At the Hospital

We were in the hospital from Wednesday to Sunday to allow for me to recover a bit from the c-section. Matt was such a trouper since he spent most of his days playing in my hospital room with a crazy nap schedule and heading home at night without mommy and daddy. He did very well and loved showing off his baby sister when people came to visit.

Getting to hold Ally in our room

 Papa Soeder and Ally

 His baby sister is already wearing him out

 I just love his face in the photo... here are my three wonderful gifts from the Lord. I am truly blessed.

 Such a proud big brother

 Isn't it funny how most of these photos are taken in My hospital bed, but I am not in it. Every time I got up I think someone else jumped in. Apparently my boys needed a nap.

 Matt showing off Ally to Blake and Aiden

 Papa and YaYa Gardner

 My beautiful children

 So in love with them

 Our family of four

 Great Papa Brawley enjoying Ally

 Nana was in the same hospital as us and God allowed her to hang on so that she could hold her 12th great-grandchild. This was the last time Nana smiled and had her eyes open. She went to be with Jesus on Monday March 5th (on her 75th birthday). We love you Nana.

 Four generations... Nana, Nancy, Brian, Matt and Ally

 Our little angel



The Nursery Reveal

Brian said no pink walls, so instead we decided on green, with lots of pink accents of course. A friend of ours made the window valance, bed skirt, and pillow. It turned out great.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

  

 Matt cleaning Ally's baby stuff

 Showing off his hockey puck from Papa

 Enjoying a taco at his favorite place to eat, TACO BELL (Thanks to Daddy)

 What do you do when you are 39 weeks pregnant and your husband is out of town? You head to a painting place to make a mess that someone else will clean up of course. Matt was so excited to paint a Mickey bowl.

 The finished product



Almost time for baby...

Less than 12 days until Baby Ally is set to make her debute, so life is a little hectic in the Gardner house. Matt is a busy little man as usual, he is still loving school and talks about baby Ally all the time. I don't think he truly understands that she is coming soon but he knows we are getting ready for her. I am done with work, my last day was Friday and Brian is scheduled to attend the NACA convention in North Carolina later this week, so I am assigned to the couch for rest. The nursery is almost done, pictures to come soon. But for now enjoy some random photos of our little toddler.

 Trying out his tub crayons from GG

 Look mom, I painted my hand

 Trying out Daddy's breathing tube

 A morning of Monkey Joe's wore this little guy out that he couldn't even enjoy his sucker

 Trying out Daddy's I-Phone (don't mind the messy tv screen in the background, gotta love small children)

 Showing off his doodles



Christmas Morning and Matt's New Room

Christmas morning was a lot of fun this year. Matt was up at his usual time of 6am but we were able to keep him in our bed until 7, while Mommy and Daddy got some more sleep. We then enjoyed breakfast together and read the Christmas story together. It was nice and relaxing, Matt was a little scared to go downstairs because he thought Santa was still here, although once he realized it was just presents he was eager to open them.

 He was so shocked to see that Santa ate his cookies ("Santa cookies all gone, Mommy")

 Checking out his stocking

Matt's new room is finally done and he got the train table for Christmas. He has since moved in officially and is loving it. He has transitioned very well and is sleeping great in his new big boy bed. Our next project is converting the nursery into a girly place for baby Ally. Pictures of that too come.

Of course his new room is still a hockey theme, considering that is all he talks about we couldn't imagine designing it any other way.

 The family pictures (he knows every body's name and loves to point everybody out) and below is his coat hook covered in hockey stickers.

 Book case and some more hockey pictures (these are pictures that my mom scrapbooked for Matt when he was little so they are extra special now)

 Playing with his new train table (he just loves it), he even has to sleep with a train every night now.



Christmas with the Gardner's

Christmas Eve at the Gardner's this year was lots of fun. All of Brian's siblings are currently dating and it was nice to spend sometime altogether. Matt was the life of the party as usual and really enjoyed his gifts from his Aunts and Uncles.

Gardner Family

 Matt showing of his new hockey helmet and jersey from Uncle Timmy

 Being a goalie (he likes to fall after he stops the puck), using his new sticks and net from Uncle Gary

 Taking a water break just like the really goalies

 Loving his new race track from Great Papa and Nana

 Trying out his new kitchen from Ya-Ya and Papa

Visiting Ohio after Christmas

The day after Christmas we made the trip to Ohio to visit my family. Matt did great in the car, Mickey Mouse Club House and plenty of snacks were my lifesavers. While in Ohio we got to spend a ton of time with my family. We stayed at my dad's and Matt just loved being at Papa's house. Brian and I enjoyed the chance to sleep in a bit when Matt and Papa got up early (thanks Dad!!) We even took a two day mini trip to Kalahari Indoor Water Park in Sandusky with my dad and sisters. We all had a blast at the water park and even talked about returning this year.

Matt showing of his Thomas backpack that Papa Soeder got him. He just loved it and my dad did a great job shopping for Matt this year. He even went to Toys R Us on Christmas Eve.

Matt and Maddie playing on the bike. And then Matt showing off his new OSU pj's

Playing his new game with Aunt Jamie and Uncle Kenny (BIG)

 Helping Papa make meatballs

While at Kalahari Matt wanted to play in the 4 story tree house playground. Daddy went with him and let's just say it made Daddy very tired later.

 Playing in the kiddie area

 Matt showing off his gummy worm that Papa got him (he enjoyed lots of candy on this trip thanks to my family)

All of us outside of the resort

 Enjoying the wave pool 

Matt and Aunt Jamie were pillow fighting

While in Ohio Brian and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. We were able to enjoy a nice dinner together and then we had cake to celebrate with my family. We have been blessed with 5 amazing years of marriage and can't wait to see what the future holds.