A month of pictures

Visiting a pumpkin patch with Jack's best friend Aubrey aka "Aubee"

Going down a really fast slide with Mommy

I realize that these are not flattering pictures of myself but I just love Jack's facial expressions.  He loved this slide!

Great Grandma & Grandpa came to visit for the weekend.  Jack and Grandpa spent a lot of time reading.

This was the best pictures I could get of all three of them but I just adore the one below of Jack giving Grandma a hug bye.

Jack and RyRy

Jack followed this grasshopper around the yard for a good 20 minutes.  Notice how he uses his middle finger to point - he does this with everything.  He never uses his index finger it's really funny.  Just ask him to show you "ssshhh"...

Carving pumpkins with  Daddy.  Daddy carved Jack the best Mickey Mouse face and I forgot to get a pic :(

We visited Eckert's Farm with Nana and Grandpa and got to feed the goats.

Jack loved this tire house swing which is really rare because he hates traditional swings.

Giving Gigi a hug after her big birthday celebration.

Forcing Mimi to kiss him :)

This is how he sits in his chair to watch Mickey Mouse - every time!

Happy Halloween!  Going to school in costume.

Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 & Thing 2

Jack LOVED trick-or-treating!  No joke - he followed Colin (4 year old neighbor) to every house and didn't want to stop.  We probably hit 30 houses.  Terry and I were very impressed and thankful for all the yummy candy.

We find out in 2 days if we're having another boy or a girl.  To say we're excited would be a major understatement!!!

More info please...

I would have posted more on the pictures below but a) I figured they deserved their own post and b) the real reason - my computer kept freezing on me...so some more info on the big announcement.  This is mainly for my memory and family scrapbook therefore warning it's long:

I'm about 16 weeks along (Due date is April 4th) and yes we've known since July and have just opted to keep it a secret.  Our initial plan was to tell our families at our "It's Fall Ya'll" party (clever I know) that was scheduled for Oct. 1st. Our 'hook' was to have everyone come see our newly finished basement.  However the snag in our plan came when our contractor told us at the end of September that it wouldn't be completed.  So we rescheduled the party for a few weeks later (this past Saturday) granted the basement still isn't finished therefore moral of the story is 'never believe your contractor'.

Party went on as scheduled and my wonderful grandparents came in on Friday to spend the weekend with us before they head to Texas for 6 months.  We ended up telling my grandparents on Friday night because we all went out to dinner before Terry and grandpa went to the Cardinals game (Go CARDS!!).  We told them that we had news and asked Jack what was in my belly.  He of course said "Baby" and proceeded to try and pull up my shirt.  Not sure this was the best thing to teach him because now he thinks everyone has babies in their bellies :)

Saturday night was the party and my mom and brother Andrew were the first to arrive because they drove straight in from a Cross Country meet.  My grandma and I are in the kitchen just laughing because 30 minutes go by and my mom is just playing with Jack and reading him all these new books she got him.  Finally she walked in the kitchen and I said "did you see Jack" and she said "Of course I did he needs a hair cut!" I could not stop giggling...finally she noticed when Terry told her to look at his new shirt.  By this point I was wondering if it would take everyone else forever to notice too.  My aunt Cynthia arrived next (she drove in from Kansas City) and she noticed right away.  From then on out everyone else (grandma Lillian, Don, Ryan, Allison & Josh, Erin, Dad and Ben) all noticed pretty quickly (except my dad).  When Dad finally read the shirt he said "this is how you're telling us the news?"! Unfortunately Terry's parents couldn't make it because big Terry's brother passed away the week before and they were in Texas for the funeral.  We wanted to make sure they found out at the same time so Terry took a picture of Jack in his shirt and sent it to them.  Since the front said "Knock knock", Nancy answered back "Who's there?" and then Terry sent them a picture of the back of the shirt.   They were very excited too.

We're not completely positive that we'll find out the sex of the baby but either way our ultrasound is in just a few weeks!  And no we're not set on a name for either sex.  I have some preferences but apparently I told Terry he could name our second child.  I swear I must have been on drugs...no worries I still have veto power.

Knock Knock...

Jack's 1st Knock Knock Joke:

Knock...knock

Who's there?

A new baby brother or sister for me

THAT'S WHO!!

Jack update

This is how Jack spends his mornings while Terry and I are getting ready for work.

 Daddy Time

 1st Football game - watching Uncle B

 Uncle RyRy even showed up to jump on the bleachers with Jack.

 Hanging out with B after the game

 Jack really liked B's helmet

Family Picture Sneak Peak...who's missing?

My Grandma Lillian wanted family pictures taken of everyone therefore my friend Lissy met up with us on Saturday (hottest day of the year)...enjoy.

Jack did not want to be in this picture - too bad because I really like this picture!!  If you'd like to see the rest visit, http://missprissiness.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/happy-labor-day/.  Thanks Lis!

Weekend with Mimi & Papa

Jack and I went to Kirksville this weekend to spend time with Mimi, Papa and to see Uncle RyRy!  We got to town around 2:30 on Friday, just in time to make it to my Mom's school so she could show him off to all the teachers and  faculty.  He was a bit nervous at first because her students were all swarming him but he warmed up because a few of them had caterpillars (fascinating!).  Once Ben made it over (he walks from the middle school), we headed out to my parent's house.  Jack was so excited.  For some reason, he LOVES my parent's driveway (it's rock)...as you can see below he spent a good portion of the weekend throwing rocks.  Funny story: my dad got home and said "Jack do you want to watch Papa on the tractor?" so we walked up to the barn and my dad starts up the tractor.  Not even 30 seconds go by and Millie, my parent's cat (who lives outdoors), runs by...Jack doesn't ever get to see cats except for books or his Little People figurines so needless to say he lost ALL interest in Papa's tractor and ran off to harass the cat.  

Saturday we went over to Truman State University to see Ryan.  Jack would not stop asking about RyRy the night before because he was very confused to why Ryan wasn't there.  I called my brother as we parked and he walked downstairs to let us in...as he opened the door, Jack spotted him and it was like out of a movie.  Jack goes running, screaming RyRy RyRy!!! It was so adorable.  I wish I would have gotten a picture as Ryan bent down to pick him up - melt my heart.

We got to see Ryan's room and it smelled nice because he brewed coffee right before we arrived (much appreciated).  We picked up Erin (Jack's teacher/babysitter) from her new house and we all went out for lunch.  Poor Erin, she got pelted with Jack's fries through the last 15 minutes or so.  Late Saturday afternoon, Jack and I stopped by to see my dear friend Tish and her 8 month old daughter, Violet.  Unfortunately Jack was in a possessive mood (shock I know) but he wouldn't let me hold her :(  That's okay she was happy to let me make funny faces and read to her.  It was wonderful spending time with them even if it was a short visit.

Saturday night, Mom and I saw The Help which was AMAZING!!  Disclaimer: I did NOT read the book.  Papa had the joy of putting Jack to bed and I think he enjoyed his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cuddle time pre-bed :)

Sunday morning, we woke up to cinnamon rolls and lots of train time.  Uncle "B" was obsessed with Thomas the Train when he was little so lucky Jack because my parents kept EVERYTHING!!  And since Ben was the baby, he truly had every train, accessory, track piece, etc.  I love not having to take toys with us.

We had a wonderful weekend - thanks Mimi & Papa!!!  We love you!

30, 28, 18...adds up to lots of good times!

From now on, I'm back to updating every 1-2 weeks...I'm getting complaints (mostly from Aunt CC) but she forgives me because I just got to spend an entire weekend with her and Nic in Denver!  The last few weeks have flown by!  Uncle Andrew came into town to work for Terry and stain our fence (our side looks great/the neighbors view not so much).  We went to Kirksville for my 10 year high school reunion.  I celebrated my 28th birthday on Thursday and then flew out to Denver Friday morning to celebrate with my bff's Colleen (CC) and Nicolette for Nic's 30th b-day.  I got back in today which also happens to be Jack's 18 month 1/2 birthday.  Let me tell you it's much harder to take a monthly picture when your child is body slamming the stuff animal (which Terry taught him).  Enjoy!

 Nothing cuter than a boy in his cowboy hat!

 Uncle Andrew loves hats too!

 Jack's newest obsession - Little People

 Someone enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie..or two.

 He likes to show you the farm animals and tell you what sounds they make.

 Picture Time

 This should be interesting...

 He did NOT want to hold the sign

 Take it! Take it! Even if my foot is in the picture :)

 My Sweet Boy!

 "Are we done yet?"

 "Because I'm ready to body slam my giraffe"

 Me & Colleen

Nicolette - 30, Me - 28 & Colleen - 29

This trip was our first of our now annual 30th b-day celebrations.  Next up is Colleen next summer in Door County!