MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We've been keeping busy with our regular Christmas traditions! And Juan got a haircut (by a professional this time). Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas!

And here's a side belly shot since it's hard to tell in the other pictures how I'm growing.
29 Weeks.

Mark My Words

I will go into labor while in the theater watching Alice in Wonderland.

For no particular reason. I want to see it. It comes out 3 days before my due date. And here is my prediction in writing in case it awesomely comes true. That's all.

2 0 0 9

This is going to be a spiritual one folks. And no pictures.

We haven't had a typical marriage. 1 year in, Juan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I cried and cried, he held strong and recognized it as a blessing. That trial was followed by a less-than-successful business venture by my entrepreneurial-spirited husband (and me as a supportive wife). Not to mention the 2 1/2 years of infertility including 2 miscarriages. Juan's attitude marked our marriage, these trials are blessings. It took me quite a while to come around to that.

As for the trial most specific to me, my infertility came to be the biggest blessing of my life and our marriage. I learned to cling to my Heavenly Father, and first and foremost I learned that there was a higher power that had a plan for me. A plan that was most definitely better than the plan I had for myself. Yes my plan was 24 years in the making, baby name pages in my journal by age 9, day-dreaming through middle school, falling into place by the time I was married to the man of my dreams at age 20. But God had a better plan for me, and He'll continue to throw my 'plan' through loops as I get used to this new plan in store.

A few nights ago I laid under our lit tree, reading a Christmas picture book like I did all growing up. After a few minutes I decided to read aloud to our daughter, as she was kicking inside of me. In less than 3 months we are going to hold a baby in our arms, and we are going to be a family for eternity. 2009 is the year that all those trials became blessings to me. Because they all led up to the blessing that is our baby girl.

Straight from his mouth

I'm on the left at 8th grade graduation.

These are the words my dear Juan spoke last night:

"I hope our baby looks like you."

Super sweet, right? And then...

"Well except for ages 5 through 14... you struggled until you got your braces off and changed that hair."
Yes I had braces, yes I had claw-like bangs. But all the way back to 5? Rude!

MIA

I've been trapped in a cocoon of sickness for FOUR days. A cold. Not the swiner because I was vaccinated. But still, 4 days! I have no contact with the outside world.

I missed the first week of the holiday season.

My celebrity gossip has been severely neglected, Tiger Woods, Adam Lambert, what!

I didn't sleep for 2 whole days. My choices of medicines are limited as a pregnant woman. Little Baby A is kicking and wondering why mom isn't moving ever.

My nose is permanently deformed from wearing Breathe Right strips 24/7.

I have begged Mr-awesome-immune-system-Juan to take me out tonight just so I can get ready for the day, breathe fresh air, and air out the apartment of the germs. If you see me out, run the other way, still contagious.

Hope everyone else had a great start to the holiday season! On a happier note, the sickness didn't appear until AFTER Thanksgiving break, and it was a good one this year.