Viva Las Vegas!

Our Vegas trip was amazing! With free flights and awesome rodeo tickets... how can you go wrong?!

We stayed at Hooter's Casino {don't laugh, it was cheap!} and spent much of our time slumming at the $5 tables. We didn't lose much... {or win much!} Though Skip is awfully proud of hitting 3 of a Kind at Three Card Poker!

We had some great meals, saw a show (where the comedian made fun of us!), went exploring, splurged on massages, and soaked up the childless freedom of staying out late and sleeping in! {okay, okay, Skip did most of the staying out late!}

Our tickets for the National Finals Rodeo were fantastic... right behind the header's box, per Skip's request. As always, it was a great production and we saw some mighty talented cowboys.

Afterwards we headed to South Point Casino for some dancing and a spot front and center of the stage for Aaron Watson's concert and the buckle ceremony for the night.

One day we even got to meet up with some friends from California and love on their new(ish) baby, Zane!

From a pregnant viewpoint... it was interesting. Flying at 8 months pregnant was harder than I imagined with swelling, cramped quarters, and back pain. Then, being sober in Vegas was a very different experience! People certainly wonder what you are doing in a casino around smokers, drinkers, topless dancers and gamblers. Everything there revolves around booze! But I had an O'Douls or two... and the cocktail waitresses were happy to bring me plenty of water. It wasn't the crazy Sin City trips I'm used to... but it was super fun and worth every sacrifice!

Skip and I are glad we got this last chance to be a little crazy and just enjoy each other's company. Now we are anxious to meet our daughter!!! We will teach her to love traveling... but she may not see Vegas until she is at least 30!

No-Post Post

I've been slacking... because I've been busy!

But everything is wonderful.

In fact, Skip and I leave for Las Vegas in the morning...

We will enjoy the NFR on our last vacation as DINKs!!

So don't expect a post until next week!

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving brings in the Holiday Season, many of us find ourselves counting our blessings. {as well we should}

I have always had a great deal to be thankful for.

But this year I feel especially blessed.

Of course we are expecting the miracle we have prayed and waited for. God knows the joy and thanksgiving in my heart.

But I also feel overcome with gratitude for the people we have surrounded ourselves with. People that reflect God to the world.

People that are overwhelmingly generous.

This generosity started with prayer. Hundreds of people prayed for us during our struggles with miscarriage and our deep desire to start a family. Even strangers. Strangers were generous enough to pray for us. When we became pregnant for the third time, they continued to pray and have not stopped. Even if their own prayers had not yet been answered, they rejoiced in prayer for us. Generous hearts, no question.

We would not be where we are today without the generosity of our parents. Their love and support held us together and gave us hope. When our medical bills threatened to drown us, our parents were there to help raise us up. They are there for us every day… praying, guiding, supporting, and loving.

Trusted friends are my confidantes and sources of information concerning all things pregnancy/baby. My Yuku friends are irreplaceable. Kristin has never minded a stupid question texted to her at 11 pm, even though she is raising 3 young boys. Lauren, Bobbie, and my sisters are always open and honest as well. More generous friends cannot be found.

As we prepare for Kherington’s arrival, the generosity has spread beyond prayers and support. Jenny was willing to help us paint the nursery. Shyla, Brittany, and my Godmother Susan have generously offered to host baby showers. Friends and family attend these showers and again reflect generosity and joy.

But I must admit that I am most overcome with the generosity of hand-me-downs. It began with my sister Shannon offering the use of her baby furniture. I love that the crib comes with teeth marks from my niece and nephew. My sister-in-law Kelly stepped up, letting us borrow/have some of Harper’s baby things.

And I have oodles of hand-me-downs from Bobbie, Candee, Shyla, and A’Laura… including maternity clothes, baby clothes, toys, baby gear, furniture, layette, and more!

I’m beginning to understand that it is already taking a village to raise our sweet daughter.

And I couldn’t be more thankful that our village is inhabited by the most generous of God’s people.

Our Little Turkey

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!

I know our family has a lot to be thankful for!

God Bless.

By the Number #2

2... times I've done a "By the Number" post... remember this one?

3.25… current weight of Miss Kherington in pounds

6.75… estimated birth weight in pounds

12… pounds I’ve gained

351… Heparin injections I’ve given myself

143…Kherington’s heart rate

58 … days until likely induction

4 … average number of contractions per day

16… average daily trips to the bathroom

9… pills, vitamins, supplements swallowed daily

49 … current circumference of my belly in inches

6… baby boys already lining up to be Kherington’s first boyfriend

10… amazing ultrasounds so far

46… current overall growth percentile of our babe

44… current weight percentile of Kherington Grace

86… current length percentile of our daughter’s legs…go figure!

8…weeks until we are parents!

16,836… visitors to this blog! WOW!

Little Updates

* We've cruised on into the third trimester

* I've been getting some Braxton-Hicks contractions

* We are almost done with our month long childbirth class

* I bought a new (to me) Tahoe! It is amazing and will look just perfect with a car seat.

* Kherington is already close to her birth length, but her weight will still more than double

* The nursery is done! (photos coming soon)

* My photography business is exploding and I couldn't be more grateful!

* This belly and a camera bag in my arms led to me falling down some stairs. All is fine now, but it was awfully scary!

* We see my OB and the high risk doc next week

* This year we are Longview-bound for an East Texas Kane Family Thanksgiving

* In December Skip and I head to Las Vegas to enjoy the NFR and our last get-away before Kherington's arrival!

Showered With Love!

Last weekend my sweet friends Shyla and Brittany threw me a baby shower for my New Braunfels and Seguin girlfriends. It was amazing! I loved having all of my old friends, new babies, an amazing cake, and I'll admit it... lots of presents for Kherington!

Loving on 5 week old Kylar.

Some of my girls and kiddos.

Jen and I.

Getting excited about gifts. My friends are so generous!

One of the BEAUTIFUL quilts that Darlene York made for Kherington.

No baby shower is complete without a diaper cake.

My amazing hostesses and some of Kherington's favorite "Aunts!"

Kisses for Kherington.

Loved this beautiful cake!

And it tasted even better than it looked.

I should know... I had 4 pieces.

THANKS GIRLS, I LOVE YOU!