11 WEEKS

Two more weeks and I will be out of my 1st Trimester! I have been patiently counting the days in the hopes that I will start to feel better! I love this baby already, but my goodness is he/she putting me through the ringer!

Size:             Large Plum

Length:         2.5 Inches Long

Weight:        .5 Ounces

Fun Facts:    Most of our baby's systems are fully formed and it is doubles in
                       size in the last three weeks! In addition, his or her bone marrow
                       is already producing white blood cells to fight off infection after
                       birth! IN the Shappard family we know this is a MUST have!

The Peabody Ducks

The Peabody Duck March

Since opening its doors on November 1, 1986, The Peabody Orlando has continued, in unbroken sequence, the traditional March of The Peabody Ducks which began at its sister property, The Peabody Memphis, many, many years ago.Each morning, promptly at 11 a.m., the hotel's atrium lobby is the scene of a remarkable ritual. In a special elevator, the five North American mallard ducks, four hens and one drake, comprising The Peabody Ducks, descend from their $100,000 penthouse Royal Duck Palace.When the elevator doors open, The Peabody Ducks, accompanied by their crimson-and-gold- braid-jacketed Duck Master™, take up their positions on a plush red carpet and begin The March of The Peabody Orlando Ducks to the strident tones of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March.

They waddle their way in formation through the hotel's marble halls, and when they reach the magnificent, orchid-crowned fountain, which takes center stage in the Atrium Lobby, the ducks mount three red-carpeted steps and splash into the fountain's waters. Tumultuous applause reverberates through the lofty, foliage-draped lobby, and standing ovations are the order of the day by the hundreds of onlookers who daily crowd into the hotel to see one of the greatest shows on earth.

At 5 p.m., the procession is reversed, The Peabody Orlando Ducks marching back to their special elevator, then to their Royal Duck Palace for dinner and a quiet evening together.

The Peabody Duck March is something my parents took my brother and I too when we were little kids. We would make a special day of it! We would start by seeing the ducks waddle in and then we would go to the B-Line Diner attached to the hotel to have brunch! The Duck March is something that has been on my bucket list to bring Jayden to! I couldn’t wait to see this unique event through his eyes! We invited his Auntie Rebecca and his Uncle Nick to go with us. (They had never been either and I couldn’t wait to share this experience with them!)

Jayden adored the ducks! They went by so quickly that I think it was hard for him to register! He coultn’y wait to chase after them!

As soon as they flew by he was off to see them in the fountain! He had the biggest smile on his face and I couldn’t have imagined this experience to be any better!

 

Of course he was so cute that he caught the attention of a Brazilian news crew who proceeded to interview us and film J! What a ladies’ man!

After his thorough assessment of the ducks, we headed off to brunch at the B-Line Diner!!! It was just as fabulous as I remember! Thanks to everyone who made this day so special and surreal!

Buddy Time!

Jayden’s best buddy at daycare is his friend Xander! I would say they are more like brothers, especially when they have their Mohawks going on! It was well past time to get the boys together, so Xander and his mommy Megan come over today for a play date! The boys started out playing outside and then they proceeded in the house to change out of their bathing suits! As soon as they were dry snack time was on the agenda!

They were quite priceless playing with each other. Todd and I got to see firsthand how they must be together at daycare!  They followed each other everywhere and took turns pushing each other in the Cozy Coupe! I could just give these boys kisses every minute! (Which of course they would never allow!) After exhausting themselves from playing, it was time for lunch! These two sure do enjoy their food!



After lunch, it was time to say goodbye. The boys adore each other and had to give each other hugs before they left! So precious!

Allergies!

A few weeks ago I took Jayden to Arnold Palmer Hospital to get blood taken for allergy tests. Our friend Catherine recommended that we take him there rather than Quest diagnostics because they specialize in taking blood from babies. I was so happy that we listened to her because they were tremendous and Jayden didn’t even cry! (There was a little bit of a lip quiver though!)  Afterwards I rewarded him by going by the Disney castle in the atrium and letting him play for a few minutes!

I got a call on Wednesday that the results were in and our pediatrician wanted us to make an appointment to go over them with us. (You know this is never a good sign when they want you to come in!)  So today, Todd and I brought J in to discuss the results. Low and behold out little guy is allergic to PEANUTS! Who would have thought! So we are now proud owners of epi pens! We also learned that he is highly allergic to dogs, which we were anticipating after his allergic reaction after breakfast with Grandpa. (After breakfast we were walking outside and a large dog licked him in the face. Ten minutes later his eye started swelling close and his face swelled up with welts!)



So as Jayden’s grandma would say, “He’s special!”

Baby Announcement!

Today was the official Facebook and work baby announcement! I have been dying to tell people! I don’t know why, but it seems more real when those around you know! We sent the following email/post to the world:

The Shappard's will be a family of four come March 11, 2013!
Jayden can't wait to be a big brother!

I loved the equation idea when I saw it! Fortunately our wonderful friends Emily and Lindsey helped us capture it! There were several people who thought we photo shopped the numbers in, but it was actually poster boards that I cut out!