The Countdown Begins....

Lil Baby D's final photo op before greeting us in person....Here's a close-up of my cute lil face at 28 weeks.

Hello family and friends,

The heat has arrived to HotLanta (it was high 80's over the weekend)...which signals 2 things: (i) it's officially summer in the south and (ii) we are heading into the homestretch for Lil Baby D's arrival. Jilla started her 3rd and final trimester earlier this week- she is 28 weeks along which means we have exactly 84 days to go- but who's counting? Team Baby D made their final visit to the Perinatal Dr on Friday for the final ultrasound and scan of the lil one. The results were excellent! There is no longer a chance of placenta previa anymore- which was great news! LBD is progressing along on schedule- all organs are developed and working as they should (except lungs of course), the heart is fully developed - both ventricles are pumping blood in the proper directions and the heart rate is within normal range- 156 bpm. No issues with the spine and no possibility of a cleft lip. Baby D also weighed in at a precarious 3lbs! He could be joining his lil cuz in the upper 8-9lb range, as normal weight gain from here on out is around + or - a 1/2 lb a week. Both Mommy and Daddy were born in the mid-sixes, so it's anyone's guess?!

LBD remains extremely active- it's keeping Mommy up at night! Mommy swears he has ADD already, because it's not just a few kicks- it's full on somersaults, back flips, elbows, feet, head, butt all over her tummy! We were reading one of our prego books the other night and they have a Daddy Tip each week- Week 28 was: "...let the Dad feel the tummy as you should be able to start feeling lil flutter kicks by now..." Uh, Daddy was feeling flutter kicks in week 20- he can practically slap a high five now!

Mom and Dad started the childbirth prep classes 2 weeks ago as well....we are learning our breathing techniques, massage positions, etc. Mommy is also practicing how to say- give me the epidural now!...in a nice tone....we'll see how that shakes out.

11 weeks to go- we couldn't be more anxious!!!

All our love,

LBD's P's

Marseille is Here!

Introducing Marseille Emmanuel Varela!

The Easter Bunny brought lil Baby D a new cousin just in time for Easter!! As many of you have already heard, Jenny and Obed welcomed their new baby girl into the world on Wednesday, April 8 at 6:45 pm. Marseille Emmanuelle Varela arrived with a big cry, weighing 8 lbs, 13 oz and measuring 21 inches. She's quite a big and beautiful baby!!

As luck would have it I was in San Diego for business when they induced my sister. So after my meetings I made it to the hospital just in time. I was able to hold little Marseille just 30 minutes after her birth and it was love at first site. I am so fortunate I was there with my family at such a joyous time.

Unfortunately, the baby contracted an infection and jaundice and had to be admitted into the NICU that night. But the doctors at Scripps have done an amazing job caring for her and she is getting stronger every day. Today, Easter Sunday, was the best day so far. Her jaundice is gone and her infection is leaving her little body. She is now eating well and really loves her food!! The doctors say she will make a full recovery and gets to come home on Saturday. Thank God! We are all so impressed with our feisty little fighter - she has such a great spirit already.

Here are a few pictures of the little bundle. She looks just like Jenny and is definitely a Sandoval. Marseille is so loved and we already can't remember what life was like without her! God has really blessed our family with a new baby and another just 3 months away!

Here I am already flexing my big muscles.

Me and mommy. I even look cute when I pout.

With my Auntie Jill and soon-to-be cousin Baby D.

Staring into my proud daddy's eyes.

With my beaming grandparents - Papa Joey and Grandma Kathy. We still need to think of a better name for Grandma...we're considering Mimi.

Busy Little Baby D!

Mommy at 25 weeks! Enjoying the sun and warm water in La Jolla, CA with the family. I'm in desperate need of a tan!

Greetings family and friends! It's been a few weeks since our last posting so this is a little bit long - bare with me. The David House has been a buzz with lots of fun activity. Life is very busy - who knew there was so much to do to bring a tiny baby into the world! But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Me and Baby D are in San Diego this week for a business trip. I had a little down time before my meetings so I have been able to spend time with my family. As you know my sister Jen is ready to pop and as luck would have it, her doctor decided to induce her on Wednesday. I think God intervened in this one and really wanted me to be here for the birth. So after my meetings Wednesday I should have a new niece to visit at the Hospital. I am over the moon to be an auntie!!! We are a very blessed family. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them.

Six out of the seven Sandoval kids - Adam, Kasey, me, Mel, Marina and Jen (just missing our oldest bro Jess). We had so much fun enjoying La Jolla shores. As you can see Jen's baby is ready for arrival!

Christian spent the weekend in Chicago for the White Sox home opener. It's his annual trip with his Chicago boys and he had a blast. In case you care, the Sox won. He had to endure the snow and freezing temperatures to be there while I enjoyed amazingly gorgeous weather in San Diego. Gotta love SoCal!

But enough about us - back to Baby D! Christian filled his fatherly duties last weekend and painted the baby's room all on his own. He's such a perfectionist so it looks amazing! And he did it just in time because a few days later the nursery furniture came in. Christian surprised me and when I came home last Wednesday evening it was there. It's so beautiful. He now has the task of setting it all up - I picture a few late nights in our future!

Here's my hot hubby painting the nursery. He called it his right of passage to paint the baby's room. He's going to make an amazing daddy!

Baby D had a check up last week and all is well! I've had a huge growth spurt in the past few weeks so I really think I am growing Andre the Giant in my belly. My doctor says I am right on track but I really feel like I could deliver tomorrow. The baby kicks and moves constantly which is always reassuring. Christian and I just stare at my belly and watch the baby's little arms, legs and elbows navigate across my belly. It really is an amazing and wonderful experience.

I am almost 26 weeks which means my 3rd trimester is right around the corner. I can't believe I only have 3 1/2 more months. I feel great most of the time...I just get a little tired in the afternoon, as you will see in the photo below. Christian and I are just trying to get ready for the baby's arrival and soak in the last few months of the process. This weekend is Easter so we are going to enjoy some much needed down time. Baby D has an ultra sound in a few weeks so we get to see our little dumpling again. We'll definitely share new photos as soon as we get them.

Thanks for continuing to pray for us! Please add an extra little prayer in there for my my sister and her new family. Love to you all. Happy Easter!

I fell asleep at the break room table after lunch so my co-workers thought it would be funny to take a picture. I was literally out cold! Pregnancy is tough work!