13 week appointment and Thanksgiving weekend

We kicked off a long Thanksgiving weekend by listening to a sweet little heartbeat. Gray was going to stay with a friend while we went but her house got attacked by the stomach bug so we had to take him with us.

He was actually very well behaved but didn't have a clue about the heart beat. It was still special to us that he was there. The heart beat was a lot lower than last time (176)-a perfect 155 beats per minute, which is exactly where Gray's stayed the entire time. Not just for that reason, but my bets are on a boy. Everything looked good with my check up. I've gained 2 pounds since my first visit at 9 weeks, which was a pleasant surprise with my fast growing bump (I feel like my belly was this size around 18 weeks with Gray). My iron was low which they said explains why I have been so short of breath. I'm more than willing to take an iron supplement in addition to my prenatals if they help me not feel like I've just run a marathon every time I go up the stairs. My doctor and I had a long talk about our trip to Kenya and what I will need to do to prevent blood clots on the plane. I'll go back on Christmas Eve morning but we most likely won't find out the sex until we get back from Kenya. Boy am I lucking out getting to be weighed right BEFORE the holidays! ;)

After my doctor's appointment we headed up the mountain to spend Thanksgiving in Boone with Paul's side of the family. We drove into a beautiful (but very mild for Boone) snow storm. Gray was a fan, needless to say.

We spent the rest of the day and night hanging out with family, eating good food and playing games. I really love Paul's aunts, uncles and cousins and feel blessed to be able to say that. Late Thursday morning we went with Nana and Grandpa to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. This is the third year we've gone to this place and I see us going for many years to come. It's right next to Paul's aunt and uncle's house and it is run by a super nice family on a beautiful lot. All trees are only $40, whether 6 feet or 14. I "gently reminded" Paul of how massive our tree was last year and how much he had to cut off just to get it in the door but he insisted on another big one. It really was the perfect tree though, even Gray thought so!

We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving feast that afternoon, followed by more talking, laughing and lots of kids playing. Between two of Paul's cousins, there are 13 children. His youngest cousin is pregnant with her first and one is pregnant with number seven. There will be three more babies to add in the mix next year and I honestly look forward to the chaos. They are probably the most well behaved kids I have ever been around and we take lots of "notes" every time we get to be around them. Gray loved playing with so many kids and he was pretty well behaved the majority of the time. We came back Friday night so we'd have all day Saturday to run errands and decorate the tree. After a little trimming, in came this big guy...



Isn't she a beaut?!



Little full, lot of sap!



Our little "helper"

Sunday after church we came home to get ready for Thanksgiving round two with my family. Paul wanted to cook the turkey and I am so glad he did; it might have been the best one yet.

We truly have so much to be thankful for and not just on Thanksgiving, but every day. We did nothing to deserve our many blessings; it's a picture of God's love, grace and mercy and we are most thankful for HIM.

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