No pics, just words

I don't have recent pictures. However, I do have a few words. :)

I am starting the 29th week of pregnancy tomorrow. I feel it too. The back pain, the middle of the night bathroom trips, and the over-all exhaustion are all coming on strong. I have the glucose test in the morning. Joy. I also get the Rhogam shot then. I have our first baby shower for Julie Ann on Friday. Some sweet friends at work are throwing us a shower. I can't wait. :)

Laura Beth is really enjoying her Travis Ave preschool on Tuesday and Thursday. She makes the CUTEST art and crafts. She loves showing us her projects each time. Lately Laura Beth has not been "napping" as much. On the days that she DOES nap, she will sleep for 2-3 hours. On the days that she doesn't nap, she LITERALLY won't go to sleep...but she lays there so quiet for 2 hours. I am thinking two things: 1) She is growing out of her naps or 2) She isn't active enough to need a nap (i.e. it's too cold for playground, bike riding, etc.) Either way, her behavior seems to be the same on either day. Who knows? However, I don't like this timing of "no napping" right before a NEWBORN comes to our home. God will sustain me. RIGHT!? Of course, He will.

Other than that, Steve is enjoying days with Laura Beth. He uses the Travis Ave Preschool days to do some work at Travis for the youth. It has really worked out well. We are looking forward to seeing my parents this weekend. Surely I will have pics for the next post.

Barney!

Oh yes, yesterday, we went to a Barney show called, "Barney's birthday bash."

As most of you know, we tried NOT to have Barney in our home. However, we have now embraced it and "go" with it.

Laura Beth loved the show. Her Wabee bought her a Barney light up wand and we bought her a party balloon. She was set. She danced and stared in amazement.

Walking to the "party."

Here he comes....

The big purple guy himself.

Mommy and Laura Beth attempting a picture.

We eventually went to the floor in front of the stage. Laura Beth REALLY wanted to go on stage and "hug and kiss him, please."

The whole gang.

We had a great Saturday filled with "parties." Barney's party first, then a wedding (which Laura Beth thinks is a princess party, since most princesses get married at the end of the movie), and then a neighbor's birthday party. It was a busy, but fun day.

Right now, we are watching beautiful snow fall outside. Who knows, maybe the next post with have lots of snow pictures. 2 years in a row of snow here in Texas for us. We love it! We may even make "snow ice cream" later.

By the way, I am 25 weeks pregnant with about 15 weeks to go until Julie Ann arrives. I feel good and Julie Ann is doing really well. The next "big events" for her are a work baby shower on January 28th and then the Glucose Test on February 4th.

Happy New Year!

We had a great Christmas.

These are some lights from downtown fort worth. Laura Beth is in the front, but you can't see her.

Blowing out Jesus' Birthday candle.

2010 was the year of Princesses for Laura Beth!

Playing dress up is so fun.

Beautiful princesses!

We went to see the Canton Lights.

Mammy and Bampa

On the fire truck!

My sisters and their boys!

Aunt GiGi with Laura Beth laughing.

Buns in the oven! Love the mits Lou!

Painting with Papaw!

PRESENTS!

The telephone from Hannah Claire.

(Notice she is wearing her tinker bell dress.)

The Bike. From Gran and Papaw

The Princess dress from Uncle Lou!

"Belle" in her Castle tent from uncle Lou!

She got sooo many presents.

But the best present for us all was hearing Laura Beth say, "Happy birthday Jesus."

We are looking forward to a wonderful new year.

WHO KNOWS WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE MEARS?

BOY OR GIRL?

Thats right. We are having another girl. We have already told so many people, but I never officially updated "the blog." SO I guess now the internet world knows. ha!

We are really excited about having another girl. We had a hard time deciding the name at first. We wanted a family name, as Laura Beth's name is very "family." Then, we wanted it to be a double name, as girls will wonder why one got a double name and one didn't (if you have a sister, you know what I am talking about). "Ann" is my middle name, my mom's middle name, and my sister-in-law's middle name. "Julie" isn't a "family" name, but we liked it. :) Altogether, we really liked Julie Ann Mears. We can't wait to meet her!

She is perfectly on schedule in weight, height, etc. We saw every organ and body part at the 20 week sonogram. We are so thankful for her great health thus far. I am 23 weeks pregnant and feeling well.

We are also excited about the week to come. Laura Beth cannot WAIT for Jesus' birthday (especially since Santa comes the night before). She has been carrying around presents and saying, "Can we open it?" and then answering herself saying, "Noooo, we have to wait for Jesus' birthday." HA!

Pomp and Circumstance...

...Texas Style

Proud Dad.

Proud Parents.

Proud Daughter.

Proud ME!

Steve graduated yesterday with his Masters. And he did it "Texas Style" (note the boots).

Thanksgiving

We had the best Thanksgiving in MS. We had a couple of things that weren't so fun (we attended Layne Grace Gaston's Life Celebration as she passed away right as we were getting into MS, a few family members caught the stomach bug during the week, and Steve worked all week laying wood floors at his parents house), but for the most part we had a GREAT TIME! Laying the wood floors was hard work for Steve and he was exhausted, but he was very happy to do it (and liked helping his family and learning the process of laying wood floors).

First, I must say this blog post is ALL OUT OF ORDER! I have been meaning to get this post up for days and I just don't have time to arrange the photos this week. ha! So here goes:

Laura Beth LOVED this crown of Hannah Claire's. She wore it most of the time we visited them. I think she may need one for Christmas. ha!

We went to the park with Gran, GiGi, and Gage one day.

This is Gage's first sucker. He was hilarious eating it.

We got to see Ro Ro (robin) and Mimi (Linda). Pops was not there as his mother was very sick during this time. She passed away on Monday night. We are praying for their family during this difficult time.

Gage and Laura Beth LOVED playing in Mimi's fountain. They were soaking wet when we were finished.

These next pictures are hilarious to me. Socks, the dog, is a neighborhood dog in Angie's neighborhood. Laura beth called her, "MY dog." When she went out in the morning she would instantly say, "Hey, where's MY dog." We would take Socks with us if we could. Laura Beth and her got along too well (as you can see in these pictures).

While we were in MS, my best friend Jennifer got engaged! I am so happy for them. They are getting married this next October.

While in Greenville, we visited my mom's kindergarten class on "Cowboy Day."

We also visited the several playgrounds throughout the week.

Mammy and Laura Beth watching a movie

Mammy and Laura Beth playing on a playground.

Gran and Laura Beth at the Carousel in Greenville.

Laura Beth LOVING her "Matt Darby time." She had so much fun at the Darby house.

More of Laura Beth's cousins. She loves them all so much, especially Hannah Claire!

Look at those pretty blue eyes.

Zane loves this slide.

Mammy and Bampa's Grandchildren. This really is a miracle shot...they are ALL looking and smiling!

And if you made it this far, then I guess you can see a nice side view of the growing tummy.

We have so much to be thankful for!