Easter 2009

Happy Easter to everyone! All is good here. As you can see from the first picture that Ethan will have plenty of cousins to get him in all sorts of trouble.

My little boy is growing up too fast! He has already outgrown his newborn clothes. The big news is that he gave Joel his first big cheesy smile. It was so beautiful. I am a little jealous that it didn't go to me first! It's just not fair! It's funny because now I will do anything to try and get him to smile.

Tonight I took a nap and Joel gave Ethan a bath and fed him and carried on like they didn't even need me! :(

Ethan is defintely a boy. He loves to be outside on a walk or in the water taking a bath. He is guaranteed not to cry during this time. We went to the ranch last week and Joel drove us around on the golf cart. it was so bouncy and windy but Ethan just loved it.

Ethan is beginning to be more alert and can sit alone without being held for short periods of time. He seems to enjoy his swings more now. Before, he only slept in them. I guess that is progress.

Thats all for now.

I'm the worst blogger ever....

Ethan is growing like a weed. I don't even want to blink because I am afraid I will miss something. He is getting longer and filling out. He already looks so different as you can see. He is "High Maintenance" or as some would say - spoiled! He loves to be held. And I love holding him. Anytime he is put down he immediately wakes up and cries. Joel says he only has (3) phases - Sleeping, Eating or Crying. Joel gave him rice cereal for the first time yesterday. (against my wishes) I had to finally wake Ethan about 5 hours later. He seemed to tolerate it fine.

Ethan did not get to be the family baby for long. Everyone check out my new neice Sadie on Erica and Beau's blog. She's beautiful.

I have been visiting my sister lately (now that I am not working so much). His cousin Nicole is fascinated with him. She screams and giggles at Ethan. It's really cute to see... It is still weird to see me and my sister both carrying baby carriers.

We have a new nanny and she is assisting in the spoiling process. We are so happy to have her. Ethan won't even let her put him down so she can go to the bathroom.

Ethan truly enjoys his bath time and has never even began to cry. That is such a blessing.

No other news to share as the rest of our lives have come to a grinding stop. Joel goes back to work next week and I have started the back at the spas.

Love to all.

He's Here!!!

We get to go home. Yeah!!

Going Home Outfit

Jannie, Papa Larry, Uncle Bobby and Daddy

First Family Picture.....

Who does he look like?

Look at all that hair!

More Ethan.....

The quiet before the storm.....

Nervous Parents.....

Turn the lights off!!

Ethan Benjamin Hoover

6lbs 10 ozs. 19.5 inches

After Epidural all is good.....

Sheer Panic......

Anticipation...........

Ethan Benjamin Hoover is finally here. He arrived at 5:58 pm on 2/27/09. He weighed 6 pounds 10 Ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Congratulations to Jannie, his grandma, as she guessed the closest.

Mother and baby are doing fine and we are home now. He appears long and thin, with olive skin with a head full of dark hair. He does not cry much and seems really peaceful. We have had a lot of visitors and we appreciate all the love, prayers and support everyone has shown.

Attached are pictures for those of you that haven't seen him.

Thanks to all. We will keep you informed.

Love- Sherrie & Joel & Ethan

Baby room starting to take shape.

Here are some work in progress pictures. If you will notice in the last picture the muriel lady painted on the amoire. She also added a little boy with a fishing pole to the front. (Well post better pics when the room is finished.) In the background of the last picture you can see half of the crib with it's bedding....the rest has not come in. I just found out that the curtain material won't be in for two more weeks!!! geez! But he will be in our room anyway so I am not stressing it too much.

The baby shower was so beautiful. I am so thankful for all the thought and effort that went in to it. I will never forget it. A special thanks to all of those who were able to make it and for the great gifts. I feel so prepared for him to come now.

Everyone wrote down their guesses on the weight and length. I am going to try and post it. Joel said whoever gets the closest gets to keep him for a weekend - on short notice.

Will post again soon.....

Things are coming together....

I'm almost 5 weeks away and I am finally working on the nursery - well Joel is at least. He painted the room, put the crib together and hauled the extremely heavy amoire up the stairs. (thanks meek) The murial lady worked on the amoire and it looks so good. I will post pictures soon. Half of the baby bedding came in..I am still waiting on the rest. Joel's upset because it cost more than our bedding.

My baby shower is this Saturday and I am looking forward to seeing everyone. The next big date to look forward to is the due date. Night time is still a nightmare but I feel pretty good during the day time.

I met Emily for lunch today. Their home is so sweet and she looks fabulous. She looks about 5 months pregnant instead of 2 weeks away. Way to go Emily! Her little girl's name is going to be Eden and I wait to meet her.

Here are some recent pregnancy pictures.

January Update

THE GANG

JOEL AND HIS FATHER

JOEL AND NEAL


JOEL AND ZAC

MEN AT WORK

Joel and I spent New Years at the Ranch. A far cry from our Vegas Days, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Being out there forces me to sit still which is what I need right now. They had a round up on Saturday. I had never seen one and it was very exciting. I took some of my nephews out there. Neal is still wearing the camo vest that Joel gave him. Watching them all out there makes me realize how it brings out the "boy" in all of them. Ethan will have a great time there.

I look forward to seeing everyone that can make it to the shower on the 24th. If you didn't get an invitation please don't feel slighted. It only means that I didn't have your address and it was really hectic on everyone trying to plan this during the holidays.

Ethan is still growing.....or rather I am. My sister took some photos and I will try and download them next time. I am still trying to talk Joel into taking couple pictures. He claims everyone know what we look like.

Joel has switched to days and I am enjoying it. I don't know how long I can keep him on this shift he is such a night person.

Ethan Benjamin Hoover

Well if you haven't been following the voting - it was a landslide. The name is set. We just got back from the Doctor. Ethan weighs 3.6 pounds. We did a 3D sono, He appears to be perfectly healthy and normal with the exception of one GIANT nose. Me and Joel saw it at the same time and said "is that his nose!?" Joel said if he could be born with that nose full of nickels neither one of us would have to go back to work.! But I'm sure it will be precious. I suspect he will see that sono picture later on in life when he least expects it; such as graduation or wedding day. I asked Joel to post the pic but he said he didn't think he could get it all on one computer screen.

Christmas is finally here. I am sad that I have to work though. That's the shift worker blues. Joel got lucky this year and his days off fell perfectly so he will be traveling to his family then on to the ranch.

I will miss my mom and dad terribly this year but will look forward to seeing them later on in the year.

I am about officially done with the pregnancy thing. It has lost it's glamour. I cannot seem to get comfortable when I am trying to sleep. I have indigestion when I lay down. Any advice from you moms will be appreciated.

People have been asking if my nursery is finished-I'm embarrassed to admit that there is absolutely nothing in there except clothes. That's really not like me. Maybe he's changing me already. Joel said we can keep him in a basket of clothes by the bed and he'd be alright. If I don't get on the ball that may be where he sleeps.

Love to all please pray for all those families that are traveling and those that are serving our country.