Baby check-up and Hospital Tour!!

So today we had our first 4 week check-up! It was a long wait to see the doctor and a super quick appointment. The nurse checked my blood pressure and then we got to hear the baby's heartbeat! :) (that's our favorite) After that the doctor came in to see if we had an questions and then wrote us a referral for our gender ultrasound at the Perinatal Center. Our appointment is Thursday, June 2nd!! WHooHOOO!! So soon! We will attend the ultrasound but will not find out the sex of the baby. We are going to have the ultrasound tech write it and seal it in an envelope for us. We are giving it to two people, who will not be named so that no one tries to get it out of them, and we will find out two days later with family and friends at Sam's birthday party. Happy birthday daddy! We are so excited to find out what our little bundle of joy is! :)
 After our doctor visit we had dinner in Whittier with our friends Ann, Dan and their little one Alexis. Crepes and Grapes! It was yummy. Ann will be delivering her second baby in August at Whittier Intercommunity Hospital. We thought that since we are going to be delivering at the same place that it would be fun to do the hospital tour all together. So after dinner we headed to the hospital. It was a short tour but it was nice to see where we go to check in, the labor and delivery rooms, and the postpartum rooms. It's a very nice hospital and the labor and delivery rooms are HUGE!! We also liked that he maternity wait room was HUGE as well. We had a lot of family and it was nice to know that they have the room for them. In the waiting room they even has movies playing all day and night. When we were in there the screen said that Dinner for Schmucks was scheduled to start at 7pm. Lol The tour nurse also informed us of something that this hospital likes to do called "The Golden Moment". This is a period of one hour right after the baby is born that they do not allow visitors to see mom and baby. During this time they encourage that mommy and daddy bond with their new little one. I love this idea! I havent had a baby yet, but I am sure that things get a little hectic, and we are looking forward to this "Golden Moment" this our little bundle of joy! 
 Well I am 17 weeks now... baby is about the size of my open hand. It's so excited to read about the weekly development that is happening inside me. We continue to pray and ask you to join us in prayer for a healthy baby and delivery! Thanks for all of your love and support!


xoxo 

16 Weeks! (4 months)

Right now, baby is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erectthan it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.


Mama at 16 weeks, cookin' our little avocado!


Im feeling great! 2nd trimester and I get along very well!! This week I was craving strawberry Jell-o! :) 

Glory to God for this amazing work in us! Sam and I were talking a fews days ago about how blessed we are. We have a wonderful home that we love and can see our kids growing up in, amazing family and friends who love and support us, a marriage that God has given us to bless us and be a blessing to others, and now a little one on the way!  It is true to say that "our cup overflowth!"

Family Camp

What a wonderful weekend we had fellowshiping with our church family. On Friday afternoon Sam and I, along with Megan and Christian and Eros headed to the 40th annual Family Camp. I have been going about 25 of those 40 years. So exciting! :) We were tenting it this year so we didnt have to deal with the whole borrowing a motor home or trailer. This year it was perfectly fine... but next year when we go with a 6 month old we will for sure to deal with making sure we are in a trailer! :) It was so nice to just sit around and relax. We slept in (a little bit) had services together as a church and then just spent the day fellowshiping with one another. It was so nice! It's a great way for our church body to build unity. We look forward to having our new addition to the family join us next year!!

Mother's Day!

So I got home from work on Wednesday afternoon and Sam decides that he is going to steal me and take me on an adventure. We get into the car and he tells me that we are celebrating my first Mother's Day! I am so excited!! We head out to the Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. We walk around the complex and then catch a movie. We saw Something Borrowed. (If you want to see it, leave your morals at the door. We weren't down with all of the cheating.) It was my pick and Sam will never let me live it down! lol Then we grabbed some dinner at Kabuki, which is one of our favorite Japanese restaurants. Tasty!!! It was still early, so Sam asked me what I wanted to do next... I had joked with him earlier that I wanted to go test drive this mid-size SUV we are interested in purchasing when the baby comes. So... that's exactly what we did!! We drove down to Delillo Chevy (the same place we purchased the truck) and test drove the 2011 Chevy Traverse. I am in love!! It was fun, and I am pleased to know that we found a car that is perfect for our needs. Then, we headed home to begin some laundry and packing for Family Camp this coming weekend.
 If it is possible I fall in love with Sam more and more every day! He is amazing! He loves me for who I am and daily shows me how much he loves me. He is my rock and I could not go through this adventure without him. :)

Manners

I came across this article today on Yahoo! and I think it's great. I want my kids to have these manners. As a teacher it is so surprising to see how many young ones only have very few of these foundational manners.

Manner #1

When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2

When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3

Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4

If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5

When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6

The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7

Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8

When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9

When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10

Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11

When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12

Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13

Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14

Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15

Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16

Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17

If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19

As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20

If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21

When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22

When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23

Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24

Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25

Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Belly Shots!

8 weeks!

First ultrasound!

It was such a blessing to have my sister-in-law as my ultrasound tech the first time we got to see and hear the baby!

Baby Torres!!

10 weeks!

14 weeks! 2nd Trimester! Whoohoo!!

Surprise! We are having a baby!!

We announced to our family and friends at my 26th birthday bbq! :)

Beating Hearts!!

This is a video of the first time we heard the baby's heartbeat at 9 weeks. What an overwhelming feeling of joy! :)

An amazing adventure!!

What an amazing adventure the Lord has us on!
  I decided that I would blog about our journey to becoming parents. I still am in awe daily at the Lords work in our lives. I was not ready, well let's say I did not think that it was time for us to start a family. The Lord had other plans for us. I was praying about it but not fully surrendering it to the Lord. I can remember the night like it was yesterday, that I finally through up my hands and give God the control. The instant I did that He gave me a total peace that I was ready to be a mom and that it was time for us to start a family. Wow!! Sam and I began trying not to long after and within one month the Lord had blessed us with this little lemon growing inside me. We could not be happier. Seeing the Lord and work and being a part of his blessings is such an amazing feeling.

I know I am staring this a little late so I will share just a few snapshots of our journey this far...

March 2, 2011
 Im pregnant!! Told Sam... what a moment that I will never forget!!

March 3- April 2
 Here and there told close family and friends what we were expecting. Bought my first pair of maternity pants. Celebrated engagements and birthdays. Feeling the morning sickness.

March 28, 2011
We had our first ultrasound, with my sister-in-law, and we got to hear the babies heartbeat! Wow! What an overwhelming feeling. I am so blessed! It got to both Sam and I a bit more than we expected. So cool!

April 2, 2011
Announced to the world that we are going to be parents at my birthday party and then Facebook! Video to follow!

April 10, 2011
 Sam and I had a date day. Went to our favorite breakfast place... then walked around Babies R Us. Sam had never been! It was quite the fun experience. :)

April 25, 2011
 Our first OB appointment. We love, love, love our doctor and the office staff. They were so helpful! We also got to see the baby! Its growing so fast. We could clearly see the hands, feet, spine, and face. The baby was moving all around. So crazy that its moving so much but its still to small for me to feel anything!

All in all, I am loving the adventure. Sam has been my strength when I don't have it. I am so blessed to have him walking this adventure with me. We are so excited that the Lord has blessed us with the privilege to be the Earthly parents of HIS children.

Thank you to everyone for all of your love and support! We truly have felt the arms of the Lord through you all!!