Sshhh Mommy!

This is our sweet, sweet man! We had his 24 week 3D ultrasound and it was just beyond perfect. My parents and Brock's parents got to come and it was so amazing to see their faces when they realized how advanced ultrasound technology is! We could see his amazing little nose and lips and finger and toes! He pulled this one shortly into the session and gave us all a good laugh :)

Brock and I both had a little moment the other day when we really took the time to look at my belly. It's very prominent now, and so round. I'm so lucky to have a man who appreciates the beauty of being pregnant. He loves my baby belly as much as I do and shows it everyday. I feel so blessed to hear him talk to his "little buddy" and tell him to come out soon, and healthy because he is ready to play. It makes me life :) But anyways, with the holidays here we are so busy but we are at least buying his bedding and crib on Friday! I can't wait to just curl up in his rocker when it's all put together and think about the day he is right there with me! 

Better stop before I have a crying, sobbing mommy moment...

Okay, so check back next week for a riveting recap of our first married Christmas and to see Hunter-Bug's room! 

Proverbs 31

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?

   She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her

   and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,

   all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax

   and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

   bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;

   she provides food for her family

   and portions for her female servants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;

   her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,

   and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff

   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor

   and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;

   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,

   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

   and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;

   she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,

   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household

   and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

   her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,

   but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

So, I read this on an acquaintances blog & it got me thinking. I too, have read the wisdom of this passage. However, it hasn't crossed my mind since I got married and this morning I re-evaluated it. Last night I got home, and I was just beyond exhausted. During the day, at work, it's so easy for me to make all these big plans for cleaning my house and what not. But, I walk through that door, and see the doom waiting on me. The puppy begging to go out, the kitten needing attention. A kitchen I forgot to clean from the night before and a husband with hungry eyes and tummy. In no time I am dead to the world. Something switches off, and I just want to curl up in the fetal position and go to sleep. But, I pulled out a box of hamburger helper {sue me} and cooked duh-hubby dinner. Now, it doesn't matter what I cook, Brock loves it. And believe me, before pregnancy I was a meat, potatoes, veggies, bread and dessert ready after dinner kinda gal. So he of course devours all of his and all of mine, and we are ready for bed. So here I am, laying there feeling like the worst kind of wife. Then I found this when I got to work this morning. My first reaction is that I should be guilty. My husband so deserves more, but, then I really looked at our life. There isn't a day I sit and do nothing. There is no time  in my day, for lazy-ness. I work fifty hours and feel like I come home and work more. Then, Brock tells me he loves me, and thanks me for all I do and I realize that Proverbs 31 is relative to the situation. My husband, my sweet amazing husband, tells me thank you for Hamburger Helper and tells me I'm beautiful when it's been Lord knows how long since I have put on a pair of heels and worn makeup. This Godly man loves me no matter what I put on the table, or adorn my body with. && it was then that I realized that as much as he loves me, I will love him enough to be a better wife and mother. I may not be able to meet the bar every single day, but every day is a chance to get a little closer. I love him and our nest enough to try! So, no, I am not a Proverbs 31 wife. I am messy, loud, unkempt sometimes, and always clumsy wife. What I will say is that I try very hard to make a happy home for my husband, and I can only make changes for the better! && hey, if I can't turn it around myself, then hopefully nesting will kick in and I can get it done anyways ;)

Here's to being a working housewife!

Awkward, Awesome Tuesday

Awkward

-Hugging people, ecspecially with my baby belly, but when your faces accidentaly face the same way

-My body in general these days, plus walking, talking, sleeping. Being pregnant me.

-Talking to tech support people with accents that totally don't match my thick drawl.

&& that's about all I can think of right now. Thanks preggo brain.

Awesome

-Hugging above mentioned belly :) All mine for now, little guy

-My husband. He should have his own comic book, he's so super.

-Watching Birth Stories on TV and crying because in 4 short months that is me, meeting my baby boy.

-Clementines. Seriously cannot even count how many I've had this week. Oh, and OJ. And grapefruits. Yummy.

-3D ultrasounds :) Can't wait for December 17.

-Selling old crap I don't need anymore, online, from the comfort of my couch and fuzzy robe.

Happy Tuesday guys :)

To Hunter with Love

Good morning baby love. You are something you know that? Last night as I was laying in bed, trying to get comfortable, and feeling one of those classic pregnancy woes called heartburn I was talking to you and hoping you were comfy in there. I don't know the truth in this, but Mommy feels like you can hear her thoughts. Sometimes I find myself talking to you without even actually speaking. Needless to say, bless your little heart you just started nudging me, then kicking me and finally it was like you rolled around and got comfy and nodded off. I went to sleep shortly after that, probably the happiest mommy in the world for that moment. You don't even know how much I pray for the day that it's in my arms that you wriggle till you are warm, comfy, and ready for sleep. 17 more weeks feels like a lifetime, now that everyday I feel you, & see you. Your Daddy and I have always known that one day we would get to do this. Share this with each other. We didn't know when, and we didn't know how but then it happened and we are so fully blessed and we know it. I guess the Lord found the perfect timing, and sent us the perfect baby to love on. You'll know first hand when you get here the amazing love waiting on you. I truly cannot wait to meet you, to hold you and study every feature of your sweet face. The nose that you'll get from me, and those big eyes and long lashes from your Daddy. Sweet little lips and ears to hear us tell you we love you with. Perfect fingers, and tiny toes. All ours. Stay tucked in there little one, for as long as it takes for you to be the strong, healthy baby we know you will be. && then when the time is right and you are just as ready as we are make your big entrance. Until then, know we love you, to the moon and back, and like Daddy say's "more than everything."

-Mommy

Baby Lovin'

Hello 23 weeks, where has all the time gone? I have now known about my sweet angel for five months now, and it feels like a couple of weeks. Baby Hunter is growing so very much. At his last appointment he was 14 oz, almost a WHOLE pound. Okay, so maybe that's only exciting to his Mommy but I teared up. Just like I do about thirty times a day.

We have had a couple of other milestones that we are very proud of:

-Daddy felt him kick! Okay, this one is big time! Of course, I had to train him, but really he had been feeling him for awhile now and just didn't realize it. The look on Brock's face is something I will never, ever forget. Here's to another teary new mommy moment :)

-I saw him move for the first time! So I have been feeling him for awhile now, but for the first time I looked down and saw this little blip and knew it was my baby love rocking around in there. We had a moment, he & I. It was wild to see one whole side of my stomach be larger than the other. Bless that baby bump!

-My appetite, is back, and with a personal mission to make up for the weeks of sickness. I am hungry, all the time! && for a little bit of everything! Now, I am still having trouble actually eating everything. My eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach but it's a big thing just to feel hungry for once. The weirdest thing is the urgency I feel when I do want something. When Hunter wants it, he wants it NOW. Seriously I have had to apologize for getting snappy when something wasn't cooking fast enough. Blame the hormones, I had nothing to do with it :) Still 10 lbs down from my pre-pregnancy weight but wait till you see this belly! It is anything but tiny!

Love that belly! As much as we want our man here I almost dread not being able to feel him in there all the time!

Now, as far as the Watkins House Remodel, we are definitely still in limbo. With the kitchen and dining room down we just need to focus on baby boy & the hall bath. But somewhere in the middle of bathroom remodel I decided to convert the guest bedroom with the Queen bed into an office space with a daybed. So there is about 15 more projects on the list. Start praying for my poor hubby! Pictures of before & after coming soon!

Nursery News

Okay ya'll, I am a backsliding decorator-mommy. The husband & I hosted Thanksgiving this year, and we had put aside all plans for home renovation to get this holiday taken care of. But, you know me, I decided to paint at LEAST the kitchen & dining room since that's where most of the Turkey Day action would take place. We picked colors, poppy red for under the chair rail, and a warm linen color for the top and kitchen. So, two-three weeks later we have, almost nothing done! I was officially freaking out, but with the help of some fantastic family we got the not only the kitchen and dining room done, but the living room also! That just left the placement of the chair rail, but my sweet mother in law had some beautiful tile left over from when sweet hubby retiled their floor & she offered to let us have it. So we got a tile saw, and all the other stuff and got busy, literally, the night before Thanksgiving. When I went to bed that night, the tile was done but there was no grout and my fridge and stove were still in my dining room. I was a crazy lady, but at two in the morning Brock crawled in the bed ater having stayed up that late to finish! So sweet!

Needless to say, Thanksgiving went off without a hitch but I couldn't have done it without my "man" power!

So, now it's December 1st and Christmas is well under way in the Watkin's house, but I have seriously neglected poor Hunter's nursery! But, we aren't getting the crib or glider until after Christmas, and I have to still refinish the old dresser and nightstand. But one thing has been decided, and that's the accent wall. I found this blog, where the crafty mommy used old pallets to cover an entire wall of her baby boy's nursery. It looks like this:

Thanks Britney for showing this to us! It's perfect for Hunter-man's room! Now if only pottery barn could get their act together and get my curtain's here I might be able to start ;) Stay tuned, this should be one fun project!

Thinking About Coming Home...

With my baby boy. Already! Ha! I know we have so long to go!

When I found out I was having a baby boy, I thought, "Well, at least Brock gets off easy this time with the shopping." I mean, there is no way I was going to want to buy as much for a baby boy as I would have for a baby girl right? Wrong. I stumbled into Pinterest, and then Ralph Lauren Baby, and then Etsy. I decided we needed knitted hats that looked like a sock monkey, and DIY mobiles and paintings for the nursery, not to mention the layette set for him to wear home from the hospital. It blows my mind how cute little boys can be! I had the best time buying his outfit to wear home! My poor husband, bless his heart!

This pregnancy, is starting to be so much fun. My little tummy is so round, and by some miracle I have lost a lot of weight everywhere else. My doctor wasn't concerned at the 16 week appt, so I guess I am not either. I take it baby is getting everything Mommy gives him! I am eating a little better, but still sick more than I would like to be. All in all it works out! Daddy has been trying to coach Hunter to "be nice to Momma". It's really cute, even if it doesn't work!

Anyways, just a little update. We get his anatomy ultrasound the day before Thanksgiving. We definately have a lot to be thankful for this year! Stay tuned!

Waiting for...

Our Baby Boy!

I can't believe I haven't posted in 6 weeks! But wait, in between working, and keeping a home & husband happy, not to mention trying hard to take care of myself and sleeping as many hours in a day that I can when would I have updated? :) I say that with nothing but happiness for the life Brock & I have created! Today I was juts sitting here amazed at how different my life is now than say, 2 or 3 years ago! Who knew I would be a wife & a mommy-to-be?

Our life has been hectic, in the best of ways! We are never ever home, but it's because our lives are so full of equal amounts of work & play! We spend a lot of time with both of our families, and as much time with friends as we can fit in. It seems to work for us, but when we do get the chance to just stay home & enjoy eachother we relish every second of it.

Let's talk about baby Watkins for a minute. First off, we are having a baby BOY! I of course, am eating my words because even after she showed us "the goods" I thought that we were having a girl! I just was so stuck in my thinking. The hubby of course was practically beating his fists on his chest! Man make son :) However, now we are both beyond excited and ready to meet our little man! It was so nice to start calling him by his name, which is Hunter Brock Watkins, after his Daddy. I love to hear Brock call him "son", and tell him that Mommy & Daddy love him to pieces. My favorite part is the planning. We have picked the furniture & bedding so far. We, well mostly just I, have the decor picked out and it feels good to be able to start doing something.

As far as physical changes, his little ultrasound picture was so different at 15 weeks than at 7 weeks! I mean, duh! We could clearly see his spine, and brain, and even his little toes. Of course, the tech saw what led her to believe it was a boy! Which is great, and I can point out his wittle nose! I can't feel him yet, distinctly anyways. He still refuses to let me eat, but I make myself for his sake, and I am getting a little energy back even though I still wont refuse a nap! All & all being pregnant, is starting to be fun! My tummy is round and I love when people want to feel or just rub! I am definately not a paranoid mommy, yet!

Keep posted, the enxt few weeks should be lots of fun for Mommy & Baby!

10 Weeks with Baby Watkins

We totally cannot believe it has been 10 weeks! && over a month since we found out! This week baby is the size of a prune but we still call it Baby Bird! 

What to say about week 10? This past week I really noticed a roundness in my tummy. I love it, and Daddy loves it! And it means you are safe & sound and growing and that's really all that matters. Your little arms and legs are growing and now can move at the joints. Your little organs are also all fully formed. You have fingernails and hair forming && you are swallowing and kicking, although Mommy can't feel it yet! (I wish!!)

One thing about being pregnant, other than the incessant nausea, is that I am a TOTAL basket case! I pretty much cannot listen to any song about children, or sickness, or death, or love. So the radio is pretty much out!Commercials make me cry, ecspecially the baby commercials like Huggies or Pampers. In a nutshell, pretty much everything sets me off and I am a wreck! I can't even imagine what kind of emotions I will be feeling when I get to hold my sweet baby in my arms for the first time!

Cathy, my awesome mother in law, did take me maternity shopping and we got a couple of things! I am on the hunt for jeans for my short legs and big ol' belly! This one will be a fun adventure!

Oh, we so cannot wait for the moment you get here BW! There is so mcuh love waiting on you!

♥

Nursery Ramblin'

So, as baby grows & grows Brock and I realize how much we have to do before he or she gets here! We went on a mini-vacay to North Georgia this weekend and it was so blessedly peaceful & so relaxing! But, when I got home I just took a look around and it blew my mind how much I have to do! There is so much attention to give to this house, not to mention baby's room!

But, as far as the thought process goes, I am so ready! I have already picked out boy & girl bedding from Pottery Barn Kids (LOVE THEM!) The girl's theme is so sweet, not to girly but just feminine & sweet enough to be perfect for my baby girl!

&& I wanted to stay away from themes, but there will be Owl's! I think they are so sweet!

As for the boy bedding, I don't want to over-do the "All Boy" thing! I don't want to set a standard by doing just sports or just outdoors! And I definately didn't want to do an over done theme such as Pooh Bear or Disney! So we decided on this...

We might do planes, trains & automobiles! A red wagon-ish theme :)

I really love everything we have decided on! Now I just need to get the soon to be nursery cleaned out && so we can paint as SOON as we find out whether or not we are having a baby boy or girl!

Oh yeah! New news! We have FINALLY settled on a girl name!

Catherine Rose

We just love it! We will be calling her "Cate" but Brock's mom is Cathy and we wanted to honor her in some way with this first baby girl (if it is!) since the first boy was named after my father in law! It's the first thing we have picked that we both love and can't imagine parting with!

Yay for naming baby & picking out nursery themes!





House Divided

So, it's officially football season and things are just heating up around our house! Duh-hubby is a, brace yourself, Tech fan. A nasty, nasty Tech fan. Don't get me wrong I love him to peices but he makes some bad calls in judgement. Until September we get along just fine, but I see him in a new light when he starts cheering for those "Ramblin' Wrecks". Gross.

I of course, a "Dawg" all the way. What else would any respectable, southern raised, Georgia girl say she was? And I do more than put on a cute shirt, clay UGA earrings, and my game face. I cheer, I scream, I jump off the couch and generally forget my raisin'. But hey, if you aren't passionate about it you ought not to be watching! Needless to say, this year I have a little advantage. It's two against one while Baby Watkins is tucked in my tummy! & boy does that just burn Brock up!

So, we made a deal. If Bird is a girl, she'll be raised up proper to cheer on the Bulldogs right alongside her Momma. Of course if it's a boy, I have to bury my resentment and put the little man in that ugly, ugly yellow!

Lord, give us a girl :)

Kidding, we are totally cliche and just want a happy, healthy baby but while you are working on my prayer list, if He could give the little one the predisposistion to enjoy good football (and by that I mean UGA football) then I would be one really proud momma :)

Enjoy football season ya'll!

Eight Weeks!

Whoa Baby! 8 weeks! :)

Brock & I had the day off on Monday, our doctor appointment day, so we enjoyed eachothers company! First we went to Starlit Cafe in Marietta and he ate his little heart out & I tried my best! What I did have was really good though! Then we went to Miss Mamie's for my favorite margarita cupcake. Couldn't eat that either but it sure did look good :)

We got to the hospital an hour early but we were both so anxious we went in and signed me in so that if something opened up we could go straight back and see our baby. Sure enough, maybe 15 minutes later they called me back and put me straight in the ultrasound room! I was starting to shake I was so anxious. I was terrified. Of everything, not seeing anything at all, not measuring right, now heartbeat. Any irrational fear, I had it. But, Brock & I barely had time to focus on the monitor when our little one popped up! So clear! Our little gummy :) However, I was amazed to see little features. It's head, and butt and little arm and leg buds were all clearly visible. I measured right at 8 weeks, only 2 days off from what I was supposed to be and she said that was great.

Then it was time for the little heartbeat! Brock and I got our phones ready and it came across so clear and strong. I have a video and all I keep saying is that "it's so fast!" and it was! I listen to it every chance I get now. I was laughing, I was crying. Brock had the biggest grin on his face. I was in love! In love with my amazing husband who was so excited to see what we made together, and in love with this tee-tiny little being that is inside me! I knew I was pregnant, I felt pregnant, but seeing it. Wow. It hit me so hard, I am a mommy!

Needless to say we are one happy Mommy & Daddy! As far as the pregnancy goes, still super sick! Got a little belly going, but it's probably a thousand other things and not an actual "bump." Brock is still fantastic, he loves taking care of me. Can't wait to see him with the baby. We have talked about some names. We have a boy name nailed down. We both love Hunter Brock. Girl names are another story. We have three options. We love Tatum Kate, Avery Rose, and then Madison but we can't think of a middle name for Madison so we are stuck! I just want to be able to call him or her something as soon as we know boy or girl!

So, thats where we are right now! Very excited! Fall is coming up, our baby is growing and safe and we are so in love with our life and eachother!

Till next time!

Sweet Blessings from Above, Babies Fill a House with Love...

That's right, our duo is now a trio (well, in the making!) and we couldn't be more excited! Brock & I found out we are expecting on July 31st, and baby Watkins will make his or her appearance April 7th! I was getting ready to shoot a wedding, and even as I was coaching myself to wait to take the test until I got home so that it could sink in, I was ripping open that box, and well, you know the rest! Three minutes later we were staring at two pink lines! 6 more tests and three days later we were beyond ready to expand our family by ten fingers and ten sweet toes!

Today, I am almost 8 weeks along and baby is doing just fine but Mommy is struggling! It is such a comfort knowing that the morning sickness, I mean, ALL DAY sickness not to mention the cramps, and bloating, tender breasts, and the constant urge to pee, is all in preparation for a sweet miracle to join our lives!

However, my sweet husband (your amazing Daddy) has made everything so bearable. He won't let me do a thing, and is so in love with pregnant me. How did I get so lucky? He has already coached me through shopping trips to Target where nothing fit & I was highly considering maternity pants. He draws me warm baths, and rubs my back till I go to sleep and best of all, he talks to Baby like he or she is already the love of his life! And I am so very okay with that! I love watching him kiss you good morning, and tell you sweet dreams at night, Baby. You are so very loved already!

This week you are the size of a raspberry! Can you believe it?! Weeks ago you were a silent prayer, and now you are growing by leaps and bounds! Your little arms (buds:) are growing, and you have eyes, ears and a tongue! And although we can't tell if you are a Girl or Boy your little "parts" are making themselves known!

&& the best part? You move! I can't feel it yet, but you do! Sometimes I swear I feel you, and then I know I really am crazy, but it helps to know you are in there, safe & sound waiting for Mommy & Daddy to welcome you into this crazy life of ours where you will undoubtedly, become the center of our world!

I have been to the Dr, twice already, for blood work and to confirm that there was indeed a little one growing inside me! My next appointment is in six days! We get to not only see you, and your cute little gummy bear self, but also hear your precious heartbeat! I read somewhere that it is beating so fast, 150 bmp actually! That just tickles Daddy & I to death, and we can't wait to hear it!

So my little rasberry, see you next week!

-Mommy

The Big Day

Leave it forgetful me, to not post for months! Needless to say, our big day has come and gone and it's actually been a whole month of honeymoon bliss! We moved the day up to a beautiful, and blessedly cool summer day, July 16th and the wedding was held at my family home in Kennesaw, GA, the home of my Nanee & Papa. I woke up to you guessed it, rain. It was pouring, it was gross, it was not what I had planned. Thanks to the help & guidance of my best girl friend and maid of honor Amanda, I made it till noon, when the clouds rolled back and a beautiful blue sky opened up! Not to mention all the heat of summer went away with the rain! We had an "almost" cool day & night, all things consided. It is Georgia, you know. All of my beautiful bridesmaids, and the mommy's, plus my Daddy, and grandmommy's and aunts & cousins and even some new friends were there to make my DIY wedding dream come true. We put wildflowers and burlap on every blank surface, hung barn wood signs, tiny birdhouses, and put close to 300 mason jars and endless candles throughout gardens, and lining paths, and adorning tables. My father in law, wonderful hubby, and Aunt had hung lights on anything that would stand still. The ceremony was held under a giant walnut tree in the field and the reception took place under a beautiful Georgia pecan tree. We danced, and enjoyed our amazing friends and family, and really cherished our first night as husband and wife! It was such a beautiful day & we can't thank all of our loved ones enough for all the time, & energy they put into our BIG day!

Backyard Bride

Yep, that's me, and I am finally figuring that out with 5 months to go! There have been some serious changes with the wedding plans! Leave it to me, to plan a whole wedding and then with six months to go, change it! But, they were neccesary changes! First off, have you priced wedding's these days? No? Well, prepare to give up one of your arms, and both of your legs! Its rediculous how pricey everything is! For a couple just starting out on their own, literally a month before the wedding, we just have to be smart!

So, after racking our brains we got a lovely offer from my future Father in Law. He would like to help us out with our budget friendly plan, and host the reception at their family home! So, we will be having a backyard BBQ, but you can bet your bottom it will be full to the brim with homey, DIY touches and pure elegance!

Can't wait to be Mrs. Watkins!

New Beginnings

I am launching this blog, and sticking to it! Ecpecially now that things are really happening! The countdown till "THE BIG DAY" is officially at 152 and let me tell you, it goes by fast! We looked at eachother last night and realized we have been engaged six months, and although I feel like planning has totally invaded every single aspect of my life, we have almost nothing done.

The vision though! That is really something. It's all worked out in my head, now if I could just get my future husband, my mother and our finances to agree with me!

Slow down Jessica, you're getting ahead of yourself!

First things first. Getting married. Check. House. Check. Well, in 98 days actually. Where we currently live looks like an antique store and a home depot ran into one another at high speeds! There are decorative elements, half-done furniture, holiday decor, paint, books and tools everywhere. Not to mention the everyday mess that two people and a puppy make! I could use an extra set of hands, or two, or maybe three. But here's to wishful thinking...

So where we stand is here: We have this wedding to finish figurin' out, and start packing! And then we have our little projects we are trying to complete.

1. Entryway. Refinished an old bench of mine from when I was a kid. Bought barn star hooks for each side, and the fabric to make a cushion. All that's left are two pillows, and the big window pane mirror to hang above it.

2. Dining room table. My mother's table, 6 chairs, and 2 bar stools. Sanding, stripping, staining, and painting. It is going to be beautiful, now I just need the perfect centerpiece.

3. Desk, chair, and side table. Buying them today and refinishing them as well! I love my little eclectic pieces!

Okay, check back in tomorrow to see my pet projects in progress!