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......

Almost There........ we hope

Today's update regarding our house...... Not such good news, we were told this morning that our closing date has been pushed back to the 21st. It seems the mortgage company can't get a hold of the appraisal for the house in time for the 15th date they originally had set. The house is 100 % complete on the inside, and we will be doing our "final" walk through in the morning. The weather has caused some delays in getting the fence up in the back, but hopefully they will be able to get that done in the next day or two.

This picture was taken on Sept. 3rd. They had finished the drive way a few days before. The grass and landscaping will not be done until after we close, that way they are not responsible for the care of it.
Our front door, it looks soooo good !!!!!! Hopefully no one will steal it, we've already had all the toilet seats and light bulbs stolen from the house.

Part of the kitchen, this was the first time we got see our kitchen all put together. Pretty exciting.

This is the back yard, after they leveled it, Greg is already looking at riding lawn mowers. I think the size is a little over whelming.... but the dogs are going to love it !!!!!!!

We go back to the doctor on Monday for our 16 week check-up. It's hard to believe how fast the weeks are flying by at this point. I'm still feeling pretty good, my gag reflex is in over drive these days, and walking the dogs- when they have to "go" has been a challenge, poor Greg is not only trying to clean up after them, but also making sure that I don't get sick over the smell. And brushing my teeth is still a major project everyday, usually ending with the toothbrush winning the challenge. Other than that, I'm feeling good- and finally starting to get more energy back.

We'll keep you all posted on the progress of our closing on the house, and the doctors appointment on Monday.

Hugs,

Greg and Tina

Introducing "Peanut" ......

That's right....... we are pregnant and expecting March 7, 2010. Although, I believe most of you have heard the news by now, we thought you might like to see "Peanuts" first pictures. I'll be 14 weeks along on Monday, for the most part it's been pretty smooth. With only a few days where the whole "morning sickness" has gotten me down. Knock on wood, today was probably the worst of all the days. I was feeling fine when we went to breakfast, we came back to the room and I got in the shower ( still feeling fine) within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower I was sicker than a dog, and have felt that way all day long. Not sure if it's a combination of being so tired from work, or if I'm coming down with something, but today was a horrible day.

This was "Peanut" at our 8 week check-up- only really saw the heart beat at this visit, but it was a sure sign that this is really happening...

This photo was at our 12 week check-up. Kinda hard to make out, but we saw the head, 2 arms, 2 legs and strong heart beat coming in at 167 beats a minute that day. ( according to the book I'm reading- a high rate like that means it's a girl....) any bets out there yet??????

As you can see our "adventures" will continue to "grow" !!!!!!!! stay tuned

That's all folks..... for now