Fall Weather, Cardinals in World Series, and a Baby Girl

It is finally feeling like fall around here, well tonight it actually feels like winter. But I am always cold. Game one of the World Series is tonight...Go Cards! We had our 20 week ultra sound today and we are having a girl! Allyson Marie Gardner will make her appearance around March 1st. We decided to use Marie after my mom and we can't wait to meet Ally.

20 Weeks

 The other day we headed to the Magic House for a free PAT night. Matt loved playing with everything, we even went in the hospital and let him practice feeding the babies

 Playing with his hockey guys...notice the pile (he makes them hockey fight)

 Our little hockey player

 Looking in the freezer for french toast sticks for breakfast

 My favorite Buckeye fan

 Testing out Mommy's heating pad, such a little ham for the camera



Apple and Pumpkin Picking at Eckert's

Last weekend we headed out for our annual apple and pumpkin picking at Eckert's. We had a great day, the weather was perfect and the kids had a great time.

The boys (can't believe how much they have grown)

Blake, Aiden, Chase, and Matt

 Such a big apple, but he loved it

Baby Gardner #2

I am finally starting to feel better, no more sickness and I actually have some energy. We can't wait to find out what we are having, our guess is girl but I think we are both hoping for another boy. The big day is October 19th , only about 2 more weeks.

16 weeks

 18 weeks

Our Little Guy

I can't believe how big our little guy is getting. He is becoming more and more verbal everyday. Some of his favorite sayings, "Love you Mama, see you later" (I get to hear this every morning), "Dada, play with you", "Dada, play hockey." He loves his Daddy and sometimes you can hear him say, "Bri, Bri, hi Bri". He loves french toast and fruit snacks and thinks he should be able to eat them whenever. He still loves hockey and it is amazing how well he sits for games, he enjoys going to the rink any chance he gets. Enjoy the random pictures from the past few weeks. 

Watching tv with his "guys"

 Helping me put ice in the drinks, he is learning to count while he does it. :)

 Wanting to go outside in his pj's and my shoes

 Matt helps me set the table for dinner, I put everything on the floor and he sets the table, he did a pretty good job and it is a high top so he can barely reach it.

 Our attempt at a family photo at a pre-season Blue's game

Finally Fall

We have finally hit a cold spell, I think that fall is here. We started this week in the low 90's but ended with some very fall like temperatures. I am so happy for jeans and hoodie weather, we had chili for dinner tonight and I am loving it. The past month has flown by, school is in full swing for both of us and we are keeping busy that is for sure. I just got back from spending a week at 6th grade camp with my students. It was a good week but I am tired. I am however, finally starting to feel better. This pregnancy has been very different than my last one and I was extremely sick, but hopefully I am done with that part. We head to the doctor on October 19th to find out the sex, so I am counting down the days. My camera hasn't been working lately so I don't have many pictures. I will try to get a new belly shot soon, my little belly is showing.

Matt watching some tv while Brian tries to get some more sleep

 Playing in the bath tub

 One night we heard a loud noise, turns out Matt fell out of his bed and landed by his closet, he never woke up. But we had a good laugh and just had to take a picture.

Matt decided to take a bite out of all of my "Matoes" on day, I wasn't too happy.

 My best friends from high school came to visit during the last week in August. I haven't seen Lauren and Jill in years. We all live in different parts of the country and have stayed in touch via facebook and email but it was awesome to actually spend some time with them. We talked all weekend and it was like no time at all had passed. We went out to eat, toured around St. Louis, went to Ted Drewes (Lauren I need that picture), took a Brewery Tour, and headed to Busch Stadium to see a Cardinal's game. It was a wonderful weekend.

 Daddy and Matt on the Brewery Tour

 Jill, Lauren, and Matt at the game

Matt made the score board at the game

Death brings Life

As most of you already know my mom passed away a few weeks ago. It was very sudden and most of my family was in complete shock. Many questions where asked, why God? Why my mom? Why so young? But ultimately we knew we didn't need these answers because God has a plan and he causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) So instead we have turned to God and decided to look at the positive. My mom had a great life; she met and married the love of her life, was blessed with three daughters, got to see all of us walk down the isle and say I do. She was there to witness her first grandson being born and spent two wonderful years with him. And she was able to learn that a second grandchild was on the way. Yes that is right, with death comes life and we are choosing to celebrate my mom's life and the life of Baby Gardner #2 due March 5th. While this is a bitter sweet time we know that my mom would be so proud. We love you mom.

My mom with Matthew earlier this summer

 Me at 12 weeks pregnant (Matt wanted to be in the picture to show everyone where the baby is)

Matt's 2nd Birthday and Soeder Family Visit's

Matt's birthday fell on a Saturday this year and we had some special visitors. My parents, grandma, and sister, brother-in-law, and their dog all made the drive to St Louis to spend the weekend. We had a great time and loved every minute with our special guests.

Matt was so happy to have Louie staying with us for the weekend, after he left he walked around the house looking for the dog for days. And yes, the dog actually stayed in my house (big deal for those that truly know me)

 Ken, Jamie, my Dad, and Brian went to the Brewery for a tour one afternoon

 We can't forget about Ted Drewes, it was Uncle Ken's first time

 On Saturday afternoon, my family took Matt so I could get ready for the party. Matt got to go up in the Arch for the first time.

 The weather here has been hot, so Papa decided to cool him and Matt off in the sprinkler

 Aunt Jamie decided she needed to cool off too

 I just love this picture, look closely and you can see my dad's facial expression (just makes me laugh)

 We headed to Sho Gun for family dinner to celebrate Matt's birthday

 He loved it, they even sang to him

I can't claim these but they turned out so well, I just had to post them.

 Some of the decorations

 Can you tell what the theme was yet?

 Happy Birthday Matthew (my baby is two, where did the time go?)

 Nana and GG enjoying some cupcakes

 He just loved his nerf arrow gun from Aunt Sue and Uncle Anthony (from Ohio), it was the hit of the party