15 Weeks

As we wait one more week to find out if the baby is a boy or girl, I thought I would post about what sort of features he/she has and of course, the tricks he or she can do!! 

• Baby is 4-4.5 inches.
• Baby is the size of a lemon and will be rubber ducky size by next week!
• Teeth have formed in the baby's gums.
• Hair is growing on his or her head and eyebrows.
• Nerves, organs, and muscles are starting to function this week.
• Ears are developed so that he or she may be able to hear me!
  
• Vocal cords are formed
• Skin is very thin.
• Activities: somersaults, roll over, flex fingers, stretch, hiccup.  

I am sure there is much more but these are some of the highlights from the past couple of weeks!!

Spring Break is over so it is back to work for me tomorrow.  I am okay with this though because there are only 9.5 weeks left until summer time! At which point, I will be focusing all of my time and energy and baby and mom things!  

I began looking online at nursery bedding this weekend and have discovered it will be difficult for me to find something I like.  I do not want a theme, which it seems most people do since 75% of the bedding is centered around flowers, bugs/butterflies, boats, trucks, etc.  As Rob said, "we don't really know what he or she will be into yet." My point exactly.  So, my thought is that I need to determine a few colors to go with and then choose from there.  I do like vintage floral for a girl or French toile.  

Next week we will be in Dallas for my best friend Leslie's wedding shower and bachelorette party.  I am very excited about time with friends and family.  It is always hard to leave Frisco though since we family-less in Lubbock.  One more year until we live close to our family again!!

P.S. While looking through a wedding registry online, I discovered what my mystery kitchen gadget is.  A chopper.  I am not sure what I could chop (nuts, perhaps?) but I was happy to have solved the case.

Things to Google and an Unexplainable Kitchen Gadget

The Gadget:

As I was baking pound cakes last night, I came across a kitchen tool in my drawer.  I asked Rob what it was and he said he had no idea either.  How do I have a kitchen tool in my drawer and not know what it does? I have little kitchen drawer space so I need a use for this item! Any ideas on what this is?

Things to Google:

1. Pregnancy clumsiness. While I have always been a little clumsy, nothing compares to the things I have done lately.  Last night before bed I ran half my body into a bathroom wall.  When Rob heard me whining, he asked me in his sleep, "Did you stub your toe?"  My reply: "No, I ran into the wall again."  I have also bumped my head when getting into the car and ran into Rob several times over the last few days.  Is this normal and if so, what about pregnancy affects balance and coordination? This is something to look into.

2. Baby sign language.  Must begin research immediately. 

3. Introducing baby to dogs.  As you can see from the picture, Maggie was a bit concerned about the baby swing that we brought home!  She just sat there and sniffed it, and then decided to watch it.  Need to look for ways to introduce baby to dogs (more so just one with an attitude named Maggie).

Baby, Baby, Baby

The first two were done at 12 weeks and the second two were done at 9 weeks!

Today I uploaded the sonogram pictures that we have, as well as the card that we sent out in the mail announcing our news!  At 12 weeks, it actually looks like a baby instead of a blob! I love the picture of the legs because 1. I was so happy it had 2 arms and 2 legs and 2. It is very active little baby and is always kicking during our ultrasounds.  We find out what it is in 3 more weeks so more pictures then! 

Do I really need this blog?

While I do not really like the idea of blogging, I think I might be able to get used to the idea. Especially to post pictures, videos, and happenings with the pregnancy and then the baby!  So here it goes...

Meet Our Dogs

Since most of this blog is about our sweet Lorelei, I thought we should at least give our first babies (Maggie & Milo) a little recognition.

Meet our doggies...

Maggie the Westie:

Maggie was born April 6, 2005 to Popcorn Harlan. Popcorn had three puppies, but only two lived. So, Maggie just had one brother. We bought Maggie from a family in Slaton, Texas. The two kids in the family loved Maggie and called her "Princess Leia," so this is sometimes a nickname for her. We fell in love with Maggie instantly. Maggie is a sweet dog, but has quit an attitude. She is never mean, usually lazy, and always likes to be petted and loved on. She loves holding conversations with you and tolerates her brother, Milo, most of the time.

Milo the Maltese:

Milo was born June 30, 2006. We do not know his parents. We do not know where he came from...other than the stinky cage at the pet store. We do know he had a brother, who was covered in fleas. We know this because we spent time playing with his brother and we were planning to buy his brother before we noticed the fleas. So then we changed our minds and got Milo. Milo was an impulse buy. We don't buy much without lots of planning and research, but Milo was not one bit planned. After the first day or so with Milo, Rob was convinced we needed to return him to the pet store. But, we are glad we kept him (most days) and love his energy and happy-go-lucky personality. Milo is never grumpy, never sad, and can always put a smile on your face. However, we can't go without mentioning that Milo is not the smartest or most well mannered Maltese there ever was. Let's just say he still can't jump on the couch, loves barking at the highest possible decibel level when he meets new people, has a difficult time controlling his bladder, and loves chewing up things he finds in the trash can. Even still, we love him to pieces. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Milo is famous. He was featured on in Dec. 2009 "Page-a-day Dog Calendar."

About Us

Rob:

Born in New Orleans, but from Natchitoches, Lousiana. Hard worker. Type B personality. Loves watching tv shows, listening to podcasts, figuring things out, watching football (GEAUX SAINTS!) & learning new things. Learning to play golf. Is an excellent teacher but doesn't fully know it. Interested in traveling.

Mary Beth:

Born in Georgia, but got to Texas as fast as I could. Grew up in Plano, Texas and can't wait to get back. Extremely type A personality and loves organization, lists, and "a plan." Loves teaching, reading, and has a long list of things I desire to learn how to do (sew, photography, calligraphy, make hairbows, the list goes on...) Loves learning new things, shopping, chatting with friends, eating lunch out, and spending time with family. But most of all, LOVES the job of staying at home to take care of our sweet girl, Lorelei.

Our Story:

We met at Albertson's grocery store in July 2001. On our first date we went to Macaroni Grill for dinner, a walk around the lake, and sat and talked at Starbucks. We started dating and Rob asked me to be his girlfriend on July 30, 2001....on one knee, on my front porch. What a sweet boy! We dated throughout the rest of high school and Rob spent his first year of college at Stephen F. Austin, where he pledged Delta Chi and had the time of his life!! When I graduated, I went to Texas Tech, pledged Alpha Chi Omega, was having a great time but missing Rob. Rob transferred to Tech in Spring 2004. In Summer 2005 we got engaged when Rob got down on one knee...on a front porch. In December 2006, we were married in Dallas and it was the most beautiful day, complete with 70 degree weather and sunshine. I had already graduated from Tech and Rob finished his Bachelors in Nursing in May 2007. During that time we lived in a tiny apartment in Lubbock with our two dogs and realized that for our sanity, we needed more space! We decided to build a house in Lubbock and moved in on August 8, 2007. We had our precious Lorelei on Sept. 9, 2009 and our lives are forever changed! We are a happy family of three, but can't wait for the upcoming years to add several more kiddies to our family!!

Quotes & Verses

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock" Matthew 7:24

Verses:

I can do ALL things through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. -Philippans 4:8-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. -Psalm 136:1

Quotes:

Angie Smith in "I Will Carry You":

"...What Mary and Martha say in their message to Jesus is not as interesting to me as what they don't say. They don't refer to Lazarus by name, nor do they ask Him to heal their brother. While we can infer that they were conveying a need for help, they don't actually ask Him to do anything specific. The request is similar to the one Mary, the mother of Jesus, made at the wedding feast in Cana. We are told that as the wine started to run out, she said to Jesus, 'They have no more wine." She doesn't explicitly tell Him the solution she is looking for but rather states the problem and waits to see what He will do about it. As I read their words, it occurred to me that this is not the way I approach the Lord with a crisis. I run to him with a laundry list of suitable responses and beg him to accommodate me."

"I have fallen in love many times, always with you."

"Sing like no one is listening, love like you have never been hurt, dance like no one is watching, and live like it is Heaven on earth." -Mark Twain

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." -William Arthur Ward

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out , but hen the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

"To have a baby is to dream new dreams,
to dream further into the future than you ever have before.
This child will change who you are and who you will become.

From the first cry, your dreams will never be the same."

"Promise me you'll always remember: you are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Christopher Robin to Pooh

"A person's a person...no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss