Friday night

Prior to DM's arrival, we kept being asked for pictures of my belly, which I wasn't too fond to share. Friday night I finally caved and we took pictures for me to post on Saturday but somehow just never got around to it. So above is my belly about 24 hours before DM's grand entrance. (Not that anyone is exactly asking to see it now.) Oh, did I mention that Saturday morning I got up and had breakfast. Then, I decided to put the dog and me back in bed with David. David went to the gym but Tahoe and I decided to sleep and sleep until after NOON! Boy, were we planning ahead!

Darsey May Comes Home!

She's here!

Darsey Maylisbeth
Darsey May was born on Saturday afternoon at 5:04. We were one of the somewhat common cases where my water did break like you see on tv. I had adjusted my walks to six per week and was on my final walk of the week Saturday afternoon. Honestly, at first I thought, "Man, I really can't control my bladder at all anymore!" and Tahoe and I headed back home. I still wasn't convinced we were going to the hospital until I started reading of all the infections one can get if she opts to not go to the hospital soon after water breaking. We arrived at the hospital around 2:45, found out DM was breach (news to us), and she came via c-section shortly after.

Memphis Baby Shower

Some of our sweet friends in Memphis this weekend hosted a shower for Darsey May. Mom was able to come up and we had a great time despite snow, ice, and me giving her my horrible cold. It was weird knowing that after 33 years of it just being me (and David for the past few years), the next time Mom sees me (and David), life as we know it will no longer exist. I think I'm at peace that I'm never going to be organized enough and we're never going to be ready for DM's grand arrival. And for those waiting on nursery pictures - I'm now shooting for late March / April, but it will be finished one day.
We did finish our childbirth and parenting classes this week. I wish I'd taken my camera to get pictures of our baby doll but I forgot.

Courtney, Jennifer, me, Victoria, Elizabeth

These four sweet ladies have been my constant encouragement throughout the pregnancy - letting me borrow clothes, borrowing baby supplies, taking me maternity clothes shopping, and listening to me freak out on occasion or two (or three)! Actually, they've all been a huge encouragement to me the entire time we've lived in Memphis. Finding friends whom one can be truly transparent with, even when your thoughts / feelings aren't exactly what they're "supposed" to be, is quite challenging. And I never thought I'd find so many in Memphis, Tennessee.

Cindy with Victoria (Cindy is one of Tahoe's favorite dog sitters.)

Victoria, Susan, Elizabeth, and Mom

Debi and Tammy

Jennifer and Beth

I completely forgot to get a picture at the shower of Mom and me so we took one at home.

The sweetest neighbor ever

Background: I have been yelled at by two of our neighbors just as Tahoe has set himself up to go poop in their yard since we've moved here. So . . .I'm a bit jumpy about front doors opening when we pass houses, especially when Tahoe is positioning himself in a yard to take care of business.

A couple of days ago, Tahoe picked one of his favorite yards out to take care of his business. This home has recently sold and I haven't yet met the new neighbors so I was a bit worried that the new neighbors might prefer him not use their yard as a toilet. (Yes, I carry poop bags and use them!) Of course as he poops and I lean down to clean it up, the door swings wide open. Oh, no! She's going to yell at me. Instead, she told me to leave it and she'd take care of it. What a sweet lady! And neighbors beware: Tahoe favors weed-free Bermuda yards!

Pictures from Atlanta Shower . . .

Since most folks just like the pictures, I thought I'd go ahead and try to get some up from our trip to Georgia where the Entrekin clan hosted a shower for DM. It was SO much fun to see everyone but unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the Entrekin clan with me. :( Pregnancy update coming later this week. Amie, me, Rowena, and Mom

Me and Angela

MaryAnne, Kelli, me, and Mom

Me and Jane (Stand-in for MIL and she has always been so great to David and me!)

The neighbors from Carriage Station - I'm by far the baby but they always included me.

Casey and Robin

Cyndi and Isabella

Becky and DM's boyfriend-to-be Nate

Holly and Amy - I have only survived pregnancy because of these two sweet friends. Of course, loads of Amy's advice probably hailed from Holly when Amy was pregnant a few years ago so Holly doesn't realize how helpful she has been. Not so sure where the Patterson house would be without Amy's willingness to answer all of my random questions. And I'm sure the questions are really just beginning ...

Merry Christmas to All!

A table my mom gave us for DM's nursery but I'm enjoying it for now!