Pray for the Stone Family

Many of us that know the Stone's (and many that do not know them) have been praying especially hard for them for a miracle! Their twin boys, John and Warren, were born January 21, 2009. They have had quite the long journey in such a short time! Pray not only for the boys, but for Meade and Mary Elizabeth as well! Here is a link to a site they have set up. The amount of prayers in the guestbook and the amount of hits their site has seen is quite the testament to Meade and Mary Elizabeth's enduring faith in God. That in itself is a miracle. Please check out their site and start praying! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stonetwins

More accessories and finding maternity wear!

Nevermind the booties below... These above are absolutely precious!




This nursing cover works for both baby sexes to keep Mommy looking snazzy! :) http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/windsor-nursing-cover-p-3837.html



I think my sis-in-law Samantha may have had a bag similar to this one... I really want something plain or in relatively plain colors. Not sure why I want to be so boring with the diaper bag, but I just don't want to get sick of seeing the pattern... so far this tops my list of attractiveness. http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/black-white-floral-messenger-oioi-p-2172.html




The little giraffe blankets are so soft and snuggly that I really would enjoying having one of my own... they come in a variety of colors: pink, lilac, blue, periwinkle, mint, sage, yellow, butter, and white. Of course I would prefer white, but may have to splurge on the pink for a little princess of my own! http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/little-giraffe-chenille-blanket-with-satin-trim-p-518.html Fortunately, Nordstrom carries the adult line that makes bathrobes. The pink one keeps me happy every morning! Thanks Mom! :)


Since my little girl (a little toehead of course) will be full of hairbows, she'll need a bow holder such as this one... except that her name will be Anne Bradley so we'll have to switch up the initial! :) http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/pink-chic-boutique-hair-holder-p-4348.html

I love these polka dot booties... wish they were pink and navy, I am kind of over the brown with pink and blue... I do love them though! http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/perfectly-princess-booties-p-3479.html

Today may be the baby girl shopping day... I can't resist a precious angel in a tutu! Ask my nieces, Eliza and Anna! They're the most adorable ballerinas you'll ever see... This onesie with an attached tutu MADE MY DAY! Cutest website too! http://www.pinktaffydesigns.com/princess-onesie-fluff-tutu-p-2580.html

I will definitely be frequenting Anne Marie's store... THANK GOODNESS she started Now Showing- Your Belly Boutique! http://www.nowshowingmaternity.com/ This is going to be VERY helpful come May when we have 2 weddings and a family reunion at the end of the month! Not to mention just needing a good pair of jeans... I've also THANK YOU GIRLS had numerous requests to continue checking http://www.apeainthepod.com/ to find cute maternity wear! Fortunately with the help of Bella Bands, I can still fit comfortably into everything... with the button unsnapped! :) One of my dear college friends is having the May wedding in West Palm Beach at the Breakers... when I asked for the attire so I could get ahead of the game... her response, in typical precious Ali form, "tropical chic!" I think I'll have an easier time findnig myself something to wear rather than poor ol' Brad... Not sure how tropical chic my husband is... we'll do our best! :) If anyone sees any tropical chic maternity dresses that are relatively fancy... keep a girl posted!

A few items that I am lusting after for Baby Watkinson, not that I should lust...

Merrick has this little lamb baby swing for Helen and it was so snuggly and inviting that Brad and I BOTH were interested! I also love the white. I am finding that I am not interested in pink and blue... http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3090973


Another ridiculous "want" item! I love Navy blue and like the idea of these Bugaboo Frog Strollers... This one is a must?! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3144410





This Bob jogger in Navy seems a little more practical... meaning I MAY actually start exercising again once the morning sickness diminishes! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2623495



Though insanely expensive and entirely impractical (they don't fold too easily!) I am head over heels for this gorgeous Silver Cross Pram... I can see Baby Watkinson now... http://www.strollersdirect.com/Silver-Cross-Kensington-Pram-in-Midnight-Navy.htm


I too am loving organic products like this precious sweet pea in a pod cover for the Boppy! :) http://shopboppy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_11&products_id=167




In sticking with the male-dominated theme today... perchance I have a boy, I am liking this Green Energy Baby Bjorn! Not sure why, but I LOVE IT! Of course there is a pink one if it's a girl! :) http://www.babybjorn.com/en/American/products/




I also ALREADY could NOT survive without the Bella Band! It's the best. My clothes fit EVERYWHERE, but the darn button won't close! I am coming to terms with this... HAHA! http://www.ingridandisabel.com/bellaband.html




This nursing cover by Bebe au Lait is quite adorable and perfect for those breastfeeding in public moments... a must have for the discreet! :) https://www.sylvieandbruno.com/index.php?p=product&id=125&parent=7





This plush little lamb from https://www.sylvieandbruno.com/index.php?p=product&id=435&parent=11 Jellycat is also a necessity for both boy or girl Baby Watkinson!




I am currently obsessing over all things Serena & Lily like this https://www.sylvieandbruno.com/index.php?p=product&id=294&parent=2
bumper and bedding set for a precious little boy! I am loving the navy with lime green accents! :) That's the direction I'm going with a little boy's room...

NOW I JUST NEED TO FIND CUTE MATERNITY WEAR!!

We have to go to a wedding at the Breakers in West Palm in May and I am already traumatized by the chiffon and satin bow numbers that I've seen online... KEEP ME POSTED if ANYONE sees any attractive dresses... I may already be showing a tad by May! :)

The poem that all of the Grandparents received!

My brother's wife, Samantha, ordered a cake to help with the surprise! They only have girls so naturally she chose pink, though we have no idea what sex the baby is! Sam was in on the secret since the day we found out! :) This is the version of the poem that we gave to my parents. Eliza and Anna have already named them Grammie and Gearnie!

Dear Grammie and Gearnie,

I do not have a face to see,

Or put inside a frame.

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss,

I don't yet have a name.

You can't yet hold my tiny hands, 'nor whisper in my ear.

It's still too soon to sing a song, or cuddle me so near.

But all will change come September 1st, That’s when they say I'm due.

I'll be your third grandchild (WOW); I can't wait till I meet you.

All I ask between now and then is your patience while I grow.

I promise I'll be worth the wait, because of all the love we'll know.

So have a blessed New Year

A wish to you from me.

I cannot wait to be a part

Of this amazing family!

With Love,
Precious Baby Watkinson

Heard the Heartbeat

These ultrasound pictures were taken at 8 weeks along on January 20, 2009. The baby's head is to the left, the yolk sac is the halo looking part of the picture, and the leg and arm buds can be made out if you look closely... :)

Our baby is due September 1, 2009! We can't wait!

We had the first ultrasound on January 20th and got to see the baby and listen to the heartbeat! It finally made the entire process very real for Brad which was hilarious to watch, especially when he saw the ultrasound technician come at me with the machine. Thank goodness my mom came to help steady the boy! :) Mom is amazing. We surprised my parents the Saturday before with a present that included a framed poem. I will add the framed poem later... She, of course, came back to Richmond with us and proceeded to immaculately clean my house and grocery shop for me and generally make me feel slightly better.

My morning (HAHA) sickness has been a doozy! Not only has it been an all day event, it has lasted from January 5th until the present, though the nausea seems to be waning these days... thank goodness! My students have been ultra supportive and hilarious throughout the process. I told them on Friday about the baby which in turn sent out requests for Brad and I to name the baby after them... a personal favorite: Sta'chea. Sta'chea Watkinson has quite the ring to it, yes? Though finding out I was pregnant sure helped the kiddos understand why I've been seated for the past three weeks with a Coleman cooler water jug attached to one hand and saltines in the other while making mad dashes to the restroom all the while not grading a single paper since Jan. 5th... They are indeed a patient bunch!

Brad has been venturing into the wild world of reading recently with the purchase of What Every Father to-be NEEDS to know... I am personally fond of the fact that last night he read that my morning sickness has felt like a constant extreme hangover for the last 3 weeks. Only then did I conjure up some empathy from him... :) He has been a rock and a blessing truly from God in this whole experience so far! The surprise of it all, plus the added bonus of my sickness really threw us for a loop, yet Brad seems to be embracing and enjoying this impending role of fatherhood. We've watched more TV than I care to divulge, eaten more saltines, suffered through my lack of cooking (a first time in 4 years!), and survived Friday and Saturday nights at home rather than out and about with out friends living it up! Fortunately we'll be able to join the ranks of reality again once I get back to feeling like myself! He has been a real trooper and I am thankful for his sacrifices thus far!

As this journey progresses, we will keep you all updated and posted on the wonderful joys and challenging trials of pregnancy and impending parenthood!