Can't believe I'm posting these

I don't know why I can't take some belly shots when I'm dressed up with makeup on. Oh well. Since you are all my friends, I'm sure you've seen me looking worse!





So, as you can see, the belly is large and in charge! I'm feeling really great though! I do have acid reflux pretty bad and some possible sciatic nerve stuff going on, but can't really complain about that! My poor friend Jenny who is 7 weeks ahead of me is still having morning sickness, so I feel blessed to feel as good as i do! Our baby boy still has no name, so Daniel has taken to calling him Xerxes. Daniel assures me this is only his 'in utero' name, but someone please make sure he doesn't put that on the birth certificate! We have been narrowing down our name list, so one of these days maybe we will decide! I think I've found the bedding I want to order, so I'm super excited about that! People have made lots of comments about Xerxes being a soccer player like his dad after the sonogram pics of his leg and I'll have to agree with that! He moves and kicks like crazy! Daniel has been able to feel a few times, and it still startles me when he kicks hard. There is nothing like feeling him move inside me though! Strange and amazing! Such a miracle!

I do have to share a funny story that happened to me yesterday. When I arrived for yoga yesterday the instructor had not yet arrived, so everyone was sitting on the porch outside the building. I took a seat on a stool and immediately heard water begin to rush out and hit the ground. I jumped up before I got wet, but the faces of the girls next to me were priceless! Everyone thought my water had just broken! Figures the pregnant girl would sit on the water filled seat! One of the girls remarked that she had only ever seen water break on t.v. and was mentally preparing for what she should do next to help! Can't imagine what that scenario would have been like had I been surrounded by men!

Daniel is heading for a mini men's trip this weekend. He and Jonathan Parker are going camping and canoeing on the Sipsey Fork River. The weather is supposed to be pretty terrible this weekend, so I wish they would find something inside to do, but men will be men! I think I may make a quick trip to Memphis to visit Babys R Us, Target, and a maternity store. Let me know if you are interested in joining me! As exciting as this trip sounds, don't all break down my door fighting to go with me :).

Indian-Style Curry

I tried a new recipe that a co-worker recommended last night- Indian-Style Curry with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and chickpeas. I give it an A! I'm going to add the recipe to the list on the right side of this blog. Only things I did different: I used 2 serrano chiles (one with seeds, one without) and it definitely had some heat! I also did not serve this with rice. We just had it in a bowl with a side of warmed pita. Very easy, hearty, healthy, and delicious recipe!



It's been so long since I've tried a new recipe! Hopefully this will inspire me to cook more often and get out of the rut we've been in!

It's a BOY!!!!

He is very active! Wiggled around through the entire ultrasound! He also kept trying to suck his thumb! So amazing! We are happy to have a boy, but mostly just thankful that everything looks good! Time to start picking out names and nursery stuff!

4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July at the cabin. We left Thursday afternoon and came back on Sunday. We enjoyed tons of good food and visiting with family!

Madeline posing as usual!


Avery taking a quick break from talking to smile for the camera! She talked our ears off this trip!


and she loves Bailey! She pulled on her tail and pet her all weekend! These girls need a dog (hint, hint Sherri).


She also loves her Fred Daddy!


Madeline decided Daniel needed a new look. Here she is 'dying his hair red'.



Madeline cuddling with Gigi (her great grandmother)


What the men did most of the time:



Some random shots before heading over for the 4th feast!


too many cameras going off at the same time! Fred Daddy, Madeline, Avery, and Bebe!


Look how big my belly is getting! (ignore the other parts of me that are getting bigger as well please!)


Still have a long way to go before I catch up to Daniel (he is poking his out here...just an fyi and to sooth his ego :))


5 of the reasons there is so much pressure on us to have a boy...


I'll have to add other pics as the rest of the family shares theirs!

On the baby front: we find out what we are having on THURSDAY!!! I'm so anxious to find out and have no clue what it is! As you can tell from the pics above, the belly has definitely popped in the last month! I'm feeling great other than a cold and a stomach bug I picked up over the weekend. Thank goodness Daniel was home Sunday night! Not sure I could have made it without him! I am feeling some movement, but faintly and only when i take the time to pay attention. I'll let you all know as soon as we find out on Thursday!