Merry Christmas from our crazy house to yours!



From ALL of us, Robyn, Annabelle, Jeremy, Kitten & Sammy -
Hope everyone has a safe, happy, memorable holiday!  Bring on 2012!



Holidays are here!

Tis the season to be busy! Fa la la la la...

Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas tree is glowing in the living room, Christmas cards are getting addressed and sent day by day -- and anything else that could be going on, seems to be happening these days.  We're feeling thankful for surviving the crazy year we've had, and once again, find ourselves looking forward to another New Year, and all the anticipation that goes with wondering what it will bring.

Annie playing with cousin Lizzy at our Kansas Thanksgiving

Jumping with her cousins on Thanksgiving in Kansas

Grandma Meek, Annabelle & Great Grandma Meek

Smiling 'round Great Grandma's kitchen table

Decorating the 2011 Christmas tree

Annabelle and Dad enjoying the lights from under the tree.

Annabelle's new blue shirt.

Finally some real visiting time with Uncle Scott and Aunt Shannon

Burning off Thanksgiving calories the fun way :)

Annie's first dental visit.  She didn't cry, not loud anyway ;)  But she didn't exactly open her mouth either.  She let Dad show the dentist how he helps her brush her teeth -- and was very gracious when receiving her new free toothbrush,  good enough for visit number one. 

Happy Halloween 2011!

Super Annie & the Lobster fisherman.

Mini-Meek (the sequel)

Finally!  A few pictures of Miss. or Mr. Mini-Meek. 

We had our 2nd trimester ultrasound today - highly anticipated by most parent's-to-be, due to the big gender news usually given at this time.  Tempting as it was, we restrained ourselves -- and will hold out for the gender surprise in March.  We had a nice long ultrasound today, baby was pretty cooperative eventually.  Mini-Meek is estimated at about 12 ounces right now (funny, I've gained more than 12 ounces...) and is lying "transverse" (sideways, the head is at one side of my hip, and the rump is at the other hip) at the moment.  Not a huge concern at all, we have plenty of time for him/her to shift into delivery position.  Annabelle was excited to see "her baby in Mommy's tummy" on the big screen today, and pretty much sang and talked through the entire visit.

Follow up appointment after the ultrasound showed that we have an EIF (echogenic intracardiac focus).  Because, here at the Meek family production facility, we never do anything simply ;)

Aside from being a string of big unfamiliar words, an echogenic intracardiac focus is:  a small bright spot seen on the baby's heart during an ultrasound.

This means one of two things:

1)  Absolutely nothing.  (very likely)

2)  This EIF could be a marker for a chromosomal issue like Downs Syndrome or one of the other Trisomys (highly unlikely)

Soooo...we will be sent for a longer and fancier ultrasound in the next week or two to determine if there are other "soft markers" pointing towards an issue, or if this EIF is an isolated incidence and meaningless.  (Apparently this is pretty common, roughly 10% of pregnancies show an EIF with no actual fetal complications.)

We had something similar to this when Annabelle was still in the oven.  We were worried sick, did extra testing, amniocentesis etc.  All tests proved negative and she was given a clean bill of health -- and then at birth, we discovered galactosemia.  So as the doctor sat with her hands wringing today, waiting to see how I'd take the news of a possible complication (small chance that it is) -- telling me "not to worry, and please, don't go home and google echogenic intracardiac focus..." (like I ever wouldn't?  -- I had to at least figure out how to spell it.)  I calmly told her it was fine.  The first time around, it wasn't fine.  I wanted everything to be "perfect" - but now I know, we have no control over these things. (I know some of you didn't take as long to learn this, I'm not good with acceptance ;)  But Annie has taught us SO much.  I look at her and I don't see galactosemia, I see a barely two year old who can read, make wise cracks on her own, and sing like nobody's bussiness.  My little girl who just as easily reaches up desperately saying "Mommy holdjya" (hold me) as she does saying "I do it!", "Mommy go away, I do it" -- She's smart, she's loving, she's funny, she's capable and she's just fine just as she is.  As will her brother or sister be, just as they are.  So bring on the extra ultrasounds, I rather like the chance to lay down in a dark quiet room and get an extra glimpse at our new baby.



Love, travel, fall...we've got it all!

So many activities the past few weeks!  At the end of September we celebrated with Aunt Shannon (and now, officially) Uncle Scott, at their beautiful wedding.  Annabelle made her big debut as a tiny little flower girl and did a fantastic job, we couldn't have been more proud of her. 



Flower Girl Annabelle getting ready with the gorgeous Bride!



Fabulous Flower Girl Annabelle

Momma & Dad with the happy Bride & Groom



Flower girl Annie, Matron of Honor Momma & Groomsman Daddy kicking back at the reception.




No family event is complete with out cousin love :)  Ava, Annie & Maddy stopped playing for JUST a second so I could snap a picture of all their cuteness!

  After the fabulous wedding festivities - we embarked on a full two week travel fest.  We flew to Boston, rented a car, drove out to Cape Cod and stayed in a gorgeous, historic, secluded farmhouse (thank you Grampy Fitz).  On the Cape we had amazing weather for the fall and visited many beaches, took hikes in the dunes, ate as much seafood as possible and spent cozy family nights in the unique old house we were staying in. 


Great beach weather!  Daddy & Annie on the bay side at low tide.




On the Atlantic side near Orleans, MA on Cape Cod




Lobstah as the locals call it, Obstee as Annie calls it.  Either way, she wouldn't eat it, but Mom sure did :)




Eating (safe) Cape Cod chips in Provincetown, MA on Cape Cod.  Yum!


After that adventure we drove back to Boston and settled into a hotel downtown so that Annie could see Dr. Berry (THE doctor for galactosemia).  While in Boston, Annie had her first cab ride and bus ride.  We walked the Freedom Trail (GREAT tourist activity!) and really enjoyed the city.  Great public transportation there, and a very walkable city -- in two short days we walked about as much of Boston as a family with a toddler and a pregnant mommy possibly could.  Our visit with Dr. Berry was nice, as expected, we learned more of the same and got a bit of extra info to go with it.  I'm not sure when we'll have any of the results from the blood tests that were done while we were there, but I'll be sure to share when we find out.  During our 5 hour visit to the Boston Children's Hospital, Annie was a little champ.  She kept herself busy, drawing or reading, and even took a nap in Dad's arms (pretty much the entire time Dr. B was in the room).  She perked up just in time for the dietitian visit and impressed her by reading everything in the exam room.



First City Bus Ride, loved it!



Family photo on the Freedom Trail...of our feet.



We do love our cemeteries!  Such history!  Annie is visiting Paul Revere's grave site.





Annie sitting in Dr. Berry's chair in the exam room at Boston Children's Hospital



After Boston and our Dr. Berry visit, we packed back up and headed to Bar Harbor, Maine.  We rented a small cottage there for the final week of our trip.  We spent a lot of time hiking in Acadia National Park.  When we headed to Maine, the fall color was JUST starting, but day by day during our stay, the colors exploded.  By the time we left, fall was at it's peak there.  We had a fabulous time - and again, amazing weather for the time of year.  Maine was having record highs in the 80's during our stay!  Incredible!



Enjoying a boat ride on the Atlantic, just off Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, ME




Our smiley little hiker on top of a mountain.




On the rocky beach in Acadia National Park




Our barely two year old really does do most of her own hiking.  This was one of the harder trails we took her on.  Every time we got to a new boulder she would say "oooh man!  ya gotta be kiddin' me?!?"....and then with the help of a simple hand, she'd get her tiny little bottom right up that rock. :)




Mom & Annabelle on Sand Beach in Acadia National Park




A family shot on top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park

 Next up!?

Mini-Meek 2's 20 week ultrasound next week...that's right, amidst all this fun, we're still cookin up another little person to join in!  Can you believe we're half way there already??

Hooray for Fall, Hooray for Parades, just....Hooray!

Dad told her, just smile and wave at the kids in the parade...you'll get lots of candy.  Oh, did Annie smile and wave, and did she get loads of candy ("safe" candy too!)  Lesson learned, be friendly and adorable, get candy.

A nice surprise to an otherwise busy week (after busy week, after busy week).  The local homecoming parade just happened to be passing our house this evening - so we rushed out to take a look.  Probably our first parade that Annie was old enough to 'get it'.  She quickly caught on to waving and scooping candy up off the ground.  Her pockets were filled with smarties and dum dums, and even a tiny box of nerds tucked into her back pocket.

We're about to have a fun-filled weekend with friends and family.  Annabelle's Aunt Shannon is getting married and we're all apart of the festivities, including Annie, in her debut as a flower girl.  Such a happy, exciting time, full of new beginnings for the young couple.  Hard to believe we're coming up on one year since we lost Great Grandma Fitz.  We all wish she could have been here to see this big weekend unfold.  Thank goodness we have such an exciting weekend ahead to remind us that we all keep going, and in a sense, so does Grandma.  Her granddaughter is marrying and starting a new life, just as she would have loved to see. The family will all be together and celebrating.  And in a few months we're adding yet another great-grandchild to her long list, just as she would have had it.  I'm proud to know she'd truly approve of what's going on these days.

After the wedding excitement, we will be making the pilgrimage to see the great "Dr. Berry" - the only one who has really dedicated his career to studying galactosemia.  We're excited to learn more, and make sure that Annie is apart of his work. 

And, lets not forget Mini-Meek 2...we'll get him or her in on the action around here next ultrasound photo.  Annie cannot wait!  I have to admit, I was nervous about adding another child to our house, thinking Annie needed more one on one time before we crossed that bridge.  But really, this baby can't get here fast enough - she's ready!  We talk about what to expect, and several times a day, she reminds me:
Annie:  (pats my belly) "baby in Mommy's tummy"?
Mom:  "Yup, still in there, getting bigger..."
Annie:  (signing in addition to speaking) "we're gonna share toys, and baby's gonna sleep a lot, and cry a lot, and eat a lot"? (by the way, she came up with this stuff herself - I just told her about the "sleep alot" part ;)
Mom: "That's right!"
Annie:  "take bath together?  sleep together?  ride in car together?"
Mom:  "Yup!"
Annie:  "and love each other?"
Mom:  "oooh yes, Annie, you've got it all figured out already"

Things are busy around here, but they're really, really good.

August turns into September around here...

Annie & Avery date at the Arboretum this August.

Maddy & Annie play date in the toy box.

Painting with Grammy Fitz

Visit to Lacon (that's Mommy's John Deere!)

Riding on the real JD with Grammy & Grandpa Meek

Picking veggies in the Garden with Grammy M

Ahh...memories.  This year I planted 4 o'clocks because I always remembered planting them and gathering the seeds for the next season with Annie's Great Grandma Fitzpatrick.  This was my first year growing them.  Annie and I grew them from seed, and just today, noticed the spent flowers were putting out seeds!  So I showed Annie how to look for those tiny little "grenade" looking seeds nestled in the flowers and we gathered them up - just like the good ol' days.

4 o'clock seeds

I don't know why, but I always thought this was the greatest chore...finding all those little seeds in the 4 o'clock  flowers and putting them into Grandma's cup for the next year -- like a little treasure hunt :)  Annie had a great time gathering them as well, although I think we dropped more that we gathered...



Oh and by the way...Annie has some news ;)  Time to start sharing the spotlight on our Mini-Meek blog...Mini-Meek the sequel has already started...14 weeks of fetal captivity thus far...we expect things to get a little more crowded around here March 7th 2012

 

We can't get enough of hiking Starved Rock...another trip this week.

Great canyon Dad!

A girly nature lovers day!

A two mile hike, lunch outside, and a shopping trip - made for a great day this week :)

Yes, Annie hiked all this on her own.

As I took this picture I though...oh yeah, guaranteed successful nap today! (wrong, I got a whole 20 minutes in the car, if that).

Annie pointing out the tree bark, saying tree, and signing tree...

Hiked all two miles on her own two feet - I brought a baby carrier thinking I'd let her get started, and carry her the rest of the way, but she hiked 99% of it herself (with LOTS of stairs included).

Our trip to Ulta for some make up went like this:  "Annie, put that down, no don't touch that, no don't touch that either, no that doesn't go in your mouth...oh dear, what have you done?"  She obviously tried on some lipstick (multiple times, and that was with me constantly hovering and stopping her...)  She told me "mommy, ipstick!  sooo pretty!"  Hard to be mad ;)