Hide and Seek: Where could Ethan be?

About a year ago Ethan began playing the game hide and seek. He normally loves to play this game with his Amma and Poppa, but he has now started playing it daily with Reid and myself. The rules are very simple. You have to count to ten. Not 11 or any other number. Jon likes to do that to Ethan. Ethan will get mad and say, "No Daddy count to 10!" After you count to ten, you have to find him.

I thought it would be fun to take pictures of the hide and seek games that we have played. Can you see that this must be a very difficult game to play...wink..wink!

Reid's Visitors

Since Reid came home Friday evening, he has had many visitors. Everyones first response is always that he is so adorable! Thanks everyone. I think so too! Then I have noticed that they tend to say things like: he is darker than Ethan. He has darker hair, dark eyes, and he does not have the birthmark that Ethan has. I think that Ethan and Reid look different when you first look at them, but I have noticed several times already that Reid does resemble is brother. Thank you to everyone that has come by to help or just to say congratulations. He is a joy to have in our family, and we are enjoying every second (even without the sleep) of it.

Amma & Reid


Grandma Heaps & Reid

Uncle Potty, Aunt Christine & Reid

Uncle Jay & Reid

Auntie Stac & Reid

Auntie Joy & Reid

Poppa & Reid

He's Arrived: Reid Jonathan Monroe!

On Thursday, February 5, 2009 Reid Jonathan Monroe made his arrival at 9:49 pm. He weighs n at 7 pounds 11 ounces and measures in at 19 1/2 inches. He has light brown hair and from what we can tell (does not open those eyes very much) has brown eyes. He loves to sleep! However, the downfall to this is that he loves to sleep all day! He has his days and nights confused, but he is a very content and good baby.

That morning, Ethan woke up and told me that I was not supposed to be home and that Amma was supposed to be here instead. I thought that was a very strange thing to say, but just 15 minutes later small random contractions began. Jon was working in San Diego that day, so my parents were coming over to dinner to keep Ethan and I company. By the time they got to our house (around 5:30) the contraction were about 3 to 4 minutes apart and getting strong. I decided to call Jon and let him know that he need to try to get home as soon as possible. By 6, my mother advised me that I should probably go to the hospital, so she drove me to Riverside Community, and I called Jon to let him know to meet me at the hospital. By 7:15, I was admitted and Jon arrived about 15 minutes later. I was already dilated between a 5 and 6 and was given the choice to have an epi. I hesitated but decided to have one. I however in the end did not have an epidural. By the time they were ready to give it to me I was already an 8 and could not get into the right position to get the epi, so again I went all natural with this childbirth as well. Two and a half hours after being admitted Reid arrived at 9:49 pm.

Reid is a sweet, calm, quiet, sleepy baby so far. He does not really have a cry but a squeal. Ethan is very excited to have his little brother home and wants him to follow and watch everything that he does around the house. It is very cute. Jon and I feel very blessed to have Reid in our lives. He has made our family very complete.

Reid & Mommy: Just born!

Proud Daddy

My boys

Our Family

Chuck E. Cheese

Today Ethan & I went to Chuck E. Cheese for what was supposed to be lunch. I found 28 tokens in my purse, so I thought we could go, have a good time playing games, and eat some pizza (he loves the stuff...I hate it). He was not hungry when we entered. Instead he played and played and played. His highlights were getting a ton of tickets, which is a first for him. When we left, he had earned over 100 tickets just this afternoon. Another highlight was playing Mario Kart 2 on his own and getting 1st place throughout all the rounds. He was so proud of himself. Normally when he plays Mario Kart at home he still will get 8th place. I think having just the steering wheel and a gas pedal is much easier than a controller. After he used up all 28 tokens, I thought he would want to have some pizza, but no! He just wanted to go home. So in the end, our outing to Chuck E. Cheese did not cost a thing. The only thing he wanted before he left was a sucker that he could get with all his tickets. He had over 100 tickets and just wanted to spend 10. Just like this Mommy...a saver! We had a great day.

Swings, Slides, & Airplanes!

This morning we drove down to Paint a Memory. Thank goodness it was open today! Ethan was looking so forward to it. Now if you know anything about Ethan and his painting skills, he loves this place because of the end result he gets in a few days. He does not take his time picking out an item to paint, he was not contemplate what colors to pick (the main color will always be red), and he does not waste his time painting the item with care and detail. He will always pick 3 random colors that he ends up mixing together. He throws paint on the item without care, and then in about 20 minutes will declare that he is done.
Today Ethan's item was an airplane. Who knows what it will look like in the end. His works of art normally surprise me. I never fix any of the "mistakes" that I see along the way. This is his work of art at this age. I will love every piece of pottery he makes at any age!

After Paint a Memory, we went to the park because it was such a nice day out today. He enjoyed the slide and the swings the best.

Impromptu trip to Barnes and Noble

Ethan & I set out this early afternoon to have some Jamba Juice and then off to Paint a Memory. He was very excited to paint. But when we got to the door it said, "due to the economy we are now closed on Mondays." Ethan was very sad. He hung his head down and said he wanted to just go home. I knew that he also loved book stores, so I said we could walk over to Barnes and Noble and get a book or two. He seemed okay with it, so off we went. We spent an hour at the store. I read many books to him. I told him at the end that he could pick out two books, but he knows that his Mother's a sucker. He ended up leaving with 4 books total. The Napping House by Audrey Woods (which I just love) and three Mickey Mouse I can read books. He also left with a brand new puzzle that I'm just thrilled about. It is a United States wooded puzzle. When you put the puzzle pieces in place, it will say the state name and capital. Where was this when I was a kid? I know I'm more excited about the puzzle, but in time he will love it too. We had a very enjoyable day at the book store. Even if it was not what we had planned to do.

Ethan Art!

Last night after dinner Ethan and I painted. It was a crazy adventure. Ethan loves to mix all the colors and create the most amazing color of black possible. Also he decided to talk, move his hand with the paint brush, which in turn, created this amazing color black on the carpet, table, chair, and wall! It all came off with a lot of scrubbing from me, but in the end Ethan was very proud of his masterpiece. And in the end, that is all that matters.

Reid's room is complete!

Reid's room is finally complete. All furniture is up and ready, clothes are washed, bedding washed, letters are on the wall. Jon did a great job getting all together. Also thank you to Briz for helping with the fan and the crown molding. I know that he won't be in his room right away, but it is always nice to have everything ready before his arrival.

Don't mind Gurgie...she loves changing tables!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end

This past week Ethan and I shared some lasts. On Thursday, he said good-bye to his wonderful Auntie Twila's. He has been with her during the day Monday thru Friday when I'm at work since a week before his first birthday. That would make it 2 1/2 years. It wasn't a tearful farewell. We will still keep in touch, call, visit, etc., but it was still hard to leave on Thursday. She will forever have a lasting impression in our hearts and with Ethan. On Friday, I had my last day of work before Reid arrives. I made it 37 weeks to the day. I am glad to finally be at home with Ethan for just a short while before Reid comes, but it was still hard to leave my class. For one, I love teaching, I would hate for my students education to be hindered while I'm gone, I'll miss all my colleagues (friends), and I hate making sub plans that make sense for over 12 weeks...yikes!

With these lasts comes new beginnings. Being home with Ethan, becoming a mother of two boys, Ethan going to preschool in the fall or sooner perhaps. There will be so many new beginnings. I am looking forward to them all. Let the new ride begin!

Reid's Baby Shower

Yesterday I was surrounded by my friends and family as we celebrated the coming arrival of Reid. My mother and best friend Stacey threw me a wonderful shower luncheon at Claim Jumper. I feel so blessed that so many of my friends and family attended. They are each so awesome! They also spoiled us so very much. Everyone was overly generous and Reid without a doubt has everything he will need when he makes his arrival in a few short weeks. He got many handmade treasures and Ethan even received a Disney Uno game that he loved when I got home. We had to play it three times! Thanks~ Mary, Julie, and Nancy for that. Thank you everyone for making the day so special, and thank you Stacey and Mom for being the best! Love you all!

Customized Reid Piggy Bank from Aunt Louise

A beautiful Afghan made with love from Jaclyn

Diaper Bag from Naomi

A blanket like Ethan's from Krista

Some family

Family and Friends

Some Friends

Stacey & Me

My Mom & Me

36 weeks!

On Friday I became 36 weeks! I feel and look bigger than I ever thought I would look and I still have about 3 weeks left!At my 34 week appointment/ultrasound we found out that Reid did the unthinkable. He flipped and turned head down like his is supposed too. I was very excited about this news! He was also estimated as weighing 5.3 pounds at my 34 week appointment. I have one more week of work left. It is going to be a very busy and hectic week as I try to complete the finishing touches on planning, copying, and just being gone for over 12 weeks. I will be induced at 39 weeks if I make it that long. I only made it to 38 weeks with Ethan, so we will see. I feel a lot more pressure and contractions that I did with Ethan, so I do not know if that means if he is coming sooner or what? What I do know is that he will be here by his due date and my birthday, the 21st of February, which will be a wonderful birthday present.

One of my favorite women...My Grandma!

My life has been filled with fortunate people and one of them was my wonderful grandmother I was luck to have in my life for almost 30 years. There are so many great memories I have growing with her, from having a good old family bbq in the backyard with my grandfathers freshly caught fish to play cards and watching movies on the couch late into the evening. One of my best memories was one of my first full summers away from home when I got the opportunity to live with my grandparents....almost 15 years ago. My grandmother always had a sack lunch ready for me, my grandfather said it was the best summer of lunches he'd had in years. I remember coming home at night eating a meal with her and grandfather and then watching a movie late in the evening with the two of them.

I don't know if my grandma will ever know how many happy memories she created for me; however I do know that I will always be proud to have had her as part of my life. No matter how bad things got she was always smiling and ready to share a hug with me.

Grandma, you were one of the people who along with grandpa helped mold me into the man I became, and for that I will be forever grateful.....Thank you. I love you and will always remember you grandma........love you always.

JON

Reid is Transverse!

Does this look right to you? Well, I just got back from my 33 week appointment and was told that this is how Reid is laying and that he should be head down by now. Which explains why I have been so much more uncomfortable this pregnancy and can feel his every move. I get to go in every week from now on to check to see if he has changed positions. My doctor says he will move in one sentence, and in the next sentence says that at this stage most babies are too big to make the move and may be stuck. Great! I also get to have at least one more ultrasound to see why he is transverse, but have to go to a specialist now for this instead of my favorite ultrasound place. If in a few weeks he does not move, I will have to have a c-section around 38 weeks or sooner, which would make Reid's arrival around the first week of February. I am nervous about the possibility of a c-section, but I'm just as nervous about going into labor being transverse. It can be life-threatening to the baby and myself. If the umbilical cord comes out first, which is what can happen, it can lead to brain damage or death for Reid. I'm very nervous. So I do hope that he decides to change positions, otherwise I will hopefully make it to my scheduled c-section and not go into labor on my own.

Disneyland by Day Benihana's by Night

Yesterday we met up with Stacey, Briz, Taylor, and Brennan and spent the afternoon at Disneyland. It was a lot colder in Anaheim than in Corona, so we were not quite prepared for the cold weather. We did not get on many rides, but the kids had a wonderful time and that is all that matters. When we were in line for Small World, we were very lucky to have a front row view of the Christmas parade. Now I'm not one for parades, but when they just happen to be there, it worked out perfectly and Ethan enjoyed it.

Ethan & Daddy seeing Bolt!

On Small World! A lovely reminder of how large I really am at 33 weeks.

After Disneyland and California Adventure, we went to Benihana's. I thought it would be fun for the kids to see a show while waiting for dinner. They loved it! Ethan loved watching the guy cook his food and watching the "smoke". Taylor and Ethan even attempted chopsticks. Ethan I knew loved this place because he ate the most I have ever seen him eat. He ate 4 tomatoes from everyone's salad, some lettuce, some onion mushroom soup, shrimp, white rice, chicken, steak, and rainbow sherbet for dessert.

Yummy food!

Steak!

It was a very enjoyable day. Thanks Garcias' for inviting us and reminding us that our passes were not blocked anymore!

Tale of Despereaux

Ethan was my New Year's Eve date this early afternoon. We went to see the Tale of Despereaux at the movie theatre. It is a very cute movie and Ethan loved it! He is so easily pleased. A simple movie, popcorn, and red icee really made his day. He even said he is now a gentleman like Despereaux...very cute!

Dinner with Uncle Potty & Aunt Christine

Yesterday evening my brother invited us over for dinner at his place. Christine made a yummy Italian dish and Ethan even ate the salad... go Christine. After dinner, Ethan was able to get a love for a new video system...Wii. He bowled, golfed, played tennis, and baseball. He bounced around until he was sweating and red in the face, but he refused to stop. He even beat Daddy at a few games of tennis and golf. We also enjoyed some delicious brownies before we left. Ethan was very sad to go, and would like to go back soon.