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We got both our immediate families together on December 28th, plus Erin's Aunt Jane, Uncle Sean and Cousin Owen to find out if we are having a baby girl or baby boy. We had taken the envelope with the baby's sex to a bakery earlier in the week, and they filled the cake with the frosting color that matched, blue for a boy, pink for a girl, so everyone, including Mommy and Daddy were surprised. We resisted the urge to cut into the cake before dinner and had fun catching up.

Poppi, Uncle Brian, Mimi, Papa and Gramma enjoying Uncle Mark's homemade salsas

Gramma with the happy parents-to-be

Papa with the mommy

Two of the three aunties, plus the "Baby Mama"

The cake

The very happy "Baby Mama" and "Baby Daddy"

We finally got to cut into the cake after much suspense, and found out that we are having a baby GIRL! While we have a few major contenders, her name is still TBD, and we will choose it when we get to meet her on delivery day in just about 20 weeks. We can't wait! Although, just after opening gifts some of the tissue paper caught fire and nearly burned Donna's house down, so Katniss was suggested as a name. ;) Thankfully the flames were put out after being stomped by Papa and doused in water, wine and beer, and now we will have that story to tell her. 

The first slice of cake

Half Baked Froyo to mark 20 weeks

She also received some wonderful gifts, including her first piggy bank from Papa (Steve) and Memaw (Ronnie), a Colorado shirt from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mark, homemade booties from Great Aunt Jane a sweet book and hat from Gramma (Donna), and we received Mike's baby book from Poppi (John) and Mimi (Connie). She is already very loved and very spoiled.

Mimi, cousin Owen, Auntie Emily and baby's first Colorado shirt courtesy of Uncle Mark and Aunt Sarah

Almost halfway there!

Today marks the 19th week of pregnancy, which means baby King will be here in just about 5 months. We also got to have our anatomy scan today, and he or she has the right number of fingers and toes and looks very healthy. The ultrasound tech put the gender in an envelope for us so that we can find out the gender one week from today with the family in Denver, as long as we can both stand the anticipation.

Here are some photos of the growing bump and today's ultrasound. We are feeling very grateful and excited!

Happy holidays and new year to all!

Week 19

Week 19

 

 

Week 18

 

Some exciting news!

Mike and I are very excited to announce that we are expecting baby King this spring. The official due date is May 17, 2013. We both could not be more happy to share this news!

We've included some pictures of the growing baby bump and the first couple of "peeks" at the baby.

Week 4

Week 12

Week 9

Week 12

Week 12

 

The Westmoreland Women Take On SD!

In late September we had the honor of hosting the Westmoreland women over a long weekend. The weather was hot, but everyone hung in there, and we crammed in several fun activities, including a trip to the world famous San Diego Zoo, a day trip to do wine tasting in Tumecula, La Jolla, Coronado, Balboa Park and lots of eating in between. Meghan stayed an extra day and her and Erin tried sea kayaking for the first time, where they came face to face with a seal and witnessed a sea lion popping out of the water repeatedly right next to their kayak as it ate a very large fish. It was quite the site, especially for two girls from a landlocked state.

At the San Diego Zoo

Meghan with her favorite animal, a capybara, at the San Diego Zoo

Mom at the zoo

The panda exhibit at the San Diego Zoo

Some more panda action

Beach picnic at No Surf Beach and Meghan and Donna's first time at the Pacific Ocean

Beach picnic at No Surf Beach

Wine tasting in Tumecula

Wine tasting in Tumecula

Sea lions in La Jolla

Sunset in La Jolla

Sunset in La Jolla

A seal at sunset in La Jolla

Erin Turns 30!

Erin hit the big 3-0 milestone on September 3, and we had a very nice celebration, which included a beach picnic at our favorite beach, dinner and, best of all, a hot air balloon ride, which has always been on Erin's bucket list. The hot air balloon ride began just before sunset and flew over one of San Diego County's fancier neighborhoods, which included Phil Mickelson's house. Another lady on the trip was celebrating her 80th birthday, which was pretty impressive compared to my 30 years.

Filling up the balloon

Picnicking at No Surf Beach (Sunset Cliffs)

Over Rancho Santa Fe

Phil Mickelson's house. We think we saw him and his kids/friends waving to us outside.

Sunset from the hot air balloon.

Sunset from the hot air balloon.

Sunset from the hot air balloon.

Sunset from the hot air balloon.

Erin and Mike just after landing.

Bella makes the trip and our first visitors

Despite having the best of intentions, the blog is very far behind. Unfortunately, it cannot be blamed on Erin being overly busy, as she is only working one or two days per week (and Erin is finally writing this update). Here is the first of several updates. 

Erin went back to Denver in mid-August to retrieve the car, Bella, and of course, to take advantage of the Book of Mormon tickets we had purchased in March. Bella had a great time with her Aunt Sarah, Uncle Mark and cousin Sydney, and it was sad to separate her from her well-known life and doggy buddies. But, Mike was missing her too, so she made the trip from Denver to San Diego on August 20 with a stopover in the lovely area of North Las Vegas complete with meth addicts and all. She has since made herself right at home, enjoying beach activities, and other new exciting things, and unfortunately catching fleas and experiencing some other unpleasant adjustment challenges.

The 10 minutes that Bella laid down out of the 17 hour road trip

Bella enjoying a Grandma supplied treat in Grand Juntion, CO

Bella scoping out her new backyard for the first time

We welcomed our first visitor (besides Connie, who made the drive with Erin) the day after Connie and Erin arrived in San Diego. Connie kindly helped Erin finish decorating the house and Sarah came out for a quick visit and took Erin on a pre-30th birthday trip to Dana Point, California, a lovely beach town in Orange County. They also enjoyed dinner and a sunset in Laguna Beach, the real OC.

Sarah, Erin, Mike and Connie

Sarah and Erin in Dana Point, CA.

Enjoying a bike ride in Dana Point.

Sunset in Laguna Beach

Sunset in Laguna Beach

A couple days after Sarah's arrival our second set of visitors came. Emily, David (her boyfriend) and their pup William made the trip down from LA. Bella and William love each other, so it was fun to see their reunification. Bella also got to visit the Coronado Dog Beach for the first time. While she isn't fond of going into the water and runs from the waves, she enjoys chasing after them.

Emily, David, William and Bella at Coronado Dog Beach

Bella's first trip to the ocean

Dinner in the back yard

Dinner in the back yard

Finally, we capped off a busy week with a trip to the horse races in Del Mar. Connie (in coordination with everyone else) surprised Erin with a lovely early birthday dinner at a beach side restaurant in Del Mar following the races.

Anuradha, Mike and Erin at the Del Mar Horse Races

Connie, Emily, David, Mike, Erin and Anuradha at the Del Mar Horse Races

Mike, Erin, Connie and Emily after dinner in Del Mar