Kingsport Baby Shower

Planning for having a baby is a thrilling yet overwhelming process in so many ways, and any expression of support in this process blesses us beyond words. This past weekend our friends and family in Kingsport showered us with affirmation through their encouragement and through their generous presents.  Here are some pictures of this wonderful weekend.

These are the lovely hostess of my baby shower!
(From Left to Right) Vicki Kalonick, Julie Tidwell, Mary Watts, Jeanne Peal
Me, Carol Schlather, and Beth Lee
*Not in the picture (Susan Hoover and Robyn Wilson)

My best friend from High School Carrie Groseclose came
all the way from Knoxville just for my shower!

I got a lot of wonderful gifts but none as special as this
handmade play quilt from my mom.
Benjamin will have so much fun having this as he grows up!
Thanks mom!

This was a handmade folding rocking chair - what a neat gift!

My sister-in-law Brandy and my mom making a heart over Benjamin.

Brandy made this cute sailboat with Benjamin's name on it.
I want to use this on my door at the hospital!

This is my 29 week picture
(sorry I could not find a squash to hold)

Teacup Candles

How-to:
Home-Made Hostess Gifts
Teacup Candles

I went to a local antique store and found several sets of unique tea cups

Hot glue the candle wick to the bottom of the teapot so it will stick
(Do this before melting the wax so it will have time to set)

Bring water to a boil then let it simmer

Place 1lb of soy wax chips in another pot on top of the simmering water to melt

Keep stirring the wax until it is melted at 180 degrees

Take off the stove and let it cool to 130 degrees before adding the fragrance or dye.

Pour the soy wax into the teacup once its 125 degrees
Let it sit and cool overnight


Finished product!

From Cat Room to Office

This was the "cat room" - it was an odd space off our dining room that was an eye sore...but Marley liked it.
It has also served as Frank's bike storage in the past.

My dad and Frank spent a Saturday taking off the plaster down to the studs.

Then our friend Josh helped put in new plumbing for the washer/dryer on the other side of the wall.

See the awful glass... provided ZERO insulation

This is after Frank spent a whole Saturday (on his own) taking down the exterior wall and putting up the new frame. Oh yeah, it was 100 + degrees that day.

Frank is my hero!

Frank raised the floor to the level of the rest of the house

Then installed hard wood flooring.

Looking better...

Walls are painted and Marley moved back in for a short time (since we had guests over for dinner)

Almost finished product! Frank installed the trim and now just needs to stain the door and windows.

My new office storage

And my desk makes the office complete!

Sneek Peek of Benjamin - 27w 4d

We went for our 4D Ultrasound today - Benjamin is healthy and doing very well.

2lbs 7oz

This is Benjamin's sweet face.

We were unable to get a full frontal picture because he was very comfortable facing my back...with some help of the ultrasound tech we were able to get this photo. Still trying to figure out whose nose he has : )

Look at his little feet! Soon enough we will be hearing the pitter patter of his little feet in our house.

We caught a smile : )

1st and 2nd Trimester (Continued)

Father's Day 2011: I gave Frank a "Daddy Diaper Tool Kit"

This is the armoire we bought off craigslist for Benjamin's wardrobe.

I made Benjamin a pair of moccasins just like Frank's : )

This is the bedding for the crib found at Pottery Barn Outlet

This is the first burp cloth I made with my new sewing machine - (Thanks mom!)

This is a binky clip I made - looks like my sewing skills are getting better : )

1st and 2nd Trimesters

Positive Pregnancy test at 3:45am on March 27th

The morning I found out I was pregnant I wrote it on a rock for our jar of "Stones of Rememberance".

I showed Frank the rock to tell him we were pregnant!

Week 7: Blueberry

Week 8: Rasberry

Week 13: Peach

Week 15: Orange

                                                                    Week 17: Onion

No that's not for real.

My mom took me maternity clothes shopping and I strapped on the 7th month belly

while I was trying on clothes. We'll see how accurate it is : )

Mother's Day 2011:

We announced to all our family and friends that we were pregnant.

 It was a special day!

I made these pins for my mom and Frank's mom to wear on Mother's Day

to announce to their friends about the big news.

18 Week Ultrasound...It's a BOY!

Muddy's Cupcake after finding out we were having a boy!

Benjamin Warren Roberts

I posted this picture on facebook to announce the gender

Week 20: Cantaloupe

Week 22: Frank and I took a trip to Chicago for our 5 year Anniversary and Babymoon.

Sears Tower sky deck and Blue Man Group (Pictures below)

Week 25: Trip to the Lake with our class (could not find a papaya anywhere in Memphis)

Yes - that's me and Benjamin riding on a tube...but it was going very slowly : )