Happy Easter 2009! Baby's First Easter!!!

Well, Gracelee's first Easter was awesome! Since we are still on house arrest, family decided to come to us... it was very nice! Everyone brought food, which always makes a holiday event even more special! We missed the family that could not be with us to celebrate, but we will see everyone VERY soon!

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Of course, Easter is not complete without momma's bunny cake, and this year Keila (Aunt Keke) made one too! They were both exquisite! We also had a lemon pie dessert that Lessie made that was incredible too!

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Anyone notice that I started with dessert?!?!?!?! = )

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Along with a honey baked ham and roasted turkey, we enjoyed the fine culinary expertise of our mothers and sisters with foods like German Potato Salad, Green bean salad with feta cheese and toasted walnuts, carrot slaw, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and green bean/ corn casserole... we also indulged in homemade cheddar cheese biscuits that were divine! The spread was incredible, and it really made Justin and I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family that didn't mind providing such a feast AND bringing it to us! WOW!! Thank you to everyone who made that possible and we love you all very much!

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Now on to more pictures...

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The new family

... wait... we forgot Lady... she loves the camera! = )

Grammy and Nini

Pawpaw, Grandma, Uncle B, Uncle Buddy, Aunt Keke, and Great Pawpaw

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And now for the Easter photo shoot that she will either love or get really mad at me for later as she gets older... Sorry Baby Girl, Mommy just loves to make over you and you are so precious that I want to remember every little second I have with you! You grow up so fast, and I want to remember you little, AND watch you grow into the beautiful, kind, graceful, and God- fearing woman we KNOW you are going to be!

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Easter Smile

Bunny Bottom

Daddy's Girl

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It is hard work being this cute! Here are my sleepy time pictures for Easter!

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Happy Easter 1

Happy Easter 2

and Mommy's favorite... Happy Easter 3!

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We hope everyone had a Blessed and restful Easter weekend. He is Risen, and we are saved! That is the Good News!

Love and God Bless!

Some Gracelee outfits

The fun has only just begun! She already has so many clothes... Easter we are having a photo shoot... those pictures are coming! Until then, here are some of my favorites!

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Grandma's Little Doll with her white warm up pants

She is stylin' and cool, with her hand in her pocket!

Her "Beautiful" Blue outfit with stylish head band

Her duckie outfit that daddy picked out for her is so precious and sweet

and we have to put the daddy love picture!!!

Out of Town Guests

Justin's aunt and Nini made a visit to see Miss Gracelee this week! It was so great to see them both!!! Justin and I know it is hard to travel, and we appreciate it more than words can say! We have great family... it is so nice to be able to rely on the ones you love for support and advice! It was also nice to see Justin's aunt Cissy (or "G" Cissy for Miss Gracelee) because my Labor nurse reminded me of her... I was so comforted by that! I will have to borrow some pictures from Lessie or Amanda because most of mine from that evening were blurry... darn it! Anyway, here are a couple that came out okay...

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Nini meets Gracelee

Generations... look at that happy daddy!!!!!

My first Binki

Yes... I am a great baby!!! Yes... I am well mannered and I have a great temperament!!! All of this is true and when 11:30 pm to 1:00 am roll around each night, I get a little bit antsy... just a little bit! Grandma was nice enough to buy me some binkies that are perfect for my age and mouth because I still get breast milk and I don't want to get confused. The binki is great and I don't need it all the time, nor do I want it all the time! It is a perfect solution when I am full, dry, and just plain tired! I love my binki!!!

Some Gracelee faces

The Thinker

The Smile

The Sleeping like an Angel

Asleep not dead

Silly Kitty...

One Week

Well we are one week in, and could not be more in love!!! Gracelee is everything and God made her so perfect! We have had so many visitors that this was my first opportunity to blog about her, and I am happy to be back! I am ready to figure out my routine with Gracelee and really start to know my daughter! We miss Justin as he has headed back to work this week... Gracelee already has her daddy's heart and he is definitely around her little finger. We have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to see how she is adjusting to this world. As for today, I have not put her down more than a minute to use the restroom... but who can blame me??? I prayed so hard for this child, and here she is... I am going to cherish EVERY second with her that I can! Until wednesday, here are some updated pictures!

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Asleep on Grandma's shoulder

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Ready for her first car trip home

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One of many photo shoot sessions

Thank you for your continued prayers, as we are still trying to figure out this parenting thing!! It is mostly about love which we are great at... It is the other part that we need much guidance! Love to everyone!!!

Granddads, Uncles, and a couple of Aunts

Kinda a self explanitory post. People who aren't Grandma (A.K.A. Hooray Pictures).

The Arrival of an Angel

So at 12:49 pm this afternoon mine and Tiffany's lives were changed forever. A 7 pound 11 ounce bundle of wonder named Gracelee Sutherland came into our life. I speak for both of us when i say We are in love. If you haven't immediately scrolled down to the pictures here they are for you to fall in love with as well.

Introducing Gracelee Sutherland

I'm so proud of Tiffany

Let the Spoiling begin

Oh but wait there's more spoiling to come

The Calm Before (and After) the Storm

So we are trucking along and tiff is begin the strong woman I know she is. We now have an epidural and Tiff is in a much better place. Tiffany is making progress and the Doctor is in. I've added some pictures of us in the room with family. Gracelee is coming soon.

Tiff, Lessie, and Mrs.B

Look into the future and you can see 3 Generations in this picture.

Jimmy in his pink shirt showing Gracelee support.

And... Here... We... Go...

So my this is my first foray into this whole blogging thing, normally Tiff takes the reigns on this thing. It only took my wife being in a hospital bed and surgical gown to get me behind the keyboard. So that being said, Hi this is Justin. We are officially checked into the hospital and Tiff is going through the whole rigmarole getting hooked into the system (I'm pretty sure one of these things can read her mind). At any rate we are here and we are ready and rarin. I'll try and find a picture that is up to the high standards my wife has set for the next entry. Good Night, we are going to give sleep our best shot.

On Our Way...

All we need is a little Girl...

So with only one more day before we bring home our princess, we took some pictures of her empty room all decorated and waiting for her. It is sort of a virtual tour, pretend to turn to the right as the pictures scroll. The only thing that does not pop in the pictures are the sparkles on the wall. The top coat of paint is glittery... you will have to see it when you visit!!

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Hanging on the door is her Princess Pillow from Nini

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As you open the door this is what you see...

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First let's start to the left, you will see a hand crafted bow holder that my Auntie made for Miss Gracelee... we love it!

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And then the completed Hutch with her changing pad and ALL of her stuffed animals...

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Another turn, next to our crib is our first Etsy.com purchase... A rustic pink and chocolate cross

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This is her tulle tutu valence window treatment with added flair (Boa!)...

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And on the right side of the crib, I hope, will be her motto...

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Another turn to the right, the closet...

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And then the last turn brings us to her rocker...

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We also added flair to her fan, since we cannot have a chandelier because the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a fan to prevent SIDS.

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And then only a part of her wardrobe!!!!

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And of course the inspiration for it all...

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So we are set! We put the co- sleeper together and it is next to the bed in the master, also. Tonight we are going to stay low key and tomorrow, we are going to wake up when we want, eat L- inner (the meal between lunch and dinner... Justin calls it "Dunch") at my mom's because a girl needs her momma when she is nervous, about to have a baby... and then we will head to the hospital. We have our computer, ready to update as necessary. We will probably have our little Gracelee by Monday evening. Please pray for us in our newest endeavor! Both of us are ecstatic and terrified all at once!

3 More days!

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I am getting more and more anxious! I really, really wish she would come on her own! I was even doing walking lunges in the hallway today at work! Anyway, Sunday is the magic induction day... I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 4 pm... I will update again when we find something out! Love to everybody and thank you for your prayers!

6 more days!

We are anxiously expecting little Gracelee... in case you couldn't tell! = )

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It is really fun to think that NEXT MONDAY I will have a daughter! Oh my! I cannot even imagine!!! In these last few days of not having such a phenomenal responsibility, I am really going to try to rest! I am so appreciative of the nice emails and the gracious prayers!!! Justin and I are prepared... I think... well, I guess as much as we can be! I will keep everyone updated, and Friday will be another doctor's appointment at 4pm. When we go to the hospital, Justin will take a computer and do his best to show pictures and keep everyone updated!

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Until then, love and God Bless, and please pray for me at work this week. I am really nervous about my patience level... or lack there of!

Gracelee Countdown Continues... but only 7 more days!

Just an update:

Doctor appointment yesterday. No progress. My body likes having her inside, I guess. A little disappointing, but it is better to go with God's plan than my own. With that in mind, though, next Sunday, March 29th, is a scheduled induction day per doctor's order... this is, of course, unless Miss Gracelee decides otherwise. I have to watch my blood pressure this week, and if it goes up at all the game plan changes and we have her immediately. I have significant swelling, and if my blood pressure goes up, then it becomes a health issue. We had the opportunity to have her tomorrow, but the chance for C- section was 40%... and I sort of want to try and do it on my own. What does it feel like to go into labor? I am pretty sure I will get the epidural soon there after, but I really want to know what it feels like to start. Weird?!?!?!?! 

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Anyway, just prayers for a smooth week. I have to go back to work, which I wasn't planning on doing, but it is better for our family in the long run. It is definitely hard to work with elementary children and be 9... no 10 months pregnant! 40 weeks on Monday! Yikes!!!!!!

Texas beauty!

 

Isn't Texas Beautiful!!!!!

4 Mile Hike!

 Yes... you read correctly! 4 miles yesterday! Gonna try for 2 today!

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Momma says she has done her part to try and get Gracelee to come... only problem is, I think Gracelee is content where she is for another week! I am content to wait on her too! I just really want her to be healthy! So anyway, Lady and I joined TJ, Jimmy, Momma, and Max for a hike around Brazos Bend State Park... home of the American Alligator!

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The day was perfect... the weather was fabulous... the only thing missing was my sweet husband. Spring Break is wonderful! I forgot how much fun it was! Summer is going to be great too! Of course, little Gracelee will be here by then, making it more fun!!!! I did buy a new bathing suit for her too! Pink and brown leopard print with a hat... I cannot wait to put her in it!

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Here are the pictures for proof that I went on the hike! We finished the evening with great Mexican food from Gringo's... best prices in town! Anyway, since I didn't go into labor, I am going to go out on a limb and say the wives' tales about Mexican (fresh and pickled jalepenos) food and walking a long way are just that... TALES!!!! Oh well... like I said before, we don't mind waiting!