Friendly House Guest

Last night we had a house guest. We were so excited to spend time with one of Cory's closest friends, who he has known since childhood. John was coming through work on business, so we snatched him up for the night before we let him loose to go to work this morning.

We had so much fun visiting with him. We went to dinner and just hung out. And the boys stayed up late catching up. Next time we hope to get the rest of his sweet family down. We missed you Kim & Aiden! - Thanks for letting us steal him for a night!

This morning I had my 24 week check up and I started Dr. rotations this week, so I met with one of the Drs for the first time. (they do this just in case I go into labor and my Dr. isn't on call - at least I have met all the Drs in the practice and not having some stranger deliver my baby) James Bradford is doing fantastic! Her guess is that he is going to weigh between 7 and 8 pounds and come early. (which we aren't surprised at all, we have thought from the beginning that the date was about a week off - and that's exactly what I am measuring - a week ahead) It was so much fun to hear his little heart beat and such a relief to know he is doing so well.

Working For The Weekend

Is it really only Wednesday?! Here's a sneak peak at what we are getting ready to do this weekend!

The holiday weekend can't get here soon enough. My Grandma is flying in from Florida so we can all celebrate her 80th Birthday. Woohoo! Looking forward to lots of fun with family, lots of sun, food, boating and relaxing.

Oh - and I was surprised - I had a good review of my pictures. No grades or anything, just the pros and cons being pointed out of each photo. Key thing for me to remember next assignment - Simplify - less is more!

Photography 101

My wonderful husband surprised me this past Christmas with a new camera. I was so pumped - especially because I didn't expect it at all. We had decided not to do Christmas presents - and then he broke out this awesome gift for me - a Canon Rebel T1i. (Way to make me feel bad, Cory!)

It has been such an amazing camera. We have gotten lots of great photos with it already - especially when we went to Pasadena. - Doesn't it look like we were right on the field?! Amazing!

Anyways, we decided I should take a photography class because of course I only know how to use the camera in Auto mode, and since this camera has a manual mode - I need to learn to use it! And we figured I better take it now, because once James Bradford arrives - there is no way I'm going to give up 3 hrs everything Tuesday evening for a month!

I decided on taking a class at Birmingham School of Photography. Oh My Goodness! I felt like I was back in college - struggling in Physiological Psychology! We had our first assignment this week - take 36 pictures and bring in 20. Here are some of 20 pictures needed for class tonight:

I'm interested to see if I passed my first assignment or not. Photography is a lot harder then I thought it would be!!

Relaxing Weekend with The Jensens

Cory and I were in need of some R&R, and so were our good friends Jeff & Emily. The four of us were in need of a weekend get-away with no house chores, no work / blackberry emails, no commitments and no schedules.

Friday evening we loaded up and headed down 280 to Lake Martin. On our way down, we started off our evening with one all of our favorites - Mexican for Dinner. Although, Jeff & Emily had had it for lunch that day and Cory & I had it the night before. We can never get enough Mexican Food! And its the best way to start a weekend!
R&R was what we got all weekend. Swimming, Boating, Lounging at the pool, People watching, game playing - and can't forget a lot of good eating!
We all came back relaxed and sun burnt! We had a great weekend!

Here is Emily & Jeff - we went to the new horse stables on our way home Sunday. They were gorgeous! Now if only we had gotten a picture of the 4 of us. Oh well!

Today we are 23 weeks! It's so hard to believe that 20 weeks ago (Jan. 4) we got the call from my sweet nurse to let us know the exciting news! 20 weeks seems like a really long time, but it also feels like it was yesterday! 23 weeks - that means only a mere 17 weeks until James Bradford is here. (If not sooner, if I follow in my sister's and mother's footsteps!) Right now, he is the size of a large mango. (Side Note - Funny they should use a mango illustration - This past weekend I made a fruit salad and put mango in it for the first time - do you know how difficult those things are to cut up?! I need some serious lessons!) Anyways, he weighs just over a pound now and is over 11 inches long! Loud noises are being familiar to him - such as the vacuum, Sabrina & Rosie's barks and prob. more then anything my loud voice! We have our 24 week check up on Thursday and I can't wait to hear his little heartbeat!! He is still kicking around a lot which I am loving and I'm just waiting for him to get strong enough so Cory can feel it too! I think he also has had a case of the hiccups several times, I could be mistaken, but that's my best guess of what I have been feeling. I am still feeling great - and yes, I am still wearing heels! Several people have told me, that its time to get a comfy pair of flats, but I just can't give up heels just yet - although, I know that day will be here soon, where heels won't be as comfortable to me as they used to be. I'm holding on as long as I can!

Fabulous Friday Finds - Smocked Swim Trunks

I love reading people's blogs. And I look forward to reading people's blogs when they have a special day - such as Flashback Friday or Weight Watchers Wednesday. Its something I look forward to and know there will be a post that day of interest to me. So I decided to start my own and call it Fabulous Friday Finds. I have been trying to come up with something since I started the blog, and this just all the sudden popped in my mind.

So what is considered a Fabulous Friday Find? To me, a Fabulous Friday Find - will be something that I purchased or found that was on sale, a bargain or free and that I personally think is Fabulous!

So here we go! I hope I can keep up and find something fabulous to post about each Friday!

Fabulous Friday Find of the day: Smocked Swim Trunks for James Bradford.


Several months ago, I was reading a blog and there were pictures of the blogger's daughter in an adorable smocked swimsuit. I told one of my friends, who is close friends with that particular blogger, "If I have a girl, I have to know where she got that smocked swimsuit" - I was in love with it.

Yesterday I went to the long awaited Lili Pad children's clothing store sale in Cahaba Heights. Just about everything in the store was 50% off - have to make room for the fall arrivals! I was so excited about getting some adorable things for James Bradford. The store was opening at 8:30am - so I told work I would be in late. (got my priorities straight!) and arrived right when they opened. The store was packed and people were everywhere.

I found several great things that I'm excited about, but the smocked swim trunks was by far my favorite - when I saw them, I just had to have them. I didn't know that they made boys smocked swimwear. So now on this nasty day in Birmingham - I'm dreaming of being at Lake Martin and in SanDestin next summer with my little family and envisioning James Bradford crawling around in the white sand, getting lots of kisses from Sabrina and splashing around in these darling swim trunks.

Happy Fabulous Friday!! Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Will Life Slow Down or Will Life Pick Up?

Over the last several days I have been asking myself this very question: Will Life Slow Down or Will Life Pick Up? (this is going to back to my philosophy 101 class freshman year of college!) I have always been one who likes to stay busy and hates to miss out on anything.

When I first entered into the "real world" (full time job after college), I had graduated from college early and all my friends were still out "playing" every night - I couldn't miss out on all the fun. So what did I do? I worked from 8:30 - 5pm every day - then would go meet up with friends for dinner and fun and most nights didn't get home until . . . ?? Then I would get up and go to work and do it all over again! I honestly don't know how I did it!
When I got Sabrina (my precious, 4-legged baby girl), things changed. I no longer could go straight from work to go play with friends and no longer could stay out all hours of the night. I had a responsibility to her. I would at least come home after work take care of her and then maybe head out for a few hours of social time.
Nowadays - 9pm rolls around (even on weekends) and I'm headed for the bed. But I still love to keep busy and to learn new things. This month I'm taking a photography class and next month I'm taking a sewing class. Plus continuing doing Prenatal Water Aerobics 2 nights a week, and usually Thursday night I do something social or charitable. So pretty much I go nonstop from the hours of 5:30am - 9pm, 5 days a week.

After James Bradford is born - I am blessed that I will only be working 3 days a week and that I will get to spend lots of fun and quality time with my sweet boy. I know there will be late night feedings and late night cries(and my body is already preparing itself - wide awake at 3:38am - that's not normal!) and lots of laundry. But oh - it will be so worth it. And I will get to spend that much more time with him.

I know life is going to change after James Bradford, and I am so excited about the future of what life will be like.
Here is the equation:

Full Time Mommy/Wife + Baby - 2 Full days of Work - extras = Anne's Future Life

So, Will Life Slow Down or Will Life Pick Up?? Whatever it is - I know I'm going to love it!

James Bradford's First Monogrammed Gift

As most of y'all know - I didn't have a middle name as a child! On my dad's side of the family - they don't have middle names! (I'm not sure why - it's a Grinnell thing!! or maybe a northern thing!) Everything that I had monogrammed just had an "A" or "AG" on it - which I loved, but for some reason it just didn't seem complete without that 3rd initial. I was so excited to get married and to take my maiden name on as my middle - and wow, how that monogram all the sudden looked complete with that 3rd letter!

Like I mentioned last week - it was our 3rd Anniversary. Cory was out of town, so my parent's waited until he was back to give us our Anniversary present. (Yes - I know, We are spoiled!) Mom kept asking me what we would like, and there really wasn't anything we needed or wanted. I told her, I didn't want a check, that I would prefer a surprise. And so a surprise we got!
Mom delivered this basket of goodies to us. It was so much fun opening it all! And I just had to share with you my favorite thing in the basket! -
She had found this cute hooded elephant towel wrap at the Blue Willow (one of my favorite stores - if you live in Birmingham and you haven't been, you need to check it out)Isn't it adorable?! I love the big pink ears and the long trunk. I undid the towel - Check out the back!
James Bradford is going to look precious! His first monogrammed gift!

Thank you Grandma & Gramps!! He cant wait to use it at the lake!

Weekend Fun

This weekend was a fun-filled weekend for Cory & I.

Friday evening we went over to our good friends, Lisa & Chris's house for dinner. It was so much fun. We hadn't seen them in several weeks so it was great getting to catch up with them over a fabulous dinner they prepared for us. They are getting married September 18th, so I got all the wedding updates. With James Bradford's birth date being so close to their wedding date, I had to decline on being a bridesmaid in her wedding. I felt awful but they were so understanding. I can't imagine not being there to see one of my best friends walk down the aisle. I hope & pray it will work out that I will be able to at least be able to get a glimpse of their special day. Friday evening was such a fun & special time.

Thanks so much for having us over and for a fabulous dinner! We had a wonderful time!

Saturday evening we went to the wedding of Jennifer Cooper & Bryan Myers. Jennifer is one of my dearest friend's younger sisters. Jennifer looked absolutely stunning and was just glowing. And of course her entire family was too. The Cooper family is by far one of the cutest families I know. From watching Mr. Cooper walk his bride down the aisle, and him walking down the bride of the day - his middle daughter, seeing Leslie and Katherine standing up there - just so overjoyed for their sister and so proud, and the whole family dancing together at the reception - they are all so precious and so dear to our family. It was a gorgeous wedding and everything was perfect. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Congratulations Jennifer & Bryan!! We are so excited and so thrilled for y'all!

Today marks 22 weeks closer to meeting our precious baby boy. On my weekly email it said that he is the length of a Spaghetti Squash (11 inches) - but I have no clue what that is! And he weighs almost one pound! I received my first - "are you pregnant" question by one of the clients in our office. And I have received numerous belly bump pats and rubs. Especially by Grandma when is being introduced - James Bradford is already loving all the attention and affection he is getting! He is moving around alot and he just loves music. He was very active while we were at the Cooper/Myers wedding and at church on Sunday. He must like classical music - that must mean he is going to be very smart. Also, someone at the wedding said that the name "James Bradford" sounds like a presidents name. I'm sure Cory would prefer NFL football player, but President sounds good to me too!

Painting For A Cause

Last night my mom and I attended a "Paint For A Cause" party. This was the first time I had ever heard of the organization. The parties are very similar to Sips N Strokes (although I have yet to attend an official Sips N Strokes) - There is an instructor, she provides all the materials and is very helpful. But the neat thing about "Paint For A Cause" is that half of the money from the night goes to a "cause"

Several weeks ago I received an evite from a friend of my sister's, who was also in a community group of mine, for a paint party. It sounded like fun and I liked the picture they were painting so I decided to reply Yes. Plus it was for a good cause. - She was raising money for the adoption of her first child. She and her husband have completed the adoption process and are just waiting for that call that a family has chosen them to be their child's adoptive parents. I hope and pray that this sweet couple will be blessed with that call soon. They will be great parents.

Last night was a blast. Mom and I had so much fun. Mom was a pro painter! I was so impressed. I tried my best to match my colors to James Bradford's bedding and can't wait to hang it in his nursery.

Check out http://www.paint4acause.org/ - what a great way to raise money for a cause!!

Baby Necessities Help

I am so excited about this weekend - We are going to go register!! As we have started to accumulate baby stuff, it's feeling so real - that James Bradford will be here before we know it. (plus of course the movements and weight gain make it real too!)

I have started making a list of items that I think we need and items that are just wants. (If our townhouse doesn't sell before James Bradford arrives, we really only have room for the necessities - pray, pray, pray it does sell, we would love some extra space!)

I feel so blessed that my sister Ellen has 2 toddlers and she and her husband have graciously offered to pass down a bunch of their baby stuff that the big boys no longer need. (Car Seat, Video Monitor, High Chair, Crib Mattress and the list goes on. -Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - that's a lot of big stuff!)

As we get ready - I would love to have your help and input. What are the items you have loved and couldn't live without for your baby (or grandchild or niece or nephew...) and what are the items you thought you had to have, but ended up not loving or using?

Thanks for all your help!!

Oh - here is a peak at James Bradford's crib bedding we are having made. I have to say though - the picture doesn't give it justice. The color swatches we received are gorgeous. The skirt is actually a small stripe (Off white & beigey gold (my made up color) and then the bumper is a blue and beige Toile with soft "Minkee Dots" on the inside. I think its going to look so classy (and awesome!) in James Bradford's iron crib.

3 Years in Counting!

3 Years ago today I married my best friend. Not only was it the best day of my life, but it was the most fun day of my life.
The day was everything I dreamed of. - Getting married at the lake, being surrounded by family and friends, and just a big party with all my favorite people. And it was extra special to have our reception at my parents home.
The Lord blessed us with a beautiful rain free day. He teased with a clap of thunder, but not a drop of rain was in sight! It was just perfect!!
We even had Sabrina in on the festivities. Although she was a little timid and scared with so many people around and all the noise and music. She was a sport though. I really wanted her to be one of my flower girls, but no pets were allowed, so I settled on a picture, and it was perfect!
No wonder Sabrina was scared. Y'all know me - no party is complete without a dance party! To put in the words of my good friend Christine N. Stoops -

"Like a Club - Club Hall, Woot Woot"

Thanks to all of our family and friends who support us and pray for our relationship. Y'all are our witnesses to our vows and hold us accountable.
And we Thank You!
And a special thanks to my Mommy & Daddy for putting up with this Bridezilla and opening up your home and hosting the best day (and party) of my life. We hope and pray that our marriage will be as strong and as long as yours has been. (Coming up on 38 years - woot woot!)
And of course Cory! Thanks for putting up with me too! Thanks for being my best friend, confidant, provider, leader and everything else you are to me. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. I am so blessed to have you as my husband. You are going to be such a wonderful father. I look forward to many more wonderful years with you and to continuing this journey that we sailed off to that afternoon 3 years ago on that Love Boat!
I love you Cory - Happy 3 Year Anniversary!!

To Old For Hannah Montana?!

Just because I'm in my late 20s & pregnant - does that automatically make me to old for Hannah Montana?!

I love Miley Cyrus (just in case you didn't know Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus are the same person!) I love her music, it's just so much fun! (don't ask me about the most recent music video - I haven't seen it. Where can you even watch music videos anymore?! All MTV plays is Jersey Shore and 16 & Pregnant) And I admit, I even watch an old Hannah Montana episode on Disney occasionally!

You can even catch me and Emily, aka, my partner in crime, jamming out to some Miley driving down the road, playing some spy tech or at home, having our own dance party. (our very favorite is Party In The USA) - She even gave me a Hannah Montana 2010 calendar for Christmas this year! How awesome is that?! (Although I hate to admit it, the Daniel Moore Calendar that my Dad got Cory bumped the Hannah Montana calendar - so Hannah Montana was donated to to Junior League's Bargain Carousel - sorry Em! But some lucky girl got an awesome purchase!)

Oh and I was extremely jealous of Emily when she took her niece and all her niece's girl friends to see Miley live the night before Alabama played Tennessee! Emily looked awesome sporting her Miley tshirt at our tailgate after the big win!
Anyways - so I'm in CVS the other day and getting ready to check out. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something sparkly in a basket. Attached to the basket is a sign that says 75% off. I can't pass up a sale basket, especially with something sparkly in it!! So I have to take a peek - and this is what I found:
I thought to myself - Can I justify this purchase?! - Am I need of Shampoo & Conditioner? - YES! , Does my hair need some "Ultra Glam Shine"? - TOTALLY!, Will this look good on the shower shelf when showing my home to potential buyers?- hmm, depends, but who cares! With $3.50 in CVS extra care bucks in my hand and at only $1.50 a bottle - I totally could justify some Hannah Montana hair products!!

I saw a couple friends of mine that evening and I told them about my bargain find. They laughed! And one of them told me I was cheap (which is the truth, but I prefer thrifty, bargain finder!) Not only was it a Super Fun Find, but it was cheap for hair products! - I couldn't wait to use it the next morning. WOW - it was awesome! My hair was so "Ultra Glam Shiny" and it even made me sing louder & better! (which Cory of course loved!) Not really, but seriously it did leave my hair smelling great, soft and actually did add some shine.

Conclusion: This is an adult tested and adult approved product -You can never be to old for Hannah Montana!!

Happy (belated) Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there!! Special Shout out to my mom and to Cory's mom! We wouldn't be here without you! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to raising us over the past years! We love you both very much!

Whether your a mommy, grandma or Fur Mom - Thank you so much for everything you do!!

We had a nice weekend and special day yesterday. I received so many nice cards, calls and messages. And I even got my first Mothers Day gift! I felt so special, even though James Bradford isn't even here yet!
Yesterday evening we had my Mom, Dad, David & Laura over for dinner. We grilled out and just enjoyed celebrating our Mom. (I'm so upset with myself that I didn't get out the camera last night while everyone was over!) It was such a fun and happy time!

Today marks week 21! Hard to believe only 19 more weeks until our precious, little James Bradford arrives! He seems to be doing well. He lets me know he's there all the time. I feel him punching and kicking throughout the day. (which is just so amazing to me!) I can only feel it on the inside right now, but I hope for Cory to be able to feel it soon!

I am also starting to feel rather large and right now he is only 3/4 of a pound and the length of a carrot! I know I've still got a long way to go and I know the largeness is totally worth it!! I was feeling like I needed some pampering though, so on Saturday I went for a mani/pedi. How nice it was to sit and read while soaking my expanding feet / ankles, and getting leg and hand massages. I felt like a new woman after spending 2.5 hours there!

Overall though, I'm feeling great!! I'm loving pregnancy!!

Scooping It With The Girls!

Last night I met up with 2 of my girlfriends to go the Yummy Mummy MyScoop party. We had such a great time. It was at the Matt Jones Gallery downtown, and featured lots of good food and beverages and fun music! It was such a fun time to get together, dress up and be a part of the Birmingham Social Scene.

Not only is it fun socially, but by attending these events it supports local charities. Your entry fee to the party is actually a donation to a charity. Last night the event supported Jenny's Light. I honestly had never heard of the organization. They had a flyer with information on it, so I took one and read about it and it interested me. The organization is all about increasing awareness of perinatal mood disorders, which includes postpartum depression and it started right here in Alabama. Being pregnant, having friends that are pregnant, friends actively trying to become pregnant, and friends that plan on starting a family in the near future, Jenny's Light, was something I thought I should learn more about being at this stage in my life. So this morning I found their website and one of the girls that I went to the party with, shared a blog with me this morning. I encourage you to follow the link to the Jenny's Light website and read more. What a great organization it seems to be and I am so glad I was able to support Jenny's Light last night.

One of the best parts of being a "Scoopette" is that not only are you supporting great organizations, but you also get a swag bag at the events! Last nights bags were fabulously filled. Check out all this good loot!!

My favorites of the evening: 2 pairs of earrings, $10 gift certificate to Once Upon A Time (Baby Store!), a pink & leopard print oven mitt, Free Monogram certificate to the Blue Willow (James Bradford is going to love this!), a Tshirt from Brookwood Medical Center (where James Bradford will be born) and there was even more!

Oh, and don't worry - Cory wasn't sitting alone at home twiddling his thumbs. He was down in Destin working a food show - so he was out having fun too - enjoying the beach/pool and lots of good food!

What's In A Name?!

JBH

Many of you have asked and I'm sure many of you are wondering - if we are going to share the name we have picked out for our precious baby boy - Well, we have officially decided on his name and we want to share it. We know we will get lots of comments and opinions, but we are 100% secure in our decision with what we want to name our baby boy.

DRUMROLL PLEASE - His name will be . . . James Bradford Hall. And we will be calling him "James Bradford" - yes a double name, everyone knows I love them! (So please don't even think about shortening his name to JB! - I'm not a fan of initial names - no offense if you have one!)

So where does this name come from you ask:

James - First of all, it is a very strong Biblical name. Secondly, on a personal note, it is Cory's Father's name and it was his Grandfather's name ("Papa"). It was also my Grandfather's name. ("Poppop")

Bradford - Is my other Grandfather's name. ("Grandpa")

As you can see, the name has great personal meaning to us. He is named after 4 very important men in our lives, who we love, cherish and have extremely fond memories of. We think it will be so special, especially in the future, to be named after family members who are so dear to our hearts.

So there it is JAMES BRADFORD HALL - we love it (and him)! And we hope you like it too!

Mr. Eel

While we were at the lake this weekend, my dad was driving home and saw a turtle in the middle of the road. He stopped, picked it up and brought it home - he thought it would be so fun for his grandsons to see it.
The boys thought he was so cool. (Sabrina, wasn't to sure about him) We were concerned he may be a snapper, so there wasn't any hands on experience except from the adults. Davis thought we should name him "Mr. Eel" - and that is how he got his name.

After having him secluded to a small box we decided it was time to let him go. So Davis, Ellen and I went on an adventure of letting Mr. Eel go back to all his wild life friends.

We decided we would like to see him swim, so we put him on the stairs leading into the lake. We waited and waited for him to come out of his shell. He finally came out! And he slowly jumped off the back of the stair, into the water.
We watched him start swimming, but we then realized he went right for the seawall and there was no land in sight for him! And it looked like he wanted out! What if he couldn't get out because he couldn't find where the seawall ended?! What if he drowned?! So we decided to rescue him again.
So we scooped Mr. Eel up out of the water and carried him over to the end of our neighbors seawall, where there was both water and land. We put him partially on water and partially on land so we could see what he preferred. We weren't sure which way he would go.
So we waited patiently for him to come out of his shell. We think he must of been scared. He had Sabrina splashing around in the water and he had just been snatched up in a net and dropped in the lake again -No wonder he didn't want to come out!! We continued to wait.

Davis was so patient! He even got a little bit of fishing in while we waited. We waited and waited. We almost gave up on Mr. Eel coming out of his shell! Then finally...
He popped his head out of his shell and started swimming off. He chose the water! We think he must of been going to make some new friends. What a fun adventure we had with Mr. Eel! Davis is so fun and imaginative. These little imaginations make like so much fun!