God's Sweet Gift Arrived Early

Sweet Baby Collier arrived early this morning at 1:39am. He weighed in at 6lb 9oz and was 20" long. He is so sweet and Justin and I are so glad that he is here. We honestly couldn't believe that it was time...not at all ready...no hospital bag packed, no car seat installed, his little outfit that I had smocked for him is not yet put together. Oh well, God has a perfect timing. This all started yesterday when my water broke while I was napping (dr. told me to take it easy the rest of this week because my bloodpressure was high) I came to the hospital, they started potosin and 7 hours later little man was here.

It is such a miracle and such a blessing. He cried and screamed when he first arrived, so he has strong lungs but he hasn't used them much since his arrival. He has been very good today. We are tired and I'm about to crash so that I can get some sleep. I'll do my best to post more pictures tomorrow. Thank you all for all the prayers and thoughts for us during this time.

Who do you think that he looks like? I honestly can't tell, sometimes I see me other times I see Justin?

Amazing

We had a beautiful and fun weekend. First, God has blessed us greatly with beautiful warm weather. It is making me want to drive to the lake to sit still on the dock and just soak in the beauty of the weather and His creation. But Collier is keeping me here in Birmingham...well work too I guess!

Last week Justin and I went to our breastfeeding class and then on Saturday we had our labor and delivery class (6 hours worth). Both classes were good and certainly informative. I felt better after both of them and I am not sure how prepared that you can be for all that is ahead of us, but I do know that we have a little more knowledge about all of it. I have to tell you how great Justin was through both classes - both of which had lots of information, video's and pictures that he would rather have not seen - but he was amazing and involved. He is such a good man and is going to be an amazing Daddy. His level of support and involvement makes it even more exciting for me. Not sure if that makes a bit of sense or not....

People keep asking 'are you ready' and I keep responding that I am ready but I am not sure that I know what it is exactly that I am ready for. I know that I'm ready to meet Little Man and have him in our life - but the in between is the big unknown. I find extreme comfort that God already knows every detail of the in between time and I am relying on Him through this waiting period. He is such a faithful God, when I am not so faithful and am so undeserving. He has answered so many of my prayers though this pregnancy - I prayed that I would not be pregnant through the summer, I prayed that I wouldn't be too sick and that I would enjoy this pregnancy and sweet time. This has certainly been the case. I have enjoyed being pregnant and I really do love feeling him move around in me and know that this sweet baby is growing inside of me (what a miracle!) I am just now getting to the point that I am ready for him to arrive so that I can meet him face to face and so that I don't keep running into things with my big ole belly! I pray that God will give me a smooth and good delivery and that I will have this gift that He is entrusted us with exactly how He sees me fit to do. I trust in Him!

I head back to the Doctor on Wednesday. I have started to have my first Braxton Hicks contractions this week. Other than that, all is the same and I am just growing and growing and praying that he will not grow too much...like his daddy! I still feel really good so still no complaints here. I am wondering if my belly can get any bigger!

Tonight was our last CBS (Bible Study) meeting. It was a fabulous night filled with laughter and fellowship. We studied Job, Galatians and Hebrews and I just loved this study. I learned the most in Job and about persevering through situations and what it is to truly rely on God. Hebrews has been a great reminder of who Christ is and how He is our anchor and our refuge no matter what we are facing. Wow, it is amazing to have such a God who loves us and desires our relationship with Him. I feel that lately I've not been as focused on Him and I am working to redirect my thoughts and attention to Him so that He is my all in all. I was reminded a few weeks ago that we must die to self DAILY...not just from time to time but daily so that He can be the Lord of our life and in total control of what unfolds in our life - every minute of every day! I am thankful that He has called me by name and that I have heard Him calling me closer to Him. I will greatly miss meeting each week and will eagerly look forward to meeting again in the fall to study the minor prophets! If you're in Birmingham and looking for a fabulous bible study, let me know.

One Month

We are officially under 5 weeks and as of today we are one month away (according to the calendar - not the prego weeks). It is hard to believe that in such a short amount of time that we'll have a sweet baby in our family. As time draw nears I get more and more excited. I so often wonder what he will look like. I go back to the doctor tomorrow and on Saturday I'll be 36 weeks, which does put us at 4 weeks and counting! Tonight we are going to the lactation/nursing/breastfeeding class. Justin still hasn't figured out why he has to go, except for support. Not sure that he knows what he is supporting but he is going. Saturday we have our all day Labor and Delivery class at the hospital as well. Then, we'll be set and ready - we'll at least we'll feel like it with all of the info that we're taking in this week!

It is such a beautiful day and if it wasn't for work I would park my butt outside and sit in the sun all day. I did eat outside at lunch today and now its going to be hard to force myself back to work for the afternoon. Oh well.

On a totally different note. Our tomatoes and peppers are growing and I am so happy. I do love fresh veggi's especially when I can walk in my backyard and pick them. I see some early buds on the cherry tomato plant! Hooray.










I just had to include this one because she is so stink'n pretty!

Today I opened the house up and there is the most amazing breeze that is flowing through the house and it is so relaxing and peaceful. I was able to sleep in this morning after a long day yesterday.

Friday afternoon Mom and I drove to Dothan, we stayed with Chris, Amanda and Ashlyn on it was awesome to have this time to spend with them. I just can't get enough of sweet Ashlyn, she is growing up so fast - she is such a big girl. Talking more and more and is full of sweet love! She is precious and I tried to hide her in my bag to bring her home but her Mom and Dad wouldn't let us! Another fabulous thing about my stay with them is that I had a really cool reminder from God - they live outside of town and after dark I went to the car to get my bags and my breath was taken away by the stars! Wow, that is something that I truly miss by living in town...it was so refreshing to be taken back by the beauty and wonder of that sight. God is amazing and so vast, I was thankful to be reminded of his creation! Not having any city lights to distract your eyes from this beautiful site was really awesome!

Saturday was my baby shower in Dothan and it was so nice and so much fun. Justin and I are truly blessed to have such supportive family and friends. Everything was more than I expected my hostesses are so generous and sweet (especially since most of them had to travel!!) We got so many wonderful things and I feel like we are more and more ready for Collier's arrival. I have to give props to Amanda (SIL) be sure you check out her ADORABLE fruit flower arrangement that she made! How awesome it is! Well, that was just one of the many nice and yummy things that we had at the shower. Here are some of the pictures of the shower. Aren't we blessed?

I also wanted to ask for some prayers for Justin's grandfather (Pa) - he was put in the hospital on Saturday morning and they think it was a small stroke. He seems to be doing better but his blood pressure is still really high. We would really appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery, so that he can go home. He does not like being in the hospital, so please be praying for peace of mind while he is there.

Waddling and a surprise

Well, I have started waddling. Just the other day I was patting myself on the back because I felt that I was walking normal, still feeling really good and according to my last doctor's visit everything was good with my weight and I was measuring exactly where I should be (although he did say we're not having a small baby...but not too big of a baby either - Have I mentioned that Justin was almost 10lb's when he was born?) Anyway. This week I felt myself swaying and waddling in my walking. I certainly continue to grow and I wonder if this has anything to do with my newly found waddling stage... My precious and loving friend Lindsey brought some of them over for Justin. Well Guess who loves them as much as Justin does......Collier! These homemade red velvet cupcakes are so yummilicious that I would love to eat them all in one sitting (and believe me I could) but then Justin would really not be happy with me. Yummilicious does not give them the justice they deserve. They are both light and fluffy but equally and perfectly sweet. What more could a waddling prego ask for! To be honest, she made them for her boyfriend but Justin and I just are lucky enough that she loves us to share!

As if the cupcakes weren't just a perfect surprise for my week. Today the UPS man came to our door and I was taking a nap home for lunch. Justin went out to get the package and opened the below......................

Oh My Goodness! Are they not just perfectly adorable. My cousin sent them to me. I found the prints online after I decided on my bedding and just fell in love with them. Only the originals had green and white around the outside of the painting. So, I was sharing with my precious cousin who has quite a knack for creative and fun decorating and she said that she has a friend whose mom paints.....As my baby gift that is what she did for me. She told me last week that they were ready to be picked up and that she would mail them. Hello she has 4 kids and they were on spring break last week so I wasn't sure when she would be able to do that. So, to say that I was surprised today when they arrived would be an understatement. It literally made my day. Justin likes them too! I wanted to hang them immediately but decided I need to be sure of where the crib is going before I start nailing holes in my wall! Oh but you can bet that they will be hung this weekend. I just love them! The colors and everything are just perfect. Steph - thank you so much. I love you deeply and thank you greatly for this wonderful and fun surprise!

Can you see the bed skirt (click the picture to make it larger) Mom added the red and white polka dots to the skirt and with the red and white around the pictures it just pulls it all together so well. Mom is working on the valances now. I'll continue to post as we get more and more done! Hooray.

Progressive Fun

What a great week and weekend! Justin got the baby bed put together and the room is mostly situated. It makes me so excited! First let me give props to Justin - It took a few weeks longer than planned but he worked hard to get the bed and changing table put together. He had to hear me complain about it a lot and he put up with that very well ...all the while he was actually working trying to get it all done. I have not be as patient as I should lately, I certainly appreciate him and his tolerance and continued loved through all of my hormone filled emotions! I'm lucky to have such a great husband but Collier is equally lucky to have such a sweet Daddy. He is a good man and I am thankful for him every day! I probably don't tell him that enough, I need to go do that right now...

Second, I need to thank Mom and Dad for all of their help. Friday night they come over to help me get organized (Justin went Turkey hunting). We got Collier's closet cleaned out, the room cleaned and the bedding put on the crib. It is so much fun seeing it all come together. I'm sure that Mom and Dad are going to stop answering their phone OR coming by since everything I am asking them for various things. Mrs. Pam and Mr. Charles came over on Saturday for the shower and Dad and Mr. Charles picked up a dresser and put it in Collier's room for us - it was a gift from them and we are so thankful. It so nicely completes the nursery and we are in MAJOR need of storage. Now we'll have a place for his clothes and stuff!

I am waiting on my valances to arrive and I need a slipcover for my chair and to find a rug for his room and I think that we'll be done! Wow.

Yesterday was my first shower and it was so much fun. I have such special and amazing friends who hosted a beautiful shower for me. Everything was perfect - I requested a shower with just sweets and they did such a great job...YUMMY! Not to mention it was so wonderful to see and have friends together. I am so blessed to have the love and support of these friends who are very gracious. I got so many wonderful things It was fun to show it all to Justin when he got home today! It makes it more and more real and a little shocking (to be honest) that he will be here so soon. I can't wait, but am still a bit nervous as mentioned before. I will be so glad to see and meet him. I wonder every day what he is going to look like. I pray every day that he is a good sleeper and is a good baby...but only God knows that and with His help He'll guide us through raising this child for His glory.

Priceless Friends

I got to spend last Saturday in Auburn with three of my sweetest friends (my college roommates). I'm so blessed to have such sweet and loving friends. These girls know me, they support me and they love me. Not to mention they are all amazing mom's....so I was soaking up as much advice as I could the entire time. The day could not have been any better, we were not rushed on time and we were able to catch up with each other, enjoy a fabulous turkey wrap at Amsterdam's AND get some shopping done. These times are so sweet since we don't all live in the same town and don't get to see eachother very often. I am thankful to have these ladies in my life. I'm already looking forward to when we can do it again!

Here are the three prego's!

Spring is here! I love this time of year as beautiful colors return. My tulips are blooming which makes me so happy! We used the grill for the first time last night, which makes me happy and most importantly Justin put together the changing table yesterday which made me very happy! Let me tell you what else Justin did last night, he put new strings on his guitar and this also made me super happy. For some strange reason I think that it is sexy when he plays the guitar...TMI? He hasn't played in a very long time, so I was so excited when he bought new strings and tuned it up last night. I'm looking forward to him getting in lots of practice! I just love it.

It is raining here and I would love to curl up on the sofa and take an afternoon nap (I left work a little early today) but instead I have loads of laundry to fold. I know that you are jealous that you're not here to help me! :)

On the bambino front - I'm doing well and Collier is growing. According to the doctor everything is measuring exactly right. It is hard to believe that we are down to 2 months before he arrives - 8 weeks! Wow. I can't believe how fast time really passes. I have had several dreams of him being here and that is what I am most excited about - having him home and being in a routine as we begin our parenting life. But I have to be honest that as the reality of his arrival nears the actual delivery is also heavy on my mind. It is so much of an unknown that anticipating it is sort of scary. I know that God's plan and timing is perfect and I'm thankful that I have that to rest on....but that doesn't mean its not on my mind. Ok, off to fold laundry.

Weekend Update

A quick recap of our weekend and then I'm off to bed. This weekend was my mom's birthday! She deserves to be recognized because she is so wonderful. She is a wonderful mom and now that I've gotten older she has also become a priceless friend to me. She does so much for us - usually without having to be asked and she does it all with a smile and willing attitude. I am so thankful to have her! Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

For her birthday Chris, Amanda and Ashlyn came to Birmingham to surprise her! She was surprised and she LOVED having them here(I did too). It was really great to have them here for the weekend. I wish that the weather was better and we could have gotten out and gone to a park of something with Ash, we sang rain, rain go away all weekend. Ahslyn loves to be outside to it wasn't much fun for her to be stuck inside so much. She is so stink'n cute and such a joy to be with - not to mention she is so smart. Thank yall for coming!

Today, Justin and I stayed in the bed until noon! Yep you read that correctly...NOON! I did get up and fix eggs around 9:00 but crawled back in the bed and took a nap until about 11:30 and then it still took me 30 minutes to get out of the bed. The bad part is that we went straight to the sofa. Oh well, worthless and happy! People keep telling us to rest and sleep while we still can. Well here is proof that we are taking that to heart...especially today!

Night Night. HOpe you have an amazing Monday!
These are my favorite pix from the weekend....

Our Baby Doc

This is a special post dedicated to our little man Doc...a.k.a. Buddy-sita. For those of you who do not know, Doc passed away a week ago Tuesday. We were so sad to loose him, but I don't want to focus on how sad life is without him, I want to share with you how amazing this man was!

Our dogs are our children and they are such a vital part of our family. Doc was the one that I kept saying was going to be a perfect big brother for Collier, he would be so gentle and patient no matter what you were doing with him. Doc was happy...ALL THE TIME. He was the type whose tail never stopped wagging - and it was a whole body wag, not just the tail. He was the perfect welcome home every time you walked in the door - even if you just went out to take the trash and came right back in - he acted as if you had been gone all day and was just as happy and excited to see you. It simply would bring a smile to my face. Often times not only was I greeted with a happy wagging tail but he would jump up and put his paws on my hips as if giving me a hug. Oh, who doesn't just love a welcome home hug from such a soft and loving man? Doc was a talker. He loved to bark and would bark to get your attention and especially if you were petting and loving on him and you stopped he would tell you all about it. Doc was very content. No matter what situation he was in, he was fine as long as he was around people. Although one time he had to go and stay with mom and dad because Brinkley was in heat....he cried for 4 days solid wanting to get back home...well we really know why he wanted to get back home and it WASN'T to be with Momma and Daddy - he was hoping to hit the jack pot. Ha! Needless to say he didn't! Poor man.
Doc loved to swim and ride in the boat. He always sat at the bow of the boat with his paws propped on the front - he was our hood ornament and the most beautiful one we could have asked for. Doc LOVED ice. You would open the kitchen cabinet to get a glass out and he would come running just hoping that you would share a piece of ice with him. He would stare at you wagging his tail until you gave him a piece. It was awesome and luckily he did share this with Brink and as a result she now loves ice too. Another really funny thing about Doc was that he carried his (plastic) bowl around. As long as his bowl was empty he would carry it around and just lay down with it - so funny.
Doc was very loyal and his unconditional love was priceless. No matter if you would yell or scream at him, he would still walk right up to you with his tail wagging (maybe a little slower than normal if you had just yelled at him) but would lay his sweet head in your lap. He was such a sweet snuggler. He didn't get on the furniture, but when Justin was out of town from time to time I would tell him to get in the bed. He always came and laid right in Justin's spot and usually with his head on Justin's pillow. He would be there all night as if he was filling Justin's place. Needless to say this week has been tough with Justin being gone all week and no Doc to fill his spot. Very lonely.

Doc declined fast. He had spinal arthritis and would have days that he couldn't get up. Those days came more frequent in the past few weeks - usually once a week. But last Tuesday, we saw him have what we think was a seizure...well he had 2 in about 4 hour time. The Doctor said that he may have been having them and not showing any obvious signs for us to see. I think that Doc didn't want us to know that there was something wrong. He was so strong and strong willed. By the time we got to the vet he had another one (Justin has to carry him to the car and I'm sure that stressed him out because he really WANTED to get out by himself but he just couldn't) I'll spare all of the details, but Doc died on the table moments after Justin and I had a few minutes alone with him. He went all on his own - we didn't have to make the decision. That was a true blessing because I certainly couldn't have said it and Justin said that he was trying to get the words out and he didn't have to. It was Doc's time to go.
He would have turned 12 in April. He was a perfect dog. His unconditional love and loyalty was the perfect example of 'Mans Best Friend'. He was our first baby and we have so much to look forward to with Collier, but I know that he would have been sweet and loving with him. Every day coming home I have to remind myself that he isn't going to be waiting at the door to welcome me home. Justin and I have both said that we are so glad to have Brinkley. She has also had some adjusting to do. Twice she has laid at the bottom of the bed (yes she sleeps with us) and whines in the middle of the night - I assume she is looking for him. She has also spend more time in her kennel - her choice - than normal. Not locked in but just sleeping in there while we're here...she has never done this in the past. I also think that sometimes in the backyard she isn't sure about things. She often fed off of his calmness and now she is having to figure things out for herself. We're all adjusting to life with out Doc. I miss him terribly and I loved him deeply. I believe that God created animals and that they are part of His kingdom and that we'll see him again one day.

Sorry this was so long...