Saturday and Sunday in New Orleans

Gran and I had another great day in New Orleans yesterday.  Our day began with breakfast in bed and it was the best $40 cereal, eggs, and coffee we have ever had (it better have been for that price, right??)  I then headed to the Spa for my pre-natal massage.  After I changed into my robe, I was taken to the Relaxing Room and - get this - "Retail Playground" where I could sit and read magazines or "play" with all of their lotions, perfumes, and make up.  Kind of hilarious, but I have to admit, I had fun playing (or "flitting" as my dad would call this!).  When I was taken back to my room, Lenny (a beautiful Philippino mother of one) gave me the best massage ever!  The only real difference with a pre-natal massage is that you lie of your sides instead of your stomach and you get extra pillows.  It was awesome!

Then Gran and I took a tour of the city on a tour bus, and here are some pics from the tour:

This is a house that still has the markings as it did after Katrina, indicating the rescue workers had checked this home.  

This is a hole that people made during Katrina to escape the rising water in their home and get on the roof.

This is one of the above ground cemeteries we visited.

At the City Park.

One of the many mansions we saw on the tour.

Gran and me at an Italian restaurant called Domenica.

After dinner.

This was Gran's favorite store.  I couldn't get her away.  Ha!

St. Peter's Cathedral.  I went on a long walk this morning and took the rest of these pics.  The New Orleans Marathon was going on, so it was fun to cheer the runners on.

This is a couple that's on this season's Biggest Loser TV show running the marathon.

Now Gran and I are off to Subway for lunch and to the airport.  What a great trip!

Friday in New Orleans

Gran and I are taking a "girls trip" this weekend to New Orleans, and it has been a great day.  We are getting to stay at The Roosevelt Hotel, thanks to a friend, Honor, who works here and got us a special rate. It's fun pretending we can afford hotels like this!  Our hotel is located right next to the French Quarter.  Here are some pics to show you what we've done today:

First order of business:  Room Service for sorbet and ice cream!

Next order of business: Relaxing!

This is the lobby.

Gran and me with Honor after our delicious dinner at Muriels on Jackson Square.  I had a "Puppy Drum."  I had no idea what it was except that it was supposed to be really good fish, and it was the best thing ever!!  Special thanks to my friend, Rachel, for making reservations for us at her parents' restaurant.  On another note, I look so pregnant in this picture...

Speaking of pregnant:  I felt the baby kick for the first time yesterday!  So cool!  And we get to find out on Tuesday if it's a boy or a girl!!

Well, we are off to bed, but more to come tomorrow.

March 2

We get to find out if Baby G is a girl or a boy on March 2!!!  We are so excited!  And we also get to have a DVD copy of the ultrasound so we can show friends and family.  We absolutely can't wait to find out.  People ask us all the time if we have a preference, but the honest truth is, we don't.  Yes, of course, everyone says they just want a healthy baby, but usually people are hoping for one or the other.  We honestly do not have a preference.  We will cherish whatever Baby G is.  Anyone have any guesses?  

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

My parents were in town this weekend, and we had a great time with them!  Here are some pics I took at the Aquarium we went to...it was pretty cool.

There is actually a fish in this picture...he's kind of camouflaged, lying on the rocks.  See him?

This was the coolest part.  There were lots of sharks right above us.  

Jellyfish are so strange looking!

And my personal fav - the Pot-bellied Sea Horse. 

No Celiac Disease!!!!!

Ryan's doctor (who is my new hero) just confirmed that Ryan does not have Celiac disease!!!!!!!!!!!  This is GREAT news!!  He did find out, though, that he has gallstones - which could be a major reason his stomach has been hurting so much.  At this point, he's just going to take medication and see how it goes, but there's a chance he'll need to get his gallbladder removed.  Either way, it's just great to have a concrete answer to why his stomach has been hurting.  Hooray for no celiac!!!

16 Weeks Prego

I am now 16 weeks prego and I am definitely starting to show!  I can no longer be lovingly accused of only having a "baby pimple" instead of a "baby bump," because this bump is really starting to grow.  (And a special thanks to Anna for letting me borrow her maternity clothes!)

Here's some fun facts about the baby right now, according to What To Expect When You're Expecting, the pregnancy book I'm reading.

By week 14:

• Baby G is about the size of a clenched fist
• Baby G has started sprouting hair (on his/her head and eye brows)

By week 15:

• Baby G measures 4.5 inches, weighs around 2-3 ounces, and is about the size of a naval orange
• Baby G can now wiggle his/her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb!
• Baby G can also make breathing movements and swallow
• Baby G gets a workout each day by kicking, flexing, and moving his/her arms and legs (but I can't feel any of this yet)

By week 16 (this week):

• Baby G weighs a whopping 3-5 ounces now
• Baby G's eyes and ears have finally moved to the right spots
• Even though Baby G's eyelids are still sealed shut, his/her eyes can perceive light and make side-to-side movements
• And in mommy news, my uterus is now the size of a small melon (sorry if that is too much information for some of you) :)

I am still feeling great and Ryan is being very gracious to clean the bathrooms, prepare leftovers, and do anything else that involves a strong smell (my nose just can't take strong smells anymore).

Young Life is going great.  Ryan has recruited 2 more leaders for us, which is awesome, and there are a few more still in the works.  God is good and we continue to pray for His guidance as we navigate the waters of high school ministry here.

We closed on our house, so we are officially homeowners again.  We plan to move in once we finish a few projects over there, probably in a couple months (we are so excited about our house and finally getting settled in there!!)

The most potentially exciting news is that there is a chance (be it ever small) that Ryan doesn't have Celiac disease after all!  We are trying not to get our hopes up, but if it is true, then you may read in the paper about a tall, naked guy running the streets of Pigeon Forge eating pizza and covered in donut crumbs.  We should know more after his next doctor's appointment, where they will go over the results of his recent ultrasound (yes, we both had an ultrasound in the same week - ha!)

That's about it on our front.  We find out if Baby G is a boy or a girl in 4 weeks!!!