It's been a rough week for the boy. The week started out pretty good but he developed a fever on Tuesday and he had it off and on until Thursday night. Turns out it was a reaction to the MMR vaccine he got the day after his birthday. I'm just thankful he doesn't have to get another dose of that until he's 6. He's feeling much better, getting his appetite back, and he's back to wandering the house like he owns the place.

We bought Matthew's Halloween costume and Gilbert had the greatest idea ever. Matthew is going to be Chewbacca and Gilbert is going to be Han Solo... now I have to figure out who I'm going to be. I know, logically I would dress as Leia, right? Well, I don't really feel like wearing any of her costumes out in public on a warm October night with people around...



I just like the face he's making here.





My mom left yesterday afternoon and I think Matthew's trying to figure out where she's gone to. He thoroughly enjoyed having her around to play with.



Matthew is also thrilled that Daddy is home today. They watched Iron Man together this morning. He's such a Daddy's boy =)





And now, the information I'm sure you've all been waiting for. I did have my ultrasound yesterday and I was expecting to see a little bean like I did the first time I saw Matthew. Well, surprise, surprise... our little one looks like a baby and I am already 11 weeks along. I will be out of the first trimester in about two and a half weeks. Baby looks perfect and has a nice strong heartbeat. We will probably be finding out the sex of the baby around the end of November or beginning of December. Baby is due April 25, 2009 =).

Here is Baby #2:

Tomorrow I will post new pictures and the details of today's doctor's appointment...

Today's post is going to be a little more serious. There are many people in this world that I consider family that I am not biologically related to. They have impacted my life, taught me things, and loved me the way I am. Several months ago I found out that my friend had been diagnosed with cancer. It was a shock to all of us and by the time she was diagnosed her cancer was already in advanced stages. I remember saying, "I can't imagine a world without Sharon Hobson in it."

Sharon Denise Hobson touched so many lives. She was loving, honest, and she loved her God passionately. I was fortunate enough to have one last private visit with her when I was in California back in June and I am so, so thankful for that night. Sharon always had words of life to speak over me, my marriage, and my son. It really is hard to imagine that she's gone, but that woman has a legacy that will live on.

Okay, on to the birthday post.

Matthew's birthday party ended up being cancelled because we had no power, gas and groceries were scarce, and all of our friends were trying to recover from Ike. We ended up opening gifts from the family on Saturday afternoon and we took a cake to church on Sunday so we could still celebrate with our friends. He LOVED the cake. It was hilarious.





















Playing next to Auntie Val



Birthday love from Grandma Maudie



My birthday boy





Singing "Happy Birthday"



Cake Time!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnddddddddddd we're back!!!

Power came back on yesterday around 6PM. I got the computer all set up and I've uploaded pictures. I'm going to overload all of you with pictures now, but I'll post Matthew's birthday in a separate post.

I did have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and everything looks good. At this point they said it looks like I'm between 7-9 weeks pregnant but she's leaning toward 9 weeks. I have an ultrasound next Friday to date the pregnancy. =)

In the mean time, here are some pictures of the aftermath of Ike.

Lovebugs have been around again. Here's the massacre that occurred on the drive back from Tyler.



Our trees used to stand up straight and thanks to Gilbert, our fence no longer looks like this.









We all have lake front property for the time being, too. This is usually a lot of grass and a small pool of water. This picture only shows about a third of the whole area. It's actually a drainage area in case of flooding. There were people on wake boards being towed by ATVs out there last week.



Ok, now for some overwhelming cuteness from the last two weeks.

Matthew and Daddy playing the drums up in Tyler.



Matthew and his first girlfriend, Gracie. She flirts with him like there's no tomorrow and insists that Matthew loves her. I love this little girl.



Matthew's back up girlfriend, Charlie. She bats her eyes at him and loves smiling at him. The age gap here is considerable smaller. Charlie is also Gracie's cousin...



My happy boy



One of our friends felt it was appropriate to name our room in Tyler...



Playing with Charlie and her brother, George.



Nap time on Daddy



Finally drinking from his cup like a big boy



So cute



So emo





Passed out on the way home





Hanging out with Great-Grandpa



Matthew's birthday gift from Grandpa and Grandma



Batman





Passed out on the living room floor



Loving his first car