C stands for Checklists and C-sections

Pedicure/Manicure-check
Bags packed-check
House cleaned-check
Laundry washed/dried/folded/put away-check
Car seat ready to go-check
Sister & Bro-in-law in from Lubbock, TX- en route
Anxious parents/grandparents & great-grandparents-check

Ah, the joys of a planned c-section. Although it has been oh-so-handy for the control freak that I am, there seems to be a hint of a complexity that comes along with the fact that I know exactly when the little guy is going to get here. I appreciate being completely prepared and the ability to cross all of the items off my to-do list, but in the same sense, it tends to make me even more anxious knowing that I have a time limit.

I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around (1) the fact that I will have major surgery tomorrow, (2) that I will no longer be pregnant, (3) that I will join the ranks of parenthood, and most importantly (4) that one of the most amazing, God-given moments, that any human being can experience will happen to Colt and I tomorrow. How can one prepare themselves for such a thing? I don't think that any amount of the advice given to you during your pregnancy (solicited or unsolicited) can even begin to mentally or physically prepare you for what's to come.

In conclusion, Colt and I are truly blessed. Thank you everyone for your well wishes, your advice, help, guidance, and love. We can't wait to share Brody with you all... pictures of him that is. I have a feeling it will be hard enough getting our time with him as it is.

100% Chance of Showers

Colt and I have been blessed with some incredibly generous and very talented event coordinating people in our lives. Brody has been well showered over the past few weeks, and for that, I am sure he will be very grateful (as are we!)

Check out this amazingly decorated table at our shower on May 16th! Thank you Cindy R., Elaine, Sandy, Jenny, Cindy S., Lonnia, Donna and Sharron!

Thank you Malia, Nancy and Wendy for hosting our shower at the bank on June 7th! (A double thank you for the Jeannie Moffett cake! My fave!) I am so lucky to work with such a great group of people!

Although I don't have any pictures to post of the event, a big thank you to Malia, Pam, Christina, Brooke, Patty, Kim, and Laney for treating me to a fun shower at Noodles on June 9th!

Props to my mom (aka Meme to Brody) for this nice array of John Deere toys, clothes and gear. Thank you Karen, Pam, Susan, Betty, Peggy and Kim for our lovely shower on June 12th at the First Presbyterian Church!

Although it was quite possibly the hottest evening ever, we had a fabulous time in the back yard of Mike and Karen Gerwig on June 12th. Thank you Karen, Hannah, Rachel, Sarah, Roo and Carrie for hosting such a fun night for both the guys and gals! The food was amazing!

Thanks again everyone for your generosity, love and support!

Nursery Rhymes

Putting together a nursery is no easy feat. I have always imagined a nursery draped in beautiful pink fabrics and accented with a crystal chandelier. Not to mention a closet full of tutus and bows.

However, that all changed once we found out we were having a Brody West and not an Ali Pasley. Therefore, the assumed theme was none other than "retro cowboy." However, this idea was doomed from the beginning once I started looking for non-cheesy cowboy items online. These so called "retro cowboy" nursery items didn't exist. So, we then shifted toward a more logical baby boy theme of your typical blues and browns. That way, the kid can decide for himself when he's older if he wants to be a cowboy.

The crib and changing table were purchased by our parents and Colt did a fabulous job of assembling them.

My mom used her amazing sewing abilities to craft the drapes and crib skirt. The rocker is a recycled piece that we had recovered and the end table was a fun find at Daisies-N-Olives in downtown PG. (Don't look real close at the picture frame on the end table. I don't know who those people are, but eventually there will be a 5 generation photo to replace them of Brody and the 4 generations that have proceeded him.)

The art work was done by my favorite local artist, Valerie Doyle. (There is additional artwork to show off once it is complete...stay tuned for an edited blog post with the fun letters Val is working on and a glimpse at the changing table. I know... you can barely wait.)

It's not the over-the-top pink baby palace I had once dreamed of, but instead, its much better because its for little B-man. In fact, I doubt he would appreciate the presence of pink in his room- or a chandelier for that matter.

First Look

I don't expect an A+ for picture quality, but I will take a high 5 for this cute little booger (and his big feet). This is Brody at 32 weeks. He is a mover and a shaker, which proved difficult when trying to take his picture. I hope this doesn't mean that he will take after his father when it comes to the timeless art of photo bombing. (See below).

We have 4 weeks to go at this point. Although this picture was taken last August, I would imagine the face Colt is making reflects his current frustration with my ever-growing "honey-do" list that I have for him when he returns home each evening.