Family pregnancy pics!

Ethan Jeffrey's Baby Shower!

Last weekend my wonderful family and friends gave us a very special baby shower to welcome baby Ethan! I received so many nice gifts and have just about everything I could possibly need for him! Here are some pics of the adorable shower! We can't wait to meet you Ethan!


Family pic!

The kids watching cartoons during the festivities :)

Another great cake by Jenny!

Super-cute invitation--also by Jenny!

Ayden's 3rd Birthday Party!

This past weekend we celebrated Ayden's birthday with a Toy Story-themed party at my mom and dad's house! We had the party outside and the weather was perfect. Ayden had such a wonderful time! Thanks to everyone who could come and make it such a special night for our birthday boy! Here are just a few of my favorite pics, in completely random order :)

Opening gifts!

Our sweet little guests, Evergrace and Finleigh

new guitar!

Such sweet cousins!

Our handsome birthday boy!

Blowing out his candles!

Time to enjoy that yummy cake!

Family pic with the cousins!

The AWESOME cake! Thanks Aunt Jenny!

Perfect evening for a party!

Ayden and Guice

Ayden and Emery Jai

Greetings from the couch...

When I clocked out of my 12 hour shift this morning, I didn't know it, but it was my last night to work for 12 weeks. I had a doctor's appointment at 9:30 and the ultrasound showed the lowest AFI so far- 5.1. Ethan's growth is still good-ahead actually, he weighs 7 pounds 7 oz, plus or minus 20%. The non-stress test was reactive as well, which was another positive sign. But the doctor feels like the consistent low AFI readings are reason enough to stop working and most likely get Ethan delivered sometime next week. My cervix was not dilated at all unfortunately, so I may have to go in for an overnight induction. I go back on Thursday morning for another NST, and she will most likely set a date for induction then. I will be 37 weeks on Monday, which is considered "full-term" but still a full 2 weeks earlier than I had Ayden, so I am a little concerned. I am going to try my best not to worry though, as I know many, many cases of 37 week babies who do just fine. It's all in God's hands and at this point I just want what is best for my precious baby boy. The reality that I am going to be a mommy of 2 in a week or so has not set in...I think possibly because I am sleep deprived today and just haven't had time really think about it! But I am really excited and ready to meet him! So, until then, it's resting on the couch with a bottle of water at my side at all times! Chris' boss in his new job is being super supportive, and told Chris "family comes first" and that he can work from home all week. Thank goodness! I have a few last minute nesting tasks for him! Time to install the carseat and pack our bags! Please keep us in your prayers and I will update everyone on Thursday as soon as we know more!

Feeling like Fall!

Ayden and I spent the morning at the park enjoying the 70 degree weather and a nice, cool breeze! It got me so excited for fall! I even picked up a Pumpkin Spice candle at Walmart to really get in the autumn spirit :) Ayden is feeling better today and had more fun running around playing with twigs and rocks than he did on the playground. I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outside in the nice cool weather this fall with both my boys! :)

My little monkey

C'mon Mom!

Stopping to smile for momma

On the move again!

The boys' doors

Today I was feeling a little crafty, so I decided to paint letters and hang Ayden's and Ethan's initials on their bedroom doors. I just love walking down the hallway and seeing both of their initials hanging across from each other. It's the little things that make me smile :) I can't believe I'm about to have 2 sons!!!

Sick little dude...

Turns out, starting back to preschool the same week as his birthday was a bad combo for Mr. Ayden! His little immune system took a hit after almost 3 months of staying at home with Mommy. His symptoms started late Thursday night and Friday he was miserable, so we made the decision to cancel his party. By Saturday afternoon he was still running fever and feeling cruddy, so we made a trip to walk-in clinic where we found out he has ear infections in both ears and a virus. Poor little dude! Today his fever is gone but he is still feeling yucky--coughing and a continuous runny nose that has made his upper lip red and sore. He keeps saying, "momma, my mustache hurts!" He has fought taking a nap all afternoon until just a few minutes ago when he finally gave it up while watching cartoons on our bed. We're hoping and praying the antibiotics kick in soon so he can go back school Tuesday and have his birthday party at Memaw and Pappaw's house next weekend. Next year we may have to plan his party a week or two before school starts!

Ayden's Birthday Night

Even though Ayden is having his "official" birthday party on Saturday, I always like to do something special on the actual day of his birth because I am just sentimental like that! I love celebrating birthdays, it's definetely one of my favorite parts of being a mommy! This year we opted to order his favorite pizza, get a small cake, and let him open his gift from us. We got him the Leap Frog Tag Jr reading system and 3 books, and it was an even bigger hit than we imagined! He has hardly stopped playing with it since he got it...he plays with it until the lights go out at bedtime, and its the first thing he asks for when he wakes up :) We had a very special little family party just the 3 of us! We're looking forward to his Jump Zone party with family and friends on Saturday!



Pizza for dinner!

Seeing mommy bringing his cake

Blowing out the candles!

Time for presents!

Time for cake!

Yum!

34 week check-up

Today I am 34 weeks +1 day and had another prenatal check-up. She did another non-stress test and once again, Ethan looked wonderful! My blood pressure was 113/72 and I gained 5 more pounds...that makes 27 pounds total. And for the record, I think I am going to stop looking at the scale from now on!! I can't believe how much weight I am gaining this last couple of months...it's like my body is hanging on to every single ounce I ingest! I thought the doctor would scold me, but she didn't--she said I am just going to be "one of those women who gain a lot at the end" Yippee. I partially blame Chris because as I have mentioned before, he has become quite the phenomenal cook and serves me a delicious plate of food every night :)I really am trying to be more aware of what I am eating though, because I fully intend to get down to my original goal weight set by my surgeon (180 pounds) after having the baby, and every pound I add is going to make it that much harder! My belly is measuring 36 weeks, so of course I can blame my chunky little monkey for a few of these pounds too :)

I have another check-up and ultrasound (to check fluid levels and his weight) in 2 weeks, and then I will start going every week! She said she will most likely induce me at 39 weeks...yea! My plan is to work up until just before then...but I will say my body may not agree with that plan. The last few shifts at work have been brutal on my back to say the least, and I am leaving work literally limping to the car :( My patients have even started feeling sorry for me and saying they don't want to ask me for anything because they hate for me to have to do any extra walking! I am trying to be tough and "suck it up" for the time being though because I really really really want to save every second of my time off to be with Ethan after he is born. Please pray that I am able to make it these last 5 weeks! So thankful for another good checkup and that our baby boy is growing and thriving!

First day of school!

Today was Ayden's first day back at Mother's Day Out! He was so excited, he was ready to go the minute he woke up! While I was getting dressed, he gathered up his backpack, lunchbox, and nap mat and put them all by the door and told me he was all ready! He had a great first day- we took cupcakes for his class and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him! His teacher said he was so sweet and helpful all day, sharing toys and playing very nice with all the kids. She called him the "welcome ambassador" of the class...he invited anyone who was shy or unsure about coming to school to come over and play with him. I'm so proud of him!



Ready for his first day!

Checking out the classroom

A Happy Birthday sign just for Ayden!

To our Birthday Boy on his 3rd birthday!!

Dear Ayden,

I cannot believe it has been 3 years since you came into our lives, it truly does feel like it was just yesterday! You have been more of a joy and blessing to your daddy and I than we ever could have dreamed and we love you so very much! Here are some things about you at 3 years old:

-You weigh 44 pounds and are 40 inches tall

-You wear size 4/5 clothes and size 11 shoes

-You are completely potty-trained (except for nighttime), and have been for over a month

-You prefer taking a shower over a bath

-Your favorite toys right now are Toy Story characters Buzz, Woody, and Rex; trucks, trains, and cars; anything to do with make-believe and pretending

-You still love books and reading and have a new favorite book every day!

-You love to run and play outside, drive your power wheels tractor, and play with the dogs

-You are still a very picky eater! Your favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly on toast, yogurt, ham or turkey, cheese, chicken, pizza, waffles, sausage, bacon, pudding, popcorn and just about anything chocolate :)

-You are still the social butterfly that you have been since you were a baby! You are very outgoing and friendly and will talk the ear off of anyone who will listen!

-You are polite and have very good manners

-You have a great sense of humor and a very cute, goofy laugh!

-You know all your colors and shapes, and can recognize most numbers and letters

-You go to Mother's Day Out preschool 2 days a week (today was your first day back!) and absolutely love going!

-You sleep very well at night, usually about 10 hours, in mommy and daddy's bed :)

-You take a nap in the afternoon sometimes, but not always!

-You love to watch cartoons! Dora and Wow Wow Wubbzy are a couple of your favorites

-You are learning to dress yourself and are very independent. You like to do as much as possible for yourself and choose everything from your underwear to your dinner plate.

-You love to help your daddy and I do things around the house. You help mommy carry groceries from the car, load and unload the washer and dryer, and feed the dogs. You love to help your daddy do anything outside or in the garage.

-You are very affectionate and love giving hugs and kisses

-You still love for mommy to rock you in the "bock-a-bye" chair

-You are just a few short weeks away from being a big brother!! You are very excited to meet baby Ethan and we know you are going to be a wonderful older brother!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ayden Christopher! We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Playing at Alex's house!

Today Ayden and I spent the morning at Tara and Alex's house and the boys had a wonderful time playing together! I think they are gonna be great friends! Ayden loved all Alex's different toys and gadgets (including a 4 wheeler!). We can't wait to have another playdate soon!