San Antonio Here We Come

On Monday night Mark and I went to dinner with our friend Mark Volk (who goes to Law school with Mark) and Annie. They are so sweet, but we never get to hang out because they live in Dallas and us in Midlothian. So, Mark has a wonderful idea of moving to Dallas right after the baby is born, which isn't a bad idea (because we would be much closer to his work and job, and possibly closer to my internship), but I just don't want to move again! We will have to wait and see about that. Back to dinner, we were really glad we got ot see Mark and Annie and celebrate the baby with them. They were so sweet and brought our baby his/her first gift... a cross for the nursery.


On the way home from dinner, I felt really special because Mark followed me the whole way home (since I drove up to meet them for dinner in Dallas, we both had our cars). Usually Mark flies by me (because I drive teh speed limit) and then pretends that he has been home forever when I "finally" get there. This is now the second time in the last few days that Mark has done this, and I love it, because he shows that he cares, and trying to protect me (and the baby).

This weekend is going to be a big weekend. Mark is in the Moot Court competition on Saturday morning, and if they win on Monday at lunch. He is partnering with Mark Volk again. They did very well last time and won some award. Best of Luck to them both this weekend. Then, on Saturday after its over, we are going to travel to San Antonio for my marathon! I have been training for this marathon since May 1st, and I am completely confident that I can finish the race (since I've run 24 miles before). However, my doctor and Mark and not as enthusiatic about the marathon; in fact, they are not wanting me to do any of it. I have been debating what I would do for a while, and I have decided to run-really-slowly/walk the half marathon because there are just oo mnay risks to the baby (dehydrating, over-heating...). And, I'm not going to lie about mile 20 it gets pretty ugly. So, I am really sad about having to drop down, but I am excited running wearing my purple Team in training shirt and all the ribbons I have collected. I will make sure to take pictures and give na update when we get back Sunday.

Week 6

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears are beginning to take shape. His/her heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as mine — and blood is beginning to course through his/her body. His/her intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His/her pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, our baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean. Over this week the baby will double in size. Next week it will be the size of a blueberry.

Big Weekend!

This past weekend we celebrated my brother's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and so was Laura! They are honeymooning at St. John's in the Virgin Islands. Hopefully they are having the time of their life and the hurricane (now down-graded to a tropical storm) will stay away!


The beautiful bride getting ready to walk down the aisle.

Mark and I at the reception.

This weekend, I started feeling nauseated, mainly motion sickness in the car. But, also at the reception, which might have been because I was so exhausted by then, and enjoying dancing, loud music, and flashing lights. But, on and off now, I am getting a little queasy. It hasn't been that bad, and I am grateful for feeling some morning sickness, because it means everything is going well. It is hard to make myself eat, since I am not really wanting to eat anything.

The baby's heart is beating by now. I am so amazed whenever I think about this miracle baby growing inside me, and now it has a heart that beats! We are continuing to pray for health for both the baby and me. And, we have to make a decision about my marathon (that I have been training for since May) that is this weekend. This isn't an easy decision and we are praying for wisdom.


I was at target and saw this set of two matching onesies on sale. I just had to purchase it! The second purchase for our baby.

Good News

Today we got the news we have been waiting to hear. The doctor called and said that the tests he did on Monday came back. "Everything looks great!" woohoo! I don't have to go back until the Monday the 24th. I will be 8 weeks then, and we are going to do a sonogram to look for the heartbeat. Once, the heartbeat is seen, the miscarriage rate drops to below 10% some say as low as 2%. So we are still in constant prayer, but are so excited. And, we are sharing the news a little bit more.

5 Weeks

At this point, our baby about the size of a sesame seed, and he/she looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He/she's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which our baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His/her heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his/her tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form our baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his/her lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to our baby, are already on the job.

This week symptoms have been stronger. One of he most noticeable symptoms is my new bedtime, 8pm! I find myself kissing Mark goodnight right after dinner. Needless to say the dirty dishes and unfinished homework are piling up. Also, I have had more dully achy cramps (which I think are normal). Also, I am still experiencing random food aversion. The most shocking thing is anything sweet makes me sick to think about. I used to eat ice cream and/or m&ms every afternoon. I have also been so thirsty all the time! Which probably is the reason my frequent trips to the restroom are growing.

Once again, all these symptoms just remind me of the huge blessing we have been given. And, I am so thankful that I haven't experienced much nausea and actually haven't been sick at all. This might change, which is fine if it does, because it means you have a healthy baby. But, for now, we are enjoying our blessings.

First Sonogram

We went to the doctor today, and we saw the baby! He/She was a small dark dot right there on the screen. It was so amazing to see the baby, although he/she didn't look like anything but a dot. The doctor thinks he saw the yolk sac in the amniotic sac. Although everyone in the room saw it too.

He took my blood and said he was hoping my levels were around 2000 today since they were 986 last Wednesday. So we are just now waiting to hear the news. Keep us in your prayers!

And, we didn't get a picture of the baby to take home. The doctor said there wasn't much to see on the picture. Which was true. But, I still wish I could have taken home a picture of the fuzzy little dot on the screen!

Go Bears!

This past weekend was homecoming. Mark and I went with Luke, Brittany, and Jeff to the bonfire (and I didn't take any pictures!) and 10:30 pigskin on Friday night. Phi Chi and Tri-Delt were first and second, so we were kind of ready to leave pigskin but glad we stayed. The first place act was last, and it was worth it to wait and see it. Then Mark drove us back late Friday night to Midlothian, getting home around 2 am

Then I drove us back early in the morning so we could go to the parade. Tri-Delt and Phi Chi won first place in their class and their float was awesome (once, again no pictures :( ) It was fun to get to see a lot of our friends at the parade. After the parade Mark and I went to the bookstore and got me an him Baylor t-shirts. I didn't own a single Baylor shirt that didn't have my Greek letters on it. And, I was in long sleeves, which we knew needed to change. We bought a cute Baylor onesie and newborn hat at the bookstore! We were excited because it was our first purchase for the baby!


Then, we went to the Phi Chi tailgate and saw a bunch more friends. And, we went to the Baylor Missouri game, which was so exciting. The game started off exciting, when the team entered the field through the stands (I did take pictures of this). And, then Baylor played awesome and the fans were so loud and into the game. Unfortunately, Baylor barely lost at the very end of the game. But, I was so proud of the team and the awesome fans.

The players entering the field through the stands and down the corridors of the Baylor Line.