Four more DAYS!

Until we meet our littlest man! Henry Joseph is scheduled to be born via c-section on Thursday, October 14th at approximately 12:00 noon. We're so very excited and yet (I'm) so very nervous all at the same time!!! Next time I update, I'll be the mama to two of the sweetest little guys ever and my house will be over run by BOYS! haha

Henry's Sprinkle

Last Saturday, September 25th, was Henry's Baby Sprinkle. It was so much fun and nice to see everyone who was able to come. Jacob had a lot of fun playing with the other kids and opening his own presents.

A lot of people don't believe in showers for the second baby and that's fine. Especially when they're close in age and the same sex. I, myself, wanted to have another "party" for Henry because I didn't feel it was right to celebrate Jacob coming into the world and not celebrate Henry the same way. Yes, the load of gifts and guests was a lot smaller the second time around, but I expected that much. It's not as if I needed much with them only being 2.5 years apart and both being boys. I just wanted to have the memories, pictures and maybe some cards to show Henry that people cared about him too before he was born.

Anyway, below are a few pictures from my Sprinkle. Enjoy!

Jacob opening one of his gifts.

Here he is with his cars that he LOVED!

Jacob and Henry got matching "Big Brother" "Little Brother" shirts from Gee and Pap.

I love these little things! My mom got me the one with the mother and infant when Jake was born, and this one for now while I'm pregnant with Henry.

Henry's very beautiful cake!

Belly cast!

I've seen a few celebrities and people on TV that had made these belly casts when they were pregnant and I just thought they looked really cool. I'd never have been able to do one with Jacob because I never really looked pregnant with him. But, this time is a whole other story. I've looked pregnant for months. There is no mistaking the tummy. So, I broke down and bought one and had John help me out with it. It turned out really cute and I can't wait for Henry to be here, so I can get his birth stats written on it. I only wish that I had been able to make one for Jacob, too.

This was right after we were done. Still alot to do ...

After a few coats of blue paint.

Jacob's hand print with his little message to his baby brother.

The turtle that I was quite proud of drawing on there myself!

After everyone at the Sprinkle signed it!

3D Ultrasound!

Yesterday was our 3D Ultrasound! I can't decide if I am pleased with how it turned out or not. We got some okay pictures of Henry, though he didn't want to show us his face ... little turkey ... but, it was only 20 minutes long and they do NOT let you go over and it just seemed very overpriced for what it was. Here are a few pictures from our session, though. Little Henry just didn't want to be photographed yesterday, I guess. Anyway, enjoy the photos!!!

Here he had his foot up in front of his face.

And, here his legs are curled up and the hands/arms are in front of his face.

And, again ... he just didn't want his picture taken. Haha!

Henry update!

Because of this gene mutation that I have (a blood clotting disorder), I have to go see a Maternal Fetal Specialist often throughout this pregnancy. Today was a routine ultrasound (and I'll be having one a week now until he's delivered). I love going to this place because they're so nice and efficient. It took me one hour to get from work to the doctor's office, have my ultrasound, stop and get lunch and then get back to work. They're just so fabulous! Anyway, back to the appointment ... Henry is looking great! He's growing like a weed! He weighs approximately 4 lbs 11 oz now which is what Jacob weighed when he was BORN! I'm getting more and more anxious to see how big he's going to be when he's born and to see what he looks like. We are having a 3d ultrasound done in about a week and a half, so we'll get a good idea of what he's gonna look like when he's born, but still I just can't wait to hold him in my arms. It's sort of bittersweet for me, though, because this is more than likely my last pregnancy. I'm so happy to meet my baby boy, but so sad that I won't get to experience this ever again!

Update!

I've been slacking so bad lately on updating this blog! I apologize. A lot has been going on since I last updated. In February of this year we found out we were expecting our second child. My due date is October 24, 2010. The pregnancy itself is going much smoother than Jacob's did. I'm not sick all the time. I have an appetite. My blood pressure is under control and I'm not showing any signs of pre-eclampsia like I did last time. The latest issue we thought I might have was gestational diabetes, but it turns out I don't have that either, thank goodness!

In June we found out we're having another little man. His name will be Henry Joseph! I keep thinking I want to have three kids, but I don't know. I think Henry may be it. John says he's done, but he was done after Jacob, too, so I don't pay much attention to him. lol

Jacob turned 2 in May and has been talking up a storm ever since. He cracks me up with some of the things he comes up with. He's really into "ming-ming" from the Wonder Pets, trucks and cars, and dinosaurs. I'm loving getting to watch him grow each and every day! He's really the best little guy anyone could ever ask for!

John and I are doing great! We had a rocky start to the summer, but we're definitely better now. We're just so excited for what the rest of 201o will bring and cannot wait to meet our littlest man in less than 2 months! It's weird to think that we entered this year a family of three and will exit the year a completed family of 4!

Thanksgiving 2009

Every year we have a Thanksgiving dinner with my parents here in VA on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and then we go to PA to be with John's family on the actual holiday. This year was no different EXCEPT for the fact that I insisted on having our Sunday Thanksgiving Day dinner at our house this year. It was a nice thought, but a LOT of extra work! All in all, the meal turned out good and everyone had a great time!

On Tuesday evening after work, we made our way to PA to John's parent's house where we stayed until Sunday. On Wednesday when we got up, we took Jake to get his hair cut (this was only his second hair cut, but he did so wonderful with it!), and John got his cut as well. It was a nice little male bonding trip, really. Later that day, John went out with his friends and was out until the next morning. He does this every year and I honestly don't see it changing any time in the near future. Jake and I didn't do much for the rest of Wednesday.

Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving day. We watched most of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and played all morning. Jake and I napped in the afternoon and then that evening we had the yummiest dinner EVER!

On Friday (Black Friday), Jake and I went shopping with my sister, and I finished three people on my list! YAY ME! I have to say that I'm almost done Christmas shopping. I'm so pleased with myself! We didn't stay out that long ... my sister had somewhere she needed to be and I was fine with that. The crowds were making me a little crazy and Jake needed a nap BAD. Friday evening we went to a friend's house and just hung out. It was so awesome to just do NOTHING!

Saturday was another relatively relaxing day. My brother-in-law decided he wanted professional pictures taken of all four kids (ages 8 months - 5). I was pretty hesitant, but he wanted to do it, so I made the appointment and off we went. Needless to say, it was a pretty big nightmare once we got there. Kids running and screaming every where, the younger two wanted to crawl away or cry, the older two couldn't sit still and smile long enough to get their pictures taken. It was pure mahem and nothing I care to repeat again anytime soon! The pictures, however, turned out pretty decent. It was hard to tell there was all that craziness going on. Saturday evening when they were all in bed, I just melted into the couch and thanked God they weren't all mine! haha

On Sunday it was time to pack it up and head on home. We made excellent time getting home and hardly hit any traffic! Last week was crazy a few times, but overall it was such a relaxing break from reality and I got to spend it with the two boys I love the most! <3