Jeannie's

Alright locals, here is the scoop on Jeannie's (the new restaurant at 544a and McCreary)...it's an all-you-can-eat buffet! We went for lunch and they had about 5 main entrees and 6 side dishes, plus 2 desserts. I think it was around $8 for lunch. The food was pretty good. I had BBQ chicken, carrots, corn and macaroni and a salad and a roll and dessert. How am I ever going to lose this baby weight????

I got Jenna lots of clothes at the consignment sale on Saturday. There were SO MANY people there. It is usually during the week so it being on a weekend day made it big difference! I got Jacob a few things too but I mainly needed short-sleeved shirts for him and this was their "winter sale" so all the clothes were for winter. I didn't have time to look at the other stuff (other than clothes) which is good b/c I already went $12 over budget!

My aunt, uncle and cousin are in town from Houston this weekend. We met them and my parents for lunch Saturday, then they hung at the house for a while. They go back tomorrow and I'm guessing they'll be getting their house ready for the hurricane. Every time they get a hurricane or big rain/floods their street goes underwater. All the houses are quite a bit higher than the street; their driveway is very steep. Anyway, they've lived there for around 6 years now and I know they have had boats on their streets multiple times rescuing people and animals etc.

Today another aunt (my mom has 3 sisters) and her husband came for a visit. They live in Palestine (far east TX). It was nice to just relax and visit, and Jacob had a blast! My aunt is a 1st grade teacher and her and Jacob read lots of books, did puzzles, and played with lots of toys. Between her kids and Jeff's kids they have 10 grand kids!

Tomorrow I plan on taking a nap. Today was day 2 in a row with no nap and I'm starting to feel it!

Update

Jenna - isn't she beautiful!!!

Brian put these clips in Jenna's hair after her bath. He's so cute!

Hi everyone. Just wanted you all to know that I haven't dropped off the planet. I know you're all thinking I must be SO BUSY w/ the new baby and all. That's not really the case, I just don't' have much to blog about!

Jenna had her first doctor check yesterday. She's doing great. She is back up to her birth weight (she had lost 10 oz) and everything is well. So far she's a very good baby. She rarely cries, loves being cuddled, and is a pretty easy going girl!

Jacob is still loving his sister. He still kisses her a million times a day and he now likes to share his toys and food with her. We had dinner last weekend at my parent's house and they had some friends over who have a 18month old boy and a 2month old girl. Let's just say it was a totally different story! He wanted nothing to do with her. His mom says he's terrible when she nurses the baby...climbs and does everything he's not supposed to. I feel so blessed that we're not that way!

Brian went back to work on Wednesday, but then he was off Thursday and today. He's working the RHS football game right now. I think he's happy to be back at work even though he always says he wants to be a stay-at-home dad. He found the 80's music channel on the TV this week and I think he's in heaven. If there's nothing on TV, he heads straight for the 80's and he blasts it while working out. Oh my!

I feel great. We've already gone on 3 walks around the jogging trail. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be walking that far but I figured if I can walk around WalMart, why not walk around the neighborhood?

The big DevineConsign sale half-off day is tomorrow so I plan on going in the morning. I love half-off day. I need to get Jacob some 18month clothes now that he FINALLY can wear them. We're also trying out the newest restaurant in the hood, I think it's called Jeannie's. It's by the 711 at McCreary and 544. I'll let you know how it is!

Jenna and my Grandma

My parent and their grandkids

all is well for this family of 4. jenna sleeps great during the DAY...wants to eat every 1-2 hrs at NIGHT. she'll adjust...hopefully soon. her weight is holding steady (at 8lb 8oz). it will start going up now that my milk is in.

jacob is doing super. he has adjusted so well. i don't expect the jealousy to hit for a few months when she is awake more.

i'm posting lots of pics...you can see tons more at www.dropshots.com/halcorn

JENNA IS HERE

Jenna Erin Alcorn arrived at 721 this morning. I woke up around 330am with all the thunder and rain. I knew I was cramping but didn't think this was "it" until 14min later, more cramps, then 12min later etc. I finally woke up Brian around 5 and we call the midwife. It was an exciting morning and we're so glad she's here safe and sound!

She weighed in at a whopping 9lb 2oz & 20.5 inches. She has a head full of dark brown hair and I'm pretty sure her eyes are/will be brown. Guess some of my genes finally came through! She's a doll, eats great and sleeps lots so far.

Jacob is doing well. We're working on the "gentle" factor but he's very sweet and loves to give his sister kisses. He's had fun w/ his grandparents today and was very excited this morning wake up and find out his sister is here!

Here are a few pictures. Will write more when it's more comfortable to sit!

23 Months

Today Jacob is 23 months! I cannot believe how time has flied. He is such an angel and I love him so much. Here are some the things my little dumpling knows/does:

Knows all his animal sounds AND names (he identifies them by name instead of sound)

Knows most all the colors

Says ABC's up to G

Counts to 3

Sings "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Holy, Holy, Holy"

Loves to play with "chalks" aka sidewalk chalk or colors

LOVES to read books, especially "Some Babies" "A Ride in a Beach Buggy" and "I Love You Mommy"

Loves to play outside. His favorite is playing with the water hose or with his lawn mower.

Still won't sleep in his big-boy bed

Thinks the dogs are ponies and loves to play chase with them. He still thinks they are hilarious.

Says the following phrases: I love you (i lov lu) Miss you! I get it. I see you. God-a-Mighty!

Says "welcome" when someone says thank you OR if you tell him to say thank you!

Still sleeps with paci and both loveys.

Is very friendly to strangers and says HI to just about everyone everywhere.

Takes a 2-3 hr nap in the afternoon.

Loves to eat hot dogs w/ ranch and CHEEPS (chips). Also likes turkey and cheese sandwiches, chicken nuggets and his favorite foods (like his mama) are breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles, egss, and biscuits.

Can identify all 12 of his professional "peoples" (see picture at top). They include: fire-fighter (his favorite), cop, chef, teacher, doctor, nurse, computer man, construction worker, business woman, pilot, mail man, and mechanic.

Ok. I'll stop bragging now. Just kidding. He just makes me ooze with happiness! I can hardly wait to see what the next one brings. She should be coming any time now. My cervix is making some serious progress so now we continue to wait. I think that sermon on Sunday (on waiting on God) was for me!!! Here are a few maternity pics.

We Have A Name

No baby, but we do have a name. I'm posting it so it cannot and will not change! It's officially Jenna Erin Alcorn. Cute huh?



I finished her room yesterday. I stenciled some flowers, butterflies and polka dots. It looks really cute and breaks up some of the pink!



Jacob's big boy bed is put together and in his room. He took a nap in it Friday and did great but was scared to sleep in it at night so back to the crib he went. I think if we take the crib out of his room that will help. Plus, that night it was late and dark and he had spent the evening at Mimi and Papa's house so he was a bit overstimulated anyways. We'll try again this week.



I feel horrible today. Whatever blew in is driving my allergies NUTS! Plus, I'm tired and getting very impatient. Ya know, waiting to have this kid and all.



I work tomorrow; will be my last day for a while. I wouldn't be working except that one of our nurses just quit last week (he's moving to Vegas!) so we're short staffed. I will be as useful as I can but I don't know how much good I'll be!



I am loving watching the Olympics. Jacob calls them the 'lympics. It's so cute. He's brain washed, poor thing. Brian and I are Olympics addicts. He also is doing a great job saying his last name. He's had "Jacob" down for about a month but this week Brian has worked on the "Alcorn" part and he says it really well!



Today was my friend Cari's last day at church. She's moving to Round Rock and we're going to miss her so much! I am very excited for what God has in store for her. She is a precious person.



Hopefully next post will have Jenna pics!

COMING SOON

I had my check-up this morning and all Becky would say is "she's coming soon!" How soon? I dunno. I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and 25% effaced. She was really low too but I don't remember how low. She went and pulled Jacob's chart to compare and I'm about the same as I was the week before I had Jacob so we'll see. She also said "you know how girls are...they're always making you wait!" So it could be anytime between now and forever or so it seems.

Jenna's room is painted very bubble-gum pink and I bought stencils today to make it cuter. Will post pics when it's done. That's about it. We're enjoying this wonderful cool day (high of ONLY 96!) Going to have a busy couple of days (Brian is off Thurs/Fri) but will catch you up soon.

$13.59

Thirteen fifty-nine a day. That's what it's costing to keep this 9-month pregnant lady cool! Our electric bill was $432!!!! It's food or air-conditioning. I don't know which to choose! I thought three hundred something was bad last month. I freaked out. I reset our thermostat to one degree warmer during the day and at night. I stopped turning on the porch light at night (which I have done for the past 5 1/2 yrs. I stopped turning on the dog's night light. I've been good about turning off lights etc. So I thought our bill would go down or at least stay the same, not go up! So I have now reset our thermostat again to one degree warmer during the day. So if I stink from sweat sorry, I'm just trying to save a few bucks.

We had family maternity pictures taken this week. I am proud to say we spent $70 vs the $600 we spent when I was prego w/ Jacob. They turned out really well. We just went to JCPenneys but my favorite photographer Sam was there. He's the manager at the Collin Creek location and he's really good. Anyways, he did our pics and they turned out well. We got 2 10x13 colleges and a few extras for baby book/scrapbooking.

That's about all for the week. I only worked a half day Friday b/c I was up all night Thursday w/ cramps. Don't know what was up w/ that but obviously it wasn't labor. I think God was just preparing me for the sleepless nights!