Fifth Month

Halfway there, and I am definetely showing. The last couple weeks my tummy has just popped out!

Shopping in Dallas

While we were in Dallas we got together with some good friends that are also expecting. Since they live in town, I got the low down on good baby stores to visit. I am going to get in so much trouble shopping for Mary Ella! I can already tell she loves it too! Ha! We started her shoe and bow collection. Aren't they sweet? I also found some pink Ralph Lauren towels at Horchow Finale for $5 each! I bought a bunch and am going to have them monogrammed for her bathroom. I also shopped for maternity (yuck)! On Thursday, I got together with my college roomate, and we set out in search of the perfect baby bedding. I had this idea in my head of what I wanted, but I hadn't found it yet. We found the most adorable shop called The Cat and the Fiddle in Plano, and I ordered my bedding from there. We probably spent an hour and a half looking at fabric, but I ended up getting exactly what I wanted. Thanks Ash!

Spring Break '09

Brad and I headed to Hope the first weekend of Spring Break. It was great to see my family and update everyone on baby news. We spent our Saturday night in Lewisville, AR at the National Wildlife Turkey Federation Banquet. Yes, I said turkey banquet. My family and my husband are VERY into hunting of any kind. I am actually a disgrace to the family because I'm not a hunter. I happen to be the only grandchild that has not killed a deer with my Pa. I knew my brother would be excited if I were having a boy because of all the fun things they could do together, but he has been suprisingly just as excited about a girl. When we got to my mom's house he had made a pan of PINK Rice Krispie treats with Mary Ella's initials in peanut M&M's!

On Monday, we headed to Dallas. Brad attended a finance conference, and I just went along for the ride. I loved being able to do as much or as little as I wanted. Sleep in, maybe go to the gym, lunch with Brad, shop, dinner, repeat. The weather was great, so I even got to lay by the pool one day. Our hotel was right in the middle of downtown, so we had quite a view.

Our hotel was right next to Reunion Tower (the ball), so we made reservations one night to eat in Wolfgang Puck's new restaurant at the top of the tower. We both agreed that the atmosphere was better than the food. The restaurant actually rotates as you eat, so you get a 360 degree view of the Dallas skyline. It takes about 55 minutes for it to turn one time. These pictures really do not do it justice.

It's a Girl!

We are having a baby girl! Her name will be Mary Ella, after two of her great-grandmothers. We couldn't be more excited! It was amazing to see her moving her arms and legs. We got to see fingers, toes, her sweet face, and all. The girl has long legs too! The lady doing the sonogram measured one of her femurs and said it was a week ahead! Since then, Mary Ella has been busier than ever in my tummy. Brad got to feel her kick the other night in bed. She must be a strong girl to already be felt on the outside. Needless to say, we are in love! And we have already been shopping. Mary Ella has three new dresses. Isn't this one sweet?

Happy Birthday Brad!

This week Brad turned 29! He looks very handsome in his new 3-piece suit he picked out for his birthday. He requested breakfast in bed, but I refused to get up any earlier than 5:00 a.m. Sorry! He did get a funfetti cupcake with a candle, and I promised him breakfast Saturday morning. We celebrated by having dinner at our favorite steak restaurant in Jackson, Shapley's, with some good friends.

Fourth Month

Baby Harriman is growing and moving! I felt the baby move for the first time during yoga at week 14. I know it seems early, but I must have been in just the right position. Since week 16, I have felt 1-2 moves while sitting or laying down. The other morning during church, I felt 5 bumps in a row! We may have an active one on our hands! Our next doctor's appointment is March 10th. Boy or girl? We will know soon!

Valentine's Day 2009

This is one of my Valentine sweethearts. I say one, because I had about 26 this year. I received chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. What more could a girl want? Oh, and Brad got me an i-pod. :)

I have the sweetest class this year, and I have really been looking forward to telling them about the baby. My last doctor's appointment was on the morning of our Valentine's Day party, so when I got back to school I decided it was a good day to break the news. They were so excited! They were giving each other high fives, hugging me, and saying, "Yes!" One of them said, "Oh, Mr. Harriman is going to be so excited! When are you going to tell him?" Precious! Isn't that funny that they would think I would tell them before Brad? I guess I am doing my job of making each child feel special. One of my boys went home and told his older brother, (whom I had taught a few years ago) "Mrs. Harriman is having a baby, and it happened at the party!" This same child all year has hugged me around my waist and hangs on for a while. I told him that I think the baby must already know who he is. So sweet! I have also gotten lots of good suggestions for baby names. Mostly they think I should name the baby after them! It has really been fun sharing this experience with them. I know they will always be special to me.

Valentine's Day was bittersweet for Brad and me. We didn't do anything fancy, just went to see a movie and cooked in. We are in love with the meat and produce at Fresh Market! Anyway, with every holiday or event that passes I think in the back of my mind, "Well, that was the last time it will ever be like that." I know once the baby comes I will never look back, and we will have more joy than we ever imagined. We are just kind of set in our ways and maybe a little selfish with our time together. It will be an adjustment. Next Valentine's Day will be different, but I'm sure there will be more than enough love to go around.