5k.

Ran my first 5k in Charleston over Thanksgiving. 

6 months preg pushing Saylor in the stroller. 

The Turkey Day Run Gobble Wobble 5k.

Thankful to have had my mom's company to make it so fun and entertaining!

Happy running! 

Our day.

This day is so special to me.  

This is the day I became a Mrs.

This is our day.

Our anniversary. 

The day we stood before everyone we hold dear with a heart full of love, joy and promise for the future. Of trust in each other. Of faith in our Lord Jesus, that we were meant for each other. With commitment, that from this day forward we would love each other completely. And with excitement, for our lives began with each other on this day.

I cherish this day. I smile as I remember his face as I walked down the aisle. I laugh when I think of the fun we had that night celebrating with our friends and family. And my heart swells when I realize I love him even more today than I did on that day. That we have grown and our growing every day, together. That we are building a life and a best friend marriage. That God knew what He was doing. And I am so thankful for that. 

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" 

- Colossians 3:14

Happy Anniversary, sug. Love you forever. 

Catch up and Phone dump.

It's Friday and another week has flown by. We are gearing up for the holidays and lots of travels coming up. We'll be spending Thanksgiving in Charleston with family then flying to St. Lucia the next week for a dear friend's wedding. As soon as we return, I imagine we will jump in to Christmas full steam ahead.

Saylor has been sick as a dog the past few weeks and the cough got so bad this past weekend, we ended up at the pediatrician Monday morning. They sent us home with a nebulizer and we were told to do treatments twice a day. The first few rounds of treatments were hard, pitiful and heartbreaking for this momma. Saylor just didn't quite understand what was going on. It has gotten much better throughout the week, though, and we went back in to see the doctor this morning. He said she looks and sounds much better, to move the treatments to once a day, and hopefully we should be good to go. Praying baby girl is on the mend.

Sean and I started watching the Friday Night Lights series about 6 weeks ago and finished the series last night. Best. Show Ever. Hands down. Today, I am mourning the loss of it being over. Texas forever.

I've been doing some Christmas shopping and am feeling pretty good not to be stressed out about it. I've gotten quite a few things here and there, which puts us about half way done with shopping. Love that.

Baby Branch is growing and as of this week, my belly has officially popped out (see recent bump photo here). I feel the little fella move around quite a bit more, especially in the evenings when we lay down to relax. Sean hasn't felt him yet, but I am sure it will be soon. His twists and kicks are getting stronger. Momma is also hungrier these days! I seem to be starving all the time. Oink.

I am so excited about all the new babies joining us in 2012! I have many sweet friends all having babies right around the same time as me, as well as my brother and sister-in-law welcoming their first in May. I heard from one of my dearest friends yesterday that our little boy will be having a girlfriend come April. I am SO excited for them and can't wait to meet their little angel.

And because it's been a little while since I have done one, here is my iphone photo dump friday:

Happy weekend, yall. 

bump.

the baby bump: 21 weeks

21 weeks!

Today, I am 21 weeks (am I really past the 1/2 way point already?!?) pregnant with the little fella. Yes, it's a boy (if you missed this post), and we are beyond thrilled! We had the ultrasound done on November 2nd and chose to keep it a secret until Saylor's 1st birthday party a few days later. Sean and I both did a wonderful job of keeping the news under our hat and it was a huge surprise to our friends and family when blue was inside the cake (reveal video coming soon... or as soon as we find the cord, ha!).

We are so excited to add a boy into the mix! Monday night we ordered the nursery furniture. So fun! Baby boy looked perfect and healthy and we cannot wait to meet him in March!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  21 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  No weight gain yet

Maternity Clothes:  Bought maternity leggings this past weekend, and whew, SO much better! My regular leggings were feeling like compression tights on my belly, ha!

Best Moment this week: Ordering the nursery furniture

Gender: it's a BOY!

Movement: Feel him moving around in the evenings when I get in bed

Food Craving: cheese bread

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Decorating the nursery!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Nausea is coming back in the mornings. Worn out in the evenings, but that may just be because it's been a zoo around here lately!

Saylor's 1st Birthday party: Part 1

Our sweet baby girl turned ONE!

We had such a great time putting everything together for Saylor's first birthday. My mom and I, as well as some very dear friends, helped craft, cook, bake, clean and decorate to make it all just perfect. I had the gals at Sweet Birdies Nest create the invites to match Saylor's birthday outfit, along with the banners, cupcake toppers, bottle labels and stickers. Here is the birthday girl getting ready for her party:

Invites by Sweet Birdies Nest

We played a video of Saylor's first year above the mantel with the banner "Saylor is 1":

Pinwheels up the driveway, the letter "S" made by my brother and painted by my mom, and our entry table with a book for Saylor's Wishes":

Saylor's Sweet Shoppe:

Saylor's 1st year, in pictures:

Food table:

The cake (made by my sweet friend, and the only other person that knew the inside color pre-party!):

Other fun details:

Lots of party pics with fun family and friends and gender reveal coming soon! Stay tuned :)!

Happy Birthday, sweet Saylor...

My Sweet Saylor,
One year. A year of precious firsts. A year of memories. A year of one heck of a proud momma to call you mine. Words cannot express this past year. A year ago today, you were put in my arms for the first time and I was quite sure my heart would explode right then and there. You were mine. I was your mommy.

You were beautiful that day and you are even more beautiful today. You have overtaken my heart and soul. I miss you when you go to bed at night. I can't wait to see your sweet smile first thing in the morning. I love spending every single day with you. I love your giggles and snuggles. I love your dimple (you are indeed, kissed by an angel)! My firstborn. My darling baby girl.

This year has been truly amazing. Watching you grow, change and learn so much. Before you came into this world, I dreamt of all the things I would teach you, all the things we would do together. I have enjoyed every second watching you discover this great big world. Watching you learn to smile, to laugh, to love. My prayer has always been for your happiness. For you to grow into a kind woman, knowing you have a family behind you that loves and supports you every step of the way. For you to know Jesus, and His grace. For you to be courageous. For you to take in everything this world has to offer you. 

I am one proud Mommy, and in this year, your first year, you have made me a better person. I never knew this love before you. And one day, I pray you will experience this love too. So deep. So raw. So real. A love that abandons itself for a little tiny baby nestled in my arms, sleeping sweetly, drawing quiet breaths. 

Happy Birthday to you, sweet girl. May you find joy and laughter at every turn. May you always be as happy as you have made us and your days filled with an abundance of love. 

Here's to you, sweet Saylor.

You are smart. You are beautiful. You are loved.

Happy Birthday!

It's a...

BOY!!!

19 weeks!

Today, I am 19 weeks pregnant with Baby B. And as promised, a belly shot... in all my 19 week glory, ha!

Today is also a BIG day. We are heading to our appointment this morning to find out what we are having! I am so excited, nervous, anxious! Lots of emotions. As of today, I am still thinking girl, but many others have said boy. We will be revealing on Saturday to our friends and family at Saylor's first birthday party, so we'll be keeping it under our hat until then. Keep us in your prayers for a healthy peanut tomorrow, when we get to take a peek!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  19 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I think a pound or 2. Will know this morning at the dr. 

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week: Finding out what we are having!!

Gender: We'll know today!

Movement: Feeling baby b move a few times throughout the day

Food Craving: nothing really

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Finding out what we are having!!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  A little bit of nausea and feeling exhausted most days, but still feeling pretty good.

Stay tuned for a gender reveal this weekend... 

Will we keep swimming in PINK or add a little BLUE to the mix?

Halloween Fun!

Happy Halloween from Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit! 

This is the top of Saylor's costume... Can you tell how thrilled she was about it wearing it!? ;)

We got the girls dressed up and headed out for some fun! Our neighbors hosted a get together, pre-trick-or-treating, so the kiddos had a great time eating Halloween snacks and running around with each other. Here's most of the group of littles (with the mommy's of the littlest trick-or-treaters):

Cal and Saylor... 

The mob of little ones heading to the houses for candy

Trick-or-Treat

Happy Halloween, from our house to yours!