7 weeks?!?!?

I hit 31 weeks tomorrow. The countdown has officially begun! At my doctor's appointment this past week, she told me I should probably forget about Feb. 19, and I should look more at the weekend of Feb. 5.

Feb. 5??? That's 7 weeks away! Oh my!

She also said that Nicholas' head is down which really makes things real. I thought he was still left to right, but the doctor told me different and so did the sonogram. He's weighing about 4 lbs according to the sonogram....yikes!

Luckily, things are falling into place and I'm distracted with Christmas. My friend Amy, who is 2 weeks behind me in her pregnancy, is very calm about the whole process, which is a little surprising. Although, I think her nonchalant attitude is rubbing off on me. Today I started looking at my registry and noticed all the things we didn't have yet, but instead of freaking out, I just shrugged. Whatever we need, we can buy. I don't really care to freak out anymore. I know it will be ok. My mom did without half that stuff, and I'm sure I can make it too!

On another note, our Christmas luncheon is tomorrow. We have a half day and we're also exchanging our Secret Santa gifts for our GMI team. Hope my person likes his/her gift :)

BRAXTON HICKS contraction....phew....ok, better now.

Going to iron my jeans and pick up a little, then it's time for bed. Early night tonight! I'm sleepy. Andrew is off tomorrow until Dec. 29! I'm so excited...I hope his days off go by slow. Can't wait to see my husband! Haven't seen him since Sunday, other than seeing him sleep.

SA Baby Shower

I had such a wonderful time visiting with my family and friends! Here are a few pictures...

Cake my Aunt Lisa made

Diaper cake my Godmother made

It's a BUMBO!

Mandy & I

My Yaya, me and Tia Rachel

Yucky weekend

Andrew and I had a great Thanksgiving. We went to visit his family. They aren't very punctual but they sure can cook! We had a great meal. I brought a chicken poppy seed casserole and it was definitely a hit! I got the recipe from a co-worker's wife and have been sharing it with everyone, as I'm sure she did too.

Later that evening though, I started feeling yuck. Well, it only got worse. By Friday I had a sore throat. Saturday, I went to the doctor and they told me I had a bacterial infection. He prescribed me a z-pack which I've been taking, along with Tylenol. My sore throat is gone, but I can't quit blowing my nose. I have all this drainage and my voice sounds horrible! I stayed home from work today, but hopefully I'll be back by tomorrow.

On top of all of that, my great-grandma passed away Sunday night. I was sad when I found out, but she was 100 years old and lived a long life so that gives me peace. The obituary will be online tomorrow, and I think I might post part of it. My mom told me today that my aunt included Nicholas in it. It's going to read that my great-grandma had "11 grand children, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way." I thought that was very nice to include Nicholas because they really didn't have to.

Speaking of Nicholas, I'm going to work on his room some. Nothing major, but just feel like getting off the couch for a bit.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is staying warm in this new cold weather. Brrrr!

Glider

We ordered our glider today! Can't wait to get it in. It's so comfy! (Ours is not so dark. We ordered the cherry color to match the crib.)

November update

While I still prefer writing in my journal, I just wanted to give everyone an update!

Baby news --
It's a BOY! We're naming him Nicholas James and so far he's a BIG boy! He's weighing 2 lbs. 4 oz. right now, and I'm terrified. lol Big babies run in both Andrew and my family and Nicholas is definitely proving that point!

Andrew and I have registered and are pretty much finished up. We've gotten the crib, dresser and have organized the baby's room for the most part. We still have lots to do but we'll get there.

My stomach now moves. You can look at my stomach and see him move which is a little weird at times when I'm not expecting it. I've seen several people stare at my tummy and I wonder if they can see him moving while we're talking. lol

Speaking of people --I (along with my friend Amy) have gotten some of the rudest comments ever regarding our pregnancy. People just don't have tact when they open their mouths! We've both gotten some pretty strange/inappropriate comments and are determined to write a book about it. May it will be an etiquette book when all is said and done! lol

Upcoming events --
Nov. 27 -Thanksgiving with my (extended) in-laws
Dec. 5 -Baby shower in SA
Dec. 12 -Friend shower (mainly sorority sisters)
Dec. 24- Andrew's birthday & Christmas Eve at my in-laws
Dec. 25 -Christmas Day --traveling to SA
Jan. 15 -Tentative work shower
Jan. 16 -Baby shower in Comanche (tentative date)

Then...Nicholas will be here! He's measuring a week and a half ahead of schedule so I'm guessing he'll be here at the beginning of February. Time sure is flying!

Hope all is well! I'm off to bed :) Night!

Taking a break

I'm going to take a break from blogging for awhile. I'm choosing to write down my thoughts in my journal more. I'm tired of holding back my feelings and happiness on here. I just don't feel like I can truly write what I want. Thanks for you understanding.

Until then,
Angela

UPDATE: They found her!

The search is over!

They found Tia Licha about 3-4 miles from her car, which was found in a corn field two-hours from her home. She's ok, just a little dehydrated but they're taking her to the hospital to make sure everything checks out.

Phew!!! Two days missing with no medication and dementia. Scary. No more driving for her! Just glad all is well. Thank God!

Thanks for your prayers.

ALERT: Missing aunt

Hello blogger family!

Our Zarate family received an email late last night about an extended family member, Tia Licha who has gone missing. She lives in Colorado and was last seen Saturday afternoon. I've attached an article that the Colorado News has ran about her. Please read it and feel free to forward it on to others. She is said to be traveling to Texas. I figure the more word we get out there, the better the result.

Basilisa Ayala (Tia Licha)

http://cbs4denver.com/local/Basilisa.Ayala.missing.2.1168324.html

Thanks so much!

August pictures

Before I forget, I'd like my friends to see some of my San Antonio family. These pictures were taken at our Girls Dinner and my cousin's going away party. My cousin Jason will deploy to Iraq on Sept. 10 so we had a party so all of the family could say goodbye.

Girls Dinner

Mom and I

My cousin Nonie (Brittney) and I


My Aunt Jean


Girl cousins: Me, Jess, Barb, Nonie, Becky and Cecilia


Giving Jason a great going away party:
Barb, Jess, Nonie, Lisa, me and of course Jason!


ALL the cousins!
Back row: Jason, Simon, Joe, Brian, Matt, John, Lisa, Carlos
Front: me, Cecilia, Nonie, Barb, Jess and Becky and Marley the dog :)

Lots going on

This week is going to be a busy one...

Andrew and I have been on the hunt for a Toyota 4-Runner but are having more trouble than we originally thought. Dealers do not seem to have a whole lot in stock right now. And the ones that they do just won't work for us. We're keeping our fingers crossed though!

Secondly, I have a job interview this week. Hope all goes well. I'm ready to get out of this house. I've been here since February and am ready for a change!

I also have a dinner party to go to Friday night then a birthday celebration on Saturday. Lots of fun things to do, and some where in between there I need to get my hair cut. It's getting pretty long and uncooperative. Needs trimming!

Hope everyone is doing well and staying cool in this hot weather! I'm ready for fall!

With good comes bad

I've found out some good news and bad news in the last few days. I always like to hear the bad news first but today I'm starting with the good.

Good: Andrew and I were able to hear the baby's heart beat again on Monday. The doctor said his/her heartbeat is strong and read 163. I've started my second trimester which has made me feel a little better now. My odds of miscarriage have dropped significantly! I haven't let myself think that way or let that factor control me, but seriously...what pregnant woman doesn't think about that during their pregnancy? Needless to say, it was a relief. I'm glad all is going well! I'll be 14 weeks on Friday. Very exciting!

Bad: In the midst of all of this, we've had a couple of relatives come down with serious illnesses lately. Grandpa Lozano has gone downhill after going to the hospital last week for congestive heart failure. He's not my grandpa by blood, but I sure do consider him a close match. He's the grandpa of one of my childhood friends. I've been friends with her and her family since I was 5. Her family lives next door to mine. Not only that but Grandpa Lozano resembles my grandpa SO much. I lost my grandpa 11 years ago, and I feel like I'm losing him all over again. I'm encouraging, praying and talking her through it all, and while I know that we must all go through the pain of losing a grandparent, I can't help but to feel for her...more than others.

Not only that but today we found out that Andrew's aunt has cervical cancer. She is a breast cancer survivor but over the last few years she hasn't been taking care of herself like she should. We'll find out more tomorrow or Friday what stage the cancer is at and how far it's spread. She's only in her 50s. I hope it isn't as bad as every one's thinking.

The crazy thing is, when you hear about things like this, it makes you change your way of thinking, if it's gone off course. All the things that mattered before don't seem to matter as much. Sometimes we can get so far off track. For instance, "I have nothing to wear today," or "the oil needs to be changed," or "he said/she said," but those things seem so small in retrospect. Don't they?

Well I'm off to bed but before I do, could you please keep these two individuals and their families in your prayers? It would mean a lot to me and them. After all, prayer is powerful!

Cravings

Last night I got a glimpse of pregnancy cravings. For some odd reason at 10 p.m., I wanted and when I say wanted, I mean I needed mozzarella cheese sticks. I can still picture them in my head. Oh...they sound soooooo good, even right now. However, not nearly as good as they sounded last night.

Luckily, I was on the phone with Mandy and she convinced me that these cheese sticks would stick to my thighs if I ate them. lol Which made me remember that I have an upcoming doctor's appointment on Monday (where they'll weigh me).

Needless to say, after all the thinking and weighing the consequences, I did not run out and get them. But wow...I've never wanted a food so bad in my life. Very strange.

First trimester

It's been so long since I've blogged. Just wanted to share an update. Andrew and I went to New York for the Fourth of July weekend with friends. We had a great time and saw all the things we hoped to see and more!

After we returned, Andrew went back to work while I battled with the "hangover" feeling. I had it while in NY but tried to be a trooper. Luckily it only lasted a couple more weeks before it went away. I have to say that overall, this pregnancy has been great. I've seen several of my friends and family go through some rough spurts. I'm just very blessed that I have not had to encounter those things.

Heartburn is gone as well! I chugged Tums for awhile like candy. However, I think my body has finally adjusted to all the changes. My stomach is beginning to harden up. No more flabby stuff. It's weird.

I had lunch with my good friend Stacie today and I told her how much it hit me last night. I was journaling in my notebook and I wrote down the word, "mom." I've never looked at that word so intensely before. When I think of the word "mom," I think of my mom. Never associated the word with anything other. But now when I write that word, I think of how I'm going to be a mom. In a few months, I will have a little baby looking up at me, knowing that I'm his/her mom. It's just such an amazing/mind-blowing feeling.

That's where I'm at right now in life. Had my first sonogram last month at 9 weeks, all was well and only ONE heartbeat! lol Andrew and I go for our next one August 17. I can't wait to see the baby again and to see how much he/she is changing. I will be 12 weeks tomorrow. Wow!

Until then, I'll keep you posted!

It's true!!!

Well, everyone knows the news (well the few on blogspot). And now that everyone knows...they should know I'm not feeling so hot lately. I've had heartburn and just recently the morning sickness has started to kick in.

I'm fighting the urge to ralph but last night I had to sleep with the trash can next to the bed, just in case. Seems like it's the worst at night and early in the morning. I'm hoping this feeling goes away soon but I'm a little anxious about our New York trip on Thursday. We'll be flying and walking and touring and I'm hoping I'll be ok through it all. I don't want to be the "Debbie Downer" who doesn't feel well on the trip, especially because I've been looking forward to this trip for SO long!

I'll write and post pics when we return from our Fourth of July trip!

Eating better

Today at the grocery store, I tried to stay in the produce aisle as much as possible. I bought cucumbers, cantaloupes, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and salad mixes. I realize that I need to incorporate more fruits and veggies in my diet so tonight instead of the usual bowl of cereal, I made a delicious fruit salad. I was unable to get kiwi but it still turned out well. I served myself a bowl but before I did, I took a picture. Here's to healthy eating!

Please pray for Sasha

My friend Amy has a friend whose name is Sasha. Sasha suffered severe burns to her face, neck, arms, hands, shoulders and chest on May 29. Her and her husband were hosting a small dinner party with family. On top of their outdoor table, they had a fire bowl as a centerpiece. During the night, the fire bowl exploded and ignited Sasha.

Over the last week or so she has undergone an immense amount of pain, encountered pneumonia and will undergo surgery again on Friday for skin grafts on her arms and hands. Her first skin graft surgery on her neck went well; however, I was told today that the cleaning of her burns is more pain that anyone can imagine. Please keep her in your prayers daily. She, along with her supportive husband, need all of the prayers and thoughts possible.

You can follow her status at Support Sasha. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

Everything happens for a reason

First, let me warn you...I am upset right now.

I have yet to hear from "the company". However, I was informed yesterday that the position I've known about since stinkin April has been filled. On top of that, it was not to the person my VP expected. He promised me that if Person A got the job, then I would get Person A's position and it would be held for me until October. Well...doesn't look like that's going to happen anymore!

I'm just so sick of all the empty promises they've given. I understand that misfortunes happened along the way, but they really messed with my life plans and that's what frustrates me the most! I threw away my teaching ambitions for this company. And while I can still re-enroll in the teaching program, it's not the point. They wasted months of my life and left me hanging on by a thread.

Who knows though? It's like Mandy and Stacie say, everything happens for a reason. I know that. I just wish I knew why.

Two years

Well today was our two year anniversary. Andrew still had to work so we were limited on what we could do, but we made the most out of it. To start things off, I cooked us a lovely breakfast: omelette's with celery, tomatoes and cheese and bacon on the side. It was delicious!

Then we opened each other's cards and "oooed" and "awwwed" on how sweet they were. (Ok, well I was the only one that "oooed" and "awwwed" but he appreciated his card! lol) Then we enjoyed some of our fabulous, nicely decorated, high-end cookie cake. See below :)

The poor guy who wrote on it was so nervous. I told him it was no big deal ---it gave us a good laugh! Andrew's gift to me was a watch for everyday wear. I was really excited because I've been wanting a watch.

Then, because we hadn't had enough food in one day, we had a pretty good dinner later in the evening. We decided to go to Papasito's. Margaritas, queso, chips, fajitas, shrimp ---oh so good! Below is the plate I got (which I brought half of it home). It's called El Plato Mar. There were 4 shrimp enbrochette, chicken fajitas, pico de gallo, rice & beans. My tummy is beyond full right now. Doesn't it look good?

Overall it was a great day. Wish I could have spent more time with my hubby but the time we did spend together was great! And in case you're wondering, I did get Andrew a present but since he reads my blog ---I'm not telling what it is because he has yet to open it :)

Waiting patiently bites!

It has been over a month since this whole process started. My BIG secret is turning into a very LONG secret. Most of my friends know what's going on and they are eagerly awaiting more details as well as I.

I am still enjoying my time off though. I cut the backyard today. It sure did need it! The crazy thing is I just cut it last Tuesday so it hadn't even been a week since the last time it was mowed. I get a great workout from it which is nice.

Andrew & I have also gotten to enjoy some fun time. We went camping on Memorial Day weekend and had a blast with Sarah and Jonathan. We went to Lake Sommerville in Ledbetter, TX. It's about 3 hours Southeast from here. We had some very interesting camping neighbors. Between them, the continuous rain on the radar approaching and our leaking tent, we decided to pack up and head to a hotel in College Station. Margaritas, swimming and lots of laughs helped us to forget all about our camping excursion. The only time I rode my bike, was when we were leaving the hotel. Take a look at that and a couple others!

11 days is a LONG time.

This weekend has been kind of lonely. It could be because I'm home most of the time, but being home by myself this weekend really bites. Andrew has to work, and I just wish he was able to be here. If he wasn't working, we'd be going to dinner tonight or having drinks with friends, but mainly we'd be together.

It could be that I'm thinking of what it will be like when I start working again. It wasn't fun the last time. And people don't understand how little I do see him when we're on opposite schedules. They think because he's sleeping beside me at night, that it counts as seeing him...no, it doesn't.

When I woke up in the morning, he was sleeping. I'd leave for work and come home to an empty house. I'd go to sleep and during the night, Andrew would come home way after I was already asleep. And the process continued. This happens for 11 days straight. 11 days is a long time when you think about it. That's Monday -the following Thursday. And then he gets 3 days off which means I saw my husband every other weekend.

And I know it won't be like that forever, but it sure does stink. I guess I've gotten used to being around him so much with my time off. But once we go back to our old schedules, I'll go back to not seeing him much and that makes me sad. When we're together, it's great and I think that's what makes it so hard when we're apart. We laugh and joke and make each other smile. He's more than my husband. He's my ultimate best friend.

I just miss him...that's all.

BIG Secret

So I have a huge secret that I'm not allowed to share with anyone. I'm so good at keeping secrets when it's about others, but when it comes to exciting news about me, it's incredibly hard for me to keep my mouth shut! I want to share it so bad, but I just can't yet. When the time's right, I will. Until then...I'll leave you in suspense. I will tell you this though:

1. I'm not pregnant and
2. It's not about my teaching cert.

That's all I can say for now!

Relay for Life 2009

Just wanted to post a few pics from Relay for Life. Top is a team photo. The few in between are of the Relay ceremony and our booth area. The bottom photo is of our cancer survivor, Chris with his mom. We helped raise over $15K that night for the American Cancer Society! In addition, our team helped raise $3K. Couldn't be happier.

Very busy

I've got a lot going on lately. First off, Andrew and I are beginning to update the house. We're installing new counter tops this week. Nothing fancy but better than the wood laminate they had on there. I've been working out in the yard a lot and plan to do some digging and planting today. Next I want to paint the house and somewhere in between there we're going to refinish our cabinets.

On another note, this coming weekend is Relay for Life. I've been working on this event since August 2008, so I can hardly believe it's here but am really looking forward to it. I still have so much to do this week in order to prepare for it. I think I'll be glad when Saturday comes.

Next weekend my parents are coming to visit. I'm always excited when my family comes but I'm hoping the kitchen will be looking decent by then.

And an update with the teaching program...my application was accepted! I had a phone interview last Friday and have a test to take on May 6. After that, hopefully I will be accepted into the program and begin classes on May 18. Wish me luck!

Well off to spend money at the Plant Shed! Spring time has really made me want to work on the house and if anyone has seen our 1970's house, then you know that it definitely needs it!

AF arrived unannounced!

Well AF showed up and it couldn't have been a better day. I wasted an entire morning at the doctor's office, not to mention the anxiety I felt last night. Despite the let down, I prepared myself last night. I had a plan. If AF didn't show, then I would pursue my teaching certification/internship for the '09-'10 school year. And if AF showed up, then I'd substitute teach. Either way, things would be ok. And they are. Things are good, I know exactly now what God wants me to do. He definitely wants me to teach ---so wish me luck as I embark on this new journey in my life! I'm very excited :D

House updates

Lately Andrew and I have been discussing our house and all the updates we need to make. One room that needs definite work is our kitchen. It is so out-dated. I don't know what the previous owners were thinking!

We are going to update the countertops and cabinets. The frames of the cabinets are still in good shape, they just need to be refinished. Well today is the day! I just feel so inspired to get my house looking great. This is just the beginning of all the projects we have planned. I included a pic of one the cabinet doors. You can see the before and after. I will keep you updated as the progress continues. Hope you like it!

The Salazar Wedding

These are some pics from the wedding I stood in last weekend. The pictures are out of order. First is Alexis and Roger cutting their cake. Second a picture of Andrew and I, then a pic of my escort and I before the march. Last, Alexis and Roger after they said I do!

Third time's a charm!

Today was my third day in a row of walking and crunches. I really like it. I'm starting off slow but I hope to really stick with it and make lots of progress! I'd like to be in good shape again. But instead of looking too far ahead, I'm just taking it one day at a time. My goal is to walk everyday until I can get disciplined. My problem is if I miss I day, I miss a second day, then a third...So if I can just walk 20-30 minutes a day starting off, I figure I'll work my way up. I can't wait!

Romans 8:28

My Life Group meets on Tuesday nights. Tonight we finished up Romans Chapter 8. However, I couldn't stop thinking about the following verse, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I keep thinking about my life, and the recent job loss and what this means for my future. What does God want me to do? Those of you reading this know that Andrew and I want to have a baby, but with all the changes recently, is it a good idea?

The crazy thing is, I've never been so unsure in my life. I have more questions now than I've had ever had before.

People keep asking me how the job search is going and frankly --I don't think they'll understand when I tell them I'm not sure. Because I'm not sure what type of job I should get, if I should even get one or if I should go back to school? I'm having a hard time putting aside my thoughts. They keep bouncing back and forth.


I was sharing with my church friends tonight my opinion. I keep thinking ---should I just trust God? Does He want me to live out the plans Andrew and I had to have a baby? I'm also wondering if He wants me to teach. I'm really struggling with that one. I'm struggling with it all actually. Tonight one of the girls told me, "Just listen to Him and quit debating yourself." She's right...I just need to trust God and see what my future holds.

Easier said than done though...So please pray for me that I will truly, truly listen to what God is telling me. Pray that I find clarity in His words and trust Him with it all. These last couple of weeks have been a struggle for me mentally...well you can tell, you've seen my last few blogs. And I hate to be like this because it's not me, but like I said ---I've never been so unsure before and writing is my way to express it all so thank you for listening :)

I'm open to hear your thoughts as well.

My last day

I walked into my VP's office at 11:15 and learned that I was no longer employed. Today was my last day. And while he was so nice about it all and really appreciated me, it was still hard to take. I'm in shock and upset about the whole situation but I know that God has something in store for me. This is his way of telling me ---I've got something else in mind for you. I'll just wait to see what He's got planned. Your prayers are very much helpful at this time.

Ehhh

The wedding is less than a month away and I just feel so fat :/ And to top it off, I ate Taco Bueno today. Even "nacho sized" it. lol Well, my Lifegroup was just cancelled for the night so maybe I should get my Nacho butt to the track. It's such a pretty day for it. I need to vow to walk just about every day until the wedding (Feb 21). Let's see if I can do it!

Putting things in perspective

I had lunch with some good friends today and one of my friends made a life changing decision. However, I couldn't help but think..."God is working in her heart." She has chosen to listen to her heart and I couldn't be happier for her. Right now, I'm kind of stuck in what God has planned for me. I'm just not sure what He has in store for me, but I've come to place where I really do love God with all my heart and that's something I've never truly felt or experienced before, but I have a love for Him like none other. In fact, I am trying to fight the tears right now as I'm typing. It's just amazing to me, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for me. I too am going through life changing events right now and I hope I listen to Him like my friend. She really is an inspiration to me ---it's hard to explain, but her decision showed where her heart lies and that's what inspires me. She's basing her decision out of love and not money. You don't see that too much anymore. So thanks, friend :)

I feel refreshed

The words just sank in today at church, "get more involved, connect with God this year, listen to what He wants." I just feel so motivated to go out there and serve. I want to get more involved in church this year and see how I can help. I was amazed at how a family could adopt 2 children into their home and how others just did what God was telling them to do. I know what I want to do, but I just don't see how it's that easy. I would love to run a center for the homeless. Have a place for them to sleep and eat, and help them to get jobs. I'm going to pray and see what happens. I don't have the resources, the knowledge or the financial capabilities right now. Also, maybe God will use me to work in a homeless shelter, or get me involved in His own way. I'll just have to wait and see for now. Oh, but I just love the feeling I have now. Just had to share!!!