Monday morning we were up fairly early again. I don't think any of us
slept past 7:00 any morning that we were there. I wake up early any way
and if I open my eyes and think that one of them might be up, I am up!
I was the first up and went to get Mom (they had been staying in the
camper and let Tancy and I have their bed for my big fat pregnant
comfort, very sweet of them). We came back over and started coffee,
Casie and Marlie were up before long to join us and Tancy wasn't far
behind. We had some errands to run. I had anticipated meeting up with a lawyer there to fill out some paperwork to finalize my name change. It was, shocker, going to be another full day.

Poor Pops had to work, but we talked to him before heading out on our errands and found out he was going to try to leave early! Yay!

I had gotten the call from my doctors office that my glucose test had come back good. Not only was I not diabetic, my blood sugar was below the norm at each check! They said my numbers were really good and I was ecstatic!! We headed out for Baton Rouge to Whole Foods for some shampoo for Casie. Going there made us wish we had one here, Tancy really likes the selection of grains and just different foods, not to mention the dried food section. From there we had lunch at Macaroni Grill. I was feeling a little yuck and didn't eat much lunch... could be we'd had so much food during our stay I was just tired of eating. LOL. It was a great day.

Then I got the call, at Macaroni Grill, that shifted the day for me. The lawyer wanted $470 in court cost and $250 for his fees to file ONE paper... ONE piece of paper that contains ONE signature for a legal name change. The process is super simple. I sign an affidavit suing the DA for a legal name change. It goes to the court, they do a back ground check, make sure I am not doing it for criminal reasons and it is done. $720 for that, are you serious?! It cost less for a more complicated process in NC. I was devastated. There was no way we were going to invest a total of more than $1000 for my name to change. I called my lawyer and talked to her. She's going to start looking again for other ways around it (we thought it was going to be simple, which it is.. and cheap, which it isn't). Now, don't get me wrong, we could throw that money at it, but what about all the couples in our position who can't afford to pay that? We both feel like paying that money would be like donating it to DOMA and we just can't do that. So we will dig in our heels and look for the long fight instead of the quick fix. There has to be other options for us. But it stung and I felt as if I'd been slapped in the face. It's an insult honestly. Some of you will "get" that, some of you wont. Either way this is it simply put, if we were allowed to get married, my name would change, legally for the cost of a marriage license and a justice of the peace. No more than $100. But since we aren't allowed to be legally married it would cost us (were we willing to pay it) over $1000 to accomplish ONLY a legal name change and still not have the same legal rights as a married couple. Tell me that isn't bullshit!!

So let me get off that soap box for now because I really want to finish telling you all about our trip. We stopped off to get some fresh strawberries and then at Wal-Mart. From there we went to see Maw-Maw. It would be our last visit with her before we left for home. She was, of course, happy to see us and to hold Marlie a bit. Marlie beat on one of her old pots with one of her old wooden spoons... much the same as we did when we were kids. We had coffee and visited. Before we left we invited her over to Mom and Dad's for some strawberries. That would give us a little more time with her. We headed home to get all our plunder unloaded and just stop for a minute.

Chuck had not been feeling well that day, suspected kidney stones, and Casie had been trying to do all she could for him from Louisiana. The doctor had not thought it important to see him right then, but called him in an antibiotic. We were all worried about him and what was going on. Pops was already home and bummin' around the house.Casie started picking up their stuff and before long Maw-Maw was pulling in the driveway. Tancy and I had started cleaning and cutting the strawberries, Maw-Maw helped Tancy with that while I otherwise occupied myself. Once the strawberries were done, I started cooking dinner. I pan fried tilapia and Tancy grilled some squash. Maw-Maw stayed to eat dinner with us and then we had strawberries. We all made short order of the clean up, that's one of the things I love about family dinners, we all help out picking up and its done before you know it. Maw-Maw left before too long, she doesn't like to be on the road once it gets dark.

After Maw-Maw left we all just sunk into our resting places, couch, loveseat, recliner... we wanted more time. We were exhausted and full. We had experienced almost every emotion over the course of the time we'd been there. We'd laughed and cried, we'd been unbelievably happy and even mad. We were ready for things to return to normal, but we weren't ready to not be with each other either. Those are some pretty difficult things to feel, especially when you feel them simultaneously. We could have stayed another week, and as much as that would be nice in some ways, it would have been difficult in other ways. We all have our own homes and families and ways of doing things... we are all so different and even high strung... after being together for a while we tend to rub each other wrong a bit. It's bound to happen I suppose, but its a hard thing to feel when you want so desperately to soak up every minute, to enjoy every moment together, to feel as close as you can feel for as long as you can. It's almost torturous, those last hours... the battle between wanting to stay and needing to return to your own routine. I think the evening was good. We all went to bed early, begrudgingly, it would be an early morning and a long day.

At 3:45 there was a knock at the bedroom window, Mom and Dad were up and it was time to get up and get moving. I nudged Tancy and got up to meet them in the kitchen. I was still half asleep and already very emotional. I felt raw more than anything... I wasn't to the point of tears yet... hard to explain that. I just wanted to hold on to that moment for as long as I could. Pops met me in the kitchen and gave me a big bear hug. He was already feeling all the things I was feeling, only he'd been up longer and I think they were harder for him still. Mom was making coffee and hugged me when Pops let go. It was great to have just that moment, me and them. I needed more, but that wasn't going to happen, so I took it all in. Casie was up soon, already dressed and ready. I roused Tancy again and put on my travel clothes. I didn't want to take too long, I wanted every second with them before they left for work and we left for our homes. I can still feel very emotional as I relive it in my mind now. Pops was worried about us getting everything in the car. I think Tancy and Casie got most everything loaded without any problem. Squeezed in a few more things and we were good to go. Mom and Dad left for work, too soon, tearful and already missing us. I can only speak for me, but I certainly felt the same way. I just wasn't ready to not have time with them. When they left we hit it hard to get everything wrapped up and hit the road. No sense in dragging it out at that point. I left them a few little notes to be found once they got home and we were on the road by 4:30.

Poor Marlie (and once again poor Casie) cried for the first hour and a half of the trip. Casie was in the back with her and I know she just wanted her Momma to pick her up. Obviously that isn't legal or we would have gladly done it. We stopped somewhere in AL and switched, I drove, Tancy got in the back with Marlie and Casie got up front with me. This seemed to help Marlie, she slept for the next leg of the trip. We stopped just across the FL line, Marlie pooped and it was more than we could take. We stopped at a rest stop and all took potty breaks and Casie got Marlie changed. We hit the road again. The last bit of the trip was full of Marlie not wanting to be in her seat and fussing. I felt so bad for her, there was nothing to be done, but she must have been miserable. I know if I had to sit in one position the whole trip how badly my body would hurt. Poor baby. Last leg of the trip Casie drove, Tancy was up front with her and I sat in the back with Marlie. I did my best to entertain her... there were moments that she was content, even happy... but mostly she wanted out of that damn seat! We made it to Casie and Chucks house around 11:45 I guess. We had lunch and then around 1:45 Tancy and I took a nap. It was good to lay down and just close our eyes. We had been up since waaaaay to early and were tired just from that, not to mention the drive. Thankfully we missed any bad traffic and the drive itself was pretty easy.

I got up just before 4:00 and Tancy wasn't too far behind me. We sat up for a bit and visited... but before long at all we were on our way. Tancy and Chuck had already unloaded all of their stuff and reloaded our stuff, so we were sittin' on go. By 4:30 we were on the road. We had initially talked about staying the night at Casie and Chucks... but you all know, once those wheels start turning toward home, it's hard to stop them. Casie had a rough couple of days, Marlie had a rough couple of nights, Chuck had a miserable couple of days and we just figured it was best for them to not have us under foot. Plus Tancy needed to start making the turn over back to nights, so we could travel at night, miss all the traffic in Atlanta again and be home before daylight. Works out for everyone.The trip wasn't bad, I think I cried for the first hour and half or so... the bundled up stuff inside finally let go and I squalled. I don't know how to explain it. I think its all the contradiction of feelings... ready to leave, want to stay. Need your own home, routine, but want so badly to have more time with those you love. It truly sucks to feel all those things and its hard to reconcile those feelings. I was a pretty rough first leg. It seems like traveling at night or even early morning is so much easier than mid day. Maybe its just me. My only complaint is that we somehow lost my ice packs and I wasn't able to ice my back... I am still paying for that.

We hit our driveway at 11:11. I was so happy to be home and spent all at the same time. Lauren had cleaned the house & the floors for us... it was great to come back to a clean house. I hate coming home to a dirty house, especially if I left it clean... I cannot tell you how aggravated it makes me... probably because I am so emotionally spent already and that's just an added stress that I can't take. We talked to Lauren for a bit and then I got a shower. Tancy got directly in bed. I just felt so funky I needed to wash the top layer off at least. I got in bed all squeeky clean and it wasn't long before I was out like a light.

To be continued...

So Saturday was going to be a busy day. It was the day of the shower. I know I posted a short blog already, but I'll do my best to give you more detail here. We were all up relatively early that morning. Casie and Chuck headed over to Maw-Maw's to start getting things going, they were meeting Daniele. Pops went that way before too long to help out as well. I am sure things were all a buzz over at Maw-Maw's house. At Mom and Dad's it was fairly quiet. We played with Marlie and had coffee. We just visited and hung out. Mom had to go get the fruit and veggie tray and then took them over to Maw-Maws and then headed back home. By that time I decided to take a shower... I stayed in my pajamas till after lunch! There was no need to hurry to get ready, we didn't have to be there till around 2:00 (in the Devall family means 1:30 at the latest). I think we were all ready by 1:00 and at Maw-Maws for 1:30. There were people already there and others arriving fast. Everyone had done a great job with all the decorations. There were big mylar fish ballons (nemo's, dolphins, etc.) there were little chocolate fish suckers, there were blow up fish toys in a net inside over Maw-Maw's fire place, there were hand painted ceramic fish and turtles placed here and there, there were the underwater bath toys strategically placed as well. Not to mention the cake which was water colored with star fish and underwater creatures as decorations.

Casie and Daniele had gotten some white onesies and decorated one each. They also had some on the table with markers for others to decorate. I loved that idea. It got a little carried away with OSU bashing... but it was all in good fun. Uncle Pete grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs. There were chips and dip and fruit and veggies and all the fixins. They did a fantastic job of organizing and decorating. It looked great and my heart was full with the love they had put into it. Casie had also made a baby book for Lillie with letters from family members and pictures of everyone. There was a song that Tancy's Nan used to sing to her in there as well. It was incredibly sweet, very well done and just wonderful. People showed up that I hadn't seen in years. Some people from school and one of my co-workers from Shaw. I had anticipated a few other people that I used to work with or had gone to school with, but no show... oh well. We were so happy to have the people there who were there and felt so loved... how could anyone complain about that?! Everyone ate and enjoyed the burgers and dogs. It's my understanding that Uncle Pete did a great job. I ate two tomatoe sandwiches (I love a good tomatoe sandwich)!

We opened presents not long after eating. It was overwhelming. I don't know what I expected... I've never really had a shower before... it's always strange to me to have something like that for me and that people come and bring gifts. It was very nice of everyone (the Thank You notes are already in the mail) and we got some really nice things. Lots of clothes, teethers, toys, bath toys, bath tub, socks, woobie, shoes, handprint kit, diaper/bath gift set, OSU stuff, LSU stuff, money, sterlizer, "sign dog", positioner, bank, diaper bag, plates, bowls, spoons, books, blankets, diapers, activity gym, gift cards, cross necklace, horsey, wash tub (that we played in as kids), breast pads, breast cream, desitin, and lotion. I think that is a good overview of everything (listed items on my "gift list" for my Thank You notes). All the awww's and ooohh's and how cute's... it truly has to be something chemical or soemthing that a bunch of grown women get together and coo and carry on about all the baby stuff... even us and we aren't prone to that. It was emotional, but in a good way, in a heart full of love kinda way. Casie also had created a page, for the baby book, for everyone to sign at the shower. So she encouraged everyone to write something on it. We had cake and headed back outside to visit more with the men folk. LOL. (We don't do traditional showers exactly, we just get the whole famn-damily together and make a party of it.) We all hung out and visited for a while and before too long everyone was picking up the tables and chairs and cleaning up. I wasn't allowed to do anything... that was strange for me even more than any of the rest of it. Not that I was complaining exactly, just strange not to be helping with the work to be done.

We headed home and Uncle Paul came over for a bit to visit some more. I enjoyed that. Then they all left and we plundered through all the gifts, condensing where we could, organizing the clothes together so I could just throw a whole bag of stuff into the washer instead of having to go through it again. Pulling out cards for safe keeping and gushing, once again, over everything. I already was planning what would go where and what I would need to do once we got it all home. It was exciting and made it feel even more real that we are in fact having a baby and she will indeed be here soon. It also is an outward expression of how much my family loves us and our baby... not just because of the gifts, but because they showed up to celebrate with us more than anything. I could go on an on about how appreciative we are, but hopefully I did a good enough job of that in my Thank You cards. Ya'll let me know when you get them. I think we ate left over hot dogs for dinner, I honestly don't remember. It was another early night. I was exhausted and Sunday would be another full day more than likely.

Sunday we got up and had breakfast. Chuck had felt terrible on Saturday and said that he was feeling some better that morning. Casie and Marlie didn't sleep much at all. I know this because poor Marlie (and poor Casie) would scream her head off every few hours. I got up to see if I could help Casie in any way. I knew I probably couldn't, but I wanted to offer anyway. I didn't offer again because I didn't want to bother her... I can only imagine (though I'll know soon enough) how upsetting having a screaming child must be, especially when you can't seem to help her feel better for very long. It had been such a full day on Saturday and I knew Casie was exhausted. Marlie was too. I felt bad for both of them to be honest. So we were all a bit sluggish and quiet right off the bat. We were going to get crawfish for lunch so Mom, Dad, Tancy and me headed out. Hoping that with the house quiet Marlie could sleep some and Casie could either rest or just have the break for a bit. Chuck didn't seem up to snuff either. We were all hopeful that they could rest some while we were gone and the house was quiet. Chuck was heading home later and it was just going to be a full day.

We got back from getting crawfish and running around and everyone seemed a bit better. Casie was going through pictures when we got back and Marlie was happy to see her Nana J and Popa. They had good times together on the chuck wagon and out in the yard. We headed out to the shop to eat some crawfish. Man, they were so good! Chuck came out before too long, Casie was a bit behind, finishing up what she was doing. What we didn't eat we peeled to either eat later or freeze. They peeled easy and had a good flavor. Hit the spot for sure! We also made short order of the clean up. Before long at all Chuck was loading up (he was taking our shower gifts with him and we were bringing Casie and Marlie home on our way) and heading out. Seemed weird for him to be leaving. We all rested and relaxed for a bit and then got showers to get ready for dinner.

Casie, Tancy and I were meeting up with the girls (Daniele, Mickey, Kelly, Mallory and Morgan) for dinner at Chilli's to spend some time. Casie left Marlie with Mom and Dad, they were absolutely beside themselves with joy over that! We got there a bit early, but weren't the first to get there. We had a great time! We laughed and cut up and just enjoyed being together. I can't remember when it was just us girls (the cousins) together like that. It was wonderful and I hope we can try to do that when we are home. That needs to be a priority for me. I have a few people that I always try to see before leaving Louisiana, I can add several more people if we all get together at once like that. We all enjoyed ourselves so much that we met back up at Mom and Dad's house to continue our visit for a while. Marlie was already in bed asleep, Mom and Dad said she was wonderful and they had a great time playing with her. Mom and Dad stayed up for a bit to visit with all of us and then headed to bed themselves. I know how funny my cousins are, but you forget when there's been so much time between visits, I laughed so hard I cried at some points. We were entertained by Mallory (Kelly's daughter) and each other. We did the whole "do you remember"?! Which is always fun. We talked about present things and childhood things. I guess it was 9:00 when everyone headed home. They all had work the next day. We sat up a while and talked about how good it was to spend that time and that we should really do it more often and then Tancy and I headed to bed.

To be continued...

Good morning all. It's Thursday morning at about 8:00. We just got up, ready for the shed people to get here to build our shed... another (big) piece of the puzzle we have been working on. I can't wait! I hope that everyone is doing well this morning. It's close to the weekend (what is probably a long weekend for nearly everyone) and everyone is getting ready for family functions and/or easter egg hunts.

Well, I guess I should get into the meat of it. I have alot to catch you all up on and it's gonna take a while to get through it. I might have to break this up actually, now that I think about how much there is to post....

Wednesday was a long day. We got up and headed in to the doctor for the ultrasound. Ms. Lillie looks great, as most of you have already seen her ultrasound pics (posted on Wednesday before we left). Tancy came home and tried to get some sleep while I got things done and together for our trip. We were leaving that evening but it was a surprise. Casie was in on it, but that was it. I was terribly excited about being home a day early without Mom and Dad expecting it. I had been so lonesome for home and my family that I just couldn't wait to leave. By the time Tancy got up I had almost everything done... just had to gather our clothes and we were ready. I let her sleep till she got up, which I believe was about 4:00. We were on the road around 4:30 or 5:00. We just took our time, stopping every 2 hours, or even 1.5 hours at some points. I had been directed to stop frequently and drink lots of water. Between just being pregnant and the increased risk of blood clots and the trouble I have had with my sciatic I should be stopping every hour to 2 hours max. We did good. In addition to that, I had been given a tip to alternate ice and heat while traveling and that if I could keep my back (hip) constantly stimulated (heat, ice, massage) it would help aot with discomfort. So I did that like a good girl. Thankfully my sweet Mother-In-Law had gotten me a massage seat that works off a cigarette lighter. I had no excuse not to do as I had been told (did I just say that?!). We made it through Atlanta without a hiccup. I hate driving through Atlanta, it's the worst part of the trip, it makes me a nervous wreck. So coming through later made all the difference in the world. We stopped in Greenville, AL for the night around 11:00. We were both tired and though we were both awake enough to press forward it was important that we didn't do that.

Thursday morning we woke to some terrible weather. I went downstairs and got us some breakfast and brought it back up to the room. We ate and drank our coffee and before long were on the road again. I was beside myself I was so excited to get home. The way I figured it, we would be to the house before they got in from work and could truly surprise them by being there when they drove up. I felt like a mischevious kid, it was great. We got into town early enough that we went by the Bass Pro and got Tancy some new shoes and then headed to Mom and Dads house. We got to the house about 30 minutes before they got in from work. I had been giving them locations from yesterday (allowing my Pops to think that we were not only lazy for sleeping so late before hitting the road but that we had lost our minds for hitting Atlanta right at rush hour), they had no idea. Dad got home first, he did a double take when he hit the driveway and was all grins when he got out of his truck. Mom pulled right up to us and  I don't think she could believe her eyes either. There were lots of hugs and I can't believe yous! It was great, we'd pulled it off. We went to get dinner before too long and pick up some milk from the grocery store, then back home and just hung out. There were lots of smiles, thats for sure! I think they were just as pleased that I was there as I was to have pulled the surprise off. Casie, Chuck and Marlie were coming in that night, but it would be late. Unfortunately they had to work all day before they could leave. That would have been the only way getting there early could have been any better... having Casie, Chuck and Marlie there too. I tried, desperately, to stay up and wait for them to get in... but at 10:30 I just couldn't do it any longer and gave it up to go to bed. I think they arrived around 11:30... I never heard a peep. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Friday morning Mom and Casie had hair appointments and some errands to run. They took Marlie with them. So Pops, Tancy, Chuck and I headed out to Jerry Lee's for some boudin, hog head cheese and cracklins. Yum! We also had to stop by the grocery store for a few things. Then we headed back home. We had our goodies for lunch, sooo good! I miss food from home. We hung out a bit and then Pops and I headed to Maw-Maw's to see her for a bit. It was good to visit with her. We wouldn't have time for a long visit with her like I normally try to fit in, so I knew that I needed to make a couple of shorter visits. Pops and I headed back home. Tancy's knee had been bothering her so she'd stayed at the house. Chuck didn't seem to be feeling well, he'd stayed home as well. They were layed on the couch and love seat when we returned. Before it was all said and done Pops and Chuck headed out to meet Daniele to get tables and chairs for the shower and Tancy and I waited on Mom and Casie to get back home. I was missing them, they'd been gone all day. Around 2:00 - 2:30, not long after Pops and Chuck left, they drove up. I was happy. We had dinner reservations at a local seafood restaraunt that we all LOVE for 5:00. Daniele was going to pick up Maw-Maw and meet us at the house and then we were all heading out. Pops and Chuck returned before too long. So we all visited a bit and who ever needed to get ready got ready and before long Maw-Maw and Daniele were driving up. We loaded up in two vehicles and headed out. We got to the restaraunt a bit early but that's how we always do things! We ordered food, appetizers, drinks, etc. Oh, it was soo good. Marlie was also a great source of entertainment for her Nana J. They played alot through dinner. But before long Marlie was really ready for something different and it took more to entertain her. Can't blame her really, all that yummy food on the table and she couldn't have any of it, I'd have been pissed! So, we all ate to the point of misery, got to go boxes for what we couldn't shovel in and headed home. We visited a while before Maw-Maw and Daniele headed home. Then little by little we started to change into our pajamas and settle in. It was an early night, I was still tired. I guess it was around 9:00 when we all headed to our respective beds. Sleep came quickly for me.

To be continued...

One word - FABULOUS!

The girls did a great job with the baby shower. There was a net with blow up fishies and a diaper cake (that my sister made... I've urged her to make them and sell them, too cute), there were hand painted fishies to put in Lillie's room and bath toys too! We got lots off good stuff, alot of clothes, bath toys, the tummy time play mat, bath tub... what all I can't remember. The food was really good and Larisa's cake was perfect.

We had a great time, I got to see some old friends and visit with family. The weather was perfect. It was just a good day all around.

Susan took pictures and I'll post them once I get them... just not sure when that will be.

I keep getting questions about the NC shower, I don't have any details other than the date (May 30th)... so if you have questions, get up with Mandy. She and Lil Jen are in charge of the arrangements.

We have everything we NEED at this point, outside of the stroller/car seat combo, which I believe has been taken care of already. But if you haven't gotten whatever you intended to for the shower, don't dispair, there are still lots of items on the registry. Haha!

Alright, I am off here to spend some time with Mom, Casie and Tancy. If we are lucky, today we will sign the papers for the legal name change in Louisiana. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Love to all!

This picture is to illustrate how long our childs toes are!
Her beautiful profile

Another profile pic

Our baby has hair!!! OMG! I cannot believe it!!
Her foot, measuring approximately 2" (ok, she's only about 17" long!)
 
Her fingers. These are actually her pinky and ring finger flipped up.
I don't know if its good enough to make out, but to the right side is her nose and her lips right below and then her chin (the words nose and chin are on the pic)
Her chin... a good strong chin. And you can make out both eyes, which she was blinking.
Her big toe (top part of the pic)
Her arm, really hard to see, but those lines just above her rib cage are her arm bones.

Ok, now you have them. Hope they make you smile. The ultrasound went well, she's measuring really well, 2 pounds 15 ounces. My fluid level is good, all is as it should be. We don't have the results of the glucose test yet, but even the lady doing the ultrasound said that my one hour really wasn't high enough to indicate gestational diabetes and that I shouldn't worry. (We are 29 weeks yesterday.)

I gotta run, lots to do before we hit the road for Louisiana... errands AND packing!

Love to all!