#21

21 Days to go...

3 weeks left...

Hi, Little One!

What a fun morning we had yesterday. Your Tatay asked me to come to their house yesterday morning. Daddy was going to hit golf balls early in the morning before it got hot - so yes - it meant he had to get to the driving range by 9am because it gets that hot very quickly these days.

Tatay said to bring my swim suit and hang out while Craig was at the driving range. I secretly think my parents - your Tatay and Nana - are a little concerned that you're going to come and I'm going to be at home by myself. He said to have Daddy come over after and swim for a bit and have lunch there.

Since Daddy and I didn't have plans until later in the day (we were going to dinner for our anniversary) - I decided to go ahead and go. After all - Tatay and Nana's house is only 10 minutes away!

I walked into their house - and heard "Tita Rina!!!"

Garrett and Maddie came all the way from Lubbock for a surprise visit! Then, I heard another little voice and some sweet babbles - and looked and saw your other cousins, Sofia and Kara! All the kids were there! I was so happy to see them!

I love that you'll have Kara to grow up with and that you have cousins that already love you so much. Maddie is fascinated by my belly and kept on asking to see it. She looks at me and says sweetly, "You have a baby in your belly!" and then kisses "you" - ok she kisses my belly - but she really is kissing you!!

Sofia does the same thing and tells everyone "She has my baby cousin in her belly!"

I can't wait for you to meet them!

We had a good time swimming, barbecuing, and chatting. I loved that my sisters - your Tita's were there too! I watched your Daddy play with all your cousins and felt my heart melt - he's going to be SUCH a great Dad to you!

Tita Candice and Maddie

Daddy reading some "literature."

Ok - Sweet Girl - you'll have plenty of time to meet them. For now, keep on growing!

#22

22 Days to go...

Hi, Izzy!

How you doing, Sweet Girl!

I know I tell you this all the time...but Daddy and I really love you.

Daddy loves you so much that he is trying so hard to make sure he is learning as much as he can about parenting as possible before you get here.

At one of my baby showers, a good friend of ours, Heather, made a Daddy Survival Kit for you! It had goggles for your diaper blow-outs, tongs for those stinky ones you'll be sure to make, gloves, a turkey baster to wash your little hiney with....so many fun and silly stuff to make sure Daddy is ready to change that first diaper!



So, yesterday, Daddy took the day off to run some last minute errands we had before you arrive. I was putting up some things in your room and started to organize your changing table when I thought of great idea.

I picked up Gunner (your stuffed bear from London and Daddy's gift to you from his favorite soccer team - Arsenal) and grabbed a diaper.

I walked into the living room and decided to show Daddy how to put on a diaper...with the help of Gunny! We talked about the right way to wipe, how to be careful because of the umbilical cord, how the velcro straps worked on the diaper, and how to attach it to Gunny.

Let me tell you - he was a PRO! He did great! I know you'll be wiggly, crying and much different than a stuffed animal - but you know what - he's already ahead of the game since now he's officially changed one diaper :-D

We love you, Little One! Keep on growing!

#23

23 Days to go...

Hi, Little One!

Happy Birthday to us...
Happy Birthday to us...
Happy Birthday, Hounsel family...
Happy Birthday to US!!!

Today is such a special day, Izzy!

Today is Mommy and Daddy's 5 year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it's been 5 years since Daddy and I were married.

On this day - we committed to one another and officially became a family.

I never knew I would fall in love so young, go through life with my best friend, be heart broken and spend time apart, just to find each other once again.

Our story is one I love to tell and can't wait to share with you someday.

Yes - that's us...we were VERY young!

I fell in love with my high school sweetheart. I knew from the moment I met him I would marry him. But, of course - we needed to have our time being young - go to college, meet other people, and find ourselves.

Wow - College was fun!

He proposed December 13, 2003 and I said "YES!"

We were married on June 5, 2004. The BEST day of my life. And, it will always be the best day of my life . You, joining our family, is an amazing, AMAZING thing - but without our commitment to one another - none of this would have happened.

Best day of my life!

Together, Daddy and I have grown up together, learned together, rejoiced together, walked through the dark times together, and continue to learn about each other. We've learned to be selfless for each other and make sacrifices for the betterment of each of us individually.
He let me go off to school so that I could live my life without any regret. And as surprising as it may be, I found myself back at home and realized the only regret I would ever have is leaving the ones I love again.

I can only pray that you find someone that is your best friend, your equal, your lover, your soul mate. Daddy and I are so incredibly blessed to have one another. We're so blessed that on this day 5 years ago - we were able to stand before God and declare to one another the forever commitment and powerful testimony of marriage.

He is it. He's the one I choose to be with every day. Sometimes the choices in our lives are difficult, but when your soul finds the one it is whole with - the choice is easy.

We are so excited you will be joining our family. We are so amazed that our love for one another created you.

We love you, Sweet Girl....keep on growing!

#24

24 Days to go...

We did it. We did the most important thing we needed to do before you got here. And yes, I waited until the absolute second...but hey...at least it's done!

We found a pediatrician for you! She was referred by a friend and your Nana also spoke highly of her.

A lot of people have asked why I didn't choose Nana to be your doctor. One thing I know is that it's very hard to separate emotions and medicine when family is involved. Nana is a great doctor but I want her to just be your Nana and nothing else. I don't want you associating shots with her!

I really like the doctor we chose for you. She is a mother herself. She's young and is very easy to talk to. Her approach to patient care is to give parents the best advice she can and allow the parents to make decisions for their children. Of course, when it comes to serious issues, she'll take the reigns. But, she encourages parents to ask questions and to be involved in the care of their children. What a great philosophy and it will work well with how Daddy and I want to raise you.

So, another important decision made! We're just waiting on you...but you take your time, Little One! Keep on growing!

#25

25 Days to go...

Hi, Little One!

Daddy and I are getting excited to meet you. We are thinking you'll be here much sooner than your due date.

But, like all women, it's very important that you arrive in style....

Soooo - Daddy thought we'd ask all the people reading about you on this blog to vote for their favorite outfit. And then, when you come home with us, you'll be dressed to perfection!



***Blog readers - let us know what you think she should wear this very special day when she comes home to us!***

#26

26 Days to go...

Or 20 Days to go...

Or 15 Days to go...

We just don't know, do we Sweet Girl?!?

So, we had some good news and bad news today at our doctor's appointment.

Bad news first....if you come early...it'll totally mess up my blog :-O

But, that's the BEST bad news I've EVER heard!

Good news - I'm progressing just as I should. For all of my mommy friends out there and my med school friends in OB...still 1 cm dilated, you're close to being "engaged" and I'm about 65% effaced.

The doctor feels I'll get to 39th week but probably no further than June 22nd.

So, you could be here a week early or a couple weeks early. I am starting to get very excited. I've decided to take advice from Jack from "Lost" and "count to 5, let the fear come in, and proceed..."

I'm never going to be ready. NEVER. I'm always going to think I'm missing something, I'm forgetting something, etc, etc...

He monitored you for about 30 minutes. You looked great and I had some contractions during the time you were monitored (but I didn't feel them....so maybe labor will be a breeze --hahahaha!!!).

Daddy and I will just continue to wait until you're ready to come out and play. Keiser and Daisy have a feeling something is going on - they won't leave my side.

Your whole family is waiting for you, Izzy! We are all so ready and so excited to meet the girl that's captured our hearts!

For now...keep growing!!

#27

27 Days to go...

Morning, Iz!

How are you feeling this morning, Sweet Girl? You were up and on the go very early this morning. I know I'm a morning person so you must get it from me. But, let's get the 4:45AM work out sessions out of your system before you become an outside baby....m'kay??

Did you have fun yesterday? I did.

Daddy and I had a great opportunity to do a service project yesterday with our Home Team from church. As we walked up to Mission Arlington, I was met with "What are you DOING here?!?"

I guess my Home Team thought I would just send Daddy to do some work but I really wanted to help. I was hoping that there would be a task that I could do sitting down or in the shade.

Luckily, the Mission needed some help sorting through bins. So, I sorted through clothes while Daddy and some other guys left and worked on an older woman's yard. Daddy and the others did yard work for a woman who could no longer do it. What great group of guys!

A couple of guys and the other wives stayed behind and sorted through bins of donated items. Did you know that God has a sense of humor? This is how I know He does...

I love housework. I really truly love cleaning and organizing. BUT, the one task I loathe more than anything is folding, hanging and putting up laundry. I would rather scrub toilets, dust baseboards, and pick up dog poop than do the former.

So...what was my main task for the service project that I did for about an hour and half? Yup - you guessed it, I organized, hung and put up clothes! HA! But, when you do it with a joyful heart and realize that you are doing these things to help others - it isn't nearly as bad.

Daddy came back from doing yard work and we were headed home. He brought up something that I am very excited about.

When you get older - at least old enough to understand what helping others means (probably when you're 4 yrs old or so) - we are going to do a service project with just the three of us Christmas and Thanksgiving morning. Since you'll be coming with us for our Home Team service projects that we'll do once a month - you'll get to see how serving God's people is so important.

Then, on those two mornings - it will just be our family's time to serve. As you get older - we'll add on more days but we'll start with those two!

We are so blessed. We may not have fancy cars, a huge mansion, or wear couture...but we have so much more.

We have each other, our health, a home, jobs, food in the fridge and pantry, full tummies, friends who love us...I could go on forever.

I can't wait to share the gift of service with you, Little One! There is so much to be thankful for!

Right now, I am thankful that you're still safe in my belly and still growing! We love you, Iz!