We are finishing 15 weeks along!!!

For some reason, this weeks journal from BabyCenter.com blew my mind! Our baby is the size of an APPLE!! Man, I remember being excited when it was the size of a fig!!!! We are just so blessed and they excitement just keeps growing!!

"Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam."

We Love you so much already Baby Hall!!!

Mom, Dad, and Bro Baylor

San Antonio...a VACATION

OK, so really Charles had a conference about 50% of the time we were in San Antonio, but anything out of the norm is a vacation, right?! The time Charles was in the Conference I did loner things like: reading my book, laying in the sun on the roof of the hotel, exploring local sights such as the Alamo and Riverwalk, and of course shopping along the Riverwalk. But when he was out, we got to explore together and ate (very frequently I might add!). The best part was when my Parents came along for 2 nights and hung out with us. Being originally from San Antonio, the sights and directions were much easier for us to navigate and we got a LOT of sightseeing and shopping completed! Did I mention we ate A LOT and OFTEN?!! Anyway, here are some "Vacation Pics"...

My Mom and I on the Riverwalk River Cruise

OK, had to get the usual Alamo pic!

Charles and I eating dinner on the Riverwalk

The four of us posing for a pic on the Riverwalk

Some local musicians performing, they were amazing!

OK, so these are "Bunuelos". My parents used to get these for breakfast across the street from their work place on several occasions...so one morning we ventured to search down their new location and buy some Bunuelos so that my parents could relive the memory...and just an FYI, they taste like thin churros! YUMMY!!

THIS is our old house! Of course it has been 20 years since we lived there, and the up keep has not neccessarily been up to par (what were they thinkin' with the paint scheme?), but this house holds SO MANY memories! I can still tell you the exact layout of all rooms, where my sister and I fought, where my sis broke her leg/arms (every time), where my Dad caught armadillos, when we planted certain trees, where all the good hiding places are, and the exact location of the watermelon patch along the side of the house. It was a great house and I couldn't resist putting a pic of it on the blog!

A little late...but here goes...

So, the last 5 days we have been in San Antonio for a conference that Charles was attending (more on that coming), but I was not able to post what baby Hall was up to last week, so here are our accomplishments!

Welcome to the second trimester! This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

Stay tuned in a few days for this weeks accomplishments. I can't believe we are fixing to go on 16 weeks!! WOW! The time flies!

Listen to Baby Hall's Heartbeat!

So, we went today for our 14 week apt and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!! Charles took a video with my phone that you can see below. We are so excited, the Dr. said everything looks and sounds great! My Blood pressure and weight were great (I actually did not gain during the 1st Trimester...but my bump is there for SURE!) and the heartbeat was a strong 150's... Maybe a boy...if you believe all the tales!

Hasta La Vista 1st Trimester!!!

Yes, I have made it through week 13 of the prgnancy and have officially started week 14!! Just knowing this eases some anxiety! I have not really been sick at all (just have to eat every 2 hours still...darn! Heehee), and sleep fairly well still during the night. Of course I am extremely tired by 8pm and my bedtime appears to get earlier and earlier! Here is what the BabyCenter says that Baby Hall did this week!

"Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed and your odds of miscarriage drop considerably."

Now, to celebrate this jubilous (that word's for my sweetie) occassion, we made a cake (complete with our own decorating) and shared the excitement with Charles' family. AND to our surprise, we even got some of our 1st gifts!!! I got jewelry (blue AND pink), 8 Lullaby CD's, and our stroller system! Can you tell Grandma and Grandpa were excited too?! See all the pics below, it was truly an amzing celebration, and one I will always cherish!! This Baby is going to be SO WELL LOVED...maybe spoiled is the right word??

Friends...there's nothing better!

So what do you do when you need girl time and everyone can get time away from kids/hubbies??? YOU HAVE A SLUMBER PARTY!! Ha! We decided to slumber like old times...complete with staying up till almost 4am, eating, drinking wine (Laura brought me sparkling grape juice!), laughing, playing games and of course the Wii. It was a blast just to get away and then we got even got to sleep in till 10am!! WHOO HOO! For breakfast, we did it right with Panera Bagels and fresh fruit. I just can't begin to say how much fun it was, and of course I can't post ALL the pics...but here is group pic and some favorite food items we enjoyed!

OK, so we signed up for weekly updates to see what occurs each week during pregnancy at www.babycenter.com!! So, each week I will post what has happened during the week so we can all watch Baby Hall grow together. The entire thing is truly just a miracle and I do not know how ANYONE can say God is not real after reading this! :)

Here was what kept Baby Hall busy all week! We are now the SIZE OF A LIME!!

"The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce."

My Sweet Husband

So, you know how we all just have THAT DAY every now and then...the one where we wish it would be 5pm and yet somehow the clock says 9am...WELL...I had that day a few days ago. I called Charles throughout the day just to get through and on my way home gave thanks to God that it was over. I was just happy to get home and hug my hubby and be in his arms. Well, my hubby, the sweetest ever...decided that he would buy the Pat Green CD that just got released and have it playing when I got home with a little note. We had fun just dancing and listening to the CD and I am continued to be amazed at how perfect he is. Charles,

You are my rock, my strength and my life. Thanks for always being my best friend and never failing to make me smile in the dark momments (even when I say stop...but you know I don't mean it!). My life is so blessed and forever changed since the day you entered it. Nothing could ever take your place and I cherish every momment with you. SHMILY!!

Stacy