little victories: 2010

I had to hold back the tears...my lil' boy is growing up!! Ethan had his first tee ball game last Saturday, his team is the Rangers! They were all so adorable. None of them really knew what they were doing, but I was so proud, he caught on so quick! Except for the occasional, "I'm tired of standing here, so i'll go play in the dirt" moments, he did really well. Papa Jim and Diane came out to watch too, so he was really excited about that. James was out there the whole time helping him. He did well for about 30 minutes, and then was DONE. I don't blame him, it was pretty darn hot! I am so proud of my lil' boy...he is SO great :)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day 2010

Happy Labor Day everyone!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

22 weeks and counting!

I had a check up Wednesday, and everything is still going great. Really all they do is listen to the baby's heart, force me to "weigh in" and check my urine...but still all is well :) I've gained a total of 5 lbs so far..really which was just in the past couple of weeks, thanks to my new found appetite. I have added two meals to my day...second breakfast, and pre dinner. It's worse when I'm working my 12 hour shifts, I have to bring so much food so I don't end up eating junk out of the vending machine! I've had a craving for cottage cheese with mandarin oranges and also for oreos with milk! I have oreos nightly before bed :) I'm allowed to splurge a little bit...right? Maybe it's time to switch to the lower sugar kind...I have my glucose screen at my next appt. Oct. 4th. The plan so far after speaking with my Dr. is to induce at 39 wks which will be New years day! We've decided on an induction for a few reasons...

1. Ethan was 8 lbs and 3 oz. (I am really scared of having a giant baby...and I DO NOT want a C/S if I can't push him out!)

2. We live 30 miles away from Parkland

3. My labor with Ethan was only 7 hours long. So if my water breaks at home I don't want to drive all the way to parkland.

We tried to talk my Dr. into Dec 30, but no such luck...I HAVE to be 39 weeks before she will induce. Of course this could all change, and it is depending on how baby is growing and developing. As for now, we are measuring a week and a half ahead of schedule per sono! So who knows maybe he will decide to come all on his own :)I'm a little less nervous about inducing than I was with Ethan because my body reacted really well to the Pitocin the first time. So here's hoping things continue to go as planned! My last day of work will be Jan 31st. until then we are busy finishing the nursery and getting some last minute home projects finished that have been hanging over our heads. My cousin Tiffany's wedding is this weekend, and Christine's baby shower is next weekend! So there's alot to do to keep us busy and our mind off of how much longer we have to go with this pregnancy!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

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 :)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

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!

Devin's new Carseat and stroller

Dinosaur bedding!

My handy work ;)

above where the changing table will go

Ethan's toy story cake!

Happy Birthday at the Little Gym!

Learning to ride, new bike from Aunt Kim and Uncle Bill!

SO happy

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

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!!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

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!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

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