Sometimes Christmas comes early

And it surely did for us today. We just received one of the best Christmas presents ever (besides LB)...a new camera from Grandma and Grandpa Connelly and Grandma and Grandpa Kuykendall! Our spiffy new camera is so awesome, we don't even know yet what it is capable of. We do know that LB will be one of the most photographed little girls on the face of the earth, a close second to Ms. Piper, her niece. It's the "first child" syndrome I guess, my brother Josh has really become quite the photographer over the last 5 years. So much that Piper can strike several different poses within a few seconds, just like any seasoned model. If Eden has any chance to be in a photo by herself, it's only if Piper is too busy doing something else! Wonder if that will happen with LB and Leyla, haha.

We've included some of our first "shots" just for fun. I absolutely can not wait to learn how to use this bad boy. I won't be sleeping much tonight, I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.

My first favorite with the new camera!

She's ready to party!

What a nice flattering shot of me...

What a cutie!

Homesick Today

Today I'm missing my family a whole lot! We had a consultation set up for a pediatrician's office in Boynton. We had to fill out a brief information sheet before we met the doctor. One of the questions asked us to list an "Emergency Contact" (other than the parents of the patient). It made me sad, because I didn't know who to put down! Who do we want called in case we are not able to be with our child in an emergency situation?

Don't feel too sorry for us, because we have met some of the most amazing friends down here- friends who will be friends for life. And I know for a fact that any one of them would be more than willing to be our "Emergency Contact". But it just hit me that LB doesn't have one single family member here in Florida besides me and Dax. I guess you don't really think about those things until you have a child. It's time to move closer to home folks. I know it will happen someday, but the sooner the better...

Sneak Peak

Here are some pictures of the nursery. We have been working on it the past few weeks and have gotten a lot done! There is still a lot to do, but so far, it is coming together great! Thank you to Poppa K and Sheri (name TBA-any ideas people??) for our crib and dresser. We love it and know that LB will too!

We also had my 25-week appointment today. Everything looks good, baby is measuring right on track. We only got to hear her heartbeat, no ultrasounds. From now on my appointments will be every three weeks instead of four, and soon, they will be every two weeks until the last month where the doctor will see me every week. It was nice to know I’ve past another milestone in pregnancy. Of course I want our baby to come out when she is good and ready, but I am getting so excited to meet her and actually, I dunno, start our LIFE together. I keep thinking of my mom and Dax’s mom and what they went through when they were pregnant with us. I guess you never really understand until it happens to you. I love and appreciate them more than ever. They took such great care of us, we are going to do the same for LB.

It looks like we might have our baby by the 20^th of December (or sooner). I like the sound of 12/20/2010 for a birthday! I would love to be able to work until December 17^th which is all the way up to our Winter Break at school. But, who knows what will really happen! My mom keeps reminding me that all of us Connelly kids came EARLY!! But, then Dax was 2 weeks late (and over 9 lbs…). So, this is one we will just leave up to God, it is out of our hands! He has gotten us this far and we know he will see us through.

That’s all for now!

Dax turns 30!

We celebrated Dax's birthday on Saturday at one of his favorite restaurants, Cantina Laredo. It was a surprise birthday party a couple of days early so Dax didn't have a clue what was planned for him. Our friends decorated the restaurant and table and waited for us to arrive. Dax was a good sport and wore all the obnoxious "30th" birthday gear. We finished the night at our house with good music, drinks and games. Oh, and of course since it was for Dax, a chocolate chip cookie cake. All in all it was a fun night-even Leyla was on her best behavior. Once again, we are reminded of what great friends we have here in Florida.

As requested by many of you, I will try to post a picture so you can see my growing belly. I feel huge most days but try to remind myself, this is only the beginning. Any non-maternity clothes are pretty much out of the question at this point. I sometimes forget that I can't bend very far at the waist anymore. Just the other day, I was on the floor and cleaning out a cupboard in my classroom at school when a bug crawled out. I screamed (of course) and tried to get up, only I couldn't bend forward...I was stuck on the floor with this stupid bug crawling closer to me. Finally, I kicked my legs out in front of me and pushed back, rolled over and got up. Geez, I had no idea it would ever take me that long just to get up from the floor!!! Dax has been super helpful around the house and while doing chores. I'm trying to be mindful of every move I make. Since I am surrounded by miniature short furniture (and people, lol) daily, and it puts a lot of strain on your back. Needless to say, Dax has been great so far.

That's all for now! Our next appointment is not for a few more weeks. But we will continue to try and update each week.

And we have a......

All doubts were laid to rest today, it’s still a girl! We went back to the 7-11 ultrasound (what Poppa K calls it) and got to see our little girl in action. Miss LB was moving and grooving the whole time, even showing us her face! She is already more than 1 pound! The verdict is still out, but Jessica is still hoping she gets the Curtis nose, just like her Daddy. We will attempt to add some pictures, and if we are fancy enough, even a video of our session. The woman felt so terrible for getting the gender wrong the first time, she gave us TWO more FREE sessions. This is exciting to us, because we will not get anymore from the doctor. The baby registry can officially be changed and all purchases by the Grandmas can begin! BTW, Grandpa Doug already has a name (Poppa K), but all the other’s still need suggestions. Instead of giving us baby girl name suggestions, can you think of any for the Grandparents? We won’t see the doctor for a while but we will try to update regularly with any new developments!

Goodbye sweet boy, hello precious girl!

Well, we spent Sunday afternoon returning all the boy clothes, bedding and decor we have been collecting over the last 5 weeks. We look forward to starting over sometime soon, just not right now!

Our really good friends, Eric and Nichole, passed on a huge amount of girl clothes from their little one, Hayden. It was a lot of fun going through the clothes (and shoes) today. They also passed on a bassinet among other little things. We also have some other friends, Danny and Danielle, who have given us some baby items that will come in handy as well. We are so lucky to have such generous friends!

We are slowly adjusting to the idea of our healthy little girl but have to correct ourselves when we talk about him, errr, I mean her. We have no idea of names, so don't bother even asking us. We are clueless. But we are pretty sure no baby ever leaves the hospital without a name, so we are not too worried.

School has started for me, no more summer break. I will be starting with only 4 or 5 students, a GREAT number to start with. Dax's busiest part of the year will also begin this week. No more lazy summer days filled with naps. Boo hoo, I am not ready to get back to real life.