Update

Yes, we are still alive over here! Everybody knows how it goes with new borns. That was the one thing I was dreading. Being home bound for a few weeks, especially with the weather FINALLY turning into winter has been hard. Don't get me wrong, it has been well worth it though. We have been loving Rusty! He is such a good baby. He is 2 weeks old and now weighs 7lbs 3 oz. The doctor says he is a keeper, I have to agree!

Since I last posted things have been pretty low key... which I will take! While I was pregnant I would get random panic attacks on the thought of having 2 kids and trying to take care of them by myself while Casey is at work. It really hasn't been bad at all, much easier this time around then it was with just Lane. Of course taking care of myself is on the back burner and you know it's bad when you don't brush your teeth till 4 in the afternoon, you haven't shaved your legs in 2 weeks and yes that rotten milk smell is coming from you. I haven't looked presentable since Thanksgiving, therefor I only have one picture of me with Rusty. Oh well, someday I will make it out in public again! I have a good baby and 3 year old and that's all that matters!

I thought this was hilarious. My mom had been sick the whole week after Rusty was born so she didn't get to see him for a while. She is a baby crazy person and it was KILLING her to not be able to hold him. She rummaged up this get-up so she could hold him for a bit.


I took Lane over to my parents to play for a while with the neighbor girls. They were outside riding bikes and all of a sudden Rachel comes over with a mouse in her hands that she swiped from the cat that was about to eat for lunch! Lane would NOT go near it and we got a kick out of him being freaked out over the mouse and the girls put it in a container for a pet. Maybe we don't need any girls in our family after all!

Just had to show a few pics of our Rust man.

Even though he can keep us a little sleep deprived at night, he is well worth it! I also have to thank those who have helped us so much during the first few "rough" weeks. I couldn't be more grateful for family who will call up to bring us some of their dinner on more than a few occasions, my sis in law Stephanie who has come and gotten Lane to play at her house way more than she should and for the soup nazi episode that was on Seinfeld at 2 in the morning that kept me from falling into a deep sleep in sitting position. Truly all tender mercy's that I am most appreciative!

These Are The Moments...

... that we have been waiting for the last 9 months! Rusty James arrived on November 24th at 7 in the morning weighing 6 lbs 14 oz and 19 inches long. He is just the sweetest boy and we can't get enough of him!













The hospital wasn't allowing any children under the age of 12 to visit. Since we had a parking lot view my mom brought Craig to take a peek at Rusty through the window. We thought about bringing Lane but figured he would get mad that he couldn't come in and be with us so we just waited till we came home for their first time seeing each other.




As you can see Lane is the best big brother, always wanting to hold "it" or giving Rusty kisses.




I think I have another thumb sucker on my hands!


Since Rusty came 2 days before Thanksgiving, that meant he was just in time for his first family gathering! We snuck over for a bit to eat a yummy lunch (for Rusty a nice nap tucked inside Grammy and Papa's closet) and to take family pictures.




We truly are thankful for this little guy and are excited to start another chapter in our family!

3 Fingers Up!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our big 3 year old boy! He still has a hard time sticking 3 fingers up but we are getting there . Lane had a day of partying yesterday! Dad came home early from work with a box of donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast and to spend the day with us!


We picked up cousin Randon to play at the Field of Dreams baseball park...


then off to Red Robin for a birthday feast! Stephanie will probably kill me when she sees this picture. On our way to eat, Casey and I looked back to find that Lane had shared a pair of his beloved red "pants" with Rando and both were doing this...

We have some habits we need to break soon!

Lot's of birthday singing and treats, a must for little birthday boys.



Lane is obsessed with birthday cakes so I asked him what kind he wanted. With no hesitation he requested chocolate, that's my boy!. I was glad because I wanted to experiment a new recipe, Chocolate Upside Down cake... AMAZING!

We went family hopping that night so they all could see the birthday boy!
Mee-maw & Pee-paw's house:



Grammy & Papa's ( I told you, lot's of singing and treats!)


This year Casey and I got Lane a big boy bike! He was in love! I kind of had a hint on what to get him because every time we would go to Walmart, we had to go to the bike section so he could ride this bike around for 20 minutes! I hope now that he has the bike at home I can shave some time off my shopping trips!


We love our sweet boy to pieces and are so glad that he is a part of our family!

For an update on me, I had a doctors appointment yesterday as well. Apparently I am still just a ticking time bomb! I am still at a 4 but 80% effaced. Casey went with me to this appointment since he took the day off work. It was kind of funny having him there. When my doctor would ask me questions and I would answer back, Casey would butt in and exaggerate my answer so he would feel extra sorry for me in my misery. It kind of worked! Most likely I will have this baby before Thanksgiving! I guess November is our lucky month for birthday's!

Boys Only!

I have been noticing all the boy bonding that has been going on around our home lately. I know I am already out numbered but it hit me how much more out numbered I will soon be! I love the relationship Lane has with his dad. I thought I would be the only true love of Lanes life but it seems as though I have some competition :) It melts my heart to see the joy on my boys faces as they spend time together. Lane eats up every moment he gets with his daddy like doing Saturday chores, washing the cars, running errands or even just playing together. Sometimes I feel gypped in all their fun little outings but let's face it, it's just not as cool to go to the dump with your mom! Plus it is nice to have a little alone time sometimes:)

can you tell where Lane gets his love for basketball shorts?!

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As for baby boy, he is definitely ready to make his move! I think he can hear all the fun that his dad and brother are having and wants in on it too! I am almost 37 weeks along . I had a doctors appointment today where they started checking me. I went in with the lowest expectations seeing how I went to 41 weeks with Lane. Much to my surprise I am almost dialated to a 4 and 70% effaced ! Wahoo that made my day! Who knows when he will decide to make his grand entrance but I am hoping it will be sooner than later. I have had a great pregnancy and can't complain one bit. The past few weeks have been the toughest though. I have to sleep with 3 pillows to keep the heart burn down at night and I swear my stomach acid has burned a hole through my esophagus. You can get a little depressed as well when you get large and in charge in certain areas of your body and realize that they aren't parts you want bigger. Why is it that the smallest size nursing bra they make is a 34 B? Really, feel the love for the less fortunate! However, like I said, I can't complain. My mom was cute and mentioned that she can officially call me Shelley belly now. She is right, I have a big belly. Here are some pictures of my belly progression...


. . 18 weeks . . . . .............................................................. 24 weeks . .

. 28 weeks..............................................................................32 weeks

36 weeks
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Like I said, baby brother is more than welcome to show up at anytime. He will be greeted with big open arms mostly by his sore back, hole-y throat mother! Well, if he could wait till after my hair appointment that would be GRAND! A baby can't start it's life off with a WT mom:)