frozen on ice!

Frozen has been all the rage around here lately, and we saw that there was a show in Nashville the first weekend of Fall Break.  We decided that would be an awesome mini-vacation for us, so we went :)  We ate at Margaritaville after checking into our hotel and then went to the show.  Since the boys didn't want to go with us, they went out and saw the town.  We didn't see them until much later in the night.  The next day, we went to the Nashville Zoo.  It was awesome!  I loved seeing another zoo besides the Louisville Zoo and their exhibits were really interesting.  What a great start to our two week break!

Ellie was ready to go!

The girls' first taxi ride

Waiting for the show... see that light saber thing?  That is why Amie didn't see over half the show... Ellie sat on her lap and just had that thing going the whole time.  Good thing Amie loves her so much.

Loving the Frozen on Ice!

The next day, just hanging out at the hotel after breakfast.

Nashville Zoo with the beautiful flamingoes!

This train ride.  It took you around a microscopic circle.  The girls loved it though.

Someone had a great time!

Our First Two Christmas Celebrations!

On Saturday, December 10th, the Kane and Lawrence families (along with the Murrells later) got together for what we hope to become our annual Christmas cookie extravaganza/Christmas celebration.  Although Amie and I see each other almost every day, the weeks leading up to the holidays are crazy busy for both of us, and we are usually too busy to just enjoy time together.  Since the IU/UK (Go Hoosiers!) game was on that night, the boys had plenty to keep them occupied while we were baking away.  Cammie got to check out Eliot's tricycle and rocking horse, while playing with her Rockin' Mickey that we got her.  I love how she loves that mouse just as much as I do :)  Ellie (although we didn't know it was an Ellie at the time) got the sweetest gift from Camryn Marie (although I know her mommy played a big role in it :))... it was a basket filled with all of the things that Cammie loved when she was a "baby" and that she wanted Ellie to have.  In the basket were:  Sandra Boynton bathtime books, a package of Nuxy's, her favorite blanket in chocolate brown (the one that she can't live without), the famous Mickey Mouse CD, a bar that goes on the car seat, the I Love Puppies book, and a picture and frame of me and Amie from our October photo shoot.  It was such a thoughful gift, and brings tears to my eyes to realize that this time next year, our two little munchkins will be roaming around the house together at Christmas (well, Cammie running and Ellie maybe crawling or rolling :)). 

We also celebrated Christmas with Nick's immediate family on Saturday, December 17th.  We always do Christmas the Saturday before with his family, and it is just a great time to sit down with the six of us (and Sasha, Brandon and Amy's boxer :)).  Sasha and Penny don't get along too well, and since P got to come to Christmas last year, we let Sasha have a turn this year.  Penny still came away with a lot of loot, though :)
Eliot was not left out of this celebration, either.  She got her first Build-a-Bear from Aunt A and Uncle B, which was a puppy named Scruffy (too precious), a few outfits from Mamaw and Papaw Lawrence, a recordable storybook from Mamaw (which had us all in tears with the message she wrote to Eliot),  a few outfits from Aunt Amy and Uncle Brandon, and sweet little bows to match from Sasha.  I don't think she will be spoiled or anything ;)

Think PINK!!!

Okay, so I might be the world's worst guesser when it comes to baby gender.  I just KNEW Cammie Marie was going to be a boy, and I felt the same about this little one.  However, when the ultrasound tech. stated calmly, "Female,"  I was as shocked as anyone.  Emotions overwhelmed me for sure.  I hadn't cried yet over this baby in the doctor's office, but hearing those words and seeing that precious baby on the screen made everything SO real.  I cannot begin to describe how blessed we are as a family.  Everything is measuring perfectly, with a heartbeat of 152 beats per minutes and her weight being in the 47th percentile, which is right on for my due date of May 8th. 

This little one already has a name:  Eliot Ann.  We both love the name Eliot for a girl, with her nickname being Ellie.  Litttle Ellie already has taken over her mom and dad's hearts for sure :) 

Just a little longer...

Until we find out just who Baby Lawrence will be!  Monday, the 12th is our exact date at 1:30.  My mom and Nick's mom will be joining us.  I am so blessed to have a mom and a mother-in-law who are both so excited about this pregnancy.  Nick and I discuss a lot who we think will be joining our family, and I am still predicting a boy.  However, when Amie was pregnant with Cammie, I could have sworn she was having a boy too, so guessing at baby's gender isn't my forte.  I say it all the time, but for this to be the biggest event in my life, I have never cared about something so little (the gender, that is :)).  I know whether it be a boy or a girl, our lives will be enriched because of it.  I can't wait to finally see this precious little one with an actual picture! 

We have both a boy name and a girl name picked out.  Nick and I came to an agreeance fairly quickly on both, which is typical for us.  Although in the past few weeks he has really been liking another girl name, but I still LOVE our first choice, so we will probably stick with that :)  Hopefully Baby L. won't be stubborn and we can see who they are.  That is a big fear of mine now, probably because I have looked forward to this day for a long time.  Such exciting things going on lately!

'Tis the Season

I am feeling very thankful for many things lately, which is why I love this time of the year so much.  While trying to keep a positive attitude about most things, it isn't always easy with so many places tugging at my heart.  It seems the past few weeks have been the utmost craziest, with hardly any time to breathe or to enjoy life much.  Today was a little different, making me slow down and realize what this season is always about.  Here is my list this year:

Baby Lawrence:  Who knew you could love someone so much when they are the just the size of a lemon?  I find myself getting emotional lateley (especially when praying) because I think that it is so neat that the only person who knows what Baby Lawrence is going to be is God.  He knew this little person when he created him/her and already knows so much about him/her.  It is overwhelming to think about how much love this tiny little creature has already received from friends and family members. I know that this time next year will be so extremely wonderful, being able to share our first holiday season together. 

Nick:  While I can give him a hard time sometimes, I don't know of another person who could put up with me all of the time and have a good time doing it.  He always puts me first, which is such an amazing trait.  Some of my favorite moments in life are simply doing nothing together.  I don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing person, but I sure am thankful :)

The Kane Family:  I can't imagine my life without them.  It is funny how God puts different people in your life for a reason, and He knew that I needed a true best friend.  Not many people have what Amie and I have, and I treasure that so very much.  I look up to her so much as a mom, and have so much to learn from her in the next year.  She is such a wonderful mom to our precious Cammie, who I love dearly.  Just thinking about the day she was born can bring tears to my eyes at any moment.  Seeing her grow so much every day brightens up my world :)

Penny Layne Lawrence:  Our first baby, the one who has gotten all of our attention for the past two and a half years.  I know she is going to be such a great big sister to our little one soon. 

Amazing Parents, Grandparents, and In-Laws:  I don't know how I am so lucky to have two amazing parents and four amazing grandparents.  I am blessed by their big hearts and excitedness over our newest addition.  Nick's parents are no exception to this, either.  They are so wonderful to us with every step in our lives, and for that I am extremely thankful. 

Family: The rest of our family is magnificent.  This kiddo is going to have some amazing aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins.  The holiday season is wonderful because we get to see and spend time with some of them!

Wilson: Although this place can cause a little bit of stress at times, I wouldn't choose to work anywhere else.  I am so blessed to have a job in a place where kids are truly cared about, and co-workers are wonderful.  I have met so many great children over the past few years, and hope to stay there for a long time. 

Faith:  I have been a pretty religious person throughout my life, but have found myself praying a lot more lately... wonder why?! :)  This tiny little miracle growing and expanding inside of me has made me slow down (just a tad) at times for their sake and for mine.  For that, I am grateful.  While I am nowhere near where I would like to be in my walk with Him (is it ever enough?), I am trying hard to be the person that He wants me to be, whether it be at home, school, or church. 

A Comfortable Life:  I have been so blessed in life.  God has enabled me to use my talents to complete a job that I love, created a husband who provides for me, and a beautiful house to where I can call home.  While I try not to take these creature comforts for granted, it can be too easy at times to get so busy and not to acknowledge them.

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving week! 

There's Really a Baby in There!

Today, I had my first prenatal visit with Dr. Wright.  It felt like it took forever to get here since I first called them with a positive pregnancy test!  I absolutely love him and the people in the practice and can't think of a better place to take care of me and Baby L.  Amie had him for her doctor as well, and he delivered our sweet Cammie girl, so I know I am in the right hands.  I knew there was a chance of hearing the heartbeat today, and after a few moments, we did!  It was by far the most amazing sound I have ever heard in my life.  Dr. Wright actually had a student doctor shadowing him, and it was her first usage of the doppler on a real patient.  We were all thrilled that she found it so quickly.  The look on N's face was priceless.  Although we both knew I was pregnant, it was really reassuring to hear that precious sound.  I am measuring 10 weeks, 3 days, with a due date of May 8, 2012.  He assured me that everything was extremely normal and I was a very healthy pregnant lady :)  That always makes a girl feel good. 

To celebrate (or not, Amie and I already had this trip planned :)), we headed up to the outlet malls after I ditched my husband so that he could go off to work.  I know I can't buy much right now as I will be expanding out soon, but I did buy a pair of jeans that will hopefully last for a month, and a few shirts.  These will also be the jeans that I will be into next fall :)  Everyone needs a pair of "goal" jeans, right?!?!  All in all, it has been a wonderful break so far!

A Little Spoiled?

I have to laugh at this one a little bit.  Our little bean is the size of a kumquat this week (which prompted me to Google image kumquat), and has already received their first tricycle.  It is a red Schwinn low-rider with leather streamers coming from the handlebars.  It was supposed to be a part of our Christmas presents, but Nick's mom and dad couldn't wait to give it to us.  They have also gotten many loving cards and well-wishes from family and friends, as well as their first UofL onesie and booties.  I can only imagine what will happen when we found out who will be joining our family in a few months.  Amie and I have both had BOY dreams... will we be seeing blue in the Lawrence household soon?!?! :)

Crazy Dreams!

I have had some crazy dreams in the past few weeks.  I know this is a "symptom" of pregnancy, but some of this stuff has really freaked me out.  The first dream happened a few weeks ago.  Nick and I were staying at the Galt House for one reason or another.  Chris, Amie, and Camryn had come over and joined us.  All of a sudden, we got a creepy phone call telling us to go to the common area and not to touch anything.  Well, Camryn had other plans and started opening all of the doors (which has been a recent phenomenon in her life).  The people that were holding us captive happened to be aliens from another planet.  Since Camryn was being so active, they decided to let the Kane Family go home.  Nick and I were another story.  They were trying to turn the Galt House into a rocket ship, but their button was broken.  While they were tryingi to figure things out, Nick and I went back up to our room.  Not soon after, we got the same creepy phone call again telling us to get to a common area immediately.  I woke up covered in sweat.  I thought for sure we were on our way to another planet :)

The next dream happened last week.  I dreamed that it was a boy (which made Nick extremely happy :)), but that when I gave birth to him, he was about five years old.  All I wanted to do was to cradle him, and he wanted nothing to do with me.  He was just walking around the delivery room like any normal five year old would do.  That one actually made me laugh when I woke up from it.  Crazy baby dreams.  I am just happy that I remembered both of them long enough to write them down!

Baby Lawrence!

I wanted to start this blog to primarily remember things about this most special time in our lives:  our first baby!

We are so very excited, and get even more excited with each and every passing day.  We don't go to the doctor until Fall Break (which we are eagerly anticipating), but have been extremely blessed thus far. 

We found out on September 2nd, a Friday.  This was also the beginning of Labor Day weekend, and my favorite "niece"'s first birthday party!  I didn't want to take anything away from Cammie's big day, so I waited to tell my bestest friend in the whole world until Tuesday.  I still don't know how I managed :)  Of course Camryn was the first person to know.  Baby Lawrence sent her a thank you card for inviting them to her first birthday party, and inviting Cammie to their party on or around May 9, 2012!  I don't think it registered with Amie at first :)

The rest of our family was told the exciting news within the next few days, and against our wishes, could not keep it in.  I am pretty sure that my mom's whole school knew by 8:00 the next day!  This kiddo is already so blessed in so many ways, and it loved by so many people.  This is the first grandbaby on both sides, and the first great-grandbaby on two sides.  Talk about spoiled!

I have been feeling great, albeit tired.  The beginning of school is crazy enough, but throwing a pregnancy into the mix has worn me out!  I am also taking two classes at IUS right now, so extra rest isn't in the vocabulary at the moment :)  I have had some back soreness primarily and a bit of nausea here and there; I'll take it compared to some other expecting mommas!  We are just going to keep praying that everything stays great.  We are very blessed people in so many ways and are extremely thankful :)