Bevill Bulletin

April Picture-a-day: Tiny

2012-04-05T10:12:00.001-05:00

Today's picture category is - tiny. So sorry for the cliche, but I couldn't resist...

Tiny toes!

Also, on another note, Happy Birthday to GranDoc! We love you!!

Guess I'll play along...

2012-04-04T15:20:00.000-05:00

I'll do my best to give you a picture per day...

Since today is the 4th, we'll start there...

4. Someone who makes you happy... can you guess?

Having some tummy-time and practicing rolling over.

Happy Hump Day, y'all!

Month Recap / Catch-up

2012-04-02T16:07:00.000-05:00

Wow... this past month (since my last post) has been a bit of a blur. We've had some pretty big things happen in the last month... each of which well deserved its own blog post... but alas, here I am giving you the condensed version, in chronological order.... Enjoy.

First - Wylie's Baptism. Family and Friends joined together to welcome Wylie into the church. Daniel (my brother) is her Godfather, while, Megan (Ben's sister) is her Godmother. Here are some pictures...

Next was Match Day... if you've been keeping up with this blog, then you know we've been looking forward to this day for sometime. Ben's name was called about half-way in. He walked up on stage and announced, "Ben Bevill - Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston." YAY - we're super excited!

Waiting to be announced...

Reading his card

The whole class... Ben's in there somewhere.

Proud Family!

Thanks to Gran Gran and GranDoc for coming and sharing this special day. The next day was St. Patrick's Day. However, our little girl came down with a fever and ear infection, therefore, we didn't make it to the parade. Later in the week, when she was feeling herself again, I took some pictures in what we planned on wearing to the parade.

I just love those pretty blue eyes and big smile!

Stayed tuned for her 5-month pictures as well as her first time with carrots. Also, we have some more exciting events coming up in the near future. Next weekend, my parents are coming in for Easter. Then the next weekend is our 5K - Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, for which we'd greatly appreciate your support by donating.

To donate online, click here.
To send a donation:
Make all checks payable to: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central MS Affiliate
Mail to: Shannon Bevill
621 Briars Bnd
Brandon, MS, 39042-8224

Then the following weekend, we'll be off to Charleston to look at houses. Every spare minute is geared towards preparing for this trip. We'll have 48 hours to find a house, make an offer, and sign a contract (hopefully)... Yikes! Stay tuned to hear how it all turns out...

Love y'all and have a Happy Easter!

4 Months

2012-03-01T08:34:00.001-06:00

Little Miss Wylie Jane turned 4 months on February 27th. We just had her 4 month check up yesterday afternoon. She weighs 12 pounds,15 ounces and is 24.5 inches long. We also got the green light to start giving her rice cereal. And the verdict is...

SHE LIKES IT! Yay!

So some changes from last month to now are:

- She wobbles less and likes to sit upright so she can look around. She seems to have the ability to sit upright unassisted but doesn't quite have the balance down yet. She's happy sitting in her bumbo, high chair, or just in your lap. She never really liked the Mamaroo, but loves the swing and bouncy seat at Mrs. Robyn's. She also likes to lay on her back so she can flail her arms and kick her legs. She seems happiest and is most animated when doing so.

- She wants to roll over and tries to. When laying on her back, she'll arch herself and try to flip over but can't quite get it. She has actually rolled from stomach to back twice, but most likely by accident since it's very sparingly.

- She makes new noises daily and loves to smile, especially in the morning.

- She still eats 5 oz every 4 hours, and sleeps from about 10pm to 6am. I think we'll be increasing her bottle size soon, but maybe not since we're adding the rice cereal. For now, we're doing the rice cereal just at dinnertime when we get home, but we'll add it to the morning routine as well next week most likely.

- Her hand-eye coordination is getting more developed. She will now reach and grasp for things. Her favorites are these soft blocks that jingle/rattle or crunch as well as the lion toy that hangs from her baby gym; she'll get a good grasp on that and won't let go. She is starting to want to put anything in her mouth. Her hands are her favorite to gnaw/suck on. She will try to put her whole fist in there. Also if you try to give her a kiss, she'll open her mouth really big.

- She loves the outdoors and the wind. Even inside if she's fussy, we can fan her so she can feel the air move on her face, and she'll stop crying. She tries to sniff the air.

- Her hair is still blond, and there's not much of it. I think it will take a while before I can put bows in her hair, so she'll be rocking the headband. Also, her eyes are still blue. I think they may stay this way for a while. My eyes were blue when growing up, but eventually turned green. They still seem blue sometimes depending on what I'm wearing. Ben's eyes are light as well... more of a hazel.

If only every day was Sunday!

2012-02-27T11:54:00.000-06:00

This Sunday was one of the best in quite sometime!

We went to church and brunch in the morning with great friends, Murray's and Clare. We stayed so long that the lunch crowd was in need of our table. However, with this gang, our meals average around 2-3 hours since we get so caught up enjoying the conversation that we lose track of time. We probably would have sat there all day, if John and Wylie didn't get bored with us... I mean, they have better things to do than sit around Corner Bakery.

And what does an 18 month-old and a 4 month-old have to do on a beautiful, late-February, sunny Sunday afternoon, you ask?

Go to the park of course!

We had a fabulous Bevill-Murray Family outing. The weather was perfect after a week full of rain threats and cooler weather. We first ran/walked around the track. Then, we let the kiddos loose! John was a playground-fanatic. He went down the slide, climbed on the jungle gym, swung on the swing, and then went down the slide some more. Wylie watched it all going on around her from the comforts of her blanket. John slowed down enough for us to get the cutest picture of the two kiddos. To hear this little man say Wylie's name just melts my heart! He then was just too fast-paced for this "sitting" stuff, had a quick snack of water and blueberries, then back in action.

Wylie is becoming a champ at tummy-time and holds her head up very well. She gets a little tired after a while so we'll either roll her to her back or sit her up. She is almost sitting up by herself as well. She doesn't need much assistance... only with balance, but not for strength. On Monday, she turns 4 months! Such a big girl! We go on Wednesday for her 4 month check-up... no shots, thank goodness! Stay tuned for her update on measurements and what the doctor has to say...

Next weekend, the family is coming in town for her baptism. I'm so excited to be able to celebrate this event with family and friends. I'll be posting pictures as well.

In the meantime, here are a few more pictures to keep you satisfied until next post. I know you just can't get enough of this little girl, and I do not blame you!

Spring is in the Air... or maybe just in my mind.

2012-02-17T13:36:00.002-06:00

Even though it's still February and we're having the coldest weather we've had all winter, my mind cannot help but think that it's already springtime. I love the spring... It's my favorite time of year!

I think I'm so mentally focused on the season getting here and quick because we have some exciting times ahead of us...

First, Wylie will be getting baptized the first weekend of March. (disclaimer: I know that is technically winter still, but the months of March, April and May = spring to me). Both sides of the family are coming in for the occasion!

Also in March is Match Day... Do you see the counter above? That's right, it's exactly 4 weeks from today. This weekend Ben and I will most likely be discussing for the last time his rank list, and then it's out of our hands! I can hardly contain my excitement (or anxiety, depending how you look at it). That same weekend is also St. Paddy's Day, when we'll take Wylie to the big parade downtown... We're looking forward to it.

April will be full of house hunting, cleaning, packing and etc since regardless of if we stay in Jackson or not, we plan on buying a house.

Ben and I also have birthdays in April and May, respectively... And my first Mother's Day! That same week we'll be going to the beach... I'm so ready for this vacation! I can't wait to see what Wylie thinks of the sand, ocean, pool and etc. She'll also be so cute in her 4 swim suits that I already have for her, but let's be honest... When is she not the cutest baby you've ever seen?! Yes, I'm biased! For example, here's a picture of her on Valentine's Day

And if the first picture isn't evident enough, the other pictures are from last weekend when it was cold enough to break out her North Face.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and got to spend it with those you love the most! I sure do love my three valentines!

Growing Girl!

2012-01-30T22:06:00.000-06:00

At 3 months...

"Hello there... who are you?"

"That's an interesting point you make, and I do agree... I am remarkably cute!"

Our little girl is growing and surprising us daily. She is holding her head up so well lately... She loves to be in new environments. This is not surprising since in her first 3 months of life, at least 1/3 of it she has spent away from home. I think she is starting to get bored with us. Good thing she's going to start going to Mrs. Robyn's while Ben and I are at work. She'll find new things to stimulate her there.

Now it's time for the bragging section of this blog... At three months, Wylie is:
- Eating 4.5 ounces 5-6 times per day. We just transitioned her from eating every 3 hours to every 4 hours.
- Sleeping 8 hours straight each night. She is still swaddled only at night to keep her from waking herself up with her hands/arms.
- Smiling, "talking/cooing", playing with her tongue
- Just starting to find her hands and sucking on them. Anytime something comes towards her face, she'll open her mouth.
- Grasping when something is put in her hands. She isn't quite reaching for things yet.
- Kicks a lot when laying on her back. She does not like tummy time for much longer than 10-15 minutes at a time, but does prefer to nap on her stomach.
- Can sit in her Bumbo, but with a little bobble head.
- Has traveled to 7 states: Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and North Carolina (9 if you include the states that she's traveled through), mostly by car but by plane as well.

We look forward to see what else she has in store for us... in the meantime, we are soaking up as much time as possible in the moment.

Great time with family!

2012-01-30T15:29:00.000-06:00

So in the mix of all of our travels, we had the opportunity for Wylie to meet all of her living great-grandparents. One of Ben's grandmothers (Ben's mom's mom) was able to come over from Vicksburg to see Wylie while we were still in the hospital. Here is a picture of the four generations.

My grandparents (mom's parents) were able to see Wylie while we were visiting over Christmas. The first picture is of the four female generations.

Then Ben and I were lucky to have the opportunity to visit Ben's grandparents (Ben's dad's parents) in North Carolina in January. Ben had interviews there the following week, so we thought it was a good excuse to plan the much needed trip. We actually flew there for Wylie's first time on a plane. However, we didn't get a picture.

And who else came?.... Lucy! They had a great time on the floor together.

There were too many cameras going off at once for the four generations picture to get everyone looking, but this was the best one that I had.

The weekend after the North Carolina trip, we were on the road again (our last trip for quite some time...) to Atlanta for Wylie's Cartersville Sip 'n' See and Lucy's Baptism.

This was Wylie in her Sip 'n' See outfit made by her GranGran.

Almost time for the water... She did great! The water didn't phase her a bit. I hope our little one took notes and acts like a perfect angel as well!

Ben and I are Lucy's Godparents.

And here's the whole family shot.

Now we are enjoying being home and spending time together before getting adjusted to our new schedule with Ben and I back to work and Wylie at Mrs. Robyn's.

Tis the Season

2012-01-05T09:39:00.000-06:00

I am so glad that Wylie came in time for the holiday season. However, it has definitely added new challenges to traveling for the holidays... not to mention the additional trips for Ben's interviews.

First we went to Ben's parents' (Gran Gran and Grandoc) house for Thanksgiving. We spent a total of 2 weeks away from home, which wasn't easy to do with a one-month old, but Ben's family took us in and made it feel like home-away-from-home. We got to spend a lot of time with not only Ben's parents and sisters, but our little niece Lucy who is only three months older than Wylie. She was showing Wylie the ways on how to smile, laugh, kick, make all sorts of noises, and even roll over by the end of the trip (Lucy that is... not Wylie, after all she was only one month at this time). They became the best of friends and even dressed alike thanks to their Gran Gran.

In addition to our Thanksgiving trip, Ben had some interviews. On the front end was Memphis, and after Thanksgiving he had interviews in Charleston, Augusta, and Lexington. Wylie, Gran Gran, and I joined him in Charleston. It has been an interesting process, but I'll be glad when it is all over and find out where we'll be living the next 3-6 years.

We were then home for 10 days... barely had any time to put the tree up. Wylie likes the tree and even helped out a little.

A week before Christmas, we left for my parents' house in Belleville, IL. It was a busy and fun-filled time. Ben and I were able to take a date night, which was a present to ourselves, and go to the Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was a great show!

The following afternoon, my mom hosted a Sip 'n' See for her friends and mine to come see Wylie. We also went to see Santa with Charleigh. I think Wylie knew that this Santa was just one of "Santa's Helpers" since she's trying to peak behind his beard.

On the Monday before Christmas, Ben and I (along with Wylie) were on the road again to Louisville for another interview. After that we drove over to Lexington to get a feel for the city since that was one of the programs Ben has preferred, and I have never been there. Of the places he has interviewed, he likes three of the programs/cities equally. It will be hard to rank them since each program and city has something different to offer. He has two more interviews to go in North Carolina in January.

Finally Christmas was here! To no surprise, Santa felt most generous towards Wylie. She had at least twice as many presents under the tree. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve, morning, and day.

The night before we left for home, it snowed. Here are some pictures of Wylie's first snow. I guess she's like her mama and does not care for the cold, since she wasn't very happy about it. I also had to wake her from a nap in order to get her in the snow suit, so she may just have been tired and not in the mood for a photo op.

When we got back home, there were some more presents waiting for Wylie. Here she is kicking back and enjoying being back home.

Little did she know that Christmas was not over, and Grandoc and Gran Gran would be here in just a few short days for another round of Christmas gifts.

Dropped the Ball... and I don't mean the NYE Ball in Times Square

2012-01-03T16:47:00.001-06:00

So I've really been bad since Wylie was born on updating our blog. The whole reason for starting the blog was to get the hang of it before she was here, but it has been very difficult with the traveling we have done in the past couple months (which I'll get into in later posts), and I thought about doing it but while away our pictures on our camera weren't uploaded in order to include them in the post... excuses excuses.

Since there has been a good amount of things going on since my last post, there will be a few posts to catch up rather than just one really long post.

Also I cannot post without a picture... Here is one of our favorites from her newborn pictures that we had made. She was only a little over one week old here. Even though this picture still looks like her, I cannot believe how much she has changed in the past 2 months.

As you can see... she is starting to show more personality as well as smile and move around. I cannot keep her arms and legs still... I've tried!

Some of Many Firsts

2011-11-16T15:13:00.001-06:00

These past couple weeks have flown by... I'll try to get better about posting an update more often. Here are some pictures of some "firsts" for Wylie... and for us too!

Just born

First Car Ride - so far, she loves riding in the car. I hope it stays that way...

First Ole Miss Game - not the season to be first introduced to the Rebels. At least now she doesn't have high expectations for the future.

First Walk

First Halloween

First Bath - I decided that I wouldn't post the naked bath picture. She's too modest for that. She also makes the cutest faces.

One Week Old!

First Time Meeting Cousin Lucy - best of friends already!

First Nap with Daddy

First Grandma Visit - Gigi came and stayed with us for a couple weeks. This picture was followed by Wylie's first trip to the airport. Next, Gran Gran comes to visit. This girl is so spoiled!

We survived another week! Wylie went to her first pediatrician visit on this day as well. She was up to 8 lbs even and 21.5 inches (one additional inch since her birth). She is one healthy little girl, and for that, we are extremely thankful!!

First Walk without Daddy...

Ben has been gone yesterday and today at a residency interview in St. Louis, so it has been two full days of just the girls. I'll have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought being home alone with just Wylie and I. However, I know that I do not want to be a single parent (not that I ever did). We even managed to get out of the house to run an errand on day one and go for a walk on day two. I guess we'll find a way to survive during Ben's first year as a resident when they have him working long hours. Ben so far has interviewed with UMC in Jackson and now SLU in St. Louis. He has one at UT-Memphis next week and then three following Thanksgiving - Charleston, Augusta, and Lexington.

Announcing Wylie Jane

2011-11-02T17:59:00.000-05:00

I know I am a little late on this, but just wanted to make it official... Wylie Jane Bevill was born on October 27, 2011 at 1:19 pm. She weighed 7 lbs and 15 oz and measured 20.5 inches. She's absolutely perfect, and we love her oh so much!

Here are some pictures from the hospital...

2 weeks... Scratch that... 1 week or less!

2011-10-25T16:59:00.001-05:00

To those left-brained folks like my dad, I am so sorry that we skipped a week in the countdown. However, at the doctor's visit this week, we have scheduled an induction date for next week, so she's not going to make it to 40 weeks. I actually hope that she won't make it to 39 either and comes this week... only time will tell.

Ben and I are getting pretty stir crazy around the house. Any suggestions out there for how to pass the time?

I may not have much to post now until Wylie comes, but be certain that I'll do so with pictures as soon as I get a chance.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

I saw this while out to lunch today. Could it be a sign? What are the odds?!

3 weeks to go until the big day!

2011-10-18T15:52:00.000-05:00

This Sunday I turned 37 weeks... or should I say Wylie turned 37 weeks (in utero, of course). That is a big milestone in the baby-developing process. She is now considered by the medical profession as full-term. With that being said, it is now time for her to be evicted... not really. Even though we are ready for her to come (and at one point this weekend, thought she was going to come), we are not kicking her out... yet.

In celebration of reaching this milestone, here's a little flashback of where we came from...

14 weeks

18 weeks

20 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

30 weeks

32 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

And now... 37 weeks!

A month... are you kidding me?!

2011-10-09T16:28:00.001-05:00

Well... technically less than one month since we're now down to 4 weeks left. This weekend we went to the pumpkin patch with some friends and future friends/boyfriends of Wylie. These are all on facebook, but for those of you who don't check that regularly, first I'll show a group shot...

From the left, Kirk, Bennett, Mary Elizabeth, John, Matt, Jenni, me, Ben, Betsy, Jack, and Chase

Here's a (some of the group) shot on the tractor/hay ride.

Ben and I on the hay ride...

At the pumkin patch... matching his and hers set... I sure hope mine turns out cuter and not as orange...

I know Mimi wouldn't approve of the sunflower shot, but we couldn't resist climbing into the field for a great photo opp... although Wylie got a little hidden, which I didn't know it was even possible to conceal her at this point.

Here's our best try at a maternity-modeling shoot.

We hope that everyone is having a great Fall so far. This one for us will definitely be remembered forever (for obvious reasons), but also because we've had such a great time with family and friends. I've caught myself having thoughts like going to this pumpkin patch next year with Wylie, but then have to remember that we may not be in Jackson next Fall. Ben starts his interviews next month for residency. I am experiencing all sorts of emotions (anxious to find out, sad to leave great friends, but mostly excited to see where our life will lead next). Our little family has so many changes coming in the next 6 months, and we feel very blessed to have such supporting family and friends along for the ride. We couldn't do it without you all! Sorry this has turned a little sentimental... I promise it won't happen often!

35 weeks down and just 5 more to go...

2011-10-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

This was a great weekend! First, Ben's parents came in town... and wait for it... WITH THE NURSERY FURNITURE (pictures below)! YAY! Saturday morning was spent assembling the crib and stocking the drawers of the dresser. Then in the afternoon, Mississippi State lost to Georgia... this is when I said that now if only the Rebels could pull off a win tonight, my day would be complete. In the evening we went to our final baby shower... a coed Grove-themed shower, complete with great Fall weather.

Action shot of Ben and I opening a gift...

Cute "baby bump" cake

And a group shot with our hostesses... with the Ole Miss game in the back ground. We left around half-time or so and watched the rest of the game from home. At least staying up until midnight after a long day was all worth it in the end to see the Rebels win!... Not too sure how many more we'll see this season, but I'll continue to cheer them on from home, since we won't be making it to any more games with the little one on her way. We did entertain the thought of a "Grove birth".... yeah right!

Today we went to church and then but some finishing decor touches to the nursery like hanging pictures, shelves, and curtains. Here it is... I still need to get the mobile, rug, and lamp, but this gives you a pretty clear image of the final product...

View from the door...

Here's one of me showing off that baby bump. And yes, I am admitting to the world that I cannot fit into my own clothes and have to wear Ben's gym shorts and t-shirts. In my defense, I do not leave the house like this... only wear them for lounging and house work.

I'll continue the count down, however, since we're now anchored for the next few weeks, I may not have much exciting news to share until the big day. I'll do my best to make the mundane as exciting as possible.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Furniture is in and 7 weeks to go

2011-09-17T20:32:00.001-05:00

Great news... All of our nursery furniture came in this week. We picked up the glider and ottoman from the store in Madison today, and Ben's parents picked up the crib and dresser/changer (with help from Lucy and Neilson). They'll bring those pieces with them in two weeks when they come here for our Jackson shower. Here's a picture of the chair with a couple blankets we've received and her bedding comforter.

In other news, my mom had a knee replacement surgery on Friday. Her surgeon said it was one of the worst knees he had seen with bone-to-bone friction and most cartilage worn. Her physical therapist has been impressed with her mobility this early on. I hope that continues to be the case. We are all hopeful for a speedy recovery so she can be down here for when Wylie comes.

Congrats to Ben!

2011-09-13T08:42:00.000-05:00

Last night Ben was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in which he was nominated by his fellow classmates, residents, and attending physicians for his excellent clinical and patient care skills. I am so very proud of him! Here are some pictures...

Ben getting pinned.

Matt getting pinned.

Ben's certificate

Group shot.

Jenna's Bachelorette Weekend

2011-09-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

While Ben was being a great husband and dad-to-be by getting some baby gear organized and assembled, I was in Memphis having a fun girls' weekend for Jenna's bachelorette. Here are a couple highlights from Saturday night...

Here's the bride-to-be in the limo.... she's so happy!

And here's the group of us outside of the limo downtown Memphis after eating at Majestic Grill.

The rest of the weekend was spent poolside and ended with beignets on Sunday morning.

8 weeks...

2011-09-12T09:11:00.000-05:00

8 weeks.... only 8 weeks? I'm so excited for this week, since on Wednesday, we get to have another ultrasound and see her once more before her actual birthday and see her face-to-face. I'll get those scanned and posted to share with you all as well.

With only 8 weeks to go, we still have a few things to get together, but I'm not as stressed as I thought I'd be... especially since one of those things is getting the nursery put together. However, once the furniture comes in, we'll get that situated in no time! Ben made a lot of progress this weekend while I was out of town... look for yourself!

He put the Pack 'n' Play together... which will go in our room for the first couple months.

Here's a picture of the stroller. Charleigh was NOT a fan. Little does she know that if she wants a walk, this will be coming with us.

MamaRoo swing... here's hoping that Wylie loves it!

Moses Basket that her GranGran made the bedding for.

And here's a picture showing my nursery idea coming together. Aunt Megan did an excellent job on the artwork!

And I couldn't post without an updated picture of the bump.

Official Countdown begins!

2011-09-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

I am terribly sorry for slacking on updating these past few weeks. I started a post but then lost it somehow.

I am now 31 weeks along... leaving only 9 more weeks/exactly 2 months from today until the due date! Here are the latest profile pictures:

28 weeks, and...

30 weeks... wow, what a difference 2 weeks can make.

I'm glad to have August behind us, even though, it went by a little too fast. So far, September has been a great month! Football season has started, Ben is on a less time-consuming rotation, and the weather this week is not even supposed to get up into the 80's much less the 90's/100's as we had in August. This past weekend I got to see my parents, in-laws, and friends at the first home football game and 2nd baby shower in Oxford (pictures to follow in later post). The only thing that could have made it better would be to have seen the Rebels win.

Is it Fall, yet?

2011-08-10T15:00:00.000-05:00

With Ben officially back to school/work, it makes me think that Fall and football should be right around the corner. And what comes in Fall?... cooler weather! What did you think I was going to say?!

This August heat is getting slightly unbearable and not doing anything to help prevent my feet from swelling... as my Aunt can tell you, since her second words out of her mouth this past weekend after "hi" were "I remember those toes", referring to how swollen she got with her last pregnancy. She did later compliment me by saying that above the belly, you wouldn't even know I was pregnant. I'm not swelling too terribly compared to others that I've seen/known, but in the afternoon, you can tell that I am retaining water in my ankles and feet. I am now officially in my third trimester. I can't believe how fast this has all seemed to go by... 13 weeks and counting left to go... and with so much still to do.

Thankfully, all nursery furniture is ordered... now if only it will be delivered in a timely manner. Crib and dresser/changer was ordered in GA, thanks to Ben's parents, last month. Then the last of it (glider, ottoman, and rug) was ordered last week with thanks to my parents and grandparents. This little girl is so spoiled, and she doesn't even know it!

This past weekend, I had my first baby shower, honoring little miss Wylie in Belleville, IL. It was great to see family and friends. Ben wasn't able to go because of work, so my mom flew down just to drive with me. No one wanted a 27 week mom-to-be to drive 7+ hours alone. It was nice being able to spend that time with her.

Here are some picture highlights of the shower...

This is a before shot.

We're ready for bath time!

Basket of books!

Knit pink booties... too cute!

My Dad and brothers stopped in after their round of golf...

Cutest smocked dress made by Ben's mom.

And the boys had enough...

Bedding for the crib!

Here's the best belly picture from the weekend. I'll post a profile picture soon to give the full affect.

The after shot of the "goods".

Beautiful centerpieces.

Friends!! So glad you were all able to come!

My Mom and Aunt Lucy - the hostesses (minus my grandma who wasn't able to make it).

Making Room

2011-07-19T13:14:00.001-05:00

This month has been all about making room. The other weekend, Ben and I moved the guest bed, tv, sewing machine, and more out of the guest room and into what is now the office/guest room. Here's a picture of how it turned out. It's not as tight as it looks in the picture.

Here is the beginning of the nursery... We have a long way to go before lil miss Wylie joins us in November.

Speaking of making room, here's my 24 week picture. I'm not sure if I am making room for her or she is making room for herself, but either way, we are both growing and doing great!

Also making room is Ben's sister and brother-in-law. They welcomed their sweet little girl, Lucy Claire McClung, on July 13, 2011. Ben and I were lucky to be able to be there too since Ben had a test for school in Atlanta the following day. We also got a chance to do some furniture shopping to fill the empty room above. I'll post pictures once furniture is delivered and assembled.

Here's a couple pictures of the new family addition. The first is at the hospital and second is after she got to come home. She is absolutely precious, and we hope Wylie is just as perfect as her big cousin Lucy!

Happy 2 Years!

2011-07-19T12:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was Ben and my 2nd year anniversary. To celebrate, Ben not only took me to Walker's for a great dinner, but he also sent me flowers at work.

I'm not the type that typically gushes about how good I have it, but I do have to say that I feel pretty lucky to have such a great husband!

Life of a Workin' Gal

2011-07-07T06:43:00.001-05:00

It's the days of summer that make me ask myself each year, "why didn't I go into teaching?" Especially after a long weekend, I did not want to get up and go to work this morning. Ben, for this month, is on a rotation that allows him to stay home all day. He is doing a lot of studying and preparing for interviews, but still, he gets to stay home. I would most likely not be very productive working from home (so kudos to Ben), but how nice would it be to work while sitting on the couch still in pajamas OR out back getting some sun?!... That's how I picture it in my head at least. Here's what I had to leave this morning....

Looks comfy, right?