Little Grey: 31 Weeks Along

My friend Nichole was nice enough to do an ultrasound again for us today. Apparently, around 30-32 weeks is prime time for sonogram viewing and Grey showed off for us, waving his hands around, yawning, opening and closing his eyes, kicking his legs, and making sucking motions with his mouth. In addition to my own excitement to see how much he has grown, it was also fun to be able to have my mom at one of my ultrasounds for the first time ever to "ooooh!" and "aaaw!" with me over the pictures of her new grandbaby.

While it looks like our baby has sunglasses on in this picture, you can see his full lips, chubby cheeks, and his little chin that looks exactly like his sister's and Daddy's.

One arm and two tiny hands.

A partial 3D view of Grey's face. My friend Nichole is just learning how to take these pictures and we were thrilled to get one where you can so clearly see his eyes, nose, lips, and chin.

And last but not least, a short video of Little Grey making sucking motions with his mouth like he is hungry. Definitely my child!

Her Highness

Princess Cha-Cha enjoys holding court from her throne (Bumbo) ... which she refers to as the "Bum-bum".

Canning Disillusionment

Dear Canning Gods,

How can this many medium to large slicer tomatoes from my garden yield a measly four quarts of canned tomatoes? I saved about $5 on what I would have spent buying cans of tomatoes at Walmart ... after spending three hours working like a slave in a hot kitchen (not to mention the months of labor in the garden) about $30 buying stuff to make this canning possible.

I'll admit that I feel a certain sense of pride when I look at these four quarts of tomatoes. But I've got to be honest: I don't know if I will be doing this again.

Sincerely yours,
Ariel

Eureka!

In the airport on our way home from North Carolina, Charlotte made an astounding discovery. "If I just climb into the basket ..."

"And do a somersalt once I get in here ..."

"We have a double stroller."

"Now there's room for Baby Brother!"

May Escapades III: Beaufort

After graduation, we headed down to Beaufort for a week of relaxation with Adam's family. While Mimi and Papi worked every day, we found ways to make our own fun!

The neighbors were nice enough to let us come swing.

Coloring (i.e. playing with crayons and merely looking at the coloring book) is always one of Charlotte's favorite things.

The aquarium was fun, except for these big plaster shark jaws ...

And the enormous fake frog ...

But the REAL sharks were awesome!

And of course, we LOVE the beach!

"Mommy and Daddy, put me DOWN!"

So happy together!

Getting her sea legs with Daddy's help.

Checking out the water down from the Front Street pier.

Getting ready for the shower for Little Brother on Friday night. (Nope, not a single smile from Charlotte!)

May Escapades II: Graduation

I DID IT! You are looking at Dr. Ariel Bybee Laughton! After 15 years of college (I started in 1994!), I have finally finished my Ph.D. Wahoooooooooo!

With Mom and Dad Steve after the Baccalaureate Ceremony in Duke Chapel.

With my family right before the hooding ceremony. It was about 400 degrees outside. (Yes, no Adam. He got trapped in Houston by bad weather and missed the entire day. Boo!)

Wilting flowers: me with my sisters Caroline, Ashley, and Lauren.

At the Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony.

With my official doctoral hood on afterward. Yippee!

With my dad David at the reception afterward.

Even though I skipped the final ceremony on Sunday morning, I put my robes on and took some pictures with Adam outside of Duke Gardens. I'm still so sad that he missed everything, but it was way too hot for a pregnant woman to sit around outside in these robes for a third ceremony that morning.

Charlotte catching up with her Mimi.

Charlotte wasn't quite as happy about Mommy's graduation as everyone else was.

Brunch with Adam's parents and Dad David at the Washington Duke Inn on Sunday.

Us and Adam's parents. Charlotte was totally over having her picture taken.

Our good friends Rachel and Jonas (and the adorable Ramsey) were nice enough to let us stay with them for the weekend, even though we were gone with family most of the time. Thanks, guys!

May Escapades I: Myrtle Beach

Hello again, Blog. We spent a good part of May on the road visiting with both Adam's and my families and attending my Ph.D. graduation. Charlotte and I spent the first week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my mom and stepdad, my sisters, and my brother Dallin. It was an amazing vacation, and I hope we find another excuse to do it again one day!

Enjoying some chips, salsa, and mariachi at La Hacienda.

Shopping at the outlet mall.

Taking a break from the beach to read with Aunt Lolly at the condo.

Splashing with Aunt Cara.

Grammy in her happy place.

Charlotte especially loved the indoor water park at the resort.

Aunt Ashee loves her Cha-Cha.

Three generations of beach-lovin' women.

We got to play mini-golf one day while Charlotte napped. Despite my cumbersome belly, I beat all of the other women and came in four strokes behind Dad and Dallin. Wahoo!