What a month!

Yes, what a month. And these pictures only begin to tell all that's gone on in my world in April. I took lots of pictures with my mom's camera during Easter and some showers, so not everything is documented below. However, here is a taste of the beautiful and busy April I've had...

Mom and me before Mary-Phillip's wedding shower.

Wes' dear friend Barrett's wedding. I could share so many photos and make a whole post of this very Anthropologie-ish wedding at Mt. Nebo, but I'll just give a peek. Instead of a traditional guest book, we signed in using an old typewriter where we could each give our personal message.

And the man of the hour...married man Barrett.

Oh, and the next day...Liz's shower! What a cute picnic basket...I'm thinking we could figure out a way to put this on our baby registry at The Kitchen Store, right?!

Wes and I got to keep Molly for a couple of nights while Bret and Jayme enjoyed a long weekend in Florida. Banana nut muffins and Bananagrams. A pretty fun Sunday night going on right there.

And then...Tuesday morning ultrasound revealed we are having a GIRL! Here's the loot mom brought up from Conway! I love it all!

Thursday night Rehearsal Dinner in Dallas...the whole crew except the bride. She was a bit busy, but look at these BEAUTIFUL friends I have.

Prego shot. They hated taking it, but I know they will love it later. :)

Mom's incredible party in a car...she hosted the bridesmaid's breakfast on the morning of the Big Day, and it was perfect!!

The party throwers and the pregnant bridesmaids.

What a GORGEOUS couple.

Oh, and of course...one last prego shot.

Speechless

Not only am I speechless that my prediction was incorrect, but I was left speechless after seeing that precious baby girl move and make herself known during the ultrasound. Yes, it's a GIRL!! I can't believe it and am completely surprised, but I'm beyond excited! I feel connected to her now, and I can't wait to prepare for the arrival of Miss Baby Girl Walker in the fall.

Okay, so what was so cool was that the tech very gently pressed on one part of my belly, and you could see baby move her little bottom on the screen. So crazy and amazing. Plus, baby girl waved hello to us! I just love her so much!!

One more story about today. My students were elated that I was finding out boy or girl this morning, and they were just dying for me to tell them when I got back from my appointment. However, I wanted to let all 115 students know at the same time. So...at lunchtime, I walked into the commons with blue and pink pashminas around my neck, pulled off the blue, and revealed that we are having a little girl! It was so much fun to see their reaction as a big group...especially because 90% just knew it was going to be a boy.

I am so thankful to our great God that she looks healthy and well. Wes and I continue to pray and covet your prayers as well for this sweet baby to show more healthy signs and grow strong before meeting us in September. And then, prayers will continue as long as she lives.

That's all I will say for now because I am certain girl talk will be the topic of many posts to come. Plus, I want to go look at girl stuff online.

Short and Sweet

One question...
Boy?
Girl?
We hope to find out tomorrow. Please tell me what you think. :)

What a Bargain

I don't claim to be the best bargain shopper. In fact, I try to avoid big sales if a crowd of people is to be expected. I don't know why, but I just get overwhelmed and a little too mentally competitive. However, when a deal stares you in the face like it did on Monday, I couldn't help but give in to a little bargain shopping. As I was heading to the checkout counters of Walmart from the magazine aisle, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a few racks of clothes that were $1. Usually I pass these by, but this rack was on the edge, and some cute-as-could-be tunics were hanging right there. So, I snatched two because I couldn't decide which color I liked best. Mom gets a little gift tomorrow night when I head down to Conway for the 3rd weekend in a row. (I should have taken these pictures on a solid background as they tend to blend in with my comforter.)

Just thought I would share. Have a great weekend!

Progress

Yep, B Dub is making progress. He/she is growing at a steady pace.

P.S. Notice the stroller in the background. Mom couldn't help but buy some baby gear this weekend at the overwhelming "baby superstore" Babies 'R Us. Wes has already been warned not to go with me to register there...it's too crazy. We walked in just wanting to see what it was all about and came out with a stroller and a box of 216 newborn diapers.

Just FYI...you will be seeing lots of posts/pictures in the next few weeks and months. My first of four trips in a row to Conway came last weekend. Easter and MIL's birthday this coming weekend. 3 wedding showers the next. 1 wedding and 1 wedding shower the next. Oh, and the next weekend...bridesmaid in a Dallas wedding. And after all of that...several new babies are going to be visited (I can't wait to meet Sarah, Dyer, and lots more in the coming months), some best friends are moving to Philly, so of course there will be a "Send-Off to Philly" party here, and three more bridesmaids dresses to be worn in June and July. What an absolutely fun spring and summer we have ahead of us. I just smile typing all of this up right now.

It's Here

Most things have gone as planned....some better, some worse. For example, the nursery closet and hall closet are already cleaned out and looking really good. However, the weather halted my good intentions for walking this weekend. I did some heel stretches once to try to make up for it. Ha!

One thing I learned over the weekend is how I'm really going to be needing a new wardrobe for this season of life. I bought lots of larger than usual sizes and some maternity clothes while shopping ALL day on Saturday. Then, when I got home yesterday, I reorganized my closet and placed all of my regular clothes that are just fitted right for pregnancy along with all of my maternity clothes in plain sight. Everything that is basically retired for a while has been put out of sight or in the very back of the rack. I feel good about it. I love spring cleaning and organizing. The rest of the week should go as planned. Here are some pictures from the wonderful weekend away...

Betsy, Kari, and me at Bob Evans before heading home on Monday.

Becca, Amy, and Leslie.

Our source of entertainment for the weekend...Samuel. I mean, look at that face.

Yeah, they had the bellies to try on with their clothes to see what you would look like in a few months...I've never seen anyone with a shelf like this.

And one more of Sam...at Pizza Hut in Eureka Springs on our way to the lake.

It's Coming

Yep, Spring Break is right around the corner, and even though it won't be as great as last year's trip to Denver/Aspen, it's going to be good.

What a WONDERFUL trip. Here I am walking the cute streets of Aspen at night.

The REAL reason we went to Colorado. To visit some of our incredible family!!

Here's my plan for Spring Break 2010:

Friday after school--Shout for excitement, get my bags, head out the door for the lake, let all of my school work and house work stay completely out of my mind for the next few days.

Saturday--Sleep in, which for me, means 8:00 if I can make it until then. Make a good breakfast, go for a walk, shower, a little outlet shopping, late afternoon snacking, a really good dinner with really good friends, card games and Scrabble, fall asleep before most of the crew.

Sunday--Sleep in again, maybe until 8:30 or 9:00. Go for a walk, shower, eat, maybe more shopping, more good food and fellowship with really good friends, another possible late night.

Monday--Sleep in, walk, shower, breakfast, head back to Bentonville. Begin to tackle future nursery closet.

Tuesday--Gym at 9:30 for some Body Pump, finish cleaning closet and rest of future nursery room.

Wednesday--Gym for Zumba, lunch with friends at Crumpet Tea Room, clean up my classroom.

Thursday--Gym for Body Pump, lunch with friends again please, finish cleaning any part of the house I want/need.

Friday--Gym for Zumba, head to Conway for the weekend, hit up some local favorite spots.

Saturday--Beth's shower in LR, Babies R Us and Pickles and Ice Cream with mom.

Sunday--Get ready for school and the rest of the semester fully rested and energized.

Ahhhh...I can't wait.

By the way, B Dub is the size of a peach this week. Cute, huh? He/she has vocal cords, is about 3 inches long and weighs right under an ounce.