Wheeler Christmas

We had a fantastic Christmas. Nathan told me, when he woke up at a very reasonable 7:15, that he had heard the reindeer on the roof and jingle bells. How exciting! We raced downstairs as soon as daddy came home from the station to find that Santa did in fact make his appearance! He had even eaten all the heads off the gingerbread men we made him. Silly Santa! Nathan was also very excited to see that the reindeer had eaten the carrots we left for them, the biggest for Rudolph of course. He was very concerned that they needed their energy to fly around the world. Nathan asked Santa for 2 things this year - a car that's green and has a spot for his deer when he kills it and a bb gun. Well - thank God for Santa because mommy would have been in the poor house if the man didn't come through! Nathan was overjoyed to see that he got exactly what he asked for. I don't know how he does it, but Santa is pretty awesome.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and that 2009 brings you joy, love, peace, and happiness!

Nathan Pictures

I just wanted to share some really cute photos of Nathan. He hammed it up for my amateur photo shoot with him. I'm so proud of him. He's my little sweetie.

Baby Wheeler Update 24 Weeks Pregnant

We had another ultrasound yesterday to check on baby girl. She is very healthy and still a girl! She is measuring pretty big for gestational age. She is measuring about 2 weeks big - right at 26 weeks. The doctor placed her in the 88th percentile. Did we expect any less though? :)

We are almost 99.9% positive her name is Lauren Faith, but don't sue us if that changes! I love the ultrasound picture of her below. I think she looks like she's smiling. Her head is on the right and you can see the outline of her big baby belly. She was opening and closing her mouth the whole time we watched her. I can't believe we're already more than halfway done. My doctor did tell me there was a high possibility she would induce early due to Lauren's size - like week 39 - so we really only have 15 weeks left!!!! Ack! But that means she'll be here just in time for Easter.
I'm trying to enjoy this pregnancy and I'm actually feeling pretty good. I'm starting to really show so people have been extra nice to me this holiday season. That's always fun - I know all that attention will be refocused in no time so I'm soaking it up. Nathan is still pretty excited. He probably thinks I'll be pregnant forever though. He's starting to be able to feel the kicks though so maybe it's becoming more of a reality for him. He's such a sweet boy and is going to be the best big brother.

Well - I'll try to post a Christmas update soon because I've got some super cute photos of Gator to share! Hope everyone has as very Merry Christmas! Love to all!

A Wheeler Thanksgiving

We traveled to Tulia this year for Thanksgiving. For those of you who don't know, Tulia is in the panhandle of Texas, almost to Amarillo. Doug's mom and dad both grew up there and we still have a lot of family in the area. We had a great time (except for the 8 hour drive) and we can't wait until we have an opportunity to visit again!

Nathan and Daddy making mashed potatoes

Eddie Wheeler in the kitchen (Doug's daddy)
We aren't afraid of Wheeler men in the kitchen!
Grandmammy, Nathan, and Cousin Claire being cute!

Grandma Shirley (Gator's Great Grandma)

Nathan, Cousin Claire & Great, Great Grandma Kitchens
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Where's Speak No Evil?

Nathan and Cousins Claire, Corbin & Courtney

It's A.......................................

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're so excited to announce that we're having a baby girl. They moved my due date up to April 12 because she was a little big. The tech is measuring her to be about 12 ounces - almost a pound. Everything looked great - healthy baby was all we prayed for. She was laid out in there with her head in the middle of my belly and legs stretched completely out toward the right. That explains why I've been feeling little baby pokes only on the right side. Nathan was so excited to be right. He's known all along we were having a girl so I guess he really is a little bit psychic. :)

Here's a picture of the little baby girl. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!! Love to all!

My 19 1/2 week belly - Whoa.

So here's the baby belly's progress so far. I know the picture quality is crap but they were taken with my cell phone in the bathroom at work! I tried to have fun with one of them. :)

I feel huge and I look about 30 weeks. The picture of me in the pink shirt is me at 20 weeks pregnant with Nathan. Big difference. Oh well - I'm trying to enjoy this new figure for now. :)

Baby Wheeler Update

I had a doc appointment this morning. They did all the usual stuff. So far I'm not showing any risk factors for gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure was 112/66 so that's good. I turned the other way during the weight check and I'll probably continue to do so. Maybe that's stupid but I don't care. I don't want to stress about it now. I'll have plenty of time to obsess about my weight after the baby's here.

Baby is doing great. We did the heartbeat check and little one was laying on my right side. The heartbeat was in the high 160s so that means girl according to the Old Wive's Tales. We'll really be happy either way but Doug and Nathan both seem pretty sure it's a girl. We'll find out soon enough. Our anatomy ultrasound is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving so hopefully we can announce the gender on Turkey Day.

Happy Halloween to all! I'll post pictures of Gator in his knight costume later. We'll be trick-or-treating and handing out candy to the kiddos in the hood tonight!

The Pledge of Allegiance

Cutest little patriot ever. :) I can't get the darn thing to rotate so you'll have to watch it sideways. If anyone has any suggestions out there - let me know.

Introduction of Uncle Mashew

I'm borrowing mom and dad's camera right now because mine is on the fritz. I downloaded some pics and came across some cute ones of Gator and his Uncle Mashew (my baby brother Matthew). Matt recently turned 21 and he is a junior at UT San Antonio studying to become an electrical engineer. I loved him as a baby - I got to dress him up in Raggedy Ann clothes and put curlers in his hair. He was my personal little dolly. He was the bain of my existence as a teenager but I grew out of that bratty teenager thing eventually. Poor Matt probably suffered a lot of abuse from his big sis growing up. I hope you've forgiven me baby brother! I love you Mashew!

"Mom, that was exactly what I needed."

4-year-olds say the darndest things.

We were duped in our house into buying a ginormous box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Their latest advertisement makes it look like crack in a bowl. Yummy! Anyway, Nathan has been asking for a bowl regularly for the past week or so every morning at 6:30 am (the moment his eyes peep open). We sauntered downstairs to have our morning bowl and discovered daddy, the pig, had eaten the last of it for his late night snack. Trying to distract the kid, I said I'd make eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast instead. A treat for sure as it's normally bagels or pre-packaged muffins in the car. Incessant whining ensued and I was forced to tell the kid to get out of my kitchen and watch a cartoon while I cooked.

He was presented with my lovely plate of breakfast and a big glass of oj (which I've been craving like mad lately - I think that means girl). He griped but persisted to practically lick his plate clean and then calmly say, "Mom, that was exactly what I needed."

Turd.

8 weeks 2 days Pregnant

We finally got to see our baby and hear the heartbeat today! It was a strong 172 beats per minute. We let Gator join us at the ultrasound and he was so excited. I think he was expecting to see a baby doll though. It's hard to explain to a 4-year-old but he's really grasping things very well and is so ready to hold his baby "sister."

Here's what's going on with development. It's all very exciting. :)

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from our baby's hands and feet, its eyelids practically cover his eyes, and breathing tubes extend from its throat to the branches of its developing lungs. In baby's brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. We may be daydreaming about our baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether we're having a boy or a girl. Either way, our baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though I still can't feel it.

Here's the little bean's first photo shoot. Head's on top, and you can see an arm waving hello on the left and what appear to be little legs. Ain't it cute!!!

Beach Trip

We made a fast trip down to Port Aransas this weekend. It was fun despite the rainy weather. We went to the Texas State Aquarium to escape for a while. We saw sea turtles, dolphins, lots of beautiful fish, and Gator got to touch a stingray! Apparently, it felt slimy. The rain finally cleared enough to enjoy the beach for a few hours. We stayed in an RV park which was quite the experience. I think beach trips are meant to be a little luxurious even if it's just Port A. Next time I think we'll go with a condo or hotel. :) Nathan enjoyed learning how to boogie board. I think he's going to be our little natural athlete.



And then he helped us find our way home when we got turned around. ;) He's so bossy!

Archers Abound

Nathan has begun to follow in daddy's footsteps and has become quite the little archer. He is being taught by one of the best. Doug just placed at the Firefighter Olympics with a bronze medal. I'm very proud of both of my boys. Here's some pics of Gator at the archery range.

Nathan Turned 4!

I cannot believe how fast time has gone by! He had a great birthday party with a Batman theme. He walked around the entire day of his birthday declaring "I'm 4! Did you know I'm 4? Momma, you know what, I'm 4!" He was so excited. Thank you to everyone for making his big day so special and fun! Here's a few pics from his party. :)

We Have a Psychic in the House!

The other morning, Nathan came into our room to crawl into his cozy spot until the alarm went off and whispered in my ear, "Mommy, you have a baby in your tummy." Hmmmm. He knows we want a baby, but he was so sure of himself. I told him I didn't know if there was a baby in there, and his response was "Well, I know - there's a baby in your tummy." So I've spent the last week wondering if I have a psychic child or if he just wanted a baby sister so bad he thought he could will one into existence.

Turns out he may be a little psychic and a lot willful! We are expecting our second child and we could not be happier! It's still very early days and our due date is not until April 15, 2009 but we're all really bad at keeping a secret! Here is the evidence taken this morning! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a happy and healthy 9 months!