This past weekend Auburn had their "All In" weekend with several sporting events going on this one weekend. We originally wanted to go to the baseball game Friday night and Saturday afternoon, basketball Saturday night, then baseball again on Sunday, but we didn't get there in time Friday, and when the floods came in on Saturday, the baseball game got rained out and was moved to Sunday for a double header. So instead we just went to the basketball game Saturday night and three innings of the baseball game on Sunday since it was so windy and cold!
Even though we didn't make it in time for the baseball game Friday night, we still had fun going out to eat at Niffer's with Granna, Poppy, Conner, and Ashley. Jack even got a visit from the balloon man who made him an Aubie! It was so cute and Jack loved it!
On Saturday, we went to see Zac Etheridge who was having a signing at Auburn Art downtown. We'd never met him in person, but always loved him as a football player. We've always loved his story of recovery, too, after his horrible neck injury back in October 2009 during the Ole Miss game. He plays for the Oakland Raiders now, but is still a very sweet and down-to-earth guy! We were thrilled to get a picture with him, too!
Later that night we went to the basketball game against Mississippi State, or as Jack calls them, "Busy Stake." They are ranked and beat us earlier this year already, but Auburn played very well this time and beat them 65-55! We had so much fun and Jack loved being there! He sat in his own chair most of the game and watched every play, and pretty much knew what was going on the whole time! He would cheer them on all on his own and ask us where certain players were on the court, then he had his hands up for every Auburn free throw saying "A-U" like he's heard the students say! He would also say, "Come on Auburn! You can do it!", plus, "Is that Kenny Gabriel down there?", and "Someone donk it!" (aka "dunk it"). He was so much fun to watch and I couldn't help but smile at him the whole game! He also got a pretzel, popcorn, and a sprite that he'd been asking for for several days earlier!
At halftime we went to the kid zone where they had a basketball goal, bean toss, table for coloring pictures, and face painting. The big kids were surrounding the basektball goal and bean toss, so he settled for coloring and face painting. He colored a beautiful Aubie picture, then got his face painted for the first time! He got a basketball on his cheek and it was so cute! He sat so still and was so proud of himself having that on his cheek to show off!
As I mentioned earlier, we went to the last three innings of the first baseball game on Sunday, but didn't stay for the second because it was way to windy and cold! We saw the sun come out for maybe 2 minutes, but that was it! We then headed to Granny and Granddaddy's house to visit with them before heading home. Jack fell asleep soon after leaving since he was exhausted from such a fun and eventful weekend!
Jack has had many haircuts so far, but he had his first haircut with my friend Shelley last week and he did great! She had a really cute Toy Story cover to put over him that he loved, and then she promised him 2 purple suckers if he sat still and was a sweet boy! He of course did (since he will do anything for suckers) and it was a success! She did a great job and he has such a cute big boy haircut now! Thanks Shelley!
I feel like I've been posting mostly about the new baby lately, so I figured sweet Jack needs an update, too! He's of course smarter and sweeter than ever, and definitely cuter (if that was even possible), and each day is a lot of fun and a new adventure with him!
We have been trying to start potty training the last month or so, and he seems to do ok with it! Some days he's more interested than others, but most days he's ok at least sitting on the little potty and trying. He loves to flush it (yes, the little potty has a pretend flush that makes the flushing sound), and then it plays music that we dance to in celebration! He gets to eat Smarties if he goes in the potty, so that is the current incentive we are using. Plus, we tell him he gets to do swimming lessons this summer if he's potty trained, and he will get to go to school in September if he's potty trained!
Yes, we have enrolled him in preschool for the fall!! It's hard to believe he will be 3 this summer and ready to start school, but I know he will love it and it will be good for him. He will be going to Lakeside Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-1:30 starting in September. We might put him in the summer program which is just three weeks in July, but we haven't fully decided yet.
Jack is also still in love with his choo choo set from Santa Claus. He plays with it almost more than anything else, besides his basketball goal. He loves to play "shoot" all throughout the day, and he's getting to where he's making every shot! He also wants to "go tunnel", which means he wants to go into our room and have us call him out like he would be coming out of the tunnel at a sporting event as the player! It started with him as an Auburn football player, but now he does just about any Auburn sport (or marching band!) It just depends on what ball or instrument he has closest to him when he wants to do it! :-)
We've also been learning the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the Pledge of Allegience. He has the song down a little better than the pledge, probably only because he loves to sing and that may come more easily to him since it's with a tune. He's so funny when he sings it, too, because he knows the tune to the whole song very well, but the words don't always sound right. :-) Hopefully we can get it on video soon!
He and Daddy also made sure I had a great Valentine's Day yesterday. Kurt and I decided not to do presents this year to save money for house stuff since we are still trying to sell it, but of course he and Jack still got me very sweet cards from each of them, plus chocolates and a piece of cookie cake from the Cookie Company! They are both so sweet to me and I love them very much! I'm so blessed to be Kurt's wife and Jack's mommy! :-)
Here are a few recent pictures:
At an Auburn basketball game directing the band
Playing at the park with Brooke and Mama Becky
In his Auburn football uniform getting warmed up for the Super Bowl
Riding in the backseat with Hunter on the way to eat lunch at Moe's on Valentine's Day
Today I went to the doctor for our 9 week check-up! I had bloodwork done, and we got another ultrasound! The baby has changed so much in just 3 weeks! It was so neat to see him/her moving around so much in there, plus the heartbeat was strong and very fast! I'm 9 weeks and 2 days today, but the baby was measuring 9 weeks and 4 days. You know how our babies like to try to get here early! Needless to say, Dr. McKenzie was very pleased! I go back March 8th for my next check-up, and we will be able to actually hear the heartbeat then! So exciting!
Yes! Jack is going to be a big brother! As you can tell in the picture, he is very excited, and of course Kurt and I are too! We are thrilled! Baby #2 is due September 11th, so we are currently 8 weeks along. No, that is not my favorite day for the due date, obviously, but if this baby is anything like Jack, he/she will come way before that! :-)
The pregnancy has gone pretty smoothly, except the last couple of weeks I have been pretty sick and extremely tired. Yes, this too shall pass, but I didn't feel like this at all with Jack, so it's definitely new for me! It's also an adjustment feeling like this and already having a toddler to take care of, but Jack is so easy and entertains himself very well!
Our first appointment with my doctor was a couple of weeks ago on January 17th, and Dr. McKenzie was very excited for us and very pleased that everything seemed ok. He even did an ultrasound in the room, even though it was early, because he and I both were very eager to see the baby! The little peanut (or blur in this photo) is shown at the very bottom left. Yay! Such a sweet blur! We go back next Tuesday on the 7th for another check-up, and possibly another ultrasound! I can't wait!
Please keep us in your prayers and pray for the baby to grow and develop well and stay healthy, and for my sickness to go away sooner than later so I can function again! Please also notice the new baby ticker at the top of the blog! :-)
Last weekend, we went with my family up to Gatlinburg, TN (or "Galibinburg" to Jack) for the long holiday weekend. We got up there late Thursday night, and it even snowed on the way up there! Papa and Sherbo also came Thursday night, so we enjoyed the cabin, just the five of us, the first night.
Friday morning, snow covered the ground and it was beautiful! We carefully drove down the mountain to the downtown Gatlinburg strip to eat breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, which of course is one of mine and Kurt's favorite pancake places. We even got a quick shot of Jack, Papa, and Sherbo in the snow, plus Jack's bear pancakes!
After breakfast, we headed to Pigeon Forge to Walmart to get groceries, then headed back to the cabin for Jack's nap, then went back out to the strip for lunch at Fannie Farkles. They have foot-long corn dogs there, and they were so delicious! Jack and I shared one, but he loved it so much he ate most of it himself!
After we ate, we let him play in the arcade there. He loved skeeball, the racing games, plus a ball popper game. He even won the jackpot on the ball popper game giving him so many tickets!
We continued down the strip towards Baskin Robbins (my favorite ice cream ever!), and on the way we saw the ball that floats on water at Ripley's Believe It or Not. Jack loved it and helped Daddy push it around. After Baskin Robbins, we headed back towards the car, stopping once to sit on the sky lift seat for a quick picture. We were ready to get back to the cabin to meet the rest of our family coming that afternoon!
Friday morning we were glad to wake up with everyone there! Sherbo cooked a delicious breakfast and we all played and lounged around for a while before getting ready to go out.
Once we got ready, we headed towards Ober Gatlinburg to go ice skating. The kids were so excited! We got to ride a bus on the way up there, and Jack's face was priceless since he got to sit in the seat with no carseat! He wasn't sure what to do! Too funny!
Here he is getting ice skates on for the first time! He looked so cute in them! All the kids were ready to get on the ice!
Uncle Jim was the first to take a tumble! At least he did it with a smile!
Jack couldn't really get the hang of it and just kept dragging his legs, so Daddy picked him up and took him around while gripping the rail. It's not easy to ice skate and help someone else,too!
Papa and Abby just watching everyone!
Jake was definitely the best one out there! He did great!
Uncle Jeff and Brooke trying to figure it out...
Jack attempting it again, but without his jacket. He and Daddy both started sweating since ice skating was a lot of work!
Here we are outside by the ski lifts and slopes! It was so beautiful out there! Jack loved stomping on the snow and making snowballs!
After leaving Ober Gatlingburg, we headed back down to the cabin for naps, then went out to dinner that night to Calhoun's on the strip for some barbecue. Kurt and I had been there with our friends Keith and Lindsey a couple years ago and remembered how good it was. They are known for their ribs, so of course that's what most of us got, and they were delicious!
I caught a glimpse of Daddy and Jack loving on each other! So sweet!
4 out of 5 grandkids on the big rocking chair!
Just Jack, and no, he's not asleep!
The next day we headed back down to the strip and had pizza for lunch! Jack ate 2 big pieces all on his own! He loves pizza as much as I do! He and Daddy looked so cute eating pizza together.
Sweet Abby asleep on her daddy! She was so good all trip, and of course so cute!
We of course found another arcade! This time we were at the Space Needle Arcade, and they had more kid-friendly games, including a small basketball goal. Jack loved it and made a lot of his shots!
On Monday we had to leave to head back home, but before we did, we headed back to downtown to walk around a little bit more and enjoy Gatlinburg for a couple more hours. Jim, Deena, Blakely, and Abby stayed with us, too, so we enjoyed spending more time with them. The kids wanted to eat at McDonald's, so we did, then got some donuts and hot chocolate at the Donut Friar in The Village, then just walked around a while. We even went back to Fannie Farkles for more games, and heard some bluegrass music. Jack and Blakely loved it and danced for everyone!
When we left Gatlinburg and got to Pigeon Forge, we decided to stop by the Tanger Outlets to see what some stores had on sale. When we got to the Gap, Jack just wanted me to take his picture in front of the shoes and some mannequins, so here is one picture! He was too cute just posing, but not smiling! So serious!
Little man finally fell asleep about an hour outside of Gatlinburg, and had a good little nap on our way home. He was exhausted from all the fun he'd had all weekend!
Here is a video of all the weekend fun!
Thanks so much to Papa and Sherbo for such a wonderful trip! We love Gatlinburg and had a great time with our family making lots of memories! We appreciate all you did to make sure we all had a lot of fun! We love y'all so much!
