R.I.P. Grandma Watt

Unfortunately...we did not meet our goal of having Ava/Aubry before Jared's maternal grandmother passed. We knew she was coming to an end, and she state repeatedly that she was leaving this Earth to allow baby girl Smith a place....but I truly wanted her to meet our daughter. She didn't quite make it and went to rest with her husband and son in heaven this past Friday. I have attached her obituary below. She will be greatly missed!

Mabel D. Watt 1936 - 2008




Mabel D. Watt, 72, of 144 Cherry Grove Road, Shippensburg, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at home.

Born Jan. 11, 1936, in Shippensburg, she was a daughter of the late George and Frances Murphy Wolf and the widow of Jimmie W. Watt, who died Dec. 19, 2004.

Mabel was a retired employee of Mott's in Adams County. During her life she had also worked for Carlisle Tire and Wheel and G & S Electric, both of Carlisle.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church in Shippensburg. Mabel also enjoyed her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, reading and doing crossword puzzles.

She is survived by three daughters, Teresa J. (and husband, Roy) Yeingst of Newville, Melissa A. (and husband, Donald) Ballew of Shermans Dale and Karen M. (and husband, Arthur) Smith of Shippensburg; a daughter-in-law, Bonnie K. Watt of Shippensburg; a sister, Edith Hayes of Shippensburg; five grandchildren, Robin Wiley, Ravyn Ballew, Emma Watt and Jared and Brandon Smith; four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Morgan and Talan Wiley and Jaxon Smith; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, James W. Watt, who died Dec. 12, 2003; a brother; and a sister.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church. Father David A. Hillier will officiate. Burial will be in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, 305 N. Prince St., Shippensburg, PA 17257.

Arrangements are in charge of Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Shippensburg.

Online condolences can be expressed at fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.

Baby Girl Update!

Went to the doctor this morning. I had advanced to 2 cm dialated and was 70% effaced...I thought I would be more with all the walking I did at the fair. And get this, I lost 2 lbs. which is amazing since I attended the fair every night last week and had ice cream EVERY night!!!! Guess it was all the walking I did. She decided that since I have to start back to work right at the beginning of school she would induce me this Thursday July 31 at 8:00 am. So...unless she decides to make her arrival before then, I should still get a July baby. Keep in tune....will update once something happens!

Baby Aiden's Nursery

My latest project....I needed something to do to keep my mind off the impending birth of Ava/Aubry so we decided to work on Drew's nursery. My 2nd child isn't getting one right now because the house is for sale and there really isn't a room for Baby girl at mom and dad's. So Nicole originally wanted a sheep theme, Drew said "that was gay" and he found this turtle theme on-line. He put the word turtle in a hat 3 x's and the word sheep in a hat 3x's and had Jaxon draw best out of three. Of course, the first two he pulled were turtle so he got his way. Then we began construction. Last Tuesday Nicole and I painted the paneling on the walls, about 4 coats later. Then I began the turtle border....each one individually drawn and painted...stayed up late painting the canvas and the wooden letters. More turtle borders with the help of Nicole on Friday...drilling the light holes and finishing touches Sunday. Not bad for a 5 day project from start to finish. It looks adorable. He should enjoy checking out the turtles and the lights. Only problem...the project is complete but I am still waiting for little miss to make her grand entrance. I know, I know....I have heard it a thousand times- "She will come when she is ready!"



Hand-painted letters....Drew wanted to buy them online and they were $10/PIECE....instead we went to Michael's and got them for $.99/piece and I painted them. Not bad huh?




My input...I wanted to do this with Jaxon's room but he had old plaster ceiling tiles....this was much easier with the drop ceiling tiles. I was going for a starry night effect. I just drilled random holes and then put christmas lights in them from above the tiles down. It looks cool!



Nicole really wanted one of the turtles to have a diaper and a binky...she said "She knew I could do it..." Well, what do you think?



Close up of one of the "hand-painted" turtles I created as a border.


Finished product!

Fair fun! (Update!)

Update- Jaxon continues to love the fair food. He ate half a cheesesteak onions and all! He has also endulged in ice cream every night. I say its all good because he could stand to gain a few pounds.






Well...it's Shippensburg Fair Week and of course it has rained. But...we have attended the fair each evening for the good eats and trying to start labor to no avail. Here are some highlights...will report with an update at the end of the weekend as well:

Update!!!!

Just in case you have been wondering....I am a little over 38 weeks with Ava (Aubry- we haven't decided on her name and are thinking of changing it, but won't decide for sure until she is born), went to the doctor this morning. I was dialated 1 cm, but thats all...the contractions are on and off, nothing steady, so we are going to pace the fair and try to get her moving. Head is down and she is engaged so who knows when she will grace us with her presence. I have another appointment next Monday, and will more than likely be induced if she hasn't arrived yet by then. Also, the house still hasn't sold but I do have an interview with Chamberbsurg High School tomorrow. Wish me luck! More to come!

Beach '08

Sooo, I am horrible at updating this site, but we did spend our 4th anniversary and the weekend in Ocean City, MD where the Lord blessed us with lots of rain. Needless to say it was a fun trip, we had lots of family time together, but didn't even get to set foot on the actual beach. Jaxon did thoroughly enjoy the water park at the campground. He loved playing with different kids and going down the slide. As mom, I like the shallow kiddie pools better than the big people pools. I feel like I can relax instead of worrying about Jax jumping in. He has no fear and no concept of depth so to him the pools are all the same. Here are some highlights from the trip.



Don't ask me...."Hmmmmm..."


Yes I know I feed my kid so well...actually this was his first candy bar. As you can tell, he enjoyed it!










Drew, Nicole, and my cousin-to-be Aiden!