What to Expect

BECAUSE WE'RE EXPECTING!!!!!

Baby Quong is due to arrive January 6, 2010 and we are thrilled to receive him/her! A friend in my ward commented, "You love babies so much, you deserve one!" and that about sums it up. I love babies and I love this little baby that's coming to our family. January seems very far away, but everyone keeps telling me it will fly by and it kind of has already. I'm 14 weeks right now and our baby is about the size of a lemon--3 1/2 inches long. When we found out, our baby was the size of a poppyseed so that's a lot of progress!

We got to see Baby Quong. It was so incredible and made this little one seem so much more real. I'm posting pictures for your viewing pleasure. We saw its heart beating and it even moved its tiny little arm. I cried; Tyler did not. But we both loved it. If you're familiar with ultrasounds you can probably make it out; if not, I'll help (it's funny how moms can see it but everyone else I have to point it out). Top pic you're looking at baby straight on. The circle on the right is the head and the dark spots are baby's eyes and you can see a little line for a mouth. The circle on the left is the body. Bottom pic is a side view. The right circle is the head and the left circle is the body and the little things poking out are arms and legs! Isn't baby adorable? Okay, it IS a little alien-esque but I'm sure it will grow out of it.

Answers to common pregnancy questions I get asked:

No, I haven't been sick. At all. Don't hate me if you were sick during your entire pregnancy! I am lucky and I got my mom's genes who wasn't sick either. A couple of times I thought I was going to throw up, but I haven't. I know, I'm blessed! And because I'm now in the second trimester, I don't think I will get sick (knock on wood). One lucky duck!

No, I can't feel the baby yet. A few more weeks, so I've read.

I want a girl and Tyler wants a boy (of course). We won't find out until around week 20, but we are going to find out. I'm excited to see Baby Quong again! I said that I would still be happy with a boy, but Tyler said he won't be happy with a girl. I think it's because he secretly knows he'll be wrapped around her itty bitty finger. haha

Am I going back to work? I don't know. There are way too many factors that affect that decision that we just don't know yet. We'll see. But I'm trying my best to save up as much PTO as possible so I can enjoy maternity leave and not worry about it!

We don't know if we're moving either. We've talked about it a lot and looked into it a little. I am dreading the day we have to pack up this place and move it (whether it's across town or across the country), but our apartment is a tiny little one bedroom. It would be nice to have a place for Baby Quong. If you hear of anything, let us know! My requirement is a dishwasher and Tyler's requirement is washer/dryer hookups because we have them but can't use them. And I don't really want to live in a scary basement apartment. We'll see what happens.

Baby names. Another thing we don't know.... Tyler has rejected some of my favorites and his favorite is "Grizzly" for a middle name--I'm sure all the girls can understand the discussions we've had about that one. We have a few ideas for girls but are lacking on boy names. Names that start with "C" or "K" don't sound great with Quong. For example, we really liked Keaton for awhile, but Keaton Quong doesn't sound good so it has been x'ed off. Yesterday we were at Wal-Mart looking for presents for my niece and nephew's birthdays and there was a Cabbage Patch Kid named Macy and, surprisingly, we both kind of like it. The more we talked about it, the more it grew on us. Wouldn't that be hilarious if we named our baby girl after a doll? So if you have suggestions, let us know!

Both Tyler and I are really happy and excited about this new addition to the Quong Dynasty. I can't wait to be a mom! It's what I was made for! ;) We feel really blessed and that the timing was right and that we are being lead the way we should go. And hooray for Baby Quong! We are just so happy to have you!

And independence for all!

I love the 4th of July for two reasons. Well, there are more than two, but primarily two reasons: fireworks and seven-layer bean dip. Those are my favorites. As tradition mandates, my family always goes to the same spot on the edge of BYU campus and has a picnic and rides bikes and plays games and throw Snaps and goes on bathroom trips to the Wilk and watches fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. I love it and look forward to it every year.

This year was a lovely 4th. Tyler and I watched the parade (thanks Morales family for sharing your blanket!) and cheered for the veterans and the missionaries. We clapped politely for the city counsel and other boring parade entries. I really liked the giant balloon Madeline because my mom read those books to me when I was little. There was also a giant balloon eagle. I'd only seen those on TV at the Macy's parade so it was quite exciting.

That afternoon we went to the "spot" and hung out with family. Unfortunately, other people had gotten there early and set up camp before us so our families were separated; we'll have to correct that next year and go at like 7 in the morning to claim our rightful spot. Regardless, it was still fun and we ate seven-layer bean dip heartily.

My niece Lily was terrified by the jets that flew over the stadium and clamped onto Tyler's leg and bawled. It was very sad but very funny. She loves Tyler so much.

My nephew Calvin threw about fifty zillion snaps and thought it was the greatest thing ever. He kept yelling "fire!" when they exploded because they give off light when they break. I guess boys will be boys.

We watched the fireworks, but reportedly they got cut short because there was too much wind and the fire department had to stop them. It was a little disappointing because I had waited all year to see them, but at least we got to see them!

Independence Day is a pretty cool holiday. I like celebrating our country. We are really blessed to live where we live so it's good to have a holiday to celebrate it, especially when you accompany the holiday with fireworks and seven-layer bean dip!