Happy First Birthday JMS!

John Marshall . May 13, 2009 . 7lbs 9 0z . 1:12am

Happy Birthday John Marshall! We can't believe you are ours - we love you so much our hearts hurt! You bring so much joy into our lives - we are so thankful for you!

A Year Ago Today...

This is what I looked like. This picture was taken May 12, 2009 - one day before our lives completely changed! (check. out. those. arms.)

I went and had a pedicure. Got a spray tan. Picked up some yummy CFA, and laid on the couch until - surprise! - my water broke at 5:45PM. Little did I know that my precious boy would arrive 7 hours later...especially since the nurses told me that since he was my first that he would take a good 12 - 16 hours to arrive. But, hey, what do THEY know?!?

Birthday post tomorrow...I cannot believe it.

Baby Boys

Look at these precious baby boys...I can't believe what a difference a year (almost) makes!

John Marshall and Sutton in April 2010:

JM & S in June 2009:

12 Weeks and Feeling GOOD!

I can't believe I am 12 weeks pregnant?!?! Is this REAL!?!? Is there really a baby inside of me?!? That will be here before I know it, and make me a Mommy to two under two?!? Part of the reason I feel this way is because I have not thrown up ONCE! I have only felt nauseous a hand full of times - and compared to the constant nausea with John Marshall (that lasted until 18 weeks), the throw-ups, the migraines, and the acne that was so bad on my face and back that I couldn't carry a purse on my shoulder without crying (this is the truth) - this pregnancy is a DREAM!!! I have for sure felt tired - and needed to take at least one nap a day...or sometimes two, BUT as Regan reminded me, last time I was so exhausted all the time that we didn't hang out for about a month! I would come home from work and fall asleep sitting up on the couch.

So we saw the tiny baby and his precious heartbeat at 8 weeks, but yesterday we got to hear it - as always - music to my ears! :) Dr. H put the doppler on my tummy and didn't even have to search around - it was right there...HEAVEN! Four more weeks until I get to hear that sound again - can't wait!

Here are the 12 week stats:

How far along? 12 weeks!
Heartbeat? 157 bpm

Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs...should be interesting...I gained 60 the last time and started out the exact same way...
Maternity clothes? Not yet! :)
Stretch marks? Just the ones from my middle school growth spurt...
Sleep: I have had a little bit of insomnia for the past 12 weeks...it's slowly getting better! I did this with John Marshall too...and of course getting up at least once or twice to go to the bathroom always helps with the not sleeping...
Best moment this week: Hearing his little heartbeat!
Movement: Not yet...but I felt JM from the OUTSIDE at 18 weeks - so I am counting on this one not to disappoint me!!!
Food cravings: Pickles. I know. So cliche.
Gender: I think it's a boy! We will see!!!

Labor Signs: Nope!
Belly Button in or out? In still
What I miss: Honestly? This is my second year in a row to be pregnant during "patio season" - sitting on my porch with Justin in the fabulous weather enjoying wine or beer...sitting on a patio for happy hour enjoying a margarita...happy hour at Blue Mesa and Glorias...is this horrible?!?! Ok. It's horrible. But it's true.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out if this little one is a boy or girl.
Milestones: Hmmm...should I have any at this point?

Surprise!!!

We're pregnant! :)

(Again).

Whirlwind...

We had a whirlwind weekend this past weekend...and set a Sparks Family record for amount of hours in the car! :) Justin's precious Grandma Sparks passed away, and we drove Thursday night to McAllen so we could attend her celebration service on Friday. We spent 9.5 hours in the car on Thursday, and about the same amount of hours in the hotel room Thursday night. We attended Grandma's service on Friday - she chose the most upbeat spiritual songs for everyone to sing at her service - she said she didn't want "funeral" songs - just precious! Friday night we drove the 6 something hours to Houston. JM woke up Saturday morning and made the best out of his day with Nana, Papa and MiMi by climbing the stairs a bazillion times, and blowing bubbles outside with Aunt MiMi. We woke up early Sunday morning and headed back to Ft. Worth. 1,129.5 miles in four days. Sheesh. But we enjoyed every single minute of spending time with both of our families. We can't wait to see everyone again for JM's FIRST BIRTHDAY in a few weeks! I can't believe it!!!

This time last year...

THIS is what I looked like. OH. MY. WORD. This just makes me have the giggles. My belly and arms were SO big. And they got even bigger. This time last year, I was still working full time, and crying every day after I got off of work because I hurt so bad. Stupid leg/groin pain. I still can't believe all that has happened in just one year...I love my new "full time job" with my little man and wouldn't trade it for the world! :)

Lately, we have...

Gotten into ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! Ohhhhh my. I knew little boys were busy...but I didn't really know HOW busy. This little guy won't let you sit still for one second. He isn't walking, but he is crawling and climbing into/on-top-of everything. He is NEVER EVER STILL. Unless he is drinking a bottle. That's about it. He even dances/bounces through eating meals. The other day he yanked out the bottom rack of the dishwasher with one hand. WITH dishes in it. Sheesh. He has an OBSESSION with curtains. Hiding in them. Getting tangled in them. Nuzzling them. Silly boy.

Played in the park with friends! We have been visiting the park A LOT lately - the weather is perfect, and it's a great way for me to exercise (we walk there) and entertain little man. JM loves getting to spend time with his six week old BFF Cason - and has a blast watching Russell run and walk everywhere.

"Helped" with laundry...this is a favorite! As soon as he hears the washer/dryer doors open, he is by my side..."helping"...

Easter 2010

Just some pics of our favorite little bunny! Easter didn't quite go as planned...I woke up at 6:00AM with a horrible migraine. Not only did we not make it to church, but we barely made it to Easter lunch at my Aunt's house. It was all I could do to throw on a shirt and shorts. Yuck. Little Man, however, didn't know the difference, and had a great time with his cousins, and going through his Easter basket.

Back in Houston Again...

That's right - we just couldn't stay away! Two weeks ago JMS and I spent a week in Houston hanging out with Nana and Papa. Below are some of the fun things we did! We spent a few days in our PJs, spent a few days shopping, and spent a few days hanging out with friends - what a wonderful visit. We are back again this week while big JMS attends a week long conference near Houston. I am a lazy blogger and stealing these pics from my Mom's computer. Hopefully I will be more prompt with the next post about this Houston visit! :)

JMS tried his first popsicle...

And here is what he thought:

Bath time!

My Doodle Bug...

While we went to a friend's wedding Nana Anna and Papa John kept both Lilly K. and JMS so that the Mommies and Daddies could have a fun night out. JMS's first over night play date...and with a girl! :)

Goodness I love this guy! :)

We had a wonderful lunch/play date with some of my best friends and their precious boys. All the beautiful Mamas and their blue eyed boys! :) I feel so blessed to have girlfriends who have had little ones right around the same time as me! From left to right...these babies were born in June, July, September, and May - all just within months of each other.

Sweet JTG...such a handsome man! He showed JMS how to eat "mum-mums" - a new fav snack of ours!

Not a great pic - but demonstrates some of the chaos when there are four little, busy boys around. JMS trying to attack sweet LAJ while I hold JTG...