The Birthday Continues...

...for Hannah Claire that is. She got a few gifts from the Girls Night Out from friends that could not come to her birthday party. She got to open them the next morning before school. She was super excited! This little girl takes after her Daddy's family and loves to "read" her cards first. We even have to reread them again and again. She has such a sweet heart. Her first gift was a super cute tea set from Lillian and Will. She loves it! I even took a little nap one evening after work and woke up with tea cups all over me. At least I'm fun while sleeping!

HC's buddies Reese and Addie were at the beach during her birthday so they picked out a gift and sent to her. She loves this caterpillar! She names him Cattio and Buzzy Bee. I have no clue where Buzzy Bee came from but she has stuck with it.

She was also super excited about the painting Mrs. Valerie did for her. She is one blessed little girl!

Girls Night Out

I was so excited to spend some time with a bunch of my closest friends in honor of Wyatt's arrival. Several people kept asking about having a shower. Since this is number two I felt like that was not necessary but just getting out with some girls would be fun for me and would mean the most. Well, of course they all brought baby stuff. It was so much fun though! I got to see some ladies I don't get to see often which is always great. We met at LaBamba, a new mexican restaurant in town. It was my first visit and the food was excellent! A huge thank you to Lindsay for organizing the night and to all the ladies (Valerie, Melissa, Heidi, Rebecca, Karen, Emily and Tanya) who were able to join us. You all are such a blessing to me and my family and I love all of you guys!

After some yummy food I got to open tons of cute blue stuff, including lots of diapers and wipes! Our extremely talented friend Valerie hand painted a picture for Wyatt's room that matches his bedding to a t! She also painted HC a new sign for her big girl room! I am so super impressed!

Who says you need adult drinks to have a good time? Momma sporting a sombrero (and multiple chins)!

Valerie and "The Most Interesting Man in the Universe"!

We haven't updated much on Wyatt's progress lately because we have not known too much. We finally had another ultrasound this week to see what was going on with him. He is breech and in the exact same position as Hannah Claire was. The ultrasound tech measured his size and estimated me to be at 40 weeks the exact day I was there instead of being 36 weeks and 6 days. She also measured Wyatt at 8 lbs. 10 ozs.! Seriously!?! I thought he was bigger than HC but I had no idea! Dr. Christine thought they may be over estimating but then felt of him. She said, and I quote: "He may be a 9 pounder but I don't think he will be 10 pounds." Wow! I have always appreciated her honesty but I'm not sure I was ready to hear that. She is out of town for the weekend so I am praying I don't have him now since my least favorite doctor from the group is on call. After that I will be happy to welcome Wyatt whenever he is ready. With the near triple digits everyday, a huge baby boy and a full of energy three year old, I am ready to hold my sweet boy in my arms instead of my belly!

Scottsdale, AZ

Shane won a trip with his district to Scottsdale, AZ. I am so proud of him but I was also disappointed when we found out when the trip was. We didn't think I would be able to go since I would be 34 weeks pregnant. I spoke with my doctor and she said she thought I would be fine to travel up until 35 weeks. Well okay then, if I must go I will! What a blessing it turned out to be. We were able to get away, kid free, for a little R&R before Wyatt's arrival. The weather was perfect too. I'm not sure I could have handled the extreme heat that normally is Arizona this time of year but we had 80's and 90's the entire trip. It was awesome! We pretty much laid around the pool and took it easy for the majority of the trip. The pool we spent lots of time by was right beside this koi pond. The ducks were super friendly and by friendly I mean they wanted our food.

The first night was an awards banquet for Shane's district. They were tons of fun and so sweet. He really works with some special people. We spent day two by the pool with his co-workers, reading, sunning and relaxing. We headed down to Old Town Scottsdale that night for dinner. We walked around before to see a few of the sights. Shane found Willie hanging out on some random street.

We ended up having dinner with some of Shane's coworkers; Andrea, her husband Neyland and Mindy at The Mission. It was amazing! I had the best guacamole I have ever had in my entire life! They made if fresh at our table. Yummo!!! We also shared the house special of pork shoulder tacos. Wow! The meat just fell apart when you put your fork in it. They were scrumptious!

Day three we were spoiled with a massage. Every pregnant woman deserves at least one. I felt so good afterwards. It was pretty warm and someone (I'm calling any names) was a little sunburned on his back so we went shopping for the rest of the morning. We headed back to the pool for the afternoon. When we got out there some of Shane's team was going to climb Camelback Mountain which was right behind our resort. He had been wanting to go but seeing as how I get winded just sitting, it was out of the question for me. He jumped at the chance and was off with the boys to climb. Here is a picture of Camelback from the pool.

Here is the resort from Camelback.

Once Shane was back down the mountain we decided we would head back to Old Town Scottsdale for some dinner. We decided on a pizza place that was recommended by concierge. It was so good! They cooked it in brick ovens and we devoured it! We decided to walk around once we got back to the resort and see the place at night. We ended up seeing some places we had not seen before and playing with our camera to try and get some night shots.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to head out west for a long weekend and get some rest. It could have not come at a more appropriate time for us.

Our Little Girl is Three!

Seriously, where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that we were hosting a small group dinner at our house and the contractions were coming fast and furious, but it has been three years! It really is amazing to look back at pictures and see how much Hannah Claire has changed and how much she still looks like that precious newborn to this mommy's eyes. I am amazed at the things that she can say, do and understand. We grow to love you more and more each day (which I did not think was possible). You teach us new things all the time and surprise us with your knowledge. You have your dad's sense of humor and your comic delivery is perfect. You make it so hard to discipline you sometimes because we are trying not to laugh with you. You love to play with your friends, you love school and you love going to church. You have also really taken to playing with the dogs in particular giving Allie and Junior treats. If we don't keep a close eye on you they will get three treats before we even know it. They love to give you kisses and it makes you laugh. We love you so much and thank God everyday for blessing us with the opportunity to raise you.

May 9, 2008 - Birthday

May 9, 2009 - 1 Year

May 9, 2010 - 2 Years

May 9, 2011 - 3 Years

Happy Mother's Day 2011

We took it pretty easy this year for Mother's Day. We started off with an awesome message at Church of the Highlands, as always! Afterwards Mommy got her wish of a three person nap! It was awesome, we all snuggled up in the bed (with my big maternity pillow) and snoozed. We all needed it desperately since we have been burning the candle at both ends. My office gave us a beautiful hydrangea in memory of Shane's Mom. We decided that Mother's Day would be the perfect day to plant it. While it wasn't the greatest Mother's Day, we tried to make the most of it and make Joyce proud. She was such a great mother and raised such a great person, I pray that I can do the same with my little man. The plant was struggling in the pot in our house and after some research we decided that the only real place we could plant it was in the back flowerbed. So Daddy & Hannah Claire got to work.

I feel pretty certain that the plant it will not last very long. I mean I have no green thumb and it is suppose to have afternoon shade. Well, afternoon shade does not exist at our house. We are going to give it our best effort and see what happens.

Later that day we went to a yummy dinner at Konomi Japanese Steakhouse! I love it! Hannah Claire actually really likes it to. To be somewhat of a picky eater the kid likes different things. She loves the miso soup! When we got back she got her final birthday present that was too big to take the party. And since Mommy is so big right now it got wrapped by an old shower curtain draped over it.

She was unsure of it at first but then saw how fun it could be! It was a picnic table that the top can be removed and has water and sand underneath.

"Oh, I see. How cool!"

Dad put in some time and got it all put together just before bed. Well, really it was way past bedtime and we got some serious attitude from HC. I even caught it on camera. This is her knocking baby off of the bench after she was told to stop.

Then came the discipline/way too tired meltdown.

All in all it was a perfect day of fun, food, rest, and drama! We did get a belly picture since this was my first Mother's Day with Wyatt.

I am so thankful to be a mother. It is the most wonderful gift I could have ever asked for. While it has its challenges, the benefits far outweigh them. Hannah Claire has been such a blessing to Shane and me. Her personality continues to amaze me and she is so smart (I know every parent says that but this time it is so true!). I can't wait to meet Wyatt and learn his personality and disposition. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such an amazing family.

Feed the Fish

We went out to dinner with our good friends the Mitchells. Afterward we went back to the house they are staying in right now to feed the fish in the pond out front. Hannah Claire and Ansley were fired up to spend some time together.

They even got to scope out some goose eggs. Mama goose was keeping a close eye on us though.

These two sweet girls love each other.

We ended up with cookies, two cakes, a whole pan of brownies and some cannolis at our house so we took it over to eat after dinner. Ansley was a huge fan of the cookies.

Hannah Claire is a huge fan of the camera. We are so thankful for sweet friends!

Wyatt's Baby Shower

It is pretty normal for us to have a meeting on Tuesday afternoons so I didn't think anything about having one on April 26th. When I got to the office the conference room doors were closed with a sign up that said "interviewing in progress, do not enter". Again it is not uncommon for this to be happening so no biggie. I did wonder why there was a sign up which never happens and why there were interviews going on in other offices that would normally be in the conference room. Thankfully I was not super concerned about it and busied myself with other work. Finally it was time for our meeting. When I walked in this is what I saw:

How awesome is that diaper cake!?! My counterpart Morgan Leigh had organized the whole event. She did a fabulous job! She made the diaper cake herself. Not to mention she made sugar cookies with a "W" on each one. I seriously thought she bought them at Edgar's. She also made the most delicious cheese straws I have ever eaten. I'm still waiting on the recipe. ML enlisted the help of James in our office to make one of his famous cakes as well. It was my first time to taste one and it lived up to the hype. He made an Italian cream cake (which is what we had for our wedding) and it was divine! Morgan Leigh went above and beyond in organizing the shower and I am so thankful for her.

A few action shots from opening of the gifts. We were showered with tons of diapers, wipes, bathing products and some precious clothes and gifts. Several of my coworkers went in together to give us the blanket that goes with our bedding. It is so cute and we are so thankful for the blessing these sweet people were to us. We even got some Alabama gear from an Auburn fan and a Florida fan. You have just got to love the passion from the SEC. I was quickly informed by the Auburn fan that gave us the blue elephant that it represented a boy and had nothing to do with Alabama. We will just let her think that because it is adorable and matches Wyatt's room perfectly!