Even with a breech baby, this belly is large and in charge. I had to get one last picture of my bump… or mountain… with Hayes.
This is 38 weeks and 5 days with Hayes.
Please pardon my expression. I wasn’t really feeling all that photogenic when my dad asked to take my picture, so I ended up making an “oh, please” face.
This is the very first of many many letters that I will write to you. You haven’t made your way into this world just yet, but we are all anxiously awaiting your arrival and are so excited to meet you.
You are joining a family that is full of love, and we cannot wait to love on you. Your daddy, big brother, and I have been praying for you ever since we found out about you.
The day I found out I was expecting you was a normal day and a test confirmed my suspicions that I was, in fact, pregnant. I waited until your daddy got home from work to share the news with him and he was so excited! And he knew that you were going to be a boy!
The day we found out that we were having another little boy, my mind immediately went to Hudson and I had so many visions in my head of the two of you growing up together as best friends. Playing golf with daddy, riding with each other to high school, and visiting each other in college. I don’t want to wish either of your lives away, but I just pray that you and Hudson will love each other as only brothers can. He is very excited to be getting a baby brother. I know the two of you will fight and compete in your lives, but I pray that you will always love each other and realize the importance of family and siblings. If I can’t give either of you anything else, I will know that I gave you each other.
I suspect that you and Hudson will be very different in a lot of ways and I cannot wait to see what those differences are. I just want you to be a happy little boy who grows into a Godly man.
Your daddy and I pray daily for wisdom as we plan to raise you and raise Hudson. I want you to always know that you are loved. More than anything. I haven’t even seen your face yet and my love for you overwhelms me. I can’t even imagine how it will feel when the doctor places you in my arms for the first time. We don’t have to wait long!
You are also very fortunate to be in a family full of grandparents, an uncle, and a great-grandmother who love you endlessly already. And there are so many sweet dear friends and extended family members who have been praying for you since they found out about you. We are so blessed by all of these people and I know that you will be, too.
I’m looking forward to cherishing every little second with you as we get to know each other.
There is a verse from Colossians that I have stumbled upon in various Bible readings over the past few months. And every time I read it I think of you. Thank you for being mine. I can’t wait to meet you!
Love,
Mommy
“Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
Colossians 1:9
Three years ago today, I married the man that makes me laugh harder than anyone, makes me feel beautiful and loved every single day, and I didn’t know it at the time, but the man who would be the calm, collected, level-headed leader of our household.
We had a beautiful day surrounded by family and lots of friends. That day was a great bookend to that chapter of our lives and a hopeful start to the beginning of the next chapter.
And to treat ourselves to even more fun away from reality, we jetted off the next day to beautiful Maui and had an amazing vacation. Coming back to reality was hard. We both had jobs that took up a lot of our time and without the wedding as a “distraction” form work, there was a slight sense of dread when getting on the plane to come home. Not because we weren’t ready to start our lives together, but because paradise is easier. And being surrounded by friends and loved ones who are celebrating with you and praying for you is much easier than getting up and going to work every day.
But marriage forces us to find the balance between the fantasy life and reality.
My husband, the one God chose for me (and thankfully the one who chose me, too), continues to make me laugh– and roll my eyes– every day. He has been the greatest source of accountability in my life when it comes to my walk with the Lord, perspective, and priorities. He still spoils me more than I deserve and treats me the way I always hoped my future husband would treat me.
The past three years have been really busy. We only had four months of marriage before I got pregnant with Hudson, and our newlywed time did double duty with the pregnancy and preparations for our first son. But even though things have been eventful and our lives have taken a complete turn from the dating days and those days in paradise on our honeymoon, everything about those two youngins in the picture is still there somewhere. Our faces look a little older from the stress of raising a toddler and being pregnant and starting your own business, but we haven’t changed that much.
We still love to laugh, and every so often, we get a chance to get out– just the two of us– and act like the crazy newlyweds that we feel like we are!
I am so excited to be hosting a Willow House party this month. I am obsessed with home decor and accessories and Willow House has some of the cutest, most unique pieces I’ve seen. My sweet friend, and another mommy to a 2 year old and a brand new baby, Callie from Willow House Mom, has me all set up to host this fun party for my readers.
I think you’ll be impressed!
All of your purchases can be made HERE at Willow House and you must enter my name as the hostess. (Erin Carroll)
* Spend $40, get any item $40 and under at half off!
– To reach the $40, you CAN purchase outlet items and magazines. The $40 item that you will be able to pick at half off can not be an outlet item
There are so many specials for the month of May and the savings are incredible! The items in the two virtual flyers below are up to 50% off. To purchase these, you can visit Callie’s site at Willow House with Callie– they aren’t in the catalog. There is no minimum purchase price AND these items can count toward the show special– with a $40 or more, get any non-outlet item $40 and under at 50% off!
*Remember to list my name, Erin Carroll, as the hostess.
Here’s my favorite part! Willow House also sells your favorite magazines at fabulous prices! This is perfect as summer is coming up and we all need some light, beach or poolside reading as we catch up on Southern Living, Cooking Light, Real Simple and People!
You can get two years of Southern Living for $34.95. Or you can get a year of Southern Living plus 4 monthly issues of Martha Stewart Living for $30. Those are just a couple of my favorites. CLICK HERE to check out the magazine specials!
I thought I’d show y’all some of my favorite items. I have a few Willow House pieces already and really want to add some more to my collection! The Emerson Stemware glasses are absolutely beautiful and I need them in my house! The Gramercy Double Dish stand would make any table display look gorgeous and interesting at a party. I think the embroidered Scrollwork pillow is absolutely beautiful and the Galveston Footed Hurricanes are perfect for flowers on your coffee table or candles on your patio. I love it all!
Of course, most of my absolute favorite items have to do with outdoor entertaining. As we approach the summer, I know we’ll be spending more time outside and hopefully hosting more parties. The Savannah Beverage Server and Nola Party Bucket are two of my absolute must-haves for the summer time! And the Addison tray table is perfect for indoor and outdoor use if you need to move a table outside while you entertain.
Click here to place your order today. These specials run through the end of May. Remember to enter my name as your hostess and you can email Callie at willowhousemom@gmail.com if you have any specific questions about the products.
