What's new...

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything. We've been doing well, still braving the COLD weather up here. Today I got excited because my car said 28 degrees on the way home from church and since it's been in the low teens the last few days this felt a little warm. How my perspective has changed in just a few short months?!

So what's new with us...

-Michael's been working hard as usual and he takes his third board exam tomorrow and Tuesday so I'll be excited when he doesn't have to study for that when he is home.

-I had another OB appointment last week and I'm pretty sure hearing the baby's heartbeat will NEVER get old. I left feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness for this little life growing in my belly. Michael lovingly tells me I am a mess quite frequently these days, but how can I help these raging pregnancy hormones!?

-Another thing that has made me a complete mess emotionally since the earthquake in Haiti is Amos' story. Read back a ways. You won't be sorry. His dad is the worship pastor at the church I went to in Austin. Oh how I miss Austin Stone!

-Luke is as crazy and fun as ever lately. He's talking up a storm and starting to use his little imagination. Yesterday he told me his toy pig was crying and when I asked him why he responded with "he's in time out." :)

-He's pretty convinced we're having a baby sister and he knows it's in "mommy's tummy."

-Anytime he even remotely bumps something or "hurts" somewhere he runs over to get a kiss and says "all better!" Love it.

That's about all I can think of right now. Hope you all are doing well. Can't believe it's already February!

The two year old!

I posted one of the funny pictures from our attempted two year "photoshoot" with Luke a couple of weeks ago but forgot to post a few of the ones that turned out pretty cute. I so badly wanted one of him sitting on the chair looking right at me and smiling but I think that was too much to ask for with a two year old. He thought it was way more fun to chase Daddy around the chair. Oh well! Lesson learned.

Swim Lessons

We started swim lessons last week and so far Luke loves it! He has been swimming quite a bit in his short two years but I am so excited for him to learn some of the basics that will help me not be so nervous this summer. He is definitely fearless when it comes to going under and letting go of the wall which is awesome but also a little scary. It is especially fun because we have two good friends in there with us, Baby Ruby and Luke's buddy Ethan. I'll have to get pictures of him with his friends soon.

Happy Birthday Luke!

I can hardly believe we have a TWO year old today. He is the sweetest, most fun little boy we could imagine and we thank the Lord everyday that he is ours. It was so fun to make him feel extra special today and it didn't take much for him to realize today was a celebration just for him! :) He is one loved little boy.

It was great to have the party on his actual special day this year and to celebrate we had his friends (and parents) over for a Mickey themed pizza and birthday cake party. This year there was no question whether he knew what to do with the presents either, he was ready to open them as soon as our friends walked in the door. :) Another hit was the Mickey pinata although Mom was about to have a heart attack watching two and three year olds swing a plastic bat near each other.

All in all it was a GREAT day. Happy Birthday big boy, we love you soooo much!

The chaos.

Luke has an announcement to make...

In case it's too hard to read, we're expecting again! Baby Merrick #2 is due in mid-August. All three of us couldn't be more excited about this new addition. (Luke just doesn't know exactly what he's excited about.) "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Christmas recap in mostly pictures - Part II

With just a quick couple of days at home after Telluride we turned back around and headed to The Woodlands to spend time with Michael's family. It had been a VERY long time since all of the brothers had been home at the same time making it a very special Merrick Christmas this year.
"Mancation" was going on when we got there so Michael was able to join his dad, brothers, uncle, and cousin for a day of fun at the lake while we enjoyed a girls night out (with Luke of course.)
I didn't realize how much I would enjoy not being in the snow for a little bit. It was a nice break. :)

Some highlights from our time in The Woodlands:
1. Bowl Mania (lots of football was watched!)
2. Walks to the park
3. Attempted two year old pictures with Luke
4. Seeing Avatar with the whole family
5. More chickenfoot (I won!)
6. Lisa and Daniel's engagement party complete with yummy Tex-Mex

Here are pictures from our time with the Merricks:

Christmas recap in mostly pictures - Part I

We got back last night from our two week vacation and I have to admit it's a debbie downer getting back into the swing of things. Mommy is just not cutting it for Luke today. Where did all of his playmates go?

We had an awesome two weeks with family! I wouldn't have changed a thing. Take that back, I would have changed the full day flight delay we had getting home from Telluride. Oh well. Christmas was so fun with Luke this year because he understood a whole lot more. He is a champion present opener and will know exactly what to do for his birthday in a couple of weeks.

Some highlights from our trip to Telluride were:
1. Langley Family gift exchange
2. Dinner at Brown Dog Pizza with everyone on our anniversary
3. Family Balderdash
4. Neverending chickenfoot (dominoes for those that don't know that game)
3. Just enjoying time with my family! It was much needed.

Here is our time in Telluride in pictures: