Start of 2nd trimester!

We went to see Dr. Parks today for our 13 week visit. Unfortunately we did not get an ultrasound today, and will not get one until we reach 20 weeks. Good news is that everything looks really good. My blood pressure and sugar levels are normal and we heard Baby Armstrong's heartbeat which measured a strong 164 BPM. Our next visit is in 4 weeks, when we will have blood work taken to test for different conditions. So week 20's ultrasound should tell us if we are going to have a

Lily Rayne Armstrong
or
Braden ? Armstrong

either way we are super excited!

My symptoms seem to change daily. I no longer seem to suffer from nausea, now it is just instantaneous puking...no warning, just -blaghhhh!
Cramping is my new favorite, every twinge is like "OMG is this the start of another miscarriage...AHHHH" Of course Dr. Parks ensured me everything I'm feeling is "NORMAL" and "nothing to worry about". Easier said than done. I would feel a lot more normal and worry a little less if she would have done a measly ultrasound so I could see the baby. At this point I don't even know if our baby has arms or legs. Since the last picture we have is just two blobs (apparently the head and body). Hearing the heartbeat was great and all but I am more of a visual person. Oh well, 6 more weeks and we can see our baby again.

Hope all are well!

GOOD WISHES

to Mark and Sabrina for a fast and wonderful birth of their baby Kennedy!

We're Back!

San Antonio Day 1:

Alamo, Guinness World Records, Haunted House, Riverwalk, and Dick's.

San Antonio Day 2:

**The Anniversary**
Breakfast in bed, Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Dinner at the top of the Tower of America.

**I told you I was expanding!!! I think I will blame it on a big dinner.**

San Antonio Day 3:

Zoo, Texas Rangers Museum, and the Riverwalk.

San Antonio Day 4:

Natural Bridge Caverns

Finally, upon our return home we found our beloved fish JJ had passed on. Jack made little JJ a casket and buried him in the back yard, oh yea- he video taped the "service".


Baby update:
Well, as you noticed above my gut is giving the impression that I am now 6 months pregnant. (actually only 3) I have to say that I am just going with it, b/c if I don't then I really am just a fat chick!

Our next appointment is Thursday Nov 29th. We should be doing another ultrasound at that visit, and baby will be 12w 6d.

Well, Jack said he had a dream the other night that baby Armstrong is a girl. Me...I have had one of each. Looks like we have to wait until January to answer that question.

WORK:
I have been transfered back to the Woodlands office, out of dispatch, thank goodness. I have no clue why, but I am so happy about it. My Sgt. ensures me I did nothing wrong, maybe I will find out more later.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

We are going to the Cottrell's (Lake Conroe) on Wednesday and the Armstrong's in Jasper, TX on Thursday.

Finally some fun pictures from the San Antonio Zoo.

Vacation

Well, Jack and I are heading off to San Antonio for our anniversary this weekend. I'm especially excited to be off work for the next 9 days! YAY We are going to crash at the Mariott for three nights and enjoy the riverwalk, alamo, wax museum...



As far as the pregnancy goes all is good. The nausea has improved but it SUX to brush my teeth in the morning, Ughh- I'm gaging just thinking about it. I'm starting to get the "round ligament pain" which only affects me when I move really fast after sitting or lying down. Feels more like a pulled muscle in my abs. OK, now food-AHHHHH I can't hardly think about it, nothing ever sounds good, it takes me hours to decide on something to eat. and once I do I'm full after 5 bites. WTF!!! I was so excited to have an excuse to get FATTER, and now, of all times, my body chooses anorexia! Most of you know I'm a choc-a-holic, well...I'm sure you guessed it--I CAN'T STAND THE SIGHT OF IT! The best part is I'm still managing to expand, even though I'm certain it's not the baby.
Whatever yo! In 5 more months I'll be the one lookin' like Kirstie Ally before Jenny Craig (the second try) with Dolly Parton 48 ZZZ Boobs.

As for work I am now assigned to Dispatch.
"911, what's the location of your emergency"
Uhhhh, yeaaaa, I'm a calling because uhhhhh, my neighbors dog wont stop barking
"SIR, DO YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY???"
Yes I can't hear my TV
"Sir 911 is for life and death emergencies call back on the NON-EMERGENCY LINE...click"

That folks is my day in a nutshell!

On other news I test for the lab on Monday the 26th so keep your fingers crossed that I nail it! We haven't heard about the Corporal test for Jack yet, maybe next month.

That is all for now.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Things are GREAT!!

Here is the newest Baby Armstrong photo. I know it looks like a blob...lemme describe it. The baby's head is the bottom left circle (arrow pointing to it). The area next to it is the body and the little blob between the lower body and head is a leg. The small circle on top is the yolk sac. Now this is how the Tech explained it to me, I can't make out a thing! We got to see and hear the heartbeat again today...loud and very fast. Jack said he read 194 BPM on the screen. I have been soooo nauseated for the past few weeks. As long as I keep food in my belly I seem to be able to tolerate it easier. Jack has been awsome, he really takes great care of me. I don't want to sound too spoiled but I manage to get a back massage out of him at least every other night. This is wonderful 'cause my lower back has been achy. I think its cause the ladies are a gallon a piece and I can no longer sleep on my stomach or side without smashing them.(OUCH!!) I am not a back sleeper so I toss and turn all night. I did buy a body pillow which has helped some, but I'm still getting used to sleeping with it. SO, it is sometimes on the floor, at the foot of the bed, or Jack is wrapped around it.
Our due date has changed yet again. We now have a date of June 6, 2008. Dr. Parks said today's ultrasound is the best time to measure and calculate baby's age. We thought we were 8 weeks, but the u.s. told us 8wks 6days. We go back November 29th for our next u.s.

House has still not sold, but we have had a few interested people. We keep finding houses we like, but they keep selling out from under us. I'm just glad that we are not in any hurry to move. YUP, even with a baby on the way- no hurry. Though it would be nice to be settled somewhere.

Well, the work buzz is- they are re-testing for the crime lab position. I am really excited because I actually qualify to test this time. I am so glad it worked out that I get an opportunity to try for it. I believe they are also testing for Corporal positions this month, which Jack will most likely test for.

That is enough for now, enjoy your weekend!