Ethan Quote of the Day

While watching an episode of Dora the Explorer,entitled "Big Sister":

Ethan: "Dora's mommy has a baby in her tummy just like you and
Christine have a baby in your tummy!"

Me: "Yes, that's right!"

Ethan: "But not me, I have donuts and waffles in my tummy."

Love him :)

Time to get to work!

This is what my month looks like: Ethan's birthday just passed, it was so much fun, pics to come....I'm also hosting my cousins bridal shower on the 28th, her wedding is on the 4th, helping host Christine's baby shower on the 11th, and ALSO throwing a batchlorette party for a nursing school friend on the 11th! Talk about a busy month! I've never written so many invitations, made so many favors, and worried about as many RSVP's as I have these past few weeks! But I love it. If this nursing thing doesn't work out, I could really do well as an event planner :) Good thing I only work three days a week, or else this would be impossible! There's just something about little details with celebrations that I love. I'm sure no one cares as much as I do, but hey what can I say I like to make things perfect ;) On another note....we also started painting Devin's room. My aunt Karen painted and put up an adorable wall paper border when it was Ethan's nursery. But we quickly realized as soon as he figured out you could peel it from the wall, it was all down hill from there! So we spent the second half of Sunday (after the birthday party) peeling the rest of the paper from the wall and painting. We painted the bottom half a shade of green and plan on putting up a wooden chair rail. Let's see Devin try and peel THAT off the wall! I will post pics as soon as it's all done. I also put up some dinosaur decor that is the cutest thing I have ever seen! (okay maybe I'm biased) But we are so excited to get it all done and ready for Devin. I know what you're thinking...."Rachel, isn't it a little early for all of this?" Well I remember how it was with Ethan, we waited until the end (about 7 months) to do everything. I remember how exhausted the littlest things made me, and figure I'll do everything while I have the energy to help. And Devin's already measuring big for gestation..so who knows, he could definitley be here before the new year! Either way we're ready :) Hope the last bits of summer are going well for everyone!

It's definitely a BOY!

We had our 18 week sonogram today and are excited to share that we are having another boy! Devin Lee is doing great, 10 ounces already! We got some great pics to add to the baby book :) I will admit, part of me was really wanting a girl...but I am really excited now that he is a boy. Now I can officially paint the room and keep the boy dinosaur nursery bedding I got (we had a hunch that it was a boy from our 14 week sono). Cant wait for Devin (and cousin Parker) to be here!!

Here we go 'round again!

So as most of you know...We are expecting baby #2 the 8th of January! I've had really bad all-day sickness (really wants to know who came up with the name "morning" sickness) so I have gained a pound yet, lost a bit actually! BUT baby is growing just fine and it's just about subsided, so no worries :) I'm SURE i'll make up for it! James has been a saint through all my whining and sleeping, but now that i'm in my second trimester, hopefully it will get a little better. I'm also looking forward to having a winter baby since Ethan was born the end of August, and I was MISERABLE in the 100 degree texas weather. None the less...we are excited to meet our new family member! We have talked to Ethan and explained that mommy has a baby in her tummy...I show him my bump, and tell him the baby is growing. He seems very interested, although I don't know how much he really "gets". Especially since he pointed to daddy's belly and asked if there was a baby in there too :) We will see, and there's more time for him to get used to the idea. My 14 week sono was last Friday, and the sonographer is about 90% sure (her words) that it is a boy! What do you think? I added caption to make it easier to see....



I definatley agree with her, but we will wait for the next sono at 18 weeks before we start painting the nursery. My brother Blake, and sis in law Christine are also expecting a baby! Their first child, Parker Kenneth Jenkins, is due in October. (I think don't quote me on that!) As for names....we are having a hard time agreeing on any...we both like short names, and that's about all we have in common with our taste. Good thing we have about 5 more months to go! I will try and keep everyone updated!

SUMMER IS HERE!

Hello!

I just realized that there's only been one post inbetween now, and the time summer ended last year! Horrible...I know, but to tell you the truth, i'm not sure how many people really read this anyway. I think all blogs should have a tracking device that shows the amount of people that view your blog...oh well...back to what's been going on! Tomorrow is my LAST residency day at Parkland! I've endured 6 grueling months of classes, tests, evaluations and not knowing what the heck i'm doing to make it here! It really did go by SO fast. I can't believe how much I've learned, and the confidence I've gained. But I still have a LONG way to go. There's alot to learn at one of the busiest L&D units in the nation! While I've been working, Ethan's been LOVING school! He's so smart, and recently mastered potty training! So proud of my little man :) James is good too...same ol', same ol' :) I'm looking forward to spending lots of quality time together this summer....We've already taken a mini-vaca to seaworld, and it was so much fun! I haven't been there since I was about 12! Can't wait for all the fun that's to be had the rest of the summer!

7 month recap!

Hello blog friends! I have fallen off the blog wagon for a while, but for good reason. This will be a long post, so don't say I didn't warn you! First off, when I left you, I was starting my last semester of nursing school....well that came and went, and now....wait for it...I'm an RN! I graduated, passed the NCLEX (on the first try might I add) and got a Job at Parkland Hosptital as a labor and delivery nurse! I had 5 interviews before I landed the job I really wanted at Parkland. I was one of the last of 9 residents hired out of about 200 applicants! How I got the interview still baffles me, so I'll just keep on believing it was meant to be :) I love my job, it is challenging, scary, tough and wonderfully amazing! Some days are better than others, but every one makes me a stronger, better nurse. The residency is 6 months long (Jan-Jun) and I'm am about to start the second half, which is C-sections and recovery. I love my 3-4 day a week work schedule, the 12 hour shifts are hard, but I am able to spend more time at home. I am confident that I am at the BEST place for learning the world of labor and delivery! Enough about me, onto Ethan (since he's the one you all want to hear about!) He started at a mom's day out program in September at a church in keller, going 2 days a week. He loved it, and was doing great (despite the water works everytime I dropped him off!). But when I landed my job, we had to enroll him in full time preschool. We put him in Harvest Christian Academy, and he absolutley LOVES it! Even on my off days he would rather go to school than stay home with momma (sigh). He is learning so much and I am amazed at how much he has grown in his time there! We love his teachers, and the staff there. He is the youngest one in his class since his birthday is in August, most of the kids are 3, or turn 3 before him . But I think that has had a positive effect on him. He started potty training a few weeks ago, and is doing great. He only wears diapers when he sleeps, and tells us when he needs to go. By the way, m&m's works splendidly as rewards! I am so proud of my little, uh..BIG boy. He loves to play outside, water our plants, play with play-dough and read books. He also is ALL boy and loves his sandbox and 'tools'. I could go on and on, but for the sake of all your sanity, will stop now! Now onto James....He is still working at Autobahn volkswagon, and continues to be one of their best employees. I am very proud of him and how hard he works for our family. He is a little less stressed now that I am bringing in an income now, and has big plans for my paychecks. BUT most of it goes in savings anyway! Sorry James. We are still doing projects around the house, and living our simple wonderful lives. I am so grateful for where we are now, and can't wait for what's next for our family. Stay tuned....I promise it wont be another 7 months until I update!

Here are a few pictures of some things you missed!

Fall 09 pumpkin picking

Nursing School graduation Dec 09

Christmas morning...I think he was happy :)

First school pictures!

Digging for Dino bones at the Fort worth museum

Happy Easter!

Wait, when did summer end??

I haven't updated in a while, but that's because so much has been going on! We celebrated Ethan's 2nd birthday party Aug. 23rd. We had just family and a few close friends, but that is actually about 30 people! There was lots of food, and we set up pools and some other water toys in the backyard! The kids had an absolute blast, and the grown ups were all thrilled about sitting outside in the heat I'm sure :) All the ones that didn't have kids to watch in the backyard stayed inside! Ethan of course, made out like a bandit with toys (like he needed more) and blew out his candle on his cake! Such a big boy! Here's a few pics(I say few because there are actually about 200 from that day!).

The following day, I started my last semester of nursing school! Of course with all of the birthday party madness I didn't spend anytime reading to prepare for lecture, but am happy to say I am caught up now :) This semester will by far be the most stressful, not because of school, but because it's time to start my job search, AND study for the NCLEX! For those of you that don't know, once you graduate you have your applied science degree and are considered a "graduate nurse". Then you have to pass the state board (NCLEX) to get your RN credentials. But employers start recruiting in your last semester, and give you so long to take the state board. This is a very scary time because I have no idea what area I want to go into! I have lots of ideas actually, its just narrowing that down. SO lets just say I have alot of thinking to do and applications to fill out. I see the light at the end of the tunnel though, and cannot wait! (I'm sure James can't either! haha) I will keep everyone updated, and if you have any hospital contacts be sure to put in a good word and let me know ;)

OH NO! I almost forgot....Ethan also started his first day of preschool!! (see I told you alot has been going on!!) He is going one day a week to Light of the World church, it's a mom's day out program but has such a good reputation for teaching! He loved it, he was ready to go, back pack and all! Not one tear was shed when I dropped him off. (Not even me....and I figured I would lose it) I can't believe our baby is getting so big!

Well that's all folks, hope everyone had a great summer and is as ready for fall as I am!