Double Digits

Yesterday was a big milestone (at least in my opinion) in our pregnancy; we are down to double digits. Yep, the pregnancy counter is ticking away and our little girl is growing stronger and healthier every day. Baby girl now weighs about 2 pounds and is about 14 inches long from head to rump (not including legs)! I can feel her all the time now; she's quite the kicker. It is amazing to watch my stomach change shape completely as she moves and watch it bounce as she kicks. Today somebody asked me if I was ready to have her out yet; while I'm getting uncomfortable (my back is hurting more and more and it's getting harder to breath, especially when I sit) but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We have had quite a few friends that have given birth to their bundles of joy early. I'm grateful for every day our little girl can grow stronger and healthier inside.

Harry and I welcoming a new member to our group of friends, Liam Joseph. He was born 4 weeks early weighing only 5 lbs 3 oz but he is healthy and so is his mom. What a blessing.

Biltmore

Today, Baby Thompson and I (along with 60 fifth graders) visited Biltmore Estate. I showed her where Harry proposed. We had a great day.

Do What the Sign Says...

and nobody gets hurt!

On my way home today, I saw a RV (no doubt in town for the big race weekend we are soon facing) with a stolen "Caution: Alligator! Do not touch or molest!" sign attached to the back; it made me laugh. Now, Harry and I are not big on stealing signs, like the RV owners, but we do enjoy taking pictures of silly signs. I thought I would share a few that we've collected over the years so you, our readers, could also get a laugh.

This is my all-time favorite. We really had to resist teasing the cougars... "Hey cougars, who stinks? You do, that's right!"
(Taken at Grandfather Mountain, NC)

"Licklog Ridge" I'm just doing what I'm told!
(Taken at Mt. Mitchell, NC)

I really love how graphic this one is! Stay off the rocks!!
(Taken at Mt. Ranier, WA)

We did not "GitchaSum" but at only $5.00, we should have.
(Taken at the Stumptown Tractor Club Show, Denver, NC)

Meredith: "Should we stop at the next exit?"
Harry: "No!! Keep driving!!! Dinosaurs!!!"
(Even the sign has an exclamation mark!)
At least the dinosaur exit also has a hospital.
(Taken near Hickory, NC)

Finally, you can bet Harry and I didn't wander too far off the beaten path here.
(Taken at a rest stop between Phoenix and Yuma, AZ)

Sanity Stop

Friday evening Karen, Weston, and Lucy stopped by our house on their way home from Georgia. The stop was much needed; when I called Karen a few hours before their arrival both Wes and Lucy were crying. I'm not sure Karen could have driven the additional 2.5 hours home and retained her sanity. We enjoyed it because we got to see the whole gang and get a few snapshots our our growing nephew.

Weston and Harry holding hands while Wes eats.

Weston showing off 2 of his teeth.

24 Weeks

Friday Harry and I had our 24 week doctor's appointment. Baby girl's heart rate was 152 beats per minute and she was measuring 25 weeks; almost right on schedule!

Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks, Moms, for always being there for us!

Love, Harry and Meredith

22 Weeks...

... 18 to go!

New River Retreat

On Friday evening, Harry and I traveled a couple of hours north to spend the weekend on the New River in a quaint little cabin.

Our cabin as seen from the road... Shaman's Cure.

Our cabin as viewed from the river.


Us upon arrival

The view to the right of our cabin.

The view to the left.

On Saturday morning, after a delicious breakfast, we decided to try out the kayaks stored under the cabin.




After kayaking, Harry did some fishing while I relaxed and watched the river.






This morning after a breakfast of coffee and a muffin, we got ready to leave.

Two little visitors came to see us off.

We had a relaxing and fun-filled weekend.