Birthday Pops and Guardian Angels

It has been over 6 months since I have blogged and I really never email except for information purposes, but this is too amazing not to share. This conversation on http://www.etsy.com/ all started with Candy and Planning Madeline's birthday and lead me to having an awesome experience with a stranger (and now someone I consider a friend.) I hope this inspires you to "Pay it Forward".

Conversation:

Can you make Auburn and Navy blue lollipops?
9 September 2010 11:51am EDT

by Janeglvr

You mean auburn as in a reddish brown color? If so, then yes, I can make that. Most definitely the navy blue. :o) smiles and gigglesJayne
9 September 2010 12:27pm EDT

by AmysSweetDream

well more like pumkin orange and navy. And I didn't realize you make real lollipops (the round ones) I need them for my childs birthday party on Oct 9th!
9 September 2010 2:18pm EDT

by Janeglvr

Awwwwwwwwwwww. I can def do pumpkin orange and navy in any of the shapes you choose. :o) How old will your child be? smiles,Jayne
9 September 2010 2:50pm EDT

by AmysSweetDream

She will be 1!! Her first birthday and our first child. She is having an Auburn University Tailgating party since it is on gameday. I love the round ones best. If I get them a little smaller like 3 inches, would they be cheaper or do you have bulk pricing available? I am thinking I need anywhere from 25-30!
9 September 2010 4:36pm EDT

by Janeglvr

Oh, wow!!! I'm sitting here, trying so hard not to cry. Well, hell. Since I've started typing, I am crying. I just had this feeling when you first wrote to me that this had something to do with Auburn University; it was just a strong sense I couldn't explain. I don't know quite how to say this and I really, really do not wish to cause you sadness over your daughter's birthday. If you could just think of this as a way to help me smile. Would you allow me to make this order and send to you at no charge? I will explain if you'll just promise to pay it forward and to keep making her birthdays as special as this one is going to be. I don't think I've ever heard of such a cute and awesome idea for a party. Oh....... an promise not to think bad of me because I'm an Alabama fan.Can't wait to hear back from you,Jayne
9 September 2010 6:32pm EDT

by AmysSweetDream

I just got chills. I would like to pay you something. That is alot of work! Did something happen? Of course I want to make you smile! : ) I will make everyone of her birthdays special. I love event planning and I am over the moon for her!!!
10 September 2010 1:13pm EDT

by Janeglvr

Last year, the day before Thanksgiving, my two girls, Amy then 21 ( the daughter this shoppe is named after ), and Christina, then 19 were headed to Alabama from here in Virginia. They were going to spend a few days with family and Amy was going to get things set up to begin attending Auburn University. They were going to their very first Auburn vs. Alabama game too. Both are huge Alabama fans, but Amy chose Auburn as the best place to get her degree in Wild Life Management. Both girls football fanatics. They got in a horrible wreck just outside of Roanoke, Virginia. The road had a bad part on the edge and the tire went off, she over corrected. Christina was bruised up a bit, but Amy sustained massive brain injuries and passed away on December 2, 2009. She love children, life, hunting ( serious hunter ), fishing, football, family and just living life as if there were no tomorrow. I would so love to do this for your daughter's birthday. Every young child in our family was so spoiled by Amy on their birthdays. It would make me so happy to know she's somehow still doing that. I am over the moon for my kids too and just because I can't see her, doesn't mean that she can't go on through little ways like this. I hear her, dream about her and can feel her spirit. So, she's not really gone. I think she's the one that made me have that feeling this had something to do with Auburn. :o) She was so excited about getting ready to apply and move. Smiles and Giggles and hoping you will allow me to gift this to you and your family, especially your little girl :o)Jayne
10 September 2010 2:32pm EDT

by AmysSweetDream

I am boo hooing. I cannot imagine what you and your family have and are going through. I think you must be an amazing person and such a wonderful mother. My little brother,Robert,just graduated from Auburn a few years ago in Wild Life Sciences/Management(Same age difference between Amy and Christina as the two of us.) There were 2 girls in his graduating field and I thought that would be such a neat job and very cool girls to choose that as their major. I would be so happy and touched for you to make my Madeline your lollipops. I will never forget this day, your experience, and your kindness. I have trully been touched by your conversations with me. I know you are so proud of your daughters and I know that Amy is smiling down on this whole thing. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! Jane Dunne And I PROMISE to Pay it Forward!!! I am just so touched, I cannot express my emotions.

10 September 2010 3:31pm EDT

by Janeglvr

You have made my night. Thank you so much for letting Amy and me do this for Madeline. She is beyond adorable. :o) It's awesome to know that your brother is in the same field Amy was working towards. She'd finished the two years here for basic classes and was so very excited. She should have been a boy, but was the most girly girl. Except when it came to hunting and fishing. LOL I think she had a hand in this and I can hear her now, looking at Madeline. "Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!! Look at you, cutie." :o)I will send you a message when it's closer and get your address so they are as fresh as possible.SmilingJayne
10 September 2010 5:43pm EDT

by AmysSweetDream

This is real. This is how my day started today. I am overwhelmed with emotions. I may not sleep tonight. I feel like I need to hug this Mother's neck. She will never know the effect this has had on me. I have a friend that has forwarded our Etsy conversation onto a Big Wig in Auburn in hopes to have this published. There are lots of similarities my family and I share with hers and I hope I can have the opprotunity and more to help someone the way she has helped me today. Peace and Love and Tootles!!!

(Her shop is AmysSweetDreams on Etsy btw :)

WOW!

Hi Everyone! I am horrible about blogging these days but Little Wiggle (Madeline) is so much more alert these days and wants all of my attention. The rest of my time I have been cleaning and getting my new project together...KELLY'S KIDS! Yes, thats right! I am now a Kelly's Kids Sales Rep and I am so excited. I love planning parties and I just hope I can find some other mothers that like to do the same so I can bring in some income and soon. So bring it on, people!! Have a great week and HAPPY MARDI GRAS! Tootles

A Little Late....

but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

She's Here!! Madeline Has Arrived!!

Our precious daughter arrived Friday, October 9th at 2:46 p.m. She weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. She has white blonde hair and beautiful pouty lips like her father! We are so touched by all the family and friends that have prayed for us from day 1. Madeline is doing great eating and sleeping and she makes the cutest little chirping noices. I wanted to officially make the blog announcement and hope to update you soon. Tootles!!

Yawn!!!

I know it has been a while since I have blogged but I haven't even had time to clean my house lately. My life has been hectic with traveling and getting the rest of Madeline's things. I don't think I know anyone that has ever been as prepared as us to have a baby. Good Grief!! Sleep or lack thereof has become a major issue. My belly is so huge that it is hard to roll over or get out of the bed, I have the worst acid reflux, I am hot, and just can't sleep. So now that you all know and I have complained a little...please pray for me as I try to get through these next 6 weeks! On the brighter side, the nursery is complete! Seth has to hang one painting and screw in the awesome drawer pulls I found at Anthropologie for the window seat storage!! Pictures will be up tomorrow. Until manana...tootles!

Madeline's Mobile Shower

I hope you are all having a great start to this week. I certainly have! My mother came into town Friday night to attend my baby shower Saturday and we had so much fun visiting and getting things prepared for Madeline's arrival. We even went to Baby's R Us and Target Sunday afternoon and stocked up on everything else we would possibly need to get us started.....it took 5 hours!!

The shower was beautiful and to have so many good friends is such a blessing. My sweet peeps had the shower at one of my favorite restaurants downtown called Cafe 215. They had a delicious spread for lunch, gorgeous baby pink rose sprays on all the tables any surface imaginable, and the most devine petite fores from The Pastry Shop.

The Big Date

The last doctor's visit we discussed the delivery date and since Dr. Helen is going to New Orleans the week of my due date she set up an induction date of Friday, October 9th. This was exactly what I was hoping for. This is so redneck sounding but both Auburn and Alabama have away games that weekend, our family will be prepared and she will be born before our wedding anniversary!! I couldn't be happier!

Greensboro Shower

Kristy, Lindsey, Me, Laurie Beth, and Rebecca

I really have some special girlfriends and they put together a really lovely baby shower for Madeline and me this past Sunday! Alot of friends and family attended...even a couple of friends came all the way from Huntsville! We got a great mixture of cute, fun things and items we will need for everyday use!! Thank you again, family and friends!! We love you!! Tootles!!

So I Ramble..but That is Just Me!!

My Mama is always very truthful and shoots it to me straight so when I asked her about my blog she said, "Well, Jane, you are very detailed and tell all!!" So to all of my readers....I appreciate feedback whatever it may be and I will try to keep things a little more to the point with more pictures!! After all, don't we all just like to look at the pictures??!! Tootles!!

A Little Scare

So I am on my 4th day of back pain yesterday and it got to be so extreme that I had to put a call into my doctor's office. They told me it could be a number of things but to take two extra strength Tylenol, drink a large glass of water and lay in the bed. She told me that if the pain hadn't subsided that I needed to go ahead and go to Labor and Delivery. Luckily my hospital is exactly 4 minutes from our house because the pain did not let up and I started freaking out. The nurse advised me that it could be a bladder infection, back labor(Braxton Hicks Contractions) or more Round Ligament Pains. Seth admitted me into the hospital and they were super quick to get me strapped into all the necessary machines and take their tests. Thankfully Madeline was still super active and moving all about with a great heartbeat so she was not at all affected. I wasn't having contractions, although I have had a few random ones at the house, and so we just had to wait to see if it could be a bladder infection. AND it was with a little dehydration!! I have never been so happy to hear that but I never imagined it could hurt so bad and be such a scary thing. I am thrilled to tell you that I am on prescription medication and drinking an absurd amount of water....Seth is making sure of that!! So...all you expecting mothers, drink your weight in water!! The pain should be gone just in time to enjoy a Wigging Out birthday party tonight and Madeline's first baby shower tomorrow!! Tootles!

The Love of My Life

My Man

I just love and adore this man!!! He is a DREAM and funny too!!

Finally...Art!!

As much as we have been painting, gathering furniture, hanging drapes, etc. we do not have many accessories or wall hangings. I do not like to buy things in sets such as furniture. I like unique pieces and how they all come together. I also like immediate gratification but will wait until I find the perfect piece so the process takes a while. I am now at a point where I can start accessorizing the house. I can't do too much because...well it is expensive but an artist friend of mine, Amanda Hendrich came by this morning and brought over this painting. It is beautiful and we couldn't resist!! We are going to hang it above our antique chest of drawers in our bedroom for now but it could easily be transplanted to our formal dining room later!! Stay tuned for the "Birds on a Wire" painting she is doing for Madeline's nursery!!! Tootles!

Amanda will be opening her gallery in downtown Fairhope mid August. Here is a link to her blog.

http://ahendrichstudio.blogspot.com/

By Amanda Hendrich

Getting There

My friend Tiffany Clark inspired this blog today. She is having a baby girl, Janie Ann, due on November 8th and she expressed on her blog how she gets a little nervous the closer to that day. For me, the closer the due date gets the more I freak out. Questions arise in my head like..can I handle this?...how am I going to deal with the exhaustion?...am I too selfish to care for a baby?...how am I going to get anything done?...am I patient enough?...how do I balance caring for her and a husband and dogs and my home and my friends and family all at the same time? We can't ever give her back, we can't put her in her kennel when she is in the way, or board her everytime we want to go to an Auburn game or other weekend trip.Then I think of what I have already sacrificed for her and how much I am already obsessed and in love with her and it calms me down. I know everything happens for a reason and Seth and I prayed about having a baby and extending our family but neither one of us thought He would work His magic so soon and we are so thrilled but this is life changing!!

Pink Stripes Galore

The Drapes have been installed and they look magical!!!

28 Weeks

We went in for the big Glucose test and an Ultrasound yesterday! Luckily I passed the sugar test and everything was in its right place when we went in for the ultrasound. She was a little stubborn but because I eat sugary sweets all the time...the sugar drink didn't phase either of us and we had a hard time getting her to move anything but her kicking legs. The tech gave us a few 4D pictures so we wouldn't have to come back for another visit or pay out the extra $150. The two seconds she didn't have her hand and the umbilical cord in front of her face, we got some good shots. Here are a few....Enjoy and Tootles!!

Our Princess

Lips from her Daddy...Cheeks from Me
Lashes from her Daddy...Nose from Me

Nursery Update

This week we will have the nursery finished except for a few nic nacs like a lamp or two, throw pillows, wall decor, a rug, etc. The chair and ottoman came in yesterday, we have moved the dresser in and the crib skirt is on and fluffed. The drapes and window seat cushion will be installed on Friday!!

I just sat in the glider and rocked and cried my eyes out yesterday thinking of how blessed we are to be given this miracle...this brand new life. I am so touched by the prayers and thoughtfulness of friends and family that surround us. I want to be the best mother I can be and teach her God's purpose and try to be the best example of a woman I can. Before the tears start to roll again, I will post these many pictures of the updates made up until today!! Enjoy and Tootles!!

So far...

Glider and Ottoman-I adore ruffles!!!

Accent Pillow

Antique Pine Server- Changing Table


The Chandelier



A crib made for a princess!!

Baby Duvet

Antique Stroller for her to push her baby dolls in!!
My Grandmother Glover gave this to me when I was tiny.

The renewed and improved antique dresser!!

Bugaboo Bee Stroller...after a recall, we finally got it worked out and got a working one!!

Say Cheese!!

I have been searching and researching for a while now for an awesome camera we could have for when Madeline is born. I have a great pocket sized digital camera that Seth gave to me for Christmas one year (it is about the 5th one I have had). I am terrible with watches and cameras but I have taken great care of it and it is great for my purse. He has one for work that he uses on the job sights but we rarely use it for personal use. Anyway, I just wanted to be able to capture every grin, roll and wrinkle on our baby and I finally found the perfect camera for our family. Arden Ward (our amazing wedding photographer) recommended that we get a Canon. She said the 400 or 500 would be excellent so that is how I started my search. We ended up getting the Canon EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i / Kiss X3 Digital). It is amazing!! Arden was right and Canon is #1 rated in the "digital" world so that made me feel better about this big purchase. I have been practicing and here are just a few of what I have gotten.......Tootles!!!

our little watch dogs

ME...Seth was playing around

Crepe Myrtle at Daddy's

on the way to Tuscaloosa

Weeeeee're Baaa-ackkk!!

Laurie Beth, Me, and Lindsey at the river

We are back from our trip back home and it was wonderful. We got to spend alot more time at my mother's house than usual and it was great. I slept in until 11:00 one morning and she made me waffles. Mmmm! She makes the best homemade waffles. Seth helped her to replace some boards and lattice on her fence, I helped her order and design a baby invitation for a shower she is helping host and we picked up Madeline's freshly stripped and repainted/distressed dresser!! For the second part of our trip we went to the farm and ate, ate again, went to the river and ate some more!! It was great!! We are back in Mobile now getting the nursery finished this week except for a few nic nacs. I will be sure to post pictures later today!! Tootles!!

Heading Home

Seth left his job at Case Construction Monday of this week to look for another opportunity in the same field. While he has some time off, we thought it would be good to make a trip to Tuscaloosa and Greensboro to see our families and relax! We love going...we always have such a great time, eat good food, and because we have 5 whole days, we will see lots of friends. Will be sure to post about our trip once we get back!! Tootles!

Updated House Pics

We have been working so hard to get different rooms painted and ready before Madeline's arrival. You will notice that we don't have much on the walls or accessories but that will come in time. Also Madeline's room is clearly still a work in progress but I hope you enjoy!! I am loving everything we have done so far!! Tootles!!