Charleston

We traveled to Charleston, SC in July for a quick family vaca. My brother, mom, dad, the hubs, and I all went for 4 days. We stayed at a historic hotel called the Francis Marion (built in the 1920's, I believe) downtown. It was so convenient to stay within walking distance of the attractions and restaurants. We had a great time. We took a general tour the first day that was called the 'Gone with the Wind' tour. The tour guide never mentioned the movie once! The name of the tour is a misnomer. The tour includes all of downtown, Charleston University, the Battery, Rainbow Row, and lots of historic homes. It was a good way to start the trip. We ate lunch at Magnolia's, a famous restaurant that many of our friends and family recommended. We spent the afternoon at the public market and walked back to the hotel. We drove to Magnolia Plantation, which was beautiful. We split up the group and Mom went to tour the plantation home while the rest of us went on the tram tour to see the swamp. We saw herons, small alligators, ducks, and other birds. It was a nice tour. We spent the second day in Savannah. It's a neat city. We took a trolley tour that was pretty comprehensive. We ate lunch at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons. I have to warn you...the restaurant is a total tourist trap. They have a buffet that is decent, but Luby's is probably just as good. They have a limited menu that you can order off of too. The food wasn't bad, but I was expecting it to be fabulous. Maybe I should lower my expectations! On the way back to Charleston we stopped at Hilton Head to check it out. It is definitely an upscale community. We had a cocktail on the beach and headed back to the hotel .On the third day, we got on a ferry to take the Fort Sumter tour. This was the site where the Civil War began. It is a well-preserved fort. I would recommend the tour. The Fort is operated by the National Park Service so the tour guides know their stuff. That afternoon we went to visit the Hunley submarine, which sank in the mid 1800's and the crew did not survive. It was a tiny sub. They just discovered the site about 10 years ago, so the preservation is ongoing. The sub is now in a huge metal building in a bath of some liquid that preserves it. They are very strict about what you wear when you are near the sub. You can't have sunglasses on your head or a cap on. They are afraid it will fall in the liquid. The last night we ate at a fabulous gourmet restaurant and we actually left the restaurant without paying the bill on accident. They called my cell phone about 11:30 PM to tell us that we forgot to pay. My dad handled it. It was a great vaca and I enjoyed the time with my fam and my great husband.

33 Weeks

I hate to say this...knock on wood, but I have had a super easy pregnancy thus far. I hope it continues! Things are rocking right along and I am feeling good. I am having a little lower back pain in the evenings now, but I had a little of that before the pregnancy too. It is really hot here in San Angelo, so that has been a challenge, but I haven't had any swelling yet. The only way the heat has affected me is through my work schedule. I do all my home inspections for my appraisal work in the mornings now and that has helped. The nursery is all ready now. We have the bedding in place, the curtains are hung, and the super cute artwork that Nevie painted is hanging. I will post pics soon. I feel like we are a little ahead of schedule. I am going to relish in that thought....it will probably be the last time I feel like I am ahead of the game for awhile....years maybe. Many thanks and hugs to all my wonderful friends for the sweet baby showers you have thrown us. I will blog more about those later. I still have to get all the pics organized.

Congratulations

I'm a little behind on my blogging! Congrats are in order to Leland's cousin Lacy and her husband Jon on the arrival of their third little boy, Brogan Louis! He was born July 6, 6:55 AM, 8 pounds, 10 ounces, 21.5''. Also, congratulations to Kristen, my Bunco buddy, and her husband Ross on the birth of John Hardin on July 15th. We are so happy for you guys. Enjoy this special time.

Meet our son

We had a 3D/4D sonogram this morning and it was absolutely incredible. Leland, Kent, and Nevie were all there. It was such a special time. We got a 'souvenir' DVD to go along with it. He is 2 pounds, 8 ounces, and everything looks great. His heartbeat is 150 beats per minute. In the picture above, it shows his face. The thing to the left of his face is either umbilical cord or placenta; I can't remember which. I am doing well, despite the heat. I haven't had any swelling...yet!! I have made it to the third trimester. I am 28 weeks. Only 12 to go. I am sure it will fly by!

My New Hobby

As cliche as this may be....I love watching my belly! It is my new hobby. 'Catfish' loves to roll, punch, kick, stretch, and move! He is one active guy. I didn't think I would be able to see the movement from the outside of my belly this early in the pregnancy. It has been a nice surprise. Leland loves to watch too. 'Catfish' is the size of a papaya now, approximately 2 pounds and around 14 inches. I heard that the record was broken recently in Texas for the largest newborn. A little boy was born in TX on 7.11.11 weighing in at 16 pounds, 1 ounce with a full head of hair and a 17 inch chest. He was 24 inches long! Please comment to this post with your birth weight and length. I think it's interesting. I came into this world at 8 pounds, 6 ounces or around there and Leland was a 7-pound and some change baby. I think I was about 20 inches. Leland's Uncle Lance claims to have been a 24 inch baby and he grew up to be tall. I think I'll reserve the right to not believe it until I see the birth certificate!!

Travis and Meghan's Wedding

We drove to Austin in June for Travis and Meghan's wedding at Lake Travis. It was beautiful, but a little hot! The bride and groom were glowing though. Travis and Lance and Harvey and I grew up together on Brooks Drive. We lived 1 house away from each other. We would be over at Travis' house all the time growing up. I was always the odd 'man' out b/c I was a girl so I didn't participate much in the baseball games. I didn't let them run me down on the trampoline though. I broke my arm at their house when I was 7 when Travis and I decided to push the tramp up against the neighbor's garage and jump off the garage roof onto the trampoline below. It didn't work out so well for me. I had to have surgery and get a pin inserted into my arm. My poor mother tried to make me into a lady. I was even wearing a sun dress when this whole thing went down. :) Much to my chagrin, they cut the dress off me in the E.R. to examine my arm. I loved that dress!! Back to their wedding. It was a great night. They had a live band and good food. We got to watch the sunset on Lake Travis...although it was a little depressing to see how far down the lake level had gotten. Haley watched Lefty during the wedding at her condo near Zilker Park. Of course, Lefty bonded with Haley almost instantly and almost wore herself out chasing Haley up and down the stairs at her townhouse. It was a great weekend. Congrats and best wishes to Travis and Meghan!!

Crystal's Bridal Shower

I helped throw a shower for my sweet friend, Crystal Carter, in June. I have known Crystal since she moved to Waco when we were 13. We became close in high school our sophomore year when we were the only sophomores on the varsity cheerleading squad (I was one of the mascots, she was a cheerleader). We have so many memories together. The other hostesses were Genny, Whitney, Jennifer, and Rachel. It was a nice brunch-time affair complete with two kinds of breakfast casserole (one was vegetarian b/c Crystal is a vegetarian) and mimosas. I have to give Leland credit for helping with the shower. He saved the day and carved a huge watermelon for me into a watermelon bowl...thank you Mr. Martha Stewart! Crystal looked beautiful in a white dress--very bridal! It was so good to see her. She lives in L.A. now, so we don't see her very often. Crystal is marrying Kevin Abad in September. They actually got engaged on the same beach in Costa Rica where Leland and I honeymooned. :) Congrats Crystal! We love you.