Giving Thanks

Just wanted to do a quick post and say how thankful I am for so many things...way too many things to possibly list. It was a great Thanksgiving weekend and the time off from work was wonderful. I love Thanksgiving because it's all about being with people you love, eating (which I love - always have), and relaxing. No pressures of gift giving/receiving like with Christmas (which I realize is not the point of Christmas, but it's inevitable). Something that made Thanksgiving even better this year was my elastic waste maternity pants! I think I will wear maternity pants at all holidays from here on out...not sure that I ever want to go back to actual zippers and buttons on pants. Seems like such a hassle.

I was about to make a list for all the things in my life that I am thankful for, but honestly, couldn't find the words. I just know that I have been truly blessed...God is good!

Speaking of giving thanks...I have GOT to finish up my thank you notes for all of the gifts we got at the shower. If you haven't gotten yours yet, it's coming soon.

Speaking of coming soon...I've got a lot of things I want to post (nursery pics, gift pics, etc), so stay tuned! Hopefully I'll get to update the blog a few times this week.

Ladies Shower Weekend

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from my ladies shower weekend. It was such a great (and busy) weekend! Chad's parents and grandparents came to stay with us...it's always nice to have them, but it was especially nice this weekend because I had a long "to do" list for the boys to accomplish while the ladies were busy with shower festivities. They got a lot done and I can't thank them enough!
The first major task for the weekend was installing a ceiling fan in our master bathroom. I've wanted one of these forever and I'm so happy to finally have it! Now, on the off chance that I decide to actually dry my hair in the morning, I will not be pouring with sweat when I finish...ahhh, luxury! (Notice Chad's grandfather reading the instructions in Spanish...ha!)

The boys also installed a light in our attic, put a dimmer switch in the nursery, and caulked the bathrooms.

I thought this was a funny picture of Chad and his dad. So special that they can caulk together.

The men were definitely worn out after day one. When they woke up from their naps, we all headed over to my parents house for dinner. Chad and I are so lucky that our parents actually enjoy spending time together. It makes things a lot less complicated when all of the "in-laws" get along.

The next day, while the girls were getting ready for the shower, the men put Griffin's crib together.

Three generations of "Grays" putting together a crib for the forth...so sweet!

Now on to the shower!! Like I said before...It was fantastic! It was at the Benefield's beautiful house and everything looked wonderful.

The food was awesome...

The diaper cake (made by aunt "Nat Nat") was adorable and had lots of fun goodies on it...

The decorations were great...I was so shocked to see some of Chad's old clothes and my old clothes hanging on the clothes line, Chad's old childhood blanket, and some of my favorite childhood toys were on display. What a cute idea. And, I must say, I'm impressed that our moms were able to find some of this stuff!

And now for a bunch of pictures...I'll try to shut up and just let you look.

Have to say that this sweet little pillow with Griffin's name on it was hand made by Mrs. Case. So cute! It's now haning on his nursery door.

Three generations...

The soon-to-be aunts! Natalie and Jenna...y'all are going to be such great aunts!

The hostesses with the mostess...es? Seriously, this is such a special group of women and y'all all mean the world to me. I can't thank you enough for putting all of this together for me. It was the perfect day - there were people there who have known me from the womb, preschool teachers, best friends from childhood, high school friends, new friends - such an awesome group of women and it makes me feel so blessed to have you all in my life! Chad and I want to thank everyone who came (and even those who couldn't make it) for showering us (and little Griffin) with gifts. We got some amazing stuff and Chad and I are just so looking forward to our little one on getting here so we can use all of it!

Hmmm...I'm thinking...babysitters?! You can drink your wine after Griffin goes to bed.

There are so many more pictures from the shower, but unfortunately they are not on my camera. I will work on taking photos of some of our great "loot" so y'all can really see some of the fun stuff I (sorry, we) got! We've already started putting things away in the nursery and have even done a few loads of "baby laundry." Let me just tell you, there is nothing better than the smell of a clean, warm, fluffy baby blanket that is straight out of the dryer. Love it!

Holy Cow...

So, you may or may not have noticed the pregnancy tracker I have added down at the bottom of the blog (I can't figure out how to make it look right at the top of the blog where it is more noticeable). I was just browsing the blog, as I often do, (I like looking back at the pictures) and remembered to scroll all the way down to the bottom to check out the tracker. Of course I know what week I'm in and about how far along I am in the pregnancy (it's really flying by), but I wanted to see an exact count...how many days left....

My jaw dropped when I saw 80 DAYS LEFT!!! Really?! Holy Cow!

I mean, I know 80 days is still a while, but....80 days!! Throw in Thanksgiving and Christmas, then my birthday and that of the good Martin Luther King (no work...woohooo!) and I just feel like these 80 days will fly by!!

Craziness...

PS...I know I have a few loyal fans who are anxiously awaiting pictures from my ladies shower this past weekend. They will come soon, I promise! It was such a fun and special day, I can't wait to share and document!

Here are a couple photos to hold you over...

My lovely shower hostesses...you all are so wonderful!

I love this picture...me with the grandmas and great grandmas!

Nursery: Part 2

By popular demand, here are some updated pictures of our nursery! Chad and I (mostly Chad) have been working hard the past few weeks to get it cleaned out, painted and furnished. We still have a little ways to go - ie, Chad has to put the crib together - but we are really happy with how it's turning out!

(PS...I have no clue why it is underlining everything I'm typing...annoying!)

Chad, hard at work. That bathroom gave us a hard time, but we finally got it looking pretty good.

See Griffin, mom helped too...

Thankfully my parents were kind enough to pick up our furniture for us and help us load it in! Thanks mom and dad (aka "GiGi" and "Charlie").

Chad got attacked by a leaf on his way through the yard...he still looks cute though, huh?!

We are really happy with the furniture and really love this dresser!

And after about a week of finishing up and cleaning up - here's what we've got so far!

Cute picture frame my mom got from the Restoration Hardware outlet and a cool lamp we got as a wedding present, and we think it looks perfect in the room!

The bathroom - those are not the towels that will go in there, but Chad's parents are coming this weekend so we figured we'd provide them with some towels.

I love how this room is turning out! This couch has to stay (because we have no where else to put it), but it really doesn't look too bad in the room.

Future home of the crib...

Griffin's room is coming together and I just love going in it and looking around, picturing how it will be when he's finally here! We can't wait! Stay tuned for the "Nursery: Part 3" post...no promises on when that will be. :)

Shout Outs...

I just wanted to give a little shout out to a few of my fellow pregnant people. It's so fun to have friends who are pregnant at the same time so you can share stories, worries, joys, etc.

Yesterday was a big day. I found out the following information:

My friend Shannon from high school got the great news that she and Nat are expecting a little GIRL!! As far as I know, this is one of the few members of the female sex that will be born in 2010. Seriously, everyone I know who is pregnant is having a boy. Shannon and I had fun planning our weddings together 3 years ago, and have had a blast talking babies so far. Next, we look forward to planning the wedding of Griffin and baby girl Doughtie - but we'll give that another 25 years or so.


My BFF from college Lindsay found out yesterday that she and Adam will be welcoming a baby BOY into the world! Lindz, I think we're right on track with our 5 year plan...so what if a few of the "details" have changed?! haha! Can't wait for Griffin and baby Todd to be BFF's just like us! I only wish we lived closer, but maybe we can bring back the whole "pen pal" fad, huh?

In other big news, Chad and I found out that our friends Daniel and Jennifer are expecting!! (Rather, I should say it was confirmed...I totally knew Jennifer.) We are beyond excited to have another couple getting ready to embark on this crazy adventure we call parenthood with us! Man, the scene around our Tech tailgates next season will sure look different, won't it? HOW FUN!

And even though I didn't officially find anything new out yesterday, I have to also give a shout out to Mary, my teaching friend from Norcross. (It was the first year of teaching for both of us and I was lucky enough to pick Mary to share a room with. They say misery loves company, so I think that means Mary and I are bonded for LIFE!) I got to watch her go through her first pregnancy which was fun. I'll never forget the day she told me through email while I was sitting at a desk about 5 yards away from her in the middle of class. It think the subject line was "don't scream!" Since then, Chad and I have fallen in love with her TWIN boys Walter and Grant. Anywho...Mary is expecting baby # 3 and has taken it upon herself to do a home gender test. It says she's having another BOY! I'm a skeptic, so I'm not buying it just yet....Mary, I'll give you another shout out after the 20 week ultrasound. haha... These are her cute little boogers. They want to name baby #3 Scooby Doo. Perfect!