2.5 weeks old

I realized we hadn't really taken any pictures since Eliza has been home, so today I took a few! Mainly for my mother who is convinced that in the 1.5 weeks since she's seen her, she may have changed drastically!

Eliza went to her 2 week appointment on Wednesday and she looked great. She was 7 lb. 5.5 ounces. Somehow this was a little disappointing to me as my boys grew SO fast. The Dr. was very pleased with her growth and she was well past her birth weight (which is the goal by 10 days to 2 weeks), so I tried to be pleased as well. When one of your major roles in life is to be a human dairy barn for your child, it is difficult when they don't grow as fast as you think they should. It somehow feels like a slight to you!

There is a bit of medicine on her eye which is why they have a slight shine.

And this is one of the first pictures of me that I have allowed to be public. I was intentional about NOT being photographed for the first few weeks (even though originally I said it would be 6 months!). With the first child, you take pictures coming home from the hospital etc... then years later you look at these pictures and wonder what in the world you were thinking! So this time I stayed away from the camera! And if anyone comments that I look tired I will have to stop talking to you for at least 3 months. There are some things better kept to yourself.

This is one of my husband's favorite occupations, letting her sleep on his chest. He loves his little girl so much and is such a proud Papa!

Things you thought you'd never do

When I graduated from college bound for the altar and the classroom, there were some things that I vowed I would NEVER do. Some were based on stereotypes of teachers and some on stereotypes of wives and mothers, but either way I would be different.

*The first declaration dealt with big hair and big bangs.

*The second was thematic clothing of any type - namely dealing with holidays. I would never wear Rudolph sweaters with red noses, or jingle bell earrings (and even though one of my siblings swears that this had to do with the teaching of elementary school.... I swore I would never cave).

*The last was owning a van. To me a van was a sign of a dorky soccer mom.... and while I wanted to be a mom and I indeed played (and coached) soccer, somehow this was a sign of weakness. But one day I woke up and realized I was a mom! And now that I have 3 kids, there were some serious advantages to owning a van..... the number one in my mind was the power sliding door that I can control from my key fob! I wanted space, convenience of my children being able to get in and out of their own, and all the special perks they add to vans just for mamas! Either way - I have been coveting vans for 6 months and as of this weekend, I now have one of my own. Key fob activating door and everything. Now we're living the life.

I suppose if you break one vow of what you'll never do you should somehow change or create a new one. So in order to do this publicly, I will do so now. I vow to never put a 13.1 sticker or stick figures of my family members (or pets even though I believe this should go without saying) on the back of my van. Sorry Tiff.

Eyes Open

Claire Elizabeth Breedlove

This is a quick post to welcome the newest edition of our family! Eliza Breedlove! She was born on May 11, 2011 at 2:05 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz even though she was only 36 weeks. Her brothers adore her as does her father. I'm sure this will be the first post of many with lots of pictures. Enjoy.

My husband will protest....

BUT.... in honor of only having 3 days left until until our baby girl comes I have changed the color of the blog. My husband and blog editor is currently at his brother's graduation so it will take at least 24 hours for the complaint to be lodged.

Please pray her lungs are ready and that she is ready to arrive on Wednesday! Mamma is MORE than ready for her to be here.

In the last few days we've had some adventures!

The boys cousin's (well actually children of their father's cousin.... but who is counting) stopped by for a play date on their way through to Alabama. The eldest cousin is a few days older than Steven and then they have twin boys that are 19 months! Man Katie is a busy woman!

While playing with their friend Caleb, the boys were a part of a mulch tornado. There was mulch EVERYWHERE. Once Sam's diaper was opened a cup of mulch found inside, it was quite apparent that a wipe down was not an option. This resulted in a mid-day bath with 3 boys.

Then Nana BB and Poppy came up to allow my husband to head to Chapel Hill to celebrate his brother Thomas's graduation. While here they did lots of grandparent type things..... picked strawberries, saw some horses at the AG center, had a movie night with pizza, and ingested some frozen dairy products after eating at Chick-fil-a!





Hopefully on 3 more days of bed rest!

We're Getting Closer

Only 10 days away until delivery day! I like to narrow it down by categories..... 3 more Doctor Visits, 2 more gymnastics classes, and one more weekend!

I wanted to update you on some fun the boys have been having since I last posted.

Some friends were kind enough to take my boys with them on a day trip to the Greenville Zoo. The boys had a blast! Jenny was so kind to take LOTS of pictures for me so I could see all the fun, too. Thanks guys for loving us so much!




When asked about this specific picture, Steven responded.... "Mrs. Jenny said to smile, but I was a pirate. And pirates don't really smile." Very insightful.

We had a visit from Nana BB

We had our first real Easter Basket experience

Not to mention lots of good time with Daddy

And Uncle James, Aunt Millie, Lije, and the boys' newest cousin Tadd came to visit for the day!



We have been so blessed to have such great experiences even though life has been a bit different as I spectate from the couch!