Arkansas Showers

Bill and I were given two great showers in Arkansas.  It was so wonderful to see everyone and share the happiness that just exudes from the anticipation of pregnancy and baby Evan's arrival.  First, here are a few pictures taken of the shower given by Bill's sister Amber and cousin Candice.

The last two pictures are of Amber, Heather and myself.  Our family is expanding rapidly and Evan will have two cousins with very close birthdays.  Amber and I were actually due one day apart, but her sweet little Bailey decided to come early on November 29th.  Heather's sweet little girl, Payton, will be here on or before Thursday, December 22nd.  Life should  be fun with three little ones.

Next up are pictures from the shower given by Bill's mom, sister Courtny, and my friends, Ailini, Candice, Nikki, and Valerie.   As with the other showers, everything was perfect!  We are so lucky.

Induction

Tomorrow, Bill and I will check into the hospital to be induced.  After waiting 41 weeks, we have decided that enough is enough and it is time to evict Evan.  Right now, I am not even sure what emotions I am feeling. My emotions change every five minutes, so it is hard to track down just one.

Mainly I am feeling anxious and nervous about the labor and delivery process.  I will be getting an epidural and trust the nurses and doctors, so that helps.  But, I know it will be painful.  Or as my friend Beth puts it, it will be labor, and labor = hard work.  Perhaps it is because I have yet to feel a true contraction, but the anticipation of contractions make me nervous.  The best way I know how to describe it is as if someone wanted to pay you $1,000.00 to slap you across the face or hit you with a rubber band.  Sure, I would take the bet knowing the pain is temporary and who doesn't want a $1,000.00, but that doesn't mean I am not going to flinch every time that person comes close to me.  I just hope I remember to breath!

Aside from just beginning the process, I am not really nervous about anything else that will take place in the hospital.  Maybe the hospital is like a safe zone.  No matter what I happens, I know I will be in good hands.  I could go one for days about the various things I am nervous about once we get home, but one day at a time right. :)

Bill and I have hired a photographer to document the birth of baby Evan.  My hope for this is that not only will Bill and I be able to have these pictures to reflect back on perhaps the most important day of our lives, but also that our families who were not able to travel for Evan's birth will feel, at least in a small way, that they were part of this amazing experience.  The photographer will make a slideshow of Evan's birth (I promise it will be G-rated), and I will try to email it to everyone as soon as possible.  

Work Shower

Here are few pictures from my work shower.  Bill and I had a great time and were blessed with so many great gifts.  Unfortunately, we did not get one picture with all the gifts, so you are just going to have to take my word for it.

Pride

I used to have it.  Now, well now I just have stretch marks!  Truth be told, I haven't been posting pictures on here because, well, I would rather not look at them. There is a reason why pregnant women cannot see below their belly button.  It is frightening, that is why!  I am thinking I will continue taking weekly or monthly pictures after Evan is born, hopefully tracking my progress as I get smaller.  That sounds like a lot more fun!  Because I have lost all pride, here are the last 3 months of pictures.  Yes, I stopped taking weekly pictures and resorted to once a month. Sorry, it was all I could get myself to agree to.

As you can see, during months 8 and 9, I was big.  But at least at the beginning of month 9, I did not have any  stretch marks.  I thought I was in the clear.  It gave me a false sense of security.  Sometime around 37 or 38 weeks, I was attacked by a tiger in my sleep.  I have no other explanation.  Below is the 40 week picture.  It is from the side, so you can only see a few, but just imagine that all the way across to the other side.  Yay me! 

Hopefully they will get smaller and disappear with time.  If not, there is always surgery. :)

Baby Showers

WOW, Bill and I are truly blessed.  Through work, friends and family, we had four, yes four, showers.  Evan has everything he could possibly need and more.  Now that the showers are complete and we are just waiting on Evan to make his appearance, I thought I would share some photos from each shower.  Here are pics from our first shower given by my family in Louisiana.  Thank you so much everyone for making this time in our lives extra special.

Advice

During my showers, Bill and I asked everyone to write down advice they had for us as parents. The things written were so sweet and we wanted to share them with you.  So, here it goes:

Always put socks on a baby.  Give lots of love, have patience, especially with toddlers.  Let him be a boy, i.e. get in the mud, collect bugs, etc., but if he likes dolls, dishes, cooking, etc., then let him do that too.  ~ Aunt Deloris

Don't sweat the small stuff - Enjoy each phase of childhood.  Pray for him each day.  Speak blessings over him each day.  Always keep in extra set of clothes for him with you (at every age :) ) ~ Mom (Dianne Hantz)

Sleep when you can.  Love every minute of every day. . . It goes by so fast! ~ Valerie

(1) Buy lots of batteries for toys, monitor, etc, (2) you can never have to many socks, burp cloths, bibs; (3) you will get it as you go along.  I know you will be great! ~ Lini

You will be amazing parents ~ Candice

Well, I'm not much for parenting advice, so. . . call me if you need help with his medicine. ~ Nikki

Sleep when the baby is sleeping.  Always encourage.  Hugs & kisses always.  Rock them as much as you want! ~ Nana (Dianna Yarbrough)

Give Evan lots of love.  Always let him know how special he is.  Teach him about Jesus and that he always has a friend in Him.  ~ Tracey

Try not to let them start sleeping in your bed.  It is hard to break the habit once started. ~ Anonymous

Feel free to be mean when you discipline him.  He will love you for it later.  ~ Anonymous

Do the best you can.  Treasure every minute. They grow so fast.  ~ Grandma Hickox

Give him lots of love.  Have patience.  Take them to church and teach them about the love of God and to always trust Him to see them through an situation.  ~ Granny Cole

Listen to what they are saying -- Be a mother and a friend.  ~ Marsha Cole

Cherish every moment.  They grow up so fast.  Make sure to always have family time and try to be consistent.  It is hard sometimes.  Not to worry, you will be great parents. ~ Amber and Franco

Love every minute while he is little and spend as much time with him as possible.  They grow up way too fast. You guys will be great! ~ Candice Palmer

Try to always remember that Evan will only be small for a short amount of time in comparison to a lifetime. . .enjoy all the good and not so good because one day you will miss them both! ~ Ashley

Rock your baby -- don't worry about spoiling him.  The time you spend rocking will not be wasted - soon he will be running and busy on his own buy you will always be a welcomed, loving spot for him.  Also, make up silly songs - they love it when they are small and you can drive them crazy with them when they are teenagers. ~ Mimi

Keep his diaper clean. ~ Granny Hantz

Love this baby Evan and enjoy him.  Teach him to love Jesus and read to him everyday. ~ Jayme Martin

Show Daddy how to change his diaper.  Have lots of patience and pray often.  ~ Mawmaw

Be the boos and train him young. ~ Savanna, John and Eli

Speak blessings over Evan everyday.  Speak words of purpose and based on the promises of God.  Your affirmation will reassure him of his Heavenly Father's love & acceptance.  ~ Aunt Liz

Take time and enjoy him.  He will grow so fast.  Get a housecleaner! ~ Mandy

Thanks for all the great advice everyone!