Doctor Visit :)

This past Friday, I went for my 36 week check up to hear some relieving news...I am dilated and 60% effaced!! In the grand scheme of things that could mean nothing but with Allie Harris I dilated and had her that next day so I am hoping that Gray will come sooner than later as well. I have gone through her room and made sure it is somewhat ready for her arrival and Graydon ran to the store to stock up on diapers, cremes, wipes, etc for our little love:) My last day of work is this Thursday, April 1st for about 12 weeks. I will miss everyone but come visit often on my time off! We cannot wait to meet this precious addition to our family and it is crazy to think she could be here any minute. We are going to have 2 kids?! Not only two kids but two GIRLS??!! Oh my, we have a long, long road ahead of us! Keep us in your prayers for a healthy baby and smooth delivery:) We'll keep you posted on everything and can't wait to tell you she is HERE!!

Pics of the belly:)

Okay, i am laughing pretty bad in these pictures because my friend Beth took them in the kitchen at work! These are at 35 weeks, almost 9 months (for those of you who haven't heard yet, you are actually pregnant for 10 months, it is all a big myth. So 36 weeks is 9 months, but you technically have 4 weeks after that. Liars!) Anyway, I am feeling pretty good, some days much better than others. I have had some severe back and tailbone pain to where i can't sit but it hurts to take a step. Fun! Then the next day it will hurt really badly in my lower stomach and the front of my right leg, woohoo! Again, all worth it because she will be here soon:) I go back to the doctor today at 4 (in about an hour) so I'll let you all know how that one goes...Happy Friday!

I actually swallowed a basketball, nope beach ball!! That is what it looks like!

Wonderful Night with Friends:)

First off let me say we got so caught up laughing and enjoying ourselves that we totally forgot to take a picture!! My sweet friends took me to eat at Crawdad's in Merigold to celebrate Gray coming very soon. I am so blessed and so lucky to know each one of these great girls and have them in my life. They have truly made Clarksdale home! We ate lots of yummy food that was bad for us, which makes it taste even better! Fried pickles, sausage cheese plates, fried crawfish tails, stuffed portabella for appetizers and then I had a filet with a twice stuffed baked potato and of course kept stealing DD's french fries (delish). No matter how many times I say thank you it will never do justice for how thankful I am:) So again, thank you a million times over to Madelyn, DD, Mary Grace, Rachel, Julie B., Julie F., Mimi, Jennie, Kate, Wendi, Joyce Marie and Aubrey. I don't think I left anyone out?? I know a few couldn't make it at the last minute and we missed you but we'll get together soon!! Love you all and can't wait for Gray to come into the world!

So just checking in...

I am too lazy to add any pictures right now, and I don't have my camera cord on me so I can't:) But I just wanted to check back into the blogging world and give you an update on what is going on in our world down here in Mississippi! Allie Harris started going to school at Lee Academy in January and she loves it! She is in K3, which is the class she'll be in next year but since she is potty trained they were nice enough to take her. It has been such a blessing for us. She needed to get out and interact with others before she becomes a big sister:) Which is on countdown...I am officially due 7 weeks from today but since Allie Harris was early Dr. Cesare thinks she'll be here in about 5. Thank you sweet Jesus, that would make my day. If you could see me you would laugh, or maybe say something along the lines of, "Awe, poor you." From the back it is all good, you can't tell I am pregnant. But once I turn to the side I get a lot of, "Whoa!" from people. Funny. She has come straight out first like a basketball and now we are leaning towards watermelon status. Who cares, because it is all worth it!! The most amazing and best thing I have ever gone through and accomplished is pregnancy and giving birth. The reward is just so overwhelming and indescribable. As many of you know, or now know, we are having another little girl sometime after Easter. Her name is Amelia Gray Flowers, and we are calling her Gray after her Dad. Amelia is after Graydon's wonderful sister with whom we are super close to and we are so happy to use it! I would love to have another double name but I think it would be too much, I mean it won't even fit on a Christmas card for crying out loud! With love, Graydon, Abby, Allie Harris and Amelia Gray (Whew, that is a mouthful!) So we love the name Gray and are sticking with that. This pregnancy is so much different than the last one. All in all I really can't complain considering some of the horror stories I have heard in the past, but I am uber uncomfortable. My doc just smiles, pats me on the shoulder and says, "Little bit (that is what they call me), you are just petite, pregnant with your second, working full time, chasing a 2 1/2 year old and all out front with belly. You are going to be uncomfortable." Though he was being kind and honest, I still wanted to cry a little bit. I haven't been able to really pick up Allie Harris (or anything for that matter) since about 7 months pregnant. That is hard because AH is my heart...OH AND DID I MENTION THE DAY AFTER THE DOC TOLD ME THAT, SHE BROKE HER LITTLE LEG?!!! That made things a little tougher. She was such a trooper and a big girl with a cast on for 5 weeks. Never really complained, except at bath time which was challenging. Trying to get a toddler in the bath with bags wrapped around her leg and getting her pregnant mom in their with her is quite a site:) But, we made it through thanks to Graydon being super dad/mom everyday and my mom coming down immediatley and giving both of us but especially Graydon some much needed break time. So thankful to both of them for all the help! She got her cast off a week ago and is now walking normal again. For the first few days she said she could only walk like a ballerina, on her toes. I told her I didn't care how she walked, as long as she walked. We have also just signed her up for her new school next year and are so excited. She will be attending St. George's Episcopal Day School in Clarksdale. It is a wonderful small school where attention can be focused on each individual students strengths and weaknesses. They also have spanish 3 days a week from K3 through 6th grade (you switch to Lee Academy at this point, which is great too:)), have computers in every classroom, and students 4-6 grade are provided a laptop (no worries, not like the ones that go home and schools were videoing them!!). These are highly monitored and help the students learn to do research in different ways, and how to do projects, etc. I could go on and on about what we liked about it and why we chose it but that will bore you. We really enjoyed all the schools we visited, but as her parents felt this was the best option for Allie Harris now. Did I mention they have a gourmet caterer who does their lunches fresh everyday?!! I am jealous. Graydon is starting to get busy again with work and the weather is finally starting to get above 45, thank goodness. We are so thankful for our blessings each and everyday. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up with the fast pace of life and forget what we are so grateful for but when we stop and look at it, we remember immediatley. Anywho, I can't think of much else to talk about at this time. Just wanted to give a little update and say Hello to everyone out there! Hope all is well and we'll keep you posted on the arrival of Gray!

Hotty Toddy!! Rebs stomp the Vols:)

We had the best time at the Ole Miss/UT game last weekend with Deedee and Dibs! Of course we were VERY happy because the Rebs won, and won big! Run Dexter, Run! Anyway, we had a lot of UT fans "Grove" with us and they were great. They said, we lost the game, but we are still having so much fun because this is just amazing! Talking about the Grove and all we do at the tents. Oh, I am pretty sure the college boys who were there told me at least 10 times that they had never seen so many hot women!! Haha! We rented a house with my parents for the weekend which was perfect for our needs. Graydon and I went to dinner with all of our parents friday and had a wonderful time. Then saturday morning we got up early and began our duties for the Grove. Allie Harris had the best time saying her Hotty Toddy's and wearing her Rebel dress:) Can't wait until we have another little cheerleader to sing it with her! Thank you to Mom and Dad for the amazing dinner, house and fabulous weekend. They will be memories forever! Here are the pics from the grove, my camera stinks so sorry about the quality.

Hanging out with Colonel Reb and Deedee...
Giving Daddy some love before he leaves for the game:)

Showing our support for our "split house!" I do love UT, unless they are playing Ole Miss!

All she wanted to do is eat ice. Seriously, all day long. She had a throat infection she was getting over so it probably felt good to her. But it also kept her happy most importantly!

Just a chillin' at the tent next to us. She made friends with the adults next to us, imagine that? I wonder where she gets that "let's talk to everyone" mentality?!

Extra tight squeeze for Daddy...

Hanging out with her favorite person of the weekend, her Deedee. They are so close. Mom was so patient and did everything AH wanted her to do.

The fam! Graydon isn't smiling for some reason, but i still like the pic?!

My awesome parents, Dibs and Deedee Diddle, and Graydon, AH and me. We literally had the best weekend. We are so blessed to have such wonderful famlies and we can't wait to see Deedee and Dibs again over Thanksgiving!

Cheesing it for her Hotty Toddy photo op:)

Me and my "big girl." She is truly amazing. She is so excited about being a big sister and talks constantly to the baby about things they are going to do together. We are so proud of her and just love her more than anything in the whole world.

Random pics from time away from blog world...

Pics of our big girl from this summer:) She is growing up WAY too quickly. She is so excited about having a little sister and that makes us smile! All she talks about is what they are going to get ot do together!

Another precious GIRL!!

Well, by now most of you probably now that we are having another amazing little GIRL this April! We felt deep down that it was a girl but Dr. Cesare confirmed that on friday:) She is absolutely beautiful and her measurements are right on track. Spine, heart, head and legs look perfect! Wow, another little girl...I hope for Graydon's sake (and my sanity!) that this one is our "jeans and t-shirt"girl. A little more calm and laidback like him, as opposed to another mini me:) Allie Harris is so excited. She said she wants to play dress up, do puzzles, and put their hair in ponytail holders together. I am amazed that she made that connection of "girl activities" they can do together. She is going to be a great AND BOSSY big sister! I think selfishly a boy sounded neat, you know someone to be a momma's boy and to be daddy's hunting buddy. BUT Graydon is already the best Dad to one little girl and now he will be the best daddy to two little girls who are going to be all about him:) Mom says God knew that Graydon had the patience and sweetness to handle little girls so he keeps blessing him with them. I agree! She is going to have a sister, something i always wanted but never had so i can't wait to watch them grow up together. We are so happy, blessed and everything in between. Now, what are we going to name her????!!!

Small change in baby gender date...

Okay so we were supposed to go and find out what the baby is next wednesday the 11th, but it got changed to friday the 13th (scary) because my doc took the day off. So, we'll have to wait 2 extra days, but that will just give it extra time to get ready for the big reveal!! I'll keep you posted, i promise:)

We're Alive!! A LOT TO CATCH UP ON!

Okay, so after not posting for like 5 months, and people asking if we were still alive, I have great news...We're back! There are so many things i could and should catch up on but i don't know if i have the energy right now:) Speed session, this summer we were involved in about 6 weddings between the two of us, all amazing and fun! We had a five year anniversary that was a more meaningful than any other one, a big milestone. Allie Harris is still the most amazing, hilarious, SASSY and loving little love bug in the world and she turned 2 while we were off blogging as well. Of course in style, with an adorable Mermaid shaped cake and a pool party with all of her church and play friends. My dad turned 60, and never acts like it and i love that! My oldest brother Wes and his new beautiful wife got married in September in Seattle. It was at a winery and was one of the best celebrations ever! Gorgeous city, gorgeous couple, great time to go in September:) My other brother Walker and his adorable wife Meghan sold their old house and are moving to a new one as we speak! Graydons Brother Scott and his wife precious Julie welcomed a son, Gaines on June 24th, a month early but he was great! Oh, and there is one more thing...We are PREGNANT AGAIN! After a long summer and some deep discussions, we decided that we wanted to expand our family together so we started trying in late July. And wouldn't you know, we got pregnant the first month! We are due April 23rd and find out November 11th what it is:) So exciting! So here are like 40 pics from this past weekend of Halloween. Yes, it has been that long since I blogged. The pics don't even do justice to how adorable our little giraffe was in person! She had a blast, shaking her tail and saying "happy halloween, twick oh tweat!" Can't get those "r" sounds and i think it is kinda cute. Sorry for so many but here goes...

Happy Halloween at Marley and Bradley's
LOVE this pic! Hot dads and their babies:) Thornton Marley, Leyton, Graydon and Allie Harris. Isn't he the cutest little lion you have ever seen?

At the end of the night, after all the trick or treating, and basically she was like mom, no more pics please. Great facial expression.

Wait, this one is even better!!

Aunt Mimi (Amelia) and cousin Molly celebrating at Lala and Papa's house pre-halloween

Giving her Lala some love for all the gifts she gave her for Halloween. I am a little worried she is going to think Halloween and Christmas are the same, she got sooo many things!

Loving Aunt Mimi...

Chatting with Papa...

Semi Family pic, we are missing a few people but still all the same! Scott, Gaines, Julie, Molly, Amelia, Allie Harris, Graydon and me.

Aunt Gigi and Molly opening her new stickers

hanging out...

Gaines!! He is so freaking cute, I could just eat him up!

Little puppy!

This was a funny attempt...what were we thinking? Like Allie Harris is really gonna sit still and Gaines will smile at the same time?! Not a chance, but still adorable!

Hi, my giraffe looks adorable. Me?? At this angle i look like a cow!!!

Tickle monster and opie getting the giraffe

Giving her favorite person, her Daddy some love and a tight squeeze before we left to go trick or treating. They are too cute together!

Just patiently waiting to get her shoes on so we can GO!

Oh, wait, let me give Mommy some love too!

Yay, it is time to go!!

At the Farmer's Market Fall Festival giving her "crush" Tyner Simpson some love, and he is not looking to thrilled by the hug!

Maggie Simpson as a bunny playing at the farmer's market

Tyner, AH, Jack and Maggie hiding under the Pumpkin contest table

Allie Harris and Maggie...

This face cracks me up too! It is such a fake smile, like please get this over with:)

Sweet baby girl on the way to market to meet everyone. I love this pic:)

Getting prepared for her finger painting...

Starting her masterpiece!