Tuesday, December 19, 2006

My NEW LOVE!






Harry took his first bath tonight, he wasn't very happy about it but, boy does he smell yummy!
I am sorry I haven't blogged much, I have been spending my time with the most perfect little guy I know!
Yesterday was our first day and it was NOT easy. He had awful gas and he was not a sleeper. Today has been a dream day, let us see what tomorrow will bring.
I just had to post a few new pics and one of my favorite old ones. The one with Olivia cracks me up! His older cousin really wanted to give him her sister's bottle nad love on him.
We have been truly blessed by our beautiful baby boy. I just sit and stare at this baby! I knew I would feel this way, but I really got strucked by the love bug! We are a happy little Warehouse! More disgusting gushy posts to come!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

More Pics





More Pics

href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gkCDwjIzpWg8v10JqqkW98P9pJ7O2-UsAQbNxwXQnW0E4W4la_xh7DebX0NGYgTcgdqSL4QzhnU_aPUMc5zCDoo_Roa7Uye5VoPntzCNrCQ0CtrudQJa00qgNjSOcikZP961QQ/s1600-h/IMG_1048.JPG">



Here are some more pics of the litte man. With Glamma and Grandbo, with cousin Caroline, with Mimi Great Grandma and Dad, and with Dr. Smith and Dad

FINALLY, Harry is Here!!!!





Well, Harry is finally here. Harry got here @ 2.39 a.m. Saturday morning. 7.7 lbs. 20 inches. He's healthy and so is Mom. We finally got to take hime home today. (Sorry for not getting these pics out sooner) I'll have to say that he's the cutest little thing. Mom did Great throughout the whole delivery. I was so proud of her. Here are a few of many more pics to come. Thanks to all for your prayers and support throughout the pregnancy. We love you all.
From Daddy

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Here Comes Harry

Looks like we will have a baby on Friday night or Saturday morning! More posts to come!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Down to the wire!

One week until Harry's due date! We are more ready than we can ever be! Can you tell from the last 2 posts? We have decided our house is always 10 minutes from perfectly clean! So, if we can get a 10 minute notice we will feel completely at ease to have this baby! Nothing new, I should know something on Wednesday but, until then we unpatiently wait for Baby Harry! My doctor did say he will not let this baby go past the 19th! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS BABY HARRY!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

BABY DANCE

All things are ready....except for baby! I know all women go through it, but I am not tough, I am not a patient, I am ready for Baby Harry to be out in the world! I have done every baby dance I can think of or heard of....cleaned the bathroom floors, eaten spicey foods, had every cowork tell him to come out ect....! Today we are making it a "lets due what we will never do in this cold weather with a baby"! We are going shopping, out to eat and to a movie! This is due to all of the advice from friends and family! Last night was the last night will hang out with Kirk and Rachel without a baby to bring over! Tomorrow night we are going out to eat with friends a new restaurant in town! Do a baby dance or a prayer for us!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

2 weeks 2 long

I have realized that God makes those last 2 weeks so miserable so you will be completely ready for a baby! Why can't I be one of those lucky women who have their babies early!

On a pleasant note! I had a wonderful time at a shower the girls in our community group through Baby Harry! Chad and I joined a bible study with a group of 5 other married couples a year and a half ago and watched God use them to bless not only our spiritual life but our marriage! They all go to different churches than us but, it keeps us open minded and really stretches us to keep seeking God.

The shower was so special, they gave me tons of advice I had not heard before and prepared me more so for the after birth and bringing home baby! They are all moms with kids under 5 who opened my eyes to not only raising boys but, keeping those 3 weeks of chaos after baby comes home much easier! They are truly a blessing to us! I left the shower thinking....why hasn't anyone told me that! I also left with very special gifts that I AM DYING TO USE! I have all of the needs and wants for a baby, now I just WANT AND NEED the baby! I feel so blessed to have so many friends who are great moms that are so willing to show my family so much love.

Although the highlight was celebrating Baby Harry we also had a great time at my school Christmas party and the church preschool party! Christmas is a great time to have a baby because, I am not constantly consumed with the thought that he may be coming any minute!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Snowed In and Contraction

Who wants to be stuck at home waiting for a baby! We got out at lunch yesterday and school was canceled today. I know I complain about working and being 9 months pregnant but, I would rather be doing something than sitting at home!
I have been having light contractions! WHOO HOO! I just need to know that something is happening in there! I have only had 3 but, it is a sign that a baby is in there and maybe getting ready to come out!
My doctor's appt was canceled because of the snow so, I will know something on Monday! Watching Grey's has been freaking me out with all their baby problems! It would be nice if Adison would just deliver a baby and everything be perfect!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Thank you note BLOCK

I LOVE writing thank you notes! I actually take pride in how they look, the stamp, and do my best to make them as personal as possible! I know many people do this but, I really love writing them. It is one of my dorkisms, Chad thinks it is rediculous how I refuse to let anyone help me or do any work for the note, I want everyone who took their time and money to give Harry a gift to know I really do appreciate them. Chad was in charge of putting addresses on the cards and we decided on labels not only is his handwriting bad but, now I can have a label for announcements. I was writing a few thank yous over the weekend for the many gift cards we received. I am by no means busting on the gift card gift, one of my very favorite gifts and we have recieved a plethera of them! I am 100% sure they will be great for all of those unexpected items that will suprise us! I just have trouble making my thank you notes original and interesting when writing about a gift card. I was writing one to one of my old assistant principals who is a ball of fun and decided to spice some of these notes. I really did send this and realized, how tacky this would be to so many people, or how there could be people who do not catch the joke. Thank goodness most of my blogging friends have senses of humor that could only appreciate the thank you note block! I had to share:

Dear Mr. Myers,
Thank you so much for the generous gift card! Harry will love the margarita mix we bought with it, it will look so pretty in his bottle and I am sure he will be a much easier baby! The cute little pistol we bought is adorable for a baby. Chad had to register it under his name because they refused to register a gun to an unborn baby (what is this world coming to). Don't worry, I am sure he will be great at sharing his toys at day care! The left over balance will be great for all of the unexpected items that will suprise us new parents, like bullets, new make up(for me of course), Chad's new golf balls ect... Thank you so much for your continued love and support, I do miss you over here. Oh and when Harry doesn't sleep at night I will be sure to send him to your office to straighten him out!
Love,
Amanda
and Baby Harry

Monday, November 27, 2006

3 weeks until Harry



Hey DIAPER DAD!

On Saturday night Chad decided he needed to get "dad bag" ready! One of our good friends gave us there old diaper bags (the man would only carry this one). This is Chad's very own bag for Harry's s things. He chose the items he wanted in the bag and would not let me help. I was able to take a few shots, I am sure he will put all the things back in like he wants them! I know he will be the very best "diaper dad" for Baby Harry!

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Showers of Friends

Kim CAME! It was so kind to have "my Kim" truck all the way to Bentonville for one of Harry's showers! It was icing on the cake having her there!

My shirt says "Deliver me Oh Lord" Psalm 140:1 and boy am I praying that right now!
Rachel and Kirk gave us my favorite gift (car seat cover)! She is one of my favorite people! All who know her well know how big of a heart she has! She even made sure my favorite desserts were there. She has been so excited about Harry's birth! I am so glad Chad made such good friends in school!
Pettifors and sugar cookies from Rick's Bakery!
Chad loves it when Harry gets anything with a Nike sign on it!
Dezi helped me open all of my gifts at the church shower! I am talking to my friend Holly! She is another one of those friends I just adore and feel she is a God given blessing to me! I prayed God would put girlfriends in my life here and she is more than what I asked for!


Harry and Brooklyn! Best Cousins!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Giving Thanks 4 Weeks Before Harry

I have tons of great pictures to post but, I thought I would just write a note, so I will remember how blessed we are! Tis' the season to give thanks! I will post pictures a bit later! This blog is by no means to brag, I just want to remember this humble feelings forever! You may see my pregnancy hormones soaking through this blog!
Harry was blessed with 3 wonderful showers over the weekend and we were showered with so much love, support and great gifts! We received every single thing we need and wanted! Our community group is throwing us a shower in 2 weeks and I did not know what to tell them to get us, we have everything we need! EVEN DIAPERS! Chad did the math and we have enough diapers for 4 months.....this could change, we will have to take some sizes back! Do we really know how many diapers is enough? We have over 1000 diapers!
The interesting thing about the showers is they were 3 completely different groups of people!

Our Friday night couples shower were some of our friends Chad has grown up with and their families. These people have taken me in and treated me just like I was part of their family! We always have fun with this group and let me tell you they are SHOPPERS! They are your group of friends that you KNOW will give you the stuff you really WANT, not actually need! We received my favorite things at this shower!

Sunday afternoon was our church family's shower. It was at a dear friend of mines house and 40 of our friends and family attended. I will end up writing 70 thank you notes just from that shower! This church family has taken us in and shown us more love and support than I will ever know. It is humbling feeling to have such excitement from your church family where you were not raised. It has been such a blessing to be involved in such an active congregation. I believe this family has given us (Harry too) some of our closest life long friends. Harry already has 5 friends who will be close to his age, their moms are super cool! We received all of the other things we NEEDED! Usually at church showers you get a lot of stuff you have to take back, not this one, only had to take back 2 outfits...because they were SIZE 5T! I am pretty sure the person who gave that to me assumed I would be receiving so many clothes I would need bigger sizes! One big hit was Harrison's gift to me, YES my baby sent me a diaper bag to the shower, he said he talked his Dad into buying me one of the diaper bags I wanted! It was a fun surprise and a precious gesture! I have 2 of the most generous and thoughtful boys in my family: Harry and Chad! I was so appreciative of the plethora of friends who attended the shower but, Kim coming to support Harry was one of my favorites! I treasure any time I get to spend with her! Chad and I are going to visit her and Adalie tomorrow in Tulsa (we have to get as much time as possible with our sweet Adalie)!

Monday was my school shower and boy was I impressed at how much my coworkers support the birth of Harrison! This shower was filled with books, gift cards, and diapers! Harrison will be clean and smart because of the staff at my middle school! It was so fun, the teachers put a lot of work into making it special for me and Harry!

Chad and I sat trying to sleep last night discussing how overwhelmed we are with the love and support Harry already has before his even born. I tear up thinking of all the people who care so much about us! We both have amazing families and wonderful friends!

One person I have realized I love and appreciate is Chad's mom. Sandy has to get the award for the most supportive and caring mom in law! She calls after ever doctor's appointment wanting to know every detail about it! She is constantly buying gifts for us and others. She listens to every detail of things not everyone else cares to hear about, like how I put Harry's curtains and books up. She makes sure we have not only what we need but, what we want. An example of this is that I wanted a shelf from Pottery Barn so bad and Chad made me wait so long it went off the market! She found someone who could make one like it especially for Harry's room! She puts thought into her gifts. She knew we really didn't need anything for Christmas so she offered to hire a house cleaner to come after I start back to work when Harry is here! If that is not a great gift to a new mom, I don't know what is! Well, the best gift she ever gave me was her son, of course! I want to give thanks for Sandy! I love her and appreciate her so much, I know she knows this, because I constantly tell her but, just a little more of a reinforcement of how blessed I feel to call her family!

Since I am the queen of planning, I can honestly say we are ready for a baby! Harrison's room is not COMPLETELY finished, so pictures may not be for a another week or so but, it is gorgeous to me and I am ready for him to come see it! I stood at Kohl's waiting to return an item and there was a baby waiting in line with me. I stared and stared at him just dreaming of having Harrison to wait in line with. It sounds so cheesy and so cliche but, I hadn't felt the huge desire to have him in my arms until today when i felt the relief of having all the items to take care of him confidently. I am so ready for this precious gift from God to be in my arms I can hardly stand it! Now I will be counting down the days! I have been working on my scrapbook (mine is digital, I am not good at cutting and pasting and I basically enjoy doing one from an online sight anyway) and the title is Here We Go Harry: Adventures of Chad, Amanda, and Harry Chapter 1! We have so many lessons to learn and journeys to go on together, I am thankful we have a family of loved ones to help us through them! Thank you to all the people who care so much for us. I pray I am able to show them our appreciation and love as much as they have shown us.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Suprise Suprise



My Bunko group is one of my favorite treats of the month and this month we decided to meet at PF Changs! I was already excited about the food, but the big excitement was that they surprised me with a shower for Harrison! They all gave him sweet cute gifts! Those Bunko girls know how to shop, there was no doubt they would have him in cool clothes! It definitely boosted my spirits to have some of my favorite girls surprise me!


Another big surprise was when my friend Beth surprised us with our car seat! Chad and I pulled in from church last night to find a huge box on our front porch! We raced to open it and there it was! It took us a while to realize who it was from but, we ripped the box to pieces and found Beth and Matt's name on it! I miss her so much, I can't wait until their next visit! Who would have thought Chad and I would be so joyful over a carseat! Times have changed!
I am so blessed to have such thoughtful friends!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

35 weeks and a prediction!

Harrison is destined to be an ESPN junkie! He is already a generational Razorback and Cardinal fan before he is even born. Most people who know me, know that I come from a family of sports fans! I am a coaches daughter, my brother is graduating in May to be a coach, I have 3 uncles who are coaches, my granddad, great granddad, and great great uncle are were all successful baseball players, and my husband played college basketball! I would never put the pressure on any child to be an athlete but common sense would tell you that Harrison will be a lover of sports whether he plays or not! I am writing about this because the year of Harrison's birth 2 big things have and are happening to his favorite teams!

Cardinals won the World Series!






The Arkansas Razorbacks are in contention for a National Championship!







Disclaimer: Harrison's mom is by no means athletic nor does she consider herself a big sports fan, unless one of the teams above are playing in front of her (not on TV)or her love ones are coaching or playing in the game then she puts on her game face!

Harrison's future high school was on ESPN this morning as well! They were on for their awesome sports facility and programs! Just another plus on to my theory!

Sunday, November 05, 2006

6 weeks left!






We had a first shower on Friday night! It was so nice to have Chad's office celebrate the birth of Harry!
Saturday was special because we met Caroline! Chad was love struck!
Some may think it is too early but, for this Warehouse we are ready for Christmas time!

Friday, November 03, 2006

Welcome to the World Caroline Brenleigh Dean

My brother and sister in law had their 2nd little girl last night at 10:30! Olivia has a sister who is 6 lbs and 13 ounces at a length of 20 inches! We are so excited for them, more pictures to come when we get our hands on her!

And a side note, Harrison had the hic-ups for the first time last night, what a treat it was for his dad and mom! I guess he was overwhelmed with excitement about his new cousin!

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends
Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! Enjoy!! Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Totally wraps them!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? I have already started!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Grandmother Georgia's gravy and stuffing
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Watching my brother throw a huge fit when he got 3 of the same gift (that flashlight that shined 3 different colors
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? When I found the box to my scooter "Santa" gave me in the 2nd grade
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We use to open one gift on Christmas Eve but now we open all of them, since we all have other places to go.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With bright fun ornaments!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it- not the ice
12. Can you ice skate? yes, I need some practice
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? hmmm.....probably giving my dad a card that made him cry.....I am much more of a giver than a reciever
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seeing everyone one and my favorite part is watching the kids open gifts
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I am going to go with Amy on this one...Memaw's Chocolate Pie and Grandmother Georgia's Sweet Potato Pie in close 2nd
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My grandmother's best friends would carol to us on Christmas Eve....they are all to old now but, it was fun at the time and of course Christmas Shopping
17. What tops your tree? bow
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? giving and shopping for the gifts, except this year has not been as fun as the previous well shopping for Oliva, Caroline, and Brooklyn has been super fun!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock and of course SANTA BABY
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? yuck unless they are crushed in hot chocolate



Tag if you read this your it!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

7 weeks until Harrison!




Chad's sister, Hannah, had to take pictures of hands for her journalism class and asked us to pose. I thought this would be my 7 week post!

Sunday, October 22, 2006

8 weeks left



The bedding is finally finished, the bows aren't tied and the room is not complete but here is a glimpse!

Friday, October 20, 2006

Land of Opportunity: VEGAS

My Aunt Roz is a child psychologist and is able to take Charlie to work with her. This means he would be used to make kids feel comfortable and feel better. He was born for this opportunity. I think I would feel guilty not giving my dog this opportunity. Chad and I are so heart broken to send him off and I know the transition would be tough but, for right now we are doing what is best for Charlie. I am NOT posting pictures because....he is so gorgeous you would think I was crazy for giving this PERFECT precious animal away. Chad and I did make a deal that we can get him back or we will get one just like him if we decide we need a puppy.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Should he stay or should he go now?

I have to preface this blog with, it was never my idea, I would have never dreamed I or Chad would consider this idea! The only reason the idea even came up was because my aunt brought it up and sold me on the idea! She wants CHARLIE! She is willing to pay any amount, fly and take the best even better care of Charlie than Chad and I could possible do! Is this crazy, my baby, giving up on him, shipping him to Las Vegas? The selling points:
Rozlind is the most gentle animal lover I know, the only person I would even consider having Charlie stay with(well my mom's other sisters would be good candidacy as well).
She would feed him the expensive organic dog food that we feed him now.
She would walk him daily and send him to doggy daycare each week for a day.
She would get him groomed a lot more regularly than us!
AND THE BIG ONE: He would no longer be an outside dog!

That is what made me like the idea, I hate that Charlie has turned into an outside dog, he did because we left him in the house so long he got bored and broke into a ink pen, ink all over the house.....paw prints of blue ink in every room! I am just so torn! When we were talking about getting a dog, I specifically told Chad I DID NOT want our dog to be put outside. With Roz, he will be in most of the time and loved on constantly.
When Harrison is old enough to be asking for a puppy, we will be wanting another baby! Chad and I are so stuck with the big decision. I don't feel like Charlie is a burden by ANY means, he is far from that, he is a bit high maintance, but I like that about him (go figure)!
The part that gets me is I really do not feel like Charlie will get the undivided attention he deserves when Harry arrives, he hasn't really since we found out about the baby. I want him to get the most love possible and it seems that Rozlind would be better to him than us. Any thoughts? Please don't judge me, I am HUGE DOG LOVER!

Monday, October 16, 2006

Only 9 weeks til Harrison

Not much to post on this countdown week. Chad and I have all the hostess gifts ordered, labels created, announcement list typed up, cute stamps bought, registry finished and 25 meals frozen(lots of help from Rachel). My friend Rachel and I spent all day Saturday chatting and cooking, it was so fun, her mom gave us 2 super easy recipes for enchiladas and lasagna! We also cooked white chili and poppy seed chicken. We plan on making it a ritual, it is so much more fun with a friend. Chad and I did a lot more of the meals and have around a 100 drops of Cowboy cookie dough frozen. Chad's parents were so kind to let us use their freezer for a majority of it. We are going to just start cooking double of the meals we normally cook.
Chad keeps reminding me that I should post pictures, so I will work on that! Keep Harry in your prayers he has been pushing all over my belly...he is obviously ready to get his picture posted on our blog!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

"Let's Hear it for the Boys"

Most of you know I am a girls girl through and through! I would much rather spend my time with a group of girls than boys any day! Of course Chad is a BIG exception! I knew from the day I found out I was pregnant that it was Harry, but I still had a thought of hope that we would have a girl, I have always wanted a little Georgia! I was by no means sad that I was having a boy but hope that the next one will be girl. I have to say God is Good for many reasons! One reason God is so good is because he put 90 kids in my class and out of those 90 kids the boys are so much fun! Last year I really had a heart for my girls and this year those boys have stole it! I tell them all the time how I really hope Harrison turns out like them! They are not the most academic kids in the class nor, the wittiest but, they are respectful, smart, have a great sense of humor and really don't sweat the small stuff. They are boys, not boys trying to be men, or boys trying to impress everyone but 100% pure boys who LOVE their moms and getting dirty. I I know this is kind of cheesy to write about but, I am so thankful that God gave me what I need and a boy is it! I also think He knew I was not ready to share Chad's heart with another girl!
"Let's give the boys a HAAANNDd, Let's hear it for my baby...."

Saturday, October 07, 2006

10 week count down

Only 10 more weeks until Harry is due! It has really hit me this last week that I will be a full time mom, not a babysitter, not a friend to just love on a baby, not a teacher to teach someone how to read and write but a full time multitasking MOTHER! It gave me a little anxiety this week so, I put a list of things I would like to do before I become a mom and then a to do list to make me feel a little bit better about his arrival coming so soon.

Go on a 4 more BIG dates with Chad(one's where we go out of the house and spend quality time eating at restaurants that are not so baby friendly)

Have all my Christmas presents wrapped and labeled. I only have 4 more to buy YIPEE!

Have my thank you notes stamped and addressed to those I know are coming to the showers.

Have all my hostest gifts with their notes ready to go for all the showers before November (we have 5 showers in November)

Announcement list with addresses in excel for labesls finished and organized.

Harrison's room organized (clothes washed, toys disenfected, everything in it's spot)

House deep cleaned

20 meals and cookie dough frozen(for company and those exhausted days to come)

Regular clothes organized in guest room closet

Reread and skim through top 3 baby books and Breast Feeding book

develop pictures stored on computer and of Harrison's cousins, friends, and immediate family

I am sure there are so many more things I am so behind on, feel free to remind me!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Baby's weekend!






Best parts of the weekend: cuddling with 2 perfect babies, feeding and looking at Adalie and playing with James, watching to fun beautiful roommates turn into fun beatiful moms, watching 2 great dads in action, James's Halloween costume, rocking Adalie, catching up....i could go on and on!