Happy 1st Birthday, Baby!

GUESS WHAT???

Madison has reached a new milestone...She's going to be a big sister! (her shirt in the picture was mine that I wore when we brought home my sister from the hospital...24 years ago!)

Surprise doesn't even begin to describe what we felt. More like shock....and then complete overwhelming joy and thanks to God for this miracle. You see, we got pregnant naturally, with no infertility help! At one time, we were told we had less than a 5 % chance of obtaining a pregnancy on our own. In the last 5 months, we tried two minor infertility procedures that were not successful. Then, a week after we move to Beaumont, we got pregnant. We are so excited. We are due January 23.

Because of our complicated pregnancy with Madison, my OB is also having me see a Perinatologist in Houston regularly. I've already had several ultrasounds and the baby appears very healthy so far. We are excited, but naturally a little (ok, more than a little) nervous. But God has been so faithful to us and we will trust and walk with Him.

Please pray for us this Thursday. I'll have a minor surgery that afternoon to ensure the baby stays in the uterus. However, there is risk (as we've been told several times) that if membranes are hit, it will result in spontaneous abortion. But, the risks of losing the baby later are much greater if I don't have this surgery done. So, if you will, please pray for us and I'll update y'all on Friday.

In addition to this post, I want to write a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin Nicole and her husband Pat on the birth of their precious baby girl, Averie Elizabeth. She was born on 6/22, weighing 7 lbs 14 oz and 21" long! We love you!

Happy 1st Birthday, Madison!

Happy Birthday!

Madison in her special birthday dress with balloons and her monogram and a special birthday bow to match!
Time to undress, blow out the candle, and eat the cake!
Mmm, Yum!
Some of the party decorations

We excitedly celebrated Madison's first birthday while at the beach. She had a Baby Einstein themed party and especially liked her presents and cake!

Our Beach Trip

I love it here!

Wrightsville Beach, NC: in front of the sand dunes EARLY one morning...because someone woke up extra early...

All nice and clean from a day on the beach

A pool just my size!

Having fun at Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC

Family pic
Would play in the sand, and especially the ocean, all day if she could!

We had a great time at the beach last week! It was SO wonderful to get out of town and relax. First, we drove to Houston to spend the night at a hotel near the airport. We caught an early morning flight to Wilmington, NC. We then rented a car (and rented a car seat - you can rent any kind of baby equipment, food, diapers, etc. from many companies these days that drop them off where you need them!) and drove to Wrightsville Beach, NC for Elam and Brynn's wedding.

All of the groomsmen (which included Mark) and their spouses/sig others stayed in a house on the beach. There was one other couple there with a baby. It was a very hectic weekend, juggling wedding activities and a baby - all by myself - because Mark was MIA with his friends hanging out and doing the necessary wedding stuff. We will only do it again if we have someone to watch our child! It was just too much. Anyhow, we did secure babysitters Fri and Sat evenings for a bit, which was nice. The rehearsal dinner was at a resort on the beach. The food was amazing, beautiful decorations, and a steel drum band to match. The wedding was gorgeous. The bride walked down the aisle to an amazing accoustic version of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" - it was so cool.

Sunday afternoon (6/15), Mark, Madison and I drove down to Myrtle Beach, SC and hung out at Barefoot Landing and then Broadway at the Beach. Madison loved eating at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant - so much to look at! We then met Mark's family at their house on Litchfield Beach. It is so beautiful there and we love going! We had great weather most of the time. I have to say, it is VERY different going on "vacation" with a child. We actually wouldn't call it a "vacation". :) Needless to say, I didn't come back with the fabulous tan I had wished for. But, Madison had a blast (and we enjoyed it, too) in the sand and on the water. She constantly wanted to be in the ocean and was not scared at all!

We celebrated Madison's one year old birthday (pics to come in another posting) on Friday with a Baby Einstein themed party. We can't believe she is ONE now already. We sadly left to come home on Saturday afternoon...and arrived home around 1 am the next day!

You can see more pics of our vacation here.

Mommy and Maddy

Aw, she's my little buddy

Yay! We found a playground with baby swings!
Every morning, Tyson comes with me to get Madison out of bed. He sits with me on the same chair to feed Madison breakfast (and every mealtime thereafter)...hoping to get some himself? Then, Madison "plays" with him. He's a great sport and lets her grab him, etc.
Hmm, I don't know about this slide yet.

I'm stuck...this happens on a daily basis. She's been known to do flips over toys, chairs, etc. And rarely cries!

Early birthday celebration

Think I'm wearing enough frosting... Okay, time for bath!
Tearing into the cupcake...before we could even start singing.

Not wanting to sit still for mommy's picture
Hehehe...I know I look pretty in my new birthday outfit.
Swimming with Hayden
Opening shower gifts
Yipee, this is fun!

We had a great weekend with some of our friends from Katy! We only had two days, so we plan on going back next month for a longer time. It was so nice to catch up with our old friends. We stayed overnight with Mark, Tana and Hayden. We swam, shopped, and played. Oh, and we ate fabulous food all weekend! I mean, crawfish fettucini, steaks, quesadillas, etc. So yummy. Anyhow, on Saturday night, we went to the Wittens house to get together with them, the Tuckers, the Carters, and the Quinlans. The kids played and played. Since Mark and I won't be able to attend their joint showers (yes, three of the ladies are due within a month of each other), we celebrated early with gifts.

And, since Hayden and Madison's birthdays are only a couple weeks apart (Hayden will turn 2 and Madison will turn 1), we celebrated today with cupcakes with hot pink icing. Madison tore into hers before we could even sing "Happy Birthday". It was all over her face, legs and tummy. Then she decided to sit in it.