Happy 4th of July and a few other things...

Happy 4th of July to everyone out there! I sure hope everyone is enjoying a day full of BBQ, Family, Friends and Fireworks! Keith is working today so I am taking advantage of a husband free day by getting some laundry done and relaxing away. Plus it is overcast and hot out there so I am glad to be inside.

I haven't really had anything to post about lately as I don't have another doctor's appt until the 7th so I figured I would just share some things having to do with Ella Kate... including baby shower invitations, clothes, and some accent pieces for her room. So enjoy!

This invitation was from my first shower that I had with work. My friend Aubrey handmade each one and she did such an awesome job!

This is the invitation for my shower in Louisiana in two weeks. My friend Courtney picked them out and did such a great job getting all of the colors of Ella Kate's room into them. I am not sure where she ordered them from, but when I find out I will share it.

Of course it is time to start sharing some of the cute clothes that we have bought the little miss. As there are all kinds of sales on summer clothes right now, she won't be able to wear these little outfits until next year, but I am a sucker for a sale so I figured I would stock up now. Oh I can't wait to put her in these!

Flower Dress - Carter's

Brown Plaid top and bloomers - Carter's

Blue ruffled dress - Polo by Ralph Lauren

And of course a future tiger's wardrobe would not be complete without a little purple and gold! Thanks to Nona (Keith's mom) she already has her game day gear ready for the fall and spring and my SIL found the LSU jersey at Goodwill! She is all ready to start cheering on those tigers!

Here are also a few of my recent find for accent pieces in her room thanks to a little trip to Hobby Lobby! I got the frame for about 8 bucks and the lamp for 12! Oh how I love Hobby Lobby and their 50% weeks! Though I am still trying to figure out how they make any money cause you know people have that 50% off alternating schedule memorized and only shop at those times!

One last thing is a prayer request for my SIL's younger sister Ashley. She is currently hospitalized due to some blood clotting problems and though things are definitely looking up from where they were last week I am sure she still has a long road ahead of her.

Well that is about it for now. I have an ultrasound and check-up on Wednesday so I will make sure to update then with a new belly picture and hopefully some good ultrasound pictures of the little lady!

So what's been up??

I know I promised that I would start posting more frequently, but that didn't happen because the hard drive on our laptop crashed and things have just been crazy busy! Our computer will be ready within the next week so I hope to start being better. I really want to start posting more especially as the baby is arriving to document the rest of our stroll through preparation for baby, remodeling the new house, and our new life as parents. Plus I know the grandparents will love to have somewhere they can see the little one.

So let's start with baby...

We found out on April 23, 2010 the following about baby Underwood...

So yes, it is going to be all pink and pretty around this house! We had a feeling from day one that it would be a girl, but I know Keith was holding out that it could possibly be a boy. But no, girl all the way! We have decided to name her Ella Kate Underwood and are very ready for her arrival. Ok not really ready, but are anticipating!

Here are a few pictures from our 21 week ultrasound. Unfortunately she did not cooperate much so these were the best pictures that we could get.

Lots of leg! As ecpected with me and as her mother, the girl has some legs which has made it very difficult to predict an accurate due date. And let's just say those legs are strong! I have been feeling the little one since around week 17 which is a little early for first pregnancy but with legs like that the doctor is not surprised!

And here are her feet! Both Keith and I have very long and lean feet so it's not surprising the clearest picture shewould give us was of her big old toddler size foot! As my mom said I was all fingers and toes and it looks like little Ella Kate is taking right after her momma!

So those pictures were from 5 weeks ago, so what has been going on with the pregnancy since then? Well at 25 weeks, I was admitted to Labor and Delivery for an unexpected bleed and spent 2 days in the hospital on IV and monitors. The doctor's have concern for premature labor and have also been watching me for placental abruption. I have received a round of steriod shots in case of premature labor but it looks like Ella Kate has no thoughts of coming out early. She spent those two days in the hospital trying to move away from monitors and kicking and punching as normal. There has been no contractions and no dialation which is blessing! I was placed on bedrest upon leaving the hospital and have been laid up for the past 8 days. We have made it to 26 weeks and 1 day and are just taking it one day at a time and doing our best to make sure she stays in there and we don't have any further scares. I go back to the doctor on June 3rd and we will see what the next orders are from the doctor. I am hoping to go back to work at least half days starting next week, but I will be a good patient and do as he says! Mom has been here waiting on me hand and foot and I have been doing a bit of nesting through her which has been nice. I think I have gotten more things organized from the couch than since we moved in 3 months ago!

So what has been up with the house...

Well we have new floors, some new walls, new paint, and yet so much work to still do before Ella Kate's arrival that I don't even want to think about it. Keith and his dad have been hard at work and are doing their best to get as much done as possible each time his dad visits and I know it will all get done eventually! Our entry and hall are almost complete (just need 1 more coat of paint and decor) and the living room just needs the new door and a few finishing touches of molding and or course decor. Our bedroom is all done but we have plans to add some built ins to our closet to make the most of the space. Keith is currently putting all other projects on hold though to finish the little miss's room to make sure all is ready in case of early arrival.

Well that is where we stand as of today... I am sure there is so much more in our future and I will try to keep it updated!

Also prayers please for my friend Carrie... you can visit her blog here and read about her story. She is definitely an inspiration and a beautiful writer and I am blessed to know her!

A Prayer Request

I have a few posts I need to get up as I made The Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls last week and I also just got back from a girl's weekend on Lake Conroe, but I feel that this post is WAY more important.

I am asking for anyone who reads my blog to please say a prayer for my brother and for his friend Hartford's family. Hartford was killed last night in a car accident near El Dorado, AR and my brother is pretty distraught over it as him and Hartford were extremely close. They went to PT school together and were inseparable for those three years. Shawn was actually just in Hartford's wedding 2 weeks ago. Hartford's wife is still in the hospital and I am not sure of much with her but I do know that she was in ICU and has had to have at least one surgery.

So please say a prayer today for the Watson family and for my brother. Shawn and my SIL are currently en route to Little Rock where Hartford's wife is recovering.

Here is a picture of Shawn and Hartford at a Razorback game last year.

Just a Relaxing Weekend...

We had a great weekend here in East Texas... not much going on and not much to do around the house. Personally that is a great weekend!

Friday we were lucky enough to meet a few new people thanks to a co-worker of Keith's. We went over to his house and just had a good time relaxing and spending time with new friends.

Saturday it was time for Saban's annual visit to the vet. Man I wish I would have had a camera for this experience! Not only was it storming when it was time to get out of the car, but there were 3 other dogs waiting in the office for their turn. Now our cat as I have said before... is NOT normal. He believes that if you can not see his head, then you can't see the rest of his body. Well this proved true to him once again during this visit. You see, we do not bring Saban to the vet in a carrier as he feels safer in Keith's arms, so as Keith was holding him, he found a little spot to put his head in between Keith's upper arm and forearm and just sat there for his 30 minute wait. In his mind, those crazy dogs could not see him and he was perfectly safe from their attacks. Luckily he was great for the doctor and was sent on with a clean bill of health! Poor little guy did have to get 3 shots and was ridiculously sluggish yesterday, but seems to be much better this morning.

Sunday consisted of a trip to church and this...

Keith playing golf while I drove around in the golf cart. I wish I could have taken a picture of myself though... I had my legs kicked up on the cart with a magazine and just enjoying the day. Unfortunately about 15 minutes after this picture was taken and I had really gotten comfortable, the wind picked up to about 30 miles an hour and the sun went away and I froze... and we were only on hole 5! So for the next 13 holes, instead of kicking back and enjoying the day, I was in a little ball trying to get my shorts to cover as much as possible and being very thankful I had decided to wear tennis shoes instead of flip flops and that I brought a jacket. But it was still a nice day and I enjoyed the time with Keith in the outdoors... he even let me take a few swings... yeah golf is not ever going to be my sport!

But now it is Monday, and we are now T-minus 11 days until I am officially unemployed! Still no hits in the job search department but oh well, just still praying about it and I know whatever is supposed to happen will happen and it will happen with time. So, if you are reading this, say a little prayer for me especially for my patience in this time!

Katie's Wedding and Mom in the Hospital

Well we are back from our short trip to Louisiana and it was great! On Friday I was lucky enough to go to my friend Katie's wedding and it was wonderful. Nice and laid back just like her! Here are some pictures...

The Happy New Couple!

Me and the Bride

Me and one of my best friends, John (he was an usher in our wedding)

Me and the Hubs

Unfortunately right before the wedding we did receive some awful news. My mom had a mini-stroke (as the doctor's called it) and has been hospitalized since Friday. As I write this she is actually getting released (YEAH!). She was telling a story to her kindergartners when she she started feeling dizzy, the words on the page went blurry, and her right arm started going numb. Luckily after the doctor's ran lots of test, they have been unable to find any damage from the stroke, but they did find 2 aneurysms (luckily the are VERY small). She will have to be on medication for who knows how long, and she will have to continue to see a neurologists to watch the aneurysms to make sure that they do not grow large enough to cause any problems. The doctor's are not worried about them now (which I am not sure makes me glad or worries me that something could happen at any time). But please do pray for her as this will most likely be a ongoing thing she will have to deal with!

Last night we had our first Gourmet Group! It was so much fun and the food was wonderful! We had Lemon Thyme Goat Cheese, a Spinach and Blueberry salad, Herb-crusted Beef Tenderloin, Orange-Glazed Asparagus, Pepper and Pine Nut Rice, and a Chocolate Raspberry Torte. All was aboslutely wonderful and the company was great too! I can't wait for our next one in May! Luckily one of the ladies is also working on finding me a job... so hopefully between myself and her I can find something!