Farm Boy

Last weekend, we went to Temple to visit Michael's parents.  We had a great weekend and Michael had all kind of farm experiences lined up for his little guy!

Michael's parents live in Temple now but he grew up on about 80 acres near Rogers (super small town).  They still have their land out there since that is where Jimmy processes and cleans all the pecans he gathers during harvest.   So we went there first thing Saturday morning so that Jimmy could take Joseph on his very first tractor ride!   And boy did he love it!  I was afraid he would be scared once Jimmy turned the tractor on but he wasn't at all.  He loved driving with the steering wheel as they coasted along on idle speed.  A couple of times, Jimmy sped the tractor up a tiny bit and once he slowed it back down, Joseph kept doing his "more" sign because he wanted to go fast again.

After that we walked around their property a bit where he got to play with some hay bales and then off to the pasture where his Grandpa took him up close and personal to the cows!

When we finished up there, we headed to the Zajicek pecan orchard which is about a 20 minute drive away.  It's so beautiful down there - especially now because all the trees are loaded with pecans since harvest is about to begin.    Joseph got in his tired/hungry/grumpy mood while we were down there unfortunately, so we only stayed a few minutes.   We did manage to get some good pics though.

That evening, Michael's brother and his family came over to watch the A&M game with us which was nice.  I also went with Faith to walk Joseph over to his Great Grandma's house around the corner.   Joseph had lots of fun playing outside in Faith & Jimmy's backyard!  I wish I would have gotten a pic of him playing in the rocks with Faith - so cute!   

Even though we live in a suburb of the 4th largest city in the nation, Michael will always be a "country boy" and it's important for him (and me) for our kids to experience where he grew up since it is such a part of who he is.   And besides the cows still freaking me out a bit when they stare at me, it really is neat to go out to the land for some country time!    :)

Going in his jammies to get the newspaper with Grandpa

Getting settled on the tractor for their big ride

Here we go! Joseph is driving all by himself - he took it very seriously too!

Making a turn

All smiles

3 generation of Zajicek boys

Going for a walk with Grandma

Michael checking out the new pecan sorter (it sorts out some of the different varieties based off the weight of the pecan)

Pulling pieces out of the hay bale

Up high!

The cows really know Jimmy so he is really the only person that can get this close to them.  (which is fine by me, haha)

"Look at those cows Grandpa!"     And wouldn't you believe that just this week, Joseph started making the "Mmmmm" noise for cow!

"Whoa, that was so fun!"

Down at the pecan orchard in front of a pecan tree that had fallen down, but still producing pecans!

Country boys!

Sitting by himself on the tree with Daddy tucked down behind him  ;)

 

Standing by the river bank of the river that serves as the border of the pecan orchard

 

Fun with Grandma!

 Here is a little short video from Joseph's tractor ride.  This was when they were going a little bit faster. You can see Jimmy slow it down with the gear stick on the right and after he does that you can see Joseph motion with his hand to make it go fast again.  :P



Half Way There!

Last week marked my 20th week of pregnancy - officially the half way point!  In some ways it feels like I've been pregnant for a while, but then it's hard to believe that it's already half way over!   I feel so happy and thankful that I have felt so good during pregnancy.   I don't get nauseous or sick and really the only thing I have is fatigue - so I appreciate being to enjoy this special time!  I also started feeling baby boy move over the past week and a half or so.  It's that sweet little flutter feeling and not all that consistent yet, but I absolutely love feeling those little movements.

Last Tuesday, I had my 20 week ultrasound.  That's where we received confirmation that the baby is definitely a boy!  :)    More importantly though, all of the anatomy scans looked good and baby is looking great!   He was SO cute and I loved just being able to stare at him and his little beating heart for so long!      There was one time where all of a sudden we saw his little face and nose and it just brought tears to my eyes to see my little one up close like that for the first time.    During part of the scan, he had his little hands in fists up near his face and he kept moving his arms to where she was trying to get pictures of various body parts.

During the scan, he was breach - so his head was up under my belly button and feet were at the bottom of my tummy - luckily it's not really a concern at this point since I already know I'll be having a c-section.  He was also face down (looking towards my back) but luckily the ultrasound lady was able to get all the measurements and pictures she needed.      The only thing they had to note was my low lying placenta - so I'll go back at 28 weeks for another ultrasound to make sure that corrected itself as the uterus and baby grows.

At the end of the ultrasound, she double checked and baby is ceratinly a boy and not afraid to show off his little manhood!  :P    Michael and I both laughed at just how obvious it was!   And of course Michael had to boast "That's my boy!!".   :)       

Sweet little guy face down in the fetal position - the white line under his tummy are his legs folded up underneath his tummy.

Little booty shot pushed up towards the top and leg to the right

This is looking up towards his upper lip and bottom of his nostrils

Oh how I already love this little profile - love his little hand at the top by his face

Everytime I see these pictures I just want to say "Awww, hi!!!"

Left foot - this is when he stretched out and looked like he was pushing off and bouncing off the edge of the sac

Sweet little leg and foot

Right foot

Arms with hands in fists

Little face

One more profile shot - love his little nose and lips in this pic

This is looking up from underneath his legs and our "proof" that he's a boy!

VIDEO
When the ultrasound lady gave us the pictures on a CD, I think she included this little video by mistake.  It's so neat though because you can see his heart just pumping away!