Poll Results - "Will Al and Shannon's baby be a boy or a girl?"

OK, looks like the results are in. 33% of you said the baby would be a boy and 67% of you said the baby would be a girl. As you can tell by the previous post, the poll results proved to be correct.

Both Shannon and I have settled on a first name for the baby(so far), Emily. We have a list of middle names, but are undecided. We are posting another poll for input on the middle name. To aid you in your decision, the baby's last name will be Zuniga.

So what should Emily _________ Zuniga's middle name be?

Feel free to comment on the middle names and/or make suggestions.

Baby Is A .......

On Tuesday November 18th we all went to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech called me in and did measurements of the baby. Measurements were a little difficult as the tech had to chase the baby as it was moving alot. Then she called in Al and the kids. She showed us some pictures of the spine, head, nose, feet hands. Next the tech said so you want to find out what the sex of the baby is we all said yes. She showed us that we are having a baby girl. Zach said oh geese, Brooke was all excited she has been saying for months that she is having a baby sister (good thing she is a girl) and Daddy was very excited. After the appointment I called grandma, grandpa and Auntie. We are all excited.


I have been feeling this baby girl move alot. I think I am starting to realize why I cannot sleep at night because she is awake doing summersaults all night!!!!!

When Life Happens

In the past 3 weeks Shannon and I have been reminded that life can present us with challenges without notice.

Our first challenge in the past three weeks starts with Shannon being in an auto accident. One day last month, Shannon called me from work to let me know a co-worker would give her a ride home from work. Under normal circumstances, Shannon arrives home at 4:30pm the latest, but on this day, she arrived closer to 5:00pm. As I greeted her, she lets me know she was just in an auto accident. Immediately, I was concerned for both Shannon and the baby. We called our doctor and chiropractor immediately, the doctor to be advised regarding the baby, and the chiropractor for the pain in Shannon's neck. The following day Shannon had a check up with the doctor. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat, which is strong, and the doctor let us know everything was OK. The doctor's confidence in his diagnoses was attributed to the fact Shannon was only 15 weeks along; therefore, the baby had plenty of protection. We also saw the chiropractor the same day. Unfortunately, the diagnoses there was not as positive, as Shannon was diagnosed with whiplash. She continues treatment for it as of this post. As a result of the accident Shannon had no other choice, but to take medical leave.

Our second challenge, Shannon's grandfather was admitted to the hospital at the beginning of this month. Initially, we assumed he would be in a few days and then would go home. When we visited him the first night, I asked him how he was doing and he replied, "not good". Within myself, I knew something was really wrong, as Shannon's grandfather didn't appear to be the type to easily say something is wrong. The week continued and he remained in the hospital. The following week, Shannon and I took her grandfather a picture of him and his wife, to have in his room. Again, I asked him how he was doing and again he replied, "not good". The following evening, Shannon's grandfather passed away.

Considering what has happened in the past 3 weeks, we are able to keep our heads up and keep persevering.

Check Up With Dr. Clarke

Retroactive Post: Sorry about the delay in this post as we have had a full schedule. On this day Shannon went for a check up with Dr. Clarke and I was able to accompany her.

Dr. Clarke briefly discussed the results from the ultrasound earlier this month. With the results, he was able to put Shannon's mind at ease and confirmed she was not having twins. Also, the dates are pretty accurate regarding how far along Shannon is.

Dr. Clarke also wanted to give us an opportunity to hear the baby's heartbeat, we both were pretty excited. He placed the stethoscope on Shannon's tummy and began to listen around. At one point he had a concerned tone in his voice and look on his face, as a result of not being able to locate the heartbeat. He tried again, and found it. When he found it, immediately I had a proud grin on my face. The reality of the birth settled in even more hearing the baby's heartbeat.

Keep checking back soon, as we will have a poll regarding whether the baby is a boy or girl.

Ultrasound - September 3 2008

Al and I went for an ultrasound today because I thought I was either big for dates or having twins omg!!!!.

This is a picture of our precious kidney bean with a heart beat. We were very excited to bring the picture home.

Shannon

Babies R Us

I'm a few days late with writing this, but on Saturday Shannon, Zach, Brooke, and I went shopping for the baby at Babies R Us.

It was cute before we left the house because I went upstairs to let Brooke know we were leaving and there she was collecting her change. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was getting money to buy something for the baby.

We registered at Babies R Us (#41608491) and I had the honor and cool job of scanning the items. As you'll see by our list we might have gone a little overboard :-S . Believe it or not we spent 2 hours in the store.

Brooke wound up buying the baby a blanket, which I thought was very cute.

When we told Brooke and Zach about the new addition

We were all in the car getting ready to go to superstore. The kids got in and I said mommy has something very special to tell you. Mommy has a baby growing in her tummy. Brooke was all excited saying yahoo woohoo. She asked if we could have a party when the baby was born. Zach was not as happy and was worried the baby would take his room. Brooke and i picked out an outfit for the baby at superstore. Since then brooke always asks what the baby is doing. I say it is growing and sleeping to get big to come out of mommy's tummy. So cute.

Shannon

Results of Blood Test

I phoned Dr. Clarke today to see the results of the serum HCG blood result. The result was great at 4182 which means about almost 7 weeks pregnant yahoo. Daddy was worried about the result and what it meant but mommy reassured him that everything was all good.

First Doctor Visit August 18, 2008

Al and I went to see Dr. Clarke for the first time since we discovered I am pregnant. Dr. Clarke asked how I was feeling I said fine just tired. Dr. Clarke said no nausea? I said no i dont. In the background Al says I have the nausea she is supposed to have I think Dr. Clarke almost fell over from laughter. Everything was great and Dr. Clarke sent me for blood tests and gave us other forms. I went for blood tests (5 tubes to be exact) and a urine test. Everything was great for the first appointment.

The Beginning

On the night of Tuesday, August, 12th, 2008, while at home, Shannon and I found out we were pregnant.

How did we find out? Shannon purchased a home pregnancy test that evening, which I had no knowledge of. She disappeared to the restroom, while I mopped up a puppy accident, and took the test. When she returned, she presented me with what you see in the photo to the left.

I was and still kind of am in the state of shock. My reason for being in the state of shock? Shannon took two other home pregnancy test prior to this one and both turned out "not pregnant". I guess the third time is a charm.

As a guy, finding out your girl is pregnant can lead you to say the darnedest things, I know it did me. In a pretty sincere manner, after first kissing and hugging Shannon, I asked, "Am I suppose to do cart-wheels?". Here I am a week later asking myself, "What the heck were you thinking?".

I am elated, to find out Shannon and I are going to have a child.