Spring at the Farm

As the weather warms, I am trying to take my outdoor-lovin' boy out as much as possible. I'm also trying to savor the short amount of time I have to give him undivided quality time before there is an infant to care for and enjoy. Knowing he loves animals, I thought another trip to Meadowbrook farm similar to the one we took last year would be perfect.

I had been telling Dave and my parents for a week or two that I'd like to take him fishing and to check out the animals, but something always seemed to change my plans. Finally we made it for a visit about a week and half ago. My parents came with us and helped me keep up with the little booger. At first he seemed a bit nervous about the horses, even though you could tell he was excited to see them at the same time. Pop and NaNa tried to help him warm up to them and pet a few. He clung tightly but smiled anyway.


He wasn't quite as intimidated by the chickens!


He also found several cats to chase around the barn, including a few in a loft Pop Pop helped him check out. While he was up there, he also tossed a bit of hay out the window. The animals were great and all, but I think he had just as much fun checking out the barn.


We had beautiful weather and got to see some of the horses running in the fields enjoying the spring day as much as we were. Aside from the larger horses though, we also found a miniature pony. My dad climbed in the fence with it to give Caleb a closer look until the pony started nipping at his leg. Just because they are smaller doesn't mean they're more docile I guess.


Before we left, we also took a short ride to check out the cows. Caleb didn't seem timid around them like he did the horses - maybe because we didn't get quite as close. To my dismay, he even TRIED to step in a cow pie after being warned not to. You can see him eyeing this particular pile of poop in one of the pictures below - BOYS!


Ok, ok....I have to admit that there was an ulterior motive for this trip as well. When I was expecting Caleb, we made one of my first trips to Meadowbrook farm so my mom could take some maternity pics for us and to enjoy the day fishing. Two days later, Caleb arrived! I was hoping maybe this trip would produce the same result but she's on her own schedule....

And, since I didn't have a blog during my last pregnancy, here are some bonus flashback pics from Caleb's first day trip to Meadowbrook Farm two years ago in utero:

Pool Party Shower

This past Friday I was given another "surprise" shower at the Winchester Rehab Center where I swim to help with my lupus and fibromyalgia. While I had decided to take a break this month and under doctor's orders was supposed to be on bed rest all week to get rid of some of that fluid from the hospital visit, my mom knew about the shower and encouraged me to come visit the pool because the people wanted to do something special. After laying around our house or my mom's all week, I was definitely willingly and ready to get out and do something!

In the picture below are the two women responsible for the shower, Melissa and Nilda. Melissa is our aquatic instructor and Nilda is a woman who just recently began coming to the pool. I really didn't know Nilda at all, but surprisingly, she is the one who initiated this whole event and got the ball rolling. I am so amazed at her thoughtfulness and eagerness to do something so nice for me when I don't remember ever really officially meeting her.

They had one of the most adorable cakes I've ever seen. One of Nilda's friends made a tiny baby under a blanket for the cake topper out of fondant. I love the little toes!

This was the only shower Caleb was able to attend because Stacey's babies were sick at the first one and Caleb was sick during the second. I think he believed this party was for him. He received an Elmo balloon almost as soon as we walked in the door and was thrilled with all of the other pink balloons laying around as well. It was a great time throwing the balloons in the pool while NaNa had to chase him around to make sure he didn't fall in as a result of all the excitement.

Here Caleb is playing with our good friend Eddy.

One of the pool participants Caleb always enjoys is Bob.
Even when he first started talking he would say "Bob Bob Bob"
whenever we saw Bob at the pool. Bob likes Caleb too and
always asks about him. He once gave Caleb a little wooden
duck and told me he also plans to give him a golf club with a
suction cup on the end to help pick up the golf balls out of the
hole. These two buddies had fun at the shower together.

Here is another picture of Bob with Caleb. Caleb is smiling so
big because Bob, who is also a Hokie fan, let him play with a
key chain that plays the Hokie fight song.

Big brother also definitely enjoyed the food, especially the
chicken salad sandwiches that he kept reaching for
throughout the shower.

Caleb didn't have all the fun though. We visited, played a game, and opened presents as the party progressed. A large number of pool participants also went together to give us a gift card and money towards other purchases we still need to make. Between the three showers I think we now have enough to cover a highchair, pack-n-play, and carseat - what a blessing! God has been so good to us. It is amazing how much you need to purchase for a new baby even if it is your second child, especially if your kids are different genders. I am so blown away and thankful for our friends' generosity!

Melissa, our aquatic instructor, led the group in "The Price is
Right" game using a bag of items purchased from my baby registry.
Even though I've been buying similar items for Caleb over the past
couple years and placed them on the registry myself,
I was terrible at guessing the prices.

Once again there were more presents to help us prepare for
Baby Girl. The gift that really stood out in my mind though
was this baby blanket made by the gentleman sitting beside
me in this picture - Mr. Don Fowler. (Also, notice Caleb in the
background with another chicken salad sandwich in hand!)

While we all were sweating like crazy in the 95 or so degree room, I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I guess it's not too often these senior citizens get to throw a baby shower! I was definitely impressed and glad I made the trip to Winchester for a visit. :)

Showering at Church

The second shower I was given was a "surprise" shower hosted by the ladies at my church and organized by Brandy Green. It was held last Sunday afternoon at church, but I almost didn't make it! Friday night I came down with the stomach flu and ended up making a trip to the ER for dehydration. After being sent home around midnight, I got maybe an hour or two of sleep before numbness and pain in my arms and legs sent us rushing back to the hospital in fear that a blood clot had developed. After determining my potassium and magnesium had been depleted, they admitted me and did an ultrasound to check for clotting which came back normal. I was released Saturday evening exhausted from the hospital stay and with a great deal of swelling as a result of the seven bags of fluid they'd given me via an IV over the course of about 24 hours. Despite not having ankles the next day and being wore out, I made my way to the church Sunday afternoon and had a wonderful distraction from my health issues.

The shower was incredible! The women at the church put so much thought and detail into each aspect of it that I was overwhelmed when I walked in and tried to take it all in at first. Here are a few of the special items they brought:

Jennifer Breeden made the owl cake on the left and
Teila Ledford bought the giant cake on the right.

Close up of the owl cake - I was impressed!

My mom was also feeling the cake fever and made
pretty cupcakes that were delicious.

Jessi Vandall tried her own hand at cake making, using
diapers to create this three layer masterpiece.

Dawn Kennedy turned a stack of diapers into a artsy wreath!

Other special touches included owl themed tablecloths and
a beautiful vase of flowers that I've been enjoying all week.

While the thoughtful touches made the shower even sweeter, the people there were what was important. I had the opportunity to celebrate with my dad's family at the previous shower; however, this one included my mom's side, my friends from church, high school friends, and family friends.


There were plenty of games Brandy had in store for the group. The first involved guessing how many pieces of candy were in a giant baby bottle. The second dealt with melted candy bars inside diapers; the guests had to determine what candy bar was "digested" in each. The third one was by far my favorite game though - a baby bottle chugging contest.

Chloe and Debbie wondering what's inside those diapers!

Yuck! It probably smells better though than the
ones I am used to changing. :)

I love how Shannon is posed here in the middle with her hand
on her hip like this is a normal activity she does every day.

Natalia and Susie, watch out you may get a stiff neck!
Diane, how's that juice taste?

Heidi gave us a nice profile pic while my
mom and Jessi chugged away.

Keeping a straight face and getting it all down was difficult.

Out of this large group of juice guzzling ladies, my mom took
the prize as a result of her secret breathing method. Go,
NaNa, go! Caleb would have been impressed. :)

After the games it was time for presents!

So many nice things waiting to be opened!

Baby Girl's first Bible (from Grandma Nora Ann)

With a growing belly, I was running out of lap
space to hold some of the gifts.

There were so many thoughtful items I was thankful for.
Bonnie Hoffman and Amanda Ramey Heavner bought the baby a
play gym that I wanted with Caleb but never got
around to purchasing.

My grandma Nora Ann bought this pink housecoat for me as
a baby. It was one of several clothing items my mom saved and
gave me at the shower.

An outfit from NaNa

Many of the women at the church and/or in my Bible study
group also went together to purchase a gift card for the bigger
purchases we still need to make which was greatly appreciated.

I had a wonderful time and am so thankful for the thoughtfulness of all involved! God blessed me so much through your love and generosity.