Bye 2011!

2011…

What a year! Tyler and I did everything in a year that most people do in a few! We had a wonderful Christmas with Zoe; we stayed in Katy with the Tobolkas and moved into our new house between opening gifts and watching Christmas movies. I tend to be a little ‘high strung’ when things aren’t organized – so I was anxious to get all of our things in one place. Tyler and I still need to purchase a few furniture pieces so we are hoping to hit up a few New Years day sales, but other then that our home is almost ‘homey’. Zoe’s room is almost done; we have to buy more closet storage for ALL of her clothes, blankets and toys. She started sleeping in her crib, which made mommy cry, so we’ll see how long that lasts. She is such a good baby and I miss her when I’m at work. My wonderful sister is spending her Christmas break with us - helping watch Z and keeping me company. I’m so lucky to have such an easy going, extremely helpful and ALWAYS funny, beautiful sister. I will be sad when she goes back to Lubbock! I know Zoe will miss her too.



our new tree :)



 Tyler has been especially busy at work, and then he has to come home and work on the house. He recently purchased me and Zoe an SUV – which we LOVE. He is so wonderful and is absolutely spoiling me.

Christmas Day - 3 months

ZOE is doing wonderful! She weighs 11 pounds 4 ounces J she was three months old on Christmas day. She is holding her head up when she is enjoying tummy time and has started to giggle a little. When she sees her daddy she immediately starts to talk! She got a ton of toys from Santa and likes it when you push the buttons on them to make noise. She only wakes up once during the night for about 20 minutes to eat, she is sleeping anywhere between 6-8 hours! She and daddy sleep the same way, on their backs with their arms over their heads – so sweet. She loves bath time in her new bathroom – she’ll kick and play with her toys until I take her out. She loves being read to and can’t part with her paci! J I’m loving her angel and video monitors now that we are in the house!!

As we bring on 2012 tonight, I want to remember to thank God for all the wonderful gifts he has blessed me and Tyler with this year, with out him in our lives none of it would have been possible. We are eternally thankful!

We have been so busy ALL year and we can’t wait to take a break – so come on 2012!

Thanks Santa! :)

Oh, BABY!

Tyler Said he was gonna 'catch the baby'

This was in between the tears, lol

WOW! So it’s been a long while since I’ve blogged! Facebook seems so much easier sometimes – I’ll try harder. I’d like Zoe to look back at this sometime! A lot has happened…as most of you know. Tyler and I had a relaxing summer. We spent so much time together because we knew after the baby got here we wouldn’t have the chance too, and so far that’s been true. We spent most of our time hanging out in his parent’s pool, I was the tannest prego you’ve ever seen! Haha. I worked until September 24, and Zoe got here on the 25! I remember calling my boss and saying ‘Margie – I feel funny I’m going to go home’ and she said she felt like I was going to have the baby that night. I rushed to get a pedicure, Tyler cooked us steaks – then we went to the hospital. Nesie was at the beach and Buddy was at the deer lease, just me and Tyler. He was so wonderful through the whole process, kept me laughing – for a couple hours at least. His mom showed up to the hospital around 2 am and helped me through the rough part. Finally around 11:12 am on Sunday (before the Texans kick off like I hoped) she came! Tyler and my lives changed so much in an instant. We have such an amazing little girl – we can’t get enough of her.

Finally!!

Sweet angel!

We’ve been staying with Tyler’s parents until our house is finished – Nov 28^th. I am so lucky that I married into such a wonderful family. I miss my mom, grandparents and uncle rick all the time – we all text non-stop, but having my new family helps so much. It’s been so nice to spend time with Tyler’s mom and dad – they have been so helpful with the baby, and poor Tyler’s mom – I have non stop questions about Zoe! As much fun as we had, I’m sure they’re ready for us to leave, haha!

Being a mommy is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me, other than my perfect husband. I remember when my aunt Syls had her kids, I was so eager to help and couldn’t wait to have my own sweet angels. Zoe is the sweetest baby – and thank God that he gave her to us! I feel completely happy.

Z - 6 weeks

Z - 7 weeks

She has already grown so much! Sweet Daddy :)

Z - 4 weeks

Sweet baby on my mind..

Hi Friends J

Can you believe it’s almost August? I never thought I’d be so ready to get the summer over with! It’s been a busy summer, and I’m ready for things to slow down -- a little at least. School starts the 22nd, baby in October, and house in November. I have a nice month left anyway.

Only two more months until Harper is here J I am SO excited. I’m constantly taking her clothes out to look at how tiny they are and googling how many weeks I am to see what she’s doing. I had two ultrasounds this week, but I’ll only post pictures of the first. We got some really good shots of her face and the nurse told us she weighed 3.2 pounds, typically babies are about 2.5 pounds around this time. Tyler says she’s ‘big for her age’. Her little face is so sweet! We attempted to do a 4D ultra sound yesterday but apparently I didn’t drink enough water and there wasn’t enough fluid. I can’t imagine drinking more water – but we are going to have another try on the 12^th. We did get to see her blinking and sucking with her mouth – it was so precious. Tyler’s mom got to be there with us too J Anyway, I’ve gained a healthy 22 pounds. None of my old clothes fit and I’m strictly wearing maternity clothes. I’ll be sad when I have to cut back on the ice cream and cupcakes – but I already have two different cleanses I want to do during the holidays and I’m excited about getting back into shape before a friends wedding in February. I’ve been reading it takes 9 months to put it on and 9 to take it off – but we’ll see.

Tyler and I signed papers for a new home J Construction starts in two weeks and should be done in November. The house is SO nice and it has all the upgrades we wanted but couldn’t find during our house hunt. We get to pick out the granite, wood floors, cabinets and paint colors next week. I have a giant closet and Tyler has a game room upstairs, Harper is going to have a cute pink room to move into, and Sophie will finally have a back yard! Let me also mention that my in-laws bought us a new washer and dryer! Does it mean I’m old if I say I’m thrilled? Oh well, I’m thrilled. We are all very excited about the next few months! Leave it to us Tobolka’s to get married, have a baby and buy a house all in less then a year. Haha! We don’t mess around!!

Sweet Summer!!

Hello friends! I hope everyone is enjoying another sweet summer; we have definitely been taking in every day since this is the last summer we will have to ourselves.  Not too much has been going on, I’ll try and breeze through everything in a few paragraphs!

22 weeks

BABY NEWS: We will start with the most important thing in our little family – sweet baby T. She has been moving so much, I pretty much know her sleep schedule – but she’s been surprising me more and more! She’s been getting smarter by listening to classical music and her daddy’s reading to her. Tyler said she better start now if she wants to graduate high school at 15 ;) haha. We just want a healthy baby in a few months and we’re doing everything we can – and letting God do his part too :)

23 weeks 

26 weeks

This was today!  week 27 starts tomorrow.

I can’t do too much yoga anymore since I can’t be flat on my back OR on my stomach, and no twisting. I’ve been walking and riding the bike though, and still sticking to my arm exercise. At the beginning of every week I say I’ll eat healthier and slowly I have been. I’ve switched my ice cream habit to frozen yogurt and traded the mac and cheese to watermelon. Yes, I’ve eaten two watermelons in a week and a half. Had it for breakfast this morning and I have a bowl in front of me while I type!! My back has been hurting more and I’ve been sleeping less. I recently learned that lying on my back prevents good blood flow to the baby, and lying on my left side is best for her/my circulation. At night I wake up on my right side and feel so guilty that I’m hurting her, so I roll my big self over. It’s exhausting waking up and moving so much! I’d rather sleep in Tyler’s recliner! This week my uterus is the size of a basketball and she weighs around two pounds and is around 9 inches long. So SWEET!!  Here are a few photos of my growing self.

Sophie snuggling up to baby T last night,
you can't tell but Hunger Games is on my nook.

HOUSE NEWS: Well, nothing yet. We are crossing our fingers that Bank of America gets their butts together and tells us YES or gives us a counter offer. PRAY FOR US!

I’m currently reading book two of HUNGER GAMES. A girl at work suggested I read it – she insisted that I would love it, but she didn’t tell me I was going to be OBSESSED! To anyone who hasn’t read it, they’re on sale at B&N. READ IT. You will not regret it. And thanks Joan from work – I blame you for staying up so late reading!! 

OTHER THAN THOSE few things, life has been carrying on. We had a wonderful Fourth of July with my in laws. I got to use my new maternity swimsuit – I feel strongly about not showing my bare prego belly to anyone besides Tyler. Is that weird? Pregnant women are adorable don’t get me wrong – AND it’s not that I have stretch marks – but still. Something about it, but hey, that’s just me :) Luckily Target has a great selection of Maternity swimsuits that are still fashionable. Other then lounging by the pool we also got to enjoy eating my (current) favorite things. Tyler’s mom and me have this great game going on, I mention what I’m hungry for and she prepares it for me – I’m SO LUCKY. Yesterday we had corn cooked on the grill and ice cream in waffle cones. And, as usual, all the peach tea I wanted. She is already spoiling her grandbaby! After mentioning how long its been since she’s made lasagna, Tyler’s dad said he was gonna pull me aside and tell me what else I was hungry for. So Denise – if you’re reading this the baby REALLY, REALLY wants chicken enchiladas :) . We did plenty of relaxing, then came home last night to watch the fireworks from our balcony. Tyler reminded me that next year baby T would we watching them with us and that was then end to a perfect holiday.

Coleman, Texas. Land of two traffic lights.

I went to Coleman last weekend for a quick visit. It's such a LONG drive to make alone, but Tyler had to work. I tried my hardest to only stop once in the six hour drive, but baby T wasn't having it! I felt like I stopped every 45 minutes, and I tried not to drink water! It was a little ridiculous.

When I finally made it to my grandmas house, I found them still up putting together a crib in my old room, super early since the baby won't be here until October but I guess they're excited! :) I always miss my grandma and grandpa so much and was happy to see them. My grandpa is probably the best guy I know! Other than my hubby of course J My grandma is wonderful too, she had plenty of all my favorite things – hugs, kisses and tortillas! Ha J

My great grandma 'Ama' hasn't been doing very well so I decided to go ahead and drive in a little earlier than I planned - but I'm so glad I did. She is 90 years old - 91 in September, so she's getting tired. She was in great spirits during the visit and talked non stop. We went to church with her on Sunday morning which made her so happy. After church we went to my grandma's house and camped out on the couch all day. Now I'm sure Ama has seen some crazy things in her day and she shared some wild stories with me. Ama and Apa (my late great grandfather) came over from Mexico when my grandma was in the 6th grade. She was telling me about being pregnant while living in Mexico, and it made me appreciate giving labor in our day and age. She said she had all five of her kids at home, alone with the help of a neighbor. She said my Apa would come home and find a baby. Haha - this makes me laugh! She said she'd be cooking in the kitchen, feel the baby coming and send one of the older kids next door to get some help. I could have never survived. She did give me some tips to remember just incase she isn't here. All you mom-to-be's out there - I'll try these things and let you know how they work. Just to mention a few, she said after you have the baby you have to stay in bed for 20 days before you start sweeping and cooking (little does she know I don't do a lot of either of those things so I'm not worried). She said 20 days is just long enough for your 'insides' to heal, otherwise something awful might happen -- LIKE YOUR UTERUS falling out! HAHA, I SWEAR she said she's seen it happen to a friend in Mexico. I told her I'd be in bed for 40 days just to be safe!!! Another random tip she gave me was when I’m ready to finish breast feeding to throw a wet rag on the roof of the house and when it dries my milk will dry up too. I laughed when she said this and she told me it work for her five kids. I’ll try it out then blog about it. Anyway, these are just a few of the things she shared with me. We had a really nice visit and she said several times she is waiting on the baby to get here before she goes anywhere. As she says, ‘Si Dios quiere’. Here is a photo of her touching my precious baby.

My aunt Syls came in from Branson to leave KrisiAnna and to also see Ama. I just saw her in April but I was thrilled to see her again, and I was anxious to show off my baby bump. She got to feel baby T kick too, she was so excited! She’s had six children, so she knows a thing or two about being a mommy ;) Here are some pics of me and the fam! J

 Of course, I also got to see my mom. I talk to her everyday but was happy to actually SEE her. She kept me fed the entire time, haha. Best Fried Chicken when I wanted, chili dogs and chocolate cake too! I’m a spoiled brat when I’m home!

Until next time friends! :)

Pregnancy Literature is no US Weekly.

 

Here I am almost 21 weeks pregnant and I've only read three pregnancy books - one of those being the one my doctor gave me. I did read that I'm supposed to read one a month so I'm not too far behind... I read Jenny McCarthy's 'Belly Laughs' and the classic 'What to Expect When your Expecting'. I really enjoyed Belly Laughs because it was entertaining, but hated the others. I want to ready something exciting - and so far that's been celebrity gossip and not so much babies!! I have been a good mommy and ordered all the parenting magazines along with FitPregnancy but I want something better. All the books I'm currently browsing have to do with staying in shape while being pregnant. That doesn't even seem possible! I have been hungry for greek salads this week - I've had four and feel pretty damn good about myself. And I was good yesterday, only had one giant cookie from Panera. I recently met a girl who was three months pregnant and she said she only ate out at Whole Foods and had a completely ORGANIC diet. Completely ORGANIC? No Sprinkles? No Omars enchiladas? I'm just not sure I can do that. I want this sweet girl to be healthy, but when I'm hungry I'm not hungry for organic carrots and yogurt - it's more like anything I can get my hands on. Reading this you might make you think I'm huge which isn't the case either, don't worry mom. Anyway, I just downloaded 'The Mommy Diet' by Alison Sweeney because I love Alison Sweeney. It looks like a quick read so I'll let you know how it was :)

 

Anyway, enough with that. We think Sophie knows that somethings up. She is constantly by my side, even when I'm trying to sleep. When I shower she lays on the floor by the bathroom door, and follows me from room to room all day everyday. I am really curious to see how she will act when baby T is here. She better be nice or she will be taking a vacation to Texas Tech with aunt Macky. We'll see.

Here is Sophie being creepy.

Tonight I'll be having dinner with my mother in law and staying the night at her house. I love staying over there because she always makes me tea and picks out the best shows for us to watch. Did I mention we both love to gossip?? ;) I'm hoping we go get caramel apples...after all that talk about wanting to be healthier ;) It's a holiday weekend though right?

This is baby T's first outfit --- from Nick :) So sweet!!

Until next time :)

Sweet BABY Tobolka

Well, I've quietly been pregnant for about five months (next Tuesday I'll be five months). Our poor little nugget hasn't gotten too much attention because we have been so busy with wedding, school and house hunting. Now with the wedding out of the way I thought I would finally announce that Tyler and I will be expecting our first baby October 11 :) I'm so excited, and even more happy.

This morning we found out we are having a girl! I had no instinct as to what it was going to be, I always referred to the baby as he and wasn't sure why. Here are some photo's of the little nugget from today!

She has her feet on top of her head here. The doctor couldn't get a clear pic of her because she was moving non stop!

These are her tiny feet. I hope she has pretty little feet like her daddy!!

I have had the easiest pregnancy. No throwing up, I'm not tired. I've only gained 8 pounds - so not too big either - thank GOD. I don't even really feel pregnant until I go to the doctor and see the little baby. I'm trying not to be that annoying pregnant girl - I won't be posting things on Facebook, I'm not going to be complaining about how tired I am - and I'm not saying 'the baby is hungry for it'. In all honestly, it's me that hungry for Sprinkles and Chic Fil A. I know that I'll never be able to enjoy this eating until my next pregnancy and I am taking full advantage of it! I have been working out still, mainly walking and some free weights. The most difficult thing about being prego isn't the lack of wine and now craw fish, its the not drinking coffee! I can't wait to go to Starbucks and get a double shot in my latte. However, I know it's for the baby right now. We haven't decided on a baby name yet - but I have a spreadsheet at home :)



Tyler and I are very happy about this little baby girl, and I can't wait until she is here with us.



Finally THE TOBOLKAS

Well - we are finally husband and wife :) So many great feelings...we are finally married, the wedding is behind us and we can start our lives together! After the wedding (photos to come!!) we honeymooned to Destin, Florida. We had an amazing time. One of our wedding gifts was a convertible for a week from Mac Haik. It was one of the best gifts we received! It really made our trip. We left Katy Saturday and arrived in Biloxi around 9:30. We were both so exhausted from the night before that we didn't even get dinner - just went right to bed. The hotel we stayed in had the NICEST room (South Beach Biloxi if your interested). Tyler and I love the beach so I got us a room right on it!




The next morning we made the drive to Destin with the top down - by the time we arrived we both had sunburns ;) We stayed at a Hilton Resort right on the beach and it was lovely! We had a giant corner room that was larger than our apartment!
(Please forgive the photo quality - if you know me you won't be surprised that I left my camera at home)

It was supposed to rain each morning we were there and it never did so we were very lucky. I did get to enjoy the Serenity Spa while we were there, I had a great facial and an awful hair cut. I had been growing my hair out since January and when you see me you will find it short again. Oh well :)

After Destin we began our way back to Katy, stopping for the night in New Orleans.  I had never been to Bourbon Street and I was excited! It was NOT what I expected. I was expecting something like 6th street -- you know, a ton of bars, a few homeless people with a little more jazz and beer on the streets. I could hardly stand the STENCH of the street! It smelled like vomit and the homeless. (I don't know if thats rude, but its totally true) I was also kind of scared! We were there around 4:30 and it was packed with people. Jazz fest was going on but Tyler said it was always full. We walked around, took some photos and Tyler had a few drinks. After dinner at Acme Oyster House we decided to call it a night!

Here is a weird guy walking around on the street, lol.

We stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel which was nice but way creepy. I didn't sleep a wink that night because I was convinced our room was haunted. I finally went to sleep around 5:30 am and of course my wonderful husband was awake around 6:30 ready to start his day. 

SO the next day was the French Quarter. It was so beautiful! I loved it. One thing I noticed about New Orleans is that one street is beautiful and the next is awful. Here are a few photos of our day there!

Now we are back to the real world! :) I just finished finals and we are in the middle of house hunting! Hopefully my next blog will be about our new house..

I know I say it every time, but I WILL blog MORE! :) 

The wonderful holiday..

This holiday season we were very busy! We had Thanksgiving in The Woodlands with Meemz and Tylers family and Christmas in Coleman and Katy, and just had our last one last night with Tyler's dads family (The Tobolkas). We are finally done, and the tree was neatly put away this morning. It was SUCH a great season!

 This was actually the first tree Tyler and I have had and it was up two weeks before Thanksgiving. haha :)

My AMAZING girlfriends came to visit me this holiday and we looked around for bridesmaid dresses and made time to go out too. I love it when they come down and already can't wait to see them again! Here are a few pictures from that night.

This is Candice with Bease and Sophie - they hate each other. 

I love these girls :)

We had a quick Christmas in Coleman then made the long drive back to Katy on Christmas Eve - it was a lot of driving but definitely worth it. My aunt Syls was in from Branson and we spent a lot of time together which was sooo fun. Of course I was happy to see the rest of my family too!! I didn't take many pictures while at home - my little cousin Sully had my camera most of the time, all I have are pictures of the TV and of Sophie :) Here are a few shots though.

Me and Syls :)

Playing monopoly - Tyler beat us.

My grandpa putting in the last piece to the puzzle we put together while all the kids were over. It was such a nice/relaxing few days!

On New Years Eve Tyler made a game time decision to go to San Antonio. We made the trip and stayed the weekend at Cody's. I had SUCH a fun time!! We went to a little bar and grill where we didn't have to fight with a crowd, had plenty of drinks and a ton of laughs. This was mine, Aimee's and Sarah's second year in a row to bring in the new year which was kind of fun!

Tyler and I had an amazing 2010 - I loved every moment of it. We did so much this year and are excited about what 2011 has for us! We have our wedding in a few months (115 days to be exact ;) ) and so much more!! We are so very blessed and so unbelievably happy. 

I promise to update more - my birthday is in a few weeks! :)