Visitors for Vivian!

Vivian had several visitors while we were in the hospital and after we arrived home, so we wanted to share some of the pictures from those sweet visits. I'm so sorry that we didn't do a 100% job of capturing all our visitors!!! These are a few to share!

Bethany came from Birmingham

Kasi, a sweet new friend from my women's bible study, came with her little girl, Claire-Edith! (we shared a petite-four from Savage's Bakery with Claire)

Jennifer and Andy Williamson (Alec's classmate and fishing buddy) came from Athens

Davy came from Auburn to meet his first niece, along with his girlfriend, Lauren

Jennifer, our sister-in-law, came the weekend after Vivi was born

Eric, my brother, and Jennifer were so sweet to travel from Louisville to meet Vivian

Mom (Gam) came back the week after Vivian was born to "take care of her daughter" (me) for a couple days

Elizabeth, living in DC, was visiting family in Birmingham and drove up to Huntsville for the day to meet Vivian

Parenting Vivian

Vivian has been such a delight from the start! :) She is a very healthy little girl, too! When she left the hospital, she weighed 7 lbs., 5 ounces, and as of Friday, she weighed 7 lbs., 8 ounces! Yay for nursing success!!!!

She is such a good girl for her daddy

But don't worry, we have managed to put her down in her crib for naps and nighttime, only those pictures aren't nearly as much fun to share! I just LOVE seeing her with her Daddy!

Mary Margaret, a sweet college friend, knitted this little hat for her, so I couldn't resist trying out some pictures this morning! She was even a cooperative little model for me.

She loves being curled around us, and ALWAYS wants her hands close by her face (just like in her ultrasound pictures).

She is comfy with her Mommy, too. :)

She loves her market sling that Gail, Pam, and Marcia got her! She's so snugly and warm inside it!

She never made a peep (although the cutest one second squeal was heard) when we picked up a few things at Target yesterday!

And she even agreed that it was okay for me to leave for a little bit to get this posted! We've been without internet since Wednesday, so I am enjoying a chai latte at the local Joe Muggs. :)

Life is good. I am feeling 90% (I couldn't ask for more), and happy, healthy, and healing. My dear husband and I have discovered a deeper love than I could ever express. Our faith in Christ has reached a new depth that has renewed us and given us more than we could ever have imagined. Sweet grandparents check in and dear aunts and uncles are already missing their little niece. Loving friends are providing unending support. My bible study group is sustaining us with meals every other day for all of November. I could not, could NOT be more thankful for the blessings we have in this world. May the Lord continue to bless each and every one of you.

Introducing Vivian Ross!

Before delivery, friends and family arrived to cheer us on!

After delivery, a much relieved new mommy soaked in the love!

My first pink item was given to us by Katie!

What a treat it is to see Alec as Vivian's Daddy! My dear husband is beaming from ear to ear these days (and nights)! He's been the best partner in three years of marriage, and we'll add coach to that list of 'bests'! I couldn't have pulled through without his amazing help!!!

And now--- we cannot get enough pink around here!
Meet Vivian Ross Helms!
7 pounds, 15 ounces
20 inches
born November 2, 2009
12:41 pm
and pure joy!

Nesting, Almost 39 Weeks, & a Belly Dance!

My friend Kasi has been teaching me how to make fabric stencils and create fun designs to go on t-shirts and onesies! Here is my second attempt at making it work The first attempt is a bday gift that hasn't gotten to its recipient yet. Stay tuned.

These are two of the three materials that I used (cut in different sizes) to layer them on the t-shirt.

Then I used sheets of fabric iron-on material to make them stick together.

Here is the ALMOST final result. I still need to add the craft threaded whip stitch around the edge to give it a more texture-rich look!

Now, here is the final "belly bump" picture, along with one of Alec and me from lunch time today!

Last, but certainly not least... I have posted my first video. Throughout my pregnancy, Alec has consistently asked for me to do the Amy Poehler baby-bump dance that was on SNL. In public, I have mostly refused (I may or may not have danced at a cousin's bday party...), but today was Alec's dream come true. The only way I agreed was if he would dance, too. You can't see him, but I truly think his dance was funnier than mine!!! Enjoy, friends.

38 Weeks and Counting!

So, we're ever so close to meeting Baby Helms!
According to sweet Dr. Callison, we are to report to the hospital on Sunday evening, November 1 to prepare for Baby Helms' arrival! I'll be induced on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 AM for a regular delivery---- we're ELATED! The bags are packed, the car seat has been installed, and the parents-to-be could not be happier. :)

Of course, Baby Helms may just decide to arrive sooner than next week, and that's just fine with us. :) Thank you for all your sweet prayers--- we are praying for a safe delivery and a healthy little Baby Helms.

Yes... I'm NESTING!

So, I've been wanting a shabby-chic moss wreath for quite some time now. I thought about it last Christmas season (how cute with a red and green ribbon, riiiight). I thought about it in the spring (wrapped with magenta and yellow ribbon). And I started thinking about it for the fall. BUT... any one that I've seen has been outrageously priced and I've been outrageously thrifty (cheap) lately. And then, I saw the idea to make my own! So off to Hobby Lobby I went...

Remember when I bought that ice cream a few weeks ago and could only take a picture of the cup because I'd eaten it all (inhaled it) before arriving home??? Well... with this project, I was soooooo excited that I could only stop when I was halfway done to show the progress. I know. I'm a bad blogger.

It started out as a straw wreath ($3.47) and I used my handy-dandy hot glue gun to place the moss ($4.99) around the wreath. Then, when I got up to the register, I found out that each of these happened to be 50% off . Total: approximately $5 project. Gotta love Hobby Lobby.

I measured 3 yards of orange ribbon ($2.46 with 30% discount) and wrapped it three times before tying the bow with the large loop in the middle.

And voila!

Happy Fall!

Apple pie a la mode!!!

Alec and I went on a bit of an adventure last weekend which resulted in Alec suggesting we make an apple pie (from scratch) together the other night. We had gone to an apple orchard in Hazel Green and gotten a "peck" of apples, not to mention some FABULOUS cider slushies to boot. This is the result of all of our hard work!
P.S. Notice the object protruding next to the pie..... you guessed it. Baby Helms!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

My dear childhood friend, Ashley, tagged me to fill out a bit of Alec and Jamie trivia! So... what a perfect time to take a trip down memory lane!

♥ What are your middle names?
Mine is "Marie" (after Daddie's sister, Vivian Marie, that passed away before I was born)
Alec is actually John "Alec" (his dad is John Ross, grandfather John Adolphus, and Alec says his great-grandfather may have also been a John _____, but was called Daddy Ross)

♥ How long have you been together?
I just asked Alec and he says it seems like we've been together forever [with a smile]. In between commercials of the Bama/Ole Miss game, he calculated: over five years, one month and ten days (ahh... my mathematical genius)

♥ Who asked who out?
He did! On a lunch date to the Dumplin' House in Tuscaloosa. He was in his second stint in braces at the time, and says he worried the whole meal whether there was something stuck in his teeth. I was completely oblivious and giddy.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
one year

♥ Who made the first move?
Alec did, and cheered for himself when he said it just now. Did I mention he's my favorite comedian?

♥ How old are each of you?
I just turned 28 (can I really be 28???), and he's 27. We're exactly 6 months-minus-a-day apart.

♥ Did you go to the same school?
Yes! University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

♥ Are you from the same home town?
No, no, no... I'm from Owensboro, Ky and he hails from Headland, Ala., (south Alabama)

♥ Who is the smartest?
Alec. Alec. Umm... yes. Alec.

♥ Who majored in what?
Alec- biology. Me- English/Journalism

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
Most definitely me. He didn't grow up with sisters, so our first year of marriage was spent in confusion over my sensitivity. But... he has his moments, too. All you have to do is see him hold his little niece and you'll understand. :)

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
When we were in Birmingham, we LOVED Nabeels. LOVED it. Now, we're still trying to find our new "spot," but I have a feeling it will be some where that's family-friendly (without being a buffet).

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
St. Kitts with my parents. AH-mazing trip.

♥ Who has the worst temper?
He does, although it's a lot longer fuse than during his first couple years of dental school. I have my moments, too, though.

♥ How many children do you want?
We would love to have four, but most definitely will be in prayer about the adoption of one.

♥ Who does the cooking?
Me! Although, for my birthday, I must admit that he made the most spectacular lasagna (from scratch, he reminds me) for me (per my request). But 95% of the time, dinner is ready when he gets home from work. :)

♥ Who is more social?
Alec is very social with a group of guys from dental school (which makes me very, very happy--- they're fantastic people), but I am starting to break out of my shell a little more now that I'm in a great ladies' bible study. Most times, though, we love, love, LOVE just being at home with "just us"!

♥ Who is the neat-freak?
Me. Dirty dishes in the sink? I. Don't. Think. So. Well... not for long, anyway.

♥ Who is the most stubborn?
Meeeeeeeeeeee.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
Alec, but I have a feeling this may be about to change with our newest addition!

♥ Where was your first date?
Since Alec doesn't consider the lunch date a first date, our next was at an Italian restaurant in Tuscaloosa called Mr. G's. He just told me what I wore on the date. I didn't even remember!

♥ Who has the bigger family?
Me, me, me. I have two siblings, my dad has 9 siblings that 8/9 have their own children, and now several of those have had children. That's why Thanksgiving is the ABSOLUTE best in Pocahontas, Tenn. because we all (most) get together. FAB-ulous food and fellowship. Alec was quite blown away with their hospitality his first Thanksgiving with us, not to mention the very, very, very long table of homemade food to choose from. :)

♥ Do you get flowers often?
Hmmm... I don't think I could ever get enough flowers. Find me a girl that could.

♥ How do you spend the holidays?
Holidays have been divided between visiting families for the past few years, but with our pending new arrival, we'll probably be trying out a new system to establish some Huntsville Helms' family traditions! Stay tuned :)

♥ Who is more jealous?
Hmmm....

♥ How long did it take to get serious?
If he had asked me to marry him during our lunch date, or even during the church hayride we both happened to go on with mutual friends that sparked the lunch date--- I would have seriously considered it. He's the most wonderful, God-fearing, loving man I have ever known. Plus, being married to my best friend is pretty stinkin' fantastic!

♥ Who eats more?
Alec. He loves food. Seriously LOVES it. Lets just leave it at that.

♥ What do you do for a living?
I am what one would call the most thankful homemaker in the world. :)
Alec is a general dentist.

♥ Who does the laundry?
Me. I just asked Alec who does the laundry and he looked at me very perplexedly and confused. He thought this was a trick question.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
Alec says me, and I must agree, although I have plans tomorrow to teach him how to use the blog to post new baby pictures! (Wish me luck)

♥ Who drives when you are together?
I used to love driving until I realized how WONDERFUL it is not to drive long distances. :)

♥ What is "your" song?
"Southern Grace." Alec created the most romantic, sweet evening when he drove me out to the middle of a field in south Alabama on a crystal clear and cold night, and we danced to this song. The best.

Wow--- this was such fun! :)

Now, I must tag a friend or two! Elizabeth and Lauren

35 Weeks!

Isn't it amazing that this time last year, on my birthday, I was praying for a child I didn't even know? And now, one year later, I can barely remember what life is like without this little one growing inside me. Praise God for answered prayers and for entrusting us to raise one of His children!

Happy 35 weeks!!!

*** We get to have an ultrasound on Oct. 13 to decide when Baby Helms should be arriving! We'll DEFINITELY keep you posted! We may have an October baby afterall!***

Showering Baby

A few weeks ago Alec and I made our final "travel trip" before Baby Helms arrives so that we could celebrate with sweet family friends in Owensboro! Here are some of the fun pictures (taken by Whitney) from the Sunday afternoon event.

The ladies, swormed by the St. John paparazzi, before we left for the shower at the Callis' home!My lovely sister!

My sweet hostesses (with dear Nancy Skiadis in the middle) Karen Callis and Marlys Mason (Mary Frances' mom and sister)Lora Patton (Jennifer's mom) and Pat Jones (Meghan's mom)Lora, Camilla Taylor, and Mom!Marlys, Pam Cook, and Mom (all are currently teachers at DCHS) Mom and Daddie are to thank for this adorable onsie set with "Baby Helms" monogrammed on the "bottom area" of the onsies! TOOO cute!Yummy food was served!Mary Beth Hurley and Melissa (my adorable neighbor that I used to babysit who is now at UK)! She was so sweet to come to Oboro for the afternoon's festivities after her sorority retreat that weekend. Gail Kirkland was terribly helpful! She kept a gift log as I opened all the fabulous surprises! It was a wonderful opportunity to chat and catch up with one another. Look at this super-cute blanket from the Wilsons!Alec came by with Daddie towards the end of the shower to help load up the surprises (and he was able to catch up with some of our dear friends). You can see that I'm already trying out my Serena and Lily market sling in this picture! Haha!A lovable "helper" put together a gift display! (Thank you, Jennifer)Alec was a bit hesitant about accepting the "T" booties and matching cap, but Daddie tried to convince him that he was already wearing the right color himself! It was such a treat to share the day with Lora and her wonderful daughter (my sister-in-law). What a blessing they both are in our lives!My parents with their soon-to-be-parent. It is a day like this that reminds me how absolutely, truly blessed I am to have two selfless, caring, unconditionally loving parents as two fantastic examples of what it means to love someone with their whole heart!

Thank you for all those sweet friends that added great joy to our day of celebration! Being surrounded by such love is an undeniable, most wonderful feeling!! We look forward to Baby H meeting each of you during the holidays!!!

Bargains and Whatnots

After Bible study this morning, I set out for Target in search of window shopping. Ha! Of course, I am out of the market for maternity clothes these days, but being a girl that loves to shop, I have missed being inside stores lately! So... Target was my mission to quench my thirst for shopping.

The window shopping turned more serious when I found this cute blouse without a price tag....

After trying this pink number on and realizing it would fit over the belly (and fit nicely post-pregnancy), I asked the saleslady to check the price. Original: $29.99. Sale price: $4.98. Deal. Feeling so lucky and the strong possibility of finding myself "on a roll," I continued perusing.

I thought I'd try my luck with a hip vintage tee. I'm not usually one to like them unless they have three major features: 1) light weight, worn-in material, 2) a design that continues on the back of the shirt, 3) nothing risque or making a political statement of any kind. So... this peacock was perfect! It was $14.99, but I thought that since I'm always looking and rarely finding... I'd splurge. BUT... when it was rung up, it was on sale for $8.98!!! FABulous. Soooooo excited about my purchases, I decided to celebrate! I stopped by Bruster's (only the second time since pregnancy started) and picked up a scoop of birthday cake ice cream. Yuuuuuuuuummmmmmmy. So yummy, in fact, that it was all gone before I made it home to grab the camera!
And then, it happened. I tried on my proudly purchased peacock hip vintage tee and realized... I do not, in fact, look hip. I look pregnant, and not in the "oh my she's glowing" kind of way!!! Note the maternity jeans outline just below the peacock... And let's just say that it's a bit more worn in than a pregnant woman should ask for. The first picture I took (with my jeans folded) showed ALL BELLY BUTTON in the middle of the peacock. Niiiiiice. The pink blouse ($4.98, need I remind you), however, will work perfectly for Alec's and my date night tonight!At first defeated, I tried round two with my vintage tee by going with the layered look. Until Baby Helms arrives, this will be my best option! :)

And for a total Target purchase of $13.96 + tax... it was a GRAND ole day for bargains!

An Outdoor Makeover

Ta-Da! Whitney gave me my birthday present a little early this year while she visited us last weekend! After strolling an art show up on Monte Sano Mountain Saturday morning, a yummy lunch at Shea's Express Eatery, and watching SEC football in the afternoon, Whitney asked if it would be okay if she did a little yard work for us. :) I said yes, as long as it was considered my birthday gift, and we headed to Home Depot for mulch!

Note: Although Houston and Gam in the following picture are cute, focus on the shrubs in the background (these are pictures from their June visit) and the ground cover in the flower beds!

Whitney ripped out all that ground cover and all the weeds from the beds and laid fresh mini-bark mulch in its place, while I trimmed the bushes up (at least the parts I could reach without squatting, ha!).

Doesn't it look GREAT!? With Alec and me being out of town every weekend, we have only had time to look down at the flower beds and grumble over how overrun they are with weeds, clover, and unwelcomed ground cover. But, when Whitney visits, she takes things into her own hands, literally!

After one visit from Whitney, this place is in ship-shape condition!!!

So whereas this was our home in June (the yard looks great, but the bushes are all a-muck and not symmetrical)....

Baby Helms will be quite pleased to call our newly ship-shape yard and flower beds HOME soon! Thank you, Aunt Whitney, for visiting us in Huntsville and making this home more homey before Baby Helms arrives! We cannot WAIT for the rest of the family to see what great things have been done!!!

The Big Reveal

Several friends have asked for pictures of Baby Helms' room, but I have been reluctant to share until certain items were set up and ready for viewing. Well, friends, today is the day!

After our baby shower in Owensboro this past weekend (stay tuned for shower pictures), I spent today setting up Baby Helms' room with all his/her goodies! The room has been painted for almost two months, the mural was finished about 1.5 months ago, the full-sized bed has been ready for about a month, and the furniture was brought in (and blogged about) a while back. So... what was missing for the big reveal, you ask? The crib!!!

My sweet, sweet sister surprised us with this BEAUTIFUL crib from Target that can eventually convert to a toddler bed AND a full-sized headboard. It's the best, and after getting the box into the room (thank you, Alec) at about 2:30 today, the bed was set up and ready by 4:45. :) What can I say--- I was sooo excited!

Now, let me take you on a virtual tour of Baby Helms' new digs. :)

When you walk into the room, you see this:

This is a closer, less shiny picture of the mural!

The changing table items (thank you, Mom) are the perfect fit on top of the dresser made by Daddie!

Opposite the table, the full-sized bed is a home-away-from-home for our future visitors, with the quote "Live Simply" above where guests will rest their weary heads. And yes, possibly, a stay-at-home-tired Mommy will rest her head here occasionally, as well!

The open jelly cupboard houses a fun picture frame or two, sweet board books, and several super soft blankets for Baby Helms to enjoy!

And of course, it holds the infamous "Boppy" that moms-around-the-world rave about (thank you, Whitney!)!

The closet is beginning to have some Baby Helms' wear inside. There are several plain white onesies which I plan to monogram, apply appliques, etc. when Baby Helms arrives!

These are a few of the outfits Mom had monogrammed for Baby Helms to wear in his/her first few days! They are ABSOLUTELY perfect, and exactly what I had in mind for this little one to wear! Also, you can see the wonderful bedding that Mom and Daddie gave us in this picture--- can't wait to add pink/blue accents in a matter of weeks!!!

Being a mom-gadget connoisseur, Jennifer (and Eric and kiddos) gave us the gift of the Bumbo and play tray (thank you!!!)! Because we didn't think we would have sufficient room for a high chair, our Bumbo will serve as the perfect booster/high chair for when Baby Helms starts eating more substantial food!Below are gifts that are hung on the back of Baby Helms' door. These items are not necessarily for Baby Helms, but rather the necessary items that his/her Mommy needs! From left to right---
The Bebe au Lait nursing cover, a WONDERFUL diaper bag with all the perfect essentials and style to tote (thank you, Lora!), and last but certainly not least--- the Serena and Lily Market sling to tote sweet Baby Helms around town in (thank you Gail, Pam, and Marcia)! Yes... I know what you're thinking---- "But Jamie, it's PINK on the inside!" Well, I know this, and I picked this item out carefully, knowing that I would be wearing this as somewhat of an accessory! And doesn't every Mom NEED her cute accessories?

Can't wait for our little one to enjoy all their functional and fun items in a matter of weeks!!!

Bethany, Buying, & Baking

Things have been busy in the Helms' household lately! I had the WONDERFUL treat of visiting with Bethany, my sweet Birmingham friend, on Friday. We toured Huntsville, ate at yummy Cantina Laredo, and shopped around for her dear tween daughter, Maddie. :) We even squeezed in a look-see visit at Alec's office (see below)!

After Bethany headed back to Birmingham, Alec and I headed North to Owensboro to pick up Baby Helms' new car. :) Okay... so maybe I'll be driving more often than Baby Helms (I'm no Brittany Spears-mama), but the intent was to get a safe vehicle to drive sweet Baby Helms and family around in!

In case you're not sure, it's a 2008 Toyota Highlander! LOVIN' it already!

You might not be able to see, but at this point, I KNOW that Baby Helms is smiling in my belly---- How could they not be, with two parents that are already thinking safety first, riiight?

And then, there's the baking that's been happening at our house lately.... What can I say? I just can't STOP! :) This is the chocolate chip pound cake that I made for me and Alec to enjoy, as well as our dear newlywed friends, Brandon and Ellen, that came to visit us on Labor Day. We had a great visit with them and cannot wait for them to come back and meet Baby Helms soon!

Mmmm... Fresh Peach Pie!

Staying at home these days has turned me into a more adventurous cook! From jerk chicken with black beans and rice to cajun turkey-sausage 3-cheese baked penne, I am loving all my new, healthy recipes from Cooking Light magazine!

Alec is also benefiting--- he's realized that fresh, steamed vegetables (like asparagus and broccoli) actually are more enjoyable! Just last night he could be found "sneaking" more bites of asparagus after dinner! I never thought I'd see the day!

With that being said, and all the new, healthy recipes being successes so far... I thought I would try my hand at a old fashioned fresh peach pie! Here is the recipe----

1/2 c. sugar
3 TBS flour
1 tsp cinamon
Dash of salt
5 cups fresh, sliced peaches (Alec said the key was that I made large slices)
2 TBS butter
unbaked pie shell and top

Combine sugar, flour, spice and salt. Soften (not melt) butter and add to mix. Add mixture to fresh peaches and mix lightly. Pour into unbaked crust and top with crust. Dot with butter to ensure no burning. Bake 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

Note: if you have extra ripe peaches (the best), you may have some oven spillage... totally worth the clean up later! :)At this point, I was terribly nervous about how it turned out... being my first pie baking, I had nothing to judge it by!

The nervousness sudsided with Alec's first bite! He LOVED it and said it was the best, best, BEST peach pie he'd ever had in his whole life! And if I thought he was just being kind to his nervous cook, he put those worries at ease by gobbling up a second slice all the while saying how much he LOVED my peach pie and that I should cook it any-ole-time. :)
Yay for yummy, healthy dessert alternatives!

I must thank sweet Elizabeth for my birthday gift of a free year's subscription to Cooking Light a few years ago--- I was able to tear out and save SEVERAL recipes, tuck them away in a "hope-to-have-more time-to-cook-someday" file, and now, we're reaping all the benefits!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!