Little Lola - One Day Old (Almost)

After we got Garrett off to school (and the house cleaned up a bit), Isaac and I took a trip to the hospital to see Little Lola. I couldn't believe how much she had changed in about 18 hours!
There is no mistaking that black hair--she definitely has her Grandpa George's hair.



Isaac wasn't sure if he could touch her, but finally was daring enough to do it. I'm sure he's not really knowing what is going on. He wouldn't get up on the bed by Amy, but he played with his dad, and definitely wanted to drink the rest of his soda--that's what they call "pop" here in the South. Strange sounding, isn't it?!




Anyway, I loved holding her, but couldn't stay long enough, because George and I are flying to Dallas this afternoon for Sydney's baptism. So many exciting events in the Copeland family!

She's Finally Here!

Yes, little Lola Tate Barlow arrived today! Proud parents: Jeff and Amy (taken when they first arrived at the hospital)

Thursday, March 5, 2009

7 lbs. 5 oz. - 20 inches long

Lots of black hair - Beautiful baby girl!

Jeff, getting to wear a pink armband for the very first time! Seriously, what a miracle birth is! I just felt so grateful to be a spectator in the grandeur of the whole process--when a new little spirit comes into the world. I can hardly write this--my heart is so full. I was so proud of Amy--she was such a brick through the whole thing. I think I was more impatient than she was. But everything went so well. So, I'm posting pictures taken immediately after the birth, barely cleaned up--no bath. Tomorrow I will take more, but I wanted you to see her as Jeff, Amy, and I saw her when she first came into this world.

We just think she is beautiful--it is so fitting for her to be named Lola, after my mother, who truly was one of the most beautiful women inside and out that I have ever known.

What a Difference a Weekend Makes!

Last weekend was such a nice, quiet weekend. We went to Gainesville to have fun with Craig and Cassie. We all went for pizza and then took the kids to the park. It was a beautiful day, a little cool, but still great weather. Jeff and Amy were helping Garrett with throwing and catching the baseball. Craig and Cassie played multiple sports, and George and I were basically just watching everyone have fun. Everyone was all smiles and happiness!!!


(Maybe the little boy in the background didn't have a dad to play with him. He kept hanging around, so Jeff included him in the teaching lesson.)

Jeff and Craig had fun playing beach volleyball--minus the beach.

Then this weekend came! First, immediately after I finished school, we all rushed almost to Jax Beaches to close on the new home. Amy and Jeff can now officially move into their new little home. We are so thrilled because they are literally five minutes away from us. But upon signing about a trillion (everyone is dropping that number everywhere now, so why not me, too?)papers, we rushed home to change and immediately met Craig and Cassie who came from Gainesville to help us start painting the house. We didn't want that white, chalky paint they put on when you don't build a custom home. In addition to Craig and Cassie helping, Lori Theus from my work volunteered to help paint. What a great sport she was, and she helped us soooo much!
Did I mention we all looked dead tired?

What a great sport--and 8 3/4 months pregnant! She never quit the whole weekend!

We finally finished about 12:30 a.m. We are all literally dead with exhaustion. But after a night which wasn't a bit hard to fall asleep to, we were up again Saturday morning. George, Craig and Jeff left to go get the moving truck and were met by four wonderful helpers from the church. What would they have done without their help???

Amy, Cassie, and I felt very guilty going off to Amy's baby shower because we knew we would be having a much better time than the guys would be having. And did we ever enjoy ourselves! It was given by Linda Lockett and Wimberly Brackett. Karen Steinhour and Dena Hall also helped out. Dena made this beautiful cake and Karen helped with the delicious food. So many fun friends from the church came!

Isaac loved the cake!

We had to take Garrett and Isaac with us because there was no one to watch them since the guys were all moving, but they ended up having a great time playing in Linda's son's room. I hope he wasn't too upset when he returned home later to see all his toys a tad bit rearranged! Anyway, when Amy was opening the gifts, Garrett wanted to see what was going on and Amy told him he could hand her the gifts. That didn't last long when he found out it was all just girly stuff.

Soon we wondered where Isaac was and found him in the dog cage! Garrett decided he wanted to get in there, too! Why didn't we think of that sooner! Hah!

Anyway, it was just overwhelming all of the beautiful gifts everyone gave for Baby Lola.

She got really emotional when she opened the card and saw what her sister Alison in China had sent her. She said, "Everyone needs a sister like her! You'll all get to meet her this summer when she comes here."

This is the entire group of wonderful friends who came to the shower. Thanks so much for coming, everyone! We so appreciated your many kindnesses!

After such a wonderful time, we got home only to find the guys anxious to have us help them again. Cassie stayed with the boys, and Amy and I went back over to the new house. It was absolutely exhausting to say the least, but we couldn't say a thing because we had enjoyed a rest. It is 9:00 p.m. and we have finally been able to clean up and sit down. I think we can safely say this was a whirlwind weekend. Now, Amy and Jeff can leisurely put away their boxes, but at least the beds are in, the furniture is all in place, and we can now start getting ready for Baby Lola who should be arriving on Thursday, March 5! We can't wait!

Happy Valentine's Day and Birthday, Cassie!

Valentine's Day brings two bonuses--a special day to say how much you appreciate and love those who are special to you you--plus it is Cassie's birthday! What a fun day to have a birthday! We went to a fun ward party at the church on Friday night. Garrett and Isaac had so much fun--Garrett came out saying, "I just love church!" We really thought that was cute. He has so many friends there and Isaac just goes along and thinks they are his friends, too. I snapped this picture of Jeff and Amy--just about three more weeks until Baby Lola is born. We can all hardly wait!

Early Saturday evening, we all took Cassie to dinner and asked what Cassie wanted for dessert. She said she wanted a chocolate cream pie milk shake from Sonic, so we drove to Sonic to have an enjoyable little time with Cassie and her very special request. After ordering the milk shakes, (George and Amy chose another kind), in a few minutes, the worker came back on and said, "Sorry, we don't have any graham crackers for the chocolate cream pie milk shake." Oh, no! Cassie was so disappointed. We thought of driving to get some, but we debated how it would taste without it. Finally, she chose to have the chocolate cream pie milk shake without. She was still anticipating it with great eagerness.

Out comes the waitress on her roller skates and was heading right for us, when suddenly, plop! The chocolate cream pie milkshake went flying! The girl did the quickest u-turn you have ever seen to go back in. Then she remembered the milk shake all over the ground. (George volunteered to eat the rest, but she wasn't having it!) She gathered what she could and headed back in with all of us laughing hysterically! Finally, she comes back out with the chocolate cream pie milk shake, plus the other two. The funny thing was--Cassie's turned out great without the graham crackers and George's and Amy's were terrible! What did happen to that milk shake she cleaned up off the ground! Hah! Anyway, we had a good laugh for the night.

After we got home, Cassie made George sing her a solo of "Happy Birthday to you." George was shy???? at first, but then started to belt it out. What a fun day. Happy Birthday, Cassie!