abundant blessings.

This week has been a festival of tears.  I am officially finished at Aledo Middle School (waaaaahhhh!), and our house is officially on the market.  We have received excellent feedback on the house so far, which made my last day at AMS much easier, but still a bit devastating nonetheless...

The three girls coaches and the "Sunshine Committee" threw Tate a baby shower on Wednesday, and I have to say, nothing makes leaving more difficult than seeing firsthand once again how amazing all of your co-workers are.  Tate was showered with so many wonderful gifts by such kind and generous people.  We are truly blessed.

Thank you to Virginia, Keegan, Amber and Paula!  I love you all!

And thank you to everyone who was a part of the baby shower and to all of the amazing people that made my run at Aledo ISD so special.  

Saying the final goodbyes to the girls I coached this year did not make Wednesday and Thursday any easier!  These kiddos are amazing, and no matter where I go or where I end up, it's going to be incredibly difficult for any kids to compete with the ones from Aledo.  And I don't mean literally compete in sports (although that'd be quite the task as well), I mean as a whole, Aledo kids are indescribably awesome and I have been SPOILED rotten by these kids for the past 6 years.

 

I'm completely and totally bummed out to leave this 7th grade group before their time at AMS is over.  I was so looking forward to coaching them next year and being able to see the great strides that I know they will make because of all their hard work and dedication.  Guess I'll just have to watch from afar!  And, make some special trips north toting Tater to watch them kick butt!  

These girls "flash mobbed" us and did the wobble out of nowhere.  It was freaking awesome!

Have I bragged on the Aledo Softball girls winning state yet???  I could not be more proud of this amazing group!! 

Ahh the seniors...seems like yesterday they were just babies, and now they're winning championships and heading off to college.  This group means so much to me because they were my first group of 7th graders when I started at Aledo.  They have made me SO proud of all their accomplishments over the years.  And this one takes the cake!

Congratulations to Rhylie for winning MVP for 4A.  What. an. accomplishment!  And so well-deserved.  This kid is a beast.  And just a junior...watch out 2015.

And last, but certainly not least, my baby Haybo.  I never understood how coaches and kids developed those "friendships" because I felt like it would stand in the way of me doing my job to the best of my ability.  Haylee helped me see that I can be a confidante, a mentor, and a friend without jeopardizing my position as her coach.  I love this girl, and I'm so proud of all she has already accomplished so early in life.  She is going to do amazing things, and I'm blessed beyond measure that our paths crossed 6 years ago.

And then there's this.

To top off the week, Lemons dropped by Tate's shower to shower me with an amazing gift.  Sorry to steal the spotlight from my Tater, but this is big. 

I consider this my "honorary" gold medal from the softball teams' state championship.  Although I am completely undeserving of it, I am truly honored that Coach Lemons would even think to include me.  I love those girls so much and I'm so grateful to have played a small part (several years ago) in their well-deserved success.  I will truly cherish this medal forever, and it will serve as a constant reminder of my amazing time at Aledo, working with amazing kids and amazing coaches.  It's funny.  Once I quit coaching softball 2 years ago, they went to state back to back years.  I feel like maybe Lemons gave this to me as a thanks for getting the hell out so they could do bigger and better things... :)  Honestly though, our family has been cursed for years, unable to bring home that coveted state championship.  Since I had technically already resigned from Aledo, and obviously was no longer coaching softball before they won, I guess the "Comfort Curse" may still be in existence...

  To sum up the kids at Aledo, just this year - the boys won state in football, the girls won state in softball, and tonight the baseball team plays for the state title.  THESE KIDS ARE AMAZING I TELL YA.  And they're smart (over 11 million earned in scholarships for this 2014 class).  And multi-talented.  And have I mentioned awesome?

I leave my job here with a heavy heart, but I know that this is what's best for Miles, myself, and baby Tate (and of course Hambone).  I love that God allowed me the opportunity to make the memories I've made in a job that I have loved.  Coaching runs deep in my veins, and I hope to someday be able to continue doing what I love.  But for right now, this little Tater tot coming in just a couple of months is going to be my priority, and I couldn't be more excited about the adventure Miles and I are about to embark upon together!

empty nest...

I still think reality hasn't quite set in as far as the move to Houston goes.  Although, now that Miles is gone, it's getting really real really fast!  Hambone and I are still in Fort Worth until I finish school and get this house sold.  Milesy had his first day at his new job yesterday, and so far, so good.

We went "neighborhood hunting" last weekend while I was in Houston.  We are trying to decide what area of the suburbs we want to live in - although we won't be able to get serious about buying anything until we get this house sold in Benbrook.  It officially goes on the market tomorrow, so we're hoping for a quick and easy sell.  I love this house so much, so I hope that someone else can fall in love with it just like we did 5 years ago.

Hambone is pretty much totally confused, and thus, acting a tad psychotic.  He went bonkers last weekend in Houston, and the whole drive back to Fort Worth he paced my back seat.  I feel terrible for him because he's so uncertain of what's happening!  I've posted pictures before of him climbing in our suitcases and our laps when we pack for a weekend away, so just imagine his bewilderment and anxiety as we packed up our entire house!  I wish I could warn him that it's only going to get worse before it gets better... but I just have to remember (as Miles tells me ALLLLL the time) - he is a dog.  He will be fine. :)

Our house is almost completely empty, with the exception of our big furniture and some suitcases that I'm living out of for now.  Talk about barren.  The pantry is empty.  No big deal, not like I'm 7 months pregnant or anything.  OHHHH WAIT.  Yes, yes I am.  I see me gaining an exceptional amount of weight as long as I'm living here because I want ice cream every night and I want fried food every day.  So basically, frequent trips to Sonic and Braums are quickly emptying my wallet.  I may need help.

Speaking of food, none of my clothes fit.  So that's awesome.  Nike shorts or tights and t-shirts have completely taken over my wardrobe.  I'm one of those bitches with the "I refuse to buy maternity clothes for 3 months" mantra.  I'm sorry, but maternity clothes are expensive, and I'm cheap.  Especially now that I'm unemployed and we are essentially homeless.  Seriously though, every time I walk through the maternity section at the store, I pick up one or two things, mosey down the aisle, and put them back up.  No idea why.  I've never even tried anything on!  I hear GREAT things about maternity pants, so I'm not sure why I keep holding out.  I can't hold out much longer though, what with baby showers coming up and people expecting me to show up in something other than gym shorts...

Speaking of baby showers, my co-workers are throwing me a shower tomorrow, so pics will be uploaded soon.  I've been so blessed to work with such amazing people at Aledo Middle School, and I'm going to miss them TERRIBLY.  And the kids.  Such awesome kiddos at Aledo.  This sucks.

Ahhh, okay - I apologize for the sadness.  I really am looking forward to the adventure of moving south.  It's just that sometimes I have gloomy moments, which I believe is to be expected.  It's a lot, especially considering the additional hormones I'm rocking these days.  Lemme tell ya, those have made the past couple of weeks tons of FUN. :)

Although it's easy to get stressed out, we have lots and lots to be thankful for these days, so a little bit of a hectic schedule is really nothing to complain about.  It makes life very interesting, to say the least!  Above all, we are fortunate, we are blessed, and life is good!  Stay tuned!

Just a little announcement...

Well...life has turned a bit hectic around the Cobb household the last 2.5 weeks!  Quite unexpectedly...

Milesy starts his new job June 2nd!  AHHH!  Thank GOD for my mother, who has been here since Monday, packing up our entire house and our lives on very short notice.  Our house should be on the market next week, once it's "show ready."  Lord knows it was nowhere NEAR pristine in the first place...now it's filled with boxes and junk!  Garage/moving sale this weekend, Houston next weekend! My my, how life changes at the drop of a hat! 

I'll finish out the school year here in Fort Worth and sell our house, then head to Houston.  We are staying with family until our house sells and we buy our new home (probably around the Tomball area)...so basically Tater will be homeless when he arrives, but it's all good.  All you need is love, right?  :)

We are thrilled and excited for this new adventure, and we look forward to making Houston home to Hambone and our little Tot!  

Chance's 1st Birthday!

Over the weekend we celebrated Chance's 1st birthday!  I can't believe that kid is already a year old...unbelievable!  He was absolutely adorable all day long, sporting his bare chest with his red and white polka-dotted tie and teal shorts.

Chelsea did a PHENOMENAL job planning the "Red Wagon" themed birthday party.  She's really starting to get the hang of this creativity thing! :)  Since they take Chance all over Kate Street in his precious Radio Flyer red wagon, it only made sense to make that the theme of his first birthday!

A little advertising session here:  Need a cake?? Mimi's Confections is the real deal!  Jamesa Jones is absolutely incredible.  Not only are the cakes freaking adorable, but they taste AH-mazing as well!

Lulu and Poppa hooked Chance (and his buddy Grey!) up with a sweet sandbox/water box that the boys just loved!

Ryan and Wendy gave him a new Radio Flyer to stroll around on!

Chance loved all of his gifts, but his attention span didn't last long with the plethora of toys Chelsea kept opening up!  

He did, however, find time to enjoy his new big-wheeled ride once Uncle Ryan finished putting it together (with a little help from Chance's friend, Gage and Aunt Kim)!

 That face!!!

Jamesa made Chance his own little birthday cake, which we were all waiting in extreme anticipation for him to smash his face into, but... I guess the little guy isn't quite the chocoholic his mom and Aunt Jen are.  That being said, he seemed to enjoy handful after handful of sugar!

 And apparently Chance's mama was enjoying the sugar as well...

 Beautiful family photo!

It was a perfect day.  Without realizing it, Chelsea planned the party on Mother's Day, but what better way to celebrate all of the moms in our lives than to celebrate baby Chance with his own mom, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers!?  Thanking God every day for all of our blessings!

Here are just a few more pics from the party!

Chance and his beautiful mama

 Chance's friend Gage saying "Cheese!"

 Poppa, Paw Paw and Uncle Matt

 Chance's daddy, Grandma, Grandpa and Poppa

Maw Maw feeding the birthday boy some hot dog bun with Mom and Aunt Erin!

Chance and his Aunt Christy :)

 Maw Maw, Aunt Wendy, Mom, birthday boy, Aunt Jen (and cousin Tater making her look like she has a massive fat roll - LOL), Lulu and Mimi! What a ladies' man!

 Doesn't get much more precious than this...

 and this!

 Hey Maw Maw, share that bun with me!

 Chance and his later-in-life girlfriend Jensen!  I mean, look at her staring and smiling at him already! :)

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate my precious nephew.  Chelsea and Michael are so blessed and that baby boy is so very loved!

The Infamous "Bump" Progression

Well, I guess the time has come to show the progression of "bump pics" that I've taken.  Although there was nothing showing as early as 7 weeks, I wanted to document where I started and where I'll end up! Also, for those people who continue to say I'm not "showing," I think this pic progression will prove you quite wrong!

Also, after going to the doc today and seeing the number on the devil scale, I'm definitely "showing..." even if the majority of him is showing in my freaking thighs.

7 weeks pregnant (and looking so good, I know)

9 weeks pregnant (SERIOUSLY. take off the damn glasses and put on some makeup for goodness sakes!)

11 weeks pregnant (thank you.)

13 weeks pregnant (lol, and we're back.)

14 weeks pregnant

16 weeks pregnant

I was 18 weeks pregnant at our gender reveal, but never actually took a bump pic with the board!  Oops.

Introducing Mr. Tate Callen Cobb!

This says 20 weeks...but technically I had made the board, forgot to take a pic with it, and ended up taking this picture at 21 weeks 1 day.  Again, oops.  Hopefully I remember to feed my child better than I remember to document timelines...And yeah...about that orange shirt. That won't be happening anymore from here on out.  Took me like 30 minutes to get it off last time.

As of today I am 22 weeks 4 days, but Miles is out of town, so the latest bump pic/chalkboard will have to wait!

We decided on the name Tate Callen Cobb for our little angel.  Well actually, Hambone made the decision for us.  Yes, we're that couple, and here is proof.

 Miles's cousin and best friend passed away 3 years ago, and we have said since then that when we had a son, his middle name would honor him.  His name was Cody Allen, and Allen happens to be a family name down the Cobb lineage (including Miles's middle name).  Thus, we came up with the middle name "Callen" in honor of Cody and as a representation of the Allen name.  

I've already started calling him my Tater, Tater Tot, Tater Bug...and the like.  Miles is over my nicknames, and the other day said "you know his name is TATE, right? I don't want him coming out and being called Tater the rest of his life!"  Hey, it's cute for a baby.  Although I've said if he's that pudgy kid in middle school being called "Tater" he's going to hate our guts...

I'll continue to update this blog with my bump progress as it continues! I swear I'm growing by the minute at this point, so lots of pics to come in the near future!

26 weeks

29 weeks

 32 weeks

 35 1/2 weeks

36 1/2 weeks