My Work Family

Last week, my work family threw me the sweetest baby shower! Stafford was showered with more goodies and necessities...he is really going to be all fixed up!! I absolutely love where I work and I have the nicest co-workers that anyone could ask for. They were all so sweet to organize this fantastic shower!! There were gifts galore, cake and even a crown!! Thank you everyone...I had such a great time and now Stafford is set!!

my diaper cake that nancy made...isn't it so cute?!!

with heather and anne harlan...

love his ole miss outfits...he's a rebel for sure!!

I'll Take One Ironman Please

Well, it's over...my husband is officially an IRONMAN!! Last weekend, Reed and I made the trek to Louisville, Kentucky for the Ford Ironman Louisville. This was Reed's first ever full Ironman. As you may recall, he has done three half-Ironmans and multiple local triathlons but never a FULL Ironman. An Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run...are you tired yet?!! Reed has been dreaming of completing an Ironman and has been training so hard for the past year...maybe longer! He has been so dedicated to training properly and doing his best. He would train twice a day during week days and do his long bike rides or runs on the weekends. I must say, I cannot be any prouder of him than I am right now. He constantly amazes me with his athletic abilities, dedication and drive to succeed in this sport.

The actual race was on Sunday, August 28th. This one was a little different in the swim aspect of the race in that the competitors didn't start according to their age group. It was a first come, first serve type of swim start where the earlier you got there to get in line, the earlier you got into the water. Reed was about the middle of the pack so I'm guessing he probably jumped into the Ohio River around 7:45 or 8 am. His swim time was 1 hour and 15 minutes...SO FAST! There was only one transition area (which was nice for me!) and it was near our hotel (even better!). There were shuttles that were available for the spectators and I jumped on one ASAP to head to La Grange to see him come through on the bike...the course had two loops (at mile 38 and mile 68) so I could see him twice!! After that, I jumped back on the shuttle and headed back to downtown Louisville and the transition area to see Reed come off the bike and head out for the marathon. The marathon was through the downtown area so it was nice to be able to see him several times and cheer him on! I then headed to the finish line and pushed my pregnant self up front so I could see him come across that line and hear the announcer say, "Reed Stacy, YOU are an Ironman!" It literally gave me chills to see it and I cryed my eyes out when he finished...definitely one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever experienced! I (selfishly) will gladly encourage Reed to train for these events and enter these races for the rest of his life if that's what he wants to do because seeing him finish was a feeling that I want to experience again!! It's AWESOME!! All-in-all, Reed was very happy with his overall time: 12 hours and 24 minutes!! He will definitely do one again in the future but will concentrate on smaller distance races next year. My husband is an IRONMAN!!!

downtown louisville, ky

in line for the swim start


2.4 mile swim in the ohio river

just off the bike, headed out for the marathon

crossing the finish line!!!!

12 hours and 24 minutes was all it took to become and Ironman!!

Rock-A-Bye

For some reason, I have always loved cradles. I never slept in one as an infant and neither did my sister so who knows where this love of cradles comes from...all I know is that I wanted to have one for Stafford. After MUCH researching, I found one that I loved but there was one small problem...it was $500!! I knew I didn't want to spend that much on a cradle, especially since Stafford can only sleep in it for about 3 months so I decided to keep looking...and I found one! Thanks to Google, I found this precious Da Vinci Chloe cradle (in espresso) that was affordable and had the look that I wanted. A lot of stores actually carried this cradle so it was nice to be able to do some price comparisons and get it as cheaply as possible. Many thanks go to our sweet friends and family that gave us gift cards at my showers because we were able to purchase it...THANK YOU EVERYONE! I decided to order it from Target (today, actually) and it should be arriving next week. Just in time to get it all put together and set up in our bedroom since Stafford will be here in FOUR WEEKS/28 days/SOON!! I bought the bedding back in May and I purchased a new, thicker (2 inches) cradle mattress to put in it as well. Below is a picture...what do y'all think?!!

Mississippi Shower

Last weekend, my precious friends hosted a baby shower for Stafford and me at the Country Club of Jackson. It was SO MUCH FUN!! I think that I've written this before but I could seriously open cute baby gifts all day, every day. Stafford received some of the greatest things...necessities, fun stuff and cute cute clothes! The food was amazing...all of my favorite foods!! We snacked on grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese sticks, cinnamon rolls, donut holes, cupcakes and more. My sweet friends really outdid themselves on this one. Stafford received his car seat and stroller from the hostesses and I was super excited about it. We desperately needed those two items! Mom & Sis came into town, too, and I was thrilled that they were able to meet my friends that they've heard me talk about for years. We even made a Babies R' Us run to stock up on essentials that we needed. THANK YOU to all of my wonderful friends that hosted the shower, came to the shower and sent Stafford a gift...you are amazing and I'm so lucky to have you in my life! I love you all!

me with my hostesses & niece, carter

the beautiful invitation...done by 29:11 creations!


with mimi and honey...stafford's grandmothers

the stacy women

my other beautiful niece, caroline reed (she is carter's sister!)

me at 33 weeks preggo

gorgeous flower arrangement done by shannon blanks

me & sweet Sis...she's going to be the BEST aunt!

yummy cupcakes from Crumb

leighton, me & alice b....love you girls!!

Busy Bees

Last weekend, Reed and I were busy little bees. He, with training (Ironman Louisville is 3 weeks away!), and me, with getting odd jobs done and random errands completed. Friday night, we had a fantastic "dinner and a movie" date night...I recommend seeing Horrible Bosses - so funny! Saturday, I had tons of random errands to run but I really got a lot checked off of my to-do list and it felt GREAT! I was especially excited to find my mirror for the nursery! Believe it or not, I found it at TJ Maxx and it was exactly what I was wanting for that space. As soon as I get it hung, I'll post pics!

This weekend is my Jackson shower and I couldn't be more excited! Mom and Sis are driving down on Friday night and my shower is Saturday morning at CCJ. FUN!

Nursery Progress

The nursery is coming along!! I cannot wait to see the finished project but I still have a long way to go. We picked up my glider on Monday and I'm SO excited to have it here...it really is so comfortable! I held off on getting the ottoman because I was worried about space BUT it looks like we'll have plenty so I'm going back this weekend to order it. I picked up my drapes while I was in Dyersburg last weekend and we hung those when we got home Sunday...they really make his room feel cozy!

What's left: my bookshelf is in Oxford and I'll be bringing that home in a few weeks, I'm on the lookout for a mirror to go over the dresser/changing table, I'm waiting on my changing tray (for the changing pad) to be made and I need some artwork for the walls! See below for a few updated nursery pictures:

glider

drapes, toy chest (it rolls!) and changing table

Tennessee Baby Shower

Last weekend, Reed & I journeyed to Dyersburg for my baby shower and a little weekend time with my family. We had the best time! My shower was amazing...really one of the most fun things that I've ever had! I honestly have the best friends and I am so grateful to them for throwing me this amazing shower. Stafford received so many wonderful things and I feel so blessed and lucky to have these people in our lives. It had been about 2 months since I had last been home so it was great to get up there and visit with family and friends for the weekend. Below are some scenes from the shower:

mom, mrs. maddox, me and mrs. sherry

whitney, me & mrs. lana

me & sis...how pretty is my sister?!!

a sweet group of friends

think Stafford got anything?!!

love my Whit and sweet baby Edie

the gorgeous flowers and the food table

four generations of Collins/Stafford women

my incredible hostesses and dearest friends...THANK YOU!!!