Weeks 25-26 - St. Louis Trip

As you all know, this winter weather has been interesting. Northwest Arkansas just had a week of close to 60 degree weather. But of course it was followed by winds that could knock Al Roker down (He's my favorite part of the Today show by the way) and more ice and snow this weekend. We get it Mother Nature...you're angry.

Anyway, we took advantage of the sunshine by borrowing a strider bike from a neighbor so Jude could start practicing for the summer. I must say, we will probably be getting one soon because he's really enjoying it.

Super Man? More like Super Awesome.

Then came the wind and rain. Jude missed Mamaw and Papaw and vice versa, so we decided a road trip was necessary. One of our favorite bands, The Avett Brothers, was playing at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, Mo.....on the way to Mattoon, IL. We were fortunate enough to have M&P pick Jude up in STL so that mommy and daddy could have a date night. Jude got to go play with some of his favorite people and I could sit back next to Mr. Bennet and relax to some good music. Win-Win!

John booked us a fantastic room at the Union Station Hotel. It was so pretty inside.

We found some great food spots. Dinner at The Bridge and milkshakes from it's sister restaurant. 

The Avett Brothers at the Peabody. They were on point as usual and the new 

renovated opera house's acoustics were phenomenal. We'll go back anytime. Lucy enjoyed it too.

We did some shopping at Union Station before getting on the road...celebrating 25-26 weeks.

Just realized John hasn't uploaded the belly shot from Union Station. So....BOOM from me to you.

Here is the updated pic!

What did Jude do you ask? Just bounced to the beat of his own drum and enjoyed "coffee" and snacks. 

Tons of play time with the grandparents!

Thank you M&P for a wonderful trip. We got to shop, eat, listen to music, sleep in, visit with relatives, celebrate Lucy with some pink gifts and let Jude be a crazy grandchild. And yet again...no pics of Mamaw, Papaw and Jude. We've got to hire a personal photographer to follow us around!!! xoxo

Jude....Singing Hey Jude

This is a couple weeks old now, but the other day I was strumming the guitar on the couch when Jude picked up his guitar (ukulele) and started singing along. It's always cute when kids sing, but it's pretty neat that Jude can sing the song he was named for....

Happy Valentine's Day, Happy 6 Months

We're in the home stretch! Tuesday we had our 6 month checkup and Lucy girl is doing just fine. I'll be doing my orange drink test in the next couple weeks, but other than that...no news is good news for baby girl. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm all caught up, mommy gained 7 pounds in a month (WHAT?!).  I'm sure it's mostly baby and muscle from Jillian DVD's - not the sweet treats I must have after every meal. Got to be!

 24 week belly. I will dominate you orange drink!!!

Lucky for us, we've celebrated Valentine's Day all week. Wednesday evening, John surprised me with reservations at the Petit Bistro while the Post's watched Jude. It was fabulous. We'll be going back, if not for the creme brûlée alone.

Jude and I went to Crystal Bridges for Preschool Playdate Thursday for some Valentine fun. It's a free event once a month and we really enjoy it. This time we listened to some music, made some valentine's and decorated our own cookies. Jude even put butterflies on my cookie for Lucy....his "little girl".

Icing, sprinkles, success.

My valentine from Jude. This makes me so happy.

Evening Snack...Valentine's Eve right?

Valentine's Day may have been the best though. Daddy grabbed his computer from work early in the morning and brought home flowers, chocolates and kaopectate for me. Yes, he worked from home to spend the day with his family. Sweet man!! Oh the diarrhea medicine you ask? I celebrated Valentine's Day starting at 1:00am in the bathroom. It must have been those cookies:) So daddy was up all night with me and helped all day with Jude so I could rest. It made for the most memorable Valentine's Day John and I have spent together....and this was our 10th if you can believe it!!!!

To all of Jude's friends, we are sorry you didn't get your vday cards. Jude picked out Angry Bird cards and suckers for all his buddies and unfortunately I didn't think leaving the house to hand them out was a good idea. It's possible you may get this surprise in your mailbox!

Valentine's goodies, including lovely cards from Mamaw and Papaw. And Gas-X.

Baking smiley face heart cookies with daddy.

I love you so much John and Jude Bennet. You make these fun little holidays so special. xoxo

Aunt Nessa Trip

We are always so excited when Vanessa comes to visit. Jude loves his Aunt Nessa so much and had so much to catch her up on. With this nationwide winter weather, we also got one more day with her in Branson since her flight was cancelled. It was meant to be. Thank you so much for always spoiling us and Jude. Come back soon!

We got to go to the Butterfly Palace in Branson while waiting for her flight.

Nessa we see you....we're on our way!

Love you....and thanks for the back rubs!

Flights cancelled ='s boys bunking up!!! Round two of Rummy next time girl.

It's a....

GIRL!!!!!!!

Baby Bennet is a sweet little girl. 20 weeks in these sonograms. She's measuring a week ahead of schedule, which doesn't surprise us with how active she has been. Kicking constantly for weeks. 

Hello sweet thing!

Week 22-23.

Big News!

I'm the........................................

......What, what, what, what!!!!!!

What did we get ourselves into????

Here are the last few months of pictures where I became suspicious of mom:

Mom...why won't you take off that cardigan? It's hot in here.

That's a weird shirt! Mom needs to lay off the holiday cookies.

I'm thinking there's something wrong with mom the way she eats two of these a day. 

I hate to tell her those sequence aren't hiding anything. She ate an awful lot of cake at my party.

McDonald's should write her a Thank You note, as she's keeping them in business. 

Look how happy it makes her though!!!

Yeah....there's another kid here and it's not me.

I can't take her anywhere.