Bon Jovi seemed like a perfect reference for making it to the halfway point in this pregnancy. That's right folks...I said halfway! So, I'm very sorry for those of you blog-stalkers that I do not update more frequently. The reason you ask???? Well, I'm on my computer all day at work and they do frown on doing personal things during work hours (shhhhh...don't tell). So, when I get home, I rarely ever sit in front of the computer. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! So, I'll break this update up into sections.
Part 1-20 Weeks & Counting!
So, Saturday (7/16) marked 20 weeks. Time just seems to be flying by. In case you don't know...in the DFW metroplex, today will be the 16th straight day where the temperature will be over 100. Well, for pregnant people, nothing good comes from that. Now, I'm not much of a complainer, but that is HOT and just completely uncomfortable. The last time I was cold, was during our "Road Trip of a Lifetime" (to be commented on later), when we blasted the AC just because we could.
For those of you who don't know...being pregnant means visiting the doctor's office much more than you are accustomed to (hopefully). I don't get sick often, so my doctor visits up until this have been the once per year variety. I visit my OB, the fabulous Dr. McClintock every 4 weeks. Each appointment has been smooth...baby's heart rate perfect, blood pressure perfect. There is one factor that I simply have to expand on. I have pretty much always been in the heavier end of the weight scale...not obese by any means, but you know how that goes. So, I wish I would have had a tape recorder when at my appointment last Friday (after no weight gain again) my doctor said, "This time I'm not going to worry about it as long as you gain 1-2 pounds by your next appointment." That was like sweet music to my ears. No doctor has ever told me to GAIN weight. It just made my day. It may only be 1-2 pounds, but still. I have to celebrate the small things. In two weeks, I go to the sono doctor, the incomparable Dr. Weiss to get another peek at our little one.
So, here is me at 20 weeks...I took the picture in the mirror because Danny was out of town on Saturday, but then I had him take a picture of my on Sunday out in the sunshine!
Part 2-Danny's Graduation & Road Trip of a Lifetime
That's right folks, my loving husband has been working full-time and schooling part-time. He graduated almost a month ago and it was quite a celebration. We had lots of family in town and had a fabulous time! BUT...the real highlight for us, a week-long road trip to visit a place I have always wanted to go...DOLLYWOOD! We went to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. On the way there, we stopped in Little Rock, Arkansas...Smyrna, Tennessee (to visit my aunt & uncle along the way)...Nashville, Tennessee...and Knoxville, Tennessee. To break up the trip on the way back, we stopped in Memphis, Tennessee. So, here is just a brief recap through pictures, hope you enjoy!
Bill Clinton's Oval Office replica at the Clinton Library & Presidential Center (no matter what side of the line you are on, it is a cool place to visit and I can't wait to visit the W's place down the street when it is done)
With my work, we give to the Heifer Project each year. You can google it for more info, but it was great visiting their world headquarters.
Of course, no trip to Little Rock would be complete without watching the Peabody Ducks march. If you ever stay in Little Rock, you MUST stay at the Peabody. Of course, for those with kids, there is no pool, but we LOVED that hotel!
Thanks to my sweet aunt & uncle in Smyrna, TN for letting us stay with them for a night. Danny even got to play with fireworks, which is a no, no where we live!
Danny posing at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville with a mechanical bull. You'll have to ask him to tell you the story if you don't already know it.
Me with Reba's star on the Country Music Walk of Fame...just this year, she was induced in the Country Music Hall of Fame! How appropriate! I LOVE her!
Us at the Ryman Auditorium (also in Nashville) which was once home to the Grand Old Opry.
We also visited LP Field where the Tennessee Titans play, but Danny has those pictures.
Also on Danny's list of places to visit was the other UT. We visited the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium...home of the Volunteers. We got to actually go into the stadium, which made Danny's day.
Us standing on the balcony of our fabulous cabin! If you ever need a cabin in Pigeon Forge, go through Timber Tops Luxury Cabin Rentals. They are affordable and fabulous! We stayed at a cabin called Journeys End.
Danny & I with my bff Erin & her husband Aaron. The Samson's joined us for the weekend in Pigeon Forge! Please help us pray that Aaron gets a job in the Dallas area so we can live in the same place.
View from the top in Gatlinburg!
When in Memphis...you have to visit Graceland...
...and Beale Street...
...and the Lorraine Hotel. Dallas has the 6th Floor Museum with the sad death of JFK attached to that. Memphis has the Lorraine Hotel with the sad death of MLK, Jr. attached. A piece of history for sure.
Of course, we also visited the original Peabody there in Memphis to watch the ducks march there. As for me, I enjoyed the Little Rock version much more...less crowded and much newer.
It was a great trip, one with memories that we will keep close forever!
Part 3-Linebacker vs. Cheerleader
So, a few short days after returning from our "Road Trip of a Lifetime" we got to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl. Danny and I were convinced it would be a boy; mostly because his sister has an adorable 1 1/2 year old little girl and 2 little girl twins on the way. So, we just knew we would have the boy. Well, the Patyraks are meant to be the grandparents of girls. We are adding another sweet girl to the mix. Lyla Kathryn Patyrak will join the clan in early December and I know she will be so excited to meet her cousins Avery, Ashlynn & Kinsey Steele. I see quite the large tea parties and/or beauty salons at family gatherings. Can't wait to see all the dads/uncles with beautiful new hair styles. I would share the picture of the sonogram determining gender, but I can't invite Lyla into the world of Playboy or Hustler. Just trust us...it's a girl!
Part 4-The Bedding
So, as soon as we found out it was a girl, I started looking at bedding. I fell in love with a particular style at a boutique in Plano called The Cat and the Fiddle. However, when I went back for a second look and checked out the price, I almost passed out when the tag said "$750" for a 4 piece set. Our king-sized bedding didn't even cost that much. So, at the same store, I found another super-cute option and picked it up...here it is!
Part 5-Just for Fun
So, a friend from church/high school started her own Etsy business. It is called Night Owl Yarn Designs. I "liked" it on facebook even before I was pregnant. So, I was anxiously awaiting finding out what I was having so that I could make my first (of I'm sure) many purchases. So here is what I bought. You can search for her site on facebook. She is on vacation right now, but will be back in business with lots more cute things in August. For now though, you can scroll through the adorable photos!
I can't wait to see Lyla in those adorable items!
In closing, I certainly hope this has helped tide you over until the next post (whenever that might be). I hope either start or continue to enjoy your summer!
~Staci
