Sydney's Room

I talked to the lady that is sewing Sydney's bedding, and it isn't quite done yet. But, my Aunt Sherri and Mimi are dying to see her room, so here is what we have done so far. The green paint on the walls is really pretty, but I took these after it was dark, so the colors don't look as pretty in pictures. I LOVE her room so far! I find myself going in there several times a day, just to see how different the light looks and imagining all the things we will do in there. I hope y'all like it! I will upload a picture of her crib once her bedding is done!

34 Weeks

I am still feeling pretty good, but very pregnant too! More heartburn and basically uncomfortable most of the time, especially at night. I can not WAIT to see my daughter (will I ever get used to saying that?!?) and start getting to know her. Mika got me this shirt- it says "Motherhood isn't for Sissies" and I already 100% agree. Thanks everyone for the feedback on trying to relax and enjoy the ride- I've taken it to heart!

A Newborn's Conversation With God

A Newborn's Conversation With God

I saw this on a blog that is linked to Casey's, and I teared up it is so sweet. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

A newborn's conversation with God: A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired,"But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."God said,"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.

"God said,You will simply call her, "Mom."

Look what Dayle painted!

We owe Dayle more than words can say (or we can afford) for painting our table, chairs, and crown!!! And I'm sorry, but I can't post new pictures of the nursery yet because the bedding is supposed to be ready early next week and we still need to hang several things on the walls. One of the things we need to hang is a beautiful crown that David Geran made and Dayle painted to hang over the crib. Check out Sydney's initials on the top of the table. Please see the pictures above for just a taste of how things are shaping up!!! And Dayle-

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nesting

OK, I'm afraid that I must be nesting already. Now, given my OCD tendencies and anal personality, it really should not alarm me. But, this is a new low: I can't stop making lists of things I need to get down around the house and in the nursery, things I need to get done at work in the next 6 weeks, things we still need to get before she gets here, things I have learned and haven't learned in our classes, and I have 3 books started but not finished that I feel this need to read every word. HELP!!!! Please tell me that other new moms felt this overwhelming sense of... trying to prepare for the most life changing experience ever??? And I know in my head that I can't even begin to be prepared, but it is nice to plan, isn't it!?! We got a wonderful pack-n-play as a shower gift, and Brent put it together tonight while I watched American Idol (more just to get me off his back about putting the stupid thing together, but I don't care his motives). I think it is going to be perfect. Our plan (I know I will live to regret I ever said those words) is to keep it set up downstairs in the guest bedroom as a diaper changing station/nap time spot for the downstairs. These things come with everything: a music box, light, vibrating motion, diaper changing add-on, a canopy, and even a mobile. Please note that I even have a few newborn size diapers ready. Now, where did I put my list so I can add that we still need wipes...

OBU Shower

Erin, Scarlett, Katie, and Julie hosted a beautiful shower for my OBU girls. Everything was wonderful- from the invitations to the food and diaper cake, prayer cards for people to write special prayer requests for Sydney on (and Amber got confused and thought it was for anyone to make a prayer request, so please everyone be praying for Allen's grandmother and family :) ) and a wonderful mega-saucer for Sydney. It was so much fun to laugh and visit with everyone. Wait until you see the table and chairs that Dayle is painting for the nursery!!! They are almost ready and I know they will be a keepsake for many years to come. Oh, one more neat thing, the invitation asked everyone to bring their favorite Golden Book, so now Sydney has a start on a wonderful bookcase full of special books. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart to all of you for sharing in this special time!!!

Thank you so much Keri

I wanted to show everyone how beautiful the canvas is Keri painted for the nursery. And thanks to Kate and Michelle for snapfish help...

Shower at Ashley's

Ashley hosted the sweetest shower for me at her beautiful home on Sunday afternoon for our church friends and various Bodylife group members. It was so wonderful to be surronded by so many moms who gave me honest and great advice! We sat around and visited and they all gave me helpful hints. It was so special to gather around and pray for Sydney (and all the other babies represented in the circle). What more could a girl ask for than prayers and great fellowship and food?!? Thanks again to Ashley, who has more going on in her life than I can even imagine, but still finds time to be a blessing to me and so many others!

My 1st Baby Shower!!

This Saturday I had a wonderful baby shower, surronded by great friends and loved ones at "Sassy's House". Thank you to everyone who helped with it! I loved the food, the party favors, the decorations, and the gifts were so overwhelming! Keri painted me a canvas for the nursery and started Sydney's hair bow and tutu collection, Corbin and Erin made these huge baskets of goodies, I got our pack-n-play and a wonderful swing... I could go on. What a true blessing it was! Of course I came right home and started organizing all of Sydney's new stuff! Corbin got some good pictures with her camera and sent them to me via snapfish, but I don't know how to upload them into blogger. If anyone does, please help! Thanks again for a wonderful shower guys!

Almost 32 Weeks

Well, the Walkers are having a busy week. I had my 32 week appointment yesterday, and everything went fine. Sydney measured 31 weeks (I'll be 32 on Friday so that is just right I guess) and her heartbeat continues to be strong. Dr. Hubach said she is not breached right now, but she still has a few weeks that she could do a flip- we'll keep our fingers crossed she doesn't! We started our Childbirth Class tonight, and I know that I am a total nerd, but I enjoyed it! There were several neat couples in the class, and since we have 3 more we'll get to see them again. The best part tonight was that we got to tour the Baptist labor and delivery, surgery, and post-delivery areas, and a little peek into the nursery. I actually learned some things and got to ask some questions, so it was worth going. Brent was the funny dad in the class because everyone had to say the best and worst thing about pregnancy- and he said the best thing was that we are having a baby girl, but the worst thing is that he can feel debt coming on just by having a girl. The dreaded video will be next week so we'll see how I feel at this time next week!! Brent and I have been working on the nursery, which I am loving by the way! I'm hoping to have some stuff on the walls soon, and then I'll post some pictures. We have 2 showers this weekend, one with the NLR crew and one with my church group. I feel so humbled and blessed over the whole shower issue. I will be posting some pictures of the showers of course too, so stay tuned!!!

Thank you Brent!!!

Brent got me a pregnancy massage for Christmas, and I went yesterday. It was the BEST thing ever!!! She specializes in women's health and is a certified pregnancy massage therapist (you can't just go to anyone because massage can bring on labor). One of the best things is that I got to lay on my stomach for over an hour, something I haven't done in at least 4 months! She had this great cushion, almost like an air mattress, with a hole for my belly to lay in. Anyway, to all you expecting mommies out there- I highly recommend one!!!! Thank you Brent!

New Years Fun

We had a great Christmas with all the family, and then we headed down to Dallas to hang out with Scarlett, Jason, and Bowden on Thursday. The boys played flag football and watched tons of football, and the girls shopped and shopped and shopped. Sorry Scarlett! I just love all the shops that we don't have in Central Arkansas. I think I may have pushed it a little too much because I had to go to the dr. this morning and I have bronchitis! Oh, well, it was worth it. We had so much fun we didn't take hardly any pictures, but I did get one of Bowden on his "wheeler dealer".

30 Weeks

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone. We are praying you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Lauren and Brent

Yeah- Julia is ENGAGED!!!!!

Great news to report... Julie and Ryan are engaged! We are so excited for you guys and can't wait for more details on when the big day might be. Congratulations!!! Oh, and I must add that her ring is GORGEOUS!! Lets just hope she doesn't try and go swimming in the thing or she will sink!

28+ weeks

I think that Sydney has found her elbows and knees, and is putting more power to each punch and kick. I still love it though, even though at church this morning I jumped a little in my seat because she socked it to me suddenly- and pretty hard! Good news... I don't have gestational diabetes. Bad news... My iron levels are a little low, which means I'm anemic. Not a major issue I hope, just taking an iron supplement every day. I have 3 more days of work until Christmas break, and I am so looking forward to some time to spend with family and friends. I may try and rest a little too!

Sydney's Room is started

I love the paint colors- purple and green with diamonds. Here are some pictures of the night we put Sydney's crib together. Thank you Dad and Doris! Of course I can't wait to get the bedding back from Miss Martha (who is making it). Until then, I will work on making some curtains, finding the perfect dresser, and having Keri over to help with what she called today the "fluff" in the room. I'll keep you guys posted.

I forgot to mention that we agreed on a name...

Sydney Elise Walker

I'm behind on pictures

Here is a picture taken when I was 25 weeks, but the really good news is that I'll be 27 tomorrow. Wow- I can't even really wrap my mind around the fact that I'm starting my 3rd Trimester!!! She has really been moving more and I love it. OK I don't love everything about pregnancy, but I love being pregnant. Is that so cheesy? I already feel so connected to this little person that is taking over my life. I have a drs. appointment on Monday, and I have to take the diabetes test (Yuck). I'll be glad when that is behind me. Lets see... what else should I share? Oh!!! Brent has been working so hard on painting the nursery! We also had some diamonds painted and she finished them on Tuesday night. I am really happy with the way it looks so far. Tomorrow night my dad and Brent are going to put together the crib and move our new glider/rocker upstairs. I promise I will post pictures then!

A little late...

OK, sorry bloggers, I have been so busy at work and other excuses, but better late than never. Here are so cute pictures from the LSU game Thanksgiving weekend. And the next weekend Brent, Jeff and Jeremy had a great time at the SEC game in Atlanta (other than the outcome of the game) but didn't get any great pictures. The Walkers are very proud of the season the Razorbacks have had. We won't be making the Bowl Game in Flordia, but we will certainly be cheering them on via the TV!!