Sunday Best

Russ didn't have to work, so we decided it was high time we went to church. We geared up in our 'Sunday Best' and headed to church, with a surprise stop at the club for lunch. What a great way to spend the day as a family...together!

Doctor Daddy helps Lexie's boo-boo feel better with a band-aid

Lexie was all patched up and ready to go!!!

Ornery doesn't even BEGIN to describe this little cutie!
Family photo time...Buster and the baby bump make an appearance!

Shower the people we love!!!

A little over a year ago I hosted a bridal shower for my dear friend Bethany. When she found out she was pregnant, I instantly jumped at the chance to host a baby shower. Her mother-in-law was gracious enough to let me help her plan a BEAUTIFUL shower (if I do say so myself) for the mommy-to-be. Bethany and Brian found out they will be blessed with a baby girl, so of course---we went for it with Pink, Pink, and more...you guessed it...Pink!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect if we tried, the food was absolutely incredible, and Bethany had a radiant glow and permanent smile plastered all over her face! We are so excited for you and Brian...and can't wait to meet "baby B"!!!


Since Mrs. Minich had the hard stuff covered, I lucked out and got to take care of the fun stuff...like invitations, party supplies, decorations and THE CAKE...not too bad--only my second attempt at a baby shower cake, but this one turned out pretty good!



Decorations....check! Diaper cake!


Centerpieces for the tables...mini diaper cakes
Balloooooons....
What a great looking bunch--some of Bethany's family catching up on the couch

My fabulous co-host who graciously prepared all the food and invited us all into her lovely home!
Holding up the clothes line filled with baby gear
Bethany was so nervous...she really didn't want to cut the cake!

Shower Times Two!

Tis the season to be busy!

Nothing spells fun (or insanity) like back to back weekend showers...especially in two different states! Thank God my girls are good travelers!

A dear friend of mine is expecting her first bundle of joy! Ella Jane Watson will soon be making her debut, but first we needed to help her mommy prepare for the big day! Emily and Keith were kind enough to offer their home as the perfect place to host a baby shower (after all...it is Ella's future home)! It was a lovely morning to celebrate the impending arrival of a sweet baby girl!!!


One of the tables set for the guests...Emily had this BEAUTIFUL pink china...just perfect for the occasion!



Fresh fruit in a "baby buggy"
The favors...chocolate covered pretzels...perfect for those salty AND sweet cravings!
My second attempt at homemade fondant and cake decorating...Getting better at it!

Holding up my end of the clothes line...(Emily's gift from Lexie and Olivia)...I made burp clothes and matching onesies for Ella Jane


With Em and the quilt that Granny made for Ella...(Sadly my grandmother wasn't able to attend, she was taking care of my sick babies!!!)



SUPER BIG THANKS to Mrs. Mays for being such a TREMENDOUS help!!! Best of luck Emily with the remainder of your pregnancy! Can't wait to meet Miss Ella Jane!!!! She is going to be one lucky little girl!

And one more makes FOUR!

It all started at 5:00am when the alarm sounded...though I had been up for a while. (I think my nerves got the best of me) Five hours of sleep was not nearly enough, but I had been waiting for this moment for 39 weeks and was ready to go!

We reported to the ER, was admitted, then directed to Labor and Delivery...6:00am--let the fun begin! After filing out forms, watching a video about epidurals, waiting for the doctor to arrive, and listening to Russ snore...I was itching to be induced.
By 8:00am...things were underway. Pitocin...check, epidural...check, contractions...check! A few hours later (and additional rounds of pitocin), the doctor checked me, broke my water, and ordered yet more pitocin...LOVELY.

Shortly after lunch, I was finally "ready to push". 8 contractions, and 13 minutes later the wait was over! The newest member of the family was finally here! She was beautiful...but wait...where in the world did all that DARK BROWN hair come from? Much like our last trip to the delivery room, we were a bit surprised by our new little loved one's locks...and were instantly in love!

The nurse asked us who she looked like, and without fail...Russ and I both said "her big sister". She weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and 21 in long...had 10 fingers/10 toes...and was just about as close to perfect as could be! What a blessing!



Tipping the scales.

The first picture with mom and dad...I don't know who is more exhausted!

Proud papa with his new little love bug.

Lexie helps Russ wheel in her big sister.
She's not too sure what to think of her new baby sister...but decides to give her a second look.

GG admiring her newest great granddaughter.

She was so excited to hold Olivia...only a couple of hours old. She had to wait three whole months to hold Lexie!
Nini takes her turn holding Olivia.
Little itty bitty...so precious!

LOOK AT ALL THAT HAIR!
Daddy looks just as sleepy as Olivia!

Family photos

Mommy with her little angels! How blessed am I??? VERY!
Four generations...EXTREMELY blessed!


Lexie gives her sister a kiss goodbye...


More posts to come! Check back soon!

Public Service Announcement

Yes, this is a public service announcement going out to all of my friends and family members that are currently pregnant. Surprisingly, there are quite of few of you expecting (some with twins and even triplets!!!)

Just remember to protect your skin this summer...especially your face! You don't want to end up with this lovely pregnancy mask...



I have been very diligent about applying sunscreen daily. It just so happened, I ran out the other morning without putting sun block on my face. After only 10 minutes of exposure, (long enough to run up to the farm to pick up a few new plants) I am now sporting this oh so NOT attractive splotchy/freckled pigment on my forehead!

Please be sure to protect yourself!!! As moms, (and future moms) we do everything we can to protect our children...but make sure you look after yourself too!!!

Where's the Buddha?

Okay, Marisa, Becky and Emily...this post is for you guys! I have gotten a few "subtle" requests for the infamous belly pics (I love looking at them too, but not when they are of me)! Here we are at 28 weeks! Only 12 weeks to go! It doesn't seem possible!
The last week and a half, Russ and I were convinced that this baby wasn't going to wait that long. For those of you that don't know, I starting having full uterine contractions, but they have not been "frequent enough" to concern the doctors TOO much. They performed a fetal fibronectin test at my most recent visit to see if I was at a "higher risk of delivering in the next two weeks". Luckily the test came back negative, but they are keeping an eye on me and will continue to perform this test every two weeks until the contractions go away, or until we have the baby. So the good news is we are still able to travel...for the next two weeks at least!!! Houston...here we come! Everyone is doing well and we will keep you posted with any updates!

Sneak Preview!!!

I have been meaning to post these photos since the end of November, but finally got them scanned into the computer! As you all know, Lexie is expecting a sibling in June and here is your sneak preview. These images were taken toward the end of the first trimester. We have another ultrasound scheduled next week which could potentially allow us to find out if Lexie is going to have a baby brother or sister! (I am convinced it is another girl...I guess we will know for sure in June!) I will be sure to post pictures so you all can try to guess for yourselves! (PS...Emily...you will have to secretly email me if you/Keith guess...since you all have an advantage-he is a radiologist;)


The photo shows the fetal heart rate...167. It was down to 153 at the last check up (for all of you that buy into the old wives tales).





This image shows the Crown to Rump Length...I was measuring 11 weeks and 2 days according to the baby's growth. I think the length was 4.46cm!!! So tiny!



you can see both feet in the top picture below and one tiny little hand in the bottom picture!