Get Busy Child

New Faces, New Places and the Broncos!!!

2010-08-22T19:59:00.000-06:00

Week 32 in the life of Ava Grace was packed full of new things. She's cut the second of her two front teeth and seems to want to show them off every day. A new, "hee-hee" sound from her little mouth is her new favorite and she's totally in love with her banana tooth brush!

Another one of Ava's life long loves, although she doesn't know it yet, will be the Denver Broncos! Her first Bronco onsie finally fits and just in time for the first pre-season game! Although the Broncos couldn't get past the Bengals, Ava was perfectly happy with her new Sunday uniform. Also a HUGE thanks to Rebecca Fernandez Grandmother for making Ava this awesome blanket and pillow. This set will be a staple in the Hernandez household for years to come!

As this was a week of first for Ava we were so excited when our fiends Don and Trace were to be married on Friday the 20th of August and told us that we had to bring Ava along. What a gorgeous wedding and Ava was nothing short of a complete doll the entire time. Soaking up all the attention from other guest and the staff she was a complete ham. She also managed a few dances with her Daddy! (Photos of that to come!)

Wow what a week! For those of you who have asked, "What sounds is she making" and "what do her coo's and ga ga's sound like" this is for you! Love you all and until next time...here's Ava!

Home with Mommy...Soon!

2010-07-11T19:18:00.001-06:00

A major goal since Ava was born in January has always been for Amber to stay home with Ava. We're so excited that we've had the opportunity to team up as a couple to this point and now business partners to make that happen! Ava is super excited too as you can see from the photo below!

We'd love the opportunity to visit with you about Vemma and this new business opportunity you have access to as well. We're getting a huge start to living a healthier and financially secure life and can't wait to see where things go. Just wait and see!

For more information about Vemma, have a look at our site below and please feel free to email us at casadehernandez@gmail.com or call us at 720.244.6655 (James) and 720.235.7779 (Amber).

http://www.jamesandamber.vemma.com/

Ava Update:

This past Monday we visited with the Pediatrician and Ava is growing so fast and is back on track. She is now up to 14lbs 12oz and is just over 25" long. It seems like yesterday she was just 5lbs 7oz and laid across one of my arms in the hospital room. Ava is changing from a baby to a little girl more and more with every passing day. Oh yeah...she's also learned out to scream and the louder she gets, the quicker Mommy and Daddy come to save her. :)

Wow...prom is just around the corner.

AVA VS. GREEN BEANS!

Just About There!

Vote for Me! - State of Colorado Photo Contest

2010-06-23T09:32:00.002-06:00

Picture Yourself in a Land Called Colorado!

Sponsored by The Colorado Tourism Office

New Foods and New Toys!

2010-05-24T20:37:00.002-06:00

First, I'd like to apologize for the lack of blogging or updating of this site with photos and Ava updates.
Second, we're into week 21 and Ava is getting bigger and stronger each and every day.

Most recently Ava weighs just short of 13 lbs and is approximately 25" long! Her hair is finally starting to come in and boy is she learning to use her lungs! She's figured out the louder she gets the quicker mommy and daddy come running.

Over the past few weeks we've tried some new things including rice cereal. Take a look at the results!

(Seriously...this can't be food.)

(Well...this taste like something, but it ain't food!)

(No way that was food!!!)

Ava is finally getting long enough to fit into her activity center. This thing is full of shiny things, noise makers, sounds and a mirror to see herself in. Plus it bounces! Talk about putting her in a great mood and the expressions she makes are awesome!

See you next time!

Fear The Bunny

2010-04-03T09:47:00.000-06:00

Here we are at week 13 and Ava is growing like a weed. Well over 10lbs, 23" long and showing every bit of it. Still a little small for her age as most kids are into three month old clothes, but Ava is still getting plenty of use from her newborn wardrobe.

This was Amber's first week back at work and tough for us all. A new schedule, introduction to the sitter (Morgan we love you!) and just a big shift in our world. Ava has taken so quickly to the new schedule and is such a trooper. Thank you God for blessing us with such a good baby!
Its Easter weekend and Amber insisted Ava meet the Easter Bunny for the first time. Surprisingly the experience was fairly painless, however once the crying began the volume control AKA pacifier was promptly inserted for comfort.
So on this first Easter weekend we bring you a few photos of the little one and wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Happy Easter!

Sittin' and Thinkin'

2010-03-21T16:13:00.000-06:00

Sittin' and thinkin' can sometimes be a dangerous thing, but this afternoon while I've got a few quiet minutes with Ava I've been pondering a whole lot.

What is she dreaming about...with what little life experience she has?

What will her first word be and when will it get here?

Will she really grow up too fast as most other parents tell me she will?

Who will she most be like most later in life? Mami or Papi? (Hopefully her mom!)

Will she be the one to find the cure for cancer or develop the next great invention?

or

Will she simply learn how to become a loving mom, photograph the heck out of her kids and become a wonderful wife?

Like I said...Sittin' and Thinkin' can be a dangerous thing.

Just a few photos from the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Ava...Oh Ava

2010-03-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Just a quick video of Ava doing her best Daddy impression one night before bed.

This week Ava is doing so well and growing like a week. She's now up to 8lbs 8oz and more than 21" long.

So much fun and is doing her best to sleep through the night. We're getting about 5 hours per night, but really looking forward to those long ago nights of 8 hours sleep.

The Chicken or The Egg

2010-01-24T16:36:00.001-07:00

In most natural order of events, an expecting couple will have their maternity photos taken and distributed followed by the birth of their child and those photos taken and distributed. In our case this "natural order of events" was reversed and little Ava Grace showed up before the maternity photos were available. Just goes to show you that regardless of your own planning, God will laugh and impose his will.

Below are our favorite shots from our maternity shoot with Kate and Scott Martin of Stolen Smiles Photography. We had such a great time taking these photos and hope you enjoy them as well.

You can find Kate and Scott at http://www.stolensmiles.com/.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Please Welcome...Ava Grace!!

2010-01-11T21:21:00.012-07:00

And here she is! Just about a month early, but what a pleasant surprise.

I'd love to sit and write a long heartfelt blog, but my emotions are running high and it's time for another feeding. Plus getting less than half the sleep I used to so I need a nap.

These are a combination of shots from the day she was born through her first week of life, but you know me...I'm my own worst critic with the camera.

Love you all and can't believe that I can finally say...I'm a Daddy!

Phase One...Complete!

2009-11-03T21:21:00.014-07:00

In construction, a critical path schedule is just that...critical. The most important objective of the schedule is to ensure the project is completed on-time and within a specified budget.

For phase one of the project to convert our home office into a baby nursery we kinda, sorta missed the on-time part of the schedule. Weekends came and weekends went. Progress on that poor little room was not being made, and it was high time I got my butt in gear. As Larry the Cable Guy says, "Getter Done!".

So the paint went up.

Pink paint and Amber swears it was the softest shade of pink in the store.

The chair rail went in.

Huge thanks to my Dad Mark for his help on the chair rail. I'm not the craftiest person in Parker, but have to say that afternoon I learned a lot from him and even inherited his mitre saw!

A Lady bug border wrapped the room.

Needed Amber's help with this one as there is just something about a 12 foot piece of wet and sticky wallpaper that will make any good Christian boy want to shout some really, really bad words. I mean a lot of them. All at once. So everyone hears him.

The furniture moves in.

Big thanks to Mike, Morgan, Blake and Jocelyn for their help in moving the boxed furniture. We couldn't have done it without you guys and it's so great to have friends like you.

We assembled the crib, and with that phase one is complete! Now the decorating phase begins and Amber is well on her way. Our Dad's are also crafting their own pieces to add to the nursery and can't wait to see the final products.

The past 27 weeks have screamed past and we're down to 91 days until this little girl is here to brighten our world and move into her new space.

Baby progress from BabyCenter.com:

"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers.

With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning-with medical help-if she were born now.

Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

Kickin' It At Altitude

2009-10-15T18:19:00.005-06:00

Slacking on the blog. I know...but things have just been nuts!

Since the sudden arrival of winter in Colorado, (we had no autumn...80 degrees one day and snowing the next) we decided we better head to the hills and get a few shots of the fall foliage. A quick trip up Highway 285 through Kenosha Pass and into Fairplay we made a run to the hills.

So gorgeous this time of year, but unfortunately we were about a week and a half too late. The aspens covering the hills on Kenosha Pass were bare and I was a bit bummed out, so we headed into Fairplay to get a slice of pizza from Dano's Pizza on Main Street. "What the heck! Dano's is gone and so is their awesome pie!" I shutter. So we're stuck with beef jerky and soda and we head up Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge. What a gorgeous part of the state.

Remembering that I've neglected this little story line about our life and the pregnancy I though we should pull over for a few shots of Amber in the high country. The experts say that you're not supposed to move too quickly to high altitudes as it may have adverse effects on the baby, but this is Colorado. We do EVERYTHING at high altitude!

Just then the kicks take off. "Ouch. Oohh" from Amber. "She's kicking the crap outta me!" Looks like someone else is in love with the mountains and it's Ava Grace!

So here I am with three of my absolute favorites. My gorgeous wife 22 weeks pregnant. Ava Grace kicking thumping and knocking to get out and the continental divide of Colorado. Life doesn't get any better.

So the other thing I've been slacking on is the nursery. My in-laws have been awesome keeping the furniture for the new room in their garage for over a month and it's high time I get started. Big thanks to my long lost friend from high school Deb Wilson for having a jewelry party this coming weekend. Perfect time for Amber to hang with some ladies ogling over shiny things and for me to have the house to myself.

That brings us now to week 24 and things just keep rolling along.

From BabyCenter.com:

"Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up.

Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world.

Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon."

For this coming week we're off to another well mommy check-up. We'll again get to listen to thump, thump, thump of little Ava Grace's heartbeat and make sure Amber is on track for week 25.

Thanks again to all of our friends and family for the well wishes.

We love you all!

Out With The Old

2009-09-29T20:42:00.009-06:00

So two weeks since our most recent appointment where we found out that we're having a girl! Wow a girl. Dresses, make-up, hairspray by the case and oh yeah...shopping. She's not even here yet and we're already shopping.

From the beginning Amber has known exactly how she was going to decorate the nursery. Well she knew exactly how if the baby was a boy. For a girl she had no idea or even where to begin. So with that we headed to Babies"R"Us.

Now I've leisurely visited this store before to shop for a gift, and have also been here in a mad dash to get a shower gift on our way to the party. (Yes...we are procrastinators) But never, ever have I been here knowing that we're buying something for OUR child. This was a bit overwhelming and a bit exciting at the same time. Aisles and aisles of strollers, diapers, formula, pumps and clothes. Toys, furniture, decorations and a photo studio! You've got to be kidding me!

Ok...deep breath.

We made our way back to the nursery decor and it all begins. Amber back and forth with notes of, "Will she like pink or purple?" "What about butterflies or sugarplumbs?" "No Pooh! Definitely no Pooh"

At this point one of my favorite parts of this new experience was found. A sincere thanks to the person who designed the layout of this Babies"R"Us store. This genius must have been a father to-be or a tired, shopped out guy who decided that the best place for the gliders and ottomans was directly facing the nursery decor. From here I could see it all and not only that...almost rock myself to sleep!

After hmmm and hawing...we're down to three choices. Sugarplumbs, Ladybugs and A La Mode. Up from my partial slumber we head over to the furniture with all three samples in tow to compare. A La Mode is out and we're down to Sugarplumbs and Ladybugs. A flip of the blanket, a look from another angle and the decision is made.

Ladybugs it is!

This week from BabyCenter.com:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums.

Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside her womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in.

Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

So construction on the nursery is in full swing. Let's just hope Ava will like the polka-dotted insects her mom picked out for her.

She's Having A...

2009-09-17T21:26:00.011-06:00

Today is Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 and we're headed to the doctors office. A late start to a typical hump day, but we're in for a treat.

The love of my life and I are strolling through the parking lot of the hospital guessing at what is ahead. "Will HE have a lot of hair?" asks Amber. "Will SHE really want a cell phone before SHE is 15?" I shutter. "I think it's a boy. I know it's a boy I had a dream about him!" Amber teases. "I don't know, I just have no idea" I whisper.

This is week 20 and we're scheduled for the anatomy ultrasound of our little Peanut.

Meeting us at this appointment is a cast of loved ones. Amber's Mom Sharon (Gamma), her sister Andrea, my Mom Bev (with camera in hand) and my Dad Mark. As soon as we walk into the waiting area the speculation and theories run wild!

"Well since the Hernandez grand kids are all boys, this has to be the change in course and here come the girls!" "Well there has been the idea that if she is carrying low it must be a boy." "Well if shes craving chocolate it is definitely a girl." "True, but Amber hasn't been feeling the baby kick so a lazy baby has got to be a boy." And on and on they went.

"Amber!" That's us! We all get in line and snake our way through the office to the ultrasound room. The big table in the middle is obviously Ambers' spot and I take up a seat next to her while the gang fills in behind us.

The Ultrasound Tech applies the jelly like substance to Ambers' belly and fires up the machine. "Well start with the important stuff" chimes in the Tech "then we'll move onto the fun stuff.". The screen comes to life and there is Peanut! Moving and rolling and waving we've only been in here for two minutes! Someone is very comfortable in front of the camera!

Through the first part of the ultra sound we see two arms and two legs. Ten fingers and ten toes. Bones in the legs and arms are growing right on schedule, and the buds for the teeth are in tact. The stomach looks great, all four chambers of the heart are in and pumping away. A little lower and we're there. "So are you ready to know what you're going to have?" from the Tech. YES! from the room behind her.

"Looks like it's a girl!"

The squeeze from my Ambers hand at that moment I'll never forget. The look in her eye knowing that our little Peanut, as we've come so accustomed to calling her, is now our daughter, Ava Grace.

Honestly I don't remember much else about the appointment and you know what?... Neither does Amber. Just that feeling of knowing was so relieving.

We were both so glad we could share this experience with a few loved ones that day. Now we have a direction, and an idea of what is on the horizon, but at the same time have no clue at all. Dances, proms, designer jeans and boyfriends are all in our future. Looks like I'll need that PowerBall Jackpot more than ever.

Thank you to everyone who continues to keep up with the blog at http://www.jhernandezphotography.com/. This has been such an amazing time in our life and I can't wait to see what the next 20 weeks have in store.

From BabyCenter.com

"You're at the halfway mark - congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — about the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system."

Hardships and Upsides

2009-09-10T21:11:00.005-06:00

Ahh September. Baseball divisional races are in full swing, football season is kicking off and autumn is just around the corner. This is one of my favorite times of the year and being a guy...why not!

This past week has been one of status quo with regard to Amber and Baby Peanut. Peanut is becoming more active every day and Amber is feeling great. All systems are go and things are progressing right on schedule. We're still so excited for next Wednesday as that's D-day for knowing if we're having a little boy or a little girl. Amber is very excited as this means I'll finally get to work on the nursery. ;-)

As a guy, I won't ever know the hardships of pregnancy such as swallowing a prenatal vitamin the size of a SmartCar, the monumental mood swings at the drop of a hat or food cravings for things that can't possibly taste well together. On the other hand, I also won't know the upside of pregnancy such as those first butterflies in my belly, the feeling of knowing my every move may have an impact on my baby or being able to sleep at a moments notice. (Thank goodness for DVR.)

Through the first 19 weeks of this pregnancy I've grown to not only be amazed by the huge transformation Amber is going through, but have also gained so much respect for her. Knowing that this little life growing inside of her will depend on both us for everything, I'm so glad I have Amber by my side. There is no instruction manual for becoming parents, but the following quote reminded me that there are no rules on how it's done.

"The best thing about being parents is that you'll do everything right...and everything wrong." - Anonymous

Week 19 from BabyCenter.com:

"Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His/her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he/she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him/her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His/her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. The kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his/her scalp is sprouting."

Again I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement. Be sure to check back next week as you can expect the next title to be, "Boy" or "Girl"... or something catchy like that.

Goodnight all!

Hot Chocolate and Fighter Jets

2009-09-01T21:11:00.012-06:00

We all have one thing or another that gets us going. For some it's a smell an image or a song. For others is a loved one, a Red Bull or sugar filled treat. For Baby Peanut here at week 18...it's hot chocolate and fighter jets.

Over the past few weeks Amber has seen a trend while enjoying her afternoon cup of hot chocolate. Baby Peanut awakens with fists, legs and who knows what else thumping around inside of her belly. Not many other treats or drinks seem to get peanut going like a good cup of hot chocolate, but there are a few theories on why.

One is that the trace amount of caffeine in the hot chocolate gets the baby up and roaming. Another theory is that the heat of the warm drink is felt by the baby causing it to either get closer to or further from the stomach. In either case...Peanut is on the move.

Oh yeah. There was one other outside stimulant, well more like an experience that Amber noticed really riled up Baby Peanut. An F-16 fighter jet screaming by at over 500mph.

On Saturday, August 22nd Amber and Baby Peanut took in their first Air Show. All kinds of cool things to experience, but nothing cooler than the aerial display of the F-16 in full combat form.

From slow and low to high speed passes in full afterburner, the fighter jet stole the show. Baby Peanut was very impressed and from the first pass (shown here) the little one was doing flips, rolls and loops all on his/her own. Let's just hope this infatuation with jets continues on forever!

Back to the baby developments from BabyCenter.com.

"Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He/she is busy flexing the arms and legs - movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound."

So we're two weeks out from our next ulrasound and can't wait! This is the big one as we'll find out if we're getting the Jungle Babies decor for Nikko Christian's room or the Sugar Plums for Ava Grace. Either way I've got two weeks before it's furniture assembly time.

Any volunteers?

The Family Is All Here

2009-08-18T20:59:00.009-06:00

August. The warmest month of the year, Broncos Training Camp is in full swing and another wellness check up here and gone for Amber and Baby Peanut. Just like David Bowie said..."Ch, ch, ch changes..." are showing up more and more every day in our lives.

For her most recent appointment, Amber was accompanied by her Mom Sharon or Gamma as she's becoming known. This appointment was a standard wellness check up, and the first time "Gamma" had the chance to hear Baby Peanuts' heartbeat. Peanut played the same game this time and was a little hard to find. Still sitting a bit lower than expected Baby Peanut has a strong heartbeat at 150 beats per minute. From what Amber tells me the, "swish, swish, swish" of the heartbeat overtook Gamma and the tears of joy were flowing!

Our next appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th. This will be a landmark appointment as we'll finally find out if we're going to have a little boy or a little girl. We're hoping for a 4D ultrasound that will not only give us the gender, but will also show features within the baby not seen when using a normal ultrasound.

That reminds me, please be sure to cast your vote for either a boy or a girl in the poll to the right. As of tonight we're at 50% for a boy and 50% for a girl based on 14 votes. Once we find out Baby Peanuts gender, we'll start a countdown to the due date or something else fun to add to the blog! Stay tuned!

This week from BabyCenter.com - "Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his/her weight and add inches to his/her length. Right now, your baby is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. The legs are much more developed, your baby's head is more erect than it has been, and his/her eyes have moved closer to the front of his/her head. His/her ears are close to their final position, too."

On a final note, Amber keeps telling me that all of the photos have been about her and I needed to put something about me up. So tonight Amber was behind the camera and took a few shots of me writing the blog. I'm not nearly as beautiful or glowing as much as she is, but what you see is what you get. Let's just hope this kid looks more like her and doesn't come with the standard Hernandez double chin. :-)

Good night for now and please keep your comments coming! If there is anything we can include in the blog for you, please feel free to let us know!

Butterflies and Ballgames

2009-08-13T20:56:00.005-06:00

Amber says it feels like butterflies. The medical world calls it, "quickening". Whatever you call it, Baby Peanut is moving, kicking and doing all kinds of things inside that belly.

According to websites, reference books and numerous other outlets, feeling your baby move for the first time can come at any point from 12 weeks on. Here we are at week 15 and the little one is holding true. Not sure if Baby Peanut is energized by food, activity or something else, but the look on Ambers' face the first time she felt it was indescribable. From what she tells me, it feels like "nervous butterflies in her tummy", and as if the baby is, "running its fingers down the inside of my belly". WOW!

From BabyCenter.com - "Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). He/She is busy moving amniotic fluid through his/her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his/her lungs begin to develop. His/Her legs are growing longer than his/her arms now, and he/she can move all of his/her joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, your baby can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, he/she is likely to move away from the beam."

Knowing that Baby Peanut can hear and sense all kinds of activity, Amber and I sing, talk and play music for the baby all of the time. Our parents raised us on classic rock and Baby Peanut will be no exception. Steve Miller Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynard Skynard, Eric Clapton and some of our favorite Christian artists like David Crowder Band and Matthew West are constants. This kid is going to have rhythm and God from day one! Even after Amber has been sleeping for hours I'll still peek over to make sure the pink iPod is pumping out the music for the little one to learn.

In addition to the iPod jams, Papi (that's me) has been singing to Baby Peanut every night before bed. Some of my favorites include "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". I would have never guessed that I would someday be singing off-key, late at night to Ambers' belly, but here I am.

I guess when you finally realize that life isn't about you anymore, it's easier to do what you never would have done. Especially when Baby Peanut is standing next to me singing, "buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks..." I'll remember the nights I was laying in bed singing to and teaching our unborn child one of the greatest songs ever.

Oh Yeah...The Due Date!

2009-08-05T21:29:00.015-06:00

I first want to thank everyone for taking time to stop by and visit our new blog. I had no idea so many people would be interested in following the journey Amber and I are on as we prepare for the arrival of our first child. Your comments here, in email and on Facebook have been great and we're very excited to bring you updates as often as we can. So excited in fact that I neglected to provide one important piece of information. The due date!

Baby Peanut is expected to arrive on February 2, 2010, otherwise known as Groundhog Day. This can either mean that our child will wake up every morning with a crazy sense of de ja vu or will have the best excuse for a "do over" for the rest of his/her life. (Thanks for that idea Shelly!)

This past weekend we've started packing up the home office in preparation for the conversion into the nursery. Remodeling...here we come. When Scott and Sharon (Amber's parents) called and said they wanted to take us furniture shopping for the nursery we were both speechless and excited at their generosity. Furniture shopping is always fun, but when you do it with your in-laws it's an entirely new experience! Thank goodness we all have a sense of humor.

My first few steps inside of the store were both exhilarating and shocking. Furniture, strollers, cribs, diapers, bottles, monitors and pumps. "That pump is for what?!" Yeah, this shopping experience was like none before, but I know that it's one I'll never forget. Amber found the perfect furniture for the room and picked out the funnest themes for either a boy or a girl. Me...I picked out the most rockin' stroller I could find. Huge wheels, pockets, compartments and cup holders! Yeah, yeah I know we won't need it right away, but man is it cool.

So out with the old and in with the new.

This brings us to week 14. "Welcome to the second trimester! Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his/her thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his/her facial muscles are getting a workout as his/her tiny features form one expression after another. His/her kidneys are producing urine, which are released into the amniotic fluid around him/her — a process he'll/she'll keep up until birth. He/she can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him/her sucking his/her thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he/she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1 1/2 ounces." - BabyCenter.com

WOW!

From here on out we'll be adding belly photos on a weekly basis. Here is a shot of Amber tonight in her full beauty and grace. The baby bump is showing and we're on our way!

Thanks again to everyone for visiting and please, please, please feel free to leave your comments below.

Have a great week!

"What Does a Plus Sign Mean?"

2009-07-26T19:00:00.020-06:00

Driving up the rocky dirt road that is Weston Pass outside of Fairplay, Colorado, I knew that this day would mark the moment in my life, our life that would change us forever. Why else would we be on the "Road of Dreams".

Today is August 5, 2006 and I'm about to ask the woman of my dreams to marry me.

The months leading up to this stroll in the hills have been great. We've come to learn so much about each other, our family's, our dreams and our shortfalls and yet we continue on.

We are now at our second stop along the pass as my first attempt fails miserably due to nerves and a dead camera battery. We're now on the backside of the pass, standing on a large rock formation and the rain is headed in. Amber is off to inspect the area to ensure there aren't any creepy crawlies or large mammal eating predators around as I fumble out of the truck with the ring box in tow.

As I head over to a spot in the rocks over looking the valley to the North, rain is falling and I know I've got to get it out this time. I call Amber over, take her hand and start to tell her our story. How we first met at work, the wonderful trips and memories we've shared as a couple, and how a life together forever is the next step I'd like to take with her.

Dripping wet, I pull the ring out of my pocket and begin my downward descent to one knee. Before I can get another word in, she pulls me from my crouch with tears in her eyes and says, "YES I will marry you!". We stand there on that rock knowing that this moment, this one brief blink of an eye has changed us forever.

Today is Friday, January 23rd, 2009 and it's not a good day. Amber is eight weeks pregnant with our first baby and we're headed to the Emergency Room. Test after test and we're told to head home as it looks like we're going to miscarry and there is nothing more they can do. Not knowing what to expect, we do just that. At 6:30 AM on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 Baby Hernandez is gone.

It's tough and it sucks.

In March of 2008 Amber had surgery to remove a grapefruit sized tumor along with her left ovary from her abdomen. Our chances of becoming pregnant were instantly reduced by 50 percent, but were were reassured by the best OB/GYN in the business, Dr. Mark Saunders that we will be able to go on to have children without issue.

After the unfortunate loss of Baby Hernandez in January we didn't lose faith and stood firm knowing that God had a better plan for us. We prayed, our families prayed and those who don't even know prayed for us to do what God was putting on our hearts and to try again for another baby.

This leads me back to the title of this opening post, "What does a plus sign mean?".

Today is Friday, May 29th, 2009 and it's a great day! Amber has been getting that not so good feeling in her belly and thinks it's time we take a pregnancy test. She opens it, reads the instructions and follows them to perfection. We give the test the time it needs to do it's thing and then she sends me in to check out the results. So there I am...staring at this stick with markings and symbols, but have no idea what any of it means. (I didn't read the instructions.)

"What does a plus sign mean?"

Amber runs into the bathroom and with the grip of an NFL linebacker rips the stick from my hands to take a look for herself. "We did it!" she says with tears streaming down her face knowing that we're in for another roller-coaster of emotions in the coming weeks.

Since then, we've been to two appointments with the wonderful Dr. Saunders. The first appointment was at week nine on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009. Being an amateur photographer I loved it. The first photo of our "Peanut" as we've come to know this baby was taken and the little blinking fetus looked great! In the shots here, the head is the furthest point to the right and you can see the arms and hands pointing up as well as the legs curled at the far left.

The second appointment at week 11 on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 we were able to hear Peanut for the first time. The swish, swish, swish of the tiny heartbeat was amazing, but not before a quick glance of fear came across Amber as Dr. Saunders wasn't able to immediately find it. Sitting a bit lower in her uterus the sound of this little life was strong, fast and brought smiles and tears to the room. Everything to date has tested well and all parties are happy with where we're at.

So here we are...coming up on week 13 on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009. During this week Peanut is about three inches from crown to rump and weights approximately one ounce. The tiny fingerprints and all 20 teeth have formed. Peanut has also found it's tiny thumb and it's fingers and toes are separated and identifiable.

Now into the second trimester, Amber has started to get her energy back and is hopeful the morning sickness will subside. We'll do our best to get a few progress shots of her belly as we move forward.

So we're off and running! As Amber and I continue on this next adventure of becoming parents for the first time, we invite you back to this blog often. We will use this as our tool to keep everyone updated on our progress and look forward to hearing from you as you follow along.

Get Busy Child!