Ben's Finished Nursery

The nursery is FINALLY finished- other than a missing window treatment that is still in the works! Everything is clean and smells like sweet Dreft baby- if that stuff wasn't so expensive, I would wash my own clothes in it!!! Thanks to Nana and Pop for all of their hard work a few weeks ago helping to get everything hung and organized!


These canvases were custom made by one of my most favorite stores in Montgomery- Say It So! They used the pillow sham from his bedding to create them and they turned out better than I could have ever expected!



All of his little Lovies in the crib (yes, I know they can't stay in there once he gets here, but they are so cute!) Every sweet baby needs a binkie (blanket) and buddah (pillow)- thanks sweet Hollyn :)

This was made by Craig's Grandmother Bowman and hung in his nursery- I just updated the frame. So sweet!

Canvas totes and baskets hold bibs, burp cloths, baby socks, hats, ets.- thanks Susie for the GREAT idea! The baby book on top was a gift from Craig- he had it made just for Ben by our good friend Jenny- it was the best surprise!

I LOVE this corner of the room- and it's a good thing I think- because I can see myself spending many hours sitting in it in the very near future! The BEN photo was a gift from Aunt Ellen- so fun! The bookshelf was a gift from Ben's cousins Shelton and Hughston.

The changing table piece was also passed down from Scott, Jen, Shelton and Hughston- it fits perfectly in this part of the room and gives even more great storage! The black and white picture on top is of my Grandaddy, Benjamin Milton Stevens, in his uniform.

So, tomorrow marks week 36 of this journey and we go to the doctor bright and early at 8:15. Well, bright and early for me during summer :) We will find out about how big Baby Ben is right now and get a little better idea of when he might be making his grand arrival!

Another update coming soon with pictures from several of our wonderful showers...

Ben's First Portraits

We had our 4D (or Avatar- as Craig likes to call it) ultrasound today!  Little Ben was not the most cooperative- he was facing my back most of the time and had his little hands in front of his face- but we still got a few good pictures. I don't think he especially enjoyed the sweet nurse poking my belly to try to get him to move his arms.

I am 28 weeks and 3 days today!  The second trimester FLEW by!  I can't believe we are already in the third and starting to look for the finish line!

There is so much to do before he gets here!  Right now my main goals are to get through these last few weeks of school, finish my masters by the end of May, and get everything ready for Little Ben's arrival.  I can't wait for school to be out so we can really focus on the third item on the list!

  
After seeing these sweet pictures, I am even more ready to meet this handsome little guy in person!  I can't wait for all of you to meet him too!  Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Memphis Baby Shower!

Last weekend we traveled to Memphis for a family visit and a wonderful baby shower hosted by my aunt and sister! Craig's parents even made the trip up from Montgomery for it- thanks, Nana and Pop! Of course, Zoe came with us- where else would she be??? Everyone keeps trying to tell us that we are going to start treating Zoe more like a dog than a person when Ben gets here, but I just don't see how that is possible. And, if you are around Zoe and feel like this is true, please do not talk about it in front of her- she is very sensitive.


The weekend was great! My aunt is one of those amazing peoeple that is wonderful at hosting parties or gatherings at her house of any kind- always the perfect food, decorations, etc- but if you tell her, she'll say "it was nothing" and mean it! Here is the cutest diaper cake I have ever seen that sat in the middle of the table.

We had catered Central BBQ for dinner. If any of you have been to Memphis with us- or just know Craig Bowman- you know that this is our all time favorite place to eat in Memphis. We never make a trip to Memphis without eating there at least once, usually more. It was delicious. These yummy cupcakes were dessert! (Thanks, Ellen, for the artsy food photo shot.)

Now, as I mentioned before, my aunt, Mary, likes to host the most wonderful parties and not take any credit for how wonderful they are. Her other half, Billy, is not quite as reserved. We always love family events at the Routt house because you never know what game, song, challenge, Billy is going to come up with for all guests to participate in. He did not disappoint at the baby shower when, after the blessing, he led everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to baby Ben. Why? Well, because most of the people were not going to be at his actual "birth"day of course, and Billy wanted everyone to be able to celebrate with him. Like I said- you never know what to expect! More Billy games coming soon in the post...

"Happy Birthday, Ben"

One guest I was most happy to see there was my grandmother, Mamaw. As I mentioned in a previous post, Mamaw gave me Ben's first special present at Christmas time- a beautiful blanket she had crocheted. This time she had "whipped up" a swaddling blanket, fleece blanket, and train quilt for Ben to have some great tummy time. She is amazing! I tell people all the time, if I got a fourth of her genes and can look this wonderful after having 6 children and 19 grandchildren, I'll be happy!

This is one of my most favorite friends I grew up with at St. Mary's, Erin. She and her mom (AKA Momma Lyttle) made it to the shower. Erin and I have the exact same due date and she is having a girl- Claire Elise (isn't that the cutest name). Below is a picture of Claire and Ben's "first date" :). I was so glad they could make it and I can't think of anyone else I would rather share my due date with!

Little Ben is already so spoiled by the love of family and friends he and we have been showered with. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing and supportive group of people to help us begin this exciting adventure. Below is a picture of the cutest football outfit from my cousin Michelle. I don't know if she did it on purpose or not, but it is Belhaven colors and has matching football socks- can we say, Media Guide picture next year??? I can't wait to see him in it!
I told you there were more Billy games to come. This was one of my all-time favorites. Billy wrapped up the gift-opening by having Craig get down on one knee and repeat any "promises" offered up by the guests- but if he repeated it, he had to promise to do it. For example, "I promise to change every diaper while we are still in the hospital". (I liked that one). And my all time favorite,"I promise to let Claire dress Ben however she wants- big collars, smocking, lace, etc. unitl he is a year old"- this took a lot for Craig! Only one promise got denied- Auntie Ellen tried to make Craig promise to let her teach Ben how to tap dance so he will be "well-rounded"- good try, Ellen, but you should have known better!

It was a wonderful evening with family and close friends, great food, and the celebrating of our little man's approaching arrival. A BIG THANK YOU again to all of you that made it possible. We are overwhelmed by your love and support!!!

Way past due for an Update!

So, I have been criticised lately (mostly by my wonderful husband) for not doing a better job of updating our blog. I keep trying to tell him that our blog is really not going to be as cute and fun now as it will be in about 4 months, but here are a few updates, just to make everyone happy :)

The biggest news, which most of you reading this already know, is that we are having a baby BOY! We found out at 17 weeks. Craig and I both went into the ultrasound room convinced we were having a girl. Deep down, we both really wanted to have a boy first, but of course we would have been just as ecstatic if it was a girl. We started the ultrasound and heard the heartbeat immediately. About five seconds later, "it" appeared on the screen. (You all know what "it" is). Before the nurse could say anything, I asked "Is that what I think it is?"...to which she replied, "that's what you think it is". Craig and I spent the next 5 minutes of the ultrasound grinning from ear to ear. We couldn't wait to call everyone and tell them the exciting news! Here is a picture from 17 weeks when we found out. He sat "criss cross applesauce" the whole time! (That is also known as "indian style" for those of you who don't teach little people :)

Everything else looked great- it is amazing what details they can see on those machines! Since we got to find out a little bit early what we were having, they couldn't see everything they needed to with his little heart. So, when we went back at 21 weeks, we got to do another ultrasound (the highlight of the doctor's visit) and saw all of the chambers of his heart- everything looked great! Here is a picture of his sweet little feet from 21 weeks- so cute!

Our little man's official name is Benjamin Craig Bowman- we will most likely call him Ben. As his Aunt Ellen says, let the monogramming begin!

This Tuesday I will be 24 weeks- that is 6 months, people! I can't wait to meet little Ben, but at the same time, I am really enjoying this pregnancy thing and don't want it to pass by too quickly. (However, ask me in about 2 months and I might give you a different answer :)

Next doctor's appointment is the week after Easter at 25 weeks. Then we go back at 28 weeks for the glucose test and our 4-D ultrasound. Don't worry, a new post will definitely follow that visit!

Our New House!!!

We are FINALLY getting settled in the new house and have gotten some pictures taken. Now we are ready for people to come visit! Building a new house was not as stressful as we thought it would be, but I am definitely glad the process is over. Well, almost over- you think that building something new, everything would be perfect and complete when you move in, but that is not the case. There are still a few little projects that need to be finished, but we have our "punch list" (as our realtor calls it) started and things will be finished soon (hopefully)!

The house is great, having our own stuff back is great, and knowing that soon one of our guest rooms will be transformed into a nursery is really, really great!

Tybee Island,GA for Bowman Christmas!

This year we spent Christmas with the Bowmans on Tybee Island near Savannah, GA. Since Craig's oldest brother is a pastor in Savannah, we go to him for Christmas so that he can perform all his pastor duties and we can still all be together. We stayed in the cutest little cottage on the island that was grownup friendly, kid friendly, and maybe most importantly- pet friendly- which Zoe greatly appreciated. Here is the cutest cottage on Tybee Island:

We had some wonderful family time full of karaoke and homemade hot chocolate, did lots of resting and relaxing- which Baby Bowman greatly enjoyed- and spent a few very windy moments playing on the beach. It is always fun to watch the Bowman grandkids- Thomas, Shelton, and Hughston- open their presents for Christmas. Here's a personal favorite of Hughston:

And Shelton:

We wrapped up the week with a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Brannon's church, a delicious Christmas lunch thanks to Carol, and a final birthday celebration for Brannon on Saturday before heading back to Montgomery. A good time was had by all!

Coleman Family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Coleman side of the family a little early this year and got a wonderful surprise from my grandmother, also known as Mamaw. For years and years, we have always received beautiful gifts from Mamaw that she has knitted, sewed, crocheted, you name it- she can do it. She made my dress for St. Mary's graduation- she is amazing! This year she surprised Craig and me with a beautful white, crocheted baby blanket. It is perfect! We can't wait to use it in about 7 months!