James is 9 Months Old

Dear James,

You are 9 months old! Man, how time has flown. You are 3/4 of a year old! What are you up to these days! You are crawling! How cool is that? Right now, you crawl with one leg out to the side, and you are a little timid, but soon you will be crawling all over the place, I just know it.

You had a great check up at the doctor. You have fallen to the 5% for weight, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned. We got the clearance to start you on whole milk. We plan to do that soon! You are a pretty good eater. You have a 3rd food and cereal in the morning, a fruit and a veggie for lunch and then you wrap up with a 3rd stage veggie with cereal for dinner.

You are taking swim lesson and you are making progress. Taking you to lessons on Thursday is the highlight of my week! You will sit on the side of the pool and when I count to 3, you fall forward into the pool. You go underwater like a pro. You slide like a big boy!

We love playing with you and watching you grow. We know the next thing is the walking and then life will NEVER be the same.

Here are some photos of what you have been to over the month. (DISCLAIMER: most of these are taking with my I Phone because my camera is in the shop.)

It snowed!



Nana and Pop-Pop came to visit and we went to Vicksburg!




You started eating puffs!




You went to the park and swung for the first time!



Since my camera was broken, this is the best I got as far as his first crawl.

39 Weeks

Holy Cow - There's a baby in there!!!


How far along? 39 weeks and 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: Finally crossed the 20 lbs. mark!
Maternity clothes? Yep! Mainly dresses and the fantastic pair of yoga shorts from Old Navy!
Stretch marks? Got a few bigger ones right on the front!
Sleep: Has gotten better; need more! I am up about 3 times a night for potty breaks!
Best moments this week: Getting a huge basket of goodies from one of my students! She is my new favorite! (j/k)
Movement: Almost all the time! He is killing me right now!
Food cravings: Orange Slush (which is not good, but it gets me through the hot summer days)
Gender: BOY!
What I miss: breathing easy
What I am looking forward to: having my little boy soon :) (i hope)
Weekly Wisdom: Quit bending over it! Let someone else do it!
Milestones: I'm officially HUGE!!!

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES ON BABY LOVE P'S ARRIVAL!

Catch Up Post

Its been a week or so since I've posted, and I will get around to a 37 week update as soon as I can convince Jay to take a picture of my belly, because what's a post with a belly pic, right? Also, coming soon, final pics of the nursey (or at least until he gets here and we can get his name above his crib).

So, what else have I been up to lately.

Well, let's see it was graduation at Millsaps. I was lucky enough to be invited to the senior leadership party at Dean Katz's house this year. Here I am with Philip, one of my Presidential Ambassadors and a good friend. Also, Holly, who is a classics professor. After an eleven hour ride home from Houston together we are pretty darn good friends.



Here are my senior cheerleaders. I am going to miss these girls and their leadership. From left, Christie, Chantae, Liz and Sarah.



That next day was Mother's Day. Jay and I celebrated low key since I am a Mother-to-be. We had dinner at one of our favorite Italian Resturants (Rossini's). When we got home, Jay had a few gifts for me, well, they actually wound up being for the baby.



This past Monday, Jay and I finished up our Childbirth classes at River Oaks. we have finally decided to deliver at the Suites. It's only one floor away from my doctor, so I feel very comfortable there. Here are some pics from the final night, when they have the daddies have a race to see which team can change a baby the fastest! I snapped some shots of Jay changing clothes. I know my husband is going to be great when the real thing gets here, but after seeing this, I am super nervous. Enjoy!

36 Week Update and Maternity Photos

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I am not sure; but I bet I have crossed the 20 pound mark
Maternity clothes? It's pretty much the same six dresses
Stretch marks? I think I finally spotted a few.
Sleep: Has been pretty good the last 3 nights or so (knock on wood)
Best moment this week: Shara took some maternity photos for me (see below)
Movement: BLP usually gets jiggy with it at night when I sit and are still
Food cravings: Crunchy Cheetos
Gender: It better be a boy!
What I miss: sandwhiches
What I am looking forward to: my dr. appt on wednesday (first internal)
Weekly Wisdom: it will be okay if it all doesn't get done
Milestones: Washing my first load of baby clothes, man, they are small!

35 Week Update

When did you find out you were pregnant?
October 17, 2008

Was it planned?
No, not at all. However,

What was your first reaction?
OMG, I AM pregnant. I can't drink at my friend's wedding this weekend and then holy cow!!

Who was with you when you found out?
No one initially, then I came out of the bathroom and told Jay!

Who was the first person you told?
Jay of course!

How did your parents react?
They were both surprised and excited!

What was your first symptom?
Well, missing my period. My boobs were sore, but I had written it off as PMS.

How much weight have you gained?
Not even 20 yet!

Do you have stretch marks?
None!

Natural or medicated birth?
After finding out more about the epidural tonight in birthing class, I think I am going to go natural.

Who will be in the delivery room with you?
Jay sure and maybe my mom and dad.

Will you breastfeed?
Absolutely.

Do you think you'll need a c-section?
I hope not. So far, so good on the reasons to have a c-section.

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?
Maybe, but I think it will be a combination of emotions.

What's the first thing you might say to him/her?
"You're finally here"

Would you let someone videotape the birth?
Yes, from the head, but its not allowed at my hospital.

Are you excited about the birth, or scared?
Excited and nervous about all the unknowns.

How much does your baby weigh right now?
At 32 weeks he weighed 4 lbs. 3 oz., but I am sure he's more now!

What do you think she will look like?
No idea really! The only thing I think is that he will have a a head full of black hair!

What do you want to do that you couldn’t do throughout pregnancy?
Drink a beer - can't do that though, because I'll be breasfeeding!

What will you miss about pregnancy?
Feeling him move and having him all to myself!

What will you not miss about pregnancy?
uncomfortable sleeping

What is different about this pregnancy than your last?
No previous pregnancy!

What is the same as your last pregnancy?


Any cravings?
Nothing strange, it's just been random things. Little chocolate donuts, cookies and cream ice cream, hot fudge sundae's from McDonald's, pasta, cocoa pebbles.

Who do you think is next to get pregnant out of the people you know?
No idea! I know so many pregnant people!

How many kids do you want?
2 would be ideal, don't want 1 to be spoiled. however, we are blessed to be having one!

When will you try to have another baby?
Probably wait a little while, but I don't want to be "advanced maternal age"

What are you most excited about?
Watching Jay meet his son for the first time.

Where will this baby be born?
Flowood,MS at The Suites.

What do you think your baby will weigh and measure at birth?
I think right around 8 lbs. Length, not sure sure!
Just want him to be healthy!

34 Week Update

How far along? 34 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: still holding steady under 20!
Maternity clothes? I am trying a dresses and skirt approach right. Pants are just not that comfy, unless of course they are the yoga kind!
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: getting worse; but i am hanging tough
Best moment this week: practicing breathing techniques and talking about labor in birthing class
Movement: it is starting to slow somewhat, which of course makes me nervous, but that is supposed to be because he is running our of room
Food cravings: this week it is cookies and cream ice cream! yum!
Gender: Can't wait for my little man to be here!
What I miss: in honor of today - a magarita!
What I am looking forward to: making some final decisions: which hospital to deliver in, do we need another piece of furniture
Weekly Wisdom: it's okay to let others help you,even if you do it yourself
Milestones: Belly is getting bigger!

I wanted to share a picture of Jay from birthing class. They filled this backpack with the weight that a woman will carry when she is full term. I *think* it weighed 28 pounds!

Baby Bed

So, Saturday I got done early enough with JLJ - Super Saturday to run by Baby Supermarket and get the crib! Mom and Dad flew back in today from the Canion Family Reunion, so Dad and Jay put the bed together!

Updates - 33 Weeks

Wow! So much has happened since my last post. I will do my best to update and provide you pictures of everything. First, my friend Kerri did this cute blog update thing about her pregnancy and so I thought I would "borrow" it from her. I really wish I had been doing something this simple the whole time.

How far along? 33 weeks exactly
Total weight gain/loss: Still under 20, so far!
Maternity clothes? Um, yeah for quite some time. I can still wear a few things from my non-pregnancy wardrobe though.
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: Oh yeah, this is by far my biggest problem right now. I sleep pretty well until I need to go to the bathroom and then it's on and off from there.
Best moment this week: Seeing BLP on the sonogram and knowing that he is growing!
Movement: Oh yeah! I think he is sweating to the oldies in there sometimes.
Food cravings: None really. I am just hungry every 3 hours. I also can't eat a whole lot at one time.
Gender: Definitely a boy, reconfirmed again with sonogram.
What I miss: Sandwiches, BEER
What I am looking forward to: Birthing class that starts tomorrow
Weekly Wisdom: Don't get too caught up in the Do's and Don'ts.
Milestones: Full on waddling.

Week 29 was pretty uneventful. Week 30 included a quick trip to the doctor just for a check up. The heart rate was good and I still don't have much going on.

Week 31 ended with a bang! It was homecoming at the W and my wonderful friend, Shara threw me a shower at The Backdoor in Columbus. Many of my college friends were there and Baby Love P got lots of good stuff. Mimi and Puff gave him the Play yard. Aunt Brandy gave him the Exercauser. My Big Lee gave him (us) all the baby monitors. He also will be the best dressed little guy around. Thank you everyone who came and who sent gifts! It was fantastic!

We then ventured onto to our social club activities. I didn't take many pictures, which is not like me. But here is my 8, Brandy and I at Jester Homecoming.



On Sunday, my mom threw me a shower at her house. Here is a pictures of the wonderful food. Those HUGE cookies were from the Old Country Bakery! Yummy! Baby Love P's three aunts gave him his travel system! Nana and Pop Pop gave us money to get a baby bed (more on that later). Many of our Columbus friends gave us beautiful clothes. One of my very best childhood friends, Audrey's mom, Nancy made BLP an afghan! He is so loved! Here are a couple of pics from that day!

28 Weeks

So yesterday was 28 weeks! It seems like its been forever that I have been pregnant, but yet I still have a ways to go.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and I have a sonogram and I am SO excited to see BLP again. The best part of the baby growing is that I feel him move on a regular basis and so I don't have anticipate the sonograms and doppler readings to know he's still in there. I also have to get the Rhogam shot tomorrow. I am O negative and so I have to get this shot at 28 weeks and then again when I deliver. I had one last year about this time when I was threating to miscarry and then again when I did and let me just tell you, it hurts like hell. I had forgotten about it until my Mom said something about it tonight. I know the pain won't be forever, but it will last a couple of days.

Things seem to be progressing along quite nicely (of course we will know more about the sonogram tomorrow). My bump is not that big, matter of fact people at my brother's wedding couldn't even tell in the dress I wore on Saturday. I even asked my doctor if she tought it was small and she felt and said my utureus is in the right place, just above my bell button! I am still resting pretty well at night. Last night was not easy. I average about 2 bathroom visit during the night. BLP gets the hiccups like two times a days, which is always fun.

I will post some pics tomorrow! I can't wait!

D is for Daddy

This is my favorite picture of my Daddy. He loves his motorcycle and all things cars and garage. He is getting ready to retire soon and I am so excited for him. I am hoping that he will be able to help us get ready for the baby, painting, putting together all the furniture and whatever else is included. Daddy is going to be a great granddad too!

When Puff Daddy the rapper was big, back in the late 90's I started calling Daddy Puff Daddy, because of his puffy stomach. He loves it and really likes for me to call him Puff (he even signs cards that way). He has decided that he wants his grandfather name to be Puffy. I tried to explain that there will never be a Hallmark card that says, Happy Birthday Puffy. But if that's what he wants, then so be it!

Love you Puffy!

C is for Children

C is for Children. And sometime mid to late Jay and I will know what it means to have children! That's right! We are expecting our first baby on June 19. We are super excited and can't wait for our healthy baby to arrive. I am going to try my best to answer all the standard questions in this blog. Yes, as of right now we plan to find out what we are having, but mainly we just want a healthy baby. Jay thinks it's a girl and I think boy! Our parents are SUPER excited. This is the first grandbaby on my side and the 8th on Jay's side. I haven't really been sick at all, mainly just super tired. I am very blessed! We have had two sonograms so far and at the second one, our technician used 4D which was amazing, because as you can see, you can pick out arms, legs and a face! Wow! Happy Holidays!