Maternity photos - part 2!

30 weeks down - 10 more to go!

I've got so much to do to prepare and now isn't the time to get tired easily...

We've got work, photos, Christmas, friends, family, parties, presents...

ohh, and a little nursery to decorate!

but every time I think about all there is to do,

I think about the beautiful day when we get to hold her (on the outside)

and all that stuff fades away.

Everything in it's proper time, right??

*******

My sweet friend, Brianna, did it again!

If you remember, she and I worked out a little maternity swap.

I took her photos and she took ours.

We had to wait until my bump was a bit bigger...

(ideal time is around 28-32 weeks in case you're wondering)

By the time we hit 29 weeks,

Brianna was only 3 weeks away from meeting her little girl.

She was a trooper with us for sure!

We adore these sweet photos!

and just so you know,

I get a little weak in the knees looking at that handsome husband of mine...

Our growing family.

Thank you, Brianna, for such beautiful photos!

We are soooo excited about them and all the ones from the cd...

More on her website here.

xoxo

Our very first BABY shower!

There is nothing like celebrating a new little life.

Especially when it's your baby...

When Dr. Regina told me she wanted to throw a shower for us,

I knew it would be special.

and special it was...

The table was full of yummy foods!

All of my favorites, of course, because the hostess is into the details.

Personally, I loved seeing Elizabeth's initials on the beautiful cake.

Who knew I loved initials so much?

Maybe it's seeing her name in print that makes her feel even closer to being here.

(But then again, I feel that way every time I get up in the middle of the night to re-adjust or go the potty.

The Lord is preparing me!)

There were so many wonderful people who came to celebrate with us...

People who love us (and we love them!)

and who are all excited about this little girl as well.

Someone told me it means so much to a mother when someone loves on her child.

It is so true.

I'm pretty sure it was my own Mom who told me that.

(She also said it hurts even worse if someone is mean to your child...

so far, we're not there yet, but I bet she's right again.)

For now, I'm basking in the love.

To all of those who came (and I'm hoping I have a photo of all of you in here!),

thank you.

It meant so much to me that you would be there to laugh and shower us with gifts.

Elizabeth is already one lucky little lady.

Speaking of gifts...

there were a bunch of them!

Disclaimer:  If you don't see your gift here in a photo, it's only because I make pretty terrible candid photos.  Your gift was awesome!  My face probably not.  Continue on please...  :)

It was like Christmas morning when we pulled all the gifts out the next morning.

Mom and Beth actually came by to help me organize everything on Saturday

and we got it done lickity split!

(Nothing like having good women in the family in your time of need!)

It actually probably took us a bit longer than normal

because we couldn't get over the cuteness of it all!

More photos before we made our way home...

that's us...  the two {very grateful} parents!

The end to such a lovely baby shower...

Thank you so much to the hostess with the mostess!

xoxo

Thanksgiving 2011

I love Thanksgiving.

There is always something to be thankful for.

(and this year we were blessed to give thanks for our little something special

making her way to us!)

We gathered with my family on Thanksgiving Day

where our efforts combined for

one fabulous feast.

There was just about anything your heart could wish for...

my heart always lands on turkey and dressing, 

so I ate my fill (and definitely enough for the baby) before making my way to the dessert spread.

Aunt Sonya opened her home to us this year...

and we filled it up with lots of family love.

Beth and Addalee...  

Addalee was showing Beth that she knows more about the iPad that we do.

Little River...

who made this pose when I asked if I could take his photo.

You can also see his Momma holding her niece, baby Cole.

River was a bit confused at why his momma was holding another baby...

After lunch always brings on a post turkey rest period.

Obviously, you can see we were lounging and chatting

while the men had their eyes glued to the football game on there...

We finished the afternoon by taking photos of the little kids

- J., Addalee, River, and Cole - 

for Nana and Dee's Christmas card.

Chris and I eventually pulled ourselves away and headed to Knoxville to meet his parents.

There's a little Connell tradition of going to a movie on Thanksgiving night.

After some of the Birmingham crew made it up late that night, 

we celebrated the holiday with them on Friday over delicious french toast.

(Who doesn't love good french toast??)

********

It was truly a wonderful holiday!

I am so thankful for our family and these sweet traditions we have.

xoxo