Just some cute video. I think someone likes the camera.

Edwin McCain

For Christmas, my parents gave James, Kami, Richard and I tickets to see Edwin McCain at the Newberry Opera House. For those of you who may not know, James is an Edwin groupie. We've seen him about 6 times together, and each time, James is like a little kid at Christmas. I have a great Edwin story that I hope James will give me permission to post. (He did) A few years back, we went with Monica and Lee to see Edwin at the Windjammer. As he was coming off stage, I grabbed him and asked if we could take his picture. He smiled and came over to put his arm around me. I sheepishly looked at him, and said, "um, actually with him." Edwin, being the great guy that he is, smiled happily with James.

As time grew closer to the concert, we weren't sure that I was going to be able to go, but at the last minute, my OB gave me permission. We packed up and headed up to Chapin. Despite the torrential rain, Kami, Richard, James, and I went to dinner and the concert. Mimi and Papa kept all the grandchildren (I think Mimi had an ulterior motive when giving this present). The Opera House was an awesome setting for the concert. It was a very small and intimate place, and we had amazing seats. I even had a footrest under my chair which made it much more comfortable.

Kami and Richard getting ready for the show.

Chasen - A Christian group from Greenville, SC that opened for Edwin.

Edwin. When he came out we didn't know it was him because he cut off all his hair. He came to the mic and said, "yes, this is the what happened to his hair tour." He said that his children were starting to have gender confusion between he and his wife.

Thank you Mimi and Papa for a great present.

I'm caught up!!!

Wow, I finally caught up. I enjoyed going back and looking at all of the old photos of Lily. I can't believe my girl is almost is two. She has been such a blessing to James and I, and I am thankful for every day I get to spend with her.

Baby girl number two has decided to behave after all. I had a very good doctor's visit last week. My cervix was actually a little longer (sorry if that is too much info for some), and my OB was thrilled. We had switched to an everyday progesterone instead of the weekly shots and it really seemed to be working. My contractions were a lot better over the past week. My doctor even gave me permission to go to Columbia for the weekend, and told me to come back in two weeks. I still have to take it easy, but I don't feel like I'm in immediate danger, and most importantly - I'M NOT ON BED REST!!!!

Lily's first day of school

Since I needed more time to rest, we started exploring options for care for Lily. I tried the preschool that we want her to get into this fall to see if they may have an opening, and sure enough they did. Yikes! This was good news, but very scary news. I'm not sure I'm ready for my baby to start school. As you can see, though, Lily was ready. She cried when James and I left, but her teachers said that she had a great morning. When I picked her up she was very comfortably reading books. On the way home, I asked her if she colored at school. She said, "no not the table." Evidently my little Picasso was trying to color on the table at her new school.

Unfortunately Lily had to take a break from school after only one day. She began running a fever on Wednesday night, that continued to spike throughout Thursday. Thursday night, I also started to run a fever. I did the only thing I knew to do - called my mom. I called at 6:30 Friday morning, and she was here by 9. We took Lily to the doctor on Friday as she was just pitiful. She tested negative for the flu and strep and her lungs sounded clear. We tried to get a urine specimen, but that never happened. Lily continued to be pitiful and run a fever, so James and I took her back in on Saturday. This time she had some fluid in the middle lobe of her right lung - pneumonia. We started an antibiotic and tried to keep her fever down. I've never seen Lily this sick before. All she ate on Sunday was a half of a Ritz cracker. She even fell asleep in James' lap and she hasn't done that since she was a tiny little baby. On Monday, Donna and I took Lily back to the doctor once again. The fluid had spread to both lungs now. Dr. Shawinsky told us just to keep up with the nebulizer treatments and give her lots of TLC. After LOTS of Barney and Sesame Street, she slowly recovered throughout the week, and boy was I glad to have my girl back.

January 2008

January brought with it many doctors visits. James had surgery at the end of December on his gums. He had a rougher recovery than expected, but eventually bounced back to his old self. About this same time, baby number two started to follow in her sister's footsteps, and I started having contractions. This was very upsetting to me because I was only 16 weeks along. I was 20 weeks with Lily before they started. I had sort of mentally prepared for bedrest at the end of Feb., but certainly not this early. I started getting progesterone shots every Monday and was told to take it as easy as possible. No problem with a toddler, right? I started going to the doctor for weekly check ups. Towards the end of the month, my cervix began to shorten a little, so I was told to stay off my feet as much as possible. Donna and my mom came to help with Lily. It was such a blessing to have their help. Now that I am almost caught up with my blog, I will try to keep everyone up to date on this pregnancy. We truly appreciate all of the kind thoughts and prayers.

Lily helping me cook.

Matthew, Abigail, Margaret Anne and Lily checking out the fish at the aquarium.

Lily's first night eating at the table and not on her highchair tray.

Mommy and Me at the church nursery

December 2007

For some reason Lily loves to hang out in the pantry.

Mills and Dubose came over one afternoon to hang out with us. Mills and Lily are just a few weeks apart and live only a few yards from each other. I know we have many more fun afternoons ahead of us.

Lily catching up on her reading after her bath.

Pictures from our Sunday school Christmas party at the Clums.

Lily and I took a day trip with Thomas and Molly up to Riverbanks Zoo. Kami, Adam and Austin joined us for a fun morning. Lily and Thomas had a good time, but as you can tell they were ready for lunch and a nap as we were leaving.

Kami, Richard, Adam, Austin, Mimi and Papa came down for the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with us. Lily slowly began to figure out the whole present thing. She was very excited about her new vacuum and baby doll.

James, Lily and I before our Christmas Eve service. Lily made it through the whole service without too much squawking. I thought I would be really smart and take a sucker for her to have to keep her happy during the service. Well, this backfired on me. Since I have never let her have a sucker before, she didn't know what to do with it and just became frustrated, so the sucker had to go bye-bye. Papa couldn't believe that his grandchild didn't know what to do with a sucker.

Christmas morning

We spent Christmas afternoon over at Doncie and Poppy's with Snookie, Aunt Nette, Fred, Kendall, Alex, and Ken

I can just see the future. "No way, are you serious Margaret Anne."

November 2007

We went to the Harvest Festival with the Clums

James, Lily and I went to Charles Towne Landing for the morning. We had a great time looking at the animals and walking around the park. My energy was zapped, and James thought he was going to have to push me in Lily's stroller.

Karen and Paul came to visit again from Iowa. We had such a wonderful time with them, and Lily adored them. They took care of her like she was their own, even changing dirty diapers. Now that is a good friend.

Lily and Fred watching the Thanksgiving Day parade.

At the aquarium again.