three!

Well my little man is 3 1/2 months old. man time flies. he likes to talk and spin in his jumpy. he can almost sit up on his own but is a little belly heavy. he has started laughing out loud -he really likes baby einstein mcdonald-those puppets slay him! he loves to be with people and to try to stand like a big boy. i'm afraid i'm in for it when he become mobile.

just look at those cheeks...couldn't you just eat him up!

News Flash!

It looks like there may be more change for the Smith's. Daniel and I often talk about our life and just how crazy it is. Let's just do a recap of our first year of marriage:
October -get married
November-get pregnant
May-purchase a home
July-purchase a car (used)
August-Knox comes into the world (there is something new with him every day)
And possibly in the next couple of months we will be moving again...i know it sounds nuts. We are able to get my grandmother's house for a good deal and it has a lot more space than ours now. I will miss my front porch on this house and the charm of it, but truth be told 932 square feet gets a little crowded with 2 adults and a baby. Sunday night Daniel was voted in as the youth pastor at our church. We are both really excited for this opportunity and I think this new home will be a great place to host the students. In my wildest dreams I didn't think this is how my life would turn out, but it's amazing how the plans that the Lord has for us are far better than ours. I never thought i would move back to glencoe and buy my grandmother's house or that mine and dan's mom's would be my closest friends here. For so long I didn't value family. I was too busy making friends (for which I am grateful and miss terribly by the way) that I didn't think about my family much. But moving home has brought me closer to them. I now talk to my brother on a regular basis (we discuss the joys and fears of parenthood). I talk to my dad more than i have in a long time and I love the fact that Knox will know his grandparent so well. To say the least...i'm happy with my life..my cup runneth over

Our bundle of Joy

There is a song by John Gorka that says "i've spent most of life as a luxury, now i've taken the role of necessity" boy does that lyric ring true these days. I am enjoying being a mother to Knox he is a real joy, but I must say it has been an adjustment. The first few weeks I just knew I wasn't going to be able to handle it. I did start out a little behind the curve though. I guess I should update those of you who don't know just how this little one entered the world on August 7.

The week before Knox was born my blood pressure shot up to 140/90 and it stayed that way every day. I monitored it all week and it continue to stay high. I called the doctor and they said to go ahead and come in. After monitoring me and taking some tests the doctor decided to induce the next day. He said we'll induce at 6 am and you should have a baby by noon. Knox was born at 12:01 (sounds like he knew what he was talking about). I skipped the hard part though. This little guy was born with no epidural. I would like to say that I planned to go natural, but not so. For some reason my epidural did not work. I felt every bit of the labor. Daniel was by my side the whole way and was a great partner. We were so in sync that day -he knew exactly what i needed when i needed it. Even though i didn't plan to have him natural I don't think I would change it. I left that experience with a greater understanding of heb. 12:2 "for the joy set before him he endured the cross" now i know my pain was nothing like the pain of the cross but i caught a glimpse of the kind of love it took. I was willing to do whatever it took to see my son born. For the joy set before me i endured labor and not the labor i planned. 12 hours after he was born they took Knox to the NICU because of Jaundice and a high white blood cell count. It was a trying time but he came home in 3 days and has been a joy. Here are some pictures to prove it.

My little stinker right after he was born. 6lb 6oz of adorableness.

Just look at that face. He has great expressions and when he smiles he smiles all over.

1 1/2 months old

1 month old

I apologize for my pics being out of order. I just couldn't get it together for some reason.

All that He asks His grace will provide

My due date is getting closer and closer and I am experiencing more and more anxiety. I only have about a week of work left and I am about to embark on my next journey in life...motherhood. I am so excited to meet my little one and to see what his personality is like who he looks like (if he will be anything like me or a carbon copy of his father). I am also scared of the unknowns- is he perfectly healthy? will there be any complications with labor? will i be a good mother? Fear has reared it's ugly head and I let it have it's way many times. But I am reminded that He will give me grace for this just like He has for every other new situation. These song lyrics by Sandra McCracken came to mind. Maybe they will help some of you too.

Grace Upon Grace
In every station new trial and troubles call for more grace than I can afford
Where can I go but to my dear Savior for mercy that pours from boundless stores
Grace upon grace every sin repaired, every void restored you will find Him there
In every turning He will prepare you with grace upon grace
He made a way for the fallen to rise; perfect in glory and sacrifice
In sweet communion my need He supplies
He saves and keeps and guards my life
To Thee I run now with great expectation to honor you with trust like a child
My hopes and desires seek a new destination
And all that You ask your grace will provide

Dear dumb guy,

Do not tell a pregnant woman every time you see her how big she is and for sure don't ask her if she's sure it's not twins. This will never end pretty.

Sincerely,
Very Hormonal and Disgruntled

Nothing Remains Quite the Same

I borrowed that line from brother's favorite artist the one the only Jimmy Buffett. I think it fittting for our life right now though. Daniel and I have had many changes in the past few months. One of which was the decision to leave the church where he was assistant pastor. We had been talking and praying for months about the possibility of looking for a new place. It was not an easy decision but through many tears and prayers we, as a family, decided that the Lord was moving us. He definitely moved our hearts and desires together on this at the same time and it was such a blessing to see us really becoming one through this decision. We love our new church home. The people are sincerely humble and welcoming and we have made some great new friends in the pastor and his wife. The church has a real passion for reaching the community with the Gospel and it has reignited that passion and little bit of fear I had for taking the Gospel to the world that I felt in college and while on staff with Campus Outreach. Daniel may have an opportunity to help start a ministry at the church called Reformers Unanymous that helps individuals and families with addictions. Please be in prayer for this opportunity. I know it is something that he would love to do and would definitely be a good fit for him.

We love our new home! I can't count how many times we have both said "I really like it here". We still need to work on Knox's room but the rest of the place is shaping up. We are just happy to be settled some place for a while.

Moving on up!

It's official! The Smith's are moving this weekend. I am so excited to be a homeowner especially since there is a live in handy man. No more having to wait on Muhammed our shady plumber to show or not show. He was the guy we called when i lived in Birmingham and our tub would not drain correctly which would make for a nice slimy sludge on the bottom of the tub. mmm my favorite. No more dealing with floor furnaces or window units. Our little home has a brand new central unit...yay! No more dog hair every where because I feel bad about leaving the dogs on their runs (they now have a nice fenced in backyard). We went to wal-mart last night and picked up all our paint and Daniel's Dad will be painting for us this week so we'll be ready to move in on Saturday. I'm feeling a tad bit nervous about the paint choices but I always do. I'll let you know how it goes.

Today's show sponsored by the letter K

Did I ever mention to all of you that I wanted to marry someone that was "handy"? Well, I did, and I am so grateful. I had a picture of a bookcase I liked that would cost $300 to buy and I thought aha I bet Dan could make it for far less. Turns out he took my little idea and ran with it. It went from being a simple ladder bookcase to a letter "K" bookcase for Knox's room. It isn't finished. We are going to paint it blue, but I think he did an outstanding job! Please look over the quilt covering the saw and the slush puppie in the background.
Here is my preggar belly ! Yep it's big. Me and all my glory at 6 months. I should have taken a picture of my constantly expanding feet. I have had a fairly easy pregnancy and baby Knox is doing well. For that our little family is grateful.

Knox's Room

I looked for a while at bedding. Baby boy stuff is a little harder than girls i think. That's just my opinion. I didn't want anything too cartoony looking and wasn't thinking I would like anything really like this. I had looked at more modern looking designs but then I found this steal of a deal on Ebay for only $49.99 for nine pieces and I couldn't pass it up. Plus, earlier this year, maybe before Daniel and I had even gotten married my mother found some vintage iron airplanes that were hung in my brother's room when we were little tykes and I told her to hang on to them in case I had a little boy. I think this room will be one a little boy can grow into as well. The room we will use for the nursery is already painted a pale bluish grey and I thought it would go nicely with all of the colors in this set. So...one thing down on the to do list and many more to go.

We've got a trail to blaze....

Last night we found out that we are going to be homeowners. I know most of you are thinking that it was the house posted before, but there was another offer put in for that one and we didn't get it. After I had a meltdown that was filled with weeping and gnashing of teeth and wrestling with the Lord through my fears we received a call from our realtor about another little home. This one is in better shape. Don't get me wrong it still needs a little work and it's nothing fancy but I think it will be a great place for the Smith's to start their family. There will be paneling to paint and floors to level and last but not least a nursery to decorate! I can't wait to make our Knox a home!

New Home Owner No More

I think i had mentioned that we would be building a house in glencoe. Well....we found out yesterday that there are new restrictions and our lot is not big enough by the city of glencoe's standards to build a house on. so, back to the drawing board. We did, however look at a place yesterday and we put a bid on it. I know you think that is moving fast but it's a forclosure and is a 3 bedroom 1 bath for $49,900. So we put an offer in upon inspection. It needs some work but at that price we can afford to do what we want. For my hometown friends it 2 houses down from the Yates'. Friends, pray that this works out we want to be in a place before the baby comes in August. I think it has great potential, just needs some love.

Name Change Announcement

Well thanks to all of you for all of the "name" suggestions! Lester Chester Barker Smith it is although Seymore Hiney ran a close second. Seriously we decided on....drum roll please....

Conner Knox Smith and call him Knox.

So for everyone that monograms get ready to put his monogram on everything in sight!

Meet my little Man!

The Smith's took their first trip to St. Vincent's yesterday to see our little one. I'm 20 weeks along and we found out we're having a boy. I thought we had settled on the name but as it turns out it's up in the air. If you have any suggestions let me know. He is measuring a little bigger than he should so the due date may change. He turned a nice flip for us and showed us the goods. I opted to not show that to the world. Daniel thinks he looks like him. What do you think?

want a dog?

As you know we have two dogs. Meighan and Monroe. Both are sweet and cute. It just turns out one is better in the house than the other and we don't have a fenced in back yard to keep him in. If anyone has a backyard and would like a wire hair Jack Russell terrier, named Monroe, let me know. he is sweet and will love you to death. one draw back- he chases cats. Did i mention he is fixed? Walks great on a leash and loves to go on walks.

Life Update

My pregnancy has been flying and taking my life with it, so it seems. I blinked and I was four months pregnant! I can now feel the baby moving and it is the most wonderful, special feeling. I need to take some photos because the belly has made itself known. It can't be good to be showing like this so soon. Oh well just making a roomy, comfy home for the little one. Daniel and I are still excited and he's been really sweet to me. He lets me make my excuses about how things are "for the baby" and just laughs at me. We are really enjoying each other and our friendship grows more and more every day.

We are going to be building a house in Glencoe and have been doing all the prep work for that. There is no rest for the weary in the Smith household. As soon as we make one major life decision we start thinking about another I guess.

We'll be finding out what we are having March 30! I'll keep you posted.

First Ultrasound

Yesterday was a day full of excitement for the Smith's. I started the day off chugging lots of water in order to prepare myself for the ultrasound. What a miserable experience having to keep your blatter full for an hour! Oh the pain, the agony. After all that they couldn't see the little one because of the way my uterus is. All for naught. Not really though, we just went another direction, if you know what I mean. We were able to see the tiniest little miracle. Our child at 8 weeks and 6 days with its little heart fluttering away. I shed a little tear over the relief that he/she was there and alive and that I was able to see them for the first time. What a cool experience. I've always looked at the pictures and thought "wow, a little blobby thing" but it was different when I saw mine and Daniel's. Welcome to our family little Smith!

Speed of Sound

Amanda, aka Mandie, aka Dizz, aka Aunt Dizz tagged me! So here you go. Get ready for greatness!
1. Put your music playing device on shuffle.
2.For each question, press the Next button to get the answer
3.Write the song name down.
4. Tag friends who you think would enjoy this.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Weary of Earth Myself and Sin-REd Mountain Chuch

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
I Go Out On My Own-Griffin House

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Johnny's Camaro- David Wilcox

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Speak-NickelCreek

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
I Don't Ever Give Up-Patty Griffin (Didn't even cheat, Seriously I wish this was my motto!)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Grace upon Grace-Sandra McCracken

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
When He Cries-John Gorka

WHAT IS 2+2?
Wise Blood- Eric Peters

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Stay-Blue Merle

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Last Frontier-Eric Peters (laughing out loud right now)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
All She Wants to Do is Dance -Don Henley (so true)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Thirteen -Red Mountain Church (sick, sick, sick and not true)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Far Behind-Eddie Vedder

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is out of His Mind- Griffin House

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Would You Go With Me-Josh Turner

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Hold It Up To The Light-David Wilcox

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Intuition-Feist

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Long Line of Pain-Amos Lee

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Geek in the Pink -Jason Mraz

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Burning up the Night-Griffin House

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Boob Job-David Wilcox

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I wanna Love Somebody-Keith Urban

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Manhattan Moon-Lucy Kaplansky

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Hanging By a Thread-Nickelcreek

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Leave-Glen Hansard

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Not Ready to Make Nice-Dixie Chicks

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Windmills-Mutual Admiration Society

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Your Love-The Outfield

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Speed of Sound-Coldplay