Reuniting with friends!

I was going through my camera and realized I hadnt had the chance to post about getting to see some wonderful friends while I was back in TN. Andrea and I had the chance to get dinner one night and catch up. It was so great because we had not seen each other in person in about 2 years! Andrea and I were sorority sisters at UT and she was also a fellow sports fanatic like me :) Her and her husband still live in Knoxville and she was looking as fabulous as ever!

I was also so very excited to see Constance Coomer, soon to be McGregor! Constance and I met at MDA summer camp when I was 18 and she was 16 and she was also a bridesmaid in my wedding. Now it is her turn, as she just got engaged last week! I am so excited for you sister and it was wonderful to see you again in person :)

My little lumber jack!

While I was at my shower this past Saturday, JR went over to hang out with my dad. Well what do these 2 men do when they get together??? They always find some sort of "project" to do outside. They are 2 of a kind for sure :)

All Jenn and I heard about on the way back from the luncheon was, "You just gotta see it! I made an awesome stool! From free standing trees in the woods to a piece of classic country furniture!"

Oh I just love my little lumberjack. He definitely knows how to take joy in the simple things and it ALL boy at heart :)

Additions to the nursery

While at home we were finally able to get Griffin's bible verse ceiling tile that we had been waiting for! JR and I really wanted it to be over his bed so that he will always be reminded to walk in the way of the Lord, and that we too as his parents will constantly be reminded to pray for him. Carrie Helle did an amazing job on the tile.. and it matches perfectly :)

We also got more things from Carrie's Ella Minnow Pea shop that were too cute not to set out. Carrie herself sent Griffin the brown frame with his name and ABC's on it... and I was so surprised and happy when I saw what she had come up with special for us! She also made the "Its a boy" frame that my mom gave us and the Griffin piggy bank too, which was a present from the Lemons family! Needless to say Griffin's room is now an Ella Minnow Pea advertisement!!! Check out her blog at http://ellaminnowpea-giftshop.blogspot.com/.

My blogging BFF Brandi also got Griffin his personalized bucket from Ella Minnow Pea... and of course it matches perfectly as well. You girls know me all to well :)

You will also notice the new picture above Griffin's UT memorabilia. Aunt Missy made him his family tree and had it framed! She has writes beautifully in calligraphy... and the thought and love she put into it meant the world to us! One thing for sure Griffin will know that is important is family and now he will always know exactly where he came from. Thank you SO much Mish!!!

Week 34

This past weekend we were totally blessed! God used our family and friends to shower us with amazing gifts for our sweet little one.. and we truly were blown away! Thank you so much to everyone that has given their love, support and gifts... you have no idea how much it means!

6 more weeks!!! Wow that really makes me so excited. Now that we are all set up from our showers, it is only a matter of getting the little man here! I am feeling more and more uncomfortable with my extra large belly and really just wander every day how I can grow more for these next 42 days ha! Griffin is still a mover and shaker. Sometimes I have to stop what I am doing because he is causing so much rucus in my stomach :)

Gotta run.. plenty of gifts to put away, laundry to do and thank you's to write!!!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which he'll need to regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Church shower in Rockwood

JR and I were tremendously blessed by family and friends back in our home church on Sunday. Mimi rallied all of her troops and man did we get spoiled by them :)

Thank you to all of these special women who were our shower hostesses!

Vance came and was my lovely assistant :)

Aunt Rachel, Cici, me and Great Grandma Mimi

and the cutest attendee was our little nephew Tristan. I cant wait for Griffin to get here to play with him!

I was so excited to see everyone again from back home! For some it had been since we had gotten married that we had been able to see them, and it was funny b/c some people didnt even recognize me with my dark hair ha! It was excellent to go back now that JR and I have been full circle with all of these great friends and family. They have all watched us grow up, get married and now become a mom and dad!!! Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this day special for us and thank you as well to those who attended... I cant wait for you all to meet our little man soon :)

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Luncheon with Family

JR and I were so blessed to also have a luncheon with my Dad's side of the family on Saturday. It was so much fun to have everyone together and celebrate the soon to be newest member of the family! Sue held it at Celebrations Cafe in Farragut and it was such good food!!!

Thank you for making us feel so special :)

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Shower with girlfriends

It became very surreal to me that I was going to be a mom when I was able to celebrate with a shower with all of my best girlfriends from Tennessee! My mom hosted the shower at her home and she worked so hard to make it extra special for me.... and it was nothing short of that to have all of the girls I have shared so many memories with over the years all in the same room!! I really just wish it could have last longer ha!


Missy and JD were so wonderful to help my mom host, along with Jessica, Cyndy and Leann! Thank you to all of you who made it so very special for me :)

It was so sweet of my Phi Mu girls to travel so far to share this day with me!

Thank you to all who came and showered Griffin with amazing things!!! I loved seeing each of you and your cute little babies too :)

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Week 34 Doctor's Visit

Today we had another doctors visit and everything was great! He confirmed that Griffin is still head down and said we would do a quick ultrasound next time just to make 100% sure. My blood pressure was 118/78 and Griffin's heartbeat was a strong 148 bpm.

We had an amazing time back in Tennessee this past week and were completely blessed beyond belief at our showers! As soon as I get all my pictures organized I promise to put them up asap :)

Week 33

Griffin and I are spending week 33 in Tennessee! It has been so nice to get to spend time with family and friends... and of course I anticipate the next time we come back and he actually gets to meet everyone :)

My little 4 pound pineapple is pushing on my rib cage pretty bad and I am often in pain on my right side, so that must mean that is his hiding spot. I can feel my stomach stretching as well and it is itching like crazy! Dont worry I have been lotioning up every day religiously so its not that.. I just think he is in a major growth spurt again. Another thing I have noticed this week is that I am OBSESSED with ice! Man I just cant get enough of it... and I apologize to all those around who have to hear me crunch on it all the time.

We are now past the 50 day mark... WOW!!!

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Birthday Celebrations in TN

We had a wonderful girls weekend in Pigeon Forge! Lots of good food, great cabin and of course lots of shopping... it was a very fun and relaxing time :) Sadly this is the only picture that was taken the whole weekend and the only reason it was taken was b/c I told Jessica I was afraid there wouldnt be any at all so we took advantage at a break during shopping.

Tonight I had the chance to celebrate with Dad, Sue and the brothers and also was very happy that Tyler's girlfriend Miranda joined us too! Miranda actually went to high school with me so I knew her beforehand.. but this was the first time meeting her as my "brother's girl" ha! We had a great time at PF Changs.. yum yum :)

arent my bros so handsome?

Dad and the kids

Tyler and Miranda

cute little socks Susu got Griffin. Anthony this picture was taken especially for you and Brandi b/c when she saw them she thought of you guys :)