One more week...

...until we find out if our baby is a boy or girl.  I was so excited today, I thought the Doctor's appointment was today, but its not!  That's right, April 1st, 2011, is the date where we will be able to find the gender of our baby.  Hopefully he or she doesn't play any April Fool's jokes on us.  The last time we met with Laura's Physician, he said as long as the baby cooperates and does not cross his or her legs we will get to find out if we are going to have a blue or pink baby shower.

It sure has been a long process trying to figure out the name of our baby.  We want a name that is unique but now too different where people will be unable to pronounce it.  We have played with more girl names such as Aryana, Adriana, and Eva.  As of now, I believe we know the names we want to name our son or daughter.  For some reason we both feel the baby is going to be a girl, not sure why though.  Either way we both will be happy.  Its odd, I want a son first but I really want a daughter...a daddy's girl.  We just have to be patient for one more week....

-Phan

Photos

Laura and I had a conversation today and she said I need to add more photos into every blog entry so it will be more interesting.  It does make sense, photos do make the blog entries more appealing, so Laura is right once again...

Laura and I do take a good number of photos when we get a chance.  We have two Sony Cyber-shot digital cameras which are a little older with 8.1 mega-pixels.  The camera is not always handy so I have been taking photos with my Samsung Vibrant mobile phone which has a camera with 5 mega-pixels. This photo was taken with my Samsung Vibrant, the photo was taken last week and includes Logan, Laura's father, Laura's mother (who is standing on the side), and Laura (in the red jacket).  We were saying our goodbye's before we left to go on our trip to San Antonio.

However we both want to purchase a new camera with the new baby arriving.  We were thinking about the Canon Rebel T3i/Eos, which costs about $899!  We think its worth it though.  Hopefully we can get it before our baby is born.  I

n this blog I have also attached a photo of a book Laura bought me that I am currently reading.  I recommend it to all expectant fathers.

- Phan

There's Movement!

Today I have great news which occurred at exactly 5:44 pm on March 21, 2011.  Laura texted me and told me our baby is moving!  About a week earlier, she said she had an awkward feeling inside of her resembling a "bubble popping".  However she was not exactly sure if it was the baby moving/kicking.  But now she knows for sure that our baby is moving and stretching.  Unfortunately, Laura said I won't be able to feel the movements from outside her belly for another few weeks or so once the movements get stronger.  Well attached is a photo of the great news I received at work, that's why it took me so long to respond.  I know I definitely have to cherish all these little moments especially since tomorrow is never promised.  I love Laura, our baby. and our life together.

-Phan

Back Home

Laura and I just returned home from our trip to San Antonio.  It was a good trip for the most part.  We wanted to go to Sea World, but that idea did not go through since they were all booked up with their special events such as petting the dolphins and whales.  Laura really wanted to do something interactive since she's pregnant and is very limited on what she can take part in.  We did do other things such as explore the Riverwalk, eat at Texas Land and Cattle Steak House, we also went to Market Square and ate at Mi Tierra.  A lot of people recommended the restaurant but we did not see what all the hype was about, it was not anything amazing.  I am not being biased either, even Laura agreed and she is a Mexican food critic.  We were also fortunate to meet up with her brother Gilbert, his wife, and kids.

Well here's the interesting part of our trip.  Me, being the high-tech person I am, I ordered hotel reservations online at the Drury Plaza Hotel for $116.00 per night.  It had wonderful reviews from past guests and a lot of extras such as free breakfast, dinner, popcorn, drinks, and even 3 free alcoholic drinks for people who do drink.  I definitely do not drink and Laura cannot for obvious reasons, being pregnant for one!  Well the Drury hotel was not a pleasant experience, the room was old, small, we found lots of hair on the bed (requested room service to change the sheets) and had a strange odor to it.  I tried to make the experience good for us but deep down I knew it was not what we both wanted.

So once again being the high-tech guy I am I made some calls and was able to get a hotel at the Grand Hyatt for a good deal!  Two nights for $106.00 per night, regular price is $269.00!  Be advised we needed a hotel that allowed dogs since we had Logan with us.  Well the Hyatt was a wonderful experience, we had great room service, the water pressure was very soothing, the beds were clean, and lots of other amenities.  Look at how much better Logan could rest...

Joe Guillen II

So today Laura and I went to a funeral of someone I've never personally met but someone's life we both could relate to, Joe Guillen II.  For myself, I know how it feels to lose someone close to you, and for  Laura she could really relate to the passing of Mr. Guillen.  From what we know, Mr. Guillen passed away due to cancer in which that is the same terminal illness Laura's father is suffering from. 

The world is small place, because Mr. Guillen's daughter, Natalie, is Laura's hair stylist who is about the same age as Laura.  We were able to hear Natalie's tribute to her father in front of the entire church.  Everyone had kind words to describe Mr. Guillen, it seems as he was really genuine person who touched many lives.  

Unfortunately, Laura and I could not stay throughout the entire funeral service, but it was beautiful and touching.  This post is dedicated to Mr. Guillen, people said he loved this song and now I do too...

-Phan 

Heartbeat...

Today we both went to our Doctor and he said everything went well.  Laura's blood pressure was 110/60 and he stated we were right on track with where we needed to be with the baby.  Unfortunately we were not able to find out the gender of our baby, however we did get to hear the baby's heartbeat!  I would compare it to a stampede of horses stomping on the ground.  Laura described it as a "strong and healthy heartbeat," which I agree!  The doctor said we would most likely find out the gender of our baby on our next appointment, April 1st, as long as the baby is cooperative.  Hopefully the baby isn't crossing his or her legs and making us wait to find out!

We also visited Laura's parents tonight in Dallas.  We helped her mom make cheese enchiladas from scratch and clean up afterwards.  I also took her father on a lil drive to 7-11, I think he liked it.  He also bought some scratch-off lottery tickets, something he's always enjoyed playing ever since I've met him.  Today was a good day for everyone.

-Phan

We are going to be a family...

So every night when I pray before bed I ask God, "please watch over Laura and I" or "take care of the both of us." However, now I ask him to please take care of "all of us," or "keep our family safe."  As each day gets closer to our due date I realize having a baby is becoming even more real.  I cannot believe Laura and I are going to have another addition to the family!  I am definitely excited.

In about ten hours, Laura and I are going to our next OB appointment.  I feel everything is going well, but we are both wondering if it is the appointment where we find the gender of the baby.  Laura and I both feel that the baby is going to be a girl.  I want a son first, however I really want a daughter...if that makes sense?  Whether if the baby is a boy or girl we both will be happy and prepared.

Why Blog?

There are various reasons why we both have chosen to blog about our life together.  We both have realized tomorrow is never promised.  Phan knows how it feels to have someone close to him pass away.  Phan lost a good friend, Logan Ashley MacDonald, in 2005 in a vehicle accident fatality.  Laura is juggling a lot of different things in her life which includes her father being diagnosed with a terminal illness; Doctor's have given him less than a year to live.  Also, as most of our family and friends already know, we will have a new addition to our family in late August, 2011.  We wanted share our progress with everyone including our baby when he/she grows older.