Chattanooga Baby Shower

This past weekend I was lucky enough to have my sister-in-law, Jenny, my friend, Kasey, and my mother-in-law, Susan, throw me a wonderful baby shower.  Since we are doing a whale theme in the nursery this was also the theme of the shower and NO detail was missed.  The day was perfect and I could not be more thankful for all of the friends & family that were able to attend and all of the gifts we received for baby Blake.


These are the invitations that were made by Tula Designs to match the nursery bedding and they are absolutely adorable!

Here are a few pictures from the shower and some of the many gifts we received.  All pictures from the shower can be viewed here.

cute whale cake & cupcakes

cupcake toppers also made by Tula Designs

diaper cake made by Jenny 

Blake's Aunt Rachel

Blake's Aunt Jenny & cousin Claire

Blake's grandmothers {Gram & Granny}

the gifts! 

bear hooded fleece from Teresa & Kim  

whale burp cloth from Kara & Izzy

whale piggy bank from Jenny

Blake's baby blanket made to match 

his crib bedding by his Aunt Rachel

"B" gown from Gram {my mom}

activity mat from Grandma Herring 

slip cover & chair for Blake's nursery 

from Granny {my mother-in-law}

Blake's first photo shoot

We had a 4-D ultrasound done this week and here are some pictures of our chubby cheek little boy.  Don't worry I already have Blake signed up with Brittney Gann {who takes Brady & Claire's pictures} for his newborn through 1st year photos.  

chubby cheeks :)

Blake meet your college roommate

So there are a few things that have already been decided for Blake.  In about 18 years he will attend the University of Georgia and his roommate will be Alec Franklin.  Alec's mother, Anna & I were potluck roommates our freshman year at UGA and remained roommates all throughout college.  Anna is now pregnant with a little boy {Alec} and is due exactly 2 weeks after me {December 12}.  So it would only be fitting that our sons would be roommates at UGA their freshman year too.  Now if Alec can only bring half of what Anna brought to move into the college dorm we should be good.  

Anna & I the day we moved into the dorm at UGA {August '97}

Natalie & Anna ~ 27 & 25 weeks pregnant

Brady and the baby

My nephew Brady is the cutest thing ever and has said some of the funniest things lately about his soon to be little cousin.  I just wanted to share a few things with y'all.

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All along Brady has been saying that I was going to have a girl and name her Hannah Montana (I don't know where he gets this from...he is not old enough to watch Hannah Montana yet).  When we found out it was a boy Jenny told him and he said "Why can't it be a girl?"  I think Brady wants to be the only boy in the family :)  When I told him he could teach our baby how to ride the 4 wheeler and fish he seemed to be OK with it.

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Brady: "I saw that black stuff where your baby comes out"

Me: I quickly look at Jenny with a 'what the heck is he talking about' look

Jenny: puzzled too,"Maybe the ultrasound picture?"

Me: I showed Brady an ultrasound picture on the computer and ask if that is what he was talking about

Brady:"Yeah, that's the black stuff where you baby comes out"

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We were at my mother-in-law, Susan's, house last weekend and Brady & I were eating some crackers

Brady: "Nat Nat, does that cracker go to your stomach?"

Me: "Yes, the cracker does go to my stomach"

Brady: "and your baby eats it too?"

Me: "Yes, the baby will eat the cracker too"

Brady: "I bet he just eats the crumbs"

Is he not the cutest thing ever?  I can't wait for the other two {Claire & Griffin} to start talking up a storm :)

The Nursery {so far}

We picked up the nursery furniture on Friday and I LOVE IT!  I am so glad to finally have some furniture in our 'extra' room that has been pretty much empty for the past 4 years.  Jake & I put the crib together last night and the room is really starting to come together.  Still have some decorating to do but I wanted to share what the room looks like so far.  We are going to do a whale theme in the nursery.  I am having a painting done to hang in the room and my sister-in-law, Rachel, is making a baby blanket to go with the bedding.  I can't wait to add all of the little touches that will make Blake's nursery so special.  Here is everything so far...still a work in progress. 

the crib

dresser/changing table

dresser and glider

Rachel is going to help me dress up these letters
 {as she did for Griffin's room} to hang above the crib

the nursery so far :)

whale toy basket...this thing is huge and is already filling up with toys

I have no words for this

    

Surprise Baby Shower

When we were in Mobile this summer visiting my mom's family they decided to throw us a surprise baby shower...and surprised we were.  I still cannot believe all of the baby goodies we received from everyone.  This was our first "overwhelming baby moment" and then again when unpacking all the baby gifts in Blake's room.  We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family!

July 18 - 21 weeks

blanket made by my Great Aunt Louise 

baby blanket made by my Grandmother

Jake's favorite...Blake's 1st camo outfit from Aunt Jean 

We're having a baby!

So I have been talked into creating a blog by my sister-in-law, Rachel & my parents to document our family as it grows.  As most of you know we have one child {Sugar} and one on the way.   Yep...we're having a baby!  I could not be more thrilled to start our journey into parenthood.  We found out on July 2 that we are having a boy and have decided to name him Blake Jacob Boyd.  Blake should make his entrance around Thanksgiving and we can't wait to meet him!

Blake @ 18 weeks

It's a BOY!

thumbs up :)

...and Sugar can't wait to be a big sister