Ah, Texas in February

I just got back this past week from a wonderful, warm trip to Del Rio, Texas where I visited some friends of ours, David and Laurie. It was so nice to see the sun and be in 80 degree weather...of course I promptly got sick upon my return, but it was all worth it.

This is their oldest, Allen. Isn't he a cutie?! When he heard me on Friday morning he bounced over on his bed to give me a hug...I just love this little guy!


This is Jacob, their youngest. As you can see, he wants to be just like his daddy when he grows up!


Of course, no trip would be complete without taking self pictures of you with your two good friends...if only David didn't look so tortured to be there with me...

Really, he does like me...I swear it. The day I get this guy to smile in a picture...I will make a million dollars.

Baby Buck - Week 15 update

Kevin and I just got back from our appointment with Sara, Dr. B's nurse practitioner. We heard the baby's heart beat...a strong 146 bpm. She didn't even have to search for the heartbeat...which was different than with Matthew. So, I am still on the fence about what we are having, but I guess we'll find out in a few weeks at the end of March.

I will get an updated picture of my growing stomach...until then!

Our little NASCAR driver

Today was officially "opening day" for the 2008 NASCAR season. The Daytona 500 was on, but on our street we had a little race of our own.





For Christmas my parents bought Matthew an official #8 race car that he can drive himself. Today it was actually nice enough for him to get out in the street and drive it. He was so cute racing up and down the street, with Kevin following behind making sure that he didn't get hit by any cars. When my mom and I came back from shopping this afternoon he wanted to race her as she was leaving. Since she is the best grandma in the world (Matthew's words, not mine), she raced him...and he won! So, here is to a great NASCAR season!

Go Red 2008

I had an amazing opportunity this year to be part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women event. This event promotes heart health for women. Did you know that Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women? As wives and mothers, we are often so consumed with taking care of our families and not taking care of ourselves. My challenge to each of you this year is to take more time for yourself, fit in 30 minutes of exercise each day and learn to say no. Personally, I know that I struggle with each of these three challenges, but my mom reminded me when she spoke at the lunch that my own grandmother died of cardiovascular disease. She was only 74 when she died and has missed out on so much these past 4 years. The birth of Matthew, Kristin's wedding and now the birth of our second child. Our theme this year was mothers and daughters. The catch phrase was "love your heart, she does". Sacred Heart was this year's sponsor. Below is our Sacred Heart committee member photo.

This is just so Matthew

I went in tonight to pick up Matthew at Kindercare. I saw him, gave him a hug, got his coat and blanket and went to check his folder. This is what was waiting for me


This was the note that was on the back:


If you click on the pictures they get better. This is the best I can do with a scanner. I always thought his teachers were just kidding when they told me how entertaining Matthew can be at school, apparently I was wrong. I just look at this picture and have to laugh! I hope you did too.

Some pictures of the snow

Here are some pictures of the snow...now that it was nice enough to get outside and take some pictures :)

Here are the icicles that formed off of our gutters. Kevin just got out there and knocked them down.


Here is how far the snow comes up on our mailbox.


Here is a tree in our front yard...the snow is just above the top of the trunk.


Here is the accumulation outside of our front door. Kevin had to plow a little path for us to walk.

The sun has come out...finally!

Last week was the snow week from hell. It all started last Saturday, when it snowed for 24 hours straight. We got about 17 inches of snow in that first 24 hours. Then on Monday, the snow continued with a vengence. All in all, last week we accumulated almost three feet of snow in our front yard. I am afraid to see what all of the small trees in our yard are going to look like when all of this melts. The plows finally came through on Thursday to bail us out so that we could get off of our street.

Even though there was a lull in the snow, there was definately not anything boring at our house. Matthew woke up on Friday with a fever of over 103. He was crying, saying that he hurt, and was very tired. I have never seen him so tired in my life. Kevin and I took him to the pediatrician, only to find out that my baby has type A influenza, and a strain that was not covered in this year's flu vacine (which all of us made sure to get). So, now we just sit and wait and hope that Kevin and I don't get it. With me being pregnant, they are worried about a high fever. I have been washing my hands like a mad woman and trying not to get sick...although that is hard with a little man who only wants his mommy.

So, today the sun is out and it is putting me in a much better mood. We go to Florida with my family in about 6 weeks...yay for my parents who decided to pay for our plane tickets and condo for a week! They even bought Matthew the cutest luggage for his birthday. He is so spoiled by them!