Me: "So...am I going to have the baby today?..."

Nurse: "...Honey, you're going to have this baby before the sun comes up."

Boy, was this a surprise!

I went to bed on Monday night like usual, except my lower back was really hurting. I thought it was bothering me because I had gone on a walk that evening. When Cooper came to bed, he offered to give me a back massage to relieve the pain...well, that didn't happen! My water ended up breaking and contractions followed. I still was in denial that I could be in labor, so I tried to go back to bed. Finally at 3:30a, Cooper began to stir, so I woke him up and told him I hadn't been to sleep yet. I didn't notice that my "back pain" was coming and going in patterns. He insisted we call the doctor.

Long story, short... We called Mimi at 3:45a to come over and be with Archer when he woke up. Cooper and I checked into Saddleback Hospital at about 4:15am. They checked and I was already 6cm. By the time they got me to my room and had the anethesologist called I was 9cm. Everyone began to hurry because this little guy wasn't going to wait for anything.

At 6:09am on 11/24 (3 weeks early) Beau Timothy was brought into the world!

Here's a Little Peek...

into life at our house.

This being the last few weeks of us as a family of three, I am trying to soak in every little bit of Archer that I can, trying to soak in the little things that so easily can be looked over during a busy day. These are some of the little things I've gotten to enjoy the past week.

Walking into the family room and seeing Archer watching a movie with his moose and big doggie, all under a blanket.



Archer walking in from the garage with an empty box on his head, thinking he is so funny that he can peek through the hole.


Being so interested in Daddy building a fire that he wanted his chair placed right in front of it. When I put it there, he said, "Perfect!"


Wanting to eat his dinner on the floor in his bedroom in front of "his" Christmas tree.


Tonight I went to pull back the covers so he could get into bed, and this is what I found... when cars are upside down at our house, they are "sleeping."

Try to notice the little things...it'll put a smile on your face!

Like Father, Like Son

***If you know Cooper at all, you can't help but think of his laugh...it really is contagious. He can get me laughing (not because of what had just been said, but...) because of how hard he is laughing. ***It's one of my favorite things about him!*** Last week we went to Sea World with Archer and saw the Sea Lion Show. It was very entertaining; however, at the point of this picture NO ONE else was laughing... I am so glad I was able to capture this moment.

Like father, like son...

While Mom's Away...

the boys shall play.









While I was away for the weekend with a group of my girlfriends, Archer and Daddy got some fun "boy time" in. They went to Laguna Canyon and went hiking...looking for caves. Archer was in Heaven...not just because he got to "play" outside, but because he got to be with just Daddy!

"Lullaby...

and good night. Go to sleep now, dear child...and big doggy and little doggy and horsey and whale and shark..."

Bedtime isn't so simple anymore... but it sure keeps one little boy happy.

Have You Ever Wondered...

...what a pirate does on his spare time? Well, I got to spend the day with one last week. Here is what I learned...

1. Get ready for the day.




2. Eat breakfast to start the day off right.




3. Go to Feeding Class.




4. Visit with family. (Avery the Strawberry and Max as Frankenstein)




5. Hang out with friends.




6. Sweet talk the ladies.




7. Get ready for a night on the town.



So.. if you've ever wondered... some pirates lead very normal lives, just like us, when they're not out on the sea.

Pumpkin Carving...

gone wrong.

Step 1: Help Mommy cut off the top of the pumpkin.



Step 2: Open up pumpkin.



Step 3: Prepare to clean out the insides.



Step 4: Scoop out the slimy stuff.



DONE!!! There were no more steps for Archer after step 4. Mommy and Daddy finished it!

Maybe next year...

My Sweet Boy

Looking at these pictures next to each other makes it all for real...

He really is growing up...so fast!!!

I love you, Arch!!!

Cookie Time

Archer and I made my Grandma's Famous (well, famous to my family, at least...) Oatmeal Cookies today. We had so much fun! He helped every step of the way.

Getting ready to start...



Figuring out how to mix...



Mommy stepped in to help a little bit...



The best part...



...and because you just can't get enough dough on the mixers...a spoon always works better!!!



Oatmeal Cookie Recipe by Doris Chase

1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. flour
3 c. quick oats
1/2 c. coconut

Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift salt, soda, and flour then add. Add oats and coconut. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 375 degrees. ***Optional: Add raisins.

Enjoy!!!

My Little Photographer

We have been finding A LOT of these types of pictures on our camera lately...





...Can you tell who has discovered the camera?

Big Brother Bed!

So...my boy is officially an even bigger boy...he slept in a different room, in a different bed for the first time last night. He loved it!!! When we changed his crib into a toddler bed, we called it his "big boy bed." Now that we've changed his room (to get ready for his little brother) we call his new bed his "big brother bed."

Here he is...

Apple Days in Julian

We headed to Julian to spend the day in the apple country. It was so much fun...a much-needed family day! Here's our day in pictures...

Waiting to go...

One of the only times Archer wanted to be in the stroller.
Taking his own picture...
What a big boy and a BIG SMILE!
Loving being with Daddy...
Being a boy...
A family picture...set on a log with a timer...not too bad!!!
One of my favorites for the day!
Trying his hardest to look at the camera, but there was too much other stuff around.
Look at those pearly whites!!! ...Orthodontist, here we come! :)

What a fun day in Julian! I highly recommend going up there during the month of October...during Apple Days... apple pie, apple cider, caramel apples, and more!!!

Who's the Big Helper?

Archer is set on doing EVERYTHING himself. He wants to help so bad...put his seatbelt on, open the door, get the mail, stir the batter for cupcakes, get utensils from the drawer, press the button to start movies, cover Mommy with blankets,

fill his bowl up with pretzels, and



help Mommy organize her cupcake sprinkles.



I bet you wish you had a helper around like I do!!!

Hello...Hello... Are you really there?

I know...believe it or not after six long months I am going to try to get back on the blogging band wagon. My goal is to start posting one blog a week. If it's more, great. If it's less, gently urge me to DO IT!!!

One of My New Favorite Pictures...