Something Wonderful...Kristen Louise

So, for nine months we waited and prayed and hoped and daydreamed about so many different things. I'm so lucky to say that all of my dreams,prayers, and hopes have come true. I have a healthy baby girl that is the most precious thing I have ever seen. I think she could be the cutest baby ever...I know I'm a little biased but it's true. She has a perfect little peanut head and all ten fingers and ten toes. She has her mommy's eyes, her Grandpa Kent's chin and her daddy's hands and feet.

At 8:30 AM on Thursday the 6Th the Dr. induced labor. We hoped it would be fast and painless but that didn't happen. The entire day I was actually doing pretty well, the epidural worked almost the entire time. We changed positions and did different things to try and make me progress a little bit faster. NO LUCK! My contractions were steady and the baby was in position but I was not dilating. I stayed at a five for almost 12 hours. So, at 6 PM the Dr. came in and said she was going to give me 2 more hours and if I hadn't progressed she was going to have to do a c-section. At 8 PM the nurse checked me again and there was no change. She went to call the Dr. because the baby's heart rate was worrying her a little bit and she said that we had waited long enough. I was totally OK with having a c-section, I have been through a surgery like it before and I was not scared at all, I was just ready for everything to be over. Right around this time I starting getting really bad contractions, ones that I could actually feel. Let me tell you that it was the most horrible pain I have ever felt and I'm so grateful I only felt them right at the very end. My sisters and Mom helped me through it all and they did great! Anyway, at 8:30 the Dr walked in and explained that it was time for a c-section but she was going to check me one more time. To her surprise I had dilated from a 5 to a 10 in thirty minutes. She said I don't believe it, you're ready to push! So, no c-section, thankfully. Kristen Louise was born in 15 minutes, the best moment of my life! My Mom, Pat, and Tab were in the delivery room when it happened. Nobody had a chance to leave because it all happened so fast. She was out 10 pushes later!

My daughter is named after my baby sister who passed away many years ago. She was almost 4 years old when she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. We found out in October of '87 and she died that next February. I am incredibly grateful that my Mom allowed me to use her name, I think it fits her perfectly.

I don't know if I'll be writing on this blog anymore, I hardly have time to eat! :)I thank everyone for reading it and letting me share a little piece of my life with all of you!

Anxiously Waiting!

This has absolutely been the most excited journey of my life. Before I got pregnant my number one goal in life was to travel all over the world and see as much as I could before turning into a grown up. Most of my traveling consisted of beaches, road trips and Football games. They were fun but not quite worldly, nothing compared to this, obviously. That's what I lived for, working and playing. I did it for years, and now, well, now I'm living for a baby girl. A precious being that relies solely on me to stay alive. Wow, it's crazy to even think about it! She will be here before I know it and I can't wait! I have never been more excited in my life! I hope that she has my spirit and her Dad's social skills. I'll teach her to live everyday to it's fullest and to always be positive even when it seems impossible. She'll love her family, I won't have to teach her that...she already knows.

She knows their voices, especially Mom's and Pat's. She knows our laughter, which has helped me get through everyday.She is already grateful for her Grandpa Kent for not making her mommy work as hard as she should the last 6 months. If I didn't have them I don't know what I would have done. They (Mom and Pat) will be in the delivery room with me. Mom, to be a stern but loving hand and Pat because after all of the deliveries she has been through, she has never seen a baby being born. I hope she intends to keep her head up by mine, she's pretty nosey :) I would love for Tab to be in there but I think it might make her go into labor, and as much as she would love that, it's not allowed from what I understand. My family's love and support has shown me what life is truly all about. They have seen me through my good and bad days and never said a mean word. This pregnancy has been far from perfect but has made me a stronger and at the same time a more sensitive person.

I love this little girl more than life itself and I haven't even met her yet! Just a few more days and life will never be the same again!

Love me some Cowboys!

I have to say that the Cowboys are kickin' some major butt this season! I'm incredibly proud to say that I've been a fan since birth and not once have given up on them. I'm not one of those fans that comes and goes when they're winning or losing. Sometimes, teams win and sometimes they lose and I'm the fan that goes down with them kicking and screaming and then saying,"We'll get 'em next year!" Their time has officially come and I know they'll make it to the Super Bowl. I have to say that I will have a great ending to a roller coaster of a year by having this little girl(who seems to want to stay right next to her mom and never come out) and a great beginning of a new year WHEN the Cowboys win the Super Bowl. I think Lance feels the same way...he and Tabby will have a great beginning of a new year with their precious little boy and a Super Bowl win!(they are die hard fans too)

Last year about this time I had the privilege of meeting Jason Witten(my favorite) and Tony Romo. We had a blast while we were there and its one of those moments I'll remember forever! I made sure to tell them both how great they both were and gave them both a little side hug while standing in the middle of them for a picture. I met Rowdy also but he's sort of a pain in the ass, but all the same, still apart of the team. Oh, memories! :)

NO SUCH LUCK

So, we went to the mall...we walked for hours and you want to know what happened? NOTHING!!! Well, not nothing. We ate at The Chessecake Factory and tried many of the different smoothies and we also made time for a pretzel. It's not hard to have all of it when you walk by it 5 or 6 times in a day. Here's some pictures but I'm warning you now...I'm HUGE!

Thanksgiving

You would think that some one as pregnant as I am would absolutely love some good eating on Turkey Day, right? Don't get me wrong, I love all of the good food but there was just one big problem...NO PLACE TO PUT IT! I served myself a HUGE plate and thought I was going to devour it, I was wrong. I took a few bites of everything...mostly corn casserole, and then covered it for later. I ate a piece of pie that had chunks of Butterfingers in it and I was in heaven...but I couldn't eat all of it. Two hours later I thought I was so starving again that I would surely finish a plate this time, nope, didn't happen. So, today I'll go back to Pat's for some leftovers and see how far I get.


I think I'm going to the mall, hopefully if there is any space in the sea of people I will be able to get a vigorous walk in and go into labor. Again, wishful thinking. Every time I think there might be hope she has "dropped" she let's me know who's boss and starts with adjusting herself under and sometimes on my ribs. I don't get the happy pregnancy smiles anymore, I get the, Oh you poor thing, you look so uncomfortable looks. It's funny all of the phases I have gone through, thank goodness this is the 2ND to last one. (Labor is most important)

ANKLES...WHAT ANKLES?

OH MY GOD! I looked down yesterday and there are no more bones in my feet. My legs are bright red, they hurt to be touched and they hate to exercise :) My tennis shoes are not tied anymore, I think if I tied them I would lose circulation in my feet and they might have to be amputated! I can put them up for hours and nothing helps anymore...I think it might be permanent!

I got a massage on Saturday (Thanks Nancy) and it helped. I wish she would have rubbed my feet a little bit more, I think she was scared.I bet she didn't want to touch me when I told her I was 9 months pregnant. She made me promise I would not go into labor, I wish I would have. The baby is ready, she told me in a dream just the other day! I did feel a little funny later that night but nothing ever came of it...damn! I know, I know, she'll come when she's ready...let's hope for tomorrow :) This little girl is going to be one spoiled little only child...I don't think I could ever go through this again!

I can't stop cleaning...I want to stop more than anything but I can't. It's like I'm obsessed and the next day I'm so incredibly sore I swear I won't do it again, and then I do it again. Lord, please help me get through the next few weeks. (maybe days, wishful thinking)

For all those that are newly pregnant, enjoy it now. Get everything done early and spend some money on a good pregnancy pillow...you'll thank yourself when you're 9 months pregnant!

Just thinking :)

When you think you couldn't possibly gain another pound...

I was looking back on all of the first and second trimester pictures and I can hardly believe I thought I was huge. At that point in the pregnancy I'm sure that most people could hardly tell I was expecting. They probably thought I had one too many Fat Tires :) (beer) I could hardly believe how big I was a few months ago, and now my body is not even a little recognizable. I don't have my belly button ring anymore, that was gone many, many months ago. My tattoo on my way lower belly was once pretty sexy to look at...now it hasn't really stretched, it has just continually moved up. I can't see my feet when I'm standing up but when I do catch a glimpse they are so swollen they look like little chicken nuggets with ketchup on the tips(cause of the polish). There is definitely a reason why God made women pregnant for nine months and not anything sooner or later. (I think 9 months was pushing it just a little) Everyday, you gradually get use to being the way you are and everyday get a little bit bigger.

I know this has all happened for good reason, I can't wait for the reason to be here already!
I have gained so much more respect for all mothers in the world.
I still don't know how they ever did it without drugs :)

Medical Marvels and One crazy 6 year old

Craig had surgery today. He had a pump put in his stomach which will send medicine directly to his spine. The medicine is very strong and goes straight to wear all of his MS issues start. The process will help him walk standing straight up instead of bent over and hopefully without his cane. I'm sure he'll be using the cane until he feels confident enough to walk on his own. He was in very good spirits this morning and very excited. I haven't received a call from Pat to tell us that all is well but I'm pretty sure everything is just fine.

When I picked Laura up from school today she made it very clear to me that she knew exactly what was going with her Dad. She wanted to talk more about Me and Tab and how close we are to having our babies. She said our Christmas gift to her is the little babies inside of us...I think that was one of the cutest things I have ever heard. It's funny to listen to her talk to because she has this little lisp from losing her two bottom teeth.

Oh Brother...in law

I know I don't have any "real" brothers but they're as close as its ever going to get for me. Craig has been in the family for over 17 years, so really, he is a brother. Lance has been around for 3 years and he feels like a brother too! Anyway, they are both amazing men and I hope to one day find someone like the two of them for my sisters to lean on. Here's why:

Today I decided it was time to get my chubby little self to Babies"R"Us and get the majority of essentials needed to make for an easy homecoming. Before I made it to the store I had a few other things that needed to be done at the bar, and while I was doing them Lance showed up. So, we sat, had lunch, and talked about how excited we all are for all the babies to get here. (The Cowboys were mentioned a few times) He told me about his new Escalade and I told him about all the bottles I needed. After about an hour of talking we both decided it was time to hit the road and get some stuff accomplished.
Well, after spending 2 very long hours in the store I felt I made very good progress and needed to get home and get to work on the nursery. On the way home I got a phone call from Tabby and she asked me if I needed anything. Puzzled, I said no and explained what I had been doing for the last few hours. She started laughing and said that she had just talked to Lance and he had asked her if they could give their bottles to me. (Keep in mind, they have a baby on the way and just recently purchased their own supplies) She asked him why and he simply said, "Well, she doesn't have any!"
He wanted to give me all his bottles for his baby so that I didn't have to get out and about by myself. Of course, they would have just bought new ones but I thought that the gesture was too funny and incredibly generous. I guess he got a little scared because I'm so close to having the baby and he wanted to make sure I had everything I needed.

The funniest part is that I have a HORRIBLE memory at the moment and totally forgot that I had already purchased much of the stuff I bought today(bottles included). I didn't realize it until I got home and was cleaning out the baby's closet and there they were, 5 different bags full of stuff....OOPS!



In other news:

Oh, my belly button (aka EJECT Button) is poking so far out I don't know if it will ever be the same.

Baby is so big now I can feel her moving under my ribs! It is such a weird feeling but I have to say that at times it hurts so freakin' bad it takes my breath away.

I have contractions on a daily basis (braxton hicks)

My back is killing me cause she is growing like a weed!

I can't eat as much as I use to cause there's no place to put it.

I have more baby clothes than any single person should EVER own (I'll post a picture of her closet so you can get a visual)

That's all :)

Things Not To Say...

In the past few months there have been a few people that have said some not so nice stuff. Not just to me, to many pregnant women. I don't think it's has been said intentionally to hurt any one's feelings, they just don't know what NOT to ask or say. So, here are a few things that you just don't say to a pregnant woman.

1.Wow, you sure are gaining some weight (No kidding, I'm pregnant)

2.Wow, you're huge!(Thanks for noticing and bringing it to my attention)

3.Are you having twins? (No, just one massive baby! Are you kidding me?)

4.You look like you're about to pop! (Thanks, hope I don't see you next month. I wonder what I'll look like then?)

5.How much weight have you gained? (Enough to have a healthy baby. Why would you ask any woman this question? Pregnant or not??)

6.Can I touch your belly? (Would you rub on anyone else's belly? Why in the world do I want you to rub all over mine?)

7.You're how far along? You look much bigger than that! (We all grow differently, didn't you take a health class in school?)

8.Should you really be eating that? (If I'm hungry and that's what I want, then yes, I really should be eating that)

9.You sure do have that waddle down! (Thanks, you wanna try carrying an extra 30 pounds and have a baby sitting on your bladder? Bet you couldn't walk a mile in my shoes)

(the next few are courtesy of Elissa)

10.Do you use body butter? You are going to get stretch marks if you dont. (not necessarily true)

11.How far along are you?....Oh, my friend lost her baby at that time. (nice, way to make some one's blood pressure go up!)

12.When is your baby due? me: March. Oh, you know picses girls are psycho, right?
(who would say something about an unborn child?)

here is the best one.....

13."im just glad i did it the right way, so i dont have to be pregnant without being able to wear a wedding ring."
(having a ring before may still not make it better. Unexpected miracle doesn't mean make a decision based on it)

There are also some questions that we get asked very often so if you don't have to ask, then don't. Try a little bit harder to remember if you have already asked once! (See blog date 9/25/07 There is light at the end of the tunnel)

I'm sure there are a bunch more that I will here before this pregnancy is over...keep coming back for more.

My Dear Friend :)

So, I can't stop thinking about all that needs to be finished before the little one comes. (I have the nursery finished and I will be posting pictures soon but not quite yet.) Anyway, yesterday, I took everything that was in every cabinet and drawer in the kitchen out and moved it all to one side of the kitchen.(probably not the smartest move on my part) I want the inside of everything cleaned and sanitized and empty so I can start putting bottles and baby feeding stuff away. I started the task and just couldn't finish. I was out of breath by the time I got to a good stopping point and the sweat was ready to start pouring. I can't do things the way I use to, my body is not the same anymore. I know this but always tell myself that I can do it. I really can, just not all at once. So, once I decided to take a break I realized I forgot one VERY important thing. It was not a bright move on my part... So, I will continue today and hopefully get everything out of in front of my dear friend, the refrigerator. :) HAHA!
I almost let myself get overwhelmed looking at the big picture and then stop and think of one little thing at a time. I have never looked at things like this before, it's a new way of thinking and it really has helped keep my stress level down. Besides, if I thought about it any other way I probably would have already gone into labor! DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF! I'll let you know how it goes!

Jon & Kate Plus 8

Have any of you seen this show? It's on the Discovery channel and I'm totally obsessed with it. Jon and Kate, the parents, set out to have 3 children. They couldn't do it on their own so they use modern medicine to help them out a little bit. They started out with their oldest set of twins and a few years later decided they wanted just ONE more baby. Well, God (and fertility drugs) decided that he wanted them to have SIX!

This family is so cute! I can't get enough of them! They make me feel so much better about having my ONE baby. Kate has totally made this family as normal as possible. She has tried to give all of her children space to become their own little person and not made everything about being a twin or sextuplet.

She and her husband are constantly bickering with each other but not a horrible bickering just normal married bickering, does that make sense? Every conversation that is filmed between them makes me laugh because they really are "normal" people with at times, abnormal problems. Jon is the typical Dad and tries to make light of every situation and Kate is a total drama queen but at the same time a great, loving Mom.

Can you imagine trying to teach six three year olds how to use the potty, or getting them to sit still for a family photo? There is never a dull moment in their house and I think mine will be similar in no time at all!
These kids are too cute!! Take time out of your Monday night and watch them on the Discovery channel at 9. I bet you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

If they can do it with 8 I can certainly do it with one!

Our Pumpkin Patch

Last week the girls decided it was time to do some carving, pumpkin carving that is. The pumpkin carving turned out to be a little bit of a competition and each of us thought we should have one first place. Lauren, Hunter and Patrick (Lauren's boyfriend) each had their own masterpiece. (Jackie was cheering at a football game) Laura chose me to be her partner and I think ours was the best. I kinda messed up and left the cat with a little nub for a tail. We tried to fix it with a toothpick and it actually looked pretty good. Lauren made a pirate ship, Hunter made a spider, and Patrick made a goofy faced pumpkin.




So, after the real carving was finished we decided it would be a great idea to make a little pumpkin of my own :) We bought non toxic paint and went to work, well, they did anyway. Laura decided to paint butterflies on my hands while the big girls created a goofy little face on my tummy. It really ended up being a lot of fun but a beating to clean up!

The beginning of a beautiful smiling pumpkin :)

Laura decided she wanted a butterfly on her face to match the ones on my hands. She LOVES to have her face painted!

We had to wait for the orange paint to dry then we started adding the rest.


Lauren's multi tasking...she's on the phone and painting while Laura is working on my butterflies!


At first glance you can hardly tell that my pumpkin isn't like the rest. Well, maybe a little, mine is a little more droopy than the others!

The State Fair of Texas...A pregnant womans dream

The fair begins the last weekend of September and goes through the 3rd weekend in October. We went 3 times this year and had a different experience every time. The 1st time with Mom and all of the nieces (Kiki and Audry too) and was a blast. Laura rode the big kid rides and loved them. Her face told a completely different story while she was on them. Mom and I laughed as she went back and forth on the Pirate ship, we thought she was going to cry but ended up all smiles. Jackie sat right beside her and couldn't stop laughing the entire time. After many more rides we continued to eat all of the wonderful, fattening food. We stayed for 9 hours and I thought my hands and feet looked like the elephant man.




Second go around was mainly so Mom, Pat and Menay could get an alcoholic beverage from every stand. Tab and I watched and dreamed of the day that we could have our own Bellini or margarita. We stayed and ate and drank for 3 hours and then went home.

The final time was strictly for food and beverage. Craig, Mom, Patty and I stayed a little less than 3 hours. We did about an hours worth of people watching and that was the most fun. How horrible are we? We love to make fun of the weirdo's around us :)

Cowboys VS Patriots

Dad and Lance were suppose to go to the game originally. At the very last minute Dad decided he didn't want to go and that left me. Tab refuses to do stuff like that because she knows it will be uncomfortable.
I wanted to go so bad but felt bad for Lance. He thought he was going to go and get wasted with Dad instead he got pregnant Kate to tag along. It wasn't so bad in the end...he went back and forth to smoke and to get more beer and I stayed in our seats and relaxed. Some of the game was outstanding, there were many HI FIVES given, and lots of excited screams coming from me. After the first half I hardly made it out of my seat, standing on cement isn't too fun when you're standing for 2! If any of you saw the game 2 weeks ago, you know it wasn't very relaxing and we left before it was over.


I'm not sure that Texas stadium is the place for pregnant women. I got through it and it wasn't so bad. I just felt like a sardine in those little ass chairs and I hardly had enough space to get up when a good play was made so half the time I just cheered from my seat.

Now, normally, I LOVE going to the games but for the time being unless I'm in a suite, I think the best place for me to be is on my couch screaming at the TV.

CHANGE CAN BE GOOD, RIGHT?

Lots of new and different things going on in my life right now. Not anything that I want to be specific about, I'm just saying, change can be hard. At the same time, who am I to say what people can or can't do with THEIR lives? I'm hoping that once I have the baby it will bring all that I have ever known back together and whole again. (babies can do that, right?)
Even if it doesn't work, she'll be my light that gets me through the dark. What am I saying...she already is!

I have picked a name for her and I think that it will be perfect. There is a slight chance I will change my mind, but I doubt it. I'm not sharing until she is born...I have no other secrets, and I must have just one!

My Dr. visits have gone from just 1 a month to 2. It's getting close and I'm getting nervous. My baby is growing by the day and I am getting bigger by the day. I can't sleep anymore, I can't shave very well and my appetite has shrunk due to less space available in me. I'm sure it will only get worse before it gets better but I can handle it. I just have to vent every once in awhile and let everyone know that pregnancy can be a huge pain in the butt but well worth it.

I love sitting in the bath tub and watch my stomach get jerked from side to side (literally)
I love watching my nieces faces when they see or feel my belly move
I love when my sisters laugh at my belly and say that the once cute little tattoo has moved way up on my stomach.
I love not seeing someone for a really long time and surprising them when I turn to my side.
I love all the compliments on myspace, they give a big boost to my long days!
I love seeing strangers smile at me just because I'm pregnant.
I love looking in the baby's closet and seeing all the cute little clothes she'll be wearing
I love seeing people a little tipsy, it makes me realize how I use to be and how I am now.
I love knowing that there are so many people just as excited as me about having baby girl.

I'm sure there are so many more loves but I have to actually get some work done today.
Just remember, when I do bitch a little bit...I'm just tired. I am so grateful for so many moments I could have never had without this little girl inside of me :)

Oh, and apparently I'm not the Cowboys good luck charm anymore. I went to this last game and I tried my best to stay calm (didn't work very well) and we still didn't win. We'll get 'em next time!

Pedicure and a free psychic reading...

First I would like to say that I love the Cowboys and I'm so proud of them! 5-0 woohoo! (Even when they almost make me have a heart attack)

Anyway, I went in to this new nail place by my house to get a pedicure. I don't do it because I can afford it...I do it because I can't reach my toes anymore. I use to enjoy doing my nails and now I can only bend over for a few seconds at a time so a self done pedicure is absolutely out of the question. It's a pain in the butt to put my shoes on and it amuses me every time I have to do it. Mom has said that I should never make fun of fat people ever again because they have to go through it everyday of their life. It's not that I ever made fun, I just have never understood it...I UNDERSTAND NOW, PROMISE!

So, the lady in the nail place notices right away that I'm pregnant (you can't miss me...I look like a house) and starts asking questions. There is nobody in the salon (if that's what you want to call it) and so all of the focus is on me. You know how the little Asian women are, and I'm sure you can hear her in her little accent saying "when you baby due?", "you have boy or girl?", "how old you and your husban?" The whole time I'm answering questions I'm thinking I just wanted a quiet pedicure without having to speak to anyone. This little woman wouldn't shut up and I could hardly understand half of the stuff that was coming out of her mouth so, she repeated herself over and over until I figured it out. Finally, she said,"I have book, I tell you if baby is good luck!"

So, out come the books and she starts with my psychic reading. If any of you know me, you know that I'm very into this stuff and totally believe in all of it. I really love to hear it but only when I can understand it and not bits and pieces. It's kind of scary to hear the words BAD, LUCK, BABY, POOR, HUSBAND, SICK all in the same sentence. I just smiled and prayed for the little girl to finish my feet so I could get out of there. I think she was only trying to be nice but it only annoyed me. I don't think I will be going back there again and I'm trying my hardest to forget all of the bad things that she told me. (at least I think they were bad)

Finally, Mom, the nieces and I went to the fair on Sunday. (Kiki and Audrey went for a bit too) I think we all had a very good time but by the end of the night my hands and feet looked like the elephant man, apparently I can't handle 8 hours of a fun filled fair day anymore. Next week, when we go again I'll use a wheelchair if I have to, I still haven't had my fill of fried cheesecake, and the weather we're having right now is my favorite time of the year. I'll post pictures of our Fair adventure as soon as I get copies (hint hint)

BIG BABY...NADIA

Have you seen the baby that weighed 17 pounds at birth? This picture is compliments of MSNBC. Look at the baby beside her, she looks totally freaked out and she's only a few hours old. I want to see what the Mom looked like at 9 months pregnant. It makes me feel really bad about saying I look like a house. I probably don't even look pregnant compared to that Mom. Good Lord...how does someone have a 17 pound baby? It says in the article that all she had to eat her whole pregnancy was potatoes, noodles, and tomatoes. Does that mean she had 5 pounds of each per day? I think I have had a few nightmares after thinking about it! I found out today that the baby was delivered by C-Section...I don't think there was any other way. (unless the mother never wanted to walk again)



Mom thinks that I'm going to have a 9 pound little girl, her Dad was about that big and I wasn't too small either. I weighed about 7lbs 11oz and Renner was 8lbs 15 oz...just pray she doesn't weigh 17 pounds, as soon as she's born we can dress her and send her straight to kinder garden. How much does a 5 year old weigh, 25 pounds, max, right? OK, I'm exaggerating, maybe 40 pounds. If I know just a little bit of math that means at birth this little baby weighs almost half of what a 5 year old should, HOLY CRAP!

MY LITTLE LADYBUG...

I think she looks like both of us...

I know how hard these videos can be to understand and follow if you don't see it live and with some sort of direction.

I'll do my best to explain:

So, if you look closely at her eyes you can see them opening and closing! Towards the end of the video her little foot pops up right near her face on the left side. (she is very flexible) Oh, and she is definitely a girl!

I think you might be able to see her open her eyes in this one. The top video has a little more action but I wanted you to be able to see her whole face. I wish I could get the last little clip where her chin is real visible. She has a little butt on her chin like my Dad and Daddy Renner!

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Don't get me wrong, I have loved being pregnant. I have loved feeling this little baby girl moving inside of me. There have been a few moments that I could have lived without but for the most part I have LOVED being pregnant. THAT TIME IS OFFICIALLY OVER! I just want to get her out of me and get going on being a mom. I know, I know...this is definitely not something to rush and I haven't but that doesn't mean I can't wish it was over. If my back didn't hurt so bad, I could do it forever. Well, not forever, but you know what I mean!

I'm not sick of strangers asking me when I'm due ,they don't know! I am sick of the same people asking me over and over again, "I forgot, When are you due again?" I'm the one with the memory issues people, not you! Write the shit down or stop asking! Lord please give me patience!

IT'S A GIRL!
I'M 28 WEEKS PREGNANT!
I HAVE PICKED A NAME AND NO I'M NOT TELLING YOU!
NO, YOU CAN'T TOUCH MY BELLY!
AND NO, I DON'T LIKE PICKLES AND ICE CREAM!

I have 2 months and 20 days to go and I can't wait! The 3rd trimester began on Sunday and my due date is just around the corner. I have only gained __ pounds at this point, which is good but I really think that's enough! I don't need to gain another 11 pounds...I'm fat already! Hopefully, only 3 of those pounds will go to the baby and she'll only be like 6 pounds (maybe even 5)! Oh, my, that is the scariest thing to think about...pushing that baby out of me! Well, if genetics have anything to do with how much the baby will weigh, she is gonna be a big girl...7 pounds at the least and she could possibly weigh more than 8 pounds! Oh Lord!

I must be having an off day today...the hormones are kickin' and I'm venting like crazy.

On a better note-
Jackie decided Saturday night she would play with my hair. We came up with the do I'm gonna have to keep it out of my face during labor.

HA! Just kidding! I look like Angelica's doll (Cynthia) from the Rugrats. Remember her?! Love it...thanks for a good laugh, Jackie!

A few thoughts...

For the last 5 months I have been receiving my weekly Victoria Secret email with all of their sales. I don't want it anymore but if I delete it then what will I do when I need it again? At first I thought, "OK, I'll keep them, I'll use them again one day." Now, I'm thinking,"I feel like a freakin' house, leave me the hell alone!" Of course, it's not their fault...They don't know I'm pregnant, they just know that I USE to buy a shit load of stuff from them all of the time. I look at my boobs in amazement now and wonder if they will ever be the same?! I wouldn't doubt if the bra I'm wearing is the biggest they have in their store. Thank God for hand me down Victoria's Secret bras! I would never buy them this big, they cost way too much! I think they get more expensive when there is more material. I can't possibly imagine them much bigger than they are now.

OK, so enough about my boobs...SORRY!

The girls Homecoming was an incredibly stressful day for them! Hunter had issues with her bra and then with jewelry. Lauren had issues with me and wasn't in the best of moods. It was an absolute beating to get a couple of good pictures out of them...they aren't very good with fake smiles. I'm grateful for the few pictures that I did get and a few did turn out better than expected.


Neither of them were happy with me at this point but they'll figure out in a few years how meaningful these pictures are! It took about 15 pictures to get 1 good one. My goodness girls...its suppose to be a fun day not stressful! They looked so grown up and it made me feel really old and just a tad bit fat :)

Once the girls were on their way to the dance it didn't take any of us long to figure out we needed to go out to dinner. These girls stressed us out so bad I needed a drink (Pat got to have one) but I settled for some cake and ice cream. Abuelo's was MUY BUENO! We had a few good laughs and scared the crap out of our waiter.(Craig tried to pay with a check) I know we shouldn't have done it but we sure did enjoy seeing that scared look on his face!

BABY HICCUPS!

OK, I know I may be a little too excited about this but too bad! At about 9:30 last night I was laying in bed watching TV. I could feel the baby moving around but that's something very normal at this point in my pregnancy. For a second I thought something was wrong and then realized exactly what was going on... HICCUPS! I have never felt them before and it was really neat! To try to explain it,they feel like a slow, steady pulse that's coming from the inside. I couldn't see them from the outside but I could definitely feel my belly bouncing on the inside. I was so excited, I think when I jumped out of the bed so fast, I startled her because I was laying so still and quiet before. By the time I made it downstairs they had already stopped. I know it's wrong to say but I wish they had lasted a little bit longer. I went and told Mom, she was nowhere as thrilled as I was but after 6 kids, I guess it's not that thrilling. She had a smile on her face and said that was great but then looked at me like, "go to bed crazy lady!" I sent a text to everyone I thought would be up! Her daddy didn't care too much, he was too pissed that A&M lost the game! Oh well, maybe she'll have better timing when she has them again!

HOMECOMING...

Last night, Lauren and Hunter (2 of my nieces) decided it was time to make garters for their dates. Keep in mind, Homecoming is on Friday(they're last minute kind of girls)! Anyway, I got caught up in the mix and decided to stay and help. At first I couldn't understand why in the world they wanted to make them on their own, and not just buy the things. After an hour I realized it really isn't as hard as some may think (me), it takes a little bit of time, but you just finish one thing and move onto the next. So, all of the money I spent in high school could have been saved if I would have just not been so lazy and done it myself. I don't think I was anywhere near as crafty at that point in my life as Lauren is now. She did so well, we just followed her lead. A few glue gun burns later we had finished products and they look great!

WORKIN HARD...I THOUGHT MY NAME SHOULD BE ON IT SOMEWHERE!
LAUREN'S HAIR IS FUNKY BECAUSE OF SPIRIT WEEK AT SCHOOL
(SHE HAS NORMAL HAIR, PROMISE!)


HB HAS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS PERFECT...DON'T WORRY, HUNTER, THEY'RE BEAUTIMOUS!



THE FINAL PRODUCT AND FAKE SMILES!


PICTURES...COMPLIMENTS OF JACKIE BARR. SHE AND THE OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS HAVE MUMS TO SUPPORT THE DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS!

This is just the beginning of the story, Friday I have to get pictures of them wearing the mums. SATURDAY IS THE BIGGEST DAY OF ALL! THE DANCE! They both have dates and very cute dresses to show off!

Dream a Little Dream

Today I made the appointment for the 3D and 4D pictures. The receptionist seemed very nice on the phone and gave me specific instructions. I need to make sure that I'm completely hydrated for at least 3 days before the pictures are taken and on the way make sure to eat something with a lot of sugar in it to get the baby going. ( I have no problem eating sweets)

For months and months I have caught myself daydreaming about what the little girl inside me looks like. Not that it would matter, a mom's love has no prejudice.(dad's love too) However, there isn't a pregnant woman in the world that hasn't dreamed about the color of their unborn child's eyes, or color of their hair, or how much hair. Does she have 10 fingers and 10 toes and will they be long and skinny like dad's or short and fat like mom's? It really does get the imagination going and it's pretty fun to think about. I have created a little being inside of me that might look just like me...crazy, huh? Or,it could be the other way around. I have helped to create a little baby that looks just like her dad, or even a huge mix of the both of us. I have three names picked out but I will not decide until I see her face to face. What if when she's born she doesn't look like the name I picked?

I think that the craziest thing that I have thought about is the Dr. changing his mind and saying,"oops...my mistake,it's really a boy!". I have to say he would have some pretty ladybugs all over his room! No Dr. will ever tell you they are 100% sure what the gender is of the baby, especially, if it's a girl. Can you imagine, if after all these months I went in for a sonogram and they ended up telling me IT'S A BOY and not a girl. How embarrassing would that be? I would have to try to explain to everyone that his package was just so small the first few months they couldn't see it in the pictures.(very funny to think about) Let's hope that's not the case.

Anyway, I could have made the appointment for this week but I decided to wait until next Thursday. I made it for later so I can be in the 3rd trimester for these pictures. The suspense is already killing me but I can wait for a few more days.
Oh, I just realized that the pictures will be taken on Lauren's birthday so she'll get a kick out of that, I think I'll ask if she wants to come with me to see the live version. I'm sure she won't mind missing a little bit of school!

Finally, I would like to say that I'm very disappointed that I will not be able to attend our family reunion. I feel awful about it but that's the price you pay when you have your own business. I can't leave Dad by himself to work the day and night shifts. He works 7 days a week already and I don't think it would be fair to leave him behind. Also, I think it would be an absolute beating to be in the car for 8 hours. We would have to stop AT LEAST once an hour for bathroom breaks and not to mention food :) Being pregnant can be a total pain in the butt but you're right Ana, it is worth it in the end! I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel!

ANOTHER DR. APPOINTMENT

HOLY CRAP! I have never been yelled at by a Dr.! I totally try to follow all of the rules and be the best patient a Dr. could ask for. Apparently, I'm not as good at it as I thought I was!

To start out...We went through our regular routine( Nurse Aracelly and I ) She weighed me(not my favorite part to say the least), checked my blood pressure, took a sample of blood (glucose screening), and then asked me if I had anything new to tell her. So, I spoke honestly about the Braxton Hicks contractions I have been having. She wasn't worried about it and nothing else was said. Aracelly left and a few minutes later Dr. Strolled in.

We had no idea we were about to be blind-sided by a freakin' freight train(she's 9 months pregnant). Usually, Dr. is super nice and chipper but not today...Dr. B's serious side came out. She asked me what I was stressing about and I told her all of my reasons. Then I started to wonder how in the world she knew to ask me...was she psychic? Not the case at all, hello Kate, she's a Dr., duh-she looked at my blood pressure. Anyway, to make a long story short...Dr. said I better stay calm or she is going to put me on meds and make me quit working. I don't know what would stress me out more taking meds that would go to the baby or not working. I HAVE TO WORK! I HAVE TO STAY BUSY! I know it may sound weird, who wants to work, right? Well, ME!- I'm a total control freak and have to know about everything that is going on at the bar. I promised I would work on controlling the issues I worry about and pick my battles.

The best part of the appointment was the baby kicking the crap out of the fetal heart monitor. Aracelly, Renner and I could not stop laughing. It sounded like a linebacker inside of me because it was all echoed on the speaker. It took her a good 5 minutes to get her heart rate!CRAZY BABY!

Oh, also, we preregistered at the hospital. It's like a freakin' resort! I will be well taken care of to say the least. There isn't a cafeteria in this hospital, it's a chef. After I have the baby I will have a complimentary steak and lobster dinner. Everything is secured, you can't get in or out without a card to release the door. They have real towels, not hospital towels. (They were super soft) I could go on and on about all the great things they have to offer. Sounds good, huh? My Dr. will be having her baby there in just a few short days, so I think if she likes it there, I will too! Thank goodness for insurance! Here are a couple of pictures. One is of the entrance and one is of a private room.
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Let the games begin...

Finally, football season is back full force. After the Super Bowl every year I get a little depressed. I hate having to go half a year without hearing the NFL Anthem and not being able to yell at the players when they have made a horrible mistake. They can't hear me but I pretend that they can and try to listen to my suggestions as often as possible. After the game last night I'm not sure if I'm up for the challenge. I know we won but did we have to give 35 points away? RIDICULOUS! It's so hard for me to keep calm during these games.

FOR EXAMPLE:
I don't understand why Romo always has a shit eatin' grin on his face. I want to jump through the screen and punch him and tell him stop smiling all of the time. He can't possibly be happy with all of the plays that he is making. He messed up several plays last night and every time he had that same damn grin on his face. This is not a game of fun once you start getting paid for it...fun is over after high school football.

T. O. actually showed some class last night. He didn't get in any one's face nor did he smile and blow kisses at the camera after every touchdown. He played how he was suppose to and even did a little bit of tackling. Maybe he did some growing up over the summer. (lets see how long it lasts) I don't care what anyone says...I LOVE T.O.!

MY FAVORITE...JASON WITTEN! All I have to say is awesome! Jason played so well in the 1st half but then kinda disappeared during the 2ND but that is beside the point. Keep up the good work!

On the bright side...Wade has actually given me something to laugh at instead of something to scream at. Did any of you see the head set he was wearing last night? It was 15 times too big for his head, and it almost completely covered his entire face. Actually, this didn't bother me at all...I just laughed but Renner had a huge problem with it. For the entire 4 hours every time they showed a picture of him he started yelling at the TV screen. It got a little worse when his hair was messed up for an entire quarter and nobody told him to fix it. (and I thought I was bad)

Overall, everyone played well...let's keep it up for the entire season and not just a few games here and there.
You're my boy(s) blue :)

BABY FURNITURE

Here are a few pictures of the baby's furniture. The room has a ton of different colors but mainly red and green. (it reminds me of watermelons) The room is not quite put together yet, we're still waiting on the curtains and pillows to come come back from the decorator. I think once we get everything back it's gonna look terrific! You'll definitely be able to see all of the colors once all of the frilly stuff is added. I think it's very fun and different from what most Mom's have in a little girls nursery...I can't wait for her to be in it! THANK GOODNESS FOR PAT! I don't know what I would have done with this room without

her!

BRAXTON HICKS

In the last week I have started having contractions...not the real ones, braxton hicks. They are very normal and actually I have heard the earlier they start the stronger my uterus will be, this will hopefully make for a faster delivery. Either way, it's the strangest feeling in the world. It doesn't hurt at all. Usually, my stomach is pretty mushy but as soon as I have a contraction it turns as hard as a rock and about as big as a soccer ball. SO, I don't move very well when its happening...I either sit or stand, no bending over. (That's hard enough without the contractions) I even worry a little about the baby...I wonder if this is how people become claustrophobic? I know it's silly but I am a worrier to begin with and now that I'm pregnant I feel like I'm ten times worse.

My question is...WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THIS WOULD HAPPEN? As soon as I told Mom and Pat they started laughing and said that they had them around 6 months also. Something I wish they would have warned me about. Not even the Dr. told me...I had no warning at all. I just know now that I should enjoy these contractions because the real ones are painful and quite a bit scarier than these.

AND SCHOOL BEGINS...

Once I get home from work I'm so beat (from hardly lifting a finger) I take a nap to recover. It's almost impossible for me to stay awake from 5 to 7 in the afternoon. Needless to say by 8 I'm ready to go again...so I find stuff to do. Last night, I decided to go to Walmart at 10pm to do a little grocery shopping. I thought I would be safe from long lines and tons of people running around all over the place. Oh, I was so wrong! There were kids and parents everywhere with binders, markers and new clothes getting ready for day 2 to begin. I thought I would be aggrivated but they pretty much stayed on the two rows dedicated to school supplies. The aisles were in complete chaos and I don't know how anyone found anything that they needed. I just watched and thought about how exciting it use to be getting brand new stuff for school. I loved getting (and still do) new markers and pens and pencils with glitter on them or folders (one for every class) with tons of designs on them. I just kept thinking...y'all are excited now, just wait till you have to get up in the morning. OH, THE JOYS OF BECOMING A PARENT! I think when it's time to get school supplies for this little girl of mine I'll buy them from the school and be done with it. We'll get some fun stuff from the store but I will not be running around Walmart late at night trying to find a number 2 pencil.

Laura started Kindergarden today...yesterday was the first day of school but because they are the youngest, they only stay for an hour orientation with their parents to get use to the idea of school. I don't know what has happened today or how her day is going but I talked to her yesterday and she was thrilled. She even told me that her front bottom tooth is loose and her best friend is in her class...they are going to be HELL together!

Lauren is a JUNIOR (I feel so old) and of course is loving school already. She is on the swim team and has a much better grasp on her steering wheel (at least we hope) Hunter is a FRESHMAN and I think it's gonna take her some getting use to. I know it took me some time to get into the groove of a new and much bigger school. She will be playing golf and plans on getting a scholarship and getting into an awesome school. Jack is in the 7th grade and is a cheerleader and told me last night that she will also be trying out for volleyball...she is a total social butterfly!

Just think...in a few years I'll be writing about my little one and how much she has grown and her very 1st day of school.


TO ALL OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE TEACHERS...
A new year has begun...it's a fresh start! Depending on what grade you are teaching or counseling you might have a few tears shed in the next few weeks...it will pass, it always does. Keep your head up cause CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! (lol) I have so much respect for all of you and all that you do! Just get ready, in a few years you just might have my little one in your class raising hell...don't call me when it happens, just threaten to call me, it works, I promise. Just kidding, she'll be good! Have a wonderful year and remember they are only kids...don't let them get the best of you.
(They only reason I give advice is because my sisters and I have all lived it for 30 years with our Mother)

BLACK & PINK

A huge thanks to a few people from the bar...I received some wonderful gifts today! First, I must tell you that this picture does the gifts no justice what so ever! I have my camera with me everyday and for some reason, this morning, I decided that I didn't need it. I had to use my stupid little camera phone and it made me sick! (I think the lighting in the office is bad too)

Anyway, all of the wrapping was done in pink and black and was beautiful! It was explained to me that the Pink is for the precious baby coming into this world and the black is the mourning of the life I'm losing! Freakin' hilarious THOUGH INCREDIBLY TRUE! I wish everyone had been there to see me open the gifts but I couldn't wait! Will was next door doing hair, Sheryl and Tristine were working, so it was just me and Cliff. He saw how excited I was so I'm sure he'll spread the word! Every last thing I got was something that the baby needs and I'm sure they'll be put to good use! The jumpster is going to be a life saver, and a portable highchair so when she goes to have lunch with me in restaurants she has her own little seat. Pacifiers are a must as are the little nightgowns and baby monitor. Cliff said its the best monitor in the world because it has a 2000 sq ft range. (I don't know..I'm still learning about all of this stuff)

I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND SO DOES THE BABY!

FINALLY...I'M REGISTERED

Do any of you know how long it takes to walk around a HUGE baby store and register? You have to look at EVERY nipple for EVERY bottle in EVERY color. Talk about a complete nightmare! Don't get me wrong, the first hour was great, the 2nd was fine, but the 3rd and final hour I wanted to get inside the cart and get pushed around the store! (I think I would have broke the cart) Anyway, I know that I will TOTALLY appreciate everything I receive but it was an absolute beating to get to this point. Patty and the girls came to help for about an hour and they got me started in the right direction. After that Renner and I were on our own looking at stuff with NO CLUE. It was funny to walk around aimlessly trying to figure out the next thing we would need to add. Is this just how it is the first time that new mom's and dad's register? Or are we just two dummies without a clue? Are you suppose to put breast feeding pumps on the registry, it seems kinda gross, but I did it anyway?! It doesn't matter I don't think, but just so all of you know, I felt uncomfortable asking for something that is going to be attached to my breasts :) I can't help but to laugh even thinking about it!


COMPLIMENTS...
I love that everyone keeps telling me that I look like I have either already had the baby, or am just 2 or 3 months along. I don't believe anyone when they tell me, but it still makes me feel better. I always tell them, "My stomach may be small for being 5 months pregnant but my ass and legs have gained all of the weight." I get a good laugh out them because I think they agree once I point it out! When I am turned to my side I can tell that there is a slight baby bump and it makes me feel good cause I can't see how big the rest of me is. So, for all of you that want to see my belly growing, it is, just not a whole bunch. That's not where all the action is... I'm not about to start taking pictures of my big booty and legs :) Hopefully, my belly and breasts stay as small as possible so that I may be able to avoid stretch marks. Doubtful, very doubtful!

I can't wait for December 16Th to get here...3 months and 3 weeks to go and I can start sleeping on my stomach again(I think my sleeping days are just gone for good) and I won't have to pee 9 times in the middle of the night (get ready for it Erika!)

It's all worth it in the end, my little girl kicks me all of the time and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's one life's precious moments that nobody can ever take from me! I never understood the excitement and all of the fuss, its one of those things you just have to experience for yourself. I just wish it took a little bit less than 9 months!

5 MONTHS!

I have exciting news...not only do I feel the baby(that's been happening for awhile)everyone else can feel her too! Usually, nobody ever gets to feel her move because she only does it when I'm laying in my bed by myself. I totally love when she moves but I know that if I get up to say,"Hurry,come feel, she's moving!", she'll disappear into the abyss (my belly).

Well, Wednesday, she decided to come out and play while I was downstairs on the couch. Kelli put her freezing cold hands on my belly to feel her move. She sat for a minute and then totally started freaking out...she said, "Kate I felt the baby kick 3 times!" She got up almost grossed out (that's how I use to be) but totally excited! I wish I had it recorded...her facial expressions were absolutely PRICELESS! So, Mom decided to get in on it...(her hands were warm and cozy) She touched just right and moved me around a little and then she smiled and said, "she's definitely there!"
FINALLY...IT HAPPENED! It's such a neat feeling, I want to share it with everyone!

I've also started this nesting thing...
I cleaned the baby's bathroom from 12am to 3am. It was not even that dirty but I scrubbed every last corner! I don't think I needed to do it so soon, but I had to put the new baby paper on the bottom of all the cabinets. (they smell like honeysuckle, love it!) The nursery would almost be 100% finished but the crib has a corner on it that isn't finished to my satisfaction, so we have to wait patiently for another piece to come in. Pat and I are so into INSTANT GRATIFICATION that it's killing us to see it resting on the wall in pieces. It's not like we don't have another 4 months to get it set up...we're horrible, I know!

My next little dilemma: I have 3 different styles of sheets to put on the crib, I knew a month ago exactly what I wanted and now, I'm not so sure. So, all three sheet sets are so pretty and I can do so much with all of them, which is exactly my problem. One day I think, OK, I'm using this one for sure and the next I've changed my mind. OH, I have such big problems...just kidding! I'm sure I'll figure it out soon and put a picture of what I've decided to stick with up for all to see.

Last but certainly not least,
I was reading my What to Expect When You're Expecting (great book) and it says that the baby can hear now and she is starting to recognize different voices. So, to make sure she knows how horrible I sing, on the way to and home from work everyday I've been singing out loud in my car. I constantly have to change the station cause I feel stupid when I don't know all the words to a song but I really don't think she knows the difference.
Also, last night I turned on my little IPOD and put the headphones on my belly. I stuck one in my belly button and one underneath the seam of my pajamas(so they would stay) and played my relaxing mix for her. She listened to some Michael Buble(a song for you), Wham (careless whisper), George Strait(baby blue)and John Mayer(daughters). She did do a little bit of kicking, but I'm not sure if it was the music or me laying down in our favorite spot. Hopefully, this will help her to love a variety of music before she's even born!

I'M HALFWAY THROUGH! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!

GREAT DAY...GREAT NEWS

Today, Dr. Albert confirmed that the baby's little heart is perfect! He also confirmed that she is definately a girl. We were so excited to hear all the great news that he told us...
10 fingers
10 toes
no cleft palate
all 4 chambers in her heart
no down sydrome &
no spina biffeda

(I'm sure there is more but my memory is pretty bad these days)



Patty went with us this time and Renner purchased a dvd(it was only 5 bucks...pretty cheap). I'm not sure how much of it we'll understand but at least we have it to show Kristen when she gets older.

So, now it's totally time to register and buy a ton of little frilly pink stuff. What I mean by that is...some Cowboy stuff in pink :) I'm not much of a pink person when it comes to modifying professional team colors. I believe in wearing the colors that the team wears, but when it comes to the baby I think I'll be able to handle it. However, I will NOT be wearing any pink jerseys.



Hopefully, in the next few days we'll be getting ready to go to San Antonio for a Laura's birthday. Craig and I will be able to go see the Cowboys practice in the Alamo dome if we make it on time. From what I hear the resort is pretty awesome so if we don't get to go I'm sure I'll be fine floating on the lazy river :)

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

Here she is...18 weeks and 1 day! Her little bitty head is to the left. And her hand is (obviously) on the right and kinda upside down. This doesn't show that she's a girl but I thought this was the best picture the nurse took. You can actually tell that it's a hand...every other picture is one big blur...you can't really understand them unless you were in the room to see the baby moving. Oh, she is so cute, isn't she?! She weighs 8 oz and is getting bigger by the day! :)

This morning Hunter, Renner and I went to Dr. Boyd's office for my check up and of course the most important sonogram. The baby's heart rate was 126 and the nurse looked and looked but there was no clear indication that there is a baby boy is growing inside of me. It was so hard for her to see anything because the baby was constantly moving, and not just a little...a TON! She also told us not to paint everything pink because you never know for sure.

I know for sure she's a girl and it's time to finish decorating!!

Right now, one of the most important things is a heart that is working properly. The nurse couldn't see all four chambers of the heart because she couldn't keep the baby still long enough to get a good shot. As far is Dr. Boyd is concerned, the heart is just fine. However, we will be going to see our specialist, Dr. Albert, next week to make sure everything is where it needs to be. Until then, I'm going to try not to worry and really focus on keeping myself busy!

Oh...my due date keeps changing! We're 4 days closer to the date that I thought it would be.

WAITING PATIENTLY...

My driver Andy & Les

TIGERS VS. BULLS

CHAMPIONS OF THE 2007 BATTLE OF THE MAMMALS




As if everyone didn't already know...I will find out Monday what I'm having(keeping my fingers crossed)! I have never been so excited in my entire life! This has literally kept me up at night...the suspense is absolutely KILLING me! The past 2 weeks have been the worst because we're slowly putting the nursery together and I have a whole lot of blue stuff and some pink stuff and I can't decorate with either yet. Pat is so sure that it's a boy and I was too at first but now I'm totally confused!...We know what Tabby is having but I'm not sure if it's a secret so I'm not telling, sorry. You'll have to ask her if you're curious :) Anyway, I'm totally nesting and dying to really put the final touches up in the room and can't. So, to keep myself busy I have been working a little bit more and visiting with some of our regulars and of course spending time with my favorite girls in the world!



I was the official photographer for The Annual Battle of the Mammals Golf Tournament. My door man Andy drove me around in our golf cart for 3 hours so that we could watch and take pictures of all of our regulars. The Moose and The Pig tied and after a tie breaker THE MOOSE BAR & GRILL took the Championship! I'm totally playing next time...and drinking some beer too! They had SOOOO much fun!



Renner and I went to a Ranger game on the 4th of July. I didn't really want to go because I was in the middle of putting a bassinet together but I forced myself to leave. We beat the Angels, I got my cheese fries and it was the best fireworks show of all time. We went and had lunch yesterday and I don't think there are 2 people in the world that have ever been more excited than we are! He asked me what my gut instinct was and I told him a girl! We'll see!

Swimming with the girls is pretty much a regular thing for me. (if it's not raining) Some days I swim more than others but I think that any exercise helps. My skin has a nice bronze glow but don't worry I don't stay out in the sun for too long...I get really hungry and its time to go home :) I have nicknamed myself "The Fat Kid" and the girls get a kick out of it. After swimming the other day we went to an FC soccer game. (compliments of my Miller Lite Reps...love them and miss their beer terribly) We had a blast and ate a bunch of different stuff and took some really silly pictures. Frisco lost but it's ok because it was to the Tigers (Mexico) so, either way you look at it...WE WON!

So, by Monday, there will definately be a new little posting on MySpace! I'm not sure if I'll be telling everyone or keeping it a secret?!

GETTING EXCITED!

I thought that this was a really cute cartoon! I'm not quite this far along but I can see where she is coming from. OK...here's the story:

When greeting people in the past I have usually been very friendly and never been weird about giving or receiving hugs. I have this "thing" now...I hate for people to touch me. I was never like this before and I know its all because of the baby. Now, it could be my hormones or it could be me being protective of my stomach or it could be both, but I think I can blame this one on Renner. Here's a little background for my reasoning...Before Renner and I even started seeing each other I would mess with him and give him hugs and rub his back because I knew he couldn't stand for people to touch him...I thought it was pretty funny to see him squirm anytime I got near him. I have never known anyone like this so I just thought he wasn't an affectionate type of guy. Obviously, once we got to know each other a little better he became more hands on, it took awhile for him to even hold my hand. I, on the other hand, love to give hugs and get my backed rubbed or my hair played with. This baby is already like him and its barely 4 months old.

(There is one little person that touches my belly and I think it's the cutest thing ever) With her tiny five year old hand Laura touches my belly, and with her best baby talk voice she gets her lips as close as she can and says things like, "Hi, little baby waby", or "You're such a cute little baby", or "I hope you're a baby girl". Yes, she wants a little girl cousin so she can teach her everything that she knows! I think it's the cutest thing I have ever seen.

DOCTOR UPDATE

I will not be changing my Dr.

After I calmed down a bit I asked nicely what her plans were after she had her baby. Dr. B. said she would only be gone for two weeks and would only be returning to see her pregnant patients. I can't believe she will be gone for such a short time! Once she is back she will be spending all of her time with ONLY the preggos. I think that is a great idea...more attention for me! I told her I saw my belly move and she seemed very skeptical but I'm telling you...IT MOVED! July 16th is the day we find out the sex of the baby, I CAN'T WAIT! Then, I finally get to start buying all the cute little things I see in all the baby stores, I hate waiting!

Oh, I got myself this incredible pillow...it's for expectant mothers and its the best thing ever! The first night I used it I hated it! I thought I wasted my money and then after getting use to it, I don't know how I've ever slept without it. It has 10 different positions it can be put in, I haven't used all of them yet but I'm sure they all come in pretty handy! Who would have ever thought I would rave about something as a simple as a pillow?! Its amazing how hard it is to find a comfortable position to get into when the one you're use to using is no longer an option! It will even be useful after the baby is born...best investment ever!

IT'S A MOVER AND A SHAKER

Thursday (6/14), I saw my stomach move for the first time. I was laying in the bath tub and in a split second my tummy jumped in one little spot. I could hardly believe it and I just kept staring to see if the baby would do it again...didn't happen. I couldn't wait to share the experience with everyone. I was worried at first that it was just gas but I don't think that gas can make your stomach jump. So, Saturday, to show my family the exact spot that it happened in, I lifted up my shirt and to my surprise the baby was moving again. My mom and sister noticed right away and were pretty shocked that at 4 months a baby can be so noticeable. It's nothing that I can feel but its so cool to see it move all over the place. Last night was the best because my entire family was celebrating Father's day and they all got to witness it. (except for Hunter...she's kinda blind) Tab and Lance were excited for things to look forward and not just nausea and heartburn. We are all really starting to believe I'm farther along than I even thought. Another baby appointment again today...I will be changing Dr's soon...mine is 25 weeks pregnant. She failed to tell me two months ago and I thought that was pretty unfair. She'll be on maternity leave when I deliver the baby and I would prefer to have a Dr. considerate enough to tell me that they'll be gone more than half of my pregnancy. Anyone know of any good Dr.'s in the Dallas area?

PEANUTS, ANYONE?

Ranger game fun on June 10th
This past Sunday was date night for Renner and I. We went to the Ranger game and if any of you know me, I'm not a huge baseball fan(it's like watching the grass grow).However, it was great excercise for me(for him too) and the food was a pregnant woman's fantasy. We sat with a wonderful group of people that made us laugh the entire time and it was fun to watch all the kids around us keep themselves entertained. Renner got us perfect seats and was inches away from catching a foul ball Sosa hit (he was trying to block it from hitting me). We stayed until the end...I think it ended up being thirteen innings! It was a long game but it was fun. I can't wait to go again, they have the best cheese fries in the world!(my mouth is watering)

Oh, I also broke down and bought some green and yellow baby stuff, mom said I shouldn't do that, I'll jinx myself...I don't care, I'm just so excited!

Dr. visit #3
Just to let everyone know...I don't think that I'll end up writing about every visit we make to the dr.,that could get very boring. However, these last few have been very important. Yesterday, we sat in the Dr.'s office for an hour and a half before we could be seen. Once we were taken to the back I realized that this was not going to be a regular visit. After we listened to the babies heart beat (heart rate 142), I had two or three samples of my cervix taken(HORRIBLE PAIN). Dr. B. said that all the samples she took are pre cancerous...I am scared about the outcome, just more excited about the baby. I'll know in a week what the results are. Anyway, when the nurse found the heartbeat (142) I have never seen Renner more excited when she stated she thought it was a boy. Now, its not accurate but in theory a boy's heartbeat is much slower than a girl's. I have another appointment next week and hopefully it will be a little more relaxing.

The Parents & 2nd Dr. visit

OK, so here we are as babies. One of us has a few more rolls than the other, and one has quite a bit of an egg head. Can you tell which one is me? I think the eyes give it away!
2ND Dr. Visit:
Renner and I went to a specialist yesterday and had an ultrasound. It was so painful but worth it...I love seeing the baby in action. The heart rate while it was moving was at 195. The Dr. said it was safe to say the normal heart rate would probably be about 160. He couldn't tell the sex and we were a little disappointed, but we'll live. Renner is sure now that its a girl, but I don't think he cares either way. Our next appointment is the second week of June and hopefully we will find out then. Kiki has convinced me that a little boy will be just as good as a girl. Not that it mattered, I just have no clue how to take care of a little boy. (I know, I know with each day I'll learn something new.) I'm finally starting to show and my stomach is so hard. It's getting more and more difficult to sleep on my stomach and for the last week when I wake up in the morning I'm in my back. (Oh, Tabby and Lance are having one baby and they are so happy. Two babies would have been nuts.) Evita...I don't know how you have done it. (Tia Ludy too)

My History

A little bit of background...
In January of 2004 I became very ill and was rushed to the Dr. I had horrible cramping and it felt as if someone was stabbing ever inch of my body. (not normal) After going to a neurologist we find out that I was bleeding internally. I had a cyst that had ruptured in my ovaries and within minutes I was at Trinity Medical waiting to go into surgery. My entire family was there and tears were rolling down their faces when they wheeled me off to surgery. I couldn't figure out why everyone was so upset but the pain had been so bad that I just wanted it fixed, I didn't care what was going on around me and I barely comprehended what the 5 Dr.'s around me were saying. Once I got out everyone was waiting for me and I couldn't do much but talk about the pink elephants in the room.(morphine rocks) Later that night I received 3 blood transfusions and stayed in the hospital for another week and in bed for another 6 weeks. Once I was semi healed my family started telling me bits and pieces of what had happened. Before surgery the Dr. 's told my family that they might have to do a total hysterectomy if they had been too damaged. (that obviously didn't happen) The last thing that was said was she may never have children, her chances are less than 1%. So, imagine my surprise two weeks ago! I am blessed and we (both families) are very excited to bring a little baby Renner into the world.

So, those of you that may read my baby blog that don't know me very well should now understand the signifigance of this surprise. It means the world to me and everyone around me. We weren't trying for a baby but now that we have one we're SUPER excited. (Renner freaks out about stupid stuff, but...he'll come around)