The end of my pregnancy went just as wonderfully as the beginning. I had little to no swelling or sickness. I was able to keep working and remain active. I worked out almost daily and had actually been to a yoga class earlier on the day I went into labor. I LOVED being pregnant!! I loved the way I looked, the way I felt, the life that was about to come into existance, ALL OF IT. Chris was wonderful through out the pregnancy. He was in Little Rock through most of it, but he came home almost every single weekend. Since we had just moved into the house, he was having to do a lot of the odd jobs himself since I couldn't do any painting or heavy lifting. I am independent and Chris is too so this may have caused a few rifts on occation, but we got it all done!
Here are a few pics of me and Chris towards the end...



Testing out baby equipment on poor Lucy



About 2 weeks before Thomas came


Belly pic at 37 weeks (1 week before Thomas's arrival)



Daddy giving him a kiss!! So sweet



Not may pics of Chris so this is a nice one taken about 2 weeks before Thomas was born. I would also like to mention that Chris LOST 10 pounds while I was pregnant...so much for the sympathy weight. I was on my own!

Keena's Family Shower

This was the first shower that the name was revealed, and that was only a couple of days before hand. (Chris wanted to keep the name secret till he was born, but caved in the end) So we got a personalized cake!! Both sides of my family came together in a joint effort. It was held at my parents house and it was so wonderful to get to see those family members that I don't get to see very often.
I got a lot of amazing gifts, but the one that meant the most was the hand crocheted blanket that my Grandmother made. I had hounded her to please make me one, but she had insisted that she did not remember how. Even gone so far as to tell me she had tried, but couldn't get it to do right. My Grandfather passed away the morning of the shower my friends had for me, so the blanket meant even more. To know that she and Granddaddy had sat and talked during his final days as she crocheted it brought me to tears in front of a lot of people. For those of you that know me well, you know this is a VERY rare for me.


The spread


The blanket Grandmama made! (notice it is white so I can use it with the next baby!)

My Bestiest Throw a Shower!!

My best friends from High School threw me a shower in Lewisburg. As always, Alli, Meli, and Sara went above and beyond when it comes to being great friends. There was a ton of food! All of the guys came and socialized in the backyard while the hens stayed in the hen house for the shower. The best part of this shower was the suprise of Meg being there!!!
For those of you who don't know, Meg was one of my best friends when Chris and I were stationed in Columbus. She moved to Breckinridge, CO shortly after Chris and I left, so for her to be there meant A LOT!
After the shower we had a cookout, and as always Sean grilled some great food!!
The girls responsible for the shower! (Meli, Meg, Alli, and Sara)

Merritt Shower at the Lake

The next shower was at Smith Mountain Lake with the Merritts. A good time was had by all and it was great getting to catch up with all of Chris's aunts, uncles, and cousins on his mom's side. As showers go, we got lots of good stuff! It was so nice of them to throw us the little get together. Everyone came over to our cabin for the shower, then we went to I believe Susan and Ren's cabin for a good board game. (I think it was Trivial Pursuit, but it's been so long now I forget!)


Chris Lucy and I just before or after opening gifts.

Long Over Due

Since it has been a very very long time since my last post. I am going to try to update as much as possible this next week. For those of you that have been checking in I am sorry it has been over 6 months since I updated it. It just seems to be easier to post pics on myspace and be done with it. Anyway, I will try to recapture each moment since we left the Vineyard!! :)