Know any good OB/GYNs in Clear Lake? I'm looking!

Yesterday I wrote about how I'm starting to get a little nervous about labor & delivery. Well, guess what? I don't have a doctor anymore! Apparently she has fallen off the face of the earth or something. I have no clue. The office has been very hush-hush and we have gotten two different explanations. 1. that she's on (personal) emergency medical leave & 2. she just won't be at that office anymore. Guess I'm glad that happened now with 8 1/2 weeks to go, instead of literally at the last minute, but it's still a little crazy! They had another doctor filling in for Dr. Brooks, but she said she didn't know if she was going to be sticking around permanently and couldn't promise she'd deliver Emma, but that another doctor would be assigned to me - blah, blah, blah! So, we just felt we had to make a move now to be sure. Too many things are wishy washy at that office. We have to find someone who can make a commitment for the next two months - Emma's on her way! Hello! Thankfully, I was able to make an appt with a new doctor for Wed, Jan 4th. They worked very hard to get me in quickly and were very sympathetic to the situation. We are literally praying that this all works out with Dr. Files, b/c if I have to see several doctors in the process of selecting one I'll have to pay a $30 co-pay with each doctor and besides we just need to get someone lined up. What if Emma comes early? Time is running short and I'd really like to see the new doctor a few times before delivery. I'm a little stressed, but not to worried. Brad has been very supportive and helpful, as usual! And that's the latest from Clear Lake...

Tiffany

Starting to get a little nervous...

I'm 31 weeks and thus have about 9 weeks left, depending on when Emma actually comes. I really hope she's not too late. I'm starting to get a little nervous and scared of the actual labor & delivery! Hello - this is really going to happen! Nevertheless, we can't wait for the baby to come. We are sorta tired of waiting, yet we still have several things to get ready! And just in the last week I have felt such a difference in how Emma is taking up my personal space. I'm not sure if she's turned a certain way or just getting bigger, but she is really starting to crowd me out and making me more and more uncomfortable! I still have 9 weeks left! Funny how 9 weeks can seem like a short and long time all at the same time! We went shopping last night and got a pack n play and travel system. We can't wait to play with the new "toys". I guess we really are having a baby here! There's all kinds of baby things and pink stuff at our house. Craziness!

Tiffany

Note: I'm no longer going to post pics of me and my belly online. The camera definitely adds weight! I look much bigger in pics than real life. Modern technology tends to give me a fatter face and bigger belly. I feel good about how I actually look and about my weight gain during the pregnancy. I'm right on target, practically textbook! However, I am not happy with the digitized me. So, you'll just have to check my progress in person, if that's feasible for you! :)

10% off discount codes for Target online purchases

Hey there!

I was surfing the net and comparing prices today. I discovered a discount code for 10% off at Target.com if you buy online. Just thought I'd share for those that are planning to buy a gift via online. Simply enter the code at check out when you are completing the sale.

code: TCADVCBN

Tiffany

Just 10 more weeks!

I'm 30 weeks today, so that means Emma should be here in about 10 weeks! We can't wait! Oh, my gosh - we have so much to do! Somehow it will all get done and we'll have everything we need for her arrival. We are counting the days....

We leave for Little Rock Thursday evening and will return on Monday afternoon. Merry Christmas to all!

Tiffany

Adorable Overalls!

Brad found these adorable little Pooh overalls on ebay. We paid only $5.99 for the overalls and matching body suit. On the leg, it's monogrammed "Pooh loves Emma". We just had to get them! Brad's crazy about them. She's gonna look so cute in this outfit! :)

Tiffany

Dallas Baby Shower Update

Photo 1: With Future Nana: Kathy Frederick, hostess & Tiffany
Photo 2: With Good Friends: Amy, Tiffany, Staci & Keeley
Photo 3: With Future Grandma: Opening gifts as Karen Granderson looks on...

I had my first baby shower in Dallas this past weekend. My step-mom, Kathy, gave me a really nice shower for my family and close friends who live in the area. My Grandma Betty, Aunt Sherry, cousins Sembree, Ashley, & Kayley and close friends Amy, Staci and Keeley attended. My dad's best friend's (Bob) wife Holly and mother Dottie also attended. And last, but not least, my mother-in-law, Karen, was there as well. We had a great time playing the usual shower party games and eating! :) Emma received lots of clothes and we now have more than enough blankets, burp cloths, bibs, towels, wash cloths, etc. She will be well dressed and well groomed! Our friends Steve & Jill and Andy & Katrinna even sent us gifts to the shower since they could not attend, as they all live in Louisiana.

I wanted to post many more pictures, but I had a lot of trouble loading the photos, so I had to go with less than more. I had some good ones with my cousins and my grandma. One of my favorites is one with my college friend Amy. She is 4 weeks ahead of me. Her baby girl, Eva, is scheduled to be born via C-section on Jan 21st.

A good time was had by all!

Tiffany

The key to fathering! (Homer Simpson)

Homer Simpson knows all.

Brad

"There is HOPE for this World!"

Tonight Brad and I attended our 2nd to last child birth/lamaze class. Our great teacher usually suggests we all go out for ice cream afterwards, but it's kinda cool here tonight, so we decided to go to Starbucks instead! (Don't worry - I didn't get coffee.) Anyway, we went there to enjoy some warm drinks and discuss health insurance options for 2006 and questions for pediatrician interviews. Several minutes after we started our little "family business" meeting, a guy who had been sitting across from us come over to speak with us. He asked if we were married. We said yes, of course. And then he asked how long. We said 3 years. And then he said, "You guys make a great couple!" He had been watching us talk and said it was clear we were "two great minds working together". Then, he said, "There's HOPE for this world!", "That's just beautiful.", "God bless you both and good night." And with that he left! It was strange, yes. And I'm not sure that we are the HOPE for this World. Actually, I am SURE we are not the HOPE for this World. But, it's really cool for strangers to say nice things and also to recognize and celebrate a good, healthy relationship, particularly within marriage. It seems our society only lauds and spotlights the dysfunctional and selfish in our culture. It was a little weird, but I'll welcome encouragement, even from strangers!

Tiffany

Merry Birthday

I don't really have much to say but I know it's been a while since I've posted anything. So...I wanted to take this opportunity to say another "Happy Birthday" to my beautiful bride. We decided to go out on Saturday night rather than celebrate yesterday, so we took advantage of the Clear Lake Symphony's Christmas concert. It was a great concert for our suburban standards (it's not the Houston symphony but they were really pretty good!) and we enjoyed going out to dinner and a concert. We also went beforehand to an event at the church we've been visiting in Friendswood, which was called "Bethlehem Bound" for the kiddos with a make believe Bethlehem recreated to walk through. They had camel and donkey rides, a petting zoo and various booths with strange people selling spices or handmade items. It was fun, but it'll be more fun next year with Emma! Yesterday was our usual business of trying to get our home ready for a third person, but it was also Tiffany's birthday, so of course it was a very special day all in all because we are all blessed to have her in our lives.

I'm so thankful to be married to such a special woman and I'm more in love with her now than ever.

Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Brad

1st Baby Shower This Weekend in Dallas

My first baby shower is this weekend! We are having an intimate gathering of family and a few close friends who live in the Dallas area. I'm excited to see everyone who is planning to come! I was hesitant to have a shower in December, however my doctor told me that I could not travel after Christmas. Therefore, our trip to Little Rock, for Christmas with Brad's family, is my last trip until after the baby is born. (Thank God for Continental Airlines! I'm not up for a 9-10 hour road trip these days!) So, we'll be anchored to the Houston area for January and February and probably the rest of Spring too!