Our Week Wrap Up: Final Days of March

As this is the final few days of March, I wanted to catch my blog up on all that we've been up to. To be honest, while we have had a variety of activities, many of these days have been relaxing ones at home. I use the term relaxing in such a postive way... sometimes that flat out means, I put own huge pjs, eat an unhealthy snack, and become a couch potato until it's time to head off to bed. I have been.so.lazy! Ray tries to remind me that I'm growing a life but I have felt super guilty that our house is a mess... our nights revolve around movies and tv... and I do absolutely nothing. I will say that this week has been such a blessing. I feel so much better and this has been the first week that I feel truly good. I am so excited about our little baby and am thankful for each day, even the lazy ones. So here it is... our week wrap up and the final days of March.
... We revealed our sweet baby to the world this past Monday.
... 4 day school week
... No PASAR (afterschool academics) on Thursday which allowed for me to take care of necessary classroom to do's
... Monday blood test and doctor's appointment
... Wednesday bible study
... Skpe date with my mama
... We received a special Easter package from our Zellner family
... Enjoyed my 12th week of pregnancy
... Good Friday at home
... Beautiful days on the patio
... I have eaten way too much candy

Anyway, that's it for now. Like I've said, we're pretty laid back here in the Zellner house. I look forward to posting the next semi bumpless post shortly. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and all the blessings to come.

Sister Sister & Baby Caps



I am absolutely in love with these two adorable twin ladies. What a sweet bond they have. I can't wait to watch their relationship continue to grow. This past week, Kristin sent me this sweet little picture of the ladies at a month old with their adorable little baby caps that my mom made. When she found out that our Fant friends were having beautiful baby girls, she was so excited to make this little gift for them. How adorable!

To the twin sisters and Fant friends, we send our sweet wishes for your family of five. What a special blessing they are and a wonderful addition to our growing little group family.

Pregnancy Updates

To read ALL the information on baby Zellner check out the links below!

 

It Could Be a Velociraptor!

We're Pregnant

The Big Reveal

Week 6 Baby Bump

Week 7 Baby Bump

Week 8 Baby Bump

Week 9 Baby Bump

Week 10 Baby Bump

10 Week Baby Face

Week 11 Baby Bump

 

Enjoy!

11 Week Baby Bump

 

Number of weeks: 11

Measurement: right around 11 weeks
Baby Size: According to the Bump, our baby is the size of a lime. The baby is measuring at 1.6 inches and weighs approximately .25 ounces.
Interesting Fact: The baby's fingers and toes are no longer webbed. Hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming
Heartbeat: ?
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0 lbs
Pregnancy Clothes: I still wear my own clothes just fine in the morning, but by the afternoon, my pants have sure gotten a little more uncomfortable. I have had some sweet friends let me borrow some pregger clothes. I can't wait to use them;)
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I sleep pretty well. I do continue to wake up in the middle of the night around 3:30-4:30. Sometimes that does make it a bit difficult to go back to sleep. I have become a big fan of the snooze button.
How are you feeling: Well I may have spoken too soon last week. This week I've had my first nosebleed and have begun getting sick at school. I am so close to my second trimester so I'm hessitant to get medicine since I've dealt with it this long. Many days I've come home and napped for a good 3-4 hours.
Most Memorable Moment: I revealed my pregnancy to my school. It was such a special time. I loved their sweet reactions to our news.
Moving and Grooving: No movement yet.
Cravings: I don't have real cravings yet, but I did enjoy some Chicken Express this week that totally hit the spot.
Gender Predictions: Again it goes back and forth daily, but this week I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong and we may have a little lady. It's so fun to guess, but I absolutely cannot wait.
What I Miss: sweet tea and cherry coke
What I look forward to: We will make our final reveals this weekend and final make the announcement of our sweet baby on Monday... week 12!

10 Week Baby Face

At 10 weeks, we were moved from our fertility doctor to our usual OB. While we have had the opportunity to see and hear our little one's heartbeat two times since we found out we were expecting, every viewing is always so incredibly special. I was excited about this sonogram because I could only imagine how much our baby has grown over the past two weeks. This sonogram was so special. Our doctor is fantastic and looked at our baby from every angle so Mama and Daddy could see as much of him/her as possible. From fingers, toes, a little nose, ears, long legs, and even a little eye rubbing and a dance number, this sonogram was so precious and fun. Our doctor gave us about 8 different photos, but these are my favorite 3. I could look at this little baby all day.

 

I will go back in another two weeks for a regular check up and then every month after. We are going to find out the baby's gender at 21 weeks. I know that's so far away, but due to scheduling our date will be May 29th. I am just so excited, a bit overwhelmed at what I should be doing because really I'm too tired to do anything. lol. We love you sweet baby and can't wait to see you again soon.

10 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: 10

Measurement: right around10 weeks
Baby Size: According to the Bump, our baby is the size of a prune. The baby is measuring at 1.2 inches and weighs approximately .14 ounces. Our OB told us that our baby has some long legs. (Already the baby is taking after it's daddy:)
Interesting Fact: The baby's fingernails and hair is starting to appear. The baby is also swallowing and kicking at this point as well.
Heartbeat: ?
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  0 lbs
Pregnancy Clothes: I'm still in my own clothes. I am loving dresses and longer shirts these days. I am not showing by any means, but am starting to fill out in my waist a bit.
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I am sleeping well. I am still getting up once a night typically between 3:30-4:30AM. (like clock work. ha!)
How are you feeling: I am starting to feel a lot better. I still feel a little naseous every now and then, but am really starting to feel pretty good. I am still quite a bit tired but am making it longer than 7:30 at night ha.
Most Memorable Moment: We had our 10 week appointment and were able to see our sweet baby. We loved looking at our baby's little features and watch it move and groove. I cannot believe how much the sweet little one can change within a few short weeks.
Moving and Grooving: No movement yet but after seeing our baby's sonogram this week, it sure does love to move.
Cravings: This week we enjoyed a few movies. Movie theaters make me crave milk duds. YUM!
Gender Predictions: I am really feeling boy. I would love either and again still too early. We will be finding out our baby's gender on May 29th.
What I Miss: sweet tea and my love for food
What I look forward to: I am looking forward to continue our reveal next week to my school and and to the facebook world. It will be nice when we don't have to keep it a secret anymore:)

9 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: nine

Measurement: about nine weeks
Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a green olive! According to The Bump, our baby is .09 inches and weighs .07 ounces.
Interesting Fact: This week the baby is growing facial features and the heartbeat is getting stronger.
Heartbeat: ?
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  0 lbs
Pregnancy Clothes: I'm still in my own clothes.
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I am sleeping well. I am still getting up once a night typically between 3:30-4:30AM. (like clock work. ha!)
How are you feeling: I am nauseous.all.the.time... thus the lack of weight gain. Luckily I have found a few snacks that help me to feel so much better. I am tired and go to sleep so early.
Most Memorable Moment: This week we are beginning to reveal our pregnancy to several friends and co-workers. It has been truly special to share our little one with those we care for.
Moving and Grooving: Even though you can't feel the movement, the little bean is moving and grooving like crazy.
Cravings: nothing. I am really not liking food at this point. I do love gummies!
Gender Predictions: I've been having dreams about little boys lately. Again way too early to know.
What I Miss: I miss my love for queso and Mexican food. Everything doesn't really sit too well right now. I'm sure that will go away soon enough:)
What I look forward to: Our reveal to our families next week as well as our 10 week sono!

8 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: eight

Measurement: seven weeks 6 days
Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a raspberry! According to The Bump, our baby is .63 inches and weighs .04 ounces. This week the baby is growing about a milimeter each day.
Interesting Fact: The baby is growing taste buds.
Heartbeat: 185 bpm
Total Weight Gain/Loss: -1 lb
Pregnancy Clothes: I'm still in my own clothes. I am getting fluffy:)
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I am sleeping well. I am still getting up once a night typically between 3:30-4:30AM. (like clock work. ha!)
How are you feeling: I am nauseous.all.the.time... thus the weight loss. Luckily I haven't been sick, but am having food aversions and just feel gross throughout my morning teaching time. I have found a few foods that make this mama feel so much better. I am really tired and have started the nap trend. I for sure feel sooo much better afterwards.
Most Memorable Moment: We were able to see our sweet little baby and hear a very strong heartbeat. Plus we were able to see all four little nubs (two hands and two feet). It's amazing to see how quickly our little baby is growing.

 

Moving and Grooving: Even though you can't feel the movement, the little bean is moving and grooving like crazy.
Cravings: Sonic is still my go to place; however, I'm not really excited about any food right now.
Gender Predictions: too early to make any true predictions. I go back and forth daily.
What I Miss: I gave up soda at the beginning of the year. I would love a cherry Coke.
What I look forward to: While I am sad to be leaving our Fertility Doctor (She was fabulous!) It will be so great to move to our regular OB. We are scheduled for our first sono and visit with the OB at 10 weeks. I'm also so excited to plan our reveals to family and friends!

7 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: seven

Measurement: seven weeks
Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a blueberry! According to The Bump, our baby is .51 inches long.
Interesting Fact: The baby has doubled in size.
Heartbeat: ?
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0 lbs
Pregnancy Clothes: I'm still in my own clothes.
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I am sleeping well. I am still getting up once a night typically between 3:30-4:30AM. (like clock work. ha!)
How are you feeling: I am nauseous.all.the.time! Eggs gross me out! Ha!
Most Memorable Moment: Ray and I made our way to Half Priced Books to look for parenting books.

 

Moving and Grooving: no movement yet
Cravings: Sonic is still my go to place; however, I'm not really excited about any food right now.
Gender Predictions: It is too early to make any true predictions. I go back and forth daily.
What I Miss: Soda!
What I look forward to: I am excited for our 8 week sono. I can only imagine how much our little baby has changed over the past two weeks!

6 Week Baby Bump

Number of weeks: six

Measurement: 5 weeks and 4 days
Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a sweet pea! According to The Bump, our baby is .25 inches and will double in size by next week. It will also sprout a nose, eyes, ears, chin, and cheeks.
Heartbeat: 116 bpm
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0 lbs
Pregnancy Clothes: I'm still in my own clothes
Tiger Stripes: Not due to pregnancy
Sleep: I am sleeping really well. I have started to get up once a night typically between 3:30-4:30AM. (like clock work. ha!)
How are you feeling: I feel great but already started to get tired!
Most Memorable Moment: The greatest moment this week was seeing our little bubble and hearing the heartbeat. We have a strong little one. Ray even bought me a sweet gift after our appointment to hold our first sono picture. It read "Happiness is celebrating the little things"

Moving and Grooving: no movement yet

Cravings: Sonic mozzarella sticks with maranara sauce
Gender Predictions: too early to make any true predictions. I go back and forth daily.
What I Miss: I gave up caffeine at the beginning of the year. I would love a cherry Coke or McAlisters sweet tea.
What I look forward to: At 8 weeks, we will have another opportunity to see our sweet baby grow and hear it's beautiful heartbeat. This is also Valentine's week. What a perfect week to celebrate our little family of 3.

The Big Reveal!

Revealing our pregnancy to our family and friends has been one of the greatest moments next to finding out we were expecting. Each separate reveal was absolutely wonderful and I don't want to forget a minute.

 

Telling my family:

For months it was planned to meet my family in College Station. Since it was the Sunday before Spring Break, I felt it was a great time for a visit and perfect timing to reveal our sweet secret. Before our visit, we made this cute box for my mother to thank her for all of the scarves, hats, and crocheted goodies that she has made for me. Inside the box were two sweet yarn rolls of baby blanket, one boy inspired and one girl. The note read, "You are going to be SEW EXCITED!" Under the bundles of yarn was our 8 week sonogram. My family was very excited about our news!

 

After our delicious lunch and trip to Aggieland with my mom and brother, we decided to head home to Sugar Land to tell my dad as well. Sadly he wasn't feeling well and couldn't make the trip. So while in Aggieland we picked up a sweet Aggie Grandfather decal and included a picture of the sonogram for him. He was so sweet and so excited about our news. I know my parents are going to be such an amazing OMA and OPA as well as my brother, a fantastic uncle! I can't wait:)

Once we revealed the news to my father we were on our way out for the Zellner reveal. We had known that we were going to go home to tell his family; however, we sort of filled them in last minute. Our "story" was that since Ray took off and we were close to home for Spring Break, we just would come in town for the night.

 

The Zellner Reveal:
Since St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, we had these adorable Lucky Charm buckets made. It read, "Our lucky charm is due October 9, 2013."

 

 

All of Ray's family came over for dinner and a sweet dessert. Ray and I decided to pick up a cheesecake from Cheesecake factory. It was delicious. After a bit of conversation, Ray passed out the little buckets and said we had a fun little St. Patrick's gift for them. The reactions were priceless. From cheerleader jumps, to loud screams, and hugs all around, it was sure a sweet reveal.

 



We are so thankful for the amazing family and friends that God has given us. We know our sweet little one is already so loved!

We're Pregnant!

 

We could not be more excited about this pregnancy. We feel so blessed and honored to have God give us such a beautiful gift. For well over a year, we've tried to make this little miracle happen, but quickly realized it was in God's hands. It was the hardest year of our lives as problems began to arise. We found ourselves at a Fertility clinic and fell in love with the people who worked there. Several procedures later, an almost scheduled surgery, and many negative results, we finally saw the symbol we had been impatiently waiting for. It came at such an unexpected but perfect time.

My schedule had always been off. There was nothing different about this month except it was our last opportunity to try on our own before moving forward with Chlomid and other means. So I was honestly feeling pretty negative about us being able to conceive on our own. But with Ray's camping trip taking place the following day, I couldn't imagine waiting all weekend to find out. I don't know exactly how many double takes I did of the pregnancy test reader. I kept waiting for the NOT to randomly appear... and to my suprise... it didn't. It continued to read pregnant throughout the night. I had only this one test. So after the stick read positive, and I ran to find my husband, I then quickly forced him to run to the store to buy more. I was still in shock when the other two said YES and pregnant agin. Talk about an unexpected miracle for sure.

 

While Ray was out of town, I bought a few little goodies for him. I was so thankful and excited to start the process. Who knew this one little world would change our lives forever! God truly is amazing!

It Could Be a Velociraptor!

 

Name That Tune

Saturday, Ray and I hosted a night of fun times and fun tunes with our ABF. With delicious eats, drinks, prizes, and fun friends, our night was a blast.

 

Our Name That Tune game consisted of three rounds and a lightning round. Names were put into a bowl and drawn to create teams. Interesting thing, most couples actually were on the same team. The team names were Purple Cobras and Tha Cactus Jacks including Mr. Cactus Jack himself (you just have to know his story:) as well as little man Jack.

For the first two rounds, dice were used. First round categories included girl bands, boy bands, tv songs, movie songs, and cartoon songs. The second round categories read act it out, fill in the blank, string quartet, backward, it's all in the lyrics, and chipmunk songs. We sure did have some very funny act it out moments.

 

Roung three was a list of samples, number 1 in, nonsense titles, and theme. Round four was a lightning round that played a match up of over 25 different songs/artists. The goal was to select as many as possible, earning a point for each. While the game was a great match up of individuals and skills, our Purple Cobras took home the win!

Thanks to all of our sweet friends for joining us for a great night of fun tunes and times! Here's to our next ABF activity. 

Spring Break 2013

Spring Break has actually been a pretty exciting but relaxed week. All the plans I had for unpacking and sorting things around the house have kind of fallen by the wayside as well as any plans for studying for my ESL certification have fallen short. What I will say is that I have had a few days to clean and catch up on laundry and that's really been enough for me. I've enjoyed my one day off with my husband as he took Monday off to celebrate my Spring Break with me. A few days I had a lunch or two and a special afternoon with my girl and her sweet twin ladies, but all and all I enjoyed being flat out lazy. I loved that my day was filled with not changing from my pj pants and lounging around the house with the pups. It was a perfect time to recoup and nap. Things that haven't really happened during the school year. A few things we did enjoy this week included a trip to College Station, a brief night home in Sugar Land, a lunch date or two, and a Zellner Cafe dinner. It was a week of pure relaxation:)

A Lucky Zellner Cafe: March 2013

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, Ray and I found it fitting that we host our monthly Zellner Cafe in style.  



This month, we moved our dinner to a Tuesday during Spring Break, as our group schedule has become a of a blur. It has been difficult to plan a day where all 9 of us including the 4 kiddos can attend. But it is one of my most favorite traditions and we can always adjust. :) This month's dinner was super special as all members (minus a few kiddos) were able to attend. It is always so wonderful to find time in our busy schedules to sit down, break bread (sometimes litterally), and catch up. 

This month's menu included chicken and waffles,

boiled cabbage, and for dessert a delicious peach cobbler. Sadly the chicken wasn't fully ready, so we basically enjoyed chicken for dessert. It was sure tastey. I am thankful that my husband loves to cook and I sure do love to serve.

 

When it was time for dinner, I saw this cutie sneaking a waffle. 

 I sure do love these friends. For those friends near and far, we are so thankful for their love and for the memories we share.

And our boys will always be boys! From the little bit creepy and awkward to pure man love... they sure know how to make me laugh. Happy Lucky Zellner Cafe! Can't wait to see what April will hold:)