The "3 Year Stretch"

David and I had a great time celebrating our 3rd year Wedding Anniversary! Although we both had to work, he made it special by surprising me with some gorgeous flowers and a romantic dinner. During that dinner, we talked about how this anniversary will be the last year as "just us". It is surreal to think that this time next year we will be doing all we can just to find time for a Friday afternoon matinee, not to mention a "romantic dinner".

We did however, make a promise to one another...despite all the attention our lil' man will need, that we will always remain grounded in our Faith and our LOVE for one another. We vowed to still have "date night" and still put each other first. After all, if we lose touch with our love for each other, how can we teach our children the true meaning of marriage and love?

Braylon's Room

A few have asked for the colors we are doing the nursery in. After much research, I have decided on a pattern by "Kimberly Grant" called "Spa Baby". I wasn't interested in an animal or sports theme, so I picked something just very simple and modern. We haven't begun to get his room set up...Thank God--my favorite painter will be here in a couple months to help me get his room together. Time is flying by!!! We can't believe that in less than 4 months we will have a household of 3!!!

A minor "hiccup"

David and I went for my 23 week check up to find out some disappointing news...Our doctor, the owner of the practice "Caring For Woman" is severely ill and taking a medical leave of absence for at least the next 12 months. I have to admit, this was a little traumatic to hear as I absolutely love Dr. Shannon. We meshed really well and I felt extremely comfortable with her. However, the PA who I have also grown to love has assured me that Dr. Sholten, who is taking all of Dr. Shannon's patients during her absence, is a wonderful doctor! My mom reminds me..."Honey, when you are in labor, it's not going to matter whose there, you are just going to want that kid out"! I guess she's probably right!

Aside, from this news, Braylon is still very healthy and I am right on course. When the PA was examining me she couldn't BELIEVE how active Braylon was. She said, "Is he always like this"...He kept kicking her every time she would put the doppler on my tummy--it was funny. I will return back to the doctor in 4 weeks for my Glucose test to make sure I haven't developed "gestational diabetes" and they will also check for anemia. I have been feeling great, so I am praying the blood work will show the same. That same week, we will also have 4D Ultra Sound--I just have to have one more "sneak peek" before our lil' man arrives!

This wasn't the only "hiccup" that I have experienced the past few weeks. Mr Braylon has been hiccuping also! I have read and heard from friends and family that you can actually feel them hiccup but I never knew how cool it was to actually feel it. He keeps me up all the time with his kicks and constant summer salts. Now he's big enough to actually "see" him kick me from the outside of my stomach. This movement is amazing, and it makes me so excited to meet our lil' guy.

Updated 23 Week belly pic (I know you're just thrilled-right)

We have an Active Boy on our hands!

Well, at 22 weeks there isn't much new to report other than this kid has been moving around like crazy! He must already be taking after his daddy-as it litterly feels like he is playing basketball inside my tummy! It's such an amazing feeling and I am so happy to finally be able to feel the kicks and turns of the lil' guy. His kicking is actually strong enough that daddy has even felt him a time or two. He's most active during the evening time, as he prepares for our "after dinner snack"--oreos and milk!

Braylon experianced his first sinus/broncilli infection last week, but I am now feeling much better! The "Zpak" works wonders! Other than that, I am still feeling great, aside from the normal backaches and heartburn. Both "grandmas" swear that the heartburn is from his hair growing, I guess we will see if that old wives tale is really true or not =)

I go back to the doc in a week, so if there is updated news, I will be sure to report! We can't believe that in just 4 months we will be holding our little guy in our arms.

20 Week Pic...and growing...and growing...and growing

Playoffs are in full force! GO CARDS!

Well despite the traumatic loss of week 16 that the Cards faced at home VS The Greenbay Packers, I knew in my heart that we would come out with a victory in the Round 1 "Wild Card" game. I dunno, call it "pregnancy intuition" but I just knew that my Cards weren't ready to call this season quits.

Mom, JJ, David, and I had a great tailgating session followed by a Roller Coaster game. The stadium's energy was that of last years NFC Championship game...Purely insane. Braylon was very active during the game, as he was probably wondering what all the commotion was about. His constant kicking and bouncing leads me to believe that he is already my lil' Cardinals fan. (Will the kid even have a choice...I don't think so =)

As most of you saw the game it was definitely an "edge of your seats" kind of ride. Our squad looked amazing the first half but of course by the third quarter were showing many signs of fatigue. The moment when Adams caused the fumble, allowing Dansby to run for the winning touch down happened without most of us being able to comprehend what had just happened. One minute we were thinking it was over when our kicker missed the game-winning field goal, and next thing we knew people were screaming, jumping, and throwing themselves on other fans saying "WE WON"...After a few seconds (and looking up at the scoreboard) I saw that it was true--CARDS WIN--and we are still alive!

We pretty much RAN outta the stadium before riots started to break out. What a great game to be a part of. We will now head down to the airport on Friday with all the other "Red Bird Fans" to send our boys off in style as they head to the "Big Easy"! David and I are both already predicting a Cowboys/Cardinals NFC Championship game...WOW--wouldn't that be sumthin!

Oh--before leaving I guess I should say, Mommy, Daddy, and Braylon are all doing well. I can definitely tell he's growing as his movements are much more prominent and I have a lot more "tightness" in my lower abdomen. This week I will hit my "half way" mark! Whooo Hoo!!!

SNEEK PEEK

David and I (as well as all our amazing friends and family) have been patiently waiting for this day to arrive and FINALLY it's here! December 30th we confirmed by ultrasound that we will soon be holding a baby BOY!

We both decided we wanted our moms to be included in the gender peek ultrasound. After all, finally their firstborns are about to welcome their firstborn into the world, what a special moment to be a part of!

We arrived in the ultrasound room, and I jumped on the table for the normal routine. The tech specifically asked "save your questions for the end". So, I patiently watched my baby on the screen moving and jiggling around as the tech was recording all of the measurements. Keep in mind I had 32 oz of water plus orange juice in my bladder so this wasn't the most comfortable moment, but of course it was so worth it. The tech confirmed that our baby had 4 heart chambers, that there was fluid in bladder, and all body parts were growing right on point! A few moments into the test, she had me go empty my bladder--I hurried back in the room so she could finish the test. I got back on the table, and a few moments later she asked..."You want to know the sex right?" For the 3rd time we all said in uniform "YES." She said, "Okay, well see that--(I knew exactly what she was going to say next)--that's a p*n*s." The way she said it was PRICELESS! I immediately started shedding tears of joy! I knew from the very beginning we were having ourselves a boy and the confirmation made everything so real. That was my lil' guy in there, the one causing me heartburn, back pain, and fatigue--I loved him sooo much!

After the tech confirmed the sex she tried to get some photos for mommy and daddy. However, our little guy kept laying face down and wasn't much in the mood for pictures (he better get used to it). After a few seconds, he flipped--gave us a quick open mouth smile and turned right back over. It is quite funny how active he is.

David and I have already chosen his name which will be Braylon David Kingcannon. We found the name a few years ago from Braylon Edwards, star wide-receiver in the NFL. Ever since we heard his name, I knew we would have a son named Braylon. Unfortunately, because it's such a unique name--it hasn't reached into any of the "name meaning" books. That's okay, that will give us a chance for his Daddy and I to come up with a meaning of our own. ;)

I have been feeling wonderful the past 4 weeks. Aside from some lower back pain that I am getting chiropractor care and massage therapy for, I am doing awesome! I started feeling Braylon move a few weeks ago. It's very faint, but he's my internal alarm clock to remind me when it's time to eat again. Still no crazy food cravings, I pretty much like everything!

We are sooo blessed to ring in 2010 with the amazing experience of this pregnancy and soon a baby BOY. We are so grateful for everything the Lord has done for us and can't wait to start a new decade off with the wonderful opportunity to become parents.

Here are a few pics from our ultrasound as well as my 18 week belly pic!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!