Girl Trip!!

Last weekend, as a belated birthday celebration for me (AH!! Can you believe I'm 26?! Where does the time go?!), and more just because we wanted to, my friend Hillary and I took a girl trip to paradise, AKA our place in Grayton Beach. The trip started successfully as I picked up Hill from the airport and drove straight on down to Florida following the directions of the blessed GPS. (I learned my lesson from last time Brindi!) We made it down without a hitch, belting it out to my Glee soundtrack and chatting as only lifelong friends can.

I was able to call in some favors and leave my energetic toddler at home. His time was divided up with friends, grammies and Dad. Tuck got to kick it with the ladies for the weekend, but I don't think he minded to much. It was a little chillier than hoped, so we didn't do too much lounging in the sun. We walked along the beach and even braved the raging knee high river rapids. And Hillary thoroughly enjoyed the weightlessness of swimming in the heated pool. It must've been nice to get relief from the extra pounds of baby in her belly. Not to mention that pool was 80 degrees. Aaaaah.Girl knows how to work it! Ow Ow!Our trip was awesome. We ventured into Destin, (helllllllllllo Spring Breakers!!! So not sorry to be out of THAT scene) ate at one of my favorite places, Pompano Joes, and hit up the outlet malls. We did some damage at J Crew and Carters (oh her new man is going to be SO cute!) and went to Pier Park in Panama City where we got manicures, saw Alice in Wonderland, ate coconut shrimp and bought some fudge and gourmet pop corn. The rest of our time was spent pigging out (well what do you expect when you get a pregnant woman and nursing mom together?!) and watching chick flicks and hours of TLC and HGTV!Walking around Seaside.
Eating at Pier Park Rosemary Beach

We braved the tornado type winds and strolled along the new Harbor Walk.

Had to jump back into reality today with all the cooking, cleaning, working, mommying, and watching what I eat. Blast!!

Tucker's Blessing 2-21-10

Sunday Jon had the opportunity to give Tucker a name and a blessing. It worked out great because Nathan came in town for the weekend and he was able to stand in along with Daniel, both of our dad's, and our good friends James Price and Dave Houghtelling. Jon did great and the blessing was beautiful. Tucker's blessing outfit is so special because it was made by my mom from the fabric of her wedding dress. He's also wrapped in the blanket that his daddy wore when he was blessed. Cool huh?

We posed for a quick photo op after Sacrament Meeting before everyone disperesed. Jack is MIA because he bolted for the nursery right after the closing song and I wasn't about to detain him. Also want to excuse my sis and her family from being there, but seeing as she's practially in labor already, it would've been a bad idea for her to trek it over. But her family was sorely missed!!

This was the most beautiful weekend we've had yet this winter, with it hitting 70 degrees on Saturday. Heeeeeaven! So we headed to Stone Mountain, along with the rest of the people from this side of Atlanta, to hike and enjoy the weather. I had to leave after about 5 minutes to go to make-up for some of my young women who were participating in their high school pageant. But Jack was in good hands and apparently wore the 4 adults out who ended up carrying him all the way to the top.

Snow in Georgia

I know I'm way behind the times in posting my snowy pictures from last weekend. But here we are and one more thing crossed off my "To Do List".

Last Friday night we had planned on spending the night at my parents so Jon could get up early and work on the Jeep's transmission with my dad. The forecast called for 2-4 inches of snow, but we weren't scared. We braved the approaching storm and let me just tell you, we turned a normal 30 minute drive into an 1 hour drive because we were driving 20mph. Afraid we would slide right off the road at one point, but we survived! We finally got there with about 30 minutes of daylight left for Jack to enjoy the snow. Jon and Jack had a great time and built a snow man as tall as Jack!! Can't remember a time with snow in Georgia that we were actually able to build a snow man! Pretty cool. I however enjoyed the view from inside as I sipped my vanilla snow slushy. YUM!

You might be wondering why Jack looks so devastated in this picture. Well I'll tell you why. Because his FATHER just smacked him square in the face with a snow ball. Daddy really just shouldn't throw things at people....ever. His aim is uncanny. :) Next morning:

Yes.....that's a raccoon on my child's head. Full tail going down his back and all. 'Sigh'

The next morning, the men put off working on the jeep and I tagged along with them as they went "exploring". My parents live on a little piece of heaven. It is therapeutic for me to go out there and get lost on they're property. It was the perfect place to be to enjoy the snow. Despite my dad's best efforts to flip us in the jeep, (my head did not make it out injury-less however...thanks to the crazy driver) we successfully drove up and down pasture three and took in all the sights of the powdery snow. The boys dumped me back at the house then went on the road for some "real adventures".

Some friends came over with they're three year old and took the two little men sledding.

Yes this is the cover to an old truck bed tied to the back of an SUV. Kids LOVED it and you can just imagine the recklessness that occurred when my dad and his buddy took a turn. It was such a "Hey Bubba! Watch this!!" moment. I really am amazed sometimes that my dad has survived this long and with all his limbs attached.

So what was Tucker doing during all this excitement you might ask??

Bathtime for Babies!

Just wanted to post some of the adorableness that goes on in my house. Jack found this robe in his closet and insists on wearing it when he gets out of the bath (and any other time it occurs to him). Here's my little stud posing for the camera:A yawn caught in action!

Candice's Baby Shower

Last weekend Rachel Shumway and I combined our talents and threw a baby shower for Candice Cormican. We went through most of our pregnancy together and it has been so fun talking baby!! She looks sickeningly fantastic and only has 4 weeks to go!! Her and Michael are having a baby boy who still remains unnamed. He is going to be well dressed though I tell you what!

We had the shower at Rachel's house, and had a divinely delicious menu of brunch items. We just enjoyed visiting, playing a super fantastic game and eating multiple helpings of cake.....well at least I did. Congratulations again Candice on your new little man!!

And yes the cake was really as good as it looked (BETTER EVEN). The bottom layer was chocolate with chocolate mousse filling, and the top layer was vanilla with strawberry cream filling. Yeah, WOW. I easily justified having 2+ huge servings, because I'm nursing and need the calories...right??

Chattanooga

Our new little family took a short trip over the MLK holiday. (Hooray that Jon's job gets these little holidays off!) We very spontaneously scooted on up to Chattanooga Tennessee to go to the zoo and just enjoy some time together. We found this fantastic bed and breakfast in the Bluff View Art District. The Bluff View Inn is over 120 years old and sits right on the river. Jon has obviously watched too much TV and was up most of the night thinking he saw old civil war soldiers coming out of the walls. :) I was up all night too, but it was because of a grunting 2 week old next to me.



We got up there Sunday night, and just enjoyed walking around the town, exploring the art district and looking at all the lights along the river. Jack loved running "slow slow slow" and "fast fast fast". This is our new game when we need him to get speedy and he thinks it's hilarious.

Local bakery that supplies all the restaurants in the art district. Yuuum!

Walking around the sculpture garden.

The next morning, up long before the sun, we just enjoyed a slow morning and headed across the street to the most adorable coffee shop for our continental breakfast. After we savored our mugs of frothy hot chocolate, we headed out to walk around downtown. We opted not to go the aquarium, so we just went and walked around the outside. This place was a ghost town! It was so bizarre! Later that morning, we checked out and drove across the bridge to find a GF grocery store and bakery called 'A Bountiful Harvest'. After spending a bountiful bundle on GF cookies, we went over to check out the Chattanooga CHOO CHOO!! Jack looooooved it!! He climbed up in "Thomas" and had a blast turning all the knobs and screaming "choo choo!"

After driving in circles, despite our new GPS, we finally found the entrance to the blasted zoo. And let me just tell you, it's been a while since I've been to the zoo, but this one was frightening beyond reason. It was dirty, grungy and downright terrifying! The only thing separating the unsuspecting spectators from the ravenous cougar was a chain link fence. Jack was oblivious luckily and he loved talking to the monkeys. I was just so sad seeing these "wild" animals in these teeny weeny confinements with fake rocks and no room for exploration. Poor things. Just to document that Tucker and I were indeed on this trip, here's our one and only picture. Do I look like I'm in pain?? Well I was! Walking for 2 days and standing far too much with those blasted stitches was past taking it's toll on me.

Jack and the red pandas

Train passing right by! Jack was in heaven!
Our very own zoo creature to keep! :)

Our last stop before we headed home was the National Cemetery. We just reverently drove through and admired the beauty of the land and paid our respects to those who have fought and died for our country.

We had a great time and Tucker was such a little trooper! We are adjusting getting along with a new little one, and the hardest thing at this point is keeping Jack under control. Ever since Tucker was born, Jack has been waking up between 5 and 6 in the morning. This is almost 2 hours earlier than normal for him, so we're all completely dying!!! I'm up with Tuck around 4, so needless to say, I never get to go back to sleep after that. Major crapiness. If anyone has any advice for that, please let me know!

Here's my little man at one week old!

Introducing Tucker Andrew Rusch

Tucker Andrew arrived Monday, January 4, 2010 at 12:22 pm. Six days overdue and weighing in at 8lbs, 3 oz. I FINALLY went into labor Monday morning at like 4:30 with contractions 5 minutes apart. We got to the hospital, I was dilated to a four, and four hours later I was still only a four and my contractions weren't getting any worse. So my doctor put me on Pitosin and I got the epidural a moment later. And like my labor with Jack, the epidural didn't take the first time and I began to feel the heavy contractions on my left side. Yikes!! So we called the Anesthesiologist back and he redid the epidural. All I have to say is hallelujah for drugs!!! Half an hour later, I was dilated to a 10 and started pushing. Baby Tuck came 30 minutes later!!

It's amazing the capacity a person has to love. I didn't know how much I could love someone until I met Jon. Then we introduced Jack into our family and I remember being amazed at how much more love I was capable of. Then came Tucker, and I love him just as much as I did when Jack was born. It really is just amazing!!

Our hospital stay was great, but we were anxious to get home and let Jack meet his little bro. Words cannot describe the cuteness.

Welcome to the world our newest angel!