Kevin's New Truck

With all the excitement of finding out the baby was a girl....we also had some other excitement around here. (I was waiting on Kevin to wash it before I took pictures). Kevin finally got a new truck Wednesday night. Kevin has been looking since the start of summer for a truck. He knew what he needed and wanted and the price range he needed the truck to be in, the hard thing has been finding it. He had to have a truck to use on the farm, so many people have trucks like he needs and all they do is use it around town every day. But Kevin's truck has to be a work truck. He has looked on every lot from here to Spartanburg, down to Georgia and online too. I never thought I would see Kevin use a computer as much as he has to find a truck. We have had other people looking as well. Kevin and I both have prayed and prayed for God to lead us in the right direction for a truck. Each time we thought we had found something, it either fell through or something was wrong with it. So Kevin began to change his search. Monday night Kevin was on autotrader and found this truck in Columbia. He called about it Tuesday and Wednesday as soon as I could get home from school, we headed to Columbia. Kevin drove the truck and within about an hour, we were coming home with the truck. I am so happy that he has a dependable truck now. His red Ford has been just used around the farm but for the past year, he has driven a Toyota that his dad had and at the end of the summer a wheel feel off when Kevin was driving. He fixed it, then a little while later the wheel on the other side fell off. Then the heating coil broke and it sprayed water in the floor when Kevin would turn left. Then the wheel fell off again, that was a few weeks ago. When that happened for the third time, Kevin realized the truck was not safe to drive any more. Thankfully, each time the wheel did come off, he was around the farm and on dirt roads. I really like his new truck, it rides good and has plenty of room for our growing family. Kevin is very tickled over it and is loving the truck.

The truck is a Dodge Ram 2006, 4x4, 4 doors, navy blue


As you can see, Abby was ready to go for a ride.

20 Weeks-Half Way

I can't believe that I am 20 weeks already! It has gone by so fast and I'm sure the next 20 weeks will too. I'm feeling good; almost normal. I have just gotten over a sinus infection, but other than that...I still can get tired easily if I do too much. I am still wearing my regular clothes and haven't gain any weight yet. I lost 7 pounds going through the first 3 months, so I have gained that back, but I'm back at the weight I was before I got pregnant. Even though Miss Madalyn was 11 oz. which according to the baby sites and book she is half an oz. over the average (average at this stage being 10.6 oz).

20 weeks 1 day: November 14, 2010

I told everyone at school the news of it was a girl. I finally told my kids Friday afternoon before it was time to go home. I was waiting until we knew what it was before I told. They were excited and all of them when I told them it was a girl said "aw". Then the questions started coming. Who will our sub be? (haha-already planning on acting up more than normal, but I didn't tell them that yet). One girl wanted to know her name. One said, "yeah, she will have to miss school some to have the baby". I told them the baby was to come in April so it would be near the end of the school year. One boy came up to me and asked "Mrs. McCormick, the baby's in your tummy?" They all wanted me to bring the baby to school once she came. So it is officially out over the school now. Then Friday, I was excited to find out that one of my fellow 3rd grade teachers was also pregnant; she was 8 weeks and due in June. So, I'm not the only pregnant one now. She had actually came to me when I first told them I was pregnant and told me that they were starting to try, so I was very happy for them.

Another bit of exciting news, is that my best friend from high school, Lindsey, is also pregnant. Lindsey is actually 12 weeks and due May 21st. I have known for awhile, but I have been waiting to announce that on my blog. When I first started telling people, I called Lindsey and told her that I had something to tell her...that I was going to have a baby. Well, then Lindsey says, well I have something to tell you...I said what....I have to tell you the same thing. I was like what!? So, when we went to Greenville that weekend to tell my family, Lindsey and I met up for lunch to share the excitement of us both going through this together. She is doing very well so far. She is almost to the 2nd trimester, and I told her that she would soon start to feel better and have more energy. She has been very sick with a sinus infection then it went to bronchitis. But its so neat that we are 7 weeks apart. Our prediction is that she will have a girl too.

For all of you moms out there, if any of you have any advice on certain items that you registered for, for you baby and you love or didn't love, please let me know. There is so much to choose out there. I have gotten some input from my sister-in-laws, and some other people that I know have had a baby in the past 2 years. But any advice or help to a first time mom, would be greatly appreciated!

I took some pictures of what we have gotten or bought so far for the baby.

This was the first thing I bought. I actually got this giraffe the end of June or the first part of July, I can't remember. I went to Aiken one day with my sister-in-law, Katelyn. We were in Books-A-Million and found these TY stuffed animals. She picked out a dalmatian for Hunter and I just thought the giraffe was too cute to pass up. So I got 2; one for Hunter and one for our baby. (Which at the time I wasn't pregnant, but we were trying)


When we were at Tybee Island, we went into Savannah one day to shop. I found this cute, black poodle. (I know its kind of hard to see) But this was the cutest black poodle stuffed animal I had seen yet, so I got it so our child could have their own "Abby". (Not knowing then that I was pregnant.)



Then, once we had shared our good news, we went over to visit Kevin's grandma, Ms. Thelma, to show her the pictures. She went ahead and gave me the baby's Christmas present and it was a Winnie the Pooh quilt someone had made.

Kevin's Aunt Wanda gave us the Gamecock rattle.

One of the teachers at school, gave me the Winnie Pooh and books. She taught 3rd grade my first year at Kelly Edwards and has been in 5th grade the past two years. She had a baby last October. And once I shared with her my news, she was very excited for me.

My mom bought Kevin and I this Christmas ornament to remember this special time in our lives.

When Kevin and I went to the mountains, I found this book and just had to get it. It's a sweet story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.



Kevin's mom, Mrs. Katie, bought the baby it's first Halloween outfit. (we didn't know then for sure what the baby will be)

Then, Mrs. Katie was in Tennessee with Mr. Tim at a show for the compost. Once we called her to tell her it was a girl, she went shopping and bought some cute outfits for Madalyn. It's funny that she picked up too lavender outfits, because I am more of a purple person than a pink person, always have been. I like pink, but I like the dark and hot pinks better than the pale and baby pinks.

We are Tickled PINK!

Yes, we are literally tickled PINK here at the McCormick house hold. (My mom made this comment today as they were leaving that they were "tickled pink" so I thought I was use that slogan on my blog).Today, I went to the doctor for my 19 week check up and the big event was finding out if the baby was a girl or a boy and guess what.....Our prediction was correct....

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Yes, that's right, after about 20 minutes of poking her and jiggling my belly, she finally let us see. She was curled up in a very tight ball and hanging out at the very top of the uterus, above my belly button and she had no desire to be active today. The lady who was doing the ultrasound was very good, she was very patient and tried very hard to get this baby to move around. I was thankful that we found out; because the way the baby was acting I didn't know if we would find out or not. My parents came down and met us at the doctor's office. It was special to get to share that moment with them and for them to see their granddaughter. Kevin said she was acting like me because she wanted to still sleep and it was almost lunch time. And the fact that she was being very stubborn about it too. Her name is....

"Madalyn" Rae McCormick

Kevin and I had decided on the first name before we got married. I just heard that name one day for a child at my old school and thought it was different and pretty and it just stuck. I had thought of some other names, but Kevin didn't like them and I didn't like some of the ones he had thought of. Which my mom's name is Lynn, so it has that in it. The "Rae" comes from my Papa whose name is "Ray" and Kevin had decided that if it was a boy it would have "Ray" as a middle name. Well, then I got to thinking, why not make that the middle name if it's a girl too and just spell it with an "e" instead of a "y". My Papa is very special to me and it is only right to have his first great grandchild named after him. So, that's how we came up with the name. She will be called "Madalyn".

Everything looked good, they said I was right on schedule with all of my measurements and her measurements. I go back in four weeks, December 7th and they will do another ultrasound. The doctor said that they wanted to better check out all the vital organs and it was still a little early to do that.

Week 19 and 1 day: November 7th (as you can see a change in my belly from week 15)

After we found out, between my mom and I we were texting everyone. After we left the doctor's office, the phones have rung off and on all day, friends and family sharing in our joy of a little girl and so far, the blessing of a healthy baby and pregnancy. After the doctors' visit, we went to eat lunch at Logans' and then headed off to buybuyBABY. My mom helped me registered, while Kevin and my dad sat in the chair and then left to go to a tool's store. There is so much to think about. I was so tired after registering. I tell you, I think there is so much more to register for a baby than when you get married. I don't remember making this many difficult decisions when I was picking out stuff for wedding showers. But we had a good time. I came home and looked at the register online to remember what I had picked out and made some changes. I still have a lot to pick out, I didn't get any big items, I wanted Kevin's input with those and some items I wanted to read up on before selecting them. But by the time we finished it was 3:30 pm and we had an hour drive home, and my parents had a two and a half hour drive home. I want to go to BabiesRUs to look there and register there too. But one store in a day is all I can handle. Poor Kevin, with me, Abby, Roxy, and now the baby, he is out numbered 4 to 1.

Roxy

Roxy is adjusting and settling into her new home very quickly. Roxy and Abby are getting along very well. They do play together; they will chase each other and wrestle. Sometimes they get a little rough and we have to tell them to stop. With Abby being so much bigger right now, I don't want her to hurt Roxy. She is so funny to watch. She will find anything to amuse herself with. The other day I came home from school and Abby came in and a leaf dropped off Abby. Roxy had the best time playing with the leaf. She also loves to play around my tennis shoes. I bought her a cat toy ball to play with, but Abby keeps taking it from her, so we can't let her play with it. The ball is small and I don't want Abby to get choked on it. Her new favorite spot to nap is on the top of one of our chairs. There is a really soft blanket up there and she feels like she is safe from Abby.

Weekend Wrap Up

It has been a busy past two weeks for us. Two weeks ago, I was busy with doing home visits on all my kids. We had to go out and visit the homes and bring each child their report card. So that tied up all my free time after school. Then, last weekend we went to the mountains. Which we greatly enjoyed. This week, even though it was a 4 day week, it was busy. This coming week will be a busy week for Kevin. The first set of two chicken houses will go out of chickens tomorrow night, and the fun clean-out process will begin. It will be six weeks before chickens go back into those houses. The other two houses will be pulled closer to Thanksgiving time. This weekend, my parents came down on Saturday. My mom worked very hard in my house cleaning and cooking. She cooked two great meals with left-overs, my favorite! But she really did a lot of cleaning, I can't use cleaning products due to the strong smells, and so things had not gotten done since the last time they were here. I can straighten up things and clean some, but not a whole lot. My dad also did his part in cleaning too. Kevin and I both really appreciated all there help. We asked them to come back next weekend, but we know they can't. My mom said that she would love to help more, but with living 3 hours away, that is hard to do. However, we are so grateful for the help we got. Now,hopefully we can keep things clean since they are now clean. Katelyn brought Hunter by today to see my mom and dad. He is now a month old. Today was his first day wearing some "big" boy clothes. He is starting to out grow some of his newborn clothes. Now that it's almost evening, the house is all clean, meals cooked, school work done, it's time to enjoy what little hours are left before bed time. So, let the weekend finally begin. We do have this Tuesday off due to Election Day, so that will be nice to just work tomorrow, have a day off, and then work 3 days and be off again. My plan is to go out and do some more Christmas shopping Tuesday morning and then take the kitten to the vet Tuesday afternoon. Last Monday, I was able to get Christmas presents for all my nieces and nephews so that was a lot to mark off my list. Hopefully, I will have success again this Tuesday. I was 18 weeks as of yesterday and I am beginning my 5th month. I am starting to show a little bit, at least that's what people at school and family tell me. I can't wait until Nov. 11th when we get to go back to the doctor and find out what it will be. I can't believe it is already the last day of October. When I wake up tomorrow it will be November 1st. Time has gone by so fast this school year. But I am so glad. Its been tough lately at school. But it's getting exciting as it gets closer towards the holiday season. I just love the cooler weather, getting to snuggle up by a fire, wearing warm sweaters, the smells in the air and around places, the holiday music ( and yes I admit, I have already been listening to Christmas music-it just makes me smile and feel at peace and happy). I am so tired of this hot and muggy weather and this back and forth buisness. I want it to stay cold and I so want to see snow again this coming year. I don't know if that will happen, but it was a blast and so pretty last year. Even if we don't get as much, maybe we will get a little. That is always my Christmas wish. Well, I'll post again Tuesday, once I know if our kitten will stay a girl or become a boy, it's so hard to tell on cats.

Hunter and his "favorite" Aunt Jill.

Meet Roxy

Last week, Mrs. Katie (Kevin's mom) had a mama cat that had 4 kittens under her back porch. My niece Kayla got one kitten and last Monday, I brought home the other kitten. We have had a trial week seeing how Abby and the kitten would get along. The first day I brought it home, Abby licked it to death and tried to pick it up and carry it around, but I wouldn't allow her to do that. For the most part, Abby and the kitten are getting along fine, so we decided to keep it. We think the kitten is a girl, so her name is Roxy. I am taking the kitten to the vet this coming Tuesday and if Roxy turns out to be a boy, then his name will be Rocky. (I will let you know). The kitten is use to it's new home and loves to run and play in the den and kitchen. We keep the doors shut to the other rooms. It has taken over Abby's cage (which I know Abby is glad of that) and sleeps in there during the night and stays in their on our porch during the day. The kitten is just precious and we all have gotten attached to it. It will hide and try to jump out at Abby and wants to play with her. Sometimes Abby will pay it attention and sometimes she gets a little too rough. However, there are still some things that Abby is willing to share with her, like her toys (which I don't blame her) and she doesn't like it when we hold the kitten. All and all I have been very proud of Abby for her adjusting to this little one. Kevin and I thought this might give Abby someone to play with and a chance for her to get use to "someone" new coming into her house. After all, in a few months, she will have another change.

This was the first day the kitten came home.


As you can see, the kitten looks wet and it is...due to Abby constantly licking it.


It had a lot of fun playing on Kevin's sleeping bag.


I found a piece of ribbon for it to play with.


Then the kitten got sleepy.



It likes to curl up on the couch in the pillows and take a nap.

Bryson City, NC

When Kevin and I found out that I was pregnant, we decided that we needed to plan a weekend getaway, just the two of us before the baby comes and while I feel good. Last January we went snow skiing, we knew that was out this year. We also knew that we couldn't take a spring trip since I'm due in the spring, so a fall trip was decided. We chose the weekend of Oct. 22nd-24th. We decided on Bryson City, NC to go visit the mountains and ride the train. The last time I went there, it was 14 years ago with my parents, my uncle Keith, and my aunt Felicia. Which funny thing, Felicia was pregnant with my cousin Emily at the time.

Friday, October 22nd: We pulled out of our driveway at 6:00 am. (We had a 5 hour drive and Kevin wanted to start early to get it over with and that way we could have most of the day to walk around, not spend it driving). Kevin was surprised at how easily I got up that morning, but I told him it was because I knew I was going to school. (I had taken the day off). About 10:00 am we realized that we were going to be getting to Bryson City way too early. We couldn't check in until 3:00 that afternoon. We needed something to do to take up some time, so we decided to detour through Maggie Valley and go to Cherokee. It had been a long time since either of us had been to Cherokee. It didn't seem like much had changed. We went into some shops, but after the first two shops, you saw the same things over and over. We decided to get lunch from Backyard Burger and took our lunch down near the river. There were many geese and ducks in the river. It was fun to watch them, because they really looked like they were enjoying themselves. They would twist and turn down the river. After we finished our lunch we walked along the river for a little while. Then I saw something that I was not expecting. I heard all this noise and looked up and what do I see coming across the bridge to the park to eat lunch, a group of about 40-50 school kids. I was was like oh no, I thought I left that far behind me. They looked to be about 3rd grade age and were eating lunch on their field trip. So, that was kind of funny. We left Cherokee and headed to Bryson City about a 10 minute drive. We checked in to a very nice room. I took a nap and Kevin watched some TV and napped too. We at dinner at the Fryemont Inn. We sat by the fire place and enjoyed a dinner of bread, vegetable soup, salad for me, fruit for Kevin, lemon herb chicken for me, steak for Kevin, and mac 'n' cheese, Lima beans, cinnamon apples and to top it off for desert hot fudge cake with ice cream and whipped cream for me and a cookie pie with ice cream and whipped cream for Kevin. We really enjoyed our dinner! So delicious and so much food! Then we found were to go for the train to ride the next morning and headed back to our room.

Cherokee, NC

Saturday, October 23rd: We got up at 7:00 am to eat breakfast at 7:30. We were going to ride the train and the train was pulling out at 9:00, so we had to eat and get downtown which took all of 2 minutes, but we had to pick up our tickets. Anyway, we had another delicious meal; scrambled eggs, sausage, hash brown casserole (that tasted like my aunt Ann's), biscuit, and juice. Kevin dropped me off at the depot and went to park. It took a few minutes to find the correct line I had to be in to pick up the tickets. Then I waited and waited on Kevin. They told me they would board the train at 8:45. It had been long enough I thought for Kevin to park and get back to me. I was starting to get worried. Finally, I see Kevin coming. He had to pay to park and I had all the money with me, so he had to go to the bank to get some cash. We got on the train and started our journey to through the Nantahala Gorge on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. (http://www.gsmr.com/). It was 34 degrees that morning and we were thankful that we had an inside car. I know those that rode in the open air car, were very cold. The sights were very beautiful with the fall colors in the leaves. We stopped half way through our ride for lunch. Kevin and I had pre-ordered a meal ticket through the train, so we each got a hamburger (which you fix yourselves) a large drink, large bag of chips, and a cookie. We took a lunch and found a nice, quiet spot by the river looking at a waterfall. It was so peacefully. After our hour lunch break, we boarded the train and headed back. By this time it was warmer out and so we rode on one of the outside cars. You can take better pictures and see a lot more on the outside cars. We both really enjoyed our ride. When we returned we visited the train museum-they gave you free passes for ordering train tickets, then we headed back to our room. Where I took a nap and Kevin watched a football game. We went downtown for dinner. We first walked around and went in a few shops, then ate at a local place called "Jimmy's Mac" for dinner. Kevin had steak and fresh mountain trout and I had a baked potato. For some reason as soon as we sat down, I nausea feeling and knew I couldn't eat much. Kevin said the trout was the best he had ever had. Then we went into one more shop and headed back to our room.

Our train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Sunday, October 24th: We slept a little bit later this morning, we ate breakfast at 8:00 instead of 7:30. Once again we had another delicious meal of a Belgian waffle with bananas, pecans, whipped cream and bacon. Which Kevin ended up having two waffles, with juice and I had hot chocolate this morning. We said good-bye and checked out of our place. Saturday night, the last shop we went in, the lady told us about a waterfall to go see. So, after we checked out we went to find this waterfall. We found the pull off for the waterfall and you had to do a little hiking. It wasn't too bad of a hike, but due to this little one I'm now carrying I did have to stop some along the way. The waterfall was very pretty and we had it all to ourselves. We were glad the lady had told us about it. After spending a few minutes enjoying the beauty, we headed back down. It was pretty walking through the woods. The leaves were falling all around us and it was like you were in a snow globe. Once we got back to the car, we headed out of town and back down the mountains home.

Trail to the Juney Whank Falls

Kevin and I had an absolutely wonderful time. The weather was perfect, the views were awesome, we enjoyed getting away and spending some time together, just us. It was a very stress-free and relaxing weekend. We both said that so far this was the most enjoying weekend away that we have had. Our other trips had been nice and fun, but this was just so relaxing and peaceful. For those of you that have never been to Bryson City, you need to take the time to go. Those of you that have kids, they would love the train. They do a pumpkin patch trip with Snoopy and the Peanuts gain through October. They also do a Polar Express train ride November through December, where the kids wear their pjs, and it's like the book and movie and at the end, they get to meet Santa. If you want to visit in the summer, you can tube or go white water rafting down the Nantahala river.

Here is a slideshow of some more pictures from our weekend

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