26 weeks and counting

We went to the doctor today for a routine check-up.  Ryan went with me because we got the opportunity for yet another ultrasound and who could pass up a chance to see ones baby growing.  All reports are good!  We went for another viewing because of a spot that was found on our son's heart during our last ultrasound.  My current NC doctor wanted to check it out for himself, so we humored him!  All is well!  We did find out that our little one is right on track, weighing about 2 pounds and at this rate it looks like he might actually come early.  Only 3 days, and the ultrasound technician said not to get our hopes up, but we couldn't resist-early is early...and if it is for real he might come on his grandfathers (Mr. Powell) birthday!  Anyway, RYan discovered how boring these routine visits are.  You enter the offfice, go to the bathroom, get weighed and blood pressure taken.  Then you wait for about 45 minutes to see the doctor for about 5-10 minutes depending on whether you have any questions, and then you are on your way!  Silly, I know, but I'm sure they catch random things by you visiting each month.  That's about all I have to report for now!  I will try to maybe post some ultrasound pics soon, they are pretty cool!

Laura Comes to Visit

Laura came up last Thursday to stay for a week.  Though we couldn't produce nice weather, we still are having fun.  On Sunday we went to the aquarium here and found this cute little frog, so we had to indulge in a few fun pictures!  I have discovered again the importance of having friends around, I sure have missed everyone for the past couple years of our travels, though we have met some great people along the way!  Ryan and I are very excited about getting more involved here and growing our Wilmington roots.  Thanks Laura for being a great friend and being our first visitor!

Getting Settled

We are getting settled.  I feel like it has drawn out pretty long, there are only so many hours a day one can spend unpacking and organizing!  We are going to be having a visitor this weekend, so it must be ready for then!  Our new home feels as just that, our home!  I can't even begin to express how wonderful it is to be in our new home and know we don't have to pack up and move in a matter of months!  Thank you all for your prayers and support over the past couple years!  We know that we have been greatly blessed!

Our little Man

Well this little guy sure is growing and MOVING!  Thanks to my cousin, Jill, I have adopted her theory of why this dude thinks it is necessary to run a marathon and practice his kickboxing right as I am trying to go to bed!  I just keep reminding myself that I am grateful for the movement because it lets me know he is still there and growing!  I went to the doctor here in Wilmington today for the first time and think I will be very pleased with this practice.  Everyone I talked to was really nice and seemed to be very friendly!  I have attached some photos of the growing belly!  I have  one more to take to stay updated-so maybe it will be added soon!

The big day!

Well yesterday was a big day for us! Ryan finally finished his graduation from FRL (Fundaments of Restaurante Leadership) and is officially an operator! We had a great day at Chick-fil-A corporate office yesterday with our family and friends. It was incredible to see the support from Ryan's old operator and several of the business consultants he had worked with. We feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this company and know that we have a great future with this company.

After we left graduation we went to Alpharetta for our big doctor's appointment! We had fun seeing our baby (looking bigger than a little bean) and seeing that it had 2 arms and legs and the right amount of fingers and toes. We also found out that we are having a little BOY!!! He was there in all his pride and glory! Ryan had a hard time finding the stomach and kidney, but there was no question that we were having a boy! He even said, "so what is that extra thing there?" It was so sweet. We shared a special moment together with excitement about our future, knowing we are going to have another little man running around our house!!!

Now, to give you another update about what we will be up to for the rest of February. Ryan will travel to Charlotte for a week to spend time with an operator there. He will be back here on Friday the 13th and then we leave on Sunday to go to California for CFAs seminar for a week! We arrive back to Atlanta at 10pm THursday, pack the truck Friday, and drive to Wilmington Saturday. Our next few weeks are going to be a bit crazy, but we are so excited about finally being settled!

Just an update

Sorry I haven't updated in a while...things have been a little crazy. I have been working at the Mart with my mom for the past month and Ryan has started FRL (fundaments of Restaurant Leadership), his final bit of training before we get to move to Wilmington. Our little one is growing by the day, I'm finally starting to show enough that there is no longer a question of "is she pregnant or just fat!?" We got to hear the heart beat a few weeks ago which was pretty incredible, I still just have these moments where I tear up at the thought of carrying life inside of me!

I will be pretty free for the next few weeks, as I wait for Ryan to finish training and we venture out to California for a little while and then off to our new home (of which we have not found yet!). We would love to see friends while we are still here in Atlanta (mostly Grace since Ryan's schedule is a little tight) so feel free to call and let's get together!

What a whirlwind!

Well we have had a pretty crazy, but awesome few weeks. After we left Jacksonvill on Dec. 4 we went to Chick-fil-A corporate offices on Friday Dec. 5 for a final interview for the Wilmington store we had been wanting. After a long day of sitting on those wonderful couches in front of the HR suite we were offered the store. For many of you you are aware of what a blessing this is. We have been praying for God to guide us to the right place and feel 100% that this is right for us. I am very excited about being back in Wilmington and we are both excited about settling down just before we start our family!

We also were able to take a wonderful vacation (haven't been on one since our honeymoon) with some great friends. We got a great deal on a Caribbean cruise and just had a blast! I am just now entering my 12th week, so I was feeling alright and we just really enjoyed ourselves.

We are back in Atlanta for a few days, will go to Mississippi to visit Ryan's grandparents and then will be back in Atlanta for several weeks. We are super excited about being with our families this Christmas! Ryan will begin his final training at CFA on January 8, we will go to seminar out in California in mid February, and then basically pack up and move to NC.

Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, and support over the past year and a half or so. We have been blessed through the whole process!