Lotta Love for Little Charlie

One of my best friends is in the final stages of preparing for Baby #2. Brooke and Ryan have sweet Stella who will turn 2 a month after Charlie arrives, and it's so fun to be right behind them in this adventure. Stella and Reese are good buddies, and we are praying that Charlie and B-Dub will be, too. Anywho, a few of us got together last night at a local restaurant to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Charlie, and we had a blast sharing some crazy stories as well as blessing Brooke with a few necessities and of course some fun things for her newest little one. 

Two beautiful women. Brooke and her Momma.

 I love these girls and their babies A LOT. 

Brooke and Charlie, Lauren and Rooney, Kate and B-Dub (his name is coming sometime!)

And just for fun, I went looking at past pictures last night when I got home, and this was taken almost exactly 2 years ago (2 years and 3 days) at another bestie's Rehearsal Dinner in Dallas. 

Lauren (A different one) with Thomas and Hudson, Kate and Reese, Brooke and Stella

The hostesses with the Mom-to-Be.

Brooke and her sister-in-law due the same week posing with MIL/mom. So pretty.

I love it. Sweet cousins.

20 Weeks (And Mopsy Came to Town)

B-Dub turned 20 weeks on Sunday, and I remembered on Tuesday to take a picture. Even though I was two days late and my mirror is completely foggy because of my accidental dust spray instead of Windex spray cleaning a couple of weeks ago, I managed to get a couple of shots. I feel like I look much bigger in person, and I think I may even take a few more pictures tomorrow to prove it. Anyways, this pregnancy is at least halfway over, and that amazes me. I still feel great minus lower back/hip pain that I always have during pregnancy. I totally learn to manage it and really almost forget about it until a sharp pain hits a few times a day. B-Dub is the length of a banana, and I feel this little guy move every day now. I think I felt movement around 16 weeks, but it was VERY rare and VERY much a tiny flutter. His movements still don't get my attention much unless I'm sitting down while he's in action. I love him so much, and Wes, Reese, and I pray for him all the time. Here are the two pics I got on Tuesday...

Later on Tuesday my mom came in town to spend a couple of days with us, and we couldn't have been happier about it. Or more spoiled. She made a new delicious salmon recipe, veggies, and potatoes that night, and she had brought a pie with her. We went to Fayetteville for some shopping and lunch on Wednesday, Wes and I went on a date night last night (complete with dinner and a movie), and we did some more shopping and playing today before she headed back home after nap time. Mopsy, we love you so much and are so blessed to witness the adoration you shower on us all. 

Lunch date in Fayetteville.

Mom and Daughter.

Mopsy and Reese.

New favorite playtime activity: Play Dough.

Taking an important call (on Mopsy's card holder) before heading out this morning.

As I finish this blog, Wes is putting together Reese's new cozy coupe car from Mopsy and Popsy. She will be the happiest girl in the world when she wakes up in the morning and gets to drive all over the house.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sarah!

One of Reese's best friends is turning TWO, and she adores Minnie Mouse. Kari made the cutest decorations for the party, and she is such a smart momma who blew up pink polka dot balloons and threw them all over the living room AND had a bounce house on the back deck. We had a great time celebrating this sweet little girl who I have loved from day one. Happy Birthday, Sarah Jane!

Reese brought this OSU bib to one of the grandparents who quickly fastened it on our little Razorback fan. Good thing our friends went to a non-SEC school. We can say Go Pokes and be okay with it.

Reese wanted in on the gift opening, so she sat on Kari's lap. Sarah did such a good job opening everything, and she (and Reese) loved all of her Minnie Mouse gifts.

Reese found something she liked. Well, she found several things, but I got a picture of this fun laptop.

A favor for me?! Stickers!

And a fun bracelet!

She was definitely cautious of the jump house, but once the crowd had cleared out, she went to town.

Thanks for a great party, Penturf family! We love you ALL so very much!

Oh Boy

It's been quite the week letting the news of having a SON sink in a bit. I have really enjoyed looking at baby boy duds, perusing boy nurseries on Pinterest, and thinking of some of the things I'll get to do with a boy. I mourn the fact that Reese's clothes may not get worn again, but I revel in my dreams of little boy clothes as B-Dub grows. Our name list is quite short, but we do seem to add and subtract from it often. Here's to hoping he will be named before he arrives. Goodness knows we didn't have Reese's name settled until she was several hours old, and I have to admit, it was kind of fun to name her on her birthday. Anyways, here are some phone pictures from this week. It's been a good 7 days.

After I got Reese down for a marathon nap on Tuesday, these little guys came over to play, and they made me excited about having a little man. Hud and T, you must know that your Auntie Kate loves you...and so does Reese even though she was snoozing during your visit.

Mopsy sent Reese a couple of new lovies, and the name we call this blanket is obviously fitting. She loves her lovies.

Saturday night make-your-own pizza date with some great friends.

Sunday after church.

She just stood there waiting for me to take a picture with that cute little grin on her face. Can't stand the adorableness. And notice she's carrying a lovie around in her little bucket.

There he is! Baby boy at 19 weeks.

Stella and Reese at the gym childcare today.

We need to get some better book storage. This happens multiple times a day.

The Reveal

I walked into the hospital wearing this pink shirt and blue necklace with full intentions of keeping the pink shirt on and taking off the necklace.

However, after a quick trip to Baby Gap (had to get this little one a few fun things!), I ran home to change into this BLUE shirt. Yep, this little baby is a BOY!!! After we heard "It's a boy!" Wes squeezed my hand, we laughed out loud because of how much little guy was showing off, and then we watched as the tech continued to check out his anatomy to see that from what she knew everything looked great. THAT is what I prayed for, so I am praising God for a healthy baby. And now a healthy baby BOY!!! Wes and I couldn't be happier or more blessed. 

After the wardrobe change, I met up with some of my dearest friends for a yummy lunch at The Pressroom. Delicious food and incredible friends. Thanks for coming and indulging me along with celebrating with us!

Brooke, Stella, Baby Charlie, Me, and Baby BOY Walker! Charlie has a buddy!

Samantha and her baby BOY (another buddy!), Amy, Cat, and Kari.

Alexia and Leah. Leah was one of the many on Team Girl, and she was fully committed as was I. God sure does love a good surprise!

And my sweet and lovely sister-in-law/bestie Jenny Beth celebrating with us!

I ADORE this picture! We are just missing Jayme...so let's take another when we are all together!

 So, there you go! I'll try to snap some family pictures when Reese wakes up and Wes gets home. Reese was playing away with her cousins and babysitter, and Daddy had to get back to work. Thanks for your prayers. You can keep them up for a continued healthy pregnancy and baby. Name to be decided later. Wes wasn't ready to dive into that conversation today.

Easter Weekend in Conway (plus a survey)

Happy day after Resurrection Day! So often I think of Jesus' death and resurrection, but I rarely stop to really reflect on what kind of impact it has on the entire world. He gave His life so I could have life. When we prayed this week as a family, we prayed that our hearts would really reflect and be thankful. Reese would close it by saying "Mamen," and then our days would continue. Oh, I how I wish I would allow the things of this world to become nothing and for Jesus to be my everything. 

This weekend was a pretty great weekend with family and a few friends, and here it is in phone pictures. About 20 minutes into our drive down, I remembered that I had forgotten my camera, but I wasn't up for turning around to get it. 

Reese and her accessories. She wore those bracelets and necklaces all weekend.

Except for when we went out on the town.

My parents' BEAUTIFUL home that will be done this summer in the Hendrix Village. I can't wait to see it all come together. My mom and dad's taste is impeccable.

Side view and looking into the sunroom.

View from the second story porch.

After checking it out, we walked a block down to Zaza's for pizza. I have a feeling we will be dining there, Panera, and Purple Cow pretty frequently when we come in town to visit. Reese LOVED the little breadsticks and even played a little sword fighting with Mopsy and Popsy.

Sunday Morning. Easter basket.

Happy girl.

I look at this picture and just tear up with gratitude for God's mercy and goodness to me. I love my family.

Someone loves her Mopsy.

And that same someone loves Mopsy's frozen banana salad.

I just think this is sweet.

Having fun on Popsy's lap.

One more just for fun. Eating Elmo crackers on her Elmo lunchbox.

Survey question for those of you who made it to the end:
Is B-Dub 2 is a boy or girl?!?
We should know this time tomorrow, and I'll be sure to report.