Thursday all my work friends threw a dinner for Griffin, Xander, and I. For most of them this was the first time they met Griffin... now they know I didn't make him up. Haha. It was really sweet. They gave us two little Auburn hats, a gift card to Target, and a card that made me cry. I miss them very much, they were my Auburn family.
Week 30: My last week of work and the baby shower.
I don't think I have to fully explain how hard this week was for me. My love for children is pretty obvious, especially the ones I work with. I told my group of kids that I was leaving, but I didn't tell them when... not until the day came.
On Thursday Mrs. Williams (my boss) had bought a cake (chocolate icing on chocolate... woah, I get a sugar rush remembering it!) and put up a picture of me and my kids. I burst into tears, making some of the other girls cry too... Micah had to pull me into his arms and hold me and remind me how many "last days" he and I have had. Mrs. Williams was disappointed in me because I hadn't told the kids. So I wandered over to my group trying to think of a way to break the news. Two of my little boys started chasing eachother (a daily occurance) and I said "Kobe, Eli... not on my last day!" At that they stopped. All my kids just stared at me for a while. Kobe asked if it was time for me to go have my baby and I told him I was moving. The kids tried to convince me to stay, that I didn't have to move. When Kobe left he came and gave me a big hug... I told him I would really miss him and then I decided I couldn't do that with my kids anymore, because when he turned the corner I cried. I went straight to Birmingham after work that day and I cried for the first 30 minutes. It was so hard to leave them.
Sunday was my baby shower. We, Xander and I, got a lot of cool presents. I think that day was one of the days it really hit me that this is really happening.
This basket was filled with goodies from the Weeks. I can't wait to carry him around the house. =)
Aunt Carrie gave him a monogrammed gown, Griffin's favorite outfit of Xander's (the picture came out dark =/). She also gave us a book that will give Xander the gift of sleep and a schedule. =) I think it's worth more than gold!
This is a stroller caterpiller from MiMi. My mom gave me hospital/home clothes and Xander got this and a baby book.
This is THE diaper bag I wanted! This was from Auntie WaWo (Jenn)... along with a bunch of fun toys for Xander.
Week 31: Last week in Auburn and 4D-ultrasound re-check
Xander was a little more cooperative the second time. We got a chance to see more of his face.
I still believed that he looks just like Griffin... but just in case...
Week 32: The big move.
I moved back home with my parents on Tuesday. It was hard to leave Auburn, but this is what is best.
Week 33: Noah turned 2 and we went to see New Moon twice on it's opening weekend.
Noah turned 2 on Monday. I can't believe he is such a big boy. My sweet little nephew.
He came to MiMi and PaPa's house for cupcakes after we had pizza (his favorite dinner... then at least ;) ) at New York Pizza. He ate the icing and left the cake part.
Mom and I went to see New Moon on its opening day. I cried. The book was always the most real to me. The movie was MUCH better than Twilight. It was a whole lot closer to the book.
Saturday we (Mom, Dad, Granny, and I) went to Noah's birthday party in Tuscaloosa. Granny was such a good sport. Noah was REALLY excited about the cake, but not the singing. He loved his presents and wanted each one opened.
That night Carrie and I went to see New Moon. Even the toughest of critics enjoyed it. I ended up staying with them until Monday night. It was refreshing and I really enjoyed being with them.
Cute Kid Story: I asked Noah where Xander was. He gave me a "you-could-not-have-lost-him" look and softly patted my belly. When Carrie told her husband the story later, Noah said, "Want to touch Xander. Want to talk to Xander." So I waddled over to his high chair... He gently patted my belly and leaned down saying, "Want to play toys?" Carrie explained he would be very small when he came and that we'd have to be gentle with him at first... but that later he would run around MiMi's house with Noah and play toys. She asked him if he'd like that and he whispered, "Yes!"
Week 34: The Iron Bowl, Thanksgiving Saturday, and a really hard day.
Noah spent Friday morning here. I woke up early to see him, but fell asleep again and missed the majority of his visit... waking up just in time for the game. Oh what a game. I don't care that we lost... that was AMAZING. Those boys played their heart out and I am proud to be an Auburn Tiger. Aparently, according to Jenn, girls aren't supposed to yell at football on TV like I did during the game.
My sisters spent Thanksgiving at their in-laws, so the plan was to have Thanksgiving on Saturday so we could all be together. It was delicious. Mom cooked a turkey stuffed with stuffing (the Northern way ;) ), there was also homemade applesause (which Noah really liked), green bean casserole (Uncle JJ's and my favorite), mashed potatos with bacon and cheese, and much more...
That night I went in to give Granny some medicine and I told her about the day she had missed. We talked for a little while about other things... little did I know that was the last coherent conversation we'd have. =(
Bonnie Key died Sunday evening. I didn't believe my dad when he came out of her room and told us, I didn't believe it when the police and the paramedics came, I didn't believe it when we drove to Delta the next day. It was really hard. She wanted to go peacfully at home, and she did. We weren't ready to let her go though. My most selfish thought is that I really wanted her to meet my son, to hold him. No one knows a more amazing woman than my Granny. She was kind, patient, loving, devoted, silly, wise... the list would go on and this is already a long post. When I was little and got in trouble, I wanted Granny. I cried when we left her house. Her house was affectionatly known as Grannyland and I spent every spring break until 7th grade and many summer weeks there. I was lucky (and unlucky) to be the youngest grandchild... She left me at a younger age, but I got more alone time with her than anyone else. I got to spend the last month of her life with her. Sitting in her room together doing our puzzles, talking about Xander and Griffin, watching football... I will treasure my memories of her for the rest of my life, and I will strive to be half the woman she was, because even that would be amazing.
Week 35: Granny's funeral and the light.
This week was really hard. Most of it was spent in the Oxford/Anniston/Delta area with my parents and uncles. I was still in denial... when we saw her in for the first time she didn't look like herself so I allowed myself to stay in denial. We cleaned out her drawers and closets, I was still in denial. We talked about who wanted what "treasures" (mostly meaning what we tied with our memories of her and her house), and I didn't speak up (except for my brown towel, I HAD to have the brown towel she always sat out in front of the TV for me to eat on) because I was still in denial. The service was Wednsday, my family was there, my sisters in-laws were there, Mrs. Melanie came for me... but I was still in denial. That night Griffin drove out and got the chance to meet my dad's brothers and some of my cousins. I think it was really good for him to see the silly side of my dad and our family. But I still wasn't admitting the reason for the reunion. Mom took me home Thursday, aparently I was looking pretty worn out. It was coming home that pulled me out of denial. Granny wasn't there. She wasn't in her bed, or sitting in her chair. In the morning I couldn't hear her on the moniter as I walked downstairs for breakfast. The emptiness finally set in and I finally realized it wasn't just a bad dream after all. I mostly slept for the next three days.
Finally getting around to going to Lowe's for Xander's light fixture, PaPa came back with the perfect one. It's wonderful. It reminds me of Neverland.
Week 36: The start of the weekly doctor's appointments, Christmas shopping, and monogrammed goodies.
Monday I started my weekly appointments. I was really excited, even though he didn't examine me as I expected. We're getting close!
I finished my Christmas shopping, pretty much. All I have left is picking up Griffin's present and ordering Carrie's. It's a huge relief, because who knows... I might not get another chance!
Mom handmade some burp cloths and I had three monogrammed. I also had two gowns and a formal outfit monogrammed with his name. So cute.
This burp cloth is coming to the hospital. I'm packing my bag next week. Haha.
Yesterday, Xander "dropped" and became wide... so that's exciting! I can't wait for Monday!
It is beautiful. A wonderful labor of love that I am truely grateful for, and I'm sure some day Xander will be too. It is a forest on a light blue wall that she painted with stencils.
Mrs. Melanie bought a 4D-ultrasound session as a present, and out of curiosity ( ;) ). It was really cool, but Xander didn't cooperate well. He mostly kept his hands in his face, so we got to schedule a re-check.
I think he looks just like his daddy, his daddy thinks he looks just like me... I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Our wonderful driver... I know this picture really doesn't do him justice, I just think it is funny. "We can't take a picture now!" (we were stopped on College Street where he was letting us out).
Auntie J. Rae likes to give us lots of kisses. =) Tailgating was probably how I overdid it. We walked ALL OVER Auburn.
At the game we sat with Uncle Micah and his roommate Joe. They sit really close!
The end result (besides beating Mississippi State 49-24) was HUGE feet, HUGE ankles, HUGE hands, and a HUGE face. This Saturday I am going to the game with PaPa, but he and I won't be making so many tailgating stops.
I think this is his best profile picture. I know it is probably too soon to call, but i think he looks like his mom. =)
When the tech first put the wand to my tummy Xander kicked fiercly at it and refused to cooperate. This was one of the only shots she could get out of him, she even wiggled the wand... but he just wanted to "chill". Is it too early for him to have so much personality? He has always made the ultrasound techs laugh. Eventually he warmed up to the ultrasound. He showed off his "manliness" and even waved at us.
So, this to me this is his most prominent part (besides the inappropriate "thingy" that proves he is in fact a boy...). Xander is a big kicker! Actually, not just kicking. He does flips down my belly (thanks Griffin), wiggles all over when I'm stopped at a red light, and LOVES the Tiger Transit (he must be the only person in Auburn who does). He also loves the kids at work, he starts wiggling as soon as they come up and start talking to me. 
