The West's

Easter

2010-04-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter Weekend. An egg hunt at Canebrake on Friday, and church in Laurel on Sunday with my family.

MC pics

2010-03-06T13:11:00.001-08:00

Gary and his first poo poo diaper

Daddy and MC in the bed!

Sleeping angel.

Loving on his baby!

Sweet Baby West

2010-03-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby West

Mary Clayton is here!

2010-02-19T15:06:00.001-08:00

Finally, I am getting aroung to posting about our new addition! She made her enterance into this world on Feb. 3, 2010 at 9:05pm, weighing in at 8 lbs 0oz and 21 inches long. I was in labor for about 14 hours....made it until about 3 pm when I got the epidural...lifesaver!! I dont know what ever made me not want to have one. I thought that since I ran a marathon that I could definately do the natural childbirth thing. I was very wrong. Maybe one could do it if they had a fast labor...since mine was so slow i could not but do not feel bad about it one bit. It was long waiting for her to get here but when it came time to push i pushed two times and she was out! Thank you Lord for the fast delivery after the LONG labor! She came out and was just perfect! She breastfed right away and we are still doing very good with that, although it is also very hard. She is a good baby, she cries when she is hungry and screams as soon as she wets her diaper..she will not tolerate it. So, needless to say we go through a ton of diapers. Even with limited sleep it is wonderful being a parent. We lover her so much! God is great!

The Waiting Continues......

2010-01-26T07:48:00.001-08:00

We had a great weekend! Friday night we went to Canebrake with Whit and adam, Courtney and Josh, and Drew and Taylor. The food was great and we ahd so much fun talking and laughing. Sat. Catherine and I spent the morning runnig errands and then walked 5 miles with Lulu, Cali and Olive on the trails. I thought MC might decide to come out....But no! Sunday we had a party...one last hoorah...before the baby gets here..for the Saints/Vikings game. We had a great turn out about 20 grown ups and about 6 or seven babies. It was a long but fun day! I had contractions all day and by 9:30 when everybody left they were about 10 minutes apart. I knew for sure something must be happening. The Dr. Monday morning said that nothing was happening really. I am 1.5 cm dialated all the way through and 80% effaced. He said I am in the window of 5 days before my due date and 5 days after when most women go into labor on their own. So....we wait some more. I have an apptointment on Monday Feb.1 if I have not had her by then. We will induce Tuesday Feb 2. So at least the end is in sight. We are so ready to meet our baby girl!

Moving right along!

2010-01-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

I went to the Dr. yesterday....my body is finally doing something! I am 1cm dialated and over 50% effaced! So excited. Dr. Desantis said he predicts she will be born up to 5 days before or up to 5 days after her due date. What kind of prediction is that ....that is a time span of 11 days!!! Oh well, my BP was 106/66, baby heart rate 147, and I have lost 2 pounds...so all is well. I am actually feeling great, I am walking every day to encourage her to move on out! i got a mani/pedi yesterday...thanks to Brandi Davis!!! Now I am 100% ready to go to the hospital. The waiting game continues for the time being!

Getting Closer!

2010-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a few recent pics of the baby bump....37 weeks this week! Pics are from me getting ready for the New Years's Party at Canebrake on Thursday! Yes....I am a trooper, I stayed out until 1:30 am! New Year's Day we celebrated with all of our friends and their children and watched some football. We had a feast of smoked salmon, buffalo chicken dip, boiled p-nuts, turnip greens, cabbage, cole slaw, ham, turkey, cornbread, mexican corn bread, and homemeade banana pudding from scratch! it was so yummy. I should have taken more pics. Happy 2010! Hopefully we will have a baby soon! Well, as soon as I get back from Market in Atlanta....I leave Wed. and will get back Saturday. Please pray that I don't have MC in Atlanta!

Christams!

2009-12-30T07:19:00.000-08:00

Good dog!

34 1/2 weeks Pregnant

Santa came!

Transiberian Orchestra in New Orleans.

Catherine and Mom on our girls night and shopping day in New Orleans.

We had a wonderful Christams. We have so much to be thankful for. Lord, thank you for sending your son so that we can celebrate this joyous season. I can't believe next Christmas we will have an almost one year old. We are all ready for Mary Clayton to get here. I honestly can not even think of one thing that she still needs. We can not wait to meet her. I am 36 weeks this week. 4 more or less to go. I go to the Dr. tomorrow. here are a few pics from our holiday.

Shower Pics

2009-12-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from my couple Shower at Brandie and Grant's on Dec. 5, 2009....note to self...in all other pics throughout holidays...make sure body is angled so that I do not look as big as a house!

Finished Nursery!!!!

2009-12-22T07:38:00.000-08:00

Finished the nursery about a week ago. We are all ready for Mary Clayton to get here. We are on the final count down!!! 5 weeks to go. We have had a busy month! My sweet friends threw me a wonderful couples shower, I have been to New orleans twice, A wedding weekend, helped with the home tour...busy busy busy. I get off after lunch tomorrow and I can not wait! Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Birthday baby Jesus!

Baby Shower

2009-12-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

A few of my sweet friends and sister had a Shower for me November 21, 2009 at my mother's house. It was so nice and Mary Clayton got some beautiful things!

Nursery Pics so far

2009-11-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Painted walls...check. Chandeleur put together...check! Curtains, bumper pads, changing pad, bed skirt and pillows are being made. Will post when complete!

Gary working hard to put the crib together and me annoying him by trying to take our picture!

Vegas BABY!

2009-11-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

November 6,2009...after much peer pressure we went to Vegas with Brandi and Grant. I was not very excited that we were going....due to the fact that I am pregnant...but I had an amazing time! Friday night we went to see kelly Clarkson, Saturday brandie and I went to the Spa relaxed and had massages, followed by shopping at

Caesar's Palace. Then on to dinner at Prime in the Bellaigo, and then to see Circ du Solie, "O". It was amazing. Sunday we took it easy. We went to the wax museum, to see the bodies exhibit at the Luxor, then to see the Beatles "Love" at the Mirage. We flew home on monday. Sometimem peer pressure can be a good thing. This was probably our last trip to Vegas for a while....only 10 week until Mary Clayton will be here!

Scottsdale

2009-11-17T09:36:00.000-08:00

We were in Scottsdale, AZ for a week in September for Gary to attend a United Healthcare seminar. He did not have very much fun, but I had a blast!!! I worked out every day, then read and laid out by the pool. It was oh so nice. We did have fun going out to eat... Los oliovos, twice, mortons(YUM!), Blanco, went to a D-backs baseball game. And Gary won 5400.00 at the casino! So, overall, it was a great trip!

Fall Decorating and Remodel

2009-11-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics of the house decorated for fall. Also, We are in the process of remodeling the hall bathroom...more pics to come.

Baby Wilkes Bounds

2009-09-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Baby Wilkes made a surprise entry into the world yesterday. We are ready for him on Wednesday...but he decided to come early! Whitney and Wilkes are doing good and he is so precious. It makes me really ready for Mary Clayton to be here!! I am 6 months today! Hooray!

Mary Clayton Varner West

2009-09-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well I am 22 weeks today and I guess it is about time that I posted our exciting news! Mary Calyton Varner West is due January 29, 2010. She is growing great and is a healthy little girl. Gary and I could not be more thrilled. I found out I was Pregnant May 21 around seven in the morning. I had not been feeling great since the marathon...I was so tired!!! I took a test and low and behold I was pregnant. I was not sick any and am still playing tennis and walking/jogging (no more runnning after 20 weeks) 4-5 time a week. So far in her life in utero, Mary Clayton has run a marathon, been to Guatemala, flown to Arizona...we can't wait for her to get there! January seems like a long way from here...but the first 5 months have flown by....hopefully the second half will fly by as well.

Long Time No Blog!

2009-07-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

I can not believe it has been five months since I last posted. A lot has happened!!! April 11 I turned 29...still can't believe that....April 19, Gary and I celebrated our one year anniversary.....April 25 ran a marathon in Nashville....that's right 26.2 miles....April 31, I traveled to Palm Springs California to Jennifer's Bachelorette party...May 26-30 we went fishing in guatemala....we have been to the beach several times and are staying busy. Here are some pics to document the time that has passed!

Happy 29th Birthday Gary!

2009-01-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

Today in Gary's 29th birthday!!! I can not believe we are turning 29 this year. I so do not feel like we should be twenty nine. We Gary and I re-met at the Flora-Bama...I had just turned 26. Ten years after we had broken up in the 11th grade! What a wonderful three years it has been. So much has happened. We got engaged, bought a house, remodeled the house(which is still a WIP), got married, got a new puppy (who will be one tomorrow!!!!), and are now about to start trying to have a baby (sometime after our 1 year anniversary). I am such a lucky girl to have my one true love in my life. I can not wait to see what the next year has in store for us. We are truely bessed.

(Above are some pics from 2006 when we were at the beach)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEET.....I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Christmas Day is finally here!!!!

2008-12-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

If you could not already tell by the mass of presents....Santa definately came and visited us!!! I must have been such a good girl. We had a wonderful Christmas, but it has been very hectic...I can not even imagine how much more hectic it will be with children...but I am ready. 2009 is drawing near, and soon we will start trying to have baby West. The above pics are from Christmas Day at my parents. I had a portrait painted of Molly for my mom...she thought it was so good that she cried. The girl who painted it is from Fairhope and she did an excellent job..so thanks to Meredith Montgomery for the beautiful painting. I am ready for the new year to be here because Gary and I are also about to start our major eating makeover and exercise routine. I am feeling so big. Anyway, we had a great holiday and am ready to get back into the swing of things and back on schedule.

Christmas Time!

2008-12-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love Christmas! I love decorating the tree(well I don't really love putting on the lights....)I love looking at all of my ornaments and putting them on the tree, I love all Christmas music, I love going to Christmas parties and being soooo busy, I love buying presents, finding the perfect gift for my family and friends, I love looking and playing with my beautiful nativity scenes, and most of all it is so specail to be celebrating Jesus's birthday! Here are a few pics of the West Family getiing in the holiday spirit!

My Sister's Wedding

2008-11-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Cat's wedign weekend was so much fun! She and Robert got married in New Orleans September 27, 2008. It was one of the most fun long weekends I have had since college....and when I say long...I mean from Wednesday through Sunday long. I just can't party like I used to, my body can not handle My wedding was wonderful, but nothing living 5 days straight on daqueris and beniegts. I felt horrible for a week. Cat looked beautiful and everyone had a blast. I didn't take many pics...but here are a few.

Our Babies Love to Play

2008-11-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

We got baby Cali just a few months after we rescued Kitty Boy "half tail" Johnson from the medical supply. (the "half tail"came from Gary playing with Lulu a tennis ball and a golf club...unfortunately Kitty Boy got in the way..and lost half of his beautiful tail...my poor little show cat.)From the get go they have been the best of friends. I was worried that as Cali got bigger she might hurt poor little kittyman...but no...kitty can hold his own.

Can Not Seem to Remember to blog

2008-08-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

I would like to blog more....especially since I love to read other people's blogs. But I just do not have the time or patience. I must get more organized...but right now I am still trying to get unpacked from bringing my wedding gifts home. What is wrong with me? We have no carpet in the three bedrooms on the far side of our house...just foundation. The antique chinese sideboard I got a market for the dining room will be here Aug 12...hooray! And I think that will make me feel better not having to look at all of those stacked up wedding gifts. I have a zillion serving pieces in every type of material from pewter to pottery to Annie Glass to spode...it is rediculous! I do not know if I will ever use them all. I have picked out fabric for the curtain in the dining room and living room...but am going to put off the living room because I need like 50 yards of fabric and the fabric is 50 dollars a yard. So much for me not working anymore...I need to start working over time so that I can get this house finished. Soon I will post some before and after pics of the house. But for now I need to go find something more productive to do!

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-06-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach for Memorial Day Weekend. Dax and Mallory stayed with us, and Courtney and Josh were down there too! We had a great time. It is so nice to have my best friends in Hatttiesburg with me. I live about a mile from Brandie and just a few miles from Courtney. I have made some really new great friends like Whitney and Mallory. It is so nice to build on my set of girlfriends, because for so long I felt like I had no friends in Hattiesburg.

Looking at this picture has inspired me to lose weight. I am so tired of being the size I am right now. I have gained about 20 pounds since Gary and I started dating 2 years ago. It is totally unexceptable. I started my diet and exercise routine Wednesday, May 28, 2008. My goal is to have lost AT LEAST 10 pounds by July 4th!!! This time Gary is on the diet and exercise routine too. It is so nice to have his support and a chance for us to do this thing together. So far, I have run 27 miles and lost O pounds. That sucks so bad but oh well, I will just keep trying.

Honeymoon in Belize

2008-06-02T12:11:00.001-07:00

This is the view from our room at Ramon's Village in San Pedro, Belize. It was so beautiful. It was also very hot! Gary and I are accustomed to better air conditioning. It is very hard to be very romantic with your new spouse when you are both entirely too HOT! We did have a blast together. We went on two all day snokeling trip, and a romantic beach picnic. We dined on fish that we caught and lobsters that our guide hijacked from someone elses traps. We had so much fun! What a great way to start our lives together. I am truly blessed to have a man as wonderful as Gary in my life.

Married

2008-05-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

It is still a little hard to believe that we are married! It was such a long process leading up to the big day...but it was worth it. It was really the best day of my life thus far. We had the best time. I had always thought that it was going to be stressful and hard. I thought I would not make it through the ceremony without crying like a baby the whole time. I cried a little coming down the isle, but some how I dried up those tears. Everything was beautiful...it is still hard to believe that it was all for me. I could not have dreamed of anything more beautiful of perfect.