girlfriends in the next couple weeks. ALSO, if/when you come to visit us; you'll get in for free :).

Here are some pictures from the Arboretum:

Things that go Bump in the Night

I'm exhausted yet again this morning. The baby kept me up all night kicking and punching! I'm happy to know that our little one is growing strong and healthy, but mommy needs some sleep too.

I decided to start my day by cleaning up the kitchen, then relaxing in our jetted tub into the afternoon. That's become one of my favorite things to do. Relax in a bubbling bath surrounded by candles, reading books about pregnancy and natural birthing techniques. My second favorite thing is Aurelio's foot massages...mmm, maybe that ties for first...

To my surprise we received a package today from Grammy Hutchins; filled with a book for the baby, duckies for the tub and a nice soft fleece blanket to keep the baby warm in. The package also contained a book for me :) 'I'm a Mom, Now What?' I'm really looking forward to reading it. Looks like it will be really helpful in the first two years of our child's life. Thanks Grandma!!

It's in the high 70s again today, with a nice soft wind. The dogs are happily playing outside. We had another estimate done on how much it would cost to repair our fence - instead of replacing it. They are quoting $295 to get our fence back up in working condition...I'm thinking Aurelio might just have to pull out his handyman hat again and go down to home depot to get some fence wood...I think that's our best bet right now. We're trying to save up as much money as possible in order to pay for the birth of our baby and then all the things we need for the nursery...

Aurelio is still working on building the washer and dryer stand, but it looks like he might have it finished by this weekend...we just have to figure out how we're going to lift those machines up onto it...any ideas??

I started mowing our over-grown lawn today to learn that mosquitoes sleep in tall grass...Great! Ugh, I started chopping down our tall weedy bush things and all these giant mosquitoes came flying out at me! Ugh, I was already uncomfortable with the prickly grass touching my feet - but those bugs just pushed me over my tolerance limit! THEN came the yellow jackets...I shut off the mower and went running into the house, pregnant belly bouncing and all! I slammed the door shut without meaning to and the dogs seemed alarmed at mommy's weird behavior. I couldn't help but giggle, then peak out the window to see if there had been any onlookers. There were none, my crazy jog was kept my little secret.

27 Weeks, 3 Days

I'm SO tired today!! The house is a mess and it feels like I just can't keep up! I've still got to clean our baseboards - but it's SO hard to do that with a belly! I think I've got to start lifting some weights or something to get my arms stronger, because they get tired so fast and I know I'll need those muscles when the baby arrives.


It's 76 degrees here in Garland, TX today. Aurelio took the Audi TT to work - to enjoy a little 'top down' time. So I was left with the Mazda 6...I thought guys were supposed to be obsessed with keeping their cars clean...not my hubby...what a mess!! Now I understand why he doesn't enjoy driving his car all the time. Also, Mr. Reis, consider yourself busted - I found the stash of candy in your arm rest. You can't keep chocolate bars in a hot car...they melt hun. Now I know where all the sympathy baby weight is coming from ;). I couldn't believe what a collection he had!! lol!

I went down to the farmers market today to get the fruit I needed for the fruit pizza and was really surprised at the quality and prices. MUCH better than going to a grocery store; though they did run out of raspberries before I arrived. Makes me reminisce about the raspberry patch we had as kids - we produced SO many we had to freeze them and give them away! I even remember our neighbors coming and helping themselves to some of the patch. They sure were delicious! I just didn't like all the bees that seemed to enjoy them as well. Poor Dad would always be the one out there in between the rows picking berries - getting scratched by their thorns and having bees flying all around him...I thought he was just the bravest! And I thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of his labor ;). Thanks Dad!

Aurelio and I have talked about planting a herb garden, with maybe some lettuce and tomatoes. We don't quite have the room for a raspberry garden...but hopefully we'll be able to plant some edible things. Would be nice to have fresh herbs and veggies all the time.

8 more days until our next sonogram!! I'm really looking forward to seeing the baby again. They say by now the baby looks pretty much like how it will when it's born. Will just have more muscles and fat...I'm not sure I can handle more muscles - she/he is pretty strong already!

29 days until I fly to NH to see everyone!! :)

Baby Bumps

Today I met up with three other pregnant women at the Grapevine Mall. It was the first time I'd been there; it's such a great place! Though a little bit of a drive, 45 min. We had a nice lunch at Chili's and then wandered around the baby clothing stores. We actually found some GREAT deals at The Children's Place! Lots of items were $1.99 and I even got a jean hat for 19 cents!! :) It's nice to hang out with other women who are going through the same thing as you...and it also gives me a heads up as to what is about to come, as they are all further along than me. We certainly got lots of looks though...especially with Kathy and Mandy (Who I swear looks just like the lead singer of 'Sugarland') about to pop!

The baby has been really calm today; I think all that walking was just rocking him/her to sleep all day. So, I'm expecting lots of kicks tonight!

Aurelio and I ordered our wall border for the baby's room and it was delivered today!!! So, hopefully this weekend we'll be able to put it up! We still haven't gotten any of the bedding - or even a crib yet! I think we'll try and buy all that stuff when I get back from NH in April. Will give me something other to do than clean at that time :). I just LOVE all the little baby clothes and it's so hard because we don't know the gender and I want to buy little boy polos and little girl sun dresses. I did really well at the mall though; and bought mostly gender neutral outfits.

I feel a little guilty for not getting to my "chores" today. I can't believe I was in Grapevine from 12-4:30! Then I didn't get home until 6pm because traffic was SO bad! Poor Aurelio is going to have to settle for leftovers tonight :( And I need a nap...

Tomorrow I'll be making my mother's famous Fruit Pizza for a prego meetup. It's basically a chocolate chip cookie covered in vanilla pudding toped with peaches, strawberries, kiwi, etc. Kim's husband is going to turn the temperature down on their hot tub so us pregos can relax in it. She even went and got some alcohol free champagne for us to sip on...should be a nice indulgent night :).

Friday I'm taking Aurelio with me to meet these pregnant women I've been hanging out with. I think he'll enjoy meeting their husbands and then they can complain about us ;).

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!








I wish I could bottle up some of this beautiful weather here and send it to New England. It's 75 degrees, with a slight breeze. Just absolutely perfect for a walk, or lounging on the hammock reading a book. The dogs are very excited to be back outside running around.


I spent the whole morning on the phone with our insurance company trying to find a midwife in the area that could preform a home birth. Every single person they gave me that was "in-network" no longer practiced in TX!!! UGH! I was able to get the vaguest information possible on out of network coverages, so whichever midwife we go with will have to jump through hoops with our insurance. Hopefully I've found one place willing to do it - only problem is that we are 2 miles outside their area of coverage for home births...so they have to discuss it among themselves and get back to me later. It's SO frustrating! You think it would be EASIER to have a home birth...but NO...everyone makes it out to be this big thing. I really don't want to give birth in a dirty hospital room with all those machines and nurses I don't know. I just want to be in a place where I can relax and let nature take it's course. GEEZ!

I finished the pink and white baby blanket and am now working on a yellow and blue one. Here's a picture of what it looks like today.
When we first moved in Aurelio did his best to mend our fence. It's really a hopeless cause at this point. I got an estimate the other day for tearing this one down and putting up a new one - $2500!!! GEEZ! So, we're trying to figure something out. We're even thinking of just doing it ourselves or something - but $2500 is highway robbery!! Here's a picture of the worst part of the fence...which we share with our neighbors who don't seem to care that part of the fence is laying on their lawn!! They are obligated to pay for half of the cost to repair that side of the fence...but we're not so sure they actually will.
Gosh, it seems like I'm just complaining the day away...sorry!

I'm going to go read a little and wait for these pregnancy hormones to calm down before writing more :)

I hope everyone is having a great St. Patty's Day!! Any special plans for tonight? Come on, share them with me and let me live through you!! :)

(Later the same day) "Fence War Day One"
Another piece of the fence just fell down!! I couldn't help but laugh, it's in such bad shape we are lucky it stayed up this long. Aurelio has decided it has now become a game to see who will break first - us or the neighbors! They didn't seem to care when one section of the fence was laying on their yard - what about two sections!! Haha, it will probably take the whole fence falling down before they say something to us...but you know we'll break before that happens.




I finally made my way to Starbucks to get one of those Caramel Apple Spices I've been craving only to find out it's made of Cinnamon, Apple Juice, Caramel and Whip Cream....could have made that at home yesterday! LOL Aurelio and I had a nice visit out of it anyway.

The Sun Has Returned!

Monday mornings are never fun; but by this afternoon the sun was shinning and the temperatures were back up to "top-down" weather. I spent the morning cleaning up the house from this weekends mess. I try not to do too much "work" during the weekend; which is nice..until Monday morning arrives and I've got a kitchen full of dirty dishes and clutter everywhere. Though I know I should be thankful the mess isn't worse. I'm only cleaning up for two right now...soon my house will look like a daycare with toys everywhere and a little tot making more messes than I can imagine now.

I've finally got the meals planned for the week, and the grocery shopping done. It's surprising how draining the grocery store seems to be for me. After walking the aisles, emptying my cart onto the counter, then pushing them out to my car, putting them in my car and returning the cart to it's little corral - I'm exhausted and totally need a nap! BUT the jobs not done yet...I've still got to carry the bags into the house when I get home and put all the items away! Something I try and do only once a week....

The dogs must be able to tell if it's nice out or not. They've been whining to go out and play. They really like the kennel their daddy made them for the yard. They would spend ALL day out there if I let them! I'm just worried they'll get too overheated - being out in the hot sun all afternoon. Though, my girls love to sunbath :). I'm excited to put the hammock back up; had to take it down because of the rain storms we were getting. The weather here is SO weird! One day it's 45 and the next it's 75! Not that I'm complaining; makes you really appreciate the nice days. Our grass and flowers needed the rain anyway...

I've been craving some Starbucks; though I can't have my usual Iced Chai Tea, I've found a new drink that's quite tasty...Iced Spiced Caramel Apple Cider....mmm caramel with loads of whip cream!!

A Married Couples Weekend

A couple weekends ago Aurelio and I went to the Dallas Zoo; it was a cool windy day, but we enjoyed seeing the animals with a minimal crowd. Here are a few photos from our outing.



(Saturday March 14th)
Aurelio has started a new project; creating a stand for the washer and dryer so I don't have to bend down so much to do laundry. I'm really looking forward to using it; though we haven't quite figured out how to lift the washer and dryer to get them onto it.

I have almost completed my first baby blanket and have started on the second one already - I just couldn't wait! I'm surprised at how addicting it has become. I'm looking forward to being advanced enough to make baby bonnets and sweaters. Speaking of baby, he/she has been very active this weekend!! Kicking and punching all over the place! I enjoy just sitting back and watching my belly jump and jiggle. My back has started to hurt a lot more; but nothing I can't handle. I just try to do more yoga than walking these days.

(Sunday March 15th)
Our plans were to go get a mani/pedi and then go to the Dallas Aquarium to eat the sandwiches we packed; but we got to the exit for the Aquarium on I-30 and realized we left the camera in the nail salon back in Garland. We decided to go back and get it - forfeiting the trip to the Aquarium. We ended up going to the nursery by our house; purchased a few plants and made our way home. (It's funny the things you enjoy when you get older.) I heard a couple girls walking with their mother threw all the beautiful flowers saying "Ugh, can we go now, I'm SO bored" I couldn't help but smile a little. When we arrived home, I happily went about putting soil into the pots and mixing in plant food, then carefully set the flowers into the pots and filled in the edges with more soil. Aurelio picked out a neat bug eating plant; I'm going to let him plant that one since it needs special care. I hope it works on the giant mosquitoes we have here!!


Tonight we're going to cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie while I crochet and he "programs/codes" his latest and greatest video game. Then it's back to work on Monday...weekends are just too short.

Rainy Dayz in Texas

We're getting a lot of rain here in Texas this week. They say it's the most we've had in years! Though, much needed because they were afraid we'd have a bit of a drought this summer. It's helping the grass to turn from brown to green; I'm thankful for that. Only downside is that the roads tend to accumulate puddles and my Audi TT doesn't seem to do well in those kind of conditions. So, besides the quick trip to the grocery store, I'm pretty much stuck inside all day.

Poor Lily and Daisy were starting to get used to spending a lot of time outdoors during the day and they are getting a little restless. I've set their bed next to my computer so they can come and hang out with me while I futz around, but they seem to have way too much energy for just lounging. They've instead chosen to wrestle with each other while running around the house. I should be happy for them, but all I can think about is all the hair they are leaving behind and how I just vacuumed.

The baby was very active last night, she/he seems to enjoy kicking my ribcage. Always makes me jump a bit. She/he has also started this thing where they stick their leg or arm out and run it across my belly - it's the weirdest feeling! Kinda creeps me out, lol. I'd much rather have him/her stick to the quick jabs. Though, I'm very grateful for each and every movement; it's nice to know that she/he is still there and is doing well. I want to get one of those baby heart monitors so I can listen to his/her heartbeat periodically. A month is way too long to wait for the next doctors appointment. I guess it gives me something to look forward to though. I absolutely hate needles and getting my blood drawn...something that has become routine these days. My next appointment consists of a glucose test that requires me to drink some kind of liquid, wait an hour, then get my blood drawn. Fun fun. Hopefully work will allow Aurelio to come with me. Though, I know after all that waiting around I'm going to be hungry and cranky. He's been great, putting up with me.

26 Weeks and Counting

Welcome to my blog!

We are really looking forward to the arrival of our little one. I've been spending my days cleaning the house, reading anything and everything about pregnancy and newborns I can get my hands on at the local library, and learning how to crochet a baby blanket.

I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in April for my baby shower!! Hopefully I'll have a nice plump belly to show off. So far it's been slow growing... I've gained 5 pounds, but the goal is 25-30. I've pretty much eaten us out of house and home, so those pounds should show up soon :).


Aurelio is getting settled in at ID Software, and has pulled some long nights already.

The weather here in Texas has been pretty good to us; though this week it's been "cold" (40 degrees) and rainy. The last couple weeks we've been spoiled with 80 degree weather, so the quick cooling to 40 has seemed pretty drastic.

Our next sonogram is March 27th; and we'll have more photos of the baby to share with everyone.