Finally, an update!!!

Hello!!!

Well, here we are again after a week of me not updating my exciting life. And I can honestly say this week has been just that....exciting!! I am still in California, but am leaving tomorrow morning to head back to Atlanta where I will spend the night and head back to Augusta. I cannot wait to get back due to all of the fun things coming up soon including birthing classes, a breastfeeding class, an infant CPR class, my doctor's appointments, and of course, the 3D/4D ultrasound around 30 weeks!!

What a great time I have had here in California. The weather was beautiful, but pretty chilly so I only got about 1 good day of laying out time. Other than that, I rested up and really enjoyed having some company around! Even MORE exciting I was able to go see Aunt Annie who lives only about 20 minutes from Matthew's parent's place where I am staying! Aunt Annie and I talked and talked for about 6 hours or so last week when I visited her and Uncle Ajit for dinner! I am noticably larger than the last time she saw me at Christmas during our visit and I believe she may be the ONLY one getting to see me in person actually growing larger! Most people saw me before and will see me after we have Layla! Although markedly larger, I am still the same old me!!!!

MOTHER'S DAY! What a GREAT year this Mother's Day was!! I mean I knew it would be wonderful because I am getting to enjoy my daughter already in the womb, but Matthew's parents bought me a facial and haircut to enjoy that day as well! As you could see in the picture, the woman took forEVER to straighten my hair with lots of chemicals and it was a REALLY neat change for a day or so! The humidity is so low here that it actually stayed relatively straight for a couple of days!!! THEN....as I returned home.....I was surprised by a whole clan of people awaiting my arrival for a surprise BABY SHOWER!!! WOW, I cannot tell you HOW surprised I was and it was pretty much the neatest thing to see so many people that cared and took part to make it such a special day for me!! How special, a baby shower on Mother's Day!!! The company and food was great and the weather made outdoor seating SUCH a pleasure for us all to chat and play many games that Matthew's mom put together! And in case anyone is wondering...I am currently 11 toilet paper squares big around my belly! Haha...not QUITE the 18 squares that Aunt Annie and Carol Nolte measured out, God bless them!! After the biggest array of presents I have EVER recieved, I feel like the most blessed woman in the world! So many outfits for our little angel that she will be well clothed for at LEAST the first 6 months!! I was also fortunate to accumulate some of the "essentials" for baby including pacifiers, bibs, booties, and bathtime washes! To Matthew's parents, thank you SO much for making this Mother's Day SO very special.....I have not felt THIS surprised and happy and excited since Matthew left! Now, I feel like I have so much to look forward to before Matthew gets home.

Pray for us that these next few months continue to fly by and that little Layla remains healthy and content to stay in my tummy until the full 40 week mark. Most mothers are DYING to get the little one out by 36 weeks and I am BEGGING that she stays in until 41!!! Hopefully within that time frame Matthew will have made it back to me safely!

Here is a rundown of what the next few months entail so everyone can stay updated:
May 21 - Next Doctor's appointment
May 24 - Infant CPR class
June 4-July 2 - Every Monday night a 2 hour birthing class (If anyone wants to go with me, I could sure use a partner!!!)
June 21 - Breastfeeding class
June 23 - Alison's wedding
July 1 - OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!
July 3-July 5 - Move into the apartment in Fayetteville
July 6-July 8 - Katie comes up to help me finish the details on the apartment
July 25- I offically move back to Fayetteville and register at Womack Army Medical Center for the labor and delivery unit!
3/4 - MATTHEW HOME!!! (we hope)

If you have anything you want to add to my schedule, these are the only dates that are currently reserved for things!!! HOWEVER.....PLEASE STAY UPDATED because soon we will be sending out invitations for the online baby shower that Kristin Davis, my sister, is holding for us!!! This will be sent out to all friends and family so you can participate in a few fun games , pictures, chats, and if you wish to purchase a gift (you don't have to), we will send our registries out then as well!!! If you are dying to know, we are registered at Babies R Us and Target!! All gifts will be sent to Kristin's house as I will be making a few trips and perhaps stealing Brian for a weekend to move all the stuff to Fayetteville in July!

Any questions, please feel free to call as I am learning more and more people are reading this blog to stay updated!!! We are SO thankful for our wonderful friends and family and all the gifts and prayers you have given and said for us!!!!

Much love to you all,
Katie and Matthew