baby shower #2

My co-workers at CDC were so generous and threw me a shower for Brad. It was originally scheduled for October 22nd, but I cautioned that that date might be pushing it...and good thing since Brad was born on the 20th! The shower was moved to the 15th so we got to celebrate just in time! I really enjoyed working with this great group of people. I worked with the Vision Health Initiative which is one team under the Division of Diabetes Translation. I got to know so many great people and am missing seeing all of them every day now that I'm at home with Brad.

Some shower pics:







My team lead (boss) Jinan and Juanita (who knows how to get everything done!)



Some of the gifts, many co-workers went in together to get us this sit and stand stroller. Luke tried it out in the store and promised he would ride in it! I just have to wait until Brad is big enough to sit in it, which should coincide nicely with warmer weather!



Thanks CDC friends for the shower!

The 3rd Birthday edition

To our not so much baby as little boy Luke,



I can't believe you are already three years old. You have really been a blessing to me and your daddy. While the last few months have brought with it a fair amount of two going on three temper tantrums, you have also kept us constantly amazed at your ability to learn new things and adapt to change. We've moved from an apartment to a house (the 3rd place you've lived so far) and you left your crib for a big boy bed and started potty training all with such ease. We wanted you to have a special 3rd birthday as it was the last birthday you'd have with us all to yourself since brother Brad was born just 6 days after you turned 3. You started a more advanced class at preschool on 10/1 and have been doing wonderfully, you are so smart Luke!
You love to sing and even make up songs by yourself! You love sports like Daddy and even ask to watch football or basketball, but you still prefer your PBS cartoons to anything. You've really grown into a little boy this last year and even since Brad has been born I see you growing up even more. You are a great big brother and although Brad might not be that much fun to play with yet, you are very sweet to him and I think you two will be great friends soon enough :)
We love you little man!
Mommy and Daddy

On your actual birthday, we brought in a cookie cake for you to share with your classmates at school




you on the morning of your birthday



still with the pacifier (although you don't have it anymore, the reason for why is a whole other post!)



that evening we celebrated just the 3 of us with some left over birthday cake from your party and some presents mommy had saved from Grammy and auntie Lynn so you'd have something to open that day. You loved the art markers and book as well as the spider man sheets and blanket!





















It was a special time for the three of us to spend together!

pumpkin patch

While Neil and Ansev were here visiting, we took Luke to a pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkin. We found one that also had a bouncy house so we knew it would be worth the trip :)



The engaged couple (looking forward to the wedding next year!)



and again with Luke



Luke, our pumpkin, and daddy



All of us (although I appear to be hiding the baby bump...unintentional, I was just glad I could stand up after that!)



Luke riding the pumpkin?



my personal favorite!



Luke wanted a teeny pumkin and Ansev gladly obliged him!



What a fun outing, can't wait to do it again next year with 2 little boys!

Luke's 3rd birthday...the party!

Luke turns 3!! Oh my where does time go?

Luke wanted a sports themed birthday party and I wanted to make sure he had a party before his baby brother was born, so the weekend before his actual birthday we gave Luke a sports themed party at the house. We invited a few of his good buddies over. The morning of the party Ansev and I iced the basketball cake and Neil and Josh set up for the party in our front yard.









Luke and uncle Neil



We made hot dogs and crock pot macaroni and cheese, it was low key but delicious!





They thought it was fun to wear the cones on their heads!





Blowing out the candles



Pinata fun! (I couldn't find a sports themed pinata, being nearly Halloween I was lucky to find this jeep!)





This little guy Oliver had a very impressive swing, but in the end Josh had to whack it with a golf club to get the candy out :)



We had a good time, I hope Luke loved his 3rd birthday party!

Fall Festival

Fall is apparently the time for festivals here in Atlanta. Every church and/or school seemed to be having them every weekend. One Saturday afternoon we were out in our front yard and our neighbor invited us to stop by the festival his son's school was having that afternoon, so we did :) Luke had a great time, there were lots of blow-up attractions at the festival and they had a specific little kids area. Luke, who is usually very wary of such things, eventually warmed up to the bouncy houses in the kids section and tried all 3 of them! Josh and I were so proud :) It was a nice break from the usual that day, next year I think we'll have to plan out a fall festival route and take advantage of the cheap entertainment every weekend!
Some pictures of Luke on/in the bouncy houses.

Brad's baby shower (Sept 2010)

In September Josh's office staff threw us a baby shower for Brad. It was a lot of fun. Josh was on call that morning and sure enough, he had to go in to the hospital for something so Luke came with me to the shower and Josh joined us at the tail end. It was so nice for his coworkers to do this for us as we still are relatively new to the area and don't know a lot of people. Luke and I had a great time. Sheila and Jennifer hosted the shower at Sheila's house. Luke had a blast playing with all the toys Sheila has for her grandchildren at her house. I think Sheila also reminds him of Josh's mom because he has always gone to her without any fuss like she is his grandma too :)
Here are some pictures from the shower:

We played a guess how big is the belly game. Luke is helping me determine the winner by seeing who was closest to measuring out the actual size of my belly. The 7-year old daughter of one of Josh's partners was the winner :)



Josh's great co-workers





Luke looking at the gifts



What Josh and Luke were doing at the end of the shower



Pictures of us, the shower was on 9/19 so I was just one month away from having Brad!