We spilled the beans!

This weekend we went to Paris, Tx to tell my parents our news. We were very nervous that they'd be upset by the timing. We racked our brains for a cutesy way to tell them, since we had wanted to give them a "Grandparents" frame with the first sono picture, but ended up not getting a sono. So, we found a onesie that said, "That's it! I'm going to Grandma's!!!" at buybuybaby. And then I wrote them letters. I wrapped this all up in a very cute gift and we took it with us.

We got to Paris at about 7:45 p.m. and Mom and Dad were ready to eat -- awkward timing. So dad made his armadillo eggs on the grill and then put all the chicken on. While the chicken was beginning, I told them we'd gotten them a gift, that it was on the coffee table. Mom told him to go get it (we were on the back patio) and I said, "NO! You go with him! It's special! Open it inside." They reluctantly and timidly walked into the house. While they were inside, Hector prayed for us, our baby and their reaction. Then we heard the door creak... I closed my eyes... I turned to face them...

Mom had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. Dad was grinning. He said, "You didn't have to be so dramatic... we're happy for you!" Mom sat next to me and said, "I'm nervous, but so excited!" We hugged and began talking about the baby. Mom started texting her friends roughly 10 minutes after finding out. Typical proud Grandma, I think. :) It went so well, we're so happy to be able to share this with them now! It's not a secret anymore!

Here is a list of people who found out this weekend:
Parents
Josh (my brother--he's so excited!!)
Ivy (my Grandmother--very enthusiastic!)
Mom's sisters (Myra, Faye and Peggy)
My cousin Jordan
friends Mallory Holladay, Deanna Jackson, Lea Emerson
my wedding photographer friend Tara Swain
Everyone at Mt. Olive Baptist, thanks to my Dad's proud announcement
my friend Jessie Smith :)
five of my wonderful TWU friends, Natalie and Ry, Jaclyn, Jessamyn and Max

Telling each person was a separate and unique experience. It was so fun to see their reactions.

We're thrilled. The excitement is really setting in. We go for our Sonogram at 7 weeks, 6 days this Thursday morning. Aaaghhh!!! We can't wait!

Confirmation #7

We went to our first prenatal visit today. The only reason there isn't an exclamation point at the end of that sentence is that I was honestly expecting a sonogram today. And now I'm feeling a bit bummed. But, I'll be OK. We're going next Thursday for one. :) The good news? I peed in a cup and they confirmed the pregnancy with their glorified urine test (which I've done 6 times on my own).

Our next appointment is June 17th (not counting next weeks sono).

Oh, yea. I'm 6 weeks and 4 days today! Little Bambino is due January 14th, 2011. We're really thrilled, just praying our hearts out that the baby is healthy.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Psalm 139:13-16, NLT

Well, I had hoped to post the sono pic right here... but I guess you'll just have to wait 9 more days. :)

First pool day of the summer!

On Saturday, our friends Callie and David invited our group over to their new apartment for a day in the sun! We had so much fun lounging while the boys swam in [freezing] pool. For a while it was just us, Callie and David, and Jackie and Patrick. Then the Cole's showed up with baby Maggie!

David, Hector and Patrick

Me, Callie and Jackie

She's such a cuddler, right now

Patrick loves holding Baby Maggie

After we were all sunned out, we went in and freshened up. The boys and Maggie went to the Cole's house to play poker and us girls went to the Shops at Legacy for a little dinner at Fireside Pies. So delicious! It was a wonderful day spent with wonderful friends!

Me and the hubby

Now it's Sunday, 1:45... in 30 minutes I'm leaving for my first shift alone on the unit, without a preceptor! EEK! I hope it goes smoothly!

Let's get up to speed here...

Well, this is my first blog post. Ever. I thought I would jump on the band-wagon and enter into the exciting world of blogging.

I think it is safe to assume that most anyone reading this blog already knows the majority about mine and Hector's life. But in case you don't, I'll catch you up right here:

Hector Miranda and I met in Fall of 2007, working together at Banana Republic, in the West Village, here in Dallas. We were friendly, but nothing more. He got my number by inviting me to go to church with him at Watermark... sneaky boy, I know. :) Of course, I gave it to him. We began hanging out and hanging out turned into dating. Dating turned into meeting the family.

One of our first dates

Before we knew it, a year had gone by and Hector proposed to me in February 2009.

I said yes.. :)

We set our date for July 25, 2009. We had a beautiful wedding in Paris, TX at the same church my Mom and Dad got married in, Mt. Olive Baptist. My parents were gracious enough to host the reception at their home in Blossom, TX (where I grew up).

Mr. & Mrs. Hector Miranda

An unforgettable evening

We moved into our first apartment together about 7 days after the wedding. We live in North Oak Cliff, right in the Bishop Arts District. A very charming area, and a wonderful apartment! Perfect for the two of us.

Our apartment is on the top left half.

December was a big month, I finished Nursing School at Texas Woman's University and began my job at Parkland Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Hector quit his two jobs for a much needed break and to have more time to volunteer. He does YoungLife here in Oak Cliff. The first 5 months of my job were a residency, where we had classes and worked with preceptors.

This past week, Hector got a new volunteer job with Watermark Films as a Production Assistant in their upcoming movie "Seasons of Gray." He is so excited and looking forward to the long hours he'll be spending at church with the crew. And I passed my final exam and graduated from my residency! This coming Sunday, I'll go into work for my very first shift as a Nurse Resident. It is exhilarating, but at the same time, terrifying. I know I'm ready, I've learned SO much in these past 5 months.

In other, unrelated news, I took a different kind of test a few weeks ago.. this was the result:

POSITIVE?!?!

Yes, that's right. We've all heard of getting a "false positive," right? But what about 6 false positives in a row? I don't think so. While we sure were not trying to have a baby at this point in our lives, it seems the Good Lord above decided it was in His perfect timing.

We couldn't believe it FREAKED out! In our minds, we would have started trying for a baby in 2-3 years. We haven't even been married a whole year, for Pete's sake!! Money's pretty tight--nearly every dollar has a destination before we even get it!  I'm a night nurse right now, how will this work?? Hector has some trips to Mexico coming up next year, what if he's gone? We certainly don't want that!

We are in the middle of the very tender process of realizing this is a wonderful thing. The Lord's plan is perfect, in it's content and it's timing.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes." Jeremiah 29:11-14a, NLT

We are confident that the Lord would not put us into a situation that we could not handle. We are realizing our wonderful support system here. I have family in Dallas, Hector has family in Dallas, our church, Watermark, is here, a lot of our friends are here and our amazing Community Group is here.

If my calculations are correct, I am somewhere in my 7th week. Our first prenatal appointment is May 25 (next Tuesday), so by then, I'll know for sure.

So, world, keep us in your prayers. We're excited and scared. Whatever happens, we know we'll be ok.