My Sunday Best

I'm still here with baby still safely inside! Being that Thomas was born exactly at 37wks and Katie Grace at 37wks + a few days, and with the concerns about his cord, I figured I'd have a baby by now. But he has looked good on the scans and other tests, so they aren't comfortable delivering earlier than need be, and the hospital won't let us schedule before 39wks. So unless there's another complication or I go into labor, we keep waiting...maybe even until December 2nd!

Today I went to mass and lunch nearby with my parents while the rest of the family went to our church across town for mass and a big potluck meal.  I even got a little nap in the quiet house before the crew got back home!  I wore one of the few non-tee shirts that still fit me, with a black maxi skirt and my comfy black Sketchers flats. This belly is really getting big and it's getting harder and harder to move around!

A few other updates...
On Friday we made it out to our homeschool clubs, which was good for me and so nice to visit with friends after a couple weeks of hardly leaving the house. I'm able to do a little more around here and get out of the house too, since we aren't so worried about preterm labor. Here's Katie with the little sisters playing dress-up while the older kids did their virtue lessons, sewing, and sports outside.

Mama and belly in my favorite shirt this pregnancy :)

And another of Katie reading a little book last weekend after Sunday mass...

During my weekly non-stress test at the hospital on Thursday

And the boys at some of their last baseball games. The season is FINALLY over after Steven's play-off game last Monday and Thomas' team party on Wednesday. It was a good season, but I'm glad it's over!

And now we are ready for a restful week week off of school and ballet, and we're ready to meet our little man! We may even host Thanksgiving here on Friday. I was hoping to be recovering back at home with the baby, but I could still be pregnant on Thanksgiving! Hope it's a blessed week for all of you <3 p="">

See more ladies and their Sunday best over at Rosie's!

Farewell Summer! My Sunday Best and some updates

I missed Seven Quick Takes which I intended to do, so I'll do my own little blogging update tonight...

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Linking for the first time with Rosie to share My Sunday Best!

25 weeks along with baby #6

"Nicole" dress by LuLaRoe

Yesterday morning I hosted a LuLaRoe Pop Up shopping party at my house. I've been eyeing these clothes online for months, but I knew I needed to try them in person. Some friends I've known since elementary school just became consultants (Mel & L), and offered to drive in and do a party at my house. Now that's the way to shop. Brunch food, friends, racks of clothes, and the ability to try them on in my own bedroom with input from friends! The clothes are comfy, colorful, and modest and I know the moms were especially grateful to find some modest church dresses and skirts for our tween and teen girls. I'll have to get a pic of MC in her adorable "Amelia" dress; it's so cute! And I love their leggings! I'm not usually a leggings gal, but they are so soft comfy just like everyone said, perfect for maternity clothes.

LuLaRoe leggings and "Irma" tunic 

(with a ponytail trick to tighten it in the back)

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Baby Update

Little man is 25 weeks, and moving around a lot. I found out that I passed my glucose screen which I took last week and was so happy! This is the worst shape/weight I've been in out of any of my pregnancies, I haven't been eating well, and I am often on the borderline each time I take the test, so I was very grateful to not have a GD diagnosis! Since I'm having some Braxton Hicks contractions already, my OB advised that we go ahead and start the weekly progesterone injections to help prevent preterm labor. They don't hurt so bad, but going to the office each week is hard since it's not a quick visit. I still have to wait for a room and sometimes that can take awhile. But whatever we can do to ensure that this baby stays cooking until mid-November is ideal!

I started a Catholic C-Section Moms group on Facebook around last summer, and it's been such a great source of support for me during this pregnancy. There are quite a few moms on there who've had 6-10 c-sections, so they are a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. I'm starting to get more anxious about the surgery, so I'm working on praying through some of those fears as I get closer and closer to the inevitable!

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Homeschool Year Begins

Tomorrow morning begins our new year of homeschooling. I'm ready for some routine, but not looking forward to all the work with teaching four kids! This year we will have an 8th, 6th, 3rd, and 1st grader, plus a 2yr old and new baby coming soon. We're continuing to follow the Mother of Divine Grace program, with full enrollment and some online courses for the girls. We'll be doing monthly science classes at the museum, our 4-H club meetings once a month, and our twice monthly homeschool clubs where the kids study virtues, outdoor adventures (boys) and homemaking skills (girls). The girls are back to ballet classes as of last week, and the boys will be starting baseball soon. I'm not sure we'll be able to squeeze in piano right now, but am hoping we can add it back in at some point. I'm hoping for a successful school year as we have our last year before we have a HIGH SCHOOLER! Crazy! We had a BBQ with friends last weekend, and I have a little surprise up my sleeve for tomorrow morning...

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Katie Grace 

Little Katie is now officially 2 1/2 and has quite the personality! She is now known as the family singer and dancer and loves to perform her songs for everyone as she plays an "air guitar." She's getting used to saying baby boy instead of baby sister, and is constantly telling people that I have a baby growing in my tummy. She holds my face and says, "I love you so much." She loves going to HEB, to church, and to see her little friends. She is making it through most Sunday masses without having to go to the cry room, which is so nice! She loves alfredo noodles, spaghetti, pizza, chicken, rice, and strawberries.  She likes to dress in her Cinderella costume or her tutu and loves to carry a purse. Mary Clare took some photos of her last week which I love! I haven't picked up my camera much this summer, but these adorable shots are motivating me to start taking some pics again...

I intended to type up seven updates, but I think four are enough for tonight! Hope everyone has a great week!

Answer Me This and WIWS

Linking up with Kendra at Catholic All Year

And Fine Linen and Purple

1. How often do you take public transportation?
Pretty much never.  About once a year we ride the trolley around The Woodlands, and when I was pregnant with Ellie we took the Houston Metro Rail train a few times.  I saw a doctor in the Medical Center and the cost for parking there is outrageous, so we'd park down the street and take the train.  On vacation we've taken shuttle buses and of course the train, subway, and buses on our pilgrimage to Italy.

I do have one funny story about a train ride in Italy.  Steven thought it would be a good idea to take the train to the Trastevere section of Rome, instead of just a bus or subway.  We wanted to go to the church of Santa Cecilia.  So we arrived at the train station and found the "correct" train, even asking a lady who was waiting for the same train.  She assured us that indeed we were getting on the train to Trastevere.  But after a few minutes, we started to see the countryside and realized that we were not in Rome anymore!  We stopped once and our kind "friend" was getting off the train.  She leaned over and said, "Trastevere, next stop."  We were pretty sure she was messing with us, but we waited until the next stop to actually get off the train and figure out how to get back to Rome!

Another challenging public transportation story in Rome was similar to Kendra's Mexico story.  It happened when we got on the wrong bus along with our friends (we traveled with three other newlywed couples to Italy to meet the pope).  Apparently there was a Bus 79 along with a Bus 79/.  So we accidentally got on the "Seventy-Nine-Slash" bus and ended up on the wrong side of town.  I think we were also warned by someone that this was not the bus we wanted to be on, but one of us had the brilliant idea that we'd just ride the bus back around again and get off where we had gotten on.  This was my first experience of watching someone use illegal drugs just a few seats away.  And unfortunately when we got to the end of the route, the bus driver ordered us all off the bus at the depot.  Us and the drug user, that is.  We had to wait about 30 minutes for another train to take us back into the city. Thankfully we made it back, but what an adventure!


2. How many cousins do you have?
I have 13 cousins, but sadly don't see them hardly at all.  We had one set of cousins living in our neighborhood growing up, but they were quite a bit older and we weren't very close.  Steven, on the other hand, has more cousins than he can name; he says it's over 60.  His dad had 10 siblings, so that multiplies his number quite a bit! My own kids have 2 cousins on my side (I just have one brother), and 14 on Steven's side (he's youngest of seven), so 16 in all, and I'm not sure they'll gain any more first cousins.  But we have some fun holiday celebrations with his family and all the crazy kiddos!

Christmas 2013 at Grampatti and BopBop's house

3. Have you ever fired a gun?
I've only fired a bb gun when I taught "rifle sports" as a counselor at The Pines Catholic Camp.  My big kids have all shot a gun and gone hunting with Steven.  He really wants me to try a shooting range, but it's not really my thing.  He'll probably get me there one of these days though, because I'd like to feel more comfortable with one in case I should ever have to use one in an emergency.

Here are the kids getting a gun safety lesson 

from Steven and their godfather Enrique at the farm.

4. Do you ride roller coasters?
I used to love roller coasters, but I don't think I've ridden one since my early 20s.  The past two times we've been to a theme park, both Disneyland and Disney World, I've been pregnant and have opted to avoid the roller coasters since I already have somewhat high risk pregnancies.  I don't think I'd like them much anymore, since I'm now afraid of heights.  My kids were all really brave, and even the 5yr old went on roller coasters last year!

Splash Mountain Sept 2013

5. What's your favorite flower?
Tulips, ever since this memorable day...

6. Are you allergic to anything?
Not that I know of!

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And what I wore Sunday....

New skirt from Old Navy!  Yay!

My last white peasant skirt was stained with black ink a few years ago, 

but I have kept wearing it  because I like it so much.  It was time for a new one :)

I survived Monday through Friday without Daddy!

I felt like SuperMom last week.  It was a lot of work, but we survived with a lot of crafts and about three playdates over here.  Thankfully we have a short week ahead and are working on plans for a fun Independence Day weekend.  What will your families do to celebrate?

Answer Me This and WIWS

linking to Kendra at Catholic All Year

and Fine Linen and Purple

1. When's the last time you got a new bathing suit?
Well, since I'm usually the one with the camera and I don't really like having my picture taken in a swimsuit, I don't recall how long I've had my current Lands End suit, but I'm guessing about three years, so this would be its fourth summer.  It's a skirt with a top, but I'm not really crazy about the fit of the top; it's a bit low-cut for my taste.  I'm loving the Lime Ricki suits that Kendra linked!  I used to find lots of great options for the girls and me at Lands End, especially since they were sold in the local Sears where we used to live.  But I haven't found much the past two summers online.  I just looked though, and see that there are quite a few girls' suits on sale on their website, so maybe we will do some swim shopping this week!  Okay, I did find one photo where I'm fairly well covered by kids.  I'll keep it the small size photo though, LOL!  I love the pink one Ellie is wearing, it's Lands End too.

2. Who made the last incoming call on your phone?
Looks like it was my friend Kate.  She's on bed rest with baby #4 and we were talking about a beach outing planned for this week and commiserating about challenging summers.  Hers is much more challenging than mine, trying to keep a baby cooking inside while entertaining little ones.  My summer is more of an mental challenge, trying to occupy ourselves these next few months while Daddy is traveling and working a lot as we prepare to move and renovate a home just as all the fall activities are starting.  I'm considering maybe starting school a little early, because I'm having a really hard time keeping everyone busy these long days of summer.


3. If you receive communion, do you receive it in the hands or on the tongue?
Tongue.  I started that in college and have continued.  The girls both received their First Holy Communion at a church where that's the only option, and our current parish also has kneelers where we receive, although some do still receive in the hands.  I feel that it helps us to be more reverent.  And today, at the feast of Corpus Christi, is a good time to think about the reverence due the Blessed Sacrament and how we can do better at showing that to our children.

Here are my first two first communicants:

4. Do you have a tattoo?
No, and I have no desire to get one.  We live in what seems like the tattoo capital of the world though.  There are tattoo parlors on every corner, and if we go to a pool or beach it seems like we are the only adults without tattoos!  My brother is the only tattoo aficionado in the family, he's got an arm-full and I don't think he's done!  His is colorful with pretty artwork (except that mask thing that he knows I don't like), but for myself I can't imagine having artwork on my body for the rest of my life.  We love Uncle Brice, tattoos and all!

5. How many dinner plates are in your house?
Hmmm, I have about 8-10 of these, which I bought from the benefit sale for the sons of my friend Kelly who passed away.  This is the everyday set that we use, although the kids mostly eat off IKEA plastic plates.  We only have about four of the smaller luncheon plates and could use a few more, because they're a perfect size for the kids!

Pfaltzgraff Heritage:

This is the everyday set that we registered for when we got married.  We broke quite a few and don't really like the bowls (they're very flat), so they sit in a box in the attic.  I'm guessing we have about 8-10.  Maybe once we move we will use them again.

Dansk Bistro Christianshaven Blue:

And this is the set of china passed down from my grandmother, although they don't actually have a "B" for our last name.  Some have an "F" from my mom's maiden name.  Maybe one of the girls will marry someone with an F last name and it will be really cool to pass them on to her!  I'd like to start using them more often for holidays and special feast days.

Princess House Heritage Platinum:

6.  Do you have an accent?
I don't think so, but I feel like people from the north have an accent, so I guess I have a southern one. I don't have a Texas twang, though!


And here's what we wore Sunday....

Sweet smocked dress for Katie Grace:

And my Walmart maxi skirt with black shirt for mama.  I'm not crazy about the Walmart skirt; I think I need to find a few more fun maxi skirts that are a little bit better quality because the nice ones really are comfy!

Can you see Ellie in the door reflection taking my picture?

Have a great week, friends!

Wish me luck at surviving the next three or so months!

I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.

Answer Me This and What I Wore Sunday

Link Up

1. Do you have a smart phone?
Yes, I have an iPhone. I'm working on my iPhone addiction. (Step 1: Acknowledge your problem.) I do a lot on the phone throughout the day. Chimes ring for prayer time, I look up recipes, I text and call friends and family, I take pictures, I pin fun stuff on Pinterest, I check out pictures on Instagram. And...I read Facebook and the blogs on Feedly which are the big time-suckers. I need to do better at just leaving it in my room to use while I'm feeding the baby or resting. That will be my goal this week!


2. Which is your favorite meal of the day?
I guess I'll say dinner. I'm not a big fan of cooking or eating, unless it's at a restaurant where I don't have to cook or clean up, and the food is usually better than mine! Sometimes my kind husband makes dinner, and every now and then the girls cook a meal (we're trying to make that a weekly thing). The girls actually make breakfast often, which is so nice. I guess my most favorite meal is Sunday "linner" (between lunch and dinner), which is usually something yummy and grilled by Steven. My other favorite meals are when we have guests; I really enjoy hosting friends and sharing meals together.  Oh, and I love breakfast buffets with unlimited bacon.  Those are the best!


3. Shower or bath?
I am a huge fan of the bath, and this is our first house to have a big garden tub. I am so spoiled by the bath, and our beautiful bathroom. It's big and bright and oh so nice!  I'm already grieving the loss of it, and trying to figure out a way to transform the shower-only master bathroom in our other house.


4. Think of a person you love. How many days have you been in love with that person?

Wow, I have been in love with my husband for 16 years and 16 days, or 5860 days! Our first date was May 16, 1998, and we will celebrate 13 years of marriage in July. The picture above is the night of our first date, with the nieces and nephew of my roommate. I felt like Cinderella that night; he asked me just a few hours before the formal dance, and my roommates and these children quickly helped me get ready for the big "Boot Dance." Steven surprised his buddies who thought he wasn't coming, and then he showed up with a date!



5. What's the best church you've ever been inside?
Oh wow, well St. Peter's is definitely first, and since it's my blog I'll do the top three:

Numero Uno:

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Best place on earth!

Even better after you just had your marriage blessed by the Pope!

1/2/2002

source

Numero Dos:

Annunciation Church in Downtown Houston

This is the 2nd oldest Catholic Church in Houston, completed in 1874.

I feel like we are in Europe when we go to this church.  There just aren't many like this anymore, especially in Texas!  The girls both celebrated their First Holy Communions there, and little Katherine Maria Grace was baptized there in February, pictured here.

source

Numero Tres:

My favorite for being the most special to me is St. Mary's in College Station, Texas

Steven and I met on the steps of St. Mary's after daily mass, and we were married there.  It's where we were formed in our Catholic faith and met many lifelong friends.

Here's a snapshot from the anniversary mass for 

now-Bishop Michael Sis who married us!

Reciting our vows in front of Fr. Mike

And the church during Easter Vigil

photo by Ed Rhodes via The Loveliest Hour (thanks, Lauren!)

6. Happy Feast of the Visitation! Has anyone ever come to help YOU?

I have had so many people help me!  This past pregnancy, we spent six weeks in a rental cabin near the hospital, and we had many friends and family members help by watching kids and offering meals.  My sister-in-law Jill usually watches the kids on baby day, and my in-laws have spent time staying with us after the boys' births.  My parents come often to help during the day.  I haven't had anyone come and stay during pregnancy, but that would be nice.  What a gift Mary was to her cousin Elizabeth!

The Visitation is one of my favorite feast days, it's meaningful to me as a woman and a mother.  Mary and Elizabeth are favorite saints, and favorite names, hence the first names of my first two girls.  I told them that it's their feast day today!  I need to start figuring out a permanent feast day for each of the kids.  We usually try to celebrate St. Clare in August for Mary Clare.  Ellie is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, but her memorial is in early January which is hard after Christmas and right after big sister's birthday.  St. Stephen is the day after Christmas, and St. Thomas More is June 22.  St. Katharine Drexel is March 3, soon after Katie's birthday.  Maybe I should ask the kids to pick a feast day to be their special day, and hopefully not too close to their birthdays.  They were all baptized at 1-2 weeks old, so often we are still celebrating their birthdays and don't remember to celebrate their baptismal day.  I need to put them all on my iPhone calendar so that we will remember!

Last year we hosted a Visitation Tea Party and May Crowning, but this week I wasn't sure about hosting something at our house, plus I really wanted to plan a beach day before schools let out here.  So we had a May Crowning at the Beach with some homeschool friends on Friday!  So much fun.  Will share more tomorrow.

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What I Wore Sunday

Link up at Fine Linen and Purple

Old clothes but new adorable baby, new haircut I gave myself this morning (just some layers in the front), and new camera lens!  Loving the lens and the new iMac we got last week.

photo by Ellie :) 

Sweet baby girl is all over her hands the past few days!

I'd say she's changed quite a bit since she first wore this dress at her baptism party!  It belonged to Steven's beautiful sister Mary when she was a baby :)

And welcome to June!  We're ready for some more fun in the sun this summer!  Hope your week is filled with sunshine and smiles :)