The Best Thing to Ever Happen in Our Lives?

I LOVE MY HUSBAND! I cannot imagine loving another human being as much as I love Brett. Brett and I have been a twosome for almost nine years now. We are perfect! We "fit", we complement each other, we are after all "two petes in a pod!".

Over the last 35 weeks there have been moments of anxiety when I think about sharing Brett, how our relationship is going to change, adjusting to a stranger joining our "pod", being a Mom, the fear of bringing Cannon into the world.

I have read in many books that my feelings are natural but when I ran into a fellow preggo a few days ago and she was so full of excitement, no doubts, no fears, just sheer BLISS; I worried about my normalcy.

On Christmas night, my dear sweet husband had to comfort me as I cried over sharing HIM, the pain of childbirth, needing a glider for the nursery, sore boobs, sleepness nights, never being ALONE with my husband, the pain of bringing Cannon into the world, will I be able to nurse, will he be a good baby, how can I love someone as much as I love Brett and more!

Brett comforted me in saying that "everyone says it is the best thing that has ever happened in their lives". It is hard to imagine anything better than my husband. If Cannon is better then I am going to be putty in his little hands.

Christmas

Two "Petes"

I have always looked forward to the day when I could host my family in my home for Christmas. This year it became a reality when my doctor said, "NO traveling home for the holidays". Brett and I decorated and cleaned our home, we planned our menus for the entire holiday, wrapped presents and waited for our guests to arrive.

My family came in on Saturday: Dad, Mom, Chad, Stacy and Wade! On Saturday, we just hung out and snacked on dips and such! That night we feasted on garlic and pepper crusted pork loin, apple and cranberry stuffing, butterbeans, collards (yuck!) and more! My mom made the Hardee family "traditions" chocolate pound cake and "green stuff". We were all thoroughly entertained throughout the evening by my brother, Chad. He is a riot! He took tons of pictures and many of himself. It was so wonderful to share my home with them. Chad is so happy about Cannon, he could not stop touching my belly and giggling about how "funny" I looked! He bought Cannon a cute rubber ducky to match the one he has at home. He apparently spent quite a bit of time at the mall trying to find Nike shoes for newborns!

Cannon and Uncle Chad having a "serious" discussion.

On Sunday, we had chicken and dumplings for lunch (a family fav). They left on Sunday afternoon and we waited for Brett's parents to arrive. They got in late Sunday night.

On Monday, Carla and I went to the mall just to walk around. It was great going to the mall on Christmas Eve and not needing to purchase one thing! The mall was actually very slow!

On Monday night, we had our Lovelace Christmas Eve Tradition of SEAFOOD: roasted oysters, fried oysters, shrimp and hushpuppies!

On Christmas morning, we all slept in. Brett decided that he wanted to start a new tradition of reading the Christmas story each year so he read it to everyone. We then opened gifts and had Christmas dinner. That night we watched the nativity story and played games. We got Brett's parents to reluctantly play Cranium! It was hilarious, especially when Carla had to be "Madonna" and she chose to sing "Like a Virgin"! and when Tom laid on the floor and got Carla to guess he was a "Pig in a Blanket"! I think they enjoyed themselves!

Cannon's "MiMi and Poppy"

Yesterday, Brett and I took down all our decorations! We've been joking that we are the Scrooges of the neighborhood. Our house looks like we never had Christmas. We had to get it packed away quickly...Christmas has passed and now we have to get ready for little Cannon!

Why?

This weekend, friends of ours lost their little girl. Lilli Grace was 18 months old and lost her life. It was a tragic accident and it has many of us asking, "Why?"

Lilli Grace was a special gift from God, her parents tried to get pregnant for a while and many of my friends at Calvary experienced this journey with them. Our prayers helped bring her in the world, her parents wanted her so desparately, loved her so much and now she is gone.

Tomorrow, Lilli Grace will be buried. Please pray for this family and for all of my friends that love this family. Please pray that we will all see "God in this tragedy" and that He will be glorified through our actions as we love and support this family.

http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/14/item/101081.html

34 weeks

I had my 34 week checkup on Tuesday. I have gained 13 pounds, the heartbeat was fine and I am measuring "perfectly", according to my doctor.

I have another appointment in 2 weeks. I will have a group b streph test then. I do not have to have any pelvic exams because I am having a c-section! Yippee!

We only have 5 more weeks until Cannon joins us! His room is still not ready!!! We need to get busy!

That Francie!

When my friend, Francie, found out I was pregnant she asked, "Does that mean I get to throw you a vampy baby shower?". "Of course!", I said. I knew that she would be responsible for a CRAZY day and it would be tons of fun for me and everyone involved. You see, Francie and Jennifer just happened to be the hostesses of the "FAMOUS" Trailer Park Shower!

Group Shot from the Trailor Park Shower (for Sarah).

This weekend, Francie, Michelle Wilson and Sarah Randall hosted a baby shower for me. The theme was a secret and although I knew it was going to be GREAT fun I was a little anxious. I kept wondering if this shower's theme is "my complete opposite", who am I? Do you ever wonder that? When people are talking about you when you are not around (and you KNOW they do) what do they say? I have always wanted to know what people REALLY think about me and I was afraid I was about to find out! :)

When I arrived at the shower, I noticed my friend Michelle Floyd wearing a halter top thing and then she pulled out a red, chiffon looking thing. I asked are we having a "Hoochy Shower", which I thought means I am a total prude??

As I walked to the townhouse door, I noticed Francie wearing a cute jeans and a shirt with a Moroccan shawl around her waist. I then realized the theme! A Moroccan baby shower! If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE to eat at the Casbah which is this Moroccan restaurant in Savannah. It is great, you sit at short little tables, eat with your fingers and even watch belly dancers! I take all of my "out-of-towners" there! Brett hates it and I do not get to go as often as I wish.

Well, these sweet girls created Morocco in Michelle's living room! The room was dimly lit and had chocolate and red fabric draped from the ceiling, they created a table on the floor surrounded by silk pillows in rich Moroccan colors. Moroccan music filled the air! The girls welcomed me and draped me in 2 red shawls with gold coins, I also received cute earrings that matched!

Our beautiful table.

Moroccan ME!

After everyone arrived, we were seated at the table and did the ceremonial hand washing. We were all instructed to eat with our right hands, no forks! The girls began to serve our four course meal which consisted of carrot salad, a vegetable stew, lamb kabobs and baklava.

Carrot Salad, YUMMO!

Throughout the event, Francie showed off her skills by giving all the guest henna tattoos! She was really good and is considering it as a part-time job!

Throughout dinner, Sarah shared Moroccan "fun facts" about pregnancy and traditions. Sarah explained that in Moroccan culture friends/family present the Mom-to-be with hand embroidered linens then she presented me with an "American" version from my hostesses. It was a sheet made of the softest material with Cannon's monogram embroidered on it. Another custom is that the father reads a portion of the "Bible" in the newborn's ear, with this custom in mind Sarah wrote a special prayer for me, Brett and Cannon. It was so thoughtful.

The "gift" portion of the shower was intended to fill Cannon's bookshelf. Many of the guest gave their favorite childhood book. He received a pig book from the "Pig Farmer", some "grouchy" books from the "grouch", and even a personalized book from Staci.

It was an amazing, intimate experience. There was a small group of us and the girls did an amazing job, they spent a lot of time really thinking about how to make this a special day and they exceeded all my expectations. It was perfect!

Again, I felt so LOVED. I am truly blessed to have these girls in my life. I thank you with all my heart, Michelle, Francie and Sarah. You created a very special day for me. I love you, girls!

Front: Michelle Wilson, Francie, Sarah, Me, Cheryl. Back: Michelle and Staci.

Weight!

Apparently, when you are pregnant weight becomes an obsession. Not just an obsession of the pregnant person either.

Early in my pregnancy, the moment there was a "hint" of a bump, Dr. Edwards warned me that everyone would begin to comment about my weight. He said "small people" would say I was "small" and "big" people would say I was "big". He warned me not to listen to them.

Well, I have been told I was "fat", I have been told I am "very small", "too small" , and I have been told that I have not gained nearly enough weight to be this far along. There have been good comments too, but those do not seem to "stick" with you like the others.

All the while, I have found comfort in my doctor's opinion that he is happy with my weight gain.

Today at my 32 week check up, he entered the room asked how I was and then said, "Your weight gain is GREAT!" I said, "thank you, that is not what I am hearing from others". Dr. Edwards went on the explain that when I became pregnant I was not at my "ideal weight" (nice way of saying I needed to loose some weight). Considering my starting point and where I am now; I weigh the appropriate amount for someone my height this far along in her pregnancy! Basically, I needed to loose about 10 pounds.

He said that the baby is very parasitic (hehe) and takes from the fat reserves that a woman already has. The baby will take whatever it needs before the mother gets anything, if he needs calcium and you do not have enough, he will take it from your bones! Basically, his point was that every woman is different and if you happen to have extra weight when you get pregnant that you do not necessarily have to gain the recommended 25-35 pounds a.k.a. 50 pounds!

So there! Right now, I am fine and Cannon is healthy and I have only gained 12 pounds and my doctor is pleased. Take the ten pounds I needed to loose, add it to the 12 I have gained and that makes 22 pounds! Maybe I'll start adding 10 pounds to my weight gain when people ask how much I have gained. :)

Hopefully, this will help to ease any concerns for those of you that have them, my weight gain is Great!

Let There be Stripes!

Cannon's nursery is coming together!

We finally painted the stripes on the wall!

Now, we need artwork on the walls, a chair and a few finishing touches!

It is almost finished!

Showered with Love

Beginning three weeks ago, I was blessed with my first baby shower. Ashley, Cheryl and Stephanie hosted a shower for me in Savannah at Ashley's house on a Sunday afternoon. It was perfect! I was surrounded by my Savannah family and "showered with gifts, love and compliments". Apparently, everyone loves a pregnant girl. I was so amazed at how many people came and how generous they all were. The girls did an amazing job: the blue and chocolate theme echoed from Cannon's nursery, they served delicious chocolate covered strawberries, a picture perfect cake that matched the napkins!, vidalia onion dip, chicken salad and more! All of the guests wrote on little cards "words of advice" to Brett, Cannon and/or myself and each guest left with a sweet cookie from "Two Smart Cookies".

Thank you girls for everything you did to make this a perfect shower!

The next weekend, I had another shower! My mom, Brett's mom, Carla, Michelle and Elizabeth hosted this one at Carla's home. It was a "Fall" shower complete with a pumpkin cheesecake made just for me by my mother-in-law (yummo), bacon wrapped asparagus, marinated mozzarella cheese, apple cider punch made by my Mom and many other gourmet treats courtesy of Michelle's culinary expertise! As each guest arrived they were given a "birthday" in which they were responsible for writing Cannon a note that would be opened on his birthday, there were enought guests to write notes until he turns 20! Each guest left the shower with a carmel and chocolate covered apple and a small pumpkin candle. Cannon received enough clothes to last him until his first birthday (not really...but close). I saw so many old friends, family that I never get to see and even people that I have not seen in many, many years. I felt so blessed that all of these people took time out of their day to come celebrate Cannon!

These baby showers make me feel a little uncomfortable because I feel like everyone is watching me to see what I do or hear what I say. I am not comfortable with all this undivided attention. I am however, comfortable with all the LOVE. If Cannon feels half the love that I have felt at these showers he will be one blessed little boy!

"That Baby is Gonna Be a 'Honker'"!

Several weeks ago, I was at an event and a lady came up to me and said, " I did not know you were pregnant! How far along are you? Really? WOW, that baby is going to be a HONKER!"

Well, I was floored! Considering that I had gained a mere FIVE pounds at that time, I could not believe that she was basically telling me how HUGE I was! I joked about this with a few friends; as we contemplated the meaning of a "honker". Tracy said it was a "nose". The consensus was that she felt the baby was going to be a "whopper", a "big 'un", basically HUGE!

Yesterday, I had my 28 weeks checkup, glucose tolerance test and ultrasound. (The test is NOT bad and everyone tells you the drink is awful, it tastes like an orange soda and is actually pretty good). I have gained a total of 10 pounds and I passed my glucose tolerance test!

The ultrasound went well and she said Cannon now weighs 2 pounds 13 ounces! Brett had already made a predication that he would weigh 3 pounds at this checkup. He was very close.

After the ultrasound I met with Karen, Dr. Edwards' nurse. She greeted me, grabbed my chart and said "What is going on with these big babies! The lady in the other room is also having a big baby. Were you and your husband really big babies?". "No", I said. We actually weighed a little over 6 pounds.

She proceeded to say that he is about 1 pound and a few ounces larger than most babies should be at this point. The books say that he should gain 1/2 a pound a week from this point. If that is so he will weigh 8 pounds 13 ounces when he is born!

Dr. Edwards came in and said "WOW, that's a big baby in there! Apparently, that lady was right!

Cannon is a "HONKER"!

Our Little Alien

Davis Turns ONE!

Davis had his 1st birthday party on Saturday. This is the invitation that his creative Dad came up with . It was a Farm Party complete with a "Farm Raccoon and Kangaroo" played by....Uncle Tim and UNCLE BRETT! Michelle had wonderful cheese biscuits with ham, carmel and chocolate candied applies, carrot cake cupcakes, blue cheese bacon dip, and more. Davis seemed to enjoy everything and was a good sport while opening 20 plus gifts!

This is BRETT! Brett is wearing a COSTUME.

Birthday Boy!

Mommy is a Pig!

This is good stuff.

Look at this HUGE cupcake!

Ready?

It's hard to believe that I am now in my 3rd trimester. It seems like only yesterday we found out I was pregnant and knew that we had 40 weeks to "get ready". So here we are, 27 weeks pregnant, we have baby furniture, some clothes, A Boppy!, baby monitor and a few other things but we still are not ready!

One of the most important things we need to do is find a daycare and I just cannot get myself motivated to "look". We did visit one and when we left we thought we liked it. Since then I have found about 10 things wrong with it! I am planning on visiting a few more next Monday. Apparently, many parents put their names on multiple waiting lists when they get a "plus sign" on a pregnancy test...again here we are...27 weeks and we are still not ready!

(I am trying to post a picture of me but I keep getting an error..."Fatal Error: Person in picture to large to upload". Hehe. No seriously, I am getting an error. I will keep trying).

Finally got it...

Pumpkin Carvin'

On Sunday, we had a few friends over to carve pumpkins.

Group shot of all the Jack-o-Lanterns.

Kirk and Brett said I had the BEST pumpkin! I win!!

Look at how excited Brett is.

Could it be that he is annoyed that he is carving a pumpkin while the Redskins game is on???


His skull pumpkin was awesome.

Let's be Spontaneous...While We Still Can!

On Saturday, we went to the Ogeechee Seafood Festival with Chris and Cheryl for lunch! I had fried shrimp, Brett had a BBQ sandwich, Chris had crab stew and ribs and Cheryl had chicken fingers (she is still grossed out by shrimp). We followed it up with apple pies and fried snickers.

After lunch he headed back home. I had tons of organizing, cleaning left to do and needed to get back to where I left off. As we were driving I mentioned to Cheryl that we wanted to take her to Charleston to the Pumpkin Patch. Cheryl's favorite season is fall and she really misses going to a REAL pumpkin patch as opposed to visiting Savannah Pumpkin Patches which consist of pre-picked pumpkins under a tent! We started discussing when we would go and we could not come up with anytime that would work. So Brett suggested we go right then and we did just that! We decided that we did not have many more opportunities to be spontaneous and this would be one of the few times we would still fit in one car!

We left Savannah around 3pm and headed North! We arrived in Charleston and after a brief visit at Brett's brother's new house we headed to the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch! Although it was not as grand as what Cheryl was accustomed to we were able to pick our own pumpkins. We then went to dinner on Sullivan's Island at Poe's (named for Edgar Allan Poe) and Ice Cream at Marble Slab.

After dinner we headed back over to Boone Hall for a Hayride through the Black Forest. Brett's brother Ryan and his girlfriend, Natalie joined us. After a TWO hour wait we boarded a "tram" with NO HAY! The tram consisted of a trailer with benches that was pulled by a John Deere! The "No Hay Ride" took us through different parts of the forest inhabited by "Leg grabbing rednecks" that wanted to cook us up in eyeball stew, a Moonshiner, and various other creatures. It wasn't as scary as we had hoped but it was rather humorous! It ended with the typical horror movie chainsaw except the chainsaw had performance anxiety and failed to start!

We got home at 1:30 am, exhausted but oh so proud of our spontaneity.

We'll probably end up at the Savannah Pumpkin Patch next year, Cannon and Anna Kate probably will not appreciate a two hour drive for a REAL patch!

I NEEDED 3 pumpkins!

See...It really is a "patch".

Scarecrow Chris
Pumpkins "Smugglers" (Look at those bellies).

25 Weeks

Today was my 24 week appointment. I did not take Brett this time as I needed a little more attention! Last time, Brett and Dr. Edwards spent way to much time discussing The Dallas Cowboys and The Washington Redskins. They are big fans of rival teams!

So today started with the "weigh in", followed by the Doppler. I have gained a total of 9 pounds. The Doppler has lost it's significance to me now. Cannon moves so much that I no longer need to hear his heartbeat to know that he is okay. It is great having this reassurance on a daily, often hourly basis. I told Brett on Sunday that feeling him move never looses it's magic. Each time he kicks it is like the first time. I hold my hands there and just wait to feel him again!

Dr. Edwards was very pleased with my weight gain. So much so, that he is confident I will pass my glucose tolerance test with flying colors! In three weeks, I will take the test and have another ultrasound.

I have decided to give birth at Candler, apparently, they have the best OB anesthiaologists. I know that many people in Savannah will be glad to hear that I have FINALLY chosen I hospital. Apparently, this is a decision that I should have "known" by now.

In three weeks, we get to see our little boy again! I cannot wait to see his cute little nose and that wiggly little body!

Gettin' Ready for Baby

Seriously? How many parts can there be?

Last week, Cannon's furniture arrived! We were thinking it would be several weeks before it arrived but here it is! Brett decided that he'd start putting it together. Friday night he started with the bookcase and Sunday he finished with the changing table and crib. On Sunday, I heard Brett calling my name. "You should take pictures of me putting this together", he said. I was so glad he said something. This will be a perfect memory for Cannon's scrapbook.

A million parts just for the changing table.

Yes, he is reading the directions...and watching sports!

Cannon's crib.

The dreams continue...

The books say that you do not dream more when you are pregnant, that you have a better recollection of your your dreams.

Over the last two weeks I have been plaqued with nightmares. While in San Francisco, every night I dreamed Brett was having an affair. When we arrived home, I dreamed he actually left me!

The last few nights, I have had terrifying dreams about murderers coming after me and last night I was attacked by a pit bull.

I wonder what I have to do to bring back the dreams I had in the beginning of my pregnancy...

"Popping Out"

Apparently, I am finally at the stage of looking pregnant or "popping out" instead just looking fat. Everywhere I go someone asks about the baby, if I know the sex, his due date and finally if he has a name. It is amazing how many strangers are interested in my pregnancy. Apparently, the saying in true that "everyone loves a pregnant woman".

I have never asked those questions of a random pregnant lady at Wal-Mart or anywhere for that matter. Honestly, I did not care. Brett says that will chaneg after cannon comes.

When we went on our vacation Brett even noticed how many people were interested. We received so many "congratulations"! The one comment that has become my favorite is "you are so small"! From the moment you find out you are pregnant you feel anything but SMALL!

I few weeks ago Dr. Edwards told me people would start to tell me how I was to big or to small. He said that usually obese women would tell me I was to small and then he went into this long dialogue about fat people. Brett and I left the office laughing at him.

So far, I have only been told I was small, not to small, just small. I am enjoying the thought that someone thinks I am small. I have not been small for many years! Although "hearing it" has not made it a reality!

Picture taken today at 22 weeks 5 days (Seriously, SMALL?)

Night Owl

Cannon is a night owl. Which is great because I too am a night owl, however, I just want to sleep!

For the past two nights I have had trouble sleeping because I have been thinking about work, the baby, all the stuff the baby needs, daycare, maternity leave, money, etc.

Just when I think that I have convinced myself to go to sleep Cannon starts wiggling again and then I start "thinking" again! Funny, today I told Brett that he did not move while I was at work so I spent some time poking him, trying to make him wake up and now I need to make him go back to sleep. Perhaps, he needs a bed time story.

Last Vacation?

To celebrate of 4 year Wedding Anniversary, Brett and I went to California. We stayed in San Francisco, took at day trip to Napa Valley and to Monteray and Big Sur. Here are some photos:

It's a BOY!

Today we got to see our little boy. He was very squirmy and uncooperative with the ultrasound technician. It was so amazing to see him! On the first ultrasound he was a little speck and it was hard to believe it was a baby. Today it was REAL, there is a little boy baby in my tummy! Apparently, he weighs an estimated 14 ounces! I have gained 6 pounds so far. Which is good according to my doctor.

During the ultrasound, the technician said that "Nothing looks out of the ordinary". Brett commented, "Does anything look extraordinary?". I think he was hoping that she could tell if he would have a swing like Tiger Woods! He is very excited about getting Cannon his first golf clubs and having a fishing buddy!

Here are the pictures from today. Enjoy our little boy!


I am already cute!



GET ME OUT!!!


Definitely a boy.

"Just Put 'Em On!" (WARNING T.M.I)

Last night I traumatized my dear friend, Cheryl. We had dinner at Moe's and on our trip home we were discussing my bladder infection. Being the nurse that she is, she was determined to find the root of my problem. She began asking questions to formulate her diagnosis. "What type of panties do you wear?" she asked. I hesitated and the responded, "I do not wear panties!". Cheryl sat silent and then "WHAT?" she exclaimed, "That is the strangest thing I have ever heard!" I proceeded to tell her that I knew lots of people that did not wear panties and she said, "Just put 'em on". We continued the conversation, with brief moments of silence as she pondered the thought of someone not wearing panties. She began to equate the bladder infection with the fact that I do not wear panties, "Just put 'em on! she says. I told her I never had a bladder infection before I was pregnant, once again, "Just put 'em on!". Finally, we reached her car and a distaught Cheryl, jumps out in relief. She no longer had to be in the presence of her "No panty wearing friend".

Excited About Travelin'

For weeks and weeks I have been asked, "Have you felt the baby move?" and my response has been, "No!"

Last Saturday, I went on a little shopping spree and as I waited at the stop light I felt a "gurgle" high on my right side that lasted for a few minutes, stopped and then repeated. I thought this is too high for gas or hunger pains. Or is it? I know that all of my organs are shifting around...where is my stomache now?

Over the last few days, I have felt it several times but I was still unsure if it was the baby.

Today, I told this baby that we are going to San Francisco in a few days and "it" has been "jumping for joy" ever since! Tonight, "it" has been moving like CRAZY!

All this time "it" was waiting around for a vacation to make "it's" presence known. I wish I had known, I would have made Brett take me somewhere sooner.

Baby Voo-Doo

I received a call at work on Monday from my friend, Cheryl, she was determined! "Are you busy? My mom and I need to come do something to you!", she said. I was worried. They came over and made me lay on the floor, Marmie pulled up my shirt and stood over me with a ring on a piece of thread! We were about to find out the sex of the baby! After a few minutes I learned I was having a BOY! Yeah! Then I learned Cheryl was also having a boy!

Well, yesterday Cheryl actually went for a gender scan AND....IT'S A GIRL! So much for this voo-doo stuff!

Will our kids both be girls and be best friends or will I have a boy that will be in love with Little Anna Kate? We'll see on Monday.

What is Happening to my Belly?

Okay, Michelle these are for you...


17 weeks 5 days

17 weeks 6 days

18 weeks 5 days