Merry Christmas!

Dustin and I had decided not to send Christmas cards this year because I want to send birth announcements instead. We usually send out 200 cards every year, and that would just be too much to do both! But my sister in law came over Saturday and took pictures of Lillian for me, and when she emailed this one to me....I thought it was too funny and cute not to send out! SO I just ordered a few for our family from Walgreens in about ten minutes!
Anyways, since most of our friends didnt get a card this year, I wanted to share our picture and say Merry Christmas from the McCains!!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Lillian looks a lil upset in the picture, but its the best one I could get at the time! We had just gotten home from a long day of Christmas shopping, and she was hungry!

SNOW!

We woke up Saturday morning to a winter wonderland! It was all gone by noon...but I'm glad I snuck out and got a picture!

Lillian Grace

Lillian had her two week check up with our pediatrician, and everything is perfect! No sign of jaundice, the nurse said she was the pinkest baby she'd ever seen! And her weight was up to 8 pounds, 4 ounces. So far, she has been an excellent baby! She is already sleeping five hours straight at night! I only have to wake up twice in the night to feed her. She is so sweet and only cries if she's hungry. She has alot of really cute and funny faces already. She gets the hiccups all the time! She loves her swing, her floor gym, and her bouncer. She even loves her bath. Her daddy and I love to give her a bath at night and then sit by the fire to warm up. Dustin always washes and brushes her hair, and does a great job! She is definately going to be a Daddy's girl!

I LOVE being a stay at home mom already and am so attached to this little perfect little girl!

7 pounds 14 ounces of perfect sweetness!

Lillian Grace was born November 3rd, 2009, at 4:22 PM. She weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 20 inches long. I was scheduled to be induced, so Dustin and I arrived at the hospital at 5 am that morning. Sometime that afternoon I finally dilated to ten cm and pushed for an hour and 15 minutes. Lillian's heartbeat kept dropping and taking too long to recover, so we had to be rushed into a C section. After she was born, I had some complications, and it was not until 10 that night before we got to our room! Needless to say, it was a very long day! But the best day of mine and Dustin's life! Lillian could not be any more perfect! We are so in love with this little girl!

Best In Show

Our Boxer, Boss, won Best In Show at Reunion's Pet Parade two weekends ago! Dustin wanted to dress him up as Michael Jackson from Thriller. And the result:

Lillian's Nursery & Update

Lillian weighed seven pounds six ounces this week! I still haven't dilated much at all, but my Dr. said she won't let me go late. So we're making a plan next Tuesday. Not much longer! Here are some pictures of her nursery. I wanted something elegant and simple. The picture over the dresser was in my room when I was little, and the Humpdy Dumpdy (sp?) lamp was in my uncle John's nursery, and mine and all my sister's nurseries.

37 weeks

Wow...Big Mama coming through! These pics were taken last weekend. My nephew Bryce is excited to meet his new cousin! Let me just say that I am SO TIRED of being pregnant! This really has been such an easy pregnancy...no complications at all. But now I feel like there is no way my stomach can stretch any larger and I am SICK of hearing strangers' comments! In the beginning everyone told me I wouldn't show because I am 5'10".....haha. Now everyone asks if I'm carrying two, that it must be a boy because Im so round, that I look like Im about to pop, that Im growing larger EVERY day...... I cant go anywhere! I am such a quiet and reserved person, and I am still not used to strangers wanting to know all about my pregnancy! Oh and as I type this at work another stranger...."you havent had that baby yet?!" And don't even get me started on the swollen feet comments. I just do not understand how people always feel the need to comment?

Anyways... Lillian has not dropped yet...she is enjoying poking her bottom up as hard as she can into my ribcage. I think she is getting higher, rather than lower! I have been having some extreme braxton hicks contractions for a week now. Those are not fun. Some have just about knocked the breath out of me! Tomorrow is my last day of work. I plan to walk the neighborhood everyday next week....hoping she will drop! I am so ready for her to get here! My last sonogram is Tuesday, I cant wait to find out how much she weighs! I think we just about have everything ready, we are going to finish packing bags and install the carseat this weekend!

I will update next week and post pictures of her nursery!

Lillian's Shower

Last night was one of the most special nights of my life! We were only having one shower for Lillian, given by our church, and they made sure that it was extra special! I didn't sleep at all last night, I was so overwhelmed with excitement. I think the floral arrangements at this shower were more spectacular than my wedding reception! My pictures really don't do it justice at all. Everything was so detailed, and really looked like me. Dustin and I are so blessed to be a part of such a life-giving church, with so many amazing women. They worked so hard to really bless us!
These are just a few pictures, I will post more later.


My bf Laura: This pic makes me laugh

My wonderful hostesses, minus Amanda E.,...with a few of the crowns.

The tables outside surrounded the beautiful pool with tiki torches, and all had beautiful flower arrangements, candles, and pink tablecloths!

The party favors- strawberry cake pops!

The table arrangements...complete with crown and jewels. This picture really doesn't do it justice at all.

Crown shaped cookies with her initials.

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks our two year anniversary! And we will be celebrating in childbirth class! ha..no fancy dinner for me....instead I get to watch a graphic video of a random woman in labor! Things sure have changed in two years... but I couldn't be happier!

We went to the Dr. today, and Lillian is weighing in at four pounds, two ounces! I only have about nine weeks left! This has been such an uneventful pregnancy-it really has been easy. I am so grateful! Her room is coming right along, and I can not wait for her to get here!

She Has a Name!

Lillian Grace

Sweet Pea's Photo Shoot

Sweet Pea, as she has yet to be named, had her 4D picture taken today! She was moving so much that it was hard to get a great picture, and sometimes the cord got in the way. These are four of my favorites. She has very full lips like her mom and dad! She is such an active baby, and it was really neat to feel her kick and watch it at the same time. I think Dustin and I are getting really close to deciding on a name, and I will post it as soon as we do. Her nursery is slowly coming together. My sister Grace is picking up her crib this weekend in Austin, TX from my aunt and uncle's house. As soon as I get it assembled, I can start putting everything in place! I think she looks so sweet and can not wait to meet her!

Car and TV for sale

We are trying to sell my 2004 Toyota Solara. It is a two door, and I now need a four door with a baby on the way. It is in perfect condition, never wrecked, tan exterior, tan interior, 52k miles. I bought it new. $11,500. Mint condition and looks like new.

Also trying to sell a 36" Sony flat screen tv. 2006 model. Perfect condition, but we have no room for it since we moved. Paid $750 for it, asking $299 firm.

Email me if anyone is interested!
sarakat18@hotmail.com

Crib Bedding Dilemma

I have yet to do anything with my nursery! When we moved about two months ago, we made the mistake of piling extra things in the baby's room, so now I have to go back and clear it out.
But my dilemma is this...
I have alot of silk fabric that I want to use for the nursery. I got it for free several years ago, and I love it. I have just enough for a crib dust ruffle and bumper pads.
My question is this: do I dare use silk for bumper pads, or will I totally regret not being able to wash them? The silk will be gorgeous and free....
None of the ready-made bumpers match, so I would have to find and buy coordinating fabric that matched and have some made if I wanted washable ones.
What should I do?
Please help.

Introducing...

Elizabeth Blayne Burke

I am an Aunt again! Dustin's sister, Nichole, had Blayne last Thursday, June 18. Blayne was 6 pounds, 3 ounces. Momma and baby are doing wonderful, and big brother Bryce is so proud!

She is so beautiful - I cant wait to have a baby girl of my own!

21 Weeks

My mom insisted on taking this picture. Here is a belly pic, taken this morning actually. 21 weeks down, 19 or so to go!

Wow. Where Do I Start?

These past few months have been the busiest of my life. So much has happened! I'll start with Sweat Pea.


Yes, we are having a baby GIRL! We were really surprised. For some reason, everyone knew it was a boy. Probably because I am the oldest of three girls, so everyone thought surely a boy was coming. But I am THRILLED with a girl. I have had my fabric for a girl nursery for FOUR years! (weird i know).


The first three months of this pregnancy was a total nightmare for me. I was miserable. I was sick all the time, found out I was anemic, my hormones went crazy and my face broke out in acne everywhere (i've never had acne.) not.fun. I also break out in a heat rash in the sun. I had that nasty mettallic taste in my mouth constantly. I had always said I wanted three or four kids, and as soon as I got pregnant, I was content with one! But now I am 20 weeks and feeling pretty "normal." I feel her moving all the time, and that one first kick made the entire first three months completely worth it! I actually LOVE this part of pregnancy. We have still not decided on a name yet...I am open to suggestions...?



Since my last post we sold our house and had one month to remodel our new house and move in. It nearly killed us. The entire house was painted inside and out - walls, trim, ceilings. I made myself sick three times by walking into the house right after the painters left. We replaced countertops, mirrors, trim, sheetrock, light fixtures, carpet, wood, etc. It took us 26 hours to move in the pouring down rain. Nice. But we are in and I love it. The inside is just about finished, now we gotta start on the landscaping! It is horrible. I will post pictures soon.



Dustin flew to Washington D.C. for a surgery Friday, and just got back Monday. We decided that it would be best for his mom to go with him inside of me, because she is ALOT more assertive than I am. And he needed alot of help getting through the airport and all after surgery. Dustin has had extensive nerve damage for several years due to a hernia repair when he was seventeen. After many other surgeries, and tons of pain management, every Dr. we saw gave us no hope. Dustin finally found Dr. Ducic at Georgetown hospital over the internet. Dr. Ducic came up with a surgery specifically for patients with extensive nerve damage. To make a long story short, Dustin was a perfect candidate for the surgery. The Dr. was very pleased with how the surgery went, and truly believes that it was successful!! Dustin is now on strict orders not to lift anything over 8 lbs. for the next six months....which is like chinese torture to him. He is also on strict orders to stay home and in bed this week, which is where I am now, making sure he does not overdo it.

And his sister, Nichole, is scheduled to have her baby girl tomorrow!

So, yes, I feel like we have had alot going on! I am so ready for things to slow down, so we can just enjoy the summer and get ready for this baby! I have not even had time to look for cribs yet, or even maternity clothes!
I will post belly pics and house pics soon!

One Plus One Equals Three?!

Well, Dustin and I found out about three weeks ago that I am pregnant! We were very surprised! I had my first Dr.'s appointment and sonogram last week, and everything looks great! Our "Peanut" is due November 3rd. I have been so so nauseaus and tired everyday, but I know that it will be worth it in the end.

So as it turns out, I will probably not be using this blog for business anymore!

Our parents are ecstatic, and Dustin is on cloud nine! Now, we really have a deadline to sell our house and get settled into the new one! Please keep us in your prayers!

after

This is my parents' house AFTER they moved in. We repainted the whole house, changed all the light fixtures, replaced the tile counter tops with granite, replaced the tile backsplash with stone, replaced all the hardware, and redid the mantle. All we have left to do is order drapes and a few bamboo blinds. These were taken at Thanksgiving.

before

Here are some pictures of the house my parents recently bought. These are definately the BEFORE pictures. It had a great floorplan, but was very gray and drab. These pictures were taken before they purchased it, with the previous owners' things.

Office Update

I recently updated a Madison office entrance with fresh paint and new furniture. Here are some before and after pics.

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After: