We took a little vacation to Charlotte Saturday night. I really have been wanting to go swimming and float for a while with this big belly! Besides, a little mini vacation was just the break we needed before having a new baby. We stayed at a hotel that had free dinner, drinks (adult and pop), popcorn, and breakfast. We went swimming before dinner, after dinner, and the next morning since that's all Maddox wanted to do. That was fine, that's why we went! In the couple days before I kept telling her we were going to go swimming and she kept saying "swimming? Grammy's house?" I guess that's the only place she remembers swimming before. My family checking out this picture may notice that this swimming suit doesn't quite fit as well as it did at Christmas and spring break! My tummy is too big now! After leaving the hotel on Sunday we drove up to Dan Nicholas Park which is awesome! Jeremy hadn't been there before so we had to take him. It has a lake with paddle boats, petting zoo, carousel, train ride, animal viewing area, snake house, mini golf, and a great playground. It's all about 50 cents to a $1 each. Such cheap fun! First we rode the paddle boats and fed the ducks, which Maddox had been asking to do for a few days by then.

At the petting zoo Maddox ran around looking and petting all the animals she could. She is DEFINITELY her mother's daughter in this aspect! She loves petting the goats and sheep and was so animated about it. She just darted from one fence to the next jabbering away about what she saw and telling us about it. It was funny to see how excited she was about it. At the reptile house she also had no qualms about petting the snake. She just about squeezed it a little too hard. I even got Jeremy to pet the snake, which he's scared to death of. I said "if your 2 year old will do it then you can".

Mommy is in sheep heaven! I gave them one "Maaaa" and they all came running to me. They know I'm their friend.

I guess Daddy wanted to document that Baby sis was with us. Only 2 weeks left!

This is the first time Maddox rode the horse by herself without me standing next to her with a hand on her. She made Mommy a little nervous but did just fine. She loves the carousel.

After we rode the carousel Jeremy and I played a round of miniature golf where I beat him 39 to 43. I only mention it because he's still upset by it and can't stand to lose to me. It may have been my FOUR holes in 1 vs. his one that caused the problem. He had an off day. Maddox threw her ball around and just watched very patiently. We headed to the playground after that for a little while before we drove back home. It started to rain just as we decided it was time to go. Worked out perfectly! We spent 4 hours at the park . . . so much to do! Maddox was strangely brave at the playground and went down all the big slides and even the tunnel twisty slides by herself. It was a nice change.

I guess the next thing on our list to do is have a baby! Last week I was dilated to a 3 and 50% effaced. We'll see what this Thursday's visit brings!

April's Activities

I haven't blogged about anything in quite a while! Thought I better post some random pictures that I've taken over the past month. Sometimes Maddox wakes up from her nap and doesn't let me know that she's up. She'll usually play in her room or her sister's room quietly. One day I heard noises in her room and this is what I found. On an earlier warm day of spring we went up to Horizons Park to hike around, have a picnic, play at the playground and play some frisbee golf. I know I always post pictures of Maddox swinging, but how can you not when she's this joyful about it?

Awww, how cute.

Jeremy did a 10K in April here in Winston. I didn't really take any pictures that were worthwhile except this one. At the race start they had the Winston Salem State University marching band march over from another area and then they played during the race. WSSU is a primarily black school so the marching band is not exactly what I grew up with in Savannah and was really cool! Maddox loved them and was a little disturbed when they left. This was the look on Maddox's face when she saw them marching over and playing. Try to tell me she won't be a band geek like her mom!

At church one day Maddox's class got bandaids that said "God heals us!" and in the car on the way home she was being really silly with it. She started by sticking it over her mouth and then stuck it on her nose.

This morning we went to Thomasville for the Spring Daze Festival. It was Main Street full of crafty vendors, plants, food, and other things like that. They also had chain saw carving and we stood out and watched for about 30 minutes. It was pretty hot but leave it to resourceful Maddox to find a shady spot under her Mama's belly. If you look closely you'll also notice that I have no ankle bones anymore.

Only 31 more days until baby sister is born! No, she still doesn't have a name. I'm still feeling good. I am completely ready to be past the heartburn and inclined sleeping though! I think my ankles are only so swollen today because I had a concert last night and a standing rehearsal the night before. Too much standing 3 days in a row. I've also been having lots of Braxton-Hicks, most of which don't hurt, just noticeable. We're getting excited about meeting our new daughter!