22 weeks

I had my 22 week appointment last Friday (postponed a day because of the snow). Everything checked out great and we're measuring right on track. He's moving around a LOT and had a good heartbeat of 143 bpm. I'm feeling pretty good these days and am trying to capitalize on these moments while I can. I can hardly believe that he'll be here in less than 4 months!!! (Teaser: we have decided on a name, but you'll just have to wait to find out what it is!!!)


Now, here's a little glimpse into the future. We bought Drew a baby doll to try to help him start to make a connection between the "baby in Mommy's tummy" and a real baby. (BTW, it's really hard to find a baby boy doll - go figure, huh? - but I found one and I'm pretty proud of myself.) Drew is pretty good so far about being gentle with the doll, although he does like to poke at it's eyes. It came with a hat and a pacifier. He likes to pull the hat off, but then says "uh-oh" and wants you to put it back on. It's pretty cute. I know that we'll have plenty of issues to deal with when the baby comes in April, but at least it's a start.

SNOW!!!!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful sight! SNOW!! In Southeast Louisiana!! It doesn't happen very often, so it's an exciting surprise when it does pop up. This was Drew's first chance to see snow. He was pretty amazed at what he saw, but wasn't completely sure about what to do about the cold, wet stuff that was falling on his head. Russell was even able to come home and share this special time with us. His boss told him that there were just some things that you shouldn't miss and sent him home. The snow has stopped for now and is just about all melted away, but we'll have these memories (and our pictures) forever. Enjoy and stay warm!!

Drew looking out the back window at the snowSuch excitement!!

What exactly IS this stuff???
I'm not so sure I like this...
Mommy and Drew
Daddy making snowballs
Drew's snowballDrew and Daddy throwing snowballs at Mommy (video)

Drew and Daddy

Christmas pictures

While my sister was in town I convinced her to help me try to get some early Christmas pictures. We set up our own "studio" in the dining room and did our best. It took several tries, but I think we finally got some keepers. We found a cool feature on our camera where you can accent one color and it turns the rest black and white. I think they turned up really neat.

Thankful for Family

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. My dad and sister were able to join us and we had a great time just being together, eating lots of great food, doing a little shopping, and of course watching Drew entertain us all. Here's a couple of family pics...

Drew, the photographer

Drew has found recently found a love of cameras and getting his picture taken. You have to be careful though, because as soon as he sees the camera coming he'll happily let you take one picture (if you're lucky) and then he immediately wants to see the picture that you took. (Remember the days when you had to wait for weeks to see if what you took actually turned out like you hoped?? I love digital cameras!!!) You can usually get him to go back and take another one, but eventually his interest turns to taking pictures himself. He's figured out that you're supposed to say "cheese" and smile and will do that as soon as he sees it coming. The other day he got a hold of my camera and was turning it to face him and saying "cheese" himself. Somehow he found the shutter button and proceeded to take several pictures in rapid succession of himself. Below are the results (and no, I didn't include them all!!) - hope you enjoy!

(this time the lens was zoomed out)

It's a......

BOY!!! We had our ultrasound last week and found out that Drew will be having a little brother. Everything looked great and he's growing and moving just like he should be at this point (in fact, he's measuring a little ahead of schedule). We're very excited about having 2 boys and can't wait to see the similarities and differences between them. (During the ultrasound the baby was pulling his arms up around his face and kept crossing his feet at the ankle, just like Drew.)

18 weeks

Drew is patting the "baby in Mommy's tummy" (please excuse his droopy jeans!)

Mommy and her boys!

Maybe someday...

Maybe someday I'll actually get back on track with this whole blogging thing. I was doing so well for awhile, and then this pregnancy - coupled with taking care of a 20 month old - has taken it all out of me!! I'm finally feeling like a real human being again (thank goodness!!!) and am finally getting to actually "enjoy" this pregnancy. I've been feeling the baby move quite a bit and we're down to only about 5 months until we meet this new little one.

Drew is growing and changing so much. He's picked up lots of new words and is talking so much more than just a few weeks ago. He loves to draw and write. One of his favorite pastimes is using a pen or pencil to "write" on just about any paper he can find. He's still definitely a lefty and is so cute when he concentrates on what he's writing (he sticks out his tongue and is so focused!). He's running everywhere and is so observant of his world (watch what you do and say around him - he's a copycat). I love watching him grow and develop and see the amazing changes that come with this age.

Now, on to what's been going on with us in the time since my last post. We've traveled back to Houston twice, celebrated Dave's retirement and Papaw's 80th birthday, Drew got his 6 month check-up for his tubes (they look great!), Drew and Russell dressed up for "Trunk or Treat" at our church, I had a birthday (29!!), Pumpkin Patch at Bammel, cheered for Texas Tech as they beat everyone (Go Raiders!!!! Now, beat the Sooners!), did some shopping, and enjoyed Mexican food (Taco Bueno, I LOVE you!). I'm sure there's more, but just thinking about it all makes me tired all over again. We're planning on staying close to home for a little while. My dad and sister will be joining us for Thanksgiving and we shouldn't have anymore trips to make until Christmas.

My boys dressed to cheer for Tech!

Get your guns up. Go TEXAS TECH!!!
"Mmmmmm" (This is the face that he makes)
Blowing bubbles

Drew, Russell, and Ben at the Museum of Natural History "Driving" the valves on the Christmas tree Drawing with sidewalk chalk
Drawing with Daddy out at lunch
Drew and Daddy dressed up for Trunk or Treat Drew and Gigi at Pumpkin Patch