The Crib

Cash would be completely crib-less if it weren't for my Mom, who supplied the crib and my Mother In Law who mailed us the mattress and sheets. Thank you both so much. Ben, Cash and I are very lucky to have you guys in our lives. We all love you very much.

Built With His Own Hands

While checking out websites for things to fill our empty nursery, I found a cubby set from Pottery Barn that I loved. Unfortunately Pottery Barn isn't exactly in our budget...(Who's is it in really?)

Ben took a look at it online with me and was pretty sure he could build it. We set out on a journey to Lowe's, one table saw, a dozen other tools and some wood later he was ready to start. Still spending way less than we would have on the piece of furniture online.

He spent a couple weekends picking away at the project and with every step finished I was even more impressed with the work this guy could do. One cubby is complete. I look at it every day. Ben did an amazing job on it and I couldn't be more proud to have it in the nursery. I know some day Cash will be as proud of this and his dad, as I am on a daily basis.

Myrtle Beach

After a long week of Ben being out in the field, day and night. (We're talking over hundred degree weather here, sunshine or not. With humidity at 98% and bugs crawling on him while he got in those few hours of sleep a night.) We decided to spend the weekend a little more comfortably. Early Saturday morning we drove about 3 hours to Myrtle Beach, spent the day on the beach then the evening eating as much seafood as possible with friends. The following day was a bit rainy. We hit up the outlets and did some shopping before the drive back to Fayetteville.

Kimmy & I.

Ben & I On The Balcony

Stephanie & I

Ben & I At The Beach

07/08/2010

Boundry Line Lake. Fayetteville, NC.

The Making Of The Nursery

Ben had 12 days off for block leave. With no plans of traveling, so we took the opportunity to get a head start on the nursery. This room was originally "the office". The walls, as you can see in some of the pictures need some work. We don't plan on being in this house forever, so instead of making real repairs we just washed down the walls and slapped some paint on it. It's amazing what a can of paint can do. It only took us a couple days to have it cleaned, painted and painted again. Casey helped out a ton with the painting and had us laughing the whole time.

There are a few more touches we will be adding on soon and of course we will be sharing those with you all!

C'mon, 7 Bucks Babe

While home in Maine my mom, sisters and nieces threw me a beautiful baby shower. At that point we were still unsure if Cash would want pink bows or a blue sox hat, so no baby clothes were passed around at this shower. Instead they all went in on a generous gift card to babies r us so we could buy a stroller.

Ben and I checked out the babies r us here. I made a quick call to my sister Gina for some stroller tips. (Thanks Geen!) We found the one we wanted almost immediately, a grey and green jogger. We decided to take a look around and see if there was anything else that caught our eye. With zero experience baby shopping, I didn't see anything I really had to have. Ben on the other hand spotted a blue sippycup that him and cash couldn't live without. Cash will not need a sippycup for quite some time, not to mention the cup said "babe magnet" on the side of it. I tried talking him out of it, but he followed me up and down every isle saying "c'mon, it's 7 bucks babe" over and over and over again until we reached the checkout line where he slid the cup towards the cashier. Ben and Cash got their way this time.

Thank you all so much for the shower that you all really didn't have the extra time for and the gift. I love you all.

Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

We had our first real ultrasound Monday June, 21st. Cash has grown so much in the last 2 months. It looks just like a baby now, only much smaller than it will be at birth. (darn!) We started feeling Cash move. I felt it once while home in Maine and Ben felt it about 2 weeks ago. It tends to move around a lot more with Ben's hand on my stomach.. I'm not worried though, it will still say Mommy first. =)

Cash's Face.

All the features are there and in the correct places now.

I know it appears our baby doesn't have arms, but it does. I asked the doctor to make sure. She showed us from another angle. Both arms are there! Phew.

Oh yeah, It's a boy!

Neither Ben or I drew in the arrow in, that was the doctor. As if we really needed the arrow there to make it clear.

Sorry for the exposure Cash, but we needed to start collecting pictures now to show your first girlfriend.

We would of course been pleased with a boy or girl. Although I spent many days praying and crossing my fingers for a boy the first time around. I can't imagine one is really any easier than the other, but still having a girl scared the heck out of me. I've watched my sister Robin's kids grow up my whole life. Admiring her family and they way they have all turned out. She has 3 boys and one incredible little girl. (I've mentioned Scout a few times before) If my children grow up to be half the kids hers are now, I will be pretty happy. All her boys are caring, responsible, smart, funny....I could go on for a long time. They also love their little sister, though hard to identify at times. Calling her a wet rat on a daily basis hardly seems like love, but they were just putting her through some tough girl training. Right, Scout? :) You have done great job putting up with there constant teasing over the years and you are the toughest almost 12 year old girl I know. Hopefully some day Cash will have a little baby sister. And Ray boys, please show him how it's done.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not picking favorites. All my sister's children are wonderful, I love them all to pieces and I can't wait for them all to be a part of Cash's life. I have an amazing family and will need all the help I can get from both parents and their children!