Memorial Day in Williamsburgh!

Ben didn't tell me he had Memorial Day Monday off of work until Thursday of the previous week. He also said he'd like to go to the beach for our holiday weekend. So, starting Thursday, I tried finding ANY hotel availabilities at ANY of the beaches within a 4-hour drive.

Myrtle Beach: BOOKED.  Outer Banks: BOOKED. Virginia Beach: BOOKED.

Ben had an exam to finish by noon on Saturday, so until noon I was still trying to find a hotel room. After HOURS I eventually disturbed Ben in the office with a total freak out:

"I can't believe you didn't tell me until a couple of days ago that you had a day off and wanted to go out of town to the beach! The entire country is trying to go to the beach for Memorial Day Weekend! You should have told me earlier, or pick a new place to go because I'm not looking for a beach vacation any more!"

"Ok, Honey. Let's go to the mountains, or anywhere. Or we don't have to leave at all. Whatever you want :) We'll have a great time together no matter what." 

Well, when he's so sweet like that what other choice did I have but to look just... one... more... time. But for a new vacation destination :O) 

Five minutes later I was back upstairs, just as Ben finished his exam, and said, "Get packed. I found a new place to go and booked the first available hotel I could find. It happened to be a great deal, it looks awesome, and I'm really excited." We packed and were in the car before I even told Ben where we were going: Colonial Williamsburgh!

This one is from a Ghost Tour we signed up for our first night. It was a great way to get a feel for the area before buying entrance tickets, and we both enjoy the stories. To be honest, though, it was a disappointing tour. Hard to say why, but there was just something too manufactured about it. Oh well. 

The town was bought a few decades ago and re-constructed back to it's historical condition. It now employs period actors to teach about different trades from the Revolutionary era, give re-enactments, and maintain the historically accurate homes and gardens. It really was like stepping back in time! 

What's the British flag's nickname again? Cap'n Jack? 

I've been to Williamsburgh a lot. My mom taught EFY at William & Mary for a few years, so my aunt would escort my sister and me around Williamsburgh while my mom was in seminars. I loved it and have really fond childhood memories of being here, and one is sitting down and having an authentic ginger ale, gingerbread cookie, and loaf of bread and chunk of cheese for lunch. The bakery doesn't sell the bread and cheese anymore, but it was so nostalgic to have the cookie and drink again! 

Ben was quite enthralled with the historical tailor. They had a pretty funny conversation in front of a bunch of other tourists about different clothing materials and the manufacturing process. 

The Governor was appointed to represent the interest of England to the colonists, so the Governor's Mansion was reminiscent of European country homes. In a word: GORGEOUS. In three words: OUT OF PLACE.

I can't take him anywhere! :D

One of the most fun parts of the town was the masonry field. We heard about how bricks were made with local clay, and they even invited tourists to try mixing the clay themselves! Ben jumped right in. 

Then I couldn't resist joining in the fun! 

We're just two big kids :)

I didn't get pictures of a really amazing re-enactment of the colonists declaring war on the British, but it was quite the production! It was a really amazing coincidence that we chose a historical significant place to visit for Memorial Day weekend :) Sort of like how there "Just happened" to be a soaring centennial celebration at the OBX the weekend we chose to visit and stumbled upon those great flight displays! 

We are blessed travelers. 

Jamestown:

We also visited Jamestown and Yorktown, other significant colonies just nearby. Jamestown was a lot of fun- it was an original colony, and had lots of interactive displays of how the original settlers lived and worked. 

Virginia Beach

We decided to take a short detour through Virginia Beach (just to try and actually go to the beach) on our drive back. 

This Dairy Queen is the busiest location in America. They just brought back my favorite item- frozen hot chocolate- so we walked about 15 blocks (one way) to go there and get my drink! 

What do you know... Ben got to the beach, after all :) 

The whole weekend all I could think about was how grateful I am that my spouse is so adventurous and up for whatever trip I happen to plan on a whim. We have so much fun together, and have really dived into living this area and enjoying ourselves here. I am so excited to share all of these places with Dragon one day! 

Baby Shower in Hickory

Isn't it incredible that, after only living in Hickory for 1 year a year ago, my friends there still remembered me {us} and wanted to throw me a baby shower? I just can't get over that level of support. Thanks so much, gals :)

My baby shower there was on Saturday, so, after dropping Ben off at the airport for a 3-week school/ business trip, I drove the 1.5 hours to Hickory to P-A-R-T-Y. It was pretty good timing; I always get really sad when Ben leaves, so this was a great distraction.

I got into town a little early, so I got to document baby shower prep! 

Ann is in green, Karrie is in white, and my sister, Megan, is in red. She drove up from Columbia, SC to be there- isn't that so sweet?

Ann got a cake and pastries from Carolina  Bakery- my favorite bakery! Man, I miss that place...

When Ann opened the box to show us this cake I started to tear up. I thought, "Oh great. The emotions are starting already!" But I held it together :) Something about that cake was just so sweet!

The theme for the shower was "Changes" so I {very happily} received a lot of diaper, wipes, and cleaning sets. I was so grateful for that! I have been panicked the last week or so that, if Dragon comes early, we would be completely unprepared! I felt so much better after getting some necessities. 

But here are some memorable reactions from a few other gifts: 

I don't know what was so funny, but Megan and I did a lot of laughing that afternoon!

This is the blanket our other sister, Brett, made and sent for me. She asked me a while ago if Dragon could let me know if he'd rather have a blanket or carseat cover. I told her that, since Brett made a blanket for Eleanor, I thought Dragon wanted a blanket, too. We don't want any sibling rivalry! And also that Dragon told me he'd really like light green. She replied, "I know. Give some credit to aunt's intuition!" :) 

It is so beautiful and soft- just perfect for my baby! And it comes with so much love!

I think Ben will love this onesie! When Dragon outgrows it I'll probably design another one in a larger size :)

And I love this one from Megan with the SC flag design! We South Carlolinians are pretty proud of the palmetto and crescent moon! 

Baby jeans! They are pajama material! How cute is that?!

One of Karrie's 2-yr-old triplets, Madi, didn't want to nap so she got grown-up girl time by handing me some gifts. 

Special moments... 

Who doesn't love little baby toes?!?! These belong to Ann's 10-week-old, Huntsman.

 Thank you so much, Ann and Karrie. I love you both and am so grateful for the support you have always given me! Your friendship means so much :)

A Real Non-Stress Test :)

Have I mentioned that the women's clinic I go to is AMAZING? Oh, 1 or 200 times, you say? Well, it's true :)

I was getting seen by this very small, personable office staff for just a couple of months before we lost Eleanor, but they loved me as if I'd been a patient for years. They were incredibly supportive during that time (even going to visit me in the hospital), and are now very understanding and invested in the success of this pregnancy.

In addition to about every other non-invasive medical test or procedure, my midwife, Walledah, suggested I start a series of non-stress tests at 32 weeks "Just as a precaution to make us all feel better."  


The non-stress test monitors the woman's uterine activity (in case she is having contractions, for instance) and monitors the baby's heart beat at the same time. The woman sits comfortably and still for at least 20 mins. so the monitor can detect a baseline for the baby's heartbeat then track it's changes. The point is to wait until the baby's heartbeat raises 15 beats past the baseline for at least 15 seconds two separate times. The woman also hold a clicker to press anytime she feels movement. Together, the readouts of the heartbeat and the uterine activity caused by the baby's movements tell the clinic staff that the baby is moving and developing steadily.

The uterine monitor is clipped onto the pink band at the top of my uterus, the blue band has the baby's monitor. 

The machine on the right is printing out the monitor reports for the midwife to check periodically. 

This was one test I LOVED, let-me-tell-you. I didn't want to miss any movements from Dragon, so I spent the time concentrating as well as I could on his movements. The monitor played his heartbeat audibly continuously, so I was completely immersed in this quiet, comfortable moment to focus on my baby. I loved hearing his heartbeat so steadily and concentrate on feeling him move!  

I was in a pretty bad mood the morning of my appointment, but was as happy as ever when I left it. What a great way to spend a morning!

Ben teases me for getting excited every single time Dragon moves ("Did you feel that?!?! That was a big one!"), so it was nice to get some validation this time :) The nurse or midwife would come to check the readout and say, "Wow, he had a big movement here!" "I know! It was so cool!" I'd reply. I love that there was proof this time, and that someone else got just as excited! I guess all those times I've paid attention to his movements and kept Ben up-to-date on them was just me studying for this test. Hehehe :)

I will go back twice a week from now on (which sounds like a lot, but is only 1 extra appointment a week- I'd already be going 1x week at this stage, anyway.), which doesn't bother me AT ALL.