The American Girl Store

I obviously do not have a little girl, yet the little girl inside of me jumped at the invitation to attend a Birthday bash/ Road Trip for my best friend's little girl.  We packed the car and headed to Nashville to check out the new American Girl Store and celebrate.

There were 4 ladies and 2 little girls but the 4 hour drive  felt like there were 100 little girls. They were so excited and the long ride crammed in the back was killing them. I surprised both of the girlies and decorated the car with balloons, signs, steamer and  goody bags filled with fun traveling games, coloring sheets
 ( of American Girls) and snacks. However, the games, snacks and coloring lasted maybe an hour!!!...lol

They played with their dolls and entertained each other the best they could for the remainder of the long trip.The sound of their sweet giggles was priceless.

Once we arrived at our hotel destination, I'm pretty sure I lost a little of my hearing from all the screams of excitement that was going on the in back seat. To say these girls were thrilled to be there was an understatement. The hotel was FIRST CLASS. Upon entering our room, each girl found their very own Doll bed, blanket and pillow! And then they were  greeted with milk and cookies. ..WOW!!!

After we got settled in and the girls set up their area for the dolls,we freshened up and ventured out for dinner. We decided on a pizza place ( that offered everything)  and ate out-side. It was a beautiful evening. The girls even got ice cream sundaes

By the time we got back to the hotel the girls were so hyped up on sugar and excitement that bed time was no where in our future. We all stayed up late laughing like we were teenagers at a slumber party!

Day 2- was jammed packed with fun,  swimming ,eating lunch and then of course the American Girl Store. We were there all day! The girls shopped and played and dreamed!

Then they set up a hair appointment at the salon and had their dolls get all "Dolled Up" with a new hair due and new outfits. It was the cutest thing
ever! We then had dinner and a BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION in the Bistro. They did an amazing job. The food was delicious, the service was out-standing and the overall atmosphere was dreamy! It was everything a person would expect. It truly brought the little girl out in all of us.

 The girls could not wait to get back to the hotel and play with all their new goodies!! They played hard and then slept hard.

Day 3 we packed it up , played in the elevator, ate a yummy breakfast and headed home.

 It is amazing how a ride home is always so much faster. We stopped by Casey Jone's Village and ate lunch. It was the perfect end to a perfect trip.
I highly recommend the trip to  American Girl to anyone. There are so many location now that it makes it so convenient. Venture out and re-discover your inner little girl!!!!

Celebrating the 4th

We had such a wonderful holiday during the week of the 4th. Our church had a cookout the Wednesday before and had a huge bouncy water slide for the kids. Arlee was not quit ready to take the plunge down that slippery slope. But he had an incredibly good time on the playground and eating cupcakes!

Lee was off on the Friday before which made for a nice long weekend. This year was rare, we didn't go to a cookout on the 4th or watch fire-works. With it being Saturday, we knew the lil man needed to go to bed at his normal time or he would not be a happy LITTLE FIRECRACKER at church. So, we decided to take him to his very first movie!!!  Disney's "Inside Out" He loved it. He was glued to the screen and was so confused by the surround sound..Haha! He would look behind him trying to figure out where the noises were coming from. Here are a few pics...

 He loved the POPCORN!!!

We had a wonderful time and made an amazing memory. It seems like time is going by so fast and we are trying to cherish every memory we make.

I also took the opportunity to do a Patriotic Photo Shoot of the little firecracker.
And WOW did they turn out super duper cute!!

I mean, just melt my heart with all that sweetness!!!.. I love taking his pictures but boy, oh boy, he can be a hand full. Professionals make it look so easy!!..lol. I respect and admire them so much.

A Date Night

My husband's aunt, aka Nana, came and got the little Munchkin on Thursday. I got to work all day at the office with no little hands and feet getting into everything! And I got to work there all day with NO MELTDOWNS. It was nice, however, I missed him terribly. The absence of the little man also provided an opportunity for my husband and I to have a date. WOW, it was so nice to sit and actually enjoy our meal. We even were able to have a pleasant conversation without food being thrown on us! Again, we enjoyed it but we missed him terribly. After dinner we went and watched a movie. It has been a very long time since we have been able to this. Usually it is RED BOX after the little one has gone to sleep and there is snoring in the background  halfway into the movie,cause one of us has fallen asleep. We had a wonderful time. It was way over due, we know this...but we missed the little guy terribly! We love being together as a family, and we would much rather play cars and choo choo with our little man than have a date night every week. So, until the next time, we will hold on to this sweet memory!

Vacation, Father's Day and a Broke Toe

We just got back from a relaxing, fun filled vacation with the Hill Family. I do not get to see my side of the family very often, so it was a special treat for me. We went to Osage Beach Mo. It was beautiful. We stayed in an amazing house right on the lake. This was our Paradise for a few days:

Our trip was filled with swimming, fishing, boating, eating and hanging out at the lake. I think this was my first trip where there was NO SHOPPING involved and I survived just fine!! There was so much to do at the resort that I never even had the desire to go. Shocking I know. My favorite part was watching Arlee, he had such a great time. He loved swimming and riding in the paddle boat. Of course pictures say it all-

 I loved eating out on the balcony, the view was amazing and so was the weather. And a pleasant surprise, there were NO MISQUOTES!!!!

My brother's family did not quite make it. They had to turn around and go back home to FL due my niece having kidney stones. Bummer!
Our last day together was Father's Day. What a sweet treat to spend it with my dad!..I haven't done that in years. I also broke my pinky toe while packing everything up. So random, I just walked right into a door and OUCH!! Well, those who know me, know this is not all that random!!..but at least it was the last day and not the first :)

         Hope all the Amazing, Loving, Hard-Working Daddy's had a special day!!

Back to Blogging

After much time away from the blogging world, I have returned. I wished I had been more faithful to writing during my pregnancy and Arlee's first year. However, I felt like I was on survival mode and was just keeping my head above water, but what an amazing journey! During my time away from the Blog, I continued to work but life as a Property Manager became very busy and hectic. Summertime was here and Everyone was moving out and we had to  inspect, clean, repair and deal with the return of deposit money. I was wobbling around showing units several times a day in the hot temperature! Whew...But then fall came and with that all the new residents and a new kind of busy set in. I was now at the point of pure misery. I could not sleep at night. The heart burn, leg cramps and contractions were getting the best of me. I continued to wobble into work every day.
At 30 weeks I was having contractions every night. I was now seeing my DR. every week. I would beg her every week to take me earlier than the planned 39 weeks. She would just laugh!!  Finally at 38 weeks out sweet miracle came. And what a whirlwind from there. The Gate's Family of 2 expired and our lives changed forever!

Being a mother has been the most wonderful experience in the world. The love a mommy has for her little pumpkin is unexplainable. There is nothing more precious to me than watching my hubby play with our little man. I cherish the little things like swinging and playing "choo-choo".  The only thing my heart was not prepared for was how fast it all flies by. It is so mind-blowing! Although I thoroughly enjoy every stage our little man is in, it makes me very sad to think that I blinked and 2 years were gone. So, my goal is to cherish it and record it the best I can. I take lots of pics and videos and what better place to store those memories than right here. So, for a little flashback to my pregnancy:

         My 30 Week Pic and My Maternity Pics, I think I was about 34-35 Weeks

                    And now a little flash back to Arlee and all of his sweetness

             Isn't he just the sweetest little FIRECRACKER you have ever seen!!

22-26 weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: At my Dr.'s visit on Thursday it was 20 pound...OUCH!!!

Maternity clothes?Yes...I feel like every time I get a descent little collection of clothes, I grow right out of them!!!! I am trying not to by anything else but to just wear the stitches out of what I have

Stretch marks? Have not seen any yet.

Symptoms: I have been feeling pretty good.

Sleep: I have been sleeping better, just getting up to use the bathroom

Best moment this week: had some great moments!! Went to Nashville with Dexter and Sarah and we did some serious shopping...found lots of great baby deals.
 I also got to see my brother's little girls, they were in town. I haven't seen them since Christmas. So was extra fun. 
Lee is now able to feel Baby Boy Gates move around and that has been very EXCITING!!!!

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? I didn't do very well on my 1hour Glucose test, bummer, so I had to do the 3hour one..miserable.. my numbers were high but I didn't fail. The Dr. feels like diet and exercise will take care of it.  I have been watching my carbs and sugar (something I always did before I was prego) I feel better, however, I am still craving the carbs (everything POTATO...french fries!!!!) fast food and sugar. But I know it is for the best and was a blessing in disguise because I don't like to eat unhealthy and that is all I have done this pregnancy!!!

Movement: Oh yes...Little Man is all over the place. His long legs are kicking up a storm. I have even seen my belly move...that was WEIRD!!!...LOL

Food cravings: I was on a pita/hummus phase, now it back to fast food fries (cause I am not letting myself eat them and it's all I want)

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really anything


Have you started to show yet: LOL

Baby is a:  Little Man

Belly Button in or out? Still in.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  I think happy, my Hubby may not agree..LOL!!! I would say just tired.

Looking forward to: getting through this HOT summer :)

What I'm reading: can't remember the name but it is the WEEK by WEEK of pregnancy and that has been really fun to keep up with. We also watch a weekly u-tube video of babies growth progress.

Here are some pics:

 These 2 are from today:
26 Weeks...Baby Boy Gates is the size of a Head of Lettuce

  24 Weeks...Baby Boy Gates was the size of a Cantaloupe

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks (tomorrow 22 Weeks)

Total weight gain/loss: I have not weighed in a couple of weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes.... I can not wear any of my regular clothes now, not even by biggest shirts!! My friend Marianne and I went shopping and I found several cute things and they were all on sale...YAY!!!

Stretch marks? Not any yet, however I am noticing light blue veins on my stomach.

Symptoms: Other that the pain that comes and goes with my large tumor (fibroid) everything else seems okay. I was back on the medicine and rest a few days last week, but feel better now.

Sleep: Some nights are good and other are rough. The position of the tumor makes it hard to get comfortable.

Best moment this week: At 20 weeks we had the gender reveal party. I was amazed by all the love and support we had!!! My Parents came in from out of state and surprised me!!! My husband was thrilled to find that his Team Blue won, we are having a boy!!!! {Thus the blue writing this time...lol}

  My Parents were on the Blue Team. The have 2 granddaughters and are ready for a grandson....they are showing of the stickers for the Blue Team.

And me and mom spent my first mother's day together. First time I have been with her on Mother's Day in YEARS!!!! It was very nice.

We also put the baby furniture together before the party so family and friends could see the nursery. It use to be the Paris Guest Room. So we left all those decorations up (I was hoping it would help out with having a girl....but it will all go and Ole Miss Baseball comes in) Yes, Molly had to try it out!!!!!

 Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Sleeping and exercising!!!

Movement: Yes, the first signs of movement was at night after work. I had a very long and busy day and I was hurting due to the tumor. I was sitting in my "NEW RECLINER" with my feet up, holding the bottom of my stomach, trying to relieve some of the pressure of the tumor. When all of a sudden I felt the tumor move. I waited a second, confused as to why my whole hand had just moved and why the tumor was moving when it moved again. Then it hit me, BABY BOY was kicking my tumor!!! I didn't know if I should laugh or cry cause of the pain. I was happy that he was moving but of all places to kick!!! Since then I have felt him move around, it has been exciting to feel those little feet and little arms moving around.

Food cravings: Doritos Chips make me happy 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not as far as food goes. I do still have acid reflux and heart burn from time to time.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, and people give me the the "AW!!! Poor Girl" look or say "Girl you are going to die this summer!!!"...yes, I know :)

Baby is a: BOY

Belly Button in or out: in

Wedding rings on or off? still on

Happy or Moody most of the time: tired, happy and trying to enjoy this little miracle

Looking forward to:starting to decorate  the baby's room!!! and I would like to schedule my maternity pics soon, that way I'm not to HUGE and hot and  miserable to enjoy taking pics.

Baby Boy Gates is now the size of a Banana