Gender Neutral

Not finding out whether Baby Rhea is a boy or girl has had it's perks as well as a few bummers.  The definite perks besides the excitement of making baby's arrival even extra anticipated and having something to look forward to as the last weeks creep by are that it's saved us a lot of money.  With all the holiday bazaars, I would have bought more baby clothes then Baby Rhea could wear in a lifetime if I knew if shem was a girl or boy.  And hey, I've got plenty of years to shop for clothes so holding off for a few months is "nothing" (okay, it's harder than you think but I'm almost to the finish line--and I didn't resist all together...I did purchase a few gender-specific outfits but won't disclose what gender.  Figured if I was incorrect, I'd give the items as baby gifts.).

Also when registering, we choose everything gender neutral, so it would work both ways which will be handy if we are blessed with additional Baby Rhea's.  This is also the motto for the nursery.  Although technically no nursery exists currently since we won't be in Tupelo when Baby Rhea arrives and don't want to set up everything in our Memphis house since we are hoping it sells soon-- so you must be asking, where we plan on bringing Baby Rhea home to.  Well, my parents have graciously "offered" for us to move in with them...in reality, I informed them we are moving in.  And they couldn't be more thrilled that myself (pregnant & hormonal), Harris (Tupelo-living baby daddy), baby (pooping & crying), Sadie (food & tennis ball obsessed) and Sissy (sick & nearly on her death bed) are going to be roommates.  They have John's baby bed set up, fresh from when Mary was born (nearly 9 years ago) so Baby Rhea will have a temporary nursery.

Although no nursery exists quite yet, we do have a crib.  Baby Rhea will lay shem's head in the same bed as I did when I was little and enjoy the teeth marks that I left on it when I was a baby.  Harris assembled the baby bed to make sure after 28 years no parts are missing. 

We are "splurging" and going to get shem a new mattress instead of using the plastic maybe vinyl mattress that I used.  (I'm pretty sure mice probably have lived in it at one point over the years and if they haven't lived in it, they definitely have pooped on it.)  Gosh, the things we will do for our kids.

But I did order the baby bedding for our future nursery.  We (I...like Harris had a preference although I did ask him) choose creams and a taupe and figured I will accessorize with color (well, my sister will...she's our personal/free interior decorator.  And she's dang good at it too.  She even picked out the bedding fabrics.).  The fuzzy cream fabric is the bumper pad with the ties and top ruffle in a browny/taupe linen.  And the dust ruffle is the bottom fabric which is a cream linen.  The crib sheet & blanket will be some undetermined color once Baby Rhea arrives.  And for future Baby Rhea's, we'll use the same bedding yet the accent colors can be changed and the room will look completely different!

Even a bottle won't give you a headache!

 

Our Little Pumpkin Baby Shower

Thank you so very much to the wonderful hostesses and guests who made our first baby shower extra special.  Baby Rhea (aka Doodle/Baby Rheagin Cajun) got a bunch of great gifts that we know shem will love!  The food was delicious and the decor adorable.

 

At the shower, everyone wrote down their predictions for Baby Rhea.  The majority said shem will be a GIRL and she will attend LSU!  We guessed the due date (ranging from November 30 to December 12) and weight (ranging from 6 lbs 10 oz to 8 lbs 2 oz).  Everyone also voted on what Baby Rhea will look like (see below) and wrote sweet messages to baby and mom that we will cherish for years to come.  Thank you all again!

10.14.10- 8 months

Baby Rhea's estimated weight is 3 pounds and 15 ounces.

 

We're infested with Bed Bugs!

This was a made bed with a plaid blanket on top when I left.

 "Someone" pulled the covers back so they could sleep on the sheets.

Typically, I don't ball the comforter like this.

 The culprits

They sure are cute bed bugs!

Our Future Sagittarian

I recently ran into an acquaintance (no names mentioned but she wears clown make-up and likes mystical creatures) and she asked me if I'd lost weight.  Nice way of saying, "something has changed with you, but it's not appropriate to ask if you've gained weight."  I informed her I was pregnant and she asked the due date.  I said, "December 10."  And she instantly said, "You're having a Sagittarius."  Well hot dangit, of course I knew that....wouldn't of planned it any other way.  What a weirdo!  (sorry to those of you who live by your sign but if so, you're weird too).

 

So, here's the personality of our future Sagittarian:

• lucky by nature, so they usually display a cheerful and optimistic disposition
• inherent curiosity keeps them more interested in what will happen tomorrow rather than focuses on the mistakes of today. A state of constant change is a delight for them.
• extremely independent, truly free spirits and yet, they are the nicest of all the zodiac signs
• kind, openhearted souls who do not expect anything in return when helping a friend
• no hidden secrets to a Sagittarius - what you see is what you get
• creative, clever, straightforward, congenial

The Joys of Pregnancy



Ella James Rogers

Our new niece, Ella James Rogers arrived! 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

7 pounds 4 ounces

10:21am

20 inches

Garner Jennings Bennett

Many, many congrats to the new mom and dad (Rachel, John and sister, Millee)!  I can't wait for the years of memories with our little ones.

Monday, September 27, 2010

7 pounds 10 ounces

7:21pm

20 inches

Still hope for a boy

Everyone asks me what I'm expecting.  When I tell them we didn’t find out, they look at my baby bump and instantly say, "well, it's a girl!"  This is everyone from a manicurist guy, security lady at my work, to any Tom, Dick or Harry I pass.  However, today a man told me that, "it's a boy!"  So Dad and Harris, there is still hope.

Apparently Sadie's Pregnant Too!

Remnants of Sadie eating prenatal vitamins in a sample pack hence the plastic and aluminum packaging.

7.29.10- 5 months

Harris and I decided we were going to keep it a surprise whether Baby Rhea is a girl or boy.  But this would have been the ultrasound to find out.  Harris, Christine (my mom), Mary (my niece), and myself (obviously I was there) all stared real hard at the monitor during the ultrasound but "shem" remained a mystery.

Jourdan (Harris' brother) saw this ultrasound picture and instantly said the baby looks just like Harris as a baby.  And I have to agree.  It's really scary. 

Here are are few of my favorites.  The pictures are kind of creepy (yes, I think my baby is adorable, but let's face it...ultrasound pictures are sketchy).

an arm and ear

hand

yawn

5.27.10- 3 months

5.3.10- 2 months

We're going to have a BABY!

Sunday, April 11 we found out the exciting news that we are going to be PARENTS!  (Yes, this is Harris' excited face.)  I took 2 more pregnancy tests just to be sure and they instantly said, "Preggers!"  We celebrated with sushi take-out. Yum!

I couldn't get an appointment with my doctor for a week (Monday, April 19) so we kept the big secret until the doctor could confirm the home tests were correct.  While I was at the doctor, Harris called and said that he got the job with Renasant Bank in Tupelo!  And the doctor confirmed we were having a baby- December 10th! 

So we had my parents, Chris & Phillip (sister & brother-in-law), and Rachel & John (best friend & hubby) over for dinner on Wednesday.  They were expecting we tell them we are moving to Tupelo, which we did.  Little did they know, there was more news. 

It was Rachel's birthday on Monday.  We decided a few years back that we wouldn't get each other gifts anymore and just celebrate together with dinner or something.  But I wrapped up a piece of pottery and a card.  For a week, I had told her I had her the best birthday present ever!

Rachel read the card to herself first because she said she didn't want me "embarrassing her."  (Like I would ever do that.)  Then she read it to the fam and we recorded her announcement on Harris' phone. 

Rachel (Oct. 1), Chris (Oct. 12), and me (Dec. 10) pregnant at the same time was more then Johnny could handle.  So he made himself a drink.  Christine was excited she could buy the highchair she had seen the week prior because she said she only needed it if there were two grandkids the same age.  Needless to say, she went and bought the highchair the next day.