Over halfway...

Last Thursday, we hit the 20 week mark so we are over halfway there! It is hard to believe that we are officially on the down slope and our baby boy will be here in a little over 4 months!

Until Wednesday of last week I wasn't 100% sure that I had felt him kick, I thought I had but it hadn't been consistent enough for me to swear that it was him and not indigestion. All of that changed last week, Wednesday morning he started kicking and pretty much kicks throughout the day. Chad can even feel him which is really cool. Everyone I had talked to described the first kicks as a "flutter" but I would definitely describe it more as a beating pulse or even popcorn popping. I love feeling him but I'm a little worried about the intensity of his kicks as he grows. He is definitely an active little thing but I'm assuming that will lessen as he gets bigger and has less room to move.

As always, we spent the Memorial Day weekend at our place on Lake Norman with all our east coast friends. The weather wasn't the best but it was relaxing which Chad and I both needed. Auntie Megan Woo came down from DC and brought baby his 1st Build-a-Bear which is decked out in camo and hunting boots. We also visited Rusty and Lara and got to meet their new baby, Sydney, who is a doll! They gave baby his 1st VT onesie, little VT hat for the hospital and VT sippy cup for tailgating next year.

2nd Annual Redneck Rendezvous

For any of you following the blog that is unfamiliar with the Redneck Rendezvous, I will try to explain...last year Chad and I had a vision of getting family and friends together for a field day on our farm in VA. Last year was our 1st annual and it was so much fun that we decided we needed to make it a family tradition. We basically have a day of 16+ field day games (sack race, wheel barrow, orange pass, tug-o-war, etc.) and it also includes a LOT of mud, 4-wheelers, BBQ, camping and guns thus "Redneck Rendezvous" was the best way to sum up the day!

This year was just as fun as last year and more organized. The weather was wonderful and thankfully cooler (last year we reached 90+ degrees) and we had all the food catered which was a great addition. We probably had almost 100 family and friends gathered for the event and it did not disappoint. The Green team came out the victors, taking the Red teams title from last year.

Chad and I camped out both nights and the 2nd night included a horrible down pour of rain and crazy wind. Although I was only a referee this year, I was utterly exhausted on Sunday but it was definitely worth it. I think I may have overdone it just a little so I will try to spend the Memorial Day weekend relaxing a little more.

This year there are 6 babies being born in the family between July and Mid-October so we are going to try to have a baby crawling contest!

Below is a video of the newest game addition to the field day line up, it is called the Pole-in-the-Hole and although a lot of cheating went on it was hilarious!!

A link to all of my RR pics on Kodak Gallery: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=19ldgnty.7aq5kw3i&x=0&y=w3sfgd&localeid=en_US

A little Maddog Jr. is on the way!!!!

It's official...it's a boy!!!! We just got back from our 19 week appointment and are so excited to announce we have a little Maddog Jr. on the way! The appointment was one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed. Chad and I were both amazed at all the things we got to see, it's cute little feet, legs, arms, the face, the heart chambers, etc. Our lil' boy is growing right on track and everything looks healthy at this point. We feel so blessed and fortunate.

Now it is time for the real fun...let the shopping begin!!!

His profile.

His legs.

His cute little feet.

Monday Morning Update

We had a very eventful weekend so say the least! Friday night we went to the Eric Church concert (the 3rd time we've seen him), Saturday we ran errands and went to the Crawfish Boil of some crazy Cajuns and Sunday I volunteered in the pouring rain and cold at a Breast Cancer Walk and then we had dinner with Becky and Brian and Brian's parents. It was a great weekend but a little exhausting!

The Crawfish Boil was a 1st for both of us and it did not disappoint. The girl who has done my hair for 4+ years and her husband are from LA and they have a ton of true LA friends out here. They have an annual crawfish boil and we had the pleasure of attending this year. Chad and I learned the proper way to crack and eat crawfish and I must admit they were yummy! We also had some true Cajun jambalaya and bread pudding that were delicious!


Sunday was Mother's Day and I must admit it was fun to have a new holiday. Mother's Day is typically pretty sad for me but yesterday had a new perspective. Although I must admit that it is bitter sweet, it breaks my heart that our baby will never get to meet the wonderful woman who influenced my life so much. Chad bought me some flowers and a gift certificate to a wonderful spa for a pre-natal massage, mani and pedi! He knows what will make this mama smile for sure! Dinner last night was a real treat too with Becky and Brian and Brian's wonderful parents from CA.

So, Wednesday is the BIG day when we have our 2nd trimester U/S!!! If you haven't already, take a guess at Baby Meade's gender, height, weight, and features before we find out the sex: http://bebepool.com/mmeade. I've recently had a dream (or should I say nightmare) that the baby had his/her legs crossed and they weren't able to tell us the gender and refused to give me a later U/S. I really hope this is not the case because I need to know pink or blue and the sooner the better!

Stay tuned for Wednesday's update.....

Daddy-To-Be Turns 32!

Yesterday was Chad's 32nd birthday! If you asked him, I would guess he would say it was just another day since it fell on a Wednesday and he had to work. I did make him one of his favorite dinners...crab cakes and a pecan pie. Because I never make desserts I had to convince him that I didn't just buy the pie and put it in the glass dish. We just chilled last night and plan to celebrate more this weekend.

I didn't take any pics last night so here is a pic from our last trip to Mexico....I figure it is fitting since we also celebrated Cinco de Mayo this week!

Denver Derby

Yesterday we went to the Denver Derby, a celebration of the Kentucky Derby in Denver which benefits a scholarship foundation. The Denver Derby was held at the Denver Botanic Gardens and over 2500 people gathered in their Derby attire for the celebration. The weather was a little cold and even rainy (so not typical for Denver) but it was still fun to feel some of the great tradition of the Derby here in Colorado.

We went to a pre-Derby party thrown by some friends, Amy and Carrie, who are from Louisville, KY. They made sure we kept the Derby tradition as real as possible!

Today, Sunday, Chad and I visited yet another church which we really liked and did some shopping for the nursery furniture. I'm itching to start the nursery decorating but really want to know first if it is a girl or boy. I think we may at least have the furniture narrowed down and we will make our final decision in a couple weeks when we find out the sex.