Our Little Bookworm

 

A few weeks ago, Ethan had a case of the stomach virus, so we stayed in at home all weekend. On Sunday morning he went upstairs to play in his room which normally only lasts for about 5 minutes. Brandon went up to check on him after 30 minutes of too much quiet and found Ethan relaxed with some pillows and reading a stack of books. I think he looked through about 20 or so, it was just so sweet to see b/c this boy NEVER slows down long and we love to see how much he loves books, he takes after his daddy for sure!

20 Weeks with Baby#2

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 20 Weeks
Size of baby: size of a banana (lengthwise)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: lost 1 lb
Maternity Clothes: wearing mostly maternity tunics and leggings
Gender: it's a boy! Charlie Newton Gray
Movement: Charlie is very active and loves kicking my bladder!
Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good!
What I miss: wine
Cravings: pizza, pasta
Symptoms: tailbone pain, charlie horses, and heartburn
Best Moment this week: showing Ethan the 20 week ultrasound pictures and seeing how excited he is getting.

I told Ethan I got to see Charlie moving around in my tummy on Wednesday and he asked me "is he coming out?" It's so sweet that he is so ready to meet his baby brother and yet he has no idea what is coming!
We are naming baby boy #2 Charles "Charlie" Newton Gray. Charles is after Brandon's grandfather who passed away 1 1/2 years ago. He was such a kind man and Brandon has so many fond memories of him growing up. He always loved me like his own granddaughter and since mine have been gone for over 10 years, he was a wonderful Papaw to me as well. Newton is after my dad. Anyone who knows me knows that I love my dad and think he is the neatest man. Always so loving and generous and a wonderful Papa to all his grandbabies. I can't wait for Charlie to get here and meet him and see why he's so special to me.

Snow Days 2011

We had the most snow this winter that I have seen in as long as I can remember. I really thought Ethan would be excited and we would build snowmen and sled and do all the snowy day fun...but he only wanted to play in it the first day of the first snow. Keep in mind we had 3 BIG snows with several days out of school. He was so excited at first, just wanted to run and head-dive into the snow and laugh about it. The stores had sold out of the traditional sleds, so I got him an inflatable sled from Target which Brandon and I pulled him around the neighborhood on. I think the biggest hit was 4 wheeling in the snow. We wrapped him up real snug b/c the wind really slaps you in the face, and he and Brandon made the loop around the neighborhood. Then he went down his slide a few times into the snow and he was done. I'm hoping next year to get a few more activities and maybe a snowman!

Baby Gray #2

Baby Gray #2

Due 7-7-11

We found out right before Halloween that we are expecting again! As some may know, we had a miscarriage over the summer, so I was nervous to tell anyone this time until we saw the doctor and made sure everything is ok. Dr. D said "it looks like you love to grow big healthy babies" so I should expect this one to be no smaller than Ethan was at birth (he was 10 lbs 1 oz) We were just so excited to see it was just one (the family was wishing for twins) and to hear everything looked and sounded good. The first trimester was much harder than with Ethan and everything feels different, so I'll be curious to see if that means anything about what we're having this time. We find out January 24th what this baby we'll be. Brandon and Ethan are both positive that it's a boy, so I hope they're not too disappointed if they're wrong. I just want a healthy baby! :) I saw the following on another blog, and I wanted to keep up with this pregnancy the same way.

I'm 14 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 14 Weeks
Size of baby: size of a lemon
Total Weight Gain/Loss: lost 1 1/2 lbs
Maternity Clothes: started to wear some maternity pants, but most of my regular clothes still fit
Gender: we find out January 24th
Movement: I have felt a few flutters
Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good!
What I miss: wine
Cravings: pizza
Symptoms:mostly nausea in the first 12 weeks, but now only occasional heartburn

Best Moment this week: Getting really excited thinking about Ethan being a big brother

Christmas Lunch 2010

all the kids breaking into their toys, thanks to help from Papa, Uncle Courtney, and Uncle Chris, and Aunt Erika :)

Ethan looking for permission to open the ones he has

Ella and Haven checking out Haven's new tea set

We had the whole family over for lunch and to open gifts with all the kids. After we cleaned up breakfast and put away the goodies from Christmas morning, we were ready to start with the cousins. After everyone arrived and the presents were handed out, Uncle Chris just yelled "OPEN" and all the kids went at it. I was cooking and could only hear the chaos, so I'm glad Brandon caught pictures of it. I loved seeing how excited all the kiddos were with their presents. I was also excited to see that I survived a lunch for 16 with a brand new recipe and being up at 6 and having Christmas morning before. It really pleases me to host our family and get to entertain and have everyone together. This was the first time in many years we have all been home for Christmas, so this was a blessed one indeed!

Christmas Morning 2010

Ethan looking over the stuff from Santa

thank goodness Papa brought his pocketknife so he can open my goodies!

Ethan with his picture with Santa (he opened it for Gaga and Papaw)

seriously rocking out on the guitar, the lifted knee was cracking me up!

For Christmas morning, we had both grandparents and my grandmother over to the house to have Santa time with Ethan. Bless his heart, his Santa delivery looked so underwhelming, but all he wanted from Santa was a police car and a firetruck. We stick to a 3 gift rule so he got 3 from Santa and 3 from us, but it was important to me that he get what he asked for since he literally stuck with those 2 things as his request for the ENTIRE Christmas season. My mom told about the idea of the 3 gifts like the wise men brought and it has been good to keep us from going overboard. Ethan gets spoiled from everyone in the family, so he certainly isn't deprived by any means. He was so excited with his gifts and really just enjoyed opening everyone else's as well. It was so fun to see how sweet he was this year and how much he enjoyed the big day.

Ella's 1st Birthday

Ella in her tissue paper bib, not sure what to think about that cake

Pretty Ella in her birthday headband gift and checking out the new toy!

Uncle Chris is totally dominated!

Papa is taking a break in the background while Chris gets tackled

We hosted my niece Ella's 1st birthday party on Dec 11. I can't believe that sweet baby is already 1! We had a casual family dinner, gifts, yummy cake, and then wrestling with Reagan, Ethan, Papa, and Uncle Chris. They definitely kept us entertained. It was so fun having all of the family here to celebrate with Miss Ella!!