It's A...

BOY!!

Clint and I found out at the end of November that we are going to have a precious baby boy.  We are both so happy!  

We found out on a Friday afternoon.  Clint had been working nights so he woke up in the "middle of the night" to come watch the ultrasound.  I was going to have my normal appointment afterwards so Jennee came to watch Finn.  I just knew it was going to be a girl but I'm so glad Finn and baby M will be close in age and have so much in common as brothers.  I wasn't sure what my reaction was going to be but I cried when the ultrasound tech showed us.  I would have cried either way.  To see the little heart beating...

 and catch a glimpse of a tiny little foot all formed with little toes...the same little foot that I feel kicking around...is nothing short of a miracle.

All babies are a gift from God.  I believe that more than ever now that I have one and can see the wonderment as he grows and learns.  I can't wait to welcome this second little guy into our lives.

New Mexico Trip

This weekend, Finn, Jennee and I flew to New Mexico to watch the Abay children because Nick and Beth were going to Austin for his big company Christmas party.  Finn did so well traveling.  I was so proud of him and how well he naturally adjusted to situations without fussing or getting anxious.  He did not get that from his mother!

Highlights from the weekend include: movie night, a trip to the zoo (that also had a large playground inside of it) and the older kids went to a Christmas parade in Cloudcroft complete with hot chocolate, popcorn and lighting the Christmas tree.

 William and Finn literally rolling around on the floor.  Finn got a taste of being the little brother!

 One of Finn's favorite animals is ducks.  He loves making the "quack" sound.  The zoo had probably 50 ducks or so on its pond and Finn loved it!  Lillie was scaring the birds and ducks so they would fly up.  Finn and Lillie laughed so hard when she did that.

 William and Finn posing on a rock at the zoo. 

 I loved this mountain lion.  He was napping on his back in the sun with his huge tail falling down the side of his perch.  It's so funny how they can look so cuddly.

Lillie wanted her picture taken on top of "Simba".

We had a lot of fun this weekend and the kids did really well together.  Jennee is such a good Grams.  Patient, kind and loving to all her grandchildren.  I am so blessed to have joined such a loving family.

Thanksgiving

 This Thanksgiving was a lot of fun.  We were able to spend a full day with each of our family's.  Thanksgiving Day was at mom's house.  The boys put up swing set for all the grand kids.  It was nice to get outside and not sit around inside all day.

 Finn helped get the tools for the men.

 The women talking and watching the guys.

 Dad and son.

 Friday we went to Corsicana and spent the day with Clint's family.  The little guys (William(3), JR( 19 mos.) and Finn (17 mos.)) playing some baseball.

Not the best picture of Finn (taken on my phone).  Can't believe how big he is getting.

7 Random Questions

1.  What's your favorite holiday? 
Now that I have a child, I LOVE Christmas.  I could not wait for Thanksgiving to be over this year just because I wanted to decorate and get into the holiday spirit. 

2. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young, I think I wanted to be a teacher.  I remember having a classroom all set up in my bedroom complete with dry erase board, stuffed animal students and grading homework.

3. What hobby would you like to take up if you had more money/time?
 I would love to become a legitimately good cook and baker.  Also: grow and can my own vegetables, read A LOT more and learn to sew.  That's my short list!  Ha!

4. What TV shows do you currently watch?
Frasier, Nashville, The Big Bang Theory, Shark, Amazing Race (most of these start at 8, right after Finn goes to bed.  This is not an accident. )

5. How long do you spend getting ready on a typical morning?
 Probably 45 minutes, average.
 
6. What does your name mean?/Why did your parents choose your name?
I think my name means white island.  Both are true. ;)  I think my parents chose it because they both liked it.  Actually, I think my mom liked the name Brooke (my middle name) and dad liked Whitney.  Dad always called me "WB".  Especially when it came to sports.

7. What's the best gift you've ever received?
 I think the most meaningful gift I ever received was from my dad on Christmas.  He gave me a guitar.  I will learn to play it one day.  Some of my best memories of dad were when he would play guitar and sing and  I would play piano.  We played "Silent Night" together the most because it was really beautiful.  To this day, someone playing an acoustic guitar and singing brings me back to listening to dad play when we were growing up.  14 years later, that guitar sits in my closet.  I fully intend to continue our jam sessions when I get to heaven.  Everyone's invited.

Thanks Kayla!  That was a lot of fun!  (Hope the last question didn't depress anyone.  This book helped me a lot to heal.  I highly recommend it.)

First Family Portraits and a Surprise!

We also took this time to announce Finn's new role coming May 2013.  He'll be a big brother!  Clint and I are very excited to become a family of four.  And even though Finn doesn't understand yet what is going on, I know he's going to be great.

Kansas City Vacation

My second friend reunion for the year took place in Kansas City Missouri.  I was so looking forward to spending time with our friends from medical school but was also concerned about going on a vacation without Clint.  I really didn't have to worry though.  Finn did so well and everyone helped out in watching him.  We spent the 3 days hanging out, eating at yummy restaurants and spent one day at Shawnee Mission Park.

 Finn and I waiting at the airport.  Our first time to fly alone!  I was so nervous but Finn did great and the plane ride went very smoothly.

 Everyone at the dog park!

 Daniel holding Finn at Glace, an upscale ice cream shop.  Yummy!

 Fall color!

Finn, Brad, Daniel and the dogs playing at the dog park.

Grandmom's Day

 Uncle Justin showing Finn the acorns on the roof.

Grandmom and Leddy.  Leddy loves snuggling with her great grandmom.

This past weekend we went to Corsicana to help clean up some of the trees and land around grandmom's place.  She lives on 3 acres so it can be quite a job!  It was a lot of fun seeing the grand kids play together. 

Reunion Time!

This Labor Day was one of the best.  I got to meet up with some of my oldest and best friends from high school days.  We had a lot of fun playing games, swimming and talking, talking, talking!  This year, Kayla and Darby, Stephanie and Jon, Jessica and Chase and me, Finn and Clint (some) were able to make it.  Two couples even came from out of state!  What a blessing they were able to make it!  We rented a house near Lake Whitney.  Honestly, we didn't spend much time at the lake.  We mainly relaxed and just enjoyed each others company.  We've all changed a lot but in some ways, we are just the same.  It's nice to be able to pick up where we left off and to have the comfort of good friends is such a blessing, especially when life feels like it's changing faster than you can keep up!  I can't wait for our next reunion!

"Our" Favorite Things

 Playing.  Hard.  By the end of the day the house looks like a toddler has been through it.  Here, he has pulled all the laundry out of the basket and has a dog bowl on his head.

 Going to the park.  It's been cooler outside and I found a park with lots of shade.  We both enjoy this activity.  He loves going down the slide and swinging. (Notice the super dirty shoes!)

Playing with blocks. I thought these were too old for him but I was wrong, he loves them.  He is learning to stack but for now, knocking them down is oh so much fun!

August's Recipe

 Artisan bread.  Doesn't that make your mouth water?  I was so excited to try this recipe from Mother Earth News.  They claim it takes 5 minutes.  Not quite.  But the recipe is still very simple.  The dough sits in the refrigerator for a few days and makes four one pound loaves.  This is nice because I can take out enough for dinner one night and have more dough sitting in the frig waiting for me.  

Warm bread, fresh out of the oven just makes me feel like I'm at home. 

This recipe was nice to make and to eat just for the comfort of it, and the warmth.

I served it alongside eggplant pasta and salad.  I can't wait to make my next batch.

Rosy Makes Her Debut

Bobbi, John and Jaxon welcomed little sister Rosy on August 3, 2012.  Finn and I spent 3 days with them last week to help around the house.  I don't know how much I helped but Bobbi and I got to spend some time together and it was fun watching Jax and Finn play together.

 Fun with sand!  We went to the park and played outside a lot.

 So tired after my bath!  She slept a lot.  What a cuddle bug!

I see you.  Finn loved playing at the park.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Well folks, I really thought I was done with blogging.  Between a new baby (who isn't so new anymore), following Clint wherever medical school took him and LIFE I thought I was done blogging.  Then, I went over to a fellow resident's wife's house and there on her coffee table was a beautiful photo album of their family.  She went on to tell me that she just took her posts from her blog and put them into the book.  Genius.  Then I saw her blog and all my other friend's blogs and I realized I wasn't done.  I love writing (I didn't know this until recently).  I love documenting our lives with pictures.  And I love to keep up with my friends through their blogs so I thought they might like to do the same.  So here I am.

I'm trying to find a way to do this simply and without taking up lots of time.  As I don't have much to spare.  I'm thinking of blogging with pictures of activities every two weeks since we don't do too much around here that would warrant more posts.  But I would also like to focus some on food as well.  Not that I'm making and creating awesome dishes but I think food tells a lot about where we are in life.  Like when I was in college I ate mostly frozen dinners.  When I was newly married I made more things from scratch but we ate out a lot because we were both working and getting used to our new life.  After about 3 years of marriage and moving to Fort Worth, plus doing lots of research on where our food comes from, how the land and animals are used, etc.  I began a totally new way of looking, cooking and eating my food.  I now go to the farmer's market, eat mostly fresh food rather than boxed, canned or frozen and we eat meat (that's grazed on their natural foods) at home once a week.  So with that being said, once a month or so, I'll try to highlight something I've never made before or an old family favorite to help capture what's going on that month.

I don't know if anyone will be reading these early posts.  Maybe as I "spread the word"  I'll get a few people to check it.  Either way, here goes.  The McHenry Blog...Part 2.