July Activities

Thirteen weeks! I'm almost to my second trimester and I could not be happier. I remember feeling SO much better with Stella during this trimester, so I welcome all that it brings! This was also the week that we found out Stella would be a little girl. We've chose not to do the chromosomal tests this time for a couple reasons. First being cost and second being that it doesn't change anything. No matter what we would find out, there's no change in how we would handle the pregnancy. Plus, all those things would come out in due time. Although, I strongly believe God will give us a perfectly healthy baby! So, we should find out gender at our 20 week appointment. There's an ever-so-slight chance that at my 16 week appointment that my doctor MAY be able to sneak me back to the sonogram room if his schedule allows it. I'm clearly praying for a WIDE open schedule that morning! But, I'm definitely willing to wait on God's perfect timing for revealing everything.

Despite having more yucky days than good days this month, Stella and I were still able to get out and enjoy quite a few activities! We started our July with a 4th of July celebration at our small group leader's house. It was low key with just their family, our pastor's family, worship leader's family, and our family. We grilled, swam, shot off our own fireworks and relaxed with great friends. Our worship leader's family have two identical twin boys {about 6 months younger than Stella} and Stella calls them both Cash. She talks about Cash all the time during the week, although I'm sure she doesn't know which one she's talking about! She had fun playing with them and we had enjoyed all their company!

We also went to the Indoor Safari Park with my mom. Stella loved the ball pit and trying to go backwards up the slide. She'd get so frustrated when a kid would show up to come down the slide. So, we moved on from that portion! She also enjoyed riding the mechanical zebra and the train ride!

We also had a little family morning a few Saturday's ago and went to Ham Orchards in Terrell. It's a peach orchard and they also sell a bunch of fresh fruits and veggies. There's a bakery there with the BEST pies, fudge, and other canned goodies. We treated ourselves to some peach ice cream, which was so yummy. We decided to forgo the bar b q because it looked pretty crowded and lengthy wait for the food. I'm so glad we were able to get out and do something different.

We managed a couple swim dates with our friends Amber, Tanner, and Kellan! Amber's parents have a pool and they only live a mile from us, so it's awesome to go relax over there with them and we can enjoy swimming, visiting, lunch, and Stella loves her boys...so it's a fun time all around! My other friend Lauren and her two cuties, Landon and Emi, joined us for one of the swim dates and I know Stella was glad to have another girl in the mix! I'm definitely enjoying my time staying home and getting to do these type activities with Stella AND hang out with my friends!

My other girlfriend, Lauren, and her kiddos, Avery and Cutter, also came by one day. This was the day after Stella had ruptured her ear drum, so our plans for the water park got cancelled. They were so sweet to still make the hour long drive out here and we just did a lunch date instead. I'd been hearing great things about BurgerFi so we tried it and I definitely liked it. I love how much Stella loves Lala, Avery and Cutter and how she keeps asking to see them again.

I have not had a girl's night in a LONG, long time. I met several of my girlfriends in downtown McKinney at Cadillac Pizza. I can't tell you how nice it is to hang out with girlfriends and have a little no-kid time. I just love visiting and relaxing with friends. We walked and got ice cream after dinner and sat outside. Downtown McKinney is one of my favorite spots. They have so much shopping and very eclectic restaurants. I wish I could get together with these girls more often!!

Blake also took us for a ride in his semi-truck around Nevada and Josephine! Blake and his grandfather own the truck, but lease it to his uncle {who has his own trucks and trucking business - it's a little side income}. Stella loves 'big trucks' - so she was excited! I finally gave in to her pleas and her and I sat on the sleeper bed while Blake drove. She loved it!

Last week, we met my mom and my sister at Willowbend mall and Stella played in the big, indoor play yard they have set up for kids. There were so many people there, but we still had fun. It's nice to get out of the house and remember what it feels like to be normal! Stella is NOT a shopper {despite her telling me all the time that she's going shopping with her babies}. And I nearly refuse to go shopping with her because of how miserable it is. She despises her stroller and constantly whines. My mom and sister were gracious enough to watch Stella so I could go in a couple stores. I had to keep sitting down from getting light headed and ended up eating my lunch a bit earlier than them. Other than that, Stella was terrified of the toilets and refused to go potty. Somehow she held it all morning with no accidents!

Our last little July outing was today to the Perot Museum. It was our second time to go, but we went with our friends Kate and Carter. They're members at the museum, so Stella and I got in free! We spent the whole time down on the lower level in the area for kids 5 and under. It was crowded, but Stella and Carter still had a great time!

Just seeing this list of activities makes me feel so grateful for this time with Stella. I know the dynamic will change adding a second kid to our family, but I just love watching Stella grow and become such a smart little girl.