Mimi &Papa visit San Antonio

My parents came to visit at the end of September. It is always so glorious and exciting to have them visit! We had so much fun visiting the Japanese Tea Gardens and The Riverwalk and downtown San Antonio.

it's a boy!

Old news... I know. But I am doing some serious blog catching-up right now. Because once this little boy makes his welcome into the world, I get the feeling I'm going to have plenty to blog about. Let the catching up begin!

We were soo excited to find out about our baby. I originally wanted to wait, but this time of our lives was so stressful, there was enough uncertainty already. Dan wasn't waiting and I wasn't about to have him know and me not know! So I gave in and I'm glad I did! When we found out we were having a boy, I was really relieved and happy and it took a lot of stress off not having to worry about much. I already know all about boys! And I like them! :) Dan wanted a boy bad. Like, really bad. He just dreams of going on adventures with his boys. He missed not having a brother growing up so I think this is just fun for him to have his boys now. :)

Jude really does this naturally when he rides around on Dan's shoulders. It's the funniest.

FISH TANK!

Such a sweet, little guy.

You know how when they do the ultrasound they check every part of the body before they tell you the big news?! Well, I must be an ultrasound-reading expert by now because I saw the boy parts within the first couple minutes of the ultrasound and GASPED and looked around and no one else noticed/said anything. So I just hoped I wasn't wrong about my discovery and kept watching. The ultrasound tech kept saying "he" and then "she" and then "he" and then "she." She was a tease. So when she finally did the big reveal I was really happy and relieved that my previous conclusion was correct! We love our little boy and since we know we will have more children, we just thought it would be perfect to have another boy so they could be brothers and hopefully... best of friends!! (Mom fantasy: my little boys being best friends and playing together happily for hours in the backyard)

I should probably hashtag this as #awkwardpregnancyphotos -- I'm not sure what I was doing. Sometimes you just can't not be awkward and you know you are being awkward and you just don't mind.

summer catch-up (more moving).

It took us an entire month from when we moved from our house in South Carolina until we were in our new, permanent apartment here. And boy, was it a long month! We thought it would just take us a couple days to find a place. We didn't realize how big of a city San Antonio really was! I've already blogged about when we first moved here and "happened" to meet my old friend from high school at church. She took us under her wing and we were so blessed by so many. This pictures were taken when we were staying at the Bradshaw's old apartment before ours was "done." This was where I weaned Jude. (for that post, see here) It was a tough few weeks for this little boy. Trying to find food and rest for him was tough. Let alone being weaned! But he was such a trooper. Just look at that big smile and that amazing head of hair! This was also Dan's first day at orientation at school. You go baby! 

This must have been Dan's other first day of school... probably his first day of real class. He managed to get dressed and ready in the midst of the madness. My camera would only take the closest pictures but the ENTIRE APARTMENT looked like it does below. That's what happens when you move from a three-bedroom (plus shed) full-fledged home into a miniature two-bedroom apartment in a rushed/crazy sort of way.

this guy i married...

Looking back on my blog, I used to write about Dan a lot (my love for him, singing him praises, our first couple years together)... Now I pretty much blog about Jude all the time. Dan might have taken a back seat when it comes to cooking and caring for him. But lately I have fallen in love all over again  and I need to write about it so I never forget.

I found myself a good guy. Like, a really good guy. A loving, patient guy who is always sweet and kind and takes care of his little family like it is an Olympic sport. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Picture a scenario: My pregnant self climbing into bed with my nest of four large pillows... a cup full of ice on my side table which I chew and chew and chew right in his ear... a hypnobabies tape playing loud &clear... and Dan patiently lies there trying to sleep. The most he's ever said is "I'll be glad when you're not pregnant anymore..." And once an exaggerated sigh and his turned the other way.

He loves his little family and when I'm having a tired or emotional day, he takes care of everything and he does it well. Sometimes I tease him and tell him to stop making me look bad and being better at my housewife duties than I am! But of course I am so grateful. Yesterday I was feeling... a little tired. He made me homemade biscuits and gravy for breakfast (we're talking biscuits from scratch here) all while keeping the kitchen spotless all throughout the process due to a highly allergic toddler and a paranoid mother in the vicinity). He then encouraged me to go take a nap before church as he watched Jude and got him ready for church. When we got home, he made homemade calzones (dough from scratch again) for dinner that were divine. Not only that, he cleaned up the whole downstairs before our home teacher came while I was sitting in a lawn chair out back with Jude. 

As a father, he does it all. He rocks, he kisses, he cradles, he bathes, he cleans, he cooks (no easy task), he plays. He is such a faithful husband and father. Jude could not adore him more and with good reason. Together, we work on helping our son and coming up with solutions for his health. We have been through so much together and so much for this little guy. Other memories we have together have molded us together and although they may not have been particularly pleasant at the time, I now look back on them with love.

I write this not so anyone will compare because that is a silly and defeating game to play that I know I have been guilty of myself. (It has been said that "comparison is a thief of joy") I write this for myself, so I can always remember and hold close to my heart the wonderful husband I have. I am blessed beyond measure and I want to document my many blessings to help me never forget! I hope I can always treat him with the love, respect, and kindness he deserves. Lets all try to see the good in those we spend our lives with. None of us are perfect but it sure helps to be around people who appreciate you and maybe seeven sing your praises every once in a while. ;) they say "choose your love and love your choice." ... Here's to loving our choices!