Thursday, July 19, 2012

Goodbye 1st Home




A lot of crazy things have happened the last 2 months with the birth of our first son being the biggest. I plan on posting a lot about Noah and his journey but I want to write about the most recent thing in our family's life right now. That is saying goodbye to our first home and hello to our new one.
This past weekend has been EXHAUSTING to say the least. Trying to move 1.5 hours away in just 2 days with a 5 week old is very difficult and I would not recommend it. Just when you think you are exhausted from moving all day, your 5 week old decides he does not want to sleep very well through the night.
We started packing on Friday night. We had some sweet friends come over Saturday morning in the wee hours of the morning to help us. Thank goodness I had Natalie there to help hold Noah so I could pack things up and load some. We moved everything into the basement of our new home but will not be able to move in until the 28th.
Anyway, it was very sad to leave our first home. Many tears were shed between the both of us before we left. We made so many memories there. It is where Chris and I started our life as a married couple, it's where I did most of my college school work, where chris put in so much sweat to make our house a home, where we had many church small group meetings, where we made many good friends, and the biggest thing of all where Noah became a reality and the place we brought him home.




I will miss the little front porch where I rocked him in the first few weeks of his life...



I will miss the large front and back yard for the dogs...














The back porch for Bailey..



The front porch for Bailey....



The large fireplace where Chris, the dogs and I cuddled and watched movies..



My hydrangeas...


I will miss having our dear friends over that lived close to us. I will miss all the memories made. Even though Chris and I were tired and wanted to get back to Noah, we did take a moment to walk around the empty house and reminisce in each room. We talked about the memories in each room and what we will miss. It was very sweet and a good way to say goodbye.
I am excited to make new memories in our new home. We are now only 10 minutes away from our parents and closer to siblings. I know that it will be a huge help for us with Noah. I can't wait to finally get his room ready! I am also really ready to be situated. I HATE feeling disorganized! Only 2 weeks!

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Monday, June 4, 2012

Noah's Birthday 06-05-12 / Maternity Pictures








I can't believe the day is finally about to be here. The day we welcome Noah into this world. There was a long time that I thought I would never have the opportunity to experience it and there were times during our pregnancy that I thought we might be robbed from from it. God has really shown me what can happen when you fully put your trust in him. Noah has already accomplished so much in his life and he is not even born yet. I pray it is a testament to what is in store for him in his life.
As much as I am handing over to God tomorrow, I would be lying if I said I was not scared of the unknown. When I start to think of all the things that could go wrong, or how bad Noah's situation could be, I have to stop myself and remember how far God as brought us and that nothing is impossible for him. I get scared when I think of not being in control and the doctors being in control and then again I have to stop myself and remember that God is the one in control and who better?! It makes me feel so much better knowing that.
It's late and I am going to try and get some sleep.
Here are some more maternity pictures that we took at a park in Buford in late April. Ashley Nelson did a wonderful job and her pricing is great!!








I could not have asked for a better partner to go through this pregnancy with! Chris has been a huge support, comforter and provider for me. He has has been my rock! I love him more everyday. Can't wait to see the life we created together!








Noah- I cant wait to meet you tomorrow!! To hug and kiss all over you and stare at you for hours on end. You are my miracle and I pray you always remember that! I love you so much.
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Mothers Day/Noah Update




Mothers Day is so special. After all, the savior of the world came through the womb of a woman. It's a day to celebrate your moms who have sacrificed so much to raise you. I am very thankful for my mom. I know it was not always easy for her raising a "troublesome" child all alone while going through cancer. I look back at how much she did during that time when I was nothing but a disrespectful, boundary pushing teenager. I wish I could take back the time and have made it easier but since I can't, today I am that much more thankful for her. I love you mom and thank you for all you have done for me!! Our first picture together:



This mothers day was extra special b/c I am now a mom myself. I have been waiting for that for a while now. Last mothers day was especially difficult since I knew that having a child on my own would be difficult and the surgery was not seeming to help me get pregnant. I remember the pain of not being able to stand in the church as a proud mother and watching the mommy videos on the big church TV screen, desperately aching from the pit of my soul. And while I was able to really celebrate and give praise on Mothers Day, my heart went out to all of those who were going through what I went through. Mothers day is a reminder for some that it may never happen.


Chris made mothers day wonderful. Woke up to pancakes made, kitchen cleaned and beautiful pink hydrangeas with new perfume on the table. He was proud in church, helped make mothers day lunch and spend quality time with me in the afternoon. I know we won't have many more days like that when Noah gets here.



God has given me my favorite present of all, Noah. There is no such thing as a Christian who's been spoiled rotten with spiritual gifts. God gives us gifts that fit us perfectly, gifts that fill and complete us. God has done that with Noah. The road has been difficult to say the least, but he knew that it would bring me closer to him. So in reality, I have been given two wonderful gifts, Noah and a deeper relationship with my father.




Noah is now just over 36 weeks. So 9 months and counting. I don't know how big he is now but I was told at the specialist at 34 weeks and 5 days that he weighed close to 7lbs and his head measured at 39 weeks!! He is one BIG boy! On top of that, he has his dad's baby chipmunk cheeks. I can't wait to see, hold and kiss all over that chunky monkey!


Noah chipmunk cheeks:



Daddy's chipmunk Cheeks:



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Sunday, April 29, 2012

April Showers...

.. brings May babies :)

I feel extremely blessed to have such wonderful people in my life to shower Noah with love before his arrival. Chris and I are still in awe at the amount of love and the generosity from those we love around us!


WORK SHOWER
My work family was the first to throw me a shower on April 12th. I thought it was just going to be a little shower with my department but was pleasantly shocked when I saw the majority of the faculty was there. Even some of my kids from the high school came over to show their love and support. It was great!
This is my LEA who is the most wonderful woman in the whole wide world! I am so lucky to have been able to learn from her over the past few years. She had become like a second mom to me and I owe her and the rest of the special education staff at Booth a BIG Thanks for the great shower!



She made the poster and all the kids that I worked with made wishes for Noah. They were awesome. One of them said, "I hope your baby graduates from High school." Me too! :)



I am truly going to miss the staff at JC Booth Middle School as I embark on my new career as a stay at home mommy with Noah. I am so excited and can't wait for it to begin!


FAMILY SHOWER
That Saturday, my grandmother, mom, sister, mother-in-law and Chris's aunt threw me a family baby shower at my grandmothers house on the 14th. The food was delicious thanks to my sister and mother-in-law and the decorations my sister made and mom got were awesome.









My sister made these. The handle is a baby spoon and there was burp cloths and bath wash cloths inside.


It was so sweet that my family from Tennessee came down to celebrate Noah with me.



Chris's grandmother came in from Alabama.



I knew that I was getting really big and feeling very fat but did not know that others thought the same. All the strings were WAY too big!!!haha















I could fit Mel's around Me, Noah and Her! Thanks friend!


Had to pull grams in for a hug!






Noah got some really great things at the shower. One of my favorites has to be the "hospital bag" my sisters friend Melissa made me. It literally had everything in there Chris or I would need for the hospital. It was such a clever and thoughtful idea.
Of course I am a sucker for handmade gifts. Chris's Grandmother made noah a pretty blanket and christmas stocking and sweet Mel made Noah something to hang on the wall.








Of course the day would not be the same without my sweet best friends.




CHURCH SHOWER
On Monday the 16th, the wonderful ladies from my small group threw Noah a shower. These ladies are AMAZING and have been (along with their husbands) a HUGE support to Chris and I over the course of this pregnancy with Noah. I can't tell you the countless times they were there to pray over us to get pregnant, when I had the hemorrhage and almost lost Noah and of course with hearing the news that Noah would have a few challenges in his early years of life. Without them, some of our days would have been much darker. I cannot thank them enough!



It's amazing how many babies this group has welcomed this past year. I believe there has been 5 within the year and myself and Kristi who is in the next photo will make it 7 from Nov-Sep.


The newest addition! Cole Bryan Ellington! His mommy, Melissa(holding him in the previous group picture). So cute. Makes me want my Noah here so bad!!


Again, everyone was very generous gift givers! You can see how excited I am over the simple things like cleaning supplies. I was about to go out and buy detergent to start washing Noah's clothes but no need- it was given!



Patty, who hosted the shower at her home made these adorable shirts for Noah to wear when he gets a bit older and a birpcloth.


Thank you to all the girls who helped with the shower. The food and decorations were awesome!





FRIEND SHOWER
The next saturday, my sweet friends Melissa and Natalie threw me another shower! Yes, that is 4 showers!! Noah is so spoiled already and he does not even know it!



Thanks to my sweet friends for coming to celebrate Noah with me!















and the mommies too!



It feels so good to know the amount of love Noah will have coming into this world. I feel truly lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.
Noah-only 3-5 more weeks buddy! Can't wait, I love you so much!!



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