Chad, Pam & Stella Christmas Photo

Blockley Family Christmas Photo 2008

27 Weeks

Yesterday we had our 27 week checkup which included a sonogram and glucose test. We hadn't had a sonogram since 16 weeks so both Chad and I were very excited to see our baby girl again. She has been very active lately so I was hoping to see her moving around on the screen.

Of course, when the time came for our sonogram, she was pretty mellow. We did get to see her sucking her thumb. We could see her move her arm to her mouth and then see her jaw bones move up and down. It was absolutely facinating. She was also so much bigger on the screen this time. We could see her eye sockets, nose, heart beating and more.

The sonographer started taking her measurements and then said, "This is a big baby". Chad and I just looked at each other and asked what exactly that means. She said it could be that she is tall and has long legs. I choose to believe that is the case.

After the sonogram we headed up to see our Doctor. Again, first thing he said when he read the sonographer report was, "Big baby". He quickly reassured us that she isn't abnormally big, just on the bigger side. He also told us the sonographer tends to measure a little larger than the baby actually is. All that being said, he said we're doing everything right. So far I have gained 20 pounds, again he said fairly normal. Chad loves to see me get on that scale!

From here on out we have appointments every two weeks. As of now we are still on target for our St. Patty's Day (3/17/09) delivery.

In this sonogram photo you can see the side of the baby's head, with her little face looking up. You should be able to make out her eyes and nose. The two little round shapes toward the top are her fists. She looks pretty cozy to me!

Work Smarter Not Harder

Last weekend was beautiful and we decided it was time to get out and work in the yard. We've recently had some strong winds, leaving loads of leaves in our yard. Chad was a little more interested in leaf cleanup when his dad offered him the use of his leaf blower. We thought, for sure this would make things easier, this is afterall what all the landscapers use. While the leaf blower definitely works, it really wasn't making the dent in our workload we had hoped for. Chad went back to using the rake, while I scooped up leaves and put them in garbage bags.

Our neighbor Tom must have been watching and probably secretly giggling at our slow process. Before long he stopped over and offered Chad his riding lawnmower. He gave Chad a brief tutorial and Chad was off. The lawnmover was AMAZING. It picked up leaves so quickly and collected them in a basket. We were both smiling from ear to ear. Tom told us we could use the mower anytime.

Thanks so much Tom for helping us work smarter, not harder!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving break was was very nice and relaxing this year. Clay flew in late Wednesday evening from Los Angeles. Chad and I picked him up from DFW, of course Stella had to ride along as well. He is, we've decided, Stella's 3rd favorite person. We spent the next morning at our house and headed over to Susan and Gary's around 1:30. The house smelled so good! I miss waking up at mom and dad's to that smell of turkey cooking in the kitchen. I told Susan next year we'll have to sleep over the night before so we can wake up to it! I guess one of these years we'll actually host our first holiday and our house will smell the same.

Once again Susan outdid herself. We had turkey, mash potatoes, green beans and rolls. Susan made her famous yams which are a new Thanksgiving favorite of mine. We also had dressing, which we all agreed was outstanding this year! I have to say that this year, being pregnant, I took full advantage of the surplus of food. I'm looking forward to Christmas dinner as well :).

As usual, Gary took the annual Thanksgiving Day photo. Maybe next year we can figure out a way to get him in the photo as well.

We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out around our house. I tried to nap as much as possible, taking the advice of every mom I've recently come across. They all say to get as much sleep as you can before the baby comes. Overall, it was a very relaxing and low key holiday, perfect for this mommy to be!!!

Daddy's Little Lady

Thanksgiving Day gift from Nini and Gramps