This weekend we took our first trip to South Carolina since last July. I can't believe it's been that long. Jack was old enough now to fully enjoy all the country offerings of May-May and Poppy's house. Uncle Mike and Auntie Em were there as well to join in all the fun. On Sunday we had a picnic with friends and Jack was hamming it up for all the ladies. There was a lot of meat to be eate except for Emily with her lame tofu-brats.

Oh, and I learned a new country-phrase: bless (insert subject) out. For example, "If you don't cook me up another piece of meat, I'm gonna bless you out something awful." It means to curse at someone. Those southerners always trying to make things better than they appear ;)~ Thanks, Lindsey! We can't wait to visit again!

Daddy and Jack riding in the tractor. I really think Matt and Poppy had more fun than Jack did.

Not only one of my favorite Deano songs, but also a very good description of our visit to the ultrasound last Monday. We were to go and find out if the baby was developing normally and incidentally find out the sex. I decided that we should all go as a family. It would be fun, a bonding experience. Matt would be there with Jack and all would be well...

I was instructed to drink 30 oz of water by 9:15am. My appointment was set for 10:45. No problem. Matt was doing his husbandly duty by making sure I drank every last drop of that water. I finally gagged down the final gulp by 9:45am. Everything's A-OK over here. Let's get in the car and go!

On the way there the baby shifts and then I really, really have to pee. By the time we get to the ultrasound place (about 30 minutes away), I REALLY REALLY have to pee. I sign in and start pacing the room. Jack is munching on snacks (always) and playing with some rocks in his truck. Things are getting more and more uncomfortable for me. Walking isn't doing it anymore. I start coming up with plan B if I happen to accidentally let loose and wet my pants. I tell Matt that we're going to have to reschedule because I can't hold it anymore. I start to sweat and get the goose bumps. I ask the receptionist how much longer it's going to be because I don't think I can make it. I actually start doing the pee-pee dance. It's getting to be too much to handle. Another kick with a little escapage. Matt says not to think about it. SHUT UP!

The receptionist comes back and tells me that I can use the bathroom. There should still be enough liquid in the bladder to get a good picture. I practically run down the hall and slam the door in the lady's face. Finally, sweet relief! "UGGGGHHHHHH!!!!" I say as a single tear silently creeps down my face.

We finally are called into the ultrasound room. A tiny closet0-like space. Of course, Jack decides to be a fussy-butt and start squirming and crying. He wants to lay on the bed with me. He tries to grab my shoe and I tell Matt to let him. I'm totally preoccupied by Jack that I'm not even really paying attention to the screen. "blah blah blah blah blah he's going to have a little brother" says the lady. YAY! Jack screaming and the final blow - he throws my shoe directly at the lady's head from about 2 feet behind. The lady almost falls off her stool. I am completely mortified. I start profusely apologizing and she mutters something about osteoperosis. I say to Matt, "Okay take him out. You just heard the sex. Bye."

By the way, it was a Birkenstock sandal. Not the most lightweight shoe I own. With metal buckles no less. I wouldn't want to be hit in the head with it. I'm so sorry.


Face with open mouth

hand and fingers

Head on the left, body on the right. Spine is visible

Hi! Well, I'm gonna try this out. Hopefully people will be able to stay updated about the goings-on in the Raines family. Let's see... couple of big changes coming up for us! We've decided to move out of our rental home that we've been in for the past 2 years. Our landlord is somewhat overbearing and Matt has decided that he's done dealing with that. We've also realized that we really need a fenced yard! With Jack and the dogs trying to escape on a daily basis... it's just too much to handle. We're looking at the Cocoa Beach/North Satellite Beach area to try and be closer to the beach - which is truly where our hearts are. We think our quality of life will be a lot better over there with walking/biking to restaurants and more outside activities. We've accepted the fact that we may have to scale down and that's okay by us! I really don't want to spend the years at home with my children cleaning up the house so I think less stuff and less space will be ultimately beneficial. Should be interesting, nonetheless.

Another big thing is that we're expecting baby boy #2 on September 19th! I'll be 22 weeks this Saturday and boy things are just flying by. Sometimes I even forget that I'm pregnant until something forces me to remember. Like yesterday at the park.. Jack wants to climb up to the highest part (of course) and I barely fit through the opening both frontways and sideways! Jack seems to notice my belly getting bigger because he points and looks at it often as asks "What's this?" It's too cute. We're still thinking about names (actually we haven't spent much time thinking about it, as opposed to last time when I was almost obsessed with it) but some of the contenders are Eamon James, Leo, Charlie, and Owen.

Jack is 14 1/2 months and is growing so quickly! He's teething like crazy, but is generally a very happy little boy. He's talking and signing, too! The signs he knows and uses are all done, bird, snack, drink, milk, shoes, car and bath. Words he's saying are: this, that, outside, dog, cat, truck, and all done. He talks non-stop and I'm sure he's saying more words than I can understand at this point. But he gets his point across sometimes with the help of screaming =)

Matt is working hard at his job and is really blooming into his father role. It's so awesome to see him interact with Jack. As soon as he comes home they run to each other and start tickling and wrestling. Then usually Jack asks to be taken to his car so he can sit inside. That boy is obsessed with trucks and cars! When we put Jack down for bed he picks his little head up and waves bye-bye to us as then lays back down to snuggle with his frog. It's the cutest thing ever! I'm so glad he's going to have a little brother with which to run around and play. They're going to have so much fun.

Okay that's it for now. Was it a good first post? I'll try to keep ya'll posted with our lives. Love ya!