The countdown is on...

only 6 more days till my due date! Wow, where has this time gone? It seems like ages ago that it was that January evening when Austin and I found out I was expecting another child. These past 9 months have been so dear to me and as we close the door on this chapter of our lives and jump into the next chapter, I find it all very sentimental. Each time we sit down to eat, I find myself wondering, is this the last time we will eat together as a family of three, or each time I read stories to Braden before bed, I wonder if this is the last time I'll have to squeeze him on my lap as my oh so pregnant stomach threatens to push him off. I find myself reaching back to hold his sweet little hand in the car, hoping, praying that when little man arrives in just a few short days that Braden will know how much we love him and how special he is to us. I know this will be such an adjustment for him and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about it. However, I cannot wait to hold my new son in my arms and I cannot wait to see what he looks like, to know his unique personality and to see in what ways this new child will richly add to our lives. I just pray Lord that you will bind these boys together, that their friendship will run deep, that they will walk beside each other, encourage each other and support each other throughout the rest of their lives. What a beautiful thing to have a brother to journey through life with...

Here is Braden as we read stories under his "tent" the other day -

"Chattanoona"

Several weeks ago, Austin, Braden and I took a quick trip to Chattanooga or "Chattanoona" as Braden says for a little last minute trip as a family of three. We had such a great time enjoying Braden as he enjoyed the aquarium and the children's museum. He had a blast and it was such a special time for us before our little family changes and welcomes baby boy #2 any day now. Chattanooga is a great place to visit with kids (in fact I was a little jealous of all they have to do)...we plan to definitely go back again as a family of four. Here are some pictures of our little trip:

Braden playing at the water station in the children's museum...this was the first exhibit we saw when we got there and Austin and I didn't think we'd ever see the rest of the museum b/c Braden had so much fun splashing -
Okay so if you haven't stayed in a hotel recently with your kids, I'll go ahead and let you know that the cribs they have are TINY...I mean Braden could barely even fit in it...so we decided to put him in bed with us for the night. Austin and I don't do this at home, so it was such a treat to have him snuggled so tightly all night...although I don't think either one of us slept much b/c Braden slept with his feet near our head all night and every time he moved, we both woke up. Still it was well worth it. Here he is snuggled with Austin watching cartoons the next morning -
Playing in the fountains outside of the aquarium...thanks Ashley for the heads up about bringing a change of clothes! Braden was soaking wet only 5 minutes after we arrived at the aquarium -
Braden stomping in the shark cage. He LOVED looking at the sharks -
This picture just cracks me up...Braden's little legs are so long. I'm pretty sure he was looking for a shark here - Taking a little break while Momma has contractions -
My sweet boys -

Braden's first day of school...

Braden had his first day of school yesterday and although I had a really hard time letting him go, his teachers tell me he did great. He even took a nap at school which is shocking to me considering my little guy is so attached to his crib. He was most excited about his "Lightning McQueen" lunchbox and the fact that his stuffed animals Moo and Puppy got to go to school with him. When I went to pick him up, he was so proud of his little craft he made at school. We hung it on the fridge and today, he kept pointing to it with a big smile on his face, telling me that he made that at school. I have to say that although the tears definitely flowed for me yesterday (okay really all last week), it was really nice having some time to get some stuff done...especially before little man makes his appearance in 3 weeks or less. I'm just so happy Braden had such a good first day...to celebrate I took him on a little date to go get some ice cream after I picked him up. I love those special dates when it's just the two of us. Here are some pictures of my little man's first day:

Showing off his lunchbox -