New Year's Eve 2008

Mike was on call today so we didn't do too much. Ashlyn and I went out to dinner with Brian and Diane to O'Charlies. After dinner we came back to their house and watched a movie. We ended up staying at their house that evening. I tried staying up to watch the ball drop but ended up falling asleep on the couch. The good news is that I did wake up just in time for the count down and then I went to bed. It's just not the same when you don't have your husband there to celebrate with you.

Kennedy Christmas

My new favorite family tradition. For Grandpa and Grandma Kennedy the family is just getting so big that they started a new tradition, dinner at Hagerstown. It is a family buffet full of great food. Mike was on call that day so he didn't get to go but that just means Ashlyn and I get to go a second time when Grandma and Grandpa Kennedy take him. I think that sounds fair. :)

My USI cheerleading girls came to visit.

The girls and I decided to meet together for a visit. We all haven't been together since Ashley's wedding. We met here at my house for a central location. Ashley, Michael and Alex came up this morning from Mt.Vernon, Misty came from Anderson and Laura came from southside of Indy. Everyone brought stuff for a mexican lunch. It was nice having it here so we could eat and visit as long as we wanted. The food was so good and it was great to catch up and see everyone!

Christmas Day!

We woke up at my parents house for christmas. Before we ate breakfast, Mike went and got the envelope so we could open it and find out what we are having. As a family we opened it and It's a Boy!!! Yea! We are so lucky to have one of each. After breakfast we went into the living room to open up presents. By the time we finished opening gifts it was time to leave, so we packed the car and off we went back to Indy. Not really thinking about lunch but there was nothing open. Mike got combos at a gas station and I had grapes and cheese in the car. Note to self: Do not do that again. When we arrived home we unloaded the car and opened gifts here at the house. Ashlyn was very excited about her Elmo Live, but it was a bit scary how Live it was. When we finished opening gifts at home we loaded back up and off to Mike's parents we went for their family christmas. It was a very busy day to say the least but we made it!

Christmas Eve.

Today we had a lot of visiting to do. We got to Petersburg last night about 11pm. It took us over 6 hours to get here. We were traveling during prime time ice storm. It could have been worse because there was a massive back up on I-70 but we were able to get off at an exit and find another way home.
We started our visits at 9:30 am with Beau, Jill and Blaine. The kids got to play and open gifts, and we all got to catch up. Blaine had his 2nd birthday in November so he had a lot more toys to play with at this visit. Ashlyn got out the Hokey Pokey Elmo that they played with at the last visit and it was a big hit as you can see below.

While Ashlyn took a nap, my mom and I went to run some erands and go see Steph. It was a short visit but it was good to see her.
Our last visit was to my Aunt Brenda's house for Christmas Eve. Every year the Carter Clan meets at Brenda's for supper. It was great to see everyone and catch up.

A new addition to the O'Barr family

Today Mike, Ashlyn and I went to see Jeff and Sara at the hospital. Alexis Grace was born yesterday, December 17. Ashlyn loved seeing baby Alexis. She finally has a girl to play with. Ashlyn found stickers in the diaper bag and made sure she shared with Alexis. The family is doing great and we look forward to watching Alexis grow.

16 Week OB appointment

Today was my 16 week OB appointment! Ashlyn got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. She sat on my lap while Leslie did the heartbeat. I told her that it was the baby's heartbeat and she just smiled like WOW! The rate has dropped to 156! That makes me think it is a boy. The pencil test said I was having a boy also. After I saw Dr. White I went over to have Keana do an ultrasound. Mike was on call today at the hospital so we decided to just put the info in an envelope and open it Christmas morning as our gift. Keana checked out the baby and took some pictures and then I looked away while she checked if it was a boy or girl. She was able to tell so we have an envelope to open Christmas Day! Right now it is on top of the Christmas tree. (Hopefully it is out of sight out of mind) At least we only have a week to wait.

Grandpa and Grandma Sanford Christmas

Today was a busy day for us. We have season tickets to the Colts game that we split with 3 other couples and today was one of our game days. Mike and I went to the game at 1pm (Colts vs. Detroit Lions) and then came back home changed clothes and off we went to his parents house. Mike's grandma hasn't been feeling very well so Diane is having all of the Sanford Clan at her house for Christmas. It gets a bit crazy because there are a lot of kids, but it's nice that we actually had a day that everyone was able to make it.

Christmas tree farm

We decided to go get our Christmas tree today. This is one of my favorite family activities. I have been doing this for as long as I can remember and now I am carrying it on to my own family. We found a christmas tree farm up here but it takes us about 45 minutes to get there. It is called the Lost 40 Tree Farm. You get there and they give you a hand saw to cut it down and then you go out to find the perfect one. Of course this year I saw it and just knew it was the one. Ashlyn really liked it this year. She ran around touching all the trees just laughing. The weather was wonderful today and that is another reason why we picked today to go and get it. Once you cut down your tree you drag it up to the main station and they put it on a shaker to get all the dead stuff out and then they put it through a net to keep it small and easier to bring into the house. They also have hot chocolate and hand made wreaths you can buy. Now its time to head home, put it up and decorate it! We will see how Ashlyn does with it this year.

12 Week OB appointment

Today was my 12 week OB appointment. I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat again. It was still pretty high 176. I am finally starting to feel better. I had one week that I never left the house I felt so bad. Hopefully things will get back to normal real soon. Keep your fingers crossed that at the 16 week appointment we will be able to sneak another peek and find out what we are having.

Trip to Petersburg

Ashlyn and I left for Petersburg on Wednesday Nov. 12 and we were gone until Monday Nov. 17. Mike had never been away from Ashlyn this long but he was on call a lot and I went home to help my mom get ready for my Grandma Havill's 90th birthday party on Sunday. It was great to be home for a long visit because they are usually just short weekend visits. When we came down on Wednesday we went straight out to Pike Central to see my dad and some of my friends and teachers. Ashlyn entertained dad's class for a while. Thursday, Mom, Ashlyn and I traveled to Evansville to do some Christmas shopping. I haven't been there in a long time and so much has changed. It has really grown. While we were in Evansville we went to visit Erica Mitz and her little girl. They just moved into a new house not long ago and we got to see it. I was so glad we were able to see them because we don't get to very often. The rest of the day was filled with shopping. Of course we went to the mall and Ashlyn got to ride the carousel. Ashlyn didn't take a nap that day so by the end she was pooped. We came home and she didn't even want to eat. She just wanted to go to bed. Friday was spent working around the house inside and out. Ashlyn got to drive her pink convertable that we got at a garage sale. She could actually do it herself this time. Saturday morning we went for a playdate with Jill and Blaine at their house. The kids really played great together and Ashlyn liked Blaine's Hokey Pokey Elmo. They kept busy the entire time we were there. That afternoon I cleaned inside the house. Sunday was the big party day! Grandma Havill, Brandt, Uncle Terry and Aunt Cindy all came to the house early and then the rest of the Havill gang came for dinner. Gram also came for dinner and Brenda came up for ice cream and cake. I don't think we surprised Grandma but she was glad we were all there. I did get to surprise everyone at the party with some new information. Today was the day I finally got to tell all of my family that I'm expecting! It was so hard to keep it a secret but I made it. Now I can officially tell everyone.

Ryan, Natalie and the kids came to trick or treat

We had a really busy day today. It started off with MOPS at 9 am and then we had family pictures taken at JCPenny at 4 pm and ended with Mike's brother and his family coming to trick or treat. We ordered pizza and then dressed the kids up for pictures and gifts. Gianna was a very cute cow and Garyn was a firefighter. When we were dressing Ashlyn and Garyn, Ryan told Garyn that there was a fire in the house and he needed to find it and put it out. This was the way to get him to put on his costume. I found a candle in the bathroom and lit it so he could put it out. It was really nice to spend time with them.

Halloween

Today was a busy day. Ashlyn and I started off with bible study in the morning, then we went to lunch with Erika, Kaden and Luke and after lunch we went back to Erika's house so the kids could play for a while. After Ashlyn got up from her nap we had visitors here at the house. Uncle Mark came to see her and so did Amy and Riker. Once everyone left, Mike, Ashlyn, Stokley and I started off on our journey. We started at Great Mamaw and Papaw Kennedy's house where we also saw Great Aunt Karen. I had my first sucker here. Then we were off to Great Mamaw and Papaw Sanford's house where we had dinner and then to our last stop at MamMaw and Papaw Sanford's house. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. I have to say I had a pretty cute flower and bumble bee!

Dinner with Steph

Mike was on call today so we filled it with friends. Ashlyn and I went downtown to the fire department and had lunch with a couple of friends (Candy and Bobbie). We all got to catch up on our lives. That evening Steph and Anslie came over for dinner/Halloween. We dressed up the dogs and took pictures because they were both bumble bees and we couldn't believe we picked the same outfit for Halloween. Ashlyn is scared of Anslie most of the time but she loves looking at her picture on the refrige.

Mom and Dad came to visit

My parents came to visit for the weekend. Mike was on call Friday and Sunday so it was really nice to have them around. We all went out to dinner on Saturday and when we came back home we dressed Ashlyn and Stokley up in their Halloween costumes so they could see them. Ashlyn was very excited to get color wonder markers, paper and animal crackers from Mamaw and Papaw.

First OB appointment

Today was my 8 week OB appointment! Mike, Ashlyn and I all went together. We got to go take a sneak peek at the baby. Keana did the ultrasound with Dr. White there. It always makes it seem so much more real to see something in there. The heart rate was 175 and everything looked great! After the ultrasound I got weighed and heighted and off to see the nurse practioner (Kathy). After we saw Kathy with all the information stuff we went to the financial office to see where I am going to deliver, which is Clarian North Hospital. I have already been really sick. I think it is a bit more than I was with Ashlyn. The only thing that really bothers me is the smell of seafood. The only cravings I have are the ones people mention. If someone mentions a food or restaurant then either that day or the next I end up wanting the food that was mentioned.

Mops playdate at Watermans

Today we went to Watermans Farm for a playdate. Ashlyn had a good time. We went on a hay ride out into the field to pick pumpkins. They have many activities for the kids to do and they have animals for you to pet. Ashlyn loved the animals!

Finally spreading the news!

The t-shirt came today, yea!! I had Brian and Diane come over for dinner. Ashlyn had a Purdue t-shirt on when Brian got there and no pants. Of course he makes a comment about the shirt because he is an IU fan but it worked great! After dinner I took Ashlyn and told her we needed to get some pants on her. When we came out I had her shirt on and a pair of jeans. Brian noticed she didn't have the Purdue shirt on but didn't read the t-shirt. Ashlyn went straight to Diane and she finally read the shirt and then read it out loud. Brian looked really suprised and said "really?" It worked out and they were excited.
That evening I took the pictures I took of Ashlyn in her shirt and uploaded one to my parents along with some mini-marathon pictures. I put in the message that the last picture was the best one. They thought I was only sending pictures from the mini-marathon but they got a suprise! The next day my mom called and said they were excited.

My birthday!

Today Ashlyn and I went to Tuttles apple orchard with Erika, Kaden and Luke Meunier to celebrate my 29th birthday! My mother-in-law, Diane, always makes a birthday dinner so we celebrated with them that evening and had ice cream cake.

State to State Mini Marathon

My sister in law, Lori and I ran in our 2nd mini marathon. This was a state to state mini that started in Ohio went into Indiana and then back into Ohio to finish. Lori is from Ohio so we stayed with her parents the night before. This was not a great running day for me but I did it! We finished in 2 hours (our best was 1:59). Now that I found out that I'm pregnant my next two mini's are out. :( Brian, Diane, Mark and Ashlyn came to watch us run. Mike was on call so he couldn't but he did call me during the race to see how we were doing.

Big news!

I found out that I am pregnant! I took a pregnancy test this evening before we went out to dinner for Diane and Mark's birthday at Fogo De Chao. We didn't tell the news though. I wanted to order a shirt for Ashlyn to wear to tell everyone.