My First Baby Shower!

Yesterday was my first baby shower!!! My two best friends hosted a shower for me.  Brooke had the shower at her house and Bridget came up from Birmingham to help her.  We had a pretty good snow shower for Tennessee so not everyone was able to come but we had a good turn out and a great time.  Easton got lots of good things! We are truly blessed with some wonderful friends.

Below are some pictures of the day and some of the wonderful gifts that we got!

Cake & Cookies from Publix!  Rush out and get these for your next baby shower! 

These little cookies were ADORABLE and delish at the same time!

The Lovely Hostesses

Bridget, Brooke (due Jan 26th) and me (due March 22)

3 Preggo's in one room! SO FUN!

Leslie (will deliver Jan 19th if not before)

Brooke

Me

My beautiful sister Ali and mom (aka GG)

Perhaps I should go dark chocolate brown to match these two lovelies :) 

AND---can we say I"M READY FOR SUMMER!  I hate being this pale!

The 2 grandmothers! 

Cindy and Mom

They both can't wait to get their hands on little Easton

This little outfit is for Daddy.  Mommy's a Vandy Fan!  :) 

Lance LOVED this little onesie for sure!

Now- aren't these the cutest things EVER! 

Brooke got these for Easton. We are HUGE fans of Etsy and these came from JUST DANDY. 

Rush over and check her out!

I have GOT to figure out how to make these because I'll make them in every color.

They are SO cute and tiny.  I can't wait to see his little feet in these booties.

I organized all the gifts today. 

The nursery is a work in progress so I can't put it in it's rightful place just yet, but we're getting there.

The little hamper is FULL of clothes on the bottom and receiving blankets shoes, toys, boppy covers, shopping cart cover, hooded towels and other little treasures.

We also got his bouncy seat and some Boppy's.

The bathtub is full of some bathtime goodies- soap, yummy baby lotion, toys, the whole works.

This shower was tons of fun! Thanks to all of those who came and celebrated Eastons life with me.

We've been working on the nursery so those pics are to come soon...

8 Years Ago...

8 Years Ago I had no idea how much I could possible love one person.  January 5, 2002, at 19 years young, Lance and I got married.  We spent 1 week together and then he had to leave for San Diego, two weeks later, I joined him.  We lived there for 10 months and returned home to Nashville in October 2002.  We moved into a 1 bedroom apartment upon our return.

Many things have changed since that first year of marriage.  Kirby joined our family, we bought our first house, we have both settled into jobs that we love, we are growing together as a couple with Jesus as our core, we are soon to become parents of our first child.  There have been many emotions shared in these 8 short years.  But after all we've been through, I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else.  Many said we'd never make it, but we've defied all odds and are committed to one another.  I'm in it for the long haul.  Eight years ago, I only thought I knew what love was, but today, I can say that I KNOW what love is.  I love Lance with every thing I have and can't imagine my life without him.

Lance brought home some beautiful flowers and the most priceless card\letter.  We went to dinner at Stoney River and then went driving around downtown.  We ended the night with dessert at the Melting Pot- our local anniversary hot spot.  We normally do the full dinner there, but we decided for a change this year.  I look forward to our 9th year of marriage and all there is to come in this year.

Happy Anniversary!  I love you!

Happy New Year!

This New Year was bitter sweet.  It was our last New Year's Eve without a baby.  Of course, we are so excited, but at the same time, mine and Lance's time as a couple is coming to an end.  We will go from a couple to a family.  It's so strange to think that this time next year we'll have an 8 month old and will have to arrange for a babysitter or have our own party at home.  Of course, once he's here, we'll never look back, but for now, it's so hard to imagine our lives other than just the two of us. 

Yesterday I did some baking---well---sort of.  I made chocolate no bake cookies and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks as well as pigs in a blanket.  I love to spend the day in the kitchen.  We also went to look at fabric for the nursery.  What I liked, Lance didn't.  SO- we did more looking than we did deciding.  It's hard to think about what we want in there.  We don't want it too baby, but not too grown up either. 

Last night we went to Ryan & Emily's house for our Annual New Years Eve Celebration.  We had enough food to feed an army.  It's always fun to get together with the whole gang.  We rang in the New Year with Champaigne and Sparkling Apple Cider for the 3 preggo's in the group.  Of course, the night was sealed with a kiss and I can't think of a better way to end out one year and welcome in another.

Today we finished up some painting in the bedroom- now leaving only the master bathroom and the nursery.  Lance went and played poker with the guys and Kirby and I hung out at home.  We went and saw The Road today.  I'll have to say, it's one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen.  My heart felt so heavy the entire movie.  It was a good movie, a good story, a good lesson, but the movie as a whole was so heavy.  Afterwards we went to moms for some lasagna and football. 

2010 is going to bring many new changes in our world, but I'm anxious and ready for the good things that are in store for us this year!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Santa Claus is comin...to town!

It's that time of year.  The hustle and bustle of the season is definitely upon us.  We are in full force at the Farrar Household. There is no travel for us as everyone lives in town, but there is no shortage of running the roads for us.  It begins tonight with a trip to Nana's house and to Christmas Eve Service with her and the rest of the Sloan Family.  Tomorrow will be a full day as well as we go to and from about 4 different places to visit and exchange gifts with both sides of the family.  It will be a day filled with family, food, fellowship and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is so easy to get caught up in the gift giving and shopping lists and errands and parties and and and...but let's not forget the true reason of Christmas as we celebrate this year. 

I decided last night that I would attempt my very first batch of home made sugar cookies.  I dusted off a cook book and found one sure to delight.  "Old Fashioned Christmas Cookies with icing" was the name of the recipe.  I looked online too but decided with said recipe.  Last night I put the dough together and let it chill overnight.  This morning, I've been busy baking, icing and sprinking the little cookies.  They are pretty tasty if I do say so myself.  I prefer more of a SUGARY sugar cookie rather than a flour-y sugar cookie.  These are more flour based than surgar.  But they'll do for this year, because I'm not making another batch.  I'll save that for next year.

I pray that each of you will have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy time with your family and friends.  May we never forget the true reason for Christmas.  Jesus. 

XO
Annie

Who knew????

So, shower #1 is in the works...which means we have got to register. 

Mom and I had planned to go on Friday night to Babies R Us and get the basics covered.  Plans fell through.  My granmother had a small accident on Friday afternoon and mom needed to stay with her while my aunt and uncle finished up their Christmas shopping.  So, Friday night, Tyler (brother #2) and I faced the crowds and finished up some shopping of our own.  Lance had planned to finish his shopping on Saturday and then he and I would go register together after that.  So, Saturday we did just that...  Lance went with his uncle and did his last minute shopping and then met me at moms to go to Babies R Us.  As we were pulling in the parking lot I let out a small laugh and said "we are about to be overwhelmed." And that we were.  We went in, filled out the paperwork, then were sent with the "GUN" and a check list of all the things that we would need to bring this baby boy home.  So, being the anal one that I am, I feel the list and the gun should be together and we should start with item #1 on the list and go from there.  Lance had other ideas.  After about 5 minutes of me comparing breast feeding pads, Lance was on the move.  He had the gun.  I could hear him scanning item after item and my blood pressure was rising.  This was not how I had planned. I didn't know what he was scanning, so how was I supposed to check it off the list??? Better yet, he was going out of order!  Yes, my blood pressure was definitely rising.  I'd call him over once I decided on which brand of breast pad, bottle, bag, nipple, etc I had decided on and he'd do the honors- he'd scan and I'd check it off the list.  For some, this might have worked, for me, I was about to have a panic attack. This was anything but orderly!  After about an hour and a half and only 60 items on our list, we called it a day.  We were both over it.  This was supposed to be fun, however, it was anything BUT!  Something would have to give- a better plan of attack would have to be formed before the next trip to B-R-U.

So, today, I had a plan.  Cindy- my mother in law- and I headed back to Babies R Us to do some productive registering. I told the lady at the registry counter to delete our registry and we were going to start over.  So, here we go, aisle by aisle, Cindy with the list in hand, me with the gun and we were checking things off the list left and right.  Who knew there were so many options of nipples, passifiers, bottles, diapers, wipes, etc.  After about 2 hours we had made it all around the store and had registered for the basics.  We didn't register for any room decor or bath decor becuase I knew Lance would want to partake in that.  He's very opinionated on what he wants things to look like so I knew he's want to be in on the decor.  That stuff will be easy though...or shall I say, easier than selecting nipples, bottles, etc. 

Hopefully next weekend we can get to B-R-U again and get the other things registered for. We still have to pick out a car seat, stroller, pack-n-play, as well as bedding, blankets and decor.  I do not want a theme in the nursery so it's making it hard.  The baby bedding is so over the top.  I'd rather do something simple and classic that I'm not goin to get tired of looking at every day.  I don't want to see giraffe's or stars or trucks galore every time I go in there.  So, we'll see how that goes.  For today, I feel productive.  So glad to have some of that stuff out of the way. 

Next project- hanging bead board\wainscoating on the nursery walls then paint.  Should be fun!!!

25 Weeks & Counting

Today, I am 25 weeks.  Lots of things are going on internally as I type.  This baby growing is hard work!  As I read in my weekly update that I get online I'm reminded of what a miracle life is. It's a miracle that any of us are "normal" from what has to go just perfect during development. 

Psalm 139:14 comes to mind when I think of what is going on inside of me- "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." The New Living Translation says it best- "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex."  That's exactly what life is- complex. 

So many things are going on with this little baby, all while I sit here and do nothing- the structures of the spine are forming- All 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments; the brain is growing rapidly; dexterity is improving- he can make a fist and clasp objects placed in palm; blood vessels of the lungs develop, and so much more.  It's absolutely fascinating to me to think that God has orchestrated such a miracle in me.  I realize, I'm not the first woman to have a baby, but this is the first time, second really, for ME to carry a baby so this is all amazing.  I think when we are unable to see the miracle that this is, we have become numb to God's abilities and powers.  I pray I never become numb to the miracle of a child. 

There has been a lot of movement by our little boy.  Some days he's very active and some days he is quiet.  Last night, while laying on the couch, I could see my stomach roll from side to side as he moved around and got comfy.  He was all over the place.  This morning when I got to work he was still just as active.  I'm still having a hard time getting comfortable at night to sleep, but it's getting better.  I think this cold that I've had is heading out the door.  I've had it for exactly 2 weeks, and Dr. G said it would take about that long to get out of my system, so he was right.  I'm still opting out of the flu shot and the H1N1 shot, so hopefully I stay flu-free.  I've been taking extra precautions about germs so hopefully that will help.

Planning has begun for my first shower.  I can't believe it's already that time!  My first shower will be January 9th.  Brooke and Bridget are hosting it early because Brooke is due the end of January.  Her second little angel will be born around the 24th of January!  I can't believe it's already time for #2!  Seems like just yesterday Reese was born.  I'm getting excited, but still lots to do before then.  I think we'll tackle registering sometime this weekend or next. 

I think we have decided on a name.  After much deliberation- and me having to give in, we have settled on Easton Garrett.  Lance has loved Easton for a long time and Garrett is his middle name, so that's what he will be called.  (I'll get Levi on the next one if it's a boy.)  I'm excited that he has a name now and that I can call him by name, more specifically pray for him by name.  There's something about putting a name with the face that I saw on the ultrasound screen.  Again, this is all such a miracle...

More later,

Annie

Eventful Wednesday

What should have been just any routine Wednesday night, turned out to be quite eventful... 

I had been away all night setting up for the Craft Fair at church and then to Chilli's with the in-laws.  Lance had come home after work played Madden, did some laundry, and ironed some clothes.  When I got home Kirby was a wild indian- she loves her momma, what can I say!  Anyways, I was in the bathroom when Lance brings in a half eaten Ziploc baggie with a bottle of pills in it.  My stomach sunk.  I knew what that meant.  Kirby had somehow found Lance's travel bag left over from his fishing trip that contained a few prescription meds, some loose tums and who knows what else- tylenol, ibuprofin...  After calling the Emergency Vet we determined she needed to be taken in immediately IN CASE she had gotten something other than the Tums.  So, at 9:30pm, we head to the local Emergency Vet.  They gave her an injection to induce vomiting to see what they could find.  No pills were found- only kibble and a white foamy substance- which we assume was the Tums.  They suggested that they keep her, give her an IV, check her blood work, monitor her overnight and us pick her up in the morning to go to her regular vet for follow up.  After the $900 quote for above treatment, we opted to take Kirby home with us.  That take home treatment consisted of a subcutaneous injection of fluids as well as a charcoal drink to soak up anything that could have been left in her stomach.  Basically the same treatment except under our watch than theirs---which we thought more beneficial to her.  We got back home at about 11:30 and Kirby slept like a baby.  I'm pretty sure she moved once all night, from her left side to her right.  I, on the other hand, slept with one eye open.

Thursday morning, we called the vet- who by the way is the best vet I've ever been to.  These people love Kirby and dote over her just like she's the only dog that's ever walked through their doors.  After 1 full panel of blood work, her doctor said her blood work was beautiful.  We opted to still flush her with IV fluids for the rest of the day for safe measures.  Lance picked her up around 7 and she was out like a light all the way home. 

She assumed the following position upon arrival:

(Notice her stomach under Lance's hand- that's excess fluid from Wednesday night's SQ injection)

Kirby didn't sleep to great considering she had the cast on her arm and couldn't get comfy- so, neither did I.  I love how this morning Lance said "Kirby must have been tired..."  I informed him that I'm certain she was but she, nor I, got a lot of sleep!  He sleeps right through.  He did get up around midnight to take her out in the cold to potty...so, I'll give him that.  Must be a mother thing to half-sleep.  Looks like I'm getting my practice.

Dr. Harris wanted to see Kirby again today.  She's got that little cast on her right arm because the IV port was still in.  I took her in this morning and she will get fluids all day today as well.  They will re-test her blood this afternoon.  Apparently IF she did get Tylenol or something else, it would show up in her panel between 0-36 hours.  This afternoon will be after the time limit so we'll see what the results are.  They are pretty sure that we are doing all these fluids for safe measures but want to be certain with the follow up blood work.  We will pick her up around 5 and hopefully she'll be good as new!  Bless my baby.  She's been through a lot!

Here's the little lovie this morning before heading to the dr.  She's quite pitiful with her little cast on!