Party for Hadley Grace

So, having a second baby I kind of felt weird about having another baby shower! I mean I have a lot of stuff from Reese...and it just felt strange. But three of my best friends in Birmingham offered to throw me a shower...and so I let them. I had a friend tell me a few months ago that every baby I have deserves a shower...and another one say that it is not Hadley's fault that she was born second...so with that said. I really enjoyed the shower and I am so grateful to have such a group of wonderful friends to celebrate this with me.

The whole shower bunch....minus my sweet mom who was taking pictures.
The beautiful hostess (Katherine, Merry Michael and Bethany), they went above and beyond to make it a wonderful brunch shower.

My mom and sister made the trip over to celebrate with us and to spend some time with Reese
Heidi (whose has a sweet baby girl Lillian...and for my first few months of being pregnant...that is what Reese had named the baby), my friend Rashel (crazy that I used to babysit her baby boy...who is now 9!) and my wonderful sister who Reese adores!

On another note...I got some great gifts from the shower...one favorite was the cutest little pink dresses that Jennifer Whitson got for Hadley and Reese. I can not wait for my girls to match from time to time.

Watch out here she comes

Reese might be the only one to actually look so darn cute in goggles...because I know that I don't! Anyway...we have been spending a lot of time in the pool (wow is being pregnant in the summer hot!)

Grandpa Beckner (Jason's dad), Barb (Jason's stepmom), Parker and Kaitlyn (Jason's step brother and sister) all came in town this past week and Reese had so much fun! Just look at the pics.

Goggle Queen!

Grandpa is so funny

Swimming

Family at PF Changs...Reese loved her some lettuce wraps

Watch out all of your weather people...Parker, Kaitlyn and Reese and hot on your heels!

Father's Day, a Peacock and Gymnastics with Jesus

Radom title I know...but it will make sense! I am sure, like all of you, we had a wonderful Father's Day...with great dads to celebrate! Jason, Reese and I drove to Atlanta on Saturday to see my family and to celebrate Father's day with my dad (Reese's Pop Pop). I really do love holidays like this because it does make you pause and realize how important Fathers are in your life. I am so grateful for mine and for how much he loves Reese and how much she loves him. Also, I am blown away every day as I sit in awe of the amazing husband God has blessed me with and the incredible father he is to Reese (and soon to Hadley). I could not imagine anyone any better, I feel as though I have the best!

Reese with Pop, and her daddy!

Now, onto the peacock. I took Reese to the zoo this past week and we brought the stroller in because she changes her mind often about walking or riding. Well, she was walking...I was pushing the stroller and all of the sudden my little red head took off chasing the peacock (that wonders around the Zoo) and I was left trying to catch her while pushing the stroller. I decided to get out the camera and get a little of the 3 minute chase on tape. So, warning, you may get sick watching this...but it was too funny! We passed about 20 people who were looking and laughing at us. And if you happen to go to the Birmingham Zoo and notice that one of the peacocks is missing...well it is still hiding from a certain little red head!

And finally, I thought I should share with all of you the relationship that Reese has with her Jesus. She woke up from her nap the other day to tell me that she had a great nap and great dreams. When I asked her what she dreamed about, she said, "Jesus was doing gymnastics with me!" Love that...I mean I could actually picture it...He is her friend and that is how it should be!

A sad farewell...

Just to give you and idea of how much Reese loved this trip...this was us trying to leave and Reese laid down in protest saying, "no, we're not going" cute and sad!

I had this moment yesterday as we were sitting on the beach for the last time, realizing how different things are now. I have always loved the Beach...I have grown up going to the beach every summer...and ever since high school I think I would be on the beach or by the pool from around 10 am until 4 pm! I loved being in the sun...of course my mom always taught us to have on lots of sunscreen so I did that. But, now things are so different. In those days the goal was to get a lot of sun...but stay away for getting sand on you.

Ever since having Reese...we are pretty much out at the beach by 8 or 8:30 and we are back inside by 11:30 at the latest...all covered head to toe in sand! Using a beach towel to keep the sand off your legs??? Are you kidding we just sit right down in the sand and cover ourselves and I love it! I guess that is again what parenting is about...getting down on the level of your children and soaking in every minute with them. This beach trip was such a treat for us...we were all very sad to leave. My mom and Ashley made this trip very memorable for Reese as they played with her all day every day and that is what she talked about on the way home. Mom, thanks for taking us on a wonderful trip this year...we will not forget it!
Reese loving on her Ashley

Bebe swinging Reese on the beach
Daily ritual of digging in the sand...and getting covered in it.

I would follow those little pigtails and footprints anywhere!

The last family vacation picture before our family of 3 becomes a family of 4!

Goodbye to the beach I love...so dramatic!

First Few Days at the Beach

Well, we are at the beach and loving every minute of it. We have been here since Friday and still have a few more days to enjoy! Reese LOVES the water! We have been to the beach every day...where she wants to be buried in the sand and Aunt Ashley and Daddy are happy to help! Bebe has taken her on many deep swims in the Ocean and we have all enjoyed the pool every day! As for myself...I must say that being at the beach almost 32 weeks pregnant...well not really something I would say I love! I mean I always love the beach but I feel like I can compete with some of the men on the beach and their beer guts this year! Oh well it will be worth it!

We spend lots of time here...digging and digging!

Taking Daddy for a ride.

Family Picture all ready for dinner at the Red Bar...YUM!

All of the girls!

We also love riding Bikes...Reese always wants to go faster!

A closer look and a name ...FINALLY

Last Friday, Jason, Reese and I went to the doctor and had the 4-D ultrasound done on baby girl number 2! It was great...she was wide awake and moving like crazy...she even opened her eyes which freaked me out a little (go figure...for the girl who used to be freaked out about pregnancy). She smiled and even pointed at us...with the pointer finger I will have you know!
Reese really enjoyed it and it just made me want to hold the little angel right then...I don't know if I can wait about 9 more weeks!

Anyway...it led us to the decision on a name! Hadley Grace Beckner! Hadley is a name that I fell in love with a few months after I had Reese. I met a girl named Hadley and just loved her. Anyway, it has always been in the decision mix...the problem was I just could not make a decision. But, this week that changed and I know she is our Hadley Grace. Her middle name will be Grace - named for her Grandma Shirla Grace (Jason's mom) and Great Grandma Leta Grace(Jason's Grandmother) and for just the amazing meaning that the word rings into our lives. Reese has been calling her Hadley for the last day and it is really cute. So, here are some pictures of our little Hadley for you to enjoy.