Annie Katherine Hough

Our sweet little girl arrived on May 26, 2014 at 4:00 am. Annie Katherine Hough weighs in at 8 pounds 7 ounces and is 20 inches long. I will have so much to say about her soon, but for now I just wanted to post a little something!! She's a keeper!

Baby Shower #3!

Friday, May 9 my school threw me a little baby shower. The 3rd-6th grade girls attended, plus any 3rd-6th grade boys who wanted to skip PE and attend. We had cookies and lemonade, and I opened lots of gifts. I got such sweet notes from all the students and teachers. I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful community. It dawned on me after the shower that when baby girl begins kindergarten, these kiddos will be the "big kids" that she will look up to. What a special thing!

The table...PINK!!

Me with my wonderful class-PCS 5th grade, 2013-2014 school year

And my wonderful co-workers and hostesses. Mrs. Givhan, Mrs. Swanner-me-Mrs. Silver, and Mrs. Cothran. I love these ladies!!

Another view of that cute table!

Some of my audience!

What great kids. Thanks, everyone!

37 wks and my birthday

I had a great birthday last weekend, even if I was 37 weeks pregnant-ha, ha! We started the weekend by heading to Athens for a get together with the Busches. Robin made me a yummy chocolate birthday cake that a certain 2 year old especially loved!

The kiddos enjoying some snow cones! We got to spend some time with the Stookey and McInnis families, too!

These boys had fun together! Getting a picture of these three is impossible!!

Yummy cake!

On Sunday Jim and Peggy met us at church, then we went to Big Spring Park. Henry had lots of fun looking at ducks and fish! Afterward we went to lunch at Moe's BBQ.

Family shot!

I tried to recreate a picture we took of Henry against this brick wall when he was about 9  months old, but he wasn't having it, so I just held him instead!:)

My actual bday was Monday, and my class was on a field trip. I was originally scheduled to go, but when it got postponed due to tornadoes, my principal let me off the hook since I'm so close to my due date to travel to Chattanooga. It really was a nice bday treat not to have any actual teaching to do! Anywhoo...I had a much needed school work day instead and this is what I walked into in my classroom. Very sweet.

And another bday message on my back wall!

Then that night I opened gifts, and we went to dinner. Henry is pretending to drink out of the cute vase I got from Heather, and I'm wearing an adorable apron she sent, too! I loved being with my little fam on my day!

I again forgot to get a pic on the day of, but this is me at 37 wks plus a few days. My ankles and feet started swelling on this day...and have kept it up ever since. Oh well! I am close now. At least it is warm, and I can wear flip flops.

Beach Trip-March 2014

I had spring break this year the week of March 10-14, and we went to the beach with my parents. I have been wanting to post about it for a while now, but have just had trouble keeping up! I was SO excited to go on this trip-it was a much needed vacation for me. I was at the tail end of pneumonia, and while I still wasn't 100%, I was MUCH better, so it was just nice to get away and have a change of pace. Planning on the trip had gotten me through a lot of tough days of sickness and exhaustion, so it was finally time to relax!

My parents are so gracious to have us along as they go to the beach. They tolerate a 2 year old being around, and they even say they like it.:) It works out so well for Steven and I, because my mom doesn't want to get in the sun a whole lot, so we get to enjoy the beach or shopping or golfing while she stays in with Henry during his naps, then my folks stay at the condo for his early bedtimes and we get to go out at night-a rare treat! Of course, he loves the attention, too. BTW...notice what's in his hand? We were about to grill, and evidently someone put him in charge of the lighter:/

While it was too chilly to actually swim in the ocean, we did love taking advantage of playing in the sand and using the indoor heated pool (btw-Henry is VERY comfortable in the water and is quite the daredevil. It will be an interesting summer). We had a few days of gorgeous sunshine, and I got very sunburned! Here is H headed to the ocean with his gear. He loved it as you can tell by his "cheese!" face.

He was so cute-little beach bum!

He walked all the way out by himself-that's hard work!

Busy boy

Henry and Steven went exploring for shells a lot, and here H is showing me some coral he found:) I loved being able to relax in the beach chairs and (albeit lazily) watch them!!

Sweet smile. It was special to get to spend this week with just H before he becomes a big brother.

It will be a sweet memory for us all, I think.

We love you, sweet guy.

Peek-a-boo!!!

Here is my mom and H evidently having a serious conversation while shell collecting!

We took some good walks on the beach-here's our little fam! I don't know how many wks I am here....30ish?? Sheesh. Time flies.

We got to take advantage of one of the sunniest days and headed to the AL Gulf Coast zoo. It was Henry's first experience at a zoo, and he had lots of fun! I was so bummed that we rushed out and forgot the camera, but we did manage to get a few with our phones, although most didn't really turn out. Here we are in front on the entrance.

I think H's fave part was feeding the goats. He loved it! There were TONS of great animals and it was a great size zoo for a first trip. Very manageable. It had gotten hit my hurricanes (?) several years ago, and is called the "little zoo that could" because it's gotten back on its feet with the help of the community and is evidently doing really well. Of all the times I've been to the beach, I've never gone. We will certainly make a point of it from now on-we had lots of fun!! Until next time, beach! We will miss you. :)