Exciting News

Riddle me this:  What do pickled beats, being knock out tired, thinking you have a UTI because you have to go to the bathroom so much, breaking out like you are a hormonal teenager, feeling bloated & sea sick all day, and lucky number 13 have in common?  The SURPRISE of finding out that we are expecting baby #3 coming soon in January of 2013!

This indeed was a shock as we had been told by our embryologist that we had less than a 1% chance of conceiving naturally.  After much heart ache in the 5 years it took to have our little girl Hanna, and after IVF with several complications to have our little Hayden, it took us by complete surprise when we found out that we would have #3 after 13 years of marriage.

Needless to say we are in a state of shock at this time.  We are excited but cautiously optimistic.  We have had two ultrasounds so far and the baby appears to be healthy.  We are scheduled to see our wonderful perinatologist on the 16th of July for much further specialized testing.

Both kids are really excited about having a new baby.  Hanna is convinced that she should have a baby sister.  Maybe by next post we’ll know.

Additional monthly news...Hanna graduated from Rise preschool and Hayden got to go surfing.  Here are a few of the FB pics that you may have already seen.

Dance Recital & Scott's 1st Olympic Capital of Texas Triathlon

While Hanna didn't like practice all that much, she sure loved performing.

So pleased with herself!

Brother Hayden loved watching and clapping!

Scott has been training a long time and has been committed.  The "Olympic distance" is (1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) swim, 40 kilometres (25 mi) ride,  and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) run)

Next up...is the Half Ironman..(1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) swim, 90 kilometres (56 mi) ride, and 21.1 kilometres (13.1 mi) run)

Hayden loved giving everyone a high 5 to all the runners.  The runners loved it too.  He was most excited to see his Daddy!

Hanna loves sweaty kisses!

This is where we cheered and looked for Daddy.

Scott finished the race just getting over his bronchitis.  Hanna's not sure about that smooch.

We are all so proud of Scott.  Way to celebrate our 12 year anniversary.

After baking in the sun, Hayden cooled off in by playing for his first time in the sprinkler park.

He was a little hesitant at first but then he began using his karate moves on the sprinklers.

We are counting our blessings this weekend with all that we were able to enjoy and welcoming our new little nephew/cousin Thomas Banks Hanna to the family http://houseofhannas.blogspot.com/.

Scott's 1st half marathon, Hogge Family visit & Easter

We had the best time cheering on Scott and congratulating at his first 13.1 mile race!  We traveled to Waco for the Bearathon half marathon held at Baylor University.

It was a beautiful but hilly course and we were all so proud that he ran in his Spina Bifida shirt that he bought for the NYC marathon team.

Handsome Hayden and Beautiful Hanna's Rise School pictures.  We were so pleased we bought the whole CD.  If you want any, just let us know:).

Fancy Nancy's teacher's name is Ms. Glass.  Well so is Hanna's.  She loves Ms. Glass and thinks she is pretty fancy in her shirt she made in class.

Hayden wasn't really into the candy but loved collecting eggs.  

The Rise school Easter egg hunt.  Hanna and Hayden are by the funny looking bunny.

Hayden's teacher is Mr. D. He is so wonderful with the little kids and especially Hayden.

Bear Paw and Kiki came to Austin for Easter and we all rode the new commuter train.  Hayden is obsessed with trains.  Photos curtesy of Hanna.

Hanna is a tinsy bit competitive.  She was on a mission to get those eggs.

Hayden chillin' wondering what all the big deal was about these eggs.

All the egg hunting made Hanna work up a sweat and who knew that April would be our first trip to the pool.

Hanna bought her own Easter dress.  She even picked it out on-line as she was very specific about what she wanted.  She saves good behavior/chore marbles in a jar and when she earns enough, she can get something she has wanted for a long time.  She was ecstatic to say the least when the package arrived.

Our third egg hunt was on Easter in our back yard.

Bear Paw and Kiki had to head home but we had a wonderful visit.

Texas Bluebonnets in Lakeway

 A historian once said that "the bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." 

It is gloriously beautiful in Austin right now with all the bluebonnets.  After the toughest/hottest summer I have ever gone through, the rain and wildflowers this spring brought a smile to our faces.

 I know a good photographer tries to avoid taking pictures in the middle of the day when the sun is just overhead.  Well, we hit it right at noon:).

 Pulled over along the side of the road with 4 other cars plopping their kids down and shouting to smile.

If you are wondering were we took these pictures, look for the field with the big patch of dead ones from our bottoms making a nice crop circle. 

 Handsome Hayden.

 Indian Paintbrush.

 The kids were being extra cute and sweet to each other.  Good thing we got this in early in the day.

 Recognize this pose from 2 years ago?

 This girl loves to pick flowers.

 This is my favorite picture.

I love Hanna running down the hill with her curls bouncing.

Here are some photos of some old Texas homes at Spanish Oaks.

 Since we were having such good luck with the kids, we thought we would try for a family photo via the self-timer.  We rigged a homemade tripod out of some old boxes.  We thought we were very inventive.

Hanna helping me get it set just right. 

 The first picture Hayden was a little scared as I ran around to get in, Hanna didn't quite make it.

 The kids thought it was pretty funny which made for some genuine smiles.

 Not too bad for our self attempt at a family portrait.

Right before we left, Scott said he had waited to show me the poisonous coral snake that was dead in the corner of the photo shoot.  Smart man.

When it comes to coral snakes...remember the rhyme...

red touches yellow - kill a fellow