Avocado Tan

Today marks the beginning of baby Tan's 16th week! Only 168 days more to go! My preggy drama for now is reoccurring headaches that come and go for a couple of days. Not fun! I gave in about 4am this morning and took a Tylenol and was able to get a couple of hours of good sleep. My Mr Tan ironed his work shirt all by himself. Ironing is one thing he does not enjoy doing. Aside from that, all is well! We did finally agree on a name if our little avocado is a girl: Elle Marie Tan. My Mr Tan has strict guidelines in choosing names for our little avocado that I won't go into. The inspiration occurred on our way back from dinner in china town upon passing a street named Ella. We hope to come up with a more inspiring story for her when she gets older, that is if she is indeed a girl. Needless to say after this major break through I began to look at every street name we passed from that point on coming home. I quickly realized our break through was a divine and rare and was not going to push it! :)

ML

And The Beat Goes On-Part 2

Our OB appointment from yesterday went well! My blood draw consisted of 9 blood tubes. Now that's a lot of blood! We decided to by pass the lab draw for down syndrome. It is our conviction that we will joyfully receive God's miracle gift to us no matter what. Shortly after being weighed, we were surprised to find out that we would be listening for baby Tan's heart beat for the 2nd time. This was exciting as well as a relief. Considering our next ultra sound would not be until week 20 we were quite eager to see or hear of some sort of development on baby Tan's behalf. Again, his/her heart beat was so sweet to our ears. We rejoiced that life was still abounding in my belly! This time we thought quickly and were able to record the sound of the heart beat on our cell phones. What a treat! Every so often I play it back and listen in amazement. Our next milestone is week 24. At this point the baby becomes viable outside the womb. Shaun and I continue in humility to rejoice for this season our God has entrusted us with. Our hope and trust is in our God alone.

ML

Apple Tan

Yesterday was the completion of week 15! Baby Tan is now the size of an apple! Yay, we are moving on up! Today is our 3rd OB appointment which will consist mainly of routine blood draw. Hope baby Tan and I don't get into to much trouble for having gained an extra 5 pounds!?

Foods I'm really enjoying right now are-

• Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches
• Turkey sandwiches w/baked chips & dill pickles
• Orange juice
  

ML

Happy 2nd Trimester

Today marks the beginning of baby Tan's 2nd Trimester! One down, two more to go!

ML

Estate Sale

I absolutely love running into estate sales! I don't go out in search of them but when I happen to find one, boy what a treat it is for me! Yesterday I bumped into my first estate sale in Houston. I wasn't really sure what to expect. Estate sales in Brownsville are generally okay but you won't find anything outrageously priced because of it's origin or it's age. Finding myself driving down a winding street in a upscale neighborhood I was feeling a bit nervous and afraid a resident would call the neighborhood armed guard on me. As I continued on past these big and beautiful houses I was a bit intimidated to get off at my destination. I thought, "what am I going to do in a house of riches?" As I pulled up to the culdesac I saw a fancy car or two. I then saw normal people just like me in search of something old and unique but at a good price! I then felt a lot better and walked in the door. Each time I walk through estate sale homes, I am in search of a little bargain I could bring home! Though in the midst of my search I can't help but think about the person(s) that passed and what their life must have been like. I try to create images and stories in my mind as I look over the possesions in the home. It was evident this person was well traveled and well read. There were pieces from all over the world displayed all over the house. There was so much of everything! I began to think though this person may have enjoyed all of these beautiful things when they were living and though they must have had a story for each item they attained, he/she is now gone, but their possessions remain for strangers like to me to appreaciate in such a different way. When I leave estate sales as excitd I am about leaving with my one dollar find, I can't help but feel a little somber. I hope I haven't depressed you by this point! =) I write all this as a reminder to myself that it is our hope that as a family, our lives will reflect lives with eternity in the forefront. That we would leave a place with little to be destroyed and stolen and arrive in a place in where we can rejoice for eternity in fruits that were borne for the Kingdom.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6.19-20

ML

My little find: Wesley And His Century (Fitchett)

Peachy Shrimp

Today marks the beginning of our 14th week!!! Still not sure whether we are still in our 1st trimester or in the beginning of our 2nd trimester or whether our baby is the size of a peach or a shrimp!? I'm so confused!? But none the less we are continuing to progress and on to the 2nd trimester we go (eventually)!

ML

Our Little Patio

Good morning :) So excited that I can finally sit outside in our little patio area and enjoy the morning! It's been in the 50s during the morning time and in the 30s and 40s during the night time. Sure do miss those 70s, 80s, and 90s from back home!

ML

Lime Tan

Two days ago baby Tan completed his/her 12th week! Our baby Tan is now the size of a lime! Soon we'll be out of the 1st trimester!

ML