Arab Baby Shower and a Birthday Celebration

On January 24th, the sweetest friends hosted my hometown baby shower in Arab.  Everything was so "pretty in pink" and it was the perfect day celebrating the upcoming arrival of Caroline Cate.  I had such a wonderful time visiting with old friends that I don't get to see very often due to living so far away.  

Hostess (missing two) 

The best Mother-in-law and Mom a girl could ask for. Thanks for ALL you do! Caroline Cate is so lucky to have you both in her life. 

Sweet sister, niece, and nephew (on the way). Wouldn't know what to do without you right by my side!

Sweet doll baby!

It was so much fun having (most of) my closest high school girlfriends all together at the same time! It's hard to believe that it has been ten years since we graduated from Arab High School.  There have been many weddings and babies in the past 10 years and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years has in store. I am blessed by these sweet girls and their love for me and baby girl. 

This sweet doll was such a big help while I opened presents. I cannot wait for her and baby girl to be the best of friends! Her excitement about having a baby cousin melts my heart. 

Kate Spade diaper bag from Aunt Tracy!  Love it! 

 

Caroline Cate's baby book from my grandmother, Gigi! Can't wait to write down all the sweet memories of her as a baby. 

I have to say my favorite gift was from my great-grandmother (Granny). She handmade this precious quilt for baby girl.  What a special gift that I will treasure forever. I love that is has little girls on it and when she made the quilt we didn't know if Caroline Cate was a "he" or a "she." It was meant to be :) I am so blessed by my Granny and very thankful for her life.  

As you can tell, it was a special day with many memories made. I received the most thoughtful and generous gifts. I cannot wait to take Caroline Cate home to meet all the sweet people that showered me so graciously.  

While Alan and I were home we celebrated my Dad and Mary Catherine's birthday. It was so much fun to all be together and celebrate over a delicious meal and Granny's homemade chocolate cake, a family favorite. Next time the whole family will be together will be at the hospital when CCC is born! Only 5 more weeks.....

 Make a Wish! 

Peter Rabbit Baby Shower

On January 3rd my dear friends, sister, and sister-in-law gave Caroline Cate and me the most precious baby shower in Birmingham.  The  theme was "Peter Rabbit" and it was absolutely adorable! It was such a treat to have (most) all my college girlfriends together as we all live in different cities. Lacey, one of Alan's high school friends whom I have grown to love, opened her beautiful home for us to make lasting memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. I will never forget my very first baby shower for my sweet girl. 

The wonderful hostess  (missing sweet Megan) 

Samford Girls 

Love celebrating this special time with my family. 

Sweet sister due 15 weeks after me...such an exciting time being pregnant together. 

Best pic we could get of Miss Anna Scott. She's going to be the BEST big cousin AND big sister! 

Beautiful table display and delicous food! 

And now for the details! I must brag on my sister-in-law, Meghan. She is a wedding planner in Birmingham and I must say her talent is something fierce. She has an attention to detail like no other and I am so thankful for all her hard work to make my baby shower so special! 

I'll end with a few pictures of the fun part, opening sweet baby girl gifts! I truly cannot explain how grateful I am to be surrounded by so much love during this exciting time. Alan and I have amazing friends and family and we can't wait for Caroline Cate to meet everyone! 

Stay tuned for more baby shower fun...... 

Christmas Happenings 2014

Christmas was celebrated a little different this year. Alan had to work a six day stretch of twelve hour shifts December 23-28. We were so glad to be able to travel to Birmingham the weekend before Christmas and celebrate with the Cease family before his work week began! As usual, Lisbeth had the house so warm and cozy and feeling extra "Christmasy!" 

 

Every year Shoal Creek Country Club has a delicious Santa Buffet where Santa makes an appearance! This has become a tradition for the Cease family to attend after Sunday church. We were so happy when we found out that we would be in town and able to go to the Santa Buffet this year! 

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2014

For documentation purposes I cannot leave out the "unfortunate" events of Christmas 2014.  Alan, his dad, his mom, and myself were headed to the Santa Buffet after church on Sunday and were involved in a fender-bender.  Luckily no one was hurt, however it scared me half to death. We were rear ended from behind and the impact was forceful enough to cause our vehicle to slam into the car in front of us. Since we were hit from behind, we were not expecting the impact and took us all by surprise! It wouldn't have been that big of a deal if I hadn't been 28 weeks pregnant. I had a slight panic attack and then once I felt baby girl move, I calmed down a little. We went on to the buffet and ate, but decided that going to Labor and Delivery and getting monitored was the best thing to do just to be safe.  


Luckily sweet baby girl was moving all over the place and her heart rate was fast and steady. It was music to my ears and calming to my nerves. Praise God for protecting us. The other unfortunate event was waking up on Christmas Eve with a 102.3 degree fever.  Flu shot and all, this girl got the flu. Fighting a fever, aches, chills, and sweats while 28 weeks pregnant, three days after a wreck was NOT fun. Luckily it only lasted three days and I kept my fever under control with good ole' tylenol. I am thankful for the time that I got to spend with my family over Christmas and I am extra thankful that I was with my momma during my illness! Everyone needs their momma to take care of them when they are sick no matter how old they are. Amen? 

Christmas with my niece this year was extra fun. She is at the perfect age and got so excited about opening gifts and participating in Christmas activities. We had a blast decorating her gingerbread house and making Christmas cookies for Santa! 

 

We had a delicious Christmas dinner and opened gifts at my Aunt and Uncle's beautiful new home in Huntsville.  We ate, laughed, talked, and made memories to last a lifetime. Only thing missing was my sweet husband! 

Me and my sister are expecting a baby girl and a baby boy 15 weeks apart! Before dinner, Anna Scott opened a BLUE teddy bear and rattle to announce that a baby BOY was joining the family in June 2015. We cannot wait to love on him. This family full of girls is so excited about a little baby boy! 

Christmas Day 2015 - 29 weeks pregnant