Nesting

   If you do anything productive while you're pregnant, people automatically tell you you're "nesting". When I was pregnant with you, I hated when people would say I was nesting about everything I did. With Kennedy, I don't really care what they call it- I needed a bedroom refresh before we become a family of four. Paisley, you, of course, helped along the way. I need to take photos of the entire room and post a before and after,  but these are too cute. You love love love ladders, and they make me so nervous- brave little thing! I love you, PGA! 

Vacation Time!

We went to Maine last week. As usual, we flew into Boston and saw the Red Sox play. It was your second game at Fenway, and you were dressed the part! It was a bit chilly, but you didn't seem to mind it. After time in Boston, we headed to York, to our vacation home. You loved that the cousins were with us and all of the other family members you just love. Of course you wanted to climb the rocks by yourself, which completely scares me to death! But you're just trying to keep up with the older kids. Grandma and Papa bought you a rain coat, and you want to wear it all day long- you love it! It rained a lot while we were there this time so we bought you girls a tea set that you loved, went shopping around town, and went to the arcade in Wells. You, being the smart funny little thing you are, decided the best way to play skii ball would be to walk up the lane and put the ball in the hole, climbing under the metal cage that guards the holes. Too cute!!  We did all of the things mommy did when she was a kid: walking the marginal way, eating at Barnicle Billys, roasting marshmallows on the rocks. I love that you get to share the same memories that I had growing up, visiting my grandma in Maine. I hope we get to go for many years to come!

Maternity Photos

So I just got my maternity photos from the fabulous Michelle Quimby. We forgot to connect basically so I'm just now seeing them for the first time. I have decided, though, that these photos are much more special to me seeing them now then they would have been if I had seen them right when they were taken. Seeing photos that were taken 18 days before Paisley was born makes me thankful I'm not pregnant anymore, thankful that Paisley is healthy and happy, but most of all thankful for how complete our family feels for the time being. We love being parents! It's the best thing in the world. Everyone says it, but you don't know until you have one. I love my Paisley Grace!! Thank you, Michelle, for the wonderful experience and beautiful photos. They are so very special to me.

The Weekend and Hospital Day!

Zach and I had a wonderful weekend. I have felt really energetic, which is good. On Thursday I decided to bake some cupcakes for our doctor's office and a few friends. I ended up with eight dozen. A little overboard, maybe, but it was fun.

        On Friday we were lazy until around 2 when I started baking for Rebecca's cookie swap. It was so great to spend time eating and laughing with the girls! I made grandma's orange cookies; I'll have to share the recipe soon. 

         Saturday was get the house ready for Paisley and family day. We rearranged some furniture to accommodate everyone for Christmas, got the guest room ready, set up Paisley's bassinet in our room and moved her rocking chair in to our room as well to make the first couple weeks a bit easier. Everything seems ready, which is a relief for us. 

         Yesterday we went to church and then came home for football, of course. Zach's fantasy team won, which I think means he goes to the "play-offs" where he and Timmy will smack talk each other to death I'm sure. I'll admit, it's quite relaxing to just lay on the couch while Red Zone football is on. I may actually be sad when the season is over. After our relaxing afternoon, we went out to eat hibachi with our friends. One last pre-Paisley get together. It was so fun to sit around and chat and get to be around great people.    

         That pretty much brings us to today. This will be my last post before Paisley arrives! We are going to the hospital this evening and are so excited. Even with Tylenol PM, I could barely sleep last night. We have been so blessed to have this experience together and can't wait to hold our new baby girl! There are a few things about pregnancy that I will not be sad to be done with and others that I will surely miss. 

What I will NOT miss:
1) Strangers not only asking me personal questions about my pregnancy but doing so while there hands are planted on my belly.
2) Not being able to turn over in bed without waking up 

3) Having to sleep on my side 

4) Feeling out of breath ALL the time

5) My chest resting on my belly

6) Having to stay away from soft cheeses 

7) Waddling

8) Back problems

9) Having to hug Zach by putting my belly to the side


What I WILL miss:
1) The sweet anticipation and excitement we have felt together  

2) Zach coming home from work and talking to Paisley through my belly 

3) Zach being so sweet, helping me with everything, even putting my shoes on
4) Hearing Phoebe talk about "Pailsley Grace" and wanting to touch my belly 

5) The overwhelming feeling of blessing we have felt as everything has gone according to His perfect plan 

6) The glow everyone keeps talking about, which I'm sure turns to the look of sheer exhaustion

7) How excited everyone is about the arrival of this sweet baby girl

8) Zach saying "Group Hug!" every time I hug him

9) Paisley kicking when she hears Zach singing

   We have a little bit of packing to do and Zach is going to make us a few playlists to take to the hospital. I also asked him to bring his guitar so he could play for "his girls", which he agreed to.  At the end of last week I looked up and recorded some scripture passages that I think will be a comfort to both of us.  I hope that this experience can be one in which we are able to give God the glory for everything and that the nurses and hospital staff will see Him through us. 

    One exciting thing that I haven't mentioned is that Paisley will be born on Zach's birthday. I'm afraid I'll never be able to top that as far as "gifts" go, but what an amazing feeling for him! He keeps saying, "Best birthday present EVER." I love it.  Can't wait to meet Paisley and to see Zach's face when he first lays eyes on her. What a sweet time it'll surely be. 

Blessings, 

Julie