It Won't Be Like This for Long........

I don't know how many of you have heard of the song by Darius Rucker that is the title to this post. It came out during the last few months of my pregnancy and it kinda became the theme song for Khloe. Khloe is going to be 4 weeks old on Saturday and last night as I was rocking her to sleep I had some time to reflect on the past month. I firmly believe that God has given me an angel. I think back on life before she came and wonder why I was even happy before. I didn't even know what was missing from my life until the second I saw her. While there have definitely been some trying times; I cannot even express how much I love her and love being a mother. I feel like it is what I was meant to do. I want her to stay this way forever. I don't want my baby to ever grow up. I could just sit here and cry thinking about her getting older and someday leaving me. While I don't want her to get another second older - I am so excited for what is to come down the road. Hearing her talk, watching her smile, and holding her little hand. I can truly look back and labor and actually having her was the most life changing experience ever. If nothing else, I just want her to always be happy and healthy. God has blessed Nate and I with the best gift ever imaginable. We just are so grateful that she is healthy and thriving. Sleepless nights and nightime feeding don't bother me at all. I just sit up and look into the eyes of my beautiful daughter and think that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I have a little angel that I get to be with every single day. I would watch my friends with their kids and see the intense love and pride they have and I understand that now. How did I get so lucky to have gotten such a wonderful gift. Anyways, I know to some reading this it might be a little boring, but I needed to get this out. Nate and I are writing letters to Khloe to put in her baby book. We are hoping to give it to her when she turns 18. Nothing real dramatic and embarrassing, just our thoughts, hopes, and dreams for her. We wanted to do this while it was still fresh in our minds. With Mother's day approaching I would just like to wish that every mom have the best day ever. I am looking forward to spending the entire day remembering how lucky I am. Every day with her is a blessing.
Here is little Miss Thing in another one of her tu tu's. She is all about the fufu and bling...I think at least....Mommy is of course.

Here is Mommy and Khloe during her manicures. Mommy is terrified to cut her nails so we file them once a week. It is our little spa time together. Mommy can't wait until we can start painting her nails.

Khloe is finally here !!

Well let see how it all started....we had our dr. apt on Thursday and my blood pressure was a little high. They sent me over to the hospital to be monitored and then sent me home with an appointment for the next day. We went to the apt. the next day and they said that there was no change and scheduled an induction for Wednesday the 8th. Drove all the way back home and sat down to watch my favorite soap operas from the day and felt something.....my water had broke. They just told me that Khloe wasn't anywhere close to being ready to come....yeah right! Started the drive back over and started having contractions 6 minutes apart. Got to the hospital and was admited but they didn't think that my water had broken. Found out it was a high water break and that my bag of water had not broken yet. Made it to my epidural (which had to be given to me twice) and I was in Heaven. Eating popsicles and kidding around and laughing with everyone. Suddenly they said it was go time and that I could start pushing if I wanted to. I closed my eyes and pushed for 15 minutes and my little angel arrived. I was shocked at myself for not pushing very long at all. Dr. fixed me all up and I got to hear everyone's response to seeing her for the first time. It was the most awesome thing that I have ever experienced. I looked up and saw Nate hugging his mom and sobbing tears of joy. I just took it all in....what I could becuase of the epidural. Seeing Nate and how proud he was was one of the best parts of my labor.

Here is Mommy and Daddy shortly after Khloe's arrival. We finally got to our post-partum room around 5:30 a.m. and they brought her in to lay with us a little. This was one of the most precious moments of our entire life. You can really see how much that Khloe looks like Daddy.

Here is Khloe shortly after her arrival. She looks like Daddy when she is sleeping and Mommy when she has her big, beautiful eyes open. She has the longest eyelashes that we have ever seen on a little baby. She is just beautiful.

Mommy and Daddy holding Khloe after her picture was taken.....she is so adorable!!!! She looks like the Chakita Banana lady

Doctor's Appointment Update

Well Nate and I went to the doctor on Monday and there have been a few changes. The doctor said that I am now dialated to a 1 and that I had thinned out a little more. She said that they baby had dropped a lot and that she could feel the head pretty quick when she started checking me. Holy Cow! Here is some funny news...I asked her if there was a way to estimate the size of Khloe. Her response to me was that I was going to have a pretty good size baby..as she laughed. She said actually at the next apt. Dr. Tsung may talk to us about possilby scheduling another ultrasound to check the baby and possibly inducing me early. However, she did throw in that she is positive that I will not make it till my due date and while checking me she said she still thinks that the baby will fit. What the heck does that mean?! I just stared at my husband and his big, round head. I blame him for this you know. Anywho, only gained a pound which is great. We go again next Wednesday and I will post and let you all know then what he says. We are getting closer to seeing Baby Khloe!!!!!!!

Mommy and Khloe at 34 weeks !

This picture is a little out of order, but here I am at 34 weeks. This would have been the Thursday before Spring Break. Still feeling okay. I have moments of extreme energy followed by moments of extreme fatigue. I am trying to get rest, but feel like I have so much to do at home. Five days after this picture was taken we had a dr. apt. Ready for this......I AM DIALATED !!! It is only a fingertip, but the process has begun!!!! I am 25% ephased and dr. said the baby has definately dropped. She is still head down and probably won't change now. YEAH ! I almost got off the table and danced-well I did a little which of course made my husband laugh considering I had just gotten checked--if you know what I mean! We will go again next Monday the 16th and I will be checked again for more progress. We are so excited that we are getting closer to meeting our little angel that we have been waiting for so long to see. Mommy is ready to get started on getting her body back-if that is at all possible at this point! hehe The dr. did say that if for any reason labor started they wouldn't stop it because I am close enough to full term which is 37 weeks. Holy Cow - it is really seeming real now. Stay tuned for next week and we will let you know the progress.

Baby Preparation / Spring Break 2009

Three days of major cleaning and organizing equals fat, swollen piggies. This is how my spring break started out. They might not look too bad on here, but let me reassure you that they were probably just as big as the day I got the tattoos on my feet. The dr. has told me that this is just water weight and there is nothing to be done about it. I have heard that this should possibly resolve itself quickly after delivery (well not super quickly, but still quickly) I am hoping this to be true because I feel like a tick that is getting ready to pop open. We are officially 4 1/2 weeks until due date and Nate and I are about as ready as we know to be. The room is done, the bassinet/pack n play is ready, the car seat is in, the car has been cleaned, the mounds of laundry are done, and our bags are packed and ready in the car. Now all we need is for our precious angel to arrive and I am ready for it. I think the miserableness of pregnancy is God's way of preparing you for birth. Two months ago I would have never said that I was ready for the pain of delivery,,but believe you me-I AM!

I know many people have been asking to see the finished product of Khloe's room....so here it is! We have finally gotten all the furniture, pictures, and everything else put together and set up. Thanks to Daddy for spending almost his entire Spring Break doing last minute honey do's. Of course, those of you who know me, know that it didn't just end there. Now I have been extreme nesting and think that I might have a yard sale while on maternity leave to get rid of a lot of the crap that we don't need. Oy!

Here is the best picture of Baby Khloe's room. This is from the doorway looking in. There was so much more room before we put all the furniture in, but it is quaint and cozy and just wainting for her to come home to it.

Here is Khloe's changer with all of her empty picture frames just waiting to be filled with her beautiful smile.

Addison Baby Shower March 1, 2009

Here are some pictures from mine and Nate's baby shower. Yes, I said mine and Nate's. I wanted him to be just as included as me. It was a wonderful shower and we wanted to thank everyone for coming and helping us celebrate our new little miracle on the way. It was great to get to see everyone that we haven't seen in a while and catch up. We are very blessed with wonderful friends and family. Thank you all again!

Here is my cake. It was so awesome. Larry's did such a great job on it and it was delicious. We had cake, cookies, fruit,veggies, and my personal favorite...chocolate covered strawberries.

Here is the table decor from our Baby Shower. Pink and brown with gerber daiseys for our center pieces. It was beautiful.

Mommy and Khloe at 32 weeks !

Well here is Mommy and Khloe at 32 weeks. I can't believe that in 8 weeks or less we are going to meet our little girl. We are really starting to get excited. I am feeling like I am ready to be done soon. Lack of sleep and aches and pains are really starting to kick in full force. I have been told that my belly looks like it might have dropped a little and I swear there are days that I feel like she might fall out!!!!! Nate and I have taken several classes at the hospital and have just one more to go in March. Everytime we are at the hospital for a class we head up to the nursery and dream about the day that our little girl will be in there. We are so excited to see her little face....even though I know she looks just like Nate....he is pretty cute so I guess it will be okay. I wonder somedays if I will ever look like myself again, but oh well, it is for a great cause. Our baby shower is this weekend and we are so excited. I have thrown in several things that are just for Daddy and I can't wait to see how he reacts. I will post those pics hopefully next week. This week should be our last 2 week apt. Next week we should have our first weekly apt and we will find out if there is anything going on down there.....we will keep you all posted!

Welcome to Khloe's Room !!!!

Well this sign just about sums it all up. If you want to see a grown man melt and turn into a blubbering mesh.....give him a child. Khloe is not even here yet, but what she means to her Daddy and Me is unbelievable. Khloe definately has Daddy wrapped around her little finger already. Nate has been the most wonderful husband during my pregnancy! He is always checking to see how I am feeling or seeing what he can do to help. I truly believe that our relationship has gotten stronger....if that is at all possible. He is so excited to be a Daddy and I know that he is going to be an amazing one. I bought this sign at a craft fair and he couldn't wait for it to be hung in the nursery.
Here is Baby Khloe's room. You can kinda see it just in reverse. We have just a few more things to hang on the walls, but we are getting there little by little. I love going and sitting in her room. Sometimes Nate and I find ourselves just sitting or laying in there not even talking.....just thinking about how precious our little girl is going to be. It is so surreal. We are sooo excited to meet our little angel, yet our lives are taking a new turn. We will never again be just Nate and Amber. Sometimes, we sit back and think about all the great and wonderful times we have had and how blessed we are to be adding to our family.

Here is Baby Khloe's little crib. I love her crib!!!!! Her blanket has flowers and butterflies on it. Everything is washed and ready to go....all we need is for our little angel to be laying it in. Oh my gosh we can't wait!!! All that is missing is her name on the wall behind the crib. I have painted her letters pink and we are waiting on my aunt to give us the ribbon to hang them on the wall.

Here is her changer / dresser. I love this! I am trying to get it organized, but we might have to wait for Spring Break.

Baby Khloe and Mommy at 30 weeks !

Well here I am at 30 weeks. I just can't believe what the human body can do. I look at myself in the mirror and don't even recognize the person looking back at me. It is such a wonderful thing though. I have to remind myself that this is a little person living inside of me and how amazing and blessed we are to have her. I am still feeling okay....fatigue is starting to set back in. We are still going to the doctor every 2 weeks and so far they say that I am measuring right on target. I will try and post some nursery pics for everyone to see.

Happy Birthday Harley Mae !

Our little Harley Mae turned 2 years old! I don't think she even knows how her life is going to change. She has been so good with kids when she is around them that we are hoping she will take to Baby Khloe. Here she is on her birthday. If you can see the little turtle on her back....this is her favorite toy! Yes! We don't understand why such a big dog would take up with a little beanie baby turtle, but that is our Harley for you! Nate put Scooty (that is the turtle's name) on her back so she could have a picture with her favorite toy on her birthday....I think Nate is ready for Khloe to get here so he can play with someone new!!
Here is Harley Mae eating her favorite treat.....vanilla ice cream from the Dairy Queen!!! She loved her special birthday treat.

28 Weeks and less than 90 days to go !

Here is my 28 week picture. I just cannot believe how big my belly is looking! I am not complaining though, unless I end up toppling over cause my belly gets so big! Good news is that I tried on a pair of jeans that I wore this summer and besides not being able to button them of course....I could still get them over my thighs and butt! A little tight...but still can get them to fit. I am starting to get a little tired and it is getting harder to move around easily, however, I am loving my pregnancy! I don't know if I have said that yet. This pregnancy and baby is such a blessing and I will definately miss feeling her move around and kick me in the rib cage. I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks. We go again on February 6th to the doctor and we start classes around the same time. We will keep you updated on anything involving Miss Khloe.

Happy 27th Birthday Heather !

Happy 27th Birthday Heather ! We went out to eat to help celebrate one of my best friend's birthday. We ate at Don Sol and the food was great. I heard the margaritas were good, but I guess I will have to take their word for it. Here she is before they brought out her birthday beverage. Happy Birthday sweetie!
Here is Heather doing her tequila shot! I think her face tells the story !

Poor Nate tried to wear Heather's birthday hat.....it was just a little small. Poor Nate-his head is just too big!

The Pregnant Ladies of Tri-C Elementary School

Here we are......the very pregnant ladies of Tri-C Elementary School ! You can't say there wasn't something in the water this summer ! There is another addition to this group, but I think for now she might be remaining anonymous. This was the day Cassie took our picture for the Tri-C Baby Drop. We have charts up and for a dollar you can guess what day you think we are each going to have the baby. So far almost everyone has picked me to go late....little mad about that but oh well.
This picture is so cute that I had to post it. I don't know if you can tell, but this is my kitty laying her head on my ginormous belly. She lays like this almost every night and just purrs her head off. I like to think that she know Baby Khloe is in there and that the noise and the feeling is soothing to her. It is so sweet when she does this.

First Look at Khloe Graceanne Addison !

Yesterday we had our 4D ultrasound. This was the most amazing experience of my life! We gathered with our family and got to see our first images of our little girl's face. She likes to sleep like Mommy with her hands up close to her face....so it took a little bit of convincing (and shaking) to get some clear pictures of her little face. The verdict is, of course, that she looks just like Nate. This is true based on his baby pictures. There are a few bits of her face that look like Mommy, but most importantly, some of the expressions that we saw yesterday look like me. How exciting!!!! I really cannot believe that this is possible. How amazing it is to look in on your child and see what they are going to look like. She looks like an angel and it just reminds us what a blessing she is already. Here you can see that she was smiling at us. How adorable is her little smile.....we are of course extremely proud already. We got to once again confirm that she is a little girl and we saw her little face, feet, and little fingers moving all around, which is comforting to see. I can't believe that in 12 weeks or less this little angel will be here with us. Yesterday made everyone I think a little more anxious to meet her. Daddy is showing everyone that will look his direction the pictures of "his little baby girl".....like I really had nothing to do with it you know. hehehe From the pictures the lady told us that she is head down and very active (does that mean a good thing or is she going to be a little hyper?) Anyway, just thought that we would share our little one with everyone. We are all a little more excited for her to get here and be able to hold and cuddle with her. Hope you all enjoy these as much as we did.

Here is her little side profile again. She looks so much like her Daddy that it is sickening

Here is one of the rare shots where she actually put her arms down and let us see her whole face

Here is our little Khloe bug with her eyes wide open. This is a great side view of what our little angel is going to look like

Here are little Khloe's tiny, precious feet

Baby Khloe's New Room !

Here is Harley Mae in Khloe's room. I don't think she really understands that she is having a sister soon. She just loved the fact that Mommy and Daddy had painted her room pink for her. We found her all curled up in the nursery laying on a fluffy pink rug.

Here is Khloe's room. We have started it and it is painted, but we still have to get the furniture and do some other things. I will hopefully post more pictures when her room gets closer to being done. Wrestling is kinda putting a little bit of hold on it right now. This is a picture of what is above her closet.

This is above Khloe's door. I loved these. I purchased these from UpperCase Living and they were wonderful and very easy to put on....once I read the directions.

New Christmas Belly Pictures

Here I am on Christmas day. I was 24 weeks on Christmas. This will be our last Christmas just Nate and I. We totally took advantage of that. It was so neat thinking about next year will be and all the excitement there will be with Khloe. We just hung out with family and enjoyed all the good food. Eating all the extra food was a little difficult because I had to eat in smaller portions due to Miss Khloe, but I still didn't starve by any means.

Here is my 22 week picture. Still feeling good even though it is starting to get harder to function and move around. I can only imagine how the next couple of months will be for me.

Nate really wanted me to take a belly picture in front of the Christmas tree. I was not very happy about doing so becasue you can hardly see the tree. I kinda feel like I look like a pink nightmare, but I am trying to make him happy. I think that I was around 20 weeks in this picture.
Here is our Harley Mae getting her picture taken with Santa. This was quite the ordeal. First of all, the lady taking the picture kept squeaking a toy and Harley kept looking up thinking that it was a bird. Being pregnant and trying to keep a hat on a 150 lb Great Dane was not an easy task. Thanks to Nana Dee Dee for helping us out.

My Surprise Weekend in Nashville

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Nate surprised me and took me away for a surprise in Nashville. It was wonderful. He planned so many surprises for me including ICE and the Rockettes. It was such a sweet and wonderful thing that he did. Here we are at ICE. It was about 9 degrees and everything that was in the display was hand carved and made of ice. He is such a sweet husband for doing this for me. I have a feeling that there won't be many more of these kind of weekends once April comes.

Here is a picture of the Grinch. It was so cold, but this might have been one of the coolest displays that I have ever seen