having a stinky day

sigh**....im done. Im tapping out...throwing in the towel....calling 'uncle'. Ive officially reached the turning point. "Sarah Kathryn...i love you darling...but you are about to get your eviction notice. You havent paid rent for 8 long months and i just cant do business like that. ! " :)
Im ready to have this baby...she may not be ready...but i am. Dont get me wrong...i want this little bun to be fully cooked and done in the belly oven...but ..hurry it up! I need a vacation....from my body. Im just waiting for the skin on my feet and fingers to bust like an over-cooked hot dog! Only about 5 to 6 more weeks.... i can do it...i hope. Today i went to the doctor....and she served me up some souring news.... Im about to have to tell one of my dearest and best friends that i cant make it to her most special day...her wedding.. I never ever thought it was even a slight chance that id miss her wedding day..! im supposed to be there for her...you are supposed to be there for your best friend since middle school on her wedding day...im sure it is a law or something.! i cried. and cried. and cried some more. Im just frustrated bc there is nothing i can do to fix it.. .! this is wedding # 2 i will be missing bc of being so preggy..my college roomie is getting married in just a few hours today...and theres an empty spot where i was going to be standing...! boo hiss grr. Stinky day. Ive had a stinky day. Im very thankful for Sarah k...i just really wish i could be there for my friends... They were there for me... ! so just keep me in your thoughts....im having a poopy day so far.! i gotta perk up...dont want s.k. to be feeling all blue! Plus...Lee and Jennifer are coming to visit today! yay! they'll be here in a few hours! nothin like some home-grown freinds to turn that frown upside down!

Baby Bridges

YAY!!! Sarah Kathryn got another cousin this morning!! Clay's sister Kim just gave birth to a big beautiful baby boy!! Brady Foster Bridges...8 lbs... Thats all ive heard so far! W cant wait to meet him ! I wish i was there!

week 34 Update

Week 34: Upside-down baby!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:fetus in eighth month Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb to this point (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t already, you’ll be noticing the weight shift that signals they are most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

merry christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

we miss you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas...but dont forget to miss us!

More Pictures

This is my buddy Brent Guyer...we have been hanging out together while his mom goes back to work.. Sarah kathryn gets jealous when i love on him...she'll give me a punch to the ribs! Brent says he has a crush on S.K. and cant wait to meet her.
I could just eat those marshmellow cheeks!

we love you, Sarah Kathryn!

33 weeks.. Christmas Eve

32 weeks mt. navel

Thanksgiving Pictures

jam and me with a full belly at Keifers

29 weeks belly

me and can

Sausage toes

Im down to about 3 pairs of shoes i can still shove my big swollen sausage feet in... and the best pair are my rain boots. ...and trust me...Pink and purple rain boots...despite their initial cuteness...do NOT go with everything....but im putting in a good effort to get them to. I hate rainy days...but now i dont mind them...bc i dont look so stupid for wearing the pink and purple rain boots with a nice outfit. SIGH>>>> never thought id see the day....

hungry hungry hippo

Poor clay...he's been such a champion husband through this pregnancy...but i think he's starting to get tired of it too! Im sure he already feels like he is caring for a baby by taking care of me...Putting my shoes on...Helping me stand up...sit down..roll out of bed..and making sure im fed! My hunger has really increased these past few days...and i feel like im starving every couple of hours...and when im hungry...you better just move out of the way...or run the risk of getting hurt! And clay has been very very sweet this entire pregnancy...always getting up to fix me something at nights... (hey..i gotta milk this for all its worth..once his baby girl is here..im gonna be chop suey....get my own snack) Last night...i couldnt go to sleep because...big shocker..i was STARVING!! Clay offers to go get me something... My request: A BIG bowl of cereal...(not that healthy i know...but ask me if i care at this point) So my darling husband dutefully retrieves the bowl of cereal....but with one problem... this was a small...average size bowl of cereal. Im not being ungrateful...but come on. You dont try to fill King Kong with one banana, right? So i say..as sweetly as possible ...Thank you! but...this is NOT the big huge bowl of cereal i requested... ( i know...i should have just shut up...ate the darn stuff and got more if i wanted it...but no...this pregnacy has given me word vomit) He looks at me and says..." you dont NEED a bigger bowl of cereal "... EXCUSE ME>>> cough..choke..!!! Bless his heart. If he didnt know...he knows NOW.. that you dont tell a 8 month preggy girl that she doesnt need more of anything! At this point...if i want to eat untill i absolutely puke...please..just step aside and let me.

week 33 info.

i get these emails every week telling about what's going on with baby girl...just thought id share this week's post with you: Week 33: Is it just me or is getting a little cramped in here?
Fetal development in pregnancy week 33:fetus in eighth month For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 7 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute—just piling on the baby fat and those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?

Baby Shower in Jackson

yay!! presents!
AWWWWW!! so precious! Look S.K., at all your pretty new clothes!

Three peas in a pod!

Yikes.baby booty cream! gotta have it!

Thanksgiving in Jackson

Girls just wanna have fun! this was just a few days before Kylie Elizabeth was born!

We were so excited that she came to see us while we were in town! Sarah Kathryn cant wait to meet her little buddy!

Church Shower Pictures

Dana, Me, and Jamie

Mom, mamaw, and me..and S.k. of course!

My brother...Uncle Spencer

Look at those cutie pies!

Candice, Jennifer, Erica, Me, Natalie, and Tierney at the cabin shower! love you gals!

no more comments?

Come on people....you too good to leave a comment evey now and then....come on! Show some love! Sarah Kathryn loves you...... she does..really..she told me.

Thirsty camel

Well i had to go the the hospital the other night.. dont worry..nothing serious! i had been having some pressure and crampy feelings..just to be sure i called my doc up to see what she thought. She told me to go in and get checked....so here i go..Feeling silly in the first place for calling..( i dont want to be the kind of patient that called about every tiny thing) .headed to the hospital. I get there thinking some nice lady will just check me out..take my blood pressure or something and i'd be on my way. The next thing i know, im getting admitted into a room, hooked up to all kinda moniters and getting poked around at...i was starting to freak out a little...i mean, they had me all set up like i was going to GIVE BIRth right then..! So after all these tests and such...they tell me the big problem: Dehydration. That's it? all that to tell me i should drink more water? Who knew you are suppossed to have 8-10 glasses a day?! Thats aLot of water! They said that bc i was really dehydrated , my body was starting to have some mild contractions, but it should be fine if i up my water intake. So dont worry..its still all good in the hood! Im feeling better now...and Sarah Kathryn has even had her first set of hiccups since then! (must be all the water) ha ha!

Home again

well.. we just got back home from MS.. sniff sniff and we are already homesick again. We had a really great time although we still didnt get to spend enough time with all the people we would have liked to! I had a FABULOUS shower...Several fab showers actually.( thanks to all my gals who made it all happen for me) Im very shocked and grateful for all the amazing gifts we got.! We are so blessed to have such kind and wonderful friends! We miss you all! Sarah Kathryn says to tell you thanks a bunch and she cant wait to try on all her new precious clothes! Its so stinky that we arent going to be able to come back for Christmas ...but we are Hoping for some visiters to make it up our way! hey...if you come see us..you may actually get a white christmas! Well thanks to everyone who made our visit so fantastic! Maybe we will be back one day...?

Love this baby!

I LOVE SARAH KATHRYN! I do...more and more everyday! i keep making mental lists of all the things i want to tell her when she grows up. I dont know why God chose ME...at this time...to be a parent..but i quess HE knows what he is doing..because i certainly dont! I felt her move this morning stronger than i have ever felt her move! Its not just pokes and kicks anymore. This gal is MOVING! I feel elbows and feet and such! Its not the most comfortable feeling...but it sure does make me smile. I just love this girl!

Things i Cannot do at 7 months pregnant:

1. Paint my toenails
2. Tie my own shoelaces
3. get out of a bathtub
4. Watch a "Baby Story" show without crying
5. Watch "Extreme Home Makeover" without crying
6. Eat barbecue (i used to love bbq)
7. Cough, laugh, or sneeze without peeing my pants
8. Walk without waddling like a duck
9. Successfully keep a tan
10. Roll over in bed without looking like a cruiseliner
11. Sleep without the aid of at least 3 pillows
12. Say no to dessert
13. Eat without planning when i should take my antacids
14. Remember where i am going/ what i was just saying/ simple names of objects
15. Wear heels farther than walking in to church...and walking out. (Flats are always waiting for me in the car)

Baby Shower

My good friends from church threw me a Fabulous baby shower on Nov. 4.!! I had a blast! Thanks to all you gals that came and helped me out with all the STuff you need to care for a baby girl! I got some really precious things..and the best part about it...everything was PINK! yay! I had no idea it takes so much stuff for someone so very small!

Big is beautiful

attention:

Diaper bags DONT have to have big fluffy bunnys on them and scream...Im a mommy!
thanks gwen!

AWWW!!! Thanks mom!

Sarah Kathryn's first smocked dress!! too cute!

Halloween

Hey! what's going on in there?!

OOOH>>Scary!

There she is!

Ole Miss Game

Jam and Clay

Ole Miss Game

coach O

Aunt Di, Carrie, Me (and baby)

"GETTIN' FATTER!"

Hmm...Today im bored and hungry. A seemingly dangerous combination for me. I have plenty to do. Finish painting SarahK's room, Organize drawers, sweep, dust.. there is plenty to do. Im just feeling Blah today. After putting up all the laundry i felt like i had run a marathon..! Good to know im in such great shape.!Yesterday i went outside and my neighbor yells to me,"hey!!! you SURE are gettin' FATTER!!" . Ahhh...the joys of neighborly love. I know im getting fatter. You dont think I know that?! I can barely put on my own shoes these days, But there is a nicer way to put it though, im sure. For instance the word "Bigger or Huskier" would have been a welcome substitute for the word, "FATTER". Somebody get me some cheese sticks. and mayonaise. stat!

Thank goodness its not illegal to be in love with sour candy!

no really,,, if it were illegal to be this much in love with sour candy....GUILTY AS CHARGED! i cant get enough...you should fear for your safety and wellbeing if you are in the way of me and my candy. Thank you JESUS that there is this WONDERFUL candy store at our mall just down the street that has rows and rows of different kinds of sour candy...They know me by name there. Its a creepy relationship. Of all places to be recognized...the candy store is not at the top of my list. But sa la vie.. i must go..or i can and will explode into a glorious fit of sensless tears. Its really sad.. i desprately wish i was one of those responsible pregnant girls that craves fresh fruit and veggies....But no... i want candy for breakfast , lunch and dinner. No, that is not ALL i eat...i fit the healthier stuff in too...but my god..the about of candy ive been eating would make willy wonka blush! i need intervention. .... poor baby girl..she's gonna be addicted to sour patch kids the minute she is born... i hope they have iv's full of sugar on stand by for my labor! But good news...i went to the doctor and they said my sugar levels were fine...I was fully expecting to hear i had blessed myself with Gestational Diabetes... but yay! whoo hoo! im good to go!

HOTTY TODDY

This past weekend, for Clay's birthday we went to the Ole Miss vs. Auburn game. I dont think Clay couldve asked for a better birthday...he got to see his team play...see his family, and hang out with his best friends in memphis later that night! Oh...AND Mrs. Darlene(we stayed with the Herring's) made him a Strawberry birthday cake! We really had a great time and now Sarah Kathryn has been to her very first Ole Miss football game..! im sure she had a blast ...all that yelling and jumpin up and down i was doing... not to mention all the walking i did! But i can say..im pretty proud of my big fat self for keeping up with the family and trying not to complain too much...although i was sweating like a prostitute in church..and by the end of the day my feet and ankles were unrecognizable to me...! It looked like i had grapefruits for ankles , i was so swollen! And let me tell you...when James Branch(i love him dearly) is on a mission...You better keep up...because he's not slowing down for ANYONE...No matter how pregnant you might be.!!! I was a trooper though...and had a really great time! I just wish we couldve pulled out a win for her first game! BOOOOO!!! By the way..i was the BEST "boo"er in our section.! No, really, Im pretty awesome at Booing! I had to slow it down by halftime though bc i was already going hoarse...so i had to save the big loud boos for the really important stuff..! So Sarah Kathryn got her first taste of Rebel spirit and we hope that continues on.....She's gonna make a great Rebelette! Hotty Toddy!

Alrighty...after much debate over what this gal's name is....we settled on our first choice..What we have been calling her for years anyway. SARAH KATHRYN BRANCH! awwwww. Yay! hooray! So...all your monogram lovin people (Betty ) get to work! Oh yea...Its a double name.. not sarah....not kathryn....Sarah Kathryn..Say it with me now:..."Sarah Kathryn" . Very good!

Sigh* ..i cant wait to see her cute little face and big ole eyes...and her fluffly lips like her daddy's...but i also CANT WAIT to be TAN again.! Im going through tanning bed withdrawls...who knew..im tanorexic. Im using way more self tanner than should be alowed..and the smell is keeping clay at a distance...but the misquitoes seem to dig it. Ouch.

Handsome Daddy

Clay working hard...or hardly working? hm...a box of Cheez-its a day...keeps the doctor away?

GO CLAY !!! he's so manly!

Amelia, Clay, and the newest addition to the Branch family: Lily mae.

World's best uncle!

belly wars

Me and my friend Liz Burgdorf...who is expecting a little boy, Alexander, in November. Liz's husband works with Clay at Cinergy.

Mt. Navel at 22 wks

baby registries

Hi people..we just wanted to let you know that we are registered at these places:
babies R us
Target
JCpenney.com
Thanks!!

Hungry like a cow

i though id never say this...but really..I am just sick and tired of being hungry ALL the time. I mean this is gettin to be a chore...all this eating! ANd the heartburn...AGH!!! boo..hiss..grr! I love being preggy...I would just like to have a NORMAL appetite ..you know..three meals a day..! I feel like a cow..constantly grazing...get bigger by the day. Im down to ONE..count it ..ONE pair of jeans..I mean they are okay..compared to other maternity jeans ive come across..i like them..nice and comfy. Clay says i need to be content with what i have.. but i dont feel the least bit picky when ill i desire is to wear some different jeans every now and then. That brings me too another subject..shoes. If you know me..you now my love for a flashy pair of shoes..it can make an outfit you know. well, noone told me that along with getting a big ol belly..you apparently start to get big ole FEET. I have vowed since the beginning of this journey that i would NOT give in to comfy shoes...i WILL press on and wear my sassy stillettos and high-as-the-sky heels...but geez louezz! i can barely shove my porker feet in them.. So ..if you are one of the few people to happen to catch me sporting some less than snazzy shoes of my normal choice...just know...IT is JUST a season...I will be back and as shoetastic as ever as soon as i get this little punkin out ! well, ill be steppin off my soapbox for today. I cant be bubbly everyday, right? Im still just as giggly and excited about this little darling that i have poking my ribs and steppin on my blatter as i have ever been.! She must be pumping some iron or doing yoga in there because i can tell a big difference these last couple of days. She is getting pretty strong...she loves to keep me up at night doing her Riverdance routine or whatever she's doing in there! Oh yea..we have a new idea for a name ..suggested by my dear friends....Sarah Harper.. I love it. we may have a winner.. but the jury is still out!

whats in a name??

Ok ok! i know i been talking about "sarah kathryn" since clay and i starting dating... and now that i finally have the chance to use the name..we are getting cold feet.! I keep having dreams about having a little dark haired baby..and in my mind...sarah kathryn has never had dark hair.I know it sounds silly ...but really, i cant shake the doubt! We both love the name...but clay also really wants to use something that has to do with his mother's name. So people, we need your opinions! Stay with our tried and true " Sarah Kathryn" or go with the new pick of the moment " Reagan Harper' .? HELP!! baby girl needs a name!

New Pictures