New Stuff!

We went to Wal-Mart today and picked up our first baby items. Mom and Dad McCollum bought Rachel her travel system (stroller/car seat) and Mom and Dad Nieter got her her crib. Our awesome neighbor helped Dustin unload the car and offered his help in putting anything together if we needed him! The crib is not put up, so we don't have pictures of that.

We love the stroller... it's easy to fold up and isn't very heavy. Don't worry, I didn't lift it!

Zoe was sniffing around, making sure it's up to her standards!

"I think my world's about to change."

19 Weeks!

Rachel Elizabeth McCollum!

Here we are at 19 weeks. It's getting a little harder to sit and lean forward! Still feeling good. We're getting really excited that school is ending so we can get stuff done in the nursery!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had kind of a crazy Memorial Day Weekend. Dustin was in Chicago with the band and I didn't want to stay in Roanoke by myself so I went to Chesapeake. It was a fun and busy weekend! Saturday I went to the beach and got just a little sunburned on my legs... oops, forgot sunscreen on them! Mom, Dad, Zoe and I went down to the Dismal Swamp and I rode in Dad's kayak for a few minutes. So relaxing. Mom and I went strawberry picking on Monday before I came home. We got a little muddy, but it was worth it. Nothing quite like fresh picked strawberries!

Blake wanted to give his cousin a hug goodbye before we left!

Blake thought Zoe's bed was a fun tent!

Mom and Zoe watching Dad in the Kayak.

On my way back in. Zoe missed me, she tried to swim out to get me when I was heading out!

Blake had just eaten some sand along with an animal cracker!

Blessing!

One of our pastors and his wife (Moe and Melissa) had a baby girl last November. They were going to put all of their baby things in a yard sale, but Melissa said she felt like these were meant for someone. She knew it was us when I saw her in church last week and told her we were having a girl! Their daughter will be 11 months older than ours so the seasons match perfectly for all the clothes!

Not that I ever doubted, but God is taking care of us by providing a great church with such caring and loving people in it!

Zoe

Zoe has been a little clingy lately. I think she knows something is going on, but not quite sure what yet.

We've figured out that when we talk about "getting ready," Zoe knows it's time for her to go to bed. She just gets in there without us having to say anything directly to her.

We brought the bassinet downstairs and Zoe just rested her head on the side of it. We think she might be a little protective of her little sister!

18 Weeks!

I've been feeling really good this past week. Half way! I don't know if I'm more excited or nervous about that. Excited that she'll be here soon, but nervous because there's so much to do!

It's a Girl!

We are excited to finally know that we are going to have a girl! Both mom's were able to come into town for the ultrasound. We almost did not get to find out this visit, so I am thankful that everything worked out. After the nurse came in and took my blood pressure, she looked at my chart and said, "It looks like your next visit, we'll get to see if you're having a boy or girl." They had not scheduled the ultrasound! I told the nurse that both moms were from out of town and were in for this. The doctor came in and told us that she had to beg and bribe with zucchini bread, but the technicians would squeeze me in! Whew!

The doctor said everything looked great. The baby was not too interested in letting us see her face, but we managed to get a few pictures. (She didn't mind showing us her little bottom though!) She is 9 oz and about 5 in. long ... right on track!

On Saturday, Dustin and his dad (Dad Nieter couldn't make it:-( ) sanded and painted my old furniture... it looks great so far... while all the girls went and registered for baby things. (Burlington coat factory and Wal-Mart). We all had a great time!

She was a little shy, but after poking, we got to see her little face!

Thumb sucker!

All curled up... what a cutie!

After church on Sunday

First Family portrait!

Looking at his baby girl!

Lost pictures!

Here are just a couple pictures that I've been meaning to post but haven't gotten around to it.

Zoe's new bed! We got a little tired of taking down and putting up the regular kennel everywhere we went. Plus it takes up quite a bit of space (which will be limited here soon!) in the car. She looks really squished, but she can lay down fine in it. The sides and the front are mesh so it's not that closed in.

The garden! It's actually even a little bigger now since we've had rain nearly every day for the past 2 weeks it seems. The only thing that hasn't popped up is the tomatoes. We went to a farmer's market in SC and bought a couple plants though, so we'll have those blossoming soon!

17 Weeks!

Here we are at 17 weeks. I'm feeling really good still! I learned this week that the baby loves music. He or she was moving quite a bit at daddy's concert on Friday! I just hope it won't be that active after it is born... I don't want to miss the concerts!





We have a big week this week... no more calling the baby "he or she," "the baby," or "it." Friday at 2:30 is the ultrasound! Don't worry, we'll make phone calls and post as soon as we can. No, we haven't picked out names yet, but will post when we do!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Dustin and I are blessed to have moms that love the Lord and have taught us to do the same. We appreciate all that they have done for us. We also know that they had great role models who taught them. We love you Mom, Mom, Nana, Grandma, Nannie, Mema and Grandma! I hope I will take after the great examples that you have set.

On another note, I had a wonderful first Mother's Day! Dustin got me a Precious Moments figurine of a pregnant lady sitting on a stool looking at a book titled Names. (The name of the figurine is "You're Due For A Lifetime Of Happiness")

Busy Week!

Saying this week was busy may be an understatement!

My birthday on Sunday was a great one. We had a few friends over for lunch after church and we spent the rest of the day just relaxing (studying some too). Dustin got me what I call a "mom camera." I love the camera that we had, but it was a little big. I got a smaller point and shoot camera that will fit in a purse/diaper bag! I love it!

On Monday, Hidden Valley Middle had a concert and Dustin conducted a piece so we headed there for the night. (I have to admit that I studied a little between bands there too!)

Tuesday I went to my last Tuesday night class for the semester! Woo Hoo!

Wednesday was a final in that night's class... so glad that's over!

Thursday was Hidden Valley High's concert. All the kids did great! (The directors did well too.) Dustin is very glad that that is over. Now it's just the trouble of keeping the kids under control for the next 4 weeks until graduation.

Friday morning we left to go to South Carolina for Benjamin's college graduation!

I am excited that my little garden is growing! We will definately have zucchini, squash and cucumber. We should have some green and chili peppers too, they're starting to come up a little. Still waiting on tomatoes... I may end up just buying some plants.

(Pictures will come later)

16 Weeks!

This has been a really good week. I'm feeling well and have some energy! I told my students this week that I am going to have a baby. One little girl pointed to my stomach on the playground and said, "You're belly is bigger now." Another announced to a visitor, "My teacher's got a baby in her belly!" So in case anyone didn't know...