Brandon's Cast and Busch Gardens

Needless to say we are a busy family. I started back to work a few weeks ago, the nanny is in full force and the kids are keeping us busy as ever. Not to mention I have to jump (out of a perfectly fine aircraft) by the end of August or I lost jump pay. The two past jumps I've tried to get on have been cancelled due to rain or aircraft. So wish me luck next week!

Not sure if I mentioned it but Brandon broke his wrist while skateboarding about a month ago. Here's some pics of him getting his cast. Next week we hope to get a shorter one so he can move his elbow again. Tonight he had his open house at school and got his schedule. Looks like this semester he'll be taking English, Geography, PE, and Spanish II. It should be an easy few months for him while he's in gym, coloring maps, or speaking spanish.

The boys have already gotten used to having Jacob around. Here's a pic of Jacob and big brother Brandon. He's already looking up to him! Last weekend we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Thought we'd take advantage of our time share as well as Busch Garden's Salute to the Heroes and get in free because we are active duty Army. Here's a picture of the whole family in the only air conditioned place...

I also couldn't pass up a random picture of Jacob in his stroller. It was so hot that day we figured this setup was cooler for him than in his carrier.

Update on the Anderson's

h

Well it's now been 5 weeks since Jacob was born and things are going very good. Except for the minor breast surgery I had a couple weeks ago, things are great. Jacob is perfect and that's really what matters most anyway. Here are some more recent pictures. He's gaining weight very well and is definitely filling out. I go back to work next Monday (August 3rd) and not really looking forward to leaving Jacob at home but I do need to get back to work since I am a detachment commander and all.

Our live-in nanny, Rachel, moves in tomorrow and she will be with me all of next week before she takes over the next week. This will be a new experience for all but it will be so good for Jacob to have some consistency and will be good for CJ and Austin when they come back for school.

Brandon was going to stay in Michigan all summer but since he's playing football at Overhills High School this fall, he had to come back early for conditioning. He's been a great help around the house and it's always fun to hear his interesting take on things! This weekend he's deep sea fishing with Bobby, his step dad, and I can't wait to see pictures of huge fish he caught.

If you are on facebook, check out all the pictures I posted there as well as a couple videos!

Welcome hom Jacob!

So these past two weeks have just flown by!

I went in for my 39 week appointment last Thursday and found out I needed to stay over night in labor & delivery because I would need to be induced for preclampsia (high blood pressure, excessive swelling, & high protein levels) for a risk of seizures. The induction lasted FOREVER... or so it seemed. I won't go into all the details but petocin (the drug to give you contractions) is a beast. Thankfully, there were no other complications and finally Saturday morning, gave birth to this wonderful angel, Jacob. He came out crying and with his eyes wide open ready to take it all in.

I was going to put them in chronological order but it was getting too hard to move them so ... here you go! This is the first shot of Jacob out of the womb. Jacob and his Momma. Yes, I was very swollen. I've already lost 30 pounds since he was born not even a week ago, which I'm assuming was mostly water weight. How adorable and sweet! My mom got the short end of the stick Friday night as she came to the hospital not thinking she would stay the night. But I know she loves me because she slept all night in a rocking chair! So here she is catching a quick nap after the baby was born and all the excitment settled down. Grandpa Mario with Jacob. Jacob and his daddy- do they look alike or what?!? I think the only thing Jacob got from me was a head full of brown hair. Chris's mom (Mimi) with Jacob. Grandma Pat with Jacob.

Memorial Day NASCAR Race

Over Memorial Day weekend we took the boys to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 Nascar Race along. We also stayed at the Great Wolfe Lodge, which is a hotel with an indoor water park. We all had a blast and here are some of the pictures I got. This is a shot of a Chinook, the pace car is about to come out the back. Cool, huh? Here's some shots of the Chris and the boys wrestling on the bed. Usually I join in but my baby bump has got me tied down a bit.

Baby Shower Pictures

So we had our baby shower almost 3 weeks ago and I'm just now posting pictures! We had a great time and Sue decorated beautifully. Thanks also to Jess who came early to help decorate and to Mandy for making the Mary Kay basket for the diaper drawing!

Military Ball

Last night we went to Chris's Brigade Ball. There were over 2,000 people there; by far the biggest ball I've ever seen. I got all dolled up (as much as someone who's due in 4 weeks can). Here's a picture of all the officers in Chris's Squadron (same thing as a battalion). Notice the very handsome man kneeling 4 from the right!

Can't wait until all the swelling goes down! But thought I should share this pic with everyone anyway since people have been noticing I haven't posted any pictures of me.

Lelu where she shouldn't be

I'm not sure who all are cat people here but I just HAD to share these with everyone! Those who know us well know Lelu is part of the family. I've had her for almost 7 years now and she never ceases to make me laugh. For starters, after every shower Chris or I takes, Lelu has to get in and lick the walls and the floor. It's cute. Then we put together our pack'n play for Jacob. I was praying that Lelu wouldn't hate it and pee in it. My prayers were answered! But now it seems as though she's claimed it for herself! She's up for a rude awekening once Jacob's born. And just this morning I finally caught her in the act of drinking from the toilet like a dog. I was so tempted to just give her a quick shove but I resisted.

3d Ultrasound

Friday night we had a 3D Ultrasound so that we could see little Jake. He was completely uncooperative!!! You can tell by the lovely right foot right in front of his face. We tried everything to get him to move that foot but NOOOOO. We shook my belly quite a bit and I walked around but nothing would work. Then he turned so we could only see the back of his head so that was it, appointment over. Thankfully, the ultrasound place is letting us come back on Wednesday for another look and hopefully we can make more out. But bottom line is he's still a cutie and at least we know his right foot has 5 toes. Plus I think he's got his dad's feet!

Austin's Track Meet and CJ & Brandon's Baseball

Yesterday Austin had his first track meet. He ran the 1500m and 800m. He did his very best and ran a 7:14 on the 1500m and a 3:48 on the 800m. Unfortunately, he was nowhere near 1st place on either event but since this was his first track meet ever I know he can only improve. For starters, I wish I could run a 7:14 mile!! Here's a clip of the start of the 1500m race. You can tell it's his first race since he didn't know at first that he didn't have to stay in the lane he started in. It was definitely a long day with 80 degree weather in the sun.
Right after Austin ran the 800m, we zoomed back to Fayetteville to try and make CJ's 3:30 baseball game. We had already missed Brandon's game earlier that day so I don't really have an update on his game. CJ played 1st and 3rd base during his game, which they won. Sadly though, CJ struck out twice :( But this time we will blame it on nerves for the first game of the season. He plays again Monday night so hopefully I'll have a better batting average to announce!

Easter Party

Today my unit had an Easter Egg Hunt/ Party and I took the boys. I think they had a blast! At least I had a blast watching them. They looked for Easter Eggs, then played the Egg Toss and the 3 legged race. I'm just sorry Chris had to miss it! Here is Austin with his almost full basket of eggs. And of course every kid loves a ride in a HMMWV. Here's Brandon getting ready for the 3-legged race that he won. Austin found a new friend as well. I tried to upload a video of them doing their best and actually falling down but it didn't work :( Here are all the kids with the Easter Bunny. CJ didn't smile once during these series of pictures.