12 weeks & 4 days

Yesterday Mike and I had another doctors appointment. We actually didn't see our doctor though. The purpose of the appointment was to test for down syndrome. Basically they did an ultrasound that measures the baby's neck and pricked my finger to take some blood. It was a pretty short appointment...but in that short time we got to see alot.

During the ultrasound we got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was a wonderful sound. We also got to see the baby moving around ALOT. We got to see all five fingers on one of the hands. We got to see the baby kicking too. So even though it was a short appointment.....it was full of many wonderful things.

I have gotten a few emails asking how I am feeling. First of all....thanks for thinking of me. I have been feeling very good. I haven't been too tired or sick. I don't want to jinx anything..but things have been very smooth so far! I hope it stays that way.

As far as the baby goes....here are a few things that are developing this week....

According to my book....the most "dramatic" developement this week is Reflexes. The baby has begun to open and close it's fingers and curl his/her toes. The baby's mouth has also started making sucking movements. And from crown to rump the baby is about 2 inches long ( about the size of a lime) and weighs about half an ounce.

Well....that's about it for now. We are heading to Weatherford this coming weekend for Mike's birthday and we are really looking forward to it.....so I will post more next week. =)

11 Weeks...

As of this past Friday I am officially 11 weeks along. Mike and I went for another doctors appointment on Thursday and all went well. The doctor was very pleased with my progress. I am very close to being done with my first trimester....and that makes me feel so much better. The risk of a miscarriage drops ALOT after the first trimester. Mike and I both realize that there can be other complications throughout pregnancy....but I am trying to stay positive about this.

This past doctor's appointment was kind of emotional for me. Because I am considered a high risk pregnancy....I have been going to the doctor every 3 to 4 weeks. So even though I am only about 3 months along...I have already had 4 ultrasounds. Up until this past Thursday.....we haven't really been able to see much on the ultrasound. But this past Thursday was the first time that I could actually see a baby!!! It was very exciting....and also emotional. See....my pregnancy has been fairly easy so far. I haven't had alot of morning sickness....some...but not much. To be honest...even though I knew that I was pregnant....I didn't really feel like I was pregnant yet. Thursday changed that. Seeing the baby's head, body, arms, and legs made it very real.

I am scheduled to go back to the doctor on the 28th for down syndrome testing. After that I do not go back until Feb. 21st. Here is a picture of the baby.....

If you are looking at the picture....in the middle of the dark circle is the baby....the baby's head is on the right side....then you see the little body......a small arm.....and a leg that is sticking straight up!!! =)

Now....because it has been soooooo long since I have posted pictures....I have picked out several to share....ENJOY!!!!

Katelynn & Maddie playing dress up at Brookelyn Cruz's birthday party.

Brooklynne Miller & Brookelyn Cruz playing dress up.....

Uncle Mike with all of our neices......

Mommy with Dallas & Harmony

Harmony & Dallas

Dallas on Christmas day

Harmony & Dallas with Santa!!!

Harmony & Dallas during bath time.....

Daddy & Dallas sticking out their tongues...=)

Dallas C. Cruz....

Uncle Nino & Dallas

Yolie, Cokey, & Adam

Dallas Cowboy baby clothes...we are covered for either a boy or girl........

Yolie & Cokey

The Cruz Family

What a Difference A Year Can Make......

Wow....it's been a full year since I last wrote on this blog! Hard to believe. Time just seems to fly by and there are never enough hours in the day. My New Year's Resolution this year is to try and keep this updated better. As you can see.....this is my first post...so I am already a bit behind. haha I truly feel that 2008 is going to be a year full of blessing and I want to share that with our family and friends.



I guess I should give a little breakdown on the events of 2007. If I miss something...I apologize! We started off the year working on a project in our home town of Wharton. We had actually been working there since October and we stayed in the area until the end of March. It was really nice working in Wharton and being around our families! Mike celebrated his 35th birthday in February. We spent the weekend in Matagorda with his brothers. Mike loves to fish....so this was a perfect birthday celebration for him. In march...we celebrated our one- year wedding anniversary with a trip to Lake Charles, LA. We spent 3 nights there and we had a blast! At the beginning of April we moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma to start a project there. Also in April Mike and I celebrated being together 4 years. May was pretty uneventful....just worked. In June we suffered a very big loss in our little family. Harley...our Yorkie passed away. Mike and I both took it really hard. He was our little boy.....our child....literally! We were having such a hard time with it that the only way we thought we might get over it was getting a new puppy. So we drove to Missouri and picked up our new addition....Harmony. We both loved Harley sooooo much and at the time there was no way I could get another boy dog because I thought it would remind me to much of Harley. So we got a girl. She has been such a blessing to us. I also thought it was really neat that she was born on our wedding anniversary...March 25th! What can I say...it was meant to be.



July came and went and by August we were back on Texas soil in the bog town of Cuero. We were only in Cuero August & September. It was nice being close to home again. Brian also worked on a project in Cuero...so we got to see Ashlyn, Katelynn, and Brooklynne alot. October brought new changes again....we were moved to Lufkin, Texas for a new project. November was another busy month. We welcomed another addition to our family. We found out in October that Harley's parents had another liter of puppies. As soon I found out we knew we wanted another little boy. Of course taking on another puppy is alot of work....but knowing that he was somehow a part of Harley made it so much easier. We picked him up a week before Thanksgiving and we've been in love ever since! We spent Thanksgiving in College Station with my family and then we headed to Wharton to pack up for our trip to Vegas. Yep....I FINALLY went to Las Vegas. For my birthday we planned a trip to Vegas. But not just any trip....it was my "DREAM" trip. I told Mike several months back that I wanted this to be our last "BIG" trip before we started a family. I wanted us to fly first class, stay in a suite for 6 nights, go to shows, etc.....the whole nine yards! And that's exactly what we did. On the night of my birthday Mike asked me to marry him all over again in Vegas. He had already set up a time that coming Friday to renew our vows! It was the sweetest thing ever. Of course...I said YES! haha The day after my birthday my best friend Yolie and my brother in law Adam flew in for a couple of nights. We had a really good time hanging out with them. The day after they got here we all went to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon! What a beautiful site. Then on Friday....the day before we leave....the day I am suppose to renew my vows.... I wake up sick. And because I was having a few other "signs" ....I had Mike get me a pregnancy test. Most of you know by know......the test was POSITIVE!!!! Talk about a birthday surprise!!! haha Neither one of us could believe it. We have been trying for so long. Needless to say...I was sooooo sick that we weren't able to renew our vows. =(



The next day we flew home. I was still feeling sick and by this time I had lost my voice. I just couldn't wait to get home so I could tell my family and friends. My mom and Mike's parents were both very excited. The perfect ending to our "dream" trip.



December brought doctors appointments and the holidays. Both of which were great! Our holiday schedule was very busy....traveling here and there. By the end of the break we were exhausted! So much for a little break from work! haha

After living in 4 towns and many wonderful memories and events....we welcomed the big year of 2008....



Now on to January......we are still in Lufkin...although the project is very close to being done and I have no idea where we are going next. Right now I am a little over 10 weeks along. MY due date is August 9th. And I can't tell you how excited and blessed I feel right now. God always seems to take care of us. I realize that more and more each day.



Well.....that's about it for now. Hopefully I will post some new pictures soon. =)