15 weeks

Here is a recent photo of the bump! The baby is now the size of a naval orange - 4 inches, 2.5 oz

Thankful on Paper : week four

I can't have a month of thanks without mentioning my husband!

That being said, it's hard to sum up all the things I want to say about Brandon. He's a wonderful husband, father and friend. I love how we do life together. There is no one I would rather spend my time with... even if we are doing absolutely nothing. He is my best friend, and he truly has my back in any situation.

When I've had a tough day, he gives Hudson his bath so that I can lay on the couch and relax. When he gets home from work before me, he starts dinner. He gets Hudson ready for school in the morning and packs his lunch. He puts flannel sheets on our bed when it gets cold so that it is extra comfy for us when we go to bed. These are just a few silly things that mean so much to me.

Over the last few years, we have really grown together - in our maturity and in our faith. He challenges me to get out of my comfort zone. We have had some ups and downs (I can do without any more injuries/surgeries, thank you) but through it all, we have tried to focus on the silver lining (there has always been one), and we have learned what is truly important in life.

I am so thankful for having such an amazing man to share my life with. Cheers to many, many more Thanksgivings!

Thankful on Paper : week three

This week I wrote to my good friend, Erin, who I met back in 2003 when I moved into the apartment next door to her. We hit it off instantly and were practically inseparable from that point on! We ended up working together at Outback and would spend most of our free time together (usually involving a bar, but what do you expect from 21-year-olds?) And it was on the same day in July 2004 that we started dating our now-husbands.

We've had so many great memories together, and we have also been there for each other during tough times. We have spent countless hours laying around on the couch, talking about whatever drama we had going on in our lives. Erin always gives it to me straight, and I really appreciate that quality in her. She stood up with me the day I got married, and I was able to do the same for her a few months later.

Unfortunately, we are no longer neighbors - she actually lives in Northern California now - but she is still one of my very best friends. I was able to visit her last month and meet her new baby girl, and it was great being able to lay around on the couch having girl talk again... just like old times (minus the dirty martinis and late-night Del Taco!) Luckily we have both grown up since we were crazy, single 21-year-olds... but regardless of how old we get, she will always have a special place in my heart!

We're having a...

GIRL!!

Yesterday, we went for an early gender detection ultrasound. I've had a few friends who have found out the gender of their babies at 13-14 weeks, so I figured I would try to sneak a peek! The tech told us that it was a baby girl! Apparently she saw the "3 lines" or "3 dots" that signify a girl. Obviously, I would have been happy with a boy or a girl, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking "No penis, no penis..." while I was on that table... ha ha. We are all very excited to be adding some pink to our family. From the very beginning, Hudson said he wanted a baby sister, so I guess he's getting what he wanted!

We will be naming our little girl London Lorraine. Lorraine is my grandpa's name, and for a while now, we've thought it would make a great middle name. After we found out the gender, I called my grandpa to make sure it was okay with him to use his name for our daughter. He replied, "That would be fine." If you know my grandpa, you know he is a rough and gruff kind of guy- a man of few words. So I knew even by this simple phrase that he thought it was pretty cool. I'm sure he's told a few friends at the donut store already.

Thankful on Paper : week two

This week I wrote to my mom. My mom lives 1,721 miles away from me, and I hate it. But even with all that distance between us, we are extremely close. I actually think we have become closer as the miles apart increased. Over the last 15 years, she and my step-dad have left everything behind (TWICE) to go where God has led them. Selfishly, I ask God (regularly) to lead them back to Southern California. :)

Growing up, my mom was pretty strict. She was the mom that wrote medical release forms for every outing I went on with friends (that's not embarrassing when you're 14...), would make me stop by her room to tell her when I got home every night (like I could sneak in anyways... how are moms such light sleepers?!), and would tell me countless things to which I would respond, "I know, Mom." But looking back, I am so grateful for all of those things because I know she did them out of genuine love and concern. And I will probably be guilty of doing the same with my kids!

In the last 5 years, my mom has become one of my closest friends. Through good times and bad, she has always been there for me, and she hasn't just listened... she's felt the joy and pain with me. She has always given me her honest opinion, even when it's not what I wanted to hear. She is extremely thoughtful, kind and has the highest integrity. I am so blessed to have her as my mom.

12 weeks!

Here are some new pics from this morning's ultrasound. I asked the tech if she saw anything between the legs, and she said she didn't, but that it is still early! We have an "early gender determination" ultrasound on Sunday, so we'll see if we get any results then!

"The Giving Tree" as Brandon calls it. :)

This was a crazy weekend... we moved out of our condo and into a house. We are all so happy to have more space, but the moving process is never fun. I think you always underestimate how much stuff you really have! Anyway, we managed to get everything out and we are enjoying our new home and backyard!! I think the greatest moment for Brandon and me was watching Hudson and Gunnar (our chocolate lab) running around together in the backyard. That made all the hassle worth it already.

I am so thankful that I have been feeling good throughout this pregnancy, and somehow I was able to keep my energy up throughout the weekend and don't feel too tired today. (Thank you, Lord.)

Thankful on Paper : week one

This month I am participating in "Thankful on Paper" which basically means that once a week, I tell someone -- on paper -- that I am thankful for them and why.

I started off by writing to my mother-in-law, Joan. She is an amazing woman. Besides the fact that she raised her son (my wonderful hubby) alone from the time he was a few months old, worked multiple jobs and went to school, all while making sure they had fun together, even though they didn't have money... she is one of the most generous and selfless people I know. She would and has dropped everything to help us out when we've been in a bind. She has played many roles: babysitter, nurse, personal shopper, chef and maid, just to name a few. I don't think the word "inconvenience" is in her vocabulary. She is happy to help in any way she can. Aside from all these wonderful things, she is also a strong woman of God and looks for any and every opportunity to minister and bless others, whether it be missions trips to Uganda or Mexico, or counseling a woman she meets at the local bakery. She has such a heart for people, and I am truly blessed to know her.

Thank you, Joan, for being such an incredible part of our lives.

Halloween 2010

I wish I could tell you about our fun weekend, filled with candy, costumes, pony rides, pumpkins and so on... but instead we were sick and missed out on all the fun!

On Friday we were planning to go to Hudson's school for Harvest Day. They were going to have a fun concert for the kids, pony rides, a bouncy house, a petting zoo and lots of great activities! But Thursday night, Hudson woke up sick in the middle of the night and that lasted all of Friday.

On Sunday we were planning to go to Saddleback Church's "Blocktober" Party. However, early Sunday morning, I woke up with the stomach flu was sick all day. Brandon also got it in the afternoon, so we weren't feeling too festive.

I was bummed that we missed out on all the fun, but luckily Hudson didn't realize what we were missing. (I'm sure that will change next year.) On Monday I decided to have a "Halloween Re-do" and put him in his costume to at least snap a few pictures.

So... I give you...

Hudson the Drooling Dragon!!

ROAR!

*He may not breathe flames on you, but he will definitely slobber all over you! Thanks, 2-year-molars!