Aquarium with the Ashers

On Wednesday morning Levi and I joined many of my extended family from the Asher side (my Gran - my Mom's mom put it all together) at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park in Dallas. It is a really neat, child  friendly aquarium with lots to see up close, water to splash and fish to touch. There were 20 of us in all and 10 kids (age 7 and under I believe).  Unfortunately I spent so much time chasing my hyper little guy that I couldn't really get many pics of the other cousins and their kids...I couldn't be that far from Levi.

Gran (ok and really the other adults too) was a bit overwhelmed by all the people...the nerve of others to be at the aquarium on our day too, ha... but you could tell she was enjoying being with so many of her family especially the little ones which she has always had a special soft spot for. The aquarium is not the best place for photos, but I got a couple of cute ones. We tried to get a group shot, but I'm not sure if it was successful. If my Uncle Mickey e-mails it to me I will add it here later. All in all it was a fun way to all get together and will be a memory forever. It was fun seeing all the second cousins together: Andrew, Max, William, Elliott, Jackson, Nora, Kate, Micha, Levi and Jacob (8 boys and 2 girls...and another boy to come!). We had a quick lunch at Chik fil a after (couldn't have the planned picnic due to rain) and got to spend a little more time chatting with some of my adult cousins then. Thanks Gran for footing the bill and getting us all in one place! You are one special 91 year old lady! I love you!

Jackson (3) Kate (2) and Levi (1) admire a creepy albino alligator

Nora and Levi enjoy splashing in the water and trying to touch a baby shark

Moe with Levi and Nora in fair park (left) then Gran with Nora, Moe and Levi looking at some fish (right)



Christmas Celebrations!

We had what I think I will remember as one of my favorite Christmases of all time this year! Having a very cute and happy little boy and a wonderful husband to share all the festivities with sure does make it nice :) We enjoyed several Christmas events and celebrated with each side of our family too. Although Levi does not fully understand what this season is all about he loved that we read his Christmas book about the nativity  every night (that Aunt Kate gave him 2 years ago while he was in utero) and knew that this was an exciting fun time. We have pictures from all but 3 of the events (Church Christmas party, Philip's work Christmas party and small group Christmas party) Get ready...here come a bunch of pictures!!!

#1: Spent the day with the our dear friends the Valentines who were in town for a quick visit (not really a Christmas event...but special to see them during the holidays!) Lauren and I are preggo together for the second time and it is just so special. Last time we were 1 week apart, this time about 3.5 weeks.

#2: Boyer Family Christmas at our house with all of Philip's immediate family (Carol included!) We had a good meal, opened a TON of gifts - all of which us were loved! Then watched the kids run wild through the house!

#3 Trip downtown to see the big tree, lights and the amazing LED trees at the Pier One/Chesapeake building (let me tell you those were AMAZING!) Levi ran all over saying "tree...light...tree...light!!!" I'm not sure if they are still up, but if you are in the Ft Worth area they are worth seeing (@ 5th and Summit - downtown)

#4 Christmas morning at our house - Levi loves his car and stocking stuffers so so so much! He was back and forth from the car to his new noise makers (real duck call being the fav) and flash light. Too cute!

#5 Knochel Family Christmas at my parents house with all of my immediate family (Molly and Seth included!) Lots of relaxing, presents, good food and time with the fam. Nora and Levi love each other which is adorable!

I also turned 20 weeks pregnant on Christmas Eve....how am I already 1/2 way through this pregnancy?!?! A really fun development in the pregnancy is that you can now feel movement from the outside occasionally and both Philip and Levi were able to feel him move for the first time on the evening of Christmas Eve. Levi thought it was pretty weird and I'm sure didn't know what he was feeling, but when I said it's your brother kicking he said "kick??"

OK...I started this post on the 26th....that took forever to post those pics!!! Yeesh.

Transplant Timeline

Big News about Carol (Philip's Mom). They found a complete match for her bone marrow transplant (!!!) and have been running tests (like a TON of tests) to make sure her body is ready and that the donor is ready too. We just got word yesterday that she will be admitted to the hospital on January 10th to begin the transplant process. This is wonderful news because it is her very best hope at a complete recovery. Of course restarting chemo and being in the hospital for a month minimum is scary and challenging, but Carol and the rest of us are so glad she has these options available and the hope for a cancer free long life in the future. She has more tests and procedures in the next weeks leading to the transplant and they are still concerned about her fingers. Please keep Carol, the medical team and her support/family in your prayers. I will update more once things start happening. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

All We Need is a Name

Today I had my routine mid pregnancy sonogram to check on baby, placenta, uterus and overall progress/growth. Everything was right on track and baby is measuring a week ahead, but that's to be expected in my family :)

The big new of course is that we were able to find out the gender of our newest family member and, Levi will be having a baby...

BROTHER!!!

Looks like we can reuse everthing we've got since their are even the same season :). We are so excited to watch our two boys grow up together close in age and hope they will develop a strong friendship and love for each other. I know well how special it can be to have a sibling of the same gender close in age! We have NO idea of a name right now. Not even a start. It might take a while :)

I would be kidding myself if I said I was 100% excited and not the tiniest bit disappointed. I really want a daughter one day. But, we are thinking we may have 1-2 more and who knows what God has in store. It is just so hard for me to imagine my life with out that mother-daughter relationship that I really love and treasure. My Mom and sisters are so special to me...to live in a house full of boys just seems strange!

Here is the skeleton looking little face of our sweet baby boy :) I can't wait to see him and Levi together...I know they will be similar and different in so many wonderful ways.

My New Nephew!

My sister Kate and her husband Dustin along with big sister Nora welcomed a new beautiful and perfect son yesterday! My sister did great and had a much smoother and shorter labor this time around (maybe in part because he was 2 whole pounds lighter!!!). Everyone is healthy and happy. I am soooo excited to have another nephew and can't wait for Levi and my new little one to grow up with cousins close to their age (something I loved as a kid!). I feel blessed to call the Wallace's my family! Love you 4!!!

Asher Taylor Wallace
December 8th, 2010
3:01pm
7lbs 8 oz
 21in

16 Weeks and Growing!

My first post starting this blog was when I was 16 weeks pregnant with Levi...my how things have changed since then! I shared a belly pic then and also every 4 weeks after that, so I am planning on doing the same with this pregnancy. I had my 16 week OB visit today and everything was perfect. I am actually 16 weeks and 4 days along today. The most exciting thing is that they scheduled my routine sonogram for December 15th! So, I only have to wait 2 more weeks to find out if Levi will have a brother or sister :) I will be 18 weeks and 5 days then so they should really be able to tell. Other than that not much else is going on around here...just running after my very very busy but oh so happy little guy!

Here I am 16 weeks along (this is from Friday)

Very Thankful!

This year we have soooo much to be thankful for. I won't list them all, but here are the top few:

1. Philip's Mom being alive and here with us in TX

2. Another healthy baby on the way!

3. A wonderful and healthy little boy in our lives (we love you Levi!)

4. A strong marriage that is built on shared faith in God and trust in each other

5. The many blessings God has given us (Home, Jobs we love, Family and Friends)

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Abilene this year with Philip's family and spent 3 days and 2 nights at his sister Tamara's house. I must say I have one awesome sister-in-law that I love! It was a wonderful time full of relaxation, good food and special memories with our family! Having Carol there was really special and all the cousins playing so happily together was wonderful as well. On Saturday I had to work, but Philip and his parents headed out to the Oldham's ranch for some farm fun! Levi had a blast and I wish I could have gone. The Oldhams are old family friends of The Boyer family and they used to do Thanksgiving together every year. We got a bunch of cute pics, so the rest of this post will just be in pictures! Enjoy :)

Here I am with the lovely (and super-sister-in-law hostess)!

 The cousins (especially the girls) LOVED having "baby" Levi around to play with or watch eat...whatever!



 Grandma brought two cooking crafts to do with the kids and they really had fun!

 One of the things Philip and I were in charge of was the Turkey...Philip cooked it in the fryer and it was perfect and oh so yummy!

 

 

 The boys all enjoyed playing outside even though it was in the 20s and 30s the whole time :)

Levi enjoyed lots of attention!

 

Even though all the adults stuffed themselves at lunch the kids know when to stop, we weren't hungry, but they were!...so they enjoyed a corn dog dinner (Levi's first!)

 

 Aunt Tamara bought all the kids matching PJs to wear and they were so cute!

Here are a couple from the Oldham's ranch...Levi loved all the "cars" he could help drive and the cows and chickens! He sure does love to be outside!

 

 

 I hope you all had wonderful a Thanksgiving as well! God Bless :)