Jack's 2 Year Pictures

We got Jack's pictures taken a couple weekends ago for his 2nd birthday with a few family/pregnancy ones mixed in.  We're really happy with how they turned out.  The photographer (Joel Marion Photography) was great with Jack and he had him laughing in no time!  We got a great deal through groupon and have now purchased 3 additional sessions at a discounted rate.  More Sparky/Jack pictures in our future!!

Quick Sparky Update

I had a check-up on Monday and my progress has not changed - still 1cm dilated and 70% effaced.  The doctor tried to "stir things up a bit," which was rather painful, so hopefully it did some good.  Time will tell.  He did mention that history tends to repeat itself and I was four days late with Jack, so I shouldn't get too anxious just yet.

That's all we know until next Monday.  Patiently waiting...

Choo Choo Party

Last night we had a choo choo party to celebrate Jack's big day.  This gathering was not quite the extravaganza we had for Jack's first - just our immediate families and a few of our closest friends.  We had a great time and Jack LOVED all the choo choo decor.  First the details:

Jason made a choo choo cake, complete with Hostess Cupcakes for the wheels 

Saw this idea online and couldn't resist - a birthday garland of Jack pictures

New t-shirt for the party:

Jack wasn't sure what to think about the happy birthday singing.  Observe through pictures:

Candles lit; happy boy

Singing starts & panic ensues (under the table):

Shy guy hiding on Mommy's shoulder

Singing stops; Jack blows out his candles:

Everyone claps & Jack is excited:

Wrestle Mania with Grandpa & Grandma Clayton

 This is my favorite - I thought I'd try to get the kids to wear their party favor hats and train whistles for a quick picture and those little hams sat there for a good 5 minutes while I snapped away.

Reghan Lade, Addi Asher, Nathan Mincher, Jack and cousin Lily Knichel

 Jack was very excited about the new scooter from Aunt Cyndi & Uncle Todd

 New scooter in action

 New bike from the Ashers

 Jack and Grandma Lang

One of the highlights of the night for Jack - holding Baby Tyson Mincher.  All day today he wanted to look at these pictures and said "I hold baby" over and over again.  I think this is a good sign

It was a great party!!  Thank you to our families and friends for coming over to celebrate with us.  We have quite a happy 2 year old on our hands!!

Jack's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Jack's second birthday this week.  His birthday was Wednesday so Jason and I took off work for a family fun day.  We checked out the City Museum and had a nice day.  It's one of those places that will be more fun the older Jack gets (lots of climbing and stuff for bigger kids), but it was still a lot of fun Wednesday.  Since my climbing abilities are severely limited right now, EVERY picture from the day is of Jack or Jack & Daddy.  Baby - If you're old and reading this, I promise Mommy was there on your second birthday.  :)

Some pictures of the fun:

 

After the City Museum we went to Union Station to check out the trains.  Unfortunately there is only one old train remaining, but luckily we're equally excited about choo choo tracks, so all was not lost. 

Then we fed the fishies in the lake:

 After Union Station we picked up Darrin (he works downtown) and went to lunch at the Blues City Deli, which is where we ate on Jack's first birthday too.  Jack sat in a big bar stool next to Daddy and looked like such a big shot!!

Then he was zonked before we were even on the highway!

 After his nap Jack helped Mommy bake some cupcakes.  Yum!

 That evening our families (and the Ashers) came over for a mini b-day celebration.  Jack got to open a few presents and we sang happy birthday and ate cupcakes.

 We had a great time celebrating.  These past two years have been a blast for us and just keep getting more fun with each day that passes.  We are so lucky to have Jack in our lives!

Final Sparky Ultrasound

We had our final sneak peek at little Sparky on Tuesday and it got me even more excited to meet him/her.  I mean, how cute are these cheeks (profile shot of face looking left)???

And this (left) hand - I wish I could just reach out and hold it!!

The countdown is drawing to a close.  I will be 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow.  As of Tuesday I was 1cm dilated and 70% effaced.  Doesn't mean Sparky's coming tomorrow, but progress is progress, so I'll take it.

Can't wait to meet this little guy or gal!!

Lily's 3rd Birthday

On Sunday we celebrated our niece Lily's 3rd birthday with a Clayton family trip to the Zoo followed by dinner & cake at their house.  We had a great time.  We finally had nice weather after what seemed like a month straight of 100 degree days, so we were happy to spend our time outside.  Jack, as always, LOVED the choo choo and loved hanging out with his cousins.  Here are some pictures from the day:

Mia, Lily & Jack

 Checking out the baby hippo

 Riding the choo choo!!

 Carousel with Grandma

Back at their house, Uncle Todd had some snap pop things and Jack had a BLAST playing with them with the neighbor Luis: