The Most Wonderful Time of Year

The last three years Matt and I began a holiday tradition of seeing TSO (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) each year at the RBC Center in Raleigh. For us, it officially signifies the start of the Christmas celebrating season. The music is so powerful and moving and really does get you into the spirit of what this time of year is all about.

This year we put up a beautiful big tree in our house with ornaments both old and new, white lights, and additional red and silver ornaments to make it look extra Christmasy. We have been in our house for over 11 months now (January 17th is one year if you can believe it!!), but it was really nice to be able to celebrate and decorate in our home this year. We both remember this time last year when we were itching to get into our house and out of our apartment. We weren't able to put up a tree because the whole place was filled with packed boxes and there was barely room to even walk as we were merely weeks away from moving. Now here we are weeks away from the birth of our baby boy!

This Christmas was bittersweet for us. We had a wonderful time celebrating this beautiful time of year, however it was a bit emotional. All I could think about is that it was my last time with my parents and brother, last time at their house, last Christmas, last time traveling, etc before becoming a mommy. Next time they see me, I will have baby Tanner in my arms. I will be a daughter, sister and also a mom. Life will be different. I will be forever changed. Our responsibilities will be much greater. Our priorities will shift making sure that Tanner has all the love, support, guidance and care that he needs and more. Next Christmas Santa will be back in our lives, Tanner will be 11 months old, and new Traditions will begin.

Now please don't take any of this as being negative in any way. Matt and I could not be more thrilled about his arrival. I personally cannot wait to meet the little man. To think that I have been pregnant 8 out of the 12 months of 2007... I'm ready for him to be here already! We are so excited about the new addition to our family. I am lucky, because I will be the woman of the house! Matt, Brewster, Hogan, Tanner and the wife/mommy (me!!!)! I'm not gonna lie, I will be LOVING LIFE! 2008 is going to be an amazing New Year filled with so many memories, lots and lots of pictures, so much love, many new experiences, laughter, fun and happiness! Jealous?!

POSITIVE is the Word of the Day

Why is it that people feel the need to tell you everything that is negative while you are pregnant? Especially the further along you get. Why does it seem that everyones "Birth Story" is more like a Horror story??!! Please stop telling me I will go past my due date (I know the facts and figures people - 36% before due date - 4% on due date - and 60% deliver after their due date), or that I'm gonna have a big baby (I am measuring on schedule, I have gained the appropriate amount of weight, and he is the right size for where I am at in my pregnancy) or {one more thing on that note} DO NOT look at me and say that I look like I'm going to have a pretty good size baby because I can only take that to mean one thing! Also, don't tell me that I might have twins because one could always be hiding (um... NO, we have had more ultrasounds than most do and the Doc shows us where all of Tanner's body parts are just by feeling my stomach, plus I'd be much much bigger right now), or when people feel the need to tell me how I won't sleep at all when he gets here (hey, well guess what, contrary to popular belief I actually will get more sleep because I have gotten zero the last couple of months... so bring him on and I will sleep whenever he chooses to {which WILL be MUCH more than what I get now, I promise you that}. But, I mean really, obviously one would know prior to being pregnant that the first 6-8 weeks or so after the baby is born may be a little tough... does that mean you shouldn't get pregnant?!) DUH, no it doesn't, so just shush about the small challenges we will face once he is born.

If this sounds like a long rant and rave... well, it is and I apologize. This last month is just kicking my butt and I need all the positiveness in my life that I can get. So maybe I will go past my due date, so maybe my baby will be ginormous or have a big head.. that's okay, lets just send out positive vibes for now in hopes that I have the best labor and delivery imaginable with the outcome of one very healthy and happy baby.

New Poll

PS... the due date is February 5th. For those of you guessing two weeks after the due date.. I would never wish that on you - so please make your thoughts more positive for my sake. Thank you in advance! :)

One Special Day.

Sunday was a day that I will never forget. Many of my favorite people in my life and many who I don’t get to see half as often as I would like to came to the shower that my best friend Michelle gave me. It was so very special to me to have friends from all area’s and periods of my life surround me in one day. Old friends, new friends, friends who traveled quite some way to be there … If my calculations are right, total travel time to the shower for all who made it was over 15 hours. Shana, obviously being the winner of the “who traveled the furthest” contest, as she came in from Savannah, GA. What a friend, is all I can say!

Michelle is one of those people who I know will always be in my life. Her and I met a bit over three years ago and she truly is my best friend and all that you could ever ask for in a friend. She has more on her plate right now than probably anyone I know, yet insisted on having a shower for me and baby Tanner. She works full time in the hospitality industry and is also a full time wife and mother of three. (3.5 month old twins and a four year old) How does she do it all? I have NO idea!! I am very thankful to have someone like her in my life.

The shower started off with having everyone decorate burp clothes and bibs for Tanner. Who needs bibs from Baby Gap and Pottery Barn Kids when you have my friends?!? These bibs were amazingly creative and super cute. Michelle also had everyone cut a piece of string to try to guess the size of my belly… let me just say, everyone must think I’m HUGE! Everyone completely overestimated, haha, but it was all in good fun. It was then time to indulge ourselves in the elaborate spread of food that Michelle prepared. She had two of my favorites… carved turkey and a big bowl of delicious fresh fruit. There were also phyllo shells filled with chicken salad, a wide variety of cheese spreads, various munchies and baby blue punch.

I have hit the point in my pregnancy when I am HOT all the time. I seriously think I was sweating the entire time of opening gifts… I would like to think it was only because I was overwhelmed with everyones generosity, but I think Tanner was hungry and decided to roast marshmallows or start a campfire in my belly like he’s been doing everyday for the last two weeks. Anyhow, Tanner and I were showered with lots of amazing gifts. Fun gifts, cute gifts, gifts from the heart, gifts of love, baby must haves….

Here are some of the things he received: Super cute outfits, magazine subscription, baby entertainment toys, rattles, teething rings, bottle nipples, bottles, spoons, pacifiers, hangers, Pottery Barn changing table pad and covers, bathtub organizer, bibs, books, towels, socks, soft and cozy PJ’s, baby’s “first” containers (ie: first curl, first tooth), closet shelving, babys “first” hand and foot prints frame, diaper depot, DIAPERS (!!), Target gift card, and on and on. There are two things I do have to mention that really touched my heart. Some people really do put so much time and effort into gift giving. Their thoughtfulness is overwhelming. Matt’s mom had already made me cry once at the first shower with a tear jerking poem accompanying two outfits that were made for Matt when he was born from his paternal grandmother and maternal great grandmother. At this shower, I opened a box with what looked to be like a brand new cozy blanket. It turns out that it was Matt’s when he was a little boy. How cool that Tanner will be able to have his Daddy’s blanket! Also, one of our dearest and best friends, Jenn, gave us the most beautifully arranged basket of goodies. The thing that stood out the most in the basket was a gift certificate from her for home cooked meals, once a week for four weeks. I honestly can't think of anything more thoughtful.

After this weekend, I have once again realized how blessed I am in my life. Thank you to all who were able to make it on Sunday. And for those who weren't, I completely understand because this is a crazy time of year for all! Thank you to my wonderful friend Michelle for putting the whole thing together - you are the best!!

Two Down & Two to Go!

This weekend we headed to Greenville for the shower my mom was throwing for us. We had family and friends traveling to this shower from 3-5 hours away and it was very special to us that they all were able to make it. Many of my cousins and mom's sisters came, along with some family friends and two of my best friends from high school. Matt even decided that he wanted to attend this shower. :)

My mom never just throws a party or has a catering event, she always goes all out.. and boy did she! It was beautiful! The colors of everything from the balloons to the linen to the cake was baby (not Carolina) blue and brown. All else was Pooh Bear themed. The food was out of this world! There were homemade chicken salad croissants, whipped yogurt and fruit trifle, homemade potato salad, stuffed tortellini and we can't forget the chocolate and coconut cake!!

Baby Tanner received some great gifts at this shower that will last a lifetime. My parents announced that they were starting an education fund for Tanner that they will make the first contribution to. Some of our families best friends, the Heroys, came up with this idea and that is also what they wanted for him to have. Tanner also got many many memorable books that Matt and I remember from our childhood. He also got: a travel booster seat, bundle me for infant car seat, baby Bjorn, the letters T-A-N-N-E-R from Pottery Barn for above his crib, soft and cozy blanket and hat from Pottery Barn, gift certificates to Babies R Us, Johnson's baby supplies, 3 in 1 sit and store tub side seat, bibs, a calendar for baby's firsts, very cute clothes (even one outfit that could be for his Christening) and a memory box for his dresser.

This weekend was wonderful! I only wish we had more time to spend with each and every person at the shower. Many of the people there we don't get to see very often. They all hold a very special place in our hearts and we are so very thankful for them being able to be there. Thank you Mom for hosting a wonderful party! I appreciate all the detail and time you put into it, especially with it being the busiest time of year for you. Love you!