Christening Day, May 15, 2011

Sunday was a very special day!  Claire was Christened and became a member of The First United Methodist Church.  (She was an angel the whole time... never made a peep.)  She is now the youngest member and my grandmother, Betty Hall (Caca) and great uncle, Buster are the longest standing members of the church.  How cool is that?  Also, the gown she wore is over 60 years old.  Aunt Suzanne, Mom, cousin John, cousin David, Kurt and I and now Claire have all worn the gown.  Brother Larry did a wonderful job with the service.  He even wrote her a love letter to be opened on her 12th birthday and before she goes through Confirmation.  I can't wait to read it in 12 years!  It was a beautiful day shared with family and friends.  Claire is a blessed, loved little girl!

Brother Larry, Trey, Claire and I

Meme and Papa

Lunch at Mom and Dad's

Amanda, Nonnie, Grandaddy, Mom and Caca

Aunt Kaye and Claire

She is changing and growing so fast!  Big, beautiful blue eyes!

My grandmother, Caca, is 84 years old and amazing!

Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Bob

Mama Lib and Daddy Boy

The Fosters, Carters and Dunhams

Uncle Kurt and Aunt Amanda

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with family!  Here are a few highlights:

 Caca, Jojo and Claire 

I love this dress!  Meme and Papa gave it to me the day I found out we were having a girl.  It will be cherished always.

4 generations of Elizabeth's:

Elizabeth (Betty) Hall Bunch Walker

Elizabeth Walker Holmes

Grace Elizabeth Holmes Carter

Claire Elizabeth Carter

Family photo session

Uncle Kurt, Aunt Amanda and Claire

Claire also turned 1 month old the Saturday before Easter.  She is getting so big, SO FAST!  

April Storms

This has been the stormiest spring that I can ever remember.  Because of this, Claire and I spent most of the month of April at mom and dad's house close to the basement.  One particular storm (the worst one) Claire and I rode it out in my car in the carport and I watched these trees fall into the backyard before I decided to take retreat inside the garage.  If it had fallen about 15 yards to the left it would have landed on the garage where Claire and I were taking refuge.  Eeek!

What did Claire think of all this (as I was hovering over her in the garage)?  Well, she slept through the whole thing, totally unalarmed.

Claire Elizabeth

Trey and I welcome Claire Elizabeth Carter.  She was born on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 2:11p.m.  She weighed 7 pds 11 oz and was 20 in long.  It was a very long, hard labor but was absolutely worth every second once that little angel was born!

We are beyond blessed to have a healthy, sweet, beautiful baby girl!   

Luck of the Irish?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I'm thinking today would be a great day to have a baby... but I've been thinking that everyday for over a week now.  However, the Carter's are Irish and my favorite color is green... so maybe we'll get lucky.  All the grandparents are banking on the full moon this weekend.  I guess we shall see.  I am officially 5 days from my due date and I am feeling it!  Baby C is a big girl... weighing approximately 8 pds or more at this point.  We are so ready to meet this sweet, chunky monkey!

I am on Spring Break (praise the Lord... not sure how good I would be at entertaining 20- 4 and 5 year olds) and the weather is GORGEOUS!  Today the high is 75 degrees... doesn't get much better.  I have already walked for a good while and now I think I'm going to grab my book and head out to my adirondack chair and relax.

39 weeks 3 days

Dear Baby C

It is 4 weeks until your due date and you still do not have a name.  I do know when we figure it out, it will be perfect and made for you.  Once again, I am going to try to do better with my blog, because I want it to be a keepsake for you and I... one that cannot be lost, burned or taken away.  It will be forever in internet land and we can read it now until the end of time (I think).

Like I said, it is 4 weeks until your due date and your daddy and I are so excited and anxious in waiting for your arrival we can hardly stand it!  Your room is ready, you have more clothes and necessities than we know what to do with, and you are one busy girl in my belly.  And what has made us even more excited to meet you is that we were able to see you through an ultrasound that was pretty cool.  You weren't bothered a bit throughout it, sleeping the whole time.  You have the sweetest, prettiest face your daddy and I have ever seen!  We are so deeply in love with you already!

The past few months have been very busy getting ready for the big day.  Here's a little recap of what's been happening.

Christmas 27 1/2 weeks pregnant

Aunt Amanda, Caca, Mama on Christmas Day eating yummy food!

Big T and Mama on Christmas Day

The day we went to get your baby furniture.  Can you tell we are tired and cranky?

2011 has been a very cold and snowy winter.  I have enjoyed all the snow days!

Daddy and I went to Nevada to visit Hayden,  Chatham and Aunt Allison when I was 31 weeks pregnant and Chatham was 3 weeks old.

Your nursery is ready and waiting on you.  

Meme, Mama, and Big Mama at your first baby shower.

Diaper cake and gifts at one of your showers.

Isn't that cake cute?

Your aunts and cousins at your baby shower with daddy's family.  Mama was 35 1/2 weeks pregnant.

And here you are, beautiful girl!

Look at that sweet, precious smile!

I love you sweet girl and can't wait for your arrival!  You have already changed our lives in such a wonderful way and I know it will only get better from here on!  

Love, Mom