13 Going on 30!

Well, I am officially 30 years old. I still cannot believe it. Sometimes I still feel like I should be in high school....but I'm not. I think it's crazy that I've completed college, obtained a Master's Degree, started working, got married, had a baby, and expecting another one! One minute I was just a kid, still very dependant on my parents...blink...and I'm now the one reponsible for my own children. It's a lot to take in.

So, to celebrate this monumental occasion, Ryan gave me the best birthday surprises. That's right...surprises...plural.

It started about 4 days before I turned 30. He made me sit down and watch the movie "13 Going on 30" (one of my favorites). He made up a quiz for me to answer questions about the movie as I watched it. After the movie, he told me that in 2 days I was supposed to be at Central Market at noon. That was it....no other details.

The Thursday before my birthday, I made it to Central Market, where I found a packet hidden in my car (by Ryan) and took it inside. I found my friend Stacy and her new baby boy, Caleb, waiting for me and Jonas. She opened the packet, asked me a question from the movie, and opened up another envelope with money and insructions to go and enjoy lunch. So, Stacy and I and the boys went to Mi Cocina for a yummy lunch. After lunch, she gave me another letter that said I was to be ready to go the next morning at 9 am.

Friday before my birthday, 9 am, the doorbell rings. I open it to find Kimberly and Ethan there ready to take me and Jonas to breakfast. So, Kimberly and I and the boys headed out to Cracker Barrel. We stuffed ourselves on breakfast. I did not even need to eat lunch.

Before I got home, Ryan told me I needed to check my Facebook messages. He had left me a message to go and find my next envelope. It was hidden behind a chair...and it was actually a gift from Jonas. It was a pretty, lime-green filing box for my new At Home America business. Inside was my next envelope.

Later that afternoon, Ryan called and told me I needed to be ready to go at 5:15pm. Right when he got home, he told me to be ready to leave. The doorbell rang and in came two of our babysitters, Alyssa and Loren. So after saying goodbye to our little man, we headed out. I did not know what the plans were...but I did overhear Ryan making call ahead reservations somewhere.

We arrived to Johnny Carinos...one of our favorites. This was where we had our first date and where we got engaged. We shared the Italian nachos (my favorite) and the chicken parmesean. Then he gave me another question and envelope telling me to find a location that we needed to be at by 7pm. I found it on google maps...it was just a few miles away...but I did not know what it was...all I knew was the address.

So, we took off for our location. As we were getting closer, I knew what it was...it was the bowling alley. (I had mentioned to Ryan many weeks before that it would be fun to go bowling with friends for my birthday, but I was not sure if I was able to.) Ryan told me that he called my nurse and checked with her to make sure it was okay if I could bowl, and she said yes...but just to take it easy.

We had so much fun! Some of our friends arrived and we bowled the night away. We had the most delicious cake, homemade by LaDonna. Yummy!!!!!

The next day arrived....and at last, I was 30. The doorbell rang at around 9 am. There was my friend, Kim. I knew why she was here....we were going to get pedicures!! She and Jennifer are my pedicure buddies and we always meet at 9:30 at the salon...so the minute I saw her....I knew what it was for. So, I took my ragged feet in for their much needed beauty treatment.

For the rest of the weekend, I just relaxed and enjoyed my time with my boys. I had so much fun....time with my friends was a wonderful way to celebrate being 30. However, my birthday fun was not over. On Monday, Ryan came home early. I thought that his boss had told everyone to go home early, but then the doorbell rang...again. My friend, Jennifer was there...with another envelope. Inside were directions to a location...even Jenn did not know what was going on. So we drove to our location....The Hide Away Spa!!! We were going for massages. Again, Ryan called my doctor's office and they faxed him permission for me to have a prenatal massage. Jennifer was also being treated to massage. Apparently, she did a lot of the behind the scene work to help orchestrate my birthday at the bowling alley, so Ryan wanted to do something nice in return. We had a great time and then went to Chili's for dinner. Then, when I got home....lo and behold....Ryan had vacuumed and cleaned the house! I asked him how did it all with Jonas. He said he just strapped him into the Baby Bjorn...and they got to work!

What an awesome birthday. I am so blessed with such amazing friends. Even more amazing is my husband. He put much thought and work into making this a remarkable and unforgettable birthday. I love you so much, Ryan!!! Thank you for blessing me in so many ways.

Poser

The ladies (where is Kim?)

The best cake ever! The chocolate ganach was sooooo good!

Camping, anyone???

Tent Fun

At the end of April, our lifegroup took a camping trip to Cedar Hills State Park. We had 4 families there for the first night and 6 the next night! We had a great time cooking over the fire (thanks, Reid), eating jambalaya (thanks, Babbs'), going for hikes (minus the ticks), and hanging out with one another.

The first night we were there, Jonas thought that our tent was a new play room. It took him about 30-45 minutes to calm down and go to sleep. He was rolling, crawling, and jumping everywhere so much that by the middle of the night there was not any air left in our air mattress.

On Saturday, we took a hike to the "Duck Pond" only to discover that there were no ducks around. I carried bread with me and everything. Jonas had so much fun on the first leg of the hike, that he was completely worn out and fell asleep in his carrier for the return journey.

All in all, it was a great weekend. We were incredibly blessed with amazing weather and no injuries....just a minor tick scare (none on Turner, though...he has too much hair). But, all dogs and humans are now tick free!

Our little family had so much fun that we are considering going camping again, soon. It will only be the 3 of us for a few more months. We've never taken a trip with just the 3 of us, so we better do so, quickly. I'll let you all know when we do!

All worn out!

The Hikers (minus me and Turner)

Dinner Time!

Let's Eat!

Mmmmmmm.....jambalaya!

Happy Spring

The first day of spring was Jonas' 1st birthday. We've had a busy month and a half since then. We took a trip to Houston for Easter and more birthday celebrations for Jonas and his cousin, Rory. We stopped outside of College Station to take pictures in the bluebonnets....they were so pretty. I started my own home business working for At Home America, we celebrated Ryan turning 28 (what a young one), we finished school last week and then, on Friday....I joined the 30's Club!!! Hopefully, things will start to calm down a little. Although, we do have an exciting end to this week. Hopefully, on Friday we'll be able to learn whether Jonas is going to have a little brother to get into trouble with as they grow up, or a little sister that he's going to watch over and protect. Either way...we are excited.

No, our little man is not walking, yet. He loves to walk around with me or Ryan while holding onto our fingers...he'll even do it with just one hand. But, the minute we let go, he slowly finds his way to all 4's, again. He wants to do it, he just lacks the confindence. We know he'll do it one day....it's anyone's guess as to when.

However, he is progressing in all other categories. He talks nonstop!! He really has a lot to tell us about all throughout the day. Here are a few things he can say:
momma
dadda
Turner
Simba
dog
cat
bird
balloon
car
ball
bite
and of course...no
He's working on saying all of his grandparents' names, too

He's been using his signs a lot, too. He signs:
eat
more
dog
bird
please
blows kisses (and gives great one's, too)
and he winks both eyes (at the same time, of course)!!

He does pretty well sleeping in his bed...most nights. Every-know-and-then we have a family gathering in our bed. Yes, he's getting to be a big boy!!!

As for Ryan and me...Ryan turned 28 on April 14 and like I said, I turned 30 this past Friday. It was a great birthday celebration for me....but, I'm going to do a separate blog, complete with pictures, to tell of that.

The final exciting thing is that I did start feeling the baby move last week. I was about 16 1/2 weeks and I decided that it was time for me to sit very still in a chair and see if I could feel anything. And, there it was! Feeling those first movements are very special....it's the final piece to really knowing you're pregnant.

So, I know that was a fast recount of all that's going on....I promise I'm going to get back on soon and share more.

Hope you are all doing well!!!!

More Birthday Pics

Chef Ryan....and yes, he's got shorts on.

Cool guy and Pa-pa.

Aunt Reanna getting Jonas ready to party!

Jonas loves Mimi.

What is that?

Is it okay to touch this?

Yeah, it was totally worth it!

Look out ladies...I'll see you all at the pool.

One last gift...dad did a good job wrapping.

Birthday Pics

Jonas, Mama, Papa, and Aunt Hayley

The party has started and Jonas is fast asleep (that's him on the monitor).

Popi getting ready to eat.

Nana B and Papa Joe


He's awake! Time for a quick lunch...yes, those are cheetos.


The outside festivities.


Indigo gives Jonas a quick tour of the backyard fun.


Having chocolate on his hands does not stop him from clapping.

What a happy boy.

More clapping.

You look like you need some chocolate.

Presents.

I love tissue paper.

This looks like this could be fun.

I can mow the yard now, too.

The Big Celebration

Well, we had quite the weekend!!!

Jonas' birthday was on Friday and we started the celebration with going to eat lunch with Ryan. He had his little birthday shirt on and he of course, stole the show (after he decided to wake up). Then later in the afternoon, all of his grandparents and his Aunt Reanna and Aunt Hayley came to visit. We ate delicious BBQ from Cooper's in Llano (thanks Kim and Barry) and got all of our preparations in order for the party.

Jonas took one nap the whole day and that was in the car on our way to Ryan's office and then he woke up about 15 minutes after we got there. So needless to say...this boy was tired at the end of the day.

Saturday came and we could not have asked for a more beautiful day. The weather was perfect. It was a little cloudy and a little windy...perfect for outdoor cooking and games. The party started at noon, but as the guests started to arrive, the Birthday Boy was MIA. About 15 minutes before the party started, he decided it was finally time to take a nap. So, for the first 45 minutes of his party, Jonas slept. He slept through the doorbell ringing, Turner barking, kids running and playing outside his window, people yelling and greeting each other....yep, he was really tired. Ryan and I were a little worried about how might act once he woke up and saw all of these people here.

But, our little man always surprises us. He has been and is such a well-rounded baby. He never showed an ounce of concern that he woke up to a house full of people. I'm guessing it's because he knew all of his 41 guests and loves them all.

After a quick bite to eat for lunch, it was cake time. Everyone gathered around to sing Happy Birthday and then he carefully evaluated the "thing" that was on his tray. Once he discovered that it was safe and tasty, there was no holding back. Needless to say, there was chocolate icing all over the place, including grandmas and Aunt Reanna.

After Ryan cleaned Jonas off and gave him a wardrobe change, it was time to open up gifts. Jonas had so much fun playing with the tissue paper, bags, and boxes that we had to take them away just so that he could see his actual gifts.


When it was all said and done....it was an amazing weekend. We could not have planned a more wonderful weekend. I want to thank all of you that were a part of it. This day will be such a sweet memory for me and Ryan. I also want to personally thank my in-laws, Kim and Barry, for helping us have such a fabulous party. It was such a blessing to even be able to have this party...thank you both!! I also want to thank my parents and my sister, who stayed up until almost 12am the night before, helping get everything out, hamburger meat prepared, lettuce and onions cut up, and decorations set up....we could not have done it all without you guys. One more thanks go to my other in-laws, Joe and Bev, for all of their last minute help. Thank you guys for being ready at the other end of the line for our calls. We appreciate and love you all so much!!!

One last and final note, Jonas took a 3 1/2 hour nap on Sunday....it was well deserved!

God's Promise

The first time that we found out we were pregnant, it was Easter Sunday 2007. We were so excited. We thought...wow, to find out on Easter is truely amazing. We figured (using an online calculator) that our due date was December 22. A Christmas baby. From Easter to Christmas...the two best holidays. However, that was not in the Lord's plan. When we went in to see the baby for the first time...it was not there. It had stopped growing early on. It was a difficult time and I was struggling with how this could happen.

However, a few months later, we were pregnant again. We decided to wait a while before telling anyone...we wanted to make sure that things were okay. When we went to the doctor and they did that first sonogram, I was a buddle of nerves. When we first saw Jonas and heard his heart beating...I started crying....he was there!!! They told us that his due date was March 23.

At the time, I did not think much about it. Then one day, I was talking to my sister-in-law, Piper, who was also pregnant and due a little later than us and she was thinking that their baby could be due around Easter. We got excited and pulled out our school calendars (we're both teachers).

Easter was not in April in 2008...it was in March. On March 23, to be exact. I could not believe it. I just stared at the calendar. What had started on an Easter Sunday, was going to be restored and renewed on an Easter Sunday.

This baby, our little Jonas, is a testimony of the Lord's love and his promise. All thoughout the pregnancy, we would pray for little things and He always answered them...abundently. From regular check-ups, to rainbows and bluebonnets.

Jonas was not born on Easter Sunday, instead he came a few days early (another answered prayer). He was born on the Thursday before Easter, on March 20th...the first day of spring. I thought this was perfect. Spring is often thought of as a time of new life...and we were blessed with new life.

Jonas, I love you. I hope you will know as you grow up what a true gift you are. If you ever wonder, just read Psalm 139. The amount of love that your dad and I have for you...does not even come close to that of the Lord's.

Happy Birthday!!!