Jellybean Update

Today we had another OB appt for our little jellybean. I was disappointed that they didn't have an ultrasound scheduled, but it was still a great appointment. This time they did a fetal heart monitor. The Dr. put the device over my tummy and all of a sudden we could hear the little heart just pumping away. Suddenly the heartbeat stopped at the Dr. said, "oops, the baby moved!" Mike and I both freaked. "The baby moved!! The baby is moving!! Yay!" The Dr. laughed at us. She explained that while I can't feel it yet the baby is moving around in there already. It was so amazing.
We may (if we are so blessed!!) get to find out the sex of the baby before heading off to Texas for Thanksgiving next week. She called for my ultrasound screening appointment a little early (I will be 16 weeks). In the screening appt a radiologist specialist will perform an ultrasound and check for any abnormalities in the baby's growth and development. They also inform you of the sex of your baby!! So, I am amxiously awaiting a call from the hospital to schedule the appt. If they have any openings I might can squeeze in before we fly to Tx.
I also had some blood drawn today to test for genetic abnormalities that may be present in my DNA and could be passed on to Baby. Hopefully all is well in that dept as well.
I figured it is about time to do some belly pictures! I got that idea from my sister in law. It was so neat to see her growing belly on their blog. I will try to remember to have Mike take one for me. The doctor measured me at 15 weeks and three days today...one week farther along than we thought. I am getting so excited about finding out the sex of the baby and picking a name!! Maybe we will just stick with Jellybean. haha. Just kidding.

The Marine Corps Ball

We had a great time at the Marine Corps Ball last Friday. It was a memorable evening and fun to get all dressed up! Mike's younger brother David is also in the Marines and is stationed here at the same base. His girlfriend, Amber, flew in for the Ball and we all went together.

The food was DELICIOUS! The first course was a yummy letteuce wedge with marinated artichokes, olives and tomatoes. They came to each plate and poured a balsamic vinegarette over the lettuce. It was one of the best salads I have ever tasted. The main course was tender short rib and marinated chicken served with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies. Again, delicious. But the dessert was the best thing on the menu that night. They served cheesecake with a brownie bottom half served with a strawberry sauce and chocolate mint. Everyone was talking about it. We even snagged a little take-home carton to bring home what I couldn't eat.

I was really tired by the end of the evening. All that standing and walking in high heels while pregnant was not too great. But I still had fun. I bought my dress at Ross for $25.00 and was really impressed at how good it looked! I bought it before I knew I was pregnant so I was happy it had an empire waist to fit my growing belly! I also chose to do my own hair instead of getting it done. I felt very accomplished. Here are a few pictures from the evening:

I've Conquered the Bar Exam!!!

I found out yesterday that I passed the Texas Bar Exam. I cannot put into words what a relief that is. I had been thinking how much harder it would be to study and take it again with a baby next time around! Thankfully, that won't be the case. My study buddy from law school also passed - which made me just as happy. We spent an immeasurable amount of hours together studying, crying, yelling, contemplating starting over as Amish and cursing the legal system of Texas. Ok, maybe that was just me. She stayed pretty cool throughout the whole process. All I can say is good luck to those who will be taking it in the future. There just aren't words to prepare you for what is coming!!

On a lighter note, I am busy today preparing for the Marine Corps Ball tonight!!! Woo Hoo! I loved getting dressed up and fixed up and all that. It is like prom for adults...all the fun with none of the drama. I am charging the camera so there should be pictures on the next post! I realize it may be kind of boring to read my blog because I hardly ever post pictures. I am going to work on that! I am sure I will have lots of pics once our little jellybean arrives. Our next appt is November 18. I am always anxious for appts to come just for the reassurance that the baby is still ok!

To make good on my promise, here is a picture of Mike and me from the Kojie Formal my Senior Year of College. It seems like so long ago!!

Baby Cabrero is on the Way!!

It is official - we are having a baby!! Our little jellybean (as we call it) has a due date set for May 10 (which also happens to be my brother's birthday!). I am about 10 weeks along right now. I was suffering from some pretty strong morning sickness until about week 8, but since then I have begun to feel much better.
We are very excited and a bit overwhelmed with emotion because of all the changes that have taken place over the last few months. But, we are super excited to meet our little one too. Hopefully by May things will be a bit more settled and it will feel more like home out here on the West Coast.
We did get an ultrasound done but the baby just looks like a blob right now haha. We will post pics the next time we have an appt. We did get to hear the baby's heartbeat and that was amazing. We feel very blessed!
Please pray for the health and development of our little jellybean. We will keep everyone updated!

What's Wrong with Ya'll?

I didn't realize how Southern I was until I moved out to California. Most things out here do not make sense to me - like traffic lights on highway on-ramps, tsunami warning tests on tv (we live in the mountains), outdoor shopping malls, and an extremely small selection of Little Debbie Snacks on supermarket shelves. But the one thing that sets me apart from everyone out here is my use of the word "ya'll." Everytime I say it (and I don't even realize I am saying it) people freak out.
We were in a shop last weekend when I said ya'll and the sales clerk yelled, "oh my goodness! You totally just said ya'll!!" Yes I did, and thank you for drawing attention to me. I suppose it is not a word that is heard too often out here on the West Coast. I guess I just didn't realize what a fuss people would make over its use. I can't imagine what it would be like for someone from Southern Louisiana to talk out here. People down there use "ya'll" like its going out of style. Example: "Ya'll enjoy ya'll meal." Oh yes. We heard that almost every time we went out to dinner. I always wondered why it wasn't "ya'll enjoy ya'll's meal" - but I guess that's one for the philosophers.
Other than feeling like fish out of water we are doing pretty well here. I am way more homesick than Mike but he admitted he is homesick too. We are hanging in there though. It always helps to break out into a rousing chorus of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." In fact, I think I'll sing a verse now. Ya'll have a great week :)

Ooooooh Texas!

Well, things have finally begun to settle down here. We have most of the furniture we need and everything else we need is not an absolute-must-have-it-right-now necessity. That is probably why the homesickness finally set in. I miss Texas soooooo much! So does Mike, but he has lived out here before so I think he is not in the same kind of culture shock I am.
Everything is different and I loved that at first. Now I just want my old neighborhood, restaurants, church, friends, traffic, etc. Haha. What I miss most of all is Taco Bueno. What I wouldnt give for some mexi dips and chips.
I have begun looking for work - which is stressful and depressing all at the same time. We have also visited several churches in the area but are having trouble finding people our own age. The churches here are great, but are very different from those back in Texas. Hopefully once we find our fit it will begin to feel more like home out here. Leaving the Bible belt makes a bigger difference than I thought it would. Seems like we have had lots of changes in a really short time - which equals stress for me. Mike just takes it all in stride.
Hopefully I will find work soon that I enjoy and that will give me some permanence as well. It is difficult to really settle into a place when you don't know how long you will even live there!
Well, that's all for now. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. They mean so much. Pray that we will find a great church and employment for me!!
Love you all! And miss you!!

My Yearbook

I thought you all might get as big a laugh as I did from these photos. I Yearbooked myself through the years and these were the winners. I have to say, 1986 was an awesome look for me.

1952

1960

1964
1966

1968

1976

1978

1986

1990


1992

1996