26 Weeks

I can't believe I'm 26 weeks already, it has gone by so fast. I had a Doctor's appt. this week and everything is going well. Baby girl's heartbeat is still in the 150's. My c-section has been scheduled for September 1st, if I make it that far...that's just 3 days before the due date and Madilynn came 4 days early, we'll have to wait and see!
Some things to note:

• Baby girl has been moving a lot more in the last week - definately stronger/bigger
• Michael felt her move on Sat. May 9th for the first time
• Madilynn was able to feel her move tonight (after supper) for the first time - she' s not sure what to think about it yet!
• I've noticed she moves most often around mealtimes - before, during, and after, this includes even waking me up in the morning, like telling me it's time to eat.
• I've been pretty much set on Honey Nut Chex cereal in the mornings (with Madilynn it was Captain crunch), and on Saturdays- gravy & biscuits bacon & eggs (made by my wonderful husband)
• I've gained 12lbs. so far...
• I have been feeling great and have remained pretty active (chasing Madilynn around)
• I can't believe how small my belly looks in this picture, I feel like it's much bigger than that...just wait, right?

Madilynn's First Haircut!

While we were in Arkansas we also had Madilynn's hair cut for the first time! She was so excited to get her hair done like Mommy's. When I told her we were going to have it done I made sure to tell her not short like Daddy's, but just a little bit cut off the ends and she said okay. We saved the litttle curls in her baby book. Taylor, a friend of mine from school, does my hair so I wanted her to do Madilynn's hair too for the first time. Madilynn wanted me to hold her she wasn't sure about sitting in the chair by herself.

All finished. So pretty!

Then Taylor even gave her a braid to hold her hair back out of her face. It was so cute! Madilynn wore it for a couple of days...Mommy's going to have to practice more with the braids, so she can wear it like that more often!

Thank you Taylor...we had so much fun!

She told everyone about her haircut for several days afterwards.

Our week in Arkansas....

A couple of weeks ago we went to Arkansas, our last trip before baby girl arrives. While we were there Michael and I were able to attend Family Life's Weekend to Remember marriage conference. We had a great weekend together and we had a date night that Saturday night. Michael took me to Ruth's Chris steakhouse and it was wonderful!! Here we are at the restaurant.

Madilynn spent the weekend with Memaw and Pepaw, while we were away, and she had lots of fun. They went to the last Razorback baseball game with fireworks included. Madilynn has seriously talked about the baseball game everyday since, and she can't wait until we get to go again. Here she is showing off the Hog hat and calling the Hogs!

On Tuesday, Daddy left for a conference in KY, and Madilynn and I stayed with Nana, Papa, and Ashlee.

Cooking breakfast with Nana!

Tuesday night we were able to catch up with my aunt Melanie and cousin Brianna, and went to watch Brianna's softball game. The pics I took of Brianna at the game didn't turn out, they were all blury:(

Here's me and Madilynn at the game

Madilynn tickling Mommy...

Hey, one picture of me and Madilynn with my eyes open!

On Thursday we celebrated my sister Ashlee's high school graduation.

We got to visit with Daddy Gene and Ladonna, they were in town for the graduation.

Madilynn in her pretty dress for the graduation

Mama and Madilynn

Then Friday we got together with my cousin Asten and her daughter Madison. We took them to the park to play and they had a big time!

Madilynn's photo shoot!

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try to get some pictures of Madilynn playing outside and with the dandelions she likes to pick. It was a Madilynn photo shoot by Mommy! In order to get pictures of her smiling, I basically had to make it like a game and I was chasing her around the whole yard. She would go from one side to the other and just laugh and laugh (probably at me - trying to get her picture, ha!) We even played peek-a-boo a little around the swing set and she thought that was funny too. In all it lasted about 20 minutes (a long time for a 2 1/2 yr old). I was able to get some really good pictures to use for Mother's day cards. So, I had to share some of my favorites!

I'm just amazed at how good these pictures turned out. I feel like they definately show her personality. I can't believe how old she looks in the last one...

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!! We love you!! Wish we could be there, see you soon!

Fun Mother's Day Weekend!!

Last week I was so excited when I found out that my Mom, Ashlee, and Mama (grandmother) were going to come and visit over Mother's Day weekend. We planned to go to the Tulip Festival on Saturday and have brunch on Sunday morning. We had a great time together. We got to the Tulip Festival just in time for the parade and so we were able to see most of it, Madilynn really enjoyed it!

Here we are just after we arrived. Madilynn was not in the mood for pictures and would've rather been jumping in the bounce house.

Here's Madilynn watching the parade from Mama's lap.

I really loved this picture of us, even though we're all not looking the same way...

Madilynn trying to dodge the camera...but I got one!

Michael took some amazing pictures of the tulips! We plan on using some to decorate the wall above the crib!

The tulips were beautiful!!

Sewing Project...

Last Friday I finished my first BIG sewing project! I decided to recover Madilynn's bumper pad for baby girl (thinking this would be easier than making an all new bumper pad). It was still a lot of work, but I have definately improved my sewing skills and now have more confidence to attempt other projects. After we found out we were having a girl, I began looking for the fabrics, and with my mom's help found some that I love!

So, here is the finished product already in the crib!

Mother's Day

To all those special people in my life,

It’s me again. I haven’t posted in a while so here goes.
You might want to grab a box of tissue. This might be a tear jerker.

The passage that speaks to me this mother’s day is 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

“Love is patient and kind: love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” ESV.


Yet, when you read this passage what does that really look like?



Growing up I thought, I know what it means to love. I can remember saying I love this or that, but I really didn’t understand.


Looking at Christ’s example, I read and believe that God so loved the world that he gave his ONLY son so that whoever believes may have eternal life.


But on a day to day basis, I sometimes can’t truly wrap my mind around how this might look and feel.


How is this represented in this sometimes dark and scary world?


Paul writes that we are to be shining lights. Where and when do we see these lights?


Take a walk with me down memory lane and then you might find who they might be.


Love smells like chocolate chip cookies and it’s as sweet as Jell-o pudding or a Flintstone push-up. Love is being rocked to sleep. It even sweeps the boogers out of the house so they don’t get you.


Love gives you the courage and inspiration to chase your dreams.


Love is the rebel that steals your heart. Love might not look like you thought it would but you know it when you see it.



Love sacrifices. Love gently moves mountains. Love won’t leave you, even if it knows who you really are.

It makes you cry when you don’t want to. It’s a cozy bed for a mid-morning nap.



Love lets you water the plants with daddy knowing good and well what will happen.


Love is a miracle.
Love is a mother.


Thank you moms, you have shown me love even when I didn’t deserve it.

I couldn’t be the man I am today without you. You are a burning light of hope and compassion. May every day be your mother’s day.