It's a Boy!

Well, this little one likes to make entrances. We found out we were pregnant on Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day was extra special as we found out we were having a little BOY!

Unfortunately for my husband, I LOVE surprises...he doesn't. So, par for the course, I decided that Valentine's Day would be the perfect day to surprise Nate with the news of a baby boy or girl. I went to Tate Diagnostics the day before and had a video made of the ultrasound. I was told to drink something sugary before I went to ensure that baby was moving around. I figured caffeine would be even better so I drank a mocha frappachino. Not only was I bouncing off the walls, this little one was moving around so much the tech had a hard time finding the sex. Thankfully, she managed to figure it out and I closed my eyes while she typed the sex onto the end image of the video.

When we got home from a fun night out in San Francisco, our very own Valentine's gender reveal party was waiting. As Nate was reading the card from baby, he started shaking and reminded me of how much he didn't like surprises! Luckily, he was still excited and couldn't wait to watch the video. After watching baby rolling and dancing around, the moment finally came. We watched anxiously as the words, "WE ARE HAVING...A BOY!!!" popped up on the screen.

We were both certain that this baby was a girl so we were stunned to see those words! We couldn't be more excited though and are looking forward to finding the perfect name for this little guy. I have just started feeling him move in the last couple of days and am overwhelmed with emotion every time he rolls around. It's usually right after lunch and at bedtime! :)

Can't wait to see what grand entrance this little one will make!

Baby On Board!

Nate and I are happy to announce that we are expecting our first baby! 

This Thanksgiving was extra special. While everyone was eating a yummy dinner, I snuck away to take my first pregnancy test...Positive!! It was a little fun to be carrying around such a special secret for a few hours. 

After taking my second test and most of the dinner guests had left for the night, I sat my hubby down to tell him the good news!! We were so excited that I think we were afraid to believe it was true. So, I took one more test the next morning (just to be sure:) and received one more positive! 

My belly is 12 weeks and growing and baby Pratt is healthy with a heartbeat of 165. Baby was dancing for the camera and giving us a show. Already a ham! :)

The last month has been difficult but everyone keeps telling me that the sicker I am, the healthier the baby is. I suppose that means it will be worth it. My husband has been amazing though. Among other things, he makes me breakfast in bed, holds my hair back while I'm hanging out over the toilet and keeps me hydrated. I couldn't do this without him. 

This little one is due July 20, 2012. That's one day after our 4 year anniversary and 9 days before Nate's birthday. July is going to be one crazy-amazing month!

We truly couldn't be more excited. I've wanted to be a mommy all my life and I can hardly believe it's happening. Nate is going to be such a wonderful dad and I can't wait to see him holding out precious little gift! I'm so excited!!!!

Rooftop Bliss

I recently came across a bible verse that shook me up a little bit (as they usually do). 

Proverbs 25:24 

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."

The verse creates two images in my mind...one is quite comical. I imagine Nate confined to the corner of a tin roof, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drinking sweet tea while I dance around my house in my fuzzy blue bathrobe indulging in dark chocolate candy bars. 

The other is a little less humorous. I imagine my husband being so aggravated with me that he would rather live on the roof, as far away from me as he can get than share a house for one more minute. This one shook me up.

 

Now, by no means do I perceive this as an invitation to be a pushover. I believe it's important to stand up for what one believes in, to feel validated or even just the desire to be heard and get one's point across. However, this verse reminded me of the importance of being selective in what I choose to make a mountain. I need to be able to agree to disagree when it seems that neither party is going to budge. I would rather be the strong, wise and silent supporter (the silent part will take a miracle of God:) than an obnoxious, quarrelsome and overbearing wife/friend/sister/etc. 

My prayer...

Heavenly Father,

Please help guide and soften me in my quest to be a strong, wise and silent (gulp!) supporter. Help me discern when an issue is important enough to make an Alamo or small enough to be water under the bridge. 

Amen

We don't need traveling pants!

The four of us pictured above are the best of friends! Even though we are far apart, God continues to bless our lives and keep us close. Recently, we celebrated the marriage of Courtney and Clay!  It was a fabulous soiree. Courtney looked like a fairytale in her mom's wedding dress and Blackberry Hill was the perfect backdrop. Of course, I don't want to leave out the groom. He was definitely dapper in his fancy suit...the suit that he wore while driving a tractor the morning of! I am confident that God made them for each other. They are such an amazing couple!
I can't wait to see what God has planned for the next chapter in our lives!!
Much love!

Our Golden State

I love California. I've wanted to live here since I was seven years old. The first time Mama came to Los Angeles to visit me, she said she knew it was where I was supposed to be. Don't worry though, I'm still a southern girl down to my bones. I wear my "I heart TN" necklace almost everyday. The heart is placed over Nashville.

California has been good to me. I had a fabulous time living in LA. I met tons of people, including a number of movie stars and went to the beach every week. I also met my husband there. It doesn't get much better than that!

Stockton was an easy transition because it reminds me so much of my home town, Gallatin. It's about 230,000 people larger but has the same feel. One difference I noticed right away is that there aren't any lightning bugs here. It would be better if there were lighting bugs.

The other reason I chose the title "Our Golden State" is because I feel that I truly live in a golden state. I have been blessed in all areas of my life and sometimes feel like it's a little surreal. The only thing I would change is distance. I would make California, Tennessee and Connecticut fit next to each other. That way I could see all the people I love whenever I wanted.