New LARGER size, but LOWER prices!

Great Grabbie Designs is introducing a LARGER size card for a new LOWER price!

The new card option is a 6 x 7 1/2" size.

Surprisingly, the new price is lower!
Thanks to my printer services, the new pricing is as follows:

50 Cards and Envelopes = $37.50
75 Cards and Envelops = $46.50
100 Cards and Envelopes = $55.00

All cards are still custom designed, of course!

17 Week Highlights

As of today, Baby W is a full 17 weeks along. Here are some of the highlights.

Size of the baby: Baby W is the size of a turnip (5" long and weighs 5 ounces)
Total weight loss/gain: 2 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Just tops. Most of my pants still fit with the help of the belly band, but I did have to go to a few maternity tops.
Gender: We find out on November 23rd, only 7 more days!!!!
Movement: Some - I don't feel many kicks or punches, but I definitely feel the little flips and swimming around - literally like flutters!
Sleep: This week I have been really tired, but I'm sleeping great at night.
What I miss: Not much yet!
Cravings: Salty and sour...like pickles! And yesterday, I was craving nachos!
Symptoms: Headaches...and a growing belly!
Fun Facts: Baby W can now hear sounds outside the womb, and the skeletal cartilage is now turning into bone.

This week, several ladies that have struggled with infertility like I did have really been on my heart. I so vividly remember the days where I just wanted to cry, or when I literally had to rely completely on the Lord for joy and strength. If you have a moment, pray for the ones you know struggling. Our God is a God of mercy and miracles - I have seen Him work one in me! I pray that these women find JOY in HIM! That they rely on His truth and promises everyday.

Great Grabbie Designs

Great Grabbie Designs is my custom blog and stationery design business.

I began digital scrapbooking in early 2008 and fell in love with it. That summer, I began making blog headers for my friends in my spare time. Great Grabbie Designs was created shortly thereafter with the goal of creating great blog makeovers and cards at an affordable cost. I have a strong belief that every blog should have some personality and be a representation of you!

Here are a few recent Christmas Card designs:





To see more Christmas cards, invitations, birth announcements, and blog designs, you can go to the Great Grabbie Designs site here. You can see all pricing information here.

Reflections Contest

If you know Sister, than you might know that she is a wonderful photographer. Well Reflections by Amanda Rooney is having its first contest.

If you live in the DFW metroplex, this is a great (and easy) opportunity to win a FREE family session before the holidays! (Even if you don't live in the area, check out her website - she really is amazing)

Its simple, all you have to do is "like" the Reflections by Amanda Rooney Facebook page, and refer others to do the same. When your friends "like" the page, they should leave a comment saying who referred them. The person who refers the most people will win a free family session.

The contest ends on November 15th, so get referring!!!!!!

I'm Beginning to Wonder

So if you know me and my hubs personally, then you know that we are polar opposites! I have a very outgoing, fun, and loud personality. Brant has a very calming, relaxed and laid back personality.

So far, we have heard the baby's heartbeat 3 times: 6 1/2 weeks was 114 beats/min; 11 weeks was 148 beats/min.; 15 weeks was 143 beat/min. I have friends that have heartbeats reaching 185 beats/min at 8 weeks!

So this has me wondering: I wonder if we are having a boy who is going to be as laid back and calm as his daddy.

Did your babies' heartbeats match their personality?

15 Week Highlights

Today I have completed 15 weeks of pregnancy!

Size of the baby: Baby W is the size of an apple (4" long and weighs 2 1/2 ounces)


Total weight loss/gain: 2 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Just jeans, but I have a feeling I'll be getting a few blouses in the near future!
Gender: We'll find out 1st week of December
Movement: I felt my first tummy flutter for the first time Friday night. I was SOOO exciting, but of course I haven't felt it since!
Sleep: I still get tired in the evenings, but feel much better during the day.
What I miss: not much!
Cravings: Salty and sour...like pickles! And anything Italian!
Symptoms: Headaches, fatigue...and a growing belly!
Fun Facts: Baby W can now sense light and is growing taste buds!

Last Friday I went to the dr. because the headaches are beginning to be pretty frequent, and they are usually pretty bad. He was able to give me a prescription called Midrin to help. When I went in, the baby's heartbeat was 143 - still music to my ears.

On Saturday, I went with a group of ladies from our Sunday School class to Canton First Monday. We had a great time and it was perfect shopping weather. I bought my first thing for the baby - FURNITURE! Well, an antique dresser to be exact. It is in great shape, it just needs a new coat of paint. But the best part was the price - only $50! I was so excited!

For Halloween, we had a busy night. Sister is in Hawaii and her MIL and SIL came in town to help with the kiddos. So Momaw (MIL) and Aunt Kelly brought the kids over to my neighborhood, and we all had so much fun trick-or-treating. I'll post more on this later with some PICS!

Hope everyone is ready for the holidays!

A Birthday Boy

We have a birthday boy at our house today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dax turned 3 today!!!

If you know me personally at all, you know that I LOVE my dog. He has been my baby for so long, and I tell him almost everyday that he is going to be the best big brother!

I am amazed at how big he is. Remember this post on the day after I got him? He was the cutest little thing! It's hard to think he was ever this little.

This picture cracks me up because he was so excited when I gave him a treat this morning that he just went to town on it. I laugh at this picture because he looks like he could be so vicious with his teeth, but he is the gentlest pup I know!

Happy Birthday Dax Honey Williams.
Mama and Daddy Love you so much!!!

Life at 14 Weeks

Well life has certainly been busy these past several weeks. My pregnancy is moving right along and we have successfully completed our 14th week! Here are a few fun things about Week 14.

Size of the baby: Baby W is the size of a lemon (3 1/2" long and weighs 1 1/2 ounces)
Total weight loss/gain: -4.0 lbs. ( I had a horrible migraine headache Sunday and that me hovering over the toilet in our bathroom, so I lost a few extra pounds.)
Maternity clothes: Just jeans.
Gender: We'll find out 1st week of December
Movement: none yet
Sleep: I still get tired in the evenings, but feel much better during the day.
What I miss: not much!
Cravings: Just random stuff; but once I have eat what I crave, the craving is completely gone and the food no longer appeals to me.
Symptoms: Occasional nausea, headaches, fatigue...and a growing belly!
Fun Facts: Baby W can now squint, frown, grimace, and possibly suck his/her thumb!

This past weekend was super busy. I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of my dear friend, Elizabeth on Friday night. Here is a picture of some of the bridesmaids after the reception. These ladies are some dear friends that I don't get to see often, so it was such a blessing to get to spend time with them.


On a funny note, I ordered my dress for the wedding before we knew about Baby W. Luckily, the dress still fit, but was tight around the top of my stomach, so it pushed my belly down and out. There was NO denying this pregnancy when I held my dress in! That is what I call a BABY BUMP!!!!! (I'm not usually this round!)


On Saturday, I drove to Palestine (about 2 hours east) for a baby shower. My little cousin Clint is about to be a daddy and I just had to go shower Amanda (our soon to be mommy) with some love. Almost 2 years ago, Clint has a contract job in North Texas, so instead of staying at a hotel, he just stayed with us. Amanda came up to visit and I just adore her. So we showered Amanda and Baby Emma with lots of presents! After the shower, I went to dinner with my cousin Amy and her family (Amy is Clint's sister and the shower was at her home). They have the sweetest baby girl Izzy! She is one of the most precious little 19 month old babes I know! I loved getting to spend the day with them. I got home about 10 that evening, and had to plan my Sunday School lesson.

The Sunday we were up bright and early for church, came home and relaxed! Although I started getting a headache that afternoon that turned into a nasty migraine. I spent the evening hovered over our toilet. Yesterday morning my shoulder and neck were in excruciating pain, so I called in sick and then called my daddy. Its nice when your dad is part owner in a massage company because they got me in to see one of the prenatal licensed therapists and I feel 100 times better today!

In other news , I laid on a body pillow during my massage and it was so stinkin' comfortable, I went and bought one! I love it!!!!!

Please Pray

Kelly Stamps retweeted this on Twitter. Please pray for this sweet family where mom and son were in a horrible car accident on October 12th. The both remain in the hospital (2 separate hospitals).

http://www.wynterandmaddux.com/Home.php

Only 2 More Months....

...Until we leave for Kauai!!!!!!!!!!


I am so excited about going to Kauai for Christmas with Brant's family, but I also began to panic today! I HAVE NO MATERNITY BEACHWEAR! In 2 months, I will be 22 weeks when we go, and with the way my belly is already growing, I will HAVE to HAVE some maternity wear for this little outing!

So today, I might have done a little online shopping. Look at a few things I found....and even better, almost all of these are on clearance since its no longer summer!

I found some really cute maternity swimsuits.

Then I found this cover up - I love the smock look!

Then I found a few long dresses. I might need to wear a cardigan in the evenings, but I bet these would be great trip-wear!

Now I just need to find a really cute straw hat to keep the sun out of eyes as I sit on the beach, enjoy some lemonade and read a book!!!!!

Who's Ready for Some Hog Roastin'

Caution:

Kelly Stamps and Any Arkansas Razorback should not read!

Brant and I had a really great weekend. Friday night was spent at home on the couch watching movies. It feels like months since we have just taken a night to do that, and it was great!


Saturday, our dear friends Emily and Derek had invited us to a tailgating party for the A&M/Arkansas game. Emily's dad owns a nice parcel of land within a mile of the stadium and it makes the perfect tailgating space. Derek and Emily are also contributors to the A&M bus. Its an old school bus painted maroon and white, that has been completely redone on the inside with a sink and bar area, as well as tables and seats. Em's brother James drove the bus up from College Station for the game. Em's dad brought a TV so that those of not actually going to the game could still watch it, and then we all watched the Ranger game (tear drop).

(This was everyone chanting to the A&M fight song before the game)

There was a ton of food, but the most delicious was the HOG! Em's dad got a full hog and had a hog roasting pit - it was one of the craziest things I've ever seen, but it sure was delicious!

Hog before:

And after!

Now granted A&M did not win the game (which was good for me because I choose the Hogs in the my weekly football picks), but that didn't stop us from having a great time.

12 Weeks

As promised to my dear friend Krystal, here is my first belly pic taken today, although Cynthia (who was taking the picture) kept making me laugh. I can't believe I'm already 12 weeks...just 1 more and I'll be in the 2nd trimester!

Here are the highlights (yes, stolen from Kelly's Korner):

How far along: 12 weeks
Size of the baby: Baby W is the size of a lime
Total weight loss/gain: -2.0 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Not yet. Most of my clothes still fit thanks to my belly bands, but I did breakdown and buy a pair of maternity jeans only because that is the one thing that it too uncomfortable for me to wear.
Gender: We'll find out 1st week of December
Movement: none yet
Sleep: I have been exhausted the past several weeks, usually sleeping 10-11 hours at night. But the past 3-4 days seem to be getting better. I'm not so exhausted (which I have heard is very typical when you near the 2nd trimester)
What I miss: not much; I thought not drinking as much coffee would be really hard, but I lean toward cold things and cold drinks, so coffee is not really appealing at all.
Cravings: Just random stuff; but once I have eat what I crave, the craving is completely gone and the food no longer appeals to me.
Symptoms: Occasional nausea, headaches, fatigue...and a growing belly!
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at the dr. office: 148 beats a minute!

Happy Birthday Sister

Today is Sister's birthday. Sister is 5 years older than I am, so literally there isn't a time in life that I remember where my sister wasn't a part of it. She has always been there.


Growing up, Sister and I had a love/hate relationship. She was the cool big sister and I was the bratty, annoying little sister. But after she left to go to college, I missed her. I think we can both say that that is the time when we became friends. We were more than just sisters; more than just blood related; we were friends. I would always look forward to weekends she would come home. We would have so much fun together.


Over the past 10 years, Sister has become one of my very best friends. I talk to her (almost) everyday. She has become a confidant, a shoulder to cry on, a role model.

I have watched her as she has raised her 4 children. I have always loved babies and children, but in the past few years, I have learned that there is a big difference in loving children and being a good mom. I have seen my sister shower her children with love, encouragement and adoration, but also instill in them the value of respect, honesty and Godliness. I pray that I can be just half of the mother she is.

So on her birthday, I honor my friend, my inspiration, my sister!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!

The Craziness of Pregnancy

So I have definitely experienced things about pregnancy that are just plain CRAZY!

For instance, I can only eat things once. For example I was craving a corndog with mustard, but once I ate one corndog, I was done. Couldn't eat another and haven't craved it since. One day, a fajita salad sounded so good for lunch, but the next day, it sounded disgusting. So I can eat the tings I crave once, and then its gone.

Crazy #2) Fruit! I can only eat apples and bananas. All the fruit tastes good, but then it makes me sick. I first got sick off plums, which I found out are very acidic so I guess the baby just didn't like them. Today, I ate a delicious, sweet peach....30 minutes later - SICK! Pineapple - SICK! Literally, the only fruit I can keep down is apples and bananas...oh, and grapes.

Crazy #3) Sleep! Now, I have heard that you are just exhausted your first trimester, but I literally sleep around 10 to 11 hours EVERY night, and I still have to nap in the afternoon just to make it through the day. I mean when they say exhausted, they mean plum worn out exhausted!

Crazy #4) The smells! There are smells that have never bothered me, but now they make me sick. Example #1 - the smell of beef; Example #2 - vanilla lotion (the smell of vanilla I'm fine with, I just can't handle vanilla lotion); Example #3 - dog breath (Dax has pretty clean teeth and his breath has NEVER bothered me before, but now I cannot stand to smell it).

The things that pregnancy does to your body is just crazy, but I guess its all worth it in the end!!!

A Crazy Busy Weekend

Well I don't know about ya'll, but I had the craziest weekend.

Friday night, Brant and I went with my parents to the Arlington/Mansfield Crisis Pregnancy Center Banquet at Cowboy Stadium. The banquet was actually hosted right on the field. It was so amazing.

Last year, the banquet raised just over $250,000 to help women choose life for their unborn child. This year, the speaker Bruce Wilkinson (author of the best selling book, The Prayer Of Jabez) truly pressed the issue of saving children from abortion on our hearts. He stated that it takes roughly $1000 per women to help her choose life. This includes medical care, sonograms, parenting classes, maternity and infant clothes, etc. So his challenge to each person was to donate $1000 for each child (or grandchild) you had. That night alone, $488,000 was pledged to be donated over the next year. That is 488 babies that could be saved.

(This was a view of the banquet from the club box area)

Then it was an early rising on Saturday when I went to Canton with my best friend, Jessica. We had so much fun, but it was so incredibly crowded. I really didn't buy anything because I all I wanted to buy was stuff for the baby...but I'm not even sure what I'm buying for yet! However, I sure did buy me one delicious jumbo corn dog and fresh lemonade. I was so delicious!


After I got home on Saturday, we had a Sunday School Pumpkin & Pizza Party at a friend's house. We had such a great time carving and painting pumpkins, and eating pizza and s'mores! Around 9:45, I had to go home because I was so exhausted from the day.

Sunday, we got up and went to church then I had a baby shower to attend. Out of the 17 couples in our class, 5 of us are pregnant. At the baby shower, there were 15 ladies and 6 of us were pregnant. Give it 9 more months and we will have the church nursery packed! But it was so great to shower Sally with gifts for Baby Elizabeth, and spend the afternoon in fellowship with everyone.

Before I went home, I had to run some errands and of course go grocery shopping for the week since we didn't have hardly any food in the house. I finally made it home about 7:30. Needless to say, I was so exhausted. This weekend wore me out, but it was also a great weekend spend with friends and family.