The Best One Yet...

For anyone who has been pregnant or spent a lot of time with someone who is, you know that you get some pretty interesting comments and looks. Most of my comments so far have leaned more to the normal/acceptable, don't make you feel like crap, run-of-the-mill preggo comments. But today, the conversation and interaction I had with a 7 yr old day camper (who we will call "A") tops all others. To appreciate the hilarity I need to paint you a little picture of her: sweet southern child, a little on the pleasantly plump side, wearing a tankini that I notice she has the bottoms on backward due to the tag sticking out the front, which leads to a little plumber action in the back...extremely friendly and very precious.

It went a little something like this:

A: (with a very think southern accent) You got any kids?
Me: I am going to have my first in October!
A: You excited? ( as she pats my belly)
Me: I am! I am really excited!
A: You know if it's a girl or a boy?
Me: It's a boy.
A: (with a crumpled up face) Ew yuck! Boys are disgusting...
Me: (awkward chuckle) Oh yeah?
A: Yeah... I wanted you to say a girl.
Me: Nope, his name is Noah Matthew.
A: What if he just hauls off and kicks you in the stomach?
Me: Well, sometimes he does. I feel him move a lot...
A: Hmm... let me see your belly... (as she lifts up my shirt and pokes my belly button; I am defenseless b/c I have scissors in one hand and yarn in the other)...WHAT is that?!
Me: (laughing, slightly embarrassed) I don't know! What do you think it is?
A: I think it's his nose!!! (poking my belly button that has been sticking out since about wk 14)
Me: Yep, that must be his nose sticking out...

It may not seem as amazing as it was, but it made my day. That's all the really matters...

Baby Ford's First Shower

Aunt Krystal and her mama, Diana, put together a little Baby Shower Lunch at the Corner Kitchen in Asheville. I am thankful for the small group of family and friends who were able to gather to celebrate our soon-to-be little addition to the family. We even had several friends/family who were unable to make the shower, but sent wonderful little gifts for the baby. We are starting to feel the reality setting in that he will be here in about 2 months! Yikes... Now it's just time to make the final lists of what we still need to bring him home. It's not much, but after packing the hospital bag last night we have realized a few key items missing from our stock: diapers for one (well, the little ones).
Anyway, I like to put pictures of what's going on with us up, but considering most people probably aren't interested in us figuring out the breast pump, trying to get the car seat to fit in the stroller, or packing hospital bags, here are a few from the shower:

Cute little cupcakes with blue booties and ducks

Aunt Heather's couture burp cloth

The Papa's creation

Kristi, Krystal, and Nancy's designs

My expression, I believe, is in response to how tiny the socks and mitts are...

Tying on prayer bracelets, worn until Baby Ford is here

Updated belly-growth photo, 30 weeks

Thanks again to everyone who came or sent their love. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

More of Chris' Summer Fun

We have proven to be bad Floridians... we have to move to TN before Chris ever tries to water ski. Ridiculous. Of course, I wasn't allowed to partake, although Dennis said I could if I wanted to, I was able to capture the gloriousness (is that a word?) of Christopher's folly and fun. And facial expressions. Here are a few from the first run (note: he is using the same beginner bar that the elementary kids were taught on earlier in the day):





Rough start, however, he did graduate to the rope after only a few tries on the bar. I was pretty impressed... skiing can be tough, especially when you wait until your 27 to learn. He was able to get up on the rope and figure out how to cross the wake, though the waves were another story. Here are a few more once he "mastered" the art:




The last picture Chris is receiving some praise and pointers from the Master Teacher, Dennis.

I told Dennis that I don't plan to be pregnant next summer, so he will have to come back and do it all over again. But we know how well my plans pan out...

A Few More...

Here are a few photo samplers from Kristen's wedding festivities. I will post more as I complete more projects. If only I had the money to invest in this hobby...

Trying My Hand...

So, as most of you know (because I am my mother's daughter) I have a little bit of a passion for photography. I've never really done much with pursuing it as a profession so I haven't dabbled much with post-production editing. I am learning that in order to do these things it would be a HUGE investment. But with time on my hands this summer, I have tried my hand a little with the more creative side. Anyway, I really like how this turned out, so I thought I would share it with you:



Kelly asked me to take a few pictures of her and Paul while at Kristen's wedding. Though it looks like she's either an only child or the favorite, Anne Lois and Wilson happened to be away at camp at this time so they are not in the photos. Hopefully I can get some fun shots of the whole family next time we are all together.

The Start of Noah's Pad

It's such a blessing to know that our baby is already loved and cared for so much. Thank you so much, Mama Hobbs, for hand-making with lots of love this beautiful blanket for Noah:

Thanks to lots of love from family and friends, we have added lots of things to Noah's room over the weekend. This kid hasn't been hurting for anything from the beginning, but we have been very fortunate here lately. And thankful... Here are a few pictures to give you an idea. If you think it's not very decorated, it's not. But, the fact that we will only be in this house for about 3 months of his life, I didn't go to the trouble of painting, hanging lots of things on the wall, etc. I kind of enjoy the simplicity of it anyhow.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their love for our baby boy with your generous gifts:
* Mama Bowen and Papa Bowen for the BEAUTIFUL glider, that glides amazingly; and many other odds and ends (crib sheets, Noah's Ark frame, cute little outfits, collage frame, etc.)
* Bullington family for the precious crib and window bench (changing pad, bug bedding, etc.)
* Giusti clan for the animal bedding and decor (diaper bin, Moses basket, baby tub, blankets, diaper bag, Noah burp cloth, etc.)
* Ford family and friends for Noah's first Seminole, Ford, & John Deere paraphernalia
* Mama Hobbs for Noah's first blanket, made just for him
* Wilson, Anne Lois, & Abigail for the paintings hanging above his changing table (I hear Mason and Walker will soon add to the collection)
* Heidi & Chuck Lee for our bedroom suit, which we're sharing with Noah as a cribside table
* Sweet family in Rockford, TN for the antique dresser (only $75 on craigslist.com - what a deal!) built in the 1900's that will be Noah's changing table and eventually his dresser (all we have to do is replace a few handles, everything else is original from when it was built)
* Gretchen Smeltzer for the plethora of cloth diapers we will hopefully be successful in using


We are so thankful for all that our family and friends continue to do for us. Krystal and her mama, Diana, have offered to host a Baby Shower Brunch for us in NC in a few weeks. I can't wait! It's so great to share in this adventure with those closest to us. It makes my heart very glad, makes me count my blessings even more.

Chris and I have been calculating the weeks ahead and the events that will take us up to the due date. We cannot believe that it has crept up so fast. I think we only have a week or two between now and then where we DON'T have something planned. Yikes... we are looking forward to the weeks ahead and being able to spend time with folks before the little guy gets here.

And now for your viewing pleasure, here are a few pictures of the growing belly and our fabulous Ford family photo shoot:

While Growing Our Baby...

Chris gets to play fun things:





Surprisingly, the camp professional that he is, he had NEVER blobbed before. Never. So, being the good wife that I am I totally peer pressured him into doing so. And thanks to Erika, he had the time of his life. These are pictures of his SWEET back flip... it only took a first jump, a back buster, and five or six attempts just to land on the Blob. I was so proud...