OUR 16th Year Veteran!

16 years and counting (soon we'll need more hands)!

Today was a big day for Gramp-ee! He ran his 16th Houston Marathon this morning! We are so proud of all his hard work and dedication to train for many months each year to get to this point. I could never imagine running a half marathon, more or less a full marathon...and yet he does this every year! We are proud to support him and he did SO GOOD this year! He finished with an overall time of 5 hr 21 min (an average of 12:16/mile)!! That is amazing to me! Way to go Gramp-ee! Keep on running!We celebrated earlier in the week with a dirty shrimp boil as a family...so YUMMY

Gam-ee bought a Tres Leches Cake for dessert, notice how Cade won't take his eyes off of it...

We all know Gam-ee is one of the most creative people God made, and this is one of the MANY decorations she made for Gramp-ee! She even had this on the hotel door at the Hilton downtown!

We did the traditional dinner downtown at the Spaghetti Warehouse last night to "carb up" for the big event!

Cade looking for Gramp-ee. He was SO EXCITED when he saw him run by, it was too funny!

Family pic while waiting on Gramp-ee

Almost there (doesn't he look AMAZING?!!)

The finish line

High fivin' the fam

Our 16 year Veteran...GRAMP-EE!!

Family Picture...We love you Gramp-ee! Words can't express how proud we are of you. We do not know anyone else who can claim this victory!!

4 Months Prego!

So, a few nights ago we were able to celebrate 4 months of Pregnancy! We prayed together a lot that night. Thanking God for what we have already, and wondering how we are so blessed to have another miracle. It is hard for me to imagine life without Cade and now we have yet another joy coming to grow our family. What a true blessing it is and we are so grateful for our journey. It is one we will never forget!

This pregnancy has been pretty much the same so far as Cade's. I was sick different weeks in this pregnancy, but still sick about the same length of time overall. The sickness was a little more intense this time, and I did take Zofran for about a week, but that was it. I still have cramping and what I consider to be "stretching", but nothing bad to report. It has been a smooth pregnancy this round as well as with Cade! My belly has popped (although I have only gained 8 pounds with this pregnancy) and looks like a little basketball in the front. We read our book "Your Pregnancy Week to Week" each week and discover what is happening with our baby and my body. Only 5 months left! Wow, that sounds close....

So here are a few points to mention as I document month 4:

• 4 month Doc visit stats: BP- 96/66, Baby Heartrate- 146
• We completed bloodwork to check for any complications or birth defects, result will be in one week. Praying for a healthy, happy baby!
• Feb 15th is the scheduled sonogram to find out the SEX OF THE BABY

Here is what Baby Hall #2 is doing this week according to BabyCenter.com

"Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks are not recognizeable yet. He has even started growing toenails. And, there is a lot happening inside as well! For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop."

Fun with the Fam

So, last weekend (I know, I am behind on posts) we took Baylor to the Dog Park and then took Cade to McDonald's (or "The Big M" as Gangaw Watts called it). It had been a yucky rainy/cold weekend, so when a lil ray of sunshine came out Sunday evening, we all raced to get outdoors!

Charles and Cade running with the dogs

Cade telling Baylor, "Go, Go, Go!"

Baylor and his friends

This pic cracks me up because the slide is HUGE and from the top you can't see the bottom. Yet, Cade insisted on doing it by himself. This is what we saw at the bottom of the slide every time he came down!

This past week, I was out of town for business in Austin and got a chance to see my Sister and my Nephew Jaxson "Jax"! My sister has been sick with Meningitis and LOTS MORE for almost a month, so I haven't been able to see her. I was so excited to get a little time even if it was just an hour! Jax is such a special little joy. I couldn't stop staring at him!

I love that his shirt says, "Hello Ladies"!

MY lil Jax and I

Welcome Cohen Reed Phillips!

The world was blessed with another miracle on Monday, January 10th, 2011! Some of our close friends Brad and Carmen Phillips welcomed Cohen into the world at 6:40am after a 10hr labor. Carmen was a real trooper and is a great Mommy already! Cohen weighed in at 7lbs 10oz, and was a whopping 22.5 inches long! He is SO ADORABLE and sleeps really well! His fingers crack me up as they are the longest fingers I have ever seen on an infant! He is gonna be a big boy! We are so proud he is finally here and can't wait to spoil him and see the beautiful parents that Carmen and Brad will be!

Carmen and Cohen

Cute sign on his bassinet that the nursery made him

I wish you could see how long his fingers are...but this pic doesn't do them justice! He also has think spikey hair! I love him so much already!

Goodbye 1st Trimester!

We celebrated the end of the first Trimester at Gam-ee and Gramp-ee's house with Taco Salad and a dessert made by Gam-ee! It was a yummy dessert with angel food cake, vanilla pudding, banana's, strawberries, and whip cream! We were even more excited that we got gifts! We are so blessed!Our yummy dessert...I love the "1/3"!!
Cade leading Gramp-ee and Gam-ee to get the gifts (cause we are so sure it was his idea!)
Cade carrying Daddy's gift...DIAPERS!

Cade giving Mommy her gift...Milk bags for her "milk bags"

An afternoon at the Aquarium

Saturday was beautiful weather, so the whole family decided to go to the Aquarium in downtown Houston. Cade loved looking at the fish, birds, sharks, and tigers. He went with NO NAP all day and was actually pretty good. I think he was just so excited that he didn't have time to be tired. But as soon as we got in the car around 3:30pm, he was asleep before we got out of the parking lot. We had a blast! My favorite thing about being with Cade is watching his reactions to things. You never know what he is going to do, but we are always prepared to laugh!

Here goes our adventure...

Family pic

Cade scuba diving

Our spoiled little treasure!

Petting the sharks with Daddy

Watching the snakes with Daddy and Gam-ee. He was not really sure of these, after a quick look he started waving "bye bye" to the snakes. Guess he is not a snake lover like his Daddy!

Watching all the colorful fish

Sorry Friends, I've gone Fishing!

The white tiger was another funny experience. Cade went right up to the glass and started pointing at the tiger. Well about that time, the tiger jumped up and pawed at the glass. This made Cade jump and he cried for a second. But, after a few tears, went right back to the glass for more! Mommy was glad that is a thick glass, cause Cade looked like an afternoon snack for that big animal!

Pointing out the mouth, tongue and teeth. This tiger was a bigger hit than the real thing!

A huge Turtle

We loved all the colorful fish. I would like to listen to God's thoughts while he was creating all these creatures. Each one is so unique and beautiful in its own way. It amazes me how each creature is adapted for his own survival (long nose, certain colors, defense mechanisms, etc.). God is so creative and truly knows all!

Riding the train (you can see we where starting to get a little sleepy!)

Riding the shark on the Carousel

I think this picture could be my favorite! I laugh out loud every time I see Charles sporting the Seahorse. Just too funny to me...he is such a good Daddy!

Riding the Ferris Wheel with Gramp-ee

Family pic on Ferris Wheel...notice Gam-ee had to take the pic, there was no getting her on this ride! Gam-ee has a fear of heights!

And the money shot...asleep within 1 minute of the car rolling. He couldn't let go of his new ball!

Cade goes to the Zoo!

Cade is a definite lover of animals! Last week, Gramp-ee had a day off of work and he and Gam-ee took Cade to the Zoo! It was a special day for all of them. The pics were so cute, and Cade loves looking at them over and over again! Here are a few of my favorites! Face to face with his pal

Brushing the goats

The Elephants, I love the babies!

Are you talking to me?

Looking inside the mound...not sure if I want to go in alone!

OK, I guess I'll have to just drag Gam-ee inside!

Playing the drums with Gramp-ee