Bonita Springs, Florida

It is hard to sum up or put into words the experience that Reece and I had the past five days.  While there were so many big moments to capture, it may be the little moments I hold onto.  Florida was absolutely incredible.  I should begin with expressing our gratitude to my Mom,  and Reece's Nana for taking us on the adventurous ride of experiencing southwestern Florida.  We had cocktails on the beach in Fort Myers, went out on a " Real Pirate ship ", but Reece wants everyone to be sure to know " the pirates we not real they were just dressed to look like real pirates" ( knowing Reece as many of you do his cautious personality should not surprise anyone that he needed to clarify this!), we played putt putt TWICE and Reece had three hole in ones!, we played a lot of football and frisbee on the beach, we had ice cream at Mr. Ray's ice cream parlor, we meet new friends while playing on the beach, Reece practiced finding the perfect wave with his scurf board in the sand so in a few more years he will be ready to move to the big water, we experienced Naples, and we saw some amazing sunsets.
While Gregg was not able to join us on this trip, it was an opportunity to spend quality time just Reece, my mom, and I.  Reece is such a Daddy's boy, so to be able to have so much one on one with him and I alone will be something I treasure forever.  I had an opportunity to sit back on afternoon on the beach and watch Reece play with his new buddies, Fisher, Evan and their Dads.  Boys play so differently with their Dads.  There is no question in my mind the importance that Gregg plays in Reece's life, and how wonderful Gregg is at that.  Yet to be able to capture five days of just Mom, I was able to relish in things like slipping into bed at night and have Reece curl right up next to me, to take a long walk on the beach and talk about things a five in half year old wonders about like "why the pelicans do belly flops head first into the ocean", to be constantly asked to play catch with the football and not have Daddy be requested instead, to be the other eyes spotting Great Blue Herons and Ibises, just to name a few.  The little moments of feeling like I wasn't just being Reece's mom who keeps the family schedule and structure, I was capable in the eyes of a five year old of being wanted as so much more.  I soaked in every moment.
Here are a few of our highlights -

 This sunset photo is my favorite of the trip and sums it all up in the thoughts I imagine are racing through Reece's head, as in mine!

I feel like the luckiest Mom and woman to have had this experience.  

And I'll tell you what I can throw a pretty good spiral, just ask Reece !!

We cannot wait to go back but it feels good to be home!

From the moment we stepped onto Florida soil Reece spoke about finding Gator gear, well he succeeded! 

 He definitely knows how to capture attention through Atlanta and Detroit airports!

A much needed vacation

Well against doctors orders this is just what we needed.  Reece and I are spending 5 days in Bonita Springs, Florida visiting with my mom, Nana.  We haven't even spent one full day here and it has been incredible.  Several people have been asking how things are going and wanting to see pictures so I thought I would share our adventures so far.  It is Reece's first trip to the beach since he was an infant.  The pure astonishment in his eyes is indescribable!  

 So glad to see Nana after a long 3 weeks away!  

 Our first stop after lunch was an alligator park

 These are some big guys ( and gals)

 I'll sit here as long as you promise this guy won't bite

 Brave enough to even touch this baby gator

 Headed to the ocean for the first time!

  Alright I am ready to have some fun in these waves!

I am going to chill out, but just for a second!!

Can't wait for day two at the beach with NO SCHEDULE except sun and fun!!

25 weeks

How far along:  25 weeks, or should I say 15 to go!!

About the baby: Baby Matthews is the length of a recorder.  He or she is growing leaps and bounds, and beginning to add on some fat.  The baby's arms and legs are just about the length they will be at birth.  Baby M is also able to feel the sensation of touch!

Maternity Clothes?: Yes mostly all maternity clothes except for my workout pants 

Sleep: Sleeping is decent although I do have to sleep on my let side because of my fractured rib ( I'll fill you in below)

Best Moment of the week:  Watching Reece complete his first real race on Saurday.  I'm not sure who was more proud, him or me!

Miss anything?: I seem to be missing everything dealing with normalcy lately from being able to enjoy a cocktail after a long day or just to not have to visit doctors every other day

Movement: Wow Baby Matthews has gained some strength.  I can now visible see my belly moving when he or she is kicking me.  I love the feeling!

Food cravings:  Probably anything sweet

Anything make you sick:  Not really

Labor Signs:  Thank goodness no!!

Happy or Moody:  Even though this isn't an option I would have to say I am feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  I am days away from finishing my semester and feeling the pressure mount of time running out with so much to do and prepare for.  I know it will all work out somehow!

Looking forward to:  I cannot wait to go down to Florida next week with Reece, which is probably an understatement:)

Update on my health: I feel selfish to say that I am so tired of talking about my health issues yet at the same time am incredibly grateful for everyones concern and continual support.  I think it has just been such a constant now in our lives that it seems if I don't talk about it maybe I don't have to deal with it.     

So I have been continuously dealing with health concerns since I was discharged from the hospital almost a month ago.  My heart rate has been quite high as as my blood pressure at times, along with off and on breathing issues.  The amazing part of all of it is I feel pretty good, but understand the concern.  So last week I went to see a Pulmonologist.  Honestly I walked in there thinking he would tell me I was doing great and to continue with the steroids he prescribed me a little over a week prior.  Well that didn't happen - in fact he sent me right over to the hospital for a CT Scan.  While a CT is not a huge deal normally it is of much greater risk when someone is pregnant.  My doctors had been discussing it for several weeks so Gregg and I were aware of the possibility, but clearly the did not want to expose me or the baby to the radiation unless absolutely necessary.  The reasoning for this was because they were concerned of me having a pulmonary embolism.  Honestly 7 weeks later I was ready to get it done just to maybe get some answers.  To make a long story short the test came back clear, AMEN!  However it did show that I had a fractured rib which occurred a week or so prior as well as residual pneumonia in my right lung.  Yet it does not explain my heart.  So I am seeing a Cardiologist on Wednesday.  Thursday I am seeing another doctor to help make some adjustments in hopes of helping my pain from my broken rib slightly more manageable.  My OB told me I have a long three in half months or so in front of me but as long as we have a healthy baby at the end of all this than nothing else matters.  My OB has advised me against traveling to FL next week( though she did say she isn't telling me I can't go) but honestly I think the vacation is exactly what I need and I am so excited to get away for 5 days.

Happy Easter

 Since Reece was a born we began the tradition with him of going to Mass then we get to come home to see if the Easter bunny has visited our house.  We did this to help in explaining what the real meaning behind each holiday is.  Reece seems to really enjoy it also! So after Mass we began our festivities, coming home to find that indeed the Easter bunny sure did come by.  We had two Easter egg hunts, one at our house and one at Nana and Papa's where Team Matthews finished in 1'st place for YES another year!!! In between the two hunts we enjoyed brunch with the whole family.  Gregg even managed to watch all of the Masters with of course some interruptions for the watching Tigers beat those Soxs, again!!  We definitely missed Mom (Nana) but we cannot wait to visit her in 15 days in Florida ( Can you tell we are definitely counting down!?!) What a blessed and happy Easter it was.

Love this picture!

Its hard to believe next Easter we will be a family of 4!

The cousins 

 "I think I'll just let these other crazy kids grab all the eggs and just stand here looking so handsome!"

They were even able to change into their egg hunting clothes!!