A Beautiful Baby Shower!

The Lord has truly blessed me with the opportunity to work with some really GREAT people. Yesterday afternoon after school, my co-workers hosted a beautiful shower. Everything was PINK, of course, and the refreshments were yummy!

I received the nicest gifts!! Sarah Beth's closet is getting full very quickly!! Mama, Courtney (my sister-in-law), Anna Grace (my beautiful niece), my MaMaw and the boys were all present. I haven't taken any pregnant pictures so far but was forced to for this occasion. I have gained a total of 18 pounds...lots better than I did with the boys...I sure hope to get back to the size I was when I married after having Sarah Beth...she is the caboose so there is no reason not to...Here are the pictures!! The first is of the canvas that I will be hanging above her bed. My co-worker and former teacher when I was in the 8th and 9th grade had this made for me. In fact, her daughter, Allison painted it and she and I graduated together. I never knew she was so talented. She also painted the smaller sign which I plan to hang on the door at the hospital. She is going to add the date, weight, and length on the sides and bottom.

So many nice gifts!!

From Such Sweet People!!

Cute! Cute!

Andrew & Anna Grace Smiling for the Camera!

I love being a Mama! I can't wait to add Sarah Beth (well outside of my belly) to this picture!! My boys are truly a blessing from God...we are so excited to add a female to the mix!! Wonder which one she'll look like...light hair and blue eyes like Andrew...or dark hair with brown eyes like Ben...we'll see in about 2 1/2 weeks!!

Special Thanks to the hostesses: Elaine Case, Gwen Dickey, Karen Dunaway, Linda Franklin, Margaret Gee, Vicky King, Janice Holmes, Holli Pepper, Becky Smith, Debbie Smith, and Janet Smith

1st T-Ball Practice

It's so funny to see how different two children from the same two people can be! Andrew is now in his third year of t-ball...he missed moving up to buddy ball by one day...and Ben (Bless his heart) is starting his first year! He was so funny...especially trying to throw the ball. He wanted to throw it from his glove...not with his bare hand!! I am so glad that they get to be on the same team at least for one year!! Unfortunately, Lane (my nephew) is on another team and will be playing on a different night of the week...so we'll be visiting the ball field quite often in a few weeks!! Our first game is May 5th...the same day that Ben is to have a lot of dental work done...so I'm not sure he will be up to playing! We'll see. We'll have Sarah Beth by then too!! It seems unreal that she will be here in a just a few weeks! And we'll not know what we did without her!


Andrew is actually one of the more experienced on his team, so he played on the pitcher's mound yesterday. He did get hit smack in the eye...it was black for most of the evening but looks fine today! He didn't cry or even act like it hurt...he was tough!!

Ben did his best at hitting. He does great at home but gets a little nervous in front of everyone. Here is a picture of Ms. Heather (the coach's wife) helping him....

Here's a couple more snapshots....

After practice, we went to visit with some family that are here visiting from Georgia....The Hawthorne Gang. They used to live here but moved last summer. Andrew so misses playing with Elana and Ben and Colton get along so well together. We enjoyed barbeque chicken and ribs and even hamburgers. It was late but delicious. Here is a snapshot of the boys with my PaPaw...I treasure each time that the boys get to spend with MaMaw and PaPaw...they love it and it is making memories that they will never forget!

Sarah Beth's Nursery

Pink and Brown and Polka Dots Too!!

I am so excited!! Sarah Beth's room is almost complete (still need to put some things on the wall!!) My Mama (the best in the world) came over last Wednesday and painted her room for me. I spent the morning cleaning out toys and moving the boys into the same room. Ben had a tough time understanding why we were painting his room pink but quickly caught on to the idea that he and Andrew were going to share a room. They have been sleeping so good in their new bed...it helps since Ben is a kicker and he kills me when he comes to get in bed with us. At this point I guess it doesn't matter since I am not sleeping well at all anyway...between heartburn and leg cramps and a big belly...but I am so thankful for being able to have babies! Please don't think I'm complaining!!

Roger put up the crib on Thursday and I was able to work in her room on Friday, hanging clothes in the closet and organizing her dresser. My wonderful, sweet friends in Starkville (Leanne and Ms. Marilyn) sent me a wonderful surprise with monogramming...one was the beautiful burp rag (this was the first time that I had seen her name monogrammed...I almost cried it was so beautiful) and then the other....a beautiful white bib which I plan to let her wear on her first Sunday to church. Thanks again sweet friends!!

Our Newest Addition - Buttercup

Well, my Daddy did it. He got the boys another dog. We had a beautiful lab named Scooby that got poisoned and I was a little reluctant to get something else right now...but since Popa aquired this cutie for us, we won't complain.

Buttercup is a very small dog...she is 1/2 Jack Russell Terrier and 1/2 something else (that's really small). She is already tough, has to be with Ben wagging her around. The boys have loved having her around. So far, Andrew has been feeding and watering her. Roger made sure that he understood that he would have the responsibility of caring for her. Right now she is in a little pen on our carport but we hope to soon move her out to the big dog house where Scooby used to reside.

When we got home from school yesterday, they quickly let her out of the pen. She stayed right with them in the yard, running and chasing them. She was so tired when we finally came in. One time we got to looking for her and she was almost asleep under the shed...they really gave her some exercise.

I know it's not fun to read a blog entry without pictures, but I don't have them with me today. I'll try to post a few tomorrow.

Sarah Beth and I are doing good...I have started having contractions (Braxton Hicks) pretty frequently throughout the day...just a sign that her entry into our world is getting closer. She is still very active at night...Oh, how I pray that she is a good sleeper. Ben was not until he was 18 months old...I'm not sure how I made it through except by God's grace! I'm not sleeping good already with this big belly, and I'm sure it won't get much better. But she'll be worth it I know!

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!

Another Check-up

Well, yesterday was another check-up for me and Sarah Beth. We had to wait over an hour while Dr. Mills was delivering a baby and making rounds at the hospital. I tried to get in a cat nap but those tables are so hard and it hurts to actually lay on my back with this protrusion in the front. She was very active, especially when he started listening to her heartbeat. He measured me and said everything looked good. I have gained a pound in the last two weeks. At this point, he said that babies are gaining about 1/2 pound a week so I suggested that that pound was HER pound!! :)

I have 6 weeks and 4 days to go until he suggested that I may be induced (April 20th). We have exams next week and then spring break so I'm sure time will start flying by....at least I hope so!

To make room for Sarah Beth, we are going to move Andrew and Ben into the same room. They already sleep in the same room but in different beds. I have ordered them new furniture for their room...check it out....http://www.ashleyfurniture.com/Showroom/LargeProductImage.aspx?PageId=Showroom&SetDomTab=1&ItemNo=B373-55. They will share a full size bed and each have a chest of drawers to match. It should be here tomorrow. They are excited!

I hope to have my daddy build a large shelf for toys...we will be moving the toy room into their room also...and then I can start working on her nursery. Lots to do in six weeks! Keep us in your prayers :)

My Sweetie's Birthday

Well, today makes 31 for my sweetheart! I fixed him breakfast this morning and we are going to his favorite restaurant to eat for supper (Bo Bo's Chinese). He loves that place...I honestly think he has craved more during this pregnancy than I have. Yesterday he was craving Charms Blow Pops...go figure! Mama is making him a birthday cake with a motorcycle on it...Mama makes the best cakes EVER!!

I have to say that God has given me the best husband in the world! (Everyone should feel that way about theirs!!) He takes such good care of us! He may seem like a big bully on the outside but he truly treats me like a queen. I can't say that it has always been a bed of roses...we've had our ups and downs, but since we got closer to the Lord, you couldn't ask for a better marriage! He is a wonderful best friend too! He has seen me at my worst and at my best but still loves me!!

So, to you honey, I wish you the best birthday ever! I am sorry that we can't get you what you really want...A new motorcycle...but we are getting something even better in a few weeks ;) I love you!!

3rd Sonogram and Check-Up

I went for a check up yesterday. I have started going every two weeks now. Dr. Mills wanted to see how big Sarah Beth was getting and to make sure everything was good and it was. She weights approx. 3 pounds and 12 ounces. She was so sweet on the monitor. Roger was not able to go to this one with me so Mama and the boys went. The boys were amazed. Andrew especially liked hearing the heartbeat. The sonographer did it twice for him. Ben says he is ready to go back and see her. She is a very active baby in the womb. More so than I remember my boys being. I have gained a total of 11 pounds now...so that's not bad if you ask me. She will start gaining a good bit probably from here on out. They expect that she will be average size. The boys were 7.3 and 7.13...so I suspect she'll be about the same. It's getting closer. Dr. Mills said I should have a baby around April 20th or 21st....which is only 8 weeks from Monday. I really want to get her room setup soon...I'll post pics when we get that done!! Here are the sonogram pics. My next appointment is on Roger's birthday, March 4th.