A Merry Christmas Indeed

As luck would have it, I got my wish! Brock Norman Hammersmith was born early Sunday morning, December 19. He was on a mission and labor went very quickly! I was so glad to have him join us before Christmas. What makes it even more special is that he was born on the 19th. His middle name, Norman, was after my late grandfather who also was born on the 19th (of July). Pretty cool coincidence.

Here are a few photos from our Christmas:

My Christmas Wish

Here I am, approximately one week before Christmas...and no baby yet. Although, today's appointment gave me some hope: 3cm dilated! Now I realize I could stay that way for awhile, but I'm praying it means this little boy is going to make his appearance soon. And by soon I mean in the next few days.

All I want for Christmas is my baby in my arms and to be cozy and warm at home for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. I don't ask for much, right?

Here's to hoping this weekend is eventful! C'mon Baby Hammersmith! :)

Here we are: Week 34

Yep, I'm at 34 weeks this week. As I was lamenting at how uncomfortable I've been and how sleep is such a chore, I began to wonder if I felt like this when pregnant with Seth. I don't remember being this uncomfortable at all. So I had the brilliant idea of looking back in my blog posts to see if I ever talked about such things. To my surprise, I found this:

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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A brief update
This week marks the 34th in this pregnancy. How do I feel? Um, 34 weeks pregnant.

Sleeping is becoming a chore, or better said, getting comfortable with my 4 pillows each night is a chore. In between trips to the bathroom, my night consists of readjusting to find a comfortable position where my hips or back don't begin to ache. Fun, right? Let's see, putting socks and shoes on to go for a walk is comical. I'm getting real close to needing Evan's help with this.

Yesterday was another check-up at the doctor. Nothing new, still measuring big. How big? At 34 weeks I'm measuring 38. Any bets on whether this baby gets here before his due date?
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Wow! I couldn't believe how my words were exactly what I would write today. Guess I did feel the same way. Then I looked at the date of that post: August 22, 2007. Um, yikes! Seth arrived only eight, yes, eight days after writing that. Whoa. Makes me get just a leeeeetle nervous about the next couple of weeks.

Anyway, went for a check-up today. Belly is measuring only one week ahead (was measuring 38 at this point with Seth). Everything else is fine too. They informed me that at the next visit they would do the testing for Strep B. I managed to escape that last time since Seth came before they had a chance to do the test...wondering if that will happen again?

Here's to hoping I make it through Thanksgiving and the travels out of town!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Seth is a pirate this year and we're practicing saying "Argh, Matey!". He definitely has the "Trick-or-Treat" down. We had a good time at a neighbor's kid-friendly Halloween Party last night and tonight is Trick-or-Treat! Seth is very excited!

Seth's 3rd Birthday

I know, his birthday was over a week ago and I'm just now posting the photos. Oh well. He had a nice afternoon with his grandparents and a few cousins. He got lots of Lightning McQueen gear!

Generations of Hammersmith

Front (l-r): Harold Hammersmith, Ray Hammersmith, Ed Hammersmith (Evan's Grandpa)
Back (l-r): James Hammersmith (Evan's Dad), Seth & Evan

Yesterday was the Hammersmith Family Reunion. For me personally, it was the first time I have been in a room with so many with the last name of Hammersmith.

Above is a photo of four generations, plus Evan's two Great Uncles. Evan's Grandpa is 96, his brother, Ray (center) is 98. I have a feeling there's a good chance Evan will far outlive me. As for Seth (and his brother), they are continuing the Hammersmith name and hopefully will live to a ripe old age as well.

Answer of the Week

The baby is perfectly healthy and just as he should be at this stage of pregnancy. In the end, I'm grateful to have two healthy boys. I can't ask for anything more than that. :)

The question of the week

If all goes well on Wednesday, we'll have an answer to this question. Of course, the number one concern is the baby's health. I'm trying to stay impartial to what the gender outcome may be...but it's difficult. I've always wanted one of each. I don't have any control over the situation, so I need to just sit back and see what happens.

I will update as soon as I know something. :)

A Happy Father's Day

Evan & Seth - N. Myrtle Beach 2009

Happy Father's day today to the dads in my life: my dad, George; my father-in-law, James, and of course the father to Seth: Evan!

All three of these fathers have spent their lives working hard, helping to provide for their families. We remember all the laughs, the helping hands and support you have offered and still continue to offer. A big thanks!

Happy Father's Day! Evan, you've been all I could ask for as a father to Seth. I have no doubt that you'll be just as great of a father to our December arrival. Love ya!

Adding Curb Appeal

Last weekend Evan finished the last of the front exterior items on our list, mainly hanging shutters. It's fun to go back and look what we bought a year ago and what we've accomplished thus far. It's looking better!

BEFORE


AFTER

Tackle It Tuesday: The Front Door

We finally were able to tackle the front door of our house. It was a cold and drafty winter thanks to the old door and sidelights. Hopefully next winter will be a little better with this upgrade. Now if only the new door didn't make the rest of the exterior of the house look so crappy. ha. Can't afford all new siding at this point. We'll keep saving...

Here is the before and after:
BEFORE: Crappy storm door, sidelights that were opaque and gross.
AFTER: Nice! Still needs primed and painted, but already a great improvement.

Running my first 5K!

Today was Lakewood's annual Ambulance Chase 5k run. A group of us from the Lakewood Family Room (where we take our kids to play) organized and got a group to participate. We even made shirts! Some walked the three miles, some if us jogged. I'm proud of myself for completing it. I'm scheduled for another 5k on May 15. Hopefully it will go as well as this one! My stats: 24th in female age group, 298th overall, chip time: 35:53.67

We called our group the Mother Runners

Tackle It Tuesday: Dining Room

Well, it's time for another installment of Tackle it Tuesday around here. This time we tackled the dining room over the weekend. Now, it's not quite finished. We still need a new light fixture for over the table, new blinds, tablecloth, and someday a new dining room table. Evan also has some updating to do in the wiring at the outlets...but the paint is done and it looks so much better than the yellow! We were working around the blue carpet. Check it out:






We continue to try and tackle this house one room at a time as finances allow. Our next tackle will be the front door and foyer this spring.

Easter 2010

Easter was a beautiful day. We spent the day at church then a trip to Norwalk. Seth got to look for some candy and had a good time! We missed seeing Granma Elaine & Grandpa George, but glad we could have Easter with them over Skype.

A few pics from our Easter.
Seeing his basket.

Hot stuff! ha. Demanding that he put on the new sandals from Grandma Elaine and Grandpa George. They go really well with his pajamas. :)

Finding some fruity snacks on his hunt!

A peek at my loot after a fun candy/egg hunt!

Getting involved in my community

OK, so I'm getting involved in my community and am playing a small role in helping get a new farmer's market started in our city this summer.

My role has so far been basically creating the visuals: designing a logo, postcard, blog, etc. with more things upcoming. It has been super fun helping do something from its inception. I'll most likely be volunteering some time this summer helping out too. Who knows, maybe Evan will sell some of his baked goods. The possibilities are endless. ha.

Check out the market's blog: http://lakewoodfarmersmarket.blogspot.com
It's new so there isn't much on it yet. If you live nearby, you should come check it out!

Smokin' – Take 2

Yesterday was the day Evan had been waiting for. We were hosting a BBQ party. Anyway, Evan got up at 4:30am to start the 12-hour process of smoking 4 pork shoulders.

Below are some photos. They turned out perfectly and were delicious!

Smokin'

Evan got a new smoker for Christmas and FINALLY got to try it out yesterday. He smoked two chickens, which turned out great. It was a warm-up for next weekend when he plans on smoking 3 pork shoulders for a Carolina BBQ party we're hosting for church. He's so excited. :)

Wonder what's going on inside that head...

Just had to take a picture when I saw this. Just wondering what he was thinking while setting this all up. Love it.

Getting in shape

Evan and I are hitting the treadmill these days. He's beginning to train for the Cleveland 10k and me, well, I'm working my way to running a 5k at home. ha. Seth takes the easy route and just does the stretches. Here he is with Daddy. Enjoy!