32 Weeks

How Far Along: 32 weeks. First week of my 8th month and only 8 weeks to go!
Fruit/Object: Jicama…never heard, seen, tasted this fruit/veggie but here’s a picture for you…

Size: Baby is tipping the scales at almost four-plus pounds and s/he is about 19 inches long from head to toe.

Baby changes:
What to Expect says: “What's up with your baby? She's starting to get ready for her big debut, tipping the scales at almost four pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches. In these past few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, your little one has been able to suck her thumb for a while now. Something else to note: As more and more fat accumulates under your baby's skin, she's becoming less transparent and more opaque.”

Best Moment this past week: I passed my 3 hour gestational diabetes test! Yay! We also got to ravel to Somerset for our friend Courtney and Robert’s little girl’s 1st birthday. Kamryn was so cute in her little pink tutu…until they stripped her down to be a little cooler. Oh, to be a baby and run around naked in the hot summer.

Food Craving: Laffy Taffy is super yummy!

What I miss: Sleep. I know, I know. It’s only going to get worse.

Sleep: Insomnia…Benadryl doesn’t work. My doctor gave me a prescription for Ambien sleep meds but I have yet to take one…kind of scared and my mid-afternoon nap in my car on my lunch break gets me through the day.

What I am looking forward to: This upcoming weekend is my last little baby shower. It’s with the ladies I work with. They are very sweet for doing this. They are a fun, funny group of women and I’m looking forward to a lot of laughs!

Symptoms: Insomnia, swelling and carpal tunnel. I sound like an old lady. Haha.

31 weeks

How Far Along: 31 weeks. The last week of my 7th month. 9 weeks to go until the due date.


Fruit/Object: Squash

Size: Baby is weighing in at three-plus pounds and s/he is about 18 inches long from head to toe.

Baby changes:
What to Expect says: “Your baby is quickly approaching it’s birth length — though s/he's got to pack on another three to five pounds before D-day. Also developing at an impressive rate: your baby's brain connections (s/he's got to make trillions of them!). s/he's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. s/he's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why you're probably noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest.”

Holly says: The baby is active whenever I’m still long enough but between 6 pm and 8 pm is when Baby really gets going. It’s exciting because hopefully it will keep that pattern once it’s here so Baby is ready to play when Daddy will be getting home from work. Baby hangs out mostly on my left side and loves sticking it’s tiny hiney out. You can run your fingers across my stomach and feel the really hard spot and see the bigger bump over there. Baby loves kicking and punching, making my belly poke and pop like a little fireworks show. It’s so funny to watch! The past few weeks when I could actually start to see the activity on the outside and feel the baby more than flutters has been the best. Can’t wait until s/he is here!

OH…on Thursday I felt the baby hiccupping!! It was so funny. Like a little constant drum beat on the inside of my stomach. Poor little one…hiccups are no fun! But, it’s so funny to watch a little baby who has them. Haha!

Best Moment this past week: It has been a pretty uneventful week. I did clean out the Baby’s room closet and got everything from the shower pu away mostly in it’s place. The room is pretty much done and it’s making me more anxious and excited to get this baby out here!!

Food Craving: Nothing…I’m not picky.
What I miss: Nothing
Sleep: Man, insomnia has hit. It sucks. I wake up having to go to the restroom and cannot get back to sleep. I called my doc and she said I can take some Benadryl or she can prescribe me some Ambien. I am not sure I want to take anything, maybe once a week just to get through one day without seriously having to physically work to keep my eyes open and head up. Normally, I wake up between 3:45 and 4:15 to pee but just lay there and watch the clock until the alarm goes off around 6. Same thing around 1 until 2 or so. I do go out to my car in the garage and nap on most days on my lunch break. Haha. :)

What I am looking forward to: This Thursday is my 3 hour gestational diabetes test, not looking forward to that, but I am looking forward to hearing the heartbeat! :) I love that part. I also haven’t seen my own doctor in a few weeks so I can’t wait to catch up with her. At my last appointment the heartrate was 133. It’s always been 150 so I’m curious to see if it’s back to “normal.” Also, last appointment I lost a pound so I am back to -1lb pre-pregnancy weight. I have no clue how this is possible because of the water I am retaining and the belly that is growing and growing but I'm curious to see how much I've gained in the last two weeks. Doctor isn't concerned at all and I'm measuring right with my due date and baby looks great so I guess I shouldn't be worried either.

Symptoms: Insomnia, swelling and carpal tunnel. I sound like an old lady. Haha.

Boerne Baby Shower

The beautiful cake, and super delicious, made by my friend since 5th grade and pastry chef, Kristin. It was white and chocolate, super moist, cake and tiramisu filling. It goes perfectly with my bird theme nursery!

The beautiful diaper cake made by my friend and hostess Judith

The pretty and very yummy spread of goodies!

Me and the hostesses: Tiffany, Kristin (The cake maker!), Judith, Me, Stephanie and Jennifer

We are all expecting!

Judith is due 11/30, Veronica is due 11/12, I'm due 9/20, Stephanie is due 2/5, Jennifer is due 10/11, and Tiffany is do 11/22. I can't wait for all the babies to make their debut!

Me with my mom and my mother-in-law Kathy

We got a ton of great baby stuff! bathers and bouncers and brushes and bath goodies. Toys and gadgets and boppys and high chairs. Grocery cart covers and tummy time mats and baby carriers. Tons of stuff. We are so thankful for our generous friends who love us enough to share in this time with us. We cannot wait for Baby Kallemyn to grace us with his/her presence!! Only 2 months!

30 weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks. 10 more weeks to go! We’re on the downhill slide. It seems like forever ago but only yesterday that I found out I was pregnant. While at the time the 8 weeks of the first trimester crept by (I found out when I was 4 weeks along) it really did fly by. Now, instead of a little check mark on my calendar of pregnancy milestones, when these next 10 weeks are gone we will have our baby here with us, holding him/her in our arms. I can’t wait, but I’m scared to death. I’m thinking this is pretty normal for all parents-to be.


Fruit/Object: Baby weighs as much as a cabbage

Size: Baby is weighing in at 3 pounds (as much as a head of cabbage) and about 17 inches long from head to toe.

Baby changes: Baby's eye sight is getting better. Although when it’s born it will only be able to see large objects close up if you hold a flashlight on your belly your baby can follow the light.

Even though your baby is already about as long as she'll be at birth, she will continue to gain weight rapidly as she adds a layer of fat to her lanky limbs. Her brain is almost as advanced as a newborn's at full term. However, your baby's brain will keep growing quickly as her brain cells continue to make connections that will allow her to develop speech, memory, and maybe even the ability to remember the Pythagorean theorem.

Best Moment this past week: I had my first baby shower. It was so good to see family and friends. Some I haven’t seen in a long time. I think everyone had fun and enjoyed themselves. The food and games and company were fabulous! Also, four out of the five hostesses for the shower are also expecting! It was a bunch of baby bellies running around! We got a lot of baby stuff and we are so thankful. But, we are just worried we won’t have room for the actual baby. :)
Food Craving: Nothing really. I love me some pasta though. That hasn’t changed.

What I miss: Nothing

Sleep: What is that? I know the lack of sleep is going to get worse once the baby is here but I am tossing and turning all night almost every night. I better enjoy this feeling now I guess though…I’m sure I’ll be wishing I had this “lack” of sleep once baby is here keeping us up all night!

What I am looking forward to: This is so silly but I have to take the 3 hour gestational diabetes test and I was dreading having to be in the office for three straight hours all by myself. It turns out my friend Jennifer failed her test too and we have our appointments scheduled the same time and day as each other! So, we can keep each other company while drinking pure sugar and getting poked with needles for blood draws. Yay!

Symptoms: Just the lack of sleep is making me feel tired. I’m thinking that this baby who needs to gain a lot of weight in the next few weeks is also sucking up a lot of it!

29 weeks

How Far Along: 29 weeks. 77 days to go!


Fruit/Object: a butternut squash

Size: Baby is weighing in at 3 pounds and about 17 inches long from head to toe.

Baby changes: Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since s/he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

I absolutely love feeling this baby jab and poke me. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t and I 100% agree with all those who said, "it is the best feeling in the world." The only thing is trying to get other people to feel the little one. S/he will be moving up a storm and when someone puts their hand on my belly, s/he stops. S/he must be shy.

Best Moment this past week: I had some time off. It was filled with doctor’s appointments and traveling to see my Granny but I did get to spend some quality time with my nephews Jack and Brady and my family who also went to visit my Gran.

Although it was NOT the best moment this past week by Granny went to be with the Lord this morning, July 5th. We debated on going up to Cleburne this weekend and I am glad we did because I got to see her one last time. I am glad she is no longer in pain. She refused pain meds (She’s a control freak…it’s where I get it from. And my mom and sister and cousins and aunts. Haha!) but she would nod “Yes” when we asked her if she was in pain. So, I’m glad she’s no longer in pain.

Food Craving: I haven’t really had too many “weird” or “crazy” cravings. I just need food often to keep me from feeling sick. (Same as last week)

What I miss: I would like to lay on my stomach and get a good back massage.

Sleep: Still pretty much the same…up once or twice a night to relieve my bladder. Fun times!! (I don’t think this reply is ever going to change.) As predicted this hasn’t changed…still peein’ up a storm, keepin’ me awake!

What I am looking forward to: This upcoming weekend is my first shower. I’m excited to spend some time with my close friends. We are postponing the shower in Cleburne with my mom’s side of the family because of everything going on but the only good thing about funerals is being able to see family you only get to see, well, at funerals and weddings.

Symptoms: Not a lot of energy, carpal tunnel in my right hand, and swelling. Woo-hoo!! Pregnancy rocks!

Summer Dessert...It's a must share!

For Father's Day we went to my mom and dad's for steak, baked potatoes, my corn casserole and salad. It was delicious and the company was fabulous. I told Dad I would bring the corn casserole (this is super yummy too...recipe at the bottom) and a dessert. With summer here everyone going to cookouts and Bar-B-Ques I love trying new recipes and also making my favorite "go-to" dishes. So, if you need a new recipe to try, here is a side and a dessert.

For the dessert to take to Father's Day dinner I wanted to make something really easy and nothing that I had to bake because I really don't enjoy using the oven in the summer. It heats up our kitchen and I don't like the heat all that much. But, with the summer heat I do love me some ice cream. I thought of dad's favorite dessert and what else but ice cream came to mind?! To be more specific it's vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and salted peanuts. He loves that stuff. So, I ran across this recipe Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake, and had to share it with you. It is SOOOO good and Dad really loved it!

I have some things I would tweak though...the peanut butter/chocolate concoction doesn't really taste ALL that great. I love me some chocolate and peanut butter but next time I make this for Dad I'm just using the peanuts sprinkled as a layer. Blake and I also thought about doing caramel instead of the peanut butter. I haven't made it again but the next time I think we'll try that. But, try it the original recipe way first, you might love it, and if not then just try adding more peanuts into the layers.

Now, the corn casserole. This recipe I got from a co-worker when I worked at Brangus. We had a pot luck for Thanksgiving and we all brought our favorite dish from our own family Thanksgiving meals. The guy I worked with said he was bringing Corn Pudding. I thought, "Gross!" But, boy was I and everyone else surprised and we devoured it! It is also SO simple but very delicious. I've made it for about 3 years now and Blake always asks for it. My Granny loves it too and is always asking, "Is Holly bringing her corn?" It has definitely become our own family staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas and pretty much any pot luck I go to. Here is a link to a similar recipe that shows a picture of it. We don't use sugar in ours...the cream corn and the Jiffy cornbread mix make it sweet enough I think. Scalloped Corn Recipe

"Corn Pudding"
2 cans sweet cream corn
1 can regular corn kernels, drained
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
2 eggs
1 8 oz container sour cream
butter, cut into "pats"

Oh, before I begin. Some people don't like sour cream. Blake actually can't stand sour cream but he loves this stuff. You really can't taste the sour cream, it's just what makes the dish "scalloped." The casserole is a little sweet too because of the cream corn and Jiffy cornbread mix. It's just delicious!

Mix the cream and regular corn, eggs and 1/2 the Jiffy cornbread mix in a 9X13" baker
Spoon "dollops" of sour cream and spread until thinly covered over the corn mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining Jiffy cornbread mix on top of the casserole.
Put the pats of butter on top of the cornbread
Bake at 350 for about an hour or until the cornbread on top is golden brown

Enjoy your summer cookouts!! :)