36 Weeks

Here I am...feeling quite pregnant. And the fact that I asked Geoff to take this picture and made no effort to put on makeup, fix my hair or remove my glasses is proof that I'm tired. We went to our weekly checkup yesterday, and I am 1 cm dilated. However, our little boy is currently breach (rear end instead of head is down). So, next Monday we'll have a full ultrasound to check his positioning. If he's still breach the doctor will check to see if my body and Frazier are a good candidate for attempting to turn him, which involves a lot of pushing on me. If they can't turn him then we'll have to seriously talk about scheduling a C-section. I told Geoff on the way out of the doctor's that having a C-section hadn't even crossed my mind. I was more concerned about trying to prepare to go through labor without drugs again and wondering if I could make it! I actually feel ok about this and wouldn't be surprised if he turns his little self around. He is such a mover that he just may do it all by himself! Otherwise, everything else is on track - I'm measuring well, have gained 23 lbs and his heartbeat is strong and right where it should be.

Lawrence Thanksgiving

We enjoyed our annual Thanksgiving trip to Northern Virginia this year where we get to see some Texas and Maryland family. I love getting Mary-Michael together with her cousins, and I think she particularly enjoyed her time this year now that she can play, run and interact more. She rarely had a moment alone and was quite spoiled! I got to do my annual Black Friday shopping and scored some really good deals. My devoted husband came with me again - the first words out of his mouth when I woke him up before dawn were "This is true love." Yes, honey it is. Regardless of the time of day, I'm grateful to have some uninterrupted time with him especially before baby #2 arrives. And of course, we spent a lot of time watching football as the Cowboys, Hokies and Cavaliers all played. You will notice Mary-Michael sporting her gear though I found out too late her UVA attire was too small so we had to go to second best - Virginia Tech. And Tech ended up beating UVA (ok, more like killing UVA), so she had the right outfit on at least for that day. Sorry Wahoo friends.

Here are some pictures from our very fun long weekend.


Testing out my cousin's boots! Makenzie was a huge help during our trip to Alexandria - she always made sure M&M had someone to play with.


Enjoying the nice weather outside. "Outside" has quickly become one of Mary-Michael's favorite words, which I think is great (except for rainy days)!


Family photo - Gooooo Cowboys!


Grandma and the grandkids.


The Lawrence's.


The Lawrence's and the McCann's (family from Grandma's side that come to us every year for Thanksgiving).


Makenzie being a great cousin and reading to M&M.


More time outside (yes, I know this girl needs a haircut)!


In front of the Washington Monument on a beautiful Saturday.


The cousins taking a stroll through DC where we went on Saturday to visit and take pictures.


The cousins again - so sweet.


Daddy/Uncle Geoff and the wee ones.

35 Weeks

Baby Cows

Over the last few weeks 3 calves have been born to our 3 once pregnant cows. Unfortunately, we lost the heifer (she was stillborn), but 2 steers (males) remain. They are pretty cute, but as I told a few co-workers, you can't get too attached because soon enough they will become the famous slogan - Beef: It's whats for dinner. Sorry boys, welcome to the circle of life, also known as the food chain.

I hate to sound insensitive, but it honestly makes it easier and apparently insensitive or blunt has become something I'm pretty good at this late in my pregnancy (according to my also very direct husband). Regardless, we will enjoy them while we can and let Mary-Michael have a little fun getting acclimated to life on the farm.


Farm girl in the making (even in her church clothes).


The baby boys.


The youngest baby boy.


The mommas.


Daddy and M&M watching the cows eat some leftover pumpkins (a natural de-wormer - who knew!?).

Glass Thanksgiving

As we do every year, we enjoyed an early Thanksgiving with my mom and family the weekend prior to the actual holiday. It's such a nice tradition because typically, we can all be there as no one has to choose which side of the family to visit with that year, and no one is rushing off to the next meal at the next house. With 7 grandkids and 2 more on the way, the house is nothing but busy and a bit chaotic, but we always have a lot of fun, and it's great to get all the cousins together. Waddling around and chasing a little one doesn't give me much time to take pictures, but here are a few from the day.


M&M and her Nonnie.


M&M practicing being a big sister with Emelyn, the littlest grandchild (for now!).


A table for 17!


The giant in between 2 little elves.

Dress Up

This girl is all girl!! This is a sweet picture I received from Daddy last night as I'm in Brooklyn for my final work trip. It sure is hard to leave this precious thing even for just a few days.

A Brunch for Frazier

On Saturday, I was blessed to join some of my favorite friends at Feathernester's, a local restaurant and tea house, for a baby brunch to celebrate Frazier. I definitely didn't do a great job getting pictures, but here are a few.


Emily, Kelly, Momma, April and April.


Amber, Renee, Lacey, Momma, Emily, Kelly and April.


Amber, Renee, Momma and Lacey.


Momma holding what will be your new bed while you're in our room. Your big sister has already tested it out for you (see below).


Hi baby Frazier!

Frazier - we are so excited to meet you in about 6 weeks! You are already so active and busy in my belly, so I have no doubt you're going to have the energy and love for people like your daddy does. And if you're anything like your daddy when he was young you are going to keep me on my toes, and I'll be praying daily for no visits to the ER. We love you so much already!

Charleston

This past weekend Geoff and I went on what is likely our final (for many months) adults only trip. We went to beloved Charleston, SC, which we decided we would consider retiring to many years from now. The combination of southern charm, amazing food, robust history and being on the coast was great for a long weekend. Plus we attended a wedding for a very sweet couple.

I must admit most of the weekend was centered around our meal reservations as food is on my brain these days. Here's a quick round-up of where we went and what we thought in case you're headed there any time soon.

The Cru Cafe - by far the best meal we ate in Charleston
Kudu Coffeehouse - get the almond croissant - yum!
Toast - known for stuffed currant French Toast that is deep fried and covered with an apple cider syrup; it was quite delicious and so were the buttermilk biscuits
Hominy Grill - despite it's rave reviews in traveller's magazines and a nod from Anthony Bourdain, we were not that impressed
High Cotton - had a delicious (and formal) Sunday brunch with a live jazz band
Peninsula Grill at The Planter's Inn - the location of the wedding; the food from the Peninsula Grill was fabulous (especially the mashed potatoes and ham biscuits)


One of our many attempts at a self portrait.


The courtyard where the wedding ceremony took place.


Geoff and Todd (the groom).


Photo booth shots from the wedding. Can you tell Geoff wasn't ready in the first one!


Heidi and Todd in the very sweet wedding ceremony.


32.5 weeks with Frazier!


We took a picture in this same spot 5 years ago when we visited Charleston because we were considering moving there for my job. A lot has happened in 5 years, and I look just a little bit different!

A Fall Bonfire

This past weekend we hosted a bonfire for some family and local friends. With about 15 kids and 25 adults, we had a full house and a lot of fun. Geoff smoked pork barbecue and served his homemade brew, which was well-received, and lots of folks brought food to share. We had some constumes, a candy hunt and cupcake decorating for the little ones. I failed to remember how early the sun went down so the candy hunt was done in the dark with car headlights. I learned my lesson for next year - do it before dinner and let the parents regulate whether or not the kids get to eat it then or later - I was trying to be nice and do it AFTER dinner. Plus I am still finding candy - I scored a Starburst today!

Check out some fun pictures and our very own Dallas Cowboys cheerleader!


Spiderman meets Batman.


Batman and Mommy (April).


Lining up for the candy hunt.


You looking at me?


Cupcake decorating!


Don't worry - I think Momma mentioned she was taking me to an etiquette class next week.


A work of art!


All cowgirls need their own horse to ride!


Momma and Mary-Michael.


Katherine and Mary-Michael (one of my many attempts to get a picture of M&M in her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader constume).


Caroline holding one of Lucy's puppies - so sweet.