Dr.'s Visit

I felt Deborah kick for the first time last Sunday (January 31) We were in church and I was getting all baptisity as Ryan likes to call it (worshiping) and she just joined right in, kicking several times. It was the coolest sensation ever. Now it's fun because she'll go after it for a while and stop, go after it for a while and stop. But it's nice to know I don't have to wait for the doctor's visit to feel her and know she's in there.

I am almost in my third trimester so last Tuesday was my monthly check up at my OBGYN's office. I have high blood pressure. I am doing what she told me to do, exercise and watch my eating but it still hasn't gone down. One of my coworkers let me borrow her blood pressure machine so I have been taking it on my own at home to see if there is a pattern or something that makes sense. So far nothing. Please pray that it will go down. I have been walking at lunch and am tracking points on WW. Also, I'm trying to rest better and not go all the time. But let me just say when you're trying to move into a new house and are having a baby that is just plain hard!

Onto the house, Ryan and I went out and looked at it yesterday and wow, we now have grass and a tree and shrubs in our front yard and our back yard has grass in it. They basically have one more week of work on it, which would be putting the carpet in, cleaning, touching up paint and then it's ready to go!!! I'm so excited. Ryan scheduled the movers so it's real. Rounding that corner yesterday was so cool....it felt like we were driving home!

We also went to a parent conference yesterday at our church. It was such a good time of learning and reminders. It also helped me relax a little because they talked about parenting with intentionality, which made me feel more at peace. Normally I am a very intentional person, however, with a baby I wasn't sure how to be intentional about parenting because I have no idea what I'm doing. However, they gave some really good pointers as far as the spiritual training of the child and emphasized that it is the parent/families primary role to train a child spiritually which I really appreciated. My parents did that for us and I feel like I have benefited greatly from that training and it is also some of the best memories that I have as a child. We also were reminded how important it is to establish a good marriage as children develop a perception of marriage and relationships at an early age from their parents and that perception doesn't normally change much as they get older.

Daycare, House, and Hormones

So we found a daycare for Miss Deborah. This makes her mommy very happy and I'm excited to say it's a church daycare, that is about a ten minute drive from my office. That in itself is a huge thing since we're in Houston everything is far away. We're very grateful that God opened this path for us and on top of that, Grandma and Nana are going to be watching her the first two weeks in August so that we could put her in this daycare. I'm so grateful that my mom and Ryan's mom can do this for us. It's really nice to have parents that can help.

We close on our house February 23rd. It's been so much fun going after church and looking at the progress they have made. Ryan was a champ and got the storage building cleaned out last Saturday with absolutely no help from me. I have most of the apartment packed and so now we're just waiting.

The past two weeks have been rough, emotionally and especially hormonally. I did feel better though after talking to Lori when she informed me that pregnant women are truly insane. That is exactly how I feel, insane. I go back to the doctor on Monday and we get to see Miss Deborah on the 16th of February so that will be fun. I'll post pictures this time. Last time we went the technician didn't do a very good job and so there was nothing to post. This time I'm going to ask for one that is zoomed out and you can see all of her.

It's a Girl!

Okay, I'm sure anyone that reads this already knows that by now, however, this is my log so to speak so I'm recording it to be forever saved in the never never land of the internet.

Miss Deborah Lucille will be here some time in late May and I think her mother and daddy are now in the mode of holy crap there are so many decisions to be made! We did get one thing checked off the list, we went and registered at Target today.

This week has been rough on me, I'm not sure why, but I've been really grumpy and generally depressed. I keep telling myself there is absolutely no reason to feel this way, I have an incredible husband, we're building a house, and we're going to have a baby, along with a million other things that I am thankful for, however, I just could not shake it.

Hopefully, things will be better next week, as work should be picking up. It's time, a break is good but it's now time to be busy again!

Tuesday when we found out that Deborah would be joining us, I went to Target and bought some girl clothes and two woobies...which are like security blankets with a stuffed animal on them? It's hard to explain but I love them and so does Joseph so Deborah must have them :)

Oh where does the time go...

I can hardly believe that another year has gone, and yes I feel old for saying that but it is true. The last two weeks of December always seem to fly. We left last Wednesday to go home. Thankfully our parents live close enough that we can see both families at Christmas.

The Hand of God was on us as the weather was bad, our flight got delayed out of Dallas by two hours and we thought that we would never land in Amarillo (finally after three tries the pilot managed to land the plane). I don't know that I have ever prayed that hard before. You couldnt' see the runway at all.

We had such a good time with everyone. Hannah our niece has grown and grown. She is just so smart and fun. She is so happy and definitely a girl, she just bosses and bosses! She got a kitchen from Santa Claus so we got to cook and have a tea party and all kinds of fun stuff. It was good to see Keri and Jim since we hadn't seen them since the wedding, which seems like forever ago. Hopefully they'll come visit this summer and Hannah can meet her new cousin!

Robin, Keri, and I got to go pick out the fabric for the baby quilt that Robin is graciously quilting for me since I have not a clue. I'm so excited because I found these classic winnie the pooh quilt blocks and that's what I want for the bedding. It's going to be so cute! Keri had bought some pajamas and long sleeve onsies for us, thank the Lord for people who have had children as we are clueless! The most special thing though was Ryan's grandmother had crocheted (spelling) this baby blanket especially for Ryan's baby. It is so pretty and is so special, I can't wait until our child is old enough to understand.

We celebrated Christmas with my family on Saturday. I forget how much fun it is for everyone to be there at the same time. Poor Joseph although he seemed to join right in talking and laughing and playing. It's so neat to see everyone grown up. I used to dread the day when everything changed and siblings got married, etc., however, what a blessing to have the brother in laws we do, and it's so much fun to see how everyone fits together.

Bekah and Robby were very kind and gave us a baby stroller and car seat. Once again it's such a huge blessing to have people that have done this before. I'm sure I drove Bekah crazy asking all kinds of questions.

I keep thinking that last year at this time I was in wedding mode, planning the day that Ryan and I would be come husband and wife. Now I'm in baby mode planning the day that Ryan and I will become parents. Next year at this time the baby will be six months old. So hard to believe! However, I know time will fly as it always does and the best thing that one can do is take lots of pictures and videos to capture the special moments, and try to remember everything else in between.

Next week we go to the doctor to see what we are having! I'm so excited, it still seems surreal sometimes and it's definitely time for another sonogram picture. Than off we go on another year with many adventures to come!!

Christmas Time!

Well it is that time of year. I'm not sure where the weeks went between Thanksgiving and Christmas but Christmas is less than a week away. Ryan and I did our Christmas last night since we will be with family on Christmas Day. It was kind of fun to think that next year we'd have an addition to our family but selfishly I must say I am glad I got one Christmas with just Ryan.

We've been doing this Beth Moore Bible study together called the Patriarchs. I was telling mom the other day how fun it is to be able to read the Bible together and pray together as a couple. I know that sounds weird but it is such a crucial element to a relationship and I know Ryan would agree when I say it has turned into such a special time for us.

As we get closer and closer to bringing this new life in the world, I think we both are beginning to understand just how important it is to raise children in the Bible and how important it is as a family unit, not just church on Sundays. So please continue to pray for us that we would continue to grow in Christ and continue to prepare for this little one by learning our roles as God created them. The man to be the spiritual leader of the home, and the woman to be his helpmate.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and enjoys their time with family and friends. Make sure to give thanks to God for sending his Son so we could all know Him!!

Thanksgiving

We went to granny's for thanksgiving this year and had a blast. It is always fun to go up there and be in the country away from concrete. We missed Clay and Paula and family of course (it just wasn't the same without ya'll). Ryan and Nathan went and played golf on Friday morning while granny and I shopped some. I'm so thankful that my husband and brother can get along! I know it sounds silly but it's the small things in life.

We drove out to Waelder on Friday afternoon. I forget how pretty it is out there. Fresh air, green grass, trees, birds, you get the picture. It's strange because last year at this time pappy was digging out the tank at the Big Place and now it is so full it's covering the dock he built. There were baby calves and momma cows and even some bulls! I always hate coming back to Houston. Maybe that's why I don't go up there as often as I should, it's just so hard to come back here. There's a freedom up there, here people are tied to money, debt, expensive clothes, etc...there you just get on a horse and ride. Of course since I don't live up there all the time it could be more of my imagination but how nice it would be!

Christmas is right around the corner, and we came back today and put the tree up. I'm so excited to go home and see everyone. I'm glad I talked Ryan into flying that way he has more time up there with his family.

Okay enough rambling about nothingness. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying this time of year!!

Baby Pictures!!

So we had our down syndrome screening yesterday and the quality of the pictures was great, so find them below. The doctor said everything looked good and although we won't get the official results for a week, she seemed okay with the neck thickness that she measured. That's how they test for downs now is neck thickness which I thought was interesting. It was like watching a movie! Although, this child has been excellent so far in the sense of not making his mother sick, etc..he did not want to cooperate yesterday for the picture taking time (sound familiar to anyone) he got that from his mother. I think they woke him up. Anyways, after he was forced awake he started moving and stuff. Well apparently he was showing off because he kept doing head stands. It was hilarious. His little legs would be up in the air and his head was pointed down. I told Ryan that we have a little acrobat. I got to hear his heartbeat which also was incredible. It was so fast! So without further ado....here are the pictures.

Headstand baby!!!

Another pose once again with his legs in the air. We think he's going to be tall..although the nurse in no uncertain terms informed me they can't measure until we deliver, but we figure the odds are good!

P.S. We will find out the sex if he is cooperating on January 4th!