LACEY BEACH VACATION PART 1

Alright just get ready.  I have a serious problem.  I cannot possibly choose just a few pictures and do one post on our beach vacation.  I just cherish the pictures too much and since I know I am not breaking any reader records I am going to do several posts on our wonderful vacation featuring lots of pictures of Elle looking all of three and a half and loving the beach in the most adorable swimsuits.  So here we go.

We always spend a night in Fairhope before we head to the beach to break up the trip and this time we were so lucky because Kenny's Aunt Sandy was coming to stay with the Lacey's and she got there in time for us all to have breakfast together. Elle and Sandy had not seen each other since she was a baby and I am so glad they got to spend a little time together.  Must plan more!

Aunt Sandy and Elle right before we headed out.

Upon arriving in Seagrove and unloading the car into the beach house Elle was just dying to get to see the beach.  So we took her for a quick hello.  

She was so incredibly excited!

Daddy and Elle going to put their toes in the water.

Elle quickly got soaked but had the best time.  We promised her that we would make a sand castle so we did!

Elle and Nannee cuddling and watching some toons on our first morning.

After a great first day at the beach we headed to Seaside for an early dinner at our favorite restaurant, Great Southern and then the theatre group was doing a very strange version of Cinderella in the Seaside Amphitheatre.  This is our third play with this theatre troupe and I can't say the adults always enjoy the plays but Elle goes crazy for them. She is still talking about meeting Cinderella.

A rare picture of the two of us.  And a small baby bump. 

Love this family pic.

Mom and Annie.

Elle meeting Cinderella from the play.

She was so excited to meet her because she really thought she was Cinderella and that pretty much made want to plan our Disney World trip yesterday.

I FINALLY GET TO SAY!

We are expecting a baby.  It's a boy! We will name him Kenneth Walker and will call him Walker. We were so excited to share the news with Elle while we were at the beach and now that the cat is out of the bag I can put it out on the inter webs.  

I can't share this wonderful news without  noting that it has been a long and somewhat difficult road to get this baby boy and I do plan to do a small post on the journey for memory and blog book sake.  But for now I want this post to only express the immense joy and excitement we are to welcome to our family.  We cannot wait to see what "boy world" holds for us since we have been completely immersed in girl world.  Luckily soooooo many of our closest friends have boys and I can turn for them for advice. 

I am 14 weeks today so Walker will be here in December. Scroll down for my first weekly update! We know that he is chromosomally healthy because we chose to the new Panorama test. That is also how we know the gender so early. The first trimester has been rough but not unbearable.  I was way more exhausted this time around but truly believe it has more to do with already having a child to look after. Zofran has been my best best friend. I have only thrown up a handful of times but wake up nauseous and go to bed nauseous. My appetite and food aversions are totally weird. I have continued to work out with my fitness trainer and that is exciting for me.  I am hoping to maintain some muscle and tone and bounce back quickly after delivery.

Elle is so incredibly excited to have a baby brother and talks of Walker constantly. In my weekly updates I plan to mention some of her weekly questions or thoughts about Walker because there have already been some doozies that I will always want to remember!

So now for our first weekly update!

14 WEEKS

How far along? 14 weeks exactly.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a lemon!

Total weight gain/loss? I haven't weighed in a few days but last time I weighed I gained a 1lb from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  I embraced maternity clothes very quickly this pregnancy.  They are just so much more comfortable than squeezing yourself into normal clothes that don't fit. I already have a small bump and maternity clothes help me feel pregnant and not just fat.

Stretch Marks- None.  I never had any with Elle.  Praying I do not get any this time either.

Sleep? Sleep is just a different beast now that we already have a three year old.  Sleep isn't great but it hasn't been for a long long time now. I would say most of my sleep issues come from having to pee, Elle waking up around 5 AM every single day and possibly some snoring happening in our bed.  I won't name names.

Best Moment Last Week? Telling Elle at the beach that she was going to be a Big Sis.  She is so incredibly proud and is ready for him to be here now.  I have to say I feel that way too!

Movement? Not yet.  At least I do not think so.  Sometimes I feel things that seem like a baby moving around but I am not totally convinced.  Now that we know he is a boy feeling him move is what I am looking forward to the most.

Food cravings? Pancakes have been my biggest craving with this pregnancy.  With Elle it was potatoes.  I also went through a week or so of eating Doritos that were refrigerated.  So good!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? None. I am already discussing with my OBGyn what we can do to prevent preterm labor this time.  With it being a boy and having Elle early I want to be more cautious since boys are typically a little weaker.

Belly button in/out? In and hoping it stays in. It never came out with Elle.

What I miss? Not feeling nauseous.  I always feel at least a little bit queasy. I am ready to feel okay again.  I also get really carsick.  Any long distance drive leaves me feeling pretty terrible afterwards.  And of course alcohol. I wanted some cool drinks at the beach last week and that wasn't happening.

What I am looking forward to?  Feeling Walker kick and move.  Going to the river with my bestie who I haven't seen in a while this coming weekend and we are taking Elle.  This will be her first time on a boat or a river and I am thinking she will love it.  

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  "Will he come tomorrow?" "Is Walker still in your belly today?" "When Walker get big he's going to kick. A soccer ball." "I'm going to hold him ALOT!" "After he grows he will say "Where's my sis? " I love him!" "Will Walker come out of your mouth?"  She also likes to tell him good morning and give my tummy hugs and kisses already.

NO PRESCHOOL IN MAY

Yall! I am worn slap out.  I know I mentioned last week that Elle is out of Parents Morning Out the entire morning out but oh my lordy I am totally feeling it now.  Today is Thursday and our second week of no PDO is coming to end.  We have had fun but we have also used the time to work on some behavioral issues we had rearing their ugly heads. Age 3 is such an amazing age and amazingly hard! The whining was starting to take over so we have gotten to know our time out corner really well and I am thankful to say that us being hard on her is starting to work even though it is tough on us because we know what a sweet girl she is.

With all that being said I do want to share some pictures from the last couple weeks and last weekend.  It will be a big photo dump but oh well!

Elle wakes up very early every morning.  Doesn't matter what time she goes to bed or how tired she is. She is up before 7:00 AM every single day.  She recently discovered watercolors and we paint after breakfast now.

I have gotten creative in activities we can do to pass this time.  She really enjoys our mini vacuum.  I showed her how to look for dog hair and dust and suck it right up!

We spent this weekend at home doing some things that needed to get done around the house.  We need to run some errands Saturday morning so we decided to take Elle to Waffle House.  I had not been there in a very very long time.  It was still disgustingly delicious.  Their waffles really are good!

Coloring our hands.

Cheesing with Daddy.

Then it was time for a Lowe's run.

Our golf cart was pretty dirty and muddy so we thought Elle would think it was really fun to help Kenny wash it. We were right! She absolutely loved it and has told everyone she sees.

Scrubbin it down!

Getting pretty serious about it.

Monday morning I had a doctors appointment in Memphis.  Once Kenny and I were through with that we took Elle to the Memphis Zoo.  I took this wonderful zoo for granted when we lived there but at least it makes a really fun place to visit. We didn't spend too long there, just a few hours.  We let Elle choose what she wanted to do and what animals she wanted to see.  We did hit a snag when she wanted to play on the playground and didn't want to see any of the animals.  That was frustrating because we have playgrounds in Starkville.  We do not have hippos or grizzly bears. We let her play for a little while and then she was down for seeing some wild animals.

Riding the train around the Farm animal section.

Family selfie. Everyone is smiling. A rarity.

Looking at the Tigers with Daddy.

It really has been a great two weeks.  Frustrating at times but I am so incredibly grateful I get to spend my days with this magical little girl and watch her grow and shape who she will become.  If I don't say it enough on here.  I love you so so so so much Elle.  You too Kenny!

GRAMMA AND POP POP CAMP PART 2

Just a few more pictures from Elle's week at Gramma and Pop Pop camp.  Not too much more to report.  On Friday afternoon, Kenny and I drove down to spend the weekend with Elle and Kenny's parents because it was Mrs. Ann's birthday and of course Mother's Day. Kenny and his dad were supposed to sail in a Regatta but the weather ended up being yucky so we just hung around the house and relaxed for the most part.  Mrs. Ann took Elle to see that new Wizard of Oz Cartoon movie and Kenny and I went to see neighbors.  It was hilarious and nice to see an adult movie. Saturday night we all went out for hibachi to celebrate Mrs. Ann's birthday.  It was so good and Elle loves the theatrics of it all.  Seriously loves it.

Sunday we all went out for a Mother's Day breakfast at one of our favorite diners in Fairhope.  I love the pancakes there. Then it was time to drive home! We were so happy to have Elle back with us.  Even after having her home for a few days I am so happy to be back around her.  I missed her!

Here are a few more pictures from last week!

Elle has been asking for an umbrella and they found this one at a little shop downtown and she was so excited about it! It was the first thing she showed us when we got to Fairhope.

Ice cream at Mr. Beans.

Forget the spoon!

Another full fun day with Gramma and Pop Pop and another pass out in the car seat.

The Oz movie got out before our movie so we found Elle in the arcade.  Elle was loving all the noise and Kenny was reliving his childhood although you can't tell from this picture.

And I just had to include this picture.  I posted it on Instagram for Mother's Day and I just love her sweet smile.  Love her a whole lot and so happy she made me a mommy!

GRAMMA AND POP POP CAMP PART 1

This Friday afternoon we drove down to Fairhope to pick Elle up from Gramma and Pop Pop's house.  She had been down there for a week for what we dubbed "Gramma Camp." Elle is out of Parents Morning Out for the entire month of May so a week in Fairhope was the perfect solution to a long month with no school and a Gramma and Pop Pop who adore Elle.

Oh my gosh did I miss her! I really didn't anticipate missing her the way I did.  But she was having the absolute best time.  Kenny and I joked at the beginning of the week that Gramma Camp was resort living for a three year old.  Or maybe like a bed and breakfast.  Waking up, having eggs and bacon made for you every morning while you leisurely watch your favorite cartoon then having a fun agenda of things to do everyday. Someone to play with you every hour of every day.  She even napped a couple of days and she doesn't nap anymore!

Some of the fun things they did included going down to the pier on the bay for walks, going to play at the park at the yacht club, they took her shopping and allowed her to pick out anything she wanted.  She picked out a cute dress, a mermaid thermos and towel and an umbrella, which she loved the most.  She had been wanting an umbrella and asking for one. I have so many pictures that I want to have for memory's sake so I will do another test but here are a few pictures from the first half of the week. 

Breakfast served on a princess table every morning.  Her favorite food is bacon and I feel confident she had some every morning.  Lucky girl!

Swinging at the Yacht club! Elle really was having so much fun ha!

Nap 1 of the week.  Passed out in her car and then they carried her to bed where she continued to nap for two hours! I can't even pull into the garage if she falls asleep in the car.  I have to drive and drive if I want her to nap!

Making funny faces in the mirror while Gramma gets ready.

At the fountain by the pier.

Taking a stroll downtown.

JUNIOR AUXILIARY DERBY PARTY

Last Saturday, Kenny and I attended Junior Auxiliary's Derby Party.  We had such a great time and it was so fun to get dressed up and wear a hat.  It was a beautiful day and a great party.

Kenny and I got dressed at home and then headed over to our friends Jeremy and Sarah's house around the corner for pre-party cocktails and pictures!

I thought Kenny looked so handsome!

Sarah and me.

All the guys watching the horses run!

They had a photo booth there that we had fun taking pictures.  Kenny and I had to have a complete redo.  I was talking through the first one.  Then I wanted him to kiss my cheek on the last one and he was bashful so we ended up with the picture on the bottom left which cracks me up.  Our second strip on the right was way better!

Taking a picture with my friend Jay because my hat matched his bow tie of course.

After the party we went to dinner with several couples at a restaurant nearby and then had some friends over for late night.  It was a long and late but fun night!

PINTERESTY STUFF

With the end of school and college courses wrapping up I was asked/volunteered to put together some happies for the Young Life Leaders to keep them motivated, encouraged and fueled through their exam week.

I wanted them to be cute (of course) and different so I turned to Pinterest and found these cute care packages in mason jars and then customized the contents for 20 somethings staying up all night.  I found the label online and added my own text and had them printed at a print shop here in Starkville.  Then I just cut the pieces out and taped them onto the jar. I am really happy with how they turned out and hoped the leaders enjoyed them!

The finished jars all ready for the Young Life Leaders.

The insides: Highliter, Pen, trail mix, clif bar, candy and instant coffee.  Then there was a note from the committee and several different bible verses.

I also wanted to show our cute cute cute move card that my great friend Susan at JPress Designs did for us.  When she came to visit a couple months ago I had her take some photos of the house because she does amazing graphic sketches of homes for people.  

You might remember this post where I talked about her being in HGTV magazine and be sure to check out her Etsy site so you can get one too! With her doing the sketch we received a 8X11 print that I plan to use in a gallery wall eventually and I had her design a move card to send out to all of our friends. I love sending and receiving fun mail and wanted to be sure we got our Christmas cards this year! I also had her put it on some note pads for me to make grocery lists, to do lists or to write notes on if I took someone dinner.  I love cute note pads!

PRESCHOOL YEAR TWO IS OVER

Wednesday was our last day of two year old preschool and I can't believe how fast this year went by.  Elle goes to a wonderful little preschool called Weekday Ministries and attends three Parents Morning Out days, MWF.  I worked at this preschool for three years in college so I was so excited for Elle to have one of my favorite teachers this year, Mrs. Meg.  Her other teacher I absolutely adored too, Mrs. Lisa.  I just cannot say enough about these two teachers.  They truly made Elle's year so wonderful.  They make preschool what preschool should be all about.  Fun, easy going and loving.  There was not a single day where I picked Elle up that they told me she had a bad day.  There might of been a day or two where I picked her up and she was covered in whatever they had for lunch that day but other than that these two women just loved the children.  Any child that has these teachers just adores them and I can only hope our future children will get to know them and be in the Lamb class too!

I took these pictures on the first day of school and the last day of school and I cannot get over how much Elle has changed.  Where did my baby face go.  She looks like such a little girl in the picture on the right.  Gah! I can't handle it! Rip my heart out!

BASEBALL WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS

This past weekend our good friends Megan and Patrick came to visit us with their TWO little boys.  Sweet Francis and the newest addition, three month old Augustine.  This was the first time for me to meet and snuggle Mr. Augustine and he is just so cute! It is so fun to get older and add more children to the mix.  Definitely makes things a little crazier.  Football season will be a blast this year.

They got here late Friday night.  Elle was already in bed and the boys went to bed as soon as they got into the house and settled.  We stayed up to late visiting.

Saturday morning we made a big breakfast and enjoyed a relaxing morning just letting the kids play and taking golf cart rides.  We are so excited to finally have a golf cart.  We planned on buying one and then a family friend sold his house and needed a place to store his so it was a win/win!  We will keep it until they move and enjoy it immensely over the summer.

Elle is obsessed with the golf cart.  Asks to ride it all the time and no longer wants to ride in our cars.

This picture is blurry but had to include it with all the kids and me and Megan.  I know we will look back on this picture one day and just die over how little they all were.

Saturday afternoon we all headed to the baseball game.  This was Francis' first game and he was so excited.  The game was a fun one with lots of hits but with longer innings we only made it four innings.  That was still two hours!

Patrick, Francis and Augustine hanging out at the game.  Kenny and I photo bombing in the background.

And what is a baseball game without Elle eating popcorn!

Saturday night we put the kids to bed early because they were so exhausted and grilled steaks with some other friends that stopped by.  We stayed up too late again but it was worth it.

Sunday morning we let the kids watch cartoons and then headed to City Bagel for breakfast before the Martinez family headed home.

Watching a Madagascar.  Francis was obsessed with this movie.

Sweet daddy daughter picture.

EASTER WEEKEND PART 2

Easter Morning we were so anxious to see how Elle would react to the Easter Bunny coming.  We had not really discussed the Easter Bunny all that much but she knew he was coming when she went to bed Saturday night.  Early Saturday morning we heard Elle come down the stairs but she did not come into our room right away.  She was being really quiet so we couldn't really tell what she was up to.  After a while it was the cutest thing.  She comes in and shows me this little board book she wanted so badly from the school book fair the entire time it was there.  The book was way to young for her but it was one of her favorite cartoons and she asked for it countless times.  It made the Easter Bunny's heart happy when she came in carrying that book and was so excited it was in her basket. She was really excited about everything else too!

The Easter Bunny came!

She also remembered the preschool director Mrs. Lucy having one of these chicks at the Easter Breakfast and was so excited to have them in her basket.

After she played with her Easter basket loot I gave her a bath and made her look so pretty and we all got ready for church.  Elle was excited to wear her new dress. We kept her with us at church and ended up having to leave a few minutes before the sermon was over.  She kept talking in a loud whisper and wouldn't settle down.  After leaving church we stopped and picked up fried chicken and sides (a tradition) and came home to enjoy a Easter lunch together as a family.

Twirling in our bathroom.

Elle wouldn't pose with us so this was the best we could do.

The rest of Easter Sunday was spent hiding Easter Eggs and hunting them and playing outside because it was such a beautiful day. Could not have asked for a better Easter weekend.