Labor Day Weekend Fun

This picture is so dear to me.  My sweet, sweet Papa who passed away a few years ago was an avid fisherman.  When he passed away, Jared received his tackle box and fishing poles.  Getting read for our trip this weekend involved getting Jacob ready for his first fishing experience.  A few nights before we left we had to get his tackle box together.  It was such a tender moment for me watching my son go through my Papa's things and pick out lures, worms, etc...to use on his trip.  There were several things that my Papa never got around to opening.  Jacob picked up one of the packs and said, "I think Papa got this for us to use."  Ya'll...I lost it.  I miss that man's presence in my life so much.  And I know with every fiber in my being that he and Jacob would have been the best of buddies.  I'm sure he was so proud looking down from heaven watching his great-grandson following in his footsteps.  Hopefully Jacob will grow to love fishing as much as he did.

We headed to Pigeon Forge for some Labor Day weekend fun.  Knowing that this was our last little getaway as family of three was bitter-sweet for me.  I wanted to soak up every minute of it.  Oh - and my parents and sister joined in too.

 Going fishing our first morning

 Learning to cast

 Doesn't get better than this

 Coach joining in the action

 Doesn't he look like a professional?...

 I think so

Ahhhh...I love this guy so much!!!

 Looking for rocks

 We found this cool slide and of course we had to go it

 Playing a little soccer

 Working a puzzle

 Learning to play Go Fish

And look...he got a match

 We took a tour of the Titanic museum.  Jacob is obsessed with pirates and ships right now.  From the moment we pulled into town he wanted to go visit the big ship.  Unfortunately, they don't allow photography so I don't have any pictures.  This one is of Jacob telling my dad all about the Titanic.  He was fascinated....Jacob, not my dad. Ha!

 This was the amazing view from our cabin

How can someone look at this and not believe in God?

The next morning we woke up and went for a big pancake breakfast.  After stuffing ourselves we decided to go for a drive up into the mountains.

 Family Shot

 That afternoon we had a terrible storm.  It rained harder than I have seen in a long time.  Jacob and my sister were so cute looking out the window at the rain that I couldn't resist a snapshot.

That night we went to eat at this really neat place called The Old Mill.  It was still raining when we were there, so I couldn't take any pictures. But, the food will forever live on in my mind. :)

The other thing Jacob really wanted to do was ride go karts.  The Lord was so merciful to stop the rain in time for my baby to gain some speed.

 I don't think he likes it at all ya'll....

 That face just says it all

 We also let him go for a little ride on the tea cups

Momma loves these kind of rides, but opted out being pregnant and all

 Hanging out on the porch our least evening there

That porch was awesome and where we spent most of our time

I realize that yes, I am pregnant, but I feel so huge in this picture

 29 weeks....ahhhhhh

 Me and the hubs

 No words

 Saying goodbye...to bad it was so foggy out that we couldn't capture the mountains in the background

Headed home

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great weekend.  I'm so thankful for these times I get to be with the ones I love the most!!  The only way it could have been better would have been to have Samson there! :)

The Belly

I have been so bad at taking pictures this pregnancy.  I guess it's true what they say that no kid gets as many pictures as the first.  Sorry little one, but that doesn't mean I love you any less!!!

We are about 10 weeks or less now from D-day, and I am getting so excited to meet this sweet baby.  Jared and I have been working on names, but have not been able to agree on one yet.  We have also spent a lot of time imagining what life with two will be like.  Most importantly though, we have been trying to spend a lot of quality time with Jacob...as our family of three before we become a family of four. I guess that's been  more important than documenting my ever increasing belly size. :)

Week 25

 Week 26

 Week 27

Week 281/2

Treehouses

 Jacob and I had a fun mommy/son outing to Cheekwood last week to see the treehouses.  We are 10 weeks out or less from meeting this baby, and I'm trying to soak up all the one-on-one time with my little man that I can.  Can you blame me!?!  Look at that sweet face.

 Jacob had such a good time climbing all the treehouses and Cheekwood is just beautiful.  We saw a traditional looking house, a conch shell, a rainbow fish, a ball of yarn, and several others.  However, our favorite by far was the Jolly Roger.  We are a little obsessed with pirates around here right now, so to say that this treehouse was right up our alley is a huge understatement.

 Making it to the top of the Jolly Roger

 So proud

Pretty sure he would have stayed up there all day

 I could just eat this little guy up!!!

Going on the huge slide before heading home

Little buddy, I love getting to spend my days with you.  Going on adventures with you are the best!!!  I love you so much!!!

Soccer Time

 It's soccer season around here.  This is Jacob's first year to play...and he is LOVING it.  Not to mention, he's just the darn cutest little soccer player I've ever seen!!! :)

We have our first game on Saturday.  Can't wait!!

A Few Things We've Been Up To

 Jacob has been obsessed with green "snoothies" (smoothies) this summer.  We have made one every morning.  It consists of spinach, yogurt, oj, and whatever fruit we have on hand....a lot have been made with peaches my personal fave!  Anywho, little man loves to help make them and has gotten to the point where he can almost do them himself.  This picture was taken the morning our blender broke. :(....the last smoothie with our blender of 9 years.  Don't worry, we went out to Target straight away and got a new one.

 Jacob started back to school last week.  He is LOVING it.  His teacher this year is Mrs. Linda.  She is very engaging and they are doing all kinds of fun things.  He is only 4 days in and they are already working on their home addresses and the pledge of allegiance.  It's going to be a good year!!

 We went to the mall the other night for a little Sweet Cece's treat.  This dude could eat ice cream for every meal if we would let him.  After ice cream we went and looked in the Disney store.  They had Jake and the Neverland Pirates stuff.  Jacob could not have been more excited.  He is crazy about this show.  I'll admit that I like it too.  It's super duper cute and the music is way to catchy!

 Here he is with the Tic Toc Crock

Last Saturday night, Jared and Jacob had their first camp out in the backyard.  I was sad to miss out but thought a hot, uncomforable, pregnant woman sleeping on the ground wouldn't be the best idea.  They however had a blast.  After setting up our tent, roasting marshmallows, telling not so scary ghost stories, and putting on pjs it was time for bed.  Jacob was a champ and stayed out there all night.  When he woke up the next morning the first thing he said was, "this was fun.  can we do it again?"  Sweet, sweet boy!  I'm sure there will be lots of camping nights in your future.  Oh - Samson slept out there with the boys too!!

 My two guys getting ready for a fun night

 This sweet thing got a hematoma in his left ear over the weekend.  On Monday I took him to the vet.  He ended up staying to have a little procedure done.  When doc told me they were going to put him to sleep and began explaining the process I had a little meltdown.  Being that this dog is my first child and my hormones are out of control I couldn't control myself and the tears just kept coming.  I'm sure the vet and nurse were a little confused as to what to do with me.  Anyway, after pulling myself together Jacob and I said goodbye to Sam.  He had to stay overnight.  This picture was taken when we brought him home.  He was SO excited to be back.

He even posed for me so I could get a pic of his poor little shaved ear with stitches.

I love this dog so much!

Still can't believe summer is over and another school year has begun.  We have had a great summer of traveling, swimming, hanging out with friends and family, and just relaxing.  So thankful for my sweet little family and the time I get to spend with them.

A Little Trip To The SC

 Jared, Julie, Matt

Jared left last week for a 10-day trip to India with a couple of friends from church.  This is a kind of "scouting" trip to determine our church's role in this country in the coming months and years.  Jacob and I have been able to talk to him a couple of times since they left.  They are having a great time.  Jared told us there are monkeys everywhere....Jacob thinks this is great.  He comes home in 2 days and we can't wait.

Knowing he was going to be gone for such a long time, I decided that we needed something fun to do.  Luckily, this little thing was born the day Jared left....

 meet our newest cousin Charley

My mom, Jacob, and I headed to South Carolina for a few days and it was a perfect getaway.  Charley is the cutest!!  I had forgotten how they just sleep all the time at this stage.  Holding him made me get so excited to meet our newest addition in a few months. :)

Charley's older brother Graham is 11 days older than Jacob.  He came back to my aunt and uncle's for some sleepover fun with us.

 such sweet little buddies

I sure do wish they lived closer

These two did not stop from the time they saw each other until the time we said goodbye.  Time was filled with hide in seek, jumping on the bed, puppet shows, basketball, football, chasing each other, cars, swimming, laughing, and of course...pirates (our newest obsession).

 we swam a lot

 a little pajama football action

 so funny watching them tackle each other

 I guess you could say we had a family reunion of sorts.  My cousin who lives in Ohio was there for a visit too.  This is her little girl Caroline.  She is almost 2 and the tiniest little thing you will ever see.  She said my name while we were there....and I have a hard name people.  It was adorable!!

 she got right in there with those big boys

Since my grandparent's have passed away, going to visit is not the same.  It was weird not going to their house or seeing their sweet faces.  However, I love being with the rest of my family.  We had a lot of fun, ate a lot of good food, laughed a lot, and just enjoyed being together.  I am so glad Jacob got to spend some time playing with his cousins.  From all I could tell he had a BLAST!!!

I just hope we can get back soon for another visit.

And in closing, my latest belly shot.

this was taken at 21 weeks, we are now at 23 1/2

I can't believe we're only 17 weeks out.  We can't wait to meet our sweet baby!