More Surprises

We've moved! Yesterday I came home to a new house. I've never mentioned this on my blog because I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. During the past few months we have been working through the process of trading our house with another one, and last week Jason decided to move while I was out of town. This would have been a good thing had we packed our house. ; )

We had packed a few rooms, but last week my AMAZING mother in law Trish and sis in law Shannon basically packed up my house. Seriously. I just don't think I could have married into a better family. ; )

Jason and his Dad of course did a lot of work, too. I am very proud of Jason and everything he was able to do while I was gone. I'm thankful I had Zach with me, so I was at least doing something!

Normally, something as big as moving while not being around would have really overwhelmed me. When I came home yesterday I walked around the house seeing all of our furniture and things, but thinking how strange it was not being in our "old" house.

GOD has really given me a peace, and I tell myself, "One box at a time, one room at a time." Even though I go from room to room wondering what I am doing there. I am excited about all the progress I've already made (thanks for coming over this afternoon, Shannon!) especially with Z around. Who knew balloons could provide so much entertainment!?

Zach has been such a big help unpacking. ; )

He helps me put away cups and spoons...

Then he throws them all on the ground and starts over again.

Another surprise is that my my brother in law Andrew has started a blog! He is such a mess. I have always thought of Andy as a little brother. He is tough on the outside, but has such a sensitive heart.

I found some material I may use for baby girl Rowe's bedding! I want to use a lot of yellows and pinks for her nursery. These are my favorites so far, but I still have to keep looking just to know for sure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Trish! THANKS again for packing our house and helping Jason move!

Surprise

A few pics from the rest of my week...

Meredith, Garrett, me, Zach, Mandy, and Abby

We took the kids to have their pics taken with REAL Easter bunnies. They were too cute! Of course, Zach tried to throw two of them (they WERE in his lap), but he was quickly diverted to Easter eggs in a basket to throw around. ; )

Zach and Garrett

Abby and Zach have been riding around together in the car since they were tiny babies. Abby looks like she has better things she could be doing!

I think Zach drove a little too wild for Abby. She wants out of this car!

"Uh oh!"

Zach just couldn't get enough of the cars. Like father like son!

One night I went to my friend Meredith's house for dinner. Meredith and I met at Baylor and have been good friends ever since. We were running buddies. She has two precious girls Maggie and Mollie Grace.

One of my BU roommates Lauren had a baby shower in Dallas, and I surprised her and showed up! She had no idea. It was great!

Don't these cookies look incredible!? They were delicious!

Me, Amy, Lauren, Caroline, Ashley, and Rachel

I am so thankful the LORD worked it out that I would already be in Dallas. It was perfect!

Ashley, me, and Caroline

They made me do this goofy pic, I promise! Ash was another one of my BU roommates and still one of my closest friends. She had a beautiful baby girl three weeks ago. Doesn't she look great!? I met Caroline at BU my freshman year. She is one of the most gracious and funny women I know. I miss her so much because I don't get to see her very often.

Zach went right to Caroline. He knows she loves to laugh like he does!

Zach was very curious about Rachel. He was precious with her. He wanted to climb into her carrier at one point! I don't know what that was all about.

I love window pictures like this! Zach and Abby are taking a break from chasing each other around. They really got used to each other this week. I love any chance for Zach to be around his cousins!

Great Week Already!

What a week! It's starting to sink in that Jason and I are having a daughter. Wow! We're excited. I'm already thinking about nursery colors and bedding and paint and a rocker... ; ) It wasn't long ago I was dreaming about and planning Zach's nursery.

Gigi and Papa with Zach

Monday night we celebrated our big news eating dinner with our families. We ate steak, potatoes, rolls, salad, corn, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. YUM!

My mom bought our baby girl these precious outfits. Aren't they adorable? There is just something about girl's clothes. Thanks, Mom! I haven't bought a headband yet, but I love them. I'm definitely looking for cute ones.

My MIL bought these onesies for baby girl, and I love them! The ruffles on the back just do me in. So cute! I am into ruffles. ; ) Thanks, Trish!

The excitement of my week continues. ; ) My mom, Zach, and I are visiting my sister the rest of this week. I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time! My niece Abby is two months older than Zach, and it's already been hilarious to watch them together.

Meredith (on of my SILs) and Garrett (my only nephew) are coming to see us tomorrow. I can't wait to see them.

Zach is in heaven playing with all of Abby's "new toys." Of course he goes straight to the balls, but he loves this little house, too.

"Hey, what's up, Daddy!? I'm just chillin'. Mom and I miss you!"

The only thing not right about this week is we're away from Jason. ; ( Someone has to work, right? Ha! Love you, babe. Hope you enjoy the pics.

Rowe Baby #2

Today was a BIG day! THINK PINK!

We are having a baby girl in August! It's amazing to believe that Zach will have a little sister.

Jason's parents holding Zach as we watch our active little girl

My Dad didn't think he would be able to make it, but he was able to pop in. THANKS, Dad! My Mom was there, too, but was helping with Zach at the moment. ; ) I loved having my parents and Jason's parents with us when we found out. So special!

My eyes were just glued to the screen. We saw her heart beating, her brain, many major organs, legs, feet, arms, hands, fingers, and toes! She's only five inches long. It's unbelievable.

GOD is so good. He's always good. I have been praying that I had a healthy whole baby growing inside of me, and today He allowed us to see her!

For the past few weeks I had been thinking we were going to have a girl. Jason is still in shock, I think! I can't wait to see him holding her.

Zach needed a little "pick me up," so Bunny (my Mom) is cheering him up. He doesn't quite know what to think about having a sibling (much less a little sister!). Ha!

Bless her heart, she has many balls to dodge with having Zach as a big brother. I need to start praying right now about this. ; ) I'm sure he'll be the protective older brother I'm hoping he will be!

Playground and Backyard Drama

Earlier this week Shannon met Zach and me at the park. It's great to be outside!

He looks terrified in this pic, but I promise he wasn't that high up on the slide!

There's his smile. He is playing hide and seek through the circles. Such a little charmer.

He also got his first skinned knee this week! It really makes him look like a little boy.

Shannon and Zach

Ok, so here is my backyard drama for today. Early this afternoon, I heard a strange dog bark outside that I was sure was not Riley. I didn't pay this much attention to it though because we have several dogs in our neighborhood. Jason comes home from work and also hears this weird barking. He walks outside and see this...

Some sort of beaver (we think!) It blends in but this creature is right in the middle of the picture. Trust me, I didn't want to get too close, but this animal was huge! Apparently, it came up from a creek in our backyard, crawled under the fence, and ran back and forth against the fence trying to get away from Ri all afternoon. It finally found it's little escape while we were watching it wondering what we were going to do!

I'm just glad Riley did not get into a fight with this beaver-like animal, and Jason discovered it and not me.

Riley to the rescue!

I am seventeen weeks tomorrow and can't WAIT to find out what we're having. The past few weeks I've had a feeling like the baby is a girl...

Weekend Fun and Random Craziness

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Praise the LORD for all these healthy babies being born. SO many of my friends have had babies in the last two weeks.

Jason's parents came up to celebrate Andy's birthday, and of course, to see Zach, I mean, all of their kids and me!

How many balls can I hold!?

This is Zach waiting for his Gran and G-Daddy. He can't wait to throw balls at them. It's a good sign. He does this if he likes you!

Andy, G-Daddy, Jason, and Cody

Andy had an ice cream birthday cake. My FAVORITE!

Sunday night Jason and I served as host/hostess for a church dinner. We had a wonderful time, and Zach had a great time playing with Shannon.

I am feeling SO much better. I'm so thankful! I'm 16 weeks pregnant, and I can't wait to find out what we're having. If we find out we're having a girl, I'm going to go buy so many headbands with flowers and bows!

So, I never used to believe in the "pregnancy brain" that everyone talks about. I thought it was just some silly excuse pregnant women used to get away with forgetting obvious things...UNTIL I got pregnant with Zach. It's real, and I lived it! I'm now a full believer. It hasn't gotten bad yet this time around, but what is driving me crazy is how I constantly leave things of Zach's EVERYWHERE I go! Right now I have containers of his at two different churches and a sippy cup at a friend's house. Is this normal? It makes me crazy not having these things in my possession, but at least I know I'll get them back eventually!

Today Zach and I are sad (boo hoo!) because we were supposed to go play with my sis-in-law Meredith and three of Zach's cousins (Allie, Mary, and Garrett). They are visiting a friend who lives only 45 minutes away from us. Two of the cousins woke up with colds, and I just couldn't risk Zach getting sick. So close and yet so far away!

We are going to try to make the best of it, though. It just wasn't meant to be. We miss you guys!

Some Cutie for Ya

Zach has a double ear infection, and today is the first day he's been back to his happy self. I'm so glad he's feeling better, and hopefully the meds will clear the infections up. I feel very blessed because he has never had one before, and as a lot of you probably know they are just no fun.

Jason bought Zach some footballs, and Zach has learned how to say "football!" It's precious.

He loves playing basketball, too.

I bought his Easter outfit today, and I'm so excited! Now I just need to find him the perfect Easter basket. ; )

Just Another Day at the Park

What a beautiful day! Zach and I went to our neighborhood park to play. He is getting so brave and making me nervous. ; )

I'm just following his lead...

He loved this bridge and walked back and forth over it.

I could never catch him smiling at the camera, but I tried!

He was also very interested in sun for some reason! I think it's because he hasn't seen it in awhile. We are ready for spring and summer!

Earning His Keep!?

Jason and I want to use "teachable moments" with Zach in our every day moments with him. So lately we have been talking with Zach about doing his best every day and the value of a hard-earned dollar.

Zach and I met Jason for lunch earlier this week at a local chicken restaurant. After we were finished eating, Zach ran around as we gathered our things to leave. Before we knew what had happened, he had bolted through the kitchen double doors! We ran after him, and thank goodness the workers were laughing and started to chase him around. They said this was definitely a "first" for them.

This is a picture of one of the ladies "shooing" him out of the kitchen.

I think he just wanted to ask for a part time job application. ; ) It's good to know that he's actually listening and taking all of our advice to heart!

Too Much Fun, Not a Lot of Sleep

***Zach doesn't have fifth's disease! Praise the LORD. He had an allergic reaction to something, and we're going to watch his rash the next few days to make sure it disappears completely. I am so thankful it's nothing worse! If you read my post earlier today, thank you for praying!

Jason and I spent the weekend with five of my high school besties and a few of their hubbies at his grandparents' lakehouse (we missed you, Suzanne!). The girls did nothing but talk, play games, eat, talk, laugh, talk, and laugh some more! It was an amazing refreshing weekend other than not sleeping much...but it was TOTALLY worth it.

Benjamin and Zach playing ball before we left for the lakehouse. No kids this trip! Zach had a wonderful time with Jason's and my parents.

Grampy and Grammie made us breakfast both mornings. There is nothing like waking up in the morning to the smell of eggs, biscuits, bacon, and sausage cooking in the kitchen. What a treat!

The guys (Brad, Josh, and Jason) rode four wheelers most of Saturday. Too cold for the girls! How could we talk anyway while riding four wheelers!? I mean really.

Sarah, Jenny, Hillary, me, and Laura

There just aren't words to describe how unbelievable these friends are. I am SO blessed to have them in my life. I am so thankful they took time away from their normal everyday lives to get together. I know it's not easy!

Jason & me

Josh, Jason, and Brad before we went to dinner

Sarah, Jenny, and me

These flowers make me SO happy! When we picked Zach up yesterday at my parents' house, all of these beautiful bushes were blooming in their front yard. Spring is almost here!

On a sad note, we think Zach has fifth's disease. This rash appeared on his body when we got home last night. It's a common viral skin disease that appears on a child's face, arms, and legs. Apparently, whenever the rash breaks out this means he's not contagious anymore. That is at least good news. We think he got it last week. He is doing much better this morning, thank goodness!

I have also heard that it may be dangerous for a pregnant woman to be around a child with fifth's disease (it could be harmful to the unborn baby). SO...obviously I've been exposed, and I am anxious and just want to know that everything is alright with Zach and our little baby . I'm waiting to hear back from the doctor to get us in today to test Zach, and then if necessary I will have to be tested. If you think about us, please pray that he heals quickly and everything is fine with the baby and me, too. THANKS!