Where's Peanut?????

Well, here we are at week 38- and still NO "Peanut"....... At our week 37 appointment they measured him and said at that point he was about 7 lbs 2oz. and I was measuring 2 weeks further along then what we actually were. During that week, I was feeling some pretty good contractions (although not consist at all) I was sooo sure we would have a baby at anytime that week. We decided that Sunday 2/21 would be my last day of work, in preparation for the big day. Only to find out at our week 38 appointment, that I've had no changes, so Peanut is apparently hanging on until the very end..... We've got some bets going out there now, Greg's brother is saying March 10th, my brother said March 17th. ( and I laughed at that, but now I'm wondering could they be close)

This past weekend, we had Greg's Mom and Grandma in town from Chicago. It sure was great to spend some time with them. We were their third and final stop along their cross country venture. So we kept things pretty laid back and relaxing for them. Grandma's great great granddaughter, and her great great great granddaughter came down from Dallas and spent Saturday hanging out with us. Then on Sunday a old friend of Rose's meet everyone for lunch here in San Antonio. We were sad to see them go, but we know they will be back soon to meet Peanut.

This is Grandma and me
Greg with his Mom and Grandma

All four of us- what would we do without camera timers and tri-pods.........

Yicks..... this is me at 38 weeks and 1 day..... ( who's counting)

This is Peanut's crib and comforter. His room is finally finished !!!!!!! Go figure, we worked like crazy 2 weekend's ago, to finish his room.... only to have this little monkey hanging on until the end !!!! sure hope this is not a sign of how stubborn he's going to be ????

He's crib ( and our bags for the hospital) WE'RE READY !!!!!!! We finally got the walls painted last week, I'm still trying to decide if his room really looks like a little boys room or not. At times, I wonder..... but it still looks great and we are excited to share it with him. At times we find one or both dogs laying in the middle of his room. I think they have any idea, but are still trying to figure things out. It's going to be a true test for Shelby, as she did not do well with the company we had this past weekend. She found herself in our room for 2 days. We think she will be fine with Peanut, it's everyone else we worry about. ( have no fear- she will be the proud owner of a muzzle and or shock collar before the next round of visitors arrive)

Wall- De-Cals that I still need to finish up with. This picture really makes the walls look Red, but it's actually a dark maroon color.

We'll be updating weekly- until the Big Day...... keep your fingers crossed that it comes sooner than later.

Hugs,

Tina, Greg and Peanut

PS- we actually saw snow yesterday here in San Antonio.... of course it didn't stick, but we had some huge white fluffy snow flakes falling for about 45 minutes... And I've discovered that our Texas born dogs are "sissy's" it was about 35 degree's for the high- and neither one would go outside. REALLY- what are they going to do when and if we ever get the chance to move back north. I guess liter box training might be in their future...... :)

FIRST GLIMPSE OF "PEANUT" (NAME COMING SOON) GARVEY

Today, Tina and I went and had a 3D Ultra Sound done of baby "Peanut" Garvey. This was a very exciting visual for us to see. We were able to see it on a wall with the large projector they used. It was bigger than life to say the least. We were both totally amazed with what we could see. The pictures don't do the actual experience justice but these pictures are very good.

Who's nose is it??

Tina says she "noses" that this is a "Steffen" nose. LOL :)

While we were watching the various angles and pictures that were being taken, we both agreed that these are my (Greg's) lips and facial features. Tina says that they are "chipmunk" cheeks. She also says that he is no longer a "Peanut" but possibly an "Alvin" or "Theodore". There goes the name I had picked out PJ (Peanut James) Garvey.

Here you see little "Alvin" or "Theodore" in my favorite state.....Sleeping peacefully. Somehow, I think this will be a short lived experience in the near future as he is getting more active daily. Hick ups are a daily occurrence and have become an automatic alarm for Tina at 3:15am. Who needs an alarm clock when you have a little one moving inside you?

We are going back to Houston this weekend for "Peanut's" baby shower. We are looking forward to seeing alot of our friends as it will be a little while before we make it back to Houston. Tina thinks he will be out long before the March 7th due date. Bets???


We are doing some special pictures while in Houston and will be posting those pictures later this week. Tina has been extremely busy with work. She was in St. Louis, MO for a few days to attend a Panera Corp. training session. I have also been busy with finishing up the year. After Tina returnd from St. Louis, I then left for a week to go to my company meetings in Dallas.

Last weekend, we were able to spend sometime together and spent most of it assembling "Peanut's" furniture.

As you can see I had two very attentative helpers with the assembling the crib. Not sure that they did much to help, but they sure did inspect it very well and often. They are a little unsure of what is currently going on. They are in for a few changes of their own here in the coming weeks.

Here is a picture of the finished crib and the changing table/dresser. It was a very exciting moment and realization to have all of it completed. There is also a 5 drawer dresser that goes along with this.

Well we both hope that this finds everyone doing well. Take care and we will keep you updated as the time for "Peanut" to arrive is quickly approaching.

Greg, Tina, "Peanut", Shelby & Sierra

The Christmas Train

I totally forgot to put this short video in our last blog. The dogs had their first experience with the Christmas train last weekend. Enjoy !!!!

Happy Holidays and a little updating from us

Okay, here is the long awaited, "just how big is Tina now" picture. This was taken on 12/1/09 at 27 weeks, and counting..... Things are moving along nicely so far. "Peanut" is gaining strength everyday with his kicks and punches. I've been feeling good, except for the sharp pain in my lower back which has traveled down my right leg- making life a little painful right now, but according to the doctor nothing to worry about and is "normal" Greg "finally" felt the little guy kick about 2 weeks ago, which is good, at that point I think he was feeling left out. The dogs both had experienced the strange feeling of being kicked awake while napping on my tummy.

This picture is "Peanut's" heart and heart beat. Taken at one of our doctor's appointments. We have finally settled in with our "new" doctor here in San Antonio. Not as warm and fuzzy as the doctors in Houston, but she's nice and will have to due for now.

This is my favorite ultra sound picture so far. You can see his head, a hand and huge foot. No wonder he can put out some good kicks......

We've managed to get about 90 % of the boxes unpacked and put away. Our next project is clearing out "Peanut's" room and start on the decorating process. We've made a couple of trips to Babies R Us, and WOW..... totally overwhelmed is all I have to say. We finally picked out the theme a couple of weeks ago. Teddy bears and Puppy dogs..... ( with some trains thrown in there somewhere, if I know Greg well enough) Hard to believe that the time is nearing so quickly.....

This is our front living room, we had just finished decorating the Christmas tree, with YES really ornaments this year, and the train underneath. It's been a very long time since we actually put ornaments on the tree. Still a little unorganized, and not much furniture- but it looks much better than it did with all our trash boxes piled high in the corner.

This is the "breakfast nook" or our "dining room" I have big idea's for this room, just can't seem to find the time or energy to accomplish them. ( good projects for the family that will be visiting in the next couple of months..... hint,hint)

This is the family room. Probably the only room that is pretty much complete, with the exception of curtains and pictures on the walls.

As you can see from the picture above we did finally move into our new house on September 22, 2009 YIPPY!!!!! there was a brief time, where we weren't sure if we would ever get into the house. Even with the movers parked in front, it was still a question in our heads..... It poured cats and dogs that morning.... so the movers dodged rain drops through out the afternoon, but eventually got us unloaded and with very minimal damage. Here's the guy's that made it all happen, both in Houston and San Antonio. We were very lucky to have the same group that packed and loaded us in Houston, be the lucky one's to unload us in San Antonio. Couldn't tell any names (since it's been awhile) but they were awesome. Even remembering how we had things arranged in the old house, and helping us find those few missing boxes that didn't get checked in coming off the truck. Thanks Guys !!!!!

Well, here was a very brief update from the past couple of months. We've settled into our new home, Greg is doing very well with his job and is loving it... I'm struggling with my job, and counting down the days until maternity leave. Pretty sure I won't be returning to Panera after "peanut" is born. The hours and juggling day care would be just to much for us. So I'm hoping to find something more on the part time level, that's closer to home and will work better with a day care schedule. Unless, my wonderful hubby tells me I can stay home full-time !!!!!!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season.

Greg and Tina

Our Home Away From Home

We thought we would share of few photos of where we've been calling "home" for the past month and half. It truly hasn't been that bad, more like a small apartment than a hotel room. With the benefits of housekeeping, and no yard work.... Please excuse our piles of stuff, and mounds of dog toys all over the floor. We've tried to stay organized with only the bare minimal of belongings we brought with us, but we seem to be collecting more stuff as the weeks go on. Greg's office is serving as our "storage unit" right now, with 4 ceiling fans, a garage door opener and a few other little items we have already purchased for the house.

The latest news on the house, we will close NO later than Monday the 21st, but it might be sooner, if the appraisal makes it the the mortgage company, but it appears that no-one knows when the VA will be there to do the appraisal or who to contact regarding the appraisal, so at this point it's just a waiting game on when the paper hits the right desk. We did our final walk-through on Friday morning, the house looks amazing. With only a few little minor touch ups of paint, a light fixture in the kitchen needs to be replaced and the breaker on the water heater was bad and causing it to trip the rest of the house. So all in all, there was very few issues to be addressed. ( keep your fingers crossed that the right person gets a hold of our appraisal- and we are able to close a lot sooner than the 21st.)

Again Excuse our mess- but this is our home for now...... T-Minus 8 days and counting !!!!!

This is our building #16- our room is actually around the other side
A look down the back side- just like apartment life

The stairs leading to a full bedroom and bathroom upstairs. That's where Sierra and I sleep each night.

Excuse our mess, but this is part of the living room- there's a murphy bed which Greg and Shelby fold out each night and hold their nightly snoring contests..... ( there's also another full bathroom around the corner as well)

This is the "one butt" kitchen. Although I think it might be just a little larger than the one in our first apartment we had in Houston. It's small, but it beats eating out every night.

This is the living room. The dogs LOVE to climb up on the back of the couch and look out the window, I think we're in trouble with all the windows we will have at the house, and there all at "dog" level......