Boston Trip with Friends

My good friend from Vestal, Sarah, made a trip to Boston this weekend. We were able to meet up with her there, and our wonderful friends from small group, Daniel and Tanya, came with us! It was a fun day in the city, complete with a tour of Paul Revere's house, a tour of the U.S.S. Consitution ("Old Ironsides"), and lunch in the North End!

It's a GIRL!

Jesse took me to my 20 week ultrasound this morning! It was a day we had been looking forward to, as we got to find out whether we were having a baby boy or girl. Well, as the nurse conducting the ultrasound put it, "there's nothing hanging down..." It was determined that Small Fry is a girl! Her name will be Anna Elise Griffin... both are Hebrew names of course, as her daddy is an Old Testament scholar! Anna means "Grace" and Elise is a derivative of Elizabeth meaning "God has made a covenant." So together, our little girl's name means, "God has made a covenant of Grace." What could be better, theologically and etymologically? :)

After my surgery last December, where a large ovarian cyst that was partially cancerous as well as my left ovary had to be removed, Jesse and I feel so incredibly blessed to have a healthy baby on the way... I remember, not too long ago, considering the horrible thought that I might not be able to have children. I'm very thankful for the wonderful surgeon that I had, who removed the cancer and was able to leave as much of my reproductive organs intact. And praise the Lord, Anna continues to check out great and everything looks good!

Now, we just need to get the nursery in order!

Small Fry is Kicking!

I have been feeling the baby kick all morning! It is an unbelievable feeling. I'll put my hand on my stomach and there's a little push from the inside. I'm at 19 1/2 weeks, and there's only three more days until we find out the baby's gender!

Our New Home

Jesse and I have successfully moved into our new apartment! The only mishap was some spilled bleach on Small Fry's crib mattress. We love having our own place again... it was like Christmas opening up my kitchen appliances and dishes that had been stored for 8 months during our stay with Tudy. We are adjusting to the noises of living within city limits, but Gloucester is a quaint, old seaport with much history and scenery. Our landlords live on the floor below us and are very nice people, both Gordon College Alum. They also have a 6 mos. old son, Amos, whom Small Fry can play with once he/she arrives.




I visited Tudy in her new home last week and she has adjusted well! She was enjoying her new friends and the activities at her assisted living home. I'm glad the transition went smoothly for her as well! When I showed up to visit, the Alzheimer's unit was just leaving for lunch at the Beverly Yacht Club, so the program director welcomed me to jump on the bus with them! I had an unexpected picnic lunch with Tudy and the whole Alzheimer's unit! It was a fun adventure.




One more update from our past couple of weeks... I traveled home to Vestal to be in a good friend's wedding. Tara, my friend since 8th grade, married her high school sweetheart, Nick, on August 7th, 2009. I was privileged to be one of her bridesmaids for her special day. She looked beautiful and it was a blast getting to see some high school friends, as well as getting pampered with a manicure, pedicure, and up-do! They went on a honeymoon to St. Lucia and will be residing in Vestal.




We find out on Friday of this week whether Small Fry is a boy or girl! We can't wait!