thank you

Lara... thank you for praying for the Stones and writing in their CaringBridge Journal. Cuz, YOU ARE AMAZING! Made me cry... love you, love you!

Baby Watkinson @ 12 weeks

It's been an eventful week already... I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend, thank you Mr. Presidents! On Monday I drove down to Virginia Beach to see Mom and crew and was fortunate enough to have coffee with Dad and then lunch with Mom, Samantha, Eliza, Anna, and Judy Hechtkopf... AND to top it off... Merrick and baby Helen joined us at Aldo's! LIFE IS GOOD!! Tuesday was the best though... Brad and I went to our 12 week doctor appointment thinking that all I would get is a finger prick and a check up and fortunately at the genetic testing site, they also included an ultrasound so we were delighted!! Though I am biased because it IS my child... I sure do think baby Watkinson is gorgeous! :) We find out what we are having around April 14th. Can't wait!! Hope all is well and once we find out what this precious angel is... my posts will indeed become more frequent!

KidsLayne

And once again, Bellevue Elementary is put on code RED lock down... lock doors, keep kids secure, cops are here... love it. 2nd time this year. I'll have to get back on here later...

http://www.kidslayne.com/ I am very excited about kids layne as well this weekend! My step mother-in-law (lovely title) has some friends that have been before and apparently it's like the Bizarre Bazaar for baby/toddler items! YES!

Grammie and Gearnie are coming into town this weekend to spend some quality time with baby Watkinson! We can't wait! :)

Dinner tonight at THE HARD SHELL for Carter's birthday! Cannot wait! With appetizers that look like this, it's going to be scrumptous! The appetizer list is even more exciting!

Appetizers

Lobster Dip
fresh lobster, artichoke hearts, red peppers and dill cream cheese with flour tortillas chips $7.95

Flash Fried Calamari
lightly dusted and flash fried with a pureed roasted pepper salsa $7.95

Seared Rare Tuna
seared rare tuna with fresh ginger, scallions, and ponzu sauce $8.95

Coconut Fried Shrimp
three jumbo coconut encrusted fried shrimp with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce $8.95

Smithfield Ribs
an appetizer portion of our fall off the bone ribs $7.95

Pan Roasted Clams or Mussels
with applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, garlic, white wine and butter $7.95

Crispy Fried Oysters
flash fried select Chesapeake oysters served with a lemon dill crème fraiche $8.95

Oysters Michelle
baked oysters topped with shiitake mushroom pesto, spinach and fontina cheese $8.95

Pan Seared Scallops
with smoked bacon, parmesan and herb butter $10.95

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
three mini cakes served with a sorrel remoulade $10.95

BOY DO I LOVE FOOD... sad about no seared tuna for a loooooong time... :(

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