Texas Tech Bowl Game

This was the first year, in a while, that we didn't make it to LBK to watch our Red Raiders play football.  When we found out they were playing in a bowl game here in Houston we knew we had to go!  This was going to be one of our first nights out (for a long period of time) without either of our babies.  Unfortunately, our babysitter got sick the day of the game.  We were able to find someone to watch William but had to bring baby girl.  Luckily, she did awesome and slept 90% of the time.    

{Isn't she the cutest little Wreck 'Em Tech fan!} {With my honey} {Baby girl's first Tech game} {Sleeping Beauty} {Game Day!} {Don't know what we'd do without this baby carrier}

We didn't win the game, but we had fun and got to catch up with some friends.  The game didn't start until super late at night (anything past 9pm is late for this mama), so we didn't get home until midnight!  Thankfully, Gordon and I didn't have to work the next day.  :)

Football Weekend

For Gordon's birthday weekend we headed into town to cheer on the Texans!  It was supposed to be an adult only event, but turned into a family affair.  I'm sure people think we are crazy for taking these two kiddos to the game.  Honestly, we wouldn't do it if they weren't such laid back babies. :)  William was over the moon happy to have Cesar there with us.  Add in the popcorn, pizza and ice cream....he was in heaven!!

William has been talking about going back to another game ever since then.  We definitely have a little football fan on our hands.  Years from now, I think these will be some of our favorite memories....watching William's little eyes light up with excitement will always bring a smile to my face and heart!

Houston Texans Game

I'll admit that I was raised a Dallas Cowboy fan, and a part of me will always like them the best.  With that being said, after living in Houston for 10+ years I have really grown to love "our teams"!  And come on, who doesn't LOVE J.J. Watt?!?!?  Just seeing him out there, in all his cuteness, is worth watching the Texans.

So, a few weeks ago we made our way into town to watch some football!  Our original plan was to take William to the game and make it a family affair....long story short, he ended up having a fun afternoon with his Uncle G and Aunt Em while we had some adult time (with baby girl).  Anna Grace had a great time at her first professional game.  She made things super easy, being a good girl, and being in a suite we were able to bring in her stroller and all the baby stuff we needed.

It's a #suite life

I think baby girl brought the Texans good luck!  They won this game and haven't lost a game since.  :)  Sometimes it's hard to make ourselves do these kind of fun things, but it's always well worth the time and energy it takes.  We had a fun day with some great friends.

Houston Texans Game

On my family's last day in town (back in November) we went to a Houston Texans game.  This was William's first time to see the Texans play.  As usual, William was in awe of the football game.  He is so well behaved at these football games....because there is so much to watch!  He talks about the football game for weeks afterwards.  :)  Although I was raised as a Dallas Cowboy fan....over the last 10 years as a Houstonian I have fallen in love with the Texans (and most recently JJ Watt).  Hopefully we can teach little William to love both teams!  

• William was too into the action on the field to look at the camera.
• The Hattenbach/Gooding family
• The guys were excited to see a couple of the Texans cheerleaders! #suitelife
• Trying popcorn out for the first time....he was a big fan.
• Thanks Dad for the awesome day!
• Baby boy gets himself so excited during the first half that he passes out during half time!  He woke up from nap time to these two ladies.
• Hanging with the boys.
• William ate this entire red velvet cakeball by himself....the thing was bigger than his hands. #hewasinheaven
• We love nap time during football games! :)

We've had such a fun football season with my family.  So many fun and happy memories were made!!  Can't wait for next season.  :)  

Friendsgiving

We had our first "Friendsgiving" the weekend before Thanksgiving.  It was an extra special Friendsgiving for us because my parents, brother and SIL celebrated with us too!  My mom is a super good cook so this worked out perfect.  :)  As always, Dustin and Skye were the best helpers ever.  They got lots of baby watching/tips that evening!  We had 7 couples (including 2 preggos) and 8 little kids running around the house ranging from 3 months to 6 years old.  The kids had lots of fun playing, coloring and bugging each other.....the adults had fun watching the Red Raiders WIN, eating some yummy food and catching up with each other.

{The big kids were ready for some turkey} {William riding his favorite bike and Harris trying to crawl} {Perry giving William some love} {My co-workers that I'm lucky to call my best friends} {Skye and Nana getting things ready *more on the new kitchen island soon*}  {5 of the 8 kiddos}

We are so blessed to have such sweet and supportive friends.  My heart smiles when I see our kiddos playing together.  It's crazy to think that some of these friendships started back in 2000.  #bestfriendsforever  Hopefully this is the first of many Friendsgivings to come!!!

Cowboys Football

I am happy to say that, at 32 years old, I finally attended a Dallas Cowboy game!  It was William's first Cowboy game too.  We have all been to the fabulous stadium before and were happy to be back for a day of fun with my family.  

William was nearly speechless about all the activity going on in the stadium before the game started.  The cheerleaders, the fireworks and all the people kept our little guy well entertained!  He is a big fan of what he calls "soccerball".  

{Taking it all in with Daddy}

{Watching the cheerleaders during the pregame show.}

{Our little family}

{He was mesmerized....by the football and those yummy carmel pretzels.}

{William's favorite meal!}

{Passed out at half time. #suitelife}

{Standing by some of my favorite players.  Thanks Dad for the fun day!}

{Everyone looking sad about the Cowboys score.}

{Hanging with Skye and Uncle D}

Finally Football!

Football season is finally here!  And that folks, makes me HAPPY!  Two weeks ago we headed to West Texas to visit my family and our old stompin' ground.  The crazy West Texas weather really messed up the outfits I had picked for the weekend.  I planned on wearing a white sleeveless top but ended up wearing a long sleeve denim shirt with my dad's NorthFace.  When the game started it was 55 degrees out and cloudy.  Oh well.  That's what I get for being such a planner.

I can't really explain the feelings I have when I visit Lubbock.....excitement, regret, happiness...all in one!  I would say I regret a few of the decisions I made while I was in college.  I wish I'd been a little smarter.  I should've held onto a few of the guys I blew off and vice-versa.  BUT, if I had been smarter I know for a fact, I wouldn't have Gordon and William.  Gordon and I have so many fun memories at Tech.  Most years we end up sitting right below where we sat our first game together back in 2000.  It's fun to reminiscence and talk about the "what ifs".  We both agree we made the right decision to wait to date until after college.  Regardless, it's fun to talk/think about.

• Listening to some live music with Uncle D and Aunt Skye
• Safety First!!  He loves playing with the maltese puppies.
• Sunday Funday with his GG and Pop.
• Our little Red Raider family at Gardski's 
• Horse ride at Cagle's
• Sorority sister, roomie, and best friend!
• Enjoying a Flirtini at Cafe J's 
• The love of my life!  Wreck 'Em
• Crazy baby on a plane.

The weekend before our Tech visit was rough.  So, it was a breath of fresh air to be in the LBK.  We ate at some of my favorite places, we had lots of "us" time and we loved every minute of the cool weather.  

Win or Lose I love my Red Raiders.  Some of my favorite friends from college are coaching at Tech now.  I have so much respect for Kliff and will cheer him on as long as he's around......I will always cheer on Tech....and we will of course teach William about that too.   :)    

 

Wreck 'Em Tech

Well, this picture pretty much sums up William's experience at his first football game!  EXCITED!  Tech may have lost but we made so many great memories.  William is a lucky little boy.  His first football game was at the Cowboys Stadium, in a suite, watching our favorite Red Raiders.  Priceless. 

I have to brag on my fabulous parents for a minute....they really are the best!  When William got super sick last week my sweet mom didn't even think twice about coming to help us out.  She is such a life saver, she's so good with William and we all love her so much.  Then there's my daddy.  I hinted that this would be a fun game to go to (and a good meeting point for all of us) and the next day he had the suite arranged.  They spoil all of us.  BIG hug to both of them for always being so thoughtful, helpful and loving us so much.  The three of us are blessed to be able to call them ours.

Thankfully, William was feeling much better by Saturday!  We got to see Uncle D, Aunt Skye and a few of my high school friends. William had so much fun running around, playing with his Uncle D and of course watching all the action on the field.  He thought it was hilarious when we were cheering during the touchdowns.  By halftime baby boy was getting sleepy so we laid his trusty nap mat in the closet....yes, the closet (it's big and quiet)....put some toddler Pandora on and baby boy passed out!  He slept the entire second half! 

• Ready to eat some yummy mac 'n cheese
• Fascinated!
• Our little family
• Checking things out....Aunt Skye taking some pics
• Hanging with Uncle D
• Dustin and Skye
• With my momma and her sweet friend, Rhonda.
• My honey

We may have lost the football game but we had a wonderful night and we still love our RED RAIDERS.  We will always be fans and cheer on Texas Tech.  Win or Lose.  It's our Alma Mater.  It's where I met my husband and who's now child's father.  :)   Wreck 'Em Tech!!

Red Raider Homecoming

Thirteen years ago Gordon and I attended our first Red Raider Homecoming game.  It was October 2000 and freezing.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  SAE and Kappa had worked on their homecoming float together that year so we'd made lots of buddies over the course of the month long preparation.  G and I went with a group of my Midland friends (who were his new pledge brothers).  Now, thirteen years later we cheered on the Raiders on a warm and sunny Saturday while my grandparents watched our sweet baby boy.  W really loves his grandpa and GG!   
We flew into West Texas on Thursday so we'd have all day Friday to play in Midland.  Gordon went to the deer lease, I had a massage and after dinner with the family G and I hung out with an old friend.  It was a fun filled, relaxing weekend. 

• Dinner at Cagle's
• Going on a horse ride
• The Raiders kept us on our toes the entire game!
• With his nana and papa
• Checking things out with Uncle D
• Night on the town!  Overlooking the stadium :)
• Back in Midland playing
• Wreck 'Em Tech (6-0)

Mommy & Daddy time

As always, we had a great weekend!  I love being back in Lubbock and remembering all the fun college times I had.  I can hardly wait to take William to a game later in the season. 

Sunday Funday Family Style

The three of us had a pretty laid back weekend.  It rained a lot and was super humid so doing anything outdoors was pretty much out of the question.  I can hardly wait for cooler weather! 
Baby boy slept until nearly 7:30 on Sunday.  YIPPEEE!!!  After breakfast (and lots of coffee for the grown ups) William discovered the dust buster.  He is Obsessed.  He'll walk around all day vacuuming.  G and I are pretty excited and hoping he gets better at his new found skill.  :)   

 

After breakfast (and cleaning) we headed to church!  

 

William was looking super cute in his Little Maven by Tori Spelling outfit.  I'm obsessed!  People even stopped us at Starbucks to ask us where we got his shirt.  They carry Little Maven at JCPenny.  I can't wait to get him some new fall stuff!

I was super excited to wear my new  Tom's Herringbone Wedges.  I guess I thought wearing fall shoes would bring out the fall temperatures.  That didn't happen.    

Since the Texans were playing football around noon we headed back home for some home made soup and TV watching.  We tried something new and pulled the high chair into the living room so the football watching could be a family affair.  It was a cute site to see!!  Too bad the Texans and the Cowboys lost. 

Do any of you moms out there have a favorite clothing lines for little boys?!?!?  I'm always up for suggestions and new clothes for our little buddy!!! 

Red Raider Weekend

Last weekend we had a nice 3 day weekend in West Texas.  Gordon hadn't been to Midland since February....I know he missed it terribly.  :)  Friday morning G and I had a little breakfast date at the donut shop while Nana watched William and later in the day we met my brother and SIL for lunch at one of Gordon's favorites, Burgers, Fries, Cherry Pies. After that the boys (minus William) headed to the deer lease while I enjoyed an hour and a half massage (thanks mama!).  We had a girls night with little buddy at Luigi's since all the boys were still hunting.  I had planned on checking out a new wine bar in Midland that night but Gordon and I decided sleeping sounded better!  The next morning we packed up and headed to Lubbock for a Red Raider football game. 

My sweet grandparents met us in Lubbock to watch William while we were at the game.  First we headed to Rosa's for a yummy lunch, did a little tailgating, watch a great football game and had dinner at Orlando's.  That night my parents watched William while we went with my brother and Skye to meet up with some friends.  It's always great to go back to Lubbock.  It's hard to believe Gordon and I met our Freshman year at Tech and now we are bringing our baby back to the LBK!  How cute is William in his Tech gear!?! 

Gordon and my dad went and shot guns once we were back in Midland while the girls got pedicures.  William seems to really enjoy Midland....or at least he's pretty entertained by my parents little puppies.  He thinks they're pretty funny.  

 

I had to say goodbye to the house I've called home since I was 11 years old.  I'm so glad William got to spend some time in the house before Nana and Papa move.  I know he won't remember it but at least we got some photos! 



 

 

Next month we'll be calling this home!!!  The new house is beautiful and going to be great for lots of grandbabies.  The backyard is huge which will be perfect for playing and swiming, there's a movie theatre room and "my room" is connected to the nursery by a bathroom.

 

 

We can hardly wait for Christmas in Midland!!

On another note...this weekend baby boy has been a little under the weather.  Poor thing has been coughing up a storm and has a yucky nose.  That didn't stop him from trying some new food today....CARROTS were a success!

Fall Fun

After our exciting baby news at the beginning of October we started off our BUSY fall with a trip to West Texas for a Texas Tech football game.  We flew to Midland on a Friday evening and told my parents our exciting news.  I wrapped a little present with an outfit that said "Best Grandparents" (or something like that)....my dad looked up at me and said, "Are you trying to tell us you're pregnant?"  Haha.  They were super excited.  The next day we made our way to the LBK for the Tech vs A&M game.  I got my yearly fix of Orlando's mafia queso but had to go without a Chimey's margarita this year! 

 
Two weeks later we headed to San Antonio for the Barteau-Zito wedding.  We stayed at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort which was super nice and relaxing.  I spent Saturday by the pool while Gordon played golf with some of his buddies.  There's nothing better than reading a good book by the pool!

We had our first doctors appointment that following Monday.  We didn't actually see the doctor that day but I did have an ultrasound to find out exactly how far along in the pregnancy I was.  The baby's heart rate was 140 and it measured 7 weeks 1 day making my due date June 10, 2012.  It's such a relief to see that little flash of a heartbeat on the screen!  If you know me you know I worry far TOO much so having this day finally come was good for us all.  Here's a picture of our little sweet pea. 

November was filled with even more fun!!!  One of my best college friends got married on 11.11.11 :)  Gordon had to work so my mom and I had a fun girls weekend in Dallas.  When I wasn't doing wedding stuff she and I did some baby shopping!   Here's a picture with the beautiful bride and the 3 Lindsey's. 

Next up was Gordon's 30th birthday.  His first surprise of the day was his new Green EGG grill.  We'd heard great things about them so I knew it would be a perfect gift for such a special birthday year.  The next surprise was that night.  His parents and I planned a surprise party at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  He was SHOCKED and couldn't believe his parents were in town all the way from Texarkana.  We had a great night with some of our close friends and family. 

Cake by Rustika Bakery

Cups from Monogram Shop

And last but not least Thanksgiving weekend.  We had a relaxing Thanksgiving day in Midland with some of my mom's side of the family.  Gordon and my dad hunted Thursday and Friday morning so he was an extra happy man.  Especially after he got a big buck on Friday (which he insists we are going to hang in our home).  After a yummy lunch at Luigi's we headed to Dallas for the Tech vs Baylor football game.  On Saturday, we did a little shopping at the Galleria before heading to the Cowboys Stadium for the game.  My dad managed to get us FABULOUS suite tickets.  Watching football has never been so fun...and comfortable.  Tech may have lost the football game but we all managed to have a great time. 

Me, G, Grant, Emily, Dustin and Skye

Thanks again Mom and Dad!

                                    

16 weeks in Texarkana for Christmas

I was 12 weeks pregnant during Thanksgiving weekend.  I still can't believe how fast the first trimester flew by!  Luckily, I felt great with only a little nausea after breakfast.  After watching so many of my friends suffer from morning sickness I feel extra blessed to have breezed right through the first 12 weeks. 
Up next....the gender reveal party!!!