Home!

I am at home for good until the baby arrives! Payton is doing fine, but the doctor was worried about my blood pressure. So, now I must find some things to do on the couch or in bed to keep me busy. Daytime TV sure is not going to keep me entertained for long. I am glad that we got most of our stuff together this weekend, so we are ready for him to come anytime now. Just keep us in your prayers until that day arrives and in the days following!

Last Picture!

We have one last picture of Payton. We were glad that he is no longer breech, so things seem to be headed in the right direction. It was hard to get a picture of him when he is so big, but I think he looks pretty cute! It is hard to believe that he is almost here. He is still very active and seems to have a lot to express about how he feels. The doctor thinks he may be early which would be good. He is ready to go and we will see the doctor weekly. We will keep you posted as things change.

Christmas Update

I hadn't posted in awhile, so I thought I would update everyone on the 'happenings'. We celebrated Christmas in Texas on December 21st, as we were going to be traveling the next day. On the 22nd, we flew out of Texas to Rockford, IL to be with Jonathan's family for several days. We had a great time while we were there and enjoyed being around everyone that we don't get to see very often. We had lots of family things and they even threw us a baby shower while we were there. And, as I was dreaming of a white Christmas, the opposite happened. It was an unusually warm December in Illinois. Jonathan got a new suit from his parents for Christmas and looks very handsome in it. I'm including a couple pictures from our time there.







I should include a baby update as well. We had another visit today and Payton is doing very well. My health is fairly good, but I have quite a bit of swelling in my legs and feet, so we are keeping a close eye on that. We will have another appointment in two weeks and will get to see the baby again. We start our childbirth classes tomorrow, so things are really starting to roll right along. :)

Eight Months

We had another appointment this past week and everything is going well. Payton is continuing to grow and we are looking forward to our travels to Illinois this next week. Lots of wrapping of gifts to do before then and lots of cookies to bake. I have to make five dozen cookies tomorrow. I love this time of year, but I can't wait until we get to Illinois and I can relax a little.

Baby Payton at 7 1/2 months

This is our most recent picture of Payton. We had to have another sonogram done because there were some questions as to his size. He is doing just fine and is right on target. He is looking even bigger and his features are more defined. Payton was being really difficult about getting some good shots of his face because he was sleeping, but we finally got one. I think that he really looks like his daddy. Jonathan's mom got to go with us for this ultrasound, which was really cool.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Remember what this holiday is really about...giving thanks to God for all he has done, and will do, for us.

Picture of Me at 7 Months Pregnant

Seven Months

We are officially seven months along! We are now to our every two weeks for appointments, so the time should go by quickly. We will also being starting all the classes that all new parents take. I had Jonathan take some pictures of me the other day, but I have yet to put them on the computer. Payton is very active and gives me constant reminders that he is around. Thanksgiving is coming next week and we are once again spending it in Texas. Christmas plans are to go to Illinois, which is really exciting! I am really looking forward to the holidays. I would appreciate everyone's prayers for my grandmother, as she is undergoing some very major medical treatments for the next couple weeks. (Pray for my grandpa and mom too, as they are her caregivers and it is very draining.)

Disappointed

I'm disappointed this evening...re-runs on every channel! Ugh! I was hoping for some great laughs tonight, but alas, I will have to wait until next week. Not to mention....we came home to ants. Creepy crawly things all over our kitchen floor. Jonathan had to secure some ant traps and I vacuumed up all the little horrible creatures I could. Tomorrow is another day...and our first little baby shower! So exciting! I just had a thought, Payton will probably love little bugs, like ants!

6 months

We have finally reached our 6 month appointment! Payton is doing well and so we are well on our way. After our appointment next month, we will be going every two weeks. The countdown is on. Kinda scary as we really don't have anything for him yet, but I'm excited to meet him. His kicks are continuing to be very strong and I'm pretty sure he will be a soccer player. Jon is in the middle of his fall semester of school and is doing well in his classes. I'm continuing to work full time, but would love to go to part-time. On the side, I have been doing a complete cleaning out of all of our stuff, trying to make room for the baby. Also, I have been scapbooking and trying to get caught up with all my pictures. Staying busy as most people do...

Hanging On

Today is one of those days that you just have to hang on and get yanked through. Nothing terrible happened, but I just felt blah about the whole day. Most of my days have been filled with joy lately, that I day without just seems so.....

We've been watching Lost on DVD and we're enjoying it. The whole situation just seems so weird because I can't quite figure out what is going on for sure. Everyone seems to have their theories.

Payton is still growing and from what I can tell, will be a very strong little man. Once a week or so, the extra weight of carrying a baby throws my back out. Jon has had to help me get up and get around as just standing makes me cry. Tomorrow, I will be back at my strengthening exercises. And, Lord willing, I will be at our ladies' Bible study in which we are going through a wonderful Beth Moore series.

Getting Bigger

My co-worker took this picture of me this week at work. I feel like I am getting pretty huge. I need to exercise a little more so that I don't put weight on too quickly. I guess I haven't put on weight all over, so mostly I just am popping out in front. Jonathan and I are planning on going to the gym tomorrow and I'm doing yoga on Sunday. Weird craving of the day: Foot by the Foot

Baby Payton!

It's a Boy!

This is a picture of our little boy either swallowing or yawning.

This is a 4D picture of Payton. We were also able to get the ultrasound on DVD.
Please continue your prayers for us as Payton continues to grow.

Dazzling Dallas

Jonathan and I had a wonderful trip to Dallas. It is not too far away, but just far enough to give us a little vacation. We went to a FC Dallas soccer game. They played Houston and won 1-0. I don't think I had been to a game since my baby sister played. Back then, I'm sure I was a little soccered out. As many of you know, soccer is played in all sorts of weather, so I watched many games in the rain and cold wind. This game was really nice though. The weather was perfect, not the normal Texas scorcher. Traffic enforcement after the game was great for such a little town. We were able to get out in just a couple minutes and with really only one stop.

Sunday, we went to the Dallas Farmer's Market. We got some great peaches and corn that we had for dinner tonight. We then went to the Galleria Mall and went on a little shopping trip. Jonathan is a great shopping partner. We even sat in the massage chairs at Brookstone for a little bit. Our trip was topped off with a trip to West, TX where we had to visit the Little Czech Bakery. They have fab kolaches and fresh bread. That was pretty much our trip in a nutshell. Sad to have to go back to the daily grind, but I am looking forward to being in Idaho this next weekend!

Movin' and Groovin'

Well, the baby has made its first noticeable movements. Last night, as I was laying in bed, I felt a little flutter. I felt it again this morning, but with all the moving around I do at work, I didn't stay still long enough to feel anything during the day. It is very encouraging to finally get more of a physical evidence of the baby's presence. Jonathan and I are looking forward to our trip to Dallas this weekend. We just needed a weekend to get off by ourselves and relax. I am really looking forward to staying in an awesome hotel, no cleaning on my part required. As a way to help Jon relax, we are going to a Dallas soccer game. Yeah for a three day vacation!

Where I've Been

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Guessing the Gender

So far, I have had 2 people say that the baby will be a girl and 2 people say a boy. I thought I would open up the floor for any other guesses. I figure that everyone has a 50/50 chance. It is pretty exciting and we are counting down the days. I will have Jonathan take a picture of my tummy soon, for more accurate guessing.

Another Baby Appointment

We had another appointment today. Everything looks really good. I am finally gaining weight, which the doctor was happy about. We got to hear the baby again. This time, not only did we get to hear the heartbeat, but we could hear the baby being very active. Next month, we will get to see the baby again and find out if the baby is a boy or girl. We are really excited about that. My energy level is improving and I will be able to workout lightly. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Family Reunion

We recently had a family reunion and here are some pictures from that:


Nathan playing and singing

Katie and Jared

Cindy and Lisa singing a duet

Jonathan and Dad

Steve, Beverly and Momo

Momo, Laurie, and Elizabeth at our family dinner

Me, Jonathan, Cindy, and Doug at Chuy's

Baby Update

Sorry that it has been so long since I have updated the blog with news of our baby. Our last appointment went really well. We got to hear the heartbeat, which was around 170 (very healthy). I have finally been cleared to do light to moderate exercise. I have been walking when I can, but with the weather being so insanely hot, it has been difficult. Today, I started doing Prenatal Yoga. I think that I will really enjoy doing this exercise program as it is challenging and relaxing. There is even a guide to massage for Jonathan to help. I am showing, so more people have been asking me about the pregnancy around work. We go back to the doctor in a couple weeks for our third appointment. Only a few more weeks before we find out if the baby will be a boy or a girl! Oh, and I am also happy to report that I have had no morning sickness for the last two weeks!