Mommy and Daddy before the concert~ 

Heidi and Kirk 

putting up the border in Rookie's room... 

Me before the concert--see my big six month belly.  

My "tattoo" 

The Girls before we left for gatorfest...... 

WHOO!!! GATORFEST!!

This weekend was gatorfest in the Wack. We had such a great time! George had to work alot due to the loss Thursday night, so that was disappointing, but we still got to spend some time with him. Mom and Vince came in on Thursday and went to watch George coach (bad game to catch!). Then, Friday George worked and Mom, Vince, and I went shopping. I got some new maternity clothes from them for my birthday. We also went to Baby's R us and Registered! This was so much fun...and now I am finally done registering.We are registered at Baby's R Us, Target, and jcp.com. Heidi and Kirk got in late Friday night and we all stayed up and visited. It was so nice to catch up!
Then, Saturday we hit the gatorfest! Jimmy and Natalie were here too and we were excited to spend time with them also. We all touched live gators and Vince, Heidi, and Kirk rode in the air boats. We had good food (gator, roasted corn, sno cones, funnel cakes, fried pickles....a pregnant woman's utopia!!! LOL!) and shopped the vendors. Much fun! I got a painted tattoo on my arm that said Kyle! Of course, this started a new rumor I am sure...since people weren't sure why it didn't say George! Ha!
Saturday night we went to the concert and heard Corey Morrow and Roger Craiger. They were good and we saw alot of friends that we hadn't seen in awhile, and hopefully I made some new ones that I can start hanging out with....One bad thing did happen this week though! :( My ankles started swelling! We call them cankles! I have been trying to stay off of them and they look much better now. Kyle loved the music so much I thought he was going to jump right out of my tummy!!!
Sunday we put up the border in Kyle's nursery! It looks so cute! I am so excited...I can't wait for him to be here! I had such a good time this weekend, but was definately tuckered out when everyone left! Thank goodness I was off today so I could rest!
Oh, and my Nanny had to go in the hospital this weekend. We aren't sure exactly what is wrong yet, but please send up some prayers for her! I would be devastated to lose her....she is my Nanny!! Well, that catches things up. Can't wait for my next ob appt on Oct. 5th...Here are some pics from the weekend!

Catching you up on the Panthers...

The Anahuac Panthers are now 1-2 for the season. I haven't blogged on the last two games, so I thought I would catch up. We played Fort Bend Baptist at home on the 8th and we won! Our offense seemed to really wake up and the recievers were able to hold on to the ball this time! George was very proud, his defense once again held them to a small number of yards. The final score was 33-7.
Then, we get to this weeks game. George would rather forget about this one! We played Thurdsday night (due to gatorfest weekend) in Deerpark against Hitchcock. Our team seemed to play with no emotion or want to win. It was like they had never played football! The final score was 40 to 6....not a very exciting game to say the least. But, we aren't giving up on them. Next week will be better! Go Panthers!!!

This is the awesome diaper bag I bought yesterday! Ok, so it was a little pricey, but what a perfect bag that Mommy and Daddy won't mind carrying!  

Ok, so my kitchen is a mess and so is my face, but hey I was about to do my yoga video. Just wanted to post a 24 week prego pic-isn't Kyle getting so big!!!  

24 week appointment today

Today was our 24 week ob appointment. Everything is going great. Kyle's heart rate was again in the 150's and strong. He is kicking and punching like a pro now, so much in fact that Mommy is having a little trouble sleeping, but still thinks it is so fun to feel!! I have gained a total of 7.5lbs, and the Dr. says that is great. I am not having any swelling so far, and my blood pressures are within normal limits.

My next appointmet will be October 4th. This will be the big appointment! I will have my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. They will do more bloodwork to make sure I am not anemic. I will have another ultrasound to mainly view my placenta and see if it has moved up some. Then, I will have an antibody screen and get my first (hopefully only) Rhogam injection. Then after that they said I will start coming to the Dr. every two weeks. I get to have a 4D ultrasound done at my 32 week appt, which I can't wait for that! SO COOL! Well, just wanted to update you all on the pregnancy. Here is what pregnancy.org says is happening with Rookie right now at 24 weeks--
Your baby weighs about 1.2 pounds and is about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (or just under 12 inches from head to heel). His or her lungs have started secreting surfactant, the substance that keeps the moist, interior surface of the lungs from sticking together; and he or she is practicing breathing. Your baby's eyes are also watching for light and its ears are listening to your heart beat and your stomach growl.

A pic of Kyle's bed and green walls.  

The mighty Anahuac Panthers as they enter Kyle White Stadium! 

Teaching and correcting, but always supportive. 

Coach Taylor pacing the sidelines.... 

First Football game

Well, the Anahuac Panthers had a heartbreaking loss this past Friday at home against the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks. George knew that the offense may be in trouble, and boy was he right. We lost 9-16 with like six yards to go for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and about 5 seconds left. Our quarterback threw into the endzone to a receiver and he dove for the ball, got his hands on it, and dropped it! It was so intense! The Panther's d-line did a great job holding the Hawks and even scored two of our points for us with a safety. The defense held Hardin-Jefferson to only 105 total yards on the night (passing and rushing). Coach Taylor was disappointed at the outcome of the game, but knew his d-line played well. Next week we play Fort Bend Baptist at home. The Panthers are at the field right now practicing (on Labor Day) to try and get a win this week. Coach Taylor did an awesome job coaching. He is definately a natural and really gets into the game. I tried to take some pictures of him coaching, but they didn't turn out too good, but I will try to post some anyway.
On the baby front-- Rookie is doing great. Very active and getting sronger. We have our 24 week appt. tomorrow. George and I got the baby bed yesterday and put it together last night. He also started painting the room. We chose a kind of minty sage green. Looks very cute, just needs one more coat. I washed his clothes and bedding yesterday and as soon as all the painting is done I will set it all up! I am so excited that his nursery is coming together.
Yesterday we got a visit from the Terry Taylor family. It was great to see them. Ryan has gotten so big. He is such a happy baby and very expressive. George actually held him some, but still refused to change a diaper! Just wait, his time is coming! LOL! Brooke is still cute as ever. She is taking ballet and showed me some of her moves. She is a very good spinner!
We have alot coming up these next couple weeks. I am planning a trip to BCS/Flynn this next weekend to visit grandparents, and then the next weekend is gatorfest here in the "wack." Mom, Vince, Heidi and Kirk are all coming to stay the weekend with us and attend the festivites! We are looking forward to spending time with everyone!

Week 23

The Anahuac panthers have their first home game this week against Hardin Jefferson. George is optimistic and excited. Rookie and I are doing good. I started doing a prenatal yoga video this week. Some of the poses are really tough, but I am sure I will get better. It sure has helped my lower back pain already. We will be 23 weeks this Thursday on the 31st. Thought I would update what Rookie is doing right now at 23 weeks--
Your baby now weighs a little less than one pound, and is about 8 inches from crown to rump (or about 11.5 inches head to heel). He or she is continuing to develop facial features and you are probably feeling a lot of movement as your baby continues to explore its body and world in the comfort of his or her own personal "living womb." Your baby now has eyes that open and close, ears that can hear, and a thumb well worth sucking. If you notice feel your baby making regular, jerky movements, don't panic - your baby has the hiccups! The hiccups are harmless for baby but can be annoying for you if they last for a long period of time.

This is the bedding we chose for Kyle's bedroom. I ordered it from JC Penney's and we really love it! It is all sports(what else?!)--the theme is called Home Run. I love all the colors! We plan to paint the walls in his room the light green color, like a football field. Preparing for Rookie is so much fun!!

Beware of the Belly!!!!

Ok, so I have been having a little trouble getting used to this belly lately! When I am at work and I wash my hands I have been coming away from the sink with a soaked belly..LOL! I don't even realize its touching the sink until I walk away and feel wet. Then, occasionally I misjudge my size and when I try to walk between two close people or objects my belly brushes against it! Very embarassing, but funny too! I am getting the hang of keeping my balance though, I just have to go slower than I am used too.
But, yesterday my belly and I created a problem that could have been really bad! I left for work at 5:45 am like always, and at about 11:30 George called me at work. I knew something must be wrong since he was calling me on a Friday in the middle of the day. As soon as I picked up the phone he said "What are you trying to do, blow me up." Of course I had no idea what he was talking about. Come to find out when he decided to come home for lunch (and thank God he did because he usually doesn't) the house smelled horrible, like a gas leak. He discovered that the stove top was partially on and leaking gas. Now, I haven't cooked in about two days (I know, terrible me!) so I knew it hadn't been on that long. We finally realized the only way it could have happened. My prenatal vitamins are in a cabinet above the stove and when I got one that morning before work my belly must have hit the stove and turned it on!!!! I love my fat little belly, but we have got to work on some things! Guess I have to pay much more attention to what it could be touching, and I should move my prenatal vitamins to a better place. Everything turned out fine. George opened all the windows and turned on all the fans and it was pretty much gone by the time we got home last night. Lesson we learned.....BEWARE OF THE BELLY! LOL!!

George took this of my belly! I thought it was too funny not to post! My belly button is gonna become an outie sometime soon I think! LOL!!  

My profile at 20 weeks. Wearing my scrubs that I don't think will fit much longer!  

This was the best pic I could get of the 20 week ultrasound. This one shows his profile. I couldn't get the one that shows he is a boy to look good enough to post, it was too blurry.  

Rookie and I are doing good! I am just feeling really tired and moody all the sudden. I think he is just growing alot, but it almost feels like the first trimester again! Good thing I work only three days a week, so I can get my rest. Besides that we are doing good. I am feeling more and more tiny flutters daily. Mostly at night. My next OB appt is set for September 5th. This is what pregnancy.org says is going on with me and Rookie right now. We will be 21 weeks this thursday!
Week Twenty
You're half way there!
The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
The baby's heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats!
His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses you've already had for up to six months after birth!
The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during her development stages often are calming after birth.
Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).

Big Baby News!!!

Today was my big 20 week OB appointment. George was unable to go with me, since today was his first day of school. Which, was a little disappointing, but hey, he had to work. First I had my ultrasound. The tech asked me what names we had picked out and then I heard her typing something on the ultrasound. She then turned the screen toward me where I could see an arrow pointing to what she said was a penis sticking straight up and the name KYLE ANDREW written over it! I was so excited. I couldn't get back to Anahuac fast enough to tell George. I stopped and picked up lunch for us and met him for lunch at the school. He had this funny grin on his face and couldn't quit smiling at me! Finally he said, so, TELL ME! I handed him the picture and he looked close. Then his face lit up and he hugged me, followed by a high five and a OH YEAH!!! It was so cute. His chest automatically poked out and he was so excited! We would have loved a girl too, but this was really what George wanted first! Of course, my Dad is so excited too! He can't wait...and frankly I can't either! I hope the next 20 weeks go by fast!
After the ultrasound I had my regular OB appt. I have only gained three lbs since my first appt, which the doctor said was fine. The tetra screen we did (which tests for down syndrome tendencies) came back negative. She did have one concern though. She said my placenta implanted a little low and is close to the cervix. I am concerned about a previa, but she said most likely the further along I get the longer my cervix will get and it won't be a problem. They plan to do another ultrasound at 28 weeks to look at the placenta again. Baby Kyle's heart rate was strong and 155 bpm.
Our scanner is broken so I couldn't scan the ultrasound pic into my blog! :( I also tried taking a picture of it, but couldn't get it to turn out...SO, no new pics for now. Just wanted to let everyone know the great news! We are so blessed!

George, Toby, and Remi playing like little kids!  

Another pic of my big four month prego belly! I am feeling really good, just big and slow. I lose my balance sometimes because I am not used to being so big! LOL!  

Yesterday George and I took a break and we took Toby, Remi, and of course "Rookie" to play at Crystal Beach. I didn't realize it was only about a 30 minutes drive from here. We had a fun, relaxing time. I had George take some pictures of me so we could document my belly at four months. Have a look!

This is a picture of a 16 week fetus, we are about 15 weeks now. SO AWESOME!  

Our new house!  

3 and a half months pregnant and already showing some inches! But, so excited to have them! 

Getting Settled into our new place

So, I need to catch everyone up on a few things! George and I did buy the house in Anahuac on Galveston Street. We moved in about two weeks ago, but it took a loooong time to move. We had some bad rain and it ended up taking us like two weeks to actually get everything out of the other house. Then, this weekend we had a big garage sale. We had to get rid of so much stuff to fit in our new house. This is the first house we have lived in that doesn't have a garage or storage building, so the space is limited. So far we really love our home, despite the lack of space, and I am so excited to have a nursery that I can do whatever I want with!!

The preganacy is going good. Since I started my second trimester the headaches have gotten much better and the nausea is not as frequent. Although, indigestion has suddenly become a killer. I think I eat a bottle of TUMS a day. Ok...OK...not really that much, but I feel like I could. I plan to talk to my Dr. at my next appt to get something else like prevacid, or whatever kind of med pregnant women can take for indigestion. Maybe try Maalox or something. Anyway, my official due date was moved up to December 28th. I still think I may be even further along than that though. My next Dr. appt is scheduled for July 20th (I only have to go every four weeks now) and then at the appt after that we will be able to find out the sex of the baby. George is about to bust having to wait to find out! I can't wait either! We have alot of shopping to do....I have been so busy that I haven't been keeping up with my pregnancy like I wanted to. IN fact, I have no belly pictures yet and haven't even scrapbooked the day we found out we were pregnant! But, I have vowed to do better, so I will try to get some new pics out on here for everyone.

We had a little scare with George's job, but it has turned out to work out for the best. Right after we closed on our house we found out that the AD George was going to be working for took another job. We were very disappointed because we thought he was going to be a great mentor for George and that he would learn so much from him. But, we understood that he had to do what was best for his family. So, for a little while we weren't even sure George would be able to keep his title and teaching job he was given. But, they ended up moving up a coach that was already here to replace Coach Martel and George and him get along great. He seems like he is going to be a great AD as well. And, George has now been given the title of Middle School Athletic Coordinator and High School Defensive line coach. Plus, he will be teaching a middle school computer class instead of history, which made him happy. Just don't know how much I will see him, other than at the games! The life of a coach's wife though....

Last weekend we traveled to Kerrville and attended our first Coach's Outreach Marriage Conference. We had a blast! It was a great stress reliever from all that we had going on at home. We met some awesome coaches and their wives from all over the state of Texas. Plus, it really helped to rejuvenize our marriage. We did more communicating in one weekend than we have in months! We have decided to make going to this retreat a yearly ritual.

My Dad came down Friday to stay with us one night and check out our new house, it was good to see him. Mom and Vince came a couple weekends ago and helped us get settled. Can't wait to see them again! Well, I gotta get to cleaning some things around the house. Gotta work tomorrow. Hope you are all doing well!

Keeping up!

Ok, so I am not too good at keeping up with the blog lately! Sorry! We have been really busy. I am now 10 weeks pregnant, and boy is it starting to show!! George is already calling me a little pot bellied pig! LOL! I initially lost weight, but am back up to my prepregnancy weight now. I am still pretty tried all the time, but it seems to be getting better. The headaches are still coming and going, but (thank God) I haven't had any more of the horrible migraines lately. I have been having cravings already- I seem to now love to eat french fries and ice cream together! haha! I have a dr's appt tomorrow and I am excited to get another ultrasound and see how big "Rookie" has gotten.
George and I are closing on our house on Monday,the 12th. We didn't get the one we intially did the inpection on because of all the things we found wrong with it. Thank goodness, because we found something much better for our growing family with a lower price tag. It is a 4 bedroom 2 bath brick home that is only two years old. We are both very excited and can't wait to move in. We plan to start moving on the day we close if possible. We have already been allowed to paint some rooms in the house and it was alot of fun picking my colors. George did a great job painting- I couldn't help, which was hard, but I understood since all the paint cans had warnings for pregnant women on them.
George started teaching the strength and conditioning program this week, so he is really ready to move to Anahuac. He is leaving for Anahuac aka "the wack" at 5 am every morning and then comes home and goes back in the evening. Oh yeah, George also got a new truck!! We had been looking for a bigger truck so the car seat would fit, and we ended finding a great deal at the dealership where we bought my car. He went to get maintenance stuff done on my car for me, and came home with a new truck! He got a 2004 Dodge Quadcab. It is white, so we have matching vehicles now. LOL! I am so happy that he finally has a big enough vehicle he can be comfortable in without ducking his head.
My job is going ok. The administrators did finally decide not to open the floor I was hired for, but they are going to keep all the new nurses they hired and find a place for us. SO far, I have been working in the Nursery, in L&D doing antepartums, and on the mother/Baby floor. I enjoy having the variety and am just glad that I didn't lose my job! I was worried for a while. I needed to keep my short term disability just in case we need it......Well, I guess that about catches us up for now. Until the next post.........

This is what our "little Rookie" looks like right now at 8 weeks. He has now graduated to being a fetus instead of an embryo. YEAH!!! 

Busy Day!

We had a busy day yesterday. I had another ultrasound and it was so AMAZING!!! I know I said that last time, but I just can't get over the changes that two weeks makes. "Rookie" had distinct fingers and toes and was moving around! He/She has a strong heart beat at 179 bpm. He/She had her little bootie in the air! The ultrasound tech highlighted the blood flow from the placenta to the umblical cord and showed me! So AWESOME!!! She said that yesterday according to my measurements I was 8 weeks and 3 days. Then, after my appointment Nanny and Papa dropped by on their way home from gambling to visit. We took a tour of the new Super Walmart here in Liberty (what else could we do! LOL!) and had some snacks at the McDonald's. Then, they went with me to the house we are looking at buying on Light Street. We had the inspection done and were a little disappointed in what we found. The storage building outside has termites and we are getting the house inspected for them today. Plus, we found some other things that we didn't notice initially. We aren't really sure what to do at this point. We are just praying. I would live in anything at this point. I just want a place to raise my baby. Ughhhh!! So frustrating! The biggest problem is that we don't have any choices in the little town of Anahuac. There is nothing else on the market that is even remotely in our price range. Please keep our family in your prayers. Thanks!

Almost Home Owners!!

Well, they accepted our offer on the light street house! We are very excited, but also a little nervous. Big decision ya know?!! Things could still fall through, but we are optimistic. Now we are getting an inspection, appraisal, etc.... Rookie is gonna have his/her own nursery now!! We can decorate it however we want! I am most excited about that. I am doing good. Have gained about two lbs. Still get really nauseated in the evenings and have bad headaches. But, it is so worth it. My next appt is scheduled for the 24th. I will be 8 weeks by then and excited to see what Rookie will look like. Thats our big news! Cant wait to have you all over to the house! LOL!!

The girls! Nanny, Heidi, Mom, and Me! 

I am 5 weeks pregnant here! We are so excited!! 

Happy Mother's Day!

This past weekend we went to Bryan to see my family. We got to spend time with my Mom and Vince, Heidi, Nanny and Papa, and the Cantu family. We had a great time. I received my first mother's day cards and gifts! It was so exciting! I have to work this weekend,(the weekend of actual Mother's Day)so we celebrated early.
Yesterday 5/11/06 we had our second OB appointment. We had another ultrasound and this time we could really see the baby and we could see it's little heartbeat fluttering. We even got to hear it! I was beating 114 beats per minute. "Rookie" made such an amazing transformation in 2 weeks! It was wonderful to see and realize that I really am growing this little life inside of me. Such a miracle!! The doctor told us that I am about 6 weeks, so she pushed my due date back a little. She said around the first of January. Maybe we will have the first baby of 2007! Then again, and December baby would be a good tax break! Haha! The things we think about!
We are still working on buying our first home. The one we originally wanted fell thru and the other one I liked already has a contract on it. So, today we put an offer in on the older one on Light Street. We are now just waiting to see if they accept the offer. It is a big house (2100 square foot) with a lot of updates and a huge yard. It has definate potential.
While in Bryan at my Aunt's house my sister took some great pictures of me and my family (the first one's showing my little pregnant pooch. I will post some of the best ones. Hope you all have a Happy Mother's Day!!!

So much going on!

Well, we have had a wonderful week. Just knowing we are pregnant made it great. We have alot of important things happening in our lives right now, so please keep us in your prayers. On Tuesday (May 2nd) the house we are trying to buy is going up for auction. Our realtor is going to the Auction, and then that night we are going to get together and put in an offer. If it is the right house for us, then everything should work out. Our next Dr. appointment is May 11th. We are hoping by then we can see "Rookie's" heartbeat on the ultrasound. I have been struggling with some kind of sinus infection for a few days. I talked to the Dr. about it once and she said to call if it wasn't better by today, so I plan to call later. I hate to take any medicines so early in the pregnancy, but I have been having low grade fevers and I am starting to get that asthmatic cough I get, which I know can't be good for the baby either. Also, I am having a little problem with my job right now. They still haven't opened up the new unit I was hired for, and in the last two week I have been called off like four times. Being a new employee, I don't have any paid time off accrued yet, so this is going to be really hard on our checkbooks. George and I have talked about it, and I am considering putting in for a transfer the a Labor and Delivery position on the night shift at the same hospital. This would keep me from getting called off, and I have always wanted to do Labor and Delivery. I think it would be a less stressful environment for me during our pregnancy. Also, this job offers a big sign on bonus, which could really help us out if we get this house, or just to get ready for baby or pay off some bills. I know, everyone is worried about me doing the night shift, but I think it would work out. The drive would be easier, since I would be going the opposite way of all the traffic. And, once the baby is born, we wouldn't really need day care at all. So, as you can see we have a lot of life changing decisions to make the next couple weeks. But, we couldn't be more excited. By the way, Happy Birthday to Poker Oler, George Taylor, Jr, and Morgan Oler. We had fun celebrating all their birthdays this last week. I'll post some pics of Morgan's party that we went to yesterday. She had a blast, and we did too.