Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

I made a countdown at school to prepare me for Thanksgiving Break. Needless to say, I have been looking forward to a break like none other. Work has been extremely stressful and tiring lately. It is hard for me to make it to 3:15 everyday. I need a "nap time" planned in my schedule. Do you think I could talk my administration into that? I know several pregnant women at SMS that would love me if I could. When we got out of school Friday instead of getting the break that I had prepared myself for I had a busy weekend/week ahead of me.

I planned our "Maternity Pictures" for Saturday, November 19, 2011. I have been looking forward to them for a while now, but have also been stressing out about what I would wear. It is extremely hard to look "cute" being 8 months pregnant and I thought all my clothes were disastrous. Thanks to the help of JoAnne, Lauren, and Janie Rose maternity section I had several cute outfits for the photos! Now, I said that I was looking forward to the pictures... I didn't tell you how Scott felt about them. He was NOT looking forward to them at all. I warned him that it may be a little awkward, but that it was worth it. We met Rachel Elliot in Batesville at her house the following Saturday to begin the session. It was a beautiful day, the only thing that stood in our way of great pictures was the wind. Rachel is such an awesome photographer that she got great pictures regardless of the wind. We went to several locations, all of which were perfect for Scott and I.

This was taken at Rachel's house. She has a perfect home for great fall photos.

This was also at Rachel's house.

This was in a field on the side of the road... We were trespassing! But, the pics she took here came out great.

This is one of my favorites!

I like this one of Scott and I a lot.

Sweet Baby Suzy!

The pictures came out absolutely perfect. I will definitely be a long time customer of hers! Look her up on facebook!! Rachel Atkinson Elliot. You will not be disappointed I promise.

I finished out the weekend being a lazy bum. I should have been cleaning my house and doing other "wifely duties", but I couldn't make myself do anything.

Mom and I left for Houston, Alabama the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. My parents and grandparents bought a lake house on Smith Lake. The house is an older home that needs some work, so while the family was off for Thanksgiving Break we decided that we should go work on the place while we had longer than just a weekend. This was my first trip to the house since they bought it, because there isn't much work that I can do. So, Tuesday afternoon me, mom, Bella, Lola, and Lucy loaded up in my Tahoe and headed to the lake. We got there around 8 o'clock PM and mom took me on the grand tour of the house. They have made Casey and I believe that the house was way worse than it actually is. All the house needs is a little TLC, Clorox, paint, and flooring!! I was thrilled to see for myself that they had over exaggerated the "roughness" of the house. Memaw and Ricky showed up at 11 PM Tuesday night. This meant that me, Mom, Memaw, Ricky, Lola, Bella, and Lucy all slept in mom's camper (no one could sleep in the house until Dad got there the following day with mattresses). I got absolutely NO sleep. The dogs were so confused and antsy that they kept all of us up all night long. When we woke up Wednesday morning Mom and I went to town (Jasper, which is 30 mins away) to pick up some paint for the upstairs bedrooms and look for me some bedding for mine and Scott's room. We had a successful trip!! While we were gone to town a lady came and measured the house for carpet. We painted and cleaned for the next 2 days. On Thanksgiving, since the house isn't "live in ready" we didn't have the traditional Thanksgiving Meal. Mom brought her croc pots and stuff to make a roast, potatoes, rice, green beans, and rolls. It wasn't a turkey, but it was amazing after a long day's work and 2 days of fast food meals to have a good home cooked meal. I left the lake Friday around 3 o'clock. I had all the fun I could stand. I was sore from head to toe. It sure is hard to get around and do anything with an extra 25 pounds to lug around!! I decided that I needed to go home and rest before I had to go back to work Monday. I was so thrilled to see my bed Friday night!!!!

I love this house! They did a great job picking it out! 5 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and a full basement. It will be the perfect spring and summer getaway! I cannot wait to take Suzy!

Just another shot from the side. The yard looks much better now. Mom attacked it with the leaf blower!

Right out the back door on the deck. It has it's own floating boat dock and swim pier. The staircase in the picture takes you straight down a cliff of rocks to the water. Amazing!!

I am so ready to go back in the next couple of weeks. The carpet will be put down, so we can start setting up bedrooms!!! So, so, so exciting! I am so proud of my family for being able to have a 2nd home. My dad has always wanted to have a lake house! He finally got what he wanted :) All the hard work will definitely pay off.

My Warrior Family

During the month of April 2011 I made up my mind that it was time for me to leave my Como Elementary family. It was one of the hardest decisions that I have had to make, but it was something that I felt like I needed to do. The people that I worked with at Como Elementary are some of my very best friends. The kids... well, I miss the kids more and more everyday. Needless to say, I didn't leave on bad terms. I just needed a change. I was teaching Self Contained Special Education, grades K-5. So, I had kids from ages 5-11 in the same room. If I got them in Kindergarten I would keep them for 6 years. I was just very burnt out having the same kiddos year after year. In special education it is hard to have the same kids for 3 years straight and see little to no progress. I had some great experiences there and loved every minute of my time there, but it was just time for a change. When I made my mind up that I was going to look for jobs elesewhere I applied at Senatobia Middle School. The job opening that I applied for was for 3rd grade inclusion (my dream job). Inclusion is a term used when a special eduation teacher is in a regular education classroom setting all day serving the special education students in that regular education class. They started this program in order to keep the children with mild disabilities in the classroom as much as possible- their least restrictive environment. I went for an interview and a day later the principal, Mazie Lamb, called me and offered me the job. It was such a bittersweet day. I didn't want to leave my friends and kiddos at CES, but knew it was something that I needed to do. I accepted the job at Senatobia Middle School as a 3rd grade inclusion teacher. I was placed in a classroom with an amazing teacher, Candy Shipp. I absolutely love her. They couldn't have paired me with a better teacher. Work is a challenge everyday, but I have enjoyed becoming part of the SMS Family.
Last Tuesday the 3rd grade teachers and Special Education teachers had an amazing baby shower for me. I walked into the library to see a gorgeous spread of food and dozens of presents. They worked so hard to make the shower a special day for me. They were extremely successful! My grandmother came to the shower to see all the goodies for herself, which was a special treat. I got some great gifts from the ladies, some of which included: a beautiful smocked dress from Linda Till, a spunky little leopard number, and adorable baby bag full of necessities from Jill Lamar, diapers, and a gorgeous blanket, gown, bonnet, and booties from the Red Hall (3rd grade teachers) and the special ed teachers, and an envelope full of money to buy something that was left on my registery.

Some of the goodies that Suzy got at the shower.

My sweet friend, Betsy Hartly, gave Suzy this adorable Peter's Pottery bunny! I will have to keep up this collection for her. I think it would be awesome to start her a pottery collection by buying her a new piece for holidays. She would appreciate it later in life, don't you think?

The ladies in the office got the canvas painted for her room. They borrowed a swatch of fabric from her bedding and had Teresa Roberson paint it for me. It is pefect! The leopard outfit and the smocked gown are pictured! Aren't they adorable!!

There were tons of other gifts, those are just a few. I used the money that was given to me to put towards my carseat. I purchased it this weekend on our way to the lake house. So, needless to say.... The shower was absolutely perfect. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life at such an exciting time.

Blankets, Bottles, and Bibs

My amazing friends had my first baby shower for me last Sunday, November 13 at The Como Courtyard. I had been anticipating this shower for quite some time now. I know that some people thought that we were having it a little too early, but we definitely had some good reasons. First of all, I was scared to schedule anything too late because my doctor thought that I may have to deliver at 36 weeks (she doesn’t think that anymore) and with holidays coming up I know that it is hard for people to attend things on weekends in November and December. As I was looking forward to the shower I had nightmares that no one would show up to the shower, and all the hard work that the hostesses put forth would be a total waste. I had crazy dreams like this when we were in the process of planning the wedding, too. I know… I am a very strange bird.

Sally Williams, Lauren LaVergne, Taylor Capwell, Staci Lowrie, Monica Johansson, myself, Amanda Elizondo, Lindsey Burk, JoAnne Flowers
All of the amazing hostesses!!

I got to The Courtyard a little before 2:00 (just because I was too antsy to sit at home any longer). When I got there the hostesses had already set everything up for the shower. It was absolutely beautiful. They had flowers from Everblooms sitting on all the little tables and catered food from Bloomingbites for everyone to munch on. The food was amazing. Sara Embrey out did herself on the petit fours, as always. They did such an awesome job setting everything up. I was blown away at how nice everything was.

Not only was I shocked at how nice everything was I was shocked at the people that got to come. The Courtyard was full of people. I was so excited to see my roommate from MSU there, Whitney Lane Sephton. We went from seeing each other every single day to only seeing each other once or twice a year. Our neighbor in The Highlands, Jessica Davis Busick, also showed up. She had been in Starkville all weekend at the Alabama vs MSU game (so super jealous of her for being able to go back to The Junction that Saturday). The one that shocked me the most was my old boss from Campus Card Office, Donna Buckalew. She was my boss for several years while I was in school. I was her student worker. I absolutely loved working with her. She took care of me, gave me motherly advice (since I was so far away from my mom), and best of all….. she would have a big ole glass of wine with me on bad OR good days J She was by far the best boss ever!! I have missed them all so much. Having them at the baby shower was just an added treat.

Whitney Septhon, myself, Jessica Busick

Donna Buckalew and myself

   After everyone got to indulge in all the yummy treats the gift opening officially began. From the first present that I opened to the very last one I wasn’t disappointed at all. I got some of the best gifts that a girl could ask for. My aunt, Sheila made my entire baby bedding collection for me. I picked out the fabric in August, ordered it, and took it to her.... I had not seen it since I dropped it off (besides little sneak peak teasers that she kept posting on facebook).  She had it wrapped in different packages to make the anticipation even stronger. As I opened the boxes I kept my composure UNTIL I opened the bumper pad that she had monogrammed for me. The little pink ESS pulled a heart string and I started to cry. I am not sure if it finally became "real" to me or what... Now, of course I know that I am pregnant, I feel her kick and squirm in my belly, she has a nursery, a baby bed, etc... But, nothing has been personalized just for her. Seeing the bedding with the monogram that had HER initials on it was just heart wrenching to me for some reason. I don't really know how to explain it. I am so thrilled that she got to make it for us. It is so sentimental to us and I will cherish it forever. I cannot thank her enough.

After the bedding debut the opening of presents continued..... Suzy is going to be one spoiled rotten little girl. She got some awesome presents and even some presents that Scott loved. Ali G and San got her an Ole Miss cheerleading outfit that I am sure will be Scott's "go to" outfit, Laci and Ernie Capwell got her a Ronaldo bracelet that is to die for, Shirley and the hostesses got her a stroller, and the list goes on and on.

Scott's favorite gift from the shower.

This is more like it :)

Monogrammed burp cloths from Miss Donna.

After the shower was over Jessica followed me home to help me unload all the goodies. Of course, assembling the baby bedding was the very first thing that I did. I could not wait to get it in the crib. It is far prettier than I ever imagined it would be in her little crib. I wish I could crawl in there myself!! We sat around and went through all the gifts from the shower and tried to get them organized in her drawers and closet. We are truly blessed to have such amazing friends in our lives that shower us with fabulous gifts. The shower was absolutely amazing and I couldn't have asked for anything more special. I don't think I can tell everyone "thank you" enough.

My aunt Sheila!

Brittany Cox, myself, JoAnne Flowers, Amelia Miller

Mom, Memaw, and I

My two favorite sisters: Ashley G. Smith and Ali G. Williams

The baby bedding assembled.

The beginning of all Suzy's stuff!

..... and some more

...... and more....

it keeps going and going....

and going.....

the amazing Ronaldo that The Capwell's gave her! Isn't it adorable?!

I told you... She is going to be absolutely spoiled rotten!!

Our Second Anniversary

Scott and I celebrated our 2^nd anniversary November 7, 2011 (Monday), but since he is out of town so much during the week we had to celebrate the previous weekend. We went to dinner Friday (11/4) after our 3D/4D Ultrasound. Of course, we hit our favorite “hot-spot”…. The Como Steakhouse. As always, The Steakhouse never disappoints. We split an appetizer and steak, but I had to have my own salad and mushrooms. Their sides are my favorite part of eating there! After already being full as a tick I had to order dessert… Don’t judge. You know I am eating for two, right? (That’s my excuse and I am sticking to it.) Como Delight is by far my absolute favorite thing about Como Steakhouse or Como, MS for that matter. So, I ordered the yummy dessert “to go” so I could divulge in it at a later time. Since we have so many added and unexpected expenses since finding out about Baby Suzy we decided that we were not going to buy presents for one another this year. We agreed that we would just do dinner together and be done with the anniversary. So, with full bellies and no presents we headed home. I think Scott and I both were in bed snoozing by 9:00 that night. We have gotten so lame. Is it age or pregnancy?

Boy how 2 years can fly by..... Wedding Day pictures! Babies sure do change bodies don't they?

Scott and I on the Big Day 2 years ago.

The next morning, Saturday, November 8, 2011, mom and I went to Helen Britt Jewelry Show to scope out some goodies. The only things that I needed to buy were eight hostess gifts for my shower in Como. Of course that didn’t happen. We ended up with purses, jewelry, hostess gifts, AND stuff for Baby Suzy. She got all sorts of goodies. The cute little toboggans that are so “in” right now, head bands, diaper covers, etc. It is definitely obvious that we have a spoiled little girl on our hands already. I cannot imagine what Christmas will be like at our house next year. My mom and dad are far worse than I am.

After Helen Britt I met Scott in Hernando at Monica and Walker’s new house. We planned to eat dinner, watch the game, and hang out for the night. By the way, Monica and Walker just found out they were having their first baby. We are absolutely thrilled for them. Bless her heart; she has been sick so much lately from the pregnancy. I hope it passes very, very soon. I want her to be able to “enjoy” being pregnant, and I am sure right now she probably only gets to enjoy it when she isn’t feeling like she is going to vomit or when her head doesn’t feel like it may explode. But, back to the original subject at hand….. We went to their house to hang out and when I walked in the door Scott had a present wrapped for me. Remember, we said we were NOT going to by anniversary gifts for each other this year? Well, he did and I am soooo glad that he did. He bought me a new camera so I could document Baby Suzy’s journeys. I asked him why he did that, since we had decided that we weren’t going to swap gifts. His response was, “Well, I messed up pretty bad last year. I thought that I better redeem myself”. Last year, (our one year anniversary) was a disaster and I will leave it at that J

Suzy the Acrobat

Scott and I have had a lot going on the past few weeks.... I haven't done a great job updating our blog, but I will try to catch up in the next few days (I am thinking optimistically).

We had a very exciting appointment last Friday (November 4, 2011). I had been waiting for that day for a LOOOOONG time. I had to schedule the appointment for 2:30 pm so that I didn't have to miss work, which was sheer torture. Having to work anxiously awaiting something as exciting as a 3D/4D Ultrasound was not ideal. I watched the clock all day long. At 1:30 I left the school and headed to pick up Scott and his mom, Linda. We started our voyage to Oxford to see our Little Nugget in action. Due to the terrible luck we had for our gender ultrasound I have learned that candy bars are ultrasound magic. I gobbled down a yummy Nutrageous as we were pulling into Oxford. We got to the office and I signed in and waited..... and waited.... and waited.... finally after waiting an hour they called us back. I should have waited to eat the candy bar when I got to the office (another lesson learned the hard way). I laid on the table and awaited the view on the TV screen in front of me. Scott, Linda, and I were in awe when we saw her fat little cheeks for the first time in 3D/4D. It was the coolest thing that I have experienced thus far. The ultrasound tech raved about how well she was cooperating and was ooooooh'ing and aaaaaah'ing right along with us. It was the sweetest thing to see Scott fall in love with his little baby girl. He was so cute. And then it happened-- She started not participating.... Our luck, yet again! The candy bar wore off and she was done taking pictures. She kept putting her hands over her sweet face and throwing her legs in crazy positions. At one point she had her feet beside her face covering the whole right side of her head. But, none the less we got some amazing pictures of our sweet baby girl. I highly recommend having this ultrasound done. It was worth every single penny that we spent. I am absolutely obsessed with the pictures and take them everywhere. The first thing I point out to everyone is her pouty little lips. She has some great smoochers :)

This is when she was fed up with the paparazzi and started rebelling!

Foot!!

Her little hand holding her monstrous feet.

The tech informed us that she is right where she needs to be on the growth scale. She weighed 2 pounds and 14 ounces. This explains why I have just ballooned over the past few weeks. Baby girl has grown 2 full pounds since my last doctors appointment. It is absolutely thrilling to know that she is a very healthy baby. That heartbeat is music to my ears every time they let me hear it. I go back to the doctor next Thursday (November 16, 2011) for my 31 week check up (3 days early).

Suzy is a very active baby and it is so comforting to know that she is doing well, but good golly she is a handful already. She moves around, dances, does gymnastics, pilates, aerobics, kickboxing, etc in the most inopportune moments. Every time that she starts her cardio workout I seem to be working with a child at school, have a full bladder (and when she lunges I think that I may pee my pants), or when I am trying to sleep. I am very thankful that I feel her moving so much... I just wish that we could get on a schedule (yeah, right)! I was sitting at my desk a couple days ago reading an email from MDE and looked down at my belly and my whole entire belly was moving. The stripe that was on my shirt was moving like crazy. That was the first time I had experienced seeing my whole belly move! Since then I have been watching it more and more and she never disappoints..... I see her Richard Simmons self moving a lot these days!

We have a busy weekend and next week ahead. I cannot wait to update y'all on all the exciting events that are taking place in the coming days!