Leslie's Baby Shower

 Leslie is getting closer and closer to her due date.  I can't believe that time has really flown by as fast as it has, and before long two little girls will be sitting at our feet, and in our laps, and riding from store to store with us.

 As is tradition for all of the girls I graduated highschool with, we got together to give Les, a shower.

 She got tons of sweet baby stuff, and it was so much fun to get to see everyone.  I only wish Molly would have brought Mary Kylie so we could have enjoyed holding that sweet newborn.

Nat's Big Day

I had the honor of making Bo's Groom's Cake.  It was my first groom's cake, and my first time to basket weave.  Nothing to it.

 Mom made her debut at the Library.  I didn't know what was more awkward...walking through the bar 7 months pregnant or walking through the bar with my mom...both were awkward.

 Bob Bob, came up from the Delta to see Nat tie the knot.  Mr. Bob, is Mr. Brent's dad.  You may remember, Mr.Brent owned the pharmacy we all worked at in college.

 The couple's first dance.

 Natalie and her mom grooving on stage.  

Joanne finally getting to taste the icing from the cake. 

It was such a beautiful day for a wedding, just a bit cool, but so much happiness in the church.  So glad I was a part of the fun, and was able to enjoy it the day with great friends.

26 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Size of baby:  The size of a cucumber- but I use this analogy loosely, since I have never seen a 2lb 15 inch cucumber, but there you go with the baby book information.

Maternity Clothes: Okay so I still wear my new maternity pants one day a week and I wear my regular clothes the other days.  I can still button at least one button on most of my dress pants, and my shirts are baggy enough to conceal most of the bump.  Today I have a shirt on that it is impossible to deny the belly is out.

Gender: Girl 

Movement: Baby Girl Pollard is moving like crazy and then she goes through spells where she will be super still.  About 8:30 every night she thinks it is time to play.  This past Friday I was driving home and about her usual time she just had a dance party…I told her to settle down we would be home for her Daddy to talk to her in just a minute, and just like I always do…she gave me one more good kick before she got still.  God be with us and our strong personalities, the terrible twos should bring lots of laughs.

Sleep: I am down to requiring about six good hours of sleep these days, a big jump from my 8-10 I have always needed in the past.  Call it nesting or insomnia, but I awaken with thoughts of folding clothes and I close my eyes with visions of my next day’s to do list.

What I miss: I miss people asking about me and how I am.  Don’t get me wrong, this is a big part of who I am going to be for the rest of my life, but I want people to ask about my work and my latest projects and where I want to go on my next vacation.  Friday, I went to a shower for a friend and it was like every conversation came around to the baby.  I know that is rather obvious but I do wish there was a way I could save a little piece of me.

Cravings: I went to the doctor at the beginning of last week and had only gained three pounds.  That was a vast improvement from the month before, but I could do better on eating a bit healthier.  I don’t go back to the doctor until 30 weeks so I hope to keep the weight gain down again and I’ll be happy.

Symptoms:  The back pain and chest pain is MUCH better.  This weekend while moving some furniture I hurt my back and walked a little funny for a day and a half, but I’m happy to say I’m much better and other than ordinary tasks being a bit of a hassle, I’m doing well.

Best Moment this week: starting to work on Baby Girl's room.

Hopefully before SCP gets here Cullen will learn to use our camera.  This particular morning we were rushed and it was morning, he doesn't do well in the morning...bless him with his finger in front of the flash...

Door Knobs

With the baby's arrival coming up, our home needed a few updates.  When we moved in, we basically redid our kitchen and upstairs bathroom, and then we were so sick of not having our home to ourselves that we stopped and did nothing for a long while.
When we bought our house it had been foreclosed on and one issue with that is that the owners who vacate often take anything they can recoup their investment from or reuse in a different house.  For our home the previous owners took light fixtures, shower heads, door knobs, and just to be difficult the shoe molding in one bedroom.  So we replaced the downstairs with glass knobs, but since we never really used upstairs it fell by the side and we never really did anything.
One day in October Cullen texted me this picture and said "We have door knobs."  He had come home from work early and was installing all the knobs upstairs.  The following is the conversation that followed once I saw the message after afternoon dismissal was over.
I replied- Woo Hoo!
Cullen- I'm locked in the upstairs bedroom Please help!!!! Seriously
FBP- How are you locked in?
Cullen- Door won't open.  The latch is caught and won't open.  The screws to take the knob off are on the other side of the door.
FBP- Which bedroom?
Cullen-Baby's room.  Nevermind, I got it. Found a pocket knife under the sink.

So I am literally laughing my head off as this conversation is going on.  One reason is that I just imagine him locked in, and then when I reread my responses I think, he has to think I am a freaking idiot, but I had reasons for them all.  Knowing the room was important because if he was in the baby's room, he had a bed to lay on, a bathroom to use, and a tv to watch, so I wasn't too worried.

I then became disturbed that he found a pocket knife under the sink, I had just the weekend before cleaned out the cabinets, and after reading that had to rethink my parental knowledge if I left a knife under the sink.

At the time it was the funniest thing ever, and still when I reread the texts I laugh, thinking how helpless Cullen must have been, and how I bothered him with with questions that he must have thought were crazy.

Jackson Joys

 Saturday, my mom and I ran to Jackson to see the babies, who are growing up so quickly.

 Yes, Ellie is still my mini me.  Henry, though is growing into such a big boy.  He doesn't look like our side of the family nearly as much as Ellie did, but he sure is sweet.  He still is all smiles, with the exception of this serious face.

Showering Mary Leighton

 Saturday night after the flying trip to Jackson, we went to Cole and Meagan's couple shower.

 We picked up Bo on the way

 Ran into this guy

 Took a couples picture.

and showered the happy couple with love for the baby.

NRC's last Fling before the Ring

 We have been getting ready for Natalie's wedding for just over 6 months.  Natalie and I began working together at Chaney's in 2001 and later lived together.  I can not believe that this Saturday I will get to watch her marry sweet Bo.  I am super excited to see her in her dress and can't wait for the reception.

 We showered her with lots to keep her 'clothed' on her honey moon, and to deck her bedroom out, too.

Sunday School Shower #2

Our Sunday School Class has had a bit of a baby boom.  Mary Collins Jefcoat was first and very soon Lawson Wynne will meet the group.  Sunday we held another shower to bless our newest couple to the class with gifts for their baby boy.

 Mary Collins made her debut, and was sweet and slept the whole time- even when I held her which was big improvement from our first meeting at the hospital.

Coming soon Lawson Thomas Wynne.

24 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Size of baby:  The size of an eggplant--or two juice boxes end to end.  Weighs about the same as 4 juices boxes or a little over 1.5 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Last week I bought a pair of black maternity pants.  I wore them one day and felt the need to kiss the person that invented elastic....now with that said that same day of shopping took me to Gap where I bought nothing maternity, but my mom treated me to two pairs of flats and I must say I love them both.

Gender: Girl 

Name: Sarah Cullen Pollard- Sarah after my mom, Cullen after the hubs.  I have loved this name for a long time, like had it planned for years, Cullen will learn to love it, he isn't sold on it and refuses to tell people we have a middle name.  It has been monogrammed it is set, unless she is a he on the next ultra sound.

Movement: Baby Girl Pollard moves around through out the day, but is most active at night just before bedtime.  

Sleep: I am still sleeping from about 9-3 every night.  I usually wake up and just stay in bed until about 4 then get up and start sewing or baking.  Two mornings last week I even refused to get out of bed until 5:30...the extra rest was nice, since work has been  super busy.

What I miss: I miss being able to race upstairs and not being winded or talking while doing tasks and it not being work.  I'm not quite sure how a person with asthma lives, or someone who is obese lives...the slight struggle makes me nuts.

Cravings: With a week to my next weigh in, my cravings have been oatmeal, salad, and water.  I have splurged on candy corn and some snack size candy around the office, but I am determined not be 400 lbs..

Symptoms:  The back pain from two weeks ago is more frequent, but I'm still not convinced it isn't from computer work.  The rib pain is also more a nuisance now, striking about 4-6 times a day.  The flats have helped with leg fatigue.

Best Moment this week: Helping my sweet friend Leslie make her baby bedding and being super excited and ready to make baby girl's.  With 16 weeks and counting to go, we are both ready to meet this sweet baby.

Finally

It finally came in the mail.  One thing I will never understand is the graduation and diploma system of Ole Miss.  The only thing worse is how long it takes in this state to get a teaching/administrative license.  It has been a process.  But praise be to God, the AAA degree has come in the mail.

Mary Kylie Lovorn

We finally got to hold Mary Kylie last Thursday.  My friend from high school Molly, got home and settled and after a prior attempt to see her, Thursday was our day. 

 She was as sweet and cuddly as the pictures seem.  She slept the entire time we were there and let us hug, kiss, and look at her the whole time. 

It won't be long until her friends arrive to play with her and this time next year they will be scooting all around the Grove.

Highlights and Low Points

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Size of baby:  The size of a Papaya

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Officially more than my blog readers will know...I know now what a month long food free for all will do to a gal.  I'm on the mend, nobody panic. This could be the low point of my week....

Maternity Clothes: I have busted out the rubber band more days than not in the past two weeks.  Just this week I wore a pair of maternity khaki pants.  I didn't wear them to work, but to the hospital to see my friends' babies.  They were comfortable, but I'm not sold just yet.

Gender: Girl 

Movement: Baby Girl Pollard is more active during the day than she is inactive.  Cullen and I laugh at how much she kicks around, she seems to know when he is trying to feel her.

Sleep: Thankful for an extra hour of sleep, as I have only woken up at 4:30 this week.  I have been keeping a few later hours, but just a few.  I am more tired this week than I have been since the first trimester.

What I miss: walking upstairs and not feeling my heart beat.

Cravings: Any cravings I may have had prior to doctor weigh in are now replaced by oatmeal and fruit.  MMMmmm.

Symptoms: My legs are more fatigued than usual.  Just recently my back has begun to hurt, I'm not completely convinced it has anything to do with pregnancy.  It is centralized to the left side of my upper/middle back.  It only hurts when I have sat for a long period of time, or ridden in a car for a bit.

Best Moment this week: Getting to meet and welcome Baby Girl's friends and future classmates into the world.  Just knowing that God has plans for these future friends and awaiting to see how his plan unfolds has been the highlight of my week.  

Natalie's Bunko Shower

 I've played in several bunko groups since college, but my longest standing group has become irregular in our meetings.  Knowing we had one of long term members getting married we came back together again.

Most of our group.  This group, since I have been a member has seen 11 babies, and four weddings.  And that is only in the members in the picture. The missing gals would up the numbers a bit.

Leah did a great job, making it really special for Natalie.