Aaarrrggghhh Matey! Fun Friday!

Shiver me timbers...is that sweet lad Garrett? Aye, it is! :)

Ahoy me hearties! I want to start sharing something fun that either makes me laugh (Yo Ho Ho) or smile every Friday. So here is my Fun Friday post/picture. It was taken before Christmas at Garrett's second cousin's birthday party. I can't believe he actually smiled when we put the patch over his eye. I hope everyone has a ship-shape kind of weekend. Find some time to smile and enjoy the blessings God has given you. Fair winds! :)

Snow Fun with Mr. Will E. Melt! :)

Monday and Tuesday was an unexpected break with lots of snow. It started snowing Sunday night and we woke up to a blanket of the white stuff on the ground Monday morning. We got around 3 inches at our house. It was the "good" kind that stuck together so we could make a snowman. When Garrett went down for his morning nap, Jason and I went out to build a snowman, Mr. Will E. Melt, so we could get some pictures. We had to be creative when it came to the Will E.'s facial features and accessories. He was a jolly happy soul, with an oreo mouth and eyes and a carrot nose. Instead of an old silk hat, he had an old cowboy hat. He didn't begin to dance around, but he did make our sweet little boy smile. :) What a great day we had!

Where has the time gone?

Okay so I am determined to get this blog updated. :) One of my New Year's Resolutions is to blog on a regular basis so I don't forget anything about sweet Garrett's first year. A LOT has happened in the last six months. Here's a quick recap: I had two wonderful baby showers in June. We celebrated our 4th Anniversary on June 17th. Our niece, Alleigh, had her 1st Birthday on July 4th. Our precious Garrett was born on July 23rd. We began adjusting to having a newborn in the house during August. We celebrated Jason's 29th Birthday on September 4th. We had my family come in town for Labor Day weekend. We took our first family mini-vacation in the beginning of October. I went back to work in the middle of October. Garrett dressed up for his first Halloween as the cutest dragon ever. Garrett was surrounded by our loving families on November 7th for his baby dedication. We traveled to my parents' for the first time since Garrett was born to have Thanksgiving/Christmas. We kept adjusting to having an infant in the house. :) We celebrated my 29th Birthday on December 19th (this is the age I will be for the rest of my life!) :) We had our first Christmas as a family of three. And...we rung in a low key New Year's having a great steak dinner with family and watching the ball drop in Time Square from the comfort of our couch. Whewww....what a whirlwind! Enjoy the pictures!

Before the Hospital

Waiting Nervously

He's Here! 8 pounds, 14 ounces

We're Home!

First Bath

Labor Day Weekend

First Shots :(

Mini-Vacation in Arkansas

Pumpkin Time!

First Halloween

Baby Dedication

Thanksgiving at Nana and Pop-pop's

First time to eat Solid Foods

Loving the Exersaucer

First Christmas

5 Months!

Happy Anniversary to Us! :)

Today I have been married to my best friend for 4 wonderful years! I can't believe how many years pass in what seems to be such a short time. This morning I couldn't help but think about how our life has changed over the past year. We will soon welcome a sweet little boy into this world and we both feel so blessed to be given this responsibility. We will spend our anniversary night at our childbirth class instead of a romantic dinner, but we are more than welcome to do it! :) I wanted to share a picture of what I woke up to this morning from my precious husband. He is the best! :) Not only did he pick out beautiful flowers and a sweet card, he remembered that I LOVE chocolate covered raisins. :)

32/33 weeks

This picture was taken at 32 weeks. (I wanted to put one on here for my Moma.) =) I will have to post a picture from this week (week 33) when I get one taken.

I also wanted to share a cool website that I found out about from a CEU class I am taking for school. It is http://www.picnik.com/. You can upload your own pictures for free and edit them anyway you want. It is really neat...give it a try.

31 weeks - only 9 more to go

31 weeks

Alleigh and Aunt Leigha (please ignore the no make-up look)

Wow - it has really been a while since I posted. Our camera broke so we are in the process of finding a new one. Any suggestions? I cannot believe that our sweet Garrett will be here in 9 weeks (or maybe sooner). :) Tomorrow I will be out of school for a week and have really enjoyed having time at home. We visited my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and Alleigh this past weekend and enjoyed getting to visit with them. I have been cleaning and organizing since we got home. I guess you can say that I have begun nesting. Maybe it will last the next 9 weeks so I can keep this house clean. :)

Pregnancy Update:

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: Have gained 20 lbs. so far - whooo (pretty soon I will not be putting this number on here)
Maternity Clothes: yes, they are a must! Just bought some shorts this week

Sleep: much better this week - had some severe rib pain that has been keeping me up but feels tons better now
Best Moment of the Week: will be tomorrow when I get to hear Garrett's heartbeat again

Movement: Yes - He moves a lot but is starting to slow down -I think he is running out of room
Food Cravings: none at the moment unless you can count Tums - I eat them like candy
Food Aversions: I am at the point where anything gives me acid reflux - even water
Gender: boy - Garrett Adren
Labor Signs: starting to feel a little pressure

Belly Button: starting to poke out
What I Miss: being about to walk as fast as I used to and bend over to touch my toes :) I think a pedicure is calling my name!

What I'm looking forward to: a pedicure that I am scheduling for next week

Milestones: starting childbirth classes tomorrow night - they ought to be interesting - I am a little nervous!

26 weeks and nursery almost complete! :)

Pregnancy Update:

How Far Along: 26 weeks
Total Weight Gained/Loss: Have gained 11 lbs. so far - go back to the Dr. next week.

Maternity Clothes: yes, they are a must!
Sleep: not too good this week so far - some back pain has kept me up

Best Moment of the Week: seeing my sweet husband paint a canvas to put in Garrett's room and signing it "Love Dad"! Precious!

Movement: Yes - He moves constantly now. If you watch my stomach closely, you can even see him move

Food Cravings: a strawberry sundae with nuts and sweet tea this week :)

Food Aversions: I am at the point where anything gives me acid reflux - even water

Gender: boy - Garrett Adren

Labor Signs: none
Belly Button: is still there, but getting smaller and smaller everyday.

What I Miss: sleeping through the night without having to get up and being able to take in a DEEP breath - I really feel like my stomach has gotten a lot bigger this week. I am running out of room! :)

What I'm looking forward to: Summer Vacation! :) 22 more days!
Milestones: finishing the wall art and ordering vinyl letters to go above Garrett's crib

This is the canvas that Jason scetched and painted. We looked and looked for something that would go with our black and white toile themed nursery to put on the wall and couldn't find what we were looking for. So...Jason found an image online, printed it off, and painted it on a canvas. I think it turned out great! I can't wait to put it up.

23 weeks

Pregnancy Update:

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: Have gained 11 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: yes, they are a must!

Sleep: better now that we purchased a good mattress! :) It is wonderful, but Jason said it was like buying a car. Those things are not cheap!
Best Moment of the Week: getting the glider we ordered for the nursery and getting to hear Garrett's heartbeat at the Dr. Monday.

Movement: Yes - he is very active, especially when I eat or drink something cold and sweet.

Food Craving: a strawberry sundae with nuts. Had one last night as a matter of fact. :)

Food Aversions: anything fried or anything with lots of tomato sauce gives me acid reflux.

Gender: A BOY!!
Labor Signs: none

Belly Button: is still there, but getting smaller and smaller everyday...I don't think it will an inny much longer.
What I Miss: sleeping through the night without getting up to go to the bathroom.
What I'm looking forward to: Summer Vacation! :)

Milestones: people that do not know me have actually started asking when my baby is due!

Easter

"Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God's children." (1 John 3:1). Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for us to save us from our sins and because you love us! It is so exciting to me that we get to worship a loving and risen Savior, not just on Easter, but every day!

Jason and I spent the beautiful Easter weekend with my family. I am so thankful for the time we get to see them and spend with them. They are wonderful! Enjoy the pictures. :)

21 weeks and A LOT going on...

The Stone...

Well I know it has been a while since I have updated, but we have been super busy. Spring Break was last week and I really enjoyed having some time off to just enjoy resting. Everyone tells me that before long, there won't be much time for resting. Jason took off work to be with me Tuesday - Friday. Spring Break started off great but toward the end of the week, got HORRIBLE! Here is a summary of what went on:

Monday: did a little housework and took a nap :)
Tuesday: had massages and registered for Baby Garrett at Target and Babies R Us
Wednesday: rested at home while Jason went to work...on his day off :(
Thursday: rested at home and had lunch with Jason :)
Friday: drove to Selmer, TN with Jason to check on a pool job that he designed, went to Shiloh military park and had lunch by the river - very beautiful, then drove to Starkville to spend the night to go to the basketball game Saturday morning.
Friday night: ate at one of our favorite Starkville restaurants - Harvey's
Late Friday night - Early Saturday morning: woke up with TERRIBLE pains in my back - started throwing up because of the pain - went to the emergency room in Starkville - found out I was experiencing my very first kidney stone while being pregnant....NOT FUN!!!!!

So needless to say, Jason and did not get to go to the game in Starkville. (I hope the nurse's husband enjoyed those tickets we gave her.) The only place we went from the hospital was back on 45 headed home, then to Walgreen's to fill the pain pill prescription, and to the bed where I spent the next 2 days. My sweet Moma, who came in town to help take care of me, and Jason did everything they could to try to make me comfortable, but nothing worked. The pain meds they gave me in the emergency room only last 2 hours and then I was in excruciating pain again. I don't think any of us got any sleep. Monday I decided to call my OB doctor and see what she could do for me. I went in, they did an ultrasound of my kidney and also comfirmed that it was a kidney stone which she said was common in pregnancy and said I had two options: 1.Go home with stronger pain medication, which she assured me was fine for the baby and drink LOTS of fluids to try to get the stone to pass, or 2.be admitted into the hospital and have an IV pump me full of fluids to get the stone to pass. I chose option 1. I figured I might be more comfortable at home. We went home, got the new prescription filled, and I slept like a baby the next four hours. (so did my Moma and Jason) :) When I woke up the meds were starting to wear off so I took another dose and about an hour later...I passed it!!!!!! I literally felt like I had given birth to my first child. :) I wanted to keep it and show everyone. I will spare my blog readers and not post any pictures. :) I told my Moma and Jason that I know that I am ready for labor now. I mean...I might even have Garrett naturally. :)(haha) I have been sore the past two days which the doctor said was normal and I will be glad to be returning back to work tomorrow. I really hope this is the only major event I will have in the next 4-5 months before Garrett makes his arrival.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails!

After much anticipation...We learned we're having a sweet baby boy. His name will be Garrett Adren! We had the ultrasound today and everything looked great. His heart, brain, spine, and kidneys were all perfect. He was a very active little boy (probably because of all the sweet tea I drank today!) and didn't have any problems showing his little boy parts to the world. :) The ultrasound tech said there is not doubting he is a boy! His daddy was just absolutely beside himself. I don't think I have ever seen Jason so happy before - he was just giddy. :) We are both already in love and can't wait to hold sweet little Garrett in 5 months. (I have already warned Jason that he is going to be a moma's boy, at least while he's little). I will have to add the pictures later. We are too busy showing them off right now. :)

What's Going on with Baby Garrett:

Garrett's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that hemay be able to hear our voices now. He weighs about 11 ounces and measures 10 inches, head to bottom (about the length of a banana). His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his scalp is sprouting.

Pregnancy Update:

How Far Along: 19 weeks
Total Weight Gained/Loss: 9 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: yes, love them!

Sleep: a little better this week, but not getting congested because of our crazy MS weather

Best Moment of the Week: getting to know that we are having a boy and seeing his little heart, spine, brain, kidneys, and bladder :) They all look great!

Movement: Yes - he is very active, but I am not feeling every moment just yet
Food Craving: a strawberry sundae with nuts :)
Food Aversions: anything fried gives me acid reflux
Gender: A BOY!! Oh Boy!! :)

Labor Signs: none
Belly Button: is still there
What I Miss: being able to bend over without feeling like I am squishing a person :)

What I'm looking forward to: shopping for boy clothes now

Milestones: getting to see Baby Garrett and knowing that he is growing perfectly

One week to go before we know!! :)

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: I have gained 5 lbs. total
Maternity Clothes: yes, love them!
Sleep: not much
Best Moment of the Week: getting the nursery furniture put together and in place. :)

Movement: lots of little bubbles Saturday. :)

Food Craving: at this very moment - a Snicker's sounds very good!

Food Aversions: anything fried gives me acid reflux :(

Gender: don't know yet - we will find out in 7 days!!!!
Labor Signs: none

Belly Button: is still there

What I Miss: getting a good night's sleep - I cannot get comfortable at night due to my aching hips. Does anyone have any pointers???

What I'm looking forward to: our next appointment :)
Milestones: starting to show more and getting the nursery ready

The baby is 5 1/2 inches - head to bottom - (about the size of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 inches. He/she busy flexing his/her arms and legs. His/her blood vessels are visible through his/her thin skin, and his/her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his/her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around the nerves, a process that will continue for a year after birth. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. Little Baby D, please be cooperative next Monday so we can know if you are a boy or a girl! :)

Nursery Funiture...check

Jason and I had a fun weekend. We went baby furniture shopping for our little avocado. (That's the size of the baby at 16 weeks.) :) After looking at MANY cribs and dressers, we found the perfect set. Jason has an oversized desk that is already in the room that we are making into the nursery, so we have decided to leave it and use it as our changing table. There is plenty of room on top and the drawers can be used for storage. Well because we are leaving it in the room, we felt like we needed the crib and dresser to match. So...we headed to Babies R Us with a shelf from the desk. (Can you imagine carrying a shelf around. It was quite a sight.) :) We both found one that we are happy with and can't wait to get it here in two weeks. YEAH!!

At 16 weeks, the baby is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His/her legs are much more developed, his/her head is more erect than it has been, and his/her eyes have moved closer to the front of his/her head. His/her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his/her scalp has begun, though the locks aren't recognizable yet. He's/she's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his/her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day.

The little "apple" of our eyes

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces, which is about the size of an apple. He/she is busy moving amniotic fluid through his/her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his/her lungs begin to develop. His/her legs are growing longer than his/her arms now, and he/she can move all of his/her joints and limbs.

How Far Along: 15 weeks
Total Weight Gained/Loss: I have gained 5 lbs. total

Maternity Clothes: yes, love them!

Sleep: not very good right now - I am getting congested! :(

Best Moment of the Week: hearing the baby's heartbeat at our doctor's appointment. It was 150.

Movement: haven't felt any flutters yet - looking forward to it though
Food Craving: anything fruity and cold - got lots of sugar free hard fruity candies at the grocery store yesterday along with some fruity popsicles. :) I had a lime one yesterday and it was probably the best thing I have eaten my whole pregnancy. :)

Food Aversions: onion rings so far
Morning Sickness: gone, YEAH!!!
Gender: don't know yet - we will find out our next appointment - March 8th! :)

Labor Signs: none hopefully for another 25 weeks
Belly Button: is still there
What I Miss: (or what Jason misses) - I will answer for him...his man room that is being converted into a nursery. :) Bye-bye duck and turkey mount!

What I'm looking forward to: our next appointment :)

Milestones: entering the 2nd trimester (in 5 more weeks I will be half way through) :)

14 weeks and counting...

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss: not quite sure - I don't have enough courage to step on the scales at home :) I go to the doctor next Monday.
Maternity Clothes: yes, love them! - I have a pair of jeans, black pants, and brown pants and a few shirts and a few cute things that my sweet friends and sister-in-law have let me borrow.

Sleep: is interrupted every night by the urge to use the bathroom and aching hips :(

Best Moment of the Week: finding out that my insurance covers 100% of my visits and delivery :)

Movement: haven't felt any flutters yet - looking forward to it though

Food Craving: anything fruity and cold - also liking water again (I just can't enough of it these days)

Food Aversions: onion rings - found out Sunday night that I will not be eating them again for the next 6 months

Morning Sickness: gone, YEAH!!!

Gender: don't know yet - hopefully we will find out in 5-6 weeks

Labor Signs: none hopefully for another 26 weeks

Belly Button: is still there

What I Miss: drinking coffee in the mornings

What I'm looking forward to: finding out the gender and decorating the nursery
Milestones: starting to feel better and have a little more energy

2010 is the year to begin...

...A family!

We had a very exciting Christmas! I will let the videos speak for themselves. :) There will soon be an addition to this family and we cannot wait for the bundle of joy to arrive in July. God has truly taught us that He is faithful to answer our prayers in His timing. :) This exciting time has been worth the wait!

Cute as a button!

I had to share this precious picture!

Alleigh got to spend the last week with my parents because Jeb and Meagan went on a cruise for their Anniversary. Moma snapped this sweet picture. :)

Custom Built

We have a nook in our hallway and we've never known what to put in it. We finally thought that a custom built desk would be the perfect thing. Jason worked really hard to make it just right. Check out his handy work! installed, but more work to do

working hard

finally painted
finished product!

Happy Halloween!

If this isn't scary, then I don't know what is! :) Thank goodness for dentists and orthodontists! I hope everyone has a fun Halloween! Remember, you're never too old to let the kid inside of you come out and play! :)

Introducing our new "adopted" baby...

Sassy Sophia Loren! :)

A.K.A.

Sophie

My coworker, whom we adopted Sophie from, has a house full of four girls and had no extra time to give to this little dog who requires lot of attention. :) She is a 1 and 1/2 year old Yorkie and she has fit in great with us. She is already on the verge of being spoiled rotten. I have always wanted a Yorkie, so when Emily asked if we wanted her, I jumped at the chance. Jason said we could try it out for a few days to see if we all (including Drake) could adjust to having a new "baby" in the house. Well, needless to say, that has been three weeks ago. I think she is here to stay! :)

I am not too thrilled to have this bow in my hair!

Are you talking to me?