I was like baby, baby, baby OH!

Okay all! I was just channeling the Biebs! Hope you don't have that song in your head for the rest of the day. Well, to keep you up to date, I am at 24 weeks 4 days. The time really is just flying by. Lyla is still growing every day.

Danny & I went to San Angelo last weekend for the first of 2 baby showers. It was great to get to spend some time with his parents and celebrate the anticipated arrival of Lyla. We got some great stuff...or I suppose I should say SHE got some great stuff! We enjoyed visiting with everyone. I don't have the pictures yet, but will post again when they arrive.

What I do have pictures of is the new sonogram we had on Saturday. We got some 3D/4D photos of Lyla! I do have to say that she was being quite bashful and covering her hands with her face most of the time, but we got some good pictures.

This is Lyla's sweet face! Can you tell where the eyes, nose and mouth are???

These aren't 3D, but you can see measurements of the head...what a smart little lady she is going to be!!!

And of course I had to include her heart with heartbeat reading!

We did this earlier than you would normally do these types of sonograms, but I still think she is a cutie!

Just for grins too, I thought I would include a couple of photos of Lyla's room before it's baby girl transformation. The after shots will have to come obviously after it is done.

For any of you familiar with church calendars (as it pertains to children's ministry), this Sunday is Promotion Sunday. That means that all of our kiddos graduate into new classrooms. So, I'll have to cut this post short, but do know that Lyla and her parents are doing well!

It's in the water!

You might want to check the water you're drinking. 3 out of my 7 bridesmaids are pregnant and if you didn't already know...so am I! 3 of the remaining 7 are not married and the 7th (my beautiful sister) already has two lovely and talented children...Walter, age 11 and Isabel, age 9. So, we are doing are part to grow the population. So let me introduce you to the beautiful mommas in order of due date!

Walter just moved from Cub Scout to Boy Scout recently! He is so grown up!

Isabel modelling her new summer hairstyle!

First, my lovely Sister-in-law Beth Steele. She is already the mother of a beautiful 1 1/2 year old Avery. She is due with twin girls at the end of September. We can't wait to meet Ashlynn & Kinsey!

Next is my good friend Meredith Verska! She is due with her first baby in mid-November. She has chosen to keep the gender a surprise to everyone included she and her husband, so we will have to wait until then. The picture below is old, but I don't think I have a newer one of the two of us together...what a shame!

Of course, our little one, Lyla Kathryn Patyrak will be joining us in early December just in time for Christmas! No doubt she will get her share of Christmas music before and after delivery! I'm including another picture of me that I posted last week, just in case you forgot what I looked like at 20 weeks ( I am now at 21 weeks 2 days).

Last, but not least...my best friend Erin just made the official facebook announcement and finished telling all of her family, so I can now shout it from the rooftops that she is due on January 19 (the day after I turn 30). I am so beyond thrilled that we are going to be mommies together. God is good! Picture 1 is obviously our matching "Bun in the oven" shirts and Picture 2 includes a stork on my shirt holding a December bundle and a stork on her shirt holding a January bundle!

So, in closing...you may want to watch what water you are drinking!

Happy Summer to all!

OOOOOHHHHH, We're Halfway There!

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

Bidding Adieu...

...to the first trimester! I have to admit that I didn't suffer from terrible morning sickness like so many others I have talked to. I did however just have a lingering queasy feeling pretty much all day every day. No I am at 13 weeks (and 3 days to be exact) and into the blessed 2nd trimester. I started noticing a bump shortly after I found out I was pregnant, but since I had a slight food-made bump to begin with, there was nowhere else for it to go but out. So, here is the official Baby Bump picture taken at exactly 13 weeks (photo credits go to the Famous and Handsome Danny Patyrak)!

According to thebump.com, Baby Patyrak (or BP) is now the size of a peach. BP also is starting to form teeth and vocal chords (hopefully that work somewhat like Mommy's) and also now has fingerprints! How exciting. The nickname BP will only have to last for a little while longer. On Friday, July 1, we have an appointment to find out the gender and can hardly wait. I'm so ready to start picking out stuff for the nursery. Well, maybe I should slow down...the nursery as it stands now, is an office and some re-arranging needs to be done for BP to move in. That work is starting slowly but surely. Knowing whether we are having a boy or a girl will help the process so much more.

For your viewing pleasure...here is a picture of BP at 12 weeks and 5 days...

BP actually looks like a baby now and no longer like a cocoon! That is a relief!

So, as I was watching a Criminal Minds marathon yesterday, I was wondering when I might should take a break from the crime shows. I don't want this baby to get any ideas. Any thoughts on that???

Upcoming events in the Patyrak household include Danny graduating from the Art Institute and a Road Trip of a Lifetime heading to Pigeon Forge! We are so excited about both that we are counting the days.

My next big adventure is right around the corner though. On Monday, June 6 we will kick-off Vacation Bible School 2011! That's right, it's that time of year again. So, bring on the...

Better Off Than The Scarecrow

"If I only had a brain" was what instantly popped into my head while sitting at the doctor's office last Friday. We had recently caught the end of The Wizard of Oz, so it wasn't that far fetched. The reason you ask??? Well, we were just able to see what looked like a little cocoon in a dark space on the screen and the sono tech told us that the dark spot in that cocoon was in fact the brain of Baby Patyrak! That's right, come early December, the Patyrak family will grow again. Of course, my sister-in-law takes the prize of family expansion before me since she will be delivering twins in October...BUT, since her last name is Steele, we will take the credit for Patyrak expansion. Of course, it is too early to know whether the little cocoon will be a boy or a girl, but everyone weighing in so far has predicted girl. Only time will tell. For now all I know is that something so small can wreak havoc on the system. From the time I get home from work, to the time I go to bed, you can find me laying on the couch comfortably next to Bevo. Bevo doesn't know what is ahead for him, but he is sticking close by me so that he doesn't miss a minute.

Much more to come, but for now we at least know that Baby Patyrak is better off than the scarecrow...and the Tin Man for that matter as we saw the heartbeat.

See what I mean about a cocoon?

The Donald

So, as I was watching the Today Show while getting ready this morning and put the curling iron down as one interview started. Now, Donald Trump has been interviewed plenty of times, but today in particular was a little different. Meredith Viera was interviewing The Donald about the possibilities of him running for President of the United States. I had heard something about this a few weeks ago, but hearing him talk this morning was fascinating. Everyone has an opinion on Donald Trump and they are pretty much polarized. You either love him or hate him. I, for one, love him. I love his honesty. He is confident (sometimes to the point of arrogance) and successful and of course filthy rich...BUT the thing I love the most is his honesty. If he runs for President, he is one candidate that will say exactly what he wants to say and it will be his truth. You won't have to wonder what his stance on issues are. I am not saying that I am 100% on board with The Donald as President, but I do think it would be one heck-of-a campaign. Based on some of the things he shared this morning, I am certainly intrigued to see what comes next. Now, he says he will decide before June...so keep you eyes and ears open for....

THE DONALD 2012

Let's Go Rangers!

If you know me, you know I have ALWAYS love the Texas Rangers! I have been a fan for as far back as I can remember. Of course, since I played 2nd base, I have always taken a particular liking to 2nd base players. Alfonso Soriano, Mark Texiera (before he became a Yankee) & of course now, Ian Kinsler. However, one of my favorite players of all times is Rusty Greer (even though he didn't play 2nd base).

The reason I share this, is that the Rangers are also what brought my husband and I together. Well, my dad set us up, but it all started on April 5, 2006 at a Rangers game. I don't have any pictures from that particular game, but it is safe to assume that the first date went well since we are now married.

Then, on April 21, 2007, I went to the only Rangers game in which I hardly paid attention to the game. That is because when we got there before we went to our seats, the man of my dreams proposed romantically next to a hotdog stand. HA! Then, when we did make it to our seats, 25 of our friends and family were there to surprise me. I was indeed totally surprised!

My mom, niece & nephew trying to keep the secret on the way to the game.

I just saw everyone in the stands!

Fireworks to end a fabulous evening!

We go to a handful of Rangers game each year. The year following the proposal, we got a bunch of ticket offers because Danny had bought a group of tickets. Also, my parents have friends that have season tickets and they offer them to us sometimes when they can't go.

Last year, since opening weekend coincided with our 2nd anniversary, we made a weekend of it. We took a tour of the stadium (which ended up being just the two of us) and then went to the game on Opening Day! SO FUN!

Danny & I in the Rangers dugout right before we each got an autographed baseball. I got Michael Young and he got Josh Hamilton!

Then, we got really brave! We decided that we would take Bevo to dog day at the ballpark. It was so HOT! But, we had a great time!

Our family at Dog Day 2010

Much to the surprise of teams around the country and the excitement of Rangers fans...not only did my team make the playoffs, but they made it all the way to the World Series!!! Thanks to an amazing father-in-law, we got to go to one of the games.

Michael & I tailgating before the game.

I've got my antlers ready!

Danny & his brother with the claw and antlers!

Danny & a hotdog...don't think it's kosher!

Even Elvis was there!

About to go into the ballpark. We may not have won the World Series, but it was such a great experience!

Now, here we are in the start of a new season and the Rangers swept the Boston Red Sox in Opening weekend. Well, tomorrow, April 5, 2011 is our 3 year anniversary...5 years from that first date. And guess where we're going??? That's right, we will be at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington cheering on the Rangers!

So, LET'S GO RANGERS!!!