Getting Ready for Big Bit

OK....so yes he is here and I am still leading up to Big Bit joining our family...bare with me. :)

When Mom and Dad were in town for Labor Day we surprised them and headed to a 3D sonogram place to let them and Jack see him and all his chubbiness.
"Not coming out til football season" which the boys let me know often since it interferes with the Bama game...so sorry!

That's right..much bigger than any football that I have seen...check out the little hole "he" made by stretching out that shirt.

Our sweet Big Bit

Smiling for us

Here Big Bit is at 36 weeks. Dr. Campbell wanted to see what we were working with and the lady did a few 3D shots for us...Look at those cheeks!!!

Angela has started her own photography business and I was lucky enough to have her take a few shots of me pregnant since it likely will be the last time (*likely*) I'm expecting. Thanks Angela!

She gave me this mounted at my baby shower for people to sign and we'll hang it in Noah's nursery.

Sassy

So I hadn't done much with Noah's nursery because by the time the bedding was ordered and delivered it was back to school time. And not a normal back to school...a back to school while huge, hot, with a few student challenges, Jack starting a new school, and trying to get ready for a long term sub....so the nursery looked like this when Robin and Angela came over the first time to access our needs.

Then one Saturday we ordered pizza and everyone came over to work together (well I wasn't of much help and tried to stay away because decisions...well, you know) to get Noah's room ready for him. This is the wreath that Karen had on her door for our shower (now it has a cute burlap sign with his name made by Ms. Janet) and the saying was there from when Jack was in this room.

Noah's room!

There are sheets and a bed skirt on them now...took these back when and hey, he isn't sleeping in there anyway so I'll post pictures when that happens...say in 3 years or so. ;)

I LOVE how all the things on his dresser are personal and pull together so nicely.

Robin made the beautiful artwork above the bookshelf and Angela scored on this burlap lamp that I love the feel it gives the room when it is on.

Perfectly said!

Feathering My Nest Shower thrown by fantastic friends. Guest sent in wishes for Noah that were hanging on the tree and signed the picture mat for Noah's room.

Speechless really...this is the nicest shower anyone has ever hosted for me and the best one I have ever been to as well. The food was beautiful and tasty!

They did not hold back on anything. The sign made by Karen is hanging above the curtains made by Ms. Janet. Noah is so loved and at this point he wasn't even here yet.

Friends painted bird and star ornaments for a yearly holiday tree which will be in Noah's room...embarrassed to say that after all that work they didn't make it up this year...next year for sure!

Karen~ Call her for any of your entertaining needs.

My first grade class had a baby shower for Noah and I before I went on leave. Bella here was the winner of the belly size game....this was very entertaining.

As was pin the binky on the baby...which they had never heard of pin the tail on the donkey...so sad. I for sure didn't win...mine was on the wrong wall!

A little baby bingo minus the smoke and old lady coughing.

It was a nice treat. We had fun playing games, eating, and celebrating Noah all afternoon.

As Noah's birthday got closer we took Jack to Presby Plano one Saturday morning for his Big Brother Class. We watched a Big Brother video while he made a picture frame for Noah with his picture in it.

The nurse read a book and showed the kids some of the things that come along with a baby sibling.

Swaddling 101- I had to watch too because I totally forgot how to.

Jack did great (except the nurse kept coming over when he would touch the baby's eyes...I didn't stress because he is a boy and had never seen a doll that has eyes that close when it lays down...it fascinates me too).

After learning about how to be a big brother we took a tour to see where mommy and baby would be when he is born.

And as heading out we checked out some babies in the nursery. I must say seeing those sweet babies made me so excited for Noah getting here.

Jack and the other children's favorite part of the day...looking out the window at the rocks on the roof-priceless!

The week before Noah was rough but we managed to get to the mall for Jack to go to Build a Bear for the first time. But he didn't build a bear and it wasn't for him. Jack built an owl for his baby brother.

He put in a heart and a recorded message that says, "I love you baby Noah."

After the owl was all sewn up he gave it a bath, printed out the birth certificate, and then boxed it up to take home for Noah's arrival.

The box was heavy, big, and awkward but sweet big brother wanted to carry it all the way to the care. Melt my heart!

Now it was time to sit back and wait for Noah to come on his own or for our scheduled section.

Fall Fun

October is one of my favorite months of the year because of the weather and the festivities. This year wasn't exactly as action packed as normal (or I would have liked) but we tried hard to get in a few of our favorites.

One beautiful and very warm October Saturday we met up with friends at The Big Orange Pumpkin Patch in Celina, Texas. First up- feeding the animals.
Then we moved onto the barrel ride. Last year Karen and I partook but I barely fit and I wasn't pregnant like she was. This year Aaron was the only adult rider with Harper. It was a long ride due to some tractor troubles but they LOVED it (exhaust and all).

Olivia was a bit more willing to remake their innocent love picture from last year. Another one for the wedding slide show. ;)

Relle Clan, McWilliams, Mitchells, Kirby's, and Kika & Babu

Pumpkins.

A dangerous picture to take-but cute to look at.

After the pumpkin patch where we snacked on hot dogs and root beer we headed to the McWilliams for a "camp out" to make up for the camping trip that was cancelled due to my current state and other logistical errors. Smores by a grill fire were fun and tasty!

Before heading home Karen climbed into the tent and read camp books to the kids that I brought from my classroom from our camp unit.

So much fun and will be repeated-although won't replace our trip to the cabin in the woods next year.

Halloween finally made it and again like the pumpkin patch the weather was unusually warm for this time of year. Back at the McWilliams backyard we all met up for some playing and hot dogs before changing into our costumes and heading out to Trick or Treat.

Everyone including Lucy geared up and ready to go. Wow I was a BIG pumpkin!

The kids were so cute this year running up to the houses, knowing exactly what to do, understanding what they were getting and looking forward to snacking away, and being able to stay up and have the energy to make it to more than just a few houses.

Our little LSU Tiger!

Jack's face shows how hot he was and how miserable I was...so the Relle Clan called it a night early, headed home, and then later I headed to the hospital because this pumpkin pushed herself too far which pushed my blood pressure WAY over the cardiac limits for my monkey heart- but all was well thank goodness.

And for a side note- I already have Noah's Halloween Costume for next year (2 of them actually-don't ask) so hopefully it fits because it is super "stinkin" cute. :)

The pictures say it all...