Almost ready...

What is it about your second pregnancy that has you preparing for everything at the last minute? When I was pregnant with Braden, I think I had everything washed and prepared when I had 4 months to go. This time around, we are going to be lucky to have a bag packed. Ha! This weekend we have been trying to finish up some last minute baby preparations. I am 37 weeks and the Dr. had said we'd probably induce a bit early, so I'm thinking we should be getting ready. :) We got out the infant carseat to go ahead and put in my car last night. Braden thought it was pretty funny and had to try it out himself. I can't believe he was just a little squirt at one time barely visible in this carseat. Tear! It won't be long before we have another little guy riding in it! We are getting so excited to meet him!!!

Sellersburg Celebrates

On Saturday we got to enjoy Sellersburg Celebrates. Gma Cindy and Pop took Braden to the pancake breakfast in the morning so that we could sleep in a bit. This jeep was parked outside and Braden thought it looked like "Sarge" (from Cars) so of course we had to get his picture taken with him. :)

Then we headed down to the parade. This is Chris and Braden getting ready for the first part of the parade. Matt, Carrie, and the kiddos arrived shortly after and the boys had a blast seeing everything and collecting candy.

Braden cried for just a minute when the firetrucks and police cars were letting off their sirens...we thought it would be Baby Lexi, but it was Braden.

Baby Lexi enjoyed watching the floats.

This face cracked me up. Braden LOVES bands but when the high school bands went by I'm not sure if he was amazed, confused or what....

Jace had the same face

Braden LOVED the dog character from the Fun House

After the parade we went down to the festival for just a bit. We ate some healthy corndogs and fries and then we always let Braden ride one ride...the carousel. I'm pretty sure the other rides look like they could break down at any minute. :)

5 Years!

On Friday, Chris and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. :) Being that I'm slightly pregnant, we decided to keep it pretty low key this year. The romance started with Braden and I surprising Chris with Subway for lunch at Scribner....very romantic-ha! Then Friday night, Braden had an overnight with Grandma Cindy and Pop so that we could get out alone together, which was nice. We went over to PF Changs and ate until we were miserable! Then we continued the romance with a trip to Target and Best Buy followed up with stuffing ourselves more when we got home with cookie cake. Isn't it funny how date nights change as we get older? It was nice though shopping without hearing, "I want that..." at least it wasn't coming from Braden, just me. :) As Chris likes to joke each anniversary, "we are beating the odds" I guess meaning most marriages end before 5 years. What optimism!!! :) On a serious note, I can't imagine being married to a better husband and dad. We sure do make a great team. Love you Babe!

Deal, deals, deals!

I love getting good deals! Yesterday Sarah and I headed over to Louisville's Little Treasures Consignment sale and tonight I hit New Albany's Kid Stuff sale. Even though yesterday's gym was the most crowded place I've ever been and tonight's gym was the hottest place on earth, I managed to push my big belly through and snag some great clothes for the boys! I had to share some of my great finds. :

This is all for Baby. He didn't get as much as Braden but I'm not sure what all I need and how big he will be so I thought I better not go too crazy! I can't get enough of the red outfit on the top left...definitely seeing that as a cute Christmas picture. The light blue set is very sweet too.

I found lots of pants for Braden...I went with 3T but they could end up capris by December with the rate this child is growing. :)-Cords and track pants

More pants...jeans and track pants

Loving these cute sweaters...the middle one is looking like a good fall sweater for pics and the red sweater vest could be in a Christmas shot. Don't you love how girls plan out pictures and holidays with clothes?

Some big boy button ups for church

Fun shirts Braden will enjoy

A nice winter coat, brand new crocs and possibly my favorite find....a brand new, never been used Moby wrap!! Now if I can just figure out how it works. :) Yah for consignment season!

Boys having fun

On Saturday, the Gross' went boating with us. Braden and Tyler always have a good time together (when they are not fighting..mostly fueled by my child of course and his awesome sharing skills! :). It was really cute to see them chillin' in their sunglasses and life jackets. It was a bit chilly to swim but they had fun eating snacks and playing cars on the boat.

Letter Fun

Braden is really obsessed with letters and sounds right now. He's always loved the letter factory videos, but lately it has taken on a whole new world. He loves to play with letters, talk about letters, sing about letters, anything and anywhere. He likes to match his wooden alphabet letters from a puzzle to his alphabet cards (pretty clever heh?). I hope he is this into school one day. :)

Fun boating day

Today after church we headed to Patoka Lake for some swimming, sun, and snacks. :) Jen and Nick were there with their two cuties and a friend and her kiddos. The toddlers had so much fun tubing and playing on the gigantic inflatable on the lake. Braden got the first sunburn of his life. I guess I needed to reapply a few more times because we both came home looking like splotchy raccoons! Regardless, we had so much fun today and of course Braden crashed in the car after a whole day without a nap. Thanks to the Thomas' for a fun day and yummy food!!!

Playing on the huge inflatable with Daddy and Carson

Braden's first tube ride. It's hard to tell from this sour face, but he liked it!

Caroline, Carson, & Braden watching the Daddies tube

Chris and Nick tried to kill each other on the tube. I think Chris will be sore tomorrow!

A little video of Braden and Chris tubing...just hit the arrow

Our first boating trip

After what felt like a long wait, we finally got to take our boat out tonight. Sunday and Monday the license branches were closed so we had to wait to get our registration junk done yesterday so we were more than excited to go today! It was perfect weather and we had so much fun. Braden loved going fast again (thankfully) and even enjoyed being in in the water and jumping off the back. However, the biggest highlight of my day was when Braden said he had to go potty while we were on the boat. Chris stood him up off the back deck and he peed in the water like a big boy! Until this point, he wanted no part of peeing standing up so I was ecstatic that he went. Then, he went again standing up in the parking lot, and once more before bed! Woohoo! I'm hoping this means I can ditch the potty seat because I'm over cleaning that thing out. :) On another fun note, I actually backed the trailer down, parked it, got it from the lot, and retrieved the boat all without hitting anyone or anything! Pretty impressive for my first time with no practice...I have skills!!! Ha!


Braden wanted to drive every chance he could


Splashing Daddy was super fun!


Taking a little rest...with one leg up!

Cute little ducks. Braden had fun throwing them part of his dinner. :)

Peeing off the swim deck. Hee hee!

So excited!!!

We have some exciting news! We bought a boat today! :) Chris and I have been talking about wanting to get a boat all summer and then started really seriously looking in the last few weeks. We were hoping to find a good end of the summer deal and we feel like we did. We found this boat in Greenwood on Friday and then met with the owner today on Lake Monroe to make sure everything was good in the water. It's a 2006 but looks brand new since the people didn't use it much. Braden absolutely loved going fast on the lake today and giggled the whole time. It was so adorable watching him and hearing him say, "Whoa Daddy, and go faster Daddy." I love it! We are really looking forward to many days on the lake with our family. We are so eager to use it that we are going out tomorrow as soon as Chris gets home from school. We'll have to get in all of the days we can before summer is over and the baby gets here. Hope to take you all out one day soon!! :)

Heartburn and big mama revealed!

So today was an interesting Dr.'s appointment. I went in for my normal 2 week check-up and when the Dr.measured my belly she said I was measuring big (duh). I was not surprised one bit! I feel HUMONGOUS this time around and already feel like the baby is so big that I cannot breathe. :) I have gained more weight and just feel bigger this time so I was not at all shocked by this news. She sent me for an ultrasound just to make sure the fluids and everything looked good. The technician said she thinks everything looks fine, BUT my cutsie wootsie little baby boy is already huge!! Again, I'm not surprised. :) According to the measurements, he already weighs 5 lbs. and 10 ounces! Ha! That's the size of many babies at full term and I still have 7 weeks to go. I go back to the Dr. again in 2 weeks so I'll see what they say. I'm not worried or anything, but just find it reveals what I already anticipated. Braden was 9lbs.1oz. so I'm expecting a nice, big, healthy boy. We'll see if they induce me early.
On another note, I have had some major heartburn this pregnancy and you know what they say about that....hair! Well check this baby out. He has a full blown mullet and a 1950's style slick back style on the top. What a hoot!
This is a sideways view. Look at the right, top side of his head and you should see his hair folded over rolling back like a little James Dean or Elvis style. Ha!

This is just a picture of the back of his head (laying sideways) because the technician couldn't get over his hair! Yep, that's it....long strands going down over his neck. Is that hilarious or what? He needs a little trim already.

Good friends

We are so blessed to have such great neighbors that we get to play with everyday! Braden loves playing with the neighbor kiddos and looks for them every time we go outside. They have really become such good little buddies. Tonight they were having fun taking turns pulling each other up the sidewalk and going fast back down.

Justin pulling Braden, Natalie, and Sophie

Braden's using his biggest muscle to pull Justin and Sophie

Speed Park

Today was such a beautiful day! The weather was absolutely perfect. :) After church we headed over to Speed Park for a bit to play on the playground...and we all actually played. :)

This picture just cracks me up...doesn't Chris look thrilled to be on a teeter totter with me? Ha!

Art Sparks

Yesterday Braden and I met Amy and the twins at Art Sparks. Art Sparks is the little kid art area in the basement of U of L's art museum. Braden and I had never been so of course we had to check it out. It is a really great little place with a lot to do. Braden had a good time but I think he'll do a little better with the activities in one more year or so. He still likes to run like mad from one thing to the next, and I'm pretty sure the art museum is for "walking feet" only. Ha!

Braden, Alex, & Emily watching their shadows on the screen

Braden's favorite part was the kitchen...what can I say, he's just like his mommy!

Constructing a quick building

Taking a little time for some ancient art rubbings

Oh, and of course a Picasso piece to end the day

"CHEESE"

Thanks Alex & Emily for a fun day!!!