13 weeks

 We had another sneak peek at our little one the day before Thanksgiving and all continued to look great!

 

Cravings: Fruit and yogurt parfait from McDonald's (I could eat these for every meal)

Sleep: I continue to be very tired, but am sleeping well. I get up once to use the bathroom but am able to fall right back asleep.

Movement: I actually do think I feel some flutters. I asked my doctor if this was possible. She said yes since I don't have much belly fat.

Maternity clothes: Not yet and hopefully I can make it until Christmas.

Size of baby: a medium shrimp

What I miss: Not much except working out, but really I am too tired to do that anyway.

Looking forward to: The 2nd trimester and getting my hair done next week, goodbye dark roots!

 

 

When I looked back at my 9 week picture after I took my 13 week picture, I couldn't believe how much my belly has grown!

Smiles

Since Jackson was sick almost all of Thanksgiving break we didn't get to do to much of anything besides decorate the house.

 

We know our boy is sick when he doesn't want dinner. What do good parents do when their children are sick? Take them to Menchie's for some calcium and fruit!

 

 We also took him to see Santa once his fever broke on Sunday. Of course we headed to Bass Pro for our free picture! There are two things he told Santa he wanted for Christmas; 1. Pirate Ship 2. Rainbow Engine Car. He got really shy and nervous when talking to Santa. It was too cute!

Jackson knows why we celebrate Christmas, but now I am praying that it transforms his heart. I can't wait for December 1st to start our advent calendar and daily reading of the true Christmas story!



It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Jackson has the Christmas spirit already! He asked if we could put the Christmas tree up last weekend. When Brian said we could Jackson looked at him and said, "Daddy, you made me a million happy."

 In between Jackson's fever spiking and napping this Thanksgiving break, we have managed to get most of our house decorated for Christmas. Jackson picked out his new ornament for the tree, he calls them instruments every now and then:)!

My Christmas banner made its way back up this year. Brian braved the ladder again and hung our lights up high. Christmas is really the only time my house is all decorated, and I love turning on all the Christmas tree lights throughout the house.

There are not many houses in Texas that do not have an inflatable something in their lawn at Christmas. I am not really a fan but when your 3 year old son wants one so bad that he will spend some of his own money on it, you give in. Frosty now resides in our front lawn.

Brian did a great job decorating the outside of the house. Now we just need a dusting of snow on the front lawn to make the picture complete. 



“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

A Thankful Heart

Lately, I have been thinking just how blessed I am. Not because everything is easy or perfect, but because no matter what situation I face the Lord is with me.
 

This past year we have several ups and downs, but I have felt a peace through it all because I chose to trust in the name of the Lord.

 I am so thankful for my boys. They fill my days with laughter, hugs, dirty laundry, and love. Each day is a gift, and I try to treasure it the best that I can.

I am also very thankful for this new life growing inside of me. It is so exciting to me to think of our family as 4 and Jackson as a big brother.

 

I am thankful for so many more things.  I am blessed beyond measure and pray I can be a blessing to others this year.

 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever." Psalm 100:4-5

 

Morning Date

There is not much better than spending a Saturday morning with my boy, even if it starts at 6am!

We started with breakfast at Panera or Canera as Jackson says.

LOVE that Panera has Diet Caffine Free Pepsi!

 We headed to Barnes and Noble (after an hour at home playing and doing laundry) at 9 when they opened. We read several books on the stage and built a tower.

 I hadn't done any crafts with Jackson in a while, so we needed to fix that.

 He created his very own Rainbow Turkey and was very proud.

 I was very proud of the track I built for him.

2 years ago I wouldn't have been able to do that!

I am so thankful for one-on-one time with my boy. He usually has the sweetest spirit when it is just the two of us, and will say several times how much he likes our date!

11 weeks

I have made it to 11.5 weeks. I had an appointment yesterday and everything looked great! My doctor lifted restrictions, and I don't have to come back for 4 weeks.

 Overall, I have been feeling good. I am just tired, tired, tired. I am usually in bed by 9:30, sleep until close to 7, and nap on the weekends.

I didn't get an ultrasound done on the good machine yesterday, but I still got a look at our little one. We could see their eyes, nose, and mouth. It was also flipping over and moving its arms. Crazy how little but bit it is! Jackson got to come with us and take a peek at his brother or sister for the first time. He thought it looked like a snail. I thought snowman.

We stopped at Chick-fil-a for dinner on the way from my appointment. I had a flashback to when I was pregnant with Jackson. Brian and I would stop here after almost every appointment. We may need to reinstate this ritual!

 

Thank you for your prayers, please continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby.



Lots Going On

Friday night was date night!

Brian and I went bowling, and I actually beat him the first game. Not even joking!

Saturday morning, Jackson rode his bike and I walked over to Katrina's baby shower. He was just too cute riding with his helmet and backpack on.

Jackson was so excited to see Katrina and meet Titus.

Thankfully Jackson was pretty well behaved.

 

We attempted some family pictures. Not sure if we got anything worthy to be placed on the Christmas card.

 

 So thankful to spend the night out and about with my loves!

 

 Sunday morning, Jackson sang at my aunt's church with his preschool class. I love how nicely he is walking in.

 All week at home he was practicing very loudly. I thought for sure he would be shy and quiet on stage, but he was definitely didn't disappoint. He was so fun to listen and did a great job with the words and hand motions.

 After the service, there was a fall fest. Jackson participated in a pie eating contest against 4 other little boys.

 No surprise that he won 1st place!

Jackson with 2 of his friends from preschool.

 

I forgot to mention the naps I took Saturday and Sunday because I am one tired mama! We had a great weekend together, and I am already counting down to Thanksgiving break....6 more school days!

Say Thank You

Yesterday at school we celebrated veterans and thanked them for their sacrifice to our country and their families. I always get choked up thinking about their sacrifice and what it must be like to leave their families for so long. I can't even imagine my dad, husband, son, daughter, etc being the one that is away.

Shutterfly is offering free cards to say thank you to our troops. You can choose from 4 designs, personalize it, and then Shutterfly will send it on its way. My card is already being sent.

Click here to make your own card and make a difference during the holiday season to the many men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice each day.

 

*Shutterfly is providing me with a $50 credit towards purchases on their site in exchange for helping them spread the word about their Thank The Troops campaign. 

The Rest Of The Week

Jackson was able to spend a lot of time with Papa Gary, Grandma Elly, Garrison, and Katelyn while they were here.

 

During the week Jackson;

-skipped preschool on Monday and went to Chuck E Cheese with them

-had Grandma take and pick up from preschool almost every day

-had lunch at McDonald's with them

-had to sit and watch us eat Menchies (it's tough being 3)

-played at the park with Garrison and Katelyn

-ate and played at Chick-fil-a

 

 -spent the evening with Papa and Grandma while we went on a date

We went to Chuy's for dinner and to see Here Come the Boom. Seriously one of the funnies and most inspiring movie I have seen in a while. Go see it!

 All the kids wanted a picture with us!

 

-fought, cried, loved, and played with Garrison and Katelyn every day

 

 After we got home from breakfast Saturday morning Jackson said, "I sure do miss them and wish they were still here." That's the worst part of living so far away.

Thankful for our time together!

Trick-or-Treating

Halloween was such a fun night!

It is not a holiday we make a big deal about or spend a lot of money on. Jackson will never dress as anything scary.

Jackson got to trick-or-treat with Aaron, Garrison, and Katelyn.

He was SO into it this year! He ran from house to house and up to the door all by himself. The candy got him excited at every house!

 We trick-or-treated up and down our street and around our block. The kids had 2 buckets full of candy by the time we were down.

All the kids were sweaty and headed right to the bath when we got home!

I love spending time doing fun activities with my boy Bob the Builder!

Visitors

Where has the week gone?

My parents arrived last Saturday night. Jackson had been waiting all day for them to arrive!

My dad broke his leg and has 5 weeks off of work, so they made a trip down to see up.

 

Sunday morning we went to church. Garrison loved the Sunday school class they had for him. He asked if he could go every week.

Mom didn't get the memo to smile:)

 My parents and me!

 After church, we came home to wait for Aunt Midge and Uncle Dan to go to lunch. I love this picture Brian snapped of Katelyn while the kids were playing.

Waiting for lunch with their fire hats on!

 

 Later on Sunday, my mom made a batch of rollout cookies. Jackson helped her cut out pumpkins, and we all chipped into frost and decorate them.

 LOVE this picture of me with the boys.

 Yummy cookies!