Happy Birthday Davin!!!

Happy Birthday Davin!!!!

We sure do love you!

I thought it would be fun to post 31 fun facts about Davin for his 31st birthday. So here we go...

31. He was born in Atlanta, Ga.

30. He has roots in San Antonio, TX. (his father's side)

29. He is an only child.

28. He married a woman who comes from a larger family. (I'm one of four kids)

27. He grew up in Acworth, Ga.

26. He loves the Lord more than any other person I know!

25. He attended Ga Tech before pursuing God's call on his life for ministry.

24. He was going to be an opthamologist...God changed that!

23. He graduated from Liberty University.

22. He is called by God to be a Pastor.

21. He is a gifted speaker/ communicator.

20. He met me before he left for Seminary in Jan of 2003.

19. He decided he was going to marry me in August 2003.

18. We were married in December 2003.

17. He is the proud father of three children.

16. He is adored by his children!

15. He is tall.

14. He is dark.

13. He is handsome. (okay, so I had to put this in here:)

12. His favorite sport to play is basketball.

11. His favorite sport to watch is football.

10. He can't sit through an entire game...He stands up to watch TV.

9. He is quite athletic.

8. He loves to eat healthy.

7. He is neat and tidy.

6. He is a rule follower.

5. He is very bold when it comes to sharing his faith.

4. His love language is words of encouragement...so leave him a message!

3. People will seek him out for advice and counsel b/c they know how much he loves the Lord.

2. He is extremely smart!

1. He loves chocolate.

I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Davin.

Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Our Dancing Princess

Naomi started "Ballerina Class" this week. To say that she is excited, is a huge understatement! Here she is after having her hair pulled up in her first Ballerina bun. Mom may need some help perfecting the hair-do, but she loved it. I could tell she felt like a princess. Here she is outside before class. I didn't even ask her to hold her skirt that way...

Before class...

She was very excited and very serious about dance class. She was concerned that she wouldn't know the steps. I told her that no one would know the steps and that she was there to learn. I had to keep reminding her that this is for fun. She did a great job listening to her teacher, and was able to do all the steps. I had fun watching the whole lesson in a parent viewing room. Let me tell you...She did great!

After we got home she decided to set up a stage and have "Ballerina Class". She brought out her stereo, water bottle, and her pink slippers. She didn't learn these moves in class, but she sure seems like she knows what to do!

Wordless Wednesday

33 Week check-up

poor Naomi...She looks scared to death in this photo! I guess I can't blame her!

I went on Friday for my 33 week check up. Before I tell you what he said here is a little background info on my previous pregnancies...

Pregnancy #1

• Hudson was full term 40 weeks and 5 days.




• He also weighed 10 pounds at birth.




• I gained a total of 50 pounds with him.

Pregnancy #2

• Naomi was born at 38 weeks after the doctors discovered that my fluid was low, while doing an ultra-sound to check her weight...we didn't want another 10 pound baby, can I get an amen.




• I gained 40 pounds with her. I also worked very hard at trying not to have a 10 pound baby. I was never quite as large with her as I was with Hudson.




• When Naomi was born she weighted 6 pounds 12 ounces. (big difference) We just assumed that I did a better job with the pregnancy, or she was a girl he was a boy...I mean they are all different.

So onto pregnancy #3...It has been much more similar to Hudson's pregnancy. I felt like I gained a lot of weight in the beginning and I feel like I am just bigger like I was with him. I've already gained 45 pounds (yikes, I know) Even though I try not to over eat and make healthy choices, I have a hard time not gaining weight. I haven't worked out... I've just been too sick.


So, I say all of this because up until this last appointment I have been measuring right on target. Even though I feel like I am large. Well, Friday I measured 36 cm...that means I am measuring large. Normally your measurements correlate with your week of pregnancy. I'm 33 weeks so that would mean I am measuring 3 weeks ahead of schedule all of a sudden. I do think that Isabelle has turned and is head down now...could that change anything? What really struck me as interesting was that the first thing the doctor said when he saw me was "Your fluid isn't low" I guess he could tell I grow 'em large. Then he told me that low fluid means there is a problem with the placenta. That the placenta controls the amount of fluid and also if there is a problem it can mean a smaller birth weight. So, his conclusion was that Naomi's placenta wasn't functioning properly and that is why there is such a big difference in the birth weights. He said that it had nothing to do with me or what I ate or how I exercised. He also felt my belly and tried to guess that Isabelle might already be 6 pounds or so. He said I am on track to have another 10 pounder, and really there isn't much I can do about it. I'll go for an ultra-sound in 4 weeks to check her weight.



You know, with Naomi they thought she might be large too...But I guess it is a great thing that Hudson was so large, because they may not have checked me so soon with Naomi. God works in ways sometimes we just don't understand. So, if you are out there and have had a large or small baby and any of this makes sense leave me a comment. I can't wait to hear what the doctor has to say next time...

Hudson's First day...

While Hudson was at school today, Naomi and I met Mimi at the Tea Room in Woodstock. It was something that she wanted to do. Here she is posing with Cinderella. She had a great time, and who wouldn't she had several cups of hot chocolate and everything else was either dipped in chocolate or had chocolate chips in it.

So, I thought that I would record Hudson's first response to Kindergarten. I started video taping him when he got in the car. I have to apologize in advance. I have this thing where I think that if I turn the camera sideways it will record properly, and well...it records sideways. This isn't the first time I've done this.

He was like Fort Knox with me, but when Davin came home he spilled the beans on his day. I asked Hudson later why he didn't want to share all that with me...I mean am I not a good listener??? What gives? He told me that he just prefers talking to boys than girls...well okay.

First Day of School

After almost 6 years of being home with mom, Hudson started Kindergarten today! We were all very excited and a little sad. He was ready. We went yesterday and met with his teachers and got to see his classroom. He told me this morning that he was excited. His main prayer request for today was that they would get to have two recesses. I really believe this is going to be a great year for him! I look forward to getting to know his teachers and some other mom's in our local community.
Here I am making my first ever school lunch... This morning I got a picture of him in front of the door ready to go...and yes he chose that shirt!

Walking into school...

In his classroom, at his table...

I asked Hudson this morning if he needed a kissing hand. (it comes from the book The Kissing Hand) He said that he didn't need one because he was brave! He was very excited about school, and in case you were wondering no tears were shed...a few watery eyes, but no tears. I think Naomi has been the most emotional of us all. I plan on taking her to a special lunch today to help soothe the pain. Also, she is taking dance. I tried to find things for her so she doesn't feel left out!

I know many of you will wonder, 'why aren't you homeschooling?' That's a great question! Yes, last year we did PreK at home. It went really well, and I LOVE the concept of homeschooling. I feel like we were able to move Hudson along, and help him mature enough to be ready for school this year. After I got pregnant, let's be honest, homeschooling took a nose dive! I was just so sick that I wasn't able to keep up with everything. As we began praying about school for this next year we felt like it would be best for Hudson to attend school away from home. We prayed and prayed and searched out all our options. We looked at the public school, private schools, and half private/half homeschool. As we began searching we felt like the public school system in our area exceeded all our expectations! We definitely had a peace about sending Hudson there. Of course we will take everything year by year, and we will evaluate what is best for our family and children. I definitely plan on being involved with the school as much as possible. I also look forward to my days at home with Naomi and Isabelle(when she arrives).

Naomi's first haircut

Yes, folks you read right...her first haircut! I've just loved long hair on Naomi, but this was becoming too long for a number of reasons. Here is her before...

Here she is getting a haircut...

And this is the after...

Much better:)

The stylist did a great job and even braided the front of her hair and and added pink glitter to her new do.

What's in a name?

With only 8 weeks away we have finally made a decision about our new baby's name. She will be called...

Isabelle Grace

Davin and I have always taken our time when it comes to choosing a name. There is so much to think about! For me I believe that a name means something and that you will most likely live up to it. We named Hudson Lee after the missionary to China Hudson Taylor. He also has Davin's middle name. I've never really found a true meaning behind the name Hudson. We just know that it is a strong name and so far our Hudson has lived up to that!

When I was pregnant with Naomi I discovered that Naomi means delightful and pleasant...Who wouldn't love that! I figured after my strong-willed child I need a delightful and pleasant. She has definitely lived up to her name! Her middle name is Elizabeth which means consecrated to God...we pulled out all the stops on her!

After Naomi was born I began thinking of names for our other children (hoping we would eventually have more!). I really liked the name Isabelle. I thought it would be cute shortened to Belle as well...which in French means beauty or beautiful. Get it...Is a belle? Anyway, so as we were deciding what to call this little bundle of joy we really struggled with her name.

1) because Isabelle is very similar to Isabella (which is the most popular girl name for 2010)

2) there are multiple ways to spell Isabel...Isabelle???

3) Would it be easy to pronounce? When you have names like Davin and Alisia and a last name Benavides, you realize the benefits of having a name that is easy to say and spell.

So with all that being said we have chosen a name and a spelling. So now I can say only 8 more weeks until our Isabelle makes her appearance!

Oh! and in case you were wondering, Isabelle comes from the word Elizabeth so it means concecrated to God.