Your first 4th of July

Happy first fourth of July little one!!!
We celebrated this year in Raleigh - your Mama's very FIRST fireworks not on 4th Lake in the Adirondacks...her entire life! The only other time Mama hasn't been in the mountains for this holiday was when your brother Christian was born. And I was so enormous and uncomfortable that Mama didn't even attempt to see the fireworks that year!
But this year we had so much fun listening to the great band and watching your brothers giddy with excitement that they were up WAY past bedtime :). This was your brother Christian's very first fireworks too.
And I am certain you enjoyed the fireworks display!! You were booting Mama like there was no tomorrow :). Papa said you probably wondered what I had ate that gave me such "explosive gas" :). I promise that wasn't Mama's bowels :)

Baby Love continued....

Dear little one,
Oh how your brothers love you! Your big brother Benjamin kisses you and talks to you every chance he gets during the day.

This morning he brought you one of his favorite cars and had Mama sit still for long enough that you would be able to "feel" it :). He also likes to"decorate" you whenever he gets the chance as he did with my pants ribbon this morning.

From the moment Mama and Papa surprised Benjamin and Christian with the news that you were joining our family, they have been smitten with you! They love you with all of their hearts!

What you have to look forward to....

So much love, hugs and kisses from your Papa, Mama, and your brothers!!! We are so excited to have you here with us little one!!

Special time together every single night!

Brothers who adore and love each other so much!

Your family loves each other so very much and you are going to make us complete!

Mama's Favorite Sign of Summer......

and another sign that you are almost here!!

Every summer as June ends and July begins, the beautiful crepe myrtles of North Carolina go in to full bloom! They thrive in the summer heat and they are one of the gorgeous treats of living here for they bloom all the way through the remainder of the summer and fill this town with so much color!


Not ironically....Mama is feeling (and looking) a little like one of these trees :). I don't wave gracefully in the wind though :)

Special duckies for our special little duckie

Your aunt Anne Marie remembered Mama's tradition of getting cookie cutters in our wonderful Adirondacks every year and since Mama couldn't be there this year (to keep you safely cooking away in my oven :)), she sent us the perfect little pair of cookie cutters. Just right for the little third duckie we are anxiously awaiting!

Thank you Aunt Anne Marie!!

Your Baby Sprinkle

Did you know that when you have a baby shower after your first child, they call it a Baby Sprinkle?
And did you know that your Mama has the most wonderful and loved friends who are SO, SO excited about you, our little miracle!
Mama's dear friend Patrice threw her a beautiful Baby Sprinkle at one of the best restaurants in Raleigh called Relish

Baby Sprinkle with my amazing friends!!!

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It was such a lovely evening and Mama felt so very special surrounded by 15 of the most cherished women in my life. These ladies have been by my side through the past three years of preschool, babies, milestones, hard weeks, moves, pursuing a degree, comp exams, etc., etc. They keep me sane and always make me feel so confident about this adventure we're on called parenthood.
And it was so special to have them celebrating YOU! All of these ladies know what a miracle you are and they can NOT wait to find out whether you are a boy or a girl! There are lots of guesses!! :) (Mama is actually driving them crazy by not knowing :) hee hee!.....they will be beating down the hospital door when you arrive they are so excited and anxious!).
From the gorgeous flower centerpieces arranged by Candice (to match the soft creams of your nursery!!)

to the Hershey bar place settings colored HE and SHE (because Patrice knows how much your Mama LOVES chocolate!), to the mounds of amazing gifts we were showered/sprinkled with for your arrival, everything was so beautiful and SO very wonderful.

I feel so blessed in so many ways! And God has encircled us in so much love through these friendships!!
We love you sweetheart!! And we love celebrating your pending arrival! You can bet every single one of these arms will be waiting to hold you when you get here :)
Thank you all, dear friends!! For EVERYTHING!

Another guess! This time it's PINK!

Little one,
I'm sure you remember hearing Mr. Joe at the grocery store tell us that you are a boy. This guessing game is literally what anyone and everyone wants to talk about whenever Mama is out and about :) You are the talk of where ever we are! :)
Today, at a small international festival with the boys, Mama was walking in front of a woman. When I turned to ask Christian to catch up, she started squealing with delight and announced to everyone that I was having a little girl!!! :) She had not known I was pregnant from behind. But when she saw the belly, she began celebrating as though you were one of her own!
I don't know her name but with a huge smile she said, you'll remember me when the baby arrives and out comes a little girl!
So opposite of Mr. Joe, this nice lady believes you are a little girl. Your surprise delights ALL of us and makes the excitement and anticipation of your arrival even more special!
Your Papa and I can't wait to meet you!!!!