It's a waiting game now! And Go Gators!

Sorry it's been so long since my last update! We had an ultrasound 11/20, just to see how big Baby Dantes was getting. It was estimated that he was 6.8 lbs and was 97%in all four categories (head diameter, body diameter and leg measurements)! They expect that babies gain about 1/2 lb / week, so based on that, he should be a good sized baby! But I was almost 9 lbs and Trey was just under 8 lbs so figure he will be atleast 8 lbs, possibly closer to 9 lbs! I am now visiting my doctor weekly.

I am still feeling great! I have gained 25 lbs and don't look huge - everyone is shocked that I am 37 weeks pregnant! I continue to work out(elliptical) and teach my Aqua class on Monday nights, so think that helps alot. I just took maternity pictures this past weekend, 12/6 (see pictures below). Also I am still working, I feel fine so why not! Plus thats more time off after his arrival!

We are all ready for Dantes'arrival - car seat in the car, all the clothes and blankets washed, changing stations set up. Trey is stressing a little more that me - he loves making his "To Do Lists" but that is good for making sure we have everything ready (in his eyes)! Well guess that's all for now - hope everyone is enjoying the Holidays and getting ready for Christmas!

We are also very excited because the Florida Gators are headed to the National Championship game - playing the Univ. of Oklahoma! Unfortunately we won't be at the game in Miami, but will be watching with friends and family here in Texas with Baby Dantes! GO GATORS!!!

Baby Dantes' Nursery!

We're getting closer now! The nursery is finally done - yeah! And Dantes continues to get more and more clothes from our amazing friends! We had our 1st shower (pictures to follow soon)! We are so thankful and blessed to have such wonderful friends! We also had our childbirth classes (and surprisingly it was great and very informative), so are done with that! We plan to take a breastfeeding and a sign language class, but still have a little time for that. I am still feeling pretty good - some back soreness and hip pain every now and then, but not every day, so that's good. And our course Dantes is doing great; he's moving around alot, especially whenever I stop moving. Anyone looking at my stomach can see him moving,which is really neat! I am going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, and measuring right on track! I have gained 20 lbs, but now she said I should expect to gain about 1 lb per week. Well guess that's all for now! Hope everyone is enjoying the cool fall weather and has a happy Halloween! More nursery pics... http://picasaweb.google.com/gatrme/NursuryOct2008#

The 3rd Trimester is here!

Fall is officially here, and my new favorite season since being pregnant! We traveled to Fayetville, Arkansas to watch the Gators kick some Hog butt last weekend. It's always fun to tailgate for Gator football and what perfect weather. Dantes' 1st Gator game! Speaking of Baby Dantes, he is kicking and moving like crazy. I am officially in my 3rd trimester (29 weeks) and I had my 1st braxton-hicks contraction today too, and it makes me really think about an epidural! But we have our 1st childbirth class 10/18, so that should be a true learning experience! The furniture gets delivered this weekend, so the nursery will be well on its way to being done soon! Pictures coming as soon as it arrives!

Can you believe fall is almost here! YEAH!

I always think I don't have much to say, then I start typing and the words just start flowing!Anyways, August and September have been great! It's finally starting to cool down, so Trey and I have been spending alot of time chillin'in the back yard, walking and riding bikes. And our course, fall brings out favorite sport - GATOR FOOTBALL!

On the baby front, lots there too! Little Dantes is moving around like crazy - big kicks and punches! Even Trey can feel him now too! We had an ultrasound this morning and everything looked great - he is about 1lb 9 oz. now and measuring the size of a 25 week old baby! On the Mom front - I am feeling great! Still working out alot - mostly aqua, swimming and walking. And my belly is finally starting to "pop" (as you can see from the pictures).

We also are making progress on the nursery! The walls are a handsome Ralph Lauren "Spanish Bluebell" color. We finally decided on bedding - which was very difficult because Trey and I couldn't agree on anything! We chose custom bedding with plush, soft fabrics - the main pattern is a navy, light blue, light green and white vertical strip. It should be done this week, so I will post pictures soon! We also ordered the furniture - it's a deep chocolate wood color. I have also ordered draperies, so now just need to get Trey to install the rods. A good friend gave me tons of clothes too, so he is set on clothes for at least the 1st 8 months! Well guess that's all for now! Hope everyone is enjoying the final days of summer!

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Well we had the 2nd Ultrasound on July 31st! When we walked in the office she asked us if we wanted to know the sex of the baby and we said YES! She said she starts at the head and makes all the necessary measurements and then works her way down, so in other words – be patient!

Keep in mind, that at the 1st ultrasound, the ultrasound tech had told us 80% girl! But Trey never believed she was correct, he kept saying “She doesn’t know what she was talking about. I know what I saw. She’s wrong”. He was confident it was a boy - he was holding out for the 20% chance!

So she made all the measurements – the circumference of the head is about 6” and the circumference of the body just under 6”. They said everything was developing just fine thank God - brain, spinal cord, heart, kidneys, blood flow, bladder, no clef lip. He's about 9" long and about 10 ounces in weight! And moving around in there like crazy!

Then she made her way down to the lower body and said “There you go – plain as day – IT’S A BOY!!!” Needless to say I was shocked, but very happy, as was Trey! We were both smiling from ear to ear! So now the name is easy - for those of you that don’t know Trey’s name is Edmond Dantes III (and Trey is French for three). So we will continue that - Edmond Dantes IV and call him Dantes! So we all wait in excitement for the arrival of Dantes!

Well that’s all the excitement for us for now. Not much going on, just spending a lot of time in the pool or in the A/C. It has been about 10 degrees hotter than the normal lately, so very hot here in Texas!

Late July update!

OK my bimonthly blog post. I hope to get more regular as I have more to update!

On a sad note, we lost our beloved dog Jake the Wonder Dog after 16 years. He was an amazing dog and we are just so blessed to have had him in our lives for 16 wonderful years. We all know that he is in a better place - running around in doggie heaven with his old friends Missy and Jenny and of course chasing squirrels and rabbits!

Now onto happier news: on the baby front, I had my monthly doctors appointment last week and all was well! Listened to the heartbeat again and that is always amazing! In addition to the heartbeat, you could hear all this sloshing noise and my doctor said that was "the baby moving all around" in there! We have our 2nd ultrasound July 31st and they should be able to confirm the babies sex by the, plus that is the ultrasound where they do tons of measurements and can confirm the due date more accurately. I am just barely starting to show a tiny little baby bump. In the mornings its barely noticeable, but after lunch and dinner it sticks out a bit more. I have only gained about 6 lbs, so happy on that front. I will post a side view picture once I get them downloaded off of our new digital camera!

Last week Trey and I were both in Southern California for work. So we had Sunday to spend at the beach and driving up Pacific Coast Highway. It was nice to get away from the Texas heat for a few days! I also visited a supplier in San Jose, which was a beautiful area and amazing weather! We also celebrated Trey's 33rd birthday July 10th. We went to his favorite restaurant Kobe Steaks and then had a small party that weekend with close friends, just grilling and swimming!

This week I am going to visit family up north, so again it will be nice to get away from the Texas heat for a few days. Trey is traveling again this week for work, but next week he starts a new position as IPT Lead / Program Manager of a new development program here at Raytheon. He is very excited and its great for us both because he won't be traveling as much for the new position. Hope everyone is enjoying their summers and staying cool!

July is here!

Wow, I can't believe its already July! Where has this year gone! Not much new here, that's why I haven't posted lately (just normal life here) which isn't all that exciting! Trey's birthday is this month and we are planning to take a few days of vacation around his birthday so looking forward to that!

I have continued to feel great (knock on wood) - Thank God! A little belly is starting to become more noticeable (people that don't know I'm pregnant may just think I ate too much). Oh well - but I have only gained 2-3 lbs, so yeah for that! Looking forward to the July 4th holiday weekend and a few days off from work to just chill and hang by the pool with friends. Speaking of friends, we are so excited, our Gator Friends - Jen, Mark and their 1 yr old little boy Ryan (such a cutie!) just moved to Dallas! They are staying with us while they look for a house to rent. It's so fun to have a little one in the house - yes... crazy to hear me say that!

On the baby front - my next doctors appointment is July 17th (which will just be a routine check-up, so nothing too exciting). But the next ultrasound should be early August, and they should be able to confirm the sex at that one. But having fun here making plans for the nursery - finding bedding, furniture and thinking about paint colors! The main colors will be silver sage and chocolate brown - which works for a boy or girl! Well guess that's it for now - a happy and safe 4th to all!

Our Life Right now! The 1st ultrasound!

Well we finally made the decision to go for it and join the rest of the world... and have a baby! And I can say now that it is the coolest thing (but definitely something you need to be ready for!) We had out 1st ultrasound this week and that was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen. This little person inside of you moving and squirming around. Trey asked during the ultrasound as it was arching its back and moving its legs and arms around " you cant feel that?" Well at 13 weeks, not yet! And we also go the exciting news... 80% chance its a girl. They will confirm at our next ultrasound at 19-20 weeks. Wow... at that point we are 1/2 way there!