Just Thursday

We were so excited that Daddy was off today and could go to the movies with us that we completely forgot to take a picture!! He starts school tomorrow. We're excited about being Trojans this year, can you tell?

The chair for Bennett's room arrived today, so Dusty got it put together! It's big enough for me, Avery Claire, and Bennett! She's excited that we can all three sit together and read stories!

We decided to make a car wash run after bath, which of course means you must wear your house shoes!

26 Weeks

Please forgive our attire. It's summer. We just pretty much look like this every day. If I forget a picture after church, there's pretty much no chance any other day. 

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of baby: Baby #2 weighs a pound a half and is 13.5 inches long. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I haven't weighed. But I feel like a whale. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

Gender: It's a boy! 

Movement: Yes, especially at night when I lay down. Or maybe that's the only time I'm still enough to feel it so much. Sometimes, I could swear he's flipping in there. 

Sleep: I miss sleeping on my stomach. And sleeping all night. The bathroom trips have become frequent. 

Cravings:  Bojangles fries. 

Symptoms: Heartburn.

Best Moment this week: Picking up my girl from her Nana. We missed her!! We did find a dresser this week on Craig's list that I'm having redone. And I ordered the crib. Bennett's room is pretty much cleaned out and has baby shower gifts spread everywhere. We're making progress. I feel pretty good about having his room ready in a few weeks! 

Pt. Mallard with the Lawrence's

We met the Lawrence family at Pt. Mallard this morning at around 10:30. We had so much fun spending time with them! 

These girls are two peas in a pod. And both daredevils. It was so sweet to watch them play with each other {and see how patient Emma is when she's held back a little by shorty}. 

Dusty and Avery Claire are first down the slide. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I just prayed Dusty was holding her tight. Of course, Dusty said she just giggled all the way down. And if you listen closely, you might hear Emma's screams all the way down. 

http://youtu.be/4j7DWiMbXvQ

We are so glad we got to spend the day with you guys! We miss you more than you know! 

She's Home!!

I picked this chick up this afternoon. We were so glad to get her home! It's been very quiet around here without her!

We had to run to Walmart around 7, and she fell asleep on the way home. I thought a bath would wake her up, but I literally had to hold her head up so she wouldn't fall face first in the water. She was out and there was no waking her up. Guess that's what a week at Nana's will do for you. 

Babymoon

We missed our girl so much this week, but it's always nice to have a couple of days to ourselves. 

We spent time working at our schools, went to see Tammy one afternoon, and went on a trip around North AL to pick up a dresser and drop it off with a sweet lady to refinish it for Bennett's room. 

Ten years ago today, Dusty asked me to marry him. 

4 houses, several job changes, 1 beautiful baby girl, and a sweet baby boy on the way, and I wouldn't change a single thing about the last ten years. I hit the jackpot when it comes to husbands and I thank God every day for him. 

Shower for Bennett and Bryant

We had such a sweet shower for Bennett and Bryant Sunday. We are so very blessed by sweet family and friends who love us and our babies.

Surprise Visitors

We had surprise visitors this weekend! Avery Claire loves her Matt and Sarah and was so surprised when they knocked on the door Saturday.

We had a little photo shoot (per Nana's request) Sunday after church.

Big Girl Bed

Thursday night, Avery Claire slept in her "baby" bed for the last time.

Last night, we converted her toddler bed into a full size bed. She was beyond excited and proud. 

And exhausted by the time we had it all done. She was asleep within just a few minutes, and didn't make a peep until she came into our room after 8 this morning. 

How can my little tiny baby girl already be sleeping in a real big girl bed?!

Busy Day with My Little Artist

Today was BUSY!! We started our morning at the Thursday kid movie. We saw The Nut Job.

Then we ran a couple of errands and went to work for a bit at my school. 

Avery Claire made friends with our sweet janitor. He asked if she'd go home with him...I really think she would have.

I've mentioned that Avery Claire is all about drawing and painting and coloring. 

Our local art studio has "open nights," so we headed there late this afternoon. There was no question this chick was painting Olaf. 

She loved every second of it and was so proud. She cannot wait to hang her art on the playroom wall. And she's excited to go back and do more!! 

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: Baby #2 weighs around 20 ounces and is almost a foot long.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Around 12 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

Gender: It's a boy! 

Movement: Yes, especially at night when I lay down. Or maybe that's the only time I'm still enough to feel it so much. 

Sleep: I've been sleeping okay. The bathroom trips are picking up during the night. 

Cravings:  Bojangles fries. It never ends. 

Symptoms: The acne has improved a lot. Heartburn is here in full force. 

Best Moment this week: I went to the doctor Monday. Baby Bennett's heart rate is great and I'm measuring right at 24 weeks. My blood pressure was a little high, but Dr. Hurd is very pleased with my daily log and thinks the blood pressure (which isn't way high) is due to "white coat syndrome." I 

All Star Week

Chasity's son, Cody's, all star team played in the state tournament here last weekend/this week. It was so good to see Chas and her sweet family. Seriously, Chas, your kiddos are precious. You've done so right with them. 

Avery Claire LOVED playing with Cali and Madi! 

It was like a small peek into our future, possibly, of life at the baseball field. 

Congrats, Valley Cubs, on your State Championship win! We loved watching your games!!!

Little Fish @ the Scott Farm

We spent today at the Scott farm. It was a little overcast and the water was freezing. But that's never stopped kids, has it?

Avery Claire has gotten braver, but today, she was Little Miss Show Out.

She jumped off the diving board. Our pool doesn't have one. She jumps off the side, but the diving board was a first. 

http://youtu.be/oYDFUW6BbBM

And the going under? Not only did she do it for a couple of seconds (like this video), she did it for waaaay longer than her mama was comfortable with. 

http://youtu.be/ma84l9Fh7wE

Chambless was there - see his feet! I don't know why I didn't get him in a picture! Kate took one, and I guess I thought I had done it. 

Big Girl Bed Essentials

This is one of my favorite things about summer - cartoons in bed after we wake up!

We took a quick trip to Target today to get big girl bed essentials. We are making the switch this week and wanted to have all of our supplies. 

How can she be so big and ready to sleep in a big bed? We were just lowering her crib mattress because she'd learned to pull up, weren't we?

Daddy's Week Off, Happy 4th, and Happy Birthday, Papa!

This is the face I see between 8 and 8:30 every morning. She wants orange juice for breakfast. Then, around 9:30 or 10:00, she wants something to eat. 

She's just precious, y'all. Really. 

We had some wonderfully cool, pleasant days last week. We enjoyed being outside and not sweating to death. This was taken right before our big fall over a frog on the sidewalk. Both of us. Scraped knees, knocked out of breath, cheek hitting the concrete...it wasn't a pleasant sight to see. Thank God only the frogs were out to see it. And poor Dusty had to hear the screams and cries from the garage. 

We spent lots of time at the pool. This girl loves it. And has realized she can reach in the 3 ft part of the pool. Which, of course, means that she doesn't need her swimmies on. 

It was nice to have an extra set of "catcher" arms for this jumper. 

Mema came into town just in time for fireworks over the river. If I told you about the entertainment around us and how tickled we were as we waited on fireworks, it just wouldn't do these people justice. 

Saturday, we celebrated Papa's birthday with takeout and fireworks! Happy birthday, Papa! We're so glad you came to spend the weekend with us! 

Because we don't usually have anyone to take pics, we have to get them when we have a chance!