FLASHBACK: It's a girl!

Last Fall, my sister found out that they would be having baby #3 in May 2010. Our clan was super excited to see our number grow by one and could not wait to hold that sweet baby in our arms! We had had a little bit of a baby hiatus (from 2002 to 2007 my sister and I had alternated having a baby a year) it was about time to add some newborn lovin' to our lives :)

Up until her baby #3 we were gender heavy - Ann Elise was the lone girl among 4 rowdy boy cousins! We all hoped this new life would bring a princess along to play dress up and have tea parties and nurture baby dolls. With all our children we had waited to find out what we were having. But, Holly wanted to know this time. She was pretty sure it would be her last child and if it was a girl, she wanted to incorporate some PINK :)

The way her ultrasound date fell, she was able to find out baby #3's gender a few weeks before Christmas. She still wanted it to be as exciting as when the Dr. announces "It's a _____!" in the delivery room. So, she had the ultrasound technician write it down and seal it in an envelope to be revealed later.

Every Christmas Eve our family and friends get together after the candlelight service at the church. This year, after we ate, Holly and Neal opened the envelope in front of everyone. We were so very excited to see PINK come out of that envelope!

"IT'S A GIRL!"

In April, a few of us got together and gave Holly a baby shower at the Country Club. A great turnout of friends and family came to celebrate this baby girl and support Holly.

The invitation had a bird theme, so her mother-in-law (who owns a cake shop) replicated the bird from the invitation for the cake! It was adorable :)

She also made these cute cookies with her monogram.



Kris and my mother-in-law joined forces to keep our kids so I could be present for the birth. I left really early that morning and drove to my hometown. I got to the hospital just as Holly was being prepped for the delivery. It was not long before she was rocking and rolling and baby #3 would be arriving. I was very happy I got to be in the delivery room. There is nothing like seeing a baby take it's first breath. God shows His majesty in every bit of His creation and there is no shortage of His glory with new life!

Carter Cate
8 pounds, 10 ounces
19 inches
May 11, 2010 at 12:36 pm

While Holly was recovering, they wheeled Carter Cate down to the nursery to weigh her, prep her, etc. Big brothers, Mac and South, loved looking at her! In this picture South is telling her all about Iron Man and his super powers (he had a figurine in his hands)!

Unfortunately, my trip was just for the day. I had to head back home before I had the chance to hold my only niece. I didn't have to wait too long. We took a family trip to visit for the weekend and all the five dubs got to hold her :)


Time has flown by! Miss Carter Cate is now holding her head up high, cooing, and smiling. She is such a sweet thing. This is a more recent picture...her first tailgating experience of many.