Family Christmas version 1.0

We have returned from our Christmas celebration with Ted's family. 10 adults and 6 kids under 8 years old- it was a very exciting day...

Mike, our brother-in-law, played chef all day (actually all week) and made a huge and fantastic meal for everyone. In addition to the two pans of lasagna with homemade sauce, he cooked his first standing rib roast (7 ribs total). 19 pounds of beefy fury! The rib cuts were devoured by breakfast the next day. Of course, we also had homemade cookies, sticky buns, mixed berry crumble, and a choice of two homemade dressings for the salad. If I've left any goodies out, I apologize- my brain is still in a food filled haze.

The kids had tons of fun opening presents. I believe each one was "exactly what I wanted!" Gotta love that kind of enthusiasm. We were also surprised to get a pack of adorable animal print onesies for Charlie (thanks to Bill, Jess and Gracie) and some notecards with cute little drawings of us- big preggo belly and all- from Chris, Mike, Aimee, Dee and Luke.

Now we will have our just-the-two-of-us Christmas before we get Caitlin for one more family celebration. Whew! That's a lotta Christmas!

On the baby front: Charlie is moving a lot more regularly now. He did his first Jean-Claude VanDamme move, kicking me on opposite sides of my belly at the same time, yesterday.

As a group of us were loading into the van to visit an Amish farmers' market, Dee (4), asked me why I don't have a puffy jacket like everyone else. I opened my coat a little and said, "Because I have a puffy belly instead." Chris said, "Dee, why does Aunt Ashley have a puffy belly?" and Dee quickly replied with a giggle "because she ate too much!" Funny, funny.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Slash Revealed

After a few rescheduled appointments and having to wait an extra half hour to be seen today, we finally got to see Baby again. Here are the pics of our little cutie pie... Face, Profile, and the Big Reveal

Welcome Charlie!

Total Insanity

Well, as you can see I have not posted ultrasound results. Fear not, we still expect to see the goods. But, through a series of unfortunate events, we had to reschedule the appointment for this Thursday. I promise to post as soon as I can.

On the disaster front- Ted did finally arrive safe and sound last week. Our travels were fairly uneventful. However, things on the home front were not so calm. Mom discovered 1/3 of the house flooded due to a broken water heater. A disaster team has been to the house daily to dry carpets, remove sheetrock/baseboards/vanity/etc. The plumber just left, so we finally have hot water again. Now we have to wait to hear from insurance before we replace carpet and wood floors, bathroom fixtures and doors. Kitty is pleased with the relative quiet now.

Ted has given the baby a new nickname. After discussing frustration with he/she, boy name/girl name, son/daughter, he decided to start calling the baby Slash. So, for a few more days we will be talking about Slash. Methinks this nickname might last a little longer, though.

Adventures in Black Friday Shopping

It's about 8:30 now, and if it weren't for a turkey in the oven I would have been in bed an hour ago. Today was my first, fairly successful, attempt at early bird shopping on Black Friday. Here's how it went:

2:35- wake up 10 minutes before alarm goes off
3:00- leave house for shopping center (Order of store locations BabiesRUs, Target, Pier 1, Linens N Things, Kohl's, Old Navy)
3:20- arrive to find parking lot, find Target end almost empty. Park and watch a hooligan relieve himself on Target.
3:35- work up the nerve to brave the cold wind and join the crowd gathering in front of Kohl's.
4:00- doors open. Quick sweep for specific items, then a little meandering time for not-so-hot items.
4:20- begin looking for end of the register line
4:27- find end of line.
5:11- complete transaction and leave. Browse LNT and head to the car for breakfast, reading, and a break from the cold. Watch Target line get longer and longer.
5:50- crowd begins to rumble as people apparently try to "cut the line." Police and security calm it down. I gladly watch from the comfort of my front seat.
6:10- join the Target line now that it is short. Mad dash for electronics department for cheap dvds. Casually find the other items on my list.
7:11- pay and head out to car. All in-store shopping complete!
7:25- stop by grocery store. It's deathly quiet. Enjoy the calm for a few minutes.
7:30- stop by to visit mom for a few minutes.
8:30- arrive home. Fall asleep.

Around 2:30 I had to head back out to run a few errands. Started preparing food for tomorrow- yes, we're a little behind on the whole holiday thing. My first all-by-myself turkey is about ready to come out of the oven now. Soup is ready to heat.

Only a few minutes ago, I realized that I had been double charged for two items at Target. Fearing it would be a hassel to get credit back because I can't prove I only got one of each item, I call the store. Customer service girls says to just come in with a receipt and I'll get my money back. Sweet! I think I'll wait til tomorrow to go back, though. Even with the nap, today took its toll on me.

Will I do it again? As long as Ted watches the baby :)

Doctor's appointment, etc.

I promise I will have belly pics up soon. As in, as soon as my darling husband gets home to take them for me!
Although, depending on what I'm wearing, I can pull off looking chubby not preggers.

My appointment yesterday was very normal. Blood pressure is good. Baby's heartrate is 152 bpm. (If you follow old wives' tales, this would indicate a girl. But, you know, those things are only true half the time.)

First Kick!

Yes, I'm late in posting this. Go figure.

Thursday night while I was at my women's group at church I felt the first kick. I haven't felt another since then, but I'm hoping the bean will get jumping again soon.

Scheduled Big Ultrasound

I have a regular appointment in November that will not be exciting, but then...
December 6 is the big day! As long as the little one cooperates, we should find out boy or girl.

It's really fun to have this appointment scheduled now (my doctors' office usually does it at 18 weeks, but we're having to wait until 20). I am not really showing unless you already know the news, so this is a new part of pregnancy to be excited about. The women at church make my day every time I see them because they always ask, with smiling faces, how baby is doing.

I will be posting belly pics at some point. I have one from right after we found out. But I think I'll wait until I have a bump, since right now I just look like I drink too much beer. I've also gotta figure out how to put a ticker on here...

What a Weekend!

Sorry for the delay in posting, it has been a busy week or so.

Max stayed up here last week, so I got to hang out with him every day while Mama was at work. He's a very busy boy.

Thursday I had a doctor's appointment. Just a routine checkup on blood pressure, weight (up only 4 pounds!), etc. My thyroid panel came back with better results than my first trimester one, so I've avoided meds for a while longer. Baby's heartbeat was about 150 beats per minute. I'll have one more appointment in November before the big ultrasound in December.

Ted's parents came down for the weekend and we had a very nice and relaxing time. We went to the farmers' market and a church festival in addition to the usual breakfast outing. They bought us a rain barrel for our birthday present. Big Daddy came over yesterday and installed it. I had buckets of water out to catch the rain we got last week, so I have already started filling the barrel.

Violet Mae

Yesterday I was in Fayetteville for the birth of our newest niece, Violet Mae. She's a beauty! 7 lbs 1 oz, 19 1/2 inches long, and a head full of curly hair. She has her daddy's nose and her mommy's fingers, toes, and feet. Big Brother Gatlin's first words about her were, "How cute!" And Big Brother Maxwell was very intrigued. He held her hand and petted her head like he does the dogs. Both Mommy and Baby are doing well and should be home this weekend.

Today my neighbor is having her little girl and I am helping with her two older kids. It's a busy week in the birthing world!

More FAQs:
No, I can't wait to find out boy or girl. I'm too impatient. We are hoping baby will show us the goods in early December after Ted gets home.

We found out in August. Yes, we still had fun in Vegas.

Announcement/First Post

For the benefit of those who did not know the news already, here's the spot to start asking all the usual questions. Or find answers to some I've heard a lot already.

- I feel great, thanks.
- No, not a lot of morning sickness, just a little nausea every once in a while.
- Well, I'm still pretty tired, but not as much as I was.
- Yes, we planned this.
- Doesn't matter, we'll take either.
- Late April.
- He plans to keep this job for as long as it works for us.

Thanks, Katie, for the great idea! I hope I do as good a job as you did.