Wow, a busy weekend. I am not even sure where to start. I guess I will start by saying I am truly blessed. I could do nothing without God and the wonderful blessings he bestows. I have amazing friends and an awesome family. Who could ask for more. I feel very loved.
Friday I graduated with a Master's in Educational Psychology with an Emphasis in Gifted and Talented Education. Try saying that three times fast. The ceremony was on the UNT campus in Denton so we had about an hour drive from my parents' house in Plano. Dr. Phil was the keynote speaker. He actually bumped me walking toward the stage. I didn't realize who he was until after he passed though. As a speaker, I would describe him as entertaining but not inspirational. Definitely not the worst speaker I have ever heard. The ceremony went smoothly. I walked the stage without falling and William didn't kick me too hard, though he made his presence known. Everything was great except that it was just too long. They took forever to hood the doctoral candidates and so by the time it was finally over, half of the Master's candidates had already left and the stands were less than half full. There has to be a way to make that go more quickly. We all (Francis, his parents, my parents, Christian, Danielle, Jamama and Japapa, and I) went to Three Forks for dinner. My steak was delicious and the food overall was very good.
Saturday was my first baby shower. It was held at my mom's house in Plano. William and I looked very cute. We had around 25 people at the shower! I felt so loved to have so many people want to be there. William got some wonderful gifts that both he and I sincerely appreciate! Francis and the boys went out to the range and had some "man time" while the ladies had the shower. I think they had almost as much fun as we did!
Sunday we did maternity photos with Ruth Cooper. I can't wait to see how they turn out! Francis and I went to the park by my parents' house and did a bunch of different cute poses. After dinner we headed back (we couldn't get everything in the car!) and arrived back late last night. It was one of the best weekends ever!
I was going to write more, but how can you top that? Till next time!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
So, things are really starting to fall into place. For starters, I made a Birth Plan. I don't know if I will stick by it at all, but it was good to think about certain things in advance. I also made a check list for Francis and myself with all important phone numbers and reminders so that we don't forget too much in our trip to and stay at the hospital.
Also, the nursery is coming along. Barring some touch-ups, the nursery is completely painted! My mom, dad and sister Christian came up Friday night. On Saturday, Francis and my dad put up the chair rail. It looks so good!!! I can't wait to hang everything up and get the full picture. I have an awesome Dad and husband. While they were doing manual labor, the girls went shopping. I found a dress for my shower in Dallas next weekend. I am so excited! Oh! And good news for my mother. She finally got to feel William kick! He was up to his old tricks on Friday night. He would move like crazy when Christian touched my stomach, but would stop whenever my mom put her hand on me. I finally called Francis, who is after all the master of making William move, and he jiggled William around a good bit. William then kicked right at my mom's hand. She was very excited. It was a nice early Mother's Day present for her, I think. My family headed back Saturday afternoon so that they could be back at church for Mother's Day on Sunday.
Speaking of Mother's day. I had my first one yesterday. It was a good day. Our church was doing free professional portraits and giving out one free 5 by 7 to each mom. I can't decide which one to order. They came out very nice! Francis took me out for lunch at Carino's and then we went to Target and bought Tangled (something I really wanted!). We completed a bunch of things in the afternoon including hanging the curtains in the nursery as well as two pictures and a mirror that have been sitting on the floor since we moved in. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to have those things off my list! We watched Tangled in the evening and then when I went to bed, I found a card and little box on my pillow. The card was so sweet, and inside the Zales box was a gorgeous necklace I had said that I wanted. Who could ask for more? It was a wonderful mother's day: one I won't quickly forget. I hope to repay my wonderful husband when Father's Day comes next month!
Also, the nursery is coming along. Barring some touch-ups, the nursery is completely painted! My mom, dad and sister Christian came up Friday night. On Saturday, Francis and my dad put up the chair rail. It looks so good!!! I can't wait to hang everything up and get the full picture. I have an awesome Dad and husband. While they were doing manual labor, the girls went shopping. I found a dress for my shower in Dallas next weekend. I am so excited! Oh! And good news for my mother. She finally got to feel William kick! He was up to his old tricks on Friday night. He would move like crazy when Christian touched my stomach, but would stop whenever my mom put her hand on me. I finally called Francis, who is after all the master of making William move, and he jiggled William around a good bit. William then kicked right at my mom's hand. She was very excited. It was a nice early Mother's Day present for her, I think. My family headed back Saturday afternoon so that they could be back at church for Mother's Day on Sunday.
Speaking of Mother's day. I had my first one yesterday. It was a good day. Our church was doing free professional portraits and giving out one free 5 by 7 to each mom. I can't decide which one to order. They came out very nice! Francis took me out for lunch at Carino's and then we went to Target and bought Tangled (something I really wanted!). We completed a bunch of things in the afternoon including hanging the curtains in the nursery as well as two pictures and a mirror that have been sitting on the floor since we moved in. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to have those things off my list! We watched Tangled in the evening and then when I went to bed, I found a card and little box on my pillow. The card was so sweet, and inside the Zales box was a gorgeous necklace I had said that I wanted. Who could ask for more? It was a wonderful mother's day: one I won't quickly forget. I hope to repay my wonderful husband when Father's Day comes next month!
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011
William and I have turned in our last paper today for my Master's degree. I am all finished with schoolwork (unless my adviser tells me otherwise). It was a bittersweet moment to turn that paper in, but I think William will be very glad when he comes that his momma doesn't have to do school assignments in between changing his diapers. Working on my doctorate will have to wait a little while, that's for sure. I walk the stage Friday, May 13th. I feel a "Freaky Friday" joke is in order, but I don't have one.
Overall it's been a quiet week. William has been moving up a storm. It's fun to watch him somersault; I can see his feet or hands move down across my belly. I think he did a back bend yesterday as I saw four little points move out on my stomach and then move quickly back together. It was so cool. None of it hurts (some people tell me to just wait and it will...), but the movements do startle me on occasion. Especially when he kicks something other than me. He kicks his dad all the time, but Francis deserves it. Francis presses and jiggles my stomach until William responds. Then it is a game of tag for however long William can stand it. William has kicked each of the dogs in turn when they snuggle up against me on the couch. He's kicked the laptop computer, my textbooks, my cell phone, and anything else that comes near my belly. I know some women worry about not feeling their baby, but I don't have that problem. It is absolutely wonderful.
We have three more childbirth classes, one of which is tonight. I don't remember if I mentioned this, but we got a tour of the women's center at our last meeting. That building cannot be more than a couple of years old. They showed us a delivery room. The room has beautiful wood paneling and a couch that pulls out into a full size bed. Everything looks so new and beautiful, you would never guess that women scream, curse and writhe in pain there on a daily basis. The room where we go after I deliver is equally nice. All rooms are private rooms and have adequate space for spouse and visitors. When I want to rest or walk around, there is a fully enclosed garden where I can go and only patients or visitors of the women's center can access that area. It is closed off from he rest of the hospital. The area is gorgeous and even has a waterfall. All that to say, if I am going to have to be in a hospital, I am very blessed to be in that one! I am almost there too, so I am glad to be at ease with the hospital's layout and general staff.
Overall it's been a quiet week. William has been moving up a storm. It's fun to watch him somersault; I can see his feet or hands move down across my belly. I think he did a back bend yesterday as I saw four little points move out on my stomach and then move quickly back together. It was so cool. None of it hurts (some people tell me to just wait and it will...), but the movements do startle me on occasion. Especially when he kicks something other than me. He kicks his dad all the time, but Francis deserves it. Francis presses and jiggles my stomach until William responds. Then it is a game of tag for however long William can stand it. William has kicked each of the dogs in turn when they snuggle up against me on the couch. He's kicked the laptop computer, my textbooks, my cell phone, and anything else that comes near my belly. I know some women worry about not feeling their baby, but I don't have that problem. It is absolutely wonderful.
We have three more childbirth classes, one of which is tonight. I don't remember if I mentioned this, but we got a tour of the women's center at our last meeting. That building cannot be more than a couple of years old. They showed us a delivery room. The room has beautiful wood paneling and a couch that pulls out into a full size bed. Everything looks so new and beautiful, you would never guess that women scream, curse and writhe in pain there on a daily basis. The room where we go after I deliver is equally nice. All rooms are private rooms and have adequate space for spouse and visitors. When I want to rest or walk around, there is a fully enclosed garden where I can go and only patients or visitors of the women's center can access that area. It is closed off from he rest of the hospital. The area is gorgeous and even has a waterfall. All that to say, if I am going to have to be in a hospital, I am very blessed to be in that one! I am almost there too, so I am glad to be at ease with the hospital's layout and general staff.
Monday, April 25, 2011
April 25th, 2011
William's first Easter has come and gone. I can’t wait for him to get here so he can see and know all of the wonderful joys that Easter encompasses. Francis and I went to Tyler on Thursday. For as long as I can remember, my family has camped out Easter weekend with my parents’ Sunday school class. We made it in late Thursday night and set up camp. It was a lot of fun and so many wonderful people were there. They all cannot wait to meet William! Francis and I watched the Easter egg hunt and I took pictures as others dyed eggs. We even made out yearly pilgrimage to Mercado’s restaurant. I am so glad William likes Mexican food! We had a sunset service on Friday night where we put nails in a wooden cross to symbolize things we needed to give over to God. Sunday we had a “sunrise” service at 10 am and had the Lord’s Supper.
My mother is very frustrated. She must have a calming effect on William because every time he starts kicking, he stops when she touches my stomach. Christian and Danielle both got to feel him this weekend, but not my mom! She says that she guesses she will be the one to put him to bed at night since she has that soothing effect. Oh! And the strangest thing happened on Saturday, William rolled over and in the middle of my perfectly round little stomach was a bump. I think it was his head, but it might have been his rump sticking out. It weirded out Danielle and Francis, who could see it.
Sunday Francis and I drove to Dallas right after the service. We had lunch with Cyndy, Chris, Abby, Nana, Uncle Jim, and Frankie’s parents. It was an excellent meal. Then we drove back to Austin. I think William must like riding in the car, because he moves around a lot. Not in an annoyed “get me out of here” way, but kind of like he is on a roller coaster going “weee!”. He moves a bunch, but the movements are soft. I may be delusional, but I imagine if he didn’t like me being in the car, he would try to make me as uncomfortable as possible…
Only a little while longer and I will find out if my suspicion is correct. So exciting!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
April 19th, 2011
So, life seems to come in waves. So much has happened in the past week.
First off, Rebecca Heard changed her name to Rebecca Browne. Yes, she tied the knot with Mr. David on Saturday. I went to Abilene late Thursday night and found myself in the middle of a backdrop-making party. The reception site was surrounded by a less than attractive corrugated rusted metal wall, and so Rebecca and company had created a backdrop to cover it. The result was beautiful, but I could tell it took a lot of work! Friday, I got up and we (Rebecca, Rachael, Melissa and I) went shopping for last minute wedding things. At 1 O'clock we had the Bridesmaids' Luncheon where we met up with the rest of the wonderful ladies in Rebecca's life. We ate at Hickory Street Cafe, which reminded me a lot of where I had my Bridesmaids' Luncheon. It was a wonderful time. We spent the afternoon and first part of the evening setting up for the reception at Lytle Cove Cottage, and then had the rehearsal at 6. I got to put my wedding planning skills into action and help run the rehearsal, which was a lot of fun. We had BBQ for dinner and then it was back to work. At the end of the day, the girls staying at the Cottage for the night gathered around and told stories about Rebecca. It was a sweet way for Rebecca to spend her last evening as a single woman.
The wedding ended up being beautiful. The Bridesmaids' dresses were all different shades of purple, and since I was the Matron of Honor, I had the second darkest color (Maroon) after Rachael (the Maid of Honor). I cried, of course, but at least I didn't sob. Francis videoed the wedding, but he promised me that he zoomed in far enough that you couldn't see me during the ceremony. William started to kick me during the ceremony because he was excited, but I think I managed to hide my surprise at each little thump. I got to see many wonderful people at the reception and most of all, I got to see my friend be the happiest I have ever seen her. I guess William has already been in his first wedding. I have pictures to prove it.
We came back late Saturday night (it was a long day!).Sunday we cleaned the house and tried to get the nursery as finished as possible for Nana and Uncle Jim (Francis's grandmother and Uncle). They came Sunday evening and stayed with us until today. It was wonderful to visit with them. Yesterday, I took Nana and Uncle Jim to tour the State Capital. Congress is in session right now and we actually got to see the House vote on a bill. It passed. I really like our State Capital. It is beautiful. Today, Nana went with me to my doctor's appointment. Guess what? They did another ultrasound! Have I mentioned how much I love my doctor? Nana got to see William move around, swallow, and play with his hands and feet. His little heart was just beating away. They confirmed (once again) that he was a boy. Nana got to keep a bunch of pictures and now she knows exactly what is on them. It is so much easier to tell each body part when you can see it move around. I am so glad she got to see it!
So, that's my news. Oh, and I think I need a nap.
First off, Rebecca Heard changed her name to Rebecca Browne. Yes, she tied the knot with Mr. David on Saturday. I went to Abilene late Thursday night and found myself in the middle of a backdrop-making party. The reception site was surrounded by a less than attractive corrugated rusted metal wall, and so Rebecca and company had created a backdrop to cover it. The result was beautiful, but I could tell it took a lot of work! Friday, I got up and we (Rebecca, Rachael, Melissa and I) went shopping for last minute wedding things. At 1 O'clock we had the Bridesmaids' Luncheon where we met up with the rest of the wonderful ladies in Rebecca's life. We ate at Hickory Street Cafe, which reminded me a lot of where I had my Bridesmaids' Luncheon. It was a wonderful time. We spent the afternoon and first part of the evening setting up for the reception at Lytle Cove Cottage, and then had the rehearsal at 6. I got to put my wedding planning skills into action and help run the rehearsal, which was a lot of fun. We had BBQ for dinner and then it was back to work. At the end of the day, the girls staying at the Cottage for the night gathered around and told stories about Rebecca. It was a sweet way for Rebecca to spend her last evening as a single woman.
The wedding ended up being beautiful. The Bridesmaids' dresses were all different shades of purple, and since I was the Matron of Honor, I had the second darkest color (Maroon) after Rachael (the Maid of Honor). I cried, of course, but at least I didn't sob. Francis videoed the wedding, but he promised me that he zoomed in far enough that you couldn't see me during the ceremony. William started to kick me during the ceremony because he was excited, but I think I managed to hide my surprise at each little thump. I got to see many wonderful people at the reception and most of all, I got to see my friend be the happiest I have ever seen her. I guess William has already been in his first wedding. I have pictures to prove it.
We came back late Saturday night (it was a long day!).Sunday we cleaned the house and tried to get the nursery as finished as possible for Nana and Uncle Jim (Francis's grandmother and Uncle). They came Sunday evening and stayed with us until today. It was wonderful to visit with them. Yesterday, I took Nana and Uncle Jim to tour the State Capital. Congress is in session right now and we actually got to see the House vote on a bill. It passed. I really like our State Capital. It is beautiful. Today, Nana went with me to my doctor's appointment. Guess what? They did another ultrasound! Have I mentioned how much I love my doctor? Nana got to see William move around, swallow, and play with his hands and feet. His little heart was just beating away. They confirmed (once again) that he was a boy. Nana got to keep a bunch of pictures and now she knows exactly what is on them. It is so much easier to tell each body part when you can see it move around. I am so glad she got to see it!
So, that's my news. Oh, and I think I need a nap.
Monday, April 11, 2011
April 11th, 2011
So not much to really write. Very little has happened the past week. We went to our first Childbirth class. That was entertaining for me and possibly a little scarring for Francis. I won't go into all the details, but at one point the presenter accidentally stuck the baby doll into the wrong end of the example bone pelvis and Francis's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He's right though; babies can only go out, not back in... Tonight in class we are working on breathing exercises. I hope I don't feel too silly.
Other than that, we have been working on painting the nursery. Before you get to excited, it's not picture worthy yet. We have only put down the primer so now the room is completely white. Well, actually the ceiling is off white, something we learned now that the walls are so stark. Why did we put down a primer? Originally we believed that the brown on the walls would make the light yellow and green we bought look dirty. I think we will thank ourselves in the long run, but right now we are just too tired to care. Hopefully we will get it all painted and the chair rail up before Francis's grandmother and uncle are supposed to come next week so they can see it. It would be quite a long trek from Canada just to see a white room...
So there you go! Now I have to get back to school work, but first...lunch! William would never let me forget about lunch.
Other than that, we have been working on painting the nursery. Before you get to excited, it's not picture worthy yet. We have only put down the primer so now the room is completely white. Well, actually the ceiling is off white, something we learned now that the walls are so stark. Why did we put down a primer? Originally we believed that the brown on the walls would make the light yellow and green we bought look dirty. I think we will thank ourselves in the long run, but right now we are just too tired to care. Hopefully we will get it all painted and the chair rail up before Francis's grandmother and uncle are supposed to come next week so they can see it. It would be quite a long trek from Canada just to see a white room...
So there you go! Now I have to get back to school work, but first...lunch! William would never let me forget about lunch.
Monday, April 4, 2011
April 4th, 2011
Busy weekend. I went to Abilene on Friday afternoon. I got to see the show in which she was acting at Hardin-Simmons University. It was called Roads to Home. The show itself was a little odd towards the end, but Danielle was amazing. Then again, she always is. Rebecca, my grandparents and Aunt Cheryl all came. It was very fun.
Saturday marked Rebecca's two wedding showers: a bridal shower and a lingerie shower. These are the first and last wedding showers William will probably attend until he is getting married. He was a good sport and didn't give me too much trouble. The showers went smoothly, and it was great to get to celebrate Rebecca and her coming marriage. Only two more weeks!!! I also got to see and talk to Rachael Heard! It was a perfectly wonderful weekend, and to expound on it any further could never do it justice.
I came back home yesterday for lunch and worked on the plans for our trip to New York City. I am beginning to get very excited. Francis and I are going with his family the first week of June first for his cousin Jessica's wedding and then just to see the sights once again in the city I love. Afterall, it is where I fell in love with my husband! This trip is our "babymoon" of sorts, I guess you could say.
Finally, last night was very interesting. William moved a normal amount this weekend, but when Francis and I sat on the couch last evening, William went crazy with movement. Francis spent nearly an hour with his hand on my belly feeling all the jerks, kicks and rolls that William was performing. It was amazing. Whenever I am around Francis, William moves a ton. It never fails. I don't know if William can feel how happy I am around Francis or if he just somehow knows that his adoring father is around, but I know no matter what time of day it is, if Francis is around, William will start moving. He just loves his daddy and wants to say hi!
Saturday marked Rebecca's two wedding showers: a bridal shower and a lingerie shower. These are the first and last wedding showers William will probably attend until he is getting married. He was a good sport and didn't give me too much trouble. The showers went smoothly, and it was great to get to celebrate Rebecca and her coming marriage. Only two more weeks!!! I also got to see and talk to Rachael Heard! It was a perfectly wonderful weekend, and to expound on it any further could never do it justice.
I came back home yesterday for lunch and worked on the plans for our trip to New York City. I am beginning to get very excited. Francis and I are going with his family the first week of June first for his cousin Jessica's wedding and then just to see the sights once again in the city I love. Afterall, it is where I fell in love with my husband! This trip is our "babymoon" of sorts, I guess you could say.
Finally, last night was very interesting. William moved a normal amount this weekend, but when Francis and I sat on the couch last evening, William went crazy with movement. Francis spent nearly an hour with his hand on my belly feeling all the jerks, kicks and rolls that William was performing. It was amazing. Whenever I am around Francis, William moves a ton. It never fails. I don't know if William can feel how happy I am around Francis or if he just somehow knows that his adoring father is around, but I know no matter what time of day it is, if Francis is around, William will start moving. He just loves his daddy and wants to say hi!
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