It has been WAY too long since I've posted....nearly a month....and a LOT has happened on the Patterson front. The biggest news is that we found out we are having a litle girl! I'm so excited and terrified at the same time, but I know it will be a wonderful adventure for all of us. P was in town for the big day and she, Lovie, and Aunt Mal welcomed the news with a shopping bag full of pink to shower our baby girl with. I've always said I wasn't a "pastel kind of gal", but lately I can't get enough pink! I'm working on throwing in a splash (or a bucket) of petal pink color to the nursery to girl it up for her arrival and have had so much fun in the process. Even Adam has gotten "tickled pink" with our news and can't wait to buy her lots of girly things....the madness has just begun! We've also decided on a name for our little princess.....Olivia Hayes (we'll call her Hayes). Just 18 weeks until we meet her...can't wait!

Until yesterday, we were enjoying Spring-like weather here in Memphis, which Gray adored. We spent every afternoon outside with the neighborhood kids shooting basketball, swinging, and running around having fun. Now it's cold and rainy so we're all getting a little cabin fever. Adam's out of town until tonight but we're anxious for him to return and spend some time together as a family (and catch up on our Tivo shows). Last night, Aunt Mal met us for dinner at Chic-Fil-A (Gray's favorite place). As always, we had a blast and I'm not sure who was more entertaining to watch....Gray or Mallory! Gray got to eat french fries and chicken nuggets AND ice cream! Plus, Aunt Mal snagged a balloon for him which provided a LOT of entertainment on the drive home. Thanks Mal!

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and very ready (physically) for Hayes to arrive. The morning sickness has been replaced by sciatica and I'm about as tired as I've ever been. Her constant kicking is reassuring and I'm looking forward to our next doctor's appt on the 23rd to make sure all's well. Until then, I'm trying to keep the faith!

Looking forward to this weekend when our good friends, the Lynches, come in town. I'll post all about it next time, but until then, take care all!

Love,
The Pattersons

We've had some great weather over the last few weeks and took advantage recently by going on a visit to the Memphis Zoo with our good friends and Gray's godparents, the Cole's, as well as Lovie and Papa. Gray had a great time simulating the animal sounds and playing chase with his godbrother Airey, but I think we had an even better time enjoying the fresh air and the company of good friends and family.



Adam has been busy traveling again, which is good for business but no fun for me and Gray. We miss him terribly when he's gone and will be excited to have him back home with us again tonight.

We celebrated Valentine's Day by going to a champagne brunch at Chickasaw Country Club while Lovie took Gray to the park and for a long walk. Then, Adam made dinner for me on Valentine's Day itself, which was so yummy. This baby has been asking for cherry crunch for a while now and finally got what it asked for! Thanks Adam!

We've been battling a cold, teething, and pink eye but hopefully by this weekend everyone will be back in tip top shape for P's visit. She's coming up this weekend and will be there for our big 20 week ultrasound when we find out what the gender of the baby is. My guess is "girl", but we'll see. Hey, I was right last time!

Gray is getting more and more verbal every day, now repeating most of what we say, which is cute but dangerous. When we tell him we love him, he blows us a kiss now, so I think he really understands what is being said too and I love that! His favorite words right now are "mine", "cheese", "Papa", and "juice". We're working on "please", but I have a feeling it's less about the pronunciation and more about his stubborness. I can't imagine where he gets that from.

Until next time,
The Pattersons

Another low-key (but good) weekend

I'll be 17 weeks tomorrow and I think I'm finally (fingers crossed) starting to feel better! Unfortunately, I can't say the same for little Gray who has had a stomach bug since Friday. I know, I know....could I have a sicker child? The answer is yes so I'm thankful. I'll take all the stomach bugs, stuffy noses, and croupy coughs as long as it's nothing serious. Needless to say, our weekend was pretty uneventful as a result. We took him for a big boy haircut on Saturday and then to feed the ducks at Audobon Park. He definitely enjoyed the ducks more and is not a good salon customer, hence the big tip I left. But, he does look precious so it was all worth it. And no Mom, it's not too short and he does not look like "Moe" from The Three Stooges. Besides, if his hair grows as fast as mine, we'll be back in the barber's chair before we know it.
We cooked and watched movies both nights and by Sunday we had a little touch of cabin fever. Fortunately, it was GORGEOUS with sunny skies and 65 degrees! We went mattress shopping for Gray's big boy room and he had a great time testing all of the floor samples. I got the feeling that the salesman did not think it was quite as endearing as we did, but oh well. We can't wait to get his mattress delivered tomorrow so that we can start putting his room back together finally!
With Gray still feeling crummy, we decided to stay put for Super Bowl Sunday so we're making lasagna and watching it here over a bottle of wine. Of course, Gray will miss all of the action, as most of it will take place after he's asleep, but we'll fill him in tomorrow. He got his fill of sports today anyway by watching the FBR Open with Adam.

Tomorrow starts another busy week, but thankfully Adam is in town again! I know! So exciting! I've got two work events this week so it will be a busy one for me. I can't believe February is already here! Before we know it, it will be Valentine's Day, then Easter.....where does the time go? If you find out, let me know. Until then, take care all!

The Pattersons

Our godson, Airey Cole, turned 2 last Thursday and we helped celebrate at his party on Friday. Here's a pic of Gray using some of Airey's birthday gifts...think he was a little overwhelmed by all the toys. Here he is in the middle of a real dilemma....which shopping cart to push?


We also got a last-minute visit from P last weekend, which made Gray very happy. Since I was under the weather, it was really nice to have some help and home cooking. Thanks Mom! Lovie and Papa came by on Tuesday to play with Gray, which was also lots of fun. But he's at the age where he's devastated when someone leaves. So sad! We got to go on a long walk with our friends Ethan and Elise on one of the only tolerable days this week (Wednesday). Boy was it cold (but beautiful)! Hopefully it will warm up some this week or this cold I've got will never go away! We tried to lay low this weekend so I could kick this cold to the curb, but we got a wild streak and started working on Gray's big boy room. Lovie was nice enough to come and distract Gray for a little while so we could get some of it knocked out. We painted the walls of his new room as well as his bed and chest. I can't wait to see how it all comes out! Since I'm keeping the nursery the same for the new baby, I'm having lots of fun putting all of my energy towards Gray's big boy room. I can't believe he's going to be out of a nursery in just 6 months! As for the new baby, it's starting to make itself known...kicking a lot and very squirmy. I'm 16 weeks today and have been able to feel it for a week or two now. I have an appointment tomorrow so hopefully the kicking is a good sign that all's well. We have a busy week ahead with lots of meetings and running around. Have to run to get a start on it all, but until next time, that's it for the Pattersons!

A long weekend

It's cold, it's Monday, and I'm already exhausted from a long weekend of taking care of Gray and doing tons of laundry (see above for reason #1). Let's hope this week goes by quickly, as I'm ready for another weekend! Poor Gray has had some kind of funk since Wednesday of last week and this weekend it got much worse. His fever just would not go away and when Linda came to babysit for us Saturday night, he threw up all over his crib and just wouldn't go back to sleep. Last night Adam was up with him for an hour or more trying to console him, poor thing. I think we finally have his fever under control, though he's not his normal silly self, and he's off to school today. Since I have two important meetings today, I'm sure the daycare will call and tell us to come pick him up. Just my luck. One good thing that did come out of this weekend was our friend Scott's 30th birthday party. Happy 3-0 Scott! It was so much fun to catch up with all of our friends and have a little adults only time, even though I could only drink St. Paulie girl all night. Sigh. Only 6 more months, right? Until next time.....

Emily

I can hardly believe it's 2009! So much has happened over the last year and Adam and I have so much to be thankful for....Gray has grown into a beautiful, happy, funny boy, we've made some great new friends, we've taken some fun trips (Santa Monica and Puerto Aventuras top the charts), we've shared some unforgettable memories with our families and friends, and we were blessed with a new baby on the way. I can only hope that this new year will be half as wonderful as the past year.

I'm so excited to finally be entering my second trimester! Whew, that was a tough couple of months for everyone. I'm looking forward to celebrating by enjoying a nice glass of wine and finally highlighting my hair. Let's just hope this trimester marks the end of the morning sickness.

Today it's back to work and school for the three of us but I feel renewed after having the last two weeks off to relax, get some things done, and spend quality time with family and friends. I think this week will be an uneventful one....Adam is actually going to be in town after all and I only have one night meeting (yea!). Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit again and we can enjoy a few afternoon strolls in the neighborhood like we got to do last week. We miss the warm weather and are over fires and hot chocolate (gasp).

Until next time,
The Pattersons

The past few weeks

Goodness, it's been a while since I've posted but so much has been going on. The month of December has flown by fast and tomorrow is the last day of the month and the year! Goodbye 2008! The first few weeks were filled with Christmas parties, work events, and last minute preparations for Christmas and our big trip to Mexico. We had our Patterson family Christmas on the 19th and it was so much fun to be with everyone and watch Gray open presents for his first "real Christmas". Sadly, he enjoyed opening the gifts far more than using them. But I suspect that he will soon appreciate the miniature golf set and other fun toys he got from Lovie, Papa, Aunt Lauren and Uncle Andrew. The best were the light up red and black cowboy boots he got from his grandparents. I have to find a way to load the video of him trying to walk in them...hysterical.

We left for Puerto Aventuras, Mexico on the 20th and spent 8 glorious days on the most incredible vacation I've had yet. We stayed in a fully staffed, 10,000+ SF house with a private beach and pool on a canal off of the Gulf of Mexico. It was like heaven. We got seriously spoiled with the private chef, maid service, and afternoon guacomole and daiquiris. But we're back in Memphis now, sigh....

I had my 12 week prenatal appointment and ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great. If it's not a girl, I'll be shocked. It flipped us off in the ultrasound! Can you say attitude? I'm not sure I can handle another diva in this house! It sounds like I won't find out the sex until mid-February so for the next two months, we'll just keep on guessing. I'll have to add a poll later to see what everyone else thinks this baby is.

Well, tomorrow is New Year's Eve and I can't believe we'll say goodbye to another year. 2008 has been a blessed year for us in so many ways but I know 2009 will be even better...especially with the birth of our new child! With no sitters available, it sounds like we're going to do something low-key with Gray and another family but being with family and friends is our favorite thing to do so it'll be great. Until next year....

Emily