Charles Houston arrived!

Most of you already know -- BUT -- our lil' {M.E.} arrived last Monday, January 18th at 7:13 p.m. -- He weighed 7lbs 2oz. and was 19 3/4 in long!

Our story about delivery and our first week home -- Coming soon!

Dont stick your tongue out at me...

... and this is how I found Jackson sleeping the other day....

Hello Due Date... Bye Bye Due Date

We need a new due date...  because January 11th has already passed! We are now patiently waiting Houston to make his arrival.

* 40 Weeks and counting...

Matt and I went to our last Doctor's visit Monday (our due date). We saw Dr. Laffitte and we love him! So far I have met all but one doctor and I have have no problem with any of them. BUT, we did luck out... Dr. Giudice is my primary OB and he is on call from here on out!! Dr. Laffitte scheduled me to be induced Monday, January 18th, if Houston does not make is way this week. So, by the lastest, we will be able to meet Houston on MONDAY! Till then, keep your fingers crossed that he will make his appearance this week!

Weekly Stats (as of Monday):

NOT EVEN DILATED... just a waiting...

we are ready...

Matt and I are now playing the waiting game with Houston. And we have his room all ready to go!

*Daddy made this to go above Houston's crib

*Houston's crib

* The cute teddy that plays music and sings to him.

*Houston's cute mobile that plays music.

*Daddy made this hanger for Houston's diapers and other things. And check out his cute lamp to the right! Love the fox!

*All of his receiving blankets!!

*His shelves with all his books, toys, picture frames, etc.

* His rocking horse! Might be a while till he gets on it and rides... but we cant wait!

His bags are all packed and ready to go! Come on lil' man!

False alarm!

Matt and I had our first 'False Labor' this weekend. It all started Thursday night when I went to bed having contractions -- I had been having braxton hicks contractions but these definitely felt different. I kept waking up in the middle of the night, barely sleeping, tossing and turning -- then I decided I would wait it out Friday and not go to work (I had swore to myself I was going to work up until I go into labor).

Friday I called in and started writing the contractions down. They were 10 minutes apart all morning long. Then once the afternoon hit, they got closer and closer. I layed down about 3 to finally take a nap -- thinking, if this is it, I want to be 'well rested' -- instead, I got a phone call from my mom...  'Where have you been today? I called at work and you didnt answer." -- sigh. knowing at this point if I say anything... its ALL OUT -- So, I told her (I cant hide it) -- "I have been having contractions, they are about 10 to 7 minutes apart."  -- Gasp. "Well, Boo, You going to call me if you go to the hospital?" -- AH. I should have told her sooner... but, now the cat is out of the bag... After I got off the phone w. her Brandy called, Jess called, Brandy called again, JoJo called, Fred called, Jess called... sigh... on Matts phone: Donna called, Shumate called, Aaron called, Donna called.... sigh. Not to mention the texts from several people  - ahem, Tomme. j. BUT, we cant complain... we are glad we are loved by so many!

As the night went on the contractions were about 7 to 6 minutes apart - the back pain and 'pelvic' pain was beginning to get worse - Matt was rubbing my back -- And we thought this was IT. We had thought at about 10 p.m. that we would wake up in the a.m. and it would be time to go to the hospital... 

HOWEVER, after a decent nights sleep, I woke up to a few contractions... nothing big or 'painful'. And the phone started again... Mom called, Brandy called, Jess called, Brandy called, Jess called, Mom called, talked to Donna, talked to Kelli... sigh. THEN, Tammy (our neighbor) came over; Brandy, Dave, Josie and Wes came over; Donna and Bob came over... AND that is when Houston decided... NOT TO COME!

I think he just wanted to tease us... Needless to say... this was our first 'false labor' experience. Since Friday, I have still had contractions. None that were as consistant or as 'painful'... SO, we are still waiting!

Houston's due date is Monday, January 11th! We also have a doctor's appointment that morning. We will keep you posted!

- the baby {M.E}

Sleep Habits

Jackson is typically our lover... He loves for you to pet him, scratch him, love on him. However, he is also our wild cat -- meaning, he is always outside chasing/hunting for something -- so, him being around long enough to get loved on, is slim.

Since its been way too cold lately, he has been inside -- A LOT. And he has demanded lots of attention... BUT, I think Jackson is starting to realize that he wont be getting as much attention soon...

... because he apparently wont sleep too far from me! Everyday this week, he has been right on top of me! AND, I love it! Sure wouldn't trade it for anything!

- the baby {M.E.}

39 Weeks

At 39 Weeks and Houston STILL doesnt want to make his debut!

I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions since Saturday -- every 8 to 20 minutes -- no pattern -- not consistent. Sleep deprivation is now taking over -- waiting is getting harder -- not much progress this week.

*Wow, I almost look like you could take a pen and pop me!

Matt and I went to our 39 week check up this morning! We were suppose to see Dr. Laffitte but he was delivering way too many babies this morning that Dr. Holloday was helping him out with patients! So, we finally met Dr. Holloday! He was very nice and explained himself well! He very nicely stated that this is 'the babys time to shine' -- 'the babys time to say when' -- and there is nothing we can do but wait for him! Just to relax and enjoy the little time we have alone.  Things can soon change over night or it can be several weeks away! He did say that they would not let me go but 7 to 10 days past my due date... so, at least we know there is a TWO WEEK MAX till we get to meet Houston! 

Weekly Stats:

Weight -- up 1.5lbs (whoops)

Blood Pressure -- 120/72

80% to 90% Effaced

Head is W-A-Y down.

Dilated.... no signs.

We are 6 days way from our due date (01.11.10). Stay tuned! We might see lil' Houston this week!

- the baby {M.E.}

Billingsley Salon

Welcome to the Billingsley Salon!

Today's special:  Foot rub and Pedicure.

First, we will start with a Foot Rub... Sigh.

Followed by a Pedi given by the one and only, Matthew Billingsley. This will be good!

Attempt 1:

Wipe and Start over...

Attempt 2:

Not that different from attempt 1... just leave it.

The final product:

Laugh... Not so bad for a first timer! At least it didn't cost me $40 for a pedi! 

- the baby {M.E.}

30 YEARS

For those who dont know, Bob Bob and Pops 30th Anniversary was Friday (NEW YEARS!).  They 'eloped' and never had a wedding or a reception. SO, the gang...

... decided to throw our parents a Surprise Anniversary party! (please take note that Dave and Edwin's eyes are on the TV off to the left -- USC LOST! ha.)

We planned this months in advance (well, had the idea months in advance). A good friend of Matt's family was able to get us Generations (on 'old folks home' - laugh) for a great price! Thanks Janie! It was beautiful! We didn't even have to decorate because they still had the Christmas Decorations up! So, all day Saturday us kiddos baked, cooked, prepared all the food for the party. We even had JoJo prepare a few things... however, she had a hard Challenge! Mom and Dad wouldn't leave her alone... Everytime she turned around to help us do something... in walks mom and dad! But, as always... JoJo gets it done!

We had quite the spread!

Jess couldn't stop eating! J.

We had told mom and dad earlier that week that we all would like to take them to dinner for their Anniversary and that I had made reservations at Dianne's on Devine (where mom and dad had their first date) for 4:45. Sneaky Sneaky.

INSTEAD, we were having a party! Jess and Edwin went to pick Mom and Dad up for dinner but wanted to swing by Generations to show them the room they wanted to throw me a baby shower! (Ahem, me being pregnant, I am a great excuse for EVERYTHING) -- NEEDLESS to say, Pops was not Thrilled about this! They were going to be late for their reservations!! AND there was a function already going on there! Little did they know, the function was for them!! And the night turned out great!

Here are a few Candid Shots from the evening!

*Josie rolling around on the floor!

*Jessie and Wes playing around!

*Jessie and Wes still playing! Finally getting some smiles out of that lil' man! He isn't sick anymore! Knock on wood.

*Bob Bob and Pops 'wedding' cake that Aunt Cat made them! DELICIOUS!!

*Jessie made Coconut cakes! YUMMY!

*Never fails... Josie must get in on the fun! Bob Bob and Pops 'tried' to cut the cake together... Attempt failed... BUT, Bob Bob did feed Pops!

* And he loved it! 

*Brotherly and Sisterly love!

*After chatting with all their friends and family, they had a ball! They were so surprised! It might not have been dinner at Dianne's but it was worth it!

Happy 30th Anniversary Bob Bob and Pops!

- the baby {M.E.}