One Month Old

I can't believe Griffin is one month old today! He is changing so much. He has these cute little mannerisms that are adorable! He does this thing with his lips where it looks like he wants to give you a kiss. "PUCKER UP"

He also crosses his ankles when he eats and puts his hands up at the bottle like hes feeding himself. He is so strong and growing so fast. All the mommies out there were right!!!

More Special Friends

Tonight Hope and Edgar stopped by to bring us a Yummy Meal! She brought Spaghetti bake, apple salad and a sinful peanut butter pie! Griffin seemed to love it as much as we did! It is so amazing how kind and thoughtful everyone can be! We love you guys and thanks so much for your kindness!

Congrats!!!

Congrats to Amanda and Ty they had there baby boy yesterday. The 10th 0f March. 3:40 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 12oz and was 21 inches long. We can't wait to see Austin. Griffin and him will be best of friends!

Ftirst Doctor Check Up

Yesterday was Griffin's 2 week check up. Doc says everything looks good. He gained 1.3oz. Yeah he has been eating good. He usually eats 3 to 4Oz. He's a little piggy. Which is great! He's still so tiny which is fine with mommy. I wish we could freeze time in a bottle. I can't get enough of him! I really look at everything different now. People tell you all this but you don't really know until you experience it at hand.

More Mommy and Daddy Time

We have had a tough week. Mommy has been sick and breast feeding has been a challenge. I had to start pumping and we introduced the bottle for the first time and have been giving Griffin that until I have time to heal. The bottle has been great and Griffin took to it well. Daddy loves it too. He says He feels like he is a more part of Griffin's life and feels he can help out more. Which gives time for mommy to rest!

More People That Love My Lil' Man

We are so grateful for all our friends that will be a part of Griffin's life. We are also very grateful for the food they brought us. We all 3 enjoyed both meals! Yummy!!!

Love This Pic

SWEET LITTLE BOY!!!!

CUDDLES AND SUGARS

This is Mommy's favorite time with you. Right after you feed and then we get lots of cuddle time and lots of sugars!

Griffins First Bath

Saturday Griffin turned a week old! He received his first real bath which was given by one of Mommy's best friends. As you can see he didn't very much like it. I'm sure he will when he gets older. He did great and slept real good after that.

Proud Momma

Hello everyone! Just wanted to update everyone. Motherhood is everything I wished for and more. This little guy is such a good baby! He loves to eat. Which is good because I love to feed him. There is just something so special about being the only one to satisfy him. He is a angel. John Van is doing great at this Father thing, as we all knew he would. He has rocked his son everyday singing and crying. I love his sappy heart.

Here are a few more pics of my little one. What can I say I am a proud momma!

Special Trips Mean So Much

These are a few of my Co-workers and my boss. They made a special trip to see my perfect boy. With Mommy and the help of these people we can have Griffin's smile perfect. Before too long he will have all the little girls!

Yummy For My Tummy!!!

I finally got to eat my sweets. Thanks to Misty for bringing all the goodies

The Happiest Grand Parents

Pictures Of The Two That Stole My Heart

A Bucket Full of Tears

Griffin has arrived and John Van and I can't seem to stop crying! We just sit in awe at our beautiful little boy. We are so excited about being parents are lives are finally complete. It is truly amazing.
My experience at the hospital couldn't of gone better. I had great nurses and such a great coach (John Van) We labored at home for 4 hours. My contractions started Friday the 16th at 6:30pm and we left for the hospital around 10:30pm. We got there and I was 3cm and was able to get my epidural when I reached 4cm.
When I got the epidural it only numbed one side. We got that worked on and I only had minimal pain on the right side. It was a good thing because I could still feel the contractions and knew when to push.
I finally went from 5cm to 10cm within an hour and the challenge was on. I pushed for 1hour and 10min and Griffin was born. 5:19 am Saturday the 17th of February. He weighed 6lbs 4oz and he was 20inches long.
The most amazing part was when they laid him on top of me for the first time. That's when the tears were unstoppable. I think John Van and I could of filled up a whole bucket. I think he looks like his daddy what do you all think?

Just One Smile

My good friend Angie reminded me of the actual day I went into labor so I thought I would share the story but post date it so that it will be in order for Griffin to enjoy one day.

That morning I had gotten up ready for my doctor's appointment just hoping for some change in my dilation last Friday I was only 1 cm. So I got to the Doctors office and they did there usual taking the Blood Pressure, reading my Blood sugar levels and the fun part of being weighed to see how much Griffin and myself had grow in just a weeks time. Then back to the waiting room until my named was called.


Finally, the words I didn't want to hear still one centimeter! I was so ready to hold my little Griffin. I couldn't wait to experience the labor and the miracle of having this great human being who I will cherish and love!


So, I left disappointed but still in hopes of having him this weekend. I called my usual people. My mom in law, Jv, my good friend Amanda (who was also pregnant),Lenette at work and updated them that nothing had changed.


My friend Rebecca, from hygiene school, was in town for the day to see her Grandmother and to see me. So we got together and went shopping. I had some things I need to get and she had a list of things to get for her Grandmother. So we went to several places. We went to Target, Walmart and throughout these several shopping places I was having contractions they were small but they were still present.I was so excited each time I would have one I would smile and look at my watch to see if they were getting consistent. They weren't but it was still very exciting!


Later, We both were wanting to try out the new Starbucks in town and I had a gift card so we stopped and I ordered a tall non-fat decaf upside down caramel macciato my usual and the guy at the register started a conversation about my pregnancy and I stated I was having contractions and of course he looked at me like "do you really need to be here?" Then I ran into my dear friend Angie and we started the whole conversation up again about how I was having contractions every 30 mins and how I thought I might have this baby tonight. She gave me the same look. I had that silly gangly smile from ear to ear. (This was the part she reminded me of at Bible Study she is now pregnant and she said she will never forget seeing me so happy to have contractions and that it gave her hope)

We then went back to her Grandmothers to visit and I could tell the contractions were really consistent they I was having them every 20 mins now! Yea!!! After helping her Grandmother with a few things she and I went back home where I told JV about our day and said to call his buddy Brent to tell him we wont be at the Restaurant for the fraternity event.

Rebecca left back to her town and about 6:00 is when it all really started. I was actually feeling the contractions better now but could still walk. They were closer now about 15 min apart. I got in the bath tub to see if they would change any. (This was something else we learned in birthing class to change your environment to see if the contractions still stay the same.) They did.So, I tried to get my mind off the contractions and focus on something else. JohnVan and I decided to watch one of our DVR series. Gray's anatomy. During that time we would pause it when I was having a contraction and I would get on my knees and place my head and hands on the couch arms and he would rub my back. Then when it would subside back to the program.

Finally after 4hours of laboring at home we decided to go to the hospital. When we got there we were greeted by the sweetest nurse Gloria she was the best! My experience was the best beside the doctor which is another story but will not be mentioned in his baby book due to it not being the most positive story. All in all, I got the epidural when I was 4 cm and an hour later I was 10 cm ready to push! Oh! I forgot I did experience a hot spot which for those of you that don't know what that is, it's where the epidural only takes on one side. It was a big scare but they got it under control and I could still feel a little bit on my right side but it was perfect! It actually helped me know when I was having contractions and when to push!

In one hour and 15mins of pushing we had our prayer laying on my chest with it's parents crying uncontrollable! It was the best,best truly best feeling anyone could ever had! The first 6 weeks were really hard then poof it all disappeared with just one smile!

No More Friday's

I am now officially just 4 days a week at work. I am going to the Doctor every week and it is so much fun. This lets me know that his arrival is soon.
I went Yesterday and there has been a little change! I am one cm. dilated!
I can't believe it! Hopefully we will have this baby soon.
I was talking to Griffin last night assuring him that he could come this weekend if he was ready. We shall see!

Last Shower

My last shower was given to me by my family. It was also a great turn out! Griffin is definitely spoiled and hasn't even arrived. It is amazing to see all the neat things they come out with these days.
The Hosts of the shower which were both my mom, JV's mom, her greatest friend Tammy, my sister, and everyone knows my running partner and best friend AmyB. They all went in together and bought my baby monitor. This gadget is so cool. The color monitor is a visual hand held one. Cordless so it can go wherever you go! How convenient is that?
The other really neat gift was made by AmyB. It was a diaper cake. It was the preetiest diaper cake you have ever seen I will post a picture later. It made me cry she took so much of her time to make it. She could really go into her own buisness making those. It was very special and I will never forget it! I love you AmyB!
Now that everything is complete and he has more than enough. We will just sit back and wait!

So Much Love!

I had my second shower given by some of my dearest friends. I can't BELIEVE all the people that love my child so much. We had a great turn out and Griffin is definitely spoiled and has lots of cute things to dress him up in. ( And they say little girls are fun to play dress up with.) Griffin will definitely have dress up time! Everyone was so very generous and I couldn't of asked for anything more! It was s0 much fun! I have one more shower next weekend and I can't wait! I am so thankful I have such wonderful friends that truly love me, my child and my husband! THANKS AGAIN!!!

Work Shower

Griffin and I have been very blessed! We had our very first shower which was my work shower. All the girls in my office and the doctors all went in and bought my stroller and car seat. It is the prettiest stroller and car seat imaginable! I can't wait to see little Griff in it! What a huge relief!

This is Why I Married Your Father

Dear Griffin,

One day this will be your baby book and I wanted to share with you how your Father can be so good to me and full of so much love.

Monday night the 8th of Jan. Your Father and I went to our first Birthing class and I came home so tired. You at this point were almost 4.5 lbs and made mommy very sleepy. The house was a mess but I had no energy to clean up.
The very next morning I woke up to a spotless house and this note waiting for me next to my brewing coffee and mug . It read:

AmyO-
Well, Our son will be here soon...
Life is about to change for us for sure......and I know raising a family will not be easy. But Guess What??? There is not another woman in this world that I would choose to be the mother of my Children.

No Matter how crazy it gets. I know we will be in the same corner. Our children will always be our children... but remember this important fact. You are my wife.. You will always be #1 in my heart.

I am writing this as you are asleep in our bed. I am a blessed man to have a woman like you asleep in my bed. I look forward to becoming a Daddy and I will do the best that I know how!!! Well, Hopefully better than that!
Your loving husband, JV

He is so excited about you little one! We both are! My wish for you is to grow up to be a man of God and to experience a loving relationship with your own family! Can't wait to you get here only 6weeks to go!

Congrats to Crissy and Bryan

My good friends Crissy and Bryan had there little boy Noah Ellerbee this past Tuesday. He weighed 8lbs even and was 19.5 inches long. Beautiful baby boy. I think he already resembles his daddy. I can't wait to watch him grow. After all he will be one of Griffin's best buddies! I will post a picture of the baby later. I didn't bring my camera to the hospital. I know what was I thinking? Congrats to the new loving parents. Can't wait to have play dates!

Thanks to Misty!

This is a picture of all the 4 couples that went to the beach for the new year! We all had such a good time Thanks to Misty! She planned the whole thing and picked some excellent restaurants. Griffin loved the yummy food! THANKS AUNT MISTY!!!!

Happy New Year

What a great new year! We had a ball! All of us girls and our wonderful spouses all got together to bring in the new year! John Van and I have a whole lot to look forward to! One good thing is that we definitely have some great friends to share it with.

MORE AND MORE BELLY

31WKS

28WKS

Both Families

MY

FAMILY

JV'S

FAMILY

The Ultimate Gift

This Christmas was the best ever. John Van's family and My family came together for Christmas Eve and we had so much fun! JV's 3 step brothers all came in . His bother Brad with his wife Jodi and son Ben. Then his other two brothers John and Lee. They hadn't been all together in 13yrs. We had the greatest time. Thanks to both families!

Griffin However racked up! He got a huge Einstein super saucer, Baby champ for those stinky diapers, Lots of cute clothes and bibs and his swing that will hopefully help him sleep!
John Van and I both got our own individual pouches to carry him in. Jv got the Bjorn and I got my sprout pouch which you will all get to see. It was my favorite surprise. I then surprised JohnVan with a cocky baby Cd. Which teaches your child how to cheer for the Gamecocks which he loved.

My favorite gift of all was given to me by my wonderful husband. A mommy necklace which is basically a silhouette charm of a little boy on a chain. It's perfect it reminds me of my beautiful baby growing in my belly!

Saving the Ultimate gift for last. Christmas Eve service was great! We all left refreshed with the true meaning of Christmas. How important it is to remember that we are celebrating the birth of Christ! It's amazing when you really stop and think about it God's spirit fills your heart. That's exactly what he did for John Van and I that night.
We left with such great joy and couldn't believe how much God has truly blessed our lives. Great family, friends, a perfect little one growing and most importantly each other! I couldn't ask for anything more!

BIG THANKS TO ALL !

What a terrific weekend! We had one of the busiest weekends yet. Friday night we went to a Christmas Dinner at our friends house, Tara and Jason Newton, where we were surrounded by eight wonderful babies/toddlers. They were so cute. They all exchanged gifts and just had a ball.

Saturday we went to one of my sorority sisters weddings Rachel Arant. Congrats to her. It was a beautiful day. She was a breath taking bride!

Then Sunday we had a christening to attend our friend Deann and Brent their daughter Weatherly got baptized which made John Van and I both cry! She is the most beautiful little girl!
That same night we had the Sunday school Christmas Party at our house. Which ended up being 22adults and 11 children. Wow! It was amazing . John Van and myself are very very blessed to have our church and other friends that have little ones to help Griffin grow up to be the amazing man he is suppose to be.

Overall, John Van and I took a long look at our busy weekend and realized how blessed we really are to have such wonderful supporting friendships. So here is a BIG THANKS to everyone of our friends!! We love you and can't wait to experience many more times together!

The tiny things in life

Griffin woke me up this morning having Hiccups! How much fun! My belly was just a jiggling! I wish I could of taped it. I hate having the hiccups . Hopefully, Griffin didn't mind me laughing at him:). I can't wait till some of you get to experience this. For those of you that have Isn't it so much fun?

Back to Being Postive

So I went to my meeting at 3 and it was a lot better than I ever expected. Thanks for all the prayers. There are a huge amount of women get this and it's nothing I have done wrong just bad genes. (sorry to my family I still love you). I have to prick my self three times a day and pee on a keytone strip in the morning. But the bright side is that I can control it with my exercise and eating habits. Which are not so strict. I actually get to eat all day. I also get to have rice krispy treats and ice cream in moderation of course. So I am pleased.
My doctor said that this diet will give me more energy and I wont gain as much weight in the end. So that is what I am focusing on. As for now I am okay with this. I'll let you know if that positive out look will change.

GESTATIONAL DIABETIES? WHAT'S THAT????

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I eat right drink nothing but water and exercise and now I have gestational diabetes! Yuck! I just got the news today and I am so frustrated. I should of eaten horrible things and not even exercised and I probably would of passed. I am going back up to the Doc's office at 3 to talk with a Nutritionist who will put me on a diet. And now I will have to prick my finger everyday probably 3 times a day. I WILL UPDATE ON SPECIFICS LATER! Keep us in your prayers and that my little one will be just fine! LOVE YOU ALL ! AMY AND GRIFF

Prepearing for Parenthood

John Van bought Our God son Sam a Carolina Football. So he taught him how to throw it . He is starting the Fatherhood off just fine. Don't Ya Think?

What a great Father figure and a cute one a that!

Sam was so excited we kept him the entire weekend. We even had to get him up and take him to church. Needless to say we were late. John Van and I learned our first lesson when you drop your kid off to the nursery bolt after. The longer you stay the longer they cry. When we Picked him back up he had him a girlfriend. He did just fine.

What a cutie. Sam asked when the baby gets to come out my belly. He said that he was ready and we need to go ahead and cut the baby out from my belly. and that if it hurt really bad he would make it all better! The things kids say. I'm sure I will hear even more from Griffin!

Thanks to NANA!!!!!!!!!

Wea!!! Griffin and I are going to have so much fun running with this new baby jogger from my mom! THANKS NANA! Watch out, Griffin and I are coming through!

Nursery Pictures

We are on our way! I still need more wall decor but It is hard with out a theme. I am so excited to have found this woman to make the window treatment and diaper stacker. Thanks to my good friend DeAnn. We can't wait to show Griffin his room!

Go Cocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a Victory! We are so excited that we beat Clemson we had to take a victory picture. Griffin has brought us GOOD LUCK! We hope to have many more of these wins as we watch our little one grow.

What a happy mommy and daddy!

GO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving ! The holidays are going to be so much fun being Pregnant. I'm sure Griffin is going to love all that good eating!!!!!!!!

Again Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, John Van, Amy & Little Griff!

Love Taps

Griffin is moving like crazy! Everyone is able to feel his love taps! You can even see those precious taps through my fitted shirts. I love to feel him it lets me know he's okay and his way of letting everyone know he loves them. I have had so many people touch my belly and I love it! Griffin has so may people that already Adore him!
My next Doctor appointment is the 29th of November and I have to take the Diabetes test so say a little prayer that Griffin and I ace it.

Watch my Belly Grow!

8WKS (2MO)

16WKS (4MO)

24WKS6(MO)