Thank You Mom!

I am so lucky to have the mom that I do!!

Yesterday we had to take her to the airport and it was so sad to say goodbye!!  She had been here with Austin, Hunter and I for a month and we couldn't have been more appreciative for all that she did for us!!  It made the time with Brian being gone go by so much faster and it was so fun having such great bonding time with her!  I am going up to Washington in a little over a week, so we didn't have to say goodbye for too long, but we will still miss her!!  You wouldn't believe all the cleaning and organizing she did for us, it was amazing all that she got done!!  A major thank you for all your hard work mom, for all the laughs and fun we shared, for all the walks and trips to the park, and for just being such a great friend, grandma, and mom ;)  We love you!!

Thank you for all that you do for us Grandma...

We had SO much fun with you while you were here...

Thank you for always wanting to play...

and for all the laughs we shared together...

we had lots of fun just hanging out...

and we love that you are always there for us with a helping hand...

and we are so grateful you came to stay with us!!  

THANK YOU!!

31 week ultrasound...

Today I had an ultrasound to check the progress of our little girl :)  I have been getting extra ultrasounds due to her having a 2 vessel umbilical cord instead of a normal 3 vessel cord, and also because at 18 weeks, we discovered she had some cysts in her brain that appeared to be pretty serious, but thankfully after lots of tests and prayers, have almost completely disappeared!  It was a great appointment today, our doctor was very confident the remaining cyst will be gone by the time she is born, and we saw that she is growing wonderfully so far (measuring around 4 lbs 1 oz already!), putting me about a week and a half ahead of schedule!

  Unfortunately, she was quite stubborn today and wouldn't show her face for one second, so I didn't get any pictures of her!  I was sad I didn't get to see even the slightest glimpse of her little face, but today was just such a positive day after learning everything looks like it is going to be alright, we couldn't be more thankful :)  A very special thank you to my mother in law Jane for watching Austin and Hunter for me so my mom and I could go to the ultrasound!!

Congratulations JJ and Kelsey!

We are just so happy for our great friends JJ and Kelsey, as they welcomed their 3rd child into their family today...a little boy named Joseph Ethan, and he's just the most handsome little guy!! Austin is so excited that he finally has a boy to hang out with (most of our friend's have girls and Austin is hugely outnumbered...not that he minds of course!!) We are so happy for them and can't wait to watch little Ethan grow up like his big sister's Lauren & Kaelyn!! Congratulations you guys, and welcome to the big beautiful world Ethan!

Meeting little Ethan for the first time!  He is just absolutely precious!  

Showing off his big beautiful eyes!

Only a few more weeks until we have another one of these ourselves...we can't wait!!

Pictures that make me smile...

Just some pictures I took of Austin over the past few days that really bring a smile to my face...

Playing with two of his favorite things right now...his cars and the trains on his water table!  He couldn't be happier!

Playing cars in the rocks!

Getting ready to squirt me with the hose!!  He thinks it's hilarious when he sprays me and I scream because the water is so cold!!

Just too cute for words!

So full of sunshine!

I want to color!!

The other day I had all my crayons and pens out to decorate a card for a friend.  Austin was so into watching me, and it didn't take him long to want to color too!!  He kept begging for some pens, so I got him a few sheets of paper and set him at the table to have at it!!  He LOVES coloring!!  Everyday since he will go to the table and climb up onto a chair and yell "mama!" waiting for me to bring him pens, crayons and paper to make another masterpiece!!  Of course so far they are just scribbles, but I love them and have them hanging all over my kitchen ;)  We are still working on teaching him that the table top isn't a canvas too, as well as his hands and face, which sometimes get marked up from when he puts the cap back on or tries to smell the scented markers!!  (I know, I am crazy for giving him markers, they are eventually going to end up all over my walls or something, but I am keeping a good eye on him while he has them!!)  He loves walking around the house with a finished drawing in his hands, like he is showing it off!!  It makes me laugh, but I am proud of him!!

SO excited to color!

So serious about his artwork!

Happy with his latest creation!

Austin definitely got my love for coloring!!

College Reunion...

My friend Ann, who was also a college teammate, had a bridal shower/bachelorette party in Arizona this weekend, and I was thrilled to be able to see her and a few of my other teammates who made the trip out to help her celebrate!  We don't get to see each other very often, so when we do we have so much fun catching up!  We had a great time...I wish we all lived closer together so we could do this more often!!  We laughed so hard, I love getting together with my college girls, no matter how long it's been since we saw each other last, it's like we haven't been a part at all!!

Me and Stephanie at Ann's bachelorette party!

Some of my college teammates celebrating Ann's bachelorette party!

I was the only pregnant one, but it came in handy when it was time to drive everyone around! :)

From left: Annette, Stephanie, Ann (the bride to be) and me!

Me and Annette getting ready for Ann's night out!

I am really sad I am not going to be able to make it to Ann's wedding.  She is getting married really close to my due date and I won't be able to travel back to Arizona for it.  I will miss seeing most of my other teammates who will be out for the wedding, so I was lucky to be able to attend the festivities this weekend!!  A major thank you to my mom who watched Austin and Hunter for me while I was out with the girls!! :)

Preparing for two...

While out for a walk the other day, Hunter seemed to be dragging a bit...maybe it was because we were an hour in and were no where close to being back home!!  I thought it would be good practice to see what it's like pushing around two, plus it would give Hunter a quick rest!  He wasn't too sure about his stroller ride though and hopped out not too much later!  Austin thought it was hysterical and kept laughing that "Woof Woof" was sitting with him!  Hopefully Austin will be just as welcoming to his baby sister when she assumes the seat next to him in a few weeks!!

Strolling around with my two kids!!

Will you be my Valentine?

Even though Brian was away in Japan, I had no shortage of Valentine's dates this year!!  I was lucky enough to have 4 dates to dinner tonight!!  We had a fun meal with Brian's parents, my mom, and of course Austin ;)  Thanks for a great night you guys!!

Austin celebrating Valentine's Day with Grandpa and Grandma!!

Getting a Valentine Hug from Grandma!

Mommy's date for Valentine's Day this year!!

So sweet...

...even from Japan, he found a way to make my Valentine's Day extra special!

Thank you Bri, these made my day!!

We love and miss you!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Will you be my Valentine?

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Active Boy!

The last few days we have been trying to get the house all cleaned and organized so we can get ready to head out for the next few months!!  Nothing like dusting everything just to lock up the house for 7 months to get it all dusty again!!  A special thank you to my mom for all the projects she has been doing around the house...I really must give her all the credit, she has done a ton around here!!  (She is the best cleaner!!)  So we really haven't been doing anything too exciting lately!!  Austin has been a big helper, and has kept busy playing outside, and reminding us to take breaks and go to the park on walks!!

Taking some time to practice his swing!

He thinks the harder he can hit the ball and the tee the better!!!  We are working on teaching him to avoid hitting the tee ;)

Rounding third and headed home!!

Austin always "runs the bases" after he hits the ball!

Playing soccer at the park and enjoying some fresh air!

Having a blast swinging together!

This sure beats cleaning!!

Rainy Days!

What a difference a day makes!!

Yesterday...

...Today!!

I must have jinxed our beautiful weather with my last post!!  It started raining last night, which don't get me wrong, is a really nice change for we don't see it very often!  In fact I can't remember the last time it rained here!  Austin wasn't too sure what to think about playing outside in the rain though!!  He kept saying "Wet, Wet!" with this grumpy look on his face!!  It was funny, but once he discovered how much fun stomping in puddles could be, he was all smiles!!

Sunny Days!

Seriously, are you sure it's February?!!!  I know we live in Arizona, but it has just been so incredibly nice outside here!!  We have been outdoors non-stop and loving this beautiful weather!!

Austin enjoying a snack out on his bench!  

Nothing like being able to eat outside in the warm sun!

Austin sharing his sunglasses with Lauren before a dip in their pool!

Floating in the water with mom!  

Austin had a great time swimming with all of his girlfriends...he was outnumbered 5 to 1!!  He didn't seem to mind at all :)

Hello Sunshine!

Swimming outside with friends in February...how lucky are we?!!

Even at night it's still beautiful out!  Austin was still having fun going down the slide with his friends Lauren & Kaelyn after a fun day in their pool!

Super Bowl

We headed over to Mandy & John's house for the Super Bowl this year and had a great time!!  It was a gorgeous day out and Austin spent most of the game outside playing with his football!!  They made some delicious food and even though the Cardinals lost, it was a great day with great friends :)

Austin, "Auntie Mandy" & Me watching the Super Bowl!

Austin's got the best seat in the house!!  

Posing with Auntie Mandy :)

Austin & Mandy's sister Jen with her baby Tristan...the kids were dancing it up to the half time show!

Austin and his buddy Tristan playing their own game of football!!