Stinky

It's amazing the fun names Chad and I have come up with for our sweet boy but amazingly enough, he get's called "Stinky" by us both.  It's not that he's even that stinky....although the diapers smell worse daily.  We somehow managed to tag him stinky and it's been a term of endearment ever since. 

Of course, this is by far not the ONLY nickname that he's been dubbed.  Since we found out we were expecting, Chad affectionately has referred to him as "peanut."

Here is a list of the funny, the goofy and the strange and unexplainable nicknames we call our baby boy:

Stinky

Peanut

B-u-u-u-ddy (pronounced exactly as spelled, don't ask why)

Nonna Buddy (obviously given to him by his Nonna)

Baby 'B'

Wee Willy  (I have my sister-in-law to thank for that one)

Sugar Dumplin' (I overheard my Aunt Anita call him this one day...)

Mr. B

Beck Beck

Sweet Cheekers

Super Cheeks

Just Hangin' Out





Laughter is the Best Medicine!

So.....

My twelve weeks are over and I'm officially back to the old grind! 

Leaving Beckett at home yesterday morning was like being stabbed in the heart.  However, this is the sweet boy I came home to yesterday....laughing at his Nonna and smiling from ear to ear at me! 

No one can ever prepare you for the joy you feel when you see your child's face light up with laughter and happiness!

Riding out the Storm

It's been snowing today and turning into ice tonight so the 3 of us are at Nonna and Pa's riding out the storm. 

We had a busy weekend!  Saturday we traveled to Manning to visit Gigi and Doc and see the renovations at the lake house.  A-maz-ing!!!   The house looked fantastic and the grandparents got to hang out with Beckett for a few hours. 

Saturday night we celebrated Amanda's 30th birthday with her and caught up with some old friends.  We had a great time!

We are hoping we don't lose power here in Swansea tonight but at least we are have backup here in case we do! 

We hope everyone has a safe night!

Much love,

Katie, Chad & Beckett

8 Weeks Old

 We made yet another trip to the Doctors office on Thursday.  Beckett has been sick on and off since Thanksgiving and I'm sure it has a lot to do with all the loving he got from friends and family over the holidays.  Dr. Cope thinks he most likely has RSV (an upper respiratory virus) that everyone seems to have right now and thinks it will just have to run its course.  Even though he's been sick, Beckett sneezes and coughs but then gives you the biggest smile and grin you could ask for!!  Some nights he's been sleeping much better than others but I'm anxious to get rid of this yucky stuff for good! 

He now weighs 13 pounds!!!  I can't believe he's growing SO fast!

I Love to Smile!

Beckett is still the smiliest baby I've ever seen.  Chad and Baby B were having

"tummy time" on his surfboard mat that Santa brought him and I walked in the room to laughs and smiles.  He evidently didn't like being on his belly on the mat but he sure did enjoy smiling laying on his back and smiling and cooing at his daddy!  

The Best Christmas Gift!!

Who could ask for a better Christmas present?

Beckett at 6 weeks

He's here!!

William Beckett McClary

Born Sunday November 7, 2010 at 11:38 am

8 pounds 9 ounces

21.5 inches long

It's very sad that it has taken me THIS long to post pictures of our sweet baby boy but it's been a bit busy around here these days!  Chad and I have been so wrapped up in the spectacular life of parenthood that updating this blog and emailing pictures hasn't been on the top of our list.  We also decided not to post pictures on facebook which has been a bit hard for our friends and family to understand but I hope understand the need for our privacy.  With all the security issues these days, we felt that keeping pictures off of the social network was the best way to go.....hence, the blog. 

As of today, Beckett is 5 weeks old.  These pictures are all from the week he was born and boy has he changed since then!  He's a VERY good baby and I couldn't ask for better!  He's a great sleeper and it's actually very hard to catch him with his eyes open.  The weeks I've been home with him have truly been wonderful.  We had a rough start with Beckett losing some weight after coming home from the hospital but he's gaining pretty quickly now.  I took in to the pediatrian for a check-up on Wednesday because he had a little cold and was happy to learn he now weighs 10 pounds, 15 ounces!!  New fat rolls appear almost daily!  

He is the sweetest baby I've ever laid eyes on.  When he's awake he's smiling and cooing and so many people have already told me they have never seen a baby sleep this well.  According to my MIL, Chad slept very well as a baby (still does) and didn't cry very much.  I, on the other hand have been told stories of what a terror I was as a baby....never sleeping and sitting up most of the night watching t.v....my mother even calling me a "little monster" because she thought she would never be able to sleep again.  I'm also under the assumption that our next child will probably be more like me or that Beckett could become a night owl at any moment.  But, for now, I'm enjoying it! 

Over the last two weeks, he has starting smiling brightly when you look at him!  So many mornings, he's woken up smiling and cooing and it takes all Chad has in him to walk out the door to work when he's so sweet in the mornings.  I'm already dreading my return to work in the next month!  

Beckett not only looks just like Chad but acts just like him too.  He sleeps like a teenage boy, sneezes exactly three times and has the worst case of acid reflux.  If anything I could change about my baby boy, this would be it.  We have battled this since we got home from the hospital.  He's on his 2nd prescription medication for it and projectile spit up has now become a part of everyday life!  He perpetually lives with a bib on but I'm hopeful that it will get better with age! 

Parenthood has been the most wonderful experience ever!  Never in my life would I ever realize just how much you could love someone.  Now I understand what everyone has always told me about being a mom!  It's absolutely unbelievable and I'm so excited to be able to watch him grow!  The past 5 weeks have gone by SO fast!  I really think the fast forward button on life has been pushed since he came into the world.  How I wish I could just hit the pause button right now!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!! 

Much love,

Katie, Chad, & Beckett 

Belly Update

The end is drawing near!  We only have around 2 1/2 weeks until the due date and I've been tying up loose ends with basic needs for when we get home from the hospital! 

Beckett started to drop last weekend and made it VERY hard to move around for a few days!  Walking was so hard, I had to take baby steps.  Getting out of my chair at work was quite hysterical!  I literally look like a 90 year old. 

By Tuesday afternoon, Beck started to move back up.  I'm not a Dr. but I'm guessing that you can actually go backwards with progress....

Either way, I have a Dr. appointment today and I'm anxious to hear what the consensus is on his positioning! 

I've regained the ability to walk again but the downside is that he's back on my lungs and windpipe.  It makes it ridiculously hard to breathe, especially at night!  I constantly wake up heaving for air and have to reposition my big belly and THEN myself!  When he had dropped a bit, it was amazing how much easier it was to catch a breath and sleep!  THAT has now ended!  Last night I slept sitting up in the chair with 1,000 pillows around me!  Law and Order and I have become best friends! 

Last weekend we had a wonderful family shower and received so many great gifts!  Both of our families are so generous and wonderful!  I can't wait for Beckett to get here and be a part of our family!  He will never be starved for affection, that's for sure!
For now, we are taking it easy and waiting on Beckett to join us!  We can't wait!!!
Much love,
Katie

Belly Update

My doctors appointments have now become a part of weekly life for us.  Sunday will mark the 5 week countdown until the due date and we still have SO much to do.  I'm not a bit worried though, I have a team of friends and family who I know will be there if I need to make the call! 

Moving around has never been so hard!  I'm starting to feel more handicapped every day and just turning over in the bed or sitting up on the couch takes some extra help from Chad.

This week has been pretty tough.  During the day I feel pretty good but bedtime is a whole diffrerent story!  Even with thousands of pillows, nothing seems to work to keep me asleep after about 2:30 a.m.  Either the room isn't cool enough or my nose is stuffy or I'm in the bathroom for the umpteenth time!  Everyone keeps reminding me that this is just a warm up for when baby "B" arrives and I'm up all night with diaper changes and feedings. 
Poor Chad, everyone needs to say a little prayer that my poor husband doesn't freeze to death!  I've always been hot natured but this is insane!  I think I could heat up a room by just walking in I radiate so much body heat!   

Other than that, we are charging along, ready to meet sweet Beckett!  The weeks are starting to feel like days and every weekend we spend making lists and crossing things off!  The biggest surprise of this pregnancy is actually how quickly it has flown by!  I can't imagine the years to come watching my baby boy grow up.  I'm sure it will all go by in a flash if we don't stop to soak it all in! 

Much love,

Katie

The Nursery Diaries Chapter 2

There is still plenty to do and we are STILL waiting on the daybed to ship but at least the crib arrived and it's just as beautiful as I had hoped. 

 I really wanted a floor lamp for the room but didn't want to spend a lot on it.  The original floor lamp that I bought for the nursery looked so good in the coffee nook, I decided to go on another search for a floor lamp instead and leave the pretty white one in the kitchen. 

I got this lamp at Target for around $30 and glued ribbon to the edges to match the drapes and the light fixture.

This is the crib that took 2 months to arrive.  I love it even though I now despise the Restoration Hardware customer service department.  Mama painted the gold letters white and I hung them with command wall hanging strips.  The Potterybarnb Kids bumper and crib skirt were gifts from my mother-in-law and the beautiful quilt is a special gift from my Aunt Anita who spent loads of time working on it for my sweet little boy! 

I love the detail on this quilt.  The rope design around the monogram is so pretty. 

 She even stuck with the theme of the nursery and added this precious wave pattern!  I just adore anything handmade, especially made by the people that I love! 

Serena and Lily crib sheet

 The small table is possibly temporary.  It was mine when I was little and had chairs to match.  It got a coat of paint and eventually, when Beckett is big enough to use it, I may paint the tabletop with chalkboard paint.

The cute fishies are from T.J. Maxx as well as the picture frame.

The books in the basket were mine.

The "P is for Palmetto" book and the duck and bear blankies are gifts from my mom.

The froggy rattle was a shower gift from Mrs. Beth and Ashley.

The glass buoy is from Southeastern Salvage.

Here is a better picture of the floor lamp. 

The Potterybarn Kids quilt on the chair is a gift from my mother-in-law

The rocking chair was my great grandmothers.
xo,
Katie & Chad

Belly Update

As of Sunday I have 7 weeks left until my due date!  7 WEEKS!!!  We are clammoring to get the nursery done in time for baby Beckett's arrival but I know think it will all get done.

My belly is growing A LOT and I'm not embarrassed to say that I now get on the scales backwards at every doctor's appointment!  I'm aware that it's normal to gain a huge amount of weight during pregnancy but seeing those numbers rise with each visit just makes me a little sad and I'm too excited about getting to meet my sweet baby boy to be sad right now!!

The worst part of this whole experience has reared it's ugly head.....SWELLING!!!! 

I was hoping to dodge the swollen feet, hands and face but lo and behold, it has kicked into overdrive over the past week and I'm already unrecognizable even to myself when I look in the mirror!!  I don't even know who that is looking back anymore.  OH WELL, it's all worth it in the end!!  The weeks are flying by and it won't be long before our lives completely change and Chad and I become K & C + "B"!! 

Easy Peasy Creamy Corn Salad

Ingredients:
2 cans shoepeg corn (drained)
1 handful cherry tomatoes cut in half
2 cucumbers; peeled, sliced and diced
red onion chopped or cut into rings if you only want the flavor
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 sour cream
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons dill pickle juice

Mix all ingredients well
Add salt and pepper to taste. 
Let it sit in the fridge a few hours before serving. 
You can also garnish with bacon crumbles.

Nursery Diaries Chapter 1

*Remember to click on the pictures for a larger view*
VERY little has actually been accomplished but we are well on our way.  The biggest feat was tackling the move of the guest room furniture and painting the green room a more tolerable color!  We decided to keep the same shade of gray/blue (Olympic Brand paint--"Secret Passage") that the nursery was painted.  The bedding already coordinated with the color, plus, it helped keep me calm since picking paint colors sends my blood pressure rising!
                                                                       Guest Room:

This is the FORMERLY baby poop green room!!  I'm very excited that my matching side tables and lamps are now symetrically placed.  You may also notice the short attic space door behind the bed.  During construction, we added all these little doors to add some extra "stashing" space to the house, but when furniture is placed it becomes a major eyesore.  The striped pillows are actually not euro size but are standard size, propped up on more pillows to try to cover up the door behind the bed.  Eventually we might  paint the door the same color as the wall to camoflage it.  Thanks so much to my mother, who took a day of her vacation painting this room while I was at work!!

Beckett's Room: 

Pardon the bad lighting.  I'm working on the lighting situation in here....

These are my major cheapo drapes that I glued (yes, I fabric glued them). 

I loved the look of the brown edged drapes at Restoration Hardware but refused to pay $99+/panel.  These came from Tarjay ($27.99/pair) and the ribbon came from Joanns (around $8).  The curtain rod was a whopping $9.99 at Hobby Lobby.

This is the other cheap-o window treatment.  The valance also came from Tarjay ($9.99).  I added the ribbon.

The cute white chest is a loaner from my mother-in-law and the lamp (found by my mom and aunt) came from TJs.

When Chad's parent's moved a few months ago, his mom sent us home with a huge trunk of his childhood things.  This little ship in a bottle is perfect for Beckett's room and melts my heart that it was also Chad's when he was a little boy.

The drum pendant that my husband promises to install soon.

Cute buoys (TJs of course!)

Sweet diaper bag from Chad's mom!!  I can't wait to use it! 

Rope block was a find from my mom at T.J.'s

This hamper was actually the first thing I bought for the nursery.  (Ross)

Look at those cute little clothes!!!!!!  These are just a few that we have gotten from Aunt Amy, Kayleen, and of course, mommy!

The chest on the left is another loaner from my MIL.  I found the lettered knobs at Hobby Lobby--seven drawers and seven letters!!  Perfecto!

This little rocker was mine when I was a little girl and was a gift from my Pa.  It will be getting a coat of paint and a new owner pretty soon....

Another T.J. Maxx find from mama.

These are from Hobby Lobby but will soon get a coat of white paint and a place on the wall over the crib.

More to come.....stay tuned!!!