Weekend in Canyon, Pictures of Anna Kate

The past few days we have been in Jonathan's hometown, Canyon, Texas. It has been great to see good friends and also to celebrate Jonathan's mom's birthday. Here is pregnant Suzanne bringing a very yummy birthday cheesecake for mom's birthday.
Also, another big development is that we are going to name our little girl Anna Kate! We are believing that she will walk out in the very same heritage as Anna from the Bible (see Luke 2:36) who ushered in the coming of the King. Below are a few pictures of Anna Kate:




We are thrilled about having a girl and can't wait to see all that God has in store for her precious life. Thank you, Jesus!

Two Girls in One

Even if I did not know our baby was a girl yet, I would have figured it out today. I am definitely experiencing the emotions of two girls in one. As we were traveling today, I was driving and Jonathan was taking a little nap. I wanted to keep on driving through, but I got so hungry I knew I needed to stop. I passed a couple fruit stands and almost cried because I wanted a peach so badly.

Eventually, we got into a little town, so I pulled into a gas station. I left Jonathan in the car and ran into to grab a snack. The woman in front of me in line was pregnant too and I smiled as she bought Fritos, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and a burrito (the gross kind under hot lights all day). Obviously, we have not been reading the same books! I purchased my yogurt (sadly, AllSups does not carry organic) and orange juice. I walked out to the car and Jonathan offered to drive so I could eat my yogurt. We climbed in the car and I burst into tears. Jonathan tried to understand what happened and I tried to explain that actually it was nothing. He was so sweet and caring and I just cried and cried. I think it was hunger and emotions rolled into one. Now, I cannot believe I cried over nothing, but at the time, it was so real. Leave it to me to become even more emotional. Our little one will definitely take after her mom on that end!

It's a Girl!

The ultrasound technician gave us the exciting news this morning...it's a girl! Jonathan and I are thrilled to have a little girl and also just to know. Every little finger, toe, and eyelash is in place and we are so thankful that God has given us this sweet gift. After such an exciting morning, we need some rest, but we will post some pictures soon. Thanks for your prayers and support!

One More Day!

Tomorrow we will find out whether our baby is a boy or girl! The anticipation is so big. I feel like knowing the gender will really define more of the person-hood of this baby. Right now, I have to remind myself that there really is a baby in there and I am not just getting randomly fatter. I am also still waiting to feel the baby kick. I thought maybe I felt it this weekend, but it turned out to be growing pains.

So today I am keeping busy as to not think about the doctor's appointment tomorrow. By this time tomorrow, we will know! The bad news about ultrasounds is that you have to drink so much water before you go in, and you cannot go to the bathroom until after the procedure (more than an hour later)! Trust me, this will be a challenge...but well worth it to see every little toe and finger and four chambered heart.

In other news, an angry swarm of bees got loose about 10 blocks from our house yesterday. I saw it on the news and luckily, not in person. It seems that they got aggravated and started stinging everyone in sight. Today they were removed from the area, so no more bees. If we could only say the same for mosquitoes! I read they love biting pregnant women because we have more blood circulating. I can verify this is true as I got more than 10 bites in less than 2 minutes last night. They can spot me from a mile away!

Well check back here tomorrow for our big news...and hopefully a pic or two!

What to Eat While Expecting

I read a book this week called "What to Eat When You are Expecting". The premise of the book was great as it set out some guidelines of what nutrients your baby needs and the foods that are best to get them from. The slightly overwhelming portion was the recommendation that you cut out all sugar from your diet. The sad thing is that in our pantry shelves, sugar lurks everywhere. The whole wheat, lots of fiber cereal that I eat in the morning with strawberries and organic milk holds 10 grams of sugar per serving! Not to mention every white bread product that I love. Checking labels can be informative, but also quite daunting.

Before I completely overhauled my diet, I realized that moderation is the best way to start anything. So I made three changes that I think will prove beneficial for this little one on the way.
1. Wheat germ. This is the kernel of the wheat that is typically removed from most white bread products. I sprinkle it on bread items to bring back that whole wheat goodness. I also added it to a coffee cake that I made yesterday. Jonathan did not even know the difference. I also have gotten other wheat bread products to replace my some of my formerly all white bread.
2. Fruit juice and club soda. I love this combination for a great fruit serving with no caffeine or corn syrup. It tastes like a soda but with lots of 100% fruit juice nutrients.
3. Eggs and low fat cottage cheese. I am attempting to add these in as they are on the book's "shelf of honor". If I can eat one or the other every day, I will be doing well on that end.

So that is my story of nutritional education. Hope it is beneficial for you as well. Also next Friday we will have our ultrasound to discover if our baby is a boy or girl!

Graduation

Way to go, new graduates! May seems to mark the end of school for many people. We celebrated my sister and her fiance's completion of undergrad and graduate school in College Station this weekend.
Here they are cutting their graduation cake...practicing their form for their big day. We got to see lots of relatives from Texas and abroad as well as enjoy the high life of the Bryan/College Station area (namely Double Dave's Pizza and Blue Baker). Catherine, Lauren, and Suzanne in anticipation for the A&M Graduation Night.

The highlight was most likely the actual graduation ceremony. As sweet, prepared people that they are, my parents arrived to the arena 2 hours before the graduation to save seats for our extended family. As last minute, right on time people that we are, we arrived at 7pm as the graduates were walking onto the floor. Sadly, my parents had to fight off hungry seat hunters for our prime spots, so they called us as we pulled up in the parking lot, urging us to run for it. My youngest sister and her boyfriend took off at a brisk pace, but Jonathan and I took off as the power walkers we are through the parking lot. About halfway there, my sister started yelling...Go, Preggers, go! And her boyfriend urged her to hurry up, noting...the pregnant one is beating us! Eventually, we made it into the coveted seats and settled in for the ceremony noting the "Howdy"s and "Whoop"s coming from the speakers on stage and the audience around us. Folks, this isn't Bear Country anymore.

On a lighter note, I have rediscovered my passion for scrapbooking today. This wave appears every now and then resulting in pulling out lots of pictures, paper, and stickers and a creation of something truly magnificent...a scrapbook. Then the supplies go back in the closet until the urging emerges again. Currently, I am in a whirlwind of wedding pictures and memorabilia. I realized once this baby is born we will have our hands full cataloging his or her every move, so I had better get this year of marriage in the book first. We will see how long this wave lasts!

I wish I had some baby updates to share, but things seem relatively quiet on this front. Often, I sit very still hoping to feel him or her, but to no avail. I know it will happen soon, but I am getting so impatient. Oh well...maybe in my next post.

Rachel Ray and other Doctor's Office Fun

This morning we headed over to our doctor's office to get a check up on the baby. One of the best parts (or worst parts if you are Jonathan) of these visits is the time spent in the waiting room. There are all sorts of pregnancy magazines and usually some exciting show on a large TV in the corner. Today it was Rachel Ray...by the way, she is now more than just 30 Minute Meals. Rachel entertains guest stars at a table in her TV studio kitchen, interacts constantly with the large studio audience, and throws an incredible meal together towards the end of her hour slot. If you think of a woman who seemingly does it all, this is her! It's like Oprah and Emeril put together...BAM! If I was ever going to remodel my kitchen, I would make it into a TV studio kicthen. You know the kind where you put a roast in the oven and then it is ready right after the commercial break. Also all your ingredients come already chopped and prepared in those cute little ceramic prep bowls. That would be the way to cook! Anyway, I settled into my wait to enjoy a little Rachel and Jonathan began to grow bored. Luckily, they called our name quickly and we went back to enjoy the other facets of the doctor's office.

Inside the exam room, we heard the baby's heartbeat and it is so strong. We were so excited because last time they had a hard time finding it due to the baby's size and position. The doctor gave us a rundown of some other things for this stage and then turned it over to me for questions. Usually, I get so starstruck by hearing all these things about the baby that all my questions fly out the window, but today I managed to keep my head. I am a firm believer in "Don't believe everything you read" so I like to check with her as I read different things in "What to Expect When You are Expecting". Therefore, my list of questions began with...can I go to the dentist while pregnant? WTEWYAE says yes, but I wanted a go ahead from the professional. Also because I don't like going to the dentist.

In other news, we will find out the baby's gender in 2-3 weeks. I hoped it would be sooner, but good things come to those who wait. So we are waiting patiently...or not so patiently. All in all, the doctor's visit was anticlimactic (aside from watching Rachel Ray), but I guess it is better that way.

Growing Baby

You know your baby is growing when you have dreams about eating...and then wake up in the middle of the night with a growling stomach. I read that in the next several weeks, our baby will double in size! That means lots of eating for me and lots of sleeping. Those seem to be two things I cannot get enough of...food and sleep. Even Jonathan is astonished with my daily food intake. He laughs when he discovers that even after 10 hours of sleep at night, I managed to squeeze in a nap in the afternoon!

We will go to the doctor on Wednesday morning, where they will schedule us another appointment to find out whether it's a boy or girl. At first, we really thought it was a boy. But lately, I am leaning towards a girl. It is so exciting to think about finding out so soon! I already have crib bedding picked out for either, so I feel fairly prepared on that end. If it's a girl, I love this pink toile (http://www.beyond-bedding.com/pink-french-toile-baby-bedding.html). If it's a boy, I love the Baby Boats collection at Pottery Barn Kids.

Clothingwise, I am officially in maternity clothes. Even my one size too big pants are getting too tight. With the baby growing so much, I feel like my stomach will grow even more soon. Time to play...what still fits? I am so thankful for this little one inside and I look forward to feeling him or her start moving around. I will keep you posted!

Beginning of a Blog...

The Lairs are having a blog! In order to keep our friends and family updated with the progress of our growing little one, we decided to start a little weblog with our thoughts, news, and cravings of the day. Most of all, we are so thankful for you as you think about us and pray for us in this changing stage of life. As you read our updates, please take a moment to pray for our family and this little one on the way. Let the blogging begin!