Happy Thanksgiving

I can't believe how fast Thanksgiving has come and gone....

This year my Thanksgiving started off at school this past Tuesday. For the past several years, K-3rd grade has put on a "Thanksgiving Play/Feast"! The 2-3 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are a little hectic trying to get props ready, kiddos to memorize their lines, parents to RSVP with attendance numbers and foods that are promised to be brought- hectic, but I love it!! Tuesday was our big performance and it went great!! Sure you had those kiddos that froze on stage in front of everyone, and you had the ones who were twirling in the background instead of standing still like an Indian- but it was definitely cute :) The feast was magnificent and everyone had a great time (including the K-3 teachers because most of the kids went home afterwards which meant several hours of getting paid without kids!!!).

Tony took off Wednesday since I was already off and we deemed it "Family Fun Day"!! Of course it didn't quite go as planned....we left the house and were planning on getting an oil change and then heading to Dr. Bizer's Vision World so Tony could get his eyes checked/new glasses, and then we were going to do something fun after that. However, those 2 errands, with a Rafferty's lunch in the mix ended up taking us about 5 hours, yikes!! Although that's not what we wanted our day to be...that was the reality, at least we were all together!

Thanksgiving was great! My mom has her side of the family over every year and we all bring something. Tony baked a pumpkin pie for the 1st time ever and got great reviews! I made sweet potato casserole! Once again, my mom outdid herself and their was TONS of food!! It's definitely the best meal all year :) It was great to spend time with our extended family too. Hannah had a blast playing with all the kids!!

Thanksgiving is also a time for me, mom, Aunt Sandy, Misty and Amy (my cousins) to plot out the next day and scour the ads for Black Friday!!

Friday morning we met at Aunt Sandy's house at 7am to start our shopping adventures!! (Last year I went to Wal-Mart at 5am by myself before going to Sandy's- just didn't see anything that grabbed me this year.) From there, we went to Meijer, Kohls, Target, Wal-Mart, Toys'R'Us, Tumbleweed, Jefferson Mall (JCPenney, Sears, Victoris's Secret, etc.) and lastly Sam's Club-whoa!! We shopped for almost 9 hours!! We did get some good bargains! I didn't seem to buy as much this year as in the past on Black Friday, but I still had a blast...I could probably go and not buy anything and still have fun with the girls :) I did get some of my shopping finished, so that's really nice! I look forward not only to Thanksgiving every year, but to Black Friday as well!!

It's a Girl!

From the time I got pregnant, we would ask Hannah if she wanted a baby sister or a baby brother- her answer was always the same- "a sister". Guess what? She predicted the sex of the baby correctly!!

On November 3rd- when I was 18 weeks pregnant, we had our ultrasound where we found out it was another girl! We are very excited! We have everything we need from Hannah- even the seasons will be about right for clothes!! How lucky are we?!! The ultrasound went great- they found absolutely no problems whatsoever- just one little healthy baby :) It's always amazing to hear that...and especially amazing to see the little baby inside you!

We still haven't agreed on a name, but luckily we still have some time!!

I don't have a scanner at home so I can't show the ultrasound pics- but here I am- 18 weeks pregnant with baby #2:

Halloween

I struggled with finding a Halloween costume for Hannah. It seemed like all the costumes her size were Cinderella, Snow White, etc., and she has no idea who those characters are yet. I was getting pretty frustrated! Luckily when we went to visit Ali, Bo and Emily in Alabama, Ali had been given a hand-me-down Halloween costume that fit Hannah perfectly. When Hannah tried it on- she loved it and I knew that was the one!! Thanks Aunt Ali for pulling through for us :)

Halloween was fairly uneventful- the way I like it!
When Hannah woke up from her late nap, we (Tony, Hannah and I) headed to GG and Papaw's house for a visit! She wouldn't put her costume on for them at first- but then she warmed up to it and went crazy running all over their house! We were even able to get some cute pictures!


After GG and Papaw's, we headed home. Angela (my sis-in-law) and Jacob (my 4 year-old nephew) came over to start our Trick-or-Treating adventures!! We had a great time trick-or-treating together! Hannah and Jacob were so cute in their costumes and I had a blast listening to their little conversations!!

Hannah did great!! Last year we only made it trick-or-treating for about 30 minutes....this year we were out for over an hour and a half (Tony even said he almost came out to look for us)!! Hannah really got the hang of it!

We were exhausted by the end of the evening, but we had soooo much fun!!

I'm a Big Girl!!

Hannah is almost 2 1/2 years old, and for the past few months I've had various "friends" on Facebook mention their children (months and months younger than my own) moving into "big kid" beds. I always thought, "Good for them"- but never really thought about moving my own daughter into one. In the past, she has climbed out of the crib- so then we would just lower it. It is currently on the lowest rung- and although she can climb out, she has never done it during the night and therefore I always thought she was good in her crib.

Tony, on the other hand, informed me that it was time for her to grow up. Tear....I guess I've been holding onto my little baby for as long as I can, and the whole "big girl" bed just makes it more real that she is no longer my little baby (literally speaking.....however, she will always be my baby!!). So last night I let Tony do the inevitable, and he took off the front of her crib. Although it's not technically a "big girl" bed, it's a start. We are currently scoping out some actual twin beds for her since we will have to give the crib over to the new baby that will be arriving at the end of March/beginning of April. I think when we move the glider, diaper changer and crib out of her room and into the baby's room- then it will really hit me!!

By the way, she did awesome in her new "big girl" bed- she went to bed so excited to sleep in her new bed, and when she woke up this morning, she wouldn't even get out of it until I came in her room!! My little baby is growing up...how bittersweet!!

She always has to sleep with a "few" of her friends!!!

Sweet Baby Emily

Last weekend, Tony, Hannah and I headed down to Alabama to finally meet Ali and Bo's newest addition, Emily! We've been chomping at the bit to go and see her and we finally had a good weekend to go and visit!

I forgot how little newborns are...I definitely don't remember Hannah being that little. We were also curious to see how Hannah would do around another little baby since she's not around them very often. She did great! She always made sure Emily was with us wherever we went, and whenever we asked her to help, she would! Hannah loved holding her and giving her lots of kisses! We had a great weekend with the Wash Family and hated to leave them. Here are some cute pics of our trip:

12 weeks!!

Wow!!! Has it really been over 2 months since I last did this?? Sorry to anyone who checks to see updates and never sees any, I swear I'll try to be better about it!

I think everyone knows by now that Tony and I are expecting baby #2!!!

Here's the story up to now:

We had started "trying" this summer and were lucky enough to get pregnant in the second month of trying. We took a positive pregnancy test on July 24th (the last day of teaching summer school). We were VERY excited but it was all a little surreal (still is). We decided then that we would wait to tell people (other than immediate family) which is weird because we told everyone when we were pregnant with Hannah right away.

Anyways, our families were thrilled for us!! I told my boss and my assistant when I was 6 weeks along but nobody else...we had decided to wait till we went for the 8 week check-up!

The 8 week check-up went great!! The doctor said that I could be a poster-child for a woman with an 8 week uterus! We were very relieved to hear this because with Hannah when we went in for our 8 week appointment I was measuring too small and they had to do an ultrasound to make sure everything was ok. Anyways, we left the doctors office with a little spring in our step knowing that so far everything was going well!!

Over the next couple weeks I felt pretty good except for being tired, hungry and a little nauseous in the evenings- but all in all pretty good! My stomach even pooched out a little which was kind of crazy since I know the baby isn't that big yet....the doctor informed me that my body "remembers" what it's like to be pregnant and is already making room. I just found it gross since it looks like I just ate too much. But I know it comes with the territory!

Yesterday Tony and I went for our 12 week check-up and were sooo excited because this is the check-up where you get to hear the heartbeat for the first time. However, it ended up being pretty stressful. When the doctor put the doppler on my lower abdomen to hear the heartbeat, she couldn't find it. After a couple minutes of looking for it, she explained to us that if she couldn't find it that she would do an ultrasound right away to make sure everything was ok. Tony and I were holding our breaths at this point...we were pretty scared. The doctor said she wanted to try one more thing before she would do an ultrasound. She left the room and came back with a different doppler- she said that this one was a little more sensitive. She started rubbing my abdomen again and still not findint anything was about to suggest an ultrasound when she FOUND it!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! We were incredibly relieved and soooo happy to be hearing the heartbeat!! (However now I kind of wished they did an ultrasound so we could've seen the little booger). The heartbeat was strong in the 150s (for those of you who predict sex according to heartbeat, that suggests a girl) but anyways, everything sounds great!

It's all starting to seem a little more real now since we heard the heartbeat!! We told Hannah and she says she wants a baby sister! Tony and I both think it's a girl, but we'll be happy either way! We find out on November 3rd what our little peanut is!!!

Here are my 12 week belly shots....doesn't look like much except that I ate too much!! HAHA!

Here is a picture I dug up from when I was 38 weeks pregnant with Hannah...WOW....was I really that big??!!! So much to look forward to again :)

Adventures with Baby!!

Ok, so we have a new addition to the family.....no, no, it's not a baby... at least not a REAL one...not quite yet. It is Hannah's Cabbage Patch Kid...which she has named...Baby (original, isn't she?). Baby has become Hannah's pride and joy. Whatever Hannah does, baby does too, and that is how we have spent the last 2 weeks or so.

If Hannah wants to go down the slide....

Baby wants to go too!!

If Hannah wants to sit in her playhouse...

Baby does too!!

If Hannah wants to watch T.V.....

Baby does too!! (and some of her other friends as well)

If Hannah wants to eat...

Baby wants to eat too!!

These pictures don't do justice for just how much Baby has become a part of Hannah's life. Baby spends almost every waking minute with her. She goes on walks in the stroller, eats dinner with us, goes on car trips, etc. The only thing that baby is NOT allowed to do...is go to daycare. I don't feel like it would be fair to the Whitehall Daycare employees to not only have to take care of my baby, but my baby's baby as well. Maybe tomorrow I will let her....for Show-n-Share, but I know I'll have to warn everyone there to treat Baby as an equal!!

Tony and I have embraced this new addition to our family with open arms...she's quiet, she doesn't need a diaper change (although whenever Hannah gets HER diaper changed she believes Baby needs one too), we don't REALLY have to feed her, and she keeps our daughter (the real one) entertained!

I'm sure Baby will be in our family for years to come...if Hannah is anything like me, then in several years she'll have several more "Babies" and they'll be lined up in her room while she "teaches" them....only time will tell!

Summer :)

Summer is off to a great start. The only thing I wish I could change would be the weather. I mean seriously, I am so tired of rain.....

Last week we had some great family bonding time! With Tony not starting his job yet, and my first official week off we were able to spend some time together (when Tony worked at 84 Lumber, it seemed like we were never able to do that).

Monday Hannah and I went to the park to play...Tony had to meet his new boss for lunch! Hannah loves the swings and the slides!!

Tuesday morning we went to Wal-Mart and had our pictures made. Sad to say that our daughter is 2 years old and we had never had a family picture. Tony promised me for Mother's Day that we could have them made....but I had to arrange the place and time. So last Tuesday we went to Wal-Mart and got them made!! The family pictures actually turned out better than I thought they would! We did get a few of Hannah by herself...not as great as I wanted, but she is extremely shy and clingy around anyone new so it was hard to get her to let go of mommy and daddy and smile....I guess they aren't too bad. The pictures should come in anytime during the next week, I can't wait!!! The pictures are currently online for the next month or so...here is how you view them:

portraits.pictureme.com

Last Name: Waterson

Studio ID: 13294

Session #: 102660

Wednesday afternoon, Tony, Hannah and I headed down for an extended stay at the lake. When we got there Wednesday, we got our bathing suits on and headed to the lake!! The weather was actually nice (for the 2 hours we were down there)...we all got in the lake, even Hannah!! I was worried that Hannah may not like the water this year because she would have to wear a lifejacket/float and it was a big open space....but I was wrong, she loved it!!! She wanted to stay in for a long time and she loved going back to our floats and even didn't mind getting her face wet!! We had so much fun watching her swim!! Unfortunately, we did not put Hannah back in the water the rest of the weekend....it rained a lot and the lake turned muddy and cold...maybe next weekend we can put her in the lake again (if the rain EVER stops).

The rest of the week was a lot of fun. Tim, Trisha and T.J. (my mom's youngest brother and family) came to the lake on Thursday with mom and dad. On Saturday, Charlie and Labron came to the lake (Mom's oldest brother) and on Sunday we had a huge family cookout and the rest of the family came! We had a great time...playing cornhole, eating, watching the kiddos swim in the baby pool and chatting!! It only rained for a short amount of time right after we ate, other than that we had pretty decent weather!!

That's about it...potty training isn't really happening at all right now....she will put her little seat on the big potty and act like she wants to go...but then refuses to sit on it....only time will tell!!

Here are some pictures!!

It's been a while....

I apologize for my delayed blogging.....a lot has been going on over the past month or so!!

First off, I would like to announce that my husband found a job!!! YAY!! He will be Regional Director of some Unemployment offices in Indiana. He will start in about a week and a half and we are so excited!!! The pay is decent, the hours are great and the drive isn't horrible! Maybe the economy is starting to look up a little?!

I finished my first official teaching year at Meredith-Dunn last Friday! It was bittersweet. I was 100% ready for summer, but I'll miss seeing the kiddos and hearing all their hilarious stories. I am going to teach summer school this summer...but it doesn't start until June 29th, so I have a few weeks of relaxing and hanging out with my baby girl!

May was a busy month for us...we had a lot going on: Tony and Hannah's birthday, our anniversary, the beginning of lake season, etc. So here are just a few pics over the last month or so. I promise that I'll try to do better at posting things!! Check back for fun summer pictures!!

PS. Hannah went pee-pee on the potty when she stayed with GG and Papaw this past weekend....looks like I will be spending the summer attempting to potty train the princess :)

Easter

We had a great time on Easter! We spent the morning together and Hannah got her Easter basket (she loved the books)!!

Then we went to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Richard's house for festivities! We ate great food and had great company! When it was time for the kiddos Easter Egg Hunt, we headed out to the backyard to find eggs. Hannah found her first egg, and then she spotted the swingset and wanted to spend the rest of the time playing....never finishing the Egg Hunt!

Alabama

To end our Spring Break and to begin Tony's unemployment, we headed down to Alabama to visit Ali and Bo!!!

(For those of you who do not know yet, Tony lost his job about a week ago and is currently looking for something. This week he filled out over 40 applications and has 2 interviews lined up for next week...keep your fingers crossed that something comes up soon!)

Tony and I had not been to Ali and Bo's house since Ali was in the hospital about a year and a half ago....so it was nice that we were finally able to go and hang out with them!!

We arrived on Thursday and stayed home and just relaxed!! On Friday, Hannah and I went to the Vet where Ali works to meet everyone (and to visit with some animals)!! Then we picked up the boys and went to the Birmingham Zoo, where we ate a nice picnic lunch, rode the train and looked at all the animals (except the gorillas)!!! We had a great time there and are hoping that we get a year membership to the Louisville Zoo since Hannah is in love with animals right now!!

Saturday we went out for breakfast and then headed to a farm to see some horses. Hannah LOVED the farm....especially all the rocks (gravel). She spent a good hour picking up, lining up and throwing the rocks. She did get to pet her first horse, but had no desire to sit on him...maybe next time!!!

Saturday night we went out to eat with the Wash clan for Bo's bday at Chili's!! We had good company, good food and some good cake :)

We had a fantastic time and are hoping we can make it back down again soon!! Thank you so much Ali and Bo for being such wonderful hosts!!

Spring Break

One of many great things about being a teacher is Spring Break!! This week Hannah and I are happily spending time together (it's a nice glimpse into being a stay-at-home mom) at home. It has been a peaceful week with not much going on!!



We kicked Spring Break 2009 off by heading to the lake this past Saturday. My mom and dad were also there and they had Jacob in tow. We spent Saturday watching Jacob and Hannah play together and in between raindrops we went outside to "wing" (swing- as Hannah calls it). Saturday night produced some threatening weather and at one point we had to spend some time in the basement and wait out the weather...the kiddos didn't mind at all!




Starting last summer we put Hannah in the pack-n-play in the basement to sleep, so of course we tried it again...she was NOT happy. I heard her screaming twice and finally gave up and brought her upstairs...my mom had recently purchased some sleeping bag cots for Jacob and Hannah and we tried it out. While Tony peacefully slept in the bedroom...Hannah and I had a slumber party in the sun room (I was on the couch and she was on the cot). We didn't get much sleep that night, but we made it through!!




The rest of our week has been fairly low-key. Yesterday we had our old fence taken down and the new one put back up (thank you insurance)! And today Hannah and I met mom at Kosair Children's Hospital (her new job) for lunch!! Between catching up on Sesame Street episodes, cleaning and going for walks, we've had a great Spring Break!!





Tomorrow we will be heading to Alabama to visit Ali and Bo!! We are so excited to see them!!