Dear Blakely...

October 14th: Last Friday Rich took me out for a Date Night, and we went to the Shane and Shane concert at our church. They are my absolute favorite group, and have been since I was a Freshman in college. It was an amazing concert, and it was so much fun to spend a night of Worship with Rich!!

They are currently promoting their new CD, so they were playing a lot of stuff from the new album. One of their new songs is titled "The One You Need." This song was so exactly where we are in our life right now, and it is now my prayer for Blakely. I hope you like it....

"The One You Need"

by Shane Bernard and Shane Everett

Hey, hey sweet daughter

I'm so proud to be your father

Each day is like a gift from God

Hey, hey sweat daughter

There's no music like your laughter

And your smile is like the rising sun

You know I've loved you from the start

So come in close, take my hand

While Daddy shares his heart

I wish that I could be your everything

Be the one to give you all the things you need

Sometimes I'm gonna let you down

There's Someone if you just believe

He'll be your hero like He's always been for me

Darling, Jesus is the one you need

No mater what you walk through

He will always love you

Just the way you are

For there's nothing in this world

That I want for my baby girl

Than to be happy ever after

The story of your life is still untold

I pray the King of all the universe

Would make your heart His home

I wish that I could be your everything

Be the one to give you all the things you need

Sometimes I'm gonna let you down

There's Someone if you just believe

He'll be your hero like He's always been for me

Darling, Jesus is the one you need

Who will never leave

He's been there all along

Oh, when you're ready you can find true love

Dear Blakely,
Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and our desire is that you would know Jesus. He truly is all you need. Know that we will try to be the best parents we can be, but sometimes we will disappoint you. There is only One who can love you perfectly, and his name is Jesus. We pray each day that God will make us the parents you need, and that He will teach us how to love you the way He loves us!! We love you, Baby Girl!!
HIS- Mommy and Daddy

The BIG Reveal!!

October 10th: IT'S DONE!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! IT'S DONE!!!
After months of waiting, the babies room is finally done!! I absolutely love Blakely's room... it is just perfect!! I hope you like it....

 Of course, there are finishing touches that need to be put in place, but you get the general idea.

This is the finished project with my shelf make-over!! I just love it! It was totally free... and possibly my favorite thing in the room!!

With no room for a dresser, Blakely's closet had to get a make-over as well!!



 As a baby present early in our pregnancy, the Monk's sent us a little slush fund to help us decorate the Blakely's new room!! Thanks to their generous contribution, we were able to get this amazing chair that I found on consignment and had slip-covered and a Serena and Lily Moses basket!!

So COZY!! I cannot wait to rock baby girl to sleep in this chair!!

Thank you Mama and Daddy Monk!! We absolutely love it!!

I want to thank Richard, my mom and dad, and Alyssa for all their hard work last week!! Y'all did an amazing job, and I could not have done it without you guys!! I know that Blakely is absolutely going to love her little room!!  ***SIGH*** There is really going to be a little girl in this room soon!! So crazy!!!

Less than 12 weeks and counting....

Warning: Under Construction

October 1st-7th: We are officially under construction. There are boxes and bags covering my living room, dinning room and office... sawdust on everything and the baby's room is in chaos!! But there are no hard hats and beer belly's here, Richard and my dad are doing all the work themselves.

Richard is painting the walls, adding bead board, and assembling a closet organizer.

 Everyone pitched in... my dad and Rich finished the bead board, hung the chandelier and pictures, and assembled the babies bed. Thank you Pop-pop!!

My mom isn't really cut out for hard labor, but she makes an amazing foreman!! She kept us all on track, organized us, motivated us, delegated tasks, and most importantly kept the crew fed! Thank you Gigi!!!

I also undertook a couple of projects with my sister... we gave a cabinet new life, refinished a lamp and put together the changing table!!

I love this cabinet!! Wait until you see the next post with the grand unveiling!! So cute... possibly my favorite thing in the room!!! Thanks Alyssa for the inspiration for the project... I wouldn't have undertaken this project if you hadn't already rocked it at your house.

I cannot believe how well the room turned out!! After months and months of thinking and planning it is all coming together..... wait until you see it!!

Month 6 Picture

September 30th: I cannot believe that we have just entered our 3rd trimester!! That is just crazy.... I feel like we just found out we were pregnant, and now the finish line is in sight!!! Hold on to your hats... I have a feeling it is going to be a race to the finish!!

Month 6: Popped!!

I do not know what happened in the last 2-3 weeks... but I have had 2 major changes.

Number 1- I have totally popped!! I don't know if I ran out of vertical space or if we just hit a pocket of accelerated growth, but I am majorly showing. There is no question about it, there is definitely a baby on the way. You know you are really pregnant, when old ladies start trying to touch your belly in the elevator. I find this awkward, but tolerable. However, Rich has come up with some creative ways to "strike back." Just ask him.... ;)

Number 2- I am totally nesting!! I have gone into baby preparing hyper drive!! I can't sit still, I clean everything in site, and I have undertaken like 3 new projects in the last 24 hours!! It is amazing how much energy I have!! I have always been good at multi-tasking (thank you ADHD!!), but now I can do like 5 things at once!! I hope this energy sticks with me through the next couple of months of pregnancy, and on into baby-land!! Can't wait for those sleepless nights (and no, I am not talking about the PICU).

What About BOB?

September 19th-26th: Miss AnnMarie comes to visit Blakely!!
This past week was so much fun! My mother-in-law, Miss AnnMarie came to visit. We spent the week shopping, planning, and dreaming about our little bundle!! This is the first girl on Richard's side of the family, so needless to say, the Monk's are very excited!
Our most exciting purchase of the week (BY FAR) was our stroller! Since Miss AnnMarie will not be here for my actual baby shower, she decided to give us our shower present early!!!

I absolutely LOVE this stroller!! Charleston has a lot of off road adventures, cobbled streets and jogging paths... I can hardly wait for Blakely and I to hit the trail!!

Thank you so much Mama Monk and Papa Monk!!! We absolutely LOVE our new stroller, and we know that Blakely will too!!!

Family Vacation

September 9^th- 16^th: Blakely’s First Trip to Disney!! What an amazing trip!! Richard, my mom, dad sister and Ryan’s girlfriend, Liz, took Blakely for her first trip to Disney World!! We stayed in the most amazing resort on Disney property, The Kadani House, in the Animal Kingdom. This was like a trip to Africa!! All of the rooms open into “the Savannah,” where animals that typically live the African Savannah’s can walk right past your room.

 From our room you could see Giraffes,  Zebras,  River Hogs, Ostrich, Wildebeests, and so much more!!

The trip was so amazing!! We mainly just relaxed, laid around the pool, played games and shopped at the mega-outlet mall. But no trip to Orlando would be complete without a trip to Disney World...

The Lion King Show

Alyssa, Blakely and Me at Cinderella's Castle!!

 Rich and I at A Bug's Life... super scary!!!

Exploration Everest!! Sadly, Blakely could not ride the roller coaster, which her mommy LOVES!! So we will HAVE to go back soon!!

 We celebrated Mom's birthday in Disneyworld!! She had one "wild" birthday.... mini golf, the Rain Forest Cafe, and Birthday cake!! Happy Birthday Gigi, You WILD Animal!!

Me, Alyssa and Liz at Summer-Winterland Golf

This was the perfect trip! It was fun, relaxing and much needed!! It was so much fun getting to better know and love Liz!! You make our family better!

Unfortunately, Matt could not come because of work, and Ryan couldn't come because of school. They were missed, but we will be back to the "happiest place on earth!!"

Month 5 Picture

September 9th: I know this is a bit delayed, but the scenery MORE than makes up for it. Here is my month 5 picture. Better late, than never.

Month 5: Me and Blakely at Cinderella's Castle!! Our little princess!!