Showered.

Over the past few weeks, friends and family have given us the most beautiful, fun and sweet baby showers. It has been so humbling to receive so much generosity and kindness from everyone, and we were truly honored. Here are a few pics from some of the showers!

Baby Daddy's hometown shower:

Our lovely hostess who made us feel so special. Thank you!

Beautiful table complete with a book cake and more stylin' hats than this baby girl will know what to do with! So cute!

I love that our bird theme was used in the shower. Cute details.

Some of our sweet family. Love them.

Gorgeous blanket made by his grandmother. Precious.

My hometown shower:

My mom and sister. Love them.

Precious 'shoe cakes' with coordinating outfits from my aunt and cousin. They were so cute that I didn't want to open them!

The group. We were so touched by how many people came to honor our little one.

Emery's hometown shower:

Precious friends and hostesses. They did such a good job!

Um. Yum.

Getting a little goofy after all these fun showers...! ;)

More sweet pals.

Very touched by the kindness of my friends, old and new.

Welcome, indeed.

And...a little glimpse of the aftermath:

If you know me at all, you know how EXCITED I was to tackle the organization of all of Emery's new things. Don't worry--it was accomplished in record time. ;)

While we did receive an unbelievable amount of truly generous and thoughtful gifts from family and friends, I found myself more moved by how many people in our lives are truly there to support and love us...and who already love a little lady they've never met. Gifts aside, my heart was touched so deeply to SEE all of the people we love most gathered together in one place to celebrate, pray, tell stories, pass on advice and shower us with love and kindness.

We were showered and blessed, indeed.

Thank you. Very much.

One Year.

Me, my dad and my sister.

Salzburg, Austria 2001

One year ago today, I lost my dad.

In a matter of days, I will become a mom for the first time.

"For I know the plans I have for you...

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I choose to trust in His plans for me.

I choose hope and a future.

I choose to celebrate life.

_______________________________________

http://www.afsp.org/

http://www.twloha.com/index.php

http://www.lovelines.org/?page_id=32

Honest Scrap.

The "Honest Scrap Award" comes with a caveat or two. First, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know, but that are true. Second, you have to tag 10 people with the award. Third, let all the people you've given the award to know they've gotten in (comment on their blogs or something). And, finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you (thanks, Katie!).

(Say "Honest Scrap" three times fast, and it is "Honest Crap." Is this the joke/pun/play-on-words? Am I just slow today and everyone already knew this?!?!)

;)

1. I shamelessly DVR and watch an episode of "The Young and the Restless" just about every single day. What can I say, my grandmothers raised me on the soaps, and I am still a fan. So sad, but so true.

2. Before I go home for the day, I HAVE TO be able to see the top of my desk. I arrange everything into piles that are lined up with the edges of my desk, and the piles must have equal space between them. They may not touch. If, after this organization is complete, I can not see at least 3/4 of the top of my desk, I will begin again. I hate being disorganized. (And, after typing this, perhaps #3 should be that I am a bit OCD...maybe??) ;)

3. Lamps are my favorite. In my home and in my classroom, I use only table and floor lamps to light the rooms. Overhead lights wash people out, make the room look dreary, and the fluorescent lights at school give me migraines for some reason. I even asked if the hospital where I am delivering had any other options besides overhead fluorescent lights. They do. Don't worry.

4. I am indirectly linked to a handful of famous/famous-ish people: The All American Rejects singer Tyson Ritter (went to StuCo conventions with him, and I have a picture of me sitting on his lap while he was singing loudly in my ear); Kelly Clarkson (a friend of a friend in college dated her after she was on AI); Blake Griffin of OU basketball (grew up in church with him and his family); Charlie Hall (led youth worship at my church growing up).

5. I might be addicted to lotion. I carry two small bottles with me at all times, JUST IN CASE one of them runs out. I have two large bottles in my classroom, and there is a bottle in almost every room of my home. I, alone, supply the faculty restrooms with bottles of lotion, even though I'm pretty sure no one else cares that much. Can't stand how dry my hands/feet feel after a shower or washing my hands after using the restroom, and, if I had to choose only a few items to take with me on a desert island, lotion would be at the top of the list.

6. I think older men who purchase and drive sports cars are lame. Sorry if that's you (although I doubt many of my readers are older men who drive sports cars)....

7. I have vacationed in the following locations: New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Florida, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Austria, England, the Netherlands. I would not return to: Las Vegas or the Netherlands. I would like to go to: California, New England coast, Spain, Australia, Italy, the Virgin Islands.

8. When picking out clothes for my baby-girl-coming-soon, I find myself gravitating toward "little people" clothes rather than "little girly" clothes. I like when kids look like little versions of big people. Does that make sense? Less cartoon characters; more solid colors and modern outfits. Enter Dwell for Target. Love love love.

9. I get a little panicky when I can't breathe through my nose. As one who has never really suffered through allergies, it FREAKS ME OUT when my nose closes up due to congestion. Which brings up another point: at this moment, my giant belly is pushing up into my ribs making it very hard to breathe AND pregnancy rhinitis has closed up my nose. PANIC. I can't breathe!!!

10. My husband and I have a sweet deal when it comes to kitchen duties: I cook; he cleans. I have found that this situation liberates me to be exploratory and creative in the kitchen, because, no matter how many bowls, spoons or spatulas it takes to create my 'masterpiece', I know he'll clean it up for me. Yummy meal for him; no clean up for me. Deal.

I shall tag the following:

1. My Mind is in a Blog

2. Sooner Born, Sooner Bred

3. Walking in Memphis

4. The Natural State

5. Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Hope you enjoyed this honest crap about yours truly!! :)

Nervous and Irrational Musings from a Very Nervous and Irrational Pregnant Lady.

1. Will I actually know when Braxton Hicks contractions switch over to the real deal?

2. I wonder if my worst nightmare will come true: that my water will break while I'm teaching.

3. Who will clean that up if it does happen? ME?!?!?

4. My baseboards are dirty. This is really annoying me for some reason.

5. I'm embarrassed that it took over two weeks to get thank-you notes in the mail after our baby showers.

6. I don't recognize my belly button.

7. Can belly buttons actually rip open? Mine feels like it might.

8. I might have forgotten everything I read in my pregnancy books. Do I read them again? Quickly?

9. Will I ever have a life after this baby comes?

10. Will she even know I'm her mom?

11. I think my little dog will be mad at me when I bring home baby.

12. Do I have enough of the right types and sizes of clothes for her?

13. Half of the time, I'm totally peaceful about all the upcoming changes. The other half...I breathe quickly and panic a little bit. Is this normal?

14. I feel guilty for leaving my students in the hands of (an actually very capable) substitute.

15. I don't think I really know what I am doing. But I will learn, right? Does any first-time Mom really KNOW what they are doing right away?

16. Will I be quiet and serious during labor, or will I be a screaming, crying mess? Or both?

17. Did I remember to properly and adequately thank those who bought us gifts at or hosted the baby showers?

18. I'm afraid that my husband and I will never have the same closeness as we do now with a little baby to take care of. Will it be harder? Will we redefine 'family'? Will we be closer than ever?

19. Will she recognize the nighttime lullaby we've been singing to her each night for months?

20. Can I do this? Really?

Emery's Room.

From dreaming about to designing Emery's room, I have so enjoyed this project. We've had a lot of help to get it all finished in time, and I just love how it has turned out. So peaceful. So sweet. And the fact that our family really played a big part in putting the room together makes it that much more special.

Here are some pics!

I'm a girl who likes a plan. What can I say...?? ;)

Painting away! Please note the bead board wainscoting lovingly installed by Baby Daddy.

Assembling the crib and dresser.

The men-folk building some bookcases.

My lovely mom sewing Emery's bedding. She did such a good job!

My sister helping with the baby bedding.

And....after lots of help, one trip to IKEA, and many many many projects, we're finished!!! Please, come inside for a look! :)

(I found these bird counting cards in a boutique in NYC a few months ago, and that is where we got our inspiration for the entire room. Now, we've found ourselves referring to Emery as our little birdie. I like it.)

And there you have it. We realize the nursery is not the most important thing when preparing for a new baby, but it sure was a fun project to do together and with our families. It turned out to be a sweet little room for a sweet little baby girl. Can't wait for her to see it....

:)

36 Weeks: A Letter.

Dear Emery,

Well, little one, there has been a lot of activity over the past few weeks in anticipation of your arrival...which is now only a few short weeks away!

First, I want you to know just how loved and special you are to so many people that you have never even met. So many friends and family have literally 'showered' you with all kinds of love by throwing you the sweetest baby showers. It was overwhelming to be in the presence of such kindness, generosity and true friendship. Your mommy was feeling like one blessed lady to have so many friends and family honoring you, Emery.

Your Dad's hometown baby shower.

My hometown baby shower.

YOUR hometown baby shower.

(More shower pics to come....!)

Your Dad and I have finally finished putting together your nursery, and we find ourselves just gravitating toward that sweet little room. We'll just rock in the glider, looking around at all of your little things, imagining what it will be like when you live here. It is such a peaceful space. You'll love it.

(More nursery pics to come, also....!)

You have been giving some very solid proof of your existence in my belly these last few weeks, including major hiccups, very slow and big stretches, and once or twice we are pretty sure we've seen your little foot push up HARD through my tummy. You are a mover and shaker, and I love it....although I wouldn't mind if you dropped just a tad. Mommy needs to catch her breath! ;)

(31 weeks)

(32 weeks)

(33 weeks)

I've also started noticing Braxton Hicks contractions about 3-5 times a day. My whole belly will tighten up for a minute or so, and, while it doesn't hurt, it sure is a vivid reminder that things are coming to a close for this pregnancy. (I don't think you like the Braxton Hicks contractions, either. When they subside, you will twist and turn as if to say, "Stop squeezing me so tightly!"). Our doctor is pleased with your position and my progress, and everything seems to be going well as we get closer to your arrival, little one.

(34 weeks...after the high school talent show faculty dance routine. My embarrassing you has already begun, my dear!)

(35 weeks)

(36 weeks)

Your Dad has had an interesting few weeks as well. He has been so wonderfully helpful around the house and with so many baby projects that I send his way. For Christmas, he bought me a prenatal massage which was sent straight from Heaven itself. He'll bring me frozen yogurt, rub my aching feet, run the errands, cook the meals, keep the house picked up, all the while being so supportive, encouraging, prayerful and fun. What a man. Your Daddy will do anything for us, my love. As an example, he gave good effort when I asked him to paint my toenails for me when I could no longer reach past my belly. The results were interesting, and it was so sweet to watch him give it a try!

He was also quite a good sport when we attended a childbirth class a few weeks ago. Some of the dads got the opportunity to wear the 'empathy belly' for an hour, and your Dad didn't voice a complaint when I promptly signed him up! ;) It was very funny to watch him try and touch his toes or pick up items from the floor with that belly. What a memory!

We got to take one last peak at you inside my belly last week. You wouldn't move your little arms away from your face so that we could get a good look, but your Dad thinks that will make our meeting that much more sweet. You were sucking on your hand and stretching your legs during the ultrasound, and it made me want to touch and hold you so badly.

(We also confirmed one last time that you are a little 'she'......

......I apologize in advance for posting embarrassing pictures of you, but I'm just so darn excited!)

Emery, time has truly flown by so quickly, and I have differing emotions about your upcoming due date. I am so excited to see you, hold you, meet you, learn you. But I am also scared that I won't know what to do. You see, I've never done this before. Been 'Mom'.... I'm learning as we go, sweet baby, and I want to do the best that I can for you. It is intimidating to know that you will depend on me so much, and it is an honor at the same time.

Daughter, today happens to be my birthday, yet all I seem to think about is yours. When will it be? Soon? Weeks from now? How will it all play out? What will you look like, sound like, be like?

We've waited so long to meet you. I can't wait for your birthday, my Emery Mae.

Love,

Mom