Photos

One of my student's mom contacted me last week and informed me that she was an amateur photographer and would like to take maternity pictures for me if we were interested. I was excited because I had wanted to get some pictures taken but did not want to spend the money on a photographer. Pete on the other hand was not excited about the idea of taking pictures but as always, he was a good sport and participated in the process with a good attitude. The pictures are on her website and can be seen at: http://imagin.zenfolio.com/fox

31 years old and 37 weeks

Today(Sunday) is my 31st birthday and I am also 37 weeks/ 9 months pregnant! Last week early Thursday and Friday morning I had a contraction that felt quite a bit more painful and real than the Braxton Hicks contraction I have been feeling. Pete woke up on Thursday at 4:30 am to find me on my knees trying to stretch my back. He was surprisingly calm and proceeded to massage my back which relieved the pain. The next night he woke up and randomly asking me if I was doing alright. That morning he told me that he was worried about me and would ask me how I was feeling before realizing that he was waking me up to ask. Needless to say, he has not been sleeping too well lately in anticipation of our little arrival.

For my birthday Pete made me breakfast, we went to church and then when down to Naples for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We had a HUGE lunch with chocolate coconut cheesecake for desert. It was so nice spending the day with my incredible husband. He got me a new point-and-shoot camera for my gift. He said we could not possibly have this baby without having a little camera to carry around with us. So, I guess our baby can now officially come, as we now have everything we need.

Fran's Luncheon

My mom's friend Fran threw me a luncheon at her house in honor of the arrival of Baby Fox. It was held on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and I felt as if we had stepped into the pages of Sense and Sensibility. I have never been to a luncheon that was not only so proper, but so beautiful and delicious. Fran had the tables set in her mother's china, each spot had an individual tiny bowl and spoon for the salt and pepper, she made a gorgeous cake, she had delicate pink rose arrangements, and she must have labored hours over the incredible food. It was an intimate lunch, with my moms, grandmother, aunts, cousin, and Terry. I was very honored to have such a sensational day planned for me and this precious little baby. Fran was an incredible hostess, not forgetting the most minute detail, and making every single part of the lunch and her house beautiful.

The invitation

Beautiful Fran, with the fabulous lemon custard cake

Terry, Aunt Racquel, Aunt Katie, Aunt Bunny, Coralie, Aunt Judy, Delores
Mom, Me, Granny, Fran
The table, set for lunch

Fran made a sweet little name card for each seat

The kitchen table

When we arrived, Fran served us sparkling cider with homemade frozen guava juice with a delicate cocktail napkin

The table set for lunch. Chicken salad with walnuts, and mandarin oranges, cranberry moose, tomato and cream cheese open faced sandwiches, tomatos and asparagus. Each table had a basket of tiny delicious biscuits and a bowl of homemade guava jelly. For desert Fran made coffee, chocolate brownies, and lemon custard cake.

This cake was green with tiny pink dots

Cora and Katie drove down from Stuart just for the luncheon. Katie was scheduled to work but asked her bossy if he could cover for her so that she could be there for the afternoon. He insisted that she come down so that she could see her niece pregnant. I am so happy they were both able to bee there.

Delores and Racquel

Bunny, Mom and Terry at the kitchen table following lunch
The salt and pepper bowls

School Shower

My amazing friend Maria threw a wonderful shower for me at school. Maria has been thinking and preparing for this shower from almost the moment I told her I was pregnant. She sent out precious invitations, passed around a collection for our stroller, bought little "sweet pea" seed packets that she made into favors, arranged/made food and prepared her room. Many of my sweet friends helped with the food, gave money for our stroller and brought baby Fox a special book. It was a very special time and once again I was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of my friends.

Maria bought these invitations way back in March in anticipation of this shower

She added this sweet little poem asking that people bring a book for the baby

My friend Kathy brought flowers for each table and Maria had the sweet pea packets and advice cards at each seat. I thought it was so special that we gave little oak seedlings as favors at our wedding and now for our baby shower the favors were seed packets.

The faculty collected money to buy us our stroller. Pete and I were overwhelmed by the generosity!

All of the delicious food

Kim preparing some mighty tasty punch

Jaime, Kristin, Tara, Jan, Celeste, Kathy, and Kim

Sam, Shelsea, and Kim

Cecilia, Sherri, and Allison

Carla, Ashley, Janet, Donna and Beth

Patty, Sandy, Linda and Karen

So many sweet books and gifts

Maria and Lyn. Lyn is going to be taking over my class when I have the baby and there are no words to express not only by gratitude but also my relief to have her taking care of everything for me. She is not only an incredible friend, but a master teacher.

Maria and me
My lovely friend Jan picked out this whimsical owl for baby Fox and I absolutely love it. I told Jan whether my baby likes it or not this is going to be his/her favorite stuffed animal. :)

Homestead Shower

My best friend Melissa and her mom Terry threw me the most amazing shower down in Homestead at the Munz's house. There were about 20 people who attended and the entire afternoon was absolutely wonderful! Terry and Melias made all of the Delicious food, we played a couple of fun games, and opened presents. The highlight of the shower was the devotion that Melissa prepared on Hannah and Samuel and then the pray time that followed. Many of the women prayed for Pete, me and the baby. I feel blessed to have so many people praying for our little family. It was a very special and sweet time and I am so grateful for all the work and love that went into making it a memorable day. I received very generous gifts and everyone brought a book that was special to them for our sweet baby Fox.

The invitation
Beautiful bouquet

One of the many wonderful books that Pete and I will soon be reading to our little baby

This cake was so pretty with it's blue and pink polka dots

My mom, me, Melissa, and Terry. Melissa and I have been best friends since we were two. Melissa will be having her third baby about five months after our baby is born. We are both hopeful that our children will be best friends!

Melissa's Jacob, reading some of the books

Here are all of the books that now make up our baby's library

My nephew Tyler, who was so good throughout the entire shower. His bother, daddy and Pete were fishing during this afternoon.

My sweet friend Crystal's precious baby Milo.

Me, my mom and Crystal. Crystal and I have been friends since 6th grade. I am so very grateful for her friendship and encouragement.

Marylin, Bunny, Grandma Gerry, Lindsay and Tiffany

Pete's aunt Dawn, his Grandma, his cousin Katie, and Delores

35 Weeks

My appointment this week was great. Dr. Shah said the baby is head down and in fact, is fairly far down in the birth canal. He said this is a good thing for two reasons. One, the baby has less of a chance of turning head up again, and two, my labor should be a little shorter because the baby will not have to travel down into the canal as it is already there. This is the first appointment that Pete was unable to go to with me. He spent the day at the courthouse fulfilling one of his responsibilities as a United States Citizen, jury duty. I have felt so loved and blessed to have him by my side at every single appointment. He has been such a trooper sitting through some uncomfortable situations and I realize that not all soon-to-be-dads accompany their wives to their appointments. The Lord has blessed me beyond what I could have even asked for in a husband. Maybe it is because I started asking the Lord to give me Pete at such a young age. :)

Sweet Maria!

My incredibly generous and kind friend Maria surprised me on Tuesday with a basket full of baby gifts. She told me to come over to her room and when I got there this beautiful basket was waiting for me. There is not much I like more than a basket full of goodies and this one was absolutely precious. Maria told me she could finally give it to me as she had been filling it sense she found out I was pregnant and it was now full. This is quite a task when you consider how little is available in the way of gender neutral baby items. I was overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness and love. I am so blessed to not only have this amazing women as my dear friend but to get to work with her everyday. She is a constant blessing to me!

This basket was full to the brim with outfits, hangers, socks, diapers, creams, soaps, toys and even a scrapbook which she has promised to help me fill.

This precious little gator outfit is a newborn so we will get to use this right away.

This was probably my favorite thing in the whole basket!!!

I cannot believe this sweet baby will be here for Halloween. This is such a cute outfit, but the best part is the back...

A little pumpkin butt.