New Hair Curt

Christmas 2011.

We had a very busy, wonderful Christmas filled with lots of family time and good food. This year we got to see almost everyone on both the Grant and Jenkins sides of the family.

We made the rounds this week, enjoying our last Christmas as a family of two. Thursday evening we had dinner and games at my Grandmommy and Papa's house (my mom's parents) with my aunt, uncle and cousins. Friday we drove to Arkadelphia to see the Grant family, including Gary's parents, sister and brother-in-law, who drove in from Texas, his grandparents, and all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Christmas Eve was spent with my parents and siblings, eating a wonderful home cooked meal made by my Momma, and playing Catch Phrase.

Christmas morning, as is tradition, Gary and I woke up early to read the Christmas story and exchange gifts with each other, and let me just say, my husband is an awesome gift giver. I gave him very little to work with in way of a Christmas list this year, because all I could think about was getting through Christmas and getting to Elliott's birth day. However, he surprised me with new running shoes to train for my half marathon after baby, new Toms, and a hand stamped ring with Elliott's name on it. Love him.

After we finished exchanging our gifts, we went to my parent's house to exchange gifts and eat breakfast casserole (my favorite!) with my siblings and grandparents. This may be our last year to spend Christmas morning at my parent's house since Elliott will be here next year, so it was a special time for us.

Gary's parents, sister and brother-in-law, drove up from Arkadelphia to exchange gifts and spend the afternoon with us at our house. We enjoyed lounging on the couch, watching a heartbreaking loss for the Dallas Mavericks, and eating leftovers, before they headed back to Arkadelphia and then to Texas.

Our final stop was Christmas dinner at my grandparent's (on my Dad's side) house with my aunts, uncles, cousins and great grandmother.

Me [and E] with my brother and sister on Christmas Eve.

Me and Gary at my parent's house Christmas Eve.

My beautiful family.

Christmas morning at our house.

The boys in their new shirts from my sister.

The girls in our Christmas PJs Christmas morning at my parent's.

My Grandmommy and Papa Christmas morning.

My in-laws opening gifts at our house.

The Grant family at our house Christmas day.

We feel so blessed to have so much family to celebrate with each year. I'm thankful we were able to see and catch up with everyone but Gary's mom's side of the family, whom we got to spend Thanksgiving with in Texas. The gifts are wonderful, but the time with family and the memories made mean so much more this time of year. We're looking forward to having a little one toddling around this time next year.

The Order's Christmas Eve Party.

On Christmas Eve, three of my oldest friends came over for a Christmas brunch. We call ourselves "The Order of the Four." We were inseparable in high school, but our adult lives have spread us all over the world. Meghan is still close by in North Little Rock, but Kristin lives in Delaware, and Lauren in South Korea. For the first time in a year and a half, we're all home at the same time. To celebrate, we ate brunch, exchanged gifts, and watched Elf.

Our time all together is limited, so I'm thankful we got to catch up, reminisce, and celebrate Christmas together. No matter where life takes us, we'll always share a special bond.

Merry Christmas!

38 Weeks.

Elliott:

Your size hasn't changed much since last week, you weigh anywhere from 6.5 to 7 pounds now, maybe more. We went to see Dr. Chang this week, and to my surprise, we've made progress. I'm now 50% effaced and dilated 1 centimeter, meaning you could really decide to come any day now. We go back next Tuesday, unless you decide to come before then.

We've been distracting ourselves with Christmas, wrapping gifts, attending parties, shopping, and looking at Christmas lights. It's hard to believe you'll be joining us in no more than 2 weeks. Just to be safe, we packed our bags for the hospital. Now when you decide you are ready, we'll be ready to load up the car and head to labor and delivery.

This is my last week of work before my maternity leave starts. I'll be thankful to be off my feet for a while, because this week you have been making me very uncomfortable. I've had lots of lower back pain and pressure, making my usual 8 hour work days cutting, coloring and styling hair, feel like 18 hour work days. But, we're almost there, and I know you'll be worth all the aches and pains pregnancy has brought me, so much so that I'll forget all about them and go though this all again some day.

Come join us soon,
Momma

37 Weeks - Full Term!!

Elliott:

We made it, you're now full term, meaning you can safely enter the world whenever you are ready. Your due date is still 3 weeks away, but we're hoping you decide you are ready before then, because we can hardly contain our excitement any longer!

You are measuring anywhere from 19 to 22 inches now and weighing around 6.5 pounds, about the size of a watermelon- wow! We went to see Dr. Chang again this week. Your heartbeat was sounding strong at around 140 BPM. My group B strep test from last week came back negative, meaning we won't need antibiotics when I'm in labor. There wasn't a whole lot of change since our last appointment, so still no sure signs that you'll be arriving early (although we have our fingers crossed).

This week I had some swelling after eating Mexican food. I've been trying to drink lots of water and lay down as much as possible to help it go down. I'm still working 5 days a week, standing for around 8 hours a day, making it hard to get too much rest, however, I only have 7 work days left until my maternity leave begins.

We feel so thankful to have made it to full term with you, and we feel a huge amount of relief knowing that if you were born tomorrow you would be ok. We're praying every night that your entry into the world will be safe and that you will be perfectly healthy.

We can't wait to hold you in our arms!
Momma

Top 6 fashionable hairstyles 2012

If you feel like changing your style, choose from the 6 most fashionable hairstyles of this season 2012.

Disorderly BOB
Dianna Agron showed that one can wear bob in different ways. Bob should be disorderly and tousled this winter 2012. Best for curly hair.

Rock hairstyle
Short haircuts are still popular this season. Evan Rachel Wood suggests making rock hairstyle. It goes very well with any type of hair.

Retro hairstyle.
Short retro hairstyles goes very well with refind features. Looks good with asymmetrical bang. Ashley Greene teaches how to wear retro hairstyle.