Almost Ready........

This weekend we have been doing everything we can to get ready for Mary Alice since who knows when she is going to come. Friday night my sister started painting her room and my mom and Patrick put together a swing. My mom also washed her clothes and crib sheets and got everything ready for when she gets here and comes home! After everyone finished everything for the night, they played WiiFit. I am not going to post the videos on here but it was HILARIOUS! Of course no one would let me play! We ended up going to bed around 12:00.

Saturday everyone finished everything. My sister continued to amazed us with her ability to make Mary Alice's room BEAUTIFUL!! My mom went to buy fabric to make a tablecloth, and went to the grocery store for us and Patrick cleaned the house. I tried to help but they kept telling me to sit on the couch!

The only thing we have left to do is pack a bag. I have everything out I just have to put it in the bag. My dad and Patrick are going to hang the curtains and fan next weekend and the Graham's are bringing the gilder and bassinet next Sat. After that we will be done with everything. I can honestly say though I hate this part of waiting! Since everything is done I want her to come SOON, but she is still growing!

I want to thank my sister for doing a great job on the nursery! You made it special and it is beautiful! We like to go in there and just look around. Thank you mom for doing all the laundry and fixing everything for us. Also thanks so much for going to the grocery store and running errands for us! Also Patrick has been a great trooper this weekend! He never complained with all the shopping we did yesterday and did great putting all the things together and cleaning the house!

Here are tons of pictures! Hope you enjoy! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday JUJU!!!! :)

We hope you have a great day! Sorry we missed it! :)

We can't wait for Mary Alice to meet her aunt JuJu!

We love you!

Patrick, Alison, Mary Alice, Lexy, and Duke

A Crazy Day of Shopping!!!

Yesterday I only had to work a half day so Patrick and I decided to take advantage of both having the day off and get things done. My sister and mom met us the mall to eat lunch and the FUN began!! :)

We first had to get some things at the mall then headed to Babies R Us to finish buying things for MAG. We found a great deal on a swing and bought another car base for Patrick's truck. Of course after we paid I remember I had a gift card and didn't use it, but I am sure we will be back to get something again!

After Babies R Us we headed to a consignment shop to look for a infant seat. We found the Papasan seat that we both loved for 25.00 and it was in GREAT condition. Mom decided to get that for us for our next shower! Thanks Nana! We Love it! :)

Next we headed to Target where I had to pick up little things like burp cloths, bassinet sheets, etc. Luckily I remembered our gift cards during this trip!

Lastly we headed to Walmart to buy paint for Kelly to paint our room and we bought the best present and A NEW CAMERA!!!! I am so excited because we had one that worked, but it was so slow and not the best so it is great to finally have a good camera! Nana also bought us some girl scout cookies! :)

We shopped from 12:30 to 5:00 and I honestly cannot believe I survived!!

Stay tuned for more information about what did later that night and Sat.! I promise I will post pictures! :)

Update

We went to the doctor today and they check MAG's fluids which were great! She is breech though.

The doctor checked me and told me I am 1-2 cm dilated and 90% and I am in the early stages of labor. I wish I would have a camera for Patrick's face when this was said! It was priceless! We are both really shocked that I am already dilated. She said this could mean 2-3 weeks or 1 week no one knows. She was very optimistic though. She said that this could mean I would have an easier labor which is GREAT news for me!

I did ask about her being breech though and what that meant. She said that if after the ultrasound next week if she is still breech we will discuss turning her. If they decide to turn her they will induce right after the procedure because she could turn back and they would want me to go in labor as soon as possible. She also said that since she is little it would be easier to turn her!

Also if I go in next week and I am 4 cm they will admit to the hospital because I am in active labor. If she is still breech I will have a c-section because they don't want to turn a baby if I am in labor.

So our lives are definitely going to change in at least 3 weeks probably. I guess I really can't plan anymore!

My sister is coming down this weekend to help us finish the room and get everything together! Please pray for us in the next couple of weeks! We are both VERY EXCITED but also nervous!

Hair and Belly!

Yesterday I went to get my haircut for the first time since last June. It was a must before MAG gets here! I wasn't too pleased with it at first but it starting to grow on me. Here is a picture!

Also here is the latest belly picture. I only have 4 more weeks and yes I know I am smaller than normal but I feel HUGE!!! We go back for another ultrasound tomorrow to see how much she has grown!

Katie's Baby Shower

Yesterday I hosted a baby shower at my house for my friend Katie. She is going to have a little girl in April/May. She is due on May 1st so little Hannah could come in April. We are so excited about the fact that Mary Alice will have a little girl to play with that will be very close in age!

I have never had a baby shower at my house so it was the first one that I did without the help from mom and sister and I do believe I survived. I did have much help from Heather, who made the invitations and cake, and Katy who brought fruit and fruit dip. Also from Patrick who cleaned and helped me set up everything!

We had a great time playing games and hanging out with friends from church and Katie's family and friends. All in all it was a great day!

Here are some pictures. Of course my camera died as soon as the shower started :(. Just another reason we MUST get a new camera soon.

One Day Short

As a teacher there are many rules and regulations you have to follow: For instance you have to dress up, you can't leave unless you have a principal say it is ok, etc. There is also a rule made by the state department for how many days you have to work a year to get a years experience for that teaching year.
The state department says you have to work 152 days out of the 190. Well yesterday I went to my meeting about taking my maternity leave and I am planning on making my last day March 20th and not going back. As we were counting the days that I would have worked we noticed that if I leave on the 20th and don't come back I would have only work

151 days!

Yes you read correctly I would be one day short of getting my years experience. Well I decided that I am not going to work all year and only miss a year experience by one year (although we aren't getting a pay increase next year probably), but it will help with retirement!

So Patrick and I have talked about our options. I can ask the doctor if she thinks that MAG is coming late and work until March 24 or 25 or just go back on June 4 and work the 4,5, and go to graduation on the 8th.

I think I am going to just work on the 4,5 and go to the graduation because those are half days for the students and I will have to go up there anyway to put my grades in and fix my room for the summer so why not get credit for being there!

All day yesterday I just kept thinking about how God is teaching me that sometimes I don't need to be such a planner. I knew before I got pregnant that it would be hard for me because I am such a planner to not know when she is coming and how things are going to be after she gets here. Yesterday was a great example of allowing God to take control! When I left the meeting I was upset because I would have to go back and find a babysitter for at least the 4 and 8th. I was also upset because I would have to leave her for two full work days. I went back to work and many people said just bring her on the 4th someone will keep her! It was amazing how many people were willing to help out! (especially Nana and Kelly and I am sure GeGi and aunt Sally will help). So now as we are only exactly a month away from her due date I have to stop being a planner and let God take full control!

I Tried...

to go to work. I stayed at work for about one hour and decided I couldn't handle it anymore and came home. I felt so bad! I have now been in the bed for at least three days it feels like! I did get alot of rest and watched tv. I got hooked to a Lifetime movie that latest 3 hours and took a commercial every 10 minutes but it was nice to rest!

I am starting to feel better and hope that this is a good sign! Patrick is going to buy some Lysol to make our house fresh again! :)

I do think MAGS is ok because she has been kicking me all day! As much as it is starting to hurt it is a good feeling to know she is moving around. Maybe she is flipping over! :)

Thanks for the prayers for our sickness, please keep them coming!

I'm sick AGAIN...

This seems to be a reoccurring theme during my pregnancy. I guess it doesn't help working with teenagers!

I didn't go to the doctor, but Patrick had a sinus infection last week and I do believe I have it now as well. My chest is KILLING me every time I cough so I finally called the doctor. They called me in a Z pack and I hope to goodness this works! As of now I am going to work and then coming home and getting in the bed.

Please pray I get better soon!! I need to start feeling better so my little angel will grow! :)

Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Happy Birthday Kelly!



Thank you for being my best friend! I love how we are so close and I am blessed with a great sister! You are such a great mom! Thank you for being a great role model for me! I can't wait for Mary Alice to meet her aunt Kelly! :) We hope you had a great day! Sorry we can't travel up there to see you!

We love you!!!!!

Look What I Found!!

I take a bath almost every night and Lexy usually comes in the bathroom because she likes to watch the water run. When I get out she likes to watch the water go down the drain. Yes I know she is crazy! Well tonight I went back in the bathroom to go to my closet and this is what I found. I wonder how many times she has done this!

Can you say she is spoiled!?!? I think she is starting to realize that things are about to change because she has been VERY clingy lately! Pray that she handles the change well or she might have to go visit Nana and Granddad.

Our Crazy Valentine's Day

It is a good thing we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday because honestly yesterday I forgot it was a holiday!

We woke up and my right contact broke and I didn't have anymore, so we had to go try and find a store that had them. We finally found them at Walmart! We then went around town to hunt down a new camera. We found many but didn't buy one! We are so indecisive!

After we got home I took a nap and Patrick watched some racing and then we decided the house needed to be cleaned and Mary Alice's room needed to be organized. So at 6:00 we started the process. Patrick did most of the cleaning and I was in Mary Alice's room. We stopped to eat and then I started feeling REALLY bad. I couldn't breath and I felt like I had sandpaper in my throat. Patric kept cleaning and I think he finished around 11:30 and I was in the bed.

So this morning I am still sick and he is going to church. I am very upset that I am missing church AGAIN, but I need to get better before I go back to work! Pray that I get over this cold/sinus junk! It is very hard without an antibiotic! :)

Even though our V-Day was odd, we still enjoyed being at our house and spending time together! I hope everyone had a great day as well!

My Sweet Husband

Update: Patrick made me steak, salad, mashed potatoes, and baked beans for our candlelight dinner tonight. He also got Key Lime Pie for dessert and gave me the sweetest card and some chocolate. We just got done watching the movie Fireproof! What a great way to start the Valentine's weekend! I really do have the best husband! :)

Patrick and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. We both think that the holiday is kinda crazy! This year we are buying ourselves a new camera, but we would have gotten it even if it wasn't Valentine's Day.

With that said, I did want to tell the blogging world how wonderful my husband is!!

My family would say that Patrick is perfect for me because he puts up with me and I would have to agree! I can sometimes not be the nicest person in the world and he just sits there and takes it and doesn't fight back! He knows exactly what to say when to make me feel better.

This Valentine's day he has been great! He has a sinus infection and I have a cold/sinus junk (I really think I have a sinus infection, but I am trying to get over it with rest, Tylenol, and water). As I am typing he is cooking dinner(which he won't tell me what we are having), cleaning the kitchen and taking care of me. He has not complained once or asked me why I am not helping.

During my pregnancy he has been perfect! He has always been there and gotten me what I need when I need it. He even went to Walgreens one night at 10:00 to get me some medicine!

He is such a Godly man! He tells me everyday that he prays for Mary Alice and me every night and morning. I honestly do not know what I have done to deserve this wonderful man, but I am glad he is mine and only mine! :)

I love you baby!

Update

We had the ultrasound today. Mary Alice weighs 4 1/2 pounds and is in the 19%. All of her fluids and heartbeat are 100% though. The doctor said that she is fine and happy and they don't get worried unless she drops to the 10%.

I go back in two more weeks for another ultrasound to see if she is growing more! The doctor told me not to worry.

Mary Alice is breech though so we are praying she moves on her own!

So please continue to pray for her to grow and to move down!

Thank you!

A Weekend of Showers :)

This weekend we traveled for the last time until after Mary Alice is born! My sister threw me a great shower at her house with great cupcakes made by my mom! It was very nice to see all of my friends from high school, old teachers, and family friends! Mary Alice also got many nice things that are waiting to get put away in her room!! Thank you Kelly and mom for everything!

Here is the diaper cake my sister made me!

Lindsay, Me, Sarah

Kelly had everyone cut some tape and guess how big around I am. My parent's next door neighbor daughter, Jenny got it exactly right!

This is what Caroline decided to do with the measuring tape!

High School Friends

Lindsay, Me, Sarah, Julie, and Amy

Thanks Kelly and Mom!! I love you!

After my shower I headed to a surprise "Grandma" Tea for Alice. I of course forgot my camera but I had a great time celebrating with her! She got great things for her house for Mary Alice to play with! It was a great shower. :)

Sunday my dad's church threw a shower for Mary Alice as well. It was very nice and of course Mary Alice got many things! Her closet is going to be very full after we get through going through everything! One of the ladies in the church gave her a bib that said I love Grandpa for my dad!

Today at work we had a department meeting after school and it ended up being a surprise baby shower for me! I received many many diapers!! This made Patrick very happy! I am very blessed to work with such great people and am very thankful for their friendship!

After this weekend I realized how blesse Patrick and I are with great family and friends! Mary Alice is definitely going to be loved! :)

Thank you to everyone who attended the showers and helped throw them!

We love you and appreciate you thinking of us during this time! :)

Our First Baby!!

Look at our little baby! She is in for a rude awaken in about 7 weeks!