3 years together!

Written May 6th (our anniversary), but not posted until the day after.....

Today marks a special celebration for Andy and me. Three years ago we were married at our church, Grace Episcopal, in downtown Charleston. We knew that we loved one another then, but we both agree that we were naive as to how much our love would grow as time passed.

We have been through a lot of great times and some sad times over the past three years, and at each and every moment I thank God that Andy is by my side. As we begin this next year of our marriage, which may be the most eventful thus far, I thought it would be fun to reflect back to the beginning.....enjoy =)

On bended knee....what a fantastic memory!

A day at the beach for Baby Girl

Both my mom and Andy's mom visited this past weekend!! I like to think it was because they knew I needed some TLC, but it was mostly to help organize baby gear! I suppose the time where everything is "about the baby" has arrived and I should get myself accustomed to it.

Andy and I have always said that we are blessed with amazing friends here in Charleston, and this weekend proved that fact for us again. We celebrated Baby Girl with a shower at the beach and it was fabulous! Christina, Katie, Emily, Vanessa, and Kim all played hostess for the shower and it could not have been more perfect. I am very thankful for the time and energy they put into making the day so special for me as we paused to celebrate the miracle Andy and I have created together. What a great day!

We have such great friends!! How blessed we feel.

I say HOORAY for special friends ;)

Is this a baby shower or a beer fest?!? The ladies get serious during a game!

Reading a sweet letter from Andy's mom about the rocking chair she gave us (it was hers as a little girl and Andy used it as a little boy) How special that Baby Girl will now get to use it.

One of the many silly facial expressions Kim caught on my camera! Apparently, something was very amusing ;)

Mom is drinking a beer?!? I have NEVER seen her drink a beer in my entire life! I guess having 4 new grandbabies in the same summer has gotten to her a bit!

Vanessa and I have been friends since freshman year at Purdue (10 years ago!!). I love that she lives here in Charleston and we can continue to share our big (and little) life moments with one another!

Nana gives Baby Girl a love touch for the camera!

the babies are home!!

What an amazing time for Cathy and Andy - both of their beautiful babies are home!! Drew and Jordan are doing wonderful and Eli has been busy being a helpful big brother! It is bittersweet knowing that Brady isn't with them, but we all know that he is smiling in heaven as he sees the progress his brother and sister are making.

I can hardly wait to get back out there and love on them and for Andy to meet his newest niece and nephew!

Leaving the hospital. A day worthy of celebration!

Eli helps feed Drew a bottle. What a big help!

Our sweet niece and nephew share an eskimo kiss =)

We're going on a strawberry hunt...

This past Saturday Vanessa and I went strawberry picking! This was a first for me and it was very enjoyable. It wasn't as intense as I had imagined (for some reason I was envisioning a tractor ride, an aching back, and lots of sweat). Perhaps my farm roots have tainted my vision of anything involving crops and the spring. We merely took our baskets and walked along chatting about life while we picked out the best berries we could find!

Vanessa was going to make a strawberry pie and chocolate covered strawberries, which I am sure turned out excellent. As for me, I could never find the motivation to make anything special so I have just been eating mine for snacks all week. Yum, yum, yum!!! Summer is right around the corner!

Top ten...

Ten reasons it is no fun to have a husband deployed and be 8 months preggo at the same time...
1. No free back rubs.....I now pay a massage therapist
2. I have to make my own dinner (and breakfast and lunch too, for that matter)
3. I feel guilty watching my neighbor mow the lawn for me (I am preggo, not disabled, but the neighbor and Andy insist on this scenario)
4. I worry that I will have issue with giving half of the bed back upon his return...the cat, a plethora of pillows, and my preggo self have taken it over quite nicely
5. I have a bit of anxiety everyday as I struggle to get my own shoes tied
6. The ladder is too heavy to get down off the wall in the garage and I again had to bother my neighbor
7. I cringe at the thought of something bad happening to the baby or going into preterm labor and him not being here
8. I just plain miss him at times
9. The thought has crossed my mind that I will need to hold up a sign on the day the squadron returns so that Andy can recognize me in my new "blossomed" state....27 lbs can change you into a much larger version than what he remembers
10. It is sad to think of all of the changes and baby movements that he has missed along the way

And just to keep a little perspective in my life,

Ten reasons why it is not so bad after all...
1. I have the entire bed to myself
2. I don't have to compete with the X-Box or Guitar Hero for attention
3. I can choose from two vehicles every time I go out into the garage....sort of like being rich, right?!
4. I get to experience a fun little heart flutter each evening when he calls to check on me and wish me goodnight
5. There is plenty of time for ME and all of the things that I find fun
6. I didn't have to watch him mope around after Duke got beat in the tournament
7. There is no guilt when I let the dishes pile up, don't fold the laundry right away, leave the bed unmade, or do any of the things that I don't let him get away with
8. My mom is coming to visit because she thinks I need some company!
9. We spend a lot less money.....and have you ever heard of a tax-free?!?!
10. Each day we spend apart makes me appreciate him and our awesome relationship just a little bit more

Sweet co-workers...

My great co-workers put together a shower for me so we could celebrate Baby Girl with the nurses and other staff at work. They put a lot of effort into planning and it was great! We had cake, "dirty diaper" chocolates, good conversation, and fun. It was nice to actually sit down and relax at work for a little bit (we have been very very busy lately & "sit" & "relax" are not in the vocabulary there).

How blessed I feel for their thoughtful and giving nature.

The therapy gang (minus three)....such a wonderful group to work with.

Posing for the camera before we cut the cake!

Wendy (one of the dieticians) knitted Baby Girl a super soft and adorable pink blanket!!

One of the useful and thoughtful gifts we received.

helpful friends and a growing belly...

The nursery is painted thanks to two thoughtful friends (Christina and Kacey!). I love the color and am happy that it looks just like the Pottery Barn picture that I am modeling the nursery after. I think Andy will be happy when he sees it (or just happy that he didn't have to paint it himself!). Thank you, Kacey & Christina, for helping me get one more thing checked off my list!

Kacey was the master roller!!

Christina did all the edging by hand...no taping necessary!

Blessings continue to come our way as Baby Girl keeps growing as she should. It amazes me that we are beginning the eighth month of our pregnancy! Actually, it freaks me out a little bit (or A LOT!). Before I know it, Andy will be home from deployment and we will be in the home stretch.....unbelievable! Pregnancy continues to be a pleasant experience for me and I love feeling her move around inside, which she does a lot. I pray daily for things to continue to progress as they should and for her health once she is born. If the heartache my family has endured the last month has taught me anything, it is most definately to cherish each moment because we never know what God has planned for us. Enjoy the most recent belly shots. I have resorted to the self timer with the camera on the mantle, but I believe they have turned out okay. Only four more weeks and my personal photographer will be back home;)