Hospital Tour

We took our tour of the hospital labor and delivery area last night. Wow! What an amazing place. It is a beautiful new hospital that seems more like a hotel than a hospital. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, the atmosphere is tastefully decorated and inviting, it is very secure, you have a nurse assigned to you one on one during labor, all nurses have at least 15 years experience, they encourage that the baby stay with you all the time (unless you just want a break), they have "nap time" for everyone each day from 2-4pm, the nurses only do their nurse duties with you when you are awake (they won't come and wake you up during a nap, they just wait a few more minutes until you are already up...brilliant), they serve the Dad's all the meals he will need, there is a lobster and steak dinner for the new parents the evening before you leave, they offer many free classes before the baby's birth to get you prepared - like childbirth, infant care, CPR, car seat safety, breastfeeding, Daddy Boot camp, Grandparent and sibling classes. There are so many other wonderful things this hospital offers, these are just a few of the perks. We have heard so many wonderful and positive things from people that have delivered here. Everyone just loves it! Last night we went along with my sister Tara(who is due with her baby boy #5), and my parents so they could see it too. We signed up for all of the classes which will be in November. That will be a busy month for us. Lots of learning going on. This is where our baby boy will be born - Baylor in Frisco.

(photo complements of their website)

The Balcony

These last couple days have been GORGEOUS outside! One day it was 107 degrees outside, the next it was in the 70's and 80's. LOVE IT! (The cooler temperatures that is.) I have really been enjoying some quiet reading time on the balcony since it has been cooler. I sit in a swing, prop my feet up, open my book, relax and read while rocking the little guy in my belly. Too much fun! Last night the hubby and I even went out on the balcony, set up the card table and played a couple rounds of domino's while drinking yummy Oreo milkshakes. We are enjoying our days right now of quiet and rest before the baby comes but we are so looking forward to the busy life that our baby boy will be bringing us soon. My cozy place
Java has been enjoying these times on the balcony too!

Surprise Baby Shower

Well today is the first day of school for everyone - except for me!!! Yes, I am officially a house wife and soon-to-be Mommy!!! I am still thinking about all of my teacher school buddies today though as they start out the new year.

During the last week of school this past school year my 1st grade teacher buddies threw me a SURPRISE Baby Shower! At the time I think I was only like 7 weeks pregnant. Do I win for being the mommy that is the least weeks preggo and already having a shower? Well these wonderful ladies wanted to celebrate this little baby's life before I ended teaching, so 7 weeks along it was. I didn't post pictures at the time on this blog because there were still many people we hadn't even told yet about the baby. So here they are - finally! The Mommy -to-be
My 1st Grade Team. Yes, in first grade you get completely used to sitting in little chairs and short desks. It seemed perfectly normal at the time. Right now it looks a little funny though.

Myself with my lunch buddy Tina.

My classroom neighbor and friend Linda and I.

Some of the girls.

More of the girls.

Baby Walch's first baby gifts!

And you can't have a first grade party without lots of yummy FOOD! Taquitos, artichoke dip, other dips and chips, desserts, coke and much more (not all of it made it to the picture.)

I will miss my friends at school, but I am so excited to finally get to be a mommy and stay at home with my little baby boy! Only about 4 more months until he arrives!

20 Weeks

We went for another sonogram yesterday and the little man looks incredible! He is forming beautifully! I LOVE this profile picture of him. Such a sweet little head and hand.

Another profile of baby Walch

The doctor said this is a picture of the baby's "nose." Ummmm, either our son is going to look like Pinocchio or we are FOR SURE having a BOY!!!! Yes, this baby is FOR SURE a boy!!!! No Pinocchio nose here.

Last week at 19 weeks.

Today at 20 weeks. The belly is really starting to show!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 20 Weeks today. Half way there!

Size of Baby: According to "the bump" he is the size of a cantaloupe, 6.5 inches long from crown to rump. The nurse told us he weighs about 11 ounces.

Maternity Clothes: Yes - shorts and many shirts. It all depends on the styles. I also am enjoying wearing comfortable dresses since I don't have to think about finding shorts and shirts that actually fit right.

Gender: Boy! Boy! Boy! He could not make it anymore clear to us then his last picture.

Movement: I think I have been feeling him move! I started feeling something around 18 weeks but haven't been completely sure. I really think it is him though. It is fun to just lean back and sit still to try to feel any little movement. It hasn't been strong enough for Daddy to feel yet. Hopefully that will come real soon!

Sleep: Can't complain too much yet. Sleep doesn't come quite as easy as before being pregnant but I know it can and will get worse as the weeks go by. I will enjoy what I can get now.

Symptoms: I walk slower. I am out of breath more often. I love being inside where it is nice and cool. There are days I am willing to eat just about anything, then other days when I can't think of one thing that I want to eat.

Cravings: Cereal - I have had cereal with milk just about everyday for breakfast this summer. It continues to be delicious each day! I also love anything cold to drink - Slurpee's, coke, Slurpee's, water, Slurpee's, milkshakes, Slurpee's, milk with ovaltine, and Slurpee's!!!

Best moment of the week: Seeing our cute little baby boy with the sonogram.

What I'm looking forward to: Knowing for sure that what I am feeling is the baby move and for it to be strong enough for Barrett to feel on my belly too!

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This baby continues to amaze me and is truly a miracle and a gift from the Lord.

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"For with God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37

The Boys are Back...at least for now

This past Wednesday my littlest brother Alex graduated from film school! We are so proud of him and look forward to seeing his name in the credits of movies over the next few years! He left Michigan this week to come back to Dallas for a week or so then he is off to NYC where he has an internship. Going to New York has been a dream of his. My other brother Aaron just moved away from NYC after graduating from college and is now back to Dallas. These guys just like big city's! The grads - Aaron and Alex
We all went out for breakfast at Moms on Main in Aubrey. So yummy!

I like getting just a single pancake there. Their pancakes are HUGE and so tasty!

And just so you can watch the belly grow, here is my bump. This was my 18 week picture from last week (haven't yet taken this weeks picture.) Everything is still going as smooth as ever with the pregnancy. Yay! Almost half way there!

The Calzone

Last night while 18 weeks pregnant I had what I think was the strongest craving for anything I have ever wanted before. What was it for you ask? A calzone!!! Oh my goodness! It came to mind and would NOT go away. I can't even tell you the last time I have eaten a calzone but apparently the little guy growing inside me thought he needed one. I considered making my own, but I knew it wouldn't be ready fast enough! My hubby being the wonderful man that he is took me out to Joey's (an Italian restaurant down the street) to get that calzone I just had to have. Let me say that this calzone was the most fabulous thing I had ever eaten before!!! I'm ready for another one...right now.