Meadows Family

Easter

2011-05-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Easter this year was HECTIC! We started out by going to my parent's house that Friday (the 22nd), me going and taking pictures of a dear friend and her daughters, eating with the family and then Saturday doing all the Easter festitivities, going to a birthday party for one of best friends' little boys, taking pictures of my sister and Jayden and then relaxing a bit that evening. We had to leave earlier than normal on Sunday so that we could get back home to celebrate Easter and birthdays at the Meadows. Hope you enjoy the pics!

4/23- Coloring eggs at Nana & Papa's

Jayden and Berk doing the dirty work!

Finished dozen colored eggs!

Egg hunt! Berk finding some hidden treasures!

Jack's catching on!

Wet after playing in the water hose with Jayden!

Silly kids!

Jack inspecting his loot!

Cousins: Jack 13 months old, Berk 2 1/2 years old and Jayden 20 months old!

Loved finding the eggs!

Jayden's stockpile!

Big hugs from J to Jack!

Big hugs from J to Berkley!

Two of best guys around!

Cousins running around on the soccer fields getting ready to fly kites!

Dad helping Berk fly the kite; she did a great job!

Love my family so much!

Hello handsome!

After we left Nana & Papa's we came back home and had Easter at the Meadows house! We also had two birthdays to celebrate (Thad's 29th and Wesson Rhyder's 1st!).

4/24- The kids' loot at Gran and Pops'

Berk's basket from the Easter Bunny that he had to leave at Gran & Pops' because we weren't home!

Jack's basket from the Easter Bunny!

Cool guys!

The next T. Swift!

Hunting more eggs!

Definitely catching on! Notice he has two eggs in his hand this go-round!

Best attempt of a picture with them together! Yes, that shirt is now ruined thanks to Jack's chocolate slobber!

Family picture!

BIG TROUBLE IN THE MAKING; Jack and the birthday boy, Wesson Rhyder!

Sister/Brother Post Part 2

2011-05-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

I had more pictures to add and didn't want to take the time to reorganize all of them on the other post, so here are more pics of this lovely relationship between Berk and Jack!

Meadows

Playing peek-a-boo at the softball field in Midland (February '11)
Planting flowers (March '11)

Being silly before bedtime (March '11)
Sharing her (dad's) Sonic drink (March '11)

Playing in the backyard (April '11)

Photoshoot with mom (April '11)

Truly love each other! (April '11)

Easter and Thad's 29th birthday (April 24, 2011)

Jack's First Birthday

2011-03-24T11:03:00.001-07:00

So, we had Jack's birthday on the first Saturday of Spring Break thinking that it would be a great idea, well it was a great idea because lots of people got to come, but it was a BAD idea because we also had SO much going on that weekend and that day. First, the Thursday before we got out for Spring Break, it was my turn to host BUNCO so I did it dutifully and had a great time doing it! Then, Saturday morning I helped host a baby shower from 10:30-12:00 and then I booked it back to the house and finished readying the house for the party. After our party, Berk's "boyfriend" Bryson was having his 3rd birthday starting at 5. Needless to say, it was a CRAZY Saturday full of friends and family. For Jack's birthday I decided to go with baseball because he LOVES balls (I thought about all sports but then I would have just gone even more overboard!) I think the baseball theme really turned out cute and I found him the CUTEST outfit from McCall's here in Lamesa. (I don't have a picture of him in it on here because my card for my other camera crashed midway through the party; hence the crappy quality of some of the pictures!) But we had a great time and it might have been a little "over the top," but they only have a first birthday once right?! I got all of the printable stuff from a shop on Etsy called "Dimple Prints" and this lady creates banners, cards, toppers, ANYTHING and you just print and assemble! LOVED IT and will use it again!So here are the pictures and hopefully I will put some more up as I get them from others! When we took Jack to the doctor on the 14th his one-year stats are 27 lbs. 2 oz. and 30.5 inches long. He was in the 90th percentile for everything and she said that he is going to be tall! We pulled out Berk's stats and he was the same length and he had her beat by 2 lbs. on the weight; but they are pretty comparable because she started out 2 lbs. lighter! Anyway enjoy the pics!

Meadows

***These first two pics are out of order because it was being stubborn and wouldn't let me move them, so sorry for the scatteredness!***

My Great Aunt Leta and her son Gary-they live in Lubbock and I really do need to do a better job of visiting them!

Nana and Papa

Refreshment stand: juice boxes, sodas and water with cups and ice. (My printables package did have printables for the drinks but by that time, I was DONE!) The ice bucket (the red metal thing in the picture) was $5 from the Dollar Store.

Fireplace mantel decoration! I loved seeing all the baseballs!

Concession stand! Our dining room was PERFECT for this and the table worked great! The inflatable balls were part of their favors, the picture frame by the cake played pictures of Jack from birth and the snacks were in the metal buckets with labels (buckets from Hobby Lobby and labels on dowels) The cake of course was done by Gran!

A close up of the cake and the cute banner on the table.

SNACKS! You can see a FEW of the baseball cookies that I made! I tried to keep some of the snacks kid-friendly and others "baseball-themed;" peanuts, cracker jacks.

Favor table; the favor bags had a bunch of baseball "junk" in them from Oriental Trading! Then I had a ball that I wanted everyone to sign and I am going to put it in a baseball case in Jack's room.

More favors! Don't you know the parents LOVED me! :)

Jack getting ready for his cake!

Up close and personal with the cake! (his cake is the baseball on the top!)

I love this picture because the picture frame is playing one of the pictures of RIGHT after Jack was born!

With the "1" candle! :(

Not quite sure about the cake...

Berk KNOWS all about this...

Ok I think I like this stuff...

Oh, I DEFINITELY LIKE THIS STUFF!

Jayden thinks that Jack will share his food!! HAHA

Uncle Derrick is under the same impression (have they LOOKED at this kid lately?!)

Ah yes, now we are talking!

He is sweet enough to offer some to mama though! :)

DELICIOUS! And Thad did get to give the traditional birthday cake bath afterwards!

Garron & Kristin and baby Madison!

Getting ready to open presents; this was about the extent of how much he helped!

Unless we FORCED him to sit and open them, he wanted nothing to do with them!

Oh, but some many others were willing to help!

Uncle Derrick, Aunt Mandy and Cohen (almost 6 months old)

TWINS!

TROUBLE with a capital "T!"

Gran and Pops

Sara and Rance

Auntie Rach and Jayden

Uncle Coco and Wesson Rhyder with my goofy husband in the background!

That's better; Uncle Coco and Wesson Rhyder

Sometimes I think my hubs forgets that I have this blog and that all is goofiness is on it!! :)

Love this family picture! I think Berk comes by her goofiness naturally!!

The end of the night and Berk was getting a little silly!

Jayden giving Berk a good-bye hug and kiss!

Sister/Brother Post

2011-03-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

Berk and Jack's relationship has been one that I have so enjoyed watching bloom over the last year. From her "hatred" towards Thad and I when we brought Jack home (and I'm pretty sure it was as close to hatred as an 18-month old gets) to her sweetest "Hey there handsome man," today, it makes me feel so blessed. She is the best big sister and makes me so proud to be her mom and so happy that we chose to give her a sibling when we did (sometimes we still question WHY we didn't wait longer, but all in all, it is great)! Being a big sister is going to be something that Berk and I will always have in common and I know I will probably learn more from her about being a big sister than I ever learned on my own! Jack absolutely adores Berk and I can't help but tear up everytime he looks up at her with those incredible blue eyes. I know these two are going to be trouble with a capital T in the near future, but I also know that they will be the best of friends. It makes me want another baby so bad to be able to give the gift of "big brotherhood" to Jack because I know he will/would be an amazing big brother. But right now, I am just smitten with these two and love their ever-evolving relationship. In a nutshell, our crazy, hectic life is pretty perfect with all of its daily quarrels and loving embraces. Thank you Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful family and allowing me to see your grace through everything.

Meadows

March 12, 2010- First look at brother!

March 13, 2010

March 19, 2010

April 8, 2010

May 12, 2010

June 2010

July 20, 2010

September 2010

Halloween 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

November 2010

Christmas 2010

January 2011

February 2011

JACK SPRAT IS ONE!!!

2011-03-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well today, my sweet baby boy is a year old! I cannot believe it! I thought Berk's first year FLEW by, but it seems his went two times faster! (How is that possible?!) We have enjoyed having him in our lives more than I ever thought I would enjoy two children 18 months apart! He has made our family complete and it is so fun to see how different he is than what Berk was. I am so happy that this weekend we get to celebrate his first birthday with close friends and family and can't wait to see how excited he gets! This morning when I woke him up and started singing happy birthday to him, he just grinned from ear to ear, like he knows that today and this weekend will be all about him! Well here is a picture recap of Jack's first year. I am leaving off the one for March because I will do a COMPLETE post with birthday details and plenty of pictures I am sure. Enjoy taking a look back at Jack's first year, it's a little mind blowing how different he is!

Meadows

February 2011- Jack's first Valentine's Day and he started walking everywhere

January 2011- Jack really started playing peek-a-boo a LOT; he also loves to Pat-a-Cake!

December 2010-Jack's first Christmas was wonderful and we really enjoyed the special time with both our babies!

November 2010-Jack's first Thanksgiving!

October 2010-Hallowee; you can tell how excited he was about his costume! :) He started crawling on October 11, 2010

September 2010- Getting ready to start crawling

August 2010- First trip to Ruidoso! He also started holding his own bottle, getting out of his bouncy seat and chewing on anything he could stick in his mouth!

July 2010- Eating cereal for the first time

June 2010-Golf buddies with dad

June 2010

May 2010- With a mullet

April 2010

April 2010- Easter; First Family of Four picture

March 12, 2010- One day old

March 12, 2010- Berk meeting little brother for the first time!

March 8, 2010- 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant! Two days later I would go in and be induced and welcome Jack Brannon into this world after 14 hours of labor, weighing in at 7 lb. 6 oz and 19 inches long.

February Catch Up

2011-03-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Well February just flew by; it was like I blinked and it was gone! We had a lot go on in February, so maybe that is why it went so fast. Anyway here is a quick run down of all the things that happened in February, minus pictures because right now I am just concerned about documenting (there will be pics in the next post I promise!)

February 4- Took the kids to see the doctor because both had nasty coughs and Jack was wheezing so I was getting ready for some breathing treatments and diagnosises of RSV and a cold. Well much to my surprise, Dr. Key went ahead and tested both for the flu (which I told him was a waste of my money because NEITHER had been running fever), and BOTH came back positive. So, after plenty of money at the clinic and the pharmacy, plus a week out of daycare and me a week out of work, they got much better! I really wouldn't have ever thought the flu because the symptoms were so atypical. But, I guess that's why I'm no doctor! (Jack weighed 25.1 lbs, at this visit and Berk was 34 lbs.)

February 12- Mom and Dad came in and brought Berk her big girl bedroom suit! Since we didn't have a key to the storage builiding we weren't able to put it in there and just wait, so she got moved faster than we intended! Needless to say, I think she was ready since she constantly climbed into and out of her bed! She has really made the adjustment well and only fell out on the first night! She typically does good and stays in bed but there are those nights! :)

February 14- Jack started walking, like WALKING, everywhere. We had just had the discussion that weekend about whether Jack would be walking by his first birthday and I told my dad I didn't think so because he is so darn lazy! Well, to my surprise, he started and is now going NONSTOP!

February 20-Jack got another tooth on the bottom left. He now has three on bottom and four on top!

February 24-28- Thad went to his annual Phoenix NASCAR race with the guys and I got to spend lots of quality time with the kiddos! I enjoyed spending the time with the kids, but was so ready for Thad to be home and have some help plus that big peace of mind that comes with your husband being home!

February 28- I hired someone to come and clean my house every other Monday because it had become such a nuissance. So the lady came the first week and everything went wonderfully and I enjoyed my clean house. Well, this time she came and started cleaning and when I got home from work all the cleaning stuff was still out but she was nowhere to be found. My phone rang after about an hour of being home and totally puzzled and the lady's mother called and said that my cat ATTACKED her! I could not believe this because he is typically so sweet. But he had been a little testy when my mom and dad were there so there is no telling. Thankfully she didn't quit and came back that Wednesday and finished where she left off! I must say that it is the BEST investment I have ever made!!

Well Jack turns a YEAR old tomorrow so there will be another post, but I wanted to update on February! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and I am so looking forward to Spring Break!!

Meadows

January Picture Catch Up

2011-01-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I blinked and January was gone! We have been busy and I guess I just didn't realize it until I started thumbing through pictures and realized what all I HADN'T posted! I think sometimes I forget about the good ol' blog since I post everything on Facebook! But, since it has been forgotten, I have done my duty to catch you up! During January, Berk has gone to two stockshows and has grown fond of them. She especially loved when her friend Bryson came to the one in Lamesa and they got to look at pigs together. Jack is now 10 months old and I am in the stages of getting stuff ready for his first birthday party! I can't believe that it has almost been a year! He now has 6 teeth and probably weighs around 26-28 lbs. He is not walking yet (Berk was already full-fledged walking by now) and he seems to really not have any interest as long as someone will carry him! He will push toys all day long, but when you take it away and tell him to walk, he just plops down. He is saying "Uh oh" and knows what it means; we play a game every feeding time where he will drop his cup, look at us and then say "Uh." He is on whole milk in his two bottles a day (in the morning and before bed), but seems to have his periods where he could care less about them. Berkley is still being a typical two year old with her tantrums, selfishness and moodiness, but we are working through it. I must say that all those "terrible two" things are just minimal when she looks at you with those big blue eyes and says "Cuddle with me mama!" She has become a big fan of "Sid the Science Kid" on PBS Kids and in all honesty, watches too much of him! Thad and I have been working like usual and nothing new on the homefront really! I have started sewing (GASP!) and am making camera straps to start selling. I am also trying to get my foot in the door with photography (hence the TONS of pictures that I have been taking lately). I have done some maternity pictures for some friends of ours (and soon newborn pictures for them) and some senior pictures for my sister-in-law and then just tons of pictures of the kids. I am hoping to get some other kids/families/seniors/babies in front of the camera soon! I am going to a workshop this weekend to hopefully be overwhelmed with knowledge so I can build on it. I love doing it and hope that it can be something to fulfill my artistic side along with teaching. So anyway that is about it. I am sure I have missed TONS but that's neither here nor there. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Meadows

One of our many photo shoots (this was the first of hte month)
Jack and his cup

Photoshoot (first of the month)

Berk has become a BIG fan of gum

See how sweet she looks!

After the Welch stockshow. Rusty was kind enough to give her a trophy even though she threw a wall-eyed fit when I tried to get her to go and show one of the lambs with Jessica!

At the Lamesa stockshow, looking at pigs with Bryson

LOVE IT!

Photoshoot time (this was a couple of weeks ago)

Melts my heart!

Love her

Love him

Big girl

Happy boy

Yes, he knows that this makes his sister mad when he gets her stuff!

Look at how long her hair is getting

FAT boy!

Looking through the shudders

Talking to her shadow

Love this one of her!

Can you guess what his birthday party is going to involve?

I spy...

Handsome man

Photoshoot time with Valentine's stuff

He couldn't resist!

Love this one

She was putting all the same ones together

Sweet little profile

How innocent she looks

ABSOLUTE favorite

Where's Jack?

Peek-a-boo!

Another photoshoot!

Love this one in black and white!

Love this one

Why so serious?!

Look at that hair!

All the Christmas Shenanigans!

2011-01-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I warned you that there would be a picture OVERLOAD some time this week, and here it is! There is just a MESS of everything that went on between my last post (before Christmas), until sometime last week! So here you go!

My new piece of artwork for the entryway that my lovely husband bought for me for Christmas!
Jack found himself in quite a mess and nearly got his head stuck while trying to get out!

Berkley made a Gingerbread house with Aunt Sara on Monday, the 20th.

Jack was totally excited about shopping for Christmas presents, can't you tell?!

My coffee filter wreath found itself a pefect place on the wall beside the Christmas tree!

Berkley was all ready to get her ears pierced like a big girl (Friday, the 31st)....

And here she is with them done! Don't worry she had a sucker and was totally content after the initial shock of it all! (But I was totally honest with her and told her that it would probably hurt and she wanted to do it anyway)

I went through all of Berkley's clothes that she has outgrown from the very beginning and this was the GIVE AWAY pile for our friends, the Morgans! (No fear, I did keep some special outfits that I would LOVE to see another little girl in someday; if of course I can convince my hubby of it!)

Berkley did some hairdressing before Christmas

Oh my handsome man! (Christmas Eve day at the Meadows)

His little nook under the pool table where his music table was!

I LOVE THIS ONE!!

Berk and cousin Wesson taking a ridei n the laundry basket!

Our pot of beans that I menioned in my post yesterday!

And the rolls have risen!!

And then they were delicately cooked to perfection!

Thad's Dutch Oven MASTERPIECE!

Uncle Coco and Wesson Rhyder!

Enjoying the wrapping paper!

Check out this physique!

Couldn't care less about the presents, just the wrapping paper, bows and boxes!

Bow fixation!

Ok, maybe he cared a little about the cool toys he got!

Trouble with a CAPITAL "T"! (Yes, that is Jack's pacifier that Wesson gladly STOLE out of Jack's mouth...I told you the kid is LAID BACK and didn't care one bit!!)

Berkley using her new "beauty set" to try and curl Wesson's hair!

We couldn't break it to Jack that in the long run, he probably will NOT want to be carrying around a heart-shaped pink mirror!

Future hairdresser?

Sweet girl helping give cousin Cohen a bath!

Didn't get a picture of the tree BEFORE opening the presents, but here is a GLIMPSE into the disaster that followed on Christmas morning!

The three big Meadows cousins! The boys I'm sure will be trouble enough, but with Berk as their ring leader; WATCH OUT WORLD!

All four of the Meadows cousins, take ONE....

An da little better on take TWO!

Berkley playing with her new vacuum that Santa left at Nana and Papa's because Berkley wasn't awake yet so he had to drop it off there! (at least that's the story Berk was told by Papa)

A few additions to her kitchen!! And a Magnadoodle!

High five for the cool football chair that Santa left at Nana and Papa's!

And a big boy to sit in that chair!

Playing with the Nana in the doll house that Santa left at their house!

One day after Christmas, I decided to go take some pictures of Berk....

One of my favorites, unedited...I edited it in Photoshop and made it look "antiqued" and love how it turn out, but will save those posts for later!

Another favorite, unedited

I love this little shadow

JUMP FOR JOY!!

Oh my mischeivous boy!

Straight-haired Berk!

You can almost see his top teeth; oh wait, that's just cracker that my child has shoved into his mouth uncontrollably!

Oh big boy!

Hello BLUE EYES!

Sweetest girl!

Oh the joys of having a boy who likes to put EVERYTHING in his mouth!

Oh those eyes!

Repeat previous comment!

Sweetest boy!

Once again, everything MUST go into his mouth. I guess he thinks that he might miss some INCREDIBLE taste experience if it all doesn't go into his mouth!

Christmas Sneak Peak!

2011-01-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas this year was wonderful around our house! My mother-in-law had a hysterectomy the Tuesday before Christmas so me, my sister-in-law and Thad all did the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve at the Meadows! We made homemade rolls, peanut butter pie, fruit salad, banana pudding, beans, a huge salad and Thad cooked a bunch of "stuff" in the Dutch ovens! I couldn't believe how great it turned out! I have always joked that the first Christmas that we had to do without Lisa we would mail order everything; I am happy to say that I think it turned out just fine! The kids got WAY TOO MUCH stuff and I got a Kindle (the electronic book reader) and Thad got a pair of "new Tony Lamas!" We woke up Christmas morning and did Christmas at our house and then went over to the Meadows for a bite of breakfast casserole and then it was off to prepare Christmas lunch for my family. I made a roast with potatoes and carrots and gravy. My parents and grandparents got to come out and it was nice to just relax after all the hustle and bustle! And of course the kids got WAY TOO MUCH! I know that within the next few months there is going to be a LOT OF GARAGE SALE PILES being made, especially since Jack's birthday is in a mere TWO MONTHS! I cannot believe that he will be a YEAR OLD in two months! The time has really flown by, even faster than it did with Berk. He is still just being as laid back as ever, eating a lot and loving every minute of life. His demeanor is so much like Thad's and I love it; they are both so very laid back and content with whatever! There is not much that makes either of these two men mad! (Berk and I are a breed of our own, I must say!) Berk took another big step towards being even more "grown up" and got her ears pierced last Friday! She looks so grown up with earrings! I will post some more pictures of Christmas later this week! I hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas and are well on their way to have a great 2011!!

Meadows

Christmas Eve at the Meadows!

Totally SMITTEN! I love how they genuinely love each other!

Christmas Day!Christmas Day

Jack is NINE Months Old!

2010-12-16T10:39:00.001-08:00

Well last Saturday, Jack was NINE months old! I cannot believe how fast this time with him has gone! I thought that time passed fast with Berk but I now feel like I can barely blink an eye without missing something! At his nine month appointment on Monday he weighed 23 lbs. 14 oz. and is 29 1/2 in. long. To say the least, he is a monster!!! He is in the 95th percentile for his height and 92nd percentile for his weight;she said that when their height percentile is more than their weight percentile that they usually wind up being BIG kids! (I can't say that disappoints me!) We keep saying that by this time next year, Jack will probably be bigger than Berk! But he is a healthy boy for sure and everything checked out good. He did have some places on his face and she said those were beta-caratine spots from all the baby food fruits and veggies and that when he got off of baby food that it would clear up. Well, good news, it has since he is now eating table foods! I think the last few weeks of baby food and pure formula bottles wore him out; he wasn't eating as much and he just didn't have that voracious appetite that he is known for! Well the appetite is back since he trying all new things and last night he ate from 6:45-7:35 NONSTOP! Everything I put on his tray he devoured including a whole piece of bread, cheese, tomatoes and half and can of the fruit cocktail stuff! Needless to say, he is a good eater like his sis! He is also getting whole milk in his bottle now; half formula and half whole milk. I can't say that I am happy that he is still on the formula, but at least it is cut in half now; and he only gets 2 bottles a day so it isn't too bad.

He has four teeth now, is cruising furniture, will let go and stand for about 5 seconds (Berk was walking at 10 months so I don't think he will be far behind that), is getting into Berk's things left and right, is very independent except when mom is around, says "da-da," "ma-ma," and the other night said "ba" when he saw his ball, loves petting the cat, loves figuring things out, can stick his tongue out mimicking you, plays patty cake, plays peek-a-boo, sleeps through the night, loves Berk, is very strong (especially when he doesn't want to do something), loves bathtime with Berk, will crack up at Berk acting silly, has the bluest eyes like his sis, is completely smitten with Berk, carries things around in his mouth like dog, gets jealous if you are holding someone else and not him, understands the word "NO," is very laid back like his dad and has just about everyone he meets wrapped around his finger! Needless to say, we are so happy this little (big) boy is so darn lovable, but are really wishing time would SLOW DOWN so we could take it all in a little more!

Miss Thang (a.k.a. Berkley) is still just the life of the party! She is the sweetest girl and has such a sweet heart except when she gets on one of her tacky tangents! Her vocabulary is out of this world and I can't believe how fast she is changing too! The other day we were coming home from my parents and she saw the star at the top of the "mountain" in Borden County and she said "That's AMAZING!" It was the most sincere thing that I have ever heard come out of her mouth! She is the best big sister to Jack and will do anything to make him laugh; we were coming home from getting dinner last night and Jack was NOT happy that he hadn't eaten yet and was fussing and she said, "Jack's it's OK!" Berkley is also very commonly mistaken to be a THREE year old; I love it but sometimes I just stop and think "WOW that IS just right around the corner, isn't it?!" The girl also has one of the BEST memories I have ever seen; you can NOT pull the wool over her eyes for one minute! For a couple of months now we have been talking about Santa and what she wants him to bring her and she will ALWAYS respond "A computer" to whereas some kids will change their selections periodically, NOT HER!

Well this might be one of the last posts I do before the Christmas holiday but I just wanted everyone to know that Jack is healthy and happy and we are all enjoying this holiday season! I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and wonderful New Year!

Meadows

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (a finished projects)!

2010-12-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Well I got the kids' pictures with Santa made this year at Holiday Happenings just like I did last year with Berk! Well this year's was not MUCH better, I just think this old man totally freaks her out! (though she will talk about Santa non-stop when he is not present)

11/21/10...In both pictures she has that same worried look on her face so I just think I am not going to expect much from Santa pictures year to year!

11/21/10...Jack on the other hand, didn't have a care in the world! (this is his normal look)

On to the crafting we go....Here are my finished Santa hats atop the refrigerator! I love the way they turned out along with the tray that I covered in scrapbook paper! (notice his reindeer on the corners)
And my latest creation began with this....A $1 wreath fixture from Dollar Tree and a $1 package of coffee filters from there also. Add my glue gun, a few glue sticks, a $1 ornament from Wal-Mart, some ribbon from Dollar General and some balls out of two different $2 packages of ornaments from Dollar General and you get this....

Voila! I LOVE THIS THING! It is the perfect wreath and was SO EASY to make! I found it on The Nester's blog and am so pleased with how it turned out. So, if you have some extra time and want a CHEAP ($10) and EASY Christmas present, here ya' go!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We are off to the parents again this weekend to see my sister and my best friend from high school graduate from MSU! I have another project I am going to work on while there and we are planning on going to the Fantasy of Lights for the first time with the kids. Jack has his 9-month check up on Monday so I will be sure to post after all the fun this weekend and Monday!

Meadows

It's That Time of the Year Again

2010-12-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Well it is that time of the year again when I (actually Thad) gets down all our Christmas decor and I start to transform our house into a holiday showcase! Last year (our first year in our new house), I didn't really decorate a lot for Christmas, but this year I have got the BUG and I want to do a lot of inside decorating. (The outside is Thad's dept. but I have BIG plans for it too!) So far, I have the tree up and decorated, my village of houses in my hutch (I did have a picture but it was "corrupted?), our stockings hung with care, wreaths on the kids' doors and the big door, a few other decorations and still a few more to go. We have NO presents under the tree yet, but that is nothing out of the ordinary (we procrastinate). I love having a lot of space to decorate but hate the money spent to get started. I know that once I get started then I can put up and reuse every year, but it is the "getting started" par that has been most difficult. (Plus I don't know EXACTLY what i want so I kind of overindulge!) But I have lots still to do to get it where I want it and the calendar is staring at me hardcore! (I think we might leave up Christmas decorations until February!) Anyway here is just is just a little bit of what's been going on at our house and I will post FINALIZED pictures hopefully next week!

Oh and Jack now has BOTH top teeth!!!

Have a great week and weekend!

This is the first ornament I bought when Thad and I started dating in '06. It says "To the world you are just one person, but to one person you could mean the world." I never knew until he proposed (on the 17th of December of '06) and then I married him (a mere 7 months later) that this would ring truer than true.
A red, black and silver tree would never be complete without one of these!

Berk's first Christmas ornament. Look at that wee little baby!!

And her first Christmas footprint!

Her addition to the tree this year: Elmo of course!

Proud of her selection!

My mom had this made last year for us: it is an ostrich egg!

Our first Christmas as husband and wife: my mom also found this one for us!

And my mom got this one made for us too for Berk's first Christmas.

Berk's wreath for her door to her room; she helped make it!

Jack's wreath for his door to his room; Berk helped make it also!

I LOVE these; my four Santa hats (two of which I need finish tonight!)

A vase on our mantle!

Ornaments on some candle holders that Thad and I got on our honeymoon

Stockings hung with care (each has our initials on them)

A candle holder with ornaments that still needs a little work to spruce it up!

And my tree (bad pic with the chairs pulled out, but you get the idea!) I made the topper this year because I wanted something BIG!

Sesame Street Live and Thanksgiving!

2010-11-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

Well like I mentioned in my last post, we went to "Sesame Street Live" on the 19th and it was AWESOME! Berkley loved it and it was fun to see her face when she realized what we were seeing besides Sara! It was great entertainment and I highly recomment it for kids of any age. I think Jack would have even enjoyed it because of the colors and music! We sat on the second row and it was great! The characters all come down off the stage and Berk was highly entertained at seeing all of them up close; she even got to give Grover a high five!

11/19/10...On our way to San Angelo!

11/19/10...SO excited about Aunt Sara AND Sesame Street!

11/19/10...When she saw this Elmo she DARTED inside the coliseum!

11/19/10...Relaxing before the show!
11/19/10...It initially scared her, but didn't take her long to settle in!

11/19/10...ABBY CADABBY!

11/19/10...View from our seats

11/19/10...Prairie Dawn

11/19/10..."Grouchy" as Berk refers to him, and his girlfriend (who knew that monsters that live in trash cans can get girlfriends?!)

11/19/10...Right after she gave Grover a high five!

11/19/10...Pure elation!

11/19/10...Just watching

11/19/10...$10 balloons that they sold at intermission; we got Berk one of these and out of EVERYONE in the entire coliseum, guess who let go of hers even when it was tied around her wrist?! Yep, that would be Berk! So Elmo got to watch us from the ceiling and she surprisingly was OK with that!

11/19/10...Berk and dad

11/19/10...Me and Berk

11/19/10...Bert

I had to take Jack to the doctor on the 18th because he had a barky cough the night before and come to find out, he had croup. So they gave him a steroid and some decongestant and he is fine. When they weighed him at the appoitment he weighed 23.1. He is also teething, getting his top two teeth, which has not been fun for any of us. The things are MONSTERS and his poor gums are so swollen. But hopefully they will pop through any day and he will back to his happy, normal self! The next few are some snapshots of the last few weeks!

First taste of bubbles!

Hanging out after bath time in the laundry basket!

Sweet girl!

11/23/10...Hanging out on the air mattress before getting ready in the morning. Thad redid our bedroom with hardwood floors and new paint, so we got to spend a couple of nights on the air mattress.

Thanksgiving 2010....Well we spent Thanksgiving Day at the Meadows and then went to my parents on Friday. We had a great Thanksgiving and there is so much for us to be thankful for. It was fun with all the kids together at both places. I can see LOTS of fun holidays in the future. Berk loves being the "chief" of all of the kids and I don't think the boys mind at all. (at least not right now!) Jack loved eating the sweet potatoes, pie and stuffing and Berk had plenty of it all! So, here are some snapshots of our two Thanksgivings!

11/25/10...First Thanksgiving!

11/25/10..."You want me to eat what?!"

11/25/10...Two boys; remember they are only SIX weeks apart!

11/25/10...The newest Meadows member: Cohen Blaine. (And his look alike daddy!)

11/25/10...Sweetest babies!

11/25/10...BIG HUG!

11/25/10...Berk and Wesson are big buds too!

11/25/10...All of the babies! (Please excuse the panties, we are working on her appropriateness!)

11/25/10...Corey and Wesson Rhyder

11/25/10...our little fam!

11/25/10...Newest little family!

11/25/10...A frequent occurence when Aunt Sara is around!

11/25/10...One of the last singles with the matriarch and patriarch of the fam!

11/26/10...On the way to Nana and Papa's! (with M & Ms of course!)

11/27/10...Just hanging out!

11/27/10...Berk and Jayden playing

11/27/10...Jayden and Jack; please take into account that Jayden is 7 months older than Jack and Jack weighs two pounds MORE and is the same height! Can you see MAMMOTH?!

11/27/10...Jack and Papa

11/27/10...Jack and dad

11/27/10...He loved this!

11/27/10...Jayden pushing him!

11/27/10...Silly boys!

Last Week!

2010-11-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

Well last week was a fun one for our family. Berk got to go to her first circus on the 3rd (which wasn't a big to do) and then we took her and Jack to their first Tech football game on Saturday. The circus was just a little one that came through Lamesa, complete with NOTHING that a normal circus would have; i.e. an elephant, tigers, clowns! The best thing about it was the cage that had the two motorcyclists going around at the same time. Nonetheless, Berk really enjoyed it. Then that Saturday we got the wild hair to take both of them to the Tech game. They played Missouri and we were sure that it would be a blow out (Missouri was ranked 14th at the time and Tech was not playing well), but alas, Tech pulled it out AFTER we left! We left at halftime because the weather was starting to cool down and we were losing, but then finished listening to it on the radio and was disappointed that we left! Berk and Jack had a GREAT time and were both, for the most part, pretty well-behaved! (Jack even slept through some of the first quarter!) Berk LOVED seeing all the people, listening to the fight song and seeing the Masked Rider and Raider Red. When we were leaving she was BEGGING to go and see Raider Red. It made it better that the Masked Rider's horse was in the trailer when we left so she got to see it. All in all I am so HAPPY that we took them! I know that this will be a great thing in years to come.

Jack turned 8 months old yesterday and is the biggest boy! Today I put him in an outfit that was 18 months and it was a LITTLE big, but not like it should have been on an 8 month old! He probably weighs about 22 or 23 lbs and is probably around 27 inches long. We go to the doctor on the 13th of December for his 9 month check and I will be so happy when she tells us to start giving him whole milk! I am so tired of this formula and his spit up and am hoping that milk will solve that! He is still eating anything you will give him: 3 jars of baby food at one sitting and screams for more! He still only has 2 teeth but I don't think his top two are far behind! He is crawling and pulling up on everything and can get anywhere he wants to pretty quick! He is such a blessing in our house and I love the way he and Berk interact. He just lights up everytime she is near and they have this thing right now where she will start squealing and he will join right in with her! I love it! The other day they were playing together and Thad and I just looked at each and he said "You know that we are fixing to be in for it, right?!" I couldn't help but laugh because it is so true but it is the best thing we could ever have done! I am so happy that they are so close in age and will be accomplices in the near future!

Next weekend will be a busy one for us as well, as we are planning on taking Berk to "Sesame Street Live" in San Angelo on Friday night! We aren't telling her, just that we are going to go and see Aunt Sara; I know she will be so excited! Then we have tickets to the Tech game Saturday and Holiday Happenings is in Lubbock! We will see how much we get around to! Anyway I hope everyone stays warm this weekend and I will be posting pics of "Sesame Street Live" after we go!

Oh yes, those family pictures that we got made last month, well Pamra has posted some of them on her website and here is the link if you want to take a gander: http://rollsoffun.blogspot.com/.

Meadows

11/3/10...Berk's first circus!
11/3/10...The two motorcyclists (a tad bit insane if you ask me!)

11/6/10...Game day ready!

11/6/10...With dad at the game! You can see Jack's curiousness and admiration in the pic!

11/6/10...My two stinkers! This outing could not have come at a more perfect time to reemphasize how special and important my family is to me!

11/6/10...Watching the band

11/6/10...Wreck 'em Tech!

11/6/10...Berk was pumped!

11/6/10

11/6/10...I always love seeing this part before the game starts! And they were wearing camo on their uniforms to honor Wounded Warriors Project.

11/6/10

11/6/10...The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Halloween Happenings!

2010-11-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Halloween was a blast this year! Last year we didn't do anything because Thad and I did something that day and Berk stayed with Gran and Pops. But this year, with both of them, it was a blast! They dressed up like Raggedy Anne and Andy and we got plenty of wears out of the costumes! (They were the cutest Raggedy Anne and Andy I have ever seen in my life! I am partial though!) Wednesday before Halloween we went to Second Baptist's Fall Festival (since we didn't get to the school's since we had family pictures made) and Berk had a blast getting her face painted and "fishing" for prizes! Saturday we made a quick trip to Midland to welcome the newest member of the Meadows clan, Cohen Blaine Meadows, and also see some friends who have an 8-week old little girl. After we got back we went to Trunk or Treat on the Square downtown and entered the two stinkers in the costume contest but no such luck! (I think it was rigged myself!) Sunday we went trick-or-treated around the block with Wesson and Corey and Berk had a blast being pulled in the wagon! That's about all our weekend consisted of! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

Meadows

10/27/10...Jack admiring the fall scene! Berk didn't want to partake in a picture!

10/27/10...Berk working on a skill!

10/27/10...Jack just chillin'!

10/27/10...Berk LOVED getting her face painted! I don't think I would ever have thought she would sit still long enough!

10/30/10...Costume contest at Trunk or Treat
10/30/10...Totally not amused!

10/30/10...Berk with her "boyfriend" Bryson! They are big buds!

10/30/10...BIG HUGS!

10/31/10...Getting ready to get hyped up on some candy!

10/31/10...Totally OVER the costume idea!

10/31/10...Raggedy Anne!

10/31/10...Classic look!

10/31/10...TEETH!!!

10/31/10...Wesson Rhyder as a lion!

10/31/10...Three of the four musketeers!

10/31/10...The two tubs! (They are only 6 weeks apart!!)

The Second Half of October

2010-10-27T11:17:00.001-07:00

Well, let me tell you, I am more than happy that November starts on Monday! This last half of October has been a doozy for sure and I will happy when another month and even a new year to start! I thought that by me not being pregnant this year I would have time at work to take off, but it has not been the case. Our family has had some health issues come up and thankfully things are better and we are just praying that things stay on the up and up! Anyway I am loving that Fall is finally showing up and they are even talking about a possible freeze tomorrow morning! I am ready to break out the boots and sweaters for sure! Jack has TWO teeth and is crawling and pulling up on EVERYTHING now! I can't believe that is just a few weeks he has changed so much! He is still so amazed and in awe of Berk and I think that is why he is doing everything so fast is to keep up with her! It is funny because Berk started crawling when she was 7 months old, to the DAY, and Jack did the SAME thing! Berk started walking when she was 10 months old, so that is right around the corner! Berk is having a growth spurt, I am pretty sure, because the kid eats EVERYTHING! The other morning she had strawberries, a waffle and a bowl of cereal for breakfast! I was in amazement at how much she could put away!

We took family pictures this past Saturday and I am so happy how they turned out! I always hate when there are so many good ones, because it makes my decisions that much harder! I guess it's a good thing that i can buy the CD and go from there.I am probably going to use most of those pictures for Christmas cards. It's just funny how much the two stinkers will change in a month or so when it is time to get Christmas card stuff together. Anyway here are a few pictures from the past weeks and with Halloween this weekend, there will be more to come! Hope you enjoy!

Meadows

10/22/10...Her latest thing is jumping everywhere!
10/22/10...I love this picture because it shows her little figure and how much it is changing into a little GIRL'S and not a baby's!

10/22/10...I think the bib says it all! (We always say he has a Frankenstein head!)

10/22/10...Berk outside with the leaves! We have so many cool colored ones in our yard!

10/23/10...On our way to family pictures! This about sums up what kind of mood she was in! See how curly her hair was here? Well it didn't stay that way for pictures!

10/24/10...Check out my TWO teeth!

10/24/10...This is just classic Jack!

10/24/10...Crawling to mom!

10/24/10...Pulling up on everything!

10/26/10...Berk INSISTED on helping feed Jack his spaghetti!

10/26/10...And this was the result of her help!

First Part of October

2010-10-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we are into the month of October and I hate to think of how close the end of the year is and how in just 6 days I will be one year older!!! This week has been a busy one at work with Open House and this weekend will not be any quieter since we will going to my parents to participate in the Race for the Cure on Saturday morning! I had vowed to start getting out and running so I could run this 5K with my sister, but I didn't get started and then after I got strep, I didn't have the motivation to even get going! My mom registered so we will probably walk while my sister (the over-achiever) probably runs the whole darn thing! Jack will turn 7 months old on Monday and he is changing daily, it seems! He is VERY close to crawling, but instead of putting forth the effort to actually crawl, he tries to do this whole bear crawl thing with his butt up in the air and his legs straight like he is trying to walk, but his upper body still on the floor! He gets everywhere he needs to go by scooting or just manuevering towards his goal! He is clapping his hands, can say "Mama" and "Dada" and he is VERY close to getting some teeth! He will probably be the kid that gets 4 at one time, but he has done surprisingly well with the whole teething thing! Berk is still the best big sister and she is such a help with everything! She actually wants to help TOO much most of the time! She is also getting a little smart mouth on her which has gotten her into plenty of trouble as well! I think that is about it. I am excited that Fall is finally showing up around here and the cool mornings are such a welcomed change! Well, I think that is about it. I hope you enjoy the pictures of the kiddos and I will post some more after the weekend! Oh, and my camera is fine, it just needed the battery charged BUT the memory card was CORRUPTED and I lost over a 1000 pictures and ALL of Berk's birthday and any September pictures I hadn't transfered to the computer! So, lesson learned about backing up my stuff and transfering everything right after it is taken! Have a great week and weekend!

Meadows

10/3/10...A look that is very common around our house!
10/3/10...Jack figuring out how to operate things!

10/3/10...Berk getting good at her skills! It is scary sometimes how smart she is!

10/3/10....Jack is clapping now so Berk thought she needed to show off too! She is funny because she will say "He's clapping momma!"

10/4/10...A few pictures in their fall get-ups!

10/4/10....Can you tell that it was eating time and I was procrastinating to get some pictures?! I think if looks could kill, I might have been a goner this night!

10/4/10....Such a sly little guy!

10/4/10...Some girl (besides me of course!) is going to fall madly in love with these eyes one day! (If I allow it, of course!)

10/4/10....He absolutely ADORES her!

10/4/10....Busy, busy, busy these days!

10/4/10...."Are you really still taking my picture instead of shoveling food in my bottomless pit of a mouth?!"

10/4/10...Such a silly girl!

10/4/10...A classic Berkley look!

10/4/10

10/4/10...And some boy is going to be put into a trance with these eyes one day (if dad allows, of course!)

THE FAIR!

2010-09-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well this last Saturday we decided that we would go to the South Plains Fair in Lubbock! We weren't sure how Berk would react to the rides and stuff, but we knew one thing and that was that she wanted to see some CHICKENS! So we set off and got to the fair and went through the livestock barns and she got to see some chickens, cows and pigs. We unfortunately skipped the petting zoo part (absentmindedly, I think), but she really wasn't as pumped as I thought she would be about seeing all the animals! After wandering around there for a while, we decided that we would go to the rides section and see what Berk would venture into! Well, she surprised us all and wanted to ride A LOT! Of course, she wanted to ride the carousel because she got to ride a pony and then she would just see a ride and want to ride it! THere were a couple we were skeptical on, but she did a great job! There was only one that she rode by herself and got scared and started crying, but made it through it all! Since she is the size of a 3 year old, she could ride a few by herself and we gladly let her try, but there were a couple that she wanted or we had to ride with her! I am pretty excited that i might have a roller coaster buddy one day since Thad is a chicken! Well here are some pictures from the fair. I am hoping that I can drop my camera off at the doctor on Saturday because I have NO IDEA what is wrong with it and now my memory card won't open either! (Which contains LOTS of pics!) I guess I will see if they can salvage them, otherwise, another lesson learned about putting your photos places instead of just on the card! Hope you enjoy the pics!

9/25/10...Fair ready! By the way, umbrella strollers are the BEST thing EVER invented!

9/25/10...This man walked around the entire fair grounds with these geese

9/25/10...Picking out the perfect pony!

9/25/10...LOVED it; she got a little freaked out at first by how fast the thing went but loved it all the same!

9/25/10...Doing what Jack does!

9/25/10....She loved this one! When it started, she just grabbed the wheel and went to town!
9/25/10...Such a big girl!

9/25/10...The train ride that she insisted Thad go on with her!

9/25/10...Enjoying it
9/25/10...The helicopter ride that she had to ride by herself (it went up and down)
9/25/10...And a LITTLE freaked out! But she did fine after it got going! I think the initial shock scared her more than anything!

9/25/10....Afterwards we went to Market Street and they had an awesome pumplin display and this was the best she would do!

A Little of This and That

2010-09-24T11:02:00.001-07:00

Well this has officially been one of the worst weeks of my life! (If this is as bad as it gets then I will take that!) I found out on Tuesday that I had strep (of all things) and it pretty much immobilized me for three days! I have never felt the pain I felt from Tuesday; well really Monday night, through yesterday morning! Thank goodness neither kid nor Thad has it at the moment and hopefully it will stay that way! Last weekend we went to Ruidoso for our little getaway that we usually do during the summer, but never got a chance this year with all of the stuff that everyone had going on! I think I will vote to go back the same time next year, because the weather was AMAZING! We did a lot of hanging out which was nice and also did some shopping! It was just the little getaway we all needed; I don't think I would have come back if I would have known what was waiting for me Tuesday!

Yesterday we went to the kids' check-ups (Jack 6 months and Berk 2 year) and let me tell you, it is something I will NOT do ever again! She is at the stage where she is TESTY and she tested yesterday and nearly got herself embarassed!

Berk's two year stats are:

37 inches tall (which they double and she will supposedly be 6'1"!)-100th percentile

32.8 lbs.-85th percentile

The doctor was really impressed with the fact that Berk is potty trained and how well-spoken she is (once she gets to know you anyway!) I had also told her that she wasn't going to get a shot, but she wound up having to get the flu shot! OOPS!

Jack's 6 month stats are:

28 1/4 inches long-95th percentile

19 lbs. 14 oz.- 85th percentile

She said that he is teething on TOP AND BOTTOM and she was impressed that he could sit by himself and roll over to a sitting position if he is laying down (which he does a LOT lately!) He is eating great and can eat any 1st or 2nd foods and loves them all, but isn't too fond of the meats. He will eat a full fruit and vegetable at one sitting and then scream at you to give him more! He is still eating three, 8 oz. bottles a day, in addition to eating breakfast, lunch and dinner! He is wearing SOME 3-6 month stuff but mainly 6-9 or 6-12 month stuff and a lot of his winter stuff I ordered is in 12-18 months! He is a BIG BOY! He loves his sister so much and they are the best of friends! I can't wait to see how it turns out in the future!

I think that's about all! I am going to post more pictures of our Ruidoso trip because there are some cute ones of the two of them! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Meadows

9/16/10....Going to the "mountanins!"

9/16/10...Not phased AT ALL!
9/17/10...A visitor Friday morning that we thought was a statue!
9/18/10...So happy!
9/18/10...Happy when fruit snacks are involved!

9/18/10....I wouldn't mind him being on our wall!

Gymnastics, Apple Pickin' and Six Months!

2010-09-13T11:09:00.001-07:00

Well last Thursday we started gymnastics and well, it wasn't wonderful by a long mile! Berkley did NOT want me to leave at all and when I finally did, she still didn't quit crying! I am hoping that with time she will get better so that this will be a fun experience for her! Afterwards she was able to show me everything that Kisa was telling them to do so I know she was listening but it is just going to take a little time I think! But, I must say, her attitude stunk, but at least she looked pretty snazzy!

9/9/10...Ready for gymnastics!
Ready for a good time (we thought at least!)

Sagen, a girl from my class goes to the class before Berk and she was so sweet to Berk when we got there!

Maybe she's trying to tell me that dance is her thing?!

This Saturday we went to the Apple Butter Festival at the apple orchard in Idalou! It was a blast except for the fact that it was a little warm! Berkley enjoyed herself and really liked the fact that she could pick her own apples! She also loved the animals they had at the petting zoo!

9/11/10...Petting the little piglet! Maybe she will show one soon?!

Petting the lambs.

Her favorite was the horse, of course!

And "bug" got to hang out as well!

Yummy apple!

Johnny Appleseed; Berk was not a fan!

Check out this profile!

Her new favorite thing is picking up rocks!

SEE!!!

It's our turn for a hay ride!

Berk WAS NOT excited at first about being around all the other people on the hay ride!

Jack enjoyed what the man was saying!

A little better once we got going!

She's spotted the perfect apple!

Going in for the pick!

Got it!

Jack turned 6 months old on Saturday. I tried some macaroni and cheese and then turkey and rice with him and he was not a fan of either! Last night he got sweet potatoes and turkey and seemed to enjoy it more. We go on the 23rd for a doctor's appointment; Berk's two-year and Jack's six month. I imagine that "chubs" is every bit of 20 lbs and it would really surprise me if he is less than that! Berk isn't supposed to get any shots but I think I am going to go ahead and have the kids get their flu shots since it is getting to be that time! Here are some snapshots of the big guy!

Not a fan of mac-n-cheese!

You think she has learned a thing or two about taking care of a baby?!

Just call me "thunder thighs!"

Silly girl!

Hmmm.....

Yes, Jack, your feet will be that big before we know it!

Cracking each other up!

Have a great rest of the week! We are headed to a funeral tomorrow and then out of town on Friday. My sister and I have decided to run the 5K Race for the Cure in Wichita in October in honor of a wonderful man who was extremely courageous in his battles! I am looking forward to honoring this man in any way possible!

Meadows

Big Guy, Swingset and Birthday PARTAY!

2010-09-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Look at what Jack can do! (you can see he's pretty proud of himself!)

THE PROJECT! This was Berk's birthday gift from mom, dad, Gran, Pops, Nana and Papa! Notice how she is "helping!"

Getting closer! Notice the little helper again!

The slide attached, but still not finished with the swing part!

In her "look out!"

Driving, since "I'm big" is what she says now!

The completed project!

LOVES IT! Such a big girl!

Both of them love it! And yes, I know HE IS IN A PINK SWING! But in our defense this time, Thad COULD NOT find a boy swing!

CHUBS!

9-3-10...Friday night when my family got in town the guys were watching football and Jack decided that it was something he was quite interested in! Thank goodness since he is probably going to "mammoth boy!"

9-3-10...He is getting really close to crawling! He will get up on all fours and rock! It's amazing how he can get all the chub off the ground! (see how proud he is of himself!)

9-3-10...Berk and Jayden! They love their bathtime together!

9-4-10...Jack adores the bigger kids! (Though Jayden isn't THAT much bigger than Jack!)

9-4-10...Jayden and Papa wrestling!

9-4-10...Berk and Jayden playing together!
9-4-10...Jump N Jungle bound for her birthday!
9-4-10...you can tell he is pumped!

Jump N Jungle did an AWESOME job with the birthday! They were SO organized and we didn't have do a THING! I would HIGHLY recommend it for ANY birthday parties!

9-4-10..."Yeah, it's my birthday party!"

9-4-10...You can tell Jayden just started walking; check out those battle wounds!

9-4-10...Auntie Rach and Jayden!

9-4-10...Cousin Wesson!

9-4-10...AND THE CHUBS!

9-4-10...Berk and Aunt Sara! I'd say she enjoyed herself, wouldn't you?!

9-4-10...Papa and Jayden!

9-4-10...Family slide!

9-4-10...Berk and Dad!

9-4-10...She LOVED IT!

9-4-10...Me and Jayden!

9-4-10...She looks so micheivous!

9-4-10...Nana and Jayden

9-4-10...Tripp Ray and Sara

9-4-10...Thad and Jayden with Derrick and Berk

9-4-10...Sisters and BABIES!

9-4-10...Riding the turtle!

9-4-10....The Three Stooges: Tripp Ray, Kenley and Berk!

9-4-10...Tripp Ray is future boyfriend potential!

9-4-10...Group Picture!

9-4-10...CAKE! (You should have known; Abby was on the other side!)

This was the best I could do with her in front of the cake! She WOULD NOT turn around and smile for me! In fact she said "CHEESE" while facing the cake!

Tables

Enjoying Happy Birthday being sung to her!

Blowing out the candles with dad!

Jack eating some icing

Bring on the presents!

Opening the first gift!

Kenley helping!

She has wanted a car seat for her baby so we got her one!

After painting her hand on the wall!

LOVE IT!

9-5-10...Not happy about all the birthday banter again!

9-5-10...Maybe she doesn't think two will be as fun as one?!

9-5-10...Breakfast pancakes makes EVERYTHING better!

Berk and Jack Videos

2010-08-31T11:23:00.001-07:00

Here are two videos, both from last night. The one Berk is her singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and Jack is of him laughing from me tickling him! Thought everyone might enjoy these! I will post again tomorrow of the SWINGSET that is in full operation now! Oh, and Berk Tate turns TWO on Sunday! Craziness! Hope you enjoy the videos!

Meadows

Forgetful

2010-08-31T11:00:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I don't know HOW I forget these pictures (that were taken at the BEGINNING of August), but I did! One of Gran's friends' daughter has a horse and Berkley is OBSESSED with riding a pony (goes back to the Science Spectrum this summer!) So, we thought it would be fun to let Berk go riding with Kara Beth one day this summer. Well the day came and we went out to their farm and Berk just had a time! She loved being out there and loved all the animals around! I would LOVE to live out in the country one day on a spread and have animals, but we will have to wait and see. Here are some pictures of Berk Tate and her pony-riding experience!

8/4/10...petting one of the dogs

8/4/10....Love this shot!

8/4/10...Especially love this one!

8/4/10...She wanted to ride them all!

8/4/10...Round one with Kara Beth; she was NOT a fan of riding WITH someone....In fact she wanted to get off!! So we tried it another way....
8/4/10....Awww yes, much better!

8/4/10...doesn't she look like a natural?!

8/4/10...I'm pretty sure Berk would agree with me on the moving out to the country and getting a whole slew of animals!
8/4/10....And of course we would HAVE to have one of these!

8/4/10....Doesn't she look pooped?! But she wouldn't stop talking about it for days and still thinks that everytime we get in the car we are going to ride ponies with Kara Beth!

First Half of August

2010-08-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well August is here and it is almost gone....and with August comes back to school and one month until Berk is TWO YEARS OLD! To get her in the "birthday mood" we went to our nephew Jayden's first birthday the second weekend in August. I can't believe our "babies" are getting so big! Berk loved all of the birthday festivities and I can't wait to see her at her own! Jack is getting HUGE and we can't believe that he is already 5 months old! He probably weighs around 20 lbs. and is every bit of it! His legs are like tree trunks,, but he is the sweetest boy! He is eating great and has started the fruits! So far he has had apples, bananas and is currently on pears. He will go to peaches and then prunes and then we will be clear of the fruits and vegetables and he can move on to the GOOD stuff i.e. hawaiian delight and strawberries and bananas! He is wearing 6-9 month clothes and the few 3-6 month clothes he can fit into are VERY SNUG (especially around the booty area!) He is also teething and is loving his thumb! (Or anything for that matter!) They are doing great with getting back into a school routine since these last two weeks have been inservice. It's still hard to believe that our first summer with two babies has FLOWN by! I can't wait to see what next summer has in store for us! There are tons of pictures from Jayden's party (of course not all of them), some pictures that I took of Rachel and Jayden and then some snapshots of hte stinkers! Hope this gets your caught up! I will try to get back into the groove of updating this more often! Have a great rest of the week!

Meadows

8/7/10...Cousins!
8/7/10...LOVING his cake!

8/7/10...Handsome boy!

8/7/10...Mr. Smooth!

8/7/10...."Yeah I'm a big boy that can walk!!"

8/7/10...Love this pic of Rachel and J!

8/7/10...CUTE!

8/7/10

8/7/10...He was fixing to go for the water; the kid's a fish I swear!

8/8/10...At Nana and Papa's

8/8/10....Nana

8/11/10....Storytime with dad!

8/11/10....Boy time

8/13/10....Look what he can do!

8/14/10....Jack's typical face!

8/14/10....Loves the camera

8/14/10...The thumb just wasn't enough, so he went for a toe too!

8/14/10...Jack and mommy!

8/14/10....You didn't think I would leave out Miss Dramatic, did you?!

Four Month Stats and FOOD!

2010-07-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

July is just about over and we have a had a great month! Jack went to the doctor on the 19th and he weighed 15 lb. 13 oz and was 26 inches long! (90th percentile) It is so hard to believe how big the "little" boy has gotten! What is even harder to believe is that he and Berk started out at the same length and he is a good inch and a half longer than she was at 4 months! Can you say BIG BOY?! It will interesting to see if he continues to outgrow Berk especially in length and to see what his stats are when he gets her age! He got to start food also and he really has done a wonderful job with them. He didn't care too much for the texture of the cereal at first so we have been adding juice so it is a little thinner. He started the "green" veggies on Friday and he loved the GREEN BEANS. He, in fact loved them SO much that he ate the entire thing, PLUS his cereal! He started green peas yesterday and surprisingly loves them too; Berk also loved sharing the peas! Just tonight he rolled from his back to his tummy and scooted clear across his blanket onto the floor! I know that it won't be long and he will be crawling, chasing Berk EVERYWHERE! (She started crawling at 7 months so it will be interesting to see where he goes in that respect too!) Berkley has been her normal self and is just going with the flow of everything. Thad and I went to San Antonio for our anniversary this past weekend and the kids stayed with Gran and Pops and she didn't miss us ONE BIT! When we would try to talk to her on the phone, she wanted nothing to do with us and would run away! I guess it is better than the alternative of her being so stuck to us that we can't get away. It was great to see her run out and give her dad a big hug when we pulled up; we had bought some M & Ms just in case we had to bribe her to come and see us! (If you remember (Jack's birth), she has a way of treating people like step-children if you have crossed her!) She picked up a couple of phrases while we were gone too ("Well, crap") but all in all she has been just wonderful. Sara said that the other day she got all of her things together (baby, purse, keys and phone) and Sara asked where she was going and she said "To a workshop!" She has heard me say that ONCE and she is already repeating it! I swear there is NOTHING that gets by this child! It is really hard to believe that in less than two months she will TWO YEARS old! Next weekend we get to celebrate the BIG ONE with Jayden and my family and I can't wait to be around everyone! We got Jayden's invitation in the mail the other day and Berk said "My Jayden, I love him!" It is the sweetest thing that even though we aren't together that much, she still has such a great memory of him! (Not to mention all the times since we got the invitation that she has reached up and taken it off the refrigerator and kissed it or said "Love him")

Tonight is a special night for me and Thad; we "celebrated" our three-year anniversary. (We actually did all the celebrating while we were in the San Antonio) It was three years ago that I married my soul mate and person that I knew I was destined to be with forever and raise a family with. I honestly believe there was a reason why Thad was so persistent in pursuing me and why he made multiple visits to Moose Magoos to try and convince me to go out with him! I think he knew something long before I decided to let my guard down and let him in! BUT I am so happy that I gave him a chance and three years and two kids later, I am MORE HAPPY THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN! I cannot imagine my life any other way and I am so blessed to have met and fallen in love with the most perfect man!

Anyway enough sap! We start school in less than a month and I honestly can't believe it! Last year was hard starting with just Berk so I know this year will be difficult as well. The change of pace is definitely going to be welcomed, but I have to say that I will most definitely miss the everyday ins and outs of staying home! ANyway here are some pictures and I will post again soon!

Meadows

7/15/10....He figured out that he can take his pacifier out of his mouth!
7/17/10...She found a pen and gave herself her first tattoo! (Makes me proud!)

7/17/10...The mosquitos LOVED Berk's legs one night in the garden!

7/20/10...CEREAL!

7/20/10...Berk was so proud of him for eating like a big boy!

7/20/10...YUM!

7/22/10....WHERE IS MY BABY?! She looks SO grown up here to me! :(

7/23/10...First night in San Antonio eating at Hard Rock Cafe!

7/24/10...Getting ready to ride on a river boat to see the sights!

7/24/10....The Alamo

7/24/10...Us at The Alamo

7/24/10...Some nightlife!

7/24/10...Hollywood staple

7/25/10....Got ready for some football by watching Cowboys training camp! Let's hope that Tony doesn't choke this year!

7/26/10...GREEN PEAS!

7/26/10...YUMMY!

Four Months (July '10)

2010-07-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

July is off and running! We have had a great first half to this month and are looking forward to the rest. Berkley got to experience her first rodeo last Friday night and SHE LOVED IT! It had rained for an entire week and I was just so sure that it was going to be cancelled, but thankfully it wasn't! I think she mainly loved wearing her boots and then getting to ride the horse with Jaityn! All we heard after that was about riding the horse again! (I think a horse might have to purchased in the future! :)) Jack turned four months old on the 11th and it is crazy how much he is doing now! He has started in the Jumperoo and he loves sitting up. He tries so very hard to sit up when he is laying down. He is also sleeping in his "big boy bed" as of Saturday night! :( He is loving it and it just solidifies how big he actually is! He is also getting quite heavy and I am anxious to see how much he weighs when we go to his doctor's appointment on the 19th. ANyway, here are some pictures to keep you occupied!

Meadows

7/9/10...Berk and Jaityn at the O'Donnell Rodeo!
7/9/10...Berk riding on the bus to the rodeo grounds! All we heard after this was "school bus!"

7/9/10...We saw this on the way to the rodeo...it didn't rain a DROP on us the whole time!

7/11/10...Big boy, four months old!

7/11/10...Such a handsome little guy!! The bib speaks volumes!

7/11/10

7/11/10...She is definitely going to be a shoe girl!

7/11/10...She thought she needed some time in the jumperoo too!

7/7/10...She thought it was cool that he was sitting up!

7/7/10...He thought it was cool that he had her Elmo!

7/7/10...She didn't think that was so cool...so she traded his puppy for her Elmo!

7/11/10...The good ol' Jumperoo!

7/12/10...Getting ready!

7/12/10

7/12/10...He has found his victim; get ready Webster!

7/12/10...Baking cookies!

7/12/10...The best part!

7/12/10...She has a fascination with hats!

7/13/10...Love the chub!

7/13/10...And the sweet smile!

7/13/10...Love her!

The Fourth and Smarty Pants

2010-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Well the Fourth of July was a wet one around here and the area has totaled up record rainfall with the help of the Tropical Storm Alex! It was nice to sit around and just veg out for a few days, though I must admit! We went to Midland for the Fourth to visit Derrick and Mandy and watched the fireworks there! Berkley LOVED them and she kept saying "FIREWORKS!" She actually paid attention more than I thought she would! And she also rode the whole way to and from MIdland (an hour) without an accident and we went out to eat at Clear Springs in her "big girl panties" and she did AWESOME! I'm so proud and sad at the same time! I'm also glad that we didn't have to pull over on the side of the road because she would have had to learn the squatting technique and that probably wouldn't have gone too well! But overall, the Fourth was great and Thad had yesterday off so it was even better! I did a video of Berk in the tub last night just to prove to you skeptics, just how smart she really is! Hope you enjoy!

Meadows

7/2/10...Oh Jack!
7/4/10...At Lowe's! We had to pass the time somehow!

7/4/10...Uncle Derrick showing her the ropes!

7/4/10...Trying all by herself!

7/4/10...Such a big girl!

7/4/10...Jack at the fireworks! We had to bundle him up a bit because the breeze was a tad bit chilly!

7/4/10...Berk in her Fourth gear!

7/4/10...I couldn't get a good one like last year!

7/4/10...In awe of the fireworks!

7/5/10...SMARTY PANTS!

The Rest of June

2010-07-02T12:40:00.001-07:00

Well June has come and gone and we still have most of our sanity intack! Berkley is pretty much potty trained but I still don't have the courage to take her out in public with her panties on. I know the courage will find me soon but that would mean that she is really a big girl and maybe, just maybe I'm not ready to admit that! :) She is really amazing us daily at how smart she is and it is truly scary! She can be in the bath with her foam letters and she can identify EVERY ONE OF THEM! She can also tell you that "B is for Berkley, M is for momma, D is for dad, P is for pops and papa, G is for gran" and we are working on "J is for Jack and Jayden, R is for Rachel, C is for Coco, N is for Nana and S is for Sara." She also can count to 10 and identify numbers 1-10. She loves on Jack so much and sometimes is a little overbearing! She mimics everything we do and say and her favorite and most hilarious thing she says right now is "Oh My G" instead of "OMG" and she will also say "Oh My Goodness" with emphasis on the "goodness!"

Jack is changing so much right now and I can't believe that he is almost 4 months old. We go for his 4-month visit on the 19th and he will get to start eating food! We changed formulas recently to the Similac RS for his spit up and it seems to be working better. He doesn't eat 7 oz like he was with the regular, but instead is full with 6 oz. He has started blowing raspberries, rolling over constantly from his tummy to his back and will be moving exclusively into 3-6 month clothes VERY SOON! He is also very close to holding his own bottle and just this week he has found his feet! He is still very laid back as long as you feed him when you're supposed to and make syre he's the center of attention! He's very much a momma's boy, but I'm OK with that! He still sleeps in our room, another thing that I haven't come to terms with yet. I know that once we move him out of our room that there is a very high likelihood that there will NEVER be another baby sleep in there again, so once again I am in denial I guess you could say! :*(
I think that is about it...July will hold more pictures and fun, I am sure. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th! (Ours will be rainy!)

Meadows

6-17-10...One of her favorite things to do now days: she gets a purse or bag, says she needs her money, keys and phone and then....

says "Bye bye" and when you ask her where she is going she will say "Walmart" and when you ask what for she will say "Pancakes" and she proceeds

to leave!

6-19-10...Mom, Rachel and Jayden came and visited! The kids had a blast swimming and it was so fun to see the two bigger ones together! Jayden couldn't get enough of following Berk around and I think Berk really liked being able to have someone to play with. It was a great look into what our house will be like in the time to come!

6-21-10...HANDSOME!

6-21-10...The blues look so good on him!

6-21-10...Look how big he is!

6-24-10...Chub butt!

6-24-10...Monkey face!
6-27-10...Critterfest 2010 at the Science Spectrum in Lubbock! She had a great time watching the tigers, petting the cows and just running around. Me and Aunt Sara had a girl's day with Berk and I think a good time was had by all (except for Sara's lack of caffeine!)

6-27-10...Jumping on the trampoline in the play area of the Science Spectrum

6-27-10...She was a little apprehensive at first!

6-27-10...I love this one of her!

6-27-10...Riding a big horse like a big girl! (Of course there was someone leading it!)

6-30-10...One of her favorite things to do in the summer time!

6-30-10....Why does she look so grown up to me in this picture?!

6-30-10...They love each other so much!

6-30-10...Already kissing frogs!!!

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES

2010-06-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Things we are doing, working on and some places we have been (so far): for Memorial Day weekend we went to my Nana and Papa's and had a nice time relaxing with them, Mema and Papa and seeing Gigi (hated to miss Rachel and Jayden), that Wednesday Thad and I went to Luling for his boss's mother's funeral and came back on Thursday, Jack was congested and had horrible yeast infection on his hiney so he went to the doctor, we took Berk's pacifier away from her that Friday (and she has survived), Berk started potty training that following MOnday (and we are both surviving though I didn't think we would after day 1) and Jack turned 3 months old on the 11th! It's been crazy so far but it has been so much fun (most days) with both of them at home! When Jack went to the doctor for his "issues" he weighed 12 lbs. 2 oz. so it will intersting to see what he weighs when he goes for his four-month appoitment. Jack is rolling over consistently and wearing some 3-6 month clothes! It makes me so sad that this is probably the last time we go through these things! :*( Berk is doing great in week two with potty training and I am hoping that we have gotten past our hard times with it! We are going to try to get back down to Luling with the kids to visit and go to Schlitterbahn and Thad and I are going to San Antonio for our anniversary! My mom and sister and Jayden are coming out this weekend for a baby shower and I'm excited to have some time with them! Thad is going fishing with the boys and I can't wait to show you his Father's Day gift! Lots left to do and it seems that school will be starting so shortly! Oh well, enjoy the pictures and I will try to do a better job updating!

Meadows

5/30/10...SHE LOVES THE WATER!
5/30/10..."Swimming" at Nana and Papa's over Memorial Day weekend!

6/1/10...Two cowkids!

6/1/10...Love them in their boots!

6/1/10...LOVE!

6/1/10...Trying on the boots!

6/1/10...My pretty girl!

6/4/10...When I get her up, she always wants "bug" to lay with her!

6/5/10...Berk "going to Walmart to get pancakes!" :)

6/5/10...Straight from a nap!

6/5/10...Trying out the pool for the first time this summer! (Thanks for the swimsuit Gigi!)

6/6/10..."Hold him momma!" She LOVES holding him!

6/9/10...Jack and Tripp Ray! They will be causing trouble before we know it! Tripp was so sweet and wanted to help Jack get over whatever his caniption was!

6/11/10...Three months old! Check out the triple chin!

6/11/10...BIG BOY!

6/12/10...SWIM TIME!

6/13/10...My two tired golfers! Jack in 3-6 month clothes! :*(

6/13/10...Future Tiger Woods (minus all the bad stuff!)

6/14/10...Check out how big he is!

6/14/10...Cutie patootie!

6/14/10...What a face!

6/14/10...He tries so hard to blow raspberries!

6/14/10...I love his smile!

6/15/10...She's going to have a shoe fetish too!

6/15/10..."My chi chis momma!"

6/15/10...Sweet babies! (notice Berk's big girl panties!)

6/15/10...Handsome boy! He's doing so good with his head!

6/15/10...Reading before bedtime!

2010-05-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

We really haven't had a lot going on since I last posted but I thought I would post some pictures from this weekend. Jack starting showing signs of thrush on Friday and it started getting on his lips and inside of his mouth by yesterday, so today the doc wrote him a prescription for it. It's so nice to not have to go up there and just be able to call. He is getting very mobile and holding his head up so good. Last night he got his first haircut because he was sporting the mullet! But that is about it. Thursday is our last day of school and I am ready to be home with the stinkers! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

5 /21/10...She thinks that since Jack wears a bib, she needs one too!

5/21/10...Happy baby! You can kind of see the start of his thrush in this picture.
5/22/10....He is really holding his head up good now days and look how long he is! He was representing a mullet until he got his first haircut!5/22/10...And Berk just wanted to give some encouragement!5/22/10...I love this picture of them! She was outside helping him water the yard!
5/23/10...Just a cutie patootie!5/23/10...She loves playing with her blocks! She will keep herself entertained for hours with these things!
5/23/10...Look what she made all by herself! 5/23/10...After his haircut! The mullet is not so bad here!

Jack's 2-Month Appointment

2010-05-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jack had his two month visit (complete with shots) and everything looked GREAT! She kept looking at him and saying "Now I'm not just saying this, he is such a handsome little boy!" I had to agree with her on that one! He did great throughout the entire day (we had pictures done before that I am uber excited about) and was more than ready for a good nap when we got home!

Here are his two month stats:

11 lbs. 6 oz. (50th percentile)

23 3/4 inches long (90th percentile)-I have a feeling he is going to be tall like his sister! :)

She did give us a prescription for some eye drops since his eyes have been watering and tend to get matted with gunk sometimes. She said there might be a little infection and that this prescription will usually knock it out but if not, he might have a clogged duct. She didn't seem to worried about it, so we will do the drops for 5 days and then see what happens! He is wearing 0-3 month clothes now and in size 1-2 diapers. He is really starting to develop such a wonderful personality and he loves us to talk to him and he just smiles and coos! The funniest thing is the way he looks for Berkley. If he hears Berkley around, he will frantically search for her until he sees her and then is just GLUED. And she loves being the center of his world of course! Yesterday when we were going to Lubbock, Jack was crying and he suddenly stopped, so of course I looked back to see what was wrong and if he was still alive and Berk had reached over and was holding his hand! It was the SWEETEST thing EVER and it brought tears to my eyes! She is such a wonderful big sis and I know she will protect him! Overall we had a wonderful day and I was so excited that Thad got to come with us! (He and Berk went to Sam's on a diaper run while Jack and I were in the doctor's office!) He did great with his shots, so I am hoping that he will be like Berk in that department. Anyway here are some pictures of us at the doctor's office!

Meadows

5/18/10...Waiting patiently to see the doc!

5/18/10...Big boy! Check out the chub on those legs!

5/18/10...Waiting is the name of the game....

and Jack doesn't care too much for it!!

Mother's Day, Two Months and PICTURES!

2010-05-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well we have had a great few weeks with Mother's Day and all and we are winding down the end of the school year which makes everything even more exciting! Mother's Day this year was AWESOME with both of the kids and as my gift, Thad is getting us season football tickets for 2010-2011 Tech football! I am so excited! On Mother's Day, we all got to meet little cousin, Wesson Rhyder, who was born on April 24th (Thad's birthday) but had to stay two weeks in NICU. He is such a cute little guy and he and Jack will be mischief makers in the future I am sure! (Good thing Berk Tate will be there to keep them on the straight and narrow!) Jack turned 2 months old on the 11th and it is so hard to believe the time that has flown by! He is really starting to develop a personality and will just smile at you all day long! He is hopefully starting to get his tummy figured out, but last week the child did not poop for FIVE DAYS! We started him on half and half bottles when I went back to work so I just figured that it was his tummy adjusting to everything. It scared me to death, but the doctor told us that he could go two WEEKS without pooping! I think he will be a morning person just like Berk Tate! We go on the 18th for his 2-month check up and first round of SHOTS! Needless to say, that will be a visit with me and him by ourselves since Thad DOES NOT do shots! Berkley has been up to her usual stuff, just talking and running amuck! In the mornings when I take "bug" in to get her out of bed, she will always point to her bed and say "Bug." So I lay him in there and she usually shares her blankie or stuffed animal with him and is so proud when she does! It definitley warms my heart every morning! Here lately she is stuck on the phrase "I don't know where he/she/it is" when you ask her where something is. And when she finds it, she will say "There it/he/she is." It is absolutely adorable and hopefully I will get it on film soon! She is becoming more attached to Elmo doll by the day and loves watching Sesame Street. She has also started playing with her dolls more and it is often that you will her "burping" Elmo or one of her babies and then saying "Good burp!" Wonder where she hears that from?! Tomorrow we don't have school and it is supposed to be cooler and raining all day! Maybe I will be able to get some housework done, but I might elect to just hang out in my pajamas with the kids all day! Well I think that is all! Have fun looking at all the pictures!

Meadows

5/6/10...Berk and Elmo

5/6/10...She put Elmo in her seat and then thought he needed a good dose of salt!

And here is a common episode at our house lately:

First, she throws herself on the floor (usually after being told no or to do something)....

then she rolls around for a bit until she realizes no one is paying attention to her fit....

and then she looks at you like THIS!!!

And this is becoming more familiar by the day also...

5/9/10...He is happy to be with his mom on Mother's Day!

5/9/10...If you look close you can see that she just got done throwing one of the aforementioned fits in this picture....but she LOVES that pony!

5/9/10...Ahhh yes, the arm crossing is also a familiar sight!

5/11/10...Two months old

5/11/10...Look at the chub!

5/11/10...And who could resist this face?!

5/12/10...They absolutely adore each other! I am taking all this in because I know that in NO TIME, it will not be this civil!

5/12/10...And I could just eat this little man up! Even if he is in a pink chair! I am teaching him about his softer side early!
5/12/10...And I could just love on this one too!
5/12/10...Handsome man!

5/12/10...Funny little face!

More Pictures and a Boo Boo

2010-05-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I would have time to post a few more pics this past weekend but of course, I was "stuck" between two wonderful stinkers all weekend so I didn't make time! (Not a bad problem to have!) We had a wonderful weekend filled with nothingness except some family time on Saturday night. My brother and sister-in-law came down on Saturday and we ate lots of fatty foods (not good for someone trying to lose weight) and just hung out. While we were over at Gran and Pops', Berk was playing catch with Randi and when she went to catch the ball, she face planted on one of the benches in the playroom. Needless to say, she planted HARD and had a fat lip to show for it. Thankfully the lip is getting better, but still have a little bump on it. Jack has been up to his usual self and is starting to sleep better and be more cordial all the way around. I don't think there is much to share today but I thought I would post more pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Meadows

4/21/10...This is a famous pose around our house these days! And of course her tutu dress says "Red Raider Princess"

4/29/10...Jack getting some love from Uncle Rance! He looks extra fluffy here!

5/1/10...This was part of our weekend!

5/1/10...As was this fat lip (afterward, before bed)....

5/2/10...And the morning after! This goes to prove that the morning after is always worse!

5/2/10...Jack just relaxing! Yes, that is Berk's PINK chair and NO I don't think this will cause gender confusion for our boy! (there is a BLUE blanket with him after all!)

6 & 7 Weeks and First Week Back at Work

2010-04-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Jack turned 7 weeks old yesterday! I can't believe that in less than two weeks he will be TWO MONTHS old! To celebrate his 7 week "birthday" he slept through the night from about 9:15 PM to 6:15 AM! I couldn't believe it when I heard Thad's alarm clock going off and hadn't been woken up all night! He is typically still waking up around 2 AM or 3 AM and then at about 6:15 AM which works out perfectly for me! I typically get up around 5:30 AM (GASP!) and so by the time he wakes up at 6:15 AM I am usually about ready and can nurse him and then finish getting ready. (I also eat breakfast in there and get my lunch ready for school!) For those who know me well, they are probably falling off the edge of their seats reading that I get up that early and am not complaining too much about it! After I nurse Jack and then get him ready, I typically have about 15-20 minutes to finish getting ready or just hang out with him. I don't wake Berk up until 7 AM and then we are typically out the door by 7:15 AM! It has worked out great this week so hopefully we can finish up the school year without too many bad mornings! Jack is doing great; he is really starting to have a personality and let me tell you, it is a demanding one! He loves being held and typically DOES NOT like to be put down and will let you know about it! We have had a hard time adjusting because Berk was SO different from that; we are quickly realizing just how different they are, which is a great thing but we also know that we were spoiled ROTTEN with Berk! Jack has also started eating some formula just to help me keep up with him. The kid can DOWN a 4 oz. bottle in a matter of seconds it seems like so we are having to supplement. I think this is helping with the sleeping since he gets nursed and then a 2 oz. bottle before bed! Overall, we are still finding our little niche but it is working out really well! Berkley absolutely loves her "bug" and I can't believe how great of a big sister she has become! And the girl is growing up so fast! She is like our little voice recorder and it getting so good with her speech and letting us know what she wants! She is starting to put sentences together and her vocabulary is MASSIVE! The girl can also pick out letters and match pictures to the letters they begin with! She amazes me daily!

I started work this week and I was welcoming the change in pace! The week has gone somewhat smooth and it's nice to think that there are only 4 more Mondays until I get to be at home with the two stinkers for the summer! I am so thankful for a job that allows me the time to be home with them! I think that is about it! I'm pretty sure there are some things that have probably happened that I should post but I can't remember them now! Here are some pictures to tide you over and I will hopefully post some more this weekend! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Meadows

4/20/10...She really dose love him!
4/20/10...And he really loves her!

4/21/10...She thinks everyone should love their paci like she loves hers!

4/21/10...Blue-eyed girl!

4/22/10...6 weeks old!

4/29/10...7 weeks old!

4/29/10...Sweet smile

4/29/10...I told you he was big!

4/29/10...Sweet girl!

Five Weeks and Trip to Nana and Papa's

2010-04-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Well this past weekend we made the trek to Burkburnett to see Nana and Papa and have a "Meet and Greet" for Jack. It is always nice to make it home and get to see everyone and spend time with the family! We loved getting to spend so much time with Jayden and Rachel! :) Jack didn't mind the drive too much and was actually pretty docile! We are hoping that he is turning hte corner on his moodiness! He was such a great baby this weekend and everyone thought we were blowing smoke up their rears about how fussy he can be! But I guess it is good that he made a great first impression! While we were there it rained the whole time which was NO FUN, but my dad got hte wonderful idea to go to Chuck E Cheese Saturday night after hte shower. Berk enjoyed leading her Papa around and seeing all the cool things to do! We left Sunday and today it has been laundry, unpacking and getting hte house somewhat in order! Both of the kids are at Gran's today and will probably go most of the week to get Berk back in the groove of going and staying and not getting mad at mom when I leave! I will post again later this week with Jack's six week pictures (can you believe it?!) I will go back to work on Monday and am kind of looking forward to it because I know that summer is right around the corner! Anyway hope you enjoy the pictures and check back later in the week!

Meadows

4/15/10...Five weeks old! I love his fluffy cheeks!

4/15/10...He is starting to become a happy baby!

4/15/10...Big boy!

4/16/10...Silly Girl!

4/16/10...Jack's first trip to Nana and Papa's!

4/16/10...On the road - pacifier= IMPROVISATION!

4/17/10...Berkley feeding Jayden!

4/17/10...Berkley at the "Meet and Greet" for Jack!

4/17/10...Jayden riding the horse!

4/17/10...First trip to Chuck E. Cheese for the kiddos. Berk loved getting to play with Jayden all weekend and we loved having them around so much! Love ya' Rach and J!

4/17/10...Jack's idea of "fun" at Chuck E. Cheese!

4/17/10...Berkley riding the horse at Chuck E. Cheese!

Four Weeks, One Month and Berk Tate!

2010-04-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

You have to excuse the pictures they are a little scattered! (just be thankful I found the energy to post!) Last week Thad was out of town from Tuesday through Sunday at the NASCAR race in Phoenix and I pulled the whole "single mom" duty and boy, it was a tough one! But we are so happy that Thad made it home safely and he has been playing catch up on his loving with the kiddos! Thankfully, Jill came out to stay with me and got here Thursday night and stayed until Saturday! Friday, Berk and Payten went to Jump N' Jungle in the mall and had a blast! They both were skeptical at first, but they soon caught on and had a blast on the jumpers and also just running around! I can't wait to take Berk to the big one and actually get to go on the stuff with her so that she isn't afraid (see picture below)! But overall it has just been busy, busy around here. Jack turned ONE MONTH old on Sunday and I can't believe how much he is changing everyday and how big he has gotten. I would guess that he probably weighs in the high 8 pounds or mid 9 pounds now, he is in newborn clothes but can wear some 0-3 month clothes and is wearing size 1 diapers! He is eating every 3 hours still and still waking once in the middle of the night and then again in the early morning. I know that it is going to be a challenge getting two kids ready when I go back to work (a week from this coming Monday), but hopefully I will figure something out! I go the doctor next Thursday for my 6-week follow up and I hope everything will be fine (I've had no indication that it shouldn't)! We are going to my parent's this weekend for a "Welcoming Shower" for Jack since a lot of our friends around there haven't yet met him! We are excited to get to see everyone and introduce them to Jack, but traveling with two kids will definitely be an adventure I am sure! Hopefully all will go smooth; as for the sleeping arrangements there, that might be a whole other story! But I guess that is it for about now! I don't know if I posted Berkley's 18-month stats, but we went to the doctor on March 30th and she is 34 inches tall (95th percentile) and weighed 29 lbs. (90th percentile) She also got her MMR shot (the one that has caused so much ruccus) and she was a real TROOPER! I've heard scary things about reactions that kids have and she didn't have any of them; no fever, no swelling, no soreness! Thank goodness! It is also crazy for us to think that at the age of two you are supposed to double their height and that is how tall they will be when they are full grown; well, if Berkley grows 2 inches by September (putting her at 36 inches), you double that and she will be SIX FOOT TALL when she is full grown! Can you say athletics here we come?! Anyway I think that is all that has been going on. I am sure I am forgetting something but if so, I will have to catch up another time; packing, laundry and lunch are calling my name! Have a wonderful weekend!

Meadows

4/10/10...Cute boy! These sandals were Berk's!

4/10/10...Bathtime is NOT his favorite time (screaming came after this!)

4/9/10...At the top, not coming down!

4/9/10...Being such a big girl climbing to the top to go down the slides

4/9/10...Jack's idea of fun at Jump 'N Jungle!

4/9/10...Jump 'N Jungle!

4/13/10...I think she looks so cute in this hat!

4/11/10...Handsome man!

4/11/10...ONE MONTH OLD! And "totally handsome" like his shirt says!

4/8/10...Pouty face just like Berk!

4/8/10...Look at the rolls starting!

4/8/10...Lots of cuddle time with mom! (excuse the no make up shot!)

4/8/10...4 weeks old; check out his double chin!

4/8/10...4 weeks old! Berk Tate loves him to pieces!

Lately....

2010-04-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well things are still just about as good as we could ask for around here! Jack was three weeks old last Thursday and it is CRAZY for me to think that he will be a MONTH old on Sunday! He is getting so chubby and is really starting to pay attention to things! Easter was wonderful this year; we have so much to be thankful for! Berkley is an expert egg hunter and she loved the whole thing! She also loved coloring the eggs (which you will see) and I think liked making a mess more than anything! Thad is in Phoenix until Sunday ( he left yesterday), so it has been a little more challenging around here and I am just trying my hardest to not get frustrated. Jack is still having some tummy issues but the Gripe Water has seemed to help a lot with that. He is still eating every 3 hours (he would eat more if I let him) and wakes up once during the night and then in the early morning. I think he has pretty much got that down so we will just stick with that for now! Berkley is really becoming such a big sister and anything I need for "bug" she is more than willing to do! SHe is also showing just how smart she really is: the other day she was Gran's and Gran asked her what color the flower on the island was and Berk said clearer than day "Orange." I swear the girl has such a great memory and is so smart! I am sure there are other things I should mention but I am trying to get this done fast in between laundry, trying to eat lunch and a fussy baby! Have a great rest of the week!

Meadows

Jack's birth announcement!
4/1/10...Three weeks old! I love that he is looking right at Thad and Thad's hand is in the picture! He is definitely getting the rolls!

4/1/10...Three weeks old big boy!

4/1/10...I love this picture of the three of them!

4/3/10...Outside enjoying the nice weather

4/3/10...Aunt Sara made this! I thought it was too cute to not get a picture of it!

4/3/10....Getting ready to do some damage on some eggs!

4/3/10...The best egg colorer there is!

4/3/10...Ugliest Easter eggs EVER!!

4/4/10...Berk checking out her loot in her Easter get up!

4/4/10...Thad helping Berk out with her Elmo basket!

4/4/10...She did NOT want any help from Thad getting this egg!

4/4/10...Uncle Coco helping Berk! She kept pulling up her dress all day! I guess she found a way to get it to stay!

4/4/10....Our first family picture as a family of FOUR!

4/4/10...She loved this pinwheel!

4/4/10...Wanting to eat a Peep before bed; I DON'T THINK SO!

4/6/10...What a darling!

Two Weeks Old (pictures and post at the bottom)

2010-03-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

3-22-10...This is the face that we get most of the time, especially when he is hungry!
3-22-10...Just hanging out with mom and showing my love for dad! (right before he puked all over this onesie and I had to change him :)

3-23-10...You can see just how light his hair really is after it is newly washed!

3-24-10...The "three musketeers"! I have a feeling that Webster doesn't know what the other two have planned for him in the future!

3-24-10...Oh yes, the diva herself!

3-24-10...Swinging and checking things out; he has to be upright for 30 minutes to an hour after he eats so he doesn't spit up everywhere, so the swing worked!

3-24-10...Miss happy-go-lucky!

3-25-10...Already bleeding red and black!

3-25-10...Look at his chubbiness!

3-25-10...Sweet boy!

3-25-10...Pooped from our day on the town!

Well, yesterday Jack was two weeks old! We went to the doctor for his 2-week well visit and he weighs 7 lbs. 14 oz. (10 oz more than he did just 10 days ago!) and is 21 inches long (2 inches longer than his birth length!) He is in the 50th percentile for his weight and 85th percentile for his height, leading us to think that we might have another tall one on our hands! I can already tell that he has grown because he doesn't fit just perfectly in between that nook of my shoulder and chest anymore! :( He is sleeping much better, waking up around 2ish and then again when Thad gets ready for work around 5ish. So, overall I am sleeping and so is he, so we are pretty happy most of the time! He is still having spit up issues and some pooping problems, but Dr. Landry said she isn't concerned about it because he is absorbing all of the calories and his weight looks wonderful! She did check to make sure there was no obstruction as far as the pooping problem, and thankfully there was not! He is such a good baby and really only fusses when he needs something so we are very thankful for that! He has also starting focusing a lot more on things instead of that "blank stare." It's so nice to know that he "sees" you and we can't wait until he starts recognizing us!

Berkley Tate has been busy being a big sister and she is at least entertaining the idea of loving "bug!" She really does a great job with him and when he is napping she wants to "see bug" and will climb on the table and lay beside him. It really is cute but she is still getting the hang of "being easy" and sometimes forgets. But I know that she is still a baby herself and I have to keep reminding myself that time is our best friend in this case! Thankfully, she has not regressed any as far as her language or wanting a bottle or any other weird things I have heard from parents, so that is definitely another blessing! The most she has changed is her attitude and I know that comes with the territory at this point! But overall she is just the same happy-go-lucky girl with a sweet personality and wonderful demeanor! I hope that Jack grows up to be as well-spoken and well-behaved (on most accounts) as his big sis! Anyway that is enough with the rambling! It is naptime and I need to shower and then finish boxing up clothes! (Yes, maternity clothes are going in a box and in Thad's words "need to be burned!" But that is another topic in itself that I won't get into right now!) Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Meadows

One Week Old!

2010-03-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Well time is already flying by! I can't believe that Jack was a week old yesterday! It seems so surreal to me that we have already been blessed to have this perfect baby in our lives for a week! The week has flown by and things are starting to find some semblance of a new normal! It is definitely more challenging being at home all day with the two of them, especially when the one is starting to find her attitude, but overall, I wouldn't change it for the world! Jack is already changing before our eyes and it amazes me! I wake up everyday and it seems like I am looking at a new baby! He started cooing today which is so cute and he makes the cutest little faces all the time! Overall, he is a very content baby and he will sit and "watch" his sis for hours on end! He has had some tummy issues but thankfully we have a full supply of Mylicon drops! Last night to celebrate his week-old birthday, he only woke up once during the night and was awake a large majority of the day! It was so nice to get more than an hour and a half to two hours of sleep in a row! But overall, things are wonderful in our household and we are looking forward to having Thad home this weekend! Unfortunately the weather is going to be horrible once again, but I don't think either of us will mind having to hunker down with our two little darlings! Oh and the cutest thing is that Jack already has a nickname, Bug. I got to calling him that because he reminds me of a big-eyed bug and when Berk caught wind, she started on too! It is the the cutest thing when she calls him "my bug!" Anyway that is about all that is going on around here. I will continue to post pictures as they come! Hope you have time to sit around and gaze at our baby!

Meadows

3-16-10...No more umbilical cord!
3-18-10...Look at his hair! I swear he came out with a mullet! It is so light compared to Berk's and I think it might actually stay that way because his eyelashes and eyebrows are blonde!

3-18-10...The Meadows hairline!

3-18-10...Sweet baby boy!

3-18-10...Look at the chunky monkey!

3-18-10...You didn't think I would forget this darling, did you?! She was reading her book before we took our trip to the grocery store! (Quality mother-daughter time, I tell ya!)

3-19-10...Giving "Bug" some kisses!

3-19-10...Just a comparison! You really can't grasp the difference because of the angle, but all of her features seem so big to us now that he is around!

What We Have Been Up To...

2010-03-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, we have been adjusting to our new "normal" with Mr. Jack Brannon Meadows. I woke up Wednesday morning not feeling well and I decided to call Labor and Delivery and they told me to come in and just make sure I brought my bags because I might be staying. By the time we got there and went to Labor and Delivery Triage, they told me to go ahead and get admitted because Dr. Phillips said it wouldn't take much to admit me! (She must have sensed that I was NOT taking NO for an answer about leaving without a baby!) So, we went and got a drink while they cleaned a room for us and started calling to let everyone know that it was a "go" and we would be in it for the long haul this time. After getting admitted and answering a million questions and getting my IV started (after failing one time, from which I STILL have a bruise!), they finally got the Pitocin started at 4 PM. (I was only dilated to a 3 when they admitted me and he was still high) But we got the Pitocin started and started going up on it steadily. Jack did wonderfully throughout my entire labor and I must say that labor this time was much more tolerable and I wasn't as miserable! The only miserable parts were A) my catheter blew and it spewed blood EVERYWHERE and my blood pressure dropped to 88/50 because of this and B) the anesthesiologist was a complete butthead and jabbed me FOUR TIMES and then got a blood vessel on the first time and had to start over! (Yea, Thad was a little hot by the time that guy left!) Besides those few things everything was peachy this time and I didn't even mind that it took 14 1/2 hours and a Pitocin level of 21 to get Jack here! They broke my water at 4:50 AM and Jack finally dropped into my pelvis. At 5:20 I was dilated to a 9 and 100% effaced and by 6:32 AM Jack was born with the cord wrapped around his neck TWO TIMES. (Yes, I was a bit paranoid but now realize that this is probably the reason why he never dropped, thank God!) His stats at birth were he weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long and scored an 8 on his APGAR test. He was and still is absolutely PERFECT and has completed our family! I took him yesterday to the doc for a weight check and he weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and looks great. This morning his umbilical cord fell off so he is looking more "normal" by the day! My parents came out for his birth and most of Thad's family was there and my sister and Jayden came out Friday after we got home! We had a great weekend with Jayden and Berkley playing and everyone just loving on Jack. It's so amazing the love a newborn can bring out in people! He is so perfect and his big sister is starting to be such a wonderful big sister. I have to admit that on Friday when we got home and she wouldn't even look at me, I was DEVASTATED! Talk about the post-partum hormones coming on full speed, they were there! It killed me that she wouldn't come to me and threw a total fit when I even got close. Thankfully she is doing much better and we are adjusting. BUt overall, things are getting into a routine and we are just enjoying the little things because we know they will soon be gone! Thank you for your love, prayers and support throughout this pregnancy and your encouragement as we start this new journey! Enjoy the boatload of pictures and I am sure there will be more to come!

Meadows

3/10/10...Berk wondering why I am in a bed and can't get out!

3/11/10...Jack Brannon Meadows-7 lbs. 6 oz. and not happy about being out of my womb!

3/11/10...Getting checked out!

3/11/10...A perfect bundle of joy!

3/11/10...First bath

3/11/10...Some quiet time with just mom and the camera

3/11/10...Melts my heart

3/11/10...Berk meeting her brother for the first time.

3/12/10...Chubby cheeks!

3/12/10...Love these little feet!

3/13/10...Such a big boy!

3/13/10....Precious baby

3/13/10...Jayden! Such a sweet boy!

3/13/10...A future golfer! Papa got her a golf set to get her started!

3/13/10...Getting an early start on the make up thanks to Auntie Rach....

...we might have some work to do in the future!

3/14/10...Bubba Jack getting some sun and Berk rubbing his belly!

3/14/10...Sweetest girl!

3/14/10...This makes my heart sing!

3/14/10...Giving bubba kisses!

3/15/10...Look familiar?

3/15/10...They will be sawing logs together before I know it!

40 WEEK DOCTOR VISIT

2010-03-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday I was officially 40 WEEKS PREGNANT (GASP) and I went and had my weekly appointment: blood pressure was 116/73, his heart rate was 145, I was dilated to 2 centimeters and she was kind enough to strip my membranes without asking! :/ She said my cervix was still thick and that if it would have been thinner or if I was about 3 centimeters she would have gone ahead and admitted me and we would have had a baby yesterday, but lucky for me, I am still pregnant and getting more impatient by the MINUTE! She did say that she feels like my body will go into labor on its own in the next few days and that I just need to relax; easy for ANYONE ELSE to say at this point! But the one optimistic thing I found out of the whole situation is that she said his water sac is bulging which made me believe that maybe I was in for a surprise last night, but of course not! And of course I did not sleep good because I was worried about a surprise in the middle of the night so I am dragging booty today! Luckily I am home and with Berk so I am able to "relax" as much as she lets me! So, all in all we are still "patiently" waiting. She did say that if I do not have a baby by Saturday that she is on-call at 8 AM and that she would be more than obliged to admit me! Hopefully Jack will come out of his comfort zone and meet us before Saturday! Berkley has even told him to "Come out" lots of times, but he obviously doesn't listen to his big sister either, which might cause problems down the road! Anyway here is a picture of me 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant with "Mr. I'm In No Hurry!" Have a great week and I will keep this updated!

Meadows

40 weeks 1 day pregnant with Jack

39 Week Doc Appointment

2010-03-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Well Thursday we went to the doctor and of course there was very little change: I was dilated to a centimeter and he is still high, his heart rate was good, I didn't gain any weight (WOO HOO!) and my blood pressure was perfect (112/72). I didn't see Dr. Phillips because she was out of town but the doctor I did see said that she (and probably Dr. Phillips also) would not induce at that point because it would most likely lead to lots of pain and result in a c-section which they would like to avoid at all costs! That is something that I am so thankful for with these doctors is that they are very uninclined (if that is a word) to cut if they don't ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO (i.e. baby in stress). So, I see Dr. Phillips on Monday and if he hasn't come I am hoping I can convince her that we should set a date so I can quit being paranoid about all the unknowns and just meet our sweet baby boy! But I know that Dr. Phillips will be looking out for our best interest and if she feels that I should give it more time, then I will grit my teeth and gladly try. But overall, Thad and I had a great afternoon and I actually got a new dishwasher and haircut out of the deal! But anyway that is about it. I will post again after the visit on Monday and hopefully I will be able to tell you all when we will be meeting Mr. Jack Brannon. Other than that, I am just trying to "relax" and just enjoy Berkley Tate as much as possible! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and we will keep you posted!

Meadows

39 Weeks Pregnant Pic

2010-03-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Well tomorrow we will go to the doctor in the afternoon and I will also complete my last half day of work until after my maternity leave. We are keeping our fingers crossed about the visit tomorrow and I am just really hoping that something has happened and that Jack is making up his mind to come and join us! I will post tomorrow after the visit with the update and hopefully it will be good news! Here is a picture of me at 39 weeks 2 days pregnant (Wednesday). Hope you enjoy and hopefully we will have some baby pictures to post soon!

Meadows

39 weeks 2 days pregnant with Jack

WE ARE SO READY FOR JACK!

2010-02-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

The title of this blog post pretty much sums up how I have been feeling for about 10 weeks now! But as the time is QUICKLY approaching I am hit with the reality that this weekend could have been our last weekend as a family of 3! I am nervous, a little scared and overall just ready to have baby Jack in my arms. When I went for my 38 week appointment last Thursday everything was "great:" I was only fingertip dilated, my blood pressure was great and his heart rate was wonderful. Dr. Phillips told me that the earliest they would induce would be at 39 weeks (tomorrow) and obviously we are not going to do that; I totally want to try and let my body do the work but it is definitley becoming more difficult by the day. (I am not a big fan of surprises or of waiting!) The longest she said she would let me go over my due date is 2 weeks and I have pretty much crossed that off the list! I have an appointment on Thursday again (which will also be my last day of work) and it is in the afternoon, so like I said before there is a possibility that blood pressure could be high and we could have a baby by Friday. (Maybe some running in place before she takes my blood pressure?!) We also had to move my appointment from the 11th to the 8th (Jack's actual due date) and so hopefully if he hasn't graced us with his presence by then then we can set a date for induction. Like I said, I really want to try and be patient with my body and let it go through due process, but it's more a peace of mind issue for me; I feel like anything can happen with him inside my body (i.e. Berkley's knot in her cord) and I just want to have him so that I can protect him. I know that sounds corny but it's the easiest way to explain some of the anxiety I am feeling! Also, the ladies here at work had a double shower for me and our principal who is due at the beginning of April last Wednesday. It was so sweet and Jack got plenty of essentials; THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Anyway enough about my worrying and constant thinking, here are some pictures of Jack's room that we finished today (minus his initials that will go above his bed when I finish painting them). A HUGE thank you has to go out to my wonderful husband for shampooing and vacuuming all the rooms in our house; I can't explain how grateful I am! There are also some pictures of Miss Thang to keep you up-to-date on her! Have a great week! And I will post a belly shot of me at 39 weeks sometime this week.

Meadows

2/20/10...This was from Randi's shower last weekend. She was perfectly content just sitting as this table by herself!

2/26/10...This was Friday after we got home. She was in just a wonderful mood!

2/26/10...I love this picture of her!

2/26/10...Here she is trying to give bubba Jack some of her "moo juice!" She is going to be such a great big sister and I am so ready to see it in reality!

2/28/10...Jack's crib; of course the flowered clothing is not his! His initials will go above his bed in green, blue and brown.

2/28/10...His dresser and window. I love the little balls that I found at Hobby Lobby! I also love the fact that his dad can display his football helmet in his son's room! :)

2/28/10...Changing table. I also found the little sayings at Hobby Lobby and I just love that they are so inspirational!

2/28/10...Corner of the room with the jumperoo (a lifesaver with Berk) and the little wire sports things that I also found at Hobby Lobby!

37 Week Doctor Appointment

2010-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday I had my 37-week appointment and once again, it was a waste of my morning in Lubbock! (Which is a good thing compared to the alternative!) Of course, when the appointment was scheduled for 8:40 and you don't see the doc until about 9:30 you are bound to get a little irritated right?! Well thankfully it DID NOT raise my blood pressure (110/71) and did little harm to Bubba Jack (his heart rate was 142 bpm). She did tell me that when she was listening to him that he did not like me laying on my back (I suppose his heart rate was going down but she didn't actually say that) and told me the best thing is to make sure and lay on my sides. (Which unfortuately is much more uncomfortable now because he tends to go with gravity and ball up on the side that I am laying on which equals little sleep!) I only gained 1 pound and my cervix is still closed! I actually told her to not even waste her time checking me because I knew there was nothing happening and it was a waste of time for her AND for me! So, overall he is is NO HURRY to join our chaotic life and that's ok! He can cook as long as he wants but hopefully won't get too big; I have to admit that Berk spoiled me by only being a 5 lb. 8 oz. baby and I don't know how I will react to a bigger one! (And everyone seems to think he WILL be bigger!) This weekend we have plenty to do; I need to get all my lesson plan stuff ready JUST IN CASE Mr. Jack decides he wants to grace us early and we also have tickets to the Tech vs. Texas game tomorrow afternoon along with Randi Beth's baby shower. Needless to say it will be a weekend of great family fun and hopefully not going into labor walking up the mile-long steps at United Spirit Arena! But anyway just thought I would let everyone know how the check up went! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Meadows

Changes Around Our Place

2010-02-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

Well this weekend Thad was hard at work getting everything somewhat ready for Jack! I suppose it was a good thing because today (Monday), we had to go to labor and delivery to get monitored because my blood pressure was a little high! Thank goodness everything was fine by the time we got up there, but it definitley made for a long day! I am just going to leave you with that and the rest will be pictures (tons of them) so you can see the changes that have occurred and why I LOVE MY HUSBAND SO MUCH!

*These are the pictures from the other day when Berk helped me fix the cookies for my class! She is quite the little helper! (And don't worry that spoon DID NOT go back into the cookie batter!)

2/10/10...Thinking about licking the spoon....

...and going in for the kill!

I can see Gran with a helper in the future!

She is the biggest girl ever! And forget trying to help her do anything!

2/11/10...This is what Webster thought of all the stuff we came home with Thursday after my doctor's appointment! You think he knows changes are a-comin?

2/13/10...Berkley trying out her newest thing!

And she is quite good at it!

****The first change-we (Thad) rearranged the bedroom and we bought a new desk so that it wouldn't be in Jack's room****

****And now for the assembly of Jack's furniture! With the help of Berkley Tate, of course!****

Please disregard the disarray of everything! I wasjust so happy to get it all done! I will post again once things are in their place!

***Oh yes and me and Jack at 37 weeks!***

36 Week Doc Visit

2010-02-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday Thad and I drove to Lubbock (once again in snowy weather) and went for our 36-week appointment. Everything is looking perfect for Mr. Jack's arrival and he seems to be in absolutely NO HURRY: his heart rate was in the 120s and 130s, my blood pressure was 112/72 and I gained another 3 pounds. Everything was good and she went ahead and started the "best" part of all pregnancies in checking me and he was still high which is not at all surprising to me and Thad. Just like big sis, who I was only dilated to a 1 with when I was induced (just two days prior to her due date) he will probably be right on time! I go every week now which is good but I am keeping my hopes to a minimum as far as the progress that happens for those visits! But hopefully that means I will actually have a FULL three weeks to finish getting stuff ready for a sub! But that is about it; Thad is off today and Monday so hopefully we will pictures of Jack's room to post soon and I need to post pictures of Miss Thang helping me bake cookies the other day but I don't have the memory card right now. (And of course a belly picture will be posted soon.) Anyway hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough to have some fun outside?!

Meadows

Some Berkley Pictures

2010-02-09T07:22:00.001-08:00

Well this weekend was a very relaxing one once again. Thad did get the guest room furniture all taken apart and then taken to the storage unit (except for the desk with the computer). We ordered the computer desk to go in our bedroom (which hasn't come in yet) and we got Jack's furniture yesterday so Thad will have another busy weekend of putting together! (Luckily he is taking Thursday and Friday off and then also has Monday off!)

(This is the picture of the crib, changing table and combo unit)

We go to the doctor on Thursday for our 36-week appointment and then from here on we will go every week. I took the whole day off so that we will be able to get the rest of the "essentials" for Jack: i.e. a mattress for his crib, his playpen, a new Boppy cover that isn't so girly and all the other great stuff! We are taking "maternity" pictures on Sunday with Pamra but I am hoping it will more of a cute family shoot with my big ol' belly instead of a full-blown maternity shoot. (Have you seen some of the maternity pictures people do?! WOW! Those ladies are far more courageous than I would ever be!) But all in all we are just hustling and bustling about trying to make room for this wonderful addition that is so close we can already smell that sweet smell of more Dreft and baby lotion! Last night we were all sitting in the living room and for some odd reason Berkley actually wanted to sit STILL for some time and let Thad and her read a book. She brought him Noah's Ark and it was so amazing to watch the two of them share the book. I don't mean to brag, but the little girl is a smarty pants: Thad would ask her where an animal was and she would (9 out of 10 times) pick out that animal on the first try. He would then ask her where Noah was and she would always turn back to the cover and point him out! It is so amazing how their brains work at this age and how much she takes in! There are so many examples of how much she watches and learns that it is hard to list them all. Her best is the iPhone though: Sara, Corey and Randi all have iPhones and Berkley knows EXACTLY which ones are theirs. She will inevitably get theirs anytime they are around and try to slide the thing to unlock it. She will also get mine and THad's phones and try to do the same but to no avail. Sara lets her play games on her phone with animal sounds and all and it is amazing to see how quickly she catches things! I think an iPod Touch might be in her future! Anyway here are some pictures from last night and I will get a belly picture up sometime this week. Hope everyone has a great week and stays warm!
Meadows

2/8/10...This is Berk when she doesn't get to get on the couch and climb around like a hoodlum and nearly send me into labor......

2/8/10...And then two seconds later, this is Berk showing us how she typically is....

2/8/10...And then here she is after she goes over to the love seat and proceeds to get what she set out to get in the first place!

2/8/10...They are both just a little bit smitten with each other!

2/8/10...A calm minute with dad!

2/8/10...I swear the girl just might be a doctor!

2/8/10...She had to try out her skills on both of us!

2/8/10...My blue-eyed baby! I hope that Jack's eyes are blue also though I bet they will be brown like hid dad's!

2/8/10...Reading their book!