Just waiting for Baby Jackson...

It's about winding down time... the end to a wonderful pregnancy, but the beginning to a new life for us, and for Jackson!! I am very fortunate to have had a great pregnancy. Despite a few rough months in the beginning, it has been smooth sailing pretty much from then on.... Lately, I can't sleep normal. I wake every few hours either out being uncomfortable or just because my clock is completely off. I should be 100% prepared for Jackson's late night feedings at this rate!! His room is ready (We need to take pictures once we get all the random things off the ground that need putting away still.) All clothes are washed and put away. Diaper bag and our bags are packed for the hospital and as soon as he is ready or April 14th (whichever is first) we will be on our way to adding our new little guy to our family. It's been fun to share this time with LOTS of others who are expecting. Friends from Dan's work (2), old classmates (4), and our good friends Al and Debbie Budden... all are within weeks from each other!! While I won't be the last to deliver, I haven't been the first so it's been good for me to hear and see each others stories and exciting to have friends to wait in the wings with!!!
A week from today, we should be gearing up for a wonderful day in our lives, and Dan and I can hardly wait! I will miss feeling him move around, he has been a very active little boy in there, favors the right side of my belly and I love the postion he has been in this last month. He is head down back side up, which allows me to pat his bottom most of the day. All his kicks are felt above my right hip and he can recognize Dan's voice with a punch to my ribs. His bony little knees are cool to feel too. I can't wait to finally meet him! I will try and post pictures of his room before next week!!

Our Baby Shower...

We had our Baby Shower this weekend, and it turned out FABULOUS!! We couldn't have asked for better weather! We got a lot of nice gifts for Jackson, WE ARE READY!!
After a week long of hard work from Matthew, Mom and Dad, sisters, Aunt Gloria, Tommy and Dan... Oh, I can't forget "Poopie Saurus Rex" (our Beautiful niece) who helped Dan identify dog poop from rocks while cleaning up the slope in the backyard... (She is a RIOT!) I think we got all my nesting OCD's done while preparing for the party!! We did everything short of tearing down the walls and scrubbing them from the inside!! The house looks GREAT!!
Hopefully we get some news this week from the doctor, as far as the plan will go to get this BIG guy out... I kind of wish it would just happen... You know, like you see it in the movies? (2am...) "Honey, my water just broke... IT'S TIME!" but the other half of me says... "Let's just get the ball rolling!!" I will update with more news as it gets closer, as it's 2:30 am now, and I SHOULD be sleeping.... ;)

Spring will bring many things.....

I can hardly wait for Spring this year.... We have so much to look forward to. I am trying to hold on to these last moments of joy and anticipation, because in not too long, they will be another chapter in our book of memories. This pregnancy has gone by super fast for me, we've had so much going on. the blessings are endless and for all of them I am so very grateful!
Matthew turned 12 this past weekend, he has been an AMAZING little boy. So many times Dan and I reflect on how well he has turned out. This year was his first year he didn't want a party. All he wanted was a weekend away with us, camping. Which is what we ended up doing... Since it would be way too uncomfortable in a tent, we decided to head up to Lake Arrowhead for a weekend in a cabin to watch scary movies, (a privledge he got for turning 12) and playing card games. It was relaxing and nice to spend our last weekend away just the 3 of us. Happy Birthday Matthew! We joked that the next time we come up there will be a little rug rat around with lots more gadgets and things to pack!! Exciting! Basketball is over till June I think, Matthew had a great season!
Our last doctor visit, really hit home. The doctor said we were probably going to have a very big baby and advised me on a "C" section. She said that even though Matthew weighed in at 9lbs 15oz, there are still risks associated with another big baby, if the shoulders got stuck. She also said that there are risks with a "C" section too, so she wanted us to weigh our options. Well.... we will try for a natural birth of course! My pelvis has been tested! She advised me to stop working, said that the commute is not good for my circulation and being in a seated positon for too long could cause me to pass out. So, yesterday was my last day of work. Exciting but also nerve racking to be home and watch the clock....... seems like time would go by much slower that way. Oh well, Dan is pretty insistent I listen to the doctor. Last she said that they won't let me go past my due date. So looks like April 21st will be the latest we will get to meet baby Jackson!!
I have loved seeing all the flowers in bloom around town, it makes me wish I was better at gardening. I have plenty of room out back to showcase some pretty stuff. Maybe in my time off, I will find the time to add some color to my yard. HaHa I have so many projects and not enough energy or time to get them all done. Mom, sisters, and Aunt Gloria have said they would come by to help and I am counting on it! ;)

10 weeks to go....

Ok, so I am going to be brave and post a picture of my pregnant belly! I actually love it... I have had the best pregnancy and I am so excited to meet Jackson!! My first trimester, I have to admit was a little rough, (Dan will vouch for that.) But after that it's all been a breeze! Sometimes I even forget I am pregnant!! The worst symptoms I get, are restless legs and insomnia. I can totally handle that! (Oh and the drive to and from work is a little tiring....) Thank you Heidi for all the long talks to keep me awake!! So here are a couple of pictures I wanted to share to document this wonderful time!!
This one goes out to Heidi and Cousin Julie...

What a wonderful note to find....

Looks like a GREAT idea about now...

So it's bad enough that I am pregnant and can't take anything to help the symptoms, but now my poor husband is sick too... leaving poor Matthew to run the show and keep us hydrated and moving along!! I really like the idea the picture has, although at least getting up to get more kleenex forces me to stretch my legs!!

Our Weekend...

So this weekend was a beautiful California weekend with temperatures in the mid 70's with a light breeze... It was really nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine and spend time together.
First Matthew had a basketball game (we forgot the camera, bad Mom!) they won and he was pretty physical this game even leaving with a fat lip after tumbling over a kid from the other team. Dan and I were so proud of him when he stayed back to make sure the kid got up ok, and offered him his hand to get up... What a great kid we have!! (If I do say so myself!) :) Sportsmanship... it goes a long way in life and I am glad he is learning to be such a good person.
Next Dan and I took a trip to Baby's R Us. Dan was a kid in a candy store!! He and that scanner were BFF's for sure and I don't even know some of the things he scanned!! We had a really great time picking out things for Jackson and letting the idea of a new baby really sink in and become reality. I have totally forgot all we are going to need to get ready... I am now in full nesting mode and panicking about all we still have to do!! I spent all day today washing the clothes we have bought and been given by some great friends from work.... Jackson is definately set for all the 0-3 month clothes!!! It's so much fun!
We have been stocking up!

Some Great friends have been so nice to us!!

Finally before my poor sweet husband had to leave to work, he finally helped me to get the last of the Christmas stuff out and into the garage.... Let me just say that next year we won't wait this late to take out the tree (even though we say that every year...) What a mess!!
Here are some Before and After's of our tree experience....




Well I hope everyone is doing good and I am looking forward to Valentine's Day coming up... We usually don't plan much but our spur of the moment drives or late night "Pig Out's" are so much fun and have become very special memories! What will we do this year?????

I love you and I miss you...

Even though I only get to sleep by your side at night... It's enough. I look forward to the feeling of you sliding into bed beside me just hours before it's time for me to get up and leave for my day at work.... most days we pass each-other on the freeway and don't even know it.... But I feel you, always, beside me giving me strenghth and I feel your love surrounding me just when I need it most! You have been so supportive and caring, and patient the past few months, I know I am so lucky to have you to share this wonderful time in my and our lives... So I just wanted you to know that you, us, and we, are now and will always be, more than enough. And mostly that I love you dearly and I pray that Angels surround you as you are out at night, doing what inspires you most... Making the world a better place one day at a time. You make my life a better place, everyday... You are Amazing.

Final Score: Bulls 24 Sonics 20...

Matthew taking the ball down court...

Going for the Steal...

He shoots...

And SCORES!!!

Getting ready for the next game...

Matthew had his first weekend of basketball and did Awesome!! It was a fun and exciting game in his Junior High Gym... He really enjoys playing and we love to watch him grow in the sport and see how much he improves through the years.... Tom, Gloria and cousins, joined us to cheer him on and we had a delicious BBQ (despite the wind, after...) It was a good time by all... Looking forward to the next 2 months filled with Matthew's highlights!

100 Day Countdown to our Baby Jackson's Arrival...

Just wanted to say that we have 100 days to go!! That is 14 weeks and just 54 working days!! WooHoo!!! Now if we can just start getting everything ready for him.....

P.S. No Monica... we still have not registered. :)

I'm Back!!!!

I know, I know it's been a very long time....
We had a Great Holiday Season with family... Lot's of good food and plenty of laughs!! I am so thankful for the health of everyone close to us...
I usually have TONS of self righteous New Year's resolutions to break every year,(shame on me!) but this year I have found that I only have one ~ and it's to be more consistent with updating our Blog. Dan asks me all the time, when I am going to start posting again, and while I've had many excuses... I want to try to find time to update at least once a month...
Dan is still out, saving the world and taking lots of bad guys to jail, I am trying my best to fit into some kind of work uniform, and Matthew is doing awesome in school and getting ready for basketball season to get started....
I am now 6 months along with Jackson and I can feel him squirming around all day long. It is the coolest thing! We have not done anything to get ready for him, besides buy some diapers here and there along with little cute outfits that Dan finds too cute to pass up!! We are trying our best to savor all the naps we can because we know that it all will come to an end very soon....
I will do my best to keep our Blog up to date.... I hope everyone has a wonderful 2009!!!

Happy New Year