Birthday, Showered and Nursery

First of all, thank you thank you thank you for those who gave such great advice in response to the last post. Please keep your thoughts coming, it is really helping! And thanks to those who suggested the Moby Wrap, that was a question I forgot about. I was planning to make a sling, but that wrap has gotten such great reviews so I may just get it - any one else found one they love? I'm sure your comments are going to continue to remind me of more questions so please let me know what you think - even if I don't know you personally and you read the blog, I would love to hear what you think too!

Ok, so here is the long update post...sorry I have been a blog slacker. I've been dealing with a lot of nausea and can't seem to sleep at night so I end up exhausted throughout the day. And it seems like there is still so much to do before Emma Cate arrives! My type A personality is coming through here because I feel like I have to have everything ready right now! Even thought about packing my hospital bag...I know, crazy, since I still have 5 weeks until my due date, but everyone keeps telling me they think I'll go early...we can hope!

So I'll start with my birthday. I'm not going to post the video Phil took as he brought me a birthday cupcake in bed at 6 am on my birthday...you can imagine how scary that is...he is loving having a video camera! I wasn't expecting any presents for my birthday because the monogram machine was my Christmas and birthday from Phil and our glider for the nursery was Christmas and birthday from my parents (shown in nursery pictures below) and Phil's parents were very generous at Christmas too (including aforementioned video camera). So, after Phil came in singing happy birthday, I got back under the covers and started to go back to sleep when he called to me from the hall that I had to come quick because there was a big deer outside. We love to watch the deer so I jumped up and ran out there when he said, "Oh wait, it isn't a deer, it is a church pew!" I love antique benches/church pews. The week before when my sister was here (she left me a beautiful top for my bday that I can't wait to wear after I lose this baby bump! thanks Ali), we went out to a little antique store and found this old church pew that I just loved and Phil and his parents surprised me with it! It is 9 feet long so I think it is going to have to go on the porch, but I love it so much I want to bring it inside where I can see it...it is too cold to go outside right now!



This weekend we had a wonderful shower at our church here in Aliceville. We are overwhelmed by all the sweet gifts we were given and were surprised with a big gift that I can't wait to tell you about. I'm sure you remember the beautiful rocking horses I have posted about. A friend of ours is a master craftsman and builds these absolutely beautiful rocking horses (link in the sidebar to his website). I have been obsessed with the horses ever since I first saw them when he and his wife moved here a few years ago. So of course when we found out we were expecting, I wanted to have a rocking horse of our own, but with all the other big purchases we needed to make that were really necessities, we just couldn't afford one right now. You can imagine my shock and excitement when Mr. Larry comes walking into the baby shower carrying my favorite of his horses with a big pink bow tied around its neck! Phil and I are both overwhelmed! The horse is so beautiful and will be a cherished treasure in our children's lives. If you would like more information about these one of a kind horses, you can see Larry's website at www.horsesthatrock.com.





Thank you so much to the sweet hostesses for such a beautiful shower. They also gave us the pack and play we wanted and are so excited about! I haven't set it up yet, but I'll post a picture when I do. Thank you also to all those who braved the below 20 degree weather to come to the shower. We were given so many beautiful gifts...too many to post about, but all very much appreciated!







Sunday we made a quick trip to Tuscaloosa to pick up a few more things that we needed for the nursery and now it is almost finished. Here are a few pictures.











And of course sweet Jake. He is 65 pounds now and still growing! We are trying to decide if we should go ahead and have him fixed before the baby arrives, but he is so pretty and has champion blood lines so we have considered waiting and trying to find someone with a female to breed with...if you know anyone let us know - he is a white English AKC lab.



Did I mention it is FREEZING here?! Our pond has been frozen for a week!



Ok, this post was really long and I have a ton of thank you notes to write so I better get to it! Have a great Monday and please keep any baby product suggestions coming!