16 Weeks

I had my 16 week Dr. appt. today and all is well. She barely touched my stomach and the baby was right there, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!! Strong and healthy heart beat and growing. We scheduled the big ultrasound for Jan. 22, 2010! Can't wait to see if I get to buy cutie purple outfits!!

Christmas 2009

Santa visited our house on Christmas Eve, while we were at church, and he left Jack with some great presents.

We were dreaming of a white Christmas and guess what we got...

We spent Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa Thompson's house where Santa left even more presents for Jack!! And even some for Darrell and I!

Santa even made it to Grandma and Grandpa Abt's in Ste. Genevieve with some presents.

Basement Progress

We are making progress on the kitchen. We purchased cabinets a couple weeks ago and Darrell has been installing them. We lucked out and found a counter top pre-made, that we both liked, so we bought it and that is our next step. We were hoping to get the countertops in by New Years but probably won't happen. The island and appliances are still in the works, but were almost there!

Big boy bed

Success!!! Yesterday was the first day with Jack's big boy bed and he napped and went to sleep last night without a problem. He played on it all day yesterday. I think it's his best Christmas gift!

Twas the night before Christmas...(baby version)

It’s the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.
Stockings hung by the chimney with care
All placed neatly, but mine isn’t there!

Mom and Dad are snuggled up in the bed
With a ton of new pillows around their bodies and heads.
The pillows are for extra comfort you see,
Mom’s got a back ache and its all ‘cause of me.

I’m squirming and kicking and giving a tap
While my mom just needs to lie down and nap!
It will be a few more weeks until they know if I’m a girl or a boy,
Either way they are exploding with joy!

Even though I’m not due to arrive until June,
The months are passing fast and I will be here soon!
I’m anxious to meet you, but for now I’m snug here,
To my mommy and daddy, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

Christmas cookies...Yum!

Christmas goodies

I've spent my morning baking away in my kitchen. I think my eyes are bigger than our stomaches because I have made enough bread and cookies to feed 5 families!!!! But isn't that what Christmas baking is about? You make more than you'll ever need so you can share with your neighbors, family, and friends. (or you stash the snickerdoodles away and save them for a cold January morning. Not that I do that.)

This year I opted out of making the sugar cookie cut outs mostly b/c last year I didn't make them right and they got all hard and nasty. So instead I made chocolate chip(of course), snickerdoodles, my mom's "green things", cranberry bread, and pumpkin-cranberry bread. I have taste-tested all of them and they are yummy!! I still have to make the white chocolate chip-cranberry cookies, but I'm waiting till the regular choclate chip's are gone.

Too Funny not to post, given my current situation

I stole this from a "mom" board I'm on! Any recent new moms can appriciate this.

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,
I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.
1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is 'Congratulations!' with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an a**hole.
2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase 'my baby'.
3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it...
4) The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.
5) Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight...ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is 'You look fabulous!'.
6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.
7) There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren't invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won't be invited to be there when it comes out either.
8) Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents' home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to 'help out'. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.
9) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.
10) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

Like Father, like son

12 weeks

Baby # 2 is growing and right on track. I went for my 12 week appt. this morning and all looks good. I was able to see a very fuzzy little heartbeat and the baby even moved it's arm and leg for me!! Of course I started balling. Ya gotta love pregnancy hormones! I'm right on track as well. Hopefully morning sickness is on it's way out and I can get back to being somewhat normal. My next appt. in the end of December and we'll schedule the big ultra sound then. Can't wait to find out if I'm buying more blue or foo-foo purple!!!

Thankful

I am thankful for...

My family. My wonderful husband who supports me and loves my no matter what. My son who can make me smile without even trying. The June bug, for reminding me that God works in miracles.
My parents and everyone who makes up my family.
My friends, who are ultimately my family as well.
JUGS. Because we all need our girlfriends.
Our freedom and those who protect it without question.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

June Bug

So on Sunday we had a little party for Jack's birthday. He had a blast and thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. Jack got a very special gift on Sunday...

Our little June bug is due 6-12-09!!

Fever..

C'mon Spring!!!!!!!

We had our first taste of real Missouri weather the last 2 days and I am not ready for it. Is it too early for Spring fever?

Happy 2nd Birthday Jack!!

Today my sweet baby officially takes the leap into toddlerhood. I love you with all my heart.

Happy Birthday Jack!!

Picture for future girlfriends

This is what I found when I got Jack up this morning.

Buddies

Rant

Why is an automated "help" line never helpful??????? It is set up to "help" the end-user, however it never actually answers your question. And when you try to get to an actual person, they cut you off!! I tried this service 4 time today with the same result. I ended up having to go in person to the facility. Something that took 5 minutes at the facility took me almost an hour via phone. And yes, I attempted on-line first and was directed to the call the "helpline".
I consider myself an intelligent person. I can follow simple directions, however when the mistake was not my fault(their computer glitch) and I am harassed for it, it makes me want to go postal on the people. However, I had to take Jack with me and it was not appropriate at the time.

Crazy Missouri weather

My lilac bush thinks it's Spring?!?

This weather is beyond odd for November in MO. Yesterday was sunny and in the 80's and today it is in the 70's. We're supposed to be having 40's and 50's.

Park Pics

Mexico 2009

Mexico was awesome!!! For 6 days I did nothing and it was wonderful. I slept late, sat on the beach and next to the pool, started and finished a book, and soaked up the beautiful Barcelo Resort and Hotel!!!

After an EARLY morning flight, 6:00am, and a layover in Charlotte, we all made it to Mexico about 3:00 on the 24th. We stopped at the bar, checked in, and took in the resort. The view from every window or walkway was absolutely fabulous! We headed to our rooms to take a quick nap and then head to dinner.

We spent the next 5 days lounging on the beach under the swaying palm trees or by one of the pools not to far from the bar!!! "I had my toes in the water, toes in the sand..."

I cannot say enough about the Barcelo. The staff, the room, the facilities we just awesome. I would go back in a heart beat, but I think this time I'll have to bring Darrell and Jack!!

Halloween 2009

MOOOOOOO!

Vacation and toddler beds

FINALLY!!!!! I leave from Mexico tomorrow morning and I am soooooo ready. This trip will be an expirence for sure for a bunch of reasons. First, it's just the girls. So it will be weird not to have the guys with us for "protection". But really, I can take a Mexican down if I need to!! I'm a haus!
Second, I am already having mom-guilt for leaving Jack. He's gonna wake up the next 7 days and I will not be here. I know he'll be fine. But as all the moms out there know, the mom-guilt never goes away. I just keep telling myself, warm beaches, sand, ocean, foo-foo drinks, good food, and the ability to sleep as late as I want!!!!!! He'll be fine. We'll see if Darrell survives!?!

I'll post pics when I get back and give a short trip report.

On the second part...We purchased a toddler bed for Jack today. My sweet baby is getting to be such a big boy. I'm a little sad, but I'm going to Mexico to cure it.

Apple picking and a boat ride

Last Sunday we went to Eckerts to go apple picking. We decided to take the ferry across the river to Grafton and beegeezes it was cold!!! I got out of the car long enough to take a few pictures.

Jack loved apple picking. The tractor ride to the orchard was his favorite part. I don't know what it is about fresh picked apples that make them sooooooo good. Maybe it's the thought of what they will become...pie, bread, crisp, or just a good snack. Anyway we had a great time and will definitely be back next fall.

I also threw in some pictures of Jack and his friend Mason at the park. Oh how I would love to enjoy a swing as much as Jack does!!!!

Zoo Fall 09

Today we decided to take in the beautiful Fall morning and head to the St. Louis Zoo. We met our friends the Knese's at the Children's Zoo. Jack had such a great time petting the goats and exploring the animals. He even touched a snake, icky!

Transportation

Last weekend we attended the"Parents As Teachers" Transportation On the Move event. The group brings in all types of vehicles and the kids get to explore them. They had a school bus(Jacks favorite!), a milk truck, a firetruck, a backhoe, and police vehicle, and some other piece of equipment that I didn't recognize(I'm a girl). Jack got so excited about the school bus we barely got to look and any of the others. We all got free chocolate milks, just like in grade school, from the milk truck and the driver even gave Jack a ride on the liftgate. Jack and some of friends had a blast!