Friends in February

In February, we were glad to have lots of friends make their way through Memphis for a visit. We had a blast taking them to some of our favorite Memphis locations and teaching them to dodge bullets.

Thanks to Amy Stroup playing a show in Memphis and Lipscomb sending some friends to recruit - we had a great reunion of a lot of old friends. We went to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, Happy Mexican. Unfortunetly, the rest of Memphis also wanted to take their friends there which left us a 2.5 hour wait behind a party of 45. I didn't even know you could walk in with a party of 45 - but that was apparently what was going on. Instead, we had a fun dinner at El Mezcal (our former favorite Mexican restuarant). Afterwards, we took the opportunity of being in East Memphis (per normal) to make our way to Muddy's Bake Shop. Let's be honest. If you come to Memphis and you didn't go to Muddy's - you didn't hang out with us. That place is the glory.

Elizabeth, Amy, and Sarah at Muddy's Bake Shop.

James and Daley outside of El Mezcal.

On Valentine's weekend, Meggie, Caroline and Ashleigh came down for what has become an annual trip of Memphis fun. We had a blast with them doing Memphis things and planning for Andrew's nursery. For those of you who don't know, Ashleigh is an extremely talented artist and her canvases are starting to cover the walls of our apartment. We can't wait to see all the great things that will make Andrew's nursery so special and happy.

Elizabeth, Meggie, Caroline, James and Ashleigh at Muddy's.

It is always great to share our lives with friends and show them some positive things about Memphis. There really are a lot of things about Memphis that we will miss... Elizabeth may miss more than me - I spent way too much time inside the hospitals.

Like Father, Like Son

So...after much debate (just to bring us back to square one) Baby Parnell has a name...(drum roll)... James Andrew Parnell, II. That's right, not junior, and don't even think about calling him "JJ" or "J-R". Please call him Andrew. Anyways, we can't wait to meet him, but also hope that he doesn't decide to arrive early. At our last ultrasound he was measuring overall just 1 week ahead of schedule (which doesn't change his due date of May 21) and weighing 1lb 13oz. I would also like to mention that his abdominal circumference was measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule. I will choose to attribute this to several things..1. he takes after his dad 2. his placenta is awesome 3. he loves all the Muddy's cupcakes I feed him. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to grow and develop. We love him so much already!