Semi-Pro Football

So, come to find out, my nephew, Chaz Whitbeck, has been recruited to play football for the new Semi-Professional team that has just started in St. George. The team is called "Dixie Heat." They play a bunch of teams from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and other southern states. Some of you might remember Chaz, he went to Beaver High for a while and then finished up in St. George. He's 6'9'', 340 lbs. So, I think he'll make a pretty decent lineman. If you live in the area, you should check out one of their games. I think their first game is on April 3rd. It's a brand spankin' new team, so their working out their website, but you can check it out at www.dixieheat.com and they have a myspace page that you can check out. If you look under "team" Chaz is listed there as one of the players. Eventually they'll probably get his picture in there. I think it's pretty cool.

Kate at 7 months and some...

Well, I may not look as big as I feel...but seriously, I look huge huh! Luckily your not here so i can see your face as you lie to me. I'm grateful for that. My stomach is getting bigger every day, and bigger on the left side for some reason. I'm guessing it's where his butt of knees are. Last night was the coolest experience. For the first time I sat and watched the baby move. It was like a wave on my stomach. I pushed down right where he was, and he pushed back! Totally freaky! We had our fist play time! Soon it will feel like the baby is so big that I only have a layer of Saran Wrap between us. I'm waiting to see his hand print soon! I swear I cant stretch much more...but I'm sure I will.

I'm just hoping this baby doesn't come out to play too soon! Rob is in over his head with the MCAT. 5 hours a day on that studying, then a full load of school, and work. We have a scheduled 45 min for dinner together each day. I feel so bad for him. i want to make it all easier, but I cant. I'm amazed at how dedicated he is, and how much he is doing. But if this baby comes before the MCAT, we will be screwed. So we are hoping for a C-section date anytime after April 5th. That way Rob can give his full devotion to the MCAT and then switch mental gears to me and the baby. Wow- a crazy few months ahead. Finals for him in May (needs to get a 4.0 like the last time) and Med school applications at end of May. Oh, not to mention a new baby will be here for all of that. Take a deep breath. But then, we might be able to just be married with a baby! I cant wait!

Why Blog?? Good Blogging Rules for us all...

Today I ran across my friends blog and I saw her great reasons of things to Blog about and things not to blog about. Here's are some of our Ideas...
Things that are NOT Cool to blog about:

• Why we should all wear stretchy pants, even when not pregnant
• How our Life is like Jack Bower from 24
• How Rob is thinking of trying out for the New American Gladiators just to be called "Thigh Master".
• What new food and smell our Asian neighbors are cooking tonight?
• Who are the ugliest kids in our ward?
  
• What you shave on your body.
  
• How my pretend life would be being bosom buddies with Anne of Green Gables
• Things that can give you bad gas, or as my brother would call "dead whale gas".
• Robs instruction to Kate on how to spit the Proper loogie.
• Why we cant be your friend anymore cause its hurting our reputation.
  
• The length and thickness of the hair on the inside of Robs thighs (thats for you Arianne)
  

Things that are cool to Blog about:

• My Philosophies on why Diet Coke is the nectar of the Gods
• Reports on the baby's growth, and the size of my growing arse
• Why I cant stand Utah sometimes
• Can you believe what this celebrity did today?
  
• Stupid drivers I honk at (or flip off)
  
• Any advice on how to survive student apartment living (including how to decorate cinder block and smelly neighbors)
• A cool new band that Rob thinks no one has heard of.
• A sweet sale or cheap stuff somewhere
• Good new recipe that is sure to impress.
  
• Things I learned about life no one ever told me before.
• Our Cool friends and family
• How we are trying to get in shape
  
• Our BABY THOMAS...

Baby Thomas 7 months- Looking GOOD!

Well, the Dr. appointment that we have been waiting for since we heard the scary news, finally came today. We went into the Dr. and we got the ultrasound's to check the baby's brain and the cysts. The baby is huge- which is a big sign that the baby doesn't have the condition they had thought. If he did, his growth would be minimal or possibly still born at this point. He was huge and moving around a ton. Whenever the tech pressed with the ultrasound by his face, his hands would shoot up to guard it! His heart hads all its chambers, and his face is perfect (concerns they had). In the picture we have posted even shows his HUGE CHUBBY CHEEKS already! I guess he will take after his Mom. Robbie and I could hardly contain our joy when the Dr. said that the cysts have almost completely disappeared from what he could tell. This was a possible prediction in "hoping for the best scenario", and it happened! We feel so blessed and a huge weight lifted. We are mindful we wont know anything for sure until he is born, but the Dr. said he is almost positive that after the ultrasound today, he is free and clear of any danger! Thank you for your prayers! We needed them so badly.

With the baby being so big on my 4' 11'' body, I am paying a heavy toll. My pelvis feels like someone took a brick to it. At night i can barley make it to the bathroom without tears coming. i seriously considered at a low point last night on investing in Depends. I knew when this stared it would be hard...what was I thinking I might get off without bed rest? So I'm pretty much bored and constrained to the house. Robbie is wonderful, and he even soaked my feet and massaged them last night cause my veracose veins looked like I injected botox into all my veins. For early Valentines, we put the nursery together...it looks great with the crib in it. Although hard to make a cinder block room look baby friendly, I think we are doing pretty good. Once I have it all together, I will post some pictures.

So we are blessed and trying to push through the next month or so. i feel this baby is coming out any day, but I have to keep him in. I find my self walking and "holding myself" in for fear he will come out....thats how big he is. I got my 4th comment at the airport asking, "are you having twins any day"? Why the hell do people even ask that if they aren't 100% sure. Talk about a self esteem downer..."No I'm just a freaking cow". I will hope he makes it till April 6, cause the MCAT for Rob is on the 5th.

Thank you all again for your prayers! baby Thomas is looking healthy with chubby cheeks.

Best Show of Our Lives

Kate and I had the opportunity of a lifetime. We flew out to San Francisco to see one of our favorite guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel, play. The venue was out of this world. It was built in the early 1900s by a famous European architect and was out of this world. Tommy is an Aussie and only played a couple of shows in the states. Hallelujah one of his shows was as close as it was. Kate's dad gave us plane tickets out there and tickets to the show for Christmas. The whole family went. Kate's dad is an amazing guitarist himself and has seen many shows and he told me, "Mark my words, you won't see a show that good for the rest of your days." I believe him. I never thought a lone man with a guitar could turn an audience to puddy and have total control of their emotions. If this is the first time you've ever heard of Tommy Emmanuel, you should be ashamed of yourself. Look him up on Youtube, Myspace, or Pandora. If you appreciate flawless rhythm and energy, mind blowing speed and precision, and an overwhelmingly good personal integrity, check him out. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it! TOMMY EMMANUEL (over the rainbow)