Run, Run, Run

Gordy has been training for a while now, and I must say that he is a really great runner... much, much better than I could ever hope to be... So he decided that he would run a half marathon with Mitchell. So exciting!

The day before the race, we went to pick up Gordy's registration packet, and I decided to sign up for the 5K walk too... Not as impressive, I know, but keep in mind that at this point, I was 19 weeks pregnant and pushing a not-quite 1 1/2 year old in a jogging stroller for three miles. Basically propelling three people the distance of three miles. haha...

Anyway, the day started off early, and cold. Very cold. Luckily, Erin decided to walk with me and we were good company for each other. Even though we started off in dead last place, surprisingly, we didn't finish last. It did however, take us just under an hour to walk three miles... yikes. Can you say sloth? Jack had a great time though, especially when the 1/2 marathoners started passing us at around mile 2. He would yell "GO! GO! GO!" for the runners! What a good little cheerleader he was.

I am so, so, so proud of my Gordy. He RAN a HALF MARATHON (a feat that seems literally unrealistic for me)!!!Not to mention he also kept an amazing pace (9 mins 40 secs/mile). The course was pretty hilly too, which makes things so, so much harder. He still felt so good when he was all finished too. He's my idol. These next shots are after they finished. See they still look pretty good, huh? I totally look like I am in worse shape than them...

And like I said, I was so, so proud of him.

Spring Break

We started spring break off heading up to Fort Wayne to look at some apartments, and try to secure a place to live for the summer. The day did not start off well... Gordy was absolutely, and completely sick. Poor guy, he still did all the driving that day, three and a half hours worth... I day before the trip, I made it a point to stock up on some cheap new toys and some new movies for Jack to watch in the car. They worked like a charm. He had never been so good in a car seat before. Ever.

By the time we made it to the hotel, Gordy was spent. It was all he could do to crawl into bed and rest while Jack took a nap. When Jack woke, we freshened ourselves up a bit, and made our way over to the law firm where Gordy will be interning this summer. It was a lot of fun to be introduced around to everyone. Jack, ever quick on the up take, and never wanting to be left out, made sure to extend his hand for a handshake at every single introduction. It was the cutest thing ever. He seriously is the son of Gordon Wilson.

After that, we looked at an apartment downtown. It was thumbs down on that one. Location was great, everything else was terrible. So we grabbed some dinner, headed back to the hotel, and hit the sack.

The next morning, we looked at a few more apartments, and then continued our journey on to Chicago to meet up with Gordon and Sandy. Thankfully Gordy was feeling better the next day, and Jack did so well in the car ride again.

When we got to Chicago, we spent a wonderful long weekend with Gordon and Sandy, enjoying the perfect weather, exploring the city and eating amazing food. Jack LOVED seeing his Lolly and Pop and wouldn't let them out of his sight the entire trip.

We went on a river boat tour of Chicago, which was incredible. Jack was pooped and ended up falling asleep on my face on our walk back to the condo.

We had ice cream in the park.

We went to the beach. Jack LOVED the sand...

Jack chased all of the "birdies" around all over Chicago. And even got his picture taken with Marilyn Monroe!

We got to spend some time with Rikki, Jacque, Joel, and Lisa. We even got to go out on a date with Rodney and Kylee. One of the most exciting parts of the trip was watching the River turn a toxic-green on St. Patrick's Day... and the feeling of being able to cross another item off of my bucket list.

On our last day, we took a little walk over to "The Bean".

Gordy's 26th Birthday

For Gordy's birthday, we had all of our friends come over for dessert. We decided on my Aunt Erin's DELISH carrot cake, and a regular birthday cake mix for those who weren't into carrot cake. We had a packed house and had so much fun visiting with our friends that night. I love when we get to celebrate Gordy. He is the most incredible person I know and he deserves a night every once in a while where we talk about how great he is...

Once again, I was horrible with the picture taking. Hopefully, as my energy level rises back to normal, I'll get better at snapping a few shots here and there.

The next week we also had another check-up. Just a normal, run of the mill check up. No ultrasound or anything extraordinary.

Jack's 15 Month Check-Up

The entire experience of this doctor's visit was basically horrendous. Jack started screaming the moment the door clicked closed behind us in the exam room and didn't stop until we were safely settled into our car. Believe it or not, his screams elevated to a whole new level when the nurse tried to get his stats. He screamed and moved to much that the nurse had to have me hold him, and even then she accidentally stabbed me in the face with her pen... Then again when the doctor walked in the room and attempted to listen to his heartbeat, look in his ears, and eyes. Then there are the shots... golly gee willakers... those shots. I hate 'em. See, can't you tell we had a good time? haha.

But Jack tested very highly developmentally, and he finally made it out of 4th percentile for weight (double yay!). Here are his stats:

Height: 32 inches.... 75th percentile

Weight: 21 pounds.... 10th percentile

Head: 49 cm.... 90th percentile

Jack is such a joy to be around. I wish so badly that during those three months I was sick I could have enjoyed his developing personality more. Jack loves to laugh, play outside, and talk on the phone. He LOVES babies, doggies, birdies, and bubbles. He can seriously spot a bird or a dog a mile away. All four of his grandparents are probably his most favorite people on earth. His favorite food these days is "noonuls" (which means noodles). He laughs at everything, and talks to everyone he meets. I wish I could be more like my Jack.

Valentine's Day

Gordy and I opted for a low-key Valentine's Day. I ventured into the world of dairy for one special meal. We made steak, twice baked potatoes, roasted asparagus with a balsamic reduction, and Nutella moose. We watched a movie on a pallet in the living room after putting Jack down for the night. It was perfection to just keep it absolutely simple.

I also made the same lingerie sugar cookies as last year, and delivered them to Gordy and his friends at school earlier in the day.

Gordy had a little surprise of his own up his sleeve for me. I told me that he bought me a new iron for Valentine's Day. Not the most romantic gift in the world, but a practical, and much needed gift. On the iron box was written "because I know you like it hot". I opened it up and inside I found the best gift ever! Gordy placed a voucher inside the box for a hot air balloon ride and factory tour for two. Suddenly Gordy's caption was extra funny. My heart was beating so fast. Riding on a hot air balloon has ALWAYS been on my bucket list.

I can't wait to go for our ride in a couple weeks.

Baby #2

My first prenatal appointment for baby numero dos was scheduled for February 2nd. I was ecstatic of course, but also anxious for our appointment because we have had a history that involves first appointments gone very, very wrong. Needless to say, we were very anxious to get to our appointment and hear the whirring, pitter-patter of a teeny tiny heart beating, so we could finally let our friends and family know that we are going to be expanding our family.

I was also sad too... My parents and Adam planned a trip to Puerto Rico for the same weekend, but I decided that I couldn't go... Not only because I didn't want to further postpone my doctors appointment, but also I couldn't imagine making all of the flights there, dealing with Jack by myself, and fighting the urge to ralph all over the plane. So anyway, I was sad.

I decided to skype with my parents and Adam for a few minutes, just as they were landing, and before I headed out the door for my appointment. As I was chatting away, putting on my shoes, suddenly, the background on the skype screen came into focus... my parents and my brother surprised me and showed up at my apartment instead of going to Puerto Rico! It really made my day. No, my week, or maybe my month... we had a wonderful weekend visit. My mom changed every diaper while she was here. Such a relief to my nose, and stomach to not have to worry about a poppy diaper for a few days.

Anyway, we went to our appointment and heard the baby's heartbeat immediately. A wave of relief, like you would not believe, washed over us. We even got to have an early ultrasound of the baby (yay for even more reassurances)! It never gets old watching your baby move around on an ultrasound screen... You occasionally get these moments in pregnancy that make all of the sickness and suffering worth it. To hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time is definitely one of those moments.

We were so excited to finally share our wonderful news with everyone!