Surprise Party

Saturday, my brothers and sisters and I had a surprise party for my mom's 50th birthday. I was HORRIBLE about taking pictures, so I will have to steal some from Sarah soon. I watched the weather all day, and it was supposed to just be cloudy, so we set up the outside area for guests. What do you know? It rained! Like it has everyday. Despite the rain, we were able to get all the guests in my house and had a great time. I think my mom really enjoyed herself.

Jeff and I also celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Saturday. I made him work in the yard all day, so it probably wasn't too great of a day for him. He did pick out some pretty great patio furniture for me (see picture above), and last night, after my sister left to go back to Dayton and Lily fell asleep, we just sat out there enjoying the cool evening! I love him very much and look forward to spending time with Lily and him today.

My mom still had no clue what was going on when she came into the backyard. I couldn't get her to turn around for a picture!

Sarah, Pat, Ty and Nolan were here for several days. I love when they visit, even though Lily and Ty were at it a lot this weekend (oh the terrible threes!). Can you believe I didn't snap a single picture of Nolan??? Ughhh! I can tell you that he is one of the cutest babies ever. We were so busy that I didn't get to snuggle him as much as I would have liked, but I hope to see him again next weekend. Thank you Sarah for handling two kids (plus Lily most days) and helping me pull off a party! Thanks also to my brothers for helping and Hannah for keeping Mom away until the surprise. I really have a great family!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 50th birthday! I know she isn't thrilled about turning 50, but I tell her all the time she doesn't seem like she is that age!

I wanted to just let her know how much she means to me. In my mind, she is superwoman. She is the most giving, loving person I know. I can speak for many people in saying she would stop anything she has going on to help someone else. Although I think she is crazy, I admire her for having FIVE children and always being there for each of us. I know I probably took a few years off of her life (especially in my high school days), but I appreciate her always making me do the right thing.

She also has given up a lot of time these past three years to take care of Lily. For this I can never thank her enough! It means the world to Jeff and I (and mostly Lily) that Mimi is taking good care of her.

Thank you mom for showing me what it means to be a good mother. I love and appreciate you!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today my parents celebrate 31 years of marriage! I cannot believe the five of us haven't driven them to drinking :) Have a great day Mom and Dad...you are the best parents anyone could ask for!

Happy Birthday Jen!

May is a BUSY month, so several days this week you will see a post to celebrate something! Today is my sister-in-law, Jen's, birthday. We hope she has a wonderful day and gets a chance to relax!

Evan Michael Jones

We are so excited for another new, baby boy! Evan Michael was born this morning at 6:15 am. He was 7lbs 13oz and 21 inches long. My sister-in-law looks like she didn't even give birth! We were able to meet Evan this evening. He is a handsome little boy. He is also very special because he is the first boy grandchild on Jeff's side. I am sure Jeff's dad is relieved to finally have a boy around! Congrats to Holly, Eric, and big sister Callie!!

Child labor...I mean time helping daddy!

While I was running, Jeff was having Lily wash his trailer! She loved it!

20 Weeks! Half way there...

Wow! Half way there already :) I have liked how quickly the first part of the pregnancy has gone, but now it can slow down a bit (well after my ultrasound on June 2nd anyway!). I think I most definitely look pregnant now. Jeff says everyday that my belly is getting bigger and bigger-as it should I suppose.

Some random information:

Weight gained: about 10 pounds (ughh-this is despite my best efforts to run and be active. Although, I do love eating too!) I can still wear my low rise pants and have started to wear some maternity ones as well. Frankly, I love not having a zipper or buttons!

Baby stats: The baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He/she is also around 6 1/2 inches from head to bottom and about 10 inches for head to heel-the length of a banana! I feel the most movement at night when I am laying down, so I know something must be in there!

Of course Lily wanted to be part of the photo shoot. Here she is being silly this morning!

Wednesday...

15 more days of school, and I am REALLY hoping I can make it! The students are antsy and so am I! I know...all you non-teacher people out there are probably rolling your eyes because teachers get a summer break, but I am telling you, if we didn't get this break, no one would teach! For now, there are cums and reports cards to get together, end of year awards, end of year testing, cleaning, organizing, inventory, etc. to keep me busy.

I also started my LAST graduate school "regular" course Monday. After this, I just have my internship, and I will have my Master's degree. Thank goodness that will be over! Now, hopefully I don't go insane tackling my internship with two kiddos :)

Speaking of two kiddos-Lily is doing okay. She has had an ear infection for a couple weeks, but I think this second antibiotic is doing the trick. I am blaming her poor behavior on being sick. I love her dearly, but the drama and whining are getting on my nerves this week. I have been so tired, so I know that I haven't been able to give her the attention she needs. BUT...let me brag here a bit (and knock on wood)...she has been in big girl panties COMPLETELY! That is night and everything. She told me last week that pull-ups were for babies, and she has been doing great ever since. So, it looks like I may have 4.5 months of no diapers/pull-ups! She was excited to pick out a prize yesterday for doing so good with going to the potty. She even told Jeff she "was the bomb!"

Little baby in the belly seems to also be doing well. I am feeling more and more movement, and Jeff even felt a kick last night. I am SUPER excited to see Baby Q on our ultrasound in a couple weeks. We are equally excited about the soon-to-be arrival of our nephew. My SIL is due to have baby Evan next week. Can't wait to meet another newborn.

So...that is my Wednesday post...praying for blue skies and nice weather this weekend!

Saturday Scene

While I was cleaning this morning, Lily made a "home" under the dining room table!

We went to the Fancy Nancy party at the Muncie Public Library this afternoon. It was very fun!

Lucia was there!

They introduced all the girls down the "runway"

The cookies and punch were the hit of the day :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the special moms out there! We are truly blessed to have wonderful moms and grandmas in our lives that help us out more than we could ever thank them for.

Last night, I was talking to Lily about Mother's Day. She told me she had a present for me. She gave me a necklace she had won at my school's carnival on Friday and then said, "You are the best mother ever." I really am lucky to have such an amazing girl in my life.

Enjoy this special day!

Baby Love

Lily thought Nolan was "so cute." I think she would have held him all day. We hope she takes to her brother or sister this way!

He is just the sweetest little thing!

I got my baby fix today! I was able to hold sweet, little Nolan a lot. I forgot how tiny newborns are! I changed him a couple times and was quickly reminded how hard it is to change a baby!

We hope the new family of four gets adjusted well. I know Sarah will be having a very special Mother's Day! Oh-if you are wondering where Ty is-he was playing baseball. That was far more interesting then his little brother!

18 Weeks!

Two weeks have already gone by! Today, I am 18 weeks pregnant. I went to the doctor on Thursday because I was having some contractions for about a week-enough to make me worry a little bit. BUT everything is just fine! They found the baby's heartbeat right away and checked to make sure everything was still going fine. They just told me to up my water in take and run less at a time. It seems to be helping.

I go for my big ultrasound on June 2nd! I am excited to see the little baby. I have also been feeling movement (mostly at night), which is exciting!!

It seems like every time I post, I am off to Dayton :) We are getting ready to take Ty home. He has been very good and enjoyed playing with Lily while Nolan, Sarah, and Pat got settled at home. I am excited for some more baby time with him today.

Welcome to the world Nolan Ryan Swan!

Pat is ready to "catch" the baby. Yes-he really did get to help deliver baby Swan!

Here is the clock at Nolan's arrival

Pictures of the little man...

I guessed 7 lbs 11 ounces and he was 7 lbs 12 ounces!

A very excited Aunt Lydgia!

Seriously-my sister was a rock star!

A very PROUD Mimi!

The Swan Boys!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of my new nephew-Nolan Ryan Swan. He was born this afternoon, and I was fortunate enough to be there for the birth! Sarah did such a great job! I am so proud of her. Congrats to Sarah, Pat, and Ty! We are so happy for you.