I am trying to catch up!! Pictures from Stike Fighter Ball!

So, thank goodness Jeff is actually home for a day!! I may actually get around to uploading and ordering pictures! These are a couple from the Strike Fighter Ball for the F-18 Super Hornet community 2 weeks ago. Yes, that would be 2 weeks after I had her, thank goodness Grandmother Mary came up to babysit and we went and had a great time even though it was hard leaving her for the first time. My 3rd glass of wine calmed my fears though! HA!

Happy Birthday My Gracie Girl!!

WOW . . . my little girl is one month old today! I don't know if the time has flown because I am mentally and physically exhausted or because everyday I wake up more in love then the day before. I write this with tears in my eyes because she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to both of us(and cooper too . . . he loves chewing pacifiers and diapers!) I really never thought I could love anything this much. Everyone told me what it would be like . . . and I believed them but really thought I would secretly begrudge her (hey i am a very selfish person sometimes) and miss my old body, my sleep, my alone time with Jeff and lets not forget my money! HA! Well . . . Jeff has been working 14 hour days all week, I haven't showered in 4 days (seriously), haven't talked to any of my girlfriends on the phone in 2 weeks, and still can't look at my stomach without sighing, and haven't slept more then 2 hours at a time (growth spurts suck!) and I have cried 2 times in two days but I am happier than I ever dreamed.

So to all my girlfriends expecting in the next couple of months . . . it has taken me 3 hours to write this one paragraph as I have been summoned by the princess every 5 minutes it really is "a love you can not describe" as Kacee said. She is right . . . I can't describe it . . . and I can't wait for you to experience it. Life is good. Happy One Month Birthday My Amazing Grace!

Introducing mommy's little girl . . .

I'm back . . . I have not been on here in some time because I am absolutely obsessed and exhausted. However, I now have a whole new reason to blog and it could get out of control. I want to take pictures and videos of her to the point where she will probably be terrifed of cameras or think we have had strobe lights put in the house from all the flashes! She is the most amazing thing and I could just stare at her for hours (if i didn't fall asleep from exhaustion! Ha!) Thought you might enjoys some videos! Pictures to follow I promise! Make sure when wanting to watch a video you scroll to the bottom to pause the music player so you can hear the audio in the video! Enjoy!

Mommy Holds Gracie for the First Time . . .Offically.


Gracie's First Day on Earth Complete with Hiccups


Gracie 6 Days Old . . .


Gracie sleeps (for the moment) 11 Days Old

Welcome Graysen Elizabeth Harper!

At 6:24 am on Monday, the 4th of August, Graysen Elizabeth Harper was born and weighed 6lbs 11oz. Enjoy the pictures, she is incredible. Kristen did an amazing job and we are blessed beyond words to have a beautiful healthy baby and mother. Mom and baby arrived home this afternoon and are recuperating. We apologize to those whose calls we have yet to return and we look forward to talking to all of you soon.

CH-CH-Ch-Changes . . . .well except that I am still pregnant.

She is still in there!! 40 weeks and the due date has passed!

Wow, this whole last weekend of my life as a non-parent is really playing mind games with me. This morning I announced to Jeff "this was our last morning ever to sleep in for the next 18 years". Our date night on Friday was our "last date night ever where we won't be worried about the babysitter or later down the road if she is really where she says she is" (Hey I was a teenager once). Last time doing this . . . last time doing that and it has really started to overwhelm me and to be honest scare me as well. Too much change for me . . . I had to remind myself that while we are about to have many lasts we are about to have many firsts too. The first time we see her, the first time we see her smile, her first laugh, her first steps and yes down the road the first time we ground her for being just like her mommy was!

So, Monday and Tuesday will be very big days for us. Monday Jeff starts his new job only to have to be like "oh by the way my wife is having a baby tomorrow so I am going to need leave" and Tuesday all the family arrives for the big scheduled induction. I am thrilled they will be here for the big moment and also so that poor Coop will have company while I am in the hospital! So in keeping with my many LASTS this will be my last post as I have known my life up until now. My next post will be my FIRST as a mommy! Are you guys at all terrified by that because I sure am~

The Nursery Revealed!

Here is the tour of Graysen Elizabeth's nursery! The video had to be made really small so it just doesn't do it justice!! There are pictures below that help! No need to turn music off at the bottom because there is no sound to the video tour! I tried but it made the video too big!!

Hope you enjoy! The room is very special to us as so much of it was made by those we love or were family additions! The gorgeous sign was done by my friend Betsy . . . all the bedding and curtains were handmade and monogrammed by Grandmother Mary and they even have thread from Graysen's Great Grandmother Earline who unfortunately passed away while I was pregnant. The chair and Charleston accents were given by GG (my mother). The furniture was Graysen's Great Grandmother Kitty's and was hand painted by us. The bassinet was Jeff's when he was a baby! I hand painted all the frames!




Below are also some before and afters . . . don't judge the before too much . . . we had just moved in and this was a 2nd guest room that we hardly used!! YOU CAN CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE LARGER!

No . . . not today . . . yes I will call you . . . and I thought terd patrol started after the baby!

So . . . I am waiting . . . waiting waiting waiting!!!! Jeff announced today that Gracie will be late because just like "her mommy, she will be late to her own birthday party". Which . . . is true. I am always late . . .late to work, late to parties, late to make dinner . . . always late. So for all my dear friends who have had to wait for me it seems payback will be hell. I have to come to terms with the fact that this whole early dilation and effaced business was just a cruel trick from the labor gods for payback for every time I said to someone "I will be there in 5 minutes" knowing darn well I was at least 20 minutes away!!

Things not to ask a pregnant woman . . . Jeff: "So is today the day?". Well, OK Jeff actually it is . . . I have just been keeping my legs crossed. She was actually ready like 2 weeks ago I just enjoy being tortured from the inside out. I guess today will be the day I let her come out . . .

My mom: "Don't forget to call me . . ." Mom I promise as this child is slowly clawing me open from the inside out you are always on my mind. I will forever be grateful that you endured 8 hours of labor (without pain meds). . . not to mention sitting in the car while my father stopped for scotch and cigars while you were in labor(perhaps should have been an early sign), not to mention the blood transfusions you needed after I was born. It would be pretty hard to "forget to call you"! Also my mom's favorite question "are you feeling anything??" Well that depends . . . do you mean constipation, sciatic pain, elbows and heels protruding from my belly, exhaustion, heat stroke, anxiety that a human being is about to come out of me in one way or another . . . oh you mean contractions. why no thank you for reminding me . . . no contractions. :-)

On a rather exciting note . . . in an effort to get my into spring training for poopy diapers my loving pets have decided to throw me curve balls to prepare me!! Funny it always happens when Jeff is at work too . . . example 1 . . . Cooper drinking too much bay water. I will let you imagine what happens to a 90lb golden when he drinks too much salt water. The other good thing about owning a beautiful golden . . . his long luxurious fur including that on his tail. you put those two things together . . . lets just say I had to throw away some scissors because he had just had a bath and thought of a 2nd one was too daunting for me. Example #2 . . . my charming 12 year old cat who bless his heart got so excited upon seeing his food a couple of hours ago let a couple little things spill out the other end. I guess he needed the room. No please let ME clean that up. . . is it totally disgusting that I actually contemplated letting Cooper "take care of that problem" since that is a delicacy for him?? I think I have lost my mind.

More Happy Birthdays, a Big Birthday Surprise For Me, and Get Better Soon Wishes!

Happy 30th Elena!!!!!!!!!!! The big 30!! Don't worry Caroline already passed you up and I am right behind ya!! I hope you had the best birthday ever!!

A Big Happy birthday goes out to Brie as well!! Although she has left the sweet age of 25 for the bitter "late 20's"!! HA! Just kidding! It was so fun to celebrate with you and here is to many many more!!

I also got a big birthday surprise planned by Jeff and Kathryn! I was talking to her on the phone for about an hour and she said she was "driving" I thought to myself wow she has been driving for a while but didn't think anymore about it since she has a long commute to work! Then her cell cut out and I called her back a couple of times with no luck. Low and behold . . . my doorbell rings and who is at the door but Kathryn! She drove all the way into celebrate my birthday which meant the world to me! So we got to spend 2 days together just relaxing, watching Army Wives and eating (ha that was mostly me doing that!) It was one of the best surprises ever! Most importantly is that I finally got her to start a blog which is my new mission in life!! That is like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one!! We forgot to take picture together for the blog!!

We also want to send out lots of get better soon wishes for Kathryn's dad who is having surgery tomorrow!! Get better soon George!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Honey

28 years ago at 8:01 am Kristen was born. I have been so blessed to have her as my wife and the mother of my daughter. I cannot wait to see her with Graysen and I am pretty sure she is ready to see herself with her as well instead of waddling everywhere she goes while she plays a human punching bag. You are such an amazing friend, daughter, and wife and your magnetic personality touches everyone you're around bringing a smile to our faces. Thank you for being you and happy birthday! I would have written more but you left Family Guy on and I am distracted.

Love,

Jeff

Arrival Updates, Break My Window Please, and Helpers in the Nursery!

So yesterday started out on a good note! I can't sleep anymore out of anticipation and anyone who knows me well knows that you could leave me be and I could sleep for 12-15 hours straight. I loooooooove me some sleep! Well not anymore . . . I wake up every hour thinking perhaps there really is a stork and that it will land on the roof at anytime! I can dream . . . so I woke up at about 6am and started more nesting. Gracie's drawers are not only organized but labeled. Yes, even the drawer with only socks and tights in it is labeled "socks and tights" just in case Jeff fails to see what that drawer is for. However I have gone to extremes since my closet is also labeled "during pregnancy and after pregnancy (hopefully) since i have successfully gotten through this whole pregnancy without purchasing one maternity item! Except the dress for my mom's wedding. I have just stretched the hell out of all my clothes and also found that Forever 21 is key with the great knit empire waist dresses. I know I have a problem and will probably be 60 shopping there and I don't care.

I go to my weekly doctors appt and low and behold I am 2-3 cent. dilated and effaced! The doctor said it "could" be any day now. I am just on top of the world! I am driving home talking to my mom when boom a little pebble hits my window . . . most people wouldn't even think twice but I knew better . . . spot the chip and spot the crack, enter obscenities. I don't know if you guys remember the news reports from the late 90's when people were going around breaking BMW windows saying that BMW stood for "Break My Window", well apparently it does. This is the 3rd time I have had to fully replace this windshield since I got the car a year and 1/2 ago! 3rd time. In the lovely state of FL it is covered by your insurance, however in VA just like how everything costs more here you have to pay your deductible. That's right . . . so there was one very upset 9 month pregnant woman screaming in her driveway at a car yesterday. I called Jeff crying so hard I think he thought I was delivering the baby myself.

So when Jeff finally came home last night (after stopping at the Officer's club for beers because that is what I guess most normal men would do while there wife is at home clearly upset, not a good move whether pregnant hormones are involved or not) I forced him to spend helpful time with me in the nursery as his punishment. Below are the pictures of the final hours of nursery construction last night. Between a cat who thinks the bassinet and chenille is a great place to nap, a dog who must lick, sniff, and investigate every single item in the room (especially those items that might end up in Grace's mouth) and Jeff, I may be better off finishing the job by myself! Jeff has discovered a new use for the Boppy pillow. Now if I can just teach one of these 3 helpers to breastfeed for me . . .

Happy Birthday Aunt Sandra!

I hope you have a great one and get to do lots of painting, gardening, eating of Uncle Louis's food, visiting with Skippy or whatever makes you smile today!! You are such a great Aunt to Jeff and I and can't wait for Graysen to get to know you and love you! Happy Birthday!! Lots of love, Kristen and Jeff

Happy Birthday Patsy Vanderhurst Whittington the First!!!

or P-Doggie as you are known on the streets!! Happy Birthday to one fine member of the Jax Fab Five. You are officially old but I will be there with you next week. I can't believe we will be 28 . . . we should get AARP cards so we can get discounts on things! I love this picture because this was right on the brink of Patsy rolling over to P-Doggie because the wine was flowing. You weren't inappropriate at all though . . . most people scream at the best man to "lock it up" at weddings and mimic every ones dance moves!! HA!! I love ya Pats! Even though you won't let me go to Target or the gym with you. Happy Birthday . . . can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Announcing the arrival of Delaney Lynne Gallagher!

And for the record . . . I said it would be a girl as stated in one of the posts before! I finally got a guess right, hey I had a 50/50 chance! My new niece Delaney Lynne arrived yesterday AM weighing 8lbs even and 21 inches long!! Mom, Dad, and Delaney are doing great!! Congrats to my brother Jim and sister in law Beth!!! I can't wait to met her! How fun to have cousins so close in age and both girls too!

Happy Birthday Emily, Erin, Shannon and Jaybird!!

It is July . . . and that means . . . just like April a whole lot of birthdays! Including mine and maybe my amazing Graysen's (just please not in the next few days . . . hang in there Gracie!) so you know it is a good month!! Just so far this month we need to wish a huge Happy Birthday to the following:

Shannon 6/28: OK so you are a June girl . . .not a July girl, so I am very late! You are the very reason I am having this baby! HA! For those of you who don't know Shannon and her husband Stewart set Jeff and I up back in 2000 at CofC! We love you guys very much . . . I can't wait for Baby Stewart and Baby Gracie to fall in love!!

Jaybird 7/4: Happy Birthday to the miracle boy!! Anyone who knows Jay knows that I mean . . . the moment we met you in Kingsville I knew we would be forever friends, esp after you survived a weekend with the Husteads! Even though you call Cooper dumb I still love you! Yes, the picture below is from his movie! Speed and Angels . . . I couldn't resist!
Emily 7/5: My dear friend Em, what would I do without having you to check out every bump and bruise on my body!! HA! You may regret going to Med school just for having to deal with me! Thank you for being you . . . there aren't many people who insist on throwing a shower and renovating their entire home for it, in like 2 months. You are amazing!
Erin 7/10: Who can forget the first day we ever met in 1998 on a tour of CofC and I was the "dork in the suit"! HA!!! Little did I know that we would be roommates a year later and that some of the craziest moments would occur! In fact, upon searching my album for pictures this one of of the few pictures I found that was appropriate to post! I have about 30 squirril pictures! Ha!! I can't believe we now both are going to have little girls just like us! Lord help us if they go to college together! Happy Birthday BEAST!

BTW . . . IF I EVER FORGET SOMEONE'S BIRTHDAY IT IS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT SAVED! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR BIRTHDAY TO MY LIST :-) http://www.birthdayalarm.com/dob/8158008a3868515b363

Things I Never Thought I Would Hear . . .

It takes a lot to shock me since I have spent 90% of my life with people saying to me "I can't believe you just said that!" Ha!! However, there are many things I never thought I would hear in my life . . .

One of the first being "isn't she a little old and pregnant to be shopping in the juniors department" while I was shopping for my shower dress!! First, how dare him. 2nd, this was coming from a 14 year old boy in the females juniors section so maybe he should worry about himself! I mean that would be like Forever 21 checking my ID and saying 27 is too old to shop there! Ha!

The 2nd being at my doctors appt the other day when she announced "oh you are about 2 centimeters dilated . . . and yup there is the baby's head, I can feel it"! Being a first time mom I wanted to scream "what?? Well stop feeling it and close up shop . . . she has 4 more weeks of cooking to do!!" I guess I never thought I would be in that position (literally).

Speaking of things amazing me . . . when we got in the car and I called my mom I told her I was 2 inches dilated and Jeff interrupted and said "honey, centimeters", which I responded by saying, "thanks Jeff, but I think I know". luckily he had his copy of What To Expect to prove me wrong. He then started joking that he has "done more in this pregnancy, all I have done was carry the baby!" I told him that he is lucky that no women heard him say that because if they didn't know he was joking they would attack first and then ask questions later!

So my number one lesson learned by pregnancy . . . every day I experience things that shock, gross me out but most importantly amaze even me! I think I might even be a little sad for it to end . . . a little tiny tiny small bit sad. Below I m attaching a picture that Jeff probably never thoought he would see . . . I had to laugh when I was doing Graysen's laundry yesterday . . . all pink!! A whole load of pink! Poor Jeff!! At least she got a Barbie fishing rod at the shower so Jeff can hope she won't be a total girlie girl.

The Best Baby Shower and Girls Weekend I Could Ask For!

click on slideshow to view LARGER if you like!



What an amazing weekend!!!! I had the best baby shower a girl could dream of thanks to my good friends who planned and hosted it! A special thank you goes out to them: Allison, Caroline, Eden, Emily (and Chris whose manual labor was insane), Janine, Kathryn, Katie, Lauren, Mo, and Patsy!!! Emily even spent weeks renovating her new home to host the event!! I am such a lucky girl to have such good friends as so many drove in or flew in to be here! A couple of people weren't able to make it thanks to the airlines but they were here in spirit!!

We had a co-ed shower and the fun finally ended with people going to bed around 4am here!! Many of the guys in Jeff's squadron said that if that is what baby showers are like they want to go to one every weekend!! Ha! It really was one of the best weekends I have ever had and can't wait for Graysen to meet all the wonderful family and friends we have! Thank you again guys!!

Bourbon Baboon by Night . . . Devoted Daddy By Day

After Jeff turning our Saturday night from a co-ed shower to Girls Gone Wild to a scene from the show Jackass, I seriously wondered how I would handle having 2 children. Seems Jeff has 2 sides like a superhero. . . the drunken fly boy party machine who shoots bourbon from the bottle at baby showers and the devoted daddy that spends his days reading "What to Expect" (he has already finished What to Expect when you are Expecting and has moved onto the 1st year. I, on the other hand am on month 3 of the pregnancy section. i figure I will get to the 2nd trimester when she is 2!)

I had to snap this before and after shots! The first pictures are from the shower, yes he is hiding a beer behind a stuffed animal. if you can't read the shirt it is the best thing ever! It says "that's how my daddy rolls" with a picture of a super hornet. The 3rd picture is at the end of the night when I was so annoyed I was begging him to get away from me. The 2nd set is are from today when we did all of our hospital registrations, birth plan, and he took notes from his book. Yes that is a binder with dividers . . . that he has made. He has also taken over packing my bag . . . so there you have my Superhero . . . lets just hope we keep the bourbon out of the delivery room and the binder in!

Our Professional Photos from the Babymoon!

Well . . . I wasn't sure if i was going to have these done! I went back and forth and knew that if I had pregnancy shots done I wanted Jeff in them and then thought why not do them in Key West! That way it is special! So below are the shots . . . I am putting 2 of my fave below and then there is a slideshow. If the slideshow is too small for your viewing just click on it and it will open bigger! The only things missing from these shots are the Cooper!!!

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It's a . . . and i am offically not playing the "what do you think it is?" game anymore!!

It's a girl!!!!!!!!!! For Caroline and John! That is right my little Graysen will have a little partner in crime instead of a boyfriend! John and Caroline said they had actually looked into ordering a little onsie that said "Future Mrs. Hilburn" for Graysen because they were so sure it was a boy! We are know going to have baby girls just 3 months apart!! It is so exciting! Now if we just didn't live on opposite coasts now in stead of our 4 block difference!

I also reported earlier that I thought our friends the Halberts were having a girl and the Hilburns were having a boy! So I was wrong on both fronts and am never playing the "what do you think it is?" game again!! I actually thought Graysen was a boy too . . . so I am going with the opposite from now on! Just came back from my 34 week check in and the Key west trip added 2 more lbs :-O and Graysen has still decided to lay sideways in breech position so lets hope she goes head down by next week's check!

Return from the "Babymoon"!

Well since I never got a honeymoon (Jeff did to Iraq!) my sweet husband decided to plan a "babymoon"! He had been in Key West for a couple of weeks doing dogfighting (for my non-military friends he wasn't actually participating in Michael Vick activities but flight training!) He said that I should come down there so when he was done we could celebrate!

He spoiled me the whole trip and it was the most relaxing week ever! You can click on the pictures to see the bigger!

We stayed at the Casa Marina after a checking in at their sister resort, the Reach. I wanted to "reach" away quickly!! It is a very funny gross story but we got out of there quickly!! The Casa Marina was amazing! Jeff had already celebrated his birthday down there by treating himself to a fishing trip (oh and buying more fishing clothes even though he was already on thin Ice for the cost of the fishing trip, maybe I do need that LV diaper bag!) and I spent my early bday present at the spa (even though mine was A LOT less, how does that work?)

For those of you requesting ideas of where to go in Key West these are my must do's:
Blue Heaven :for the Banana Heaven dessert, oh my!
Croissants de la France: Where Caroline got her wedding cake which was amazing and they also have coconut cream stuffed croissants. Yes please!! I went 1 time a day!
Banana Cafe: for yummy crepes!
Mangia Mangia: for yummy Italian!
Alice's: the best meal we had!!
Latitudes on Sunset Key: so Romantic! you have to take a ferry and you literally sit on the beach surrounded by torches and watch the sunset!
915: yummy yummy Tapas
Rooftop: very very good!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE BUNK!!!!

Well when I was away on my babymoon with no internet access we missed being able to post one of the biggest birthday annoucements of the year, Kathryn's birthday!!! So this comes a couple of days late but with tons of love to make up for it. We have been friends for almost 18 years now!!! When I say best friends it is that in deed that but also more like sisters. We have been through so much together through out the years and I know my life would not be the same if I had not met you on that summer day on the beach in Epping Forest!

We used to laugh about when we would grow up and get married and have kids, what it would be like, how it seemed a million years away. . . and here we are! You were the Maid of Honor at my wedding and I will be yours next spring! My daughter will be your god-daughter and will love your children as her own siblings! Now the next thing we can laugh about in the future will be our 40th birthdays! God time flies, but you will always be older then me!! HA!! We love you very much!

Happy Birthday LALA aka Mini aka Lauren!!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope life in Pensacola is bringing you a happy sunny birthday! It is so weird to not have the 5 of us together on a birthday. For the last two years we spent most birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and more together!! I guess we will let you hang out with Rod this year! I love this picture of the Jax Fab Five! Even thought there are so many miles between us all now we will never be apart in our hearts!! I can't wait to see all of you at the end of the month!! Happy Birthday!! XO, Kitty

Happy 31st Birthday Jeffy-Weffy!!

Happy 31st my sweet sweet husband!! I hope we have a million more of these dances in our life together, I love this old picture from good ol' Kingsville circa 2002! I hate that we are apart on your birthday yet again but I understand your mistress (the navy!) must keep you away!! You are truly the most amazing man I have ever met in my life and I don't know how I ever got so lucky. Just think next year on your birthday Graysen will be here to help her daddy celebrate!! I have fallen more in love with you just watching how excited you are for her arrival. Happy Birthday to my rock, my hero, and above all, my true love. Can't wait to see you in Key West!!!

Pancreatitis . . . a New Family Past Time

Well no sooner do I get the pup over his bout of pancreatitis do I get a call from my step-dad tonight that my mom has been admitted to the hospital . . . for pancreatitis. The poor thing! I am worried sick for her but Jim assures me that she will be just fine. We think it might be from too much drinking and food fun on her honeymoon! She is expected to be there for at least 3-4 days though and I know how much my mom hates being alone at night let alone in hospital! Plus she can't eat for all that time. IV only. So if you are ready this and you pray . . . if you could throw a little mention in there for me mom. I know she will be just fine but I know she is miserable right now and it just breaks my heart.

BTW . . . I am becoming an official WEBMD addict. My doctor called me today too and found some stuff in my last test she didn't like so now I have another pill to take! Between the dog, my mom, and me I will keep all online medical research websites well visited :-) So just call me Dr. Kitty

UPDATE: Tuesday: Poor Penny! They told her today at least 5 days of more hospital time while they run more tests or let this thing run its course! She has a tube going into her stomach and has been told no food or water for 5 days so she is so hoarse. She told me today she hasn't been in the hospital since the day she gave birth to me almost 28 years ago! So she has been very lucky but she is miserable right now! Everything still points to a positive outcome and she appreciates being in every one's thoughts!

UPDATE #2 Wednesday: Well it looks as though surgery is the next step. They let her know this AM. She is pretty stressed and upset but it should be a relatively easy surgery. We don't know when yet but will keep the updates coming!

UPDATE #3: Thursday AM: Well my mom has started having irregular heartbeats on top of her high blood pressure so things are taking a slower course of action. Today she spiked a fever due to the infection raging in her gallbladder. So they have removed her pain meds and given her Tylenol instead to bring the temperature down but she is in a lot of pain. We are waiting for the cardiologist to look at her EKG before they go any further with surgery plans. We just need to get this thing out of her!! I think now she is just more miserable than scared and we def. think all will be well once the surgery is done.

UPDATE #4: Friday at noon: I was just talking with my mom as they came to get her for surgery. She sounds pretty nervous. They tried the ERCP yesterday but couldn't finish . . . they couldn't get the scope in so they let her know she is not a candidate for the surgery we were hoping for which is the laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder. Instead she is going in for the big boy surgery that is done with a 5-8 inch cut. So recovery will take longer but it is time to jsut get the thing and the gall stones out of her and let the infection in her pancreas clear up. Poor thing hasn't had food, water or a shower in 6 days. She hates the hospital! Well have an update after the surgery! Please say a little prayer if you happen to read this! While it is a common procedure I just worry as she has never had surgery before!

The Cooper-McPooper Drama Seems to be Over!

I haven't been on the blog for over a week partly because we had a really bad scare last Friday evening. Cooper went from not being himself that day to virtually being unable to walk, hold his head up, or keep anything in his body. He was admitted to the Emergency Vet for obstruction and surgery seemed the only option. 3 diagnoses later (obstruction, pancreatitis, and gastroencentits)and a little bit of coin after a many night stay at the ER he is home! He actually likes food again which we all know when Cooper is isn't eating something is wrong. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for our golden boy. He truly is my 1st child. I literally couldn't have handled if we weren't so blessed to have a positive outcome!

I have been busy busy with Mom and Dad H. here to help me around the house while Jeff is vacationing( flying :-) in Key West! They have helped me with so much! We are almost done with the nursery and it is the most amazing, beautiful thing I have ever seen. When we made the crib up today I cried! Mom H. has done such an amazing job that she is already getting requests for more business! It is very real that all of a sudden she will be here in a couple of weeks! Sleeping in that room! Dad H. has done tons of manual labor around the house so they may never want to come visit again! I feel bad! However, they have accomplished more this weekend that Jeff and I have in months so I am so relived and thankful for their help!

Pics to come tomorrow!!

Special Treat for GG Penny and Grandma Mary!

Thought you two might like this since you haven't gotten to hear her heartbeat yet!! Make sure you go scroll down and pause the music player at the very bottom on the page before you hit play on this video or you won't be able to hear it! Yesterday we could finally tell what was what inside my belly! She scooted her bum to the surface and when I put my hand on it she scooted even more towards it and moved her hands on the other side! Pretty crazy!

Jeff's Take Your Wife to Work Day!

While it really wasn't an offical day it was a lazy sunday and he had a flight to fly with one of his friends so I went along to watch (I watched a Lifetime movie in the OPS building hile he was flying! Ha). Try to control yourself on how hot he looks!!!!!!! This was my first time seeing him fly the Super Hornet . . . and I was very impressed!! I still very nervous about the plane (but i was about the S-3 too) but I am very proud of him!