Adriana Turns One

Oops, I haven't blogged since May. Wow. Hopefully this can make up for that.

There are some moments in life when you just want to take a deep breath, block out everything that is going on around you, and take in the moment you are living in. So much anticipation is involved before big events that you forget to live during a precious moment…and the next thing you know, it's over. I try as hard as I can to just stop and try to remember the way that I am feeling in that particular moment. I did this before my high school graduation - driving there with my best friend Katie and singing at the top of our lungs. I did this when I waved to my mother as she dropped me off at college. I did this at my last UT game as a student as I watched my last power T. I did this on my wedding day before I was "carted" up the bridge to marry Michael (yes, literally carted in a golf cart …I told my "driver" - aka Jud's friend Rory - to stop and sat in silence with him for about a minute.)

I couldn't tell you how many times I have done that this past year with my new little girl. There have been so many of those moments that I have tried to log in my memory. The first time I saw her. The first time she crawled. The first time she said my name. The first time she walked. Even little moments like rocking her at night. And this past weekend, everything around me seemed to pause as I stood to the side and watched her dig into her first birthday cake. What a milestone in her (and my) life. I tried to capture these "moments" in a video for me to remember how I felt this year and to share with her one day. Happy birthday to my sweetness, we've got your whole life ahead of us and I can't wait to watch you live it.

Click here to view this video

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

For Mother's Day weekend, the we went to Knoxville to spend some time with Nana, Papaw, Lindsey, Spencer and cousins Grady and Graham. While we were there, we tagged onto Graham's 3 month photo shoot to get some cousin shots in (with Gap outfits from the same collection, of course). Graham was born on February 16, exactly a month before Adriana. I can see them becoming best friends and partners in crime.

Ever tried to get a 1 month old, 2 month old and a 2.5 year old to all cooperate at the same time? Well, we tried and got 1 good shot!

The "money" shot (and not one looking at the camera)

"It's OK Adriana, it will be over in a minute"

Nope.

Grady's "Big Finish" after her rendition of "Stick Make Me Cry".

See what I mean, partners in crime...

I'm pulling this one out at their weddings.

My sweet angel.

Welcoming Adriana Marie Booker

Well, the little lady came exactly a week late on St. Patrick's day. She is our little good luck charm. She was a whopping 8 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long. We could not be more in love with her.

Birth Story -

Michael and I went to the hospital around 11:45 PM on March 16th for me to be induced. I was already having contractions, so the low dose of pitocin kicked everything into high gear. By 6 AM I was having contractions every 1.5 - 2 minutes. At this time I got my epidural and everything slowed down a little bit.

All day I was progressing at a normal rate. At about 2 PM, everything just kinda stopped. It actually started regressing. At about 4:00, my Dr. came in and said that a C-section was the best option...and 34 minutes later the 8 lb little lady entered the world! I remember my doctor yelling "holy crap" when they yelled out her weight. She had been measuring a 6.5 - 7 lb baby. No wonder she didn't want to come out!

Welcome to the world Adriana Marie Booker. Michael and I are so happy and our hearts are overcome with joy and unconditional love. Thank you everyone for visiting, calling, leaving notes and sending cards during this time. We appreciate the love and support from all of our friends and family.

Here are some photos of the first week of her life...

March 10 - Due Date

What a difference a week makes! March 17, Adriana's Birthday.

Ta da! Dr. Cassidy holding up the newborn baby girl.

8 pounder

Mom and Adriana's first pic.

First family photo.

Proud papa picture.

Chilling in recovery, 1st St. Patty's day.

Day 2 - playing dress up.

The best nursery nurse ever - Aunt Katie

Headed home!

See you guys! I heart Baptist Hospital...

Nearing the end...and the beginning!

Nearing the end of pregnancy! I have enjoyed this experience, but let me tell you, I am ready to meet this little person and not be pregnant anymore. She is past due, fully cooked, ready to enter the world. Meanwhile, I have been working, cleaning, shopping…enjoying my last days before I am responsible for another life. I am very thankful for this extra time to spend with my husband and myself.

Everything is ready, the house is clean, the clothes are clean, the bags are packed. Just missing little baby A…

Here are some nursery photos for your viewing pleasure. Next post should be debuting this gal to the world. St. Patty's day good luck charm? We shall see.

Waitin on a Woman...

38 weeks pregnant...and waiting on sweet Baby A.

Waiting...and BIG - check out the shadow.

Aiden is waiting on his future betrothed...

Tucker is excited not to be the "baby" in the family

Big sis Soph is ready to be the boss...

And we don't really know what Bella is thinking...

2 weeks until due date. Waiting on a woman.

I'm Clean...

I have some of the most amazing friends and family. I had 3 wonderful showers to celebrate Adriana and I can confidently say, I got everything we needed to welcome a little one into the world!

My first shower was in December right before Christmas. My mother's good friend Sheila hosted a beautiful shower in her lovely home that was decorated for Christmas. My mother's family and work friends as well as my work friends attended this shower. It was perfect!

My next shower was hosted by my best friends Katie, Jane, Jeanna and Corinne. It was held at Homestead Manner in Thompson's Station. We ate lunch, laughed and all of the moms shared advice with me. It was adorable, of course...because these ladies pay attention to details!

My last shower was with Michael's family in Knoxville. Lindsey, Michael's sister, and his mother threw me a wonderful brunch and I got to spend time with all of Michael's family's friends as well as Michael's friend's wives. It was so nice to celebrate the new little bundle with my Knoxville family.

And now, I wait...with my feet up.

BRENTWOOD SHOWER

My mother gave me a dress that I wore that my Grandmother made

I swear, I only ate one :)

Sheila Sheilds and Rachael Roberts - Lovely Hostesses

Dad to be Showed Up

HOMESTEAD MANNER SHOWER

Owl Themed, I love it.

Opening Presents!

The group

KNOXVILLE SHOWER

Sister in Law Lindsey Thomas (also having a girl, due 3 weeks before me)

My Knoxville Family

New York Getaway

Last week, Michael and I went on a little NYC getaway for a long weekend. It was Michael's first time to see the Big Apple, and we had a great time. We stayed in Midtown West on 46th street, which was a perfect location for walking...and boy did we walk! And eat...

Day 1: We just started walking. We ended up in Brandt park and got hot cider and watched the ice skaters. We walked around and went in and out of shops. We got a couple of cute baby girl outfits at H&M, played like kids in the Disney Store and Toys R Us, and hit up Candyland and pigged out on gummies. That night we found a great Italian restaurant (of course) and walked Times Square and Rockafeller Center. We had dessert at the famous Roxie deli in Times Square.

Day 2: We woke up and walked to Central Park. It was in the mid 30's and sunny, which was perfect weather. We walked around the park for hours and then warmed up at the famous Carnegie Deli where I "went back to my Jewish roots" (in Michaels' words) and we split some true New York deli grub. We walked back to the hotel to rest, and then ventured out again and walked to Serendipity on 60th street after venturing down 5th Avenue and Park Avenue. The wait was insane, so we ended up at Dylan's Candy Bar for a snack. That night we went to see The Lion King (which was Michael's first musical) and finished the night with a post show New York pizza.

Day 3: This was our favorite day by far. We woke up and walked to the Empire State building after having coffee at a nearby coffee shop. We went to the top so that Michael could see NYC from every angle. It was a beautiful day and we could see everything. We grabbed a cab to the Chelsea area and had lunch at a local hot spot called The Cafeteria. After that, we walked through Greenwich Village, stopped by Washington Square, and continued on to SoHo and Little Italy. We spent hours in SoHo, just looking at shops and navigating around the area. At about 5 we headed home walking in rush hour - which was amazing. We got to see New York in full swing. Kids hanging out after school in the park, old New York ladies walking to the market, millions of people headed home after work, and students walking home from classes at NYU. At about 10th street, Michael made us take a cab home because I was lagging and waddling. I'm stubborn :)

What a great trip to make memories with Michael. Next time we go it will definitely be in the spring and maybe we'll bring the babe so that she can learn how to shop!

Here are some photos:

Times Square Shot

I made him pose

Central Park

Biggest. Matza Balls. Ever.

Biggest. Sandwich. Ever.

Looooooove

Dylan's Candy Bar

The Lion King

Statue of Liberty

Top of the Empire State Building

Last night - resting and watching the National Championship