8 Days and Counting...

Sally Claire will be here in 8 days or less!!! I went to the doctor yesterday. I am making some progress toward labor. We have a scheduled induction for Thursday, April 2, if she hasn't joined us on her own by then. I am now in a constant state of making mental notes of all that needs to be accomplished before she is born. My main goal is to make as many trips as possible up and down the 1/4 mile long hall at school. Let's get this little girl here!

April 9!

So, April 9th will be another big day for the Downings! Hopefully we'll have a baby by then...and then we'll close on our house in Tulsa. All the inspections went well today, so we're on our way to having a new home! I just can't wait for the changes the next couple of weeks will bring.

A House!

Well, its becoming more official every day...we have signed a contract on a house in Tulsa! I'm so excited, and I really hope that everything works out! It has a great floor plan. There are 3 living areas (just perfect for our piano, a sitting room, and Ted's "man room"), the master and Sally's nursery downstairs, and 2 more bedrooms upstairs. It is the perfect house for all of our out-of-town guests!! So, make your plans to come visit us! We'll be there soon --- all 3 of us, that is...Sally and I should be up sometime within the next 6-8 weeks! Pictures coming soon!! 

Parish Student and Mom Shower

Happy Spring Break! 

The moms and students at my school sent me off to spring break in style! They threw a shower for Sally and I today during advisory. It was such a fun treat to get to celebrate with my students and their moms. The moms outdid themselves. There were precious decorations, hot pink gerber daisies in baby bottles; tasty petit fours with pink booties on them; and so many special gifts for Sally. The moms paid such close attention to detail. Everything was hot pink and green. Just perfect for a spring time baby!! They even had all the students sign a book called Silly Sally! They also got Sally her "big girl" car seat and a special pink Parish dressed pig is sitting in the seat! Ted and I still haven't had the chance to open all our sweet cards and well wishes.  What an exciting way to kick off spring break!! 

Many of the sweet moms who made this special day happen.

My fellow sixth grade teachers. 

Isn't the pink pig too cute?!? 

My "first kids!" I will miss them! 

Beta Shower

A few pictures of such a fun evening! 

 

Allison and Lauren Margaret, Allison and Avery, me and Sally (almost!), Ilena and Meg, and Carolina and Cooper. 

Andress, me, and Keli
Ted, Patrick, and Travis
The crew
Sally's new ride! 
A precious onesie with Sally's name embroidered on it. Thanks Ilena!

Saturday was a very exciting day! We had the school shower in the morning, our childbirth class all afternoon, and the Beta/ OU couples shower in the evening. The shower was the perfect ending to a wonderful day! We had many of our closest couples join us. Many of the sweet new babies were able to be there as well. Avery Underwood (4 weeks),  Meg Varner (5 weeks), Lauren Margaret Lee (6 weeks), and Cooper Cunningham (6 months) were just precious!! Thank you very much to all of our hosts and hostesses. There was yummy barbecue, plenty of cold drinks, and a chocolate cake that was to die for! Yes, I had some more cake the next morning for breakfast. Sally LOVES sweets. Our hosts gave us Sally's car seat and stroller. The car seat is installed in the car and ready for a baby! Sally also received precious clothes, blankets, toys, and her swing! Thank you to our sweet friends. It was wonderful to get to see so many of our favorite people all at the same time! Ted and I have been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and excitement over Sally's impending arrival!

Carolina holding Meg Varner. Meg is 5 weeks old. We were so glad she and her mommy, Ilena, were able to join us! 

Sally's first swim suit!! Thanks Rob, Carolina, and Cooper! 

School Shower

Two of my closest friends hosted a shower for all of my school friends on Saturday morning. BJ's house looked so beautiful. She has recently redone her dining and living rooms. It all looked phenomenal- I wish I had taken more pictures of her pretty house! Saturday morning was so fun. Its always great to see us teachers out of our "teacher mode." The food was wonderful: quiche, cinnamon rolls, red and yellow tomatoes and olives, fruit salad, and cheetos!! Also, the petit fours were adorable and oh so tasty! Once again, Sally and I were showered with many sweet gifts. She is ready to go with her bouncer, diaper champ, healthcare sets, and lots of pretty dresses! She also received many sweet books -- we are teachers after all! It was another very special morning with many special friends! 
The centerpieces on the dining room table were perfect- sweet pink roses and white hydrangeas~
I just loved the pink booties! 
These are my sweet girls! Vicki, me, BJ, and Becca. We have so many good memories together and we look forward to many more! We have split our team...Becca and I (will) live in Tulsa. BJ and Vicki live in Dallas. Many road trips? Yes, they are already in the planning stages!

My gracious hostesses Vicki and BJ. Thank you for a wonderful shower. I appreciate all that you did to make the morning so special! 

Girls' Baby Shower

Last Saturday I had another wonderful baby shower.  Again, everything was just perfect! Thanks Keli, Jennie, and Lisa for such a fabulous day. It was so great to get to spend time with close friends and get ready for Miss Sally's arrival. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us- it truly was wonderful to get to see everyone and spend time with each of you. Thank you all for such sweet gifts for Sally.  (I don't know how to post pictures in order yet!)

 

The precious party favors! 


Adorable onesies and socks hung from the mantle. They have already been washed and they are ready for Sally's first few days at home! 

Thank you Lisa, Keli, and Jennie. It was truly perfect! 

The table was gorgeous. I loved the cheery yellow!