Cache #200

We are unbelievably addicted to geocaching (thanks a lot Jared)! We ran out twice this weekend (once at 9pm) to get a "first to find", which means that we were the first people to ever discover that cache . We had a good, relaxing weekend of caching and surpassed #200! It is so much fun! We have found so many cool places during our hunt, one of which was a picnic table just outside the Gainesville airport where you can sit and watch the planes come and go. E was in heaven! The pics are somethings we saw along the way this weekend and me with GPS in hand (the one cache was actually in the owl)!

Christmas 2008

We had an interesting Christmas Eve. We woke up and headed down to Madeira Beach to be with Jake's entire family. It was a pretty uneventful drive, took us about three hours with a stop to geocache (of course) and a quick Walmart run. Shortly after we got there however Jake started to show symptoms of the stomach flu and I was battling horrible back pain and a headache (I don't think I was 100% after having the stomach flu a week before). Ethan had a rough Christmas Eve night, which didn't help the situation. Not a good Christmas Eve by any means, I would've given anything to be home...but I am very grateful that I had Jake's family to help me with Ethan and take care of Jake.

We spent Christmas enjoying the beautiful weather on the beach. Jake was much better and able to join us for the day (but still not 100%). Ethan enjoyed time in the pool with Grandma, Auntie Jenny, Uncle Brian, and his cousins.

We left for home after lunch on the 26th. Ethan really enjoyed the beach and it was nice to see everyone, but I was really happy to be home. After a weekend of resting I feel much, much better my back pain is almost entirely gone and I am not as exhausted as I have been.

P.S. The pic of me on the beach was taken Christmas morning at 23 weeks. I have a belly!

Rock Climber

Ethan is officially a rock climber! Yesterday he climbed the 5 foot rock wall on his Rainbow swing set, with only a tiny bit of assistance at the very top. It was amazing watching him plan where to put his hands and feet and the strength he has in his upper body. He scaled the wall like a pro! (I promise I will get better with pics and will post some soon!)

Shush!

Jake started singing along with one of Ethan's videos this morning and his singing must have been bad because Ethan went up and put his hand over Jake's mouth! :-) My singing must have been bad too, because he did the same thing to me later!

OB appt update

Well I had another OB appointment today (I am 22.5 weeks). I gained no weight, but that is understandable considering how sick I was last week. The baby looked good, with a strong heartbeat. We decided to do a repeat ultrasound in my doctor's office (no level 2 for now...hooray!) around 37 weeks to check the dilation in the kidney. I also got a flu shot, which thanks to an awesome nurse I didn't even feel! I started wearing my maternity clothes this week, even though they are still a little big and I'm continually pulling my pants up! My next appointment is on MLK day.

Early Morning Bath

Daddy: "Ethan is being awful quiet, I wonder what he is doing..."
Mommy: "I will go check"

Mommy walks into laundry room

Mommy: "We have a problem!"

Daddy comes running...Ethan standing in the middle of the laundry room with a huge smile on his face and kitty liter all over the floor.

Off to the bath Mommy and Ethan go and Daddy is left to clean-up kitty liter. Mommy got the better end of that clean-up deal!

Ethan, What I Love About You...

Ethan, You have forever changed my world! I never dreamed being a mom would be so great!

• I love the way you suck in your cheeks when you give kisses
• I love the fact that you LOVE snuggling (even if that means early mornings in mom and dad's bed)
• I love it when you give your "dog" hugs and kisses
• I love it when you pull my shirt down because my belly is hanging out
• I love your belly laugh
• I love hearing you talk (and hope you do more of it soon)!!
• I love your stubbornness!
• I love it when you help me around the house (whether feeding Visken, helping with laundry, or "washing" dishes at the sink)
• I love your smile :-)
• I love your little pats and hugs that you stop and give during the day
• I love it when you make complete strangers smile and laugh
• I love your independence (even though I think you are trying to grow up too fast some times)!!
• I love the look you give your daddy when he walks in the door after being gone
• I love the way you blow kisses to everyone!
• etc., etc., etc.
• I LOVE YOU!

Lots of Love--Mommy