Blueberries, fun visitors, and a change of plans

In case you were wondering, our summer fun hasn't stopped. After we got home from the wedding and re-cooperated for a couple of days, we geared up for some fun visitors to head our way. We have been looking forward to Michael's extended family (on his mom's side) making their way up to Traverse City, MI for a family reunion/50th anniversary celebration this week. His grandparents made the drive up from Ardmore, Oklahoma so they were able to stop and spend Friday night at our house. It was so special to have them here! Late Friday night Lauren and Matthew flew in from California which was also such a treat. Saturday morning Nanny and Grandad took off for Traverse while we waited around here for the rest of Michael's family to get in on Sunday (minus Papa who has been dearly missed).

That gave us Saturday and Sunday to show Matthew and Lauren around GR. :) We went blueberry picking on Saturday afternoon and let me tell you, there is no shortage of blueberries in the Merrick household now. If you've got any good blueberry recipes send them my way. Sunday we headed out to a small town outside of Grand Rapids for lunch and to let the boys do a little fishing. The weather could not have been more perfect!

After everyone finally got in Sunday evening we packed up the cars to head up North to join the rest of the McMillin gang but little Langley Grace had her own plan in mind. :) As we were getting in the car (no lie) I started having contractions but didn't think much of them at first because I've been feeling some irregularly for the past week or so. I started timing them just to be on the safe side and when they got to 6 or 7 minutes apart we decided it was time for us to turn around. When they got down to 5 minutes apart we decided to call the Dr. and he wanted me to head in to get checked. We hurried home to drop Luke off at the neighbor's and headed to the hospital. When we got there they checked me and I was at 2 cm and 70% effaced (which surprised me) so they had me walk around for an hour before checking me again. At that point I had made a little progress but not a full centimeter so they kept us for a couple more hours before determining that it wasn't true labor just yet and sent us home. The contractions finally subsided late Monday so now we're just continuing the waiting game. I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow so we'll know a little more then, but I think it's safe to say this little nugget has a mind of her own. :)

It has been so hard to be here while Michael's family isn't very far away enjoying an awesome vacation but I guess I can't complain too much since LG and I are still healthy and doing well. :)

What a weekend

We got back from Lisa and Daniel's wedding on Sunday night and I can honestly say I don't think the whole wedding weekend could have gone any better or been more beautiful.

Val, Mom, and Lisa did such an awesome job planning every last detail. They didn't miss a thing! The bridal luncheon at Z Tejas, the Rehearsal dinner at Chez Zee, the golf tournament, and the wedding all went off without a hitch. It was so fun to see so many family members and friends come together to celebrate Lisa and Daniel beginning their life together.

I don't think Lisa could have been a happier, or more fun bride. I kept waiting for her to get nervous throughout the day on Saturday but she was as calm as a cucumber. I guess "when you know, you know." :) Here is a recap of the weekend in pictures. Everything was just so special.

LGM

I had an ultrasound of Langley Grace yesterday because I was measuring a little small and baby girl looked great! She's measuring a little bit small (30th percentile or so) but I am not complaining. And everything else checked out great, plenty of fluid, etc. Praise the Lord! She is even head down already which was good news to me. I had the ultrasound tech confirm and even give me a picture of her "girl parts" so I have 100% proof she's a girl. I had a nightmare a while back where she turned out to be a he and surprised us on delivery day. So, it feels good to know that won't be coming true. :)

I checked with the Dr. on flying to Austin (not that there was any way I wasn't going really :)) and she gave the green light! Yay! Couldn't be more excited for Lisa and Daniel's wedding!!!!

I've had a few requests for pictures of the nursery and since I'm not concerned about it being the correct color anymore, here they are! Michael's mom (Nana) is going to paint a verse to the right of the tree but otherwise it's pretty much ready.

Bethany Beach

On Monday we loaded up the car and headed down to Bethany Beach with Amber and Ruby to visit Luke's best bud, Cash, since Bree and the boys are down there for the rest of the summer. It turned out to be a glorious day and we had a ball just sitting by the water watching the kids run around like crazy. Luke chased Cash around all day and got VERY comfortable in the water, giving me a few heart attacks. All in all it was a great day but we sure missed Heidi and the girls.

Sweet Summertime

I had some cute pictures from the camera to post but no apparent theme going on here so I'll just give a recap of what we've been up to lately (since that's what I tend to do on here anyways! :) :

Michael and I went on a date last week and Luke's FAVORITE babysitter, Lori, (really she's our only one because she's awesome) came to play. When we got home Lori told us he insisted on sleeping with all of his stuffed animals so I went up to see for myself and this is what I saw. :)

We've been having some warmer days so I've introduced Luke to a summertime delicacy- the ice cream sandwich. Unfortunately they don't carry Bluebell up here, but the ones I found at the store aren't half bad. :) Luke wasn't complaining.

This weekend we went to Luke's friend Lila's 2nd birthday party and had a great time. Luke and Lila have a little "thing" going and I have to admit they are pretty darn cute together and their names have a nice little ring to them, dontcha think? Lila's in the middle picture giving Luke the stare down. :) It must be LOVE.

The 4th

Michael had to work quite a bit this past weekend but despite his long hours and weird sleeping times we made the most out of the holiday weekend. On Saturday we had the ortho intern welcome party to

attend. It still seems weird that Michael's no longer an intern, but it feels really good that he's through with one year!

That evening we went over to some friend's for an impromptu bbq complete with some little fireworks and catching lightning bugs.

Michael worked Sunday but we braved the heat and headed to the parade with friends. I'm embarrassed to say 90 degrees feels unbearably hot now that we've been removed from the Texas heat for a year. :) The bun in my oven probably adds to the problem but still. Luke was WAY more into the parade this year and was so fun to watch him get excited about everything that passed.

Monday was a low-key day but we snuck in some more bbq with friends that evening and had Michael home all day which was nice!

Hope you all had a Happy 4th too!

Fun in The Woodlands

While I was at the bachelorette party Luke got to spend a fun weekend with DeeDee and Billy. He told me that he missed me when I got back but I'm not sure he had much time to realize I was even gone with all the fun he had with them. His favorite being all the swimming he got to do. :)

Girls just want to have fu-un!!

After California the travels didn't stop. Luke and I headed down to Houston for Lisa's bachelorette party weekend! It was so nice to get to spend the whole weekend child-free and with my sisters. I miss them more than I realize.

We went out on the town Friday for a fun dinner and dancing. Saturday was the actual Bachelorette Party where we met at the Four Seasons for an afternoon by the pool followed by a lingerie shower and a night on the town with all of Lisa's besties. It was a FU-UN night if you ask me. Made me wish I could not have a baby in my belly for just one night! (or maybe two) :)