Jacob's 1st Birthday Party- The Very Hungry Caterpillar

     Last weekend we had Jacob's 1st Birthday Party and celebrated with a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme. There are a million great ideas out there and since I love reading this book to Jacob (and he seems to love hearing it), I thought it would be the perfect theme for his 1st birthday! We are so grateful that so many friends and family were able to come celebrate with us! For those that were not able to be there, here are some pictures! there are a LOT more pictures on Facebook- if you were there, go look for pictures of you and/or your children! I tried to tag everyone if it was a really good shot of you or your child! :)

Two Year Update in Two Minutes...

Mommy, Mason and Daddy

      Ok, I know it has been FOREVER since I posted! I really am going to try to start updating this blog regularly!! I have not posted since I was 6 months pregnant for Mason! Since then, a LOT has happened!
     My sweet baby, Mason, was born on March 19, 2010 with renal failure. We spent 2 months in the NICU and then had 3 wonderful, if stressful, weeks at home with Mason before he became sick and had to go back to the hospital. Sadly, Mason passed away at 3 months and we survived what I never thought we could. Mason taught us just how much love our hearts could hold and how much heart break one can live through.

Mason Ross

      In April 2011, Kyle finished his career with the Army and we moved back to Florida. We have loved being back home and around our family and friends!
     Then our second bundle of joy, Jacob, was born May 17, 2011. Jacob is an amazing, healthy, bundle of energy!! Weighing 9 pounds 2 ounces when he was born, he hasn't stopped growing in leaps and bounds! We just celebrated Jacob's 1st birthday and he is already 32 inches long and 24 pounds!
      Kyle is in school working on his RN and this is my first year as principal at a small charter school. We were fortunate enough to buy our first home in February of this year and we feel very grateful that things are going so well and that we have our little family.

Jacob Ross 5/17/11

Daddy, Jacob and Mommy 5/19/12



Jacob's 1st Birthday Party

Nothing new...

Sorry it has been so long since I posted anything! I doubt anyone even bothers to check this site anymore! :) Everything is going great here. Kyle and I are keeping busy and excited for the baby to get here. I will be 6 months on Monday and we had another ultra sound today (see pictures below). I feel great and am really starting to feel Mason move around a lot. I love it. :) He likes to be out in front of my stomach and seems to curl up on my left side all the time- making my stomach look all misshapen. Poor baby- between Kyle and I one of us is always messing with him trying to make him kick when I am sure he is curled up for a nap. :)

I was having horrible heartburn until I figured out it was form Mason squishing my stomach. Now when I get it, if I lay on my side and he moves over it goes away. Fabulous. Let's see...I have gained about 18 pounds thus far and am feeling ok about it. I am sure I could be doing better. However, I know I could also be doing a lot worse! :) We will be coming home again for Christmas- can't wait! I love Christmas and being with family! I am also ready for some time off work, too. Well, that's about all for now...

Mason Ross Higgins

Today's ultra sound- 23 weeks and 4 days. Mason has almost doubled in weight since last month- he is now 1 pound 6 ounces. He is also big and measuring due on March 31st now. I guess he hit a growth spurt because up until now every appointment he has been measuring exactly on time and schedule for April 5th due date.

Ummm, yes...he is all boy.

Mason at 19 weeks 4 days- 12 ounces and measuring due for April 5th.

Mason at 9 weeks and 4 days.

The best husband ever...

I have to say, I have the best husband ever. :) He is always doing things for me. This morning was especially thoughtful though. Kyle leaves at 5:30 for PT, usually gets home about 7:30- just after I leave for work, and then showers and changes and goes back to work. Well, this morning they had a short formation and no PT. So, he got back home at 6:30. I woke up and went to get in the shower and I smelled bacon. I was like weird...I haven't been imagining smells during pregnancy- new symptom? I go downstairs to check (the vent from our kitchen runs to our bathroom) and Kyle is there cooking breakfast to surprise me! He really wanted to finish before I got downstairs, but it was still a great surprise. He is such a keeper. :)

On another note, pregnancy is MUCH better in the second trimester! I feel great and have a lot more energy than I did in the first. I still smell things but they don't make me sick anymore. I can eat all the things I used to again. Everything is going really well. I will be 18 weeks on Monday and have gained 10 pounds. eek. Still not too bad if I can manage to not gain a ton from here out. I just have images of trying to get it off after the baby comes in my head. But that doesn't keep me from eating. LOL It seems like I am always hungry.

Friday November 13th we get to find out what the baby is! We can't wait to see if there is a boy or girl in there! I will let you know asap! :)

Updates...

Wow, sorry it has been so long since I posted anything! That all day nausea I was complaining about before is gone! Yay!! It only lasted a total of about three weeks. I am just over 12 weeks now and things are much better. I have a lot more energy and I feel good. However, I have pretty much become a vegetarian. I haven't been able to eat red meat for about a month and a half now. I can eat chicken occasionally if it is drowned in sauce of some kind. I pretty much exist on potatoes and pasta. :) I have gained 5 pounds so far. I can live with that. I just know more is to come...yikes!
Oh! So, I have this crazy heightened sense of smell. It is the worst thing ever. If I smell a strong smell, especially if I have not eaten, I throw up. Sadly, there is something at our house that I never noticed before and it makes me throw up EVERY time I come home. I can't figure out what it is. The smell doesn't even smell like anything I can name. Poor Kyle thinks I am a lunatic. I got one of those Lysol thingys that sprays every so many minutes- I had it on 8 but he keeps moving it to 19, Air Wicks are on every table, Glade Plug Ins, Febreeze spray, candles, I have boiled Cinnamon until Kyles eyes were tearing up, vinegar. NOTHING works. Through it all I can still smell "the smell" and it just gives Kyle a headache. Any suggestions?? I just ordered some stuff my mom found on the internet and I read that placing bowls of vinegar around the house and putting charcoal in the corners will help. LOL, so, if anyone comes to visit, you know what to expect. I am willing to try anything though- it stinks to not be able to stand being home.
On a happier note, we got to go have our first ultra sound on September 4th. At that point I was 9 weeks and 4 days. It was awesome! We could see little arms and legs. :) Then at my last doctor appointment I was able to hear the heart beat. I just can't wait for him or her to come!

Frosted Flakes and French Fries...

OK, I am just over 8 weeks pregnant and seriously, the nausea is killing me! I pretty much feel nauseated all day! I went to the Dr. Friday and he did give me something to help. The only problem is if I take a whole pill, I can't stay awake. So, I take half a pill and feel OK for like 2 hours and am back to feeling crappy. Ahhhhh. I just wish I didn't have to go to work and could sleep- the only time I don't feel sick is when I am asleep.

Additionally, almost nothing sounds good food wise. At least nothing good for me. For instance, today for lunch I had frosted flakes and french fries. :( It hit the spot...unfortunately, I am sure it will also be hitting my waist!

Don't get me wrong, I am super excited to have this baby- I just wish he/she didn't have to stay in there 7 more months. :(