Did you ever think we were coming home?

Well we finally made it back home. We were gone 5 weeks...5 WEEKS!!! That's a long time. I spent all weekend unpacking, doing laundry, and trying to figure out the organization scheme that I set up for us before I left. I had to completely reorganize everything so I could find things! It was obsessively bad!!

On that note, I am having trouble locating my camera cable to upload my pictures from the last week and since I have been home. Hopefully I will find it tonight so there will be lots of funny stuff to come!!

Our Days in Pictures

New Family Member!

After a very long night for us all, my sister, Blake, finally gave birth last night to her little boy, Brody Lee. She went into the hospital yesterday at 10:30 am and finally had him at 11:30 pm. They kept going back and forth about whether to do a C-section or not since he was turned sideways but in the end, they decided that she could do it. So after about 2 hours of pushing and plenty of Dr.'s and nurses trying to turn him over (what a trooper!!), he finally made his grand appearance.

Everyone is doing well. Blake is good and trying hard to get some rest. Brody is staying in the nursery for now. He had a little bit of fluid in his lungs since he was 3 weeks early so he will be staying in the nursery until tomorrow so he can be monitored. They have an oxygen mask strapped to his face for now but hopefully all will be better tomorrow. Pictures to come...Sorry, after a long night in hospital with a tired and crying baby, my brain doesn't function enough to find the cord for my camera!

Still Hanging in Sweet Home Alabama

Yes, we are still here...waiting for my sister to have her baby already.  We went to visit with my grandparents last week and this week we are back at home with my parents.  We are hopeful my sister, Blake's, new addition will be here in the next few days. E is anxious to have us back home and I am a little anxious to get back home.  In the meantime, we are doing lots of visiting, shopping, traveling, spending quality time with the people we love.  Me and my mom have also been making clothes for the baby and, well, for us too...we like to look pretty too!  The baby dresses are almost done and I will post them in the next few days.  But in the meantime, here are a few pictures from this week. 

E, Nanny, Magpie and Rach enjoying the company of family at the beach over the weekend.

My sweet girl...she looks so old in this picture.  But she posed for us Sunday after church.  She completely pooped through her clothes in a massive way during church.  However, the nursery workers were incredibly kind and hand washed her clothes and had them dry and the baby redressed before we came back to get her after the service was over.  Amazing.  Boy were we grateful.

My cousin-in-law (? is that a word?) held baby and rocked her to sleep after dinner.

A large majority of the family gathered for my cousin Kimberly's birthday this weekend.  Which has also turned into a farewell dinner since she just found out she is moving north (close to us!!!  YAY!) for a new job.  

New Video

Rachel's newest You Tube video was posted yesterday.

Click here to see it!

Our Week at Home in Pictures

Baby Bailey learning to sit on her own. She is doig very well and I think she will be sitting up by next month and rolling over by the end of the week.
Baby tries Sprite for the first time on the tip of my finger. While it did stop her from fussing anymore, I had to keep doing it of she fussed louder. She liked Sprite.

My Dad cutting the neighborhood grass before we left for the beach.

Our last dinner together before my sister has her baby!

All of us girls at home for weekend.

The infamous "BELLY PICTURE" that my Papa has to do with all of the pregnant girls in the family...just for comparison.

My Brother-in-law, Rodney, really took to baby and it honestly surprised me. She laughed and played with him for the longest time.

More cousins and uncles came to the beach to meet us there and see the baby. Here is my cousin, Will, holding Rach for the first time.

Laurel was very helpful all week with the baby, even though Rach pooped and spit-up all over her clothes SEVERAL times! She was a good sport! She just kept coming back for more.

Where in the World is Everyday Bailey

As a surprise, my mom flew me and the baby back home to Alabama for my sister's baby shower. All of the family was there and it was a surprise to them all. But let's start at the beginning...Rachel did really well on the plane. That was honestly my worst fear because you hate to be the mom with a screaming baby on a plane full of people. Turned out, she slept the entire way, however, that may have been the only nap she was able to get the entire day. (that one really bit me in the rump later on) We got there in one peice...however, I can't say the same for my luggage/carseat. The airport gave us a loaner car seat which might as well have been made of paper. It was worthless. Luckily they found our luggage later on that day and delivered it late that evening.

Rachel at 12 weeks

We met all of the family for lunch after they spent the morning shopping, and BOY were they surprised that me and baby showed up. We were all the loudest things ever to hit the Blue Plate Cafe in our town. And we aren't quiet and respectful when we are excited either. Everyone in the restaurant knew how excited we were to see each other. Baby got passed around the table so everyone could spend some time with her...and boy, she was trooper. She didn't get upset at all. She actually seemed to enjoy looking at all of the different faces.

Sunday, we all drove over to my sister's (gigantic) house to have lunch with all of the family once more before they left and attend her baby shower where we got to see old friends and teachers and acquintances. Me and Blake (my sister) never get to hangout. So since the doctor has put her on half days at work until the baby comes so she invited me and baby to spend the night. So we are going to talk BABY today and get a few things ready for her new baby boy, Brody. He should be here anyday now. (And Rach is breaking in all of his toys and bedding for him, just to give you an idea of how tall she is already...if she was an inch longer, she wouldn't fit in his bassinet...I KNOW RIGHT!!)

An Homage to our First House

Goodbye house!  You were a good first house...lots of love, comfort, and good memories were had by all.  

First Memories in our First House:

1. first time to attempt renovations

2. first pet

3. first time to get to know neighbors

4. first baby

5. first time to not have a job

6. first time to sell a house

7. first time to attempt landscaping

Ahhhh...so many memories here.  But now it is time to say goodbye!  We spent all last week with E's parents and all of this week moving furniture and making the last few repairs needed before we close at the end of the week.  Exhaustion is taking a toll on us though.  Even baby is getting tired of being carted around and passed off from neighbor and friends and nursery workers at church.  I think I am already getting mother's guilt!  Just a few more days!!  

Where do we live? With Elizabeth and Matt for the time being!  They are evidently glutens for punishment inviting me and E with baby and Maggie to stay.  But baby sleeps all night and doesn't cry much, so really, it's just Maggie that's the problem.  "Let the Great Experiment Begin!"

Everyday Bailey will be back as soon as life calms down next week.