19 Week Update

I had my 19 week check up and ultrasound on Friday morning. Typically, this is when you can find out the baby's gender. And the night before I did briefly toy with the idea of finding out this time. But we didn't. Boo's gender remains a surprise. The sonographer let me know at the beginning of the exam that she would refer to the baby as he and not to take that as an indication of gender, she universally calls all babies he during ultrasounds. We are happy to report that everything looked great! Boo is weighing approximately 10 oz (about the size of an heirloom tomato) and was quite active. I had a contraction during the u/s which prompted a couple questions with my doctor because I have been feeling them in the evenings. All is normal and well and I will probably continue to have them sporadically throughout (this was the case with Kennedy as well).

Greg and Kennedy came to the appointment with me. We had been preparing Kennedy that the doctor would use a special machine to see inside my tummy and she would get to see pictures of Boo on the screen. She was pretty excited leading up to it but she was more confused than anything at the images on the screen. I think she thought it was going to be more like seeing a baby on TV, you know, like Baby Einstein. Which is pretty funny now that I think about it.

The two questions I get the most, after OMG I can't believe you're not finding out the gender, are do you feel like its a boy/girl, and do you have names picked out? The only thing I can say I am feeling, for sure, is pregnant. I have some pleasant and some not so pleasant pregnancy symptoms and depending on which website and whom you are talking to, they can mean boy/girl. If you ask Kennedy her thoughts on Boo's gender, all she tells me is that "he" is her "baby sister." So, there you go. As far as names, well, we are sticking with Boo. Boo Hunter. Just kidding, we will name the baby when he or she is born!

19 Weeks, almost halfway there!

A Dream Is A Wish

We are on a real Cinderella kick this week. We generally alternate between Cinderella, Rapunzel and Tiana (Princess and the Frog). But right now, Kennedy asks to be called Cinderella and waltzes around the house looking for her prince (Greg) in her glass slippers. She finds mice in traps (all pretend) and asks me to play the roles of Stepmother, Fairy Godmother and Step Sisters. We really commit to these roles when we play Cinderella at home.

She sings songs from all three of the movies, but this week has been focusing on A Dream Is A Wish from Cinderella. She has taken some creative liberty with the lyrics, but her little singing voice is about the sweetest thing ever.

Vacay: The Beach

Last week was Vacation Week for the Hunters. Greg and I realized we had not been on a family vacation, just the three of us. We have been on plenty of vacations, but they have all been with our extended families. While they have all been super fun vacations, we thought it was time the three of us got away, especially before we become a family of four. So we headed south to Galveston and spent a few days soaking up the sun in the Gulf.

Kennedy has been to the beach before, but she was a wee-one and didn't remember it. She plays "beach" all the time at home and could not contain her excitement in the week leading up to the trip. The first day there, we checked into our hotel (changed rooms once) and then hit the sand. And I mean that literally. Kennedy wanted nothing to do with the water. She didn't like the surf or the waves, but she absolutely loved playing in the sand.

We would head out to the beach in the mornings, with lunch, drinks and snacks packed in the cooler. We would build sandcastles and play in the water. Well, Greg and I took turns wading out into the water. It felt amazing. Its warm water and was so refreshing! Then we would pack up after lunch and head to the pool for a bit. Then we would head up to the room to nap. Both Kennedy and I got in some good vacation naps, which makes for happy girls.

Because we were there in the "off season" the beach was virtually empty. This was so nice as Kennedy had ample space to run around and dig. And we didn't feel like we had to compete for space in the sand, or for chairs and umbrellas.

We had a great time and will definitely be making many return visits to Galveston in the future. This was my first time there, and Greg hadn't been in a very long time. I think we would definitely stay in the same place (Hotel Galvez) and we now have a better idea of restaurants and things to do. As Kennedy gets older, I am sure she will grow to love the water. She's already saying she is ready to go back to the beach.

Running and resting in the shade. 

Sand castle building with daddy. 

 

Sand Castle City, TX

She had the most fun letting Greg build things so she could smash them down. 

These glasses kill me. 

Beach Dad and his Beach Bum

Vacation Hunters, 2013

Baby Boo on the Beach. 

Last Day

Today was our last day of the school year, and happens to be our last day at Prestonwood. Kennedy has been there two years, and while we have loved the program, we have decided to move to a different school next year.

I had to pull it together when I went to pick her up today - I started to get a little emotional. I think it kind of hit me how much she has grown up and changed since August. I still see her as my baby and today I realized she is a Little Girl. She and Emily hugged their teachers and handed them some thank you gifts on their way out the door. We have a few summer camps lined up for June and July and will start at our new school after Labor Day in September.

The face she is making on the right is somewhere between "squinting from the bright light" and "princess face." But here we are, in the same spot on the wall.

They look like such big girls here! As I was dropping Kennedy off, Ms. Grace already had the rubber bands ready for matching braids. 

Car Conversation

Sometimes we have our best chats while I'm driving. Today I was literally scribbling it down on an old receipt at the light so I wouldn't forget.

Mother's Day - 2013

The Hunters did a bit of travel for Mother's Day weekend and spent some time in Midland. Before we left, Greg wanted to make sure I got a proper Mother's Day with just our little family of three. So we went out to dinner at Coal Vines, one of my favorite pizza/wine places. While the pizza was awesome, and Kennedy was a little angel at dinner, I did sorta miss the wine like a lot. After dinner, we walked down to Sugarbox and had a couple cake balls for dessert. Kennedy has her mother's sweet tooth and thoroughly enjoyed every morsel of her dessert. It was a really fun evening and I felt like a very special, loved and appreciated Mommy (and wife).

We had a fun weekend in Midland (more on that later) and spent Mother's Day relaxing at the Hunter house. Greg's dad made a delicious BBQ brisket for lunch and Kennedy had fun playing with all the toys. All of them. At the same time.

Me and my girl, enjoying our sweets. 

Mother's Day - 2013

Kennedy giving Baby Boo a high five. 

Grammyflash with Kennedy and Greg.