Charlotte Ann

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Growing growing growing

Though it's been a while since I last posted, not too much is going on. I'm growing. And with all this growing comes lots of pain. But we've only got a short while left, and I can make it through.

We have decided that our family is complete with little Lottie. There are so many factors that confirmed this for us. We kinda knew before we were even pregnant that "Lottie" would be our baby. We just had a feeling that our last would be a little girl. And we're both very grateful to know that we're done having kids after this.  

We've scheduled Lottie's c-section already, so as long as I don't go into labor on my own before, we will get to meet our little girl on May 28th. It's less than 5 weeks away now. I had a bit of an "oh crap" moment yesterday. I've been keeping track and counting down, but the numbers haven't meant much, because they seemed so big and the idea of her coming seemed so far away. But it's getting so close!  Luckily, the baby room is mostly put together and we have a majority of what we'll  need for her. So at this point, it's mostly just a waiting game.

The girls are so excited to meet their little sister and they LOVE all the little baby clothes and gifts we've gotten for her. There has been no jealousy at all so far, they're just full of anticipation, waiting to help out. 

They're also getting ready for school to end. I think they're both ready for a good long summer break. And so far there will be plenty for them to do, including Mamie Camp at my mama's house, and a trip to Chattanooga to stay with their aunt and uncle for a few days! I'm so grateful that they'll have some things to do this summer, especially while I try to recoup after surgery, and learn how to handle a newborn again. 

Also in the next month is Taylor's 6th birthday and mine and Chris's 9 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe either one of those numbers. How did my baby turn 6? And Have I really been married for almost a decade?

I'm kinda grateful for all the busy-ness. Hopefully they will help the next 5 weeks go by quickly. I really can't wait to meet our little Lottie (and to not be pregnant anymore.) Maybe she'll make her debut a week or two early! I know i wouldn't complain if she did! 

It's a girl

Just a heads up. We're having a girl. Her name will be Charlotte (Lottie) Ann. We're very excited. The girls can't wait for Lottie to get here and me and Chris are getting more and  more excited as well.

Pink o' Blue

We're finally halfway through this pregnancy. I guess "finally" is the wrong word though, because it feels like time has FLOWN by, thanks to the holidays. The next 20 weeks are going to probably be some of the slowest of my life. I hope not. I pray not. But more than likely so.

This Wednesday we finally get to figure out if this little apple has a stem or not. The majority of people are saying they think it's a boy, either because of the way I'm carrying, or the fact that I look about 2 months further along than I am... or whatever. I think it's a boy, but it could just be wishful thinking. I thought Madison was a boy too... couldn't picture a little girl. (I don't think it was possible to have pictured her though. I'm still so fascinated by her.)

So who really knows. Well, we will... Wednesday.

But I want to see what everyone else is guessing. So make your votes and place your bets.

Pink or Blue???
** Take the poll just to the right so we can compare the guesses!

Meeting Luke

I'm skipping Christmas for right now, and going straight to Baby Luke. I just love little tiny babies, and I love that my girls love little tiny babies. They are so excited to be big sisters, and getting to meet Baby Luke was almost like a practice run for them.

Anyways, here's a few of my favorite pics from meeting the baby.

Playing catch up yet again... Really you should just expect it!

Day 12

I'm grateful that I am from such a beautiful state. I adore tennessee and this time of year is the absolute best. Yes, most of the trees are losing their beautiful red and orange leaves, and there are plenty of "naked trees" everywhere. But it is one of my favorite things, to just drive around on winding back woods roads where the trees cover both sides of the road, and with the leaves falling. It's heavenly.

Day 13

Along with day 12, I'm grateful that I married a man who is also from this great state. I'm grateful that we both have our families close by and that we'll probably always have them here. It is definitely a blessing.

Day 14

I'm grateful for powdered donuts. I have probably eaten about 3 or 4 bags full in the past month. Don't judge me. They're delicious and when I'm not feeling well first thing in the morning, they truly hit the spot!

Day 15

I'm grateful for my heritage. For the patriotism that was instill in me. I'm grateful to anyone who has served in the military and also to the family of those that serve. I COULD NOT be a military wife. Those women are so strong and I admire them so  much for their sacrifice, as well as their husbands. I'm very grateful that my two little brothers have chosen to serve this country as well. To be honest, I'm kind of heartbroken that my baby brother is gone. Every time anyone mentions it I tear up. I didn't realize how much I would miss him... after all, it's been over 10 years since I left home for the first time... and he was only 10 then, so it's not like I see him every day, or even every week. But I guess every older brother or sister feels protective about their younger siblings. I'm very proud of Kyle and Avery that they've decided to join the Air Force and serve this great country.

Day 16

I'm grateful for prayer. That at any moment, I can call upon my Heavenly Father and ask him for anything. And I'm grateful for my knowledge that he hears me and answers me. I am definitely stubborn, and most of the time I'm impatient waiting for his answers. But they always come. When there is so much uncertainty in life and in other people and just everything around us, at least He is always constant. I can always trust in Him.

Day 17

I'm grateful that we're nearing the end of the first trimester. Today I'm 12 weeks...



Only 28 left to go.

Missed the week

Sorry for slacking on the thankfulness, I'm gonna try and play catch up!

Day 6

I'm grateful for the ability and the freedom to vote. No the election didn't turn out like I hoped. But I am grateful that I have the chance to vote. 

Day 7

I'm grateful that I have a beautiful home for my family to live and grow up in. After 9 moves in less than 8 years, It was about time! And me and Chris have talked about living in this neighborhood since we got married, now we actually live here! I love it. 

Day 8

I'm grateful that we have two running vehicles. For the past month, we've been stuck to just one vehicle because my van overheated. We fixed the part of the radiator that was broken, but the van still was acting up. Turns out it was the battery all along. It was a three year battery and had been installed 4 years ago! From what we can tell the radiator fans didn't turn on when they were supposed to due to the battery being old and low on juice. that's why it overheated and a little plastic part had broken during that. Anyways, it's back up and running now and I'm so grateful that we have it. I'm also grateful to have such a handy husband who can fix things on our vehicles himself instead of paying an arm and a leg to have someone else do it.

Day 9

I'm grateful for the time we've had with our girls. With a new baby on the way and so much unknown, I'm just very grateful we've had these years with just us and the girls, to be able to spoil them, to get to know them, to take the time and really learn who they are and what their talents and strengths are. 

Day 10

I'm grateful that we now have cable TV. We just got it maybe a month ago and I LOVE that there are other shows on during the day for me to watch other than soaps and silly talk shows. It's been so nice to be able to watch TLC or Discovery and such when I haven't felt very well during the day. Chris is also thrilled that he can watch all the football he wants now!

Day 11

I'm grateful for the choices I've made in my life. There have been plenty that weren't the best choice for me, but I've also made some pretty dang good ones. Asking that cute boy to dance at that single's dance was one of the best ones I've ever made. At that time, I never would have thought that he would one day be mine for eternity, or that we'd have some of the cutest little girls in the whole wide world together. I'm pretty proud of some of those choices.

Gratefulness Day 5

I haven't posted yet today, because yet again I'm feeling sick. But today, I am grateful for my two beautiful little girls. Taylor has an absolute heart of gold. She is constantly checking on me to make sure I'm well as is the baby. She's even started hugging and talking to my belly and asks everyday when the baby will be here. She already is a wonderful big sister, but I know she is going to be a HUGE help once this little one gets here. Madison is my light. She brightens every single day. Her personality and mannerisms are the most adorable thing I've ever seen and I love how animated she is when she's telling a story. She is so thrilled to be able to be a big sister. She can't wait as well til the baby gets here, but she's made sure we know she'll have nothing to do with any stinky diapers. You never truly know what love is until you have children. At least, that's the way I see it. Of course our love grew when our daughters were born, but I didn't realize how having babies would make me fall so much more in love with Chris. I am grateful that the girls love each other so much and get along so well. I feel very lucky that our home is generally one full of laughter and joy. And I know that this new little baby is only going to multiply all of this even more.

Day 4

Today I'm grateful for date nights. Me and Chris were able to go out last night and have some dinner and a movie. Though I felt sick nearly the entire time, it was so much fun just being able to enjoy each other's company and to be reminded a bit that we're not just mom and dad.

We had a much better night than they did!

There was a little bit of blood and a little bit of puking in the film we saw. I was leaning my head on Chris's shoulder and when those scenes came up, Chris would raise his arm to cover my eyes and shield me from the grossness. It was pretty sweet. Chris is anything but a sap, but he has his moments.

Also thank you to John and Krystin for keeping the girls for us so that we could enjoy some time together. And sorry Chris forgot to set back the clocks and was there before 7 this morning ;)

November 3rd

Today I'm grateful for family and friends, for their support and friendship. I'm grateful to those who listened to me today, though I was a bit of a Debbie Downer, and reminded me that I won't always be hormonal and sick. I'm grateful to know that sharing joy in friendships only multiplies that joy, and sharing heartaches helps to lessen the pain. I'm surrounded by some truly remarkable people and I'm grateful that they're in my life. Each and every single one of them.

Thankfulness Day 2

Today I'm grateful for kindness. I was very pleasantly surprised by someone's kindness today and it lifted my spirit a ton. The person probably doesn't even know or realize that their kind words to me today brought such a smile to my face and really touched my heart. But it did, and it meant a lot to me.

I need to try harder to remember that a few words or one small deed can change someone's entire day,and try harder to be kind to everyone I meet. Yay for Kindness!

Thankful Thanksgiving

Hi. It's been a long time since we updated... and maybe at some point I'll backtrack and catch up, but not today. Today I'm just going to give one small update... About the size of a grape in fact.

Baby number 3 is on it's way. Our "Due Date" is set for the very beginning of June, but since we get to schedule when this little tyke will come, He/She will be joining our family towards the end of May, 2013. 

I did want to attempt to be more grateful this month also. I've not been feeling well, and after a while, my attitude towards those around me and our situation turn towards the negative. I'm gonna try and turn my focus more positive and try to be more grateful for all the blessings I have in my life.

Today, I am grateful for Chris. He has not held it against me that I haven't felt well and have not been able to do the usual wife/mom duties that I do. I am so very grateful for him taking over where I have been lacking, but even more than that, he has done it without any negative feelings towards me... atleast none that I've seen. I'm so blessed to have him as my eternal companion and so grateful that together we get to create and raise a family. He blesses my life in so many ways and I will never be able to share how truly grateful I am for him. Thank you Handsome for all you do for me and the girls. You're the best. Love you. 

At some point I'll backtrack, but for now, my girls...

The first day of school was this past week, on wednesday. the girls were both thrilled and did an amazing job. There were no tears or even fussing of any kind.

It's been a while since I posted... but i did some engagement photos.

After I post these, I'll post the girls first day of school! 

Here's my friend Meghan and her future husband, Mike!

I had a blast taking their picture, and can't wait til the wedding in September. I get to be a bridesmaid (my first time!) I'm so excited! Probably not as excited as Meghan and Mike... but still. It was fun shooting these pictures. As you can probably tell by the genuine smiles, we had fun and laughed a ton. (I'm a poet and I didn't know it.)

Congrats Meghan and Mike! I can't wait til 9/15/12!