Merry Christmas!

Jenga is the best game ever!!

We went out with Matthew, Toni and Carter on Friday night and then got a dose of baby CPR from our Garner Fire Capt'n. After the adult stuff, Carter and I got to play our favorite game JENGA. I've had this game probably since I was in 4th grade (the date on the box shows 1986). I taught Carter last time to tap on the block to make sure you picked one that could slide out easy, and now he's a master at it. We play a few rounds then its on to building w/ the blocks or making towers.

35 weeks....35 days to go!!!

That is what today's Baby Center email said....wow! This is getting close! According to all the research she is just packing on the pounds at this point- you know how excited I am about that!

We're almost ready....maybe???! Have the Dreft ready & will wash up her things over Christmas break. Yes, we are working on the handles to the dresser- they will be painted & on by the end of the weekend if it will ever stop raining. Need to finish up the curtain, but really that isn't the highest thing on the list! Uncle Matt has his plans laid out for her doll house/bookshelf. Once he is done we'll get it painted & fill it up- can't wait for that! I have to get the cushions made for the glider....don't tell Seth I haven't called the lady yet- that can be our secret! It rocks with or without the cushions- a pillow will make do until they are done- just as long as it rocks!!!

We finish up our birthing classes this Saturday. They have been great. We decided to take private classes with a lady I know who also teaches classes at Rex. These are a little more in depth, give more natural information (yes, we really do hope to go as natural as possible- not saying 'no' to the meds, but will try to do what we can without them- pray!!), and she puts a Christian persepective in as well. They have been great! & surprise- the other couple in the class are friends of ours from church- they walked in & we all started to laugh- had no clue, small world!

3 more day until Christmas break! Excited about the break, but realizing how much I have to get ready at work & how little time is left there...yikes! I have some sub plans to write over the holidays! My kids threw me a surprise baby shower last week- so cute! The biggest surprise of all was they kept it a secret, I had NO clue! Of course I have the best Room Mom who set it all up- helps when you hand pick your friend to be your Room Mom (love ya Monica!!). They showered Olivia with lots of books & some cute little clothes & toys. They were so excited- that huge cake with all that icing added to the excitment, along with the fact that they just got themselves out of the history lesson for the afternoon!!! What a great job I have!


Well, that is probably more information than any of you wanted, but we hadn't posted in a while. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas. By the way, don't keep checking the mailbox for our Christmas card.....you won't find it this year! We know what you really want is a birth announcement in a few weeks!!

Thanksgiving

4 cans of pumpkin, over a dozen eggs, 3 packs of cream cheese, lots & lots of sugar, & more butter than Paula Deen would even approve of......put it all together & you'll get: caramel pumpkin layer cake, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin bars, & cranberry pumpkin bread. You'll also get a very messy kitchen & swollen pregnant feet from all that baking! All worth it though! Can you tell what my favorite part of Thanksgiving is? Dessert! & yes, I love pumpkin!

**added by Seth
When I arrived home, Ashley had pumpkin cans, spatulas, and dishes stacked in and around the sink. I made the comment this reminded me of the sweet potato production line when Kevin and I made pies for Valentines day at WMCC a year or so ago.

'It's like sharing a kitchen with Kevin, oh look I haven't used this plate, pot, spoon yet'

- Yes i was in charge of cleaning dishes in both occasions :)
**

Well, truth be told my favorite Thanksgiving meal has always been breakfast at my Dad's. Sorry- turkey is good & I do enjoy all the side dishes, but that is the best breakfast of the year! The 1 good thing about Seth working on Thanksgiving is I still get to eat Thanksgiving breakfast at Dad's before he gets off of work & we head to VA.

We'll make it just in time for dinner- thanks for waiting on us Reffit fam! We'll spend the weekend in VA & we're looking forward to seeing everyone- the entire family will be together & we can't wait! Lots to be thankful for & lots to celebrate!

Seth & I are thankful for our sweet baby girl. We just can't wait to see her & spoil her rotten! Went to the doctor today: doctor said, "She won't be a 6 pound baby, that I am sure of. I am thinking over 8." Wow, you can guess how excited I was to hear that!! =) It will all be worth it & it won't be too much longer! Big kicks as I type- she is saying hello to her fan club!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Showered with LOTS of love!

Over the past 2 weeks we have been showered with LOTS of love. We are very blessed to have such loving family& friends. Olivia's room has quickly filled up! Her closet is full of pink, pink, and more pink! We've enjoyed visiting with everyone, all the thoughtful gifts, & who can pass up all that cake!! Thank you for your love & support. We can't wait for you all to meet her.

All the shower pictures...

30 or 32????

We had our 30 week ultrasound/apt this morning. We had promised to post Olivia's newest pictures, but sorry to say they aren't clear enough to post. We got lots of good looks at her on the screen, but the still shots just won't show up good on here. We have 2 pictures of her little face. I think she has her daddy's nose, we'll just have to wait & see for sure! My placenta is in the front rather than the back, so it makes it very difficult to get the 3D/4D shots now that she is taking up all the space!

Well, Olivia is the perfect name for our little girl- our little piggy! At the 12 week ultrasound she was measuring early- a 1/13/10 due date. Today at our 30 week ultrasound she measured consistently 32 weeks for a 1/8/10 due date- our little piggy! We turned 30 weeks today (well, at least that is what the counter at the top of the page says!) & all the books say she should weigh 3 pounds now.....miss Olivia is already 4 pounds & in the 74%!! Everything looked great, just big!! 30-32???? Jan 8-20????......who knows??! She'll come when she is ready, just not so sure it will be the 20th or later anymore! Maybe I will end up with my very on precious little (not so sure she'll be little!) birthday present!

Mommy also got her piggy shot today- as much as I hate needles I didn't even flinch!

Happy Halloween!

We had our 5th annual Pumpkin Party this weekend. Don't laugh, you are never too old to carve pumpkins! We all sorta laughed this year- seems we all opted for an "easy" design- we are getting old! The kids in the neighborhood came by & helped us judge- they really liked our pumpkins. We decided that next year we'll have to carve Halloween Eve- Olivia & baby Daughtry will have to make their rounds for their 1st Halloween. Can't wait!

Olivia update- It looks like mommy is hiding a pumpkin in her tummy! She is growing and moving all around! We have an ultrasound at our next apt. so stay tuned & we'll post pics. She has become quite the kick boxer these days! LOVES to show off her moves late at night and early morning. She has also gotten in the habit of exercising around 4am and mommy tries to convince her to go back to sleep! Just because daddy gets up at 4am doesn't mean we have too! We're still working on her nursery & hope to have it done in the next few weeks.
We had our tour of the birthing center at the hospital last week. 12 couples all walking around, talking, chatting with the new dads & grandmas at the window of the baby nurseries- they were so proud! It was lots of fun.....until a very soon dad-to-be wheeled his wife in. They were just arriving & were on their way to her room- she didn't look happy at all! We ALL got silent quick & just watched him wheel her past.....reality hit! I thought the stork brought the baby??!!

O's room is almost done

We put the second coat of paint on last night. I should say Ashley did...I just assisted with refilling the roller and moving the step ladder. I tend to not be a perfectionist that my wife or brother are.

I left the room and Ashley was tiding up to see what was left to touch up after the painter's tape was removed. I looked up to the top of the stairs...and Ashley had her shirt up almost as if to give Olivia a peak at her room. Gave me such a warm feeling .... I called up and asked her what she was doing and she turned her head back and just grinned.

We're so excited......and just past the 100 day mark to birth **if O is synced up with the Dr. due date. Pics will come maybe after we finish it.