Breathe In, Breathe Out

Wow! This month has been busy! I feel like I have barely been able to take a breath. There is so much going on in our little world lately. First, I have an intern and a lab student this semester. Surprisingly, I have enjoyed it. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to let go of the control, and I'm still working on it, but I'm doing pretty good so far. My intern is fabulous, and with her help, I have been able to get so much accomplished. So far, we have left everyday this week at 3:30. That almost never happens. My lab student will come every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I met her on Monday, and she seems eager to get started. That's one quality I'm definitely looking for. Having this help really comes in handy when you're pregnant. Being able to go to the restroom any time I want is amazing, plus I get to rest a little:)

Tucker and I have been busy every weekend this month, and I know we are only going to get busier the closer we get to Hudson's due date. Last weekend, we went to Montgomery to celebrate the engagement of our sweet friends, Reese and Jenifer. We are so excited for them! The weekend before that, Tucker and I registered for our upcoming showers. That was a daunting task in itself! Thank goodness I have a wonderful sister-in-law who doesn't mind me calling her several times in an hour! Ha! I also have amazing Mommy friends that recommended products and brands that they liked and were pleased with. I can't thank them enough for their help!

Hudson has diapers!

Tucker and I at Reese and Jenifer's engagement party. (25 weeks)

We had a great time visiting with old friends!

On top of all of that, Tucker and I have tried to work on the nursery here and there. I saw on Pinterest where a woman made book shelves for her child's bedroom using a pallet. Following her directions, (well, most of her directions), Tucker made them for Hudson's room. I was a little skeptical at first, but they turned out great. Thank goodness I have a handy husband that's good with his tools! This weekend, our goal is to hang curtains in Hudson's room.

 Before (Tucker had already cut the pallet)

 After

It's almost ready!

On another note, Tucker and I have decided to join the First United Methodist Church in Opelika. We will officially join this Sunday. We have been visiting for several weeks, and we feel like God is leading us there. It has everything we are looking for in a church home. They have a traditional Sunday school class, and they also have one for young adults in our similar situation. Fortunately, we already know many of the couples attending, and most of them have just had a baby or are due soon. We are excited that Hudson will have so many friends, and he will have a loving church family.

In a way, I'm glad that we have been so busy and will be so busy. It makes it seem like time is going by faster. I can't believe little Hudson will be here in 15 weeks (more or less)! We can't wait to meet him!

Amanda

A Tiny Miracle

This day, one week, ago, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Fuller. We had no idea if it was a he or a she, but we couldn't wait to find out! We didn't have to wait long! Emily was induced last Thursday morning at 7. By 11:30 she was ready to push, and by 1:30, she and Andy had a beautiful baby GIRL named Prudence Rae. She was 6 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches long. She is absolutely gorgeous!

 Prudence Rae Fuller aka most precious baby ever <3

 I was so emotional! I love being an aunt!

Our family celebrating little Prudence Rae!

Tucker and I are so excited to have a niece! We are also so very fortunate to have Emily and Andy leading the way. Being there with them and holding Prudence made the experience a little less scary and overwhelming. We just might be able to do this! Ha! At the very least, we can say we have held an infant and we didn't break her :)

 Finally home!

 Snuggling with her Uncle Tucker and Aunt Manda

Prudence with some very important men.

Meeting Prudence made us very anxious to meet our little man. We can't wait to see who he will look like and count his fingers and toes. We are excited for him to meet his older cousin, too! Imagining them playing together sends my heart a flutter. We will have to be patient just a little bit longer, though!

Our family is so blessed to have another addition! We are even more blessed because she is healthy, happy, and perfect in every way. She is loved beyond measure by so many. I know at times, we will probably annoy the stew out of her, but she better get used to it :) 

Welcome to this world, Prudence Rae! We LOVE you!

Amanda

Adventures in Furniture Assembly

Hudson's nursery furniture came in this weekend! We drove to Columbus Saturday to pick it all up. We got a crib that converts to a toddler bed, then to a full size bed. We also got a dresser that will act as a changing table for now. Also, we got a chest and a chair with an ottoman. It was an adventure, but then again, everything we do turns into an adventure! Ha!

We thought we were going to be able to borrow a friend's truck on Saturday, but our friend needed his truck at the last minute. With no time for a plan B, we decided to risk it and hope everything fit into the Tahoe. At first sight, things were looking good, however, we could not fit everything. The crib had to be fastened to the top of the Tahoe. We were a little anxious the whole ride home. We figured we were in trouble if people were trying to get around us quickly and giving us dirty looks. Luckily, we made it home with all the furniture in tact.

Of course, we had to put the furniture together right away! I would like to say that contrary to what the pictures show, I did, in fact, help Tucker put the furniture together. I assisted in helping put the dresser and chest together, and I supervised Tucker putting the crib together. I had given it my all be the time we got to the crib! Thanks to my sweet husband for staying up late and getting the job done! He's going to be an amazing daddy!

 The calm before the storm.

 In the midst of the storm. Ha!

 Reading the directions... as you can see, I was supervising :)

 In Tucker's words, "If I'm ever going to do anything right, it's going to be this."

 Resting after a long night of furniture assembly!

Hudson's room

We still have a lot to do to have it baby ready, but I think we are off to a great start. The bedding should be here soon. We decided to go with the Logan bedding from Pottery Barn. It's a train theme with navy blue, red, gray, and light  blue colors. We also purchased the mattress, so at least, in the next week or so the nursery will be livable. 

After all of this hard work, Tucker and I really hope Hudson doesn't color or put stickers on his furniture. I have a feeling, if he's anything like his father, I will be out of luck. Tucker was known to do some damage as a child. I, of course, was the perfect child and never did anything like that! Ha! (I have been known to stick a Lisa Frank sticker or two on my furniture.)

 21 weeks

22 weeks

As you can see, I'm getting bigger by the day!

Amanda

A New Year, A New Beginning

Happy New Year! Tucker and I celebrated the new year on our back porch watching football, snuggling by the fire, and drinking hot cocoa. Bandit even got to snuggle with us! It was pretty low key, but we wouldn't have had it any other way.

As I think about this upcoming year, I'm reminded that this is a time of renewal; a time to examine myself and think about what I want to do differently this next year. The first thing I want to do is focus on being a better partner to my husband. Tucker is amazing! He gets up in the middle of the night with me when I need a midnight snack. He has even gotten out of bed to go with me to the bathroom, because I was too scared. He does everything I ask of him plus some, and he puts up with this high maintenance chick! My goal in this new year is to be more patient and understanding towards him, and to show him every day how truly thankful I am to have him in my life.

I also want to focus on building a stronger relationship with my Heavenly Father. Tucker and I have been looking for a new church home. Please pray that He leads us to the best place for us and our growing family. We really want Hudson to be born into a loving and supportive church family. My goal is to be more active and involved in my church, and to be a better servant to others in my community.

My last goal for this year is to be the best wife, mother, granddaughter, niece, cousin, daughter in law, sister in law, and teacher that I can be. I have learned that I am only one person, and there is only so much I can accomplish in one day. I just want to love and support my family and students to the best of my ability.

I'm excited about what this year has in store for us. 2013 will be a year of many changes, but with God's guidance and the help of our families, I know we will make the transitions easily.

Amanda