What We've Been Up To This Summer

I know, I know. It's been FOREVER since I've posted to the blog. So, I thought I would put up some pictures and just briefly let everyone know what we have been up to this summer!

Max has enjoyed going to a few parades. He loves getting the candy and even started holding out his hand.

We have been going swimming and splashing around in the pool.

Hanging out with cousins!

Taking naps with Papa!

Rocking his baby...he is so sweet!

Watching movies on the computer.

Watching movies on the TV.

Spending quality time with Daddy and the iPad!

Taking silly pictures.

And, we got one of these...

Because we're going to have TWO of these...

Yes, our precious little beans will be here in the spring and we are so happy (a little scared, but very happy)! There was a very long and detailed blog entry about our journey, but I decided it was too much, so here is the Cliff's Notes version...
In December we lost a baby due to ectopic pregnancy. I had to have my one and only tube removed because it was too damaged.
In February, we met with the IVF clinic for the first time and got on the books for a June cycle.
In May, we started shots (were up to 3 a day at one point). Eric had to give them all.
In June, they retrieved some follicles, fertilized some eggs and did an egg transplant. Two weeks later we found out we were pregnant!
In July, we had a 35 day ultrasound and found out we are having twins!

Those are the highlights. Max is excited to be a big brother. He already gives the babies kisses and if he accidentally hits me, he apologizes to the babies and not Mommy. He also talks about the three babies that are in his tummy as well. He has started to ask when the babies are going to come out...it's going to be hard for both of us to wait another 7 months for that! The first part of this pregnancy has definitely been a challenge. I have felt a lot more sick and tired than I was with Max, but I think we are starting to see the other side of that. Last week, I felt pretty normal, made it to work every day and my appetite is slowly coming back. Yes, cravings have started. At first, it was hot wings...that's all I wanted to eat. Last week, it was chicken caesar salad and pizza. We'll see what's next.

So, that is what we've been up to this summer!

Spring Break in Branson

Yes, we went to Branson for our spring break trip this year! It was a fun trip and even though we saw some pretty bad damage from the tornado that went through there, the town was still thriving and most things were still open. In fact, the only thing we didn't get to do because of the tornado was the Dinosaur Museum. This was very disappointing, but, there was plenty of other stuff to keep us busy.
We met my family (from Texas) there and stayed in a nice cabin on a nice property. They had a playground, indoor pool and activity center with a lot going on each day. The first day we were there, it was rainy and cold, but the rest of the week was beautiful! here are some highlights..

This was how we saw Wyatt most of the trip!

Max's picture of Aunt MeeMee

Cora Cora!

We went through a maze of mirrors

Everyone just standing outside not sure what to do next!

This is a Hawkeye robe I made for Max last summer. I never got around to taking a picture of him in it until this trip...he is so cute! Whenever he sees Hawkeye gear he says, "Hawkeyes! Go Hawks!"

On Monday, we took a train ride! Max was so excited!

The guy who took the kids' tickets would ask their names and then punch their initial in the ticket. He was also really nice. Told us about some things to do and just had so much knowledge of the area. We saw him later at a restaurant downtown and he recognized us. Said that the other two train rides of the day were pretty full. I'm glad we got up early. There was plenty of room on the train when we were on it!

Max and Mommy enjoyed looking out the window. We saw one deer!

After the train ride, we walked around the Landing...an outdoor mall...and grabbed some lunch.

Then, the kids met Ronzo the clown who was making all sorts of different things with balloons.

Max asked for a light saber...of course, what else?

There was an impromptu little fight there on the ped mall.

Cora got a flower...this was the best we could get of all three of them with their balloons.

We went to a fish hatchery and Max was trying to get the turtles out of the water.

 We rode the ducks! Here is Max and Cora while we were enjoying our stroll around the lake.

We had to all hike down to Cora's waterfall...we took some family pictures (that are on Doug's camera) and threw some rocks.

Max and Cora like two peas in a pod!

The Wyatt-tron!

The kids LOVED the jacuzzi bath tub at the house. We turned out the lights one night and let them play with their glow sticks. It was like a mini-rave in the bathroom!

All in all, it was a good trip. As always, it went by way too fast, but we had a lot to do! Can't wait until we get to see them again. Max is always asking for Wyatt and Cora. He has a picture of them in the car. I think he talks to it sometimes on the way to school.

A New Year!

So, I had to look back and see when the last time was that I updated the blog and was surprised to see that it wasn't that long ago...there was an update in December. We have done a lot since then...a road trip to Texas, Christmas, New Years and getting back to work and into a routine. I'm struggling a bit with that last one, but I'm sure once we start doing shows again, things will fall into place.
We had a good trip to Texas in December. Max did surprisingly well in the car for the long trip that it is. We discovered he does best on the first day of a long trip, so in the future, that will be our longest travel day. The first day going to Texas was a little stressful because he only napped for about 30 minutes. We didn't really feel the effect of that until around 8:30 when he was so exhausted and fighting going to sleep. Luckily, I was in the back seat with him and held his hand and before I knew it, he was out...about 15 minutes before we got to the hotel. I had a horrible feeling that once we got to the hotel, he would wake up and be running up and down the halls like a crazy boy. But, no. He stayed asleep and it was so nice to just rest without having to entertain a toddler in a hotel room. The next morning we got up and had breakfast. Max and I went for a swim in the indoor (not heated) pool before heading to Dallas. That was perfect as it let him get some of that energy out and he was in a good mood in the car. We got to Dallas and were able to hang out with some friends who have a little girl around Max's age. We spent the night in Dallas and after breakfast the next morning and then a quick visit with some other friends, we were on our way to Victoria. Max slept almost half the way there! We got to Victoria that evening and were so excited to see Grandma, Papa, Cora, Wyatt, Doug and Mary. We had a week of just relaxing, eating yummy Mexican food...Ventura's is my favorite...and visiting with family. We had Christmas Eve at Aunt Sherry's house and it was so fun to see everyone in one place. I hadn't seen some of my cousins for a long time and it was fun to see them and their kids again! Max had a wonderful Christmas. He loved opening presents. I think we could have just wrapped empty boxes and he would have been happy unwrapping them. He got on so much of a roll that he started unwrapping Wyatt's gifts. Needless to say, the day after Christmas, he slept until 10:00! We went to Cuero and drove through the park where they have a nice Christmas light display. We all piled into the back of Papa's truck and the kids thought that was so fun. All in all, it was a good time and it was nice to see my family. Now, we are looking forward to Spring Break when we'll meet up with them in Branson...woo hoo!

Playing trucks at Aunt Sherry's

Such a cutie!

He's up to no good!

I think he was having the best time being the center of attention!

With Aunt Sherry's 'happy trees'

Helping Daddy open a present Christmas morning

Max was a good boy this year!

Present time with the cousins!

He just kept grabbing and opening

Running around crazy

Playing Godzilla

Me and Mary

Looking at the Christmas lights!

All of us packed into Papa's truck...we barely fit!

Back at home in the new year, we've been taking it pretty easy. Max has a new addiction to his sunglasses. He has to have them put on every morning in he car whether it is sunny or not and a lot of times at night, he will insist on having his glasses on. We took him on a train ride on the Hawkeye Express a few weeks ago. He had fun on the train and seeing all of the dig digs, mixers and trucks that we passed. But, on the way back, he tuckered out...my tired little guy!

He likes to go in his tent and watch a movie or read books.

Mr. Cool

Waiting to get on the train!

He was pointing to everything

Finally fell asleep

Here he is, at night, with his sunglasses on, watching a movie.