My Competition!

Yes, this sweet little thing wore this shirt to Church, and I had to have a picture of it! Little Katie is one of the cherubs in my choir, and my newest competition when it comes to my husband's heart! It was so cute to see her in this little shirt and remember my first crush! Thank you Kelly for letting me share your daughter's cuteness!!!

I guess the doctor is RIGHT!!!

Well, I guess my April due date assessment is wrong! We had another doctor's appointment today, and this was the scary ultra scan. Only scary in that it is 85% accurate in detecting birth defects and heart defects, but we came out with a clean bill of health! As far as we know, this baby is perfectly healthy, and right on track! Thank the Good Lord! 

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We are officially 13 weeks and 2 days, and the measurements come out to 12.5 cm in length (that is about 4 inches for you American visuals like me!! = ) ) We are sincerely blessed, and even though the wait at the doctors office was insanely long (3 1/2 hours), it was well worth it to see this precious baby!! 

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We do have quite the drama queen or king on our hands though! The baby was jumping around and turning every which way, and then it would suck its thumb, put a hand in the air like John Travolta, and then it was the back of the hand to the forehead as if to say, "Oh, this world is too much!" I guess it does have to have some drama being kin to me! The dance moves come from its daddy!! 

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All in all, it was a precious moment, and great to hear that everything was tiptop! We await some blood tests, but I have all the faith in the world that those, too, will be great! I leave you with our "little peanut," which now actually looks like a tiny baby!!!! Yay!!!!!!!! Love ya'll!

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Picture one, lying flat on its back, right hand in the air, and a little bubble nose. Oh I just can't wait to kiss, kiss, kiss that baby!

Picture 2, an arch in the back shows the little jumper in action! Hand still in the air, and a pudgy little belly!!!

Heart beat and Gender prediction???

We had our doctor's appointment yesterday, and it was the first time we heard the little heart beat!!! It was so wonderful and beautiful, and the look on my precious husband's face was amazing!!

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Here is a question: who believes in the wives' tale and who doesn't?

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Yes. There is a wives' tale that says a fetal heartbeat below or equal to 140 bpm it's a boy ("slow boy") and any fetal heartbeat 141 and above is a girl. It is a funny concept!!!

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Justin and I have our own gender predictors in our mommas! It is really special to us to have people so interested in our little "peanut!"

  My momma says G-I-R-L!!! and Justin's momma says B- O- Y!!!

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Right now, Justin and I have no special request except for a healthy baby, but it is fun to participate, even though we know God has already decided and is probably enjoying the fact that we are trying, in our human minds, to figure it out! = )

Well, based on the research I could do this morning, since I cannot return to work until Monday due to Ike, shows that fetal heartbeat may or may not be able to predict the gender.

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Hmmmmmmm...... vague enough for you??????

Anyway! The range of fetal heart rates is 120- 160 or 170 bpm.

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Ours: 153 bpm

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Verdict: We won't really know until 8 more weeks if we hold a precious baby girl or sweet baby boy in our arms, and that's if peanut plays nicely and let's us see.

BUT.... if you are playing along...... the going prediction thus far is.........

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GIRL!

I will SURVIVE!!! and We did! Whew!

Well... we survived Ike! What a scary ordeal!!! Friday night was fine until the electricity went out at about 2am. Then I couldn't go back to sleep, listening to the howling and whistling with the pouring rain and hail. My phone was the only source of connection to the world, and if you don't have any, you need to invest in some LED touch lights! Poor Lady couldn't see without any lights, and would cry until we turned some on so that she could see to jump up onto the bed with us. Poor little thing was so scared! 

Once the morning light.... or sort of morning light, came through the slits in the boarded up windows, I was able to assess the damage. The lights remained off all day, and luckily, Brian and Keila had power and we could put our stuff in their refrigerator and freezer. 

Once the lights came back on, I felt like everything had to be cleaned. We cranked the AC down, and slept really good, until about 6:30am. Then the electricity went out YET AGAIN!!!! UGHHHH!!!! Every time it went out, I felt like crying! Every time it would come back on, I felt like crying!

There are so many things that we take for granted in this glorious life we live! My poor dad is still without power and yesterday his water and sewage went out... and it was his birthday. Poor guy! Please continue to pray for those without!!! Justin drove down to the area where his sales territory is and just couldn't believe his eyes at all the damage! In fact I feel a little funny posting the pictures of our damage, but here they are! Thank you to everyone who was thinking about us! Our phones are a little tricky still, so we will be in touch as we can!

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Tree limb broken

Garden flowers held on, but were tilted!

Jalepeno plant, basil, bell pepper plant down!! (All reset by the way)

Hibiscus down... had to re stake and trim back, but its better!

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Lady before the blustery winds.....

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And after the winds! J/K! She got a mommy trim since she needed one and the store was closed! She looks cute, but I am not good around her little face!

School is out until Monday.... hopefully there is not too much damage! It will be really hard to get back in the swing of things, but at least we have another break next Friday for Fort Bend County Fair Day! Gotta love a school schedule! Love to everyone and I hope you are warm, safe, and thanking God for every blessing you have! You never realize what you have until its gone!

Oh and Dr. appointment TODAY!!!!! YAY!!!!

Hurricane Ike

IKE

A storm is a comin'! We are in deep preparation mode, and I thought I would post something before the power goes out! Jimmy and momma and TJ and Brian came to help us board up the house, and then Justin and I are going to clean the inside and do the last little bit of laundry before the power goes out.

All of my life I have been petrified of storms! I wasn't worried until this morning! I saw the shift, and the west end of Galveston already under water... the shift projects the storm to pummel Galveston. We are expected to have damaging wind and rain, and possible flooding, which makes our journey to Dallas this weekend impossible.

So we are "hunkerin' down" and staying in the protection of our home, praising God that he has provided us with the good fortune of shelter, and a family that cares!

This weekend will be a good time to read, and cuddle and hopefully watch some good movies! We send prayers out to those in Galveston who chose to stay! We send prayers to those who will lose their homes. We continue to pray that we will make it through another costal storm unscathed. We love our home here in Houston, as I have said before!

Here are some pictures of preparation and then some fun stuff for our loyal readers:

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Impending Storm

Hard at work

The scary scene in Galveston

Our beautiful backyard boarded up... = {

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as Justin and I weather our first hurricane together!

Happy Birthday to Jaxson Thomas Wheat! He turned 2 on September 11th!! We love you big guy!!

Happy Birthday Parker! Today he turns 1 year old!!! WE love Parker too!

What was in the closet AND what is going in the closet

It all started about two months ago... well, I guess like 3 months ago now... I was in Target, shopping for baby shower gifts, and it happened. I saw the duckies and burst into tears! Not out of sadness, but because it was just about the cutest thing I had ever seen!! I know, I know, I am lame! I could not help it!!!! Well, I did NOT buy it then... nooooo, no! It was $10, and I did not want to by something for a baby that wasn't here or even close to being here yet. Well, this past Sunday, while in Target buying birthday presents, I saw the duckies again, and this time they were on sale... sooooooo, I had to get it! Please don't judge me... I can't help myself sometimes! So now, in the "nursery" closet hangs my wedding dress and, now, the duckies for the love of Justin's and my life. I love the duckies!!!

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Past, present, and future!

This is what the booties say... OMG!! It is so cute!

He's here!

Our newest nephew was born today at 1:57pm. William Austin Young weighed in at 7lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. Momma and baby are doing great and daddy Keith is just beaming! We are so happy that he is here, and we already love him so much!!!

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Baby William "Austin" Young... they are calling him Austin... so cute!!!

Just looking at him you know his name fits him! He already looks smart and independent!

Justin and I are anxiously awaiting our turn, and with only 6 months to go, it seems like it will be here quickly!!! We have a doctors appointment this week to actually hear the heart beat, and we are going to schedule a special sonogram for the following visit. I am hoping we get another picture, just because I want to see our little peanut again. Oh, by the way, that is a permanent nickname... peanut! I think its cute! Until the weekend, I hope everyone is safe and comfy in their homes with their families, and much love to everybody!! Yay! I love babies!

 

Go Cowboys, GO Cowboys... Go, Go... Go Cowboys!

Whooray!!!!! The Cowboys won Friday night against the Texans!!! I know, I know, I live in Houston, but I was born in Arlington, people! Also, when Houston had no team, the Cowboys were ALL Texas had! I am no trader! When they led us, and by us I mean Texas, to Super Bowl, it was a great moment! So all of you people that are mad at me because I like Texas football, I have this to say:

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1) I will ALWAYS support a Texas team when playing a non- Texas team!

2) I L-O-V-E me some Astros!!!!

3) I was born in Arlington, Texas... which by law gives me the right to be a Cowboy fan!

4)They were known as Texas's team and were are only team after the trader Oilers moved away!

5) I love where I live... never want to move... love, love, love Houston as my home!

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So, please don't hate! These are my reasons, and I am sticking to 'em! Props to the Cowboys on their preseason win... now that it is out of the way, I can cheer for the Texans AND the Cowboys!

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One more thing on a side note! A praise to God for working a miracle in our family... love you guys! Can't wait to see you!

And, if Michael and Kristin read this blog.... 49 more days!!!!!!! We are so excited, and we are counting down the days until you are one in marriage! It is the best thing in the world to have a partner, friend, confidant, and support system ALL IN ONE!!!

Love to everyone, and talk to ya soon!!!

My new Obsession!!

Okay... If you have not seen this movie, do yourself a favor, pop a bowl of popcorn, grab a cup of hot tea or a soda, and pop in the DVD!!! This is one of my new favorites and I am obsessed with the soundtrack and I am hoping they have a Giselle costume so I can dress up like her at Halloween! Yeah, I will have to be a Prego Giselle, but I don't care!!!! This is a great little feel good movie that even has funny parts for the guys! Justin sat there and watched it with me while I laughed and cried... and I am sure I heard him chuckle a couple of times! The cast is phenomenal and I am learning every word to the soundtrack that is award winning!

This is my other favorite movie! This movie is a wonderful family movie too! This one, though, makes you appreciate YOUR family! No matter how goofy or strange, your family is YOUR family! It teaches you to enjoy the qualities and quirks, and it makes you think about how blessed you are! It makes you WANT to be there for someone else! It is fabulous!

Now that I got that out, I have to get back to working on REAL LIFE work, as my school year has started, and I have 108 letters to send out on deficient immunizations! C'mon people! Get your kids their shots! The benefits far out way the risks, and besides.... it's the law!!!  I hope your week is going well.... YAY tomorrow is hump day!!!!! Kindergarten Orientation starts tomorrow... whahoo!!!!! Love to all! Talk to ya soon!

Doctor Day!

So here is our little peanut! We found out that we are 7 weeks and 1 day pregnant, and so that makes the due date 3/30/2009, but I still feel like it will be into April before we get to hold this little one in our arms! God is so amazing! It is such a treat that we are able to see this little one growing inside...... what is truly amazing is seeing that little heart fluttering wildly, full of life, and feeling my sweet husband's grip on my hand get tighter as he comes to the realization that he helped make this life!!! It brings tears to my eyes, tears of joy of course, to see Justin become a daddy. It is the most wonderful thing for us to experience this amazing event together! Our next appointment is September 8th and we will actually get to hear the heart beating!!!! We are definitely excited for that day!

Everything else in the Sutherland world is great.... I start back to work tomorrow...YAY!!! I am very excited! I also start my Bible study tonight, and Justin's band has a concert friday night. So busy little bees!!!! Hope all is well with you and yours! We are enjoying life to the fullest, and I don't want to rush a second of it! Love to everyone!

The circle that is dark in the middle is the yolk sac and will be absorbed within the week.

The little white peanut is our baby! From left to right is head to rump.

There is also a little white streak in the middle of the body, and that is the heart.

Truly AMAZING!!

This entry is for my momma and my auntie

Well, Auntie, momma and I went shopping yesterday, and she bought some stuff! We had a lot of fun, and we can't wait until we can go with you again so you can join our excursions! Of course, we had to stop and get our toes done, and I got the polka dots! Really fun!!! I also attached pictures of my plants, which aren't doing too well due to all of the rain we had last week... at least Eduoard didn't blow down the house! There was a billboard that said, "Eduoard, Tropical Storm with category 5 news coverage!" Isn't that the truth! Anyway, all is well here and hope all is well there!!! Much love to everyone! 

Tuesday is doctor day! We will find out exactly how far along I am, and if everything is going as planned! I will post more after the appointment! Talk to everyone later!

The flower- ee plant

The Dew Plant

The cool cactus plant

Yay Astros!

Yay! The Astros swept the Mets... hahaha Beltran! Anyway, the Astros had a little good luck charm at the game! Justin and I were privileged enough to join our good friends, Hadley and Emily, as they ventured out taking their son, Parker, to his first Astros game!!! He was so precious and very good, and he brought much luck to the 'stros! We had to be very careful too, as we were sitting so close to the field and in foul ball territory... Hadley was pro at the duck and cover over Parker! It was very special to join their family as they made a really good family  memory! Thank you to the Adams family for a wonderful day at the park!

Dreamin' of the big leagues!

The start of the new room!

Well, the clean out of what was the "nursery", which was actually our storage room, has begun! It is amazing how much stuff of no importance you can collect in a year! That's right folks! One year ago on August 1st we moved into this house, which is now our HOME!!! It has been quite a year with job changes, new friends, lots o' get- togethers, and now a baby! Amazing!

This is the softest monkey blanket in the world 

From Aunt Amanda... Thank you so much!

We are blessed with a wonderful family!

This is the start of an idea I had because I want to protect our little one from the outlets, but those white plugs can be a little unsightly! So I found these wooden cut outs at Hobby Lobby, and the result is...

Something a little cuter and a little more decorative! So much fun!!! I will probably try to find a different color of outlet cover... something other than stark white so its not so contrasting! But I think it is super cute!

My Clinic!!!

Starting August 13th, this will be my new home away from home! I am so excited to start, and I have so many ideas! Elementary kids are so cool! They are still so little and cute, and they listen pretty well.... I guess they are nice to me because I am their only ticket out of there~ HAHA! I am ready to promote healthy minds, bodies and little souls! Yay, I am a Huggins Hound!!

A Baby Shower for Keith, Stephanie, and Baby Boy Young

As you know by now, Keith and Stephanie (my brother and sister- in- law) are having their first bundle of joy in September! Justin's aunt and uncle, Stacey and Russell Emmott, graciously opened their home for us to help host a shower for the happy couple! Their house is beautiful, and they have a really fun swimming pool too!! The food was incredible, with true luau style pork, grilled fruit, mango salsa, and a great salad! Appetizers were fried plantains, courtesy of Mr. Justin, himself! and pineapple cream cheese with crackers... not to mention all the beer you could drink and virgin banana mango and pina colada frozen drink!! For dessert, I worked for THREE days making the cake! It was a blast and I cannot wait to help with another one! Here are the pictures that blogger would let me download... it has been giving me grief yesterday and today! Oh well! Enjoy, and God Bless!!!!

In the middle: the happy couple: All around them: Hosts and hostesses

The decorated house

The cake... yes I did make it, and it was a traumatic experience transporting it from our house to the party! True cake decorators have my sympathy! = )

Preparation! 

Gifts!!!!!!

Keith was so adorable opening the clothes! I teared up more than a few times because there is NOTHING more special than a Daddy getting excited over his baby! It was so special to be a part of this experience!

Fun in the POOL!!!

One...

Two....

Three...

WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Scott and Uncle J fun time in the pool with little Joey

Grandpa getting in on the fun

Aunt Amanda gets some bonding time with little Jason!!!

We had a great time... I love baby showers! I love baby showers even more when actual babies are there!!! Family is the greatest, and we love Keith and Stephanie soooo much! We pray for a smooth 2 months and a smooth delivery! I cannot wait to hold that baby! There is nothing I enjoy more than cuddling a precious gift from God... they smell so good, they feel so good, they are just.... just.... just perfect, and I cannot think of any greater blessing than a baby that God trusts you to raise for Him! It makes me happy and teary all at the same time! Thank you to the Emmotts and the Olsons for helping throw one of the best showers I have ever attended!