Baby Shower #1

My dear bible study girlfriends hosted a baby shower for me this past weekend. They chose a precious ladybug theme-ladybug invitations, ladybug cake, ladybug books as decorations, and ladybug hair bows as party favors...too cute!! One of the girls made the cake...isn't it amazing!



Me and the Hostesses: Jo Elle, Me, Rebecca, and Becca.

Becca makes beautiful nursing covers ups for all the baby showers we have thrown each other-I was soooo excited to finally get one!
Rebecca made these cute burp clothes and a matching blanket.

David's sister Allison got us this precious A&M cheerleader outfit...she really wanted to get us a UT one but we all know how much Bella would have worn that one!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect and it really was just a wonderful day. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Only 9 more weeks to go!

29 weeks. 11 to go!!!!

I cannot express how grateful I am that I am almost down to single digit weeks!! I think from week 22 to 27 I felt the best....it's no entire second trimester like most women but I will take what I can get! I am starting to get nauseated again and I think it is because Bella is high enough to be pushing on my tummy-but it is nothing like the misery of the beginning of the pregnancy! David and I have been working on the nursery and I will post pictures when it is done. I wish I had more to report but I suppose no news is good news.

Babymoon 2009

David is finishing up a 4 month rotation at MD Anderson and is required to take one week of vacation so we jumped at the opportunity to take a 'babymoon'. I would have loved to have gone to Disney World, on a cruise, or somewhere out of Texas but how I feel from day to day is so varied I was scared to spend all that money and risk not being able to enjoy it. So, we decided to enjoy Texas. We started the week by going to Moody Gardens. We have lived here 7 years and never been so it was time. I can't say I would ever go again but it was fun. Of course David's favorite part of the Gardens was the huge aquarium. While we were in the aquarium the power went out and it was pitch black. The staff directed everyone out but David and I secretly stayed back because he wanted to play with a flashlight we happen to have in the bag and see what the fish would do-sure enough when you would shine the light the fish would SWARM. We managed to draw a massive turtle, sharks and eels all out of hiding. That day we also got to see two 3-D IMAX shows and ride a paddle boat around Galveston bay. Good fun!

David in front of the pyramids at Moody Gardens.

David and I in the rain forest pyramid.

23 Weeks pregnant!

Outside the IMAX was a random skull-of course the ENT thought it was funny to pick his nose!

The next day we went to San Antonio and stayed one night at the Hyatt Resort in the hill country. It was a fabulous way to relax and the hotel was practically empty. My favorite part of the resort was this awesome lazy river. It took about 20 minutes to float around it. David had fun stacking all the tubes he could find making the river impassable! The resort also had a campfire where you could roast marshmallows and make s'mores. And that night they put up a big screen on the lawn and we watched a movie on the lawn complete with blankets and popcorn!

We had a great time and it was nice for me to be able to be out of the house for several days. Now I really need to start getting things ready for Bella's arrival!

Bella

Although I am awfully fond of the name Baby Clark I'm trying to get used to calling our little peanut by her real name: Isabella Rose Clark. 'Isabella' means consecrated/devoted to God. And 'Rose' is my mothers middle name and my great grandmother's first name.

I had my 20 week anatomy ultrasound this morning and Bella looks nice and healthy. She weighs one pound which the tech said is perfect...I was worried because I haven't gained any weight in the last 2 weeks. We got to look at all her organs and REconfirm she is definitely a she! I wish I could post ultrasound pictures but I don't have a scanner.

The nurse also told me today that since David and I are both medical professionals that if we decide to do cord blood banking we could get a HUGE ($750!) discount....such a blessing!! It is something we both feel strongly about and so the discount makes it so much more feasible. Also, since I am no longer working funds have definitely been tight-but God always provides-I randomly received a $95 check in the mail yesterday for some credit on some account...funny thing is I can't even figure out what account it is but it just made me smile at God's amazing provision!

Halfway there!

I am so excited to be 20 weeks pregnant, and halfway done! It seems like it has taken forever to get here but I am so grateful that things have been getting easier. I never got that talked about energy boost and still feel exhausted all the time, but am so grateful that most days I can eat whatever I want and don't feel too nauseated. I get my anatomy scan ultrasound next week so I am excited to get to see my peanut again...I feel really blessed to have gotten so many chances to see her on ultrasound! David has been getting to feel her move a whole lot. I like the kicks but when she rolls I'm not sure I like that feeling very much! I think I am finally ready to start thinking about the nursery...at least the crib!

August heat

Disney is coming out with an animated version of the movie, A Christmas Carol, this December. To promote the film Disney is going on a train tour around the nation. The train was in Houston so I went with a Becca, a girlfriend from bible study, and her 2 year old daughter. The line to get into the train was very long and even though it was mid morning I apparently got overheated and nearly fainted in line. I told Becca I didn't feel good, my vision was going black, and I remember just slumping into her. Luckily people came to help quickly and carried me into the air conditioned train station....how embarrassing!! Someone was saying call 911 which I am glad they didn't do; I just needed to get into the cool and off my feet. Anyways, Becca graciously waited in the rest of the line and called me when it was our turn to get on the train.

In line there was an area that would produce snow every few minutes. All the kids got a huge kick out of it.

Once inside the train there were some Charles Dickens museum artifacts, concept art and models, and demonstrations of the making of the film. Here is a model of Scrooge's Office.

They also demonstrated how they used motion sensors on the actors which they then translated into animation.

In the final car of the the train, it was set up like a living room/dining room with a fireplace, a Christmas dinner, and the smell of gingerbread!

Unfortunately the tour was only a few minutes especially after waiting in line so long. It was a good experience. I just need to remember I am extra sensitive to the heat while pregnant!

For real, it's a girl!

I just got back from my OB appointment and baby Clark was much more cooperative this time. It is much more definitive we are having a girl!!! I am thrilled! David also got to feel her kick two nights ago which I think he was pretty blown away by. Yeah, now I can shop!!