Christmas Card Pictures 2007

These pictures did not make the cut! Look for the one good picture to hit mailboxes next week.

Just Hanging Out

Cute Story

Last Sunday, I had my arms quite full with Margaret and a box I needed to throw away. Matthew was watching as I lifted the lid on the big blue trash can. Since my arms were full I had to lift Margaret up a little so I could hold the lid while tossing the box inside the trash can. It was then Matthew screamed, "Don't throw Margaret away!" Hopefully he will remain that protective!

Finally! New Pics of Margaret

Sorry for the delay! A special thanks to Nancy Johnson for taking and emailing these new pictures of Margaret. You are the bomb Nancy!!

For Comparison

Here are pics of baby Matthew:

Baby Margaret

Well, here are a few pictures of Margaret and family. It has been an incredible 24 hours. Matthew was great with Margaret, kissed her several times without even being asked to do so. Anne Clark is doing well and getting rested.

We are so blessed!

Halloween 2007

Raggedy Ann and Andy were a huge hit in the neighborhood. After Steve gave Matthew's red wig a little trim Matthew agreed to wear it. Sadly, this happened after our photo op. Rob took some pictures later in the evening. Hopefully I will get my hands on those and post them for all to see.

As you can tell from my terrible photos above, it is time for a new digital camera that can keep up with active children. My shutter lag time is too slow. Steve is in Memphis today for meetings, and on his way home he is picking up a new camera! Maybe the next pictures posted on the blog will be of our new baby taken with our new camera!

Scary Monster

This is Matthew's scary monster:



Here is my little sticky monster who just ate a fruit roll up in my bed!


As you might have guessed or already know, I am still pregnant. The appointment with Dr. Balthrop went very well yesterday. I am 2 cm dilated and still 50% effaced. Any day now we should have a baby. Hopefully the next post on the blog will be from Steve.

On another note, trick or treating is still on at the Downing household. The Dulaneys and Tyners are expected to make the neighborhood rounds with us. Should be fun!

Pete, Sam, Mags, and Uncle Dave!

The Neals were in town a few weekends ago! The activities were endless. Papa made a tent in the backyard, swings in the front yard, and some sort of sled. The ladies took the little boys to the golf course to ride golf carts and check out the lot. Somehow they found a mud hole!

Mud Pics

The Zoo with Mate!

Last week (or was it the week before?:) Mate met Matthew and Steve in Jackson for a trip to the zoo!

We're Still Here

Sorry I haven't blogged in an incredibly long time, but we have been busy little bees around here. I have lots of pictures to post and hopefully I will upload them as soon as humanly possible. There are other things which require my attention first, but as soon as I get them behind me I will broadcast the photos.

Baby Update:
I went to the doctor yesterday and according to the her the baby will probably be here within the next two weeks. I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She doesn't think the baby will come over the next few days, but after that we will see!

On the home front, major progress has been made. We have switched rooms with Matthew, and baby items are out of the attic. I am washing baby clothes, bottles, etc. The baby bed is partially set up. Steve has some more tightening to do on it. We still have a little way to go, but so far so good!

I am off to eat lunch and work on laundry.

We'll keep y'all posted on baby progress!

Pumpkin Patch!

Saturday, Georgia and Anna Dulaney and Matthew and I went to a pumpkin patch outside of Hernando, MS. It was big, huge fun. Here are the photos.












Unbeknownst to me, some of you want to see a picture of me pregnant. So there you have it. And yes, I refuse to take one of those shots of me standing up holding my belly. I will spare you all that look.

Great Check-Up

My scheduled appointment with Dr. Balthrop went very well Monday. My tummy is measuring where it should and my weight gain is right on track too. As always the baby's heartbeat was incredibly strong. My next appointment is in two weeks, then the once a week appointments begin. Oh my!

Reality is quickly settling in. I had a minor freak out Monday night. Poor Steve handled my tirade incredibly well, and since then we have taken care of a few major items on the to-do list.

We moved our guest queen bed over to Precious and Papa's house and their full size bed to the Travel House for storage. Also Steve has taken many items of ours to the Travel House for storage.

I ordered blackout curtains for Matthew's new room. They are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully I will hang those this weekend. Then we can switch rooms next week, get the baby items out of the attic, and set up the baby's room. At that point I will feel much better.

On another note, I have ordered Matthew's Halloween costume. He and Georgia Dulaney are dressing up as Raggedy Ann and Andy. It should be cute cute cute!!!


Obviously this is some kid other than our precious Matthew. I wanted you to see the costume. How long do you think he will wear the wig and hat??

I Mean It

My words are coming back to bite me.

Matthew will look at me directly in the eyes, point his finger at me and say, "I mean it." Sometimes he doesn't preface the statement. Other times he will tell me exactly what he is trying to emphasize and follow it up with "and I mean it." Obviously I am doomed...

A Hospital Stay Was Not In the Plans

We were in Atlanta last week to visit family and watch some football. I was not planning on adding a visit to the hospital to our agenda, but I got a stomach virus. Thankfully, the baby and I are just fine now, but it was one hell of a week.

Precious, Matthew and I drove to Atlanta Sunday, Sept. 9. Tuesday night around 6:00 PM I started to feel nauseated, but I dismissed it as hunger pains. By 10:00 PM I was in full stomach virus mode. After a wretched night, I woke Precious up at 6:30 AM and asked her to take me to the hospital. We checked in Dekalb Medical Center where they pumped me up with IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. I was seriously dehydrated, but the baby was just fine. Steve was scheduled to fly to Atlanta Wednesday anyway. He just caught an earlier flight.

They kept me in the hospital until Friday late afternoon. Steve went to the Georgia Tech game Saturday night while I stayed at Mags house resting. We drove home Sunday.

It is so good to be home. I had a scheduled appointment with Dr. Balthrop Monday afternoon. Baby and I are just fine. However the doctor has clipped my wings. She told me Memphis is the farthest I may travel. So I no more trips for me.

The count down to baby has seriously begun. Only 9 more weeks to reach 40. Let's hope the rest of the pregnancy is less eventful.

To the Zoo!

We went to the Memphis Zoo! Much to our surprise it is a great zoo. All three of us had a wonderful time. It was definitely worth the trip up north.

It May Be Empty Now...

We bought an empty lot on the country club golf course, and we are in the process finding a home plan to put on it. Yes, after two years of waiting and praying for a house, the Lord made it clear we need to build. Perhaps God wants to test our marriage. :)

So, drum roll please, here's the lot:

The lot is a corner lot. This is a view of the middle right.


View to the corner.


View from across the street.

Click here to view the lot from a satellite.

Neckie Poo

Matthew was procrastinating before bed. Steve and I thought he looked too cute to disturb him, so we took pictures instead. Check out that tan line!