This Day, Four Years Ago....

Today, Charlie and I celebrate our fourth anniversary.
It is so wonderful to think where we have been and where we are today.

~~~~~

7 years ago, we "met"...

5 years ago, he asked "the question"...

4 years ago, we said "I do"...

2 years ago, we welcomed "our son"...

And now,

we are a few months away from the arrival of our

"little girl".....
~~~

Charlie, Thank you for being such

a wonderful husband and terrific father.

Happy Anniversary and I look forward

to many more years of "picking on one another"...

I love you bunches!!!!!

Showered with Many Blessings

Several months ago, I felt so honored when my dear cousin-in-love, Lindsay, along with her mom, Cindy, offered to throw a baby shower for me and our lil' ladybug. I knew it wouldn't be nothing short of a perfect shower and just reminded me of how blessed I am to have my life filled with such wonderful and loving women. Women who have known me since the day I was born and women who I have become so special to me since I got married. Moms, Grandmas, Aunts, Sister-in-love, Cousins and very close Friends joined together in celebrating this wonderful little girl that we will be welcoming to the world very soon. She was blessed with such adorable outfits, precious blankets, other baby necessities and even her first piece of jewelry. Everything from the beautiful decorations, delicious food and the presence of these two gracious hosts was just wonderful!!!! I know without a doubt that all of these women who have blessed me or made an impact on my life in some way, will do the same for Cayden. And I cant wait for her to meet all these lovely women!!!

"The Beautiful Display of Delicious Food"

"One day shy of 25 weeks"

"Memory Box for advice or wishes for Cayden""Opening all of the adorable girly stuff"

"Cayden's first bracelet"

"Precious Embroider Blanket for Miss Cayden"

A much needed getaway!

For almost a year now, a group of us gals that graduated high school together have been getting together once a month for dinner. So we decided it was time to plan a girls' get away and Charleston became that place. Our dinners are nothing short but a wonderful time to share and spend time with each other but this one night get away was definitely needed. But next time, it will have to be more than just one night.

~

With an early start and warm muffins, we headed down to Charleston. Since check-in time wasn't until later that afternoon, we decided to head straight to downtown. No surprise, this pregnant woman was hungry but I was glad that there were several others too. We enjoyed lunch at Hyman's Seafood, which was my first time there and it was yummy.....

It was time for shopping at the Market and those cute little shops. Even though it was tiring walking around, we still had a great time. I was proud of myself and managed to not spend hardly any money. After picking up a few tee-shirts and a surprise for Cohen, the hungry bug was biting me.

We decided to head to the hotel to relax a bit and freshen up for dinner. It would be another first time restaurant for me, but I was looking forward to enjoying some more yummy seafood. Shem Creek Bar & Grill was the choice and it was a good one.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel to hang out and play some board games. We had a blast! I have not laughed so hard and all night in so long. It was great! A little late trip was made to Baskin Robbins for some delicious ice cream. I hated to see the night end and knowing we would have to get up the next day and head home, but this ol' pregnant lady was getting tired.

~

After checking out and sharing our last meal, breakfast, we headed back to the upstate. Even though it was a short trip, it was a GREAT one! We shared LOTS OF great conversations, food and laughter! The decision was made that we have to plan more of these trips in the future!!!!

First Day of Preschool!

I cant believe this day has come, that I would be taking Cohen to school, even if it is just a 2 year old class and only two days a week. We believe it was needed for Cohen, to have the chance to interact with other kids and begin his learning process.

The morning did not go like a mommy visioned. You see, we are in that "terrible two" stage and Cohen surely is showing it. Love him to death but it is a very frustrating time. After not being very cooperative before leaving the house, I just knew that dropping him off was going to be a disaster or possibly could get a call from the teacher. Of course, I wanted to capture a few pictures of this big day but that was not going to happen. We made it to the car and we were on way. After many meltdowns, it finally ended and Cohen seemed in a better mood. I settled with getting a shot of him while in his seat. We finished the ride with good conversation and some signs of excitement of going to school.

We arrived and made it through the door before Cohen looked up at me and said "mommy?" as he viewed all the people roaming around. I picked him up and we made our way to Room 108. As soon as we went into the room and he spotted race cars on the floor, he wanted down. I was able to put his bags up and walk out. It was just a few minutes later, as I was still in the hallway, I heard him start crying for me. Knowing this would happen and that he would eventually be alright, my heart was still aching. I think I made out of the main building before I lost it and cried all the way to work. Thinking that I am leaving my child in good hands but still new people, worried about my little guy and his adjusting to this change and most of all, the fact that he is growing and growing fast. There is no stopping. Changing so much everyday and knowing this isn't the only thing will be adjusting too.

I sat at work waiting for the clock to read 1:45 pm. I was ready to go pick him up and couldn't wait to hear how his first day went. Overall, he did pretty good. Ms. Jennifer said he did continue crying for a while but eventually relaxed and really enjoyed snack time and the playground. I think for the next couple times, he will still battle but will find that he loves it.

I asked him on our way home, did he want to go back and he said "yes peez". I said when do you go back and he response was "Thursday"....My smart Boy!!!

Addictions

Gotta love em'!!! And one of mine is when I think of an idea for a specific reason, I usually don't stop till it is completed. Current addictions ~ "Ideas for the nursery"..... I have already mentioned the fact that when we found out it was a girl, I was at the fabric store and decision was made within a few days. When an idea comes to mind, I automatically start searching and browsing online and send those ideas to family and friends for their opinions. If something is found, well let's just say I DO NOT wait. Don't get me wrong, I do think about it and try to find the best deal. I thought I would share some of my recent ideas (purchases) for Ladybug's room....

Idea No. 1 ~ Dollhouse Bookshelf. As I was thinking about shelving for her room, I ran across this idea. Thought how perfect it would be for a little girl's room. I started searching online for them and the prices. First thought was to have Charlie make it so it was a matter of pricing the wood and stuff to make it. It was then when I was at Target and found this one and not only was it at a reasonable price but it was on sale! Decision was made and I made the purchase. The only thing is it needed a little change to the color, removing the baby girl pink. No problem, I love to paint which it has officially in the process of being done.

Idea No. 2 ~ Animal Rocker. It all started with admiring the adorable plush horse rocker on Pottery Barn kids. I started browsing all the horses and other animals that came in the rockers. I was stuck on the decision with going with something neutral or a colorful one. I happened to be in BabiesRUS and came across this cute butterfly. After days of contemplating on which one, thinking of color and not to mention the price, I decided to purchase the colorful butterfly. I think in the long run, she will like this one more. Can't you just picture a little girl riding this?!!!!!

Idea No. 3 ~ Vintage Street Lamp. Something I was going to need but just hadn't really thought about was a floor lamp. Until I ran across this one in a catalog and absolutely loved the idea and thought it would go right along with some of the other decor that will be brought in. It offers a dimmer switch and has Pegs for hanging those baby blankets or cute summer hats she will have next summer. No hesitating, it was on sale and free shipping. Cant wait to receive this delivery at work in a few weeks!!!

In addition to all of these fun purchases, over the weekend, Charlie worked hard and got the nursery painted. I always get a little nervous about wall paint and how it will turn out. I have to say that I am loving my decision. I went with a light, yellowish gold on top and a teal color on bottom. I am so excited about the nursery and have truly enjoyed all the girly stuff that is offered. I know it is just a matter of time before we are bringing Ladybug home to enjoy her room!!!!

FINALLY!!!!

is all I have to say about Cohen's Big Boy Room. I have been talking about this room and planning it FOREVER....And it is finally completed. Most of it has been done for a while but I was waiting on the completion of a roman shade being made and some wonderful shelves built by my "ever-so-patient-with-me" husband. I have truly enjoyed picking out, making and painting special items and putting together everything in this room. One of my favorite things in this room is the brick wall. This was an idea of Charlie's and when it was first mentioned, I said NO! A few more trips to Lowe's, I finally decided to buy one panel and take it home to see what it would look like. And I admit Charlie was right, it was a great idea and looks terrific in the room. Let's say that I am definitely pleased with the way it turned out and I believe Cohen will enjoy it for a long time (at least I hope so)....

Ladybug has a name.....

Most of you already know but we have decided on what ladybug's real name is going to be.

"CAYDEN ELIZABETH GIBSON"

Funny thing, but for our first pregnancy, before knowing what the baby was, we had picked a name had it been a girl. You would think it would carry over to the second pregnancy. But that wasn't the case for us. We decided to stick with the "C" names and since it wasnt, time to start thinking. We had no problem in agreeing on what the boy's name would be but regarding a girl, well daddy just didn't like any of the names I was picking. I personally like different names and for him, some were too different. Had it been a boy, his name was going to be Cade, a name we both really liked. So taking from that, we both agreed on Cayden. Originally and mostly known to be spelled Caden, I thought adding a "y" would make it a little more feminine. The middle name, Elizabeth, comes from my wonderful Mother-in-love. We are very happy and cant wait to meet our Cayden in 18 weeks or less....

My self-purchase that I love!!! A lady that I get a lot of monogrammed items from had this diaper bag and I thought it was just too cute to pass. Not only will it be great as a diaper bag but I figured it could be used as her own personal overnight bag. It also came with a matching changing pad and bottle holder....

"A Little Peek into the Nursery"

This is the fabric and ribbon picked to make the bedding (minus the green button shown in pic). I am so excited about ladybug's nursery and have truly enjoyed planning...I felt every time I turned around, there was a decision to be made but with the help of the wonderful opinions given by many, it has started to come together. I believe the final product will turn out great and I cannot wait to see it. The fabrics have been purchased and delivered to my blessed seamstress. The nursery has been cleaned out (which I might was a little sad seeing your baby boy things being packed up) and the brainstorming of decor ideas is in the works.