Almost Turkey Time!

Once again, excuse the slackness! It seems like we have been living on the road the past month - partly because we have. We (Karris & I) went to NC for the week a few weeks ago and stayed with Daniel. I had 3 interviews for nursing jobs and I actually got offered ALL 3. Unbelievable! But, I found out about the last one yesterday - which was the one I wanted most! One job was a home health, and the 2 others were both at the same hospital. I got offered 1 of the 2 at the conclusion of my interview to be a PRN (as needed) nurse for the telemetry & medical units. The job I ended up taking is to be an OR nurse. I am so excited - because I will only have to work M-F, either 3 12 hour shifts or from 7-3 everyday. What a BLESSING! I never in a million years thought I would get to start off with this kind of nursing job. Almost everyone I know works nights, weekends, etc. I am so, so very lucky. My tentative start date is November 28th! Which is great.. gives me one last week with my princes.. on that note... I am a mess over leaving Karris. BUT. I know that the time has to come and I can't waste all the hellacious hard work I put in.

On to KARRIS! Wow, I will probably say this every month - but I can't believe how much more and more you can love something/someone. She changes every day. She is holding her head up like a pro. People constantly comment on how little she is but how alert she is. She was 3 months this week. She is growing like a weed. She was 9lb 10oz at her 2 month appointment.. I am curious to see how much she will weigh at 4 months! My guess is almost 12.... Some 3 month clothes are still big on her. But she is DEF out of newborn! She doesn't nap very well... but of course as I type this she has been asleep for 2 hours! Longest nap in a month. But, she does go about 6 hours straight at night. So I will trade the naps for a long span at night. She just doesn't want to miss anything going on during the day! She has gotten to spend a lot of time with her grandparents this past month. My mom (Grancie) came to visit 2 weeks in a row for a few days, she had her first over night visit and stayed at my dad's (Daddybob's and Nana's) and Daniels parents (Poppy Chuck and Nana) have been down to visit once and we have been there a few times as well. I love seeing how in love they are with her too. People told me our parents would just be different people - and boy is it ever true. Amazing what something so small can do!

So we have had Halloween - Karris was definitely not crazy about her pea pod outfit. He constrained her arms and she likes her arms out. Plus she was sleepy. So we went to 3 houses in my parent's neighborhood back home. Karris loves this big star that is on her activity mat. She likes her swing now and she LOVES looking around. Basically anyway she can be without her head touching anything is the way she wants to be. She DOES NOT like being held like a baby at all. She likes looking at the iPad and watching anything bright on it or the TV. She smiles so much and laughs too. She wants to sit up so bad she can't stand it. She also loves being on her changing pad and getting her diaper changed. She LOVES taking a bath. I think she would stay in the bath tub all day long if I let her. She cans splash around now. It's super cute.

In other life.. which isn't much anymore :) This was Karris and my last week at the beach. We are going to Daniel's parents for lunch on Thanksgiving then to my dad's for dinner. Then I will start my job and we will hopefully find a place we like in NC soon. We actually got renters for our house instead of selling it for now. The way I look at it, we never thought in a million years a year ago we would be moving - so who knows if we wind up back here one day! Ya never know... So that sums it up for now. Daniel really likes his new job. I am excited about starting work but sad to leave Karris, but that's the catch 22 of life I suppose.

XOXO

The good part!

Sweet girl 10-15-11 Go cocks!

With our little peapod!

Happy peapod!

 3 Months! 11-15-11

Sweet girl waking up from a nap 11-8-11

The crew after Daniel's bday dinner 9-22-11

With the besties Nicole & Kris at Daniel's bday dinner!

Some more pics!

In her bunny hat!

Cutest lil cheerleader!

I took this pic on accident, but it is one of my favorites!

Sweet sleeping baby, almost 2 months here...

Karris is 2 months & Mommy is SLACK!

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have blogged. ONE MILLION things have happened! Where to begin... we have been one on the go bunch. Karris has traveled the state about 4x by now! Speaking of Karris.... :)

Karris

Karris is so sweet and such a good baby (not that I have another to compare it to, but I have been told this haha). She started smiling and laughing in the past few weeks and it is probably my favorite thing I have ever seen! She tries to "talk" - it is so cute watching her concentrate and how excited she gets when she lets out a big "ooooo" or "aeeeeeee." She was holding her head up when she was a day old and that was definitely an indication of this little busy body! Her Nana H calls her a busy body, because she is so nosy! She has to know what is going on at all times. Unlike most babies, she doesn't like to be held in the typical cradle hold. When she is awake and being held, she wants to be up over my shoulder so she can look around. (Hopefully this will be visible in my muscles one day haha.) Aunt Kris calls her a 2 year old instead of 2 month old because of how alert and in tune with her surroundings she is. (She sees tons of infants at work all the time and can't get over how miss Karris pays attention and tries to sit already.) She had her 2 month appt last week - thankfully we haven't been to the doctor with her since her 2 week check up. She got her shots and did really well. That cry is a cry you sure don't want to see again! Luckily it only lasted a minute. She sleeps well at night - she goes to sleep when I do around 11 and has a 5-6 hour span, then back up at 7 and then we nap for a few more hours :) She will even just go on to sleep on her own... I was worried at the beginning with so much company all the time holding her that she would get used to it. But most of the time she will fall right on to sleep when you put her down - of course with a few times of re-inserting her paci into her mouth if it falls out. It is amazing how fast she is growing. She was 9lb 10oz and 22 inches at her 2 month. We think she is probably more of 23 inches because we measured her last weekend and it was almost 24. So a meeting in the middle would be 23 haha. Long and skinny! Not like me as a baby, I was the pudgiest thing around. She loves sleeping on her side, when someone touches her nose, and the gamecocks of course!

Life other than Karris...

We are moving! Daniel actually already has started a job - as of October 3, in Claremont, NC. So we will be relocating to Hickory, NC. Either when we sell the house or when I find a nursing job. Speaking of, yes! I can finally add RN to the end of my name. Woo hoo!!! As much as I love staying home with my sweet girl, it will be so nice to finally use this degree I worked so hard for. And I know Karris will appreciate her hard working mama. Especially when we won't have to ask dad if it's ok to buy matching shoes one day. Lol. Speaking of, I think Daniel is the most excited about me working. Bless his heart.. so happy he has been able to provide for us since, um well, we met I suppose. So the move is exciting because it is a great job opportunity for Daniel yet also very sad since we will be leaving a lot of great friends at the beach and our house that we LOVE and just bought in April. But.. we have always in the back of our minds known we likely wouldn't live here forever. We just didn't know it would be so soon. Atleast Karris is still so young that she won't be moving schools, etc. And, we will be back to visit the beach every other month I am sure!

Needless to say, since the move Daniel and I have both been on the road A LOT. Our families have gotten to see Karris a lot more than they probably would have since Daniel started his job. Which has been nice for all of us. We have such great parents - who are making the best grandparents ever, so it is nice they get to see their first grandbaby a lot!  I will do better at updating. I can't believe how long it has been!

Here is the part you want to see anyway :)

Not even a month old! Sweet baby.

In her bouncy seat the first time.

Out at lunch with the girls!

1 month Birthday!

I love this picture... a little over a month old.

First time in her gamecock gear! GO COCKS

Our Princess is HERE!

Karris Grace Knight arrived on 8-15 at 11:27AM weighing 6lb 12oz and was 19.5 inches long. After going into the hospital on Sunday at 4PM for a scheduled induction, much to everyone's delight my progress Monday morning was great! My cervix was completely softened and I was dilated to a 2 as of 5:00AM. The nurses started me on Pitocin at 5:30AM. I didn't get much sleep on Sunday night because the heart monitor for Karris kept on not reading her heart rate because she was so active (which has continued to hold true!) and because of me moving around trying to get comfortable in my sleep. But, I was so excited - getting up at 5 was no problem at all! I could feel a few strong contractions that night too, which was also exciting!

After the Pitocin was up and going, regular contractions really started between 7-8AM. By 9AM I was having very regular contractions and I was in EXTREME pain. They were every 2-3 minutes and lasting a good minute. Poor Daniel was so upset for me that I really thought he was going to be in tears. The nurses would not get give me anything for the pain, because since things were progressing so quickly they knew as soon as my doctor got there he would likely order an epidural. So let me just tell you how NOT fun having active labor contractions are with no pain medicine! And I feel like I have a pretty high pain threshold! It was horrible. I didn't cry, but I was so close and it truly makes me want to cry even thinking about it! Luckily, Dr. S showed up around 9:30 and ordered my epidural. It was administered around 9:30ish. Talk about heaven! Woooo hoooo. I was on cloud 9. From there they just monitored baby Karris and I. Around 10:30, the nurses started getting concerned because Karris' heart rate was dropping to the low 100's. (Infant heart rates should be between 120-160). After positioning me different ways and giving me oxygen, a little after 11 Dr. S decided an emergency C-section was necessary because Karris was likely on her umbilical cord, or regardless, something wasn't quite right! So... the whole thing happened very, very quickly. I was in the operating room for the C-section at 11:20 and Karris was born at 11:27. Daniel was in there with me for the surgery. It was truly amazing. As soon as they laid her next to me, I saw Daniel cry for the first time and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I looked at Karris and I said "Karris, I am your mommy" and she quit crying and look right at me with her big, gorgeous eyes. Afterwards, I went to recovery for awhile and Daniel got to take her to the nursery and spend about 15 minutes with her until they bathed her etc. Around 2:00 they brought her into our room and she hasn't been out of my sight since! She is the sweetest baby and I can't get enough of her. Daniel is the best daddy I could've ever imagined. I often wondered how he would take to daddyhood - and I can say that he is better than I imagined. I already don't want her to grow up and she isn't even a week old. I find myself telling people and thinking about it all the time. She is so perfect in my eyes. I absolutely cannot explain the love I have for her and the love that now have for Daniel. It has made our relationship stronger than I could ever imagine. I am on cloud 9 as you can see and I never want to get off!

39 Week Update!

Still no change today, looks like I am like my mom. She had to get induced with all 3 of us because her cervix wouldn't soften and it seems like mine doesn't want to either. So, if she isn't here by Sunday they will start an induction. We are to be at the hospital at 4:00 and they will start Cervidil at 5pm! Usually takes 8-12 hours to soften cervix then I will be receiving Pitocin. So hopefully Karris arrives sometime midday on Monday! (Unless she comes on her own before then, but when I asked the Dr. if he thought she would, he quickly said no.) So just keep us in your prayers. I am very nervous about getting indcued. I would much rather have her own my own - but he thinks she will likely be 8lbs as it is. So I don't want to chance a C-section OR a 10 lb baby. I am still counting my blessings, because the positive with the cervix not softening is it's strong and I hopefully won't ever have to worry about a preemie or being on bedrest in the future. So that is a plus I must say.. especially with the number of people I have known go into labor early or have to be on bedrest. So, there is always a silver lining! If for some crazy reason I go into labor before Sunday - we shall update! I am so excited to OFFICIALLY know I will be a mommy in LESS than a week!!! XOXO

Nursery Complete!

Rocker & Dresser 

Side table and wreath for the door after she is born :)

 Other wall with her books on chest of drawers & toys in the floor

Her hairbow holder (the first thing I ever made for her!) and rocking chair that my brothers and I used growing up!

Crib

VENTING :)

I am taking a moment to vent. I have never done this before.. but it is time haha. So here we go... and if you don't want to read this, then don't. I'll probably update tomorrow with a doctor update so that will be a little more exciting for you.

#1 - Just because you have had a baby before me, whether it be 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks, or 10 years - I do not need to know every piece of advice that you think you should offer me. If I have any questions for you, I will be sure to ask. And if I do ask, don't be a know it all. Just be honest and supportive. Don't act like you are super mom. I promise that I won't once Karris is here. Heck, I am not even super wife or super friend or super daughter... I know I won't be super mom. But I will do everything in my power to be as good of a mom I can be.

#2 - Your baby is not perfect and life is not peaches and cream immediately after you have your little one. It is a fact... it is an adjustment. So quit trying to pretend that life just keeps on keeping on like it was before your little one was here. It is hard for everyone, regardless of if you have a "perfect" baby. (Which if you act like you have a perfect baby, it's pretty much a dead giveaway you probably don't anyway.)

#3 - Just because something works for you doesn't mean it is going to work for me. All people parent differently and all babies adjust differently. If I want to stay locked up in the house with Karris for 6 months, maybe I will. Haha just kidding. I'll probably have her at the mall when she is a week and a half old. Hey - I never missed a day of school K-12th grade - so my parents must have done something right letting me be around germs early on!

#4 - My doctor is in charge of me and Karris. He will know what is right for us as far as induction, waiting it out, etc. And as soon as he tells me what I should or shouldn't do - I will go with it. There is a reason he is a doctor and delivers tons of babies weekly successfully.

#5 - It is hot as H-E double hockey stick outside. And I have an extra 30 pounds on me and the heat index is like 110 or something crazy today. I know you are probably hot too, but believe me, unless you are a 400lb obese person - I promise that I am probably hotter. Not to mention, I can't even pull myself up out of the bed without pulling my comforter for support, or the cushions on the couch, or pushing up out of the bathtub using the side and the railing... mmk?

#6 - I did go to nursing school and I did graduate and I did do L&D clinicals. (A whole 6 months of them actually - wow!) So, not that I am by any means a pro (far from it actually) - I have seen many different deliveries, many different mommies and many different babies. Note the key word is different. No 2 are the same. Like no 2 pregnancies are always the same. All I can do is pray for a smooth, healthy labor and delivery for both Karris and I. (And Daniel too, sometimes I am more worried about him passing out than anything.) And I pray that if God blesses us with another baby one day - that my pregnancy will go as smooth as this one has. Because everyone knows I have been so very, very lucky. No sickness.. no complications.. no nothing. But like I said, next time around I'll probably be sick as a dog on top of taking care of a 3 year old or whatever age Karris happens to be. Hey - it's the way the world works, right?

#7 - This is it, I promise. I am ready for Karris to be here. SO ready. This last week is hard because I feel like a cow. Sometimes I feel like I can't even breathe when I am laying down. But one thing that I have heard from people I know will be true, as soon as she is in my arms - all of these last few days of misery will all go out the window. Maybe I'll crack a window and let in the 110 degree heat to prepare. Just kidding.

XOXO - COME ON BABY KARRIS!

Oh my, oh my, what a year!!

As my facebook status says this morning, "It's hard to believe this time last year it was a rainy day to start our wedding weekend and I had just finished the hardest semester of nursing school yet.. who would've thought in a year's time we'd be preparing for our BIGGEST blessing and excitement to date, the same weekend a year later! We can't wait to hold you and just stare at you sweet Karris :) :) You will be the best anniversary gift in this world!" - that about sums it up! Looking over this past year, I have gone from engaged to married to now expecting this sweet baby girl. Add that on top of finishing nursing school, clinicals and working full time - you can ONLY imagine why these past 4 days without working have seemingly driven me to the brink of insanity MAJOR boredom. :) Just kidding. I seem to always find something to clean or organize. I know I can drive poor Daniel nuts sometimes with this. But, can't be too prepared! On that note, since I started ths blog in December - I am going to add a few wedding pictures from August 7, 2010 :) Can't believe it's been a year. I am so blessed with an amazing husband who is the hardest worker I know and who is so sweet and loving. I know that I can be hard to live with sometimes with my OCD and criticism - but Daniel is so laid back it really balances out my highstrung energy!

First picture after saying I do!

Wedding Shower in July 2010

On to Karris - MAYBE this will be my last post before she gets here :) :) I hope so! her official due date, as I have mentioned before is August 14. But since she has always measured 2 days earlier, I usually catch myself saying August 12. (Which is a WEEK away!!!!) She DID flip back we confirmed at the 37 weeks appointment. Which was a week and a half ago. This past Tuesday, at the 38 week, my doctor was out delivering (wish it was me!) so I saw his partner for the first time. She confirmed Karris is still head down, so that is wonderful news. I doubt she will flip within the next week or so. It is probably a little too tight in there now! BUT, the ultrasound tech said the fact she has flipped 3x since 32 weeks is HIGHLY unusual too, so she laughed when I asked if she was there to stay. I have faith that she is though. I wasn't dilated or anything this week at the doctor, so Karris is holding on. I have started to have some mild contractions in the past few days - but nothing too exciting to call the doctor just yet.

Updated pic of the nursery - from my phone, so not very clear!

This was me way back 3 weeks ago at 36 weeks haha. As you can see I am way bigger!

Other than all of this, we are so ready. I got to meet my friend Ava's sweet baby boy, Seven Reed Doutt last week and also got to see him at lunch yesterday. He is precious and SO tiny. I am so glad to have gotten to hold and spend time with him, because honestly it had been awhile since those labor & delivery clinicals last fall. It is amazing how fast they grow in such a short time. Aside from Seven, I have had 5 other friends have babies in the past month! 4 boys and 2 girls and all the babies are healthy and the mommies are too. I am ready to jump on the mommy wagon. (As if you can't tell!) I have to also post a picture of something that Daniel's sweet aunt made for us - she made Karris a blanket out of different fabrics and used Daniel's grandmother, Elyse's. old thread to sew her blanket! Grandma Elyse passed away 10 years ago and her husband, Daniel's grandfather, passed away this past Tuesday. This is the first grand & greatgrandchild for both of our families, so we have looked at it as with death comes new life, and his granddad probably wanted to be with his grandmother to see the arrival of their first great-grandchild together. :)

This is baby Seven! He is smiling :) He was a week and a half old here - precious!

Blanket made by Aunt Barbara with Grandma Elyse's thread - means so much to us!

3 weeks to go!

Officially 3 weeks to go! Unbelievable! I have Karris' bag packed and I am working on mine. I ordered a cute gown for the hospital, it is pink with white polka dots - it came in yesterday! My mom got me a pretty gown to wear for the hospital stay yesterday as well when we met in Charleston. I haven't gotten anything for myself in so long, it was nice to have a few surprises. Then afterwards I, of course went shopping for Karris in Mt. Pleasant. I got her a really cute dress - it is for 9 months, so she will get to wear it next summer. I know I have her tons of clothes, but I store in Mt. P had everything half off because they are about to get in a whole new shipment - and it was one of my FAVORITE baby brands Le' Za Me! So, I couldn't help myself. I think the whole idea of a "cute" hospital gown was a fun idea. Believe me, from being in and out of hospitals the past few years with nursing - the gowns are not cute haha. Maybe that's why I am concerned lol. Most people probably don't care! But, it's one of those feel good things! Etsy has a lot to pick from. I ordered mine from Baby Be Mine - I tried it on this morning haha.

Daniel is getting so excited. He is ready to pack his bag too for the hospital. We will get to that this weekend. I have a checklist that my friend Jamie posted on her blog that was a big help! I go to the doctor on Tuesday for the 37 week appt. We will have an ultrasound then and see the doctor's "guess" of how much she weighs! And we will see if she has flipped. This morning when I woke up it felt like 2 feet up top instead of her head. So MAYBE she has flipped back?? We will see! I hope so :)

Baby it's HOT outside! Less than a month to go!

We have a month to go! So exciting! I hope she comes EARLY! :) Maybe another 2 weeks or so. Daniel and I visited our favorite place (Vegas) 2 weeks ago and we had a wonderful time! We figured we should get one last "Holly & Daniel" trip in before our sweet little girl arrives! We have been so busy with family in town. Daniel's parents came down 4th of July weekend, then my mom was here for a few days for my brother's wedding, and then Debbie was down from Monday until today! We have had a house full! Daniel's cousin Jordyn had us a baby shower on July 3 with some of his family. It was so much fun and we got so many sweet goodies! Jordyn is making me a little scrapbook of the journey of the baby blog - it made me cry of course at the shower. It was SO SWEET. :)

Preggo in VEGAS!

So pretty in Bellagio!

Cute candles Jordyn did for us :)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain of 26 pounds total - holy moly! Def still average, however I hope that if anything I will only gain another pound a week! :)

Movement: Karris is one busy little girl... she moves SO much! Unfortunately at my appointment before last, at 33 weeks the doctor told me that Karris is now breech and was lying basically side to side. At my appointment this past Monday (35 weeks) - he said that she has moved, unfortunately still not the right way (head down) - but she has  moved more head up. Luckily the doctor thinks that she still could move the "right" way. He said there are definitely babies that he does not think are going to move the right way - but that he thinks Karris still is capable of getting the "right" way. So we shall see! I really hope she does because I do not want to have a C- section. However, if I have to, I have to and we will take it as it goes.

Sleep: I slept GREAT in Vegas ironically! I have good and bad nights now. I don't really even use an extra pillow these days. Mainly I just get HOT at night!

What I miss: my back not hurting :( I have been having major back issues lately. I think it is from being off work for a week and then starting back last Sunday.

Cravings: I have been eating a cheese quesadilla EVERY time I work. Other than that just my usual pizza and pimento cheeseburgers. Haha bad things :)

Best Moment this week: Hearing sweet Karris' heartbeat at the doctor Monday and feeling her moving around - even though it is ALL the time! :) Can't wait to meet this princess! Less than a month officially! EEK!

Pregnancy Updates

I have seen this on a few blogs of other preggos and wish I had done it all along! But I didn't - but maybe now it will motivate me to update weekly now that we are on the homestretch! :)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: GAIN of course - however, I did lose 2 pounds over the past 3 weeks. I have gained 19 pounds total. :) And I am not ashamed! So far, it is all in my belly - maybe a *little* added to my "knocking me out with those American thighs.." hahaha.

Movement: Karris is pretty consistent with her movement, always at night when I get in the bed around 11ish, when I wake up to go to the bathroom around 3AM and then when I usually wake up at 10. She is pretty calm during the day, I usually feel her again around lunch and again in the evening.

Sleep: This past week was actually one of my most comfortable until last night. I have the big Boppy pillow but it seems to sometimes get in the way more than anything... It is funny because Daniel bought me this really soft blanket about 2 months ago and that is ALL I sleep with. No sheets, no comforter, just my blanket, pillow or 2 and Cinammon. (My teddy bear I have had for 17 years now lol.)
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach

Cravings: I'm surprised I really haven't had any real cravings throughout this whole pregnancy. Or maybe that's because I have always had cravings? Not sure but nothing has changed much. OJ was my go to at the beginning but since I have been trying to only drink water I have cut it out. I still need my pizza here and there - but usually I only have a "craving" when someone mentions a certain food that sounds yummy!

Best Moment this week: Hearing Karris' heartbeat on Monday - 149 :) And putting away all of these A-MAZ-ING shower goodies! And even more, seeing sweet friends from home - I miss you all!

58 days to go!

Karris and I have been showered to no end the past 2 weeks! My nursing friends had us a shower and then I had a shower back home last weekend. They both were wonderful and we are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives. Karris has gotten so many cute things with her monogrammed name and initials on them. I laughed and said she will never forget her name!

Sweet Hostesses!

Gorgeous Christening gown from my Nanny & Poppy!

Cute favors!

 We had our 31 week appointment on Monday - things were great, I measured right between 31 & 32 weeks so a little ahead of schedule which is just fine with me! My doctor was very pleased with my weight gain, I had only gained 2 pounds since the last time. We start 2 week appointments now! We go for 2, 2 week in a row and then after that we are on weekly visits. The nursery is all done except I am waiting on her rug to come in! We ordered it online and of course the size we wanted they were out of, so now we have to wait on it to come in another 2 weeks. That's ok though - we can wait on one last thing!
Daniel put together Karris' stroller Saturday night when I got back from the upstate. We are using my old highchair from when I was little and also a rocking chair that has been in the family since my dad was little! (A little rocking chair, Karris size.) It is funny, because I came home with 3 rocking chairs. One that a sweet family friend Cindy made that matches our outdoor furniture and then another that  a man that used to work with my dad made for us when we were little. Karris is going to feel very special with all of her own little chairs. :)
I got to see our friends Kelly & Parker on Friday on our way through Columbia - Kelly is due June 25, she has a week and a half to go! Best wishes Kelly with baby Hampton! Daniel and I can't wait to meet him! I also went to a baby shower for my friend Ava on Sunday - she is having a little boy as well. Seven will be here in mid July! I can't wait to meet all of these precious litle boys!
We are very excited that this weekend we have showers with our friends here in the inlet and some from out of town. Saturday morning my girlfriends are having a brunch and then Saturday night we have a "baby party" that Daniel and all of his guy friends get to be a part of! I am so excited and remember when the idea of a baby shower back in January seemed like eternity away! 58 days to go as my "baby ticker" said. Wow it is truly flying by!

Nursery & 28 week appt!

My sweet Aunt Tammy had a graduation/celebration of Karris get together for us back on May 14 in Columbia. Or so I thought... we didn't even send out in invitations because I didn't want to invite people to a million events. Well, we got there and it was decorated to a T! She had pink table cloths with goodie baskets for Karris as centerpieces, a whole spread from Palmetto Pig, and the cutest cake! That wasn't the only surprise. Daniel and I had been so lucky because my aunt's good friend Theresa (who happens to also be a friend of our's aunt's as well - small world) had offered to GIVE US her children's baby furniture. It was of course beautiful cherry, mahoghany wood and since we are having a girl - even came with a canopy. Well, long story short, the crib was older than the new models and Theresa was worried with all of the new safety issues with cribs, that it wouldn't be safe enough. So, she was going to get a crib to match the rest of the furniture but couldn't find the exact match she wanted. So... get this - she BOUGHT US our ENTIRE set of baby furniture. We didn't know until we got to Columbia. We, of course would have never let her do such a big blessing for us - but there was no way that she would say no, so that is what it has been. Exactly that, a BLESSING. And not only is it gorgeous, it's truly the nicest baby furniture you can imagine. It is made by Baby's Dream, it's a white (called vanilla) set, and a sleigh crib. So gorgeous. The nursery is still a work in progress - but here is a sneak peak :) Daniel and I love going into Karris' room. We both laugh because it is so funny that we each go in a few times a day because it is so exciting to know she will be there shortly. It smells like a baby, too with all of the diapers and baby wipes we have accumulated!

I had my 28 week appointment today and everything was GREAT! Daniel didn't get to go because the man coming to install our blinds said he was coming at 9 (of course the same time as my appt) and that if we weren't here we would get charged extra. So, he was bummed. But we are also happy to finally have blinds! My friend Nicole came with me though, she had been wanting to come to an appointment so it worked out perfect! She goes to my same Dr. regularly, I think she really just wanted to see him because he is kind of cute. Haha just kidding Nicole. :) I was so excited to hopefully get to really "see" Karris' face but she, like usual had both of her little hands near her mouth and didn't turn her head. Daniel says "stubborn like her mommy" - I beg to differ. :) She measured at 28 weeks 2 days. Except her long legs were 30.5 weeks! Maybe she is going to be a tall little girl :) Or maybe she is just going to be like me and have long legs and a short torso lol. My legs are the same length as my sister's and I am 5'4" and my sister is almost 5'9"! She is such a wiggle worm these days. She moves around all day long - especially when I am eating or when I am laying down. My belly button is slowly becoming an outie and I really can't stand it haha. But the bigger she gets the more it happens. No worries - I am not a 2 piece bathing suit wearing preggo. Hahaha. Her is kind of her profile below - you can see her cute little nose and the ball near it is her hand. She was probably about to punch me as they got the shot.

That's all I have for now! Other than that, I have just been busy preparing for her arrival and still working at the restaurant. I haven't gotten the dates for my boards yet - so I am hoping I get those this week or next week. No one from school has gotten the information yet, so we are just waiting and waiting. I am so ready to take them and get it over with and hopefully find a nursing job sooner than later! I need to atleast have one secure so I have a "start" date, or else miss Karris may need her mommy to stay home with her until next year. Lol. :)

Told you when I had more free time...

that I would update more! :)

We have had a great week - my dad and Debbie came to stay Tuesday, then mom & Michael stayed Wednesday. I had my nurses pinning on Wednesday! So that is done! Now to the job hunt... debating whether I will try to start before Karris is here or after! Time will tell! My pregnancy ticker says I have 98 days to go. Flying by!

Daniel and Brian are at a golf tournament in Charlotte, they went up for the night last night and are coming back today. I am just working all weekend - nothing too exciting! I have a class next week to prepare for the NCLEX then I will schedule my date to take it ASAP. (NCLEX is my boards, I forget sometimes that I am a little too familiar with all that good stuff now.)

Daniel got me an iPad for graduation! I am slightly obsessing over it already!

Here are a few pics from pinning! And I am 26 weeks today! YAY!!!!!

Happy May!

25 weeks! With Daniel at my friend Heather's surprise party!

We had our 24 week appointment last week. It was supposed to be on Tuesday but Dr. S had some emergency deliveries so I had to go back on Wednesday. I was so sad - but then I remembered that that could be me one day! So I understood :) I am feeling Karris kick around a lot more frequently now. It is the neatest thing ever. Daniel has felt her one time. Everyone has their on take on what those first kicks feel like it, to me it feels like when you blow a bubble - kind of like someone is blowing bubbles in my belly... or kind of like popcorn popping. I love it :)

Everything was great at the appointment- all they did was listen to the heartbeat - which was 155, right on target, and measure me to see how far along baby Karris is. This was the first appointment that they could actually do a measurement at. I have finally got a real-life baby bump and people are asking me when I am due FINALLY on a regular basis. It makes me happy to be out of the awkward stage of is she pregnant?? Or is she just awkwardly fat in her gut lol. I have also finally started putting on some real weight. Daniel kept asking me if we were going to have a little squirt because he would see pregnant women due around the same time as me who were a lot bigger like back in February & March. I just told him that as long as the baby is measuring up to date - it is all fine. And most of the girls he had seen probably have already had a baby! I have come to realize that your husband actually seeing the baby bump makes it a lot more real to them. I think it is so sweet. I feel more and more blessed each and everyday that we have a healthy baby girl on the way. Being pregnant makes many others share stories of happiness and sometimes sadness that people have experience with losing children. miscarriages, etc. It is a blessing for sure.

Our next appointment is May 24. I already can't wait because we will get to see her face! I am so anxious to see what she looks like. I thought I wouldn't want to know but I have changed my mind completely. I cannot wait! I wish I was a rich celebrity and had an ultrasound machine at home haha.

I have my nurses pinning on Wednesday (it is basically my graduation, just for nursing students.) Actual graduation is Thursday but I am not going to participate because after sitting through USC's, I think the pinning will be just long, special  enough. My dad & stepmom are coming down tomorrow and staying and then my mom & stepdad are coming down and staying Wednesday. We will have a house full the next few days but I am really excited! Dad & Debbie haven't seen the new house and Michael hasn't either. I am just busy working at Salt Creek in the mean time and looking for a nursing job too! I haven't decided if I am going to start a job before baby or after... but I have a feeling I need to start before because it will make it PRETTY hard to start after she gets here I have a feeling! I picked out her bedding last week - it is precious! It is made by Petunia Pickle Bottom. You can see it here!

We will have the furniture for her nursery on May 14 after we go to visit my aunt and uncle in Columbia to pick it up. I can't wait to have the nursery done! But I need something to do with all this spare time without school. My mom is bringing me her sewing machine when she comes up - I want to start an adventure making clothes. (Only very simple things of course.) Will keep you posted.....

Busy as can be!

I am updating, finally! We have been absolutely crazy the past few weeks! We moved into the house officially April 1, followed by a wedding weekend for good friends Christina Cook & Brian Payne, followed by another wedding weekend for one of my best friends Marcelle Miller & Conor Lalor! Add school, work, hospital internship and the move in general to all of that and that equals not much time to breathe! Daniel was a groomsman in Brian's wedding and I was a bridesmaid in Marcelle's. We had 2 jam packed weekends in a row of fun! Karris is going to come out dancing if it has anything to do with these past 2 weekends! :)

Here is a pic of the den - not finished yet. Daniel wants a new TV & entertainment center - but this is the set up for now!

Me the day before 23 weeks! (At work)

Celle's wedding day! Everything was absolutely gorgeous! It was supposed to "hail and possibly tornadoes" - but the weather held off! No rain in sight. They had an awesome band and they are such a great couple. Can't believe I bet both Celle & Conor almost 9 years ago (at separate times ironically, and actually I met Conor before Marcelle!). So funny how life works. They are so in love and so happy - and the reception was one one the best I have ever seen. Yay for Mr. & Mrs. Lalor!

Daniel & I at the wedding reception - background couldn't be prettier!

Kris, me & Nicole

So anyway! We had our 20 week appointment on March 29. They confirmed we are having  a sweet baby girl! Everything looked great and she measured right uo to date. Her little femur bone actually measured a week early - she may be tall like her Aunt Brittany. :) I am SO ready to get her nursery done. We are getting her furniture in Columbia on May 14. I am waiting to get it until I really start the nursery because I want to make sure it is exactly what I want! Right now, I am thinking I will be doing light pink, brown & white. I did get her monogram wall letters in a few weeks ago. They look like this -

They are really big, the picture doesn't do them justice. I can't wait to have them above her crib! Her crib even has a canopy. It gets me so excited just thinking about it being all decorated! Less than 17 weeks until her due date! Coming along!

On another happy note - my nursing pinning is May 4. Another super, super exciting thing. I cannot believe it is almost here and that I made it this far. Last test is Wednesday and my final is Friday. Could not be any happier! I will feel like a free woman after Friday. Just not having the stress of school in my life is going to make me feel like a new person!

Happy Easter everyone! I wish we could spend it with family, but Daniel and I will be here for the weekend!