Doubling

What a year 2014 has been! I am just starting to breathe.

Starting the year Tommy and I completed pickling courses for TheHappyGrammy. Through a series of hoops, we will be getting our kitchen inspected by the end of the month. Wow - this journey is either ending or just beginning.

The WAHDING - yep Carly and sweet Jay were married on July 12th. I should have kept better records or planning journal. It was a beautiful event and all family were gorgeous. The perfect wedding for those two. Now to finally get to Greenville SC together - she is moving from the townhouse around 9.18. I know they will be so happy to officially be together and get settled.

Merritt Thomas Tuck - born to Cate and Thomas on 8.23 - six days before his due date. What a joy. Spent a week in GA helping Cate and Thomas while they settle into a routine with that sweet baby. Cooking, cleaning and of course, rocking.

Next week is Zane's first birthday. I can't wait to spend some more time with him. He is so close to walking - CRAZY!

I DON'T LIKE SHARING

Loving these days of Carly being home with us.

Soon she will be married and I have to share. Yep that is right I don't like sharing.

So that is the life of a mom. You have them close to you and the bigger they get the more you have to share your wonderful bundle of joy with others. Carly is my baby and the last one that I have to share.

The Circle of Life - cliché - but true. They are tiny babies then they are getting married - at the snap of your fingers.

So on July 12 Carly will marry Jay and she will move to Greenville, SC.

My baby will be gone - sharing her with the world. With friends of Jay's, with his family and with all those in Greenville

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But I am sharing a wonderful person - kind, caring, trustworthy, and loving.

I am very proud to be sharing my baby - a wonderful person - with the world.

Happy New 2014

wow wow wow - 2013 ended with incredible surprises.

Carly is engaged to Jay and surprises from Thomas and Cate.

Zane is growing and changing and changing and growing.
He seems hungrier and ready to claim the world.
He smiles immediately, loves PataCake and tries to touch, feel and put toys in his mouth.
He is almost sitting up with support.
He is a bundle of joy for everyone.

He was baptized at Union Grove on December 1 with the whole family there.

Carly and Jay are getting married on July 12, 2014 in Wilmington. Serious planning has begun. Since their engagement on December 10th we have finalized the church, reception venue, DJ, caterer and bought her dress. That must be a record - all done within 3 weeks.

They are moving to somewhere - Boone, Florence, Savannah, or somewhere near Knoxville. Great things about to happen for them!!

Thomas and Cate surprised us that they are expecting their first child around August 22, 2014.  We are so excited for them. Kind of unbelievable. They will make a formal announcement at the end of the first trimester - around beg of February.

I was holding Zane when Thomas asked if he could hold Zane because he needed the practice in about 8 months. I was like - What? - he repeated himself. I was just puzzled and thought it was another one of his jokes. But for once - no jokes. They are pregnant. CRAZY!!

So by Zane's first birthday our family almost doubles - in a year we have 2 babies and another son.

2014 is going to be a wonderful year!!!

One Month

So much has happened in the past month.

Zane is gorgeous and beautiful and handsome and ... did I say beautiful?

The new family is doing so well too.
Ben was able to stay home for 2 weeks with Zane and Meredith.
They have had so much fun.
Shopping with Thomas and Cate.

A street concert in Graham with Grammy, Mom and Dad.

More shopping with Grammy along with his first visit to Grammy's house.
Paw Paw and Zane were even caught sleeping in the rocker together!

 

 

 

 

And Carly is making a special visit.

AND the dogs love Zane. Peanut can't stop licking and even Shelby has given few kisses.
When Zane was visiting us, Chico saw him and immediately fell in love. He barked from the deck and jumped on the door to greet him. He also received several kisses from Sam.

Zane is better at sleeping at night. He can smile, giggle and even bat at nearby objects.
He likes his pacifier and cries if it is not in him mouth.
He has even been seen scooping the paci with his arms back into his mouth.

AND he is sleeping most of the night - 6 hours.

He is such a blessing.

I am In Love with Another Man

Friday evening Meredith told us that she was being admitted for an induction - as I like to say "jump start".

But she went into labor on her own Saturday morning and while she did go to appointment on Saturday 9.14, her labor was well-established.

The nurse started the "jump start" and then about 6 hours later a little epidural to help mom with the intense contractions. About 5 hours later the water needed to be broken as baby loved the Miami Beach womb - 98 degrees with a little wave. Only then did baby decide to show interest in arriving - finally started to thin and dilate.

At 3:45 p.m. on September 15, 2013, Zane Benjamin Edwards was born to Meredith Miller Edwards and Benjamin Edwards.

Grampa and I arrived later and we are so proud of Meredith and Ben!! There was also Maw Maw Debbie and some of the Edwards family. Little did we know that Aunt Carly made it all the way to the hospital from Wilmington.

And then the moment arrived. I fell in love with  another man - Zane is the most handsome baby I have ever met. All 8 lbs 4 oz and 21.25 of him. What a fantastic experience to hold you!!

When you came home on Tuesday, you were already holding your head up and rolling on your side. Well, you were already grown -- 2 weeks old by that time.

Zane -- we are all so in love with you.!!!

The Days after the Dr. Appt

The days after the Dr. appt were quiet. Just waiting for the baby. Nothing earth shattering occurred at the Dr. appt. The Dr. just recommended an appt to deliver the baby if nothing happened naturally.

That was  Tuesday.

Today is Friday and Meredith calls me after I am home from work.

She received a letter from the Dr. to report to the hospital at 7:30 pm Sept 14. They will give her some meds to induce labor. If she is not far enough after 24 hours, then they will consider a cesarean section.

Either way, the baby will be here. The momma and baby will be healthy and happy.

We will all be happy.

Twas the Night before the Dr. Appt

T'was the night before the 41st week Dr. appt. and no baby is to be found.

Yes, little one, you have missed your due date by a week.

Your due date was Sept 3 2013 and no one thought you would make it this long. We really expected an August birthday. And as I have shared, no one wanted an August birthday for you.

During the pregnancy, your mom was told that her belly was measuring early or big several times. They actually measured you at 6.2 lbs at 36 weeks - given an approximate .5 lbs each week during the last month - you should weigh around 8.5 lbs now.

So your momma is huge. But she has a great attitude and does not seem to be miserable at all.

She is very healthy (except a little cold that has resulted in a torn muscle in her ribs) and hungry and still enjoys a good walk or swim. And of course, your momma is beautiful. You will see the pics, she is gorgeous.

Tomorrow is the 41st week Dr. appt. Your mom and dad will listen very carefully to the Dr. and midwife before a decision is made if we continue to let you grow inside the warm cozy belly or outside in your mom and dad's loving arms. God has a special plan for you. We are excited to see that plan unfold this week.

So we have been waiting ... all of us. Your mom, dad, grammy, grampa, and maw maw as well as your puppies Shelby, Sherlock and Peanut. Aunt Carly has visited your mom and dad regularly driving up to Burlington from Wilmington. We all love you and hope to see you soon.