38 weeks and still counting

Today marks 38 weeks of pregnancy. R and I have totally been marvelling at the fact that our sweet little boy is coming SOON!! I just remarked that next Saturday at this time we could be sitting at home WITH our son! Wow! It's real but it's so not real all the same!

This morning R and I had a photo shoot with one of R's co-workers. She kindly offered to take our pics together with the baby belly! I can't wait to see how they turned out! I'm glad we got the chance to do that together!! I'll be sure to post pics when we get them...should be next week sometime.

Hopefully today is the last day R will have to work on the office. The only thing left to paint is the white trim! Yippy!! I can't wait to see it completely done! R has worked so hard this week!!

Dumb luck...our crib got recalled! What are the odds that would happen two weeks before our due date?!?! We're thankful to have a pack and play so at least our little guy will have a place to sleep until we can get his bed replaced and set up again. I'm kinda bummed 'cause the crib and the changing table are in the same set so they match...and I don't know if we'll find something else to match. Oh well, "George" sure won't care! It's just mommy that likes everything to be just so.

This post is turning out to be incredibly random!! I don't know if I was nesting or not, but yesterday I super cleaned the living room, including mopping the wood floors! I just couldn't bear the thought of coming home from the hospital to look at the same dust that has already been driving me nuts!! Wood floors are beautiful, but they aren't as forgiving as carpet!

A Little is Better Than None

We had our OB appointment today. I really look forward to those now 'cause I really want to know if there's any progress being made, especially now that I've been feeling SO uncomfortable! Our doctor confirmed that he has "definitely dropped"! Glad to have that confirmation! That would explain why I have so much pressure in my pelvis!! She said my cervix is really soft and that I'm dilated to almost 1cm. I have to admit I was hoping for a little bit more dilation than that, but a little progress is better than no progress!!! At least all those Braxton Hicks contractions are doing SOMETHING! I woke up in the wee hours last night and had cramps for like 45 minutes or more. I sort of wondered if something was getting started, but then they got less intense and I was able to go back to sleep and woke up this morning without cramping. Oh well. I'm still hoping to go early, but our doctor expects to see me again next week for our next appointment. We shall see!

A Little is Better Than None

We had our OB appointment today. I really look forward to those now 'cause I really want to know if there's any progress being made, especially now that I've been feeling SO uncomfortable! Our doctor confirmed that he has "definitely dropped"! Glad to have that confirmation! That would explain why I have so much pressure in my pelvis!! She said my cervix is really soft and that I'm dilated to almost 1cm. I have to admit I was hoping for a little bit more dilation than that, but a little progress is better than no progress!!! At least all those Braxton Hicks contractions are doing SOMETHING! I woke up in the wee hours last night and had cramps for like 45 minutes or more. I sort of wondered if something was getting started, but then they got less intense and I was able to go back to sleep and woke up this morning without cramping. Oh well. I'm still hoping to go early, but our doctor expects to see me again next week for our next appointment. We shall see!

God is so Faithful

I was just telling R last night that I feel a little lonely and it seems like everyone is so busy right now with their own lives that there just isn't time to hang out. Today we went to the chiropractor, which felt really great, by the way. This sweet woman in the waiting room asked me about my due date and then just enthusiastically expressed how exciting it is to have children and didn't say anything negative about my size or not getting any sleep after he's born or anything like that! She was still in the waiting room when we finished and R, being the fabulous extrovert that he is, suggested that she and I should get together for coffee tonight!

We did! We just spent a couple hours talking over starbucks. Come to find out, she and her husband have only lived here since November and are still making friends! She's a Christian and reminds me so much of a good friend from college; very bubbly and enthusiastic and a red-head. Once again God showed His faithfulness to me and how He will provide for all my needs!!! Thank you, Jesus!

Some thoughts on marriage.......

I'm not exactly sure why I started thinking about this, but as I was making R breakfast this morning, my mind went off on its own little tangent. It's not every morning that I make breakfast for my sweet love, but he was up painting in the office until 6am this morning so I wanted to bless him and help him in getting out the door to go to work (thankfully he did take the morning off to get some sleep). As I was preparing his coffee I was thinking about the fact that I knew he would appreciate my efforts and how much his appreciation inspires me to do things for him that he will appreciate.

That got me thinking about the patterns we choose in relationships and particularly in marriage. I feel so blessed to be married to R and thankful for the way he treats me and talks to me and how he shows his love for me. I don't know how many times people have given the "just you wait until" speal about how once we've been married 2 years.....6 years......had children......etc we won't be so nice to each other anymore. But as far as I'm concerned, the reason our marriage looks the way it does is because of the choices we've made from the beginning in how we treat each other and speak to each other...in our pattern of conduct toward each other.

I made the choice from the start not "to go there". Not to say those negative, critical things that once said is easier to say the next time and the next time. I'm definitely not perfect and I'm not trying to imply that our marriage is perfect and that we always treat each other the way we should. I guess I'm just trying to say that marriage is what we make it and we do have a choice how we will personally treat our spouse. And just like I love to do things that R appreciates because he appreciates them, I think the same is true for what we say and how we treat each other in other ways as well. We establish a pattern of conduct that determines what our marriage looks like. And how I treat R has an effect on how he will treat me in return and vice versa. So those are my thoughts on this fine Monday afternoon. I think the bottom line is "do unto others as you want them to do unto you".

Full Term

At 37 weeks, our little boy is full term today! He can safely come anytime and I would happily welcome him ANYTIME! Smile. I've been feeling pretty good, but last night I started feeling really uncomfortable and just a lot of pressure. I slept last night, but each time I woke up to turn over or go to the bathroom it was like my whole body was screaming its angst at me! I'm still feeling quite a bit of pressure today and can't sit still for very long. I'm really hoping this means he's coming soon...and if he's not that this isn't how I'm going to feel for the remainder of my time pregnant!!!

And please bear with me as I take this opportunity to vent about what has to be the worst part about being pregnant. CAN'T PEOPLE JUST LEARN TO KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT IF THEY CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE AND POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Argh! "Oh my gosh, you're really big". " You look like you're about ready to pop". "Your baby is gonna be really big". "You're huge". And it goes on and on and on!! And what's so frustrating is that most of these comments come from complete strangers! What on earth gives them the right to comment about my anatomy?!?!? I feel the need to educate these tactless people about what's appropriate to say, but I realize that if I respond the way I'd like to, they probably would just think I'm a B with and itch and not have a clue why I'm upset. But seriously, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I appreciate being told I'm HUGE. What woman likes to hear that under any circumstances? As for telling me my baby is gonna be so big, even if that were true (which it's not) hearing it over and over again would likely only produce anxiety about the fact that what goes in must come out!! Hello?!?!? Gosh!!! The old addage is true, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"!!!!!!! There. Thank you! I just needed to get that off my chest!! Smile.

R and a few fabulous friends are painting the office today! We decided that since we hadn't decorated or set things up yet that it would make more sense to paint it now rather than having to move everything out of there in order to paint. Since I can't paint because of the fumes, I rounded up a crew so R wouldn't have to go it alone. It's going really fast!! I can't wait to see the finished product and post pics for ya'll to see! And I'm super excited for R to have a man space that he can enjoy and that's fixed up the way he wants it! He's so creative that it's gonna be super cool!!!

Lazyboy!

My sweet parents got us a lazyboy chair for the nursery and R and a friend picked it up and brought it to its new home tonight! It's SO comfy and I can't wait to nurse our sweet, little boy in its cushiony folds!

We had our doctor appointment today and this time there's no new progress to report. I'm not dilated yet, but there are still 3 more weeks until the actual due date so that's okay. R and I are convinced that he has dropped some more. I'm definitely feeling the pressure and I have to go to the bathroom all the time now!

Even though I know his arrival is just around the corner, I still can't imagine what it will feel like to hold our son in my arms for the first time and to look into his little face!! And what will he look like?!?!? I can't wait to find out!!!

9 months pregnant

Contrary to what we were always told growing up, pregnancy is actually 10 months, not 9. So here I am at 9 months pregnant...with four more weeks until my due date! But it still feels really good to reach that big milestone! And, he is considered full-term at 37 weeks so maybe he'll come early!!! Maybe...but I'm not gonna hold my breath! Smile.

Thursday we went to the doctor and everything is looking good and right on schedule. Little man is measuring right at 36 cm which is exactly where he's supposed to be at 36 weeks. And like a good little boy he's still in head down position! Good job, son!! I've gone from being 50% effaced to 80%! Yippy!!! My doctor said the more the cervix thins out the faster I will dilate when I start dilating!! Sounds good to me! I'm totally okay with a fast labor!! On Friday I had back cramps for about an hour or so and it seems to R. and I that our baby has dropped, but we can't say for certain on that! Maybe next week's appointment will shed some light on this!!

I've become completely obsessed with labor and delivery. Last week I was reading all about breastfeeding, this week all about delivery. Everything I read is basically the same thing said a different way, but there are little tidbits from different writers that offer pain management and comfort techniques that may come in handy when the time comes! R. has been reading about comfort techniques as well since he's gonna be my labor coach. I'm so glad that he wants to help me as much as he can and be a part of the whole process!!

This week I started freezing some meals so R. can just thaw it out and dinner will be ready after "George" comes! I don't know if I've started nesting, but I've certainly taken a new interest in baking! A couple days ago I made Orange/Coconut bread (freezing one loaf!) and now I'm ready to make Chocolate Chip/Banana Bread and thinking about Pumpkin Muffins. What's come over me!!! Smile.

At the Risk of Sounding Preachy.....

Because this is a public forum, I won't divulge the incident that took place to spark my words, but let's just say it's possible this could be somewhat of a rant. I need to get some thoughts out about what I'd like to say to the individuals involved.

First of all, why is it that so often Christians get so hung up on a belief or principle that they try to bulldog others into adopting their way of thinking at the expense of love and respect and compassion? Why is it that so often as Christians we pick and choose those issues we must proclaim, all the while neglecting the other instructions of Scripture to conduct ourselves in humility and kindness and gentleness?

I hate to bring it up, but this is especially true in the political arena. We will absolutely harangue someone for his stance on a political issue, arguing to the death, only to be left with the dead and wounded that we've just attacked in the name of God and right and truth. Does this really accomplish anything other than alienation and division? Is it really so very important to convince someone else to adopt your view?

I've been reading some Scriptures this morning as I try to sort out my feelings and thoughts on this. In Philippians, after laying out some principles for how we are to live and function, Paul says in 3:15,16 > " All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Paul didn't feel the need to hammer his point home. He realized that God is more than able to change someone's view if it needs changing.

James 3:17, 18 says > "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace-makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." True wisdom doesn't blow people over in an attempt to convince others of the truth of her words. This verse outlines some of true wisdom's character traits. Peace-loving.....considerate.......full of mercy. And of those who speak with this kind of wisdom it says they are raising a harvest of righteousness. They are bearing fruit.

I used to be one of those people who was more concerned with being right or convincing someone else of my point of view, than any real care or love for that individual. I functioned like that for many years until a friend of mine showed me what it looks like to listen to another's point of view and consider ones own fallibility. I learned a lot from this friend and we were able to be friends even though we disagreed about almost everything. Still we had a mutual care and respect for each other. Does that mean that I threw away my own belief system? No. In fact, because I was open to being wrong and open to hear what someone else had to say, I found that my own beliefs were strengthened.

Anyone can argue their point and convince someone to come over to their way of thinking. One only needs to turn on the TV to hear one side arguing against the other and throwing their insults and drawing the lines of division deeper and deeper.

I believe as Christians we're to recognize that there's so much more to it than that. We're called to rise above the pettiness and belittling prevalent in controversies and quarrels. First of all, because God is up to the challenge of someone's differing view and opinion. But more importantly, we're called to demonstrate God's love in our words and our actions...in truth. This in no way means we compromise that truth, but we recognize that God seeks to change people's hearts. When someone's heart is changed, their mind will follow. But you can change someone's mind and unless that change goes deeper, they will likely change their mind again when another argument presents itself that makes more sense to them or is argued more convincingly.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Phil. 2:14-16a

All Our Ducks in a Row

Yesterday we had our OB appointment and from now on we'll be going every week. Our little boy is head down just as I suspected and while I'm not dilated yet, I'm 50% effaced. This made me happy! It's good to know that something is happening in the way of getting ready for labor and DELIVERY!!! I'm so excited to hold our little "George" in my arms! And I'm looking forward to the ease of movement I totally took for granted before becoming pregnant! Smile.

Yesterday we also met with our family doctor to talk to him about being our baby's doctor as well. He's such a great doctor and we're super excited that he will be our baby's doc as well. I've never had such a great doctor experience as I have with this doctor! He's so great about explaining everything and answering questions and I never feel intimidated or condemned by him. And he had really good things to say about our OB doctor as well! That was cool! So now we have all our ducks in a row!

R and I finished setting up the Pack N' Play and put it in the living room. I almost cried just thinking about the fact that soon we'll be placing our sweet baby boy in it! I really can't think about anything else these days except his coming! I guess that's the way it's supposed to be!! Tomorrow I reach 35 weeks!! Not too much longer now!!!!

My Champion!

Yesterday I went shopping to get the last few things I needed for my overnight bag for the hospital. I picked up a couple things from different parts of the store and then headed to the changing rooms. The woman at the dressing rrom desk asked me to move my cart out of the way...no problem. I moved it off to the side where she could still see it, thinking she would make sure no one ran off with it. I tried on my items and came out only to discover that my cart was missing. I almost burst into tears right at that moment. Here I am with a handful of clothes that I'm buying and the thought of limping back around the store to find the items that were in my cart is enough to make me want to just sit down and weep! The woman apologized, but there was no offer or attempt to find me an empty cart or assist me in finding my items again. I'm thinking "Hello!!! I'm 8 and 1/2 months pregnant with a foot I can't actually walk on and I could use some help!!!" Thankfully I did find my cart as I was on my way across the store trying not to cry, but I certainly realized how vulnerable I am right now.

I told R about this incident while we were discussing our days over dinner. He immediately got on the phone to speak to the manager at the store. He was really nice about it and simply expressed to the guy that we shop there a lot and that we usually have a positive experience and just think they could have done better. The manager agreed and apologized and said he would address the situation.

I felt so protected and taken care of. When I thanked R for calling them he responded by saying "Nobody messes with my Baby!" Sniff, sniff. That's me! I feel super blessed to have a husband who stands up for me and takes such great care of me! I love you, sweetheart!!!

A Little of This and That

I don't have anything in particular to post, but I feel like posting so I'm just gonna share what comes to mind. At the moment I'm sitting on the couch with the doggies hoping to get sleepy enough to actually go back to sleep after waking up far too early with R. He had to go in to work early this morning.

Little Man is entertaining me with hip-hop belly dancing...he's hip-hopping and my belly's dancing!!! His movements are getting so big now that we can watch his body parts moving across my belly. R thinks it's a little creepy! I have to say it is rather alien-like! Watching him move inside of me is the only thing I think I'll miss about being pregnant!! But then once I'm not pregnant anymore I'll get to watch him move OUT side of me! Looking forward to that!!!!

R's family came over to visit on Saturday to see us and the nursery. We had a great time! Mom made gumbo and my favorite cake with cream frosting and roasted pecans! Yum, yum! We played the LONGEST game of Uno in history, I think. It just goes to show that you shouldn't worry about who will come in second. When someone wins, just call it good and move on to the next game!! It was crazy and lots of fun!

I'm walking gimpy these days. Last week my foot started bothering me...probably from wearing flip-flops in my heavy pregnant state. It's getting better but I still can't walk normally. It's quite frustrating and is making it hard for me to get some things done that require walking. Grrrr....I hope it's soon on the mend!! Makes me so thankful that this is not my normal condition. It would be really difficult to be handicapped and live with pain all the time! Sometimes I'm sure I don't know how good I've got it!

Well...I think that's enough of random thinking. Time to head back to bed and finish sleeping!

Shopping Spree

Last night R. and I went on a little shopping spree and got the remainder of the items we needed...or at least think we needed to be all set for our little man! Now I just have to set them up and go battery shopping! It's crazy how many different baby things are run by battery power!!! We could almost buy stock in Duracell, I'm thinking!!!

Tomorrow I'll be 34 weeks pregnant! Unbelievable! I'm ready, though, and have to keep reminding myself that our sweet boy might be late and not to get too set on when he'll arrive. I have certainly hit the exhausted, hard to get comfortable, numerous aches and pains stage of pregnancy! And heart-burn!! Good grief! It used to just happen at night, but now it can hit anytime and come back again to visit throughout the day!! I can't complain too much, however. Overall this has been a really good pregnancy and R. has been so supportive of me all along!

Speaking of R., I just have to say that I think I'm the most blessed woman in all the world! When God puts two people together...He does a wonderful job!!! I'm so very thankful for my sweet husband!!!

Unveiling the Master Bedroom

When we bought our house we decided we wouldn't worry about painting anything except the Master Bedroom. R. put in a lot of work on it and it's finally all decorated so I have to show it off!! R. did a fabulous job and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!



This is what the room looked like before.....

And now here are the after pics!

To All You Gmail Users

Okay, my friend Hannah shared this little tidbit with me and it makes blog reading SO much easier to keep up with!!! For those of you who have gmail accounts, you can click on the feature at the top left of your email account titled 'reader'. There you can add blog addresses as subscriptions and this feature checks for updates so you don't have to!!! That way you never miss a new post and you don't have to keep checking when there isn't one!!! Thanks Hannah!!!

Showered With Love

Our friends blessed us with a sweet baby shower yesterday! We had it at our house so everyone could see the nursery and our new house. We had so much fun and felt so loved! It was awesome to have all our friends together and to see some friends we hadn't seen in awhile. And "George" made out great with the goods!! And he'll be stylin' in his new clothes and cute shoes (I'm a sucker for baby shoes and socks!!!)!

We played a relay game that brought lots of laughs! I had to drink apple juice from a bottle...not an easy task!!! And R. got to eat mystery baby food. You can see by his face that it wasn't that great!!! We think it was sweet potatoes but no one could say for sure!!!

Thank you, dear friends, for blessing us so much!!!! We love and appreciate you!

Gonna Miss You, Girl!

This weekend my good friend, Hannah, moved away to start a new adventure. While we knew from the first time we met that this event was inevitable, it doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye. I have to share how we met 'cause it's too cute! A mutual friend of ours that I knew in WA and Hannah knew in CA introduced us by email when she learned Hannah and her husband were moving here for school. Hannah and I met up for coffee one night, discovered neither of us had eaten dinner but only a banana, and ended up chatting over Chilis. We totally hit it off and I have been so blessed by her friendship the last year and a half. True friends you can share anything and everything with are hard to come by and so I'm so glad to know Hannah. You rock, girl, and I'm gonna miss you terribly, but I pray many blessings in the new chapter of your life! Now we'll just have to plan a little visit!!! I love you, friend!

A Much More Manageable Speed

I feel so much better this week after finalizing everything with my job and knowing that none of my co-workers hate me for leaving! And I'm stress free again! Praise the Lord! Stress is such a horrible, debiliating infirmity!

This week has been all about taking it easy and slowing down the pace. I've had to realize that I just can't keep up my usual speed while this much pregnant! So, I've been working on my quilt while watching movies and doing little things around the house with frequent breaks.

Tuesday night we went to a friend's birthday party that was all about relaxing and star-gazing! I don't know if I've ever really taken the time to just watch the stars! It was beautiful! And it felt so great to just sit there and enjoy the beauty of God's design!

Little man is growing stronger all the time. He's still dancing in there! Smile. I'm almost certain that he has shifted and is now completely head down with his feet up! His kicks feel different and he's kicking higher than ever before. The other night I'm pretty sure I felt the outline of his foot! It's so cool and surreal. I still find myself awed that there's really a BABY in there! It's so amazing!!

8 months pregnant!

Once again I'm amazed at how quickly time flies! 8 months pregnant! The fact that we will soon have a little boy in our house is starting to sink in. I'm so excited to meet him!! When R and I are out about town, we keep commenting on how it won't be much longer before we have our little man with us...at church, at the coffee shop, in the car, at our new home.

This morning the worship leader at church was talking about one of the other worship team members who has a new little one and he referred to the baby as a "human pet". That made me laugh! Well, our little human pet is getting strong and more and more squirmy! A few times today he's surprised me with the strength of his movements. I would say kicks, but I totally can't figure out what body part I'm feeling! Maybe I'll be able to figure that out soon!

One of the hardest decisions ever......

Yesterday I quit my job. No two weeks notice, just, I'm not coming back. That was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but in just a few days the stress was making it so I couldn't sleep and I started experiencing strange pains and discomforts. It didn't look like the stress was going to lessen for quite awhile and I had already reached the breaking point, so R and I decided I couldn't keep going and risk complications with my pregnancy. Thankfully my boss was totally understanding! I don't think I could have handled it if he had gotten angry with me about quitting 'cause I already felt so guilty about leaving them in the lurch. I think it will take a few days to feel like myself again. I'm super tired and just have no energy. But hopefully this will give me the opportunity to finish the quilt I've been quilting for like a year! I would love to finish it before "George" comes along and it gets shelved for longer! Needless to say, it's been quite the week and I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend and sleep, sleep, sleep!