Leif Noble Ward

The whole family came to my last doctor's appointment. This was an ultrasound appointment. The Dr. was in a hurry but he quickly found evidence of little boy.

Now before we knew the sex, Jason and I had kind of decided that I was going to choose the girls name and he got to choose a boys name. I really thought I was having a girl. Jason has liked the name Leif for a long time - wanted to name Joel that. So Leif it is. Leif Noble Ward. But every time J calls the baby Leif, Joel says, "It's not a leaf, Dad!"

So J asked me to look up a picture and story about Leif Erikson to show Joel that Leif was a real person. I found a story and it is a cool story but the amazing part is that in 1964 the U.S. proclaimed October 9th to be national Leif Erikson day. My DUE DATE is OCTOBER 9th. WOW! There is more to the story but that is the really amazing part.

So now I am 21 weeks pregnant. Definitely looking and feeling pregnant but happy that I can finally eat without being miserable most of the time. Summer is definitely here and while I am enjoying the slower pace the heat is already unbearable. It is going to be a long summer.

Pregnant at 38

Wow!

That is really all I can say. For several reason really:

1. I am emotionally surprised to find myself pregnant at the ripe old age of 38

2. My brain has turned to mush and WOW is about the best word I can think of.

3. I am too exhausted to come up with anything else.

I am 9 weeks pregnant. My estimated due date is October 8. Aside from sickness and extreme exhaustion everything is good.

McConaughy Singing

McConaughy sisters sing "I'll Fly Away"

Thanksgiving at the Wards'

This Thanksgiving we drove down to Houston to visit Jason's dad's family. Djedo and Baba Ward. The cousins had a blast together and Joel got to know his Djedo Ward. It amazed me how much Joel looks like his Djedo although it makes sense since Joel looks like Jason and Jason looks alot like his dad as well. We had a great Thanksgiving meal, thanks to Baba Judi and Virginia and Summer her little sous chefs for the day. Nicole and her husband Tim were there most of the weekend. Tim is a great addition to the family and fits Nicole perfectly. He made pies to add to the plethora of food. Friday we went to Galveston Beach. It was a little chilly but the beach is always beautiful and fun. The kids got in the water of course and they all ended up cold and sandy. Saturday we took family pictures which turned out fairly well if I do say so myself. Then we went to Kemah. Kemah has this great little boardwalk shopping center and amusement park. Joel loved the little ride that takes kids up about 20 feet and then drops and bounces them. He must have ridden it over a dozen times. His facial expressions were priceless. By Sunday we were worn out. The Friday before we had driven to Iowa to my Grandpa's birthday celebration, drove home Monday, Recuperated on Tuesday (laundry), then drove out to Houston on Wednesday. Sunday driving home was long we were all so tired. The best part for me as weird as this sounds was finding old family pictures and scanning them into the computer and labeling them. I feel like I am doing something for posterity when I do this. I know, I know that is pretty pathetic. Most of my vacation pictures wherever we go I am seen immersed in old photo albums or boxes or on the computer but someday my descendants will thank me.

November 20th was my grandpa McConaughy's 80th Birthday. We had a huge celebration for him and my grandma Donna who turned 80 earlier in the week. Relatives came from everywhere. Cousins caught up with each other, food was eaten, pictures were taken, old stories were told. Great fun was had by everyone. My aunt Rosalie made a quilt with a block designed be each family. It was a very emotional time for grandpa. Several of his great grandchildren he had never even met. He truly knew he is Loved by all. He is a great patriarch of our family; loyal, hardworking, and faithful to God and his family.

Grandpa and Grandma with most of their 21 grandchildren and about half of their 21 great-grandchildren.

Grandpa with Joel and the John Deere tractor
Grandpa and Hannah
Grandpa and Virginia
Grandpa and Joel chatting over their meal.

In late October Jason and Joel flew out to Fresno and spent some quality time with Jason's mom and grandparents. Joel had so much fun at the cabin watching all the wildlife. They also went to the Fresno zoo and the park. They got to see Aunt Aria and also Neil.

The girls have another photo session

These are a few of my favorites from this "photo session"  Ginny has the best laugh.  She is such a joyful girl. 

Hannah is absolutely beautiful in this color of blue.  Of course, she is always beautiful to me but blue is definitely her color.  

The last picture is of the "Navyhood"  The girls and their "besties".  All beautiful and all so different.