2 weeks....

So in two weeks we will finally know what this little bean in my belly is! I have really been feeling him/her move around lately. I honestly thought it would freak me out, but I LOVE IT! I love knowing that our sweet baby is alive and well, rolling around in my belly! I can't wait for the day where Colin can feel our sweet child kicking through my belly. All this to say, I just can't wait to get things rolling with the nursery and registry and showers.....so fun!

I have been clearing out all our furniture and knick knacks in the nursery for the last few weeks in preparation for hardwood floors being laid down, bead board, crown, and of course all that sweet furniture. I also have bought two paint colors (light pink/light blue), and am waiting to see what color will be splashed all over the walls.

So my question for you.....what do you think baby Stout is....BOY or GIRL? Just let me know your prediction and I promise to let you know as soon as we do.

Em

and here we go.....

I feel like things are really starting to pick up around here. We have already started the Christmas parties, and have quite a few more to go. This week I am celebrating with my girls from work, we call ourselves the Jackholes, and next Friday is the TLS holiday brunch. Next Monday, my sweet friend Jess is planning a birthday celebration for me at my favorite place, Saul Good. Tonight I am taking Colin to Malone's to celebrate his birthday, which is tomorrow. Whew! Oh, and on Wednesday my momma is cooking dinner for the family to celebrate my man's 29th birthday. Let me think.....anything else, oh Colin is playing at church this weekend where there will be six wedding during the weekend services. Busy, busy, busy...but I wouldn't change a thing. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing friends and family. So many celebrations and get togethers....love it!

When you get a minute, please pray for my sweet friend Nakada. She is expecting twins and is 31 weeks pregnant today. She went to the Dr. and he has put her on strict bedrest and asked her to start coming in twice a week. She has a rough appointment this morning, the babies are fine, they just need to stay in their mom for a little bit longer.

Also, my friend Stef found out some bad news in regards to her journey in adoption. They agency isn't referring any more children during the dates of December 19th-January 5th. We had been praying that she would get a Christmas referral. We totally trust that God is "shuffling" those sweet babies around so that everyone gets the one he has planned for their family. We are just a little disappointed about the timing.

I have another friend who is going through a domestic adoption and her little baby should be here this week. Mom is being induced on Wednesday at 6 AM. Please pray that labor, delivery, and transition for baby be quick and easy. So excited to meet this little guy!

Please pray for my sweet baby buddies....we are so close girls! Hold tight to the fact that God's plan and timing is PERFECT! I love you.
Em

Photo Session for the Stout's

If you are in the market for some cute family pix, our friends Jeff and Abby Laub have set up a studio in their garage. We were their first Christmas card clients....we had a great time with the Laub's and Sampson smiled through the whole session. We are hoping to get a cute Christmas card to all our family and friends in the mail, but so far we can't fine one that is budget savy. Wish us luck...or maybe I will just send an email with our cute pix. Thanks Jeff and Abby!

So Proud....

Have you ever been so proud of somebody you could just burst? Well last night we had Colin's company Christmas dinner for Concrete Coring and we had a blast. It was so nice to sit down with all of the wonderful people he works with and talk and of course eat. My favorite part was when Colin and Leanne presented a Powerpoint slideshow of all the guys in their "element" and a few black mail pix along the way. It was so, so funny. Immediately following the slideshow Colin passed out gifts, bonus', and passed out "awards." (My dad got perfect attendance award....they were a bit sarcastic considering my dad went in may three times this year). Colin spilled his little heart to his work family and yes, of course got a little choked up. Well, this pregnancy thing I guess makes me a little more emotional, no I didn't cry, but I made this crazy noise trying to hold in the tears. I am praying it was a very quiet noise, my mom hasn't mentioned anything about it. I was so proud, he is so happy working with his Concrete Coring family, he has never been happier about his job, and he does a nice job leaving work at the door when he comes home. Love you babe!

PS If you need any concrete cut in the near future check out their website:
http://www.concretecoringcompany.com/index.php

Tis the Season...

Today I am home again by 12, and on the couch with my little man. My mom is hard at work painting the bead board, moulding (just found out that was the formal way to spell it), and chair rail for the nursery. My brother is coming over later this afternoon to shop for my Mom's Christmas gift. I feel like I am doing a good job balancing this work/rest time for me and baby Stout. I notice that when I am on my feet too long I do start to cramp a little. Nothing that some Tylenol and rest won't take care of.

I totally forgot to thank all of you for your awesome suggestions to thank my mom for all she has done. I have some ideas in the back of my head (that I won't mention because she reads this). Thanks again for being so creative and thoughtful at the same time, you all hit the nail on the head. I am hoping you are enjoying this crisp, wintery weather and gearing up for Christmas. I still can't believe it is that time of year.

Please be praying for some friends of my in Missouri. We have never met face to face but they too have walked through IVF and sadly didn't get the desired results this morning. Pray that God comfort them and carry them through this time of sadness. My heart is breaking for them because I can just tell they will be amazing parents one day.

Em

Nursery Time!

So this is day three of being back to work for half days, and I am hanging in there. It is definately hard to go from doing absolutely nothing to three hours with 22 amazing kindergartners. They are so sweet to me, reminding me that they need to use inside voices (quiet) because they might scare the baby if it gets too loud. They are also very open to hugging and kissing my belly. My job is amazing! I know that these posts are short, but I am about to lay my head down for a quick snooze with Sampson (he is already snoring away).

We are officially starting on the nursery. (I would take a picture but the digital camera I borrowed died, and the charger broke, oops). My mom is in the garage painting the bead board, chair rail, and crown molding. We just had a contractor come by and quote hardwood floors and installing all the goods. I can't believe we have bought the furniture, glider, and now we are actually talking about putting it all together. My guest room will soon be transformed into a sweet little nursery! yeah!

I made it!

I am so lucky to have such an amazing job, complete with great kids, awesome team, and all around positive work place. I LOVE IT! I just couldn't stop smiling all morning. We always start our day with an activity called Morning Meeting, it is a 30-40 minute group time where we go over the calender, days of the week, how many days we have been in school, and just chat. I looked up this morning and realized that my sweet kids had sat for almost 45-50 minutes talking to me about Thanksgiving, and other important news. They were perfect! I was so impressed with how much taller, mature, and involved they were in our conversations.....it was priceless. I am now at home sitting on the couch with my little man watching the snow come down and thankful to have some down time where I can put my feet up and rest. I have to admit I am beat.....but I made it, and I get to do it all again tomorrow.

Em