"Big Boy" Bed

Here is Chad taking a nap in his boat bed. Since about January, he learned how to climb out of his crib and every morning he would wake up, walk down the hall to John and I's room, with a blankie in each hand and his paci in his mouth. By the end of March, the room was all painted and safety rails were installed on each side of the bed so Chad has been sleeping there ever since. The transition to a big boy bed went much smoother than I ever thought it was going to. Hope that's the case with adjusting to a new baby sister and potty training:)

For those wondering...he doesn't always sleep in shoes. My philosophy, why wake a kid just to take them off?

My Baby Shower

On Saturday, my Mom and Mandy threw me a beautiful baby shower. They did such a great job of putting everything together and making it extra special. Thank you so much for everyone who was able to make it and for all the wonderful, much appreciated gifts! I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of family and friends!! I want to especially thank my Aunt Tina and cousin Amy for traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio to be there.

Very pretty diaper cake thanks to Mandy

Me at 32 weeks (how much bigger is that belly going to get over the next 8 weeks?)

My cousin Amy, Aunt Tina, my Mom, and me

What a gorgeous group of women!! Haha

Jacob's 4th Birthday

On Tuesday, Chad and I went to the Gehring's to celebrate my nephew Jacob's 4th birthday. He had already celebrated his birthday with his friends over the weekend so it was just a family thing. The three cousins had a blast playing with a rubbery, bean filled lizard and big bouncy balls.

I can't believe Jacob is already 4. I still remember the day he was born. It was just two months before John and I got married and I had to drive to Cincinnati, OH for what was suppose to be my final fitting for my wedding dress. I was already on my way there when I heard the news of Mandy going to the hospital, so of course being the first nephew/grandbaby, I hurried up, tried on my dress and sped home to await the arrival. I had only waited in the hospital for a few minutes when we were all told, "it's a healthy baby boy!" As ecstatic as I was to be there right after delivery, my wedding dress ended up not fitting and turned out to be a big fiasco. Oh well, it all worked out and I wouldn't have missed that moment for anything! We're so proud of you Jacob!! What an amazing kid you've already turned out to be!!

Not quite sure of the cupcake at first
Yummm...pretty tasty

Still devouring the cupcake while Jacob begins to open his presents

Fun with the silly rubbery lizard

Sweet little Avrey. Too bad she's always getting bullied around by two crazy boys.

More lizard fun (guess we know what he'll be getting for his birthday)

Great gift Me Me and PaPaw!! Did you buy a helmet too?

If only adults could keep ourselves entertained so easily

Florida Trip

After battling leukemia and several infections since Christmas time, John's Grandpa Myron passed away on April 16th. John, Chad, and I flew down to Englewood, Florida last Thursday to join the rest of his family for the funeral. Despite the circumstances, the trip went well. We had great weather but could only enjoy the beach for a few hours one day. We have always loved Florida and hot weather, so it's always difficult coming back to Indy to a week of rain.

Before leaving for the funeral (don't ya think the blue paci goes very well with the attire?)

Chad and I had to wait outside for the funeral service to end since he was being a little loud

Always taking time to stop and smell the pretty flowers

Me in my make-shift bathing suit. A bit embarassing but thought I should include it.He's the only one who didn't get burnt! Thank goodness!

Love this innocent look...but couldn't get the picture to turn around

Daddy and Chad feeding the very hungry turtles off of John's Grandpa's dock

Look at the turtle in the middle. What a hoss!! What nerds....matching stripes!!
Newest favorite thing BUBBLES!!!

Daddy thought a small motorized bubble-shooter gun would be a great toy!! It was, until Chad spilled bubbles all over the place and then wiped it all in his eye.

Another great idea.......squirt guns! (notice his right eye is all puffy and red from the bubbles that had to be rinsed out while he screamed)

From left to right: John's Aunt Lorrayne, Uncle Gary, Grandma Mary Long, his Dad, and Mom

This boy can't get enough to eat! He picked every black bean off John's mexican dish and stuffed it in his mouth.

Waiting for the plane to take off for Indy (look at those tired eyes)
Slept on my lap the whole way home. A little uncomfortable for me but it made the flight much more peaceful.

A day of traveling really wears a kid out!

Dandelions and Pine Cones

As you may already be aware of, Chad LOVES to be outside. Whether we are taking a trip to the park or just walking down the sidewalk, he is in heaven. Now that spring is here, he wants to look and smell all the flowers and dandelions wherever he goes. In these pics, Chad got a little carried away with smelling and ended up with a yellow nose, face, cheeks. He also enjoys finding pine cones tucked behind the huge pine tree in our front yard. He had a blast "counting" them and taking them in and out of the empty flower pots on the porch.

Not sure what he's holding, maybe trying to eat a rock?

Easter Sunday

We had a great Easter! Chad was so excited when he found his Easter basket, but really enjoyed the Smarties. Apparently we should have made him eat breakfast first because all he wanted to do is eat Smarties. We went to the Easter morning church service and then headed to John's parents' house for an indoor Easter egg hunt and lunch. And of course, the weekend wouldn't be complete without watching the final round of the Master's Golf Tournament (which John was especially excited about since he never gets to watch golf on the weekends due to his work schedule).

Ymmmm....smarties!
Indoor Easter egg hunt at my in-laws

Since we couldn't find anything to fit inside the eggs, we used money. Chad absolutely loves playing with our wallets and finding dollar bills and coins so he was super excited with the egg hunt. Then as soon as we got home, he found his Nemo bank and had to quickly stick the money inside. What a goof! Hopefully he will inherit the saving gene from his Daddy!
What the Master's Tournament does to anybody!!!

Guest/Kids Bathroom Re-decorated

We were so tired of the blah white and beige guest bathroom. We found this really cool shower curtain at JC Penney and went with it. We think the color turned out great. This new decor is much more fitting for a kids bathroom.

One more project down before Baby #2's arrival