32 week Ultrasound

We had our 32 week ultrasound yesterday. We would normally have had to wait until 36 weeks but Ryder has a single artery umbilical cord (everything looks great) so they just want to make sure he is growing sufficiently, hence the extra ultrasound. Well growth is not a problem for this little guy. The ultrasound estimated him at 6.2 lbs already, with almost 2 months still to go! Granted the size could be off by 1 - 1.5 lbs, that still puts him at a good weight. We could well be on our way to a 10 lb baby. UGH!!!
Nando's coworkers have teased him that the baby will be 12 lbs, which I didn't find so funny but now it looks like we could be on the path for a big boy. I was hoping for a normal sized baby, especially for my first but as long as he is healthy and everything goes well we won't complain. It does increase our chances for a C-section but we will just see how everything goes and roll with it. But things are going well and Ryder looks to be healthy and I am doing good, so we are grateful for that!

Leroy!!

In the beginning of June we added another member to our family, Leroy!

Leroy is a fun and energetic puppy that had a lot to learn about potty training (reminding me why I don't mind adopting older dogs) yet is full of antics and laughs. He came to us through some people that know Rena that were helping his owners find him a new home. They couldn't keep Leroy and we decided it was time to open our home and hearts to a new furry child. Welcome to your Forever home, Leroy!!

Tuckered out after playing hard

This is what happens when puppies are curious.

The vet suspected an ant or a bee. Hopefully

he learned this time. He was still so playful despite

his Popeye looks!

The first bath!! What fun! He did good

and seemed to enjoy being clean afterwards.

He has definitely attached himself to Nando.

A well deserved nap for the both of them!

It's a Boy!!!

We had our 20 week ultrasound earlier this month and found out that we are having a boy! We are excited, Nando of course is very excited! I am getting used to the idea of having a boy, however Nando is on strict orders that the next one is a little girl. :) Anyhow, now that we know what we are having I feel like we can bond a little more. We can now refer to him by name instead of just the baby. Ryder Dawson seems to be doing well and as of the ultrasound right on track with where he should be. All good news.
We are still settling into the house and trying to decide how to paint the nursery. I am sure something will come to us to make it a fitting place for our little one.
We finally found our camera so I will get some pictures up sometime soon. Have a great week!!!

Positive thoughts

For years March has historically been a very bad month for me, something bad always happens. It took me a few years to catch on to this phenomena and be aware of it. Then this year at the beginning of the year I decided that this March HAD to be different, I was tired of having crappy things happen just because it was March. Well, the power of positive thought must work. March has brought us many happy changes in our lives this year with the only bummer being that we've been sick and then the usual trials of life. However, the positive happenings have outweighed the normal crud of life. On March 5 I took a pregnancy test for the mere reason that when I call the doctor to talk about how I have been doing and the crazy things my body does, one of the first questions is "Well, are you pregnant?". To which my reply is always "Uh no, not that I know of" So when I took a test and it came back positive Nando and I were a bit unsure of the accuracy of the test, as it is supposed to be biologically difficult for us to get pregnant on top of the fact that we only see each other on weekends. So, we took the other test in the box. Again, pregnant. Hmm. Something must be amiss. So we decide we need a test that will spell it out in plain English for us and get a digital test. So on March 6 I took the digital test and sure enough it came back in words that even a disbeliever could read - PREGNANT. Cool! Well with our history we were afraid to get excited about it. So I made and appointment the next day to confirm with the doctor. On March 7 we went to the doctor and their test said positive also. We did an ultrasound to determine how long this surprise had been brewing. The conclusion was for almost 10 weeks! The bundle of joy is due September 30, 2011. The ultrasound gave us a picture of a little one that was starting to look human, it had arms and legs and was moving them all around!! We even got to hear the heart beat and see it flutter! This was truly a miracle. So long story kind of short, we are very happy as are the Grandparents to be. I will chronicle how we told his parents in another post, as this will be the first grand baby and Great grand baby in Nando's family. The other great thing in March is that thanks to my parents we were able to move into our new place in New River on March 22! Due to us being sick we are still working of making it look somewhat like a home and getting things out of boxes, but none the less it is home!! As we get settled in, I will get pictures and post them. Until then I hope that March has found you all well and has been a good month to you as well!!

Sometimes we need to resize our trials...

It is once again Sunday night and time to say goodbye to Nando for the work week. As I watched him leave tonight another thought crossed my mine. I have always felt empathy/sympathy for the families that our service men and women leave behind to fulfill their desires, dreams, or commitment to serve in the US military.
As I watched Nando leave I thought of my sister-in-law's sister. Tonight she had to say goodbye to her husband and watch him leave for deployment in Afghanistan with the Army Rangers. I can only imagine the fear, sadness, loneliness, pride, and love she must be feeling to have to watch her husband leave as he full fills a dream of his. The strength she must have to love him enough to watch him go. My hat is off to you, Casey. You are just as strong and courageous as Jordan. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
I feel so lucky to be able to see Nando every weekend, talk to him on the phone everyday, tell him goodnight and I love him every night, and comfort to know where he is and what he is facing when he is not here. As much as I desire to actually live with my husband, I am grateful for the situation we have, and feel very lucky. I am grateful to the service men and women for their sacrifice; and to the families they leave behind who are battling the same war they are. Thank you will never be enough.

Another one bites the dust

Wow! It amazes me that it is already a new year. Happy New Years everyone!! I am looking forward to the opportunities this year holds in store. Last year was such a difficult year, yet looking back seemed like a breeze. I guess that is what happens when you have a great support system of family and friends like we do. We are truly blessed beyond our dreams with the love from our families and friends.
The past year brought experiences and new adventures at about every turn. Of course there was the heart aches along the way, that are all a part of life no matter how much they suck I suppose. Through out the hurdles faced in 2010 our marriage came out the other side flying our colors strong. Amidst it all I never once thought about the toll that it could have on a marriage until someone asked me how "we" were doing. I am so grateful for the strength of our marriage and the companion and partner I have found in Nando and that I hope he has found in me. I feel together we can conquer anything.
As I contemplated the new year and the new beginning that is felt with it, I realised I never looked back on 2010 with disgust or anger. This feeling brought me peace; have I finally started to learn that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Or that we learn from every experience we have? I would like to think so. There was something to be learned from all of our trials over the past year. I am just grateful we are still standing, maybe propped up by family and friends, but still upright!
Here is hoping this new year brings happiness to the sad and depressed, hope to those that feel it is long forgotten, and peace of mind to the worries and stress of life. There are many trials still ahead of us, but as long as we do it together, we are unstoppable!!
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

I know I haven't posted for awhile, and I just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas!! We hope that you are with those you love this Christmas and remembering those that can't be near you. Take time to bask in the ambiance of love and joy this season.

Merry Christmas from the Espinoza's!!!