My 6th Month Watermelon

We brought this watermelon to a family function last week and I thought it was a comparable size to my belly. What do you think?

What about now?

The close up!

I am still amazed at how much my body can and will stretch. I still have 3 1/2 months and I already feel huge. I know I'm only going to get bigger. Yikes! Another aspect that I have mixed feelings about is how this baby is a heater. Thankfully it has been a cool summer so far and I have not had to endure terrible heat. But I, the one who is usually cold most of the time, have been unusually warm, thus the chopping of the hair. I lost about 9-10 inches. I was not that sad to see it go. My hair dresser kept commenting on how calm I was as she cut it all off. I've been prepping myself for it for months, so I was fine. I was also able to donate my hair so that was an added bonus. Haven't had much swelling yet, but I'm sure the worst is yet to come. Living in a basement has never been better!

1 Week Down, The Rest of The Summer To Go!

School is finally out and we are loving the time off already! The school year did go by quickly and we are grateful for the break. We don't have big plans for the summer. Just getting ready for the little one. We have lots of cleaning out to do and re-arranging so she will fit into our already small and cramped space. I have been making some purchases for her room. It has been a lot of fun. Her room will be pink, green, red and black. Her bedroom set will be decorated in lady bugs. It is so cute! We still have to find a car seat, pack and play, stroller and all the other things a baby needs. Austin hates to think about the cost of it all. But I'm excited for it all to come together!

The bedroom set we picked out!

It's A Girl!

On Monday May 18th we were able to have the ultrasound that revealed that we are going to be having a little baby girl. We are so excited and can't wait for her to arrive. We have a lot to do before she arrives, but we are anxious none the less. Well...I should say I am anxious. Austin is fine with having more time. The baby is healthy and everything looked good in the ultrasound. She is quite the mover. I love feeling her move and kick. My stomach is continually stretching and growing. The increasing heat in the outside temperature is becoming quite uncomfortable, but I am so glad for the warm weather. I had to break down and finally buy maternity clothes. I was too afraid to go alone, so I made my mom go shopping with me. I was able to find some pretty cute stuff. The thing I'm dreading the most is purchasing a swim suit. I want to be able to swim and stay cool, but I don't want to look or feel like a whale.

Anyway, here are some photos from the ultrasound.

Here is her nose and lip.

Here is her hand.

Here is her heart and abdomen.

Here is her spine.

Here are her feet.

Here is her bumb showing that she is a girl!

Buying for Baby

Austin and I were at Kohl's a couple weeks ago and they were having one of their fantastic sales. I convinced Austin to go look at the baby clothes because of the super low prices. I was wishing we knew the sex so I could buy gender specific because of all the cute clothes. We did our best to buy generic things that a boy or a girl would be ok wearing. Austin believe it or not actually picked out the pj's and the colored onesies. I was very impressed and touched that he got into it...well a least a little bit.
We are anxiously awaiting our ultrasound that is scheduled for next Monday, May 18th. Stay tuned for the big announcement!

Mother's Day

I have had the unique opportunity throughout my life to share Mother's Day with my mom. I was born on Mother's Day 28 years ago. I have always loved sharing this day with her and can't think of anyone else I would want to share it with. I love her so much and look up to the example she has set for me. This is the first Mother's Day I have been able to officially celebrate as a mother. With my little one on the way, it was a day full of emotion and moments to cherish. I have been able to feel this little life moving within me and it is the most incredible feeling. I feel so blessed to have this miracle in my life. The only thing in life I've ever wanted to be is a mother. I am excited and humbled to be able to have this dream of mine come true. I know there is not a more rewarding job in the whole world. Thank you mom for raising me right and giving me the best possible example to follow. I hope I can be as great a mom as you! I love you!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was a whirlwind of activity on my side of the family. On Saturday my niece turned 2. Her mom threw her the cutest Mickey Mouse party. On Sunday was Easter and my sister Meghan's missionary farewell. She is going to make a fabulous missionary. Monday night she was set apart. Tuesday we took her up to the airport. She is going to the Rio de Janeiro North mission and goes straight to the MTC in Sao Paulo. I can't believe she is old enough to go! It seems like yesterday she was 2 years old carrying around her silkie calling me sissy. How time flies. She is a beautiful young woman and will be such an amazing missionary. I'll miss her tons! Here are pictures from Monday night after her setting apart.

The whole Summerhays clan minus Austin

All the Summerhays girls

Shannon and Mallory

Mallory in the nightgown Austin and I gave her for her birthday So cute!

Me and my 4 month baby bump

Alyson and Claire

Here are photos from the airport.

Caleb, Robert, Eliza, Sister Summerhays, Me, Austin, Shannon, Alyson, Claire, Jon

Growling at Austin for taking my picture

Meg with Mom and Dad

April Fool's Day

This day of foolishness and pranks holds no specific significance for me. However, to a first grader it is another holiday almost as good as Christmas. It is so, because they get to think they are funny and try to trick anyone and everyone. I got to school this morning and had at least 3 students with broken arms, one with a hurt wrist, and a myriad of others with ticks up their sleeves. With this kind of stuff going on, it is any wonder we accomplished anything today. We came back from Library to find our chairs had been taken. I'm so mean and made my kids kneel for about an hour. I knew where our chairs were but tried to be a little bit nice and let them enjoy the prank. Once the chairs returned things calmed down.
The one thing I absolutely hate about this day however, is those who think they can say something mean, but because they put "April Fool's" after it, it makes it ok. One of my students at the end of the day came up to me and said, "Mrs. Cowley, you are the worst teacher in the world." I was a bit shocked and then the words "April Fool's" came out of his mouth. And he was all grins. Well I commented that saying mean and hurtful things even on April Fool's wasn't nice. I know he was just trying to be funny, but I didn't appreciate it. Kinda wrecked the rest of my day.