VISITING SANTA.... 2013

We ventured to Bass. Pro Shop to visit Santa this year.  Mr. B did a spectacular job smiling....I can't believe how grown up he looks sitting on his lap!! He told St. Nick he wanted an army tank. I'm not sure what else they discussed but B Man sat there talking for awhile. His shirt says "BEEN GOOD ALL YEAR"....that may be questionable at times but he is still really cute!!!

Looking back to previous years of Mr. B with the Big Guy...

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2010 & 2011

Prepared Big Brother Class

B Man and I attend a Prepared Big Brother Class at Lutheran Hospital.  He got to ride in a wheelchair, tour a room on the maternity floor, talked about Hermie the Germie making the baby sick if he didn't wash his hands, and had a snack all within 45 minutes. The parents heard about what the kids were going to learn and the gal in charge asked if there were any parents that had any experience dealing with older child and new babies....no one spoke up so for 30 minutes I just talk to the woman next to me that also had a three year old boy.

He did get a coloring book, Hermie the Germie  finger puppet, hairnet, and a "I'm A Big Brother" pin to go along with his official certificate.

Mr. B is going to be a GREAT BIG BROTHER!!!

Mr. B Announces....

This was the photo card that our family received from B Man at his birthday party. We had also sent this to others that we wanted to tell before our families could spill the beans!  


Casey and I had been trying for quite awhile to have #2 but we were not going to get worked up about it...we would just take what came to us and if B was an only child then that is how our family was meant to be complete. But after over a year we decided to talk to the OB/ GYN and made the appointment which happened to be over a month and half away from that phone call. Three days before that consultation something came up and it BROKE MY HEART to cancel but at that point all I could do was reschedule. Two weeks later I decided to call the Fertility Specialist we had seen before... I wasn't going to waste anymore time at that point. They sent me the pre-visit paperwork, I filled it out and was ready to go. Two days before that session I took a test because I knew the doctor would ask at our appointment. You could imagine my SURPRISE when after it blinked THREE TIMES it said PREGNANT!!! WHAT. THE WHAT...I was waiting for the Not Pregnant and we would just proceed from there. I called and cancelled at the specialist and made a different type of appointment at the OB/GYN. That was on May 6th and our first appointment was on June 6th so it was a long time to keep this secret. 

I waited a day before telling Casey as I was still in disbelief myself.  I showed Casey a photo of an ISU stick figure family...it had a dad, mom, little boy, and a BABY and explained that we should put it on my car.....HE  DIDN'T GET IT!! He just said okay kind of questioning...knowing that I do not really like those things.  So on to Plan B....Mr. B put on his BIG BROTHER SHIRT and asked him to read some new books....about being a big brother.  Casey was just as surprised as I was. It proves God works in MYSTERIOUS WAYS!! I had no indication...as in ZERO that made me think that there was a little Bambino growing. I was SO LUCKY that I didn't have ANY symptoms until I was in the last trimester. I was still in amazement and had to keep looking at our ultrasound photos to remind me that this little miracle was REAL. About six months along is when I started to REALLY get uncomfortable...occasional heartburn, not being able to sleep all night, and the HUGE TUMMY that was getting in the way. Plus I have a three year old that has been trying my patience and a bit rough on his mommy. Thank goodness he and his Daddy have been spending a lot of time wrestling and just playing together so that takes some stress away from me. 

Casey and I did genetic testing early in this pregnancy since we both are of  " Advanced Maternal/ Paternal age"....with this we would know if our baby had an indications of disorders PLUS we were able to find out the sex of this youngster. On July 11th I got the call letting us know that all tests were negative and she told me the gender. Besides a healthy baby, Casey REALLY wanted a Daddy's Girl and I wanted another boy.....well one of us was HAPPY!! B Man has affectionately named his BROTHER, Baby Skully...the parrot from Jake and the Neverland Pirates...I'm not sure why he thought that was a good nickname for the wee sprout but it has stuck and until he makes his debut that is what he is lovingly referred to by all!!

I haven't done much prepping for this newborn with the Holidays coming up I didn't want to clutter our SMALL house with all the things babies require until he makes his appearance.  A not so great point for the wallet is we have to purchase new clothes for said child since the boys will be born in COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SEASONS. I have been waiting to see how big this guy is compared to his brother before I go crazy shopping...and we all know I will go overboard anyway!!  

The good thing about this time around is we have a scheduled due date...January 2nd, 2014.  So I can't believe in 28 DAYS OR LESS...we will welcome another Bourke Boy to LOVE and SPOIL!!!

Mr. B's 3rd Birthday Celebrations!

B Man had an action packed birthday this year.  I took off the afternoon so we could share treats with his classmates at school...mini birthday ice cream cones.  He was excited to see the Jake and Neverland Pirate balloons I brought for him. Some of his little friends and teachers even gave him presents to open.

Then it was on to Chuck E Cheese with mommy and daddy for some pizza and TONS of game playing!!

After all our tokens were gone, we headed home for presents and cake.  His favorite present was his excavator.....but he thought his farm set was pretty cool also!

I had Target do his cake again this year. It is Jake standing on his pirate ship.....HE LOVED IT!!!

The next weekend we had his family party at Hickory.Park again.  While picking up his cupcakes at Target he saw this birthday hat and insisted he needed it...I think it was perfect!!

The Birthday Boy

Grandpa Grandpa and Grandma Great

Singing Happy Birthday

Enjoying his birthday malt

The treat boxes for party goers...cupcakes and gold "doubloons"

Cousin A gave him a Disney Jr magazine

Aunt Miki and Uncle Jeff plus A and Q gave him Captain Hook's Jolly Roger

Aunt D gave him an arm full of tractors and a tractor book

Gramma B gave him a Jake sleeping bag and many other things

Grandma Sandi and Grandpa Perry gave him a yard ball you roll around in

The Bourke Family

Happy 3rd Birthday BTB!!!

There was an added surprise for all the party goes also....B handed out envelopes with the announcement inside!!

Clive Festival

B and I joined Deb and T at the Clive Festival....I thought it was just going to be  kids' games, so we weren't fully prepared for what was going on. Good thing I had an extra outfit so he could enjoy...and boy did he have a BLAST!!!  B Man was a little hesitant at first but quickly warmed up to the idea.

T and her friend were great about letting B go down the big hill with them. After eating a snow cone,  he asked to go home and fell asleep before we even got out of the parking lot.  Thanks again Deb for inviting us.... I believe fun was had by all !!!

First Day Room 11

May 28th... Mr. B started in the 3 year old class-Room 11. His teachers this year are Miss Sara, Miss Nicole, and Miss MacKenzie. He looks forward to going everyday....that is AFTER he struggles to get out of bed and eat his breakfast while watching a cartoon. After 3 previous classrooms being in the middle/back of the building, we FINALLY get to wave to him from the front window facing the parking lot!!

Miss Sara

Miss MacKenzie and Miss Nicole

We are all looking forward to seeing what new and exciting things this school year has in store for B Man!!

Last Day Room 9

B Man's last day in the two year old room with Miss Kerry and Miss Melisa was May 24th. We celebrated by stopping at Dunkin Dounuts for a special breakfast. 

Miss Melisa

Miss Kerry

 5/29/12...first day

5/24/13...last day

What a difference a year makes....he has changed and matured so much!!  B man learned a lot and surprised us with the things he knew.