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??