Dr. Allon was in the house!!!

Yesterday afternoon Dr. Allon, my infertility specialist and the man responsible for helping Brian and I finally get pregnant, stopped by the radio station. It's been a while. In fact, when he released me to Dr. Appleton months ago I didn't even have a baby bump. You should have seen the look on his face when he saw the "mountain of love" come through the door. Kind as always, he proclaimed with a big smile "Well, that is going to be one big, healthy baby."

I continue to be amazed by Dr. Allon and his group at the Advanced Fertility Center of Texas. He came by KORA well after 5pm to record a commercial. This was after spending the day in his Houston and College Station offices with his patients. I was exhausted and I never left College Station yesterday. Regardless, he was there to tell his story and I was there to assist with recording it.

What I truly love about Dr. Allon is his personal connection to each couple he works with. He really takes the time to get to know you - and not just your infertility issues. When we were seeking his treatment we talked about everything. He's such a genuine person. More than anything, he wants to make it happen for you. It's like he goes on that roller coaster ride with you.

I have to admit I was totally shocked when he asked about Brian. I don't just mean he asked about my husband, he actually asked "How's Brian doing?" In fact, when we were talking about how big the baby could possibly be he mentioned how tall Brian and I both were. I thought it was totally cool that he remembered that.

Now I know what you're thinking...Brandie, you have to say this stuff about him. NOT TRUE! While it is true Dr. Allon is the infertility specialist who made our baby miracle come true, I have no type of agreement or obligation what so ever to talk about him in any way shape or form. DR. ALLON DID FOR US WHAT OTHERS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO. And I think that's a story worth telling. Of course, Brian and I both know that Dr. Allon didn't do it alone. I praise God every day for guiding us to Dr. Allon and in the end His blessings in His time.

God is so good.

For the record I have no idea why I chose to stand with my hand on my hip like that in the picture. It's not like there is any way to make me look skinny at this time : )

KORA HAS LOST A LEGEND AND FRIEND

What a sad day...yesterday, Roy Gene Munse lost his fight against liver cancer and passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends. We received word at the station around 12:45pm. Chris Austin made the announcement on air at 1pm followed by a moment of silence in Roy's honor. The rest of the afternoon Chris and I shared Roy stories and played some of his original songs including my all time favorites I've Seen You Naked and She Wasn't All Bad...Only 90%. We received lots of heartfelt phone calls as well as dozens of posts on our facebook page. It was difficult to talk on the radio at times - while the songs were playing I was crying and sometimes even when I was talking I was crying but your kind words about Roy helped me get through day.

I know Roy would be upset at the big deal we're all making about him but he touched so many of our lives that it wouldn't be right not to make a big deal. Even if you never met him in person, you knew all about him and became part of his family through his radio show.

Roy was part of the Brazos Valley Community on air for 30 years. Amazing! He spent more than half of his life on the radio doing what he did best - making people smile. I loved working with him. He made radio fun. I'm really going to miss him and his wacky sense of humor.

Rest in Peace Roy.

It was on SALE!!!

I had to share this picture with you. It's of me and my friend Laura (our due dates are three days apart). That's right. We had the exact same dress on yesterday. I know what you're thinking...you can barely tell us apart right?! This is what happens in a town with only one maternity store AND a sale.

Vacation Bible School

This past Sunday through last night Aiden and I spent every evening at Parkway Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School "Hometown Nazareth Where Jesus Was Kid." Aiden was there as a participant and I was there as one of the tribe leaders for the Tribe of Joseph. We had so much fun! Each night our groups went to an outdoor activity, a Bible story and the local market. We also took up a collection each night for an orphanage. As an added incentive - if the boys had more money at the end of the week Celina, the director of our Wee School, got a pie in the face. If the girls collected more money at the end of the week then Pastor Chris had the pleasure of a pie in the face. The boys won : (

This was Aiden's first time to do VBS. Brian and I were so amazed at how much he learned in just a few days. He was quoting Bible verses, sharing stories from the Bible and even learned how to make toys like Jesus would have played with as a child. Of course, when we asked him what his favorite part was he said the SNOW CONES! I can't lie. I liked that part too. What? It's not me! It's the baby!

Brian had to work last night so big hugs to Grandma and Mufasa (my parents) for going to family night at VBS with Aiden.

Mountain of Love...

My feet are definitely not the only things getting bigger. My "mountain of love" just keeps growing and growing and growing. I had my almot 37 week check up yesterday and everything is still on track for my July 8 due date ALTHOUGH I'm still shooting for June 23. Did you see my baby bump AKA my "mountain of love"? I'm not sure I have any more room for Emrie to grow.

My friend, Lori, welcomed her sister's baby yesterday morning in Hondo. It's a girl! And she actually had her ON HER DUE DATE. Who does that? Anyhoo...Kendall (that's the babies name) weighed in at 9lbs 9oz! And the circumference of her shoulders was 18". That's a big baby girl. I'm okay with a 6 or 7 pounder...maybe even 8 but YOWZA!

June 23...June 23...June 23...June 23...June 23...CHANT IT WITH ME...June 23...June 23...

Just when I thought they couldnt get any bigger...

OH MY!!! I honestly didn't think my feet could get any bigger. I was wrong. The top picture is from back in April. The one underneath it is from last night! Yowza! I was on my feet a lot Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...I think it finally caught up with me.

Last night I was sitting on the couch with me feet propped up when Brian came in from doing some yard work. He was horrified at the way my feet looked. So, I of course asked for the camera which totally grossed him out. He was like NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT! Oh I beg to differ...people want to know what's going on and my big, puffy, ginormous feet are part of it : )

You have to say it like Gomer Pyle...

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

My former boss, Laura, from Texas A&M University is also very pregnant. Her due date is 3 days after mine BUT she's actually being induced July 6 which is 2 days before I'm due...that's not going to work. I have to be first! I'm predicting little Emrie will be here June 23. That's a Thursday. I just like that date : )

Dr. Allon, the doctor responsible for our little baby girl, is dropping by the radio station that very afternoon to record a commercial. I told him he needs to be there early because I'm planning to have the baby that day. He just laughed. Apparently, he does not believe in a mother-to-be's power of suggestion. Come on Emrie...JUNE 23rd!

Oh, back to the surprise! Make that surprise squared! Like I was saying my former boss, Laura, is also pregnant so the peeps at Texas A&M sent me an invitation to her baby shower and her one to mine. We both showed up expecting to celebrate the other's bundle of joy...and SURPRISE! It was for both of us! It was so much fun! Emrie got lots of cute clothes and the sleep sheep (which Judy hates) plus other baby necessities. A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE!

So far I had been pretty good about not crying BUT this one really got to me. My group from the Aggieland Prospective Student Center has been with me from the very start - all the way back to when we first started trying to get pregnant years ago. Time after time when the IUI's and the IVF failed they were there for me. Amazing people. And I'm not just talking about the ladies - the guys were there too. They cried with me and comforted me AND they prayed with me and encouraged me. Like I said AMAZING PEOPLE. So, when they SURPISED me by giving Emrie the travel system we had selected I lost it. That's right. I cried like a baby. I could feel the tears coming on when I was reading the card and then I opened the box and just couldnt hold em in any longer. And, it wasn't the present that pushed me over the edge...it was the kindness, joy, and love that overflowed from the room. This group watches over me like a herd of gaurdian angels and they were all there doing their thing AGAIN.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are truly blessed!

We are truly blessed!

35 weeks and counting...hard to believe our little miracle is almost here!

A little over a year ago Brian and I visited Parkway Baptist Church. We were in search of a church home and a friend had recommended Parkway because her son was attending the WEE School there. So we gave it a try and we loved it! There were actually some couples there I knew from Brenham and familiar faces from Texas A&M as well as some people Brian knew from his work and Blinn College - it felt like home right away. Now, more than a year later we've added more wonderful friends at a church that we love and have a miracle of our own on the way.

11 months ago during our Sunday school class I made the announcement that Brian and I were going to try to get pregnant one more time by process of IVF. We had originally decided that we were not going to tell anyone especially since the last time had ended in heartbreak but something just felt right that morning. So I added our names to the prayer list. The prayers, love and support we received was amazing. I think everyone in our class was holding their breath right along with us waiting for the results...and good or bad I'd knew they'd be there for us. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED.

I share this because the ladies in our Sunday school class blessed us again this past Thursday by hosting a baby shower for Emrie. It was so much fun! We played games, ate cake and of course there were lots of presents. I did my best not to cry at the overwhelming generosity but I admit I choked up a little. Thank you Sarah for speaking up with "God is so good" before I totally started bawling. Thank you God for guiding us to Parkway Baptist and our church family.

She has no idea she's a dog!

Early this morning I got up to go the bathroom - just one of my many nightly visits. Honestly, I think I go every two hours! TMI? Anyway, after my 4am potty run I walked back into the bedroom only to find Judy in my spot! Do you think she would scoot over even a little bit? NO! She was like "Hey! You got up and I'm trying to sleep here." So before I kicked her out of the bed all together I snapped the picture above. She and Brian looked so sweet and peaceful sleeping there...the flash woke them both up. What? If mamma ain't sleepin' ain't nobody sleepin'.