The Bear

Yesterday, Brennan had the honor of being the ring bearer in our good friends Dave and Evelyn's wedding. I never knew I would be so nervous for someone elses wedding! He talked for a few days last week about how he was going to be "the bear". On Friday afternoon he asked where his bear costume was, and was just slightly disappointed when I showed him his ivory linen outfit. I let him pick from a few choices of what to wear for rehearsal, and he chose the most dressy option. He also wanted to wear his new wedding shoes. I had high hopes that this would be an easy new gig for him. Unfortunately, he fell asleep on the way to Huntsville and wasn't the happiest once we arrived. Rehearsal was a bit of a struggle, but he managed to participate a little.

His favorite role was secret service agent to the bride and groom.

We aren't big on bribery, but after Friday nights performance we decided to pull out all the stops. Mike ran to Walmart and found a new Monsters University coloring book, Smarties, and a little Batman. I had a plan to make sure Brennan's room was as dark as possible Saturday morning so he would sleep later, and hopefully be ok with little or no nap. I also planned to pick up his favorite lunch, chicken fingers from Dari Delite, to make sure he had a full tummy.

Saturday morning, Brennan awoke 15 minutes later than normal. There was no convincing him that it was still dark outside, he pulled back the curtains to prove it was time to get up :). The lunch plan did work however, and he left excited "to get married".  He fell asleep on the way over again, so when we arrived I checked the schedule. They weren't ready for his pictures yet, so he got to sleep for about an hour. He is normally one to wake up happy if he is excited about what is to come, even when he hasn't gotten his full rest. As luck would have it, when we woke him he was extremely cranky. He would have no part in anything he was asked to do. It took him almost an hour, and almost all of the picture time to come around. I'm not sure there will be any good pictures of him, and there are not any of him with the wedding party. The one thing that saved the day.... a little Batman. We had planned to give it to him after the wedding, but I finally gave it to him and said do what you're asked to do and you can keep it. Before I knew it, he had planted himself in a picture with the bride. He then practiced walking down the aisle multiple times with Mike. The rest of the afternoon he was his normal, mostly cooperative self.

At wedding time, he lined right up with the flower girl and walked down the aisle. Where was Batman you ask? Tucked in the ribbon holding the two Bibles he was carrying of course. The plan was that he would go from Mike at the back to me sitting close to the front. When he got to me, he shook his head emphatically and said, "No, I'm going up there!" He went right up and stood in the bride's spot! The matron of honor kept looking at him, looking at the minister, looking at me. My face was as bright as my pink dress I'm sure. Brennan proceeded to have a conversation with the groom about Batman's boots. As the bride started down the aisle, Brennan told the groom he was going to go sit down now. He came, sat down, did a fair job of being quiet, and was very excited when it was his turn to walk back out. He did ditch the Bibles so he could run faster into the arms of the groom. Mike and I breathed huge sighs of relief.

At bedtime, I asked Brennan what his favorite part of the day had been. His response, "When I ran to Mr. Dave and he picked me up." He fell right to sleep and woke up at 9:30 this morning....two hours later than usual.

A Decade Long Friendship

My four-legged best friend turned 10 years old today! I've had him since he was eight weeks old. We've been through the good, the bad, the ugly, and a whole lot more together. I've seen him through two hip surgeries, several tummy aches, and brought him back home a few times after his amazing escapes. He has seen me through heartbreak and numerous wonderful life changes. I've forgiven him for eating the post of a brand new bed, eating the corner of a bookcase, and various other accidents. He has forgiven me for four moves, many road trips, a not so loving step-dog brother (sorry Buster), and I'm sure various other events.  He loves Mike and I, but I'm pretty sure his little brother truly has his heart. He is the most patient, loving dog with Brennan.  I will say, he has always seemed to love Brennan but since Brennan has started eating real food (and possibly dropping a few morsels or leaving it within reach on the table) Wells has really become his buddy. These days his favorite past times are: eating, sleeping, occasionally playing, laying in the sun, swimming any chance he gets, and always hanging out with me (especially if I'm in the kitchen or a quiet room by myself). His newest trick is stealing food from the table or counter. He would never attempt this when younger. He has become a little more orniary and a little more selective with his hearing with age. He has never loved riding in a car although he did tolerate it for several years while we lived away from Alabama. He has also never liked using stairs, and absolutely refuses these days. I love that I know his personality so well, because we've spent so much great time together. Happy Birthday Canaan Land's Well Worth It All: A.K.A. Wells or Wellsie or Wellsworth!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great day celebrating dads today! My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece all came for lunch and pool time. The 10% chance of rain was apparently meant for our backyard, but luckily it wasn't a rain out.

Pretty in Pink

I think we have all become a little more accustomed to the news of a little girl joining our family. We couldn't be happier! It has taken a little time to sink in though. I wasn't surprised since I've thought all along it was a girl, but it is a huge moment to find out how your family will be completed.

After our doctor's appointment, Mike and I went to lunch and talked about names. We then went shopping just to get used to looking for pink. It was a little overwhelming, and we didn't actually get anything. I know what I like for a boy, but this girl stuff is so vast.

I did come home and start on her room. That was the one piece I already had ideas about. I ordered a little pink! Since then it has all come together really easily. Hopefully, it will be ready to share in the next few weeks.

Time has flown by. I'm 30 weeks today. I feel huge! When are you due has become the dreaded question. I want to just say in a few weeks to avoid the whole shock, surprise, disbelief, some people feel the need to share. She has to go somewhere people! For me, it is mostly out front, and yes my belly is big.  Heartburn has begun to rule my life. It dictates when and what I eat, and even where we eat out many times. It also steals my sleep some nights. She better have some great hair because I can't seem to find much relief. I'm at a point of being done with the To Do list, even if the list isn't officially done. I pass by weeds outside and dust inside, what would normally drive me crazy, and think ...later maybe. Pregnancy brain has become very real. If I don't write it down I'm probably not going to remember it.  I have felt pretty good until it got really hot last week. I'm very thankful for air conditioning, especially since ours was out two of the hot days last week. I freeze most everyone else just to get to a comfortable temperature I think. Exercise still makes any day better, but I really have to make myself do much. My goal for the next few weeks is to finish her room, buy a few things I need to pack my bag, and enjoy summertime with a sweet big brother who is still determined to get the name Bubbles in somewhere. Hopefully, I will also have a room reveal and name reveal to share also!

A little sneak peek!