It's a ... !!!

Yes, I know this news is coming to you late, but the day we found out the gender of Baby Christopher #2 is the same day we found out we are, and will continue to be, without internet at our house for a week. We have to get a new modem and a bunch of other stuff I don't understand, so I have been unable to post until now. So, I am sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta after an extensive day of Christmas shopping, and I'm attempting to spread the good news...although we are continuing to have internet trouble here as well.

  Baby Christopher #2 is a ... GIRL!!! 

Tillman will be a great big sister to her new little sister that will be joining us in April!! Josh and I are excited and ready to get into all of the decision making that comes along with knowing the gender of Baby #2. No, we don't have any names picked out yet. (Although I am working on one with him right now...he can be hard to coax.)  No, we don't know what colors the nursery will be. No, we don't know much of anything right not, except that we have a healthy little baby girl on the way!

On the Mend

Well, it seems that I am on my way to recovery from this nasty sinus infection. The doctor never did have me come in to get antibiotics or any prescription meds, so I have been trying about 6-8 different over-the-counter remedies for the past few days (that are all pregnancy-safe).

I have been taking cough meds, a nasal decongestant, tylenol (for the sinus pressure), Afrin nose spray, cough drops, my daily allergy nasal spray, ... and most recently I have added using a humidifier and a Neti Pot at nighttime. I honestly think the last two remedies on this list have been the ones to make the most difference for me. I have never used a Neti Pot before, but am now a huge advocate of them. If used correctly, they can do wonders for your nasal/sinus canal!

I'm getting my energy back and getting super excited about our upcoming Thanksgiving plans. Josh, Tillman, and I are going to Atlanta for Thanksgiving. No, we don't have any family in Atlanta, but things are a little bit different in our lives for several reasons this year.

Anyways, we are going to Atlanta Wednesday and making several shopping pit stops along the way. We are planning to hit some outlets, a mall or two, and maybe even IKEA, depending on time, energy, and T. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, we are going to the Atlanta Aquarium. (Yep, it's open 365 days of the year.) Tillman has been to the Charleston Aquarium, but we are very excited/anxious to see her reaction to something on a much larger scale. Friday we are going to the Atlanta Zoo. Again, T has been to the Greenville Zoo, but that isn't saying much.

We are hoping this trip goes according to plan and we will miss all the big crowds at both the aquarium and the zoo. I mean, people will be spending Thanksgiving with their families, right?? Not out galavanting around Atlanta going to the zoo and the aquarium. Well, we hope it goes smoothly either way... I'll be sure to let you know in a post soon.  :)

Speaking of posts, Josh and I go to our OB doctor Tuesday (yes, in 2 days) to confirm and find out the gender of Baby Christopher #2!! We are very excited about this appointment and will be sure to share our results and news with you just as soon as we find out. So, check back in soon to see if Tillman will be having a little brother or sister added to our family in April!

my good friend, the neti pot

a tell tale sign i have my energy back - the first batch of puppy chow for the season for no reason at all - yum!

saturday morning pirate eye patch, what else?

yes, she threw that at me - still loving the monster pajamas (they glow in the dark!!)

mommy's earrings - too cute - they are draped over her ears - she thought she was big time

i love this little girl - watching toy story for the first time

and this is how we went to bed tonight - yes, with the finger puppet and sunglasses in the bed

plain rotten.

 



Tillman's Monster Bash

This Sunday our baby girl turned 2!! Some days it's hard to believe she's been blessing our lives for 2 years, and other days it seems just about right...

We had a blast this weekend celebrating Tillman and all the joy she brings to our lives. We are also all exhausted beyond belief at this very moment. Tillman's party was Sunday afternoon. Mom and Dad came into town Friday to spend the weekend and help prepare for the party. Luckily for me, they were also able to stay until Monday to help clean up, which really means, to put my mind at ease and reduce my stress level. I had a lot of fun planning and hosting this party, but I was, and still am, fighting a pretty bad sinus infection.

The party was so much fun. Thank you to everyone who helped prepare and set up, came to support and celebrate, and sent cards and birthday wishes to show love to our baby girl. We love and appreciate you all!

(Warning: Picture overload is about to ensue...Pictures are not necessarily in order. And, yes, this is just a snapshot of our weekend. There are plenty more pictures to share if you need to get a better idea.)

 

Saturday morning birthday breakfast (Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays.)

By Tillman's request, of course.

Dad was in charge of watching T Saturday so Josh could do yardwork & Mom and I could run errands. They were playing outside for at least 2 hours straight. Good for the soul.

Saturday night cuddle session on the couch.

Good morning, birthday girl!! Sunday morning before church.

This was the best we could get. And, yes, she is eating a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast. She only turns 2 once.

 

Pin the Eye on the Monster, pre-party.

photo banner and pom poms

 

homemade eyeball wreath

 

A quick shot before all the food was even presented. This doesn't do it a bit of justice.

 

T playing Pin the Eye on the Monster

Kamden

The aftermath of the Pin the Eye on the Monster. We had 3 winners: Karson, Madi, & Rebekah.

 

The cake!!! Made with love by McKinley! It turned out awesome!!

Our front door - what guests saw as they drove up to our house.

 

 

Getting the deck ready

Photo Op table

Hannah

Dustin & Andrea - I love this one.

Nolan & Tillman trying it out

 

Hadley

 

T

The birthday cake!!

Her reaction when everyone started singing to her

She loved the cake!

 

Each kid got to make their own monster goody bag. They turned out cute!

 

One of the only family shots we got.

Pretending to be shy

 

The backyard pre-party time.

 

The jump castle was a big hit.

This was too cute not to share. She loved it.

Making goody bags.

 

Kamden & T blowing bubbles

 

The after party - party ... opening presents. We were all so busy and having so much fun that we literally ran out of time to open gifts. Don't worry, she loved them all and keeps reminding us that they are hers...."My presents"

 

Opening a gift from KC & Joe Joe

 

She loves it

She put everything but the kitchen sink in her new stroller

Scaring Daddy in her new monster/dinosaur towel

Coloring on her new desk/easel - Notice the monster pajamas to match the theme of the party. Clever, Mom. :)

A new highchair and changing table that also go with the new stroller. I can't wait to see how long it takes before she wants to put her new little brother/sister in one of these.

 

 

I'm exhausted. Happy birthday, Tillman!!

A New Look x2

Well, today both Josh and Tillman are sporting a new look. Josh ordered some new glasses on Monday and was able to pick them up today.

Tillman went to Robin's this morning with some serious hathead. She had worn a hat to Robin's, which really flattened out her already outrageous hair. So, Robin had a little fun with T's mane and got out the hair straightener. (She kept it on the lowest setting possible.) When Josh picked T up this afternoon, she had a head full of long, straight, blonde locks. It's such a different look for her than we are used to. I kind of didn't like it, but still tried to get some pictures of it since we've never seen it that straight before. It really shows off just how long Tillman's hair really is.

Josh's new glasses & the back of Tillman's hair

New glasses (not ready for the picture) & Tillman paying attention

Hair

Ahh!

It looks layered here...and like it's trying to start curling back up.