ACL Festival

Sam had his first music festival experience this past weekend at ACL!  We had a great time and he really enjoyed dancing and moving to the music :)  I got some of the strongest kicks and movements that I have felt so far!

Thankfully, I was able to hang in there all day and didn't get too tired or have my feet swell too bad.  Yay!

My mom got Sam this unique Austin shirt!  I can't wait for him to wear it!

Me, my mom, and brother, Kyle

My mom and me (before it got super crowded)

22 Weeks

I can not believe that I am halfway through this pregnancy.  It is almost sad for me to think about that.  I have really been enjoying this stage of pregnancy.  Sam has been moving a lot!  He had a blast at my friend Kristen's baby shower and squirmed the whole time!  I guess it's good he is in my tummy for now, because we may have been asked to go outside :)  He is also really active during Good Morning, Bledsoe, our school assembly we have every Friday and after dinner when I finally have a chance to sit down for the day.


A few side effects of pregnancy:

• My feet have swollen and usually hurt terribly at the end of the day.  I sit and wheel myself around in my rolling desk chair as much as possible, but with 21 third graders sometimes you have to be faster than they are!  A rolling chair also isn't the best way to sneak up on them.  (I have an awesome class this year, which I know is going to make it hard to leave them in January.)
• My fingernails look amazing!  I wish I had these nails for my wedding!
• Last week I popped a blood vessel in my eye.  I went to an eye doctor and he said that they don't know how it happens; it could be from bending over or rubbing my eye.  Weight lifters tend to get them, but I'm pretty sure I am not a weight lifter :)  I would post a picture of it, but it is pretty gross.  Hopefully it will be better by Monday.
• My ring finger is starting to swell too.  I think my wedding ring wearing days are numbered. I told Clint that it's almost time for him to take me to "The Wal-Marts" to buy a new ring. (you have to read that last sentence with a strong Texas accent)
• I have been getting indigestion regularly.  I have never had indigestion in my life!  My doctor recommended some OTC medicine that is helping.
• My doctor also recommended that I eat a bowl of ice cream every night!  Yes!  He wants me to gain more weight (I've gained 13 lbs. so far).  I guess that's a good thing...
• When I squat down to get things from the refrigerator (or anything close to the floor), it is really, really hard to get back up.  I am having to pull myself up using the counters or the coffee table.
• Putting on shoes has become interesting (and challenging).  I am still trying to perfect this move.
• Getting up off the floor is also becoming a challenge!  I usually have to roll over and bring my feet in one at a time to stand up.  I will not be posting videos of any of these moves!

Here's my 21 week belly pic.  Not too much of a change.

My mom, dad, Clint, and I all went to register last weekend while we were in Austin.  I got hungry.  Yes, that is a gigantic container of animal crackers!

My Aunt TARA sent us a snuggle nest for Sam.  But, until he arrives Ponkey can use it!

20 Week Belly Pic

The doorknob is almost hidden!

It's a........ BOY!

Clint and I found out yesterday at our 20 week appointment that we are having a baby boy!  We are so excited and I know Clint can't wait to start teaching him how to throw a baseball.  He weighs in at about 12 oz. and is in the 52nd percentile for babies his "age," so everything looks great!


The ultrasound tech asked us when we walked in if we wanted to know the gender, we said, "YES!!"  But, then she proceeded to start her research at the head and worked her way down the little baby's body parts.  The very last thing she did was show us that it was a boy.  Geez!  The suspense was killing us!


Here are some pictures of our sweet little boy, Sam Culp (middle name to come):

If you are wondering abut the name, it is a very special family name on the Culp side.  Clint's dad, Raymond, had a brother named Sammy.

My "motherly instinct" told me this was going to be a boy from the first day I knew I was pregnant.  When I went to work the day we got the big "positive" a little boy named Sam said, "Hi Mrs. Culp!  Did you have a good day today?"  This kid had been at Bledsoe for a several months and had never spoken to me before this day.  I just knew it had to be a sign!  There were also several dreams and other little weird signs that I had (and Clint too) about the baby being a boy.

However, a month ago though, I started doubting myself and thinking, that this might be a girl!  It had a high heart rate, so some people say that means girl and there were a couple other old wives tales that pointed towards a girl.  So, I spent the last four weeks thinking of all the girly things we could do, just so I would be prepared and I wouldn't have a shocked reaction in the ultrasound room.  Now, of course, I am really going to want baby #2 to be a girl!

Kicking Away!

Yesterday I started getting some bigger kicks from the baby, and last night Clint was able to feel it for the first time!  It was a really neat experience.

Tomorrow afternoon is the big day!  We will find out if this baby is a boy or girl.  I can not wait!  It is going to be the longest day at work ever!

Dresser / Changing Table

Here's the dresser I found for the baby room!  I am in love with it!  It will also double as a changing table.  Still looking at crib and bedding.  I think I'll wait until we find out if this baby is a boy or girl.

We will know boy/girl at our next appointment on Monday, August 29th.  We can't wait!!!  I am ready to start calling this baby by its name instead of "it."

100th Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Clint's 30th birthday and his dad's 70th birthday on August 6th!  They share the same birthday, so together they are 100 years old!  Pretty special!


We had a delicious dinner at Papa's Steakhouse.