Christmas 2008

Robin, Dawson, and I had a fantastic Christmas! We got up at 8am, opened presents, played with presents, ate a late lunch/early dinner with my parents, brother, his fiance, and 2 nephews. I can't believe that I'm already 15 weeks pregnant! Next Christmas will be very different, as we will have a 6 month old baby under the tree. Grandma Barbara, we missed you very much at dinner! Can't wait to see you soon!

15 weeks pregnant. Can you see the tree around me???

Our Christmas tree in the living room with all of our presents

Dawson's face when he first saw his presents

Dawson opening his Nerf machine gun

Dawson opening his Wii and his Wii games and accessories

Dawson and all of his presents. We spoiled him a little. Okay, a lot. It's his last Christmas as an only child!

12 weeks and I'm not just a blimp. I'm a freaking zeppelin!

Ummmm, Houston? I have a problem. I realize that I'm a biology major and a high school science teacher, but I somehow never realized how much my body would change when I'm pregnant. I didn't even realize how big my belly had gotten until Robin took these belly pics tonight. I almost vomited when I saw how big my belly is. Robin has been telling me for a few weeks that it's very noticeable I'm pregnant but I just dismissed the idea. I kept telling myself it was way too early to be showing. I thought women didn't show until their fifth or sixth month. Okay, apparently that's only skinny women. I know I should learn to be comfortable with this "new" body and that I will have it for a long time. Robin keeps telling me how cute it is and rubbing it. Like I'm Buddha. He says it's a great baby bump and I should be proud to show it off. He also says maybe we're having twins! WHAT?!?! Oh, and just to show you how sensitive the men in my life are...yesterday morning Dawson (my little fashion critic) asked me if I had stuffed a pillow under my shirt. While I looked shocked, he proceeded to touch my belly and tell me how hard it was and I should be thankful that I didn't have a squishy gut anymore. Oh great. The baby is due around the first of June and I honestly could not be more excited. Baby belly and all. Oh, and the great news is that I haven't thrown up in 2 days! Maybe I really am on the road to better days. My newest symptom is a major face break out. And I'm craving oranges. Does this mean I could be having a girl????

12 weeks

I'm having a baby!

So I haven't updated the blog in a long time. But there's a good reason. I promise. I'm 12 weeks pregnant! I'm beside myself with excitement and joy, but baby seems to enjoy making mommy sick. Very sick. I've been suffering from all day sickness for the past 6 weeks. I'm hoping that as the first trimester comes to a close, so will the all day sickness. I haven't cooked a meal in 6 weeks. When will food start to sound good again??? We told Dawson when I was about 9 weeks and couldn't hide the vomiting anymore. He was super excited about being a big brother. I still don't think it has sank in for him as I'm just starting to show. As a matter of fact, I don't think it has sank in for Robin and I either. We still look at each other sometimes and whisper "We're having a baby?!?!" We haven't had an ultrasound yet as my doctor only does one at 20 weeks to determine the gender. I think we'll know in February if the baby is a boy or girl. Any advice from you experienced moms???

I took this test because Robin didn't believe I was pregnant. He kept saying he couldn't see 2 lines.

I took 6 pregnancy tests before it finally sank in.

Three Years Ago Today...

I married my best friend. Some days it seems like we have only been married a few weeks. Other days I can't remember a time when we weren't married. Even though Robin and I have only been married for three years, we have been together for over five years. I have never loved anybody as much as I love him. I hope that I always remember how I felt that day three years ago when he made me feel so special and so loved. I'll never forget the way he looked at me when we said our vows to each other. Or the expression on his face when he saw me in my wedding dress for the first time that day. Or how tightly he held my hand as we walked up the aisle after being pronounced man and wife. A lot has changed in our life since then, but I know that together we can do anything. Robin, I love you. Always.

Mama Bear and Her Baby Cub(mobile)

Dawson went to a cubmobile race last weekend with his local boy scout den. He has joined boy scouts and we are really happy. We both agree with what boy scouts stands for and hope that it gives him an opportunity outside of school to meet new friends and socialize. Dawson and another little boy were the only 2 members of their den (Bears) to show up for the race. Each boy got to race twice on the soapbox derby car. Both Dawson and the other little boy won their races, so we were in a tie with another local den. Dawson won a coin toss and got to race in the tiebreaker. He won! For all of his hard work, he won a 1st place trophy in speed. I was so proud. It's amazing how parents turn into such freaks when it comes to their kids. I was screaming so loud that my husband left my side and wandered away so people wouldn't know we were together. Just wait until Dawson is in high school.....

At the starting block...look at that pure concentration Trying to stop....Robin has the same look on his face while driving...scary!The winner with his trophy and certificate

Car Show

We took Dawson to a local car show this afternoon. Robin loves anything remotely car related and apparently Dawson is taking after his dad. The two of them can talk about cars for hours on end. I'm desperately in need of some estrogen in my house, people! Don't get me wrong. I love my boys, but you can only hear about cars, planes, military, and farts before you go crazy. Such is the life with boys, I suppose. However, I always go with them so we can spend family time together. Here are some pictures I took of our adventure today.In front of John Denver's former tour bus (circa 1980's).

Look! It's Dr. Evil and Mini-me! Seriously, isn't it scary how much they look alike. And stand alike.

He looks SO grown-up in this picture.

If anyone is looking for any last minute Christmas gift ideas for me....

Once again I am amazed at how much they look and act alike. They are constantly at it, picking and fighting with each other so I have to step in and make peace between them. What will life be like during the teenage years????

What have we been up to?

We have been so busy with work and school that we literally haven't had time for much in a few weeks. School started back at the beginning of August and my days are filled with caring for other people's children and then coming home to care for my child. Dawson is doing fantastic in 3rd grade. He hasn't pulled a ticket yet, which means the teacher hasn't reprimanded him for misbehaving. If you know our situation and how much trouble Dawson had in 1st and 2nd grade, you'll understand what an amazing accomplishment this is. He did, however, bring home a note on Friday from his teacher saying he was talking a bit too much in class and getting out of his seat. Robin and I hope this isn't a continuing pattern. In academic news, Dawson reads at a 6th grade level! I'm absolutely thrilled. It makes me feel like all of those bedtime stories are paying off. The problem with that is Dawson is having trouble finding books that are developmentally appropriate (at a 6th grade level) that aren't too long and can keep his interest. Does anyone have ideas? I think fun books like Sideways Stories and Tales From A Fourth Grade Nothing would be good choices. Any other book choice ideas would be much appreciated!

Heeeeeere's Jenny!

I realized tonight that I am psychotic. I mean truly out-there, fruit loopy, freaking nutty crazy. Let me explain. As I was cooking dinner tonight, a horrific storm blew through. I managed to finish dinner (of course I was cooking chicken on the grill, outside), serve dinner and clean up after dinner when the power went out. This was around 6:40pm. After a couple of minutes without power, I began frantically calling the electric company to report our power outage. The phone was busy! Honestly, who tries to call the power company when their power is out??? Anyway, after 30 minutes of no power, Robin, Dawson and I go joy-riding through town to see how much damage the storm has done and to see if there's any chance we may get our power back on soon. We find that most of the town on our side is without power. Once we get back home it's around 7:30pm and Robin tells all of us we're going to bed. It was at this point that I suffered my psychotic break. I found myself staring at my dear husband sleeping peacefully and snoring. I began to imagine myself as the proprietor of the Overlook Hotel and I was Jack Nicholson. Cabin fever had set in and this was only an hour and a half into the darkness. I tried desperately to think of things I could do: laundry...nope, dishes...nope, read something....freaking nope! I finally got through to the electric company. I was desperate and explained to the poor man on the phone that I was Jack Nicholson in charge of the Overlook Hotel and I reeeeeeallllly needed the power back on to save my sanity. He hung up on me! If you are worried about me, don't be. I come from a long line of severe cabin fever sufferers. My father is notorious for not being able to sit still, as well as my mother. During the blizzard of 1993, my father single-handedly shoveled our entire driveway (in excess of 3 feet of snow) and began working on shoveling out the main road. Just because he couldn't stand to sit still. Neither can I. I can't stand to do nothing. Gotta go...I think there's laundry that needs to be done. Or dishes. Or both.

What a boy!

Here's how my conversation with my child went today:

Me: Dawson, would you please go brush your teeth and make your bed?

Dawson: Yes, Jenn.

Pause for several minutes. I hear water running.

Dawson: Um, Jenn?

Me: Yes, dear?

Dawson: I brushed my teeth, but I couldn't make my bed. The cats are napping on my bed and that would be mean of me to wake them up!

Ummm, okay! Boys learn excuses early, don't they?

Robin's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Robin! Please watch the above slideshow I have created in honor of my love. You will want to scroll to the bottom of the page and mute The Eagles to hear the slideshow.

The In-Laws and the Outlaws

Robin's mom lives a couple of hours away, so we don't get to see her as much as we would like. Every year Robin's parents come up to a condo near here for a vacation and we try to visit with them. This year, the in-laws came over for dinner and we managed to snap some good pictures.

Robin's mom and brotherRobin's mom, Robin's brother, Dawson, and Robin's dadWorking on a camera

Robin's parents

Happy Birthday, America!

I love this country. In honor of our great country, Robin, Dawson, my dad and I all went to the local fireworks show. It didn't start until well after 9:30, but it was worth the wait! After Halloween, I think that the 4th of July might be my husband's favorite holiday. Not only is my husband extremely patriotic (we have an American flag and a Georgia state flag flying from our house), but he is a closet pyromaniac. What other holiday can grown men indulge in their love of fire and make things go boom? He and Dawson had fun in the yard, playing with sparklers and black cats, but I went inside the house in case anyone's eye was put out and/or anyone was bleeding or missing body parts.

Fort Mountain

We went to Fort Mountain State Park a couple of months ago with some friends. Fort Mountain is a great park with tons of natural hiking trails and it's perfect for adults and kids alike!

Dawson stopping for directions. So unlike Robin.

And who said Robin's head was the hardest material on Earth????

Checking out the wallHanging out with my two favorite boysNot sure what the sad face is aboutMy boysMe and my boyHe looks so grown up!My husband is a fantastic photographer

This is what a full day of hiking, camping, walking, being outside, and just being a boy will do to you!

Carnies smell like cabbage

Lessons I Learned From the Fair

1. I am too old to ride any contraption that goes in a circular motion.

2. Carnies really do smell like cabbage and have small hands.

3. While carnies are frightening, the local town folk can be as equally scary.

4. Dawson is a daredevil and will ride ANYTHING.

Dawson and I on the ferris wheel. I'm feeling fine here.

Dawson on the slide

Dawson on play equipment


Dawson on airplane


Pretend shooting at the carnies


Robin has that same look while driving

If only I knew what was comingI nearly died on this ride. No joke. It looks like I'm crying. I am.Dawson posing with a carny. I mean a trash can.Roller coaster madness

This ride is called the Tornado for a reason.

Robin and Dawson on the scrambler. At this point, I had tapped out and Robin had to take over ride duty.