Paul's 30th

Paul just celebrated his BIG 30th birthday!  Let me tell you, I have been contemplating what to do for his 30th for a long time now.  It is a big milestone, and I wanted to do something special for him.  But, he is infamous for never telling me anything he wants or would like to do.  So, the day kept creeping up on me, and I still didn't have a plan.  Well it just happened that his birthday was the day after the first Carolina football game.  So, I knew we would be going over to one of his friends' houses to watch the game.  I started scheming with his best friend, Chris, on how we could tie in a little surprise party with the football party.  If you know Paul, you know he would make the best private investigator there is.  He always knows what's going on with everyone, and you can not get anything by him.  So, this was a major accomplishment for me to pull this off.

Along with all of his friends who he knew would be there to watch the game, we had his brother, sister, their kids, and his parents waiting on his arrival.  In true Paul fashion, he brought all the food to his own party.  He played golf with his friends that morning, so I used that time to run all the errands, decorate Chris' house, bring over food, etc.  I kept trying to tell him that we didn't need to bring all this stuff, but he insisted and what could I say, "It's already there because I bought it all earlier."  So, I just let him do it.  I was sweating waiting for him to be ready to leave the house.  I knew everyone was there waiting on us, and he was dragging getting out the door.  But, we finally got there, and he was totally shocked.  I think he may have been a little mad at me at first, because he was in the mind set that we were going to party with friends, not go to a family event- whoops.  But, after the initial shock, he had a good time, and I know he appreciated it :).  He was also a little mad at the pictures I put out of him growing up, but they were too cute not to share and a fun topic for later in the evening when everyone had a few drinks in them.

 I apologize for the lack of pictures.  I was freaking out trying to get Paul to the party without blowing my cover that I forgot to bring my camera!  So, I had to make due with my phone.  Doesn't he look thrilled??

We have made it a week since I checked into the hospital and the baby is still cooking- whoohoo!  I have not been driven to insanity yet, but I am sure that is soon to come.  I am not sure who will go crazy first me (not being able to do ANYTHING) or Paul having to cater to my every need.  He has been such a trooper and is taking such great care of me.  Riley is a pro at bed rest.  He has been at my side the WHOLE time.  It is to the point of where I had to tell Paul to please just get him off me for a minute.  He is the most snuggly thing, and I know he is just trying to take care of me.  But, as small as he is he can manage to take all my leg room and 3/4 of the bed.

 Ahh, this is great..

And just because Riley isn't spoiled enough, Paul's mom went and bought these stairs just for him.  He can't jump up on the bed himself and since I can't pick him up, we got these so he can let himself in and out the bed.  I know what you're thinking, if they are this obsessed with their dog imagine how they will be with their child.  There is no denying it, he will be one LOVED little boy.



The Glory Days Are Over

I don't even know where to begin.  It is amazing how quickly my pregnancy turned from uneventful to WAY too eventful.  So, about a week ago I started having some shooting pains in my back.  They would usually get worse in the afternoon after I had been working all day.  But, I was not too concerned, because back pain is just one of the fun side effects of being pregnant, right?  Well on Friday the pain got so severe that I couldn't walk, couldnt sit down, could barely move; it was awful.  Surely this was not normal.  I barely made it home from work and had to have Paul help me in the house while I screamed in pain.  I called the doctor, and she told me a couple of things I could try to ease the pain and if it didn't get better to call her.  Well, nothing I did made it any better.  I managed to just go to sleep on Friday night, but woke up Saturday with no relief, so the doctor wanted me to come to the hospital.

When I got there we discovered that I had starting dialating and was in per-term labor.  So, they admitted me to the hospital and started an IV drip with some medicine that is supposed to help stop contractions.  Apparently I had probably been having some contractions the past week and not realized it.  This being my first pregnancy, I really had no idea what a contraction would feel like.  Luckily, the medicine worked and stopped the labor.  But, it definitely gave everyone a scare for a while.  They let me go home yesterday.  I had lots of visitors in the hospital and the nurses joked with me that I was too spoiled.  I really am.  My family and friends are the best, and I am so thankful for all they did for me while I was in the hospital.

The good news is that baby looks great.  We just need to him to stay put for a little while longer.  So, the bad news is that I am now on bed rest.  I can go to the bathroom, take a quick shower, and that's about it.  But, Paul and Riley are taking great care of me.  I swear that mother's just have an instinct, because last weekend I was in full throttle nesting mode- washing his clothes, put together his swing, finished decorating the nursery.  I just had a feeling that I needed to get these things done.  So, for atleast the next 3-4 weeks I will be doing a whole lot of nothing.  But, I would do anything to keep our baby safe, and make sure he is healthy when he makes his entrance into the world.  All of your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. Momma and baby are doing well :).

Before all of this came up I was able to throw Paul a little surprise party for his 30th birthday!  I will have more details on that later..

32 Weeks

...of some BIG belly love :)

2 Years and A Sneak Peek

Last weekend Paul and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary.  It is hard to believe that we have been married for 2 years!  We went to Charleston with no real agenda.  We just wanted to get away and enjoy some R&R.  We went to dinner on Saturday night at the Old Post House in Mt. Pleasant.  It was just alright.  The service was not very good, and the food was just ok.  But, I like going there for the ambiance.  It is a nice little romantic place.

 Our private table in the corner

 Paul commented that I always do my arm like this in pictures.  Why yes I do, because it makes my arm look skinnier, and these days I need all the help I can get.

While we were in Charleston celebrating our anniversary, we also had a couple of visitors.  We had one really cute one who had a blast playing football with his daddy and Uncle Paul on the beach.  He is too cute!

 Our nephew, William-
Uncle Paul throw me the ball!

 Look how I can throw the big football!

 High five dad!

I am still working on the nursery, but we pretty much have everything we need now.  Our glider came in this week, and I was so excited to have the finishing piece to Baby DuRant's room!  I am not ready to share the "big reveal" of the nursery yet, but this picture was too cute not to share.  I heard Paul playing his guitar, but he was not in his normal spot in the office.  I found him and Riley enjoying the new glider in the nursery.

How cute is that??

I love both of these boys so much, and I can just picture our little toddler dancing while his daddy jams out on his guitar.  Happy 2 year anniversary, Paul!  They have been the best 2 years of my life :).

30 weeks, a shower, and a baby!

I am now 30 weeks along in my pregnancy!  I am not sure why, but this seems like a milestone.  Just 10 more weeks until my due date, and HOPEFULLY I get to meet my baby boy. (Note to baby: Feel free to come a little early if you need to, but I would really prefer to have an October baby than a November baby.  Can you make that happen for mommy?  Thank you.) I can't say that this pregnancy has flown by, because honestly, I feel like I have pregnant forever.  But, I hope that these next ten weeks (or LESS- no more) go by quickly.  I am so ready to hold and cuddle my baby.

This week has been a great one.  On Thursday, Baby DuRant's cousin was born, Caroline Fawcett DuRant!

We drove down to Charleston on Saturday to meet her.  She is absolutely beautiful and so sweet.  I was in heaven holding a newborn and thinking about how I will have my own baby in just a couple months.  We were so pleasantly surprised that she was a SHE.  We were afraid that the family was soon going to be taken over by boys.  I am glad we added a little girl to the mix :).

 Little angel

This week was also extra special, because today I had my second baby shower hosted by my friends.  It was so much fun, and we racked up on lots of good stuff.  I have the BEST friends by far and am so thankful for all of them. 

 Me with the hostesses!  These 4 girls have all been my best friends since elementary and middle school.  It is hard to believe that we are now grown up, and they are hosting a baby shower for me!

 Me and Annie!  I used to babysit for Annie and her two little brothers.  She was also the flower girl in my wedding.  I love her to pieces.  It is crazy to think that she will probably baby sit for my little boy one day.

Baby DuRant getting lots of love from all of his "aunts".  Can I just say that I have the most beautiful friends?  I can't say enough how thankful I am for each and everyone of you!

I forgot to take a picture of the gifts at the shower before I opened them, so I put them all on display when I got home.  I think this little boy is SET.

The nursery is so close to being finished!  I have had so much fun decorating and online shopping.  (Paul asked the UPS man if there was a way to cut off shipments to our house- whoops).  It is so awesome to be able to shop without even leaving the house, genius.  I am waiting on a few finishing touches and then I will post pictures.  Thanks again to everyone who came to my shower.  We are so blessed :).

Life as I Imagined It

I just celebrated my 24th birthday this past weekend.  It was a pretty low key birthday, but nice to just be able to relax and do nothing really.  Paul asked me if I felt 24, and I told him no honestly, I feel atleast 28.  I feel like I am a little beyond my years.  But, this is exactly the life that I imagined and dreamed of growing up.  I know some may think 24 is awfully young to be having a baby, but the timing is just right in our lives.  I always dreamed I would go to college, have a blast (which I did), meet my husband while in college (which I did), get engaged by my senior year (which technically I had already graduated, but I graduated a semester early so that still counts), get married to the man of my dreams in Charleston (check), and have a baby, preferably a boy first, after being married about 2 years (check, check).  I am so blessed beyond belief with where life has led me. 

I am trying to really enjoy these last few months of just the two of us as a couple before we welcome our precious baby boy into the world.  Some days I just can't wait any longer for him to be here, and other days I have anxiety about how much life is going to change when he gets here.  But, I am ready for the challenge of parenthood, and I can't wait to see Paul as a daddy.

Like I said, my birthday was pretty low key, but we still did a little celebrating (it's not nearly as fun without wine).  My brother was in town the weekend before my birthday, and we went to Charleston to see my mom.  So, her and Tom took us out to dinner at Red Drum.  It was delicious.  Paul took me to Garibaldi's on my actual birthday, and the next day I had dinner with my girlfriends. 

 Dustin and I at dinner

 Tom, my mom, Dustin, me, and Paul

 Me and my love

 My brother played golf with my dad and stepmom on Sunday morning, so Paul and I decided to soak up some sun on the beach.  (I will spare you the beached whale photo of me in my beach chair.)

I also just celebrated a milestone in my pregnancy.  We have entered the 3rd trimester!  Here I am at 28 weeks.  Life is good :).

Happy birthday Rooster!

Happy birthday to our first baby who we love so very much, Riley (also known as rooster, wookie roo, monkey bear, dookie rumsfeld...)  He brings so much joy to our lives, and I am so thankful for him.  I can't believe our fur baby is 4 years old!