a special gift

My sweet friends had a shower for me and Smith a few weeks back. ( I will post pictures from the shower soon.) I got lots of great gifts for Smith and I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I have to say that one of my very favorite gifts was from Reed's mom. I opened the box to first find a precious smocked Maroon and White outfit for Smith to wear to his first football game! THEN....there they were. The sweetest little gowns and outfits that Mrs. Ann had saved in her cedar chest for almost 30 years. They were all worn by Reed when he was an infant. They were so small and so sweet and I just couldn't believe that my BIG Reed wore these tiny things! Reed wore this gown home from the hospital and I can't wait to take Smith home in it, too!Here is another little outfit of Reed's. How sweet little Smith will be wearing these hand-me-downs!

I am so sentimental and LOVE having these precious things. Thanks, Mrs. Ann for being so thoughtful! I am so grateful to have them!

a nice little vist

My mom called Saturday morning and said that she and Daddy were going to ride to Starkville to visit for the afternoon. I was very excited they were coming to see us and even more thrilled when they told us that Anne Parks was coming, too! Anne Parks had so much fun playing with Stella AND "Rambo Reed."Anne Parks and Reed played with Stella in the backyard. THEN, "Rambo Reed" taught her how to pass block. He would hold up a pillow above the ottoman...AP would start all the way on the other side of the living room and run full force at the pillow and with all her might knock it over and land on the ottoman. Then she would jump up and laugh so hard I thought she was going to fall over. (I guess Smith doesn't really have any hope. He will learn the techniques of an Offensive Lineman before he can even talk!)

We really enjoyed our visit with my parents and with Anne Parks. I can't wait for them to come back again soon!

back to the real world

Reed and I had a relaxing vacation to Orange Beach this past week. We spent the week with Reed's dad and step-mom and Woody and Jessie. We had a great time and really enjoyed our "last" relaxing vacation as a family of TWO! We loved watching all the little kids playing on the beach and in the ocean. We can't wait to take Smith to the beach next summer! If he loves the beach as much as his mommy and daddy, I know he will have a blast!

I have lots of belly pics in the bathing suit, but I haven't really found the courage to post those yet.....So, here is a belly pic of Smith at the beach at almost 33 weeks. JUST 7 weeks to go!

The "guys." (Reed with his dad and brother.)

The "dolls." (Me with Woody's girlfriend, Jessie and Reed's step-mom, Christy.)

Yes, this would be the father and grandfather of my child. Children at heart! You gotta love 'em!

a wedding weekend...

My friend Kate got married last weekend at the Chapel of Memories at MSU. It was a wonderful weekend and a beautiful wedding. I wasn't sure how the 8 month pregnant Matron of Honor would make it through the weekend, but it really was wonderful! Kate looked beautiful and the ceremony was very sweet. I am very happy for Kate and Sean! Kate was a beautiful bride!

Amber, Katie and me waiting in the bathroom before the ceremony.

At the reception with my hubby.

This is a really cute game I think we should all play! You can click on the box below and guess when Smith will arrive, his size, etc. Let's see who gets the closest!!!

laura, laura, laura....

So I like to think of myself as a somewhat creative gal with unique ideas in her head. But as soon I THINK I have a brilliant idea, I get brought back down to earth with a reminder that I have "Martha Stewart" for a sister. A few weeks ago I got a small 5x7 envelope in the mail - inside, a deflated beach ball with a little note that said, "blow me up." I followed the instructions to find that there was writing on the ball! It was an invitation to my niece, Anne Parks' second birthday party! "COME HAVE A BALL," it said, "at Anne Parks' Beach Birthday Party!" What a clever idea!

You should know that her creativity did not stop there! The beach birthday party was lots of fun with pools, slides, sprinklers, and bubbles! The menu included dips and chips, all with shovels for spoons and of course a rice crispy sand castle! Yep, she made a sand castle out of rice crispies! Not only was it a really creative idea, they were GOOD, too! (This picture doen't do the RC sand castle justice!) MOST moms call Kroger and order a nice cake. With all of the other planning, cleaning and stress of a birthday party, who has time to actually MAKE the cake? OH....LAURA does! And not just any cake! It was a BEACH cake! With a BEACH BALL! The whole cake was edible and really looked like a beach ball resting in the sand!

The party was great and Anne Parks had a great time! Laura did a GREAT job and I was, as always, very impressed with all the little details! Please check out Laura's blog
to see all the pictures from the party!

a sweet surprise

Reed and I went to our friend's house the other night for an annual fish fry... or so we thought. Each year one of the coaches and his wife have a fish fry before everyone goes their separate ways for the summer. Reed and I got there and were surprised with a baby shower!!! I was so excited and really proud of Jennifer and all of the other wives who had kept such a great secret. I had no idea! We got some wonderful things for Smith and I know he is going to love all of the gifts he has gotten! The shower was such a sweet surprise. We have such a great group of thoughtful friends on our staff!