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

Here's to 2013!

2012 has been good to us. We have our health, our family, and many more blessings. There have been some bumps in the road, but aren't there always? Our God has been mighty good to us! Here are some of the things that happened this year...

January: Andy graduated from college. We are so proud! My Grandpa turned another year younger:)

February: Phyllis and I enjoyed another fabulous, healthy, and happy year on this Earth.

March: Tucker and I celebrated 2 years of marriage.

April: Tucker and I signed the contract to build our new home.

May: Tucker celebrates another year, and Emily and Andy announce that they are pregnant. Phyllis and Al celebrate another year of marriage.

June: Mymama celebrates another year, and we got a tour of the AU facilities.

July: We spent another unforgettable summer at the lake.

August: Tucker and I moved into our new house.

September: Tucker and I found out that we were expecting a baby, too.

October: We bought lots of candy only to have one trick or treater! Ha!

November: We hosted our first Thanksgiving at our new home.

December: Tucker and I found out we are having a boy!

We have so much to look forward to in the new year. We look forward to meeting our new niece or nephew. It could be any time now! We are also looking forward to meeting our sweet little Hudson in May! We are also looking forward to the many laughs and memories to be made with our families. We are too blessed to be stressed!

Happy New Year's Eve,

Amanda

Five Christmases

Christmas is always a busy time of year, but it was especially busy for us this year. We attended four Christmas celebrations and hosted one on Christmas Eve. And unlike the movie "Four Christmases", we were not trying to avoid our families; we couldn't wait to spend time with our families!

Saturday, we headed to Emily and Andy's  in Calera. Emily is about to go into labor at any second, so traveling was not an option for her. Instead, we brought the celebration to her. We had such a joyous time celebrating family and the two new additions that will soon be here!

 Mymama with her grandchildren and soon to be great grandchildren!

The Boswell and Fuller Families

On Sunday morning, Tucker and I went to my Grandpa's house in Montgomery to celebrate with the Little side of the family. We had a huge feast and swapped Christmas ornaments. We hated that some of the family couldn't make it, but they were certainly in our thoughts.

Grandpa with some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

(L to R: Rachel, Taylor, Me, Chloe, Grandpa, and Blake)

We left Montgomery and headed to Opelika to celebrate Christmas with Granddaddy John and Carol. There we ate again! At this point I was about stuffed and the sight of food almost made me sick, but somehow I managed to find some space :) Being pregnant during Christmas was awesome! I didn't even have to worry about sucking in my stomach!

The Boswell's with Granddaddy John and Carol

Tucker and I were hosting Christmas Eve dinner. Again, we had more food than we knew what to do with! It was so special to have our family here in our new house to celebrate Christmas. This place is beginning to feel more and more like home with every memory that is made. 

 Will, Kate, Kathie, and Tucker

 Phyllis and Al 

aka Shug and Big Al

Me with my handsome honey :) 

On Christmas day, we opened up the last of the presents under the tree. Tucker and I must have been very good this year, because we got everything on our lists! Tucker got a picture of Bo Jackson to put in his man cave, and I got a Michael Kors purse. We also received so many nice gifts from our family. We are truly blessed! Little Hudson Christopher really racked up this year. His grandparents and Santa showered him with gifts and he's not even here yet! He got his first pair of sunglasses to wear to the lake, of course. He also received towels, rags, bibs, clothes, and some toys. Mommy and Daddy couldn't resist buying him his first outfit and toy ;)

Hudson's first toy and outfit.

After presents, we headed to Wetumpka to eat Christmas Day lunch with the Wallace's. I can tell you now that I'm done eating for a few days! Ha! We also enjoyed getting to spend so much time with our cousin Will. He only gets to come home from California once a year (not enough, Will!). 

Kathie, Will, and Phyllis

I know I've said it once, but I'll say it again...Tucker and I are truly blessed. We have the best families any person could ask for. We enjoyed every hectic minute of this Christmas. The best Christmas present Tucker and I could ever receive is the precious child I'm carrying right now. Just knowing he is happy and healthy in there makes us beam with joy! And of course, no Christmas is complete without remembering the true meaning of Christmas. The ultimate gift no matter what the season is, is Jesus! 

Amanda

Baby Boy Boswell

Yes, you read that correctly! Tucker and I found out Wednesday that we are having a healthy baby boy. Tucker wasn't able to go to the appointment with me, so we devised a plan that would enable both of us to find out at the same time.

We decided to not to find out the gender of the baby at the appointment. Instead, the ultrasound tech would put the results in an envelope that we would open later that night when Tucker and I could be together. Tucker didn't get off till 7 that night. My appointment was at 2:30. The suspense was killing me, but I was very good and did not peek! Seriously, not even a little, but I did think about it! Ha!

When Tucker finally arrived home, we hurried off to Amsterdam's for dinner. We ordered drinks and meals then opened the envelope together. We were thrilled beyond words to learn that we were having a precious baby boy! I felt like it was a boy all along. I decided on Thanksgiving that I bought it was a boy, and I had already started referring to the baby as "he". Tucker thought girl right away but changed his prediction at the last minute to boy. I wish everyone could have seen Tucker's face when he saw that he would have a son. He was beaming! Seeing him that excited made me love him even more than I already do!

Now it's time for shopping! I have already bought a couple of special things for our sweet boo on Christmas. I know he's still growing and not ready to come out into the world, but we want him to know that he's already so loved. We will be patiently awaiting his arrival in May!

This has been the best Christmas so far, and its not even here yet! Knowing our baby is healthy is the most we could ever ask for. God has truly blessed our family! Continue to pray for us as we prepare for this next exciting chapter in our lives.

Merry Christmas,
Amanda

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It may not feel like Christmas, but it sure does look like Christmas at the Boswell residence. We started decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. To be exact, we started decorating during the Iron Bowl. What can I say? Things weren't looking so good for our team, and we just couldn't bear to watch another brutal beating.

This year we decided to get a real tree. In the past, we have always just used the fake tree. Tucker and I both grew up with real trees. We were both excited to head to the Christmas tree place to pick out our first real tree together and in our new home. I must admit I was not entirely happy with the real tree option. Yes, they smell great, but they also make a huge mess. The fallen needles drive my OCD personality crazy! And what do you do with the tree when you are done??? I grew up in the country, and we just threw our tree in the field where it decayed over the year. Living in Auburn, I'm not sure what are Christmas tree disposing options are. Any who, we meticulously picked out what we think is the perfect tree! I also had to be sure there were no critters still living in the tree. So far, we are critter free! We put the fake tree up in the dining room, so when people drive by they can see our twinkly Christmas tree lights through the window.

 Bringing home our tree!

Tucker putting the angel on the tree.

17 weeks pregnant :)

After helping decorate the trees, Tucker headed outside to put up Christmas lights. I was a little nervous when he announced at Thanksgiving that he was going Clark W. Griswald this year. Thank heavens he was only joking! The house looks great, but of course, I'm partial :)

 I adore my homemade stockings!

Christmas at the Boswell's 2012

On an unrelated note, I felt the baby move for the first time this week! Monday afternoon I was laying down, and I felt a little poke. At first I wasn't sure that was it, but I had never felt anything like it before! Later that night, I woke up starving and had to get a midnight snack :) When I laid back down, I felt the baby again but more than just once that time. Now I'm more anxious that ever to find out whether it's a boy or a girl! We go to the doctor again on December 19th and hopefully Baby B will cooperate!

Amanda