Boredom has definitely set in...

I'm forewarning you that there may be some very random posts in the coming weeks as boredom begins to grow and my mind wonders.

Things are going as well as can be expected for being on bed rest. Everyone has been so wonderful with all of the prayers, phone calls, dinners, and etc. I started blood pressure medicine on Monday which seems to be working. It is keeping my pressure down for the most part as long as I still lay around; it just makes me feel yucky. I will start a series of steroid shots this weekend as a precaution to mature Addison's lungs in case she is born within the next week. I haven't left my house in a week and it is starting to take a toll on me but I'm hanging in there. We are taking it a day at a time. The longer Addison can stay put, the better. I just really hope she doesn't stay there six more weeks because I really will go crazy if I'm on bed rest that long.

The nursery will be finished this weekend (thanks to my wonderful husband and family). Today they got her name on the wall and hung the pictures and bookshelf. It is almost ready! I'm very excited about that. I will definitely post those pictures as soon as it is finished.

Fall is finally here with the introduction of football season! My favorite parts has to be Autumn Mix Candy Corn, Pumpkin Spice candles and cool weather. Football has to come in fourth place, not so much the game themselves but all the fanfare that comes with it. Our house will become football central on the weekends since we didn't get our season tickets this year to the Alabama games. It is okay with me because my favorite part of the games was the tailgating part anyways. I guess I just like all of the junk food. We may try to make it to a game after the baby comes but we will just have to play it by ear.

Earlier than expected...

As many of you have heard already, we may get to meet Addison earlier than expected. I have been having problems with my blood pressure. As it continues to steadily climb, I have been assigned complete bed rest in attempts to hold her arrival off for at least 3 more weeks but longer if possible. We are taking this day by day and playing it by ear to see how far I can go. I am not expected to make it anywhere close to my actual due date of October 19th but each day she remains with me, the better for her.

This experience has been very scary for both Brian and myself, but we know that we are not in this alone. We are getting through this by the grace of God and the loving support of family and friends. If you don't see us the next few weeks, we are still alive (and not just turned into hermits) and since I am confined to the bed, I will try to update the blog more frequently. I will be going to the doctor every week to keep a close check on everything. Addison is still doing great and is handling this well. Thank you all so much for your prayers and please keep them coming!

First Baby Shower!

We had our first of two baby showers yesterday. It was given by the wonderful people that Brian work with at the Shelby County Reporter. I wanted to share a few pictures from the party. Brian and I were talking last night and we have come to the realization that we are blessed far beyond what we deserve. I mean, just look at the people who went out of their way to throw a beautiful baby shower for us at his work. Who could ask for a better work environment? They all feel like family to us and we are so ecstatic to share this wonderful experience with them all. Addison is very blessed to have so many extended aunts and uncles outside of our immediate family.


This cake was so adorable. It was chocolate with cheesecake filling in the center. YUM!

We were able to take a break from stuffing our face with all the yummy food long enough to take a quick picture.

Look at all of the presents! They were all color coordinated with the cake (and not to mention her room, pink and brown).I wanted to cry when I opened this gift. Miss Caroline Prince, age 3, is Brian's boss's little girl. She asked me to open her present first. She was so proud that she wrapped it herself. It even had writing on the paper that she read to me "To Mr. Brian, Mrs. Mattea and the new Baby... Love, Caroline." When I opened it, I found a worn copy of The Runaway Bunny. She wanted the new baby to have her favorite book from when she was a baby. She said her mommy read it to her every night. I couldn't help but get teary eyed. She is such a doll!
After that, of course I had to have Miss Caroline help me with the other gifts.

There are plenty of other pictures, but I just wanted to share a few with you. I hope you enjoy! Our other shower will be given by my friends and family in Fort Payne, AL the first weekend in September. When I get those pictures, I will put them up as well.

Mom and Dad Pre-baby

Many of you have asked to see pictures of us pre-baby. I'm warning you, swelling has already set in so I'm a bit puffy and well, Brian is doing the opposite of most dads-to-be, he is actually losing weight. It really isn't very fair if you ask me.

We decided to let Tucker get a first hand look at Addison's crib. He wasn't too impressed.

This was actually taken on the swing in our back yard.

I like this picture. This is what Brian can usually be found doing, kissing and talking to my belly. Addie LOVES hearing his voice.

This is kind of far away but it is actually the first picture we have of us in front of our house.
I hope you guys enjoy the photos!

Am I Really Old Enough?

We are literally within 2 months of Addison being born and man has the pregnancy flown by. I've enjoyed all the little things that have happened along the way (painting the room, buying clothes, Braxon-Hicks?!), but i've been thinking a lot lately about how fast time has gone in general.

For instance,
I picked up a guitar for the first time.....15 years ago!
I remember buying Green Day's Dookie album.....14 years ago!
Remember the Braves winning the world Series?........13 years ago!
I remember going to the Olympics in Atlanta.....12 years ago!
I remember my last day at St. Bede's Elementary......10 years ago!
We saw all of Shaun's Alabama games 9 years ago!
Jeez, I last competed athletically 7 years ago!
I've now known Mattea for 5 years.... and then we've been married close to 2.5 years!
I also get a kick of those jobs that require 3-5 years of experience....well i qualify now.

But at 25 things are different:
I once was upset about school starting early august; now i'm glad those darn kids are off the streets.

I was born 2 years after Don't Stop Believing by Journey was #1 on the charts. Last week, I saw them play it live.

I actually drive 25 mph in the neighborhood.

On Friday nights you passed out at 2 am; now you pass out at 8:30 pm

I actually choose the more secluded beaches than the more popular ones.

David Letterman was a nightly routine; now i catch his highlights on Good Morning America.

I actually told my sister-in-law to turn down her music because it was too loud.

I'm actually older than LeBron James and the same age as Albert Pujols.


But i am almost able to add "Dad" to my resume. As a good local client of mine tells me, "I didn't know how to do nails, I knotted her hair, i'm a terrible date, and I don't fit well in a dress.....but I can throw one hell of a tea party!"

keep mattea and addison and I in your prayers as we go the next month and a half excited yet nervous. And as always, please keep in touch and send those fun stories.

BP

3lb. 8oz.

I had my 28 weeks doctor visit and we were finally able to get some fun 4D sonar pictures. She was VERY active (and not to mention dramatic) today. Here are some of my favorites...

She was beginning to give us a little bit of a grin. I can't tell yet if she will have her Daddy's dimples. I really hope so.


She was mad at the sonar tech. because she was poking at her trying to get her to move her hand. If you look closely, you can see her eyebrows and nose are crinkled up. She was NOT happy!

"Here's looking at you kid." I LOVE this picture! She finally has her eyes open. She looks so mysterious.

Yawn....She was beginning to get sleep. My sister said she was trying to say "Hey Ya'll!"

You can definitely tell that she is her Daddy's daughter. She is sticking her tongue out at the camera.