The Villalpandos

Goodbye Bloggy Blog Blog!

2009-12-14T15:36:00.000-06:00

I started a new blog at http://www.thevillalpandofam.blogspot.com/.

Want to know why? Go to the new blog to find out!

(I will not be updating on this blog anymore! Sorry!)

31 weeks

2009-12-14T11:58:00.000-06:00

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Belly Pic - 30 weeks (3 days)

2009-12-12T19:31:00.000-06:00

When John took this picture and was reviewing it on the camera to make sure that it came out good the first thing he said was "You're gonna freak!" Hahahaha!

I couldn't believe how big my belly looked! I mean... there is a little person in there! Crazy!

8 POUNDS!

2009-12-11T09:18:00.000-06:00

No, that is not the size of Baby Villalpando right now! Hee hee!

I went for my 30 week appointment on Wednesday and everything was pretty routine.

Pee in cup - check
Blood pressure - check
Weighing in - check

So as I am talking to the nurse I ask her how much I have gained or haven't gained. Because you know that everytime I have gone to the doctor I haven't gained any weight. Well the nurse said "You've gained 8 pounds since your last appointment and 7 pounds the entire pregnancy."

Wait! 8 POUNDS! My last appointment was 2 weeks ago! I've gained 8 pounds in two weeks?! Now don't get me wrong... I was happy that I gained something! But I was a little worried that I had gained so much in such a short period of time.

So when Dr. T came in we talked about the weight gain and she said that since I haven't gained anything this whole pregnancy she was very happy with the weight gain! Whew! Made me feel better! She said everything looks great! Baby is growing great! Heartbeat was in the low 150s!

Ok... see you in two weeks Dr. T!

Blog Nightmare!

2009-12-07T16:44:00.002-06:00

Update: Ok. I fixed it! Whew!

I know the blog is totally jacked up right now. Working on it!

30 weeks

2009-12-07T11:19:00.000-06:00

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

I will just go ahead and add details about our trip to Labor & Delivery yesterday. Well lately Jocelyn has been very active. I feel her throughout the day and she is feisty! She likes my right ribs alot. Well on Friday and Saturday I noticed that she was really quiet. Not moving as much as she normally does. So I called the doctor on Sunday morning and he told me to come in so I can get an ultrasound.

We get to the BRAND NEW labor & delivery floor at the hospital (fantastic by the way!) and we check in. They put us in a room and hook me up to the fetal monitors. We get to hear her heartbeat for the next few hours (true.love.) and track her movements. The nurse said that I had a few contractions but nothing to be alarmed about. I didn't even feel them.

So at around 4:30 (4 hours after we get there) we go down for the ultrasound. Everything looks great! According to the ultrasound and her measurements she is weighing in at 4 lbs 2 oz. Big girl! John asked the ultrasound technician if her due date was still accurate and she said that according to her measurements and the dates of my last period that her due date would be February 2! Now... this was our original due date but it was changed to February 14 after seeing the baby at the first ultrasound. So I will be asking my OB at my next appointment on Wednesday about this. I think we will just be ready around Feb 2 just to be on the safe side.

So after 7 hours in the hospital it turns out that Baby Girl was just sleepy and everything looks great! I was glad that we went in because I needed to make sure she was ok. I NEEDED it. And we got pre-registered already so when we arrive in February we just have to say "we're here!" (sort of).

So that's it! :)

Stuff learned/noticed since becoming pregnant...

2009-12-03T12:02:00.000-06:00

I really have to take it day by day.

I have to expect the unexpected.

I have to be completely selfless.

Food cravings takes on a whole new meaning.

I have to make more time for the smallest tasks... like shaving my legs.

I have to get used to people asking me how I am feeling every day.

I have to accept that strangers will touch my belly.

The toilet was my best friend for a few weeks (or months).

Tums are lifesavers.

The sweetest sound I have heard so far is the beat of my daughter's heart.

My personal space is totally violated with the little person in my belly. (But I like it!)

I have to sleep with a minimum of six pillows.

I will never take forgranted sleeping on my stomach again.

Maternity clothes are awesome.

I didn't think I was a very impatient person but I cannot wait to meet my daughter!

It's ok to ask for help.

I can't imagine being pregnant during the summer.

The sweetest sight is John's hand on my belly.

When I am hungry... I. Am. HUNGRY!

My whole life is about to change... and I can't wait!

Belly Pic - 29 weeks

2009-12-01T19:25:00.001-06:00

I feel huge! And I still have 11 weeks to go! But at least I know that Jocelyn is growing!

And just for fun... here is the first belly pic I ever posted on the blog:

My how we have grown!

29 weeks

2009-12-01T11:24:00.000-06:00

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Happy Birthday Dingy Doo!

2009-11-30T08:00:00.002-06:00

Oh how can I put into words how much I love this little boy:

I guess I shouldn't call him "little". He is 11 years old! This child has brought more joy into my life than I ever thought possible. I love him with all my heart!

Dingy Doo,

I can't believe you are already 11 years old! It seems like yesterday that you were only 3 and you were stripping off your clothes like a little Tarzan and running around the house naked! :) I am so proud of you and I hope this birthday is a great one!

Thank you for being such a great little brother! I couldn't ask for a better one! You make me so happy! I love you so much!

Happy Birthday Dingy!

Love,
Your Dingy Doo

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T10:14:00.000-06:00

I have so much to be thankful for.

I am so blessed.

Enough said.

Hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving!

Pregnancy Survey - 28 Weeks

2009-11-24T11:18:00.000-06:00

How far along: 28w1d
Total weight gain: Zilch, nada, zero!
Maternity clothes: Yup! The belly is growing!
Sleep: Getting a little more uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: Getting my test for GD over!
Movement: She likes to kick my ribs. A lot.
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None!
Belly button: Still in. Let's hope it stays that way because the thought of it "popping" freaks John out!
What I miss: Good sleep.
Food cravings this week: Cranberries!
Milestones: Making it to the 3rd trimester!!

I had a Dr appt this morning. I drank the liquid for the GD test and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. It tasted like flat orange soda and it was cold so that helped a lot. The hard part was drinking all of it in 5 minutes. But I got it down and didn't even feel sick afterwards! Yes! I should get the results on Monday. Let's pray I passed!

Dr. said everything looks great. I still haven't gained any weight but my belly is growing and that means Jocelyn is growing! My Dr. isn't worried about me not gaining weight. She said as long as I'm eating. And believe me... I'm eating!

I start going to the Dr. every 2 weeks now until 36 weeks and then I will go every week. We have pre-registered at the hospital already. All we have to do is sign some papers.

Before we know it... she'll be here!!!!

28 weeks = Third Trimester!

2009-11-23T08:00:00.001-06:00

We're roundin' third! On our way to home plate!

We've made it to the third trimester! Can you believe it? 12 more weeks (give or take) and I will be holding my sweet little girl! I cannot wait! I feel like I've been waiting for that moment my whole life!

Anyways! Here are some fun things (ok not all of them are fun) that happen in the third trimester:

I get to take the wonderful test for gestational diabetes! Pray that I pass!
We start our childbirth classes on Nov 30! We will go every Monday night for 3 weeks!
I might start feeling some Braxton Hicks contractions.
Baby showers!
Doctor appointments every two weeks instead of every four.
All baby girl's bones are accounted for now! (Week 29)
I will probably start to waddle!
Getting the nursery finished!
And saving the best for last... meeting our daughter!

28 weeks

2009-11-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Jocelyn's Nursery - Part 1

2009-11-16T18:58:00.000-06:00

We have started getting Jocelyn's room ready! We decided to go with white furniture and I had a hard time picking out the bedding but I love what we got. Thanks to Yia Yia (my mom) for purchasing the bedding set for us! And thank you to John's granny who purchased the dresser and the matching changing table that we love! We are so blessed by our family!

Daddy did a good job at putting everything together!

Sam had to make sure that John was doing it right!

Ta da!!!!

Thank you Mom for the beautiful bedding! It is perfect for our little girl!

Thank you Granny for the dresser and changing table! It is exactly what we pictured for our daughter's nursery!

We love both of you so so much!!!

27 weeks

2009-11-16T13:50:00.000-06:00

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Something else that is exciting about this week: Week 27 is the last week of the second trimester!

Belly Pic - 26 weeks

2009-11-14T17:32:00.001-06:00

26 weeks

2009-11-10T14:19:00.000-06:00

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Another exciting milestone for her: her eyes are starting to open!!!

Closer to meeting you...

2009-11-10T14:07:00.000-06:00

Dearest daughter,

Even though sometimes I feel like the weeks are creeping by I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that you will be here in 14 short weeks. It is even crazier to think that you could make an appearance sooner than that!

I'm feeling you move more and more in my belly. It makes me sad sometimes that your Daddy can't feel you as much as I can but it makes me feel honored to be carrying you. Honored to be your mother.

There are times when I feel so many emotions at once that it just makes me want to cry. I think about how wonderful it will be to finally meet you. You have already blessed my life so much! You have made me realize the true joy in life and you have fulfilled my dream of being a mommy. If ever I was born to do something I know it was to be a mother. Thank you, precious one, for making this dream come true.

I may not know what or who you will look like and I may not know if you will have my patience or your daddy's ambition but I do know that you were wonderfully made just as you are. And I will love you forever.. just as you are.

I can't imagine loving you more than I do now but I just know that when I meet you and finally see you my heart will grow even more! I can't wait to have you in my arms! I'm so glad you are mine!

I love you!

Mommy

First Fest 2009

2009-11-08T09:47:00.000-06:00

Me, John and Jake headed to First Fest and had such a good time! There was so much for Jake to do and he had a blast! And to top it all off we got to see Sergio, Laura and precious Matteo!!

After First Fest we worked up an appetite so we went and ate some sushi!

Such a fun evening!

Belly Pic - 25 weeks

2009-11-08T09:34:00.001-06:00

25 weeks

2009-11-03T10:09:00.002-06:00

What's going on with baby: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

What's going on with Mommy: Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

Doctor Update and Survery Time

2009-10-29T09:07:00.004-05:00

I had my 24 week doctor appointment yesterday! I have gained 3 pounds! Dr. T measured my belly and we are right on track with 24 inches! Perfect! (FYI...Your belly is supposed to measure the same for the week you are in.) Before we saw the doctor the nurse used the Doppler to hear Joc's heartbeat and she put the COLD gel on my belly and my little girl DID NOT like that! (I have a feeling we have a feisty little girl on our hands!) She started moving immediately. But it was so cool because we could HEAR her movements! That's a first for us! So cool! Her heart was beating strong at 154! My next appointment will be in 4 weeks and I will be doing the dreaded test for gestational diabetes! Dun Dun Duuuuun!

Survey Time:
How far along: 24w4d
Total weight gain: 3 pounds!
Maternity clothes: Oh yes! So comfy!
Sleep: Still good! I sleep pretty hard!
Best moment this week: Hearing her move on the Doppler
Movement: Every day! She is still active at night but it starting to get really active around mid-morning.
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None!
Belly button: Still in but it is getting more shallow.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach!!!
Food cravings this week: Sushi.
Milestones: Hearing her on the Doppler!

One more thing (so that I have record of this and always remember it)... last night we laid in bed and she started moving A LOT and she must have been angry that Mommy laid done! She was kicking and pushing up against the right side of my belly. Now John has only felt her 3 times and he has been dying to feel her again but she has been a little stubborn (like her Daddy :)) and every time John puts his hand on my belly she stops moving! Well last night John was able to feel her kick multiple times and when he put his face on my belly to talk to her she kicked him in the head! So cute! John was so proud! :) Oh I love this little girl so much!

What a Man, What a Man...

2009-10-27T20:36:00.003-05:00

I expressed in a previous post just how hard this pregnancy has been for me.

I just have to say that I would not be able to take it day by day if it weren't for my a-ma-zing husband. He has been so wonderful through all of this. He has seen me at my worst in this pregnancy and he has been such a sweetheart. It takes a real man to hold his wife's hair when she is puking in the toilet or to stop everything he is doing at 10 o'clock at night and go to the store because his pregnant wife is craving angel food cake and come back with angel food cake AND strawberries and whip cream to put on top of it! John has shown such a new and protective love since I got pregnant. He is always making sure that I feel fine and that the baby is ok. I know he is going to be such a great daddy! He has not once complained about having to do a little extra and he hasn't once hesitated when I asked him to do something. I love him so much and I am so thankful for him!

Belly Pic - 24 weeks

2009-10-27T20:07:00.002-05:00

Close up:

My bump, my bump, my lovely little bump!

Spiritual Momentum

2009-10-27T10:23:00.007-05:00

Amy shared something this morning in our staff meeting that really spoke to me and more or less convicted me. I wanted to share some of it with you.

First let me share this scripture with you:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12: 1-3

Momentum is defined as forward force or speed of movement.

So let me ask you... what do you want to do 5 years from now?
That's an easy answer for me. When Amy asked this I didn't even have to think twice about it.
I want to be a stay at home mom with my child(ren).

She then asked... what can you do today to contribute to your future vision?
This question wasn't as easy to answer. It took me a while to think about it.
The one thing that I can do is PRAY. Pray that God would provide for us in a way that would allow me to stay at home. And pray that God would provide John with not just a job that supports us but a job that will make him happy.

Three things to do Today:
1. Find strength from those who have gone before.
Find someone that has been through what you are trying to accomplish. I have a very dear friend (you know who you are) that kept faith in the Lord and trusted that He would provide for her and her family and He totally did in amazing. amazing ways!!! I find strength in her story and I find strength in her!
2. Do something to defeat your dark side.

Psalm 139 - The Lord knows everything about you.

Nothing is hidden from his sight.

My dark side is the lack of faith that I put in God. My flesh wants to believe what the world is telling me about this plummeting economy. Instead I need to turn to the Lord and trust Him. How can I not trust Him? Reading His word there are multiple reminders about his guidance:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord 'plans to prosper you and to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Jeremiah 29:11

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm"

Psalm 37:23

"In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps."

Psalm 16:9

"but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Proverbs 1:33

3. Do something only you can do.

You're the only one that can care for yourself.

You're the only one who can be a wife to your husband or a mother to your child.

You're the only one who can stay broken before God.

This particular thing is the one that got me. It's the one that put a dagger in my heart and twisted it. I'm the only one that can stay broken before God. I'm the only one that can pick up that Bible and read His Word every day for myself. I'm the only one that can open my own heart to Him. No one can do it for me. I'm the only one to blame.

The best thing that can happen for your life

is for you to know Christ intimately.

I am definitely not as good as explaining things like Amy is but I hope that you can make something out of this mess that I just posted. Whether it be to face your dark side or find strength, I hope that you get something out of this like I did.

First Fest

2009-10-27T09:47:00.003-05:00

Do you have plans for Halloween?

Want to do something extra fun with the family?

Come out to Houston's First and enjoy a fun evening with activities like

mini-coaster, petting zoo, pony rides, dunking booths and many, many more!

Plus all the candy you can eat!

Saturday, October 31

4-8pm

Guests of Houston's First are FREE!

For more information click here! Hope to see you out there!

24 weeks

2009-10-26T10:31:00.002-05:00

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing 'branches' of the respiratory 'tree' as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Heart to Heart

2009-10-22T13:27:00.002-05:00

I just have to say

that being pregnant has been

the hardest thing I've ever done.

I seriously have to take

it day-by-day.

One day could be totally different

than the next.

Physically.

Emotionally.

Mentally.

As hard and as different as

it may be,

one thing stays the same

and comes quite easily...

I LOVE my daughter.

I LOVE this little person

growing in my belly.

I've never felt love like this before.

LOVE.

With all my heart.

Belly Pic - 23 weeks

2009-10-20T19:52:00.002-05:00

Laura has been asking me for about a week for a belly pic so here it is! I feel like I've grown a lot in the past couple of weeks. That means that my little girl must be growing too! :)

Overall I've been feeling pretty good. I'm still queasy almost every morning but it's tolerable. The only thing I could do without are the migraines. When I get one of those I am down for the count. But other than that everything is good!

Happy Birthday Baby Sister!

2009-10-17T07:00:00.005-05:00

Today my baby sister turns 21! I can't believe it! I am so proud of her! And I just love her so much. She is my best friend and she is the reason I love being a big sister!

Danielle,

Happy Birthday! I hope it is an awesome one for you! I love you so much! Thank you for being such a great baby sister!

Love,

Jess

One Word

2009-10-09T08:36:00.006-05:00

My wonderful friend, Laura, tagged me and gave me an award!

Rules:
1. You can only use one word.
2. Pass this along to six (or whatever) of your favorite bloggers.
3. Alert them that you have given them this award.
4. Have fun!

The Survey:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Your hair? Pony

3. Your mother: Amazing!

4. Your father: Funny!

5. Your favorite food? Fruit

6. Your dream last night? Interesting

7. Your favorite drink? Cold

8. Your dream/goal? Mother

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? Books

11. Your fear? Failure

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Journey

13. Where were you last night? Bed

14. Something that you aren't? Bitter

15. Muffins? Blueberry

16. Wish List item? Her

17. Where did you grow up? H-Town

18. Last thing you did? Eat

19. What are you wearing? Clothing

20. Your TV? Work

21. Your pets? Hairy

22. Friends? Awesome

23. Your life? Perfect!

24. Your mood? Good

25. Missing someone? Yes

26. Vehicle? Dependable

27. Something you're not wearing? Jacket

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? All

30. When was the last time your laughed? Last night

31. Last time you cried? Last night

32. Your best friend? Sister

33. One place that I go over and over? Dream

34. One person who emails me regularly? Mom

35. Favorite place to eat? OG (Olive Garden)

That was fuuuuuun! :)

Ok. I tag:

Mia, Theresa, Becky, Dana and Beth Moore (<-- kidding!)

heehee!

Pregnancy Milestone

2009-10-05T13:27:00.002-05:00

I've hit another pregnancy milestone! I may have hit this a few weeks ago but I didn't notice it until last night.

I was in the shower and I looked down at my growing belly and thought "Where are my feet?!" Y'all my belly is now covering up my feet when I look down. How cool is that?!

I posted a picture so you can see for yourself!

See... no feet to be found! :)

21 weeks

2009-10-05T08:31:00.002-05:00

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

And she shall be called...

2009-10-01T09:57:00.007-05:00

Our daughter has a name!

We have decided that her name will be

Jocelyn Danielle Villalpando

There are many reasons why we chose this name. A few are:

1. The meaning.

Jocelyn means "joyful". We know that she will be the joy of our lives.

Danielle means "God is my judge" and we want our daughter to know that she is a Daughter of the King.

2. The elegance.

We feel like Jocelyn Danielle is a very elegant and classy name.

And we want our daughter to be an elegant and classy girl!

3. At least to me... she feels like a Jocelyn.

I already know she is going to be beautiful so she needed a beautiful name!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him."

1 Samuel 1:27

Baby Survey #2

2009-09-30T12:17:00.006-05:00

How far along: 20.5 weeks
Total weight gain: ZERO
Maternity clothes: Pants, yes. Shirts, yes.
Sleep: Still comfortable as long as it's like 65 degrees.
Best moment this week: Finding out we are going to have a daughter!!
Movement: Every night! She is most active at night when we are laying in bed.
Gender: GIRL!
Labor signs: None! Ha-ha.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Nothing.
Food cravings this week: Jamba Juice.
Milestones: Finding out Baby V is a girl!!!

Just a quick update: Dr. T (my OB) said everything shown on the ultrasound was PERFECT! Baby looks great! All normal! She weighs in at 11 ounces. I haven't gained any weight but Dr. T. isn't worried at all. She says the baby looks great and to stick to my diet. We are still shooting for Valentine's Day. Yay!

Here are some pictures...

2009-09-30T09:45:00.003-05:00

of our DAUGHTER!!!

20 weeks (halfway there!)

2009-09-28T09:26:00.005-05:00

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the 'crown to rump' measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Rental Cars

2009-09-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

Background Info: John works at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. He rents out cars to people all day.

So last night I woke up around midnight with a weird pain on my left side and I roll over to wake John up.

So I am shaking him awake saying "John wake up!"

And he wakes up and says "Huh, what kind of rental car do you need?"

Hahahaha!

Oh great. I am going to go in to labor and he is going to ask me what kind of rental car I need?

We both laughed. A lot.

Halfway to meeting you...

2009-09-28T08:41:00.003-05:00

Dear Little One,

We are halfway to meeting you! The past 3 months or so (since we found out you were on your way) have been so wonderful. Everyone is so excited to meet you.

Mommy and Daddy have had many emotions over the past few months. We have been scared, excited, happy, anxious but above all... we feel so blessed. We know that God picked you out just for us and picked us out just for you. And that is amazing!

We will found out tomorrow whether you are our son or our daughter and let me tell you that we are thrilled either way. Whether you are a little boy or a little girl we feel so lucky to have you. We love you so much already!

There are so many things that I want to hold on to while you are in my tummy. I love feeling you practice your aerobics routine even if it is when I am trying to fall asleep. It puts a smile on my face every time! I love hearing your little heartbeat. It is the most wonderful sound I have ever heard. I love reading to you hoping that you are comforted by the sound of my voice. I love that, right now at this moment, you are mine. Just mine.

I can't wait to teach you things. Things about life and the world we live in. But above all, I can't wait to tell you about the love your Heavenly Father has for you. How His love will overpower any love you ever feel from anyone else in your life... even Mommy and Daddy.

We are so excited to meet you Little One! And we are so blessed that you are ours.

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy

Belly Pic - 19 weeks

2009-09-25T10:58:00.004-05:00

Technically I am 19 weeks and 4 days in this picture! Baby V sure is growing! :)

P.S. 4 more days until the BIG ultrasound!

Adios Summer!

2009-09-21T12:01:00.001-05:00

Today is the last day of summer! Summer is always fun but it is not one of my favorite seasons. It might be because we have fall and summer here in Houston. Those are our only two options most of the time.

This summer will always hold a special place in my heart! Of course, this is the summer that we found out we were expecting! John and I took a fabulous vacation to Florida! And we did a lot of fun stuff with our families!

Tomorrow marks the first day of fall and I can't wait to feel that nice northern wind that will hopefully stay for a while!

Adios Summer!

19 weeks

2009-09-21T10:15:00.003-05:00

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Almost halfway to meeting our little one!

25 Firsts

2009-09-16T14:44:00.005-05:00

This is floating around the blog world and it looks fun and gives me something to do! So I shall do it!

1. Who was your first prom date?: Hmm... well I only went to ONE prom and my first and only prom date was my husband! Of course at the time he wasn't my husband but God knew! ;) I will have to post a picture of our prom pose one day!

2. Do you still talk to your first love?: I get to talk to my first love every day! It's wonderful!

3. What was your first alcoholic drink?: I want to say that it was a Smirnoff.

4. What was your first job?: Kohl's Department Store! I worked there for about 6 months when I was 18 and then I started working at HFBC right after that and I've been here ever since!

5. What was your first car?: A Ford Focus. That I bought all by myself.

6. Who was the first person to text you today?: Theresa. She has been the only person that has texted me.

7. Who was the first person you thought of this morning?: My little one! Always on my mind!

8. Who was your first grade teacher?: I had to ask my mom about this one. I think it was Mrs. Reynolds.

9. Where did you go on your first flight in a plane?: Jamaica man! The summer of 2000.

10. Who was your first best friend and do you still talk?: I have no idea! For all I know it was my imaginary friend!

11. Where was your first sleepover?: I think at my friend Ashley's house in middle school.

12. Who was the first person you talked to today?: John

13. Whose wedding were you in for the first time?: I think it was one of my aunts.

14. What was the first thing you did this morning?: Brush my teeth. Or else I would've thrown up everywhere.

15. What was the first concert you went to?: I want to say it was N'Sync.

16. First tattoo?: My first and only tattoo I got a few years ago. My sister and I have identical tattoos on our feet.

17. First piercing?: Ears. Well I got one ear pierced when I was 3 and I wasn't havin' none of that so I went back 2 years later and got both of them pierced.

18. First foreign country you went to?: uhhhh

19. First movie you remember seeing?: a Disney one.

20. What state did you first live in?: I've only lived in Texas.

21. Who was your first roommate?: My husband. :)

22. When was your first detention:? That would be in middle school and I'm pretty sure it was from holding hands in the hallway.

23. When was your first kiss?: I think it was in middle school too.

24. What is one thing you would learn, given the chance?: To play the piano

25. Who will be the next person to post this?: Laura or Kelly or Mia because I tag them!

Belly Pic - 18 weeks

2009-09-16T14:38:00.001-05:00

I don't feel that comfortable posting the real belly pic because I look horrible! So this is what you get! :)

Countdown: 2 weeks!

2009-09-15T11:38:00.001-05:00

2 weeks

until we find out

boy or girl!

So excited!

18 weeks

2009-09-14T09:17:00.002-05:00

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Pregnancy Survey #1

2009-09-11T08:48:00.007-05:00

How far along: 17.5 weeks
Total weight gain: -3, but doctor says not to worry. I will gain it all back!
Maternity clothes: Pants, yes. Shirts, not yet.
Sleep: Still comfortable as long as it's like 65 degrees.
Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move!
Movement: Little flutters but I have to concentrate really hard to feel them.
Gender: 18 days until we find out!!
Labor signs: None! Ha-ha.
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Let's just say that I DON'T miss taking a vitamin every day.
Food cravings this week: Chinese!
Weekly wisdom: Need to get the nursery room clean!
Milestones: Feeling the baby move! :)

Milestone! (maybe)

2009-09-10T18:16:00.002-05:00

Ok so last night John and I went to the Astros game (they won! woo hoo!) and we were driving home and John placed his hand on my belly and I swear I felt the baby move. It was a little flutter on my lower right side.

Now it could have been one of two things:
1. I got butterflies because the love of my life was touching my belly where our child is.
2. It was our baby moving around in there!

Either way it was incredible!

And then on the way home from work today I felt the same thing! There is a little person in there! :)

A-MA-ZING!

My Halloween Costume

2009-09-10T15:59:00.005-05:00

If the baby is a boy:

If the baby is a girl:

Belly Pic - 17 weeks

2009-09-09T09:27:00.003-05:00

Sorry this picture is so blurry! It's the camera. We need a new one.

Anyways. Here is the belly at 17 weeks. I feel like I look huge!

Oldies but goodies

2009-09-09T09:22:00.001-05:00

Here are a few old pics from our trip to Florida. Little did we know that we were about to find out something that would change our lives forever! :)

3 weeks from today...

2009-09-08T15:59:00.002-05:00

we will find out if we are having a son or a daughter!

September 29 at noon!

BEYOND excited!!

17 weeks

2009-09-08T09:43:00.003-05:00

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Our 16 week appointment was last week and we got to hear our baby's heartbeat. It was strong and steady beating anywhere from 145-150. Unfortunately we didn't get to schedule our 20 week appointment (the BIG one!) because my doctor had TWO emergency c-sections to attend to and we weren't able to see her. But I am just glad we got to hear the HB.

It's crazy to think that in just 3 short weeks we will find out if we are having a son or a daughter and we will be half way to meeting our son or daughter! I can't wait!

Fall, is that you?

2009-09-02T10:44:00.002-05:00

Stepping outside in the mornings the past two days have made me want to grab a cup of coffee and a blanket and snuggle!

It's still been in the high 60s, low 70s but compared to 90s with humidity it's felt GREAT!

Fall is my favorite season. I love the cool weather. I love that anticipation of the upcoming holidays. I love the wardrobes. Unfortunately the first official day of fall isn't until September 23 but it's nice to get a taste of it.

This fall will be different than any other fall I have experienced in my 23 years of life. This fall I am a mother. Wow. Typing it makes it feel ever more real. I have felt so many emotions since finding out that I was going to be a mother. There have been a few moments where I just sit there and think "I am a mother and this is my child" while touching my belly. That is a crazy feeling. But a good one.

I look forward to this fall. To the changes that are ahead. I know that God is in everything.

16 weeks

2009-08-31T10:27:00.003-05:00

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

We have our 16 week appointment this Thursday! We will get to hear our baby's heartbeat again and schedule our 20 week appointment to find out the sex of our baby! Yay!

15 weeks

2009-08-24T09:07:00.002-05:00

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Some other fun stuff that I have read is that the baby can hear now! I know that the baby can hear my heartbeat now but I am not sure if the baby can hear voices from the outside! At 6 months the baby will be able to hear as good as we can!

We have our 16 week appointment next week and only 5 weeks until we find out if the baby is a boy or a girl! Yay!

You've got a friend in me...

2009-08-18T10:24:00.005-05:00

"Each friend represents a world in us,

a world possibly not born until they arrive,

and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

Anais Nin

This week a good friend of mine is leaving for college. Not just a good friend. One of my best. When I think of Mia two words pop into my head: beauty and strength. Both of which she does not give herself enough credit for.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Mia for a little over a year. She came to work at HFBC for the Children's Ministry and has been such a bright light in our office. She says that she was intimidated when she first came in... I don't know why! She fits right in. I gained so much more than a co-worker when she started working here. I gained a life long friend.

Over the past year I have seen Mia grow in so many ways. I have seen her stand up for herself. Stand up for her beliefs. Seen her relationship with the Lord develop. It's been amazing!

There are so many things I am going to miss about her. She has made some of my worst days better. She has been such an encourager to me. She may not believe it... but the way Mia has handled some of the trials in her life... have given me strength to fight some of the trials in my own.

Mia,

If I had to give you any advice while you start this new adventure it would be this...

Don't forget who you are, where you come from and what you believe in!

You are such a wonderful person, Mia. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Remember there is no one you need to please besides God! I know that you will do so well in college and I just want to tell you that I am so proud of you! Proud that you stood up for what you wanted and you didn't give up! You asked God to guide you and you followed His guidance!

I am going to miss you so incredibly much! You have been such a good friend. One of my best friends. I pray that you will find friends that love you like I do. ;) Thank you for being such a light in my life. Thank you for being honest with me. That's what makes you a good friend! You have such a good heart and you have so much to offer! Even though I am older and supposed to be wiser you have taught me so much about life. Thank you.

I know that this is not the end of our friendship but just the beginning. Just like your life... a new beginning! I wish you the best of luck Mia! I love you girl!

Love,

Jess

14 weeks

2009-08-17T09:21:00.002-05:00

Another week! In 6 weeks we will be able to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! So excited!

Not much has been going on that we have been able to notice but there is A LOT going on in my tummy:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

And I have to apologize. Last week I said that our baby was the size of a lemon but some websites said it is the size of a peach and others say the size of a medium shrimp. Either way our baby's size is going to vary. Let's just say that this week the baby is the size of a lemon.

Want to look back and see how much our baby has grown?
Check it out!

13 weeks
12 weeks
11 weeks
10 weeks
9 weeks
8 weeks
7 weeks

Hello second trimester!

2009-08-12T13:27:00.003-05:00

I am so glad you are here! This means that hopefully morning sickness is gone and I get some energy back! Woo hoo!

Some highlights to look forward to in the second trimester:

A baby bump!
The baby can hear and is comforted by my heart beat (15 weeks)
The baby may get it's first case of hiccups!
Because of those hiccups I should be able to feel the baby move! (16 - 22 weeks)
Birthing classes!
The halfway point to meeting our little one! (20 weeks)
The baby's sense of smell is present now! (20 weeks)
We get to find out if we are having a little boy or little girl! (20 weeks)

Yay for the second trimester!!!

13 weeks

2009-08-10T09:04:00.007-05:00

Another week. Another milestone.

I feel like morning sickness has subsided for the most part. As long as I snack throughout the day I feel much better. Still craving fresh fruit more than anything. (My mom craved fresh fruit when she was pregnant with me. Weird!)

I woke up on Saturday morning and realized that my belly was a little more popped out than normal. I thought it was probably bloating. But then on Sunday I realized that all my pre-pregnancy pants were way too tight and uncomfortable. So we had to go out and buy some maternity pants. I still don't know if this little belly is bloating or if it is a "real" pregnancy belly.

I am glad that we are almost out of the first trimester. I think it will help put me at ease a little bit because the chance of miscarriage goes down after the first trimester. Whew!

Other than the nausea that comes if I don't eat anything I feel really good! Fatigue hasn't hit me that hard and I still feel like I have energy. Headaches have intensified a little but as long as I take some medicine when I feel one coming on it goes away.

I am looking forward to the second trimester because I heard it was the most enjoyable! And we get to find out what the sex of the baby is! If my appointments stay consistent at every 4 weeks then I am guessing we will find out what the sex is on October 1! I. can't. wait.

Anyways! Here is what's going on with little bean this week:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, his/her veins and organs are clearly visible through his/her still-thin skin and his/her body is starting to catch up with his/her head - which makes up just a third of his/her body size now. If you're having a girl she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.

I have another appointment today and hopefully I can get a picture of our little one to show you!

Heart to Heart

2009-08-07T09:27:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time!
It was amazing!
Baby V had a heartbeat of 156.
Good and strong!
Nurse said our baby is "very active".
Baby kept playing hide and seek!

I can't wait to meet you little one!

First Baby Purchase

2009-08-05T10:32:00.003-05:00

We made our first baby purchase a few weeks ago. Whether we have a boy or a girl... he or she will be Houston Astros baseball fans! Just like Mommy and Daddy! :)

12 weeks

2009-08-05T08:04:00.004-05:00

Wow! Ha-ha. Everytime I update for a new week I always think "wow"! It is just going by so fast! I had to do a little research because I didn't know if the second trimester started at the beginning of the 12th week or the beginning of the 13th week. Technically if you take the full length of a pregnancy, which is 40 weeks, and divide it by 3 then it is 13.3. So I guess technically the second trimester doesnt begin until 13 weeks and 3 days. One more week to go!

We have our 12 week appointment tomorrow! I can't wait! I am going to ask when we can find out if the baby is a boy or a girl! :)

Baby Villalpando sure is growing! Here is what's going on:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His/Her intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his/her abdominal cavity about now, and his/her kidneys will begin excreting urine into his/her bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His/Her face looks unquestionably human: eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

11 weeks

2009-07-27T14:45:00.006-05:00

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her/his gums, and some of her/his bones are beginning to harden.

She's/He's already busy kicking and stretching, and her/his tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her/his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Wow! 11 weeks! Next week we go in for our 12 week appointment and I am SO excited! We haven't seen our little one on the screen for 3 weeks and I can't wait to see how much he/she has grown! And I am hoping that we will get to hear the heartbeat! We have seen the heartbeat but haven't had the chance to hear it yet!

I don't want to jinx anything but I have felt pretty good for the past four days or so. No vomiting or anything! I felt a little queasy yesterday but nothing that a little snack and a nap couldn't cure!

This may be TMI but I think that I can feel my uterus! If I press on my lower stomach it is really hard and it kind of pooches out! So exciting!

Well here is to 11 weeks! :)

..baby love..

2009-07-23T12:59:00.006-05:00

I know that I have only been updating weekly and I'm sorry! I've been a bad blogger!

But I have an excuse! I've had such horrible ~~all day~~ morning sickness. For a few days this week I just couldn't keep anything down. Gross. I know.

You know what I think the hardest thing about being pregnant has been? People asking me everyday how I am feeling. I hate that I have to lie and tell them that I feel fine or I usually just say "It's been rough". I don't want to tell people that I practically sleep by the toilet every night! But I know that people care about me and that makes me feel really good! I have the best family and friends!

One thing that is amazing to me is how my view of life has completely changed and the baby isn't even here yet! Our lives are already all about this baby and we are loving it! It is so weird how before I got pregnant and I was sick I just wanted it to be over! I wanted the sickness to go away and for ME to feel better! Now when I am sick I know that my body is growing a baby and, of course I want it to go by quickly, but if I have to be sick the whole 10 9 months for this baby to be healthy and thriving then I will do it! Motherly protection is so strong!

I decided I am going to do a little survey every week or every couple weeks just for fun!

Due date: Valentine's Day! February 14, 2010
Week: Week 10
Total weight gain/loss: Lost about 8 lbs since morning sickness kicked in!
Maternity clothes: I bought some comfy maternity lounge pants!
Have you had an ultrasound: I've had 3! And we got to see the heartbeat
Gender of your baby: Don't know yet but CAN'T WAIT to find out!
Name picked out: For a girl, yes. For a boy, almost.
How are you feeling right now: Right now I am feeling good!
What was the first thing you bought for baby: A pair of baby Astros shoes
Are you excited or scared about delivery: A little bit of both!
Any food cravings: I've been craving fresh fruit a lot!
Anything you loved before that you absolutely cannot eat anymore: I have a hard time eating beef now! I have to be just in the right mood for it!
Best moment so far this week: Keeping lunch down!
Anything else you'd like to share: I already love this baby so much! And I can't wait to meet him or her!

And one more thing... I put a poll on the right side bar of the blog so you can guess on whether we will be having a bouncing baby BOY or a beautiful little GIRL! Take a guess!

10 weeks

2009-07-20T16:03:00.004-05:00

Wow! Another week has flown by! Sometimes I think it is going by really fast and then other time, like when I have my head in the toilet, I feel like it is going by so slow! But I am so excited! I can't wait until we see our little one on the screen again! Two more weeks!

Here is what is going on with Baby V:
Though baby's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his/her body rapidly grow and mature.

Baby's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His/her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his/her heart, and his/her feet may be long enough to meet in front of his/her body. The outline of his/her spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his/her spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his/her head, which measures half the length of his/her body. From crown to rump, he's/she's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

9 weeks

2009-07-13T10:05:00.005-05:00

Wow! I'm in my third month! Crazy! I wish I could say that it's been all peaches and cream but I would be lying. Y'all it's been tough! See I am the kind of person that doesn't like to make a fuss about feeling yucky but that's been near impossible! Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband that takes care of me! As yucky as I feel to know that there is a baby in this belly is an amazing and wonderful feeling and if I had to chose between feeling yucky and this baby... yuckyness... BRING IT ON!!!

So here is what's going on in week 9:
Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. Baby's starting to look more and more human. Essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do baby's tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Eyes are fully formed, but eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. Baby has tiny earlobes, and mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, he/she is poised for rapid weight gain.

One Year

2009-07-13T09:41:00.002-05:00

On July 11, 2008 I married my best friend and soulmate.

John,

You make my life so much better!

I love being your wife!

I love you...

with all my heart!

Love,

Jess

8 weeks

2009-07-08T13:21:00.005-05:00

Had a doctor's appointment this morning and everything looks great!

At my last doctor's appointment my OB said that I looked to be about 6 weeks (which would've made me 8 weeks today with the baby being due February 17) but today my OB said that the baby looks a little bit bigger and my due date has changed to February 14, 2010! That's right... Valentine's Day!

I have posted some pics of the ultrasound and I am sorry if they aren't the best quality! If you look closely at the second picture you can see our baby's little arms and legs sticking out! And take note of the big head that he/she surely gets from his/her father! ;)

Bad quality pic! Sorry!

A closer view! See the little arms and legs! :)
(FYI.. the head is at the bottom.)

What's happening in week 8 (technically I am 8 weeks and 3 days now):
New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his/her eyelids practically cover his/her eyes, breathing tubes extend from his/her throat to the branches of his/her developing lungs, and his/her "tail" is just about gone. In his/her brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

So this is love...

7 weeks

2009-07-01T08:43:00.004-05:00

Today I am 7 weeks!! Here is what is happening to Baby Villalpando in the 7th week:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her/his tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry!

Something else that is fun... I put a poll on the right sidebar for you to vote on whether you think we will have a boy or a girl! I'm not going to say what I think the baby is just yet! But I have a hunch! :) We shall see!

New beginnings..

2009-06-29T11:14:00.006-05:00

Tell me... what do these things have in common?

Any guesses?!

Cat, exit bag!

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!

We are so excited!

I will be 7 weeks on Wednesday. And I am due around February 17, 2010!
Saw the heartbeat last Wednesday and it was beautiful!

We ask that you pray for our growing baby and for a healthy and happy pregnancy!

Just some info on what's going on with little bean in the 6th week:
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His (or hers) emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his (or hers) arms and legs by protruding buds. His (or her) heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his (or her) body. His (or her) intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his (or her) lungs has appeared. His (or her) pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his (or her)brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

Yay!

M.I.A.

2009-06-26T09:19:00.002-05:00

Wow! It's been almost a month since I have last posted! Doesn't seem like anyone has missed me too much! :)

Needless to say there has been A LOT going on in the lives of the Villalpandos!

Check back in a few days for some fun posts... coming soon!

Birthday and Vacation

2009-05-28T08:52:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday deeeeeear me! Happy birthday to me! Ha-ha. Today is my 23rd birthday! I know! As Jenea says "I'm a little boo-bah!" I'm a youngin' and proud of it!

We leave for vacation tomorrow to Florida! Can I get a "woo hoo"?!

Here is what we have planned:
Friday night - Arrive in Orlando
Saturday - For lunch eat at Cuban restaurant in Tampa, check in to hotel at the beach in Clearwater, then go to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game with a concert by 3 Doors Down!
Sunday - Beachin' it
Monday - Beachin' it some more and then some deep sea fishing!
Tuesday - Sea World Orlando
Wednesday - Relax and head home

So super excited I just can't stand it! I will miss you (sort of)!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

2009-05-23T21:50:00.003-05:00

You probably won't hear from me for about two weeks because next Friday John and I are leaving for Florida for VACATION! Can't wait! I am so excited and it is SO needed!

So talk to ya when I get back!

Florida here we come!

John's Graduation

2009-05-23T20:59:00.011-05:00

Last weekend John graduated from Prairie View A&M University! He got his B.A. in Finance and I couldn't be more proud of him! He worked so hard and graduated Cum Laude! After John's graduation we had a party for him! Hip Hip Hooray! Oh and I can't forget to mention that the special guest speaker at the PVAMU Commencement Ceremony was our Texas Governor... Mr. Rick Perry!!

And I can't forget to mention that my Uncle Jason also graduated on the same day as John from University of Houston! So proud of him too!

(Just to warn you... picture overload!)

This is a letter from Gov Rick Perry to the graduates!
Gov. Rick Perry

If you look closely you can see John.
John shaking Gov. Perry's hand!

Unfortunately it rained the whole time at the party! :(

But that didn't stop people from having fun!

The Two Graduates!

"It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer,

the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and

does something about it."

Vince Lombardi

Yay!!!

2009-05-15T11:02:00.001-05:00

Just wanted everyone to know that my man graduates from college tomorrow! Yaaaaaaay!

So proud!

Pics coming....

Dear Mom

2009-05-08T08:25:00.007-05:00

23 years ago, on Mother's Day, I was just around the corner from arriving. I'm sure you were scared but excited. As I think about my life today compared to yours I honestly don't know how you did it. Two little girls... at the same time... at such a young age. But that just shows how strong you are!

I thank God for blessing me with a mother that is so strong. No matter what was going on in your life you made sure that mine and Danielle's little world was perfect. You never faltered. You knew what your job was and that was to be a great mom. And, Mom, you do that job exceptionally well.

Mom, after all the cards and notes I have given there are still two words that I will never stop saying to you... "Thank you".

Thank you for teaching me how to be a strong woman.

Thank you for teaching me how to pick a good man.

Thank you for showing me how to love unconditionally.

Thank you for pulling splinters out of places splinters shouldn't go.

Thank you for comforting my pre-wedding jitters.

Thank you for not only being the best mom to me but to two of the most important people in my life, D'nelle and Dingy Doo.

Thank you for always supporting me.

Thank you for never making me feel like you didn't love me.

Thank you for teaching me to stand up for what I believe in.

Thank you for providing me with a house full of love growing up.

Thank you for my good skin. ;)

Thank you for the hours we would go school clothes shopping.

Thank you for never giving up in times when I'm sure you wanted to.

Thank you for marrying such a great man that is a great step dad.

Thank you for always protecting me.

Thank you for never letting me settle for anything but the best for myself.

Thank you for your guidance.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a great mom to my children one day.

Thank you for being my best friend.

Thank you.

Thank you for everything.

God could not have blessed me with a better mother. Strong, beautiful, full of love for her children, sacrificial. You have shown me what kind of mother I want to be for my kids and that is the best gift you could ever possibly give me.

So this Mother's Day I hope that you know how much I love you. And how much I am so grateful to have you as a mother.

I love you.

Love,

Jess

Meet Jan

2009-05-06T10:23:00.008-05:00

This is Jan. Jan is our sponsor child through Compassion. He enjoys swimming and fishing and playing with marbles. He lives on a small island in the Philippines with his family. Isn't he adorable?

After reading Melissa's posts on the LPM blog I just felt something in my heart. I can't explain it. I felt a pulling towards this ministry.

So I brought it up to John and we prayed about it. We prayed that God would open our hearts to this idea. We had a peace about it and knew that it was something we wanted to do. We then prayed that God would not place the right child with us but the right child for us. We narrowed it down to age and country. We left the rest up to God. And we couldn't be more happy!

For a small amount of money a month (seriously small... cut out your morning coffee at Starbucks or a one dinner at a restaurant A WEEK small) we are providing Jan with the opportunity to an education, better health opportunities and best of all, he gets to learn about Jesus! Can I get an "Amen"?!

I can't explain the feeling I have when I think about our life compared to Jan's life. It is so easy for me to complain about traffic but Jan and his family don't own a vehicle. I can complain about my water tasting too much like "tap" water when Jan and his family may be drinking muddy water. I can complain about going back to college when Jan and his siblings may not ever get an opportunity to learn to read and write. By sponsoring Jan we are changing that! We are changing his life!

And it's more than just a monetary donation. We want Jan to know that we love him and that we are praying for him and his family daily. Yes, we LOVE this child. This child that we don't know much about. This child that lives more than 8,500 miles away from us. We love him. We love you sweet boy.

We pray that not only we change Jan's life. But that he will change ours. We pray that the letters we send him that tell him how much we love him would bless him just as much as his letters will bless us.

Thank you God. Thank you Jan. For already blessing us.

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering

a whole lot of yummyness

2009-05-05T11:33:00.003-05:00

Last night my man made a wonderful dinner! He wouldn't tell me what we were having or where he got the recipe from until after we ate. It was so yummy! And get this... so healthy!

He actually got the recipe from the back of the whole wheat spaghetti Barilla box. It was so good and so easy to make so I thought I would share it with you.

Spaghetti with Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Ingredients:
- 1 box of Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (we used a lot more than this)
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped
- 1/2 medium (about 2 cups) yellow squash
- 2 small (about 2 cups) zucchini, diced
- 1/2 cup basil, chopped
- 1/8 tsp black pepper & salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- we added chicken breast which we just cooked in a separate pan with olive oil.

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, saute onion in olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 6 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook chicken in pan with olive oil until thoroughly cooked. Dice in bite size pieces.
Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
Add yellow squash and zucchini and cook for an additional 6 minutes.
Stir in basil, pepper and cooked chicken. Season with salt.
Toss sauce with pasta and top with Parmesan cheese.

Yuuuuuuuuum!

Happy Birthday Amber!

2009-05-05T10:22:00.005-05:00

John's cousin, Amber, turned 16 last week so we went to dinner to celebrate!

The Birthday Girl

Amber and John

Brandon and Jake

The Fam

This would've been a cute pic of me and John
if Jake's goofy smile and big head wasn't in the background.
I guess it's still cute! ;)

And last but not least... my dingy doo!

Amber,

We are so proud of you! You are so much fun to hang out with and your smile just lights up the room! We pray that you continue to allow God to lead you and that you will fall more in love with Him! We love you!

JJ & Jess

hanging out with Jake... in traffic

2009-05-05T10:13:00.005-05:00

Last Friday I left work early (with permission) and headed straight to pick up my Dingy Doo! I was so excited about spending some time with him! I missed him.

So I got him out of school early (again... with permission) and we went to grab some lunch and we were on our way to run some errands and we got stuck... in traffic. (My least favorite place to be stuck at.) We decided to make the best of it so I busted out the camera!

So sad because of the traffic. (Excuse the lack of makeup).

But happy because we are together!

I told Jake to make a mad face and this is what I got.
He looks constipated to me. What!? I just call it like it is.

Here is the real mad face.

Happy face.

Sad face.

Me mad at the traffic.

Jake mad at the traffic.

Scared face.

Cute face!

I love me some dingy doo!

Most Outstanding

2009-04-30T17:05:00.005-05:00

Last night we attended the Prairie View A&M Athletic Banquet. We had fun watching some of the athletes get awards for various things. My athlete got an award last night. :) He got an award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player on the baseball team! Isn't that fun? I am so proud. And doesn't he look hot in that suit?!

John holding his senior plaque and trophy.

John and Brandon.
(Brandon won Most Valuable Player on the baseball team.)

Assistant Coach Carter, John, Head Coach Cullivan

Diana, John and Johnny

The proud wife.
(Sorry it's blurry.)

John,

I am so proud of you! Your determination and hard work makes me love you more and more everyday. The leadership you have on and off the field makes me so proud to be your wife. Thank you for teaching me to never give up on my dreams. You are my "Most Outstanding Everything".

Love,
Jess

need a new blog design?

2009-04-27T15:09:00.002-05:00

Go check out Fabulous K's site to enter to win a new blog design! She designs the CUTEST designs!!!

Wordless Wednesday (sort of)

2009-04-22T08:17:00.005-05:00

Let's go Astros, Let's go!

2009-04-21T09:12:00.005-05:00

We enjoyed the Astros game. We saw the Astros ~~lose~~ play hard! We went to the game with Ashley and Diana and we had a lot of fun. Ashley was able to get Darin Erstad's autograph to add to her collection. She was so close to getting Wandy Rodriguez's but failed.

The Astros played a good game but came up short. They lost 3-4. There was a really intense inning with Hunter Pence came up to bat with 2 outs and bases loaded. We thought for sure he was going to bring in some runs but he failed also. Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee did hit back to back homeruns so that was awesome! Oh well. I still love my Astros!

Ashley trying to get Wandy's autograph. So close.

Right in front of the field.

We love us some baseball!

Easter 2009 - Hebbronville, Texas

2009-04-14T15:03:00.006-05:00

I don't feel much like typing due to the head cold that I caught over Easter weekend so here are some pictures of what our weekend consisted of. Good ol' fun in Hebbronville, Texas.

Riddle Wednesday

2009-04-08T08:07:00.001-05:00

I can be quick and then I’m deadly,

I am a rock, shell and bone medley.

If I was made into a man, I’d make people dream,

I gather my millions by ocean, sea and stream.

What am I?

There sure is a "draft" in here...

2009-04-03T10:44:00.003-05:00

In this post and this post I mentioned the great things that God is doing in John's baseball career. We were so excited what he got a call from the San Fransisco Giants scout. We knew that that was the start of something big.

God has completely blessed this journey (I'm working on the post to tell you the story)! We know that without God's guidance and presence that John would not have made it this far.

John got an email from TT (the same scout he talked to a few weeks ago) that went something like this:

Dear John
Congratulations from the San Francisco Giants! It is our pleasure to inform you that our organization is placing you under consideration for selection in the upcoming 2009 Amateur Draft!...

No.freaking.way! Y'all if I could explain the smile on John's face yesterday... it was like pure bliss!

San Fransisco placed John in the draft! Officially! Y'all this is huge! It means that John's name is OUT there. Like WAY out there.

So we ask that you continue to pray for us. Pray for what lies ahead. Pray that God would shut doors He doesn't want us to walk through and open doors He does.

We give God ALL the glory! He is good!

Office Pranks

2009-04-01T11:26:00.010-05:00

So a few weeks ago me, Mia, Christen and two creative services guys, Mark and Stephen, decided that we wanted to prank Matt, our Creative Services Director. We are all pretty good friends and we knew Matt would be the perfect victim!

So after 5,000 emails back and forth about what to do we finally decided that we were going to use the shredded paper that Mia had been shredding all day (hey, use our resources wisely, right?) and cover Matt's windows and put some underneath his door creating the illusion that we filled his office with shredded paper.

We decided to do this prank on a Friday because those are the slower days for us. Stephen and Mark had said that Matt usually gets in about 10 minutes after 8:00 so we all decided to be here at 7:30 to get things ready before he arrives.

So me and Mia go down to the Creative Services office on that Friday morning and we are surprised to see the guys there already (I think we all thought we were all going to bail.) So we start getting things ready. The guys had the cardboard and the girls had the shredded paper. Stephen and Mia got right to work! Mark and I helped but Stephen and Mia were leading most of it.

While Stephen and Mia were in Matt's office working on the windows Mark and I were just standing on the outside telling them where to stuff paper to make it look good. Well during this time who comes in the door? You guessed it. Matt decided that he is going to be early on this Friday. On THIS Friday. Seriously?

Well after Mark and I just gave the deer in headlights look to Matt we let him know the Stephen and Mia were in his office and so he decides to turn the tables of this prank. Matt walked out and Mark and I just decided to go along with it and keep Stephen and Mia in the dark.

So we finished what we had to do and decided to hide so we could see the look on Matt's face when he walked in. (Well Stephen just sat at his desk because that's where he was supposed to be.) So me, Mia and Christen (who arrived late but helped us plan this) all hid in Mike's office waiting for Matt. (I know... a lot of "M"s down there.)

So when Matt was "arriving to work" Mark let us know and we all sat in silence and waited. Matt walked in and immediately said something like "what's going on? what is this? I can't do this today. This is not ok. I CAN'T DO THIS TODAY" and went straight in his office and closed the door. He starts YELLING that he had a meeting that morning and that it's going to take forever to clean this up. And I think he even mentioned calling the HR Director. (Remember, Matt knows we were pranking him.)

Poor Mia. She was so scared. She kept saying "I think we should do. I think we should go." Mark played it off well too saying that he has never seen Matt that mad.

And then... Matt walks out of his office laughing. It was hilarious! It was even more hilarious that we started wanting to prank Matt but ended up pranking Mia and Stephen.

So we left the guys to clean up the mess :) and went back upstairs to our office and Mia didn't like what she found. While she was downstairs stuffing Matt's office he had come up the our office and put any piece of paper and kleenex he could find in her cubicle! Frosting on the cake.

So fun! Here are some pics of our prank!

Doesn't it look like his office is full of shredded paper?

Notice that Mia and Stephen did all the work!

Overflow under the door!

The sign on the door said: "CAUTION. OPEN DOOR SLOWLY!"

Christen in hiding!

Mia in hiding!

Matt walking in....

And this is what Matt did to Mia's cubicle...

It was a lot of fun! I found out that I loved pranking people. Which is why on the same day Me, Mia and Christen decided to prank our new office friend, Candie. When she walked out of her office we took her cell phone and placed it in the ceiling! Yes folks, in the ceiling. Mia moved one of the panels and put her cell phone up there and then when Candie came back in her office we called her phone and watched her frantically look for it! What made it even better was that our friend, Lance, was in there and he kept saying "Man you sure can hide your phone." Priceless.

And the winner is...

2009-04-01T09:51:00.005-05:00

Ok first off... let me say that I'm so sorry that I am late on this! I don't know why I had it in my head that I posted the last post on Thursday and that I was supposed to draw this Thursday. Well Laura asked me if I had drawn a winner yet and reminded me!

So here it goes: Miss Mia did the honors of

drawing the name and I made sure she didn't cheat!

And the winner is..........

Yay Christen! $25 Tar-zhay gift card coming your way tomorrow!

Sorry to the other girls who lost... you are all winners to me! And who knows... maybe there will be another give-away soon! ;)

It's raining, it's pouring...

2009-03-23T11:58:00.007-05:00

You can thank the rain for this! Today it is POURING and I LOVE it! It makes me so happy and puts me in a good mood sooo.... give-away time!I haven't done a give-away in a really long time!

So leave a comment to enter to win a $25 gift card to my favorite store of all time....

Yay! I love me some Tar-zhay!

I will pick a winner one week from today!

Good luck!

Unwavering Trust

2009-03-23T08:10:00.005-05:00

unwavering (adj): remaining firm and never weakening

Last weekend Jake and I traveled to Grambling, LA to watch John play. It was about a 5 hour trip. We had fun! Jake was excited about staying in a hotel and he took up the ENTIRE king size bed. He is a snuggler so he likes to be right up next to you. I don't mind it though!

John was able to ride with us on the return trip back to Texas instead of going with the team. I was super excited about this because I wasn't looking forward to driving in the dark alone. And I knew I could get some sleep because I had to work the following day. So we left Grambling around 7:00 on Monday night.

I told Jake that he could sleep on the way home and he slept more than half of the trip. I tried to sleep. I would sleep in 30 minute intervals and then wake up to check on John.

Something occurred to me after we got home and I was trying to make my mind settle while I was lying in my own bed. Jake, this 10 year old child, was able to sleep more than half the way there and not wake up once to check and see where we were or if John was getting sleepy. He trusted that we would get him home safely and that we would protect him at all costs. He had an unwavering trust in his sister and brother-in-law. But me, on the other hand, I had to wake up and check on my husband, whom I did trust but I just had to make sure. Like I said, it's not that I didn't trust him but I just didn't have the unwavering trust that Jake had.

It made me think about the trust we put in the Lord. Is it unwavering? Is it like the trust a child puts in their mother or sister? Is the trust we put in God firm and never weakening?

Children have this amazing ability to believe in things that they have never seen. They have these imaginations that create different worlds. Children are blind to nothing. They don't have to see it to believe it. They have an unwavering trust and joy in life.

Maybe I should ask God to make me more child-like... to have a child-like nature. Give me the unwavering trust in Him. A child-like faith.

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

baseball and more baseball continued....

2009-03-19T07:38:00.005-05:00

This is what it said:

"Hi John. This is Tiny Thomas from the San Fransisco Giants..."

Basically, Tiny Thomas (TT) came and watched John while he played at Lamar University and really liked what he saw. He liked it so much that they talked for an hour and a half! Woo hoo!

TT had a lot of good things to say about John! He said he liked John's arm strength and his speed.

TT was actually a shortstop that made it all the way to AAA (for those who don't know... AAA is one step away from the pros). He said that him and John have a lot in common when it comes to their short stop abilities but that John has "a heck-of-a-lot stronger arm" than he did. Which was encouraging!

John, of course, mentioned his size to TT. (The average weight of a MLB player is about 6'1, 200 lbs). TT said that he could care less what John's size is or his stats for that matter. What matters is how much John is willing to work and John responded with... "I just want one chance."

That's my man! He just wants one chance to show he can do it!

After that phone call we were jumping up and down praising the Lord! It was such a God thing that TT was there at the same game that John just happened to do amazing at. We know that if this is what God wants for John that it will be an amazing ministry for us! To be able to share what God has done with John and his baseball career would be an awesome opportunity. (I will share the story of John's journey through his college baseball career some other time!)

After I told my sweet friend, Jenea, about this she handed me this quote from Beth Moore:

"God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agendas to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He has chosen for us".

Amen sista. Amen.

So God is opening up some awesome doors for me and John! It is exciting and scary at the same time but we trust our Lord and know that he "will make our paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

On a side note: The Baltimore Orioles are also interested in John and talked to his coach about the possibility of drafting him pre-draft because he is a 5th year senior. I guess it gives them an advantage.

baseball and more baseball

2009-03-13T08:58:00.004-05:00

Remember when I wrote this post? That was an exciting time for us. John had never received a questionnaire before and we were just really excited and GRATEFUL.

Well the season started a little over a month ago and John has been traveling this week a lot. He traveled to Beaumont to play Lamar University on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lamar is a great school that has a great athletic department. Well Prairie View won on Tuesday night and John had a phenomenal night! John played hard and it paid off. (Unfortunately they lost on Wednesday but they played hard.)

So John and I were really looking forward to spending time with each other last night because it's been a week since we have been able to spend some good quality time together. We made yummy tacos for dinner. We love cooking dinner together! So I guess while we were making dinner John's phone rang and we didn't hear it. Well after dinner he noticed that he had a voicemail so he called his voicemail and it was on speaker phone.

This is what it said:

"Hi John. This is Tiny Thomas from the San Fransisco Giants...."

To be continued....

Update

2009-03-12T08:33:00.003-05:00

Hey all! I know I haven't posted anything exciting in a while and this post won't change that. Ha-ha.

Just wanted to give y'all an update of what's going on in our lives right now.

John went on two interviews on Monday and got a second interview for both of them.
John has been traveling a lot lately and it really is no fun for me.
Our lease is up in 4 months and we are trying to decide where we want to go from here.
John received a questionnaire from the Baltimore Orioles and the scout said he was surprised "John hadn't been drafted already".
I've been praying a lot about where God wants me and what he wants to do with me.
Me and Jake are headed to Louisiana this weekend to watch some baseball. Pray for our safety!
We love our life!

The End. :)

Fun with Cade and Kasey

2009-03-02T10:03:00.011-06:00

I had the privilege of babysitting my two little cousins the other weekend! We had so much fun and they are just too darn cute!

This is Cade.

This is Kasey.
And this was my little helper, Dingy Doo.
We built a train track.

We made dinosaur sponges. You put them in water and watch them grow!
Cade is saying "Why isn't it growing?" ha-ha.

This was after I left but I just had to post it to show how precious she is.

And these are for blackmail purposes....

LOST: Season 5, Episode 6 & 7

2009-02-26T08:44:00.005-06:00

316 & The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham

First of all, I'm sorry I didn't do a post last week about LOST. I didn't watch it until last night. I kind of like skipping a week though and getting 2 whole hours of LOST but I didn't like coming into work last week and not being able to talk about it with my co-workers. No bueno!

Ok so... on to my critique... I guess you could say.

Observations:

Charles Widmore was supposed to be the leader. He said Ben told him the same thing Ben is telling Locke.
Ben is EVIL!
Locke is kind of cute.
Walt has really grown up!
I wish I saw some more Saywer!
Ben is really evil!

Questions:

Eloise says that a very clever man built the pendulum. Who was that clever fellow?
Eloise also says that the island isn't done with Desmond. What does he have to do?
Is Penny dead?
Was Charles Widmore really exiled by Ben or was he tricking Locke?
Who is the good guy and who is the bad guy between Charles and Ben?
Why did Ben kill Locke if Locke was going to kill himself anyways?
Why did they re-introduce Walt into the script?
How is Locke alive on the island?
Where is Hurley, Sun and Sayid?

Let me know what you think!

4 years ago...

2009-02-26T08:00:00.004-06:00

It's been 4 years since Bryan's death. Things are much different now. Better. We still miss him and we have our moments when we just cry together. But it's better.

If you are thinking about it just pray for my family today. For my stepmom, Monica especially. Thank you so much!

(I wrote a post in August on Bryan's birthday giving some background information and my personal story about Bryan's death. If you want to read it click here.)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T14:16:00.002-06:00