Michael Lance....

Where do I even begin?? This little boy has blessed our lives like you wouldn't believe! He is so perfect.

Michael Lance was born on Thursday, March 5, 2009. He weighed 8 pounds and 12 ounces. He was 20.5 inches long. After inducing early that morning, he finally made his appearance in this world at 7:49 p.m. Unbelievable! I just absolutely have no words for how much in love I am right now!

We got to come home on Saturday afternoon. Juice met us here, which by the way, I'm making her move in until he's 18! (She doesn't know this yet.) It was a great quiet evening. Grandma and Granddaddy came over to see him and then Little Jo came over to hold her first great-grandson! Paw got here that evening too.

The first night was pretty rough on us...Michael seemed to not settle down and wouldn't get comfortable in his new bed. Finally he and daddy went to the living room. Michael finished the night in the papasan and daddy on the floor right next to him. It was the sweetest thing! They let momma get a few hours sleep in bed.

Yesterday was great. Michael slept good and ate good all day long. We only had a few visitors, so it was nice to get a few naps in while he was sleeping. And then last night was great...he only got up about 12:30 and then 5:30!

He has a thousand expressions...all of which melt my heart! He doesn't like to get his diaper changed or change his clothes! But he does like to be naked next to his momma!

Thank you to everyone who have prayed for this baby boy and us and have sent thoughts to us! We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives who love us and him.

Here are just a few pictures....

our first family photo...

already telling paw stories from the day...

grandma and granddaddy loving on him...

juice getting some sweet snuggle time...

daddy's boy!

I just have to post this cute picture! These are the girls from my ExSPEARience News class...they planned a breakfast party for my last day of work, but then I couldn't go. They brought a big yellow bus to see me and brought breakfast and some cute gifts for Michael....

He's almost here...

I went to the doctor this past week and Michael was weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 8 oz! Oh my! That's momma's big boy! Everything on him looked great! Juice (my mom) and Grandma (Derek's mom) got to go with me to the appointments. They loved getting to have a sneak peek at their grandson! It was so neat watching them and listening to them watch him move and give them little faces! He was showing off for them, I think!

My blood pressure was up quite a bit for me, so she's really wanting me to watch that. I go back next Thursday for a checkup to see if I'm progressing at all. Then, the following week, I'll have another sonogram to see about how much he weighs. They'll also do a test to see how developed Michael's lungs are. If they are developed and he is under 9 pounds, they will induce the next day. If the lungs are developed and he's over 9 pounds, then she'll do a c-section the next day! It sounds like either way, baby Michael will be here by the first week of March.

Secretly, we are hoping for March 4...that is Michael's Uncle Curt's birthday! :)

Here are a few of the latest pictures....

so blessed

Michael's baby shower was this past weekend. I am just so amazed at how kind people always are to us! We are incredibly blessed to have such great friends and family. Michael is set now...he has plenty of outfits and blankets and books....he's one lucky boy! Here are a few pictures from the day...

some of my great friends and Michael's wonderful Juice...

Michael's great-grandmother (Little Jo), his Grandma, his momma, his Juice, his great-grandmother (Meemaw) and his great-aunt (Amy)

Little Jo was so funny about my growing belly...she loved it!

Michael's momma and daddy....

50

Today we are celebrating my mom's 50th birthday! She actually doesn't turn the big 5-0 until Monday, but the whole family is getting together tonight to wish her all the best wishes. Here are just a few things about the amazing lady I call Mom...

1. She's mom!
2. She married my hero.
3. She gave me 2 of the bestest brothers a sister could ever ask for.
4. She made me the woman I am today.
5. I hope that I can be half the mom she was/is.
6. She is one of my bestest friends.
7. She gives the best advice...some of which I should have taken more seriously.
8. She's a pretty handy woman to have around.
9. She taught me that 'if you're gonna cry-get in the boat'
10. I appreciate her more and more each day.
11. I wish I knew half as much about the Bible as she does.
12. She's supportive.
13. She's trusting.
14. She can paint a mean wall!
15. She can build one tall desk!
16. She's a pretty dang good photographer (Michael get ready!)
17. I know her students' love her...most of the time!
18. She supports me in all my decisions, even though I know she doesn't agree with all of them.
19. She went back to school and graduated with honors...with 3 teenagers at home.
20. I do love me some homecooking from her house -- even though it doesn't really happen until the aggie comes home!
21. She supported 3 kids that all graduated from universities!
22. She leads by example.
23. She's a very simple person.
24. People say we sorta look alike and I love it.
25. She asks you if she's embarrassing you...and she'll stop if she's embarrassing you! :)
26. She's the first one I want to call when I have something exciting to say.
27. I love our daily emails and most of the time daily phone calls.
28. It never seems like we run out of things to talk about.
29. She's going to make one dang good 'Juice'.
30. She's already a good 'Juice'...but a grandma Juice!
31. I wish she would learn how to relax every once in a while.
32. She taught me how to love the Lord.
33. She's a loyal friend.
34. She believes in working hard.
35. She taught us to not expect things for nothing.
36. She can still ski up and down the lake better than a lot of people.
37. I can still cry about things to her.
38. She's unselfish.
39. She loves my husband.
40. She accepts us for who we have become.
41. She doesn't like surprises...especially birthday surprises.
42. She has never met a stranger.
43. I wish we lived closer.
44. She loves her family.
45. She could live on chocolate alone.
46. She thinks she has a PhD sometimes...which I can say she doesn't!
47. I'm proud to say she now wears loop earrings and get pedicures!
48. She's beautiful!
49. I'm proud to say that I'm her daughter!
50. She's just amazing!

Happy 50th Birthday Mom! (no surprises this year!)