Daufuskie Island, SC

Bret Hightower was nice enough to plan a long weekend on Daufuskie Island for me and Ben as well as Sarah, John and Lauren. John, Bret and Ben all attended Colorado State together. In fact, John and Bret were both in our wedding. Bret's parents have a house on Daufuskie and Ben and I have visited several times--such a cool spot! For those of you unfamiliar with Daufuskie, it's a small island sandwiched in between Savannah and Hilton Head. You have to take a ferry or water taxi to get to the island and once there, everyone cruises around on golf carts. It's paradise! The golfing is great and the houses are gorgeous. We spent our nights on Hilton Head in Harbor Town and our days on Daufuskie hanging out with Bret's sister and her hubby and their two adorable tots. Plus, Matthew was in town all the way from Steamboat Springs, CO! Bret's parents are wonderful hosts and treated us to some great meals while we were visiting. The weather was kind of craptacular, but we had a fabulous time anyway!
Lauren and John (all the way from Denver) enjoying the night life on Hilton Head.

Daufuskie wildlife--watch your step!

Hailey Robb gets a head start on dessert--Grandy's key lime pie. Yummy!

Darcy and Larry Hightower fed the entire gang delicious enchiladas and tacos at their house.

Our last vacation before Emery arrives.

Hailey and her "Uncle Bwet."

Playing shuffle board at The Lodge on HHI. I felt kind of weird being so huge and pregnant while at a bar. But it's water in my cup, I swear!

Golf cart driving at night.....facing backwards.

The crew at the Calibogue Club for dinner: me, Ben, Matt, Carley, Jeremy, Bret, Sarah, Lauren and John.

Ben, Hailey and Uncle Matthew

Austin gets to grow old on Daufuskie--lucky dog!

All of the rainfall wreaked havoc on the unpaved cart paths. And of course we were dumb enough to try to get through.

The back of my favorite house on the island.....I wonder who lives there. I want to see inside this place so badly!

Heading out to play golf in the rain.

CSU Rams!

I think we're ready for you, Emmy Cate! Join us, won't you?

The nesting that takes place during the last phase of pregnancy is quite remarkable. Even though I am hardly sleeping (adrenalin, excitement, discomfort, etc.), I am rarely tired. I just nest and nest and nest! I have been a maniac the past few days with getting everything 100% ready for Emery's homecoming. Poor Ben is being dragged into this with me as I need his help with a lot of the tasks, such as assembling stuff or mounting things. We spent last night assembling the Pack N' Play and swing and I've done probably eight loads of laundry and organized my brains out. Emmy's armoire is stocked and ready to go--everything is washed and hanging from left to right by size. All her drawers are stuffed with freshly washed booties, hats, blankets, towels, washcloths, burp cloths and bibs. She has diapers and wipes and clean sheets. All I have left to do is to pack our bags for the hospital and Ben has to install the carseat. But first I have to decide which adorable outfit Emery should wear for her going home celebration! I know I've posted pictures of the nursery before, but I am adding a few more now that we are totally done.

**The super cute Moses basket has been moved to the closet. I'm so sad to hide it, but Atticus refused to believe that it was not a cat bed for him. Now that all the linens have been washed, Atty is no longer allowed to sleep in it. Poor guy--the first of many adjustments he and Maddux are going to have to make in the coming months.

Look at all those shoes! Like mother, like daughter. I realize that this is nothing to brag about, but I did not duplicate outfits during an entire school year in high school. (Having a twin sister helped greatly with that task). I think I will be able to do the same with Emery's wardrobe as this isn't even all of them--some bigger sizes were moved to the closet to make room for all the stuff she will be able to fit into right away.

She has a hooded towel for every day of the week.

Pink rugs were added to what used to be the guest bathroom in honor of Emery.

She's stocked with toys, body wash and shampoo.

Baby Shower #2

After the wonderful Saturday afternoon spent in Atlanta with my friends, my family and I drove up to Greenville for another shower Sunday afternoon. My good friends, Ashley and Katie, hosted a dessert shower at Ashley's house and it was incredible. Ashley's house is exquisite and the desserts were equally impressive. Ashley is a closet Iron Chef winner! Not really, but she could be. Up until recently I did not know that Ash took a cake decorating class for several YEARS. Wow. She made an alligator cake for her twin boys' birthday party back in March that was mind blowing. She topped that effort with the onesie cake she made for Emery! I feel so honored. Ashley and her husband are expecting a baby girl in July and Katie and her hubby had a baby girl last July. I am loving going through this experience with Ashley--and I think we've both learned a lot from Katie. Thanks, Ashley and Katie!
Pram and bottle cookies--in honor of the pram I received for Christmas that I can't wait to put to use. Sorry the picture is sideways--I can't get it to rotate for some reason.

The incredible onesie cake. It tasted as good as it looked!

The table was stunning--Ash broke out all the good stuff. We drank out of sterling silver mint julep cups and sterling silver goblets. I don't think I've ever actually used a mint julep cup as a beverage vessel until Sunday. How special!

Baby Shower #1

Emery and I had a very special weekend! She was feted with two incredible baby showers and my mother-in-law and my dear friend, Katie, both flew into town to celebrate with us. First was the shower that Donna, Kriya and Alicia hosted. The ladies outdid themselves, despite the nasty weather that foiled their plans for an outdoor garden party. Didn't matter one bit! The house was gorgeous and the food was delicious. Another special guest also attended the shower.....baby Hayes! I just relish every second I get to spend with him. I actually won't get to see him for almost two weeks now and I am extremely bummed.
The whole crew

Pretty lunch setting

Three generations--four if you count Emmy Cate in my belly

Phinley Hayden Boyd and Hayes Alan Stephens--too cute!

Me with the grandmothers-to-be!

Cindy and Carrie--what great timing! Carrie happened to be visiting from Denver for the week and was able to come to the shower. So great to see you, Carrie!

Donna's floral arrangements were gorgeous! Pink and green--my favorite colors. And the peonies were incredible--the size of baseballs!

Baby Shower in Grand Haven, MI

Mom, Nanny and I spent the weekend with my in-laws so that we could attend a baby shower for Emery given by my mother-in-law's friends and Korey, my sister-in-law. The ladies outdid themselves! The shower was held at the Spring Lake Country Club and everything was perfect: the food and decorations were fabulous! The hostesses collected money from the guests ahead of time and got Emery and me lots of crucial (and fun!) baby items that we needed, such as the swing, Pack N' Play, bottles and bottle warmer, etc. We are all set for Emery's arrival!
The grandmothers and great grandmother (Linda, Mom and Nanny)

The lovely hostesses: Korey, Susan, Linda, JoAnne and Sherrie

These centerpieces were adorable! Such a cute idea for a baby shower.

Newborn sized shoes for Emmy to wear right away! Can't wait for her to get here so that she can actually wear them.