What a Miracle

I was always in awe of the human body during my pregnancy with Anderson, but that feeling seems to be even more heightened this time around. Anyone who experiences or even researches the development of a baby must know there is a God. Otherwise, how in the world could you explain all of the millions of miraculous changes that the body experiences that must be perfectly timed in order to sustain and grow a little person!

I love reading developmental websites to see what is going on with our little one. This website is one of my favorites http://www.ehd.org/dev_article_unit10.php It has little movie clips that inform you about different stages of the babies development.

Another website I love is http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/pregnancy/calendar/week/9 This week's page had an amazing picture of an actual baby at 9 weeks in utero.

Many of you have been asking how I am feeling and unfortunately I can't say anything poitive! I have been much more sick than I was with Anderson. The morning sickness is more like "All-day" sickness and is especially bad in the afternoon and at night. With Anderson I had rough afternoons for about 2 weeks or so, but then it was gone and I felt great. The exhaustion is also a factor that is making me pretty miserable. Anderson starts back to Mom's Morning Out again on Wednesday, so hopefully I can get some rest. Pregnancy doesn't lend itself to chasing after an 18 month, and I am praying that these nasty symptoms only last for a couple of more weeks...maybe by then I can muster up the energy to take down my Christmas decorations...and no, sadly, I am not kidding!

Happy New Year...with a new Baby!!!!!

We got quite the surprise the first weekend in December...Check it out!

Baby Smith #2 is due August 13, but due to a repeat C-section they want to take this baby one week early, so we are asking for a scheduled section on August 8th. If I make it that long, which is a BIG if, then the baby's bday would be 8-8-08!

We were going to start trying in Feb/ March, but looks like God had other plans for us! We were so shocked that all in all we took 10 pregnancy tests before we really believed it! ha!! Since the little bambino was such a surprise we have decided to stick with that theme and keep the sex a surprise until the birth.

I am starting my ninth week and even though it was earlier than we planned we are excited to share our "little" secret!!

Here is baby's first picture!

More Christmas Pics...

Christmas day after getting our visit from Santa we headed up to Birmingham to have dinner with GiGi and Pop (my mom and step-dad). It was a ton of fun as it usually is, with a completely packed house! My step-brother Todd and his wife Susan were there. Both of my sisters made it home from Nashville and Tampa. Jennifer celebrated her first "married" Christmas this year with hubby Jeff...and yes it is very confusing to have to sisters married to Jeff's that both happen to be lawyers! We had a great time opening gifts and eating a yummy dinner! Mom and Mike

Auntie M and Aunt Jenn with wee man!

Christmas Maddness...

The Newlyweds...

Mommy and Anderson

Mom's present from Anderson



Tiffany's.... :-)


Mom getting her yearly calendar of pics from the three of us.

Daddy and Anderson

Last, but certainly not least!! Todd and Susan gave Anderson this PUMA tracksuit as a joke...Mom gave him a gold chain and he was big pimpin' the rest of the night. We laughed until we cried. Priceless!!

Finally some Christmas pictures...sorry they are late!

Jeff has FINALLY returned home from his 5 day trip to duck hunt in Arkansas with his friend Greg. Anderson and I really missed him, but knew he was having a blast! He really helps out so much around here that I encourage him to go do something like that for fun any chance he gets, which with his long hours at work isn't often! He left bright and early the morning after Christmas and returned home late Sunday night. Since then we have been sleeping a lot! Waking up at three every morning for several days can make you a little on the tired side, as can chasing after an 18 month old by yourself!!

The weekend before Christmas we traveled to Tennessee to visit with Jeff's parents and his brother and his family.

Reflections on Christmas...

I am sitting here watching Anderson play with all of his new toys in our living room as I type this entry. As I look at all of the "stuff" of Christmas, I am most thankful for God's gift to us. Christmas toys are great and all, but knowing that Anderson will be raised in a Christian home where prayer and a close relationship with God are an everyday part of life makes me happy and filled with peace. During church services leading up to Christmas I cried at nearly every service during the praise and worship songs. I think there is something very emotionally charged about having a son and celebrating Christmas. I can't even pretend to understand what Mary felt like when she literally gave birth to the savior of the world, but I know how much I love the little boy playing at my feet right now and I can't imagine the outcome that Jesus had for our sweet son...death on a bloody cross. That thought is what has kept me in tears during the last several church services.

There is a song called "Mary Did you Know" that my husband has pretty much banned me from listening to again, but I want to share the lyrics with you. I think for any young mother and particularly those with sons its message is so powerful...

"Mary Did You Know"

[Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene]

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Here is just a quick post before we run off to visit with my mom!! Anderson had a BLAST this morning with all of his presents from Santa. It made me tear up to see him so excited and giddy! Enjoy the pictures and I promise to post again soon!!! Merry Christmas to you and those you love and most importantly...Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Our budding little artist...

Anderson came home with two masterpieces from art class today!