Christmas at the Paynes

Christmas is my favorite time of year and I couldn't wait to decorate! When my mom and brother came over for Thanksgiving, my mom was sweet enough to help me get everything set up! Now I can just relax and wait for the holidays to come. I love the carols and the food and all of it. Merry Christmas everyone!!! Wishing you the best this holiday season :)

Baby Update

It has been forever since I've posted on the blog! It is about time. I'm now in the 35th week and Miss Annie is getting big! Doctor appointments are continuing to go well and we are getting good reports which is of course music to my ears. Thanks to all our wonderful family and wonderful friends we have most of what we need and are ready to go. I've posted some pictures of the nursery here :)

Man Deck

I know I've told lots of you about Will's "man deck" that has become our spot for football Saturdays, which has been super fun. Will and Simon suspended the tv from the roof all by themselves. I'm so proud! Mom, I know you've been waiting to see the cushion covers too... thanks again for your help!

Nursery Started

Thanks to Mary's help and a trip to a few stores... and a little hard work of course... the nursery is started! We are going with a black and white damask theme with of course pink accents throughout. I am loving it so far and can't resist walking in Annie's room every time I walk down the hall. I had to include one of Nellie, hiding from the camera of course as always!

Don't make assumptions...

So, we've been so excited that we are naming the baby after both her grandmothers. What we didn't check was how to spell those names! Will's mom was easy because she goes by Mary Carroll and we see her name all the time. Ann was my mom's middle name though and she took her maiden name so we never saw this name written down. I completely assumed she spelled it Anne and just found out the other day when I was talking to her that neither she nor my grandmother had an "e" on the end of Ann. So, I've been spelling her name wrong... hahaha.... and now it is officially Ann Carroll. I'm just glad we had this conversation before we were all at the hospital signing the birth certificate! And it made me feel better my brother thought there was an "e" too. Already spelling my child's name wrong... what next? hahahaha

10 Years Later and Look at Us Now...

I was talking to my mom today about how crazy it is that my 10 year high school reunion is this weekend - thanks to Angela and Sharla... big shout out to you!!! I am disappointed beyond belief that I won't be able to attend but I still enjoyed taking a moment to reflect on our class. It's so exciting to think of all we've accomplished: many have finished different degrees, many have held the same job for many years, many have bought houses, many have traveled, many have gotten married (two even married each other ;) many have had children, and the list goes on and on.

All of these things are such wonderful accomplishments but my favorite is that we have all remained in touch. All the people I looked forward to seeing everyday in high school I still know what they are doing. Some I talk to a lot more than others and some I only keep up with through face book and blogs but I still think about you and send you well wishes all the time and I think we are all the better for it. It makes me really sad to think that some people don't have any friends from high school. I just think how much our lives would lack if we weren't connected to people who knew how awkward we were and the crazy things we thought about and did during adolescence and loved us anyways.

My high school friends are some of my dearest friends in this world and I am just so grateful for that! Something for us all to think about 10 years later :)

Another ultrasound today

We did another ultrasound today to get the final pictures we needed. Last time she was very excited to show us her fanny but unwilling to face us... hahaha... boy are we in trouble! So, today was our extra ultrasound to get all the heart pictures they needed. She was very cooperative and posed for us in every direction. At one point she had the hiccups and held her little hand up to her mouth... so cute. She weighs a pound now and I can feel her and she can feel me. Apparently she is beginning to be able to hear too so Will can get her started on Panic songs... hahaha. We've decided to name her Anne Carroll after my mom and Will's mom, and we'll call her Annie. The next check-up is on October 3 and by that point I'll in the third trimester! Time has flown!

Pretty in Pink

The day after we found out we were having a girl Aunt Jane came to my work and decorated everything in pink. Even the front of the building! We love you Aunt Jane!

It's a girl!!!

Well, today was the real appointment where we got to find out that we are having a girl! She was moving around and doing all kinds of flips. She's quite the excited one (wonder who she gets that from???) but did get tired towards the end and curled up for a nap (so she is like her dad too :). It's amazing that something so small with see-through skin can be the most beautiful thing you've ever seen! We are so excited and I'm dying to go get something pink. Decorating her room will be too much fun! We go to our next appointment in two weeks for a regular check-up then just keep going from there. We are officially over the half way mark now and mom here is working hard to get her dissertation finished before the little girl makes her appearance. Wish me luck!

Payne Household

Well, I've promised to send many of you pictures of our house and of course haven't in my usual fashion... so I thought I would post some. We have loved having many of you come and visit and look forward to future visits :) Come anytime... just call us on the way so I can at least make the house appear to be clean! hahaha!

And we wait...

Well, we went to the doctor on Friday for a regular appointment and all went well. I was thinking we would find out if Baby Payne is a little girl or a little boy though and we didn't. We did make the appointment for two weeks though. So, sorry to get everyone all excited! I promise to let you know in two weeks though. We of course would be thrilled with either and are only anxious about getting a report of good health. So, say a prayer for us and we'll keep you posted. Love to you all!