Baby Sanders

Baby Sanders is on the way and is due August 25th!  We are so so excited for Katherine and Brett!  They are going to be wonderful parents!!  

One night a few weeks ago Katherine and Brett surprised us with a present for Emily.  I opened it and found the bib in the picture below...."I love my COUSIN."  This was their fun way of telling us they are pregnant.  It seems VERY obvious looking back, but I didn't catch on at first (surprise, surprise).  

In my defense, I think I thought the bib was talking about Emily's second cousins that we would be seeing later that weekend.:)  I know....no excuses.  Bert got it immediately and said "Steph, READ the bib."  I had already read it, but I read it again and then jerked my head up at Katherine (who was smiling really big) and started screaming.:)  

We can't wait to meet, and hold, and love on sweet Baby Sanders!!   

Clemson Girls Reunion

It's become a yearly tradition for our Clemson friends to get together over Marin Luther King weekend.  This year (and last year) we went to Jennifer's in-laws' lake place on Lake Keowee.  It's absolutely beautiful and we're only about 10 minutes from downtown Clemson!!  The first night we were there we stayed up until 4am just catching up.  (Bert doesn't understand how that's possible.)  We ate lots of good food, played games, watched movies, and talked and talked.  So thankful that we're still getting together.

We took a trip downtown...

And to campus...

Played Bunko on the dock...

The lake house is only about 30 minutes from my parents house so Emily stayed with them (Bert had to work).  She had a great time (my parents definitely did too)!!  Here are a few pictures that my Mom took....

On the way home Emily and I decided to surprise Bert at work.  He was so surprised and excited to see us.  He missed his girls and we definitely missed him!!

9 Months

Emily turned 9 months last Saturday.  She's pulling up on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g., crawling faster, "talking" more, and beginning to eat some solid foods.

This year is flying by.  Seriously.  I cannot believe she is almost a year old.  We're loving every minute!

Christmas in Georgia

We started our Christmas vacation at Mimi and Papa Stan's house.  On Saturday night Bert and I went to Cotillion (a dance) with my parents.  Bert and I left Emily w/ Uncle Stan (while she was screaming her head off I might add) and he was in charge of getting her to bed, etc....he did a wonderful job!:)  

On Sunday we celebrated Papa Stan's birthday.  Mom and I worked hard to make Dad's favorite cake...a lemon pound cake.  I must say it turned out pretty good.  Emily was diving for the cake and Papa Stan was perfectly fine w/ letting her have it.  I wasn't about to let her mess up the pretty cake we had just made.:)  

 On Monday we took a trip up to Dahlonega, GA to visit some of our good friends from Bert's time on staff w/ Campus Outreach.  This picture is missing 4 kids, but you get the idea.  We so enjoyed catching up w/ them!

On Tuesday we hit the road to go visit Bert's family in Jackson.  Here we are playing a modified version of charades.  I have a really hard time w/ this game because I find myself just wanting to sign whatever I am trying to say.  When I try to think of some other way to describe it....all I can think of is the sign.  It's terrible.  If I were you, I wouldn't pick me for your team if we play this in the future.:)

Emily playing w/ Grandmama

 

Emily and with her aunts....

We made it back up to Toccoa on Christmas Eve night about 11:30pm.  Thankfully Emily slept for most of the trip back up so she was ready to go early on Christmas morning.  We ALWAYS take a stairs picture first thing on Christmas morning.  Emily looked pretty excited to take part.:)

Our aunts, uncles and cousins started arriving about lunch time and we had a wonderful afternoon and evening with them.  Here we are skyping w/ our cousin Michael and his wife Allison who are living in England!  So fun!

We also played a friendly game of Family Feud....girls vs. boys.  The Girls dominated.:)  Please notice the homemade Family Feud board made by my Aunt Kathy....very impressive.  

We had such a wonderful time spending time w/ family!  We love you and miss you all so much!!

3 Years

Today is our 3 year anniversary and what an amazing 3 years it has been! I'll take you on a trip down memory lane.

Our rehearsal...

The reception...

Our first house.  Please take note of the hearts!:)  This precious little house is in Dahlonega, GA where we lived after we got married.  We lived in this house for 4 months before moving to Wake Forest.  Great memories! 

Jump back to today...

I've been so excited about our date tonight all day long, and then Bert came home w/ a dozen roses and it got me even more excited.:)  I just love spending time w/ him!  

Whitney came over to keep Emily (thanks Whit) and we headed out to a fabulous Italian restaurant in town.  Our sweet small group blessed us w/ a gift certificate there a few weeks ago and we've been saving it for tonight!  

I love you, Bert.  I love being your wife.  Thank you for a wonderful three years.  I'm looking forward to many more!:)  

Small Group Christmas Party

Last night our small group got together for a Christmas party.  We had such a wonderful time!!  I'm so thankful for the way these sweet people challenge me and encourage me!  

On a side note...Bert lost a bet and had to wear an Auburn t-shirt last night.  I've never seen him in anything other than UGA gear (not even Clemson) so it was a sight to see.  He changed back before taking the picture, but just know that he did wear an Auburn shirt and feel free to give him a hard time about it.:)  

Emily - 8 months

-Cute as a button

-Drinks 4 bottles a day (total of around 24 ounces)

-Eats cereal in the morning and some type of baby food at night

-Gets very excited about Daddy coming home (starts waving her hands and "talking")

-Easily distracted while drinking her bottle

-Hates peaches

-Loves bath time - doesn't like to put down her rubber duckie

-Gets very excited about going to the grocery store (smiles and looks around the entire time)

-Rolling all over the place

-SO close to crawling

-Takes two good naps a day (usually 1 1/2 hours each)

-Sometimes takes a short third nap 

-Smiles all the time

-Sleeps through the night

-Sleeps from approx. 7:30pm to 7:00am

-Dislikes being put in her carseat (especially w/ her big coat on)

-Recognizes the sign for "milk"

-Hasn't figured out that she can pull her bow out of her hair (woohoo!)

-Can walk across the room if you are holding her hands

-Not overly concerned w/ the Christmas tree (not trying to pull ornaments down, etc.)

-I felt her first tooth this afternoon!

 

(Great form, but she's just not going anywhere yet...soon!)

Emily, you're growing SO fast!  Sometimes I wish I could freeze time, but at the same time it's so much fun to watch you learn new things.  You bring so much joy to our family.  We love you!!!

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