Thanksgiving 2010

For the second time this November, I have left my camera at home so there will be no accompanying images to enhance this post. Just use your imagination and I promise to give exquisite details.

We hit the road early Thanksgiving morning for my parents house in Cartersville, GA. It was touch and go for a little bit as we had a round of the stomach flu earlier in the week, but we were assured the family still wanted us around. So we packed dogs, baby and a car full of stuff and off we went! We arrived to the smell of yummy turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie...and our 2-day empty bellies rejoiced! Everyone was there (Matt, Katie, Kristen, Luke and the three kids - Ryan, Emily & Andrew). It was a GREAT day. Catching up, eating...me WHOOPING everyone in Poker. That's right...i took everyone's money. Blam! They thought I didn't know what I was doing..ha!

Early Friday morning, we all gather in our cars and hit the road for Monroe, NC (right outside of Charlotte) to see my Poppa and all the cousins, aunts & uncles. If it tells you anything, we had 35 folks for dinner that night. We are a big brood. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. Our check engine light went on and we stopped to see what was wrong. Long story, taxi cabs and car switching later...we got back on the road 2 1/2 hours later. Sigh. We missed the first half of the Iron Bowl..thank goodness for Dad's satellite radio where we could tune into The Auburn Network for the play by play. We finally arrived and family time commenced!

We headed back to Cartersville Saturday morning and unfortunately it looked like we passed along our stomach bug to Matt, Katie and little Ryan. :( We got back, rested, and started to help Mom with her Christmas Tree. Dad prepared a fine pot of gumbo and we just had a good time relaxing while the kids played with each other.

Sunday morning, we got back on the road to Nashville. No place like home. We've got more traveling to do this season...including Watercolor Beach, Huntsville and back to ATL for New Year's...whew! If only there was a train we could catch, or a speed plane, or well, something that would make that drive non-existent.

Here is what Anna is up to lately:

• Standing on her own!
• Following "commands" or just knowing what I am asking her to do
• all about the stuffed toys...LOVES them all and can't carry around enough at a time
• Playing peek-a-boo with anything..hands, sippy cup, blanket..etc, you name it- game commences.
• Trying to walk!

Hi hormones, welcome to the crazy.

Tomorrow I will be 13 weeks and almost in that wonderful second trimester! I had a check-up today and boy, was I a mess. For some reason, I have just had a bad feeling coupled along with some really, really bad dreams about this little one so needless to say, I was a little on edge. With Anna at our 12 week appointment, she says, "Now, it could take awhile to find the heartbeat". But before she could even get the dopplar all the way on my belly, you could hear the fast thump, thump, thump of her little heart.

This time...not so much. She was searching, and searching...and the tears started rolling, rolling down my face. I just knew. I knew she was going to say she couldn't find it. Then, well, I lost it...and just started crying and she still couldn't find it...then, wait. What was that? A little thump? Then gone. Then...thump, thump, thump for just about 5 seconds before he/she scurried off again. Whew...

But with all pregnancies, the hormones are a little out of wack (understatement if you ask John) and so I just kept sobbing, and sobbing. I could barely speak. My sweet doctor just asked me if I had actually heard the heartbeat...i was like, "Yes (sob, sob)". Not unlike that episode of friends where Rachel says she sees the baby on the ultrasound, but really doesn't see it. But I did actually hear the heartbeat. I forgot to ask the bpm, so all you gender guessers out there, I've got nothing for you. Oh hormones...you crazy hormones.

On an even happier note, Anna is 13 months today!! Here is a picture from her visit with her Grandmama & Pops while we were in NYC. I promise to video record her tonight in her bath, it was so wonderful last night. I have NEVER heard her talk that much. It truly was like she was reading Water, Water Everywhere to herself! So awesome.

The news is out! Finally..

It has been so hard not to blog about our exciting news...so I haven't blogged much at all. Well, now we are all out and can finally say, WE ARE HAVING A BABY! I will be 13 weeks on Friday and due May 27, 2011. We are so excited, overwhelmed, anxious, nervous...you name it, we got it.

This ultrasound was from 8 weeks, 6 days. Just a wee little thing.

So, two under two. Wow. It's going to be crazy, but wonderful at the same time. Anna absolutely loves other children and she will be too young to be jealous (so I understand). They will be about 20 months apart. My sister and I are 22 months apart and she is my best friend. So, kind of hoping it is a girl just because of that...but I know both John and I would love a little boy in our family! Our big ultrasound won't be until the first week of January BUT we are going to go to one of those 3rd party places for a quick 2D gender check, have them put it in an envelope and we will open it Christmas morning! Merry Christmas to us!

The holiday's are quickly approaching and it makes it even more special to share this with family. We are headed to Atlanta and then Monroe, NC for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, we will start here that morning and probably go down to Huntsville. Then hoping to convince John to make the trip back to Atlanta for New Year's and a delayed Christmas with my family! Whew!

Lights, camera...

So I just received my "Your toddler (ummm...toddler??) is 12 months and 4 weeks old" email today from the BabyCenter. It is funny to me that now for 4 weeks we have been saying, "Can you believe we have a one year old??". I don't think that statement is going anywhere anytime soon. I forget that I catch some great moments on my iphone and finally have thought to pull a couple photos and videos to share. The picture above is on our little trip to Costco while John and my Dad went to the AU v Ole Miss game. How cute is she? My mother in law made her that little Auburn wrap. And I am in love with those little corduroy pants...they are nice and stretchy in the legs but only one catch...I can't button them. Little girl has a big ol belly!

Below is a video of her on her new rocking chair from my parents. It was mine as a kid and Mom spruced it up and now belongs to Miss Anna. I think she has it down!

And the last is with Anna and my Dad before he headed back to Atlanta after the Auburn game. She loves her Poppa!


This weekend John and I are headed to NYC for a little vacation. Anna will be staying with John's parents down in Huntsville and I know they are excited. We are just going to enjoy each other company, catch a couple shows and just be New Yorkers for a couple days. That said, we might just be restaurant hopping if it is too cold, snuggled up with hot chocolate or a hot toddy. Be jealous, be oh so jealous. :)