33 Weeks Pregnant

Mini-babymoon in Asheville

Every year, Brian attends the annual NCAFP conference in December at the beautiful Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. During the Christmas season, the inn comes alive with the international gingerbread contest, the warmth of Christmas lights, and roaring fires in both wood-burning fireplaces in the main lobby.

Since it was about 8 weeks before our due date, we thought we'd turn it into a mini-babymoon and enjoy the weekend getaway! What a treat. 

Around 32 weeks and feeling great!

Outside the Grove Park Inn

The winning gingerbread creation - isn't it incredible? 

Other honorable mentions in the gingerbread contest

I loved this one - the Griswold family home! "Is Rusty still in the Navy, Clark?" 

My family watches this movie at least once every Christmas and can quote it line-by-line now!

My Christmas gift from Brian - a candlelight tour at the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States at 178,000 square feet! This is the entrance to the grounds of the entire 45,000-acre estate.

I went back again the next day while Brian was at his conference to tour the gardens too. 

Inside the Biltmore greenhouse

 

The huge stone fireplaces at either end of the main lobby inside the Grove Park Inn are iconic. Each fireplace is lined with wooden rocking chairs - it's the best spot in the hotel to snuggle and relax!

Lil Pumpkin baby shower

My dear friend, Whitney, and I first met each other a few years ago when we both joined the Christian Medical and Dental Association's women's Bible study, Side by Side. Over the past few years, as we've gone through the journey of medical school, this small group of women has been such a support to me! 

It was so much fun to celebrate Baby B with the Side by Side ladies as well as friends from so many parts of our lives including my ESL class and our neighborhood.  

Thanks to all of you who were able to celebrate "Lil' Pumpkin" (a.k.a. "Baby Mykry"). He or she will be here before we know it!

The wonderful Side by Side ladies: our leader (Cindy), me (and Baby B!), the hostess-with-the-mostess (Whitney), and Laura 

Offering blessings and words of encouragement to the mama-to-be and stringing together a "birth blessing" necklace to wear anytime I need a reminder of the supportive and caring women around me

We played such a creative game coming up with a nickname for Baby Blank -- 

now also known as Baby Mykry! (Not sure that name will stick - let's hope not!)

My sister Christy came down from Ohio for the shower - loved having her there!

Whitney's delicious pumpkin cake -- yummm! She's an incredible baker-for-hire at Heartland Patisserie if you're looking for someone to cater your next party. Send her an email!

The pumpkin theme continues with more delicious food -- pumpkin cream cheese dip with crackers and pumpkin bread with ham and brie and cranberries!

 

 

My sister (Chelcie), my mom, me (and Baby Bean), and my sister (Christy)

My sister, Christy, with Whitney's cute little boy 

31 Weeks Pregnant

30 Weeks Pregnant

29 Weeks Pregnant

Wilmington!

While Brian was on a one-month rotation in Wilmington, I had the chance to visit him for a quick 24-hour visit! It was so nice to see him -- and it's so nice to have him home now too! 

We went to 9 Bakery and Lounge for lunch and then walked around downtown Wilmington. I got some fudge at Kilwin's and a cute little piece of artwork for the nursery at Dang! Then we went down to the water and took this picture in front of the USS Carolina. Made me think of my favorite Navy family! Love you guys!

(I'm just about 26 weeks in this photo - feeling little Bean move a lot and feeling great!)