Easter Blessings

This long Easter weekend has been so wonderful and so needed. Zak and I always have so much going on and so much to do around the house. We took this weekend to enjoy family and time together. Here is our weekend...In Pictures!
On Friday, I was 34 weeks pregnant. It's going so fast. I feel like the past couple of weeks have gone really well. I think Chase moved positions because I'm not as uncomfortable (pain wise) anymore. I am starting to feel very large. I can no longer see my feet, I have trouble catching my breath and I always have a foot on the right side of my ribs. Chase gets hiccups everynight between 8 and 9PM and I love knowing hes in there but I have to say the hiccups feel so weird. More weird than I remember with Colton. Chase seems so much lower, maybe thats why. One things that's getting very hard to do, that make me so sad, is rock and cuddle with Colton. It's just hard, there's not enough room for all three of us. I went to the Dr. last Wednesday and everything was looking good. I've sort of lost count of how much I've gained I'm still a little under my start weight, but I'm gaining. Chases heart beat was 138 BPM. I go back in a week and a half and start my each week visits. Its getting close!!! (I'm hoping to talk to Zak about putting the bassinet, swing and pack and play together this week. And, I may or may not already have mine and Chases Hospital bags packed.:))


After a day of being lazy and hanging out at home, Friday night Grandad came over to babysit (Baa joined in just a bit later) so Zak and I could have a much needed Date Night.

Zak and I headed to one of our favorites, PF Changs. After dinner and a little window shopping we went to Dessert Gallery for the best desserts we know.

Saturday morning we got up and headed out to meet Kellie for Maternity Pictures. Shes an amazing photographer who's decided to not waste another day not doing the things she loves after losing her sweet Maddie. We were her first "real" photo shoot and we are so lucky she chose us. I would have never done Maternity pics if she hadn't talked me into it. These will be something we will always cherish! From what I've seen so far, she did an amazing job. Here are two of my favorites. I think I'm going to frame these two and hang them in Chases nursery. (More to come in a Maternity Shoot blog soon.)

After the shoot we made a quick stop at JCPennys so Colton could pick out a toy to give to Chase after he's born. He picked out this orange and yellow giraffe. He loved on it all the way home and we talked to him over and over about it being Chases present. I'm not sure if he really understood but the Giraffe has been put away for safe keeping 'til Colton meets his baby brother.

After a very long nap, We went over to Nanny and Grandads for an early Easter dinner. Just after we got there Nanny and MiMi arrived in from Lubbock. MiMi brought an Easter basket from her, Jerry and Meemaw. (Thank you guys.)

Colton also got a special Easter bag from Grandad, Nanny and Baa. (Thank you as well.)

As if two Easter baskets weren't enough, Baa and Grandad set up a HUGE Easter Egg Hunt just for Colt in the back yard.

That evening the Easter bunny came to visit!

Colton woke up at about 7:30 this morning. The Easter Bunny had left the goodies on the coffee table. When he came in to wake us up he had a smarty pack ( from MiMi and MeeMaws basket) and his new tool box in hand. He was so excited!

After an Easter breakfast of pancakes and sausage and a little playing we headed over to GaGa and PawPaws. GaGa and PawPaw also had a special basket ready for Colton. (Thank you!)

Colton loved everything in his basket but then he found the grass. He had so much fun throwing it around and stuffing it in the eggs.

GaGa made a great lunch and these special bunny cakes.

Hope your Easter was full of blessings!

We saw Baby Chase!

Yesterday we went to see Baby Chase. Colton came with us and just wasn't sure what to think about it all. I think he was a little worried to see mommy up on the table and someone messing with her belly. On top of it he wasn't feeling like himself with the start of an ear infection (we didn't know about yet). After waiting for almost an hour and a half we finally went back to see Chase. Everything looked really good. I was 32 weeks and 3 days but Chase was measuring about a week ahead of schedule, only because his head measured a tad big. There were no concerns and we loved seeing him. We even got to see him yawn. The technician is such a sweet lady and she printed this picture out just for Colton to keep. She worked and worked to get the perfect picture but Chase was very wiggly. Everytime she thought she had it, he would move. Coltons favorite part was hearing his heartbeat and he kept asking to hear it again. His heart sounded so loud and strong. Eventhough I get to hear his heartbeat at every appointment it still makes me smile (and occasionally tear up.) I'm so thankful that, so far, everything with this pregnancy has been so healthy. The technician said he was about 4 lbs and 5 oz. I'm not sure where all that 4 lbs 5 oz is hiding in this little bump but it must be part of the reason I'm so uncomfortable! It was so neat to be able to take Colton even if it was a lot of work (mostly for daddy) and he had no idea what to think about it all. One day he'll look back and be glad he went.

His first BIG catch!

Colton has been obsessed with fishing and boats for as long as I can remember. His dad has been just waiting for the right time to take him fishing (since he's 2 and doesn't have much of an attention span.) Yesterday we went to Zak's Company picnic at Houston Oaks. We had an awesome time and there was tons of things to do (Colton even had his first school bus ride) but the highlight of the day was fishing! Colton and daddy caught 2 fish. Daddy and I were so excited and proud. Colton was excited too but it happened so quickly that he didn't really know what was going on.

When you ask Colton how big his fish were he opens up his arms as wide as he can and says "Dis big!" The fish stories have already started! He may have been a little timid about it yesterday but he has not stopped talking about it. This morning my boys let me sleep in while they went for a drive. When Zak put Colton in the truck he said, "Daddy we go fishin' this morning?" I think there will be more fishing in our near future!

Surprise Shower

This morning I walked into Foundry for our monthly staff meeting. Much to my surprise all of my coworkers had planned a breakfast shower for Chase and me. It was such an awesome surprise. My favorite part of the morning was having Debbie, the Director, pray over Chase and me and our family. It was such a sweet prayer and I felt the love.

This year, Foundry has been such blessing. I love Foundry and the friends I have made there. I feel so blessed to have Colton right there with me while I'm doing something I love so much. I have the freedom to teach like every teacher dreams of. We have an awesome curriculum and foundation but we are given the freedom to teach the way we feel is best for our kids. Aside from having the sweetest class and parents I've made wonderful friends who have supported me through this pregnancy. Everyone has made me (and Colton) feel so very welcome this year, specially since were only there 2 days a week. I am looking forward to going back next year with Colton. (Chase will stay with my mom and will join us the following year.)

This morning was such a wonderful and unexpected surprise from wonderful people that I am thankful to have in my life!!!

Here is a picture of just a couple of the amazing people I work with. By the time I was able to get back to my room to get my camera most of the ladies had to get back to their room for their kiddos.

Shower for Baby Chase

Yesterday my mom and sister threw me a shower for my sweet Baby Chase! Everything looked so great and I had an awesome time. It was a small shower, which was nice, since we still have so much of Colton's stuff.

Here is the day in pictures.

Thank you so much to my dad, sister, and mom for pulling this all together.

GaGa and Nanny

Kimberly and Aunt Baa

My close friends from high school Jennifer (with her little man Anthony), Mandy, Amy

My co-teacher and sweet friend Mory

"Auntie G"

Kim and Kellie

My neighbor Amber

Sis in Law, Taylor, Gaga and Nana

My next door neighbor Mandi (Due with baby Peyton 6 days after me.)

Just some of the loot. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!!!! We are so blessed!

Baby Chase,

we're so excited to meet you, hold you and love you...Now were ready for you to get here with everything you'll need thanks to our sweet friends and family!!!!

9 weeks and counting!

Astros Opening Day 2011

Happy Opening Day Astros...

From Our Silly Little Man

From Colt and Mommy From Daddy and Colt

And From our

Future Fan...Chase (at 31 weeks)