Surprise, Surprise!

The evidence pointing to her girl parts. Notice the question for her daddy.

Her little hands are crossed.
Close up of her face with her arms up.

Well today was a very eventful day! I had to go to the hospital for my 20 week ultrasound, and for them to check my bladder. Mike and I were confused on what exactly they would be looking at, so he decided not to attend this one. The last time we went, it was really quick and we didn't see much, so he stayed at work. When I laid down I told the technician that we didn't want to find out the sex, unless we were able to figure it out on our own. However, since Mike wasn't there I didn't want to find anything out. So she started the ultrasound and I quickly saw Bean's legs moving all over the place. Then Bean pulled both of its legs up, and I clearly saw HER parts. I started crying, because Mike wasn't there with me, but I had the technician take a picture so I could show her daddy. I finally stopped crying and was able to enjoy a few minutes of looking at my baby girl, while the idea sunk in. We have had the idea that it was a boy for so long that I was a little shocked at first. I called Mike at work and told him that I was coming by to show him the pictures. He knew at that point that I knew the sex. I drive quickly over to his work and he popped the CD into his computer.

He looked at each picture and then came to the last photo. He quickly realized that his "boy" was a little girl. I think it took a while, but he finally smiled and said, "We're having a girl." He had a glazed look on his face, so I wasn't really sure how he felt. However, then he started telling everyone at his work. We called all of our family members and we were excited to know that our little Bean is now our little girl. The pictures above don't even begin to describe how beautiful she is.

Still sick

Well after spending 2 hours at the doctor yesterday, she gave me medicine for a bladder infection. I am at home today, because my cold is still not better, but she can't give me anything for that. I feel fine when I'm on the bed, but the moment I stand up I start feeling this drainage running down my throat. Gross! My nose and throat hurt so bad that I feel like they are swollen. My doctor did schedule my 20 week ultrasound, so I'm waiting to hear back from her office so I know when they made my appointment. Besides that I'm going to get some needed rest today, because I have to go to work tomorrow. I am just glad that next week is spring break so I can get better. Well I hear it is raining in Elgin, so I'm sure my family is pretty happy right now. Hopefully we will get some soon. Bye!

A sick mommy is no good...

Well I go see the doctor today after work to find out if I do in fact have a bladder infection. However, while I have been waiting I have gotten a terrible cold. My throat hurts so bad, and 4th graders don't seem to care much when their teacher isn't feeling well. They try for a few minutes to be sympathetic, but that doesn't last long. I really don't like to take drugs, but I am kinda hoping Dr. Smith might be able to hook me up with something to kick this. I really don't want to be sick over spring break. When I was sick at Christmas it took nearly 2 weeks to get rid of my cold. Although I don't have much planned, I don't want to spend the entire week in bed.

I wish I were at home today, but I'm taking off Friday for a funeral. I hate missing work especially twice in one week, so I'm suffering through it. Yesterday I just watched the clock until 3:30. I went straight home, changed clothes and got on the couch. I took two Benadryl last night and still my throat hurt so bad I couldn't sleep. It was cute, because I woke up about 12:00 a.m. to go drink some warm water and Callie followed me into the kitchen. She was so sleepy and she kept walking back towards the bedroom like I should follow her. It was so sweet of her to care about her mommy so much. However, she was very happy to jump back in bed and go back to sleep.

I felt Bean twice yesterday in class, and once while I was on the couch. However, I felt so bad I don't even think I thought much about it. My students keep telling me that they want to know if I feel the baby, but I knew it would make them crazy and they were quietly working. Maybe next time...Anyway, hopefully Dr. Smith will have an answer for my illnesses, and I can feel better soon. If not I will be looking forward to 3:30 the rest of the week.

I felt Bean move!

Well this past weekend, Mike and I went to Elgin to visit our parents, and we had a great time. My parents were amazed that I wasn't as big as they thought, so I guess that is a good thing. Saturday night we were at Mike's parents eating dinner, and I felt Bean move. Dennis was showing us a music video of a new song he likes, and I guess Bean agrees with Grandpa. I felt Bean move twice and I was so happy I didn't want to move. Then Sunday, I was still in bed and my sister was laying down with me and I when I pushed on the left side of my stomach, I could feel Bean inside of me. It was the coolest thing ever! On the way home I felt Bean several more times, and it is so awesome!

Bad news is I think I have a bladder infection. Either that or something else is up. I get nervous about bladder infections, because last year I was put in the hospital because I didn't know I had one. It turned into a severe kidney infection, and I was in the hospital for 3 nights and couldn't work for about 8 days. I don't want that to happen again, so I think I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow. Just to be on the safe side. I hope everyone had a good weekend. I'll let you all know what the doctor says....

18 Weeks!

Well we made it another week! According to my book, 18 weeks is approximately 5 months. Phew! That blows my mind. It doesn't seem possible that we could already be 5 months, however, that is what the book says. Today was the Writing TAKS and I am exhausted. I had to "monitor" so that meant I had to walk around the class most of the day. My legs and feet hurt so bad! I also had some stretching on the top of my tummy, so Bean felt really heavy. I went to Target after work to pick up some socks, and I didn't even feel like shopping! That should tell you how much I just wanted to get home and sit on my couch. I'm just glad the test is over, and I'm not looking forward to the Math and Reading TAKS in April. In two weeks we go back for our 20 week visit, and hopefully Dr. Smith will start up her 4D sonogram machine for us. She is such a cool doctor, and she knows we like to see Bean. I just need this week and next to be over, so I get to relax for spring break. Sometimes it pays to be a teacher! Later.

Our First Race as a Family

On Saturday, Mike and I (and Bean, of course) completed our first race in Houston as a family. We participated in the Houston Rodeo kick-off race. It was a lot of fun, and we were able to see a lot of downtown Houston. Friday night, Mike got two tickets to the rodeo cook-off from a friend, and we went down to the rodeo. Wow, that is a really big carnival! I haven't ever been to the Houston rodeo, so I was shocked at how big it was. We had private tickets to a party, and there was free BBQ, drinks, and a live band. It was a pretty happening place. When we left, there were people lined up to get in. When we were leaving Mike had to use the Port-o-Potty =) and I ran into my cousin Christina's friend from back home. It was weird because I recognized her voice before I even saw her face. I usually don't walk up to someone and say, "Do you know so-and-so?" but I was feeling rather brave. Christy, if you're reading this I ran into Chasity and Nicole and they said to tell you hi! Weird, huh? Anyway, it was a random experience, because with all of the thousands of people there, I wasn't expecting to know anyone except Mike.

This week is the Writing TAKS on Tuesday. My students will take it, and I'm so glad it is almost over. Then all I have to do is stress over the Reading TAKS. I am getting really sick of these tests! However, all I can do is make sure my students give it their all. As long as they do their best, that is all I can ask. It will be a very long and boring day for me, just monitoring the test. Mike's birthday is this coming Friday, and we are going to Elgin for the weekend. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas, so I'm excited for them to see my expanding waistline. Well I guess that is all, have a great week!

Stretching baby

Well today was a great day, we are 17 weeks! I can't believe that next week we will be 5 months. Also today, Bean was making my belly hurt some. I was having a lot of pain from stretching, especially on my right side. Every time I've had an ultrasound, Bean has been on my right side, so I think that is it's favorite. Bean should be about 5 inches long now which still seems so small to me. Many of the teachers at work keep asking when I'm going to start showing, and I feel like I am! It is weird how I feel big, but when other people see me they think I'm still small. We get to see my parents the first weekend in March, and I'm excited that my family gets to see me. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas, so I figure they will think I've grown. I'm also excited that in 2 1/2 weeks we will be off for spring break and going to a Spurs vs. Rockets game. I haven't ever been to an NBA game, so I am looking forward to it.

On Saturday, Mike and I are going to do a 5K walk for the start of the Houston Rodeo. We joined a team with Mike's work, so I'm looking forward to getting some exercise. I am also a team captain for Relay for Life with our school team. I was really nervous about being a team captain, but I have another teacher that said she would be a co-captain with me. We have some fundraisers planned at school, and I am raising as much money as possible. I think I have $250 dollars now, and my goal is $300. Our walk is April 17th, so I'll be 6 months by then. As long as my energy level stays up, I think I'll have a blast. Anyway, I wish I had more to share, but I really don't =(. Things are going well, and that is the important thing. Hope everyone has a safe and great week.