Valentines and President's Day

What a great weekend we have had... and today I get to stay home and have one more day to relax! The teachers at school threw us a shower on Friday morning. It was perfect. They made lots of yummy breakfast food that Robert and all the teachers enjoyed and we were showered with great gifts and congratulations. Their generosity was overwhelming.

On Saturday we gave a lil TLC to our cars and took turns taking them in for check ups. I cooked us dinner on Saturday night and we exchanged Valentine presents. Robert got me these beautiful roses. This is the second time in our relationship I have received flowers from Mr. Ford. The first time was also on Valentine's and they were PURPLE! These are beautiful and I am enjoying having them at our dining room table. I made Robert a book of pictures from our first year of marriage and gave him an itunes gift card. I think he appreciated both equally.

Sunday Robert had his first guitar lesson (that's what he got for our anniversary). He came home and practiced most of the afternoon and evening... I think his fingers hurt. We went out to for a very yummy dinner at Maggionos and then came home and watched a movie.

We also talked to Ethan via SKYPE and he was super impressed with Robert's guitar! Ethan showed us his new play food for his kitchen and how he can jump like a frog... truly impressive!

All in all it has been a wonderful weekend. Today I'm home working on a list of many things. I am excited about this weekend... headed up to Dallas for a shower and to see my good friends I haven't seen since September and our families!

Isabella's Room is Making Progress

Pops (Weldon) and Beckie got us Isabella's car seat. I had a dream a few months ago that she came, but the hospital wouldn't let us take her home because we didn't have a car seat. Those worries can now be put aside... Robert's even installed the base in my car. I'm starting to look more like a MOM! :) Robert picked out some cute outfits for Miss Isabella this weekend too. It was a great time. I'm glad that slowly things are coming together....

Thanks to the help of Pops (Weldon) and Beckie we were able to pick up and carry in the rest of Isabella's furniture this weekend. Here are probably too many shots of what it looks like. She now has a mattress in her bed and we've started to load her bookshelf with GREAT books!

This is the cute lamb that Honey (Janice) bought for Isabella. I put it in her bed so that the lamb too could start to get excited about Isabella coming.

This is the rocking chair that my mom used to rock me and my sister. Lucy, Isabella's first doll, (thank you Fran) is holding down the rocker ready for lots of good story and play times.

Here's a shot from the hallway to Isabella's room.

Here is a shot from the bathroom doorway into Isabella's room.
We've got some decorating to do...but I am so happy that the major pieces are in!

Birthing Classes

Here's a photo from our anniversary date night. We went to a yummy Italian food place and then enjoyed a quite evening at home... it was a school night. Things have super busy since then. We have taken a series of three birthing classes. Our last class is tonight. Our instructor is really sweet, a great educator. She reminds me of my aunt Alice, just can't stop doing what she loves. We've toured the hospital, practiced relaxing and Robert knows where to go if labor begins in the middle of the night.
I've also discovered that I have gestational diabetes. It was news that pretty much rocked me. I've been thoroughly educated thanks to the Diabetes of America Center and I'm on a meal plan that includes 6 small meals a day and really specific measuring and calculation of carbs, proteins, fats and veggies. I'm taking my blood sugar levels four times a day, and so far the doctors have been pleased with my numbers.
The way they explained it to me was that everyday I am pregnant my body produces hormones to keep me pregnant and Isabella growing. Those hormones are fighting with the hormone insulin that our bodies naturally produce. So, the farther I progress in my pregnancy, the more difficult it is for my body to regulate things. I'm super fortunate to have two supportive doctors, a great nutritionist, loving husband and a family full of cheerleaders. There are many risks, but with watchful monitoring - all should be well come delivery day.
We will as always be thankful for your prayers and friendship.

Our First Anniversary

Monday is our first anniversary... so much has happened in our lives in 2008.

• We've moved to Houston
• purchased our first home,
  
• gone to Cancun,
  
• grieved the loss of a grandmother,
  
• individually traveled to Washington D.C., Little Rock, and Las Vegas
• discovered we're having a baby
• survived Hurricane Ike
• vacationed in New Mexico
• mustered through a rough TAMU football season
• celebrated Robert's fantasy football victories
• joined friends in wedding celebrations
• worked through sharing holidays with so many family members
• and continue to prepare for the birth of Isabella Renee in March 2009

Through it all we have laughed and loved. Robert has even spent some of the time singing! Thanks to all the friends and family who have supported us through this first wonderful year. We're excited for what great things 2009 will bring us.

Starting to put it together....

Me at 28 weeks....

This week we put together the pack and play. It comes with a bassinet feature and diaper changing station. It also lights ups, plays music, makes nature sounds and vibrates... it's pretty high tech!
The pack and play was a warm up for assembling the crib. We were unsure how difficult it was going to be and compared to the pack and play it was just that, a breeze! We still aren't sure how we want to arrange the room, but for now she has a bed... we just need to get her a matteress and some sheets.Thanks to Grandma Fran for helping make Isabella's nap and bedtime spaces possible! We will add more as we can. Everything will come together in time!
I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. The baby and I are measuring fine and her heartbeat was 144. I also got us registered at the hospital, so they are ready for us whenever she decides to get here. From now until March we will start going every two weeks to see Doctor Storey.

More Christmas

We went to Moody and Celebrated Christmas with my dad's family the Sunday and Monday after Christmas. It was good to see everyone and we were once again showered with fun gifts, especially for Isabella. Dad and Janice have great taste, they bought her coordinating pieces without even knowing it!Then we drove back to Dallas to celebrate with my mom, Sarah, Ken, cousins and the Shelton's. It was a wonderful time to relax and enjoy. Isabella is set up with lots of more cute clothes, tiny hangers, and toys. We appreciated the diaper champ and pack-n-play... I'm sure Isabella will appreciate it in time! :)Robert scored lots of fun gifts and I did too! Best of all, we were able to spend lots of time with the Cowards and the deLunas who we don't get to see so often since they live so far away. Margaret, Sarah and I realized we won't see each other again until I'm well into Motherhood! It was quite a crazy epiphany. On Sunday, the 4th... we got a text message that our sweet friends the Varn's welcomed their baby girl, Gracie into the world at 5:44 a.m. What a fun way to start 2009... thanks to all our friends and family for a FABULOUS 2008!

Christmas tide

We've had a good time with the Ford family over Christmas eve and Christmas day. In the days to come we will celebrate Christmas with my dad and then my mom. We're taking this whole Christmas tide idea and running with it... we're taking our time like the three kings and will celebrate until Ephiphany. We are thankful for the time and for our family. Isabella Renee will be a fortunate little girl to be born into such love and excitement! :) MERRY CHRISTMAS.