Catching up

I'm not ready to write about our incident after the LSU v. WVU football game at WVU on September 24th. But, I will say that the outpouring of support from friends old and new, family, strangers, Marcus' clients, Les Miles at LSU, Westminster Presbyterian Church here in Pittsburgh and First Presbyterian in Natchez, along with Marcus' amazing company have carried us through this nightmare of an ordeal. I will write on the assault later, but today is not the day.

Thankfully, Marcus is alive, our baby on the way is in great health (confirmed by another ultrasound at 28.5 weeks yesterday), and Max is almost oblivious. He knows way more about going to doctors and hospitals than any 2 year old should need to know, but his little heart and eyes are so innocent; always assuming the best. Even when, to my horror, he's thumbed through the 1500 photos on my iphone and gotten to the pictures of Marcus in the ER that night, he says, "Oh Daddy's sick. It's ok, the doctor fix him," and happily goes onto the pictures of everything else.  Oh, to be 2 years old again!

Here are several of the happy photos Max likes to look at, I finally just cleared them from my phone, so here's what we've been up to for the past several months...

Dayna and Karl Whitcombe's wedding in June, 6 weeks pregnant

Eric and Marcus at the Tim McGraw, The Band Perry, and Luke Bryan concert this summer- perfect concert. I had no idea Marcus was such a big Tim McGraw fan- he sang every word!

Incredible "seats"- standing in the pit against the stage. Tim McGraw and the girl from The Band Perry did a duet

I had my MOMS Club over for a painting night at our house. Everyone painted a pear, inspired by a painting my friend Christie Farese did for me for a wedding gift

Max and Marcus playing in the creek at an USC park nearby

About 9 weeks pregnant this summer... hiding my tummy because I really just look pudgy

Our new family car! The 2012 Toyota Highlander

Saying good-bye to the old family car! The 2001 Toyota Highlander

Trying out our official Halloween costume: BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!

Our secondary Halloween costume: WOODY!

Mamaw (great-grandmother) and Alisa Gail (great-aunt) came to visit us in Pittsburgh. Max started calling them "Mee-maw" and "Alisa Goo" :)

Cold and rainy Pirates game but the Bucs won!

Pizza lunch at the top of Mt. Washington

Riding the incline down

Picking apples with our friend Callum at Simmons Farm

My friend Morna herding sheep! :)

Simmons Farm for Mayer's birthday party

In the old fire truck at Simmons Farm at Mayer's birthday party

Enjoying a Get Well fruit arrangement for Daddy

Max's first LSU game with Poppa and Poppa's best friend Anthony

Our Halloween decor at the front door on the right side

Halloween decor on the left side

Breakfast at Texada in Natchez on a cold morning

in the courtyard with Daddy

in the courtyard with Mommy 24 weeks pregnant

Under the table with Jane Carby at the Malt Shop

With Sweetheart and Grandaddy, his great-grandparents in Natchez

Playing drumsticks with cousin Taylor in Jackson, MS

Long road trip back to Pittsburgh from Natchez. Slight Cars obsession.

The "real" Lightning McQueen passed us on the road in Kentucky!!! Might be the highlight of Max's young life!

 Back in Pittsburgh with cold fall and winter days coming, we figure out lots of indoor activities outside of the house. Barnes and Noble storytimes, mall playgrounds, indoor playplaces at McDonald's, Lego places, etc!

Storytime at Barnes and Noble

Playing at the South Hills Village Mall

Ready for the real deal

Being Woody for South Hills Village trick or treating!

Woody's pull string was ALL Max's idea. I got him dressed as a little cowboy and he asks, "WHERE'S MY STRING?!"

Taking a break from trick or treating at the mall

Riding Bullseye at the Disney store during trick or treating

Snow the Saturday BEFORE Halloween!

Worn out after the first snow day of the season

Picking pumpkins from the patch at the country club

Happy with his pick

Listening to little brother's heartbeat

Actual Halloween night! Daddy the oilfield worker and Max as Buzz Lightyear

Candy, candy everywhere!

Posing at the neighbors' house, I've got a "Bun in the Oven"

Max was thrilled there was a little Buzz Lightyear too

On the way to the doctor with a bad cold and asleep with Mack Truck

He was a VERY good boy for the doctor and got several stickers

A little taste of Natchez. I made Amon Jordan's milk chocolate cake for my Mt. Lebanon Junior Women's Club Bake Sale... Much to my delight, Marcus came in and bought it for our neighbors for cutting our grass while he was down! :)

Getting little brother's crib ready!

Using Mommy's tummy as a headrest for bedtime stories

Max and Callum riding the Christmas train at the mall

Max and Callum talking to Santa, but not ready to sit on his lap yet!