Getting Too Exciting!

Cheers to week #38! Getting so close and it is getting way too exciting! As you can image, the questions and thoughts I have about even the smallest details of giving birth and finally holding our new baby are rushing through my head at all times and I can't wait for the day to get here! Thank you for sharing this experience with me!

For those of you who couldn't believe I am still working...well...great news...tomorrow, Friday, May 16th, is officially my last day at International Quarters! Time for some rest and relaxation before the little one gets here! My ankles are swollen and back is sore so I felt like it was finally time to start resting my huge feet, catch up on things around the house, and enjoying this gorgeous Summer weather (today it is 101 degrees outside...wow!)

I am going to the doctor every wednesday and things are going perfectly! I am dilated, effaced, and the baby is getting ready for arrival! Our bag is packed, baby gear organized in the nursery, and car seats in both cars! Ready!

I had another beautiful baby shower given at Julie and John Shirley's amazing home in Sonoma! It was perfect and a great time was had by all! Thank you to all of you who were there to celebrate and thank you for all the fabulous gifts! We are going to have one very stylish baby! Especially in the 2008 Inglesina Pram that mom and dad gave us and Baby Trend stroller/car seat system as a gift from Erik's parents! Now I will have to get ready for alot of walking and running once we are settled into the new baby lifestyle!

Below are some photos from the shower and the newest picture of the proud big cousin to be, Blake who is getting so big and super handsome! He is ready to be a big cousin even if he doesn't quite understand why his Aunt Nat's belly is so huge! Can't wait to have both the little ones cruising around and entertaining the family!

Cake by Alexis Baking Company

Flowes by Anne Appleman

Cute Girls

My girls...mom and Taylor

The hostesses...Judy, Dede, and Julie

Me and my Allie

Blake enjoying Tuesday night Farmer's Market

Okay...time to get serious!

Amy Farr, me, and Julie Garcia (all due within 2 weeks of eachother)

The Shower Hostesses and Best Friends- Lola Andres and Amanda Frank
Feeling the little one with big kicks

Adorable Gift Baskets and Diaper Cake Decor
The Shower Brunch
Petaluma Sweethearts- Angie Garcia and Gina Gibbs
Julie Garcia and Amy Farr
Ice Cream Cake and baby stories

I am so sorry it has been so long! I promise to start getting serious now that it is down to the wire and I am 36 weeks pregnant! Yes...only weeks to go before the much anticipated baby gets here!

To recap everything that has been happening I will start by staying that I am getting bigger by the minute! However, I must admit that the weight gain has been easily manageable and I am actually quite surprised that I haven't had all the "cravings" that family/friends swore I would have. Don't get me wrong...I love a huge piece of cheesecake from time to time (thank you Erik!), but for the most part I stick to sandwiches, fruit, Thai food and salads. My huge belly may tell a different story, but I have been very pleased to feel so great throughout this whole experience. Not to mention the fact that I do still have a belly button...I know it is hard to believe...but I do!

This baby is a wild one! Constantly moving from about 9:00 am to about 11:00 am and then again mid afternoon. We end the day with lots of movement right after I eat dinner. This is my favorite because Erik gets to sit with me and we watch as Baby T gets comfy. It is truly a one of a kind experience. Talk about making you smile! Another favorite past time is sitting in the nursery- daydreaming, organizing, and reorganizing all the decor, toys, tiny clothes, etc. I have caught Erik doing the same thing, but don't tell him I told you :)!

We are ready! Well...almost ready...but will for sure be prepared after our Baby Shower on May 10th! I also had a Baby Shower on March 19th that Lola and Amanda threw for me (pictures above) and I can't believe how wonderful my girlfriends are and how supportive and excited everyone is for Erik and I. Can't wait to return the favor when they have babies themselves! Overall we feel like we have done just about as much as we can to prepare ourselves! We have finished the newborn care class, extensive labor class (we actually knew two of the other couples surprisingly, and the breastfeeding class! So much information to soak up for what is yet to come and we feel as prepared as we will ever be!

I am now going to see Dr. Spivak once a week...typically on Wednesday mornings...and every appointment is even more exciting than the one before. This past appointment was the first set of measurements and it looks like Baby T will be arriving earlier than expected although it is always unknown of course. I am dilated almost 2cm and 45% effaced. The body is turned in the perfect position and definitely getting cozy in my pelvic bone. I apologize if that is a bit to graphic, but it is very exciting and I feel like sharing even the smallest details. I laugh because everything feels like it is dropping so much that it makes me walk like a "bow legged cowboy" (a bit of Texan coming out of me).. but it is true! Other than that I feel lucky that I have had minimal swelling and am still wearing both wedding bands, although I realize that may change very quickly! I just can't believe that within the next few weeks we will be proud parents...I feel inspired to pack for the hospital this weekend!

Other than baby joy there have been so many wonderful events. Apryl and Keith had their baby girl, Beya. Devon and Cody Gonzales had their baby boy, Dylan. Julie and Alfred are only moments away from the arrival of their baby girl, Ava. AND...Erik's cousin, Jennifer, just got married this past Saturday in Fresno. We loved the wedding and are so happy for Jen and Jerry! So much to celebrate and so many babies to get my hands on!

Everyone in my family is fabulous, enjoying the start of a warm summer, loving Farmer's Market is Sonoma every Tuesday night, and excited for Taylor's upcoming trip to London for the summer. Blake is loving pre-school when the other children aren't contaminating him with their shared colds. Erik's entire family is constantly in celebration mode since it has been a year of weddings and babies. Its been wonderful!

Erik and Scott in Fresno

At Jennifer's Wedding

Jennifer and Jerry

36 weeks pregnant!

Less than 100 days to go!!!!

What a busy couple of weeks! Time flies by when you are having fun preparing for baby, focusing on the last couple of projects at work, planning baby showers, and spending time with my family as we discuss the possibility of my parents starting a restaurant in Sonoma. There is so much to do!

I feel great! Back pain is still coming on strong from time to time, but at least I have energy and motivation to keep a busy schedule. The baby is doing so well and getting much bigger...2 lbs now and approximately 14-15 inches long from head to toe. It is so amazing how much he or she moves around and is really starting to have a daily schedule. I have so much fun feeling it move around and I am sure cars around me get a kick out of me talking and singing to the baby on my commute to the office each morning. I can't help it! It is crazy that in 98 days from today we will be the proud parents of a little one and how incredibly fast it has gone by!

So many babies on the way! The baby showers have begun for all of my pregnant girlfriends and I look forward to the baby shower that Lola and Amanda are having for me with all my girlfriends on April 19, 2008 and then another shower on May 10th for my family and close family friends at the Shirley Residence in Sonoma. We are working on registering for baby gear from BabiesRUs and Target- both of which have it all!!!! A couple of weeks ago I went to a shower for one of the softball wives, Apryl, who is having a little girl on March 16th! It was such a gorgeous day and we had the best time! Plus, we were married within two weeks of eachother so we laugh at what a busy year it has been for the both of us. She is the best!

Erik and I had a wonderful anniversary marking the day we met and laugh at how much has happend over the past three years. I am so thankful of how supporting and loving he is and how he is always full of romantic suprises. For our anniversary he suprised me with a dinner in Larkspur at The Melting Pot and we both loved the food and atmosphere...such a great suprise! We also picked up all the baby furniture we had ordered and it came at the perfect time! Erik has already put it all together and our baby linens should arrive by this wednesday! I am thrilled with my design for the nursery and can't wait to find out if I will be adding blues or pinks when the time comes!

Below are the photos of Erik putting the furniture together and our night at the Melting Pot! We will be spending next weekend down south in San Luis Obispo for mom's birthday. Erik, myself, Luke, mom, Taylor, and Jake will be going down to stay at my dad's home by his winery! It is supposed to rain but we will have a great time celebrating! I am really looking forward to it!

Erik and Kevan busy with the furniture! Doesn't look like much now but I look forward to the final outcome!

Time is flying by!

Been a couple of very busy weeks! My birthday celebration was wonderful. Dad made us all dinner on the 10th and then we all went shopping and had lunch in Walnut Creek on January 12th. I received/purchased baby furniture and maternity wear so I am very happy about my gifts! Erik ordered our new gorgeous baby furniture (see below) that arrives in March...we hope! He has also finished painting and is now working on putting up all the trim. A very big job to say the least, but it is so wonderful to see all the different phases. That baby closet is getting very full and needs some serious organizing! My girlfriends, Lola and Amanda, are planning a shower on April 19th for all our girlfriends and then Julie Shirley (a dear friend of the family's) is having a shower for Erik and I on May 10th for family and friends. Looking forward to celebrating!

The biggest news lately is that my mom and dad sold their home in Glen Ellen! Of course, it is bitter sweet, but we are very excited that they have now rented an adorable home in downtown Sonoma (just blocks off the square) until they purchase a new home. It is going to be so much fun to be able to walk down to the square for shopping, drinks, and lunches once our child arrives. Really looking forward to it and my parents and thrilled!

The sex of Baby Mullins remains a huge mystery; however, congratulations to Summer who is having a little girl, Natalie who is having a little boy, Carey who is having a little girl, Julie who is having a little girl, April who is having a little girl, and Amy Farr who is having a little boy! Wow! Not only are all the celebreties having babies...but so are many of my girlfriends! This is going to be fun!

A preview of our baby furniture...

Pictures (clockwise): My mom and I, Erik and I, Dad during the countdown celebration (his birthday celebration), and Taylor with Erik in their party hats!

Now at 20 weeks! Half way until Baby is here and we could not be more excited! I am not even sure that excited is the word for how wonderful this whole thing has been. I can't seem to come up with the perfect word for it! I truly feel wonderful, but yes...I have definitely had my moments that were not so beautiful! The spontaneous back pain and now feeling my stomach muscles stretching are not at all perks of expecting a child! Thank goodness for a fabulous and patient husband and family to make it all that much easier.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Austin! Lots of TexMex, shopping, golfing, and friends. Erik had a fabulous time and can now understand why Texas is such a special place to me. We also had a wonderful New Year's and celebrated my dad's 48th birthday with friends and family....couldn't have been better.

This past weekend we purchased our baby furniture and finalized the colors for the room. Erik couldn't resist getting the painting done. Now we just need to purchase the trim, linens, and decor then wait 8 to 12 weeks for the furniture to get here. The good thing is that we still have plenty of time! Erik had found the baby furniture store just when I thought I had been everywhere in Sonoma and Marin Counties to find the perfect baby gear. He is officially my new personal baby shopper since he has fantastic taste!

Now for the most exciting part!

We had our huge ultrasound this morning and can proudly announce that everything looks perfect. The baby is approximately 10 1/4 inches long and weights just about 10 ounces. Right on schedule. All tests came back beautifully and from what we could see on the tv monitor...this baby cannot sit still for one second! It moved and squirmed around during the entire appointment. So funny and bizarre that I have yet to feel its movement, but I do understand that I will be feeling it all very soon. It is very amazing how you can see its little fingers moving and legs kicking around. It is all becoming VERY real and VERY sweet and wonderful.

So...more important, fabulous news! My parents just sold their home in Glen Ellen and are now moving into the town of Sonoma with smiles from ear to ear. For quite some time they have wanted to be closer to town and now they get the opportunity to build or remodel another fabulous house. It has created so much excitement in our family! On Erik's side of the family we are so excited to hear that our cousin Jennifer Peterson is now engaged and planning a 2008 wedding! We all got the opportunity to see the happy couple at Thanksgiving and we could not be more excited for another wedding celebration. I cannot wait to hear all the proposal and planning details having just gone through it all myself. Yet again...2008 will be another fantastic year for the Rose/Mullins families.

Pictures (Clockwise): The Rose Family at home in Glen Ellen, Erik and Natalie, Jake and Taylor, Nat and Mom, Julie and John Shirley

The above pictures are of my parent's annual christmas party for family friends at home in Glen Ellen on Friday, December 14th. The party definitely put all of us in the mood for Christmas and my dad made an incredible dinner as always. The girls and dad then went on a shopping trip to San Francisco on Saturday and had a cookie decorating party on Sunday. Very festive weekend. Pictures of all the guys and girls in their ugly christmas sweaters coming soon!

Baby Update:

So...today I experienced a "first" since becoming pregnant. Today was the first time that a perfect stranger actually asked me when my baby was due because she could tell I was expecting. Maybe it was also because I was wearing a form fitting black dress, but for some reason I was both taken back (good thing for her that I WAS expecting :) ) and excited all at the same time. I must have gotten a little bigger over night...finally!

Great news: Our friends April and Keith have just found out that they are expecting a little girl. And....my dear friend from childhood in Texas, Zach Holtzman, has just found out that he and his wife are expecting their second son. Our "Baby T" already has so many friends to look forward to. Congrats to all the parents to be!

Anxious for Christmas in Texas!

I am getting so anxious for our Christmas is Austin, Texas! Counting down the days, minutes, and seconds before a week of relaxation and family in my home town and home state. There is something about spending this time of year in Texas that brings the most amazing sense of happiness. It is the one time each year that I get to see everyone! Especially those that were not able to make it to the wedding this past June. I have continue to have 5 sets of grandparents and of course all my aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins...list goes on and on. We stay at my grandparents home (yes, it is plenty big enough for all 14 of us) in Terrytown Area of Austin and it is beautiful this time of year. It is the only time of the year when I can make it back to Texas so I definitely have a list of things I have to do, people I must see, and restaurants I must enjoy! Not only can I not wait for Erik to spend his first Christmas with me in Austin, but we can't wait to bring our new baby to spend Christmas there next year to meet all my family and share my "Texas roots". People say traveling is hard with a baby because of all the gear you must have with you. I say...it is well worth it!

Erik and I are flying in late on Thursday night the 20th. We will be renting our own car so that we can visit family and friends (such as Allison and Tim who will also be in Texas spending Christmas in Westlake) and Erik's wonderful family friend who also happens to live in Austin. We head to Valley Mills (to see Granddaddy Bill, Barb, and all my mom's family) for a full day (with BBQ lunch in Crawford) and spend the rest of our time in Austin. I look forward to all the traditions such as taking a million family photos in front of the Christmas tree, never-ending fires in all fireplaces, the guys taking off to play golf every morning, shopping and lunching with the girls, Hula Hut on Lake Austin, taking a drive to see all the Christmas lights at Zilker Park, the long dinners and hysterical conversations, wrapping gifts with the little girls, baked cookies and candies, Christmas movies, Christmas morning gifts and breakfast, mimosas (well...not for me this year, but I can still appreciate) and coffee cake, and our family Christmas party that we have on December 26th. This party is amazing and a time when hundred(s) of our closest family friends get together, catch up, and remember past Christmas stories! Erik and I then fly home on December 27th and will celebrate Christmas with his family in Petaluma and get ready for a New Year celebration (also my dad's 48th birthday). 2008 will be another gigantic year for our family!

I am busy shopping, baking, and wrapping gifts. Feeling really good and lots of energy; however, I still have quite a few back pain episodes that are not fun to say the least. I know it could be alot worse so I am grateful. Just had our third OBgyn appointment yesterday morning and I had really been looking forward to it. Everything looks and feels great! I have even started to feel tiny little movements (like a tiny fish swimming) in the early mornings...wild! I was able to schedule our big sonogram for January 7th and am really excited to get to see the wee one again! Erik has not been feeling well this week (a cold going around it seems) and I have been doing a really great job of staying healthy with lots of sleep and vitamins.

Very exciting news... my girlfriend, Julie, just found out she is having a little girl....Ava Anne....precious! Congrats to Julie and Alfred! She is just two weeks apart so we really enjoy sharing our thoughts and this whole experience. We define the term "first time mom". She also knows how much I enjoy designing nurseries so I am getting ideas for our yellow and white theme (since we keeping it a secret) and now for her "baby girl" theme. We are both nearing the half way mark in a hurry...time flies by!