20 Week Sonogram!

On Tuesday, November 24th, Lee and I went for my 20 week sonogram.  I didn't sleep the two nights prior because my mind was racing.  I was trying to be positive, but for some reason, I just kept thinking something was wrong.  I don't know why I do that to myself because everything is PERFECT!!!!  Our appointment was early in the morning, which was a good thing!  If I had to go to work and sit around all day thinking about it, it would've been a crazy day!  I didn't realize this appointment would last so long either.  It was almost an hour!  But, it was an hour of watching our little angel move around and wave at us!  In the beginning of the pregnancy, we discussed not finding out the sex of the baby and trying to wait 'til the end for the big "It's A _______", however, we decided to find out at this appointment.  The technician was a lot of fun and really made the process easy for us.  She didn't do a lot of talking throughout because she was busy taking measurements and writing in codes for the Radiologist to review.  It took about 5 minutes for me to relax because it wasn't until then that I could see the heartbeat!  I breathed a sigh of relief and was able to enjoy the rest of the process.  She took some pictures throughout the process that we could take home on a CD which I have here:

I think some of these 3-D photos are a little strange, but hey, that's our baby in there!!!  Once the technician was almost through the measurements and all the important "make sure everything checks out" stuff, she asked if we wanted to know the sex.  So, she looked around and made a very educated "guess" that the baby is, in fact, a GIRL!!!  After she left, the Radiologist came in after reviewing the measurements and did his own checking around.  His "guess" matched the technicians, so I would say....we're having a GIRL!!!  We are definitely thrilled.  Although, I know I would be thrilled either way!

We started making some phone calls to tell my side of the family, but we knew we would see Lee's whole family 2 days later on Thanksgiving, so we waited to tell them all then.  It was a lot of fun seeing and hearing everyone's reactions because I really think they would've been the same either way!!  Although, everyone guessed it was a girl, so I think they were all mostly just excited they were right!!  :)

We can't wait for Baby Girl to join our family in April!!!

So Thankful....

This time of year helps to remind us to be thankful for the things and people we have in our lives.  This weekend, Lee and I had a short visit with our friends Ryan and Tracy and their 4 year old son Ian.  We are so fortunate to know the Brown family because they have been nothing but wonderful to us.  They gave us so many things for the baby.  I don't even know what we'll actually register for!  Ok, there are still a lot of things we will need, but the nursery is almost set!  We brought all the things home yesterday and put everything in the garage.  It is very strange to have strollers and carseats and cribs and such in the garage!!!  They will make their way into the house before too long and we'll definitely have pictures of the nursery and how it all comes together.  We can't even say how thankful we are to have all these things for the baby.  So, thank you to the Brown family!!! 

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks the 2nd Anniversary of my marriage to my best friend, and the 64th Anniversary of Louis and Madolyn Ripley!  Although Lee and I have been together a lot longer than 2 years (almost 10!!), we've been in a state of wedded bliss for 2 years.  November 17, 2007 is a day I will never forget.  It started off with me getting up WAY too early.  I came downstairs wearing my grandfather's robe that my mom laid out for me.  It still smelled like him!  I tried to be patient, but I just wanted the day to get rolling so I could see my groom!!  Dad made breakfast and we all chowed down before Maureen, Mom and I headed to the mall to get our makeup done.  At the same time we were going to the mall, Lee was on his way to the mall (at the store RIGHT below where I was) to pick up the tuxes that the store messed up the day before.  So, we had to make sure to keep away from seeing each other!  There was so much time between getting our makeup done and our hair done, so it was definitely hard to keep me sane.  I know my mom and sister put up with a lot of my whining that day.  Trust me, I am NO Bridezilla!!  I just needed to keep busy. 

While we were out, a lot of out of town family came over to the house to visit and have some food.  We told dad they all needed to be out of there before we got home!  I didn't want anybody to see me before the ceremony!!  So, after our various appointments and a stop at Starbucks to pass the time, we headed back to the house to sit around again!!  As much as I LOVED having an evening wedding, the day was really tough to get through.  It felt like time was standing still!! 

Then, we got the call that our photographer was running late!!  He was stuck in traffic on the beltway.  This meant that I needed to wait to get dressed so he could get the "getting my dress on" shots!  I was pacing the house, looking at the clock.  He got there with time to spare!  So, we all went upstairs to get ready!!!  I am still SO in love with my dress.  I knew it was the right one!! 

Once I was finally in the dress, it was time for more pictures and then I got to head downstairs to see the "guys" for the first time.  The guys being my father and Don.

After all the pictures were taken, we headed to Hidden Creek.  We got there and got settled in the dressing room for last minute makeup touches and visits with the Mother-In-Law!

Then, it was time to go in!  I'm not sure why I was so nervous, but I just felt like a deer in headlights!  We walked around the corner and it was almost as if I had forgotten how to smile.  Oh, and I was so out of it, I forgot to look at Lee!  Duh!  That was kinda the reason for this whole thing!!!  Once I gathered myself together, we headed down the aisle where it all happened!!!

The rings.....some may not know that we were not married with OUR rings.  Our wonderful best man, Matt, left them in the hotel room.  I'm sure Lee had NOTHING to do with that!  ;)  But I digress.......as Maureen was walking down the aisle...Lee turned to Matt and asked him where the rings were.....his response....I don't have them!  So, Rob, our Efficient, Rob, called for his wife to pass him her ring......and Matt took his off to give as Lee's ring.  Of course, I knew none of this, I was waiting with my father to walk down the aisle!  Once I got up there, Lee leaned in and said "don't be surprised if those aren't our rings" to which I said "excuse me?"  Ha!  It all worked out and we are still married!  It's a great story to tell!!   We told everyone afterwards and nobody even noticed!!! 

After the ceremony, we headed to another room for pictures.  There were a ton taken! 

Next up, getting the reception started!  Lee and I decided to go out and greet everyone before the actual "introductions" started.  This was great.  It gave us the opportunity to talk to almost everybody there!  It was nice to see everyone and see the tables before everyone was seated!  We got our first look at the cake.....my oh my!!!!!

Then it was time for introductions!  We decided at the last minute that we would walk in to "Enter Sandman" by Metallica.  This is Virginia Tech's THEME!!!  It was perfect!!

Dinner was served and it was delicious!! We had the filet and crab cake duo plate. YUMMY!!! Before too long, it was time for the toasts! 

First dance time!!!

There were a TON of pictures taken during the reception, but I just can't pick any favorites!  So, here are just a few that I think are fun!

Cake cutting time!!!

The day was just perfect!!  Happy Anniversary to my one and only!!