Happy Birthday Case!

We had a special time this weekend. Case turned 2! I could not have asked for a better day. We had a whole afternoon and evening full of fun and Case enjoyed every minute like a champ.


Last year Case was scared of his cake and cried when we tried to get him to touch it. As you can see, this year we didn't have that problem. He was digging in before the 'Happy Birthday song' was even over. Yumm, cake.



Here he is rallying the crowd. He was shouting 'hooray' after opening every one his presents.

How can you go wrong with a bunch of cars?

Poor little guy. He only had like 20 presents to open.

Family and friends sitting around enjoying the company and waiting on the shrimp boil. Shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage, mushrooms, onions were on the menu. And watermelon and smores for dessert. Dinner was great!

Case hid safely behind family while Cody set off some smoke bombs and firework fun.

Smoke bombs!

The entire day was just beautiful.

But lets not forget the fun that started after the sun went down! A fire and smores were the grand finale! Case opted for plain mashmallows, several of them.

Case even held his first sparkler! How much fun can you cram into one day? Well, we cramed in A LOT of fun and had such a great time. I am so lucky to have an amazing family who is willing to drive 10 hours to celebrate such a special day with us. Happy Birthday Case! We all love you so much!

Summer Fun

This summer has been full of fun times. Case's great grandparents have been visiting for the past month and I don't know what I would of done without them since Cody has been gone so much. It's been great surrounded by family and I am so glad Case is having a blast with them visiting.

Enjoying a bomber pop with g-ma and b-pa fresh off the ice cream truck.



Does my tongue look red?


The messier it is, the better it tastes.


It takes a real man to wear green heart shaped sunglasses.

I know, I look good.

Weeeeeeeeee!

Golf is kind of my thing.

Can I Complain Now?

Can I complain now?! First, I went to the dr today and he laughed when he measured the baby’s head, apparently it is still huge. Second, I have waaaay too much fluid which is concerning the dr. Which means it’s back to weekly visits and a fresh round of tests to find out why my fluids are increasing instead of decreasing. Third, because I have so much extra fluid I am huge! Apparently I am measuring around 39 weeks when really I am only 32. No wonder I have had 3 people this week gasp in astonishment when I told them I still had almost 2 more months to go. Fourth, as of today I have not only hit the 25lb mark, but went past it by a couple. Sigh. I hate this weight gain part of baby making. The scale isn’t the only thing that lets me know I am much bigger this go-a-round, half of my maternity clothes that kept me all throughout my last pregnancy are suddenly not fitting. Ugh! I hate the idea of having to go and buy some clothes, even a shirt or two for only 7 weeks. And finally, my stomach is numb. The dr said it was because I am stretched so thin. When I asked if I would regain sensation in my stomach, he being ever funny man stated, ‘are you a believer? Cause there is always hope.’ Ahhhh! So can I complain now? Come on October, mama is ready to get on with the show!

Grunts and Groans

Apparently I am not allowed to moan or groan until the week before the baby is born according to my hubby. Every time I let out an ‘ugh’ or an ‘ouch,’ he comments on how I still have 2 months left. I know I have 2 months left! 2 months or 2 days, I am still allowed to complain! I have a 4 lb baby sitting on my bladder all day long. In fact the only time Capt Jack moves is when he imitates an alligator’s death roll in my stomach (usually while I am driving or sleeping) or he tries to crawl out of my esophagus and wave hello to passer byers. When Capt Jack does decide to be still and sleep, he wads up in a ball and placing his whole mass where ever is most inconvenient at the time. FYI, as soon as a woman finds out she is pregnant, she is given a ‘complain about anything and everything’ free card. I know I have 2 months left and guess what, the grunts and groans are just going to get worse, so get ready. Ugh, did I mention that being pregnant is really getting uncomfortable!

No Coincident

I have talked to a couple people about a church I was attending several months ago. I really felt like this church was where I wanted to put down roots. I was excited about finding a new church home after being a vagabond for the past 4-5 years. However whenever I tried to call the church for information about Sunday classes, life groups, volunteer opportunities, my messages were left un-returned. I tried emailing people, but never received anything back. After several phone and email attempts I gave up. I was really hurt and decided if the church can’t return a phone call, how could I rely on them to help me with anything, let along guide me spiritually.

I can’t emphasize how truly hurt I was because already in my mind I was looking forward to this place being a part of my life. I was thinking about how I could contribute to their philanthropics and volunteer opportunities. Part of me had visions of my children baptized there after Capt Jack was born. I had high hopes but then again I had never been treated like this by a church before. That being said, I left with a very heavy heart. I started roaming from church to church again. However, as silly as it sounds, months later after my last visit, thoughts of this church would fall into my mind from time to time.

So today I went back again. I had intentions of talking to the preacher after the service and hopefully get some answers as to why no one ever responded to someone one reaching out. On the drive there I prayed that if nothing else, I would be able to let go of the way this church ignored my requests after visiting one last time. What happened was no coincident. During the service the preacher had the entire congregation split up into small groups of 10-12 and answer questions about how to reach out to new people better, why are people not joining small groups, what makes a great church and why would someone leave. The ENTIRE service was about how they could reach out to new people better and how to keep connections with members already attending.

The preacher’s wife was actually the leader of our small group and questions that have been in the back of my mind were answered or at least acknowledged. I don’t know how God could have answered my questions any clearer. And to a hard headed straggler who has been wandering for such a long time, crystal clear is the only answer I would have probably heard. I cried the entire drive home because I just could not write any of this off to coincident. It’s pretty amazing to see God do something or answer a question so clearly. Needless to say, I will be going back next week. Today was a good day.

Dizzy

Case has discovered the sensation of feeling dizzy. His first little baby buzz! Here is a pic of him in a strong lean after a session of spinning. This dizzy session was parent induced however at least once a day you can find him running in circles and staggering around on his own. It just cracks me up to see him staggering around like an old drunk man leaving a bar. What a hoot!

How Is It?

How is it that this baby is able to kick me in the upper left and right ribs as well as the lower left and right hip bones all at the same time?! What the heck is he doing in there?! No more sugar for me.

Great Family

I am so lucky to have such a great family. Lele came to Colorado for a visit a couple weeks ago. It’s always nice to have your mommy around and this visit was no different. Our daily routine dominated most of the visit, but we were able to attend an evening outdoor concert and made a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The giraffe display was by far the highlight of the zoo and I would say we spent at least half of our time watching and feeding the big animals. Here the giraffe’s were licking the the posts so Case is doing his best giraffe impersonation.

Case was a big brave boy this trip. In fact he was actually eager and excited to have the giraffes come up close and personal and eat from his hand.

Look at that huge tongue! More giraffe crackers please.

Case was literally dancing in the street at the outdoor concert. You can't tell, but he was doing the twist. I wish we had a tip jar because I’m sure he would of cleaned up. Now tell me honestly, doesn’t this little boy look adorably ornery!

Thanks for the hotwheels. I love Lele!

Spreading

My hips have started popping which for a pregnant woman means one thing, I'm spreading. No woman ever wants to be associated with the word spreading, but apparently its a fact of pregnancy. My hips are have to make room for this critters departure especially if I am ever going to birth this big headed baby Capt. Jack. I love ya Capt. Jack, but oh the things us mommies go through for our babies.