East Coast bound

I headed back East to Mass the week after Christmas.  It felt like a long overdue trip.  I love my "home" and especially love seeing everyone back there. I was able to travel to Connecticut to see some friends right before they had their first baby (literally, right before..within hours).  I also was able to see my Aunt Lynne and cousins that I hadn't seen in some time.  They cooked a really great meal for Shana and I and it was just fun to catch up.  I also headed to Maine one night to spend the evening with my Aunt Kim, cousin Gregory and their friends.  They also cooked some great food (my trip was somewhat navigated by food) and were extremely generous with three ridiculously cute outfits for the baby.  One outfit for 3 distinct stages. 

Most of my time was spent North of Boston (the North Shore) which is my home-area.  I moved a bit growing up so I kind of consider a few towns, my hometown.  I got to see so many friends and see where they are at in life.  I feel like I haven't been gone that long but it was apparent to me that 3 years can make a huge difference.  Friends have been married, had kids, got new jobs, moved to other countries, etc.  I am thankful for everyone who took the time to hang out and catch up with me.  I kind of landed there right after most had already taken their vacation time and where headed back to work but I was so appreciative of the time I did get to spend with friends and family. 

A few of my favorite pictures from the trip...

Brenna was 3 months ahead of me...really not too much bigger than me.  It was fun to be red-headed bump buddies for the weekend.

Brenna just hours before her baby Caroline made her debut.

Shana was my buddy the entire trip (She is also a Captain!).  She took care of me and was super generous with rides and lending me her car to see friends and family.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt are always welcome back home - even if it is snowing outside.

Shana coordinated a little baby shower/get together at my favorite restaurant "Not Your Average Joes."

I am always trying to convince people out here, the best ice cream is back east.  Here is some proof...homemade Richardsons!

And this is a small...I usually go for a kiddie but I went "big" with a small this time.  Chocolate and mint patty frozen yogurt.

Loved my time catching up with Faith and eating more ice cream. 

Christmas Traditions 2010

I know I kind of missed Christmas but I wanted to document a few highlights from this past year. 

We love our wood stove and our amy-knit stockings.

Miss McKinley loves Rick.  They were matching this day.

Rick surprised me with early Christmas decor using our dying IKEA tree.

Our "real" Christmas tree that we picked up and decorated on X-Mas eve, our new family tradition.

Christmas Eve also included wrapping presents, eating chinese food, and making mudd pies...mmmM.

Week 26 going on 27.

I haven't updated for quite some time.  I have a couple blogs I hope to post soon about my trip back to the East coast and this year's New Year's Resolutions.  However, I felt like I needed to make a quick update to document the growth which has been steep lately.  My last prenatal appointment was around 20 weeks.  Seven weeks went by before we returned to see our midwife.  At 20 weeks I had only gained 8 pounds which included some wait I regained after losing some in the beginning.  Weight gain was slow.  Well over the holidays, I may have munched on some extra treats but I also felt as if all of a sudden my stomach and baby grew.  Even in the last week I have noticed the movement of the baby changing a great deal.  It is obvious it is getting tighter in there for him.  So needless to say, my weight went up considerably in the last 7 weeks.  It was a quite shocking.  However, my coworker who documented her entire pregnancy read me an excerpt from her 25th week.  She said she all of a sudden felt huge this week.  This put me at ease some realizing I am in the real growing period. 

According to books and website info, the baby would be around 2 pounds at this point and about 14.5 inches long from head to toe.  Now for the picture update.  Notice Rick running out of the room.  I try and strategically place him in pictures and he just isn't having it.

And he's running for it...

thankful on Christmas eve

I have missed quite a few days of thankful posts but some it up here is what has been on my mind a lot...
I am extremely grateful for my husband. He loves me so well and listens well to what my needs are. He also is a really good gift giver.
I am thankful for new friends in Oregon. They are so generous and I feel blessed they consider me their friend.
I am excited and thankful for friends and family back east that I get to see very soon. They are the best because even though we are apart a lot these days, I know nothing will have changed when I get home. Can't wait to see everyone.
I am thankful and extremely blessed for my Oregon and Washington family. Both dodgie And ricks family have loved me too well. I would be a lot more homesick if it wasn't for them.

Merry Christmas!

Little Bruinwear

 My Intern gave me a pretty sweet Christmas present.  She said she couldn't resist when she saw these items in the George Fox bookstore.  Apparently, he will be a bruin. 

"Little Bruin" bottle

I think this is my favorite. 12-18 month fleece jacket.

 

10 days until Christmas

I am thankful for friends and making cookies.

Week 24 and baby sized goods

I am entering my 24th week this week and feel like I am continuing to grow.  I have officially crossed over to the land I have never been before - I weigh more than I have before (at least to my knowledge).  The baby weighs at least 1 pound by this point.  He is starting to move a lot and you can now see it from the outside which is fun.  I am starting to learn his pattern of when he is alseep/inactive and when he is up and moving.  A look at my growth (I forgot that the sign would be mirrored):

With four months left, I am starting to think about what we will need.  Well, I guess I have been thinking about this for a while but it is hitting me now that 4 months is not that long of a time.  We have a small pile of baby goods and I wanted to share a few:

The .50 cent hat I bought when we found out we were pregnant.

Our good friend and Mom of Lissa (Forbes) - Shelley Stuewe gave these to us.  Thanks!

I am preparing for next winter I guess...a little big but I couldn't resist. 

Our good friend Sonya gave this congrats gift to us. I love it!

I just like toys. 

I know a couple of folks have asked about our registry.  I have mostly finished our registry but it is very flexible and fluid.  If you are interested in seeing the list you can find it alternativegiftregistry.org and search for "Christine McNeal."