We have a fat, healthy baby!

I went in this morning for my 33 week (we got a little off on the weeks over the holidays) check up.  I had an ultrasound scheduled for before my appointment because I had not gained weight at my last visit, and my Dr. wanted to just double-check baby's growth.

After the ultrasound, she came in and said "Well, you have a healthy, perfectly growing baby!"  She said she was looking at the pictures and wondering why she thought we needed to do this--but happy that we did and that we don't have to regret or worry about anything.  

Gained 3 lbs, measured bigger, so apparently I just have a body that's good at hiding my fat little baby (4.8 lbs!!) and not to pay attention to anyone who has a negative opinion on my "show-y-ness" (or lack of it).  

We had the sonogram tech double-check the gender if she could, which was a little tricky because at this point there's not always a good view since baby's getting so much bigger.  She did get one glimpse though and said that yes, it looks like a girl.  

I guess I'll start cutting tags off clothes, etc!

We also got one picture--no great views, since our girl is just as obstinate about showing her face.  We got a tiny glimpse of a profile (seems like even less than last time, if that is believable).  She's facing my spine, so it's not easy to get her to smile for the camera, but we did get to stare at her nose for a second, and then the tech snapped a profile view, which is what you see above. 

We're very excited and curious to see what she'll look like, since we're not getting any hints from these photos!

Pickle Juice, Gum, & Peanut Butter

No...these aren't my latest cravings.  

In fact, I really haven't had any food cravings or aversions during pregnancy.

What it really is, however, is a summary of how youth group went tonight.

Step 1: Pickle Juice.  

While our parent volunteer was putting the finishing touches on dinner (Chicken sandwiches, yum!) and some of the youth were helping me paint garage sale signs for a fundraiser this weekend, there was a pickle jar that needed to be opened.  The parent asked the only boy currently present first, and then the jar made the rounds of others trying to open it.  

I volunteered, and of course popped it right open (strong piano hands I guess...I'm the jar opener in this family), but as it was a NEW jar, and brimming with pickles and liquid, I got covered in juice, all the way down my jeans.  I smelt of pickles this evening.

Step 2: Gum.

After we all enjoyed our dinner, finished the signs, and killed each other off in a few rounds of Mafia, one youth shared gum with all the rest.  Chomping away, we decided to play a game of SPOONS (it was stormy here in N. Texas tonight...had to limit ourselves to inside games once again).  Spoons got more and more intense (picture someone grabbing all spoons and flinging them into the far corners of the room while youth trample each other as they race to snag one) and in the final round, 2 girls were on the floor battling it out for the last unclaimed spoon.  The spoon snapped in half (plastic), one girl got a scraped finger from the sharp edge, and somehow someone's gum ended up entwined in the other girl's hair.  Thus...

Step 3: Peanut Butter.

While we shared our joys and concerns (prayer requests), there I was with fingers-full of peanut butter working the gum out of her hair.  (NOT the first time I've had to do this as a youth pastor....I'm getting quite experienced!)  What an eventful night...these kids keep me on my toes, perhaps it's practice for the future?

Gross...

Other weird and exciting things-these are the oddest looking clouds that were above my head today. Funky, huh?

Looked like something out of an alien movie. 

Happy First Day of Spring!

Spring Break = Lots of Blogging?

It's been a fun week!  

We didn't go anywhere for Spring Break this year...kinda nice to stay home and relax (sleep in) and work on projects.

Today we worked a little more outside, here are some of the promised "after" pictures.

Hopefully the bugs will eat these instead of my herbs...

Ricardo finishing the painting

Clean porch, new herbs, newly painted porch railing

Our ugly tree in the yard...now a little prettier because it has flowers around it.  

In the afternoon we went to White Rock Lake....one of the few pieces of "pretty" that Dallas has.  It's all human-made (there are no natural lakes in Texas, except one, which actually is halfway in another state!), but it's a good place on a nice day like today: first day of spring and it was actually pleasant, not as hot as yesterday, only in the mid-70's and sunny.  

Since we actually get few days like this, I'm glad we enjoyed it!

We played around with the camera, went and washed the car and then went out to eat.  

Calia & Boo-Rod!

Me and baby again

Ric-do

It was really too bright of a day for me...I need sunglasses!

Ricardo playing with the water fountain

Hobbit Feet

Despite it being spring break...I still got a work-related phone call :)

Ric en el prado

Tiny flowers.  What's this about everything being bigger in Texas??

One last belly shot.

Girls Overnight and Work Day

Since it's spring break for the youth, some of the girls came over 

and spent the night, and then they helped us with projects that we had.

They started out silly...

Cookies helped the silliness.

Sisters choosing their cookie (as if they each ate only one!)

Silly again...

Or cranky?

Not totally sure what was going on here...

Working the next morning!

While it was still shady/somewhat cool?  

Not really. It got into the 80's today.

Planting flowers

Baby and I planting!

Glove box...

Painting the handrail of our front porch

First part done!

Red Verbena...so pretty.  

Hope it survives the Dallas heat this summer.

Fun times, successful work day, our front porch and yard is starting to look so much better!  

We have some more to finish, Ricardo is putting the final touches on the new windows in the baby's room and then we'll build a crib!  I'll probably try to finish painting the rail around our front porch tomorrow, and hopefully not forget to water the newly sewn seeds.  I'll try to post some more "after" pictures too.  

More exciting news: our carseat arrived today!  

I love it when UPS shows up with a surprise for us.

Thanks Mom & Dad!  And Happy Anniversary yesterday!

Also, tonight was the final basketball game for the Adult Men's Rec League that Ric plays

in with guys from the church...It was playoffs, and as our team had not won a single game, they were seeded against the top team.  Here's the final score.  

Everyone is pretty much glad the season's over.

Maybe if I drink milkshakes every day?

So, my last Dr's appointment was yesterday, and it got mixed reviews.

Turns out I haven't gained weight since my previous appt. (2 weeks earlier), due to the fact that the amount of iron (pills) I am supposed to be taking have been making me feel sick-o!

Doctor did not seem too concerned, she told me to find a happy medium, take as much iron as I can handle while still being able to eat.  

However, she did say that my low weight warranted a third ultrasound to check on baby's growth.  

(Another ultrasound is usually not done, because most insurance companies will only cover two unless there is a medical necessity for more).  

So, my next appointment is March 30th, and it will follow an ultrasound appointment, and I'm trying to gain as much weight as I can before then because it kind of freaked me out.  

The good news is that I still measured bigger, despite lack of weight gain and Dr. said it's just a precaution, not likely anything serious.  

Hopefully all will be well, and we'll get another picture of Boo-Rod!

Yesterday and today I tried to keep track of how many calories/protein/iron/fiber and water I consumed, and I seriously think whoever decided that a 2,000 calorie diet (what we see on the sides of packages in the nutrition information--what the daily value percentages are based on) was just crazy.  

I can't even manage that while pregnant! 

But I've gotten enough protein and hopefully enough iron for the past two days...and I'll just keep trying.  

I hate hate hate force-feeding myself though, making myself eat when I'm not hungry just makes me feel sick, as does trying to pack more food into my stomach when I already feel full.

Bleh.  

The things we do for our kids.  

(Do I sound like a mom yet? ha ha).

So...laying in bed right now, I totalled up my caloric intake for the day and wondered out loud to Ricardo if I should start drinking a milkshake (or two) every day to get to the right numbers.  

I probably wouldn't mind that!

Whatever sacrifices necessary for baby...

hee hee...

On another note, we're getting stuff ready for Boo-Rod!  

I finished the crib bumpers (picture coming soon), and Ricardo is putting the finishing touches on the new windows.  Pictured below...don't they look great?  If you never saw the old ones that were there, just trust us that these are a LOT better, and are supposed to provide a whole lot more insulation, plus noise reduction.  

I think some of the youth (who are all on spring break this week) will

be coming over tomorrow night after youth group. They'll spend the night and then

help us with some projects...plus some play time I'm sure.  

More pictures coming soon!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sister's Day

Well, my sister informed me that this is Sister's Eve (meaning tomorrow is Sister's Day, if I understand correctly).

What a successful sister's eve day it was, although I wasn't with my sisters as they live in two different states.   Mom and Dad were up for the weekend though, Dad and Ricardo worked all day replacing the windows in what will be the baby's room, while Mom and I started working on the bedding for the crib--we are nearly done with the bumper (it's pretty cute!)  

More pictures coming soon--when the room/crib/bedding get closer to being finished.  It's a good thing mom came up, because so far this "nesting" instinct that is supposed to happen hasn't shown up yet!  It helped that she was here, we actually got started on stuff that needs to get done.

We also stopped by Debra's baby shower--she's due in 3 more weeks with a boy!  John & Debra, and Mark & Leslie are "couple friends" with Ricardo & I.  Mark and Leslie had their baby boy 2 days ago, Debra's comes soon, and mine comes next!  Debra looked so cute--it was a fun shower, good Saturday, but now Ricardo and I are crashed, and tomorrow will be long.

Debra & I with our baby bumps

I finally remembered!

It's been months since I did a 10 on 10 post.  For awhile, I wasn't able to because our camera broke.  Then we got our new one for Christmas, and by then I had forgotten about 10 on 10.  And then I started remembering, but not until after the 10th.

Silly girl. 

So, I did a 10 on 10 today...not the best, but it might take me awhile to get back into it!

12:00 pm

Fabric for nursery!  

(I need to get sewing, but at least now it's out and sitting there waiting for me)

1:00 pm

Not an exciting morning--just house cleaning.  

But have I mentioned how much I love our new laundry room??

2:00 pm

All set up to make banana bread.  Until I realized I'm out of eggs.  Good thing I hadn't started mixing anything yet. 

Briefly debated going to the store...nah.  

Another day won't hurt the bananas any.

3:30 pm

Perkins knitting group.  Just friends at seminary who meet to 

knit (or crochet) every week.

Usually on Thursdays, but it's spring break so we're partying--TWO times this week!

4:50 pm

Apple store, to replace my broken phone charger.

5:45pm

Picking up dinner! Yum!

6:50 pm 

Painted my toes...just because I was curious to see if I could still reach them.

7:30 pm

Decided to get out my other paints for a project

8:05 pm

We haven't changed clocks yet...

9:50 pm

As far as I've gotten at this point...maybe it'll be done by the time Momma B comes up this weekend?

Twisted Twister

I'm home! 

Showered, pajama'd, crashed out on my bed, washer running with all my dirty Mini-Mission Trip clothes getting clean.  

It was a good weekend--the youth played hard and worked hard and we got a lot (not quite all we aimed for, but almost!) done.   

This was likely the last mini-mission trip before the baby comes.  After a short night (we play until 11:30pm, and then do worship, finally get to bed around 12:30 or 1am, and wake up at 7:00) and a looooong work day (I was in the group painting the shed.  I didn't climb any ladders or chairs, but I did a LOT of squatting, standing, and kneeling all day) I think I'm gonna be very sore later on.  At this point, I'm ready to lay low--and I'm not planning any more big events with my job.  Plus, I barely fit into my overalls today.  We can't have mini-mission trips if I can't fit into my work clothes!!

This is the shed we painted.  It took all day--it seemed bigger than it actually is. 

Or maybe it really is huge and it took a long time. 

Another group tore out an old cork wall in a Sunday School class room, and replaced it with new sheetrock.  You can't tell from this photo, but it was REALLY dusty work!

More painting!

Clean up time.  

Maybe you can see how dusty it was in this photo?

I'm really very proud of our youth.  They are very hard workers.  Not only did they do all this work all day Saturday, but Friday night, before game time they spent 1.5 hours deep cleaning the youth house.  They're great.  They know how much work is expected of them on Mini-Mission trips and they still show up to serve and do it with great attitudes.

Of course, the fact that we play games (Monster is their all-time favorite, but too detailed for me to write about at this point) and have worship encourages participation.

We played some wacked-out twister for a little bit too--I find that the Twister spinner is a waste of time.  It's too slow, and tends to hit the same place repeatedly (what's fun about Left Foot Green, Left Foot Yellow, Left Foot Green?)

So, I just call whatever combination I see fit, and throw in other body parts.  Right Hand Red, Right Elbow Yellow (yes, you need to still keep your hand on Red...) Left Knee Blue...etc.

A couple of favorite photos:

Right Hand Blue, Right Foot Blue, Left Foot Green, Head Yellow.

Evan (maybe 90 lbs?) getting crushed by Daniel and Josh (maybe 300 lbs collectively?)

Fun weekend!

One parting shot: Ricardo was cajoled, swindled, bamboozled, (other good word suggestions?) into joining a men's rec league basketball team with some other men from the church.  They knew that they would probably be playing tough street teams and would lose every game, but they seem to be having fun.  Here's a picture of my boy having a good time.

I'm still trying to get the hang of our camera...action shots are not my specialty, but I'll keep working on it!