Dallas Baby Shower

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have my good friends (Katie, Sasha, Tiffany, Robin, & Amy) throw me a baby shower. I had such a good time socializing, playing games, and opening gifts. As if Caleb wasn't spoiled enough, everyone showered him with more wonderful gifts. Thank you to all my friends and family for your generosity.
At the end of the Baby Shower, Braden stopped by to pack up the cars and help transport the gifts back to our house. It was a lot of fun to get to go through the gifts again and show Braden all the nice things we received.

Yummy Cupcakes from Society Bakery (I love the blue booties on top)

Mom & Dad to be

The Morina Women

All the beautiful ladies who attended the Baby Shower

Thank you to everyone for your love & support

Another Day Closer

This morning Braden and I had another Doctors appointment to check on little Caleb (and me, of course). We discussed our "birth plan" and other questions we had after taking our birthing class. It is hard to believe that Caleb is 29 1/2 weeks old in my tummy. Even though I feel like I spend most Tuesdays there, I absolutely love going to the Doctor because I always get to hear Caleb's little heart beating. I feel him move constantly but hearing his heart beating is such a miracle. I wanted to just lay there and listen to Caleb all day long.

I go back to the Doctor in 2 weeks (and then weekly until Caleb's arrival).

Caleb's nursery is coming together quite nicely. The only furniture piece missing is the rocker/glider (which has been ordered - thanks Mom!). Here are some pictures of the room. Braden and I are "unpacking" all the things we have received so far to start to put everything away.

This is on the wall above the changing table. I know it is hard to read.

"Some people dream of angels. I hold one in my arms."

Once we get some pictures into frames, we will put more pictures on the shelves.

We don't have a lack of books to read to Caleb. We hope Caleb will enjoy reading as much as his Mom & Dad

Lastly, if you have talked to Braden about grilling over the last three years, you know how much he endorses "The Big Green Egg." Well, for Christmas he received enough gift cards to finally buy his BIG GREEN EGG (which looks like an avocado). Below is the first lighting of the grill. If you want to experience the luxury of dinner on the Egg - just let us know - Braden loves to grill out.

Thank you MOM & DAD MORINA

Braden and I dedicate this post to my parents.

This past weekend my parents came into town to help us with some projects around the house. My Dad installed new lighting in our living room and installed a new power outlet into the baby's room [thank God for electrical engineers]. My Mom was busy too helping put up Christmas decorations and get the house back into order. Because of my parents, Caleb's room is a little closer to being done. We always enjoy having my parents in town to visit and of course are blessed that they are always willing to help.

We love you both - XOXO

Back to Class

Last week Braden and I started our 3 week series of birthing classes. Our first class was about Labor & Delivery. We reviewed the signs to look out for to signal you are in labor and walked through exactly what happens from the first contraction to leaving the hospital with our little boy. The nurse teaching the class made the comment that most things you learn in birthing class are forgotten when you are in the moment. So, I just hope Braden can remember everything we learned when I am in pain and giving birth. After our first class we got to take a tour of the Labor & Delivery floor of the hospital to see where we check in, where Caleb will be delivered, and where I will go post delivery to recover. The nurse showed us all the "Luxury Suite" you can stay in post delivery for a small nightly up-charge. Braden really wants to pay the extra money to get the suite with the large, flat screen TV.

This week class will be all about infant and postpartum care. We will learn child CPR and hopefully walk away with an understanding of what we need to know about our little boy when he arrives. I have heard there is no real instruction manual so we will have to pay attention in class to learn everything we possibly can before they send us home with little Caleb.

Caleb's Room

Braden and I have started working on Caleb's room and it is coming together quite nicely. Braden spent Christmas Eve/Christmas Day prepping and painting the room [it is a beautiful blueish, gray]. For Christmas, Caleb received his crib, mattress, & changing table from all 4 of his Grandparents. We want to say thank you again to both the Howell and the Morina parents for their generous gift of Caleb's furniture, which we agree constitutes Caleb's first official Christmas present!

Yesterday, Braden and I picked up the furniture and assembled it (with help from Jessica & Matt). The crib and changing table look so good in the room. Now all we have to do is figure out what else to do with the room.

Here are some pictures of Caleb's Room. Keep in mind that the only thing that has been done is painting and two pieces of furniture.

Caleb's Crib

Changing Table/Dresser

The Furniture