Perspective

Here is a nice little series of photos chronicling the pregnant belly (13 weeks through 38 weeks). Faces have been hidden to protect the innocent.

No News

I felt so lousy this weekend, I thought baby was coming for sure. Cramps, Braxton-Hicks contractions, back pain, leg pain... I had my bag packed and ready to go! But today at my doctor's appointment, he said nothing is progressing, and he'd see me next week. Oh well. She'll come when she's ready. So in the meantime here's more pictures of Buddy!

Baby Wesley

Grady's sister Jennifer was due Dec. 17, but her baby decided he would like to stay put. The hospital was booked up with other women eager to have their babies before Christmas, so Jennifer could not get scheduled to be induced until Dec. 27. The baby hung in there for the extra 10 days, then on the 27th, he STILL did not care to see the outside world, so the doctor did a C-section and Wesley Alan Brown, Jr. was born at 4:46pm. He weighed 7 lbs, 3 oz. Uncle Grady got to swing by the hospital and see everyone during his trip to the Liberty Bowl (Go Dawgs!).

38 Weeks

Seriously, Baby Girl. How much more time do you need? I am running out of clothes that fit. 

More Christmas pics

Here are some pictures of Buddy and our Christmas Eve bonfire - maybe a new tradition!

Sit.

I guess a Grandpuppy is OK for now...

Love the Grandpuppy!

Gerald & Sarah try to keep warm.

A 37-week belly makes for a good pillow.

BUSTED!

After several days of pretending to hate Buddy, our new puppy, Miller has been caught in some awfully playful and intimate positions with his supposed nemesis.
First glimpse of some friendly play time.


Once he sees that the "puppyrazzi" is on to him, Miller quickly tries to block the camera.


Realizing it is too late to continue the charade, Miller allows Buddy to snuggle up for a post-play nap.

Merry Christmas

Mama and Buddy

Sarah and Sophie

Sleeping Buddy

It was a very different Christmas for us staying at home this year! Usually we are burning up the roads visiting as many friends and family as we can. This year, Mama, Daddy, Gerald, & Sarah (and their 2 schnauzers Sabastien and Sophie) came to Starkville. We went to Old Venice for pizza and pasta on Sunday night, then had a fried turkey Christmas dinner on Monday. Everyone cleared out by lunchtime on Christmas Day, so Grady and I lounged around napping, playing with the puppy, and watching movies. I got a lot of toys and clothes organized in the nursery and am feeling a little more prepared for baby.

Miller is warming up to the new puppy very slowly. He likes to take Buddy's toys right out of his mouth - so mean! He also sits with his back to Buddy and gets up in a huff when Buddy lies down next to him. We saw them play for the first time yesterday, so I think Miller may be getting over his "only child" mentality. There is one black lab puppy left if anyone needs one!

Jennifer is in the hospital having her baby today! They are finally inducing her 10 days after her due date!

Pick of the Litter

This mini-Miller will be ready to leave his mama right around Christmas. The puppies are selling fast, so Grady went and picked out one for us last night. Miller is not too keen on the puppy yet, but I'm sure when it is big enough to play, they will become good friends.

35 Weeks

39 weeks and 35 weeks!


I was feeling really good this weekend, so we made a quick trip up to Southaven to take the mattress from our extra guest bedroom to Grady's sister Jennifer and her husband Wes. There is a Babies R Us there, so we also made some exchanges for duplicate gifts we had received. We got lots of cute stuff and the husbands even let us go get ice cream afterwards.

Starkville Shower

I really have had to slow down the past 2 weeks. The weekend before last I started having sharp pains when I walk, so I called my nurse friends and my doctor. They all said it is just the baby dropping, and to take it easy. So Grady did our grocery shopping, put up our Christmas lights, put up our Christmas tree, cleaned up the yard, etc. etc. I am feeling much better now, but am still trying to take it slow(er).

Brandy Akers and Robin Stevens threw me a shower in Starkville last weekend! Everything was so nice! Especially the holiday coffee bar with whipped cream, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, and candy canes - YUM.

Amanda Wallace (Grady's mom), Amanda Stauble (came all the way from Vicksburg), Carmen Rodgers (a nurse in Labor & Delivery), Mrs. Mylroie (teaches in Grady's department), and Robin's daughter Katie.

Amy Aarhus (due first week in Jan.) and Orly Hardin, both from First Presbyterian Church.

The lovely hostesses, Brandy and Robin.

Amazing cake!

From the Stapletons. CUTE.

Amy Stapleton, due the same day as me!

Carmen Rodgers, 20 weeks along!