Baby Grayson update

Sorry, no picture this time. I just wanted to update everyone on what is happening with little Grayson these days. My due date is 4 weeks away, however, the doctor said Friday he thinks Grayson may be a few weeks early!! So... this means he could come anytime!!! For those of you who are interested and who understand the language (which I don't even think I do half the time): I am 80% effaced and the baby is in position. I am not dilated yet at all, so that's good.
I would like for Grayson to stay in as long as possible --just for him to get a little bigger. The doctors also think he may be on the small side, so hopefully he'll have some time to gain some more weight.
However, the Lord is in control and we are so thankful for that!!!
We'll keep you updated on any new happenings!!!

Prego Friends

There are 4 girls on my kindergarten team that are pregnant! So here we all are! I'm due in March, Tricia's due in April, Heather's due in July, and Meghan is due in August!! Crazy!

New closets!!

This past weekend we finished up Grayson's closet and my laundry room closet.

Some of you may be a little confused as to why I am so excited about this, but until you live in an old house, you don't appreciate the idea of storage!!

The closet in Grayson's room has always been there, but had no practical storage--basically it was just an open space with one wood board and a bar. So, we ripped out what was there, refinished and repainted it, and added our own storage system. So...ta da!! He now has a closet. It's a little empty now but I'm sure it will fill up fast once he's here!

Notice the white "dress" hanging--it's the outfit I came home from the hospital in. My mom gave it to us as a suggestion that maybe Grayson can come home in it. However, I don't think Chad will be able to handle Grayson wearing a dress with lace--he will definately have to have something a little more manly. Sorry mom!

Now for the laundry closet. I can hardly call it a "laundry room" because I'm just not lucky enough to have a whole room specifically designed to do the laundry. But..we're thankful for what we do have. And now, thanks to my handy husband, it is a very efficient, practical space to store my cleaning supplies and do the laundry. I even have my very own utility sink which will come in very handy when I start washing stinky diapers!!

I wish I had a "before" picture, but the space was really so nasty I just never thought of taking a picture. However, I am so appreciative for this new space!!!

31 weeks!!

Here I am at 31 weeks. I am not crazy about posting belly pictures of myself but I have had several requests, so here you go. I can't believe I only have 9 more weeks (or less)!!
This weekend I had a boost of energy to clean--I didn't realize this "nesting" phase would begin so soon. I'm hoping it doesn't last the whole next 2 months because I think I might drive Chad crazy!!
He's been working so hard to try and get things finished up before Grayson gets here. We painted the laundry room and Grayson's closet this weekend, so we'll be getting those organized next weekend. I can't wait to hang Grayson's clothes in his closet!!
He'll be here so soon. I'm trying to force myself to not work so hard and enjoy my rest because I know things will drastically change once he's here.

I apologize for my lack of blogging. Hopefully when Grayson gets here my life will be a little more interesting and I'll have more things to share.

Chad and I had a great Christmas and New Year. We traveled to North Myrtle Beach to see his family for a few days and stopped in Clinton for a few days on our way home. It was nice to finally have another girl at my house this year since my brother is newly married. And Andrew is dating someone--so we were very excited about that (although we haven't met her yet)!
We were so ready to get back home and have some time to get things done around the house before heading back to work. The laundry room is almost finished and I need to post pics of that. It's going to be so much better than it was--and we'll even have a utility sink so that I can wash Grayson's cloth diapers that I am going to bravely try!!!


We gave each other a new washer and dryer for Christmas--which I am absolutely loving!!! One day hopefully we'll be able to give each other normal gifts for Christmas--and not gifts for the house!! I'll post some pics soon.


I've been trying to get Grayson's nursery organized. I made some pictures with Grayson's initials--they turned out pretty cute.

This is a picture of his dresser (which will be his changing table for a while). Chad did a great job refinishing it for me. I finally got curtains up over Christmas! It's starting to come together. He'll be here in 10 weeks--so hard to believe!!
The funniest thing happened last night (at least to us)--we were sitting on the couch and Chad noticed that my belly suddenly took on a different shape--one side was alot higher than the other--it was really weird. Then we could feel a butt sticking up on one side and head on the other side--2 hard knots!! Then, I started to feel a steady movement--Grayson had the hiccups!! That's the first time I had felt that and it was so neat!! He hiccupped for a while until I sneezed a few times and I guess it scared him!! So cute!!

So, here we are. My belly is really getting bigger now. I've been feeling (and seeing!) lots of kicking and moving around. I love feeling that throughout the day!!!

We traveled for Thanksgiving--to the beach and then to Clinton. I don't know what we're going to do when the baby gets here because there was not much room to spare in the jeep. It probably doesn't help that Dakota takes up the whole back seat!!!

We have a name!!! It is possible that the name could still change, but for now we're set!!

GRAYSON PAUL HAYES

Gray and Paul are both family names so we came up with Grayson. It's a name we've always liked and it's not too common.

I haven't done too much in the nursery lately. Here is a picture of Grayson's crib and bedding.

My next task is to get the closet organized.

Chad is working hard on the laundry room to get it finished. I'll post pics when he's done.

Mountain Weekend

This past weekend I got to get away with a precious lady from my church. The men from our church had a retreat this weekend so we went without our husbands to a beautiful cabin in the mountains. Her 2 children came along and they each got to bring a friend. So, Kay and I had the whole weekend just to sit around and chat. It was wonderful!!! She is an amazing woman with so much wisdom that the Lord, by His grace, has given her.
We shared scripture and talked about everything under the sun! It was so refreshing! The Lord has been so faithful to me and Chad to bring this family into our lives to disciple us. Chad has been discipled by her husband for about 2 years now. We are so thankful for them!!!
Chad also learned so much over the weekend at the retreat. It was so rewarding to come back together and share all the things that we both had learned.

This weekend my parents are coming into town. Chad and my dad plan on finishing the laundry room. I'm sure me and my mom will enjoy spending some time shopping!! We also plan on working in the nursery a little. Maybe I'll have some pictures to share soon!