Some of Many Firsts

These past couple weeks have flown by... I'll try to get better about posting an update more often. Here are some pictures of some "firsts" for Wylie... and for us too!

 Just born

 First Car Ride - so far, she loves riding in the car. I hope it stays that way...

First Ole Miss Game - not the season to be first introduced to the Rebels. At least now she doesn't have high expectations for the future.

 First Walk

 First Halloween

 First Bath - I decided that I wouldn't post the naked bath picture. She's too modest for that. She also makes the cutest faces.

 One Week Old!

 First Time Meeting Cousin Lucy - best of friends already!

First Nap with Daddy

 First Grandma Visit - Gigi came and stayed with us for a couple weeks. This picture was followed by Wylie's first trip to the airport. Next, Gran Gran comes to visit. This girl is so spoiled!

We survived another week! Wylie went to her first pediatrician visit on this day as well. She was up to 8 lbs even and 21.5 inches (one additional inch since her birth). She is one healthy little girl, and for that, we are extremely thankful!!

First Walk without Daddy...

Ben has been gone yesterday and today at a residency interview in St. Louis, so it has been two full days of just the girls. I'll have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought being home alone with just Wylie and I. However, I know that I do not want to be a single parent (not that I ever did). We even managed to get out of the house to run an errand on day one and go for a walk on day two. I guess we'll find a way to survive during Ben's first year as a resident when they have him working long hours. Ben so far has interviewed with UMC in Jackson and now SLU in St. Louis. He has one at UT-Memphis next week and then three following Thanksgiving - Charleston, Augusta, and Lexington.

Announcing Wylie Jane

I know I am a little late on this, but just wanted to make it official... Wylie Jane Bevill was born on October 27, 2011 at 1:19 pm. She weighed 7 lbs and 15 oz and measured 20.5 inches. She's absolutely perfect, and we love her oh so much!

Here are some pictures from the hospital...

2 weeks... Scratch that... 1 week or less!

To those left-brained folks like my dad, I am so sorry that we skipped a week in the countdown. However, at the doctor's visit this week, we have scheduled an induction date for next week, so she's not going to make it to 40 weeks. I actually hope that she won't make it to 39 either and comes this week... only time will tell.

Ben and I are getting pretty stir crazy around the house. Any suggestions out there for how to pass the time?

I may not have much to post now until Wylie comes, but be certain that I'll do so with pictures as soon as I get a chance.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

I saw this while out to lunch today. Could it be a sign? What are the odds?!

3 weeks to go until the big day!

This Sunday I turned 37 weeks... or should I say Wylie turned 37 weeks (in utero, of course). That is a big milestone in the baby-developing process. She is now considered by the medical profession as full-term. With that being said, it is now time for her to be evicted... not really. Even though we are ready for her to come (and at one point this weekend, thought she was going to come), we are not kicking her out... yet.

In celebration of reaching this milestone, here's a little flashback of where we came from...

14 weeks

18 weeks

 

20 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

30 weeks

32 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

And now... 37 weeks!

A month... are you kidding me?!

Well... technically less than one month since we're now down to 4 weeks left. This weekend we went to the pumpkin patch with some friends and future friends/boyfriends of Wylie.  These are all on facebook, but for those of you who don't check that regularly, first I'll show a group shot...

 From the left, Kirk, Bennett, Mary Elizabeth, John, Matt, Jenni, me, Ben, Betsy, Jack, and Chase

 Here's a (some of the group) shot on the tractor/hay ride.

 Ben and I on the hay ride...

 At the pumkin patch... matching his and hers set... I sure hope mine turns out cuter and not as orange...

I know Mimi wouldn't approve of the sunflower shot, but we couldn't resist climbing into the field for a great photo opp... although Wylie got a little hidden, which I didn't know it was even possible to conceal her at this point.

Here's our best try at a maternity-modeling shoot.

We hope that everyone is having a great Fall so far. This one for us will definitely be remembered forever (for obvious reasons), but also because we've had such a great time with family and friends. I've caught myself having thoughts like going to this pumpkin patch next year with Wylie, but then have to remember that we may not be in Jackson next Fall. Ben starts his interviews next month for residency. I am experiencing all sorts of emotions (anxious to find out, sad to leave great friends, but mostly excited to see where our life will lead next). Our little family has so many changes coming in the next 6 months, and we feel very blessed to have such supporting family and friends along for the ride. We couldn't do it without you all! Sorry this has turned a little sentimental... I promise it won't happen often!

35 weeks down and just 5 more to go...

This was a great weekend! First, Ben's parents came in town... and wait for it... WITH THE NURSERY FURNITURE (pictures below)! YAY! Saturday morning was spent assembling the crib and stocking the drawers of the dresser. Then in the afternoon, Mississippi State lost to Georgia... this is when I said that now if only the Rebels could pull off a win tonight, my day would be complete. In the evening we went to our final baby shower... a coed Grove-themed shower, complete with great Fall weather.

 Action shot of Ben and I opening a gift...

 Cute "baby bump" cake

And a group shot with our hostesses... with the Ole Miss game in the back ground. We left around half-time or so and watched the rest of the game from home. At least staying up until midnight after a long day was all worth it in the end to see the Rebels win!... Not too sure how many more we'll see this season, but I'll continue to cheer them on from home, since we won't be making it to any more games with the little one on her way. We did entertain the thought of a "Grove birth".... yeah right!

Today we went to church and then but some finishing decor touches to the nursery like hanging pictures, shelves, and curtains. Here it is... I still need to get the mobile, rug, and lamp, but this gives you a pretty clear image of the final product...

 View from the door...

Here's one of me showing off that baby bump. And yes, I am admitting to the world that I cannot fit into my own clothes and have to wear Ben's gym shorts and t-shirts. In my defense, I do not leave the house like this... only wear them for lounging and house work.

I'll continue the count down, however, since we're now anchored for the next few weeks, I may not have much exciting news to share until the big day. I'll do my best to make the mundane as exciting as possible.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Furniture is in and 7 weeks to go

Great news... All of our nursery furniture came in this week. We picked up the glider and ottoman from the store in Madison today, and Ben's parents picked up the crib and dresser/changer (with help from Lucy and Neilson). They'll bring those pieces with them in two weeks when they come here for our Jackson shower. Here's a picture of the chair with a couple blankets we've received and her bedding comforter.

In other news, my mom had a knee replacement surgery on Friday. Her surgeon said it was one of the worst knees he had seen with bone-to-bone friction and most cartilage worn. Her physical therapist has been impressed with her mobility this early on. I hope that continues to be the case. We are all hopeful for a speedy recovery so she can be down here for when Wylie comes.

Congrats to Ben!

Last night Ben was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in which he was nominated by his fellow classmates, residents, and attending physicians for his excellent clinical and patient care skills. I am so very proud of him! Here are some pictures...

 Ben getting pinned.

 Matt getting pinned.

 Ben's certificate

Group shot.