The Nursery

We've been working on the nursery off and on for months now. And finally, what used to be a spare bedroom is now Abby Kate's! We are thrilled with the way it turned out. I wish the photos did it justice. Here's how the project unfolded:



Step 1: The Illustration
Being a designer, I had to put my ideas on paper before we started. This was my original vision for the nursery's decor.

Step 2: Chair Rail and Paint
We taped off where we wanted the chair rail, then painted the top portion of the wall a celery green. (This is before we knew what we were having. We got too anxious to start the nursery, so we chose green!) We then taped thick vertical stripes on the bottom portion and alternated beige and cream paints.





Mike worked hard on putting up the chair railing. He cut the pieces using a handsaw, painted the slats and then nailed them up. Junah enjoyed overseeing the project. As you can see he doesn't like to sit down on bare concrete. He prefers a seat cushion - so we accommodate. Ha, ha.



Step 3: Selecting the Furniture
We had originally wanted white furniture, but after we saw this black set, we both quickly agreed it was the one. We brought the crib home the day we bought it, but had to wait six weeks for the chest of drawers and changing table to arrive.



Step 4: Finishing Touches
As we purchased a few more baby things and received gifts, I began to stock the nursery with clothing, toys, bedding, frames, blankets, etc. On Monday Sommer and I traveled to Babies "R" Us (in Mobile, AL - 1 hour away) to pick up the bedding we chose. It was a long drive, but I'm so happy that I snagged the last set they had!



















Mike and I picked up some diapers, wipes and medication for the baby this week. As far as I know, the only thing missing now is the chair/ottoman Mike's parents bought for us. And it should be here in a few weeks. So I think we're ready for her to come now! Of course we still (hopefully) have more than two months to go, but I'm glad we're prepared just in case. I'm so anxious to see Abby Kate in her nursery!

The Baby Shower

I traveled to home to Kentucky last Thursday, anxious to attend a baby shower my friends were having for me. Let me just say, commercial air travel when you're pregnant is the best! I felt like queen for the day. Everyone wanted to help me - it was great! I kept saying "really, no thanks, I'm fine, it's OK," but people were so persistent. And very kind.

The shower was beautiful. Some long-time friends of my family hosted the shower. It was a wonderful party! So many people that I hadn't seen in a long time were able to be there. The food was delicious and the cake was sooooo delicious. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. :)

Everyone brought such precious gifts for Abby Kate. A sea of pink! (I sure hope it's really a girl.) She now has a ton of onesies and cute outfits, hats, booties, beach gear, blankets and towels. We received a lot of great essentials like monitors (a cool TV one, too!), a swing, a bouncy seat, a Diaper Champ, bath stuff and healthcare supplies. The list goes on...

Thanks to everyone who came and to my dear friend Lyndsay, her Mom, Missy, Mona and Joy who all spent a lot of time and energy putting it together. It was wonderful to see all of you, and we really appreciate the beautiful gifts for our daughter.

From left: Missy, Mom, Mona and Lyndsay.

Long-time friends, Stacey and Shannon. They're both expecting too and due on the same day (Labor Day)!

Mom and me in front of the beautiful cake.

More guests. Thanks for coming!

Friends from Lexmark, Julane and Debbie.

College friends, Meredith, Tricia and Bobbi Jo.

Sister-in-law Carrie with my nephew, William. Growing fast, little one!

Love you Lynds!

Mike's Parents Come for a Visit

Although their stay was short, we were happy to have Mike's mom and dad come to visit this past weekend. Lee and Ginger had planned on coming in Friday, but their new plane was still getting all its instruments and things installed. So they headed over from Tyler, TX, Saturday, arriving just before lunch. We brought them by the house to drop off their things and their dog, Dillon, and then headed into Pensacola for a delicious lunch at a small Mexican place called Cactus Flower. Mike and I ordered burritos. They were huge! (And very good.)

We had planned to attend the Blue Angels' airshow on the beach, but were glad we didn't because of the heat and the crowds. Instead, we went to a baby store here in town where Lee and Ginger bought us a gorgeous chair/ottoman glider and a really cool Pack'n'Play (a multi-functional piece that serves as a travel crib, bassinet, play pen and changing table). Very neat! They'll get lots of use in the coming months and years.

We had a very nice time with Mike's mom and dad and were so glad they could come. Lee and Ginger - thanks so much for coming and for all the great stuff you brought us and Abby Kate!

Ginger brought Abby Kate this cute little outfit to wear when she's old enough to walk on the golf course with her daddy. On the pocket it reads: Daddy's Caddy. Isn't that cute?!
A picture of the Pack'n'Play.
I thought this little onesie Ginger brought us was so adorable! It reads: Got Milk?

First Day of [Flight] School

At 5:30 a.m. Mike was out the door for his first day of school today. I tried to offer him a sack lunch and some milk money, but he declined. Ha, ha. I did, however, manage to snap a picture before he left. This is the uniform he has to wear now. I think they're called "Charlies." Is that right, Sommer? I can't keep it straight.

Today, Mike starts the first part of flight training. API, which stands for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, is a six-week course that involves academic training in aerodynamics, engineering, air navigation, aviation physiology, and water survival, as well as physically challenging practical applications of physiology and water survival training. In other words, Mike will be subjected to scary (in my opinion) situations where he'll have to escape from drowning inside a submerged, fake aircraft. They sink the 'plane' in a pool with the pilot strapped in, and turn it upside down. I feel like I can't breath just thinking about it! He'll also get to parasail. He'll learn all sorts of survival techniques and there'll be a TON of studying to do. He'll be issued a flight suit and initial flight gear, such as a helmet, oxygen mask, and plotting aids. I'll be sure to post a picture of him in his flight suit in a few weeks!

Entering Our 26th Week

Here we are in our seventh month of pregnancy. Some days I can't believe I'm already in the third trimester. Other days, I remember how loooooong those 17 weeks of all-day nausea felt. But I feel great now. I have energy and I can still do aerobics every week. I may not look as graceful doing it these days, but at least I'm still trying! Ha, ha. I feel like by belly grows more every day. I don't mind it too much except when I'm trying to sit up or when I bend down to pick things up. I have to hold my breath and grunt. Feels silly. :)

Abby Kate is on the move often. We watch her from the outside, kicking, rolling and hiccuping. She likes to stomp on my bladder sometimes which may get very uncomfortable as she grows bigger and bigger! We are so excited to meet her and bring her home. We're almost done with the nursery. I can't wait to post pictures of it here. But I want to wait until we put the finishing touches on it first. I go in there all the time just to look at the furniture and all the baby stuff.

According to what I've read, the baby measures about 9.2 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost 2 pounds now. Her hearing is fully developed. As the baby reacts to sounds, her pulse increases. She will even move in rhythm to music. Lungs are still growing but are not yet mature. Patterns of her brain waves appear like a full-term newborn. She also has patterns of sleeping and waking. Even if born prematurely today, she would likely survive.

We had a doctor's appointment on Monday. Dr. Branton said everything looks great. We get to have another ultrasound in a few weeks because they found I have a low-lying placenta. The doctor said it's absolutely nothing to worry about. We're just happy we get to see her again on the monitor! I'll be sure to post a picture.

Born on the Fourth of July

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to Dad, Happy Birthday to you!!! Dad, Just be happy I typed the song instead of singing it to you on the phone. Ha, ha. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful, caring and supportive dad. I love you, Dad! I hope you have fun today. Oh, and quit staining the deck, it's your birthday!

Dad discovering his surprise 50th birthday party (two years ago).