Soundtrack

Siblings

I'm not naive enough to think that siblings should be or even could be similar in any way.  I know this first hand because me and my own sibling are as opposite as they come.  She loves peas - I hate them.  She was an athlete - I was a dancer.  She's blonde - I'm auburn.  She's short and couldn't be chubby if she tried - I'm taller (I didn't say tall, but I am taller than her) and well the chubby I'd rather not mention.  She's got the 'hot' factor - I've got the 'nerd' factor.  She takes risks - I only calculate them.  She's got a bit of a wild hair - I'm as straight-laced as they come.  She is Miss Fashionista - I call her before I get dressed.  You get my drift.  But just for visual sake...

But the one thing I know is that all of those differences I listed (and all the ones I didn't) can't change that we are sisters.  Related and stuck with each other for life...but the crazy thing is that neither one of us would change each other or change that we are sisters for anything.  And although we can drive each other crazy, we also love each other like crazy.

So when it comes to the new siblings in my home I knew that my boys would and could be different.  And although they seem to look like brothers according to their pictures (which is more than me and Katie have going for us - we don't even look related) this is how I know they are different.

First Luke's AWESOME red hair that I L-O-V-E LOVE!!  (Trying to get prepared for what could be a fiery personality).

But here are the pieces of evidence I wanted to share with you the most:

Here is Hamilton at 10 months on Valentine's Day

 

And here is Luke at 4.5 months on Valentine's Day

 

Here is Hamilton at his 1st birthday party

 

And here is Luke still 4.5 months (not a great pic, but you can at least see him in the outfit).

 

Notice anything similar?  Blowing my mind over here...literally blowing...straight through all of Hamilton's clothes!  HA!

Here is a sweet picture of the cute brothers...

Hamilton and Luke were watching a Praise Baby DVD and Hamilton was telling him everything that was coming up on the screen. 

 

Luke's 4 Month Photos

Here's the link to his 4 month photo shoot - let me know your favs and thoughts :)

 

http://www.shannonholden.com/clients/2012-02jansen/

 

Luke:: 4 Months

Well, like I said - I guess I'm becoming a monthly blogger - which isn't really the definition of a good blogger.  Oh well - trying not to feel guilty these days so I'm going to choose not to feel guilty about blogging!  Can I get an Almen?

I have spent the last hour (maybe two) updating my project 366 - so make sure to click on that link and see the daily adventures of our life (since you obviously won't be reading into detail of our life on the actual blog). HA!

Luke turned 4 months this past Wednesday - I remember this being one of my favorite ages with Hamilton so I'm looking forward to this month.  I have a sneaking suspicion it will hold some rolling over and some cereal too.

I can't believe another month has gone by.  He is still a big eater, drinking 9 oz. bottles of formula every 4 hours and still a great sleeper, sleeping from 8:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.  He is cooing, and talking, and smiling, and giggling more and more - all of which keep Hamilton entertained to try to make him coo, talk, smile, and giggle at him even more.  Luke is still in the 3-6 mos. clothes and some even 6 mos. sleepers.  His hair has some slight curl and to my pleasure still very red!  We have his 4 mos. pictures scheduled for next Friday so be on the look-out for a link to the sneak peak of those.  Luke always pulls his hair with his left hand when he is eating his bottle - one of those quirks I love knowing that I'm one of the few that know about him.  He has started enjoying baby toys (rattles, car-seat pull toys, etc.) and is almost rolling over.  He can get to his side and stretches around, but then springs back to his back.  I think it will be very soon when he accomplishes this feat.  His reflux is becoming manageable with the Prevacid medicine and the Similac Sensitive for Spit-up (lime green tub).  I made the mistake this week of thinking we could switch to the normal Similac Sensitive (orange tub) and he was up ALL night (no joke - it was worse than a newborn) so needless to say I quickly switched him back and the next night he slept like a rock until 9:00 a.m.  (Bad mommy moment!)

We have some fun company coming in February...my long-time BFF Jen Nelson Black is coming for a few days in mid-February and then Emmy and Bubba are coming for a visit at the end of the month.  So add company coming to the Jansen household normal scheduled programming and you can just bank on the next time you see a post will be February 25 or after :)

All is well though - lots of house projects going on - Hamilton growing like a weed and loving school and looking forward to his 5th birthday right around the corner.  (Although the told me yesterday he wanted to cancel the rest of his birthdays because he wanted to be 4.5 forever - I asked him why and he said because he's the happiest he's ever been and doesn't want to grow up - oh my, guess we are doing something right, huh? HA!).  Another cute story about Hamilton (and Luke) is Hamilton told me he loved Luke so much forever and ever.  Then he told me he wanted to live with Luke forever and so he had decided he was going to marry the same person Luke married.  Hmmm...don't think we are going to endorse polygamy in our family.  I explained to him (using Katie as an example of how she's not married to daddy - that was a strange conversation) that he couldn't marry the same girl Luke marries.  So then he came up with the idea that if he married Ansley and Baby Luke married Baby Avery that they would still be in the same family and thus be able to live together forever.  Gotta love his brain - it's always thinking!!  Whatcha think, Aunt Megan?  Ready to be my boys MIL?

I pray that the relationship between my boys continues to grow and become stronger as they get older.  It is the best part of having multiple children thus far - and I can only imagine that it keeps getting better!!

On to the main attraction...Luke's 4 mos. pics.

The bashful grin...my fav!

The red hair - oh how I love thee!

A good pic of the curls up top.

I know it's blurry, but I got him laughing.  Oh those cheeks - they are a magnet for my lips!

Standing tall!

Luke:: 3 Months

So I'm becoming a monthly blogger these days - unfortunately I just don't find the time to be able to sit and blog.  But it seems I can find the time to keep you up-to-date once a month - guess you'll have to take what you can get.

Luke turned 3 months on Christmas Day.  (I'll have to get to a Christmas post another time).  He is eating non-stop.  And when I say non-stop I mean it took us a long time to figure out what to do with the kid.  He drank 18 ounces in a 5 hour period.  People!  Some babies drink 18 ounces a day!!  This kid is a hoss and huge and heavy!!  He's already in 6 month clothes and weighs more than Hamilton did at his 4 month check-up appointment.  I'm considering bringing out the exersaucer to see if he'd like it.  As strong as he is with his legs and holding his head up, well I think he'd actually enjoy it.  He is smiling so much more and even giggling just a little bit.  When he sees Hamilton it always makes him happy which is so sweet.  Hamilton is still enjoying Luke so much.  It's my greatest joy these days seeing them together.  (When Hamilton was staying at Mimi's house I called to check up on him.  He asked me if he could talk to Luke on the phone.  It was precious to hear their 'conversation'!).  Luke loves people and must be able to see someone at all times.  He is not a great day napper, but we have no issues or problems with him going down at night.  In fact, we don't have to soothe him or rock him to sleep at all.  After his 8:00 feeding we swaddle him, turn the light off, give him his paci, turn his sound machine on, pray over him, lay him in his crib, and leave.  We have yet to have to go back in for him to go to bed.  (This is the exact opposite of his brother - Hamilton napped great and took awhile to get to sleep at night).  So I am very thankful!!  (Knock on wood - as soon as I post this we'll start having issues).

I mentioned that he was eating a lot and I wasn't able to produce enough to keep up with him.  He would nurse and then still take a 6 to 8 ounce bottle.  It got to the point where feedings were taking up to an hour.  So as of 12/30 I have officially weaned him.  He is still drinking 8-10 ounce bottles every 3 hours (yep back on the 3 hour routine), but I have a much happier baby and he seems to not spit-up as much on the formula.  (However it is still WAY more coming up than I was used to with Hamilton).  Needless to say the boy is growing...fast...and is quite a chunky monkey.

Here are the monthly pictures on the blue dog...

He has found his hands.  He always clasps them together and stares at them.  Here I was able to get his attention away and catch a quick smile.

Big ol' grin - even if it is out of focus a bit.

And the always popular ever-so-serious look.  And yes his hair is still red - it makes my heart happy.



I also decided to make a Leap Year tradition - a 366 Photo-A-Day album.  So you'll see the album posted to the right.  I'm giving myself 29 'misses' (get it?  29...leap year...), but I hope to have a fun year of pictures to look back on.  Enjoy!

A Surprise. Thankfulness. Two Months.

So it's been almost a month since I've posted and still don't really have the time to be posting this so how about a lot of pictures and not many words :)  <after finishing the post I guess I had more to say than I thought - so if you read all of this...good for you I guess; if you scroll through quickly...I totally understand :)>

First, I flew to Texas to surprise my mom with both boys (by myself).  Whew!  It turned out great though - the boys did fantastic traveling which was a huge answer to prayer.  The only 'bad' experience was nursing Luke on the plane during bad turbulence - not something I want to do again.

My mom had no clue.  A big thank you goes out to Dad for holding up the secret at home -  he had the much harder job having to keep the secret going while living under the same roof as mom.

Here are some pictures from the surprise and with some of the friends & family we got to see.

Surprise Emmy!

Aunt Renna, Uncle Mackey, Cousin Karen, Cousin Kristina, and Baby Luke.

Cousins Jack, Tyler, Hamilton, and Kristina.

My Godmother Sharon...

My Aunt Mary Jane...

Bubba keeping Hamilton entertained while all the attention is on the baby...only fitting to do art projects together.

Crazy Aunt KT and her boyfriend Justin...

So there you go...it was a fantastic fun surprise that was oh so filled and busy.  But hopefully it will mean our trip during Christmas won't be as crazy :)

Hamilton unfortunately was pretty sick throughout the Texas trip, but felt much better by the time we got home.

 

So we got back Monday night and Wednesday morning we headed to Lake Hartwell for Thanksgiving at the Jansen's lake house.  It was such beautiful weather.  Unfortunately...I got whatever Hamilton had and stayed in bed and took it easy most of the time.  It was the first time for me to experience being sick and having to nurse a baby - not something I want to do again!  (Didn't I just say that about nursing earlier in this post...things that make you go 'hmmm').

I love this picture.  Hamilton really does love his brother.  I am so thankful I haven't had any issues with Hamilton's transition out of being an only child.  Seriously, none.  Hamilton has adjusted so well.  Love how he put his arm around him on his own like they are best buds.  Oh may it be true!

Luke is now 2 months.  Crazy.  He is overall doing well.  He's weighing in at a whopping 13.5 pounds.  He's already in 3-6 months clothes which is throwing this rule-following-everything-is-black-or-white-order-following mama off completely.  I was thinking that my kiddos clothes were going to be totally off season since Hamilton is an April baby, but Luke just may fit in all of Hamilton's 6 month fall/winter clothes come next month.  Love my babies saving me money :) 

Luke has started grinning and full-out smiling.  This is the best I could get on camera so far.  Hoping to capture it soon.  It makes my heart glow that he smiles best to me...sometimes us mamas do appreciate a 'reward' in the simple gesture of a baby's smile.  It does your heart good and makes it all worth it.

You can't hear it, but he's cooing in this picture.  He's starting to 'talk' a lot more too.  Especially to Hamilton which I love.  Hamilton always asks me 'What's he saying?'  I'm constantly making up stuff.

He is nursing great (much better than Hamilton ever did).  He eats at 8, 12, 4, 8, and midnight in which he then sleeps until 8 the next morning.  Feel so blessed to already (basically) be getting a full night's rest.  He loves his car seat and probably sleeps the best there.  He will usually stay awake and not nap between his 8 and 12 feeding and then sleep like a champ from 1-4.  He chooses whether he sleeps after that (some days yes, some days no), but goes right down after his 8 p.m. feeding until I wake him up to eat at midnight.  I love that he's adapting to a schedule so well - it pleases my heart! 

I can tell that he is able to focus a lot better because he is staring and taking everything in so intentally.  He notices the mobile over his swing and watches it oh-so-seriously go round and round.  He stares at us with much more intensity.  This also means he is able to tell when no one is around and my little social bug is not happy when he can't see someone.  (Could I have a 'sanguine' on my hands...oh boy!)

He has also been doing a lot of this lately...

Which does make your heart break, then your head ache, then your brain ooze out your ears, then it just all of sudden sounds like a strange hummm in the house.  Just kidding..sorta not really.  Some days are better than others and the better for sure outnumber the not better.  I'd never say bad because there is not a bad day with Luke - just harder.  There is nothing bad about being a mother to either of my boys - even on the hardest of days.  Can I hear an Amen moms?

Luke has been diagnosed with reflux and we are working with the doctor and giving him some medicine.  He is not in pain so-to-speak, just uncomfortable.  He spits up A LOT where I wonder how in the world are you growing like you are where I feel like everything he takes in comes up in full force.  I'm doing a lot more laundry these days due to all the milk-saturated clothes and burp cloths.  But the medicine has done wonders and makes days much more manageable.

And while I said I wasn't going to write much and just post pictures...I lied...

I think it's easy to sorta hide behind the blog and post pictures of smiling children and on days where I shower and put actual clothes on instead of stay in my PJs, and state that everything is going easy peasy.  But in reality nothing is ever as it seams, remember?  I mean Luke stayed awake a full 12 hours yesterday between 8 and 8 and screamed all but 60 minutes of that time (not counting when he was eating of course).  In between the screaming I spanked my 4.5 year old for lying to me twice.  Good times right?  Told my mom - Just another day in paradise.  But honestly - keeping all things in perspective - this is my paradise.  It's the paradise I chose and continue to choose each day.  Do I get frustrated?  Too easily.  Do I end up apologizing to Hamilton for how I spoke to him?  Too frequently.  Do I call/text my husband warning him what he may come home to?  Too many times a week.  (Now before I unintentionally paint a picture that every day looks like this it does not.  Today was fantastic!  Luke slept great, Hamilton was back to his sweetheart self.  I got a ton accomplished (Hobby Lobby, Library, lunch out with both boys at DQ, BJs, Target, and Publix) all before Luke's 4:00 feeding which I was home in time for.  Luke didn't cry a bit.  Hamilton didn't whine a bit.  And this isn't the first time both boys have allowed such a day to happen.  I would say on average:  The 'yesterdayday' is a 2-3x a week occurrence.  The 'todayday' is a 1x a week.  The rest fall somewhere in between. :) )

But as I'm researching where Hamilton is going to go to KINDERGARTEN next year <gasp!> and knowing that I'll be doing the same for Luke sooner than I'd like it's making me reflect and soak in this time.  This time of disciplining my son so that he can become the man God desires him to be.  This time of nurturing and caring for my baby so that he can grow and develop into the man God has made him to be. This time of constant self-discovery of myself so that God can continue to mold me into the woman he wants me to be.  Isn't it amazing how much God uses our children to teach us more of Him?

My sweet friend Rachael asked me how she can be praying for me and I told her my 3 P's.  She asked me again recently and I told her I'm still not done with my 3 P's so keep on keeping on.  Patience.  Perspective.  Perserverance.  My 3 P's that I'm daily asking God to grant me, show me, and instill in me.

Because very soon...too soon...this time will all be but a memory.  A memory I want to smile back on knowing that I experienced it all to it's fullest.

Newborn Pictures

We had some newborn pictures taken of Luke (and big brother Hamilton).  We use an amazing photographer, Shannon Holden, if you are looking for a photographer I HIGHLY recommend her.

Here is the link to the pictures - it expires on November 15th so if you are accessing this post after November 15, just know it won't work anymore.

 

Enjoy!!

 

CLICK HERE

Halloween

Want to get some quick Halloween photos up mostly for the Texas fam, but for all of you interested as well.

Here is Hamilton and Luke.  If you asked Hamilton what he was for Halloween he would say 'a sharptooth' (which you would have to watch The Land Before Time to understand that response), but he was a TRex.  Luke I put in a 'My first Halloween' sleeper.

And then a family shot.  We didn't get into the fun of dressing up this year (if you remember we were a Toy Story family last year).

This video is so precious to me.  I had to feed Luke so Mark and Hamilton started the TOTing and I caught up with them a little later.  This is the house I caught up with them.  You watch Hamilton leaving and saying 'Thank You' (he's the first Thank You you hear) and starting to head to the next house.  I say 'Hey Bud' then you see him get all excited and say 'Wanna see all my candy?'.  It was priceless - nothing like your children getting excited when they see you.  Happy Mark captured this brief moment - he was off to the next house in a flash.

 

 

October Fun & 1 Month Old

We took Hamilton ice-skating for the first time.  He had lots of fun.  Just Mark and Hamilton skated - I stayed with Luke and took pictures.  They skated around the rink like this for about an hour before Hamilton was cold (forgot the mittens and coat) and Mark's feet were aching.  Honestly, I forgot how cold it is inside an ice rink - next time I'll remember to bring our warm accessories :)

Mark and Hamilton cleaned out and carved our pumpkin.  Hamilton wasn't so sure about the seeds, strings, and mess involved.  Hamilton picked out a silly face to carve - I don't have the finished product in a picture...I'll post with our Halloween pictures.

I can't believe the little man is 1 month old today.  Time has flown and crawled all at once.  Crawled in that the newborn stage is much harder than we remember, but flown in that I feel like we just got home from the hospital yesterday.  He is doing well overall.  Eating every 3.5/4 hours, nursing great, and gaining weight - he's 9.5 lbs. now and starting to chubby up a bit.  He's quite alert and awake a lot - doesn't sleep nearly as much during the day that Hamilton did.  He's not as much of a fan of the swing, but does enjoy the bouncy and play-mat.  Luke is quite gassy and needs gas drops after almost every feeding.  Right now he takes his last feeding around 11:00, goes until about 3 or 4 in the morning and then eats again around 7 or 8 - not too bad for a wee 1 month old :)  He loves to be swaddled, but only in the fleece swaddle and to fall asleep he likes to be rocked with his head just slightly tilted backwards over your elbow so that it rocks pretty heavily back and forth.  In looking back at the pictures of Hamilton at 1 month I realized that I could dress Luke in the same outfit.  (I know I won't be able to do that each month since we are opposite seasons so I thought I'd put Luke in the same top for his 1 month shots on the same blue dog I took all of Hamilton's on).  So here are Luke's pictures.  I've added one of Hamilton at the bottom just for comparison sake.  I do think they look alike - at least enough to be brothers!

Just wanted to show you how red-ish his hair is - Hamilton did not have this color at all - hopefully he'll stay red :)
And here is Big Brother back on 5.11.07...

That's all for now - I'll update again after Halloween so you can see what Hamilton decided to dress up as this year and the boys together.  Thanks for all your texts, phone calls, emails, meals, prayers, and overall support of our family - we really appreciate the outpouring of love!!

Oh and just so you know I do know how to dress a baby for Fall weather - pants and socks were what he was wearing all day, just took off the pants for the pictures so he could show some leg :)

 

What We've Been Up to as a Family of 4

Once again it will be more pictures than words, but wanted to keep you updated with how we are doing. 

First, my mom left after being here 2 1/2 weeks - her help was such a blessing!  She took amazing care of Hamilton while we were in the hospital and continued to take him to school and fun outings once we got home.  She also took care of the 1:30 a.m. feeding for Luke to give us a little more sleep.  What a great Emmy we have!!  Here she is with her boys before we took her to the airport.

I found Luke sucking his fingers just like we saw in his sonogram!!  Among other things - I do know for sure that the baby that was inside is the baby we brought home HA!  (Two other big clues:  his consistent hiccups and his crazy kicking/punching movements.)

We had a big weekend - took Hamilton to the County Fair, had his TBall End-of-Season party, and his last TBall game.  Here are some pics...

He asked me if there was going to be a train ride - I had no idea there would be.  He rode this I think 3 or 4 times (in the engine each time of course).

Yes this would be him puckering up like a fish for the entire ride :)

Baby Luke slept the whole time...

We met up with a new family friend - Kelli and Josh and their daughter Addison who is in Hamilton's class at school.  This is Hamilton with Addison and her younger sister Kate.  Hamilton is quite the ladies man :)

We had our TBall End-of-Season party at The Kinsey Family Farm.  The kids got to go on a Hay Ride, eat Pizza and cake, and get their trophies.  Here is Hamilton getting his trophy from Daddy the Coach.

And here are my boys at their last TBall game for our first season (of I'm sure/hoping of many seasons) of organized sports.

And here is Mark and his boys during their first weeks of life at the baseball event going on at that time.  Mark was coaching high school baseball at the time Hamilton was born and coaching Hamilton's TBall team at the time Luke was born.  I was able to put them in the same outfit.  So amazing to me - God knew what would be going on 4.5 years later, but I had no concept of what blessings he would bestow upon us.  Love ALL my boys dearly!!

And just a quick update - we are doing really well - adjusting to less sleep during this stage.  Patience, Perspective, and Perserverance are my prayers these days.  Luke is a great baby and Hamilton is the sweetest big brother.  Mark, of course, is such a great help.  He is such a wonderful, involved, and intentional Daddy.  How amazed I am at the man I was given for my husband and teammate in parenting!  I am so thankful for such sweet friends that are bringing us dinners each week - what a help that is.  I have been able to get out of the house this week - even making it to CBS Tuesday morning and getting some errands done with Luke while Hamilton is in school. 

All in all - I'm LOVING my new normal!!

We Are Home

Leaving the Hospital

Big Brother Excited

First Bath - big brother helping of course

We are adjusting well.  Posts are going to be short, but at least trying to keep you updated.  Newborn nights are a lot tougher than I remember :)  Today I feel a lot better regarding surgery recovery.  Mom is here until Sunday.  Big brother is awesome!!  Luke is precious.  Thanks for your prayers!!

I also updated the pregnancy picture album if you are interested.

Meal Calendar

Some people have been asking me about a meal calendar. My friend Rachael set up the following link if you are interested.
We are still on plan to go home tomorrow and mom staying at least thru 10/8.
Thanks for your continued prayers!!
AJ

http://mealbaby.com/viewregistry/610375. It says that if someone uses this link they have to register an acct but that's only because they send out reminders bf your date.

What I've Been Waiting For

My view

My current view. Completely makes up for the 12:30 C-section surprise. He is precious!! So quiet!! Hasn't cried but when Mark changes his diaper. He latched & nursed for 20 min around 5:00. He's got a few bruises from delivery. Meeting H and the grandparents (and KT) went fantastic. H has been so sweet...of course. Tickling Luke's feet and telling him he loves him and is sweet. I knew experiencing my boys meet was going to be my fav part of this experience.

We will be in the hospital thru Thursday. We would love visitors. We are in room 207 at Northside Forsyth. Please call bf u come and remember the hospital doesn't allow children under 12.

That's all for now. I'm starving but they are going to bring me a meal at midnight. (TMI but threw up my dinner after delivery and could only be on a liquid only diet since then...so I'm sorta over broth & jello and will welcome a "real food" midnight snack).

Luke Crosby Jansen

Luke Crosby Jansen was born today at 12:30 pm via surprise c-section. Luke turned this morning sometime between 8:00 and 10:45. He is 21" long and 7 lb 15 oz. We are doing great, just tired and sore. Visitors are welcome anytime starting tomorrow. Just know the hospital policy is no children in the recovery rooms.

We are about to be moved to our private room and the rest of the family and Hamilton are excited to meet the new family member. We appreciate all the prayer and support. God is faithful and we are blessed.

MJ

Luke = element of surprise

Well the little booger turned and went breach on us so we are headed in for a csection. I'm emotional. You know me and change especially when it's a surprise - never a stable moment for me. Thank you for all the texts of prayers. I feel uplifted and know the peace will come. We will for sure be here thru Wednesday and will welcome visitors once we r in our recovery room (just please no children).

Nervous, anxious, but ultimately serve a god who knows no surprise.

Headed back

Sunday morning update

Its Sunday morning at 9:00. Woke up about 6:30. They were coming in around 7. Didnt sleep great - but did start pretty intense contractions. They grew to be Ab every 3 minutes lasting Ab a minute long. They took the cirvidil out and told me to take a shower and they would start pitocin. But I was far enuf a long that they went ahead a put the epidural in which is providing much relief and sleepiness. So until later (after my eyes aren't dropping while typing)...
AJ

Checked In

So I'm trying out the iPhone Typepad app and posting with it for the first time. So please excuse if this is not pretty or formatted correctly.

We are checked into the hospital. Got my IV (in my opinion the worst part of everything) and cervidil. Said I could eat in 2 hrs so I'll be having dinner around 9:15 and can't eat after midnight. I am still around 2 cm and having a few contractions but nothing I can feel.

Family is on there way up to say good night including dad & KT who I haven't seen yet. KT is staying with us at the hospital (invited her in room with us).

Other than that we are good. Forgot movies so think we are going to go rent some or stop by home...love being so close!!

Stay tuned...
AJ

New Beginnings

We are embarking upon two HUGE beginnings for Hamilton (and us for that matter):

1. TBall
2. School

When you are dating the person you are going to marry you talk about fun futuristic things.  Like what we will name our first dog.  Whether we will have a fake or real Christmas tree with white or colored lights.  And about our dreams...having children.  What type of places we want to travel to together.  Even silly dreams...like writing a book or coaching our son in sports, for Mark - specifically TBall/Baseball.

So over the last two weeks we have started TBall practices and tonight is our first game.  Hamilton started calling Daddy "Coach Mark" because that's what Mark told the kids to call him - my little rule follower did what Daddy said :)

The team name is 'Thunder' and they all sing the Cars Thunder chant which is so funny ("Thunder, whatca you talking about Thunder...").  It is a little like organized chaos on the field - it is 4 year old TBall (which is not the most intuitive sport).  Tonight should be very fun (read: interesting).

Here are some pictures from practice.

 Nate and Hamilton before practice. Mack and Hamilton after practice trying on the batting helmets.  In the words of Chandler, "Could those helmets BE any bigger?"

Rounding first base in base running practice...

Huddle with Coach Mark and Coach Chris (Mack's Daddy).  Someone wasn't paying attention...HA!
Talking with Coach Tyler (Nate's Daddy) before batting practice.

And quick pic with Daddy/Coach Mark

I'll post pics in their uniforms, etc. from tonight's first game soon!!

The other beginning we embarked upon is Hamilton starting PreK.  We are attending the program at First Baptist Cumming on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays and have been so pleased with our choice!!  Hamilton's best bud Nate (seen above in the TBall photos) is actually in his class which is great fun for them.  His teachers are fantastic and the theme of his classroom is 'Under The Sea' which he loves seeing all the fish everywhere.  The first pictures are from Open House and the latter part are from his actual first day.  He already is asking me to drop him off in the car line instead of walking him in - I thought I had at least a couple weeks until I chose to do that (with Luke in the car).  Guess not - but at least when I picked him up he told me he had missed me and was excited to see me.

 Here he is at his desk working on his fish craft at open house:

We were VERY excited when we found out the classroom had a train set to play with during free time...

Was trying to get him with a lot of the class decor around him.  Didn't realize I put him in front of the discipline chair and the class rules...HA!  Hopefully this will be the only time he has to sit here.

And from the first day...

  
His smile is a little strained above because he really wanted to do this instead...

Walking into school...

Did I mention he gets to pass this everyday on the way to his class - nothing could thrill this boy more!!

After I said good-bye...putting his snack in his cubby before he heads to his seat to play with play-doh.

I go to the doctor on Thursday for my 38 week check.  This time with Hamilton I was checking into the hospital to start induction so I'm totally in uncharted prego territory.  At my last appointment (last Thursday) they told me my cervix was soft and 1cm dialated.  So at least I know there is some progress in this process of meeting Luke.  I am ready - not going to complain - just going to say I...AM...READY!!!

An Overdue Baby Update

(I started this post almost 2 weeks ago - goodness...)

My sweet friends Rachael, Jill, and Kimberly threw Luke a baby shower last weekend.  They actually talked me into it.  They kept offering and I kept refusing after we found out it was another boy.  But one day Jill called and told me 'Your baby shower is going to be August 14 if you'd like to come' so I had no choice :).  But it turned out to be so fun and I left feeling so loved and blessed by all my friends.

My mom came in town for the shower and we had a lot of fun while she was here.  She helped us out a lot by watching Hamilton A TON.  She was in town for my birthday which we figured out was the first time in probably 10 years we've been together on my birthday which was fantastic!  She let me sleep in (actually I think everyday she woke up with Hamilton and let me sleep in which was SO nice), than we met Mark for lunch at Cheeky (a Mexican restaurant of course).  That night mom fixed my favorite dinner and Mark brought me home a chocolate oreo ice cream cake from Bruster's.  We had small group that night and they, too, surprised me with my favorite ice creams: cake batter and chocolate oreo from Bruster's.  I ate some calories that night!!  I got lots of sweet phone calls, texts, eCards, HeyTells, FaceBook messages, and my favorite: old fashioned snail-mail cards.

The next day Mom and I took Hamilton to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History here in Atlanta.  Hamilton hasn't recently taken an interest in Dinosaurs (oh don't worry he's still obsessed with trains - the PBS show Dinosaur Train is what started the interest) so I thought it would be fun for us to go and see some real dinosaurs.  He really enjoyed it!

And pictures from the shower...

Me and the grandmothers (lovingly knows as Mimi and Emmy)

Me and the hostesses (Kimberly, Rachael, me, and Jill):

A slightly more silly version of my sweet, innocent friends...

Small Group Ladies (Julie, Allyson, Amy, Abbey, me, and Catherine):

My sweet 'younger' friends (Katie, me, Allie, and Amanda):

And half of the Stubbs' ladies (Karen and Kelsey):

As far as an actual baby/pregnancy update.  The short of it is I'm uncomfortable, want him out, and am thrilled if it would snow in September!  HA!  But seriously, I don't remember feeling this uncomfortable with Hamilton.  I posted the most recent prego pic comparison in the photo album and I did carry Hamilton more all over and higher than with Luke he is straight out and lower.  Did I mention it's hot outside?  I go to the doctor again this Thursday so we'll see what they say.  As of right now they are willing to induce on 9/26 (to help accommodate my traveling family), but that's only 4 days before my due date so I'm thinking going into labor is still a high possibility.  Did I say how stinkin' HOT I am all day long?  Hamilton and I made a count-down chain for Luke's arrival.  He is so excited and really wants his baby brother to show up. He loves tickling my belly and talking to him (always asking me what baby Luke says in response).  We are finishing up all the details of Luke's room this weekend as well as bringing out all of H's old baby toys (including the bouncer and swing).  By the way did you know it is REALLY HOT outside?  We purchased batteries and everything is juiced up and ready to make all the fun baby noises.  We plan on packing our bags and getting the car-seats installed as well.  It is officially the month of September which means I will be having a baby this month - can I get an AMEN?

This is our first Labor Day weekend since we've been married that we haven't been either at the lake or on vacation.  Feels a little strange, but there was no way I was getting this belly out on a boat - although now that I think about it I wonder if the bouncing would've helped get Luke out...maybe I'll reconsider the lake idea.  Oh, but wait, there is that thing I don't know if I've told you about...IT IS HOT OUTSIDE!!

Greiner August Visit

The Greiner's came in town one last time before baby Luke's arrival.  Friday night we went out to dinner just the four of us and had a babysitter take care of the kiddos.  We went to Giorgio's Italian Restaurant.  For those Bachelorette fans out there, that is Constantine's restaurant.  We order pizza from there all the time, but I didn't even think how it would be a 'star-struck' night.  (No - not for us of course).  But it was odd that there were girls with cameras around their necks and getting pictures made with him.  He just walked around the restaurant and people would stop him and he would talk for awhile.  Seemed genuinely nice, but still crazy!  After dinner we drove to my newest obsession, TCBY!!  Oh man, white chocolate yogurt, there is nuttin' like it!!  (And they've totally made it the self-serve/weigh-pay format).  It was delicious!!

Saturday morning the guys took the oldest kiddos to Cumming's newest attraction:  The Cumming Aquatic Center.  They had lots of fun and went for BBQ afterward.  Here are pics Mark took - they aren't great.  The first one the boys look a little grumpy.  The second I posted to prove the boys were having fun, but it looks like Hamilton is licking that stranger's back.  Yuck!  (By the way, if you are wondering, Megan and me (and Avery) went up to the outlets).

That afternoon, Megan and I took the older kids to see Winnie the Pooh at the theater.  It was such a cute movie.  Megan and I were even giggling and laughing at some of the scenes.  That night Mark cooked flank steak out on the grill and we stayed up late (as always) chatting.

Sunday morning we took them to Dutch Monkey for doughnuts.  It's a little too gourmet for me, but still very yummy! I know Megan and knew she had to try it.  She's just gourmet in her diet (more than me...but of course if you know me there ain't nothing gourmet about anything I put in my mouth).  It's all made-from-scratch.  The chocolate is literally melted cocoa.  They have very different flavors and a lot of it has fresh fruit on it.  (Something else most people know about me is what fruit does and does not belong on).  Megan tells me I have too many rules when it comes to my diet, I just say I'm selective :)

Sadly, they left from Dutch Monkey to head home.  It seemed like such a fast and furious weekend, but still great times making memories.

Here are the kiddos at breakfast.  We tried to do the smile pose and the silly face pose.  It seems we have finally hit Ansley's limit - guess she's too old for the silly faces now because she refused and chose just to smile again.  

And just to prove we adults were present during the weekend here are the mamas.

Love ya Greiner's.  Until October as families of three, right?