Pickles? Seriously, how cliche!

Well I got my second batch of blood tests back and everything came back normal. **SIGH**

That is a big relief for both of us. Not that the results would have changed our mind about the baby. We're just glad that's one less hurdle for us to get over. Next month we find out what the sex of the baby is. We have a poll up for everyone to vote. Please do so we'd love to see other people's predictions!

Also, for some reason I am slowly getting away from my Spanish rice and beans craving and have moved on to pickles. Seriously! Although I'm sure Michael will be very grateful I'll be backing down on the beans. You know the old bean tune? Well, it definitely rings true when you're pregnant. I'm just saying!

One last thing: A PERFECT STRANGER TOUCHED MY BELLY TODAY!
I'm barely getting used to the idea of my family doing that. When family members have reached to touch my belly it didn't bother me. I love my family and I'm glad they are just as excited about the baby. It makes me laugh a little when they touch me, but I feel the love just the same. Michael and I went to Subway tonight. Of course I asked for tons of pickles! The cashier reached over the counter and touched my belly! "You're eating for two right? Then you deserve the foot long!" Seriously! You didn't touch the fat woman's belly that just left, she ordered a foot long too. What made it okay to touch mine! For those of you who don't know it, I'm a "this is my space, that is your space" kinda gal. Maybe I should get these t-shirts I found online!

• "I am not Buddha. Do not rub my belly."
• "Unless you helped put the baby in here don't touch my belly!"
• "Rub my belly and I will barf on you."
• "You can touch my belly if I can punch your face." (Extreme, I know, but hilarious!)

This last one is my favorite and would only be perfect if our suspicions of our little one are true!

• "Yes, I'm pregnant. It's a girl. I'm due in September. No, you can't touch my belly!"

Michael's ParentingTip of the Week

If your in to having a face full of vomit, then by all means, chunk you baby in the air like a basketball.

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Random Easter pics

We went to Michael's parent's on Good Friday. His mother taught me how to cook chicken fried steak. I didn't burn anything and it tasted great.

Don't worry folks, Michael has the fire department on speed dial!






The gratuitous flour on nose shot.

I had to look like I was working hard! Really his mom did most the work. She is an awesome cook.










Baby Dot's first Easter basket. It also had treats for Daisy, Gretchen and Frito inside the eggs.

Thank you so much Uncle Dave, Aunt Nat and cousins Reba and Cowboy!










Michael and I cheesing for the camera.

We needed an updated picture of us. It’s been a while! Sorry no belly shots. Although my mom did take a picture that made me look seven months pregnant rather than just four!







Gran playing with Reba and Cowboy.

These are David and Natalie’s “kids”. My mom always loves playing with the grand-dogs. It’s just dirt and slober. It will wash off!







You ate my roll you dirty rat!

Funny thing at lunch!Cowboy ran up to Michael’s tray and snatched a roll right off! It was the funniest thing. Michael just couldn’t believe it. Natalie’s dad commented as if he was Cowboy, “next time, I’d like some butter!” Michael ate like an inmate the rest of the time protecting his food. I think he’s still bitter!








What’s it gonna be?

We went to visit my Memaw for a little bit. She has been dying to do the needle test to predict the baby’s sex. Of course we had to give her a hard time about it. I kept blowing the needle everywhere. You’re never too old to get slapped on the hand by your grandmother. Even if it’s just a tap!







The needle says…

Girl! Michael of course gave his two cents. “I didn’t need a needle to tell me that. I told you, Jesus told me we’re having a girl.” What a goober.

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

Sorry it's late. Was at Mom and Dad's most of yesterday!

FEEL THE BURN BABY!!! FEEL THE BURN!!!

15 week doctor appointment

I had another doctor appointment today. It was very quick. He checked the heartbeat of course and everything sounds great. The heartbeat varied from 146-154 bpm. He said that was a very good beat but it can't determine the sex, no matter what anyone else tries to say. LOL Sorry to disappoint.
We also took blood to check for things like Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis and etc. I will admit that going into the appointment I was a little apprehensive because of the screening. Michael and I had already decided that no matter the results we of course would continue with the pregnancy. We just pray that everything comes out okay and that He continues to watch over us during this journey. My next appointment will be April 28th to determine the baby's name! We are so excited to find out if we are having a boy or girl. Let's pray they aren't too shy and are ready to introduce themselves!

The Lyon pride expecting an addition!

Barrett & Jennifer Lyon

July 28, 2007

Now that all the important people have been told, I'm happy to announce that my sister and her husband are expecting their first! God has blessed them with a big surprise. The word surprise can't even begin to describe hers and every one's reaction! I don't have any details yet except that her first appointment is April 9th. I do ask that everyone say a special prayer for her. Every pregnancy needs prayers, but especially this one! She's my baby sister (25 yrs old) and very special to me. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be pregnant with. Although, I have been told that sometimes pregnancies happen in threes. Is it still too soon, Natalie? **WINK**

I've included some pictures. Some sillier than others.

LOVE YOU JENN!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

This just makes me hungry for a Turkey Leg.

And apparantly because of this hearty diet of large poultry, the baby above has learned to defy gravity!

Your pregnancy: 14 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How Great Thou Art

I know some of you remember that old time hymn "How Great Thou Art". This is one of my favorites. It was also one of my papas favorite song. Every time I hear it I get a little emotional and think of him. I have such fond memories of sitting in his church at a young age hearing him preach and sing this song. He had such a powerful voice it could give you chills and it definitely kept your attention! This Sunday morning, while driving to church, this very song came on the radio. As I'm tearing up my thoughts immediately go to him. "Is he proud of me? Does he know I think of him and miss him? Is he just as excited about the baby? I wish he was here to meet him/her." I've heard this song so many times, but yesterday I really listened and focused on the words being sung.

verse one:
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power through out the universe displayed.

While trying not to ruin my mascara, I realized just how blessed I am. The same God who created the heavens and the earth. The One God who created the infinite universe. Our God who tells the flowers when to bloom and the sun to shine. Our loving and forgiving God who sent His one and only son to die for our sins! My God, who created all things, took time out of His "busy schedule" to create in me a small, precious gift of life! My God is an awesome God! I suddenly felt so small in His presence. Believe me folks, He was there in my car! He hears my prayers, pleas and cries. He sees my joy and my pain. He carries me through the roughest parts I can not handle on my own. How blind have I been to my blessings? It was all becoming so clear just how much I have taken for granted. God gives me so much and I sometimes forget to thank Him.

Thank you God for allowing me to wake up this morning and a bed to sleep in tonight. Thank you Lord for giving me such an amazing family. Those who have gone ahead to be with You and those who are here. My family guides me in Your wisdom to continue on the path to You. Thank you dear Lord for my beautiful husband who loves me unconditionally. Our faith and marriage grows as we see the miracles you perform in our lives daily. Thank you for his strength and patience. Dear Lord, thank you for each of my wonderful friends. You have placed them in my life for reasons they may not even know. Thank you for my job and the ability to provide for my family. Thank you for everything!

"Then sings my soul, my saviour God to thee.

How great thou art, how great thou art!"

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

What works for puppy should work for baby , right?

Your pregnancy: 13 weeks

How your baby's growing: Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

This is how I'm feeling today. I can't explain it. Just listen!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week!

Britney did it and look where that got her!

Your pregnancy: 12 weeks

How your baby's growing: The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.

Saturday I went to Dallas to hear Dave Ramsey speak at Reunion Arena. Some of you probably don't know who this is. Until after Saturday I didn't either. One of my moms told me I should go see this guy and that I would really learn a lot. My brother and sister-in-law also raved about how great this guy was. All they told me was that he helps people with their finances and uses the bible to explain a lot of his theories. I thought, why not? What have I got to lose? I'm already broke. The doors opened at 11:30 and the "show" started at 1:00. (My brother told me I should arrive two hours early. I was still oblivious to why you'd have to be so early but I did as suggested. Boy am I glad I listened!) We, my sister and her husband came also, arrived around 10:30. There was already a line forming! Who is this guy?!?! While standing, in the cold, Dave Ramsey came out at some point to talk to the people waiting. Everyone was so excited. I'm still clueless. What is so special about this guy? Well, we finally get in and get amazing seats. By noon I'm still thinking we got here way too early. You can hear the buzz of excitement in the arena. I thumb through the workbook they gave us at the door and think to myself, "There's homework?". I'm slowly realizing while waiting that this guy is a pretty big deal! They have a big stage with three screens behind it showing clips of a radio show he does and a t.v. show on Fox Business News. I pull out a book to read while we're waiting. At 1:00 the show begins and they are showing clips of Ramsey on lots of different news and talk shows. (ie. Larry King, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Oprah, etc.) Freakin' Oprah?!?! Who is this guy? And why am I just learning about him? As I look around me I then notice that the entire ground floor and the first upper floor of seats (where we were) were completely filled. The second floor of seats was also nearly full! Again, I'm so glad I listened to my brother!

Well, Dave Ramsey comes out on stage and the crowd goes nuts! You would have thought you were at a rock concert. He's obviously been doing this a while because he worked that crowd like a pro. And a wonderful sense of humor to boot! Well, he begins to go through his "Baby Steps" to becoming debt free and I'm in awe of how simple it all sounds. I can already hear some of you... "another get rich quick scheme", "he became a millionaire selling tickets to stupid people", "you will always have debt"... I said all those things too before going in there. After sitting there listening to his story of becoming a millionaire, going bankrupt, and then digging himself back out I was thinking to myself, "Come on man, how do I help myself? What are you going to show me today that I haven't already heard?" He showed me! He did it in a manner that didn't feel impossible. That feels very realistic. That uplifted me to have more faith in my God who won't abandon me because I've screwed up. I just need to call on Him to guide me through this change. I can't go into detail of all his steps. We were there five hours! How do you condense that into a blog? I can say that one of the easiest ones was to cut up all your credit cards. Thank goodness Michael and I were ahead of the game on that. He shows you how you can become completely debt free and not have to live off of any credit ever again. Sound unbelievable? Not when you look over his steps. They are so simple! One of many things I can say is I love the reality of his plan. He doesn't try to convince you your debt will disappear over night. He reminds you that it is going to take time, discipline and lots of prayer. You just have to remind yourself all things are possible with God. I highly suggest you look up Dave Ramsey. Get some books or catch his radio show where ever you are. He was absolutely amazing! He will open your eyes to new possibilities. I'm no longer afraid of our debt. I'm ready to tackle it head on!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

Hey, it worked for our niece and she loved it!! The dogs got a bit jealous though.

New sport! Watermelon balancing...

Today was another doctor's appointment. Have I mentioned I love my doctor? He is a Christian man and so is his staff. And boy does it show. I have been so at ease every time I go in. They are the best office I have ever been to. I thank God that He has blessed me with such a nice and easy going doctor. I don't know if I'd be so calm about stuff if he wasn't. But, enough about him. I'm starting to sound like a stalker!

The doctor said that I'm progressing nicely. We didn't do another sonogram but I did get to hear the heartbeat again. It has increased to around 155-160 bpm. The baby also seems to be very active right now. When the doctor first put the doppler on my tummy he found the heartbeat pretty quick but then it went away. He ended up moving the doppler all over trying to find her again. Finally after a minute or so he found the beat again in a totally different place! Already I can tell I'm gonna have my hands full. Other than that, it was an uneventful appointment. He answered several questions for me, which is always great. I asked him about sleeping on my tummy. He said it's fine now while I'm not big. "Eventually you just won't be able to sleep on your stomach." Of course that makes complete sense. Can you sleep while balancing on a watermelon? There are so many "old wives tales" that you just have to make sure. Tell me if you've heard this one: Don't raise your hands above your head. Really? What goodies have you heard?

Week 11: Just plum cute!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 11: (fetus in third month) Maybe you’ve noticed… your baby is a super-duper grower! Your lil' fetus will be gaining a substantial amount of weight this week and has already achieved fruit-size-status comparable to a plum. What's more, your little scientist is already starting to explore their body, focusing most intently on touching their head, and especially their face and mouth. Their mouth in particular will provide them with hours of entertainment. This happens not only because your baby is gaining coordination, and is therefore able to move a hand on command, but also because their palms have gained sensation and can actually “feel” what it touches.They're also developing their swallow reflex this week. And lastly, your baby's smelling and other olfactory senses will begin developing this week, which when combined with the maturing taste buds, will provide your baby with their first experiences of taste and smell.


How's mom doing? Someone commented that they didn't like the textbook information I provide each week, but we do. We love learning what's going on inside me! God has blessed us with such a wonderful gift that I'm in awe of all the changes that take place week to week. As far as how I'm feeling, I'm doing good. I think I'm finally past the morning sickness and exhaustion. Every now and then I feel a little cramping, but I know that just means my body is making room for Baby Dot. I'm excited about getting to shop for maternity clothes this weekend. Too early you say? Explain that to the seams and stitches on my jeans! It's mostly pants I'm noticing the difference. To know that I'm to that point is so exciting to me. Write that down, because now will be the only time I'm excited about gaining weight. I try to be good about what I eat and drink. I haven't had any liquid caffiene since I found out I was pregnant. But, I do consume a piece of chocolate when I want one. I have learned to limit myself to one or two pieces though. For those of you who know me best, you know that's been a feat!

Well, I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow and look forward to updating everyone! Keep in touch guys! We love to read your comments. They really brighten our day.

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

While picking your own nose may be fun,
I'm pretty sure your baby doesn't want your finger in theirs.