Night 2 of Babymoon '09....

was spent with some of our closest friends:

Melanie Oudin, 18 years old, 2009 U.S. Open Quarterfinalist

John Isner, 6'9", GA Bulldog Alum, Ranked #34 in the world

Sam Querrey, 6'6" Californian, #25 in the world

The Bryan Brother, Bob & Mike, #1 Doubles Team in the world

Okay, so maybe they aren't our best friends.... but we're pretty fond of them. There was a tennis exhibition in Nashville during our stay so, of course, we had to attend. The crowd was pretty sparse but our seats were close and we got to watch some good tennis. Lucas and I had a blast! Even Lily Ann was kicking around so she must have been enjoying herself, as well!

I had my picture made with Sam:

And Lucas had his picture made with John:

(Can you spot him?)

He didn't want to fight off all the kids.... I had no problem pushing them out of the way with my big belly. Haha!


We had such a great time on our babymoon. I know there will be more vacations in the future - with children and without. But it was nice knowing we could enjoy one last child-free vacation before all of the craziness enjoyment of a different kind sets in.

Week 31

Dear Lily Ann,

We are nearing the finish-line and you are growing by leaps and bounds. Seriously.... leaps and bounds. That is all you seem to be doing inside my belly. We can see my belly move from one side to the other as you kick, play, and squirm around. Grandma even got to see you moving around!

Christmas is only two weeks away and we finally have two trees up! We are going to finish up with the outside decorations this weekend - along with installing our new mantle and hopefully finishing up all the woodwork that is going on in your nursery. Who knows? We may even be able to put together some of your furniture and start trying to recreate the vision I have in my head of your gorgeous nursery. I can't wait to see the finished product and envision bringing you home to your very own room (although you'll be sleeping in your cradle in our room for a few months).

Tennis season has ended and the wintry weather has definitely arrived. Your dad has been battling snow in Indiana this week and misses you very much when he is gone. I took you for a spin on the elliptical machine this morning and I think you really enjoyed it! You and I will have to do more of that now that we aren't on the courts.

As of today, I am finished with my last semester of school before your arrival. Maybe now instead of Economics and Accounting, I'll be able to read you nursery rhymes. I'm looking forward to our last weeks together and hopeful that the next few will be very productive. Hang with me! We have lots to do!


We Love You,

Mommy

See, honey.... It could be worse!

Hello, my name is Ashley and I am a Christmas fanatic!

I love decorating the tree[S] and house and listening to Christmas music while drinking hot cocoa and wrapping presents (which, unfortunately, I have still yet to buy for the most part)! So much fun! Lucas, on the other hand, is a little overwhelmed by my zest for the season. So during Babymoon '09, I knew just what he needed to get him in the Christmas spirit (and realize that my decorations pale in comparison to others).


Talk about intense! The Opryland Hotel is home to one of the South's most spectacular holiday displays! There are over 2 million Christmas lights adorning this huge mansion-esque hotel. Apparently, workers begin putting up the lights in July! Lucas wondered why they even bother taking them down. See ~ it could be worse, right? I could make him start adorning our house with Christmas lights in July! How fun would that be?!? Haha!!

We had a great time touring the grounds and are looking forward to bringing Lily Ann here in a few years. She is going to love it!

Some photos of us (and Lily Ann) enjoying the lights:

Let me just take a minute to say.....

ROOOOOOLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!

This weekend, Lucas and I enjoyed a wonderful getaway - which I've dubbed Babymoon 09. I can't wait to tell you all about it and show you some pictures from our fun weekend together!

But we paused all activities on Saturday afternoon, headed back to the hotel, ordered up some pizza and wings, and watched the SEC Championship Game.


My husband was in a good mood and even wore an Alabama shirt that day! Isn't he a good sport? He normally roots for the opposing team just to have something to argue about. He will probably now deny that he wore this shirt and claim that I photoshopped it - both untrue. But he cheered along with me.... even letting out a big "Roll Tide!"


So we cheered and celebrated together as Mark Ingram (Heisman winner, all the way) and the Crimson Tide rolled over Tebow and his Gators! Roll Tide!!

We next face Texas in one month for the National Championship Title! It is about time for our football dynasty to add another championship to the list!!

.... more on Babymoon 09 tomorrow!

Week 30

Dear Lily Ann,

Wow! Can you believe that you and I have been on this journey together for 30 weeks? This seems likes such a huge milestone! We are in the 30s! Three-quarters of the way through this pregnancy! 10 weeks until I can see your precious face! It seems like time is just flying by, and with more holiday festivities quickly approaching I know it will be here soon!

Speaking of holiday festivities, your Grandma and I put up one of our trees this week. Daddy is a little stressed out because we still have bathroom renovations sitting at a standstill, nursery work yet to be completed, a new mantle that needs to be installed, and all of your things strewn about until we have some place to put them. I am worried about how we are going to get it all completed but still determined to get up all of our Christmas decorations this year. Between us, your grandparents, and great grandparents, we'll get all this work completed (in time, hopefully).

However, instead of working on all of our projects and decorating for Christmas this weekend, your dad and I are going to Nashville for a little babymoon. Our last vacation without you! We are looking forward to spending some time together ~ just the two of us. We're going to see some beautiful Christmas lights at the Opryland Hotel, watch the SEC Championship Game (Roll Tide!), attend a professional tennis exhibition match, do some shopping, and find some good eats! We are so excited to share lots of adventures like this with you in the future.

You are really starting to pack some punch with your tiny little kicks! I feel them more and more ~ even when I'm busy and moving around. It is so weird to see my belly move involuntarily! I'm wondering if you might be a little gymnast. Or soccer player, maybe. I'm still crossing my fingers and wishing on the stars for a little tennis player! Whatever you do in life, I simply hope that you are happy and healthy. You no doubt have to be one of the most loved children on the face of this Earth. We'll never let you forget that!

We Love You,

Mommy

Week 29

Dear Lily Ann,

I'm a little behind this week. We are over half way through with our 29th week and I'm just now posting pictures. We had a BIG week! It was our first Thanksgiving trip with you! Next year you will actually be here to enjoy the beach! Every year we go to the beach to eat, shop, and relax. We are so looking forward to having you with us for years to come! Your dad and I, Grandma and Granddaddy, and Mamaw and Papaw are so excited about your arrival and all the fun things we will do together.

We did a little bit of Black Friday shopping. I didn't buy much for Christmas but we bought you lots of clothes (as if you needed any more)! Next year I imagine we'll be Midnight Madness shopping at toy stores to get ready for your first Christmas!

This Thanksgiving ~ and all the Thanksgivings for the rest of my life ~ I am thankful for you.

We Love You,

Mommy

Another Shower for Lily Ann

Great Friends....

Great Food....

Great Gifts....

and the cutest little sleeping baby (Lily Ann's future husband)....

all add up to a great baby shower!!


Lily Ann is certainly going to be one spoiled little girl..... Spoiled with love and spoiled with lots of presents. We are so lucky to have these amazing people in our lives who are looking forward to Lily Ann's arrival 'almost' as much as we are.

Thank you, all, for you love and support! We are so thankful for you!