Baby Shower #3: Owen Girls

Simply writing the title "Baby Shower #3" has me completely overwhelmed and blessed, and there's still one more shower on the way! Brooke Grayson, YOU ARE SO VERY LOVED! Praise the Lord for all the many influential people  in our lives who love and support us as family and friends.  Well, this delightful event was last Saturday in my old neck of the woods (close to where I grew up and where I went to college). 

Well, I was big into Campus Crusade for Christ or Cru  in college and had the blessing of serving as a Bible Study leader for some sweet girls younger than me. I was placed with one of the most precious women I know and cannot begin to tell you all of the many trials, struggles, and joys that came out of this "Owen Girls" group.  Heather and I prayed, before the group even formed that this wouldn't just be a fleeting friendship that lasts in college, no, we wanted God to take control of their lives and unite them for a life time.  GOD IS SO GOOD! Everytime we see each other for cupcakes, sleepover, or baby shower, we pick back up just like it was yesterday.  We are all older and wiser, some working, some married, but all still devoted to each other and our relationship with the Lord.  I love these ladies and wish we could see each other more often.  They are truly Godly women and I pray nothing but the best for all of their lives!

 The invitations were sweet and pink and girly and I chose red, black and white to wear because I was going to an NCSU football game that evening... so when I arrived and saw the theme "Welcome to the Pack" it was perfect! haha

mMm... Breakfast casserole, yogurt parfaits, coffee cake, punch, cupcakes AND cake!

mMm beautiful and delicious!

AMAZING Block S ice cubes for the punch!

Chattin' with the ladies, we had so much to catch up on!

Some of the sweet Owen girls, gahlee they're beautiful inside and out!

Catching up!

Most of the gals! 2 of the ladies had other commitments, praise the Lord for these women and their support and love in my life!

As if their presence wasn't enough... they brought PRESENTS too! 

An adorable, soft elephant with Miss Brooke's monogram!

Officially an "Owen Girl"!!!

One of the many handmade gifts from my dear Heather Myers!

My co-leader... LOVE HER!

Adorable guest favors :)

 

 

Sweet sign to welcome our little one to the Wolfpack family!

Yeah, I look HUGE compared to tall skinny "Friddle" haha

SO VERY BLESSED by these sweet sweet ladies!

The sweet hostesses!

haha yep, there's a baby in there! 

 

Pregnancy update: 34 weeks

 

Same day... Brooke surfaced (me cold with hair 1/2 up) and Brooke relaxed (after a 2 mile walk at lunch)

 

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Yep, Brooke had a growth spurt ... I'm now at +17.4lbs! Great 34 weeks Dr.'s appointment earlier today :)

Maternity clothes? I finally got a pair of black dress pants and a cute pair of gray maternity pants (like a gray khaki/chino) at a consignment store this past weekend.  Oh yes, and I wear comfy shoes only... crocs, these little mary janes, yeah having sore feet isn't even worth it anymore. 

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: So good! I wish I had time to take naps during the day too :)

Best moment this week: The AMAZING baby shower my Owen Girls threw for me and little Brooke this past Saturday, WHAT A BLESSING! (Girls Bible Study I co-lead with this gal in college)

Miss Anything? Coming home and doing nothing... haha no, seriously, and I know I'll never get that back! With moving to a new house and getting ready for a baby, there's ALWAYS something to do!  Her clothes are washed and put away,  diapers are organized, crib is made... we're gettin' there!

Movement: Yes, indeed! haha as you see this is what I call "surfacing"... see the huge high lump, yep that's Brooke's butt/back (yeahhhh she'll probably have a tush like her Momma). haha when I drink cold water or move around a lot she "surfaces" to the top of my stomach.  It's this hard, protruding lump that stays for a few minutes then floats back down.  Glad I could capture it for y'all to see!

Food cravings: No, still nothing!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at all

Have you started to show yet:YES

Gender: Sugar and spice and everything nice… sweet little Brooke Grayson!

Labor Signs: No and they better stay away until 38 weeks or so.  haha the only "cramps" I get are in the morning after I eat breakfast and my stomach and uhhhh intestines are full. Once I relieve myself, the cramping is gone.  TMI... I know :)

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but very, VERY flat!

Wedding rings on or off? On, I normally only wear the fake ring on hot/humid days or days I know I will be moving around a lot.  Since it's fall now, I may be able to finish up the pregnancy with my rings on! Yay! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: So happy! I wish we could get our old house rented and sell our house we flipped, but other than that, we’re patiently awaiting our little girl and ready for the many blessings she is sure to bring to our lives!

Size of Baby:Well baby center says about 5 lbs and 18 inches long, I doubt she’s that big though…

Looking forward to: Being a mom!  Pouring my heart and soul into the Lord, and having that love overflow to my AMAZING husband and then having our love given to our daughter :) We can't wait to see how our marriage changes and grows with our new addition! Praying God is in control and will show us his grace and mercy through Brooke's life.

Baby Shower #2: The Barrett Family

We are so very blessed to have loving family and friends who are throwing us 4 different baby showers!!! The first, was the local church gals/friends, this one was my hubby's side of the family in his hometown, next is the girls from the bible study I lead in college, and finally we've got my side of the family in my hometown :) 

We love seeing all of the extended family!  So many people with so much love to share with us and our soon-to-be daughter... and not to mention... DELICIOUS FOOD! Okay, this post is pretty picture heavy, sorry, it's the easiest way to document things :)

Charles, Brooke and I at the first home NCSU football game!

Yes, HE PICKED OUT HIS OWN SHIRT! haha Sweet dad :)

The presents... this was before the shower even started!

Sweet diaper cake from my sister-in-law!

Cute lil... BIG cake!

Lots of clothes, bibs and other baby items on the clothes line.

I asked Charles to take some pictures... so you'll see his photog in the upcoming shots... :)

I was lookin' a little rough... yes this was after leading 4 songs of praise and worship at church with tons of dance moves!

Presents!

A precious Vera Bradley diaper bag!

Car mirrors

Video Monitor

Video monitor

Extra camera for the monitor

An AMAZING Breast Pump! Thank you Greg and Victoria!!!

I'm pretty excited, if you can't tell!

Sleep sack.

Uncle Brad's presents!

A sweet picture frame from "Aunt" Delane.

Our stroller!

And a big ole box of diapers!

I can't believe I forgot to get a picture of the food and the games!  Oops, too busy talking, and eating I'm sure :)  We had chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit, yummy cookies, sausage balls, a delicious cheese ball, and lemonade!  Thank you so much Barrett family for the amazing baby shower! We love you so very much and can't wait to add Miss Brooke Grayson to the family!