35 Weeks

It's been a while since I have done a baby update, so here it is!  I am 35 1/2 weeks preggo, but who's counting?  Ha!  I couldn't be more over it even though I really don't have a reason to complain!  Things are going smoothly, been seeing the blood doctor every few weeks to check that my iron and blood platelet levels are high enough.  So far, so good!  I was on steroids the last 10 weeks with Cooper to get my platelets up, but they haven't gotten low enough to start this pregnancy.  Does that mean girl?  Yep, sex is still a secret and I am really torn on what I think it is.  Adam is saying boy and I am just not sure, but if I had to guess, I would say boy as well.  Just can't wait to find out!!!  The countdown is officially on in this house!

Chipmunking

So, just recently Coop has adopted a new habit of sorts.  Occasionally when he eats foods like crackers, cookies, waffles, he chews it all up and then just holds it in his mouth...like a chipmunk!  You know he's doing it because all of sudden he is silent, very unlike him.  I mean, if I only I could choose times for him to chipmunk...it would be pretty great for church! :)  He has kept food like this in his mouth for up to 20 minutes, I have to force/bribe/pry his mouth open to get him to spit it out!  Such a strange phase, hope it's a short one!

Chipmunking in action!

The Summer of Ice Cream

Did you know that in 1984 Ronald Reagan declared July as National Ice Cream Month?  Well, let's just say this household has been celebrating for all of you if you haven't been already.  Non-pregnant I can pass up ice cream pretty easily, never been my favorite...give me a brownie or chocolate chip cookie!  This pregnancy, this ridiculously hot summer (going on day #24 of 100 degree plus temps), and a husband and son that love it have had me eating it like crazy!  I have absolutely zero will power and can always justify why I am eating it!  I'm sure your dying to know what is our favorite flavor, right?  Well, we started out the summer going to Milwaukee Joe's in Southlake, but that was getting a little expensive, so it's usually Cookies'n'Cream - straight from the grocery store.  In fact, Coop and I shared a bowl tonight while watching the Bachelorette :).

Cooper usually goes back and forth between Adam and I for bites...smart kid!

 

T is for Tractor

When I was in KC shopping for Baby Gunner, I just couldn't help buying both boys this shirt and taking some pics.  Coop was pretty excited about his tractor shirt, too bad I had to take it back because it was too small!  

 Sweet cousins!

 Coop wasn't so much into smiling as he was giving Gunner kisses.

Love this eye he is giving me, like 'enough already!'

A Surprise Trip...Newborn Heaven

As I posted, my sweet nephew Gunner was born on July 11th.  I wasn't going to meet him until October for my sister's wedding...he would have been 3 months, I just couldn't stand it!  Adam and I played lots of options in our heads to get me up to visit before finding the perfect fit and some gracious parents!  Coop and I hitched a ride with Adam's parents from Fort Worth to Joplin on their way home Sunday.  My parents drove to Joplin to pick us up and take us the rest of the way to Stilwell.  Thanks again to both sets of parents for making this happen!  At times during that drive I couldn't believe we were in the car again after our midwest tour just a couple weeks before, but at that sight of Baby Gunner, I knew it was totally worth it!  We surprised Bryson, Tara, and Gunner on Sunday evening.  It was a quick visit as we flew back home 48 hours later, but I got lots of Gunner time in!  Thanks to Tara for letting me visit lots!!!

Grandma and Grandpa with their 2 grandsons...newest addition is just 5 weeks away!!!

I could have held him all night long!!!!!!!

Just the sweetest! He is so content, didn't hear him cry once!  He's doing so well for his Mom and Dad!

On Sunday night I texted my friend, Ali (Emersyn's mom), telling her to feel free to have that baby girl while I was in town...totally joking obviously!  Well, Baby Lakeyn must have wanted to meet me because my wish was granted!!!!!!  Ali went a week earlier than her scheduled c-section and had sweet 6 lbs, 14 oz Lakeyn Mikel on Monday evening!  I couldn't have been more ecstatic, as I knew I probably wouldn't get to meet her until October!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emersyn, the proud big sister!

Baby Lakeyn is perfect!  Congrats again Ali, Ryan and Emersyn!

Now you know the reason behind my title, 'newborn heaven!'  I am officially in Texas until after this baby is born, no more trips for me-doctor's orders!

 

Date Night

Thanks to the Mamaw and Papaw, Adam and I went out minus Cooper for the first time in a loooonnng time and it was fabulous!  We went out to celebrate our anniversary from last month and my birthday.  First, we had a training session on our camera at the store we bought it at and wow, was it overwhelming! We have a lot to learn about that thing!  Then we headed to dinner at Kirby's steakhouse, it was delicious and could have only been better if we had shared a bottle of wine ;) (not too much longer :)).  After dinner, we went to a movie...again, don't know the last time we did this!  In true Adam and Ashley style, we were running late and ended up in front row, it was pretty awful, but whatever, I wasn't chasing a toddler around :).  We saw Horrible Bosses...hilarious!!!  Of course, we knew Cooper was having fun and being spoiled with love and new toys.

The only pic I have from our night as taken during our camera lesson, when he was showing us the different settings on the camera :).

Papaw, Mamaw and Coop hung out at Southlake Town Square...we love that place!  Here, Papaw is fishing Coop's sippy cup out of the fountain.  Cooper throwing something?...imagine that!

Thanks again Mamaw and Papaw, we all enjoyed the night!

Mamaw and Papaw Visit

Mamaw and Papaw Jones drove down for a weekend visit to stay with us, it was great to have them around.  We are lots of good food, had Cooper entertain us, tried to stay cool and of course, put them to work!  Cooper was excited they were coming and kept asking if Kellen and Cash were coming too :).

Coloring with Mamaw

Such a helper ;)

a bike glove and ice scraper...nice accessories coop.

For my birthday, my parents had gave me these awesome letters, however, there was no way Adam and I could hang them ourselves.  I was even more reassured in my thoughts after seeing how long/much work it was for Adam and his Dad...can you see the happiness in their smiles? ;)  But, they got the job done and it looks great!!!!!!  Thanks guys!

My Domestic Day :)

Aren't you intrigued by the title?  Well, here's my idea of being domestic...  

We haven't experimented with play-doh yet, not sure why?  I guess I didn't think Cooper would really like it since he's not much on that kind of thing, however, he has seemed to change a lot over the last couple weeks (more on that later).  Awhile ago, I ran across a homemade play-doh recipe, so I pulled it out and got to work during nap.  It was super easy and turned out great!  I only made 2 colors because I wasn't sure how much he would like it, but it looks like I need to get back in the kitchen!  After a few minutes of trying to figure it out and watching me, he really dug in.  I had bought some fun shaped cookie cutters, so we used those to make shapes. 

 Funny side story from the playdoh - We had created 2 trains and I was driving them around our tracks for a bit.  Cooper then took over driving them around, then out of nowhere he stuck them together and said, "tissing bachette" - that translates to "kissing bachelorette." You see Adam seems to be working Monday nights during the Bachelorette, so Coop is my watching partner and a great sidekick he is, obviously he is paying attention ;)  Needless to say, Adam didn't think this story was as funny as I did.  Anyway, back to the play-doh...it was a hit and not even that messy!  

Lola was just as interested :)

To wrap up my domestic day, I made dinner and homemade applesauce for the Coopster!

Happy Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas

were Adam's words to me after this purchase...

So I just posted this last week about shopping for a new camera and here we are a week later with our new purchase :).  Over the weekend, my sweet toddler got a hold of my point and shoot and within minutes had somehow done something to break it.  The lens won't retract...any suggestions?  I would like to still have it so I am not always lugging this thing around.  I am taking pictures all the time, so we decided to go for it!!  After lots of research and input from friends/family (thanks to all you gals you emailed me!!!), we went with the Nikon 5100 DSLR.  We were torn between Canon and Nikon, but we wanted to buy it from a camera store so we could take lessons and always have someone knowledgeable to fall back on.  Well, the camera store doesn't sell Canons, so a Nikon it was. 

As much as I love it right now, there is so much to learn on how to use it that I just feel overwhelmed!  We have a one-on-one camera lesson this weekend at the camera store, so I am hoping to become a little more knowledgeable and comfortable with it.

This weekend we also went to see Cars 2.  Not exactly a success, but not a failure either.   He loved all the previews and sat through the first half pretty well, with popcorn of course!  Then, he was losing interest and just wanted to run around.  Dad reeled him back in with M&Ms, but after that he was back up again.  I ended up taking him out the last 10 minutes to just run the halls.  He really liked the parts he sat for and is still talking about Queen car (what he calls Lightening McQueen) and Mater.  However, I think it will be a while before we tackle the movies again :).

This was taken on my phone...

It's a Boy!!!

Introducing Gunner Dowell Souders  8 lbs, 3 oz - 20 inches. 
Born at 7:39pm on July 11, 2011...great birthdate!!

I first posted about this baby news here back in January.  This bundle of joy was supposed to come on my birthday!  Cooper and I extended our stay in KC hoping to see his arrival into the world but he was just too comfy in his momma's belly and was induced just yesterday, days after the due date.  We couldn't be more bummed not to be there, but I got to be on speaker phone (thanks to my sis) to hear Bryson announce it was a boy and I have gotten several pics sent to my phone.  I could just kiss his sweet chubby cheeks on my phone everytime I get a new picture!  

Gunner and Tara are happy and healthy and obviously everyone is over the moon!  Coop is already talking about Gunner, says his name anytime I show him a picture of any baby.  So, the count is 2 grandsons for my parents...will it be 3 ring bearers for Alli and Rusty's wedding or will there be a flower girl???  Only time will tell...about 6 1/2 weeks to be exact, can't wait!!!! 

Proud Grandparents!

Aunt Alli with her second nephew

See what I mean about those sweet cheeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats again to Bryson and Tara, we couldn't be happier for your new addition!  You will be amazing parents!!!

Home!

We wrapped up our 2 week tour of the midwest visiting family and friends last Thursday.  We drove from KS to TX in about 8 hours and 15 minutes.  It was another smooth drive, no complaints!  I couldn't have had two more laid back passengers in my almost 2 year old boy and 6 year old shih tzu, although they did have the good life.  They sat in the back in comfy chairs, watched movies, and basically got whatever they requested!  As the blog posts showed, we had the best time visiting everyone! Thanks to our parents for all they did while we visited!!!!!!  It does feel good to be home...7 weeks and counting down until Baby J makes his/her arrival!

As good as he was, he only slept about 1 hour of the drive home.  He's been exhausted and catching up on rest since we got home...basically taking himself to bed for long naps daily.

It has been hot, hot, hot!!!  Only this face can keep me in the backyard for over an hour in the afternoons!  And when did he get big enough to pull himself up on the handles?????

4th of July

We were still in Kansas for the 4th and had a great day!  Dad, Coop, and I took Grandma and Grandpa's Gator out for a spin around Stilwell.  In the afternoon, family came over to swim, play and eat.  Then we went to Bryson and Tara's to watch the Stilwell 4th of July parade.  Cooper loved it-it was full of fire trucks, tractors, gators, kids, and animals...all his favorite things.  He definitely didn't get the candy catching part this year.  We wrapped up the night watching the Stilwell fireworks with family and friends.  A great finish to such a fun weekend!!!!!

We rode the Gator out in the fields and got up close to the trains.

Stopped to get gas and an ice cream lunch!

Pre-sweating like crazy from the heat

Coop with his cousin Ava.  Not sure what it was about her, but Coop was all over her everytime he saw her, hugs and just wouldn't leave her alone.  Her face is priceless here!

Hanging with the boys before the parade

Got to go on a 4-wheeler ride with cousin Brad

Pretty content watching the parade.  Great thing about this age...I can still get away with telling him I just can't get the popsicle open and he is totally ok with it :).  Mean mom, I know, but just didn't want to deal with the mess!

Coop and Emersyn playing with glowsticks while waiting for fireworks to start.

Again, surrounded by girls!  Check out Coop's hand...he was all about Kendyl (Emersyn's cousin).  If she was out of his sight, he was yelling, "Kendyl" over and over until he found her.  She is always so sweet with him!  

Quite the ladies man!  Hanging on the Gator with his arm around Tara and Bryson's niece Sophi.

Exhausted from the long weekend!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!!