Halloween 2010

Halloween is so much more fun with kids! A few days before Halloween, we had a Halloween party with our Wednesday playgroup. We painted pumpkins and had a fun time! Brayden understood the whole trick or treating concept so much more than I had expected him to. He would walk up to the door, knock on it, say "trick or treat", take one piece of candy, say "thank you" and hand his basket to Grandma! Then he would run to the next house. We had a fun day with family and friends.

Sweet Baby

It just feels so perfect to have two sweet babies. It feels like Callie has always been a part of our family. Brayden has taken on the role of big brother wonderfully! He loves to give Callie hugs and kisses, and he hasn't shown one bit of jealousy. Callie is so sweet and tiny. She is already on a good schedule eating every three hours and sleeping 3-4 hours at a time at night.

Brayden's 2nd Birthday

Our sweet Brayden turned two! We celebrated on his real birthday with family, dinner and cake at our house. The next morning, we had his All Star Sports themed birthday party at the Lake Pointe park with our sweet friends and family! Everyone came in their sports gear, and we had a really great time. I am so in love with our little boy. Two years ago, I had no idea how much love this little boy could bring into our lives. He is adventurous, inquisitive, has a great sense of humor, and he is very loving. I love how active and playful he can be, yet so sweet giving the best "big hugs" and "lots kisses."
Grandpa eating birthday cake with Brayden on his real birthday

With our two year old...Callie slept through most of the party

Happy birthday Brayden!

Picnic and play in the park

Aunt Kim handed out popcorn and cotton candy

Fun with friends

The TWO year old

Aunt Stephanie, Bryce and Lacey

Amazing sports cupcakes made by Ms. Ella!

Opening presents with Daddy

Callie Reese Mastroleo

On Monday, Sept. 20, I went in for my 38 week doctor appointment. I assumed that this would be a quick and easy routine appointment. When the nurse weighed me, I thought I noticed that I had lost weight, but I was too busy chatting to really look. After Dr. Schmidt measured my belly, she told me that she wanted to do an ultrasound to measure the baby's size. I was a little thrown off because I didn't remember getting an ultrasound at 38 weeks with Brayden. She was totally calm, so I wasn't worried at that point. I called Ray from the waiting room while I waited for the ultrasound tech to call me in. I began to get nervous at that point. I walked into the room to get the ultrasound, and the ultrasound tech seemed a bit flustered. I felt good when I saw the baby moving and heard her heartbeat...it is always an amazing sound to hear! She asked me what the baby's estimated weight was at 36 weeks and I told her a little over 6 pounds. She was silent...I asked her what it looked like now. She was again silent...I could feel myself wanting to cry because it was at that point I knew that something was wrong. She said that the baby was measuring around 5 pounds. I asked her why and what was wrong, and I won't ever forget how she responded and how I felt at that moment. "I can't answer that question...you will have to talk to your doctor," is what she said. My heart stopped. After the ultrasound, I waited in Dr. Schmidt's office, and she told me that we need to deliver the baby within 24 hours. She thought that my placenta and umbilical cord were deteriorating, but the baby would be fine. The next 24 hours were so hard...I don't think I have ever prayed so hard in my life. The next morning, I went in to be induced. At 12:19pm, on September 21st, our beautiful and HEALTHY baby girl was born. The umbilical cord had been tied in a huge knot. Thankfully, Dr. Schmidt caught this quickly before there were any major problems. Callie Reese weighed 6lbs and 9oz. We are so thankful that our sweet baby is here! Our family couldn't be more complete! We are so thankful.

Family of four

Already wrapped around Daddy's finger

One of the happiest moments of my life!!!

Labor Day Weekend

We spent Labor Day weekend at a beach house in Surfside, TX. We had such a great time! We played in the water, built sand castles, and Brayden even rode a horse and in an ATV. Brayden always has the best time playing with his cousins. They are always so sweet with him! The guys built a bonfire one night, and we had a great time chatting by the fire. It really was a relaxing weekend filled with lots of family time.

With Nona

Having fun with Julie

Sweet baby BrycePlaying frisbee

Shaving just like Papa

Brayden loved riding the horse

Girls' Weekend 2010

A few weeks ago, we had our annual Girls' Weekend. We spent the weekend relaxing, swimming(more like floating), talking and doing lots of laughing! On Friday afternoon, the girls surprised me with a baby shower. It was so sweet...they made a bow tree and each added bows and headbands for "Baby Girl Mastroleo." I am so excited to have a colection of beautiful accessories for the baby, and it was so sweet of them to make me feel so special! We woke up early on Saturday morning for yoga outside by the pool. Although we gave Christie a hard time for waking us up early, we all agreed that we felt so relaxed afterwards. It was such a fun weekend, and I truly feel blessed to have such wonderful girlfriends!

Brayden's Thoughts About His Sister

One of my favorite things about this pregnancy has been watching Brayden experience me pregnant. Brayden is so proud to show friends and anyone who comes by to visit his "baby sister's room." He also loves to show people her clothes and toys. There is nothing sweeter than to hear your child talk about their sibling with such love! I love that he loves the "idea" of his sister.

Here are some of the things that Brayden has said about his baby sister. I don't want to forget them.

He was in the other room calling for me one day. I walk in and he is sitting in the new double stroller. (I had no idea he could get in himself.) I started laughing, and he said, "Mom, baby sister in here," and he was pointing to the other seat.

I love it when he is playing, and he will randomly stop and give my belly kisses and hugs without any prompting from anyone. He will say, "Hugs, kisses baby sister!" So sweet! Then he quickly goes back to whatever he was doing.

One day he was putting stickers on my shirt on my belly, and he lifted up my shirt and asked, "Baby sister want sticker?"

We have been getting ready to go to the beach for Labor Day weekend, and while Brayden was playing he asked, "Mommy, baby sister go to beach?" I told him that she will be coming, but she will still be in my belly.

When we ask him what he is going to do with his baby sister when she gets here he says, "Play shoot ball!" (his term for basketball)