30 & 31 weeks {baby #2}

My little Maeve, our countdown to meeting you is officially on.  We are no longer counting up and getting excited!  With each passing week, the number gets smaller and smaller and we cannot wait to see you.  You are a wild little thing.  You kick me a lot.  When I lay down at night, you kick me for about 10-15 minutes.  I'm always exhausted at the end of the day and ready to snooze but you insist on keeping me up for a little while longer.  It's hard for me to sleep with you doing gymnastics in my belly.  Mommy turned 30 weeks while heading to the beach and turned 31 while heading home from the beach.  You loved the sunshine.  I was oh so careful not to burn your house!  I was constantly covering my belly with SPF 50 and stayed under a tent fifty-percent of the time while outside.  Water was my best friend and I swear I drank a few gallons a day.  No way was this Momma going to get dehydrated.  We get to see via ultrasound in just a few days.  Daddy cannot go, drillin' and fillin' calls, but GJ is going to the appointment with me.  This is a pretty important ultrasound.  They will measure every inch of you and see how you are progressing.  Hopefully, you will be right on target and the next time I see you will be when you are taking your first breath.  If something is a little off, then we might get to see you a few more times before you make your grand entrance.  As much as I'd love to see you at each appointment, I pray whole-heartedly that you are growing like a little weed and are perfect.  Keep on growing sweet girl!!

Mommy showed you off while at the beach.  I was a little hesitant at first but by about the second day and burning up under a cover-up I said, whatever!  I decided to show you off proudly.  I actually felt more comfortable in a bikini than ever before. 

We are working away at your room.  It's starting to look really sweet and girly.  I cannot wait to bring you home to it.  Your Nana made your curtains and they are perfect.  Each little piece is slowing coming together.  

While in ATL a few weekends ago, I snagged a few things from IKEA for you.  This rug was less than $30 and it looks great in your room. 

I also bought you a few pieces of furniture.  We are going to put this dresser together for you this weekend.  I cannot wait to fill it with all of your sweet things.

These cubbies will also be in your room.  They will be laying horizontally and will be filled with baskets and books.

Keep growing sweet girl.  I'll see you soon.

ATL wedding weekend

This past weekend we went to Atlanta to watch my cousin, Ben, marry his sweet girlfriend, Katie.  My family of three loaded up Saturday morning and made the quick three hour trip.  We met my family at the hotel and then Summer and I jumped in the car and went shopping at IKEA.  I had lots to get on my list and got almost everything checked off!!  I'll share some of my things later.  

The wedding was short, sweet and beautiful.  Afterwards we snapped some family photos before heading to the reception.

The little ones stayed outside during most of the ceremony.  They just couldn't stay quiet enough to stay inside.  My little man's face turns bright red whenever he's hot.  Cue red cheeks in every picture..

The crazy Mattmann crew.

My boys and my big bump!  Miss Maeve keeps getting bigger and bigger.

My favorite people in the entire world.  Blessed.  

The boys loved walking and playing on the rocks.  It's so hard to get a picture of these two wild boys.  They are never still long enough to get a decent photo.

The reception was at on old Mill.  It was gorgeous and the perfect place for a celebration.  It was old and rustic which totally fits Ben's outdoorsy personality.  He's a huge hunter, just like Trav.

We all enjoyed delicious food.

Then this happened.  Dancing.  Lot of dancing.

We had to drag Asher's booty off of the dance floor.  He was loving the live band.  We noticed it was 9:00 and decided we needed to get him in the bed.  His normal bedtime is around 8:00-8:15.  He didn't seem to mind partying past his bedtime one bit.

Congratulations Ben and Katie!!  Thanks for letting us celebrate with you.  Enjoy this new adventure called marriage.  

18 months

You'll quickly notice that most of these pictures were taken outside.  That is where this man loves to spend his time.  He would do everything outside if we would let him.  I know that he and his Daddy are going to have so so much fun together over the years.  

Asher, you have a great little personality and man do you love to smile!  You love to see yourself in the camera, too.

You can be quiet the little love bug when you want to be.  You give the best bear hugs.  At night while we say our prayers, you love giving hugs.  We still rock for a few minutes and my favorite part is when you turn to face me, give me an enormous smile and hug me hard for about 2 minutes.  My heart melts every time.  

While Daddy is hard at work, you miss him.  FaceTiming with him during his lunch break is always fun (even though he's really 5 minutes down the road).

This car.  Lord, this car.  You love it.  If you spot it you cannot take your eyes off of it until your little booty is sitting inside.  You love to just sit in it and pretend to drive.  You also love being pushed around the yard.  Fun for Mommy, ha.  Whenever we take you out of this car or don't let you play in it you tend to loose your mind.  Just a little. 

You and Reecie Lou are still becoming friends.  Not true love yet.

You love play dates with Josie B.  She loves to help baby sit you and you just love being around her.  You and Charlie are starting to play together.  It's hard to get a picture of you two boys together because you are both so busy.

You love taking boat rides on Papaw's boat!  The sun on your face and wind in your hair is heaven to you.

Your obsession with shoes is still going strong.  Mommy is trying to teach you about pairs and colors.  Sometimes you don't always listen.  I asked you to bring me shoes so we could go outside and play and this is what happened...

Just being with your Daddy makes you extremely happy.  Two peas in a pod.

You love love our pool.  You and Mommy swim in it a lot.  Walking around naked is the best way to dry off.

You have become a little fish lately.  Just a few weeks ago you weren't so sure about the clear blue water.  Now you will walk right in.  Trouble!  We have to be very careful when out by the pool.  We cannot take our eyes off of you for one second.  I love that you love the water but it scares me to death.

You love swimming with Daddy.  It doesn't matter what time of the day it is.  If your in the water you are happy!

You are so glad our friends live right up the street.  You give Lauren the best hugs!  You smile so big whenever you see her little man, Carson.  You know that he's your future best bud.

Snacks poolside?  Yes, please.

Your not a huge fan of water unless it's in Mommy or Daddy's cup.  Whatever we are drinking you want and you will drink it dry.

Yummm, milkshakes!

  You still go to be around 8:00-8:15 and wake up anywhere between 7:00-8:15.  You nap every day around 12:45-1:00 and sleep for about 1.5-2.5 hours.  Every once in awhile you'll stretch it to 3 hours.  Mommy normally naps when you do and I'm thankful when you take longer naps.  Like I've said 1,000 times, you love being outside, even if your in your pjs.

You love watching Daddy mow through the window.  You will go from window to window watching him.  Everything Daddy does intrigues you.

You are so silly.  You love making monkey noises.  You know how to repeat a few animal sounds.  You like saying, "moooo".  Eating out is so fun but may soon become a thing of the past.  You went through a phase where you threw all of the food you don't want on the floor.  Kinda embarrassing when out in public.  You don't know how to whisper and use your inside voice.  ha!  While out and about you love squealing with excitement. 

You love playing in your room.  You have lots of toys in there and you love digging through them all.

Puzzles have lately become a favorite of yours.  When you get the pieces in the correct spot you clap with such joy and pride.

Traveling is a toss up.  Sometimes you love your car seat and are totally chilled.  Other times you hate it and cannot wait to get out.  If we are going a short distance its no problem.  Longer trips can sometimes be tricky.  You don't normally fuss but for a few minutes but while your screaming and kicking it seems like forever!

Have I mentioned just how crazy silly you are???

Happy 18 months big boy!!  I cannot believe you are so big.  Your Daddy and I love you such a huge amount.  Keep smilin' little man.

nashville weekend with our friends

We spent this past weekend in Nashville with the people we call our "Memphis Family".  When we were moving to Memphis and I was in tears because I didn't want to leave East Tennessee, I never thought I would met people that I love as much as I love these people.  God knew what he was doing when he packed my bags and sent me west.  He knew I would be just fine and come home a different person with life long friends.  He is so good.

While in Nashville, we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  It was great because we didn't leave the resort all weekend. We ate, swam and slept there.  If you have never been and are in the Nashville area you need to go.  It's beautiful.

Kate and Asher playing peek-a-boo in the room.

"Hello?" 

Saturday the boys went golfing while the girls and kids swam.  We had our hands full and didn't snap any photos while at the pool.  The kiddos loved swimming and eating tasty chicken fingers pool side.  After we all took an afternoon nap, we walked around the hotel.  It was great for the little ones to get out and stretch their legs for a while.

Trying to get a picture of three toddlers all looking at the camera at the same time is nearly impossible..

"Come on Ash-her"

Look at this guys!

Checking out the pretty flowers.

This is the best picture of Aven and Asher.  She wasn't so sure about this wild man.  She kept calling him, "boy!"

That night we ate dinner at Stax where we all built our own burgers.

Sweet little Aven.

My boys.

The next morning while eating a yummy breakfast, these two kept hugging each other.  I think they knew their time together was about over.

After breakfast, we played on the escalators for awhile.  Cheap entertainment folks.

Trying to get a cute picture of the Daddies with their babies.

Love these people.  I.miss.them!

Our Memphis Family.

The next time this crew is all together there will be two more little ones in the picture.  Lauren and Chip are giving Aven a brother, Tucker, in August and our Miss Maeve is due a few weeks later!  I'm so thankful for the crazy weekend we had.  Our time together sure has changed but I wouldn't change a thing.