A.J.'s Blog

A.J. received a new camera for Christmas. He has had a great time taking pictures and now has started his own blog. Check it out: allanjamesblog.blogspot.com

Welcome Julia Summer Pierce

Julia Summer Pierce

December 14, 2009 at 12:45 P.M.
8 lbs. 8 oz., 21.5 inches

After the initial shock of pregnancy and then all the months of waiting, we are thrilled to welcome our new daughter, Julia Summer, into our family. We didn't know she was a girl until the moment she arrived, and we couldn't be happier. I asked Allan and the doctor a dozen times if they were sure she was a girl because I was expecting a boy, but a girl she is! A.J. said she was so beautiful it almost made him want to cry. And Abigail, of course, couldn't be happier to have a little sister.

The c-section went great, and we were actually released in less than 48 hours after delivery. Both A.J. and Abigail spent time in ICU at birth and were in the hospital for a week each. We prayed each night this entire pregnancy for this baby to be born healthy, and God gave us just such a blessing.

Julia was named Julia because we loved the name and thought a "J" name went well with A and a J for AJ, A for Abigail, and J for Julia. Summer is named after my best friend, Summer Perry. Although our friendship has had moments (that happens when you are friends since middle school) and has often been separated by distance, she represents the type of friend I hope Julia is one day to her friends.

We can't wait for all of our friends and family to meet her. Here are a few pictures from her arrival days.

Christmas Cards

Thank you to our friends who already have sent and will be sending us Christmas cards. We LOVE to get them. Please don't think we aren't doing the same... we will be waiting and sending birth announcement cards instead! Be on the lookout in January!

Breakfast with Santa

This morning, we went to Breakfast with Santa at Fountainview Mansion in Auburn. The kids had a great time... especially seeing Santa arrive in a helicopter! They also got to decorate cookies, make a craft, eat a fabulous breakfast, and sit with Santa. I can't wait to see the pictures from the photographer.

Let the tackiness begin...

Allan always loves his tacky tree every year. This year, due to the baby stuff stacked in every square inch of our house, we didn't do a tacky tree. However, we still had our annual tacky ornament exchange at church. So much fun!

Allan decorated this tree for the party with his own personal ornaments. My favorite part is the leaning of the tree!
The winning ornament....
The runner up...

A few shots...

I have been putting off taking pregnancy pictures, but decided it was about time. I am 38 weeks tomorrow, and I only have one week to go. Here are some pictures of the kids and of me, too!

Now there are 5!

Several years ago, when I bought new stockings for all of us, I accidentally ended up with 5 (after exchanging designs, changing my mind, etc). One has been in the tub for years with the tag still on it. But, when we hung stockings yesterday, the 5th one made its appearance. Now there are five of us. I think there should have been all along.... we are complete! Only 2 weeks until Baby Pierce arrives. Thank you, God, for our blessings.

PBC Thanksgiving

We had our annual church Thanksgiving meal this week. I (again) stole the great pictures Amy took off of her blog. We had a great night.

PBC Baby Shower

A few Sundays ago, my wonderful church had a baby shower for our family. Of course, upon arriving, I realized I had no memory stick in my camera (these types of things happen to me often). Thank you Amy for the pictures!

Baby Shower at WHMC

My work, Women's Hope Medical Clinic, threw a fabulous baby shower for me and for our office manager, Karen. We are both due within about a week of each other. She is having a baby girl, and as we all know (and complain to me often about), we are having a "surprise." It was a great shower with wonderful women who serve God so faithfully at our center.

More Halloween Fun

One of our annual traditions is caramel apple night while watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. The night has taken on all different forms over the years, but in one way or another, Allan and I have been doing it together since we were engaged. This year, we had some friends over for the watching of the movie. Here are some pictures of them watching the movie and eating their apples.
Then, of course, each year we carve the pumpkin (Daddy's job to oversee):
Then, there is the big night. This year, A.J. dressed as a college football referee. He was certain to tell me he needed the white hat and an "R" on his back because that is the head guy. Basically, he threw flags at all of us all night. I was called on a personal foul for too much chatting!
Abigail dressed as exactly what she wants to be when she grows up... a mommy! Her stroller was packed with a diaper bag and a purse (and all the accessories).

AWESOME weekend in North Georgia

We realized recently we have never really had a "vacation" just the 4 of us. We always have grandparents with us. Although we really do love that, as a last minute treat, we decided to take the kids to north Georgia just the 4 of us (before we become 5). We didn't decide to go until Thursday, and it was probably the best trip we have ever had. All of us had an awesome time.

Foam Factory
We spent the night in the northern part of Atlanta (so we could be up and at it early Saturday). Allan found a really fun place online for us to visit... the Foam Factory. It was part of an adventure place (with arcade, go carts, rides, etc). There were 3 stories filled with foam balls and all types of ways to shoot them, dump them, and basically aim at your mom!

You notice from this picture that my sweet darling husband is aiming right at me... and yes, he hit his target!
B.J. Reese Apple Orchard
The next day, we hit B.J. Reese in Ellijay, Georgia. We went to this same apple orchard last year, and we knew we would love to go back. In addition to picking our own apples, there were apple cannons and LOTS of apple snacks. We ate apple donuts, fritters, fried pies, and apple sticks. We brought home the best apple cider.

The Steps
We went to a nearby state park for a picnic, not knowing the fun we would find there. There was a gorgeous waterfall you could drive to the top of. Abigail and I stayed at the top (smart thinking) while Allan and A.J. took the steps to the bottom (and back up again). However, the sign was misleading.... that number only gets you to the cross bridge. Add almost 200 more and you really get to the bottom! Poor guys.

View from the bottom:
View from the top:
Before the walk:
After the walk:
Pumpkin Patch
As our last stop of the day, we found the largest pumpkin patch we had ever seen. There were thousands of people there and probably enough pumpkins for everyone to have a dozen. It was amazing. And just think... we had all this done by 1:00!