Back to reality

Our visit to the beach was short but sweet. We arrived in Gulf Shores Thursday around 11:00 p.m. The drive wasn't bad at all. Friday was Meredith's birthday--the big 29! She and I went to meet up with the Ware's and the Holmes at their condo/beach. It was a beautiful and fun day. Mom and dad joined us after golf. We stayed at the beach until 6 or so. From there, we headed home for a yummy meal cooked by grandma. Saturday was cloudy when we woke up, so mom, mer and I headed to the outlets. There were so many good deals--especially for Colton, he really racked up. Dad took us all to dinner at the Original Oyster House that night, it was a great meal. The ladies played 31 for the rest of the night! We came home yesterday, uneventful car ride.


Today it is in the mid 80's and quite pleasant! Rocko and I are about to take a walk-- I need to walk off some of grandmas cooking! Today is a grocery/cleaning/cooking day. Josh wants spaghetti for dinner. I plan on cleaning out Colton's closet this week, got to find somewhere for all those purses!


Mom, dad, Josh, and I are off to Orlando next Sunday--can't wait!!!!

Jamie

Gulf Shores... Here we come

Meredith and I at Jenny's bachelorette weekend last August. Mer's last time away from the boys!

This is my good buddy Sarah who is due to deliver on October 7th. She and Josh's best friend Jim are expecting a baby girl - Margaret Addison. Please say prayers for Sarah, she was put on bed rest yesterday b/c of some bleeding. She goes back on July 10th for further evaluation. Pray for her spirits to stay calm and for everything to be OK with mom and baby.
This pic is of me, my folks, and best friend for 15 years- Meredith. We are headed to Gulf Shores tomorrow and will stay thru Sunday. Meredith is leaving her two boys (Byron 2 1/2 and Carter 16 months) in the care of her husband, mother, and babysitter. Pray that they will do just fine without her. I am sure we will have a blast. Mom and dad plan to golf with my grandparents at least one day maybe two. Mer and I will spend time at the beach and I am sure we will hit up an outlet or two!

It is hot here in Memphis, in the 90's everyday. I have been inside this week--where the AC is kicking!

Stay cool out there!

Long summer days

Josh and I have been dog/house sitting ever since we returned from the lake. Our friends the Conway's have been in Cabo -- so we are helping them out. Although... I would have loved to try out Cabo. Prob not a lot of fun when you are pregnant! It has been nice relaxing in their pool, I have a great tan this summer. We had to take one of their dogs to the Vet while they were away, she could hardly walk/stand and wasn't eating. Turns out she has bone spurs in her back and had torn up the pads on her paws--poor thing. She is doing much better now--tail is wagging again. I was so scared to tell Don and Debbie that one of their babies was hurt--but now things are on the mend! The Conway's arrived last night around midnight, which meant I was able to sleep in my own bed for the first time in 9 days! It was a great nights sleep!

Today it is hot in Memphis, but they are calling for rain. We haven't had any in a long while. My yard will welcome it! I am babysitting out in Oakland today for the Baltz's, they just finished fixing my hair. Toenails are next!

Extra pics!

Sue, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and David
Siblings and Spouses!

Dave and Les
The Siblings--aren't they cute!

Josh and Kim
Mikey-JOsh #2- and JOsh #1

The girls called them JOsh#1 and #2 all weekend.

It's a boy!

For those of you who don't know already...It's a Boy! We found out last Tuesday--clear as can be. We are calling him Colton Michael, and I think that name will stick. I still feel great, just ready to meet him. I am 19 weeks and 2 days, so about half way there. I have gained 3 lbs, and I am happy with that.

One of the pictures above is my dad and Kayla (Matt and Jenelle's baby). He was practicing being a great grandpa by shielding her from the sun while she slept. Dad wants to be called Mitchie by Colton and I love it!

The other pic is of the family minus Jenelle, Michael, and Sarah. Jenelle was sick and Mikey and Sarah had to get back to school. I will treasure these pics forever!

Jamie

Wow-what a weekend! We all had so much fun. Mom is on her way to the airport to send the Steele's back to Charleston. I am so sad to see them go. The lake was wonderful-weather couldn't have been better! The guys and mom got in some golf, and we all got in lots of sun/boat time. The water was so nice and is starting to clear up from the flooding/tornado's.

We all headed back on Sunday in order to meet grandpa and grandma in Memphis. Sue had barbecue at her house and we took pictures in our new family shirts. It was great to have everyone there.

Monday, the guys-mom-and grandma went out for a round of golf and I took the girls to the Conway's pool. It was another beautiful day and the water felt amazing. The girls jumped and swam for 7 hours straight. I can remember doing that as a kid, non-stop energy! We finished the visit last night with pizza at moms. Yum!

Can't wait till the next visit!

Jamie

The wait is over...

well, for most of you. We know the sex of our little one. I am not posting it till after the weekend b/c I want to surprise my family who will start arriving tomorrow. It makes things fun, so if you aren't on the Steele side of the fam--you should have received a phone call by now! We are very excited and mom and I have already started shopping! Isn't that shocking?!?!?

I am so excited for our weekend get together with the family. As I age, I appreciate my family more and more. This hit me when I was about 20, I finally learned to value the people in my life. I am so blessed to have such a large-close family. Tomorrow we will pick up Dave, Les, and the girls from the airport. We will head straight for the lake house. Others from the family will join us Thurs night-and Friday. We will enjoy some fun in the sun, and return home to visit with grandpa and grandma Steele on Sunday and Monday. They are driving up from Gulf Shores. It is sure to be a very memorable weekend! I can't wait. The last time we were ALL together-- I was recently engaged, and Kayla was still inside Jenelle's tummy. My how things have changed in 2 years.

Hope you all are having a nice summer, stay cool!

Jamie

Family excitement

I am so excited to see my family! 1 week until the first of the crew arrives! This week sure will creep by. These pics are from when I went to visit grandpa and grandma last summer. I am so happy they live closer than when in Arizona, only 7 hours away now. Grandpa and Grandma are forgoing the lake experience and will be joining us in Memphis on Sunday - Fathers Day!

Today I received a call from my OBGYN, the ultra sound tech is in the hospital and won't be able to do my U/S next week. I was very sad, I am so excited to find out what it is. Later I received another call that they found a clinic that will do my U/S for me on Tues! Yay, it is going to work out! Less than a week and we will know--boy or girl?

Hope all is well with you and yours!

Jamie

Lazy Summer Days

Being 17 weeks pregnant in Memphis-in June results in many lazy summer days. Rocko and I get in a ton of lazing around when it is 90+ outside. I know I have a long summer ahead of me and it is only going to get hotter. I plan on staying inside--with the AC on or relaxing in the pool or on the lake. Something about floating makes a pregnant woman fell weightless and not so pregnant. I feel amazing--no complaints. Well, maybe just one: I think little baby Mays is sitting on my bladder. I constantly have the urge to go, sometimes I go and sometimes nothing is there. Oh well, it will all be worth it in the end. If anything--I now know what my mom goes thru from day to day!

Speaking of Baby Mays, 6 more days of waiting to find out boy or girl. Any assumptions?

Yesterday was a major clean out day. I guess it is maybe a little nesting--but it sure felt good. I worked on my closet and drawers for 4+ hours, still not finished. It feels so good to "dump" things that are taking up space. Maybe someone else will put them to use. Sad, but some things still have tags! Today I will attack my purse/luggage closet and Josh's drawers. I need a new plan of action for the purses ( it will soon be that baby's closet). Maybe I will get to vacuuming the baseboards--crazy! At least I will be inside where it is cool!

Mom and dad are in Orlando for the week. Dad seems to be SOOO much better. Still a little leery--he has 3 stones in his right kidney. They could "wake up" at any point. He is off carbonation, beer, caffeine, most milk, and some other things. His appetite isn't 100% but I am sure he will come around.

Love to you all!

Jamie

8 days till the Steele's are here!

Weekend fun

This weekend has been very relaxing and fun! Friday night we went to Italian fest with family and friends. The weather was great and the music was wonderful. We knew a couple of groups with tents--so that was nice.

Saturday morning Josh and I went with the Conway's to have lunch at Josh's parents knew home. We grilled out and visited for a while. They have two horses now--Cheyenne and Blaze. This was prob the highlight of Debbie's day. She didn't ride, but says she will next time. The barn is at their house so it is much more convenient than when they had to board them. Lunch was great. From there, we went back to the Conway's and were lazy by the pool.

Today was another cookout day at the Conway's. I am kinda water-logged and sunned out for a few days. I have lots of cleaning to do this week.

Hope all is well with you and yours!

Jamie