18 Weeks and Georgia

Although I am technically 18W3D today, I did take some pictures of my belly at exactly 18 Weeks:

Closeup of the bump at 18 Weeks with #2.  

Compare it with Week 18 of pregnancy with Abby G.    

Getting bigger!

You can definitely see the bump from the front view now.  

We had a great time while we were in Georgia and loved seeing all my siblings and parents as well as my niece and nephew.  Abby was totally smitten by her cousin Makai and would follow him everywhere and copy everything he did.  He was so sweet to her and would give her hugs and kisses, hold her hand and play with her (as much as a 6 year old boy can play with a 21 month old girl).

Abby loved spending time with my dad (aka "Pop") and she is still asking for him now!

Abby showing "Pop" how to use the Nintendo DS.  

We got to go to the airport to say goodbye to my brother John as he headed off on his adventure to study abroad in Italy for a semester.  Abby loved running in airport terminal and looking at all the cool lights and displays they had and she even gave Uncle John big hugs and high fives before he headed off.  

Since we all will be in different places this Christmas, this trip was kind of like our Christmas together as a family and I am so happy we were able to visit.  We already miss everyone so much!  

Abby LOVES her guacamole!  

Watching "Shaun the Sheep" on her cellphone.  

Wearing her cousin's vest and chasing bubbles. 

Wearing a basket on her head and acting like a goof on her 21 month birthday! 

Showing the fish at Bass Pro Shop her new princess.  

My little curly girl!  

The day we left was kind of rough because we got to the airport with plenty of time but it turns out that when my mom booked my ticket she booked it under "Samantha Sweeney" which is something that they didn't notice in the Killeen airport but was something that we figured they'd catch at the huge Atlanta airport.  The lady who checked me in didn't notice at all until we brought it to her attention.  She told us we could go to the help desk and they could change my name but there may be a fee involved.

Well, we waited in line until I had about 20 minutes to get to my gate before boarding time and finally we saw someone who told us since we were on our return trip, there was nothing we could do to change the name.  Normally, a name change is $150 (!!!) which is ridiculous to say the least.  Anyway, the guy walked me back to security to talk to the TSA agent while my mom and I freaked out about potentially missing the flight for a small mistake.  When we got there, the TSA agent was an older, super-laid back guy and he really didn't care at all that my last names didn't match and just let us through.  WHEW!

We got to the gate on time and they actually didn't board for another 40 minutes once we got there which was nice so Abby and I could get some food.  Abby was amazing on the flight and didn't act up, cry or fuss the whole trip.  As we were approaching Killeen airport, there was a lightening storm in the distance that was causing tons of wind and made our approach "interesting."  We were bumping and jumping and tilting and it was so nerve wracking and my hands sweat so much that as I held Abby's head (who had thankfully fallen asleep shortly before!) her hair got soaking wet!

The pilot tried two different approaches and the second was more bumpy than the first and we actually dropped in the sky a little bit, enough to make the big and tough Army guys sitting around us grab their seats in a "white knuckle" kind of way!

We ended up having to be diverted to Austin to refuel and wait out the storm.  We were there for an hour or so and then we got the green light to head back to Killeen.  When we finally got off the plane and got our luggage it was around midnight (our flight was originally supposed to be in at 8:55 PM) so we got some food quickly and then headed to bed.

Anyway, we are very happy to be safely back at home and are looking forward to next week when we find out the sex of Baby #2!!