That ain't a weed wacker!

Well, Dustin's 2nd interview went great. They are supposed to call him this week and let him know for sure but we're hoping that all is a go!!

We all know Dustin's obsession with power tools, powerful equipment and anything that can destroy something else. So a few weekends ago, I was helping him mow the lawn by taking care of the trimming.

Dustin brought a gas powered Stihl weed wacker into our marriage and the thing was on it's last leg. Every time I used that tool for trimming I would tell myself that next time it would just be easier to use a pair of kitchen scissors. The thing would constantly break down and I'd have to bother Dustin to fix it and the entire "mowing" process would take twice as long as it should. I actually had a dream about running the thing over with the van and woke up with a smile on my face.

Well, my nemisis finally died and we'd been searching for a replacement. Of course we can't get some middle-priced, new, fully operational weed wacker. He has to call his old small engine buddies to see what they've got.

Well, his old co-worker had a year old gas powered Stihl weed wacker that he'd sell to him for $75. I told him to go ahead and get if he thought it was a good deal. His exact quote to me was, "Beth, it's basically brand new and it's about as top of the line as you can go." Fine, Dustin. Take care of it.

So Johnny stops by on Saturday and drops it off. They chit chat for awhile and he leaves. I come out to see the thing and see a problem immediately. Dustin is WAY too excited!

This thing is basically a commercial grade tool. It's huge, awkward and doesn't even have strings. IT HAS SAWS! He starts laughing at my reaction and says, "Yeah, you might have to be careful using this around the fence. Cuz' it can cut down 2 inch trees." Uh, are you serious?

The guy who sold it to him has 2.5 acres of land and said the reason he was selling it was because it was too much of a power tool for HIM! TWO AND A HALF ACRES PEOPLE!! We have a city lot!

All I did was shake my head and inform him that he just picked up weed wacking duties because there was no way I was using that thing.

The next day we go over to Larry and Toni's and I realized that my husband is training my son to be just like him with his fascination with anything gas powered.




I could hear Josh squealing with joy over the roar of the engine. I looked at Toni and said, "If this is another boy, I'm screwed."

Happy Stinkin' Birthday....

Well, between the lack of sleep, contractions and the general discomforts of being 9 months pregnant, I can say that this probably isn't the best birthday ever. And while every one's prayers worked and Dustin has a 2nd interview with UPS...it is this evening. So it looks like the only man taking me out on my birthday will be my dear son (who is still upset it is not his birthday).

Friday's doctor's appointment went well, I guess. I am measuring 46 weeks pregnant. Wow. Baby's heartbeat was in the 130's, my blood pressure was still a wee-bit high and of course, I gained a few pounds. I now weigh more than I did when I got pregnant. Boo! I was really hoping to not top that weight, but what-cha gonna do? I was sent over to labor and delivery for a quick non-stress test because baby has been very inactive lately.

We headed over to Mercy and they got me all hooked up to the monitor. The nurse asked if there was more than one in there. I said no, and her response was, "Well, this one's gonna be a big one!" Really? Thought never crossed my mind.

Anyway, we figured out why my stomach feels like I've been beaten up most of the time: baby is posterior. Basically, it's spine is against my spine and the legs, feet and arms are all punching and stretching straight out into my weak stomach muscles.

While I was in the hospital bed I started to get a little freaked out - which my weekly updates say is completely normal. The excitement of the impending arrival is quickly becoming over-shadowed by the memories of pain and that feeling every new mother feels - like your body is no longer your own. To me, that's the scariest feeling in the world.

From my experience with Josh I know that the pain and everything else doesn't matter once you get to hold your child. Nonetheless, the whole "ignorance is bliss" from my first delivery is not looking so bad right now.

Dustin informed me this weekend that while he was sorry I was so uncomfortable he enjoys this point in pregnancy. Why? Because I'm not wanting to do much other than sit and that means we're not doing projects every minute of the day. Thanks, sweety. Love you, too.

Josh got a new scooter this weekend. He is very proud of it and demanded that we also get a helmet so he doesn't hurt his head. Of course we went ahead and got him a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads because just my luck he'd crack his head open and we'd be in the emergency room and he'd be yelling, "I told you I needed a helmet, mom. I told you."



Even with all that protection he still managed to hurt one delicate, unprotected area. Poor thing. He fell to the ground and the handle bars came down like a hammer from Whack-a-mole. One ice bag and ten minutes later all was fine.

One year down, many to go.

Well, Josh has officially completed his first year of school. I have to say the boy has made leaps and bounds, both educationally and emotionally. I remember him crying every day I took him there and then, of course, the entire Christmas program. (If you've forgotten, please refer to the December 13, 2006, blog)

Anyway, I thought you'd like to see some pictures to illustrate the physchial change he's made...

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL


LAST DAY OF PRESCHOOL


The best part of the last day of school was the evening's closing program. It was the same format as the Christmas program. They sang a bunch of songs and we had cookies and juice afterwards. Well, as badly as the Christmas program had gone...this was the complete opposite. Josh was AWESOME!

My how the roles have changed. At the Christmas program every time he looked at me he started to cry. This time every time he smiled at me I started to cry.

Larry got some great clips and some adorable pictures. I hope you all enjoy because, so far, this was the proudest moment of my life as a mommy!!!











Could you not eat him up or what?

Need sleepy...

I feel like I drank an entire bottle of Nyquil last night and have a Nyquil hangover this morning. Man...it's going to be a long day.

This morning I got my update on baby...
Your baby probably weighs just over 7 pounds (3250g) by now and measures about 14.4 inches (36cm) from crown to rump and has a total length of about 21.5 inches (48cm).

Your baby's lungs are the last part to develop before birth. Once the lungs are developed, your baby is ready for life outside the womb.

By now your baby has almost run out of space to move in your uterus.

Your baby has shed most of her lanugo, though she may still have some on her shoulders and in the creases of her body.

Her toenails reach the end of her toes.

The umbilical cord, which still is supplying your baby with nutrition as she gains more weight, may be knotted or wrapped around her.

Some of your antibodies have crossed the placental barrier and give your baby's immune system a boost to get her started until hers is fully functioning.

Your baby could be born any day now.

Everyone say a little prayer for Dustin today. He's got an interview tonight at 6:00 and we're really hoping he gets it!!

Two weeks!

Is it just me or is it impossible to believe that two weeks from now I will be holding a child? I just went back to my first post and I remember taking that picture like it was just yesterday!

I know that most of you see me on a regular basis; however, there are a few who have not even seen me pregnant. For those select few....I have a present for you.

I must preface this by saying that you have no idea how many times I tried to do this until I got a picture that I felt was suitable. What I mean by suitable is that I don't look like the size of the sun (as Josh says). So ignore the spots on the mirror, ignore the complete look of shock and disgust on my face as I looked at my image on the camera and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

On a side note, this is the only picture of myself from this pregnancy....and it may be the last.



We took this weekend to do more relaxing than working. I had my doctor's appointment on Friday and found out that I am 2 centimeters dilated (Big whoop.) and that my blood pressure has started going up. Nothing big, but enough to be a little more cautious of my activities. After that Dustin and I took the afternoon off to enjoy Shrek the Third with Josh. We had a nice time and the movie was pretty cute.

I do have to say, though, I believe we all enjoyed the popcorn and candy a little more than the movie.

Saturday we went to the Marion Arts Festival for a bit, after church I got my bar-b-que craving fixed and then had a fire and made smores. My pyro of a husband enjoys building the fire, Josh loves cooking by the fire and Mattie enjoys trying to set herself on fire. That dog is seriously retarded.




Amazingly, Sunday we didn't do much except mow the lawn and get some laundry done. Somehow in the 20 minutes I was outside I attracted every mosquito within a 5 mile radius and got about 50 bug bites.

Is it not enough that I can't kick this stupid cold and have more drainage than a leaky flower pot? Is it not enough I have such bad heartburn that I could possibly be hired to guard a sleeping princess in an abandoned castle and blow fire on whoever tries to rescue her? Now I have to itch in the only 10 places I can't reach on my body right now.

On a happier note, after I made waffles for breakfast on Sunday, I was cleaning the kitchen and Josh went down into the family room to watch cartoons. I finished cleaning up and looked over to see this...



He was changing baby's diaper. I think he's ready for baby, don't you?

Simply Amazing!!!

Last night the most amazing thing happened!

I was laying upright in bed watching television. I looked down at my belly and saw it moving up and down in a rhythmic motion. The baby was practicing breathing!!! I have never seen something as awesome as that in my entire life! I started to cry and yelled at Dustin to wake up and look. I think he was in the same amount of shock as I was. We were both just staring at my belly with our eyes as wide as a child's. I only wish I had had a video camera to tape it because I doubt I will ever "catch" him or her doing that again.

So amazing.

In related news, here is my 37 week update....

On average, at this time, a baby weighs about 6.8 pounds (3100g) and measures about 14 inches (35cm) from crown to rump and 21 inches (47cm) total in length.

Your baby is still growing and gaining weight. Your baby may gain as much as 1 ounce (28g) a day at this point.

If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into the scrotum by this time. Your doctor will check that his testes have descended after delivery. About one percent of boys will have undescended testes.

Your baby has been building up waste in his intestines for the past few weeks. Called meconium, this waste is greenish-black and is made up of material from blood cell break down, shedded cells from the lining of the intestine, skin cells and lanugo shed into the amniotic fluid and swallowed, as well as other sources. Meconium is the first waste your baby passes and the first diapers that you change will probably be comprised of this greenish-black, tar-like substance. There is also a chance that your baby will excrete meconium before delivery and have some covering his body.

I have had a resurgence of excitement in the last few days. I've gotten to that point where I can envision things as they will happen and I just bubble up with joy. I can see me laying in a hospital bed, I can see me walking down the hallway with an iv, I can see Josh coloring in my room and I can see Dustin, Josh and I watching movies in my room.

If this is how bad I am now, in a couple more weeks I am going to be in a state of delusion. I didn't realize how "spaced" I've been lately until I realized that my birthday is coming up and I got that feeling of panic like I'm going to forget it.

I really AM losing it!

Am I covered by child labor laws if the child is still in me?

Boy, I know it was Mother's Day weekend but we did more work than rest this weekend!

Friday night Josh and I took on the project of painting our garage door. Until I loaded this "Before" picture I hadn't noticed Josh's face. The child looks a little confused as to why his mother would be taking a picture of a garage door. Well, Josh...this is why...

BEFORE


AFTER


Dustin helped with that bottom row. I got the first coat on and thought my legs were going to explode so he decided to help with the second coat. It looks much better in day light. At night it has this sort of "Day Glo" white effect. Give it a few weeks and it will get a nice coat of dirt like the rest of the house and blend right in.

Anyway, we finally finished around 7:30/8:00 and then decided to drive out to the timber and fetch another gadget to hook to the "infamous" four-wheeler.

So, Friday night was pretty late. We got home around 10:30 only to have Josh wake up at about 6:30 am on Saturday.

Saturday was full of yard work and swinging. I have to get a picture of Josh and his swing. My poor arm is tired of pushing him everyday for 30 - 60 minutes but when he's swinging and tells me that I'm the "bestest mom ever!" I can't stop.

I told Dustin that I'd like to ask every person that drives by our house what they think when they see this very pregnant woman doing all of this manual labor. He muttered something about his back hurting and scurried off before I could smack him. Smart man.

I certainly hope that every mother reading this had a wonderful Mother's Day. We went out and got donuts for breakfast and did a little shopping. Josh has become fascinated with birds. He tries to catch them and gets frustrated everytime they fly off. So he has been BEGGING for a bird feeder.

Being Mother's Day, I caved. And Josh got his bird feeder...





He was so proud of the feeder and couldn't wait to find the perfect spot to hang it. We finally settled on the front tree and he was so happy.



Immediately after I took that last picture he fell on the rocks around the tree and yelled...."Stupid birds."

Yeah, this will not end well.

Bad Dog!

Seriously, I thought that only human children act out to get attention when a new child is due to arrive. But Mattie has been so naughty lately! It started a couple of weeks ago and it seems to be getting worse.

Now anyone who has actually met Mattie realizes that she is not the most well behaved dog. I get that. She's hyper, she doesn't listen all the time and she thinks that she is actually a 10 pound pug. But she is so wonderful with Josh, she's never showed aggression and after the years she's calmed down (for us at least).

HOWEVER, a few weeks ago she started peeing in the house. Uh, okay? Dumbfounded I assumed that we've just been so busy lately and Dustin and I hadn't been letting her out enough. We all made an attempt to let her out more often and that seemed to work for a few days. Of all the problems we've had with her, peeing in the house has NEVER been one of them!

Then she took two poops in the house. Okay, seriously. Dog - are you retarded? (Dad, don't answer that.) As frustrated as I was, I was more concerned that maybe she was sick or something. I scolded her, Josh whined about how the house smelled and Dustin just shook his head. Once it all set in that Mattie had actually pooped in the house Josh got so mad at her. If he can't poop in the living room, by God, the dog shouldn't be able too. Nice logic, Josh.

This week she started shredding and destroying random items she finds in the house and then throws them up in the family room. Okay, am I in the twilight zone? What is happening here?

And then last night.....

She drank out of the toilet!!!! I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS DOG DO THIS IN 6 YEARS!!! The only reason I busted her was because I realized I left our bedroom door open and I didn't want her to destroy anything in there. I went to go close the door and heard something in the bathroom. To be honest, I didn't even recognize the sound since it's never happened before. I thought Josh might be playing in the sink again.

I came around the corner and she lifted her head out of the toilet bowl to look at me. I swear her eyes looked at me and said, "Now you get it? I have been misbehaving for the last two weeks to get your attention and now look what you made me do."

I just never expected all of this. I don't know whether to beat the living crap out of her or go buy her a new bone. I guess with all of our preparation we've forgotten about our "other child".

Maybe we'll take her on a walk tonight and I'll go buy her a present to get from baby.

If that doesn't work I'm getting a "Time Out" chair for her.

You are my sunshine. My only sunshine.

I got this update about baby yesterday....

Your baby is now considered full term. He weighs approximately 6.5 lbs (2950g) and his total length is about 21 inches (47cm). Your baby's crown to rump measurement is about 14 inches (35cm).

By now, your baby's head may have engaged into your pelvis.

You may feel that your baby occasionally has hiccups from his "practice breathing".

Though your baby is considered full term, he is still growing and developing.

He is still laying down fat at a rate of more than half an ounce every day.

I read that first sentence and just squealed!! I can't believe we made it here...and in relatively one piece!!

Last night I did some last minute shopping for the remaining few items before baby comes. Baby is so thoughtful that he/she went out and bought his/her new big brother a gift and activity pack to play with up at the hospital. :-)

Meanwhile, Dustin was fiddle faddling with the trailer lights for the second night in the row. Thankfully, I am happy to report that as of last night all of the lights were properly blinking and bright enough to pacify Dustin....for now.

Yesterday morning Josh and I were having a discussion on the way to Jaime's house. He wanted to know when his Papa Adam was coming (for probably the millionth time) and I reminded him that Papa Adam was coming when baby gets here. He asked why we just can't go get baby. I told him that baby would come when he/she is ready and that he/she has to stay in mommy's tummy to grow. He got upset and started to cry and said he didn't want baby to be bigger than he is. I told him he didn't have to worry about that (Thank God) and that baby was really just getting stronger so that he/she can live outside of mommy's tummy.

Silence.

And then he says, "But mom, if baby keeps growing, your tummy will be the size of the sun!!!"

A mother's intuition or am I psychic?

So the last sentence of the previous blog says the following:

"Well, the boys are out playing on the four wheeler and I better go supervise."

I go outside to find this.....


and this....


The boys had put the plow blade on the four wheeler and used it to "edge" our yard. This method of landscaping is commonly referred to as the "Tim the Tool Man Taylor" way of doing things.

While I understand that I may occasionally have a momentary lapse of judgement, my husband is adamant that he does not. That man will defend his actions to the death...no matter how DUMB they may be! So instead of cleaning the house I helped clean up Dustin's edging.



Yes, that is a SNOW SHOVEL he's using!!!




I'm not sure, but I think the WOMAN is typically experiencing nesting at this point in the pregnancy; however, I think Dustin has come down with a bit of a cleaning complex. Once we got everything cleaned up in the yard he made us all jump in and tackle the garage.

I basically just stood there and pointed out where things needed to go and what needed to be picked up. But before you say anything, I "directed" with the nicest tone of voice. I swear. I just had to laugh at the entire morning's events.

Poor Josh - every time Dustin would ask him to do something he'd say, "Um, Dad, I'm done helping."

Who could blame the kid?

Big Brother in Training

Well, another week has passed.

Josh had his sibling class at Mercy Hospital yesterday and we all had a great time! They had so many fun activities for the kids and by the time we walked out of the classroom to go home he squealed, "Mom that was FUN!" The kids got to snack on milk and cookies and watch a Sesame Street video about being a big brother.

Then they got to make a present for baby.


They took a picture of each child holding their present and gave us a copy to put in the baby's bassinet when we're in the hospital. He was so proud. Then we got to go take a tour of the Birthplace....

I'm telling you it was like walking down memory lane. We saw our room from when we had Josh. My FAVORITE nurse is still there!! Yippee!!! Unfortunately, so was the Nazi Night Nurse. Boo!!

Dustin and I spewed memories....like being strolled out of the operating room in a state of complete ecstasy. And me going on my first walks after surgery with my reward being to make it to the nursery to see our new baby. Taking our first family nap in my hospital room with Josh laying on my chest. I could go on and on....

I'm telling you, before we even got to the nursery part of the tour I was already bouncing with excitement ( and at almost 9 months pregnant that's saying something). Then we got to the nursery and I got a glimpse of the pure joy and excitement that Josh is going to have when he has a baby brother/sister of his own. He saw that tiny child laying in a crib behind the window and I thought his face was going to explode! He kept looking at the baby and looking back at us with the biggest smile I've ever seen on him. He was in complete awe.

He came running back to us and said, "Mom, that baby is so cute. I want one at our house."

We got to go through one the hospital rooms and the most impressive thing Josh saw in there was a stocked refrigerator. Then we went back to the classroom and Josh got to practice putting a diaper on his "baby".




Like I said, by the time we left Josh was in full "Big Brother" mode!


As we were walking out of the hospital Dustin said something about being back there in just a few weeks and I felt like I could faint. It still seems so surreal to me and that I am just dreaming this amazing dream.

I will soon be a mother of two children. There was a time when I thought this was never going to happen..am I blessed or what?

Friday was also one of my last doctor's appointments. Again, nothing but good news. I lost another 1+ pounds, blood pressure is great, heartbeat is good and baby is obviously growing. Only two more appointments until the big day!!!

Well, the boys are out playing on the four wheeler and I better go supervise.

We had a "rash" of activity this weekend.....

Boy, where do I start? Dad and Thomas were down for the weekend and between the whole team we accomplished a ton!!!

Dad washed all of the bedding and baby clothes, he washed and organized all of the bottles, finished some last minute decorating, fixed the blinds, got the crib completely ready and drove me around all weekend to shop (a task which is increasingly difficult with this belly in the way).

On a related note, I was telling Dad about the scar I have on my stomach from a boiling water incident. Josh adds his two cents and says, "Yeah, on Mom's big, HUGE belly!" Nice, huh?

Dustin mowed, fixed another mower and re-sealed the driveway.





Let me tell you...the driveway looks amazing!! Dustin did a great job!

Sunday morning was the March of Dimes walk and Josh and I went down to help hand out water at the K-mart stop. Josh had so much fun.





It was a perfect morning and as each walker passed I was reminded how blessed we are to have a healthy son and a healthy baby on the way. Seeing all these moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, brothers and sisters walk for this cause was truly inspiring. Most had "Team" shirts with names of babies who didn't have a chance to live in this world. Again...I was overwhelmed with appreciation.

The best part of the walk is shown below...


Way to go, Titi!!

With such a big weekend everyone was WIPED by last night. Dad and I found the "boy" outfit and came home to find this...


Pretty much says everything!

Now this morning I take Josh to Jaime's and as I turn onto her street he says his neck itches. I assume he just got a bug bite. Uh, nope. He has an awful rash all over his neck and ears. So I call the doctor's office from Jaime's.

They said to give him some Benedryl and watch to see if it spreads to his face. So I put him back in the car and we stopped to pick up the medicine and a couple of movies. I have to admit, after such a busy weekend, it couldn't be better timing for an unexpected day off!!

Finally, 5 weeks from today I should be in recovery right now and holding a brand new baby!!! I should take some of Josh's Benedryl, because I am literally "itching" with anticipation!!!

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!

Well, Josh had preschool yesterday and they had an exciting field trip planned. A Cedar Rapids city bus was going to come and pick up the kids and drive around Hiawatha. Josh was very excited and talked about it all morning.

Well, I dropped him off and told him to be a good boy and make sure he went potty on the potty. We've started having problems with him having accidents during the day. I completely expected this once the baby came but I was completely caught off guard with it starting this early. Anyway, Dustin went to pick him up and the teacher came out and called Dustin into the classroom.

Immediaely Dustin assumed Josh had wet himself. So Dustin walks in and all the kids were laughing. The teacher informed Dustin that he had to go over to Dairy Queen and settle up the tab. Confused, Dustin says, "Okay?".

She informed him that as the bus drove by the Dairy Queen Josh screamed, "LET'S STOP!!!". Mrs. Switzer told Josh that they didn't have enough money for everyone to get ice cream and Josh replied, "I have enough money's for everyone in my train bank!!".

Dustin called me laughing and informed me that maybe we'd been going to Diary Queen a little too much lately. Uh...ya think?

Officially less than 6 weeks!!!

Well, the title should say it all. We are on official "Baby Watch"! Seems so unreal, so close, so far away and so many other things all at once!

I hadn't posted a picture of my gorgeous men from Easter so here it is...


Aren't they adorable?!?! This picture was taken at about 5:45 am (hence Josh rubbing his eyes). It's amazing how fast a child will get ready when he knows there's candy downstairs!

These last few weeks are going to be filled with last minute projects and tasks. This weekend we officially finished the foyer. The tile is down and grouted, the doors are replaced and the trim is officially up and nailed! We were up until 11:30 Friday night getting the last bit of moulding up. I was at the saw and Dustin used his mighty nail gun. Baby did NOT like the sound of the saw. Every time I made a cut it would squirm around.

Then Saturday was Grandma Verabeth's 80th birthday party. Josh had SOOOOO much fun. My body was still throbbing from the night before so I didn't get any pictures of him playing with the animals and cousins. Sorry.

Then Sunday we refinished and painted the front door. Josh got to help and it was a small price to pay for a few minutes of quiet.



I think Josh realizes that something big is about to happen. He is so HYPER lately! I will have to admit, however, that there is a small chance my perspective on what is HYPER has changed. My new definition of hyper is someone who moves more in 10 minutes than I do all day. Lugging this body around is proving to be more difficult every day and poor Josh doesn't really have 100% of his mommy right now.

He has become quite the helper. I had some difficulty getting propped up in bed on Saturday morning and in positioning all of the pillows I knocked the remote off the bed. After I stopped crying with frustration, I called out to my son who was playing in his room. I asked him to come in and pick up the remote for mommy.

He said, "Why sure!". Picks it up and sets in by my hand and then touches my hand and says, "Mommy, you let me know if you need something else. Okay? Am I a good helper?". Isn't he going to be the greatest big brother?

This weeks update on baby said this:
Your baby now measures about 20.25 inches (45cm) in total length and weighs around 5.5 lbs (2550g). Crown to rump measurement is about 13.2 inches (33cm).

He continues to grow and fatten up, especially in the shoulder area, and kicks regularly.

The fine lanugo hair that covered your baby is shedding, though some may still be present when your baby is born.

Your baby's eyes are blue, though this may change soon after birth or much later after birth.

Your baby's fingernails are growing. They already reach the tips of his fingers and they may even look quite long and pointy by the time he is born. Your baby may even have some scratch marks from scratching his face with his fingernails.

Your baby is probably feeling quite cramped right now and his movements are restricted by his growing size.

I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks. My last appointment was on Thursday. I am still not at the weight I was when I first found out I was pregnant, but I'm getting there! Baby's heart rate was 135 (exactly what Josh's was at my 34 week appointment). Otherwise everything looked good!! Thank God!

And it's been another month.....

Good, God!

Well, tax season is over in T minus 2 weeks. THANK THE HEAVENS! I'm still working Saturdays but knowing that I only have 2 more certainly make life more enjoyable. Then I get to ride the pregnancy easy train until the arrival of the ENORMOUS child growing in my stomach.

Yes, I am huge! My last doctor's appointment was March 20th and I measured 39 weeks pregnant. Do the math people. I measured 42 weeks when I was pregnant with Josh...WHEN I WAS FULL TERM! Sleeping is becoming impossible, I had to go buy "stretchier" shirts because the knit one's I had were becoming constricting, and I am having hot flashes like a menopausal woman. Oh...and here is a little known fact. When a woman is pregnant her body produces this hormone that helps relax the tissue in joints. This is supposed to help things be more "flexible" when the time comes to bear a child. While I am 100% positive that women appreciate this hormone at the exact moment of birth, every other time during a pregnancy this hormone causes pain. Let me explain.

Think of how much it would hurt to put all of your weight on a fractured hip or pelvis. Think of all the different joints in your body and if all of them were a little more "loose". This hormone is why pregnant women tend to have problems with carpal tunnel syndrome and is also the reason I can't move my legs from side to side.

In other news I am not diabetic, I am significantly anemic (which explains why I've been so short of breath), I fell on my stomach about a month ago and was in labor and delivery for about 4 hours but everything is fine and Josh is still excited to have a baby!

I got my 31 week update today and can't believe how much has happened...

Your baby now weighs about 3.5 lbs (1600g) and measures about 18 inches (40cm) in total and about 11.2 inches (28cm) from crown to rump.

Your baby's increasing size means that she has less room to move around in your uterus.

Your baby could already be moving into the head-down position.

Your baby's lungs are maturing and their lining, which prevents air sacs from collapsing, is growing. This lung development means that your baby would have a much greater chance of survival if he were born prematurely.

About 16 fluid ounces of blood are flowing through the wall of your uterus to the site of the placenta, though your blood never mixes with your baby's blood. It is separated by the placental barrier which is a very thin wall. Water, nutrients and waste are exchanged across this barrier at a rate of 0.3 fluid ounces per second.

Your baby swallows amniotic fluid and urinates.

Your baby's ears are sufficiently developed to hear and recognize your voice, the voices of other family members as well as familiar musical tunes.

Has it really almost been a month?!?!?

Oh, my. Time flies when you work 60+ hours a week and sleep every moment you have a chance!

First...I have to do a baby update!!! On March 6th I will officially be in the third trimester!! Isn't that unbelievable? I'm actually starting to gain weight and trying really hard not to take it personally. :-) I don't care if you're pregnant or not, but when you've struggled with weight your entire life, watching the scale go up is not fun....whether you have an excuse or not.

Josh got to go with me to my last doctor's appointment. Him and I got to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time together. We've only tracked the heartbeats through ultrasound before and you don't actually get to "hear" it with those machines. I was so glad he got to be there. He said, 'That sound makes me tired.'.

I haven't been paying attention to my weekly updates lately and today I read this weeks and was floored with the changes with baby. Check this out!!!

Your baby weighs more than 2 lbs (1000g), measures 9.6 inches from crown to rump (24cm) and its total length is about 15.3 inches (34cm). If your baby were born now, she would have about an 85% chance of surviving. Nonetheless, your baby still needs another 13 weeks of in utero development to be considered full term.

Your baby's eyes, no longer fused shut, are now open.

Your baby's skin still has a very wrinkled appearance, but it is protected and nourished by the covering of vernix, a waxy coating that keeps the skin supple.

Your baby looks almost like a full term baby, but is still much thinner and smaller than she will be at birth.

I think I can finally relax and believe that this baby will be born and we will actually have another member in our family. With all the problems in getting pregnant, the spotting (which still occurs) and every other stress in this pregnancy, I don't think that deep down I believed this would really happen for us.

Well, I'll take that 85% chance of survival and add another 15%!!

Ya'll, I'm sorry.....It's tax season!

I KNOW it's been forever since I've posted but you all had to know that tax season was going to put a damper on my posting. That being said, I've got to find the time to do this because I miss it!!!

Anyway...today is 23 weeks pregnant!!!! Can you believe it?!?!? I've got to get Dustin to take a picture of me because I can't believe how much baby is growing!! Here was my update today....

Your baby is now about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (21cm) and weighs about 1.2 pounds (530g).

Your baby's face and body now look more like a full-term baby. She now looks close to how she will look at birth.

The eyes, though they are still closed, are now close together on the front of the face and the ears are in their final position. Eyelashes are fairly well-developed and hair is growing on your baby's head.

Your baby's movements are becoming more restricted now as she fills up the uterus more. Cartwheels and somersaults inside the amniotic sac are no longer possible, but she can still hold the umbilical cord and touch and feel around her. Though your baby is already living in tight quarters in the amniotic sac, she will soon have even less room to move around.

Her vital organs are now quite mature. However, since the lungs are not yet fully formed, your baby would have breathing problems if born prematurely at this stage.

Your baby is becoming increasingly conscious of the world outside and may feel startled when you are startled.

Your baby may alternate between having very active and very calm periods.

Your baby may have facial expressions such as frowning, squinting and pursing of the lips.

My feet have offically begun to swell a little. I try and keep off my feet as much as possible and I have a pair of slippers under my desk for during the day. Jim looked at me one day and shook his head. I told him it was this or I was going to start calling in sick. He said I could wear them as much as I wanted. You'd think after 6+ years of working with me he'd know not to mess with me! Especially when I'm pregnant!

It's snowing like crazy here today and the high is -1 degree. Gotta love Iowa!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

This week has been absolutely crazy. No other way to describe it. Last weekend we finished Josh's bedroom. He's happy with it and we're glad it's done. Here were the results...


Josh had been running a wicked temperature all weekend and I actually was able to capture the one time he played. He kept fluctuating between 102 and 103 degrees. I thought that the fever had finally started to break on its own on Monday and had Grandpa Larry watch him.

Monday night when Dustin brought him home he was still not himself so I came home from work early and we made a doctor's appointment with his pediatrician. We headed off to the doctor's office only to find out that the poor child had Strep Throat. I felt AWFUL! His throat was all bloody and red. I swear he only complained about a sore throat a few times all weekend. In fact he seemed to complain of an upset stomach more than a sore throat. After three years of being a mother there are days when I don't feel like I've learned a thing. Monday was another one of those days.

That brings us to Tuesday. Well, obviously we couldn't take him to daycare. So Titi was nice enough to come over and watch him for the day. Only to get a phone call from our daycare provider on Tuesday night....she was in labor. I swear when it rains it pours. So Titi came back on Wednesday, Josh went back to Larry for Thursday and Friday Grandma Toni watched him. Talk about a frenzy.

Thursday I had my doctor's appointment and ultrasound. I'll post the pictures tomorrow, but someone had his/her legs tight and crossed at the ankles so determining the sex was IMPOSSIBLE! I was so disappointed. I had looked so forward to that appointment for weeks only to leave with no answer. So as every pregnant woman does...I cried. I'll give the rest of the details with the pictures from the ultrasound.

I went to work for awhile on Saturday (tax season is here again!) and once I got off work we went to the timber to pick up the plow for Dustin's quad. We had a great time and Josh had fun playing in the snow.




There were rumors of a snowstorm for today but we had NO idea that we were going to get what actually came!! I think we have about 7 inches of snow and Josh, Mattie and Daddy had a ton of fun in the white stuff!!

We plowed out our house and then drove over to Dustin's work to plow over there. Josh and I followed him in the truck and I snapped this photo at the stop light. It was hysterical.

Then we went over and plowed out Mom and then Titi. We got home and tried to take a nap but never seemed to actually fall asleep. It was a full day and we are busy picking up the house so Grandma Cathy can watch Josh all week.

Anyway, here's a few more pics from today!



FYI - The picture above is of Josh making "Joshie Angels"...not "Snow Angels". I was corrected a number of times.

Speak and He listens

I have been so swamped with work lately that I've had numerous "blog worthy" experiences but just haven't had the time to get online. Tax season has started very early this year...that is for sure!

Like I said, I've already been working long, demanding hours and this weekend was no exception. Bad things started happening the minute I picked Josh up from Angie's and kept happening until I finally hit rock bottom on Monday at about 2:00 pm. So many awful things occurred this weekend that I couldn't even begin to start mentioning them all. I started spotting...again, my daycare provider threw a big curve ball at me, Josh found his Gameboy, then threw his first MAJOR temper tantrum since the stupid thing had first disappeared (It has officially been removed from his possession...permanently), I worked way too much, we didn't get Josh's room finished, etc., etc., etc. It just kept coming. Then I went back to work and I literally got dumped on by 8:03 Monday morning.

Honestly, the fact that my breakdown didn't occur until Monday at 2:00 pm shows that I am doing better with some relaxation techniques. ;-) However, I went into Amy's office and just started crying. I told her that I have been feeling so inadequate lately and that I'm killing myself and still don't feel I'm doing a good job in any area of my life. I don't feel like my work is getting the dedication it deserves, I don't feel like my husband is getting the help he deserves and I don't feel like my son is getting the attention he deserves. After a 15 minute rant, I literally raised my hands to the sky and looked up and cried, "I just want someone to pat me on the back and tell me that I'm doing a good job." I cried a bit more, got back to work and called Dustin to tell him that I wasn't in the mood to cook.

We decided to meet at a restaurant. We sat down, they brought our salads and Josh reminded me to not take a bite before we all prayed. On a side note, the boy has become the little Prayer Police. We ate our dinner and just sat and all talked about what we would do later that evening. We were almost done and this couple got up and got ready to leave. The woman comes over and puts her hands on Dustin and my shoulder and looked at Josh and said, "I just have to tell you that you are the most well behaved little boy I have ever seen in a restaurant. You're parents have done a good job teaching you what is appropriate behavior. So, GOOD JOB Mom and Dad!" I'm telling you, I felt like I was slapped by God. We all thanked her for her kind words and she told us that she taught Kindergarten for 30+ years so she was absolutely qualified to make that statement. We all laughed and they went on their way.

I didn't even tell Dustin about what an impact that woman had on me until the next day. I haven't had an experience like that before. So blatant, so obvious. So many times we ask for God's help, His advice, His strength, a sign from Him...anything. Sometimes we don't think he's listening but on January 8, 2006, I was personally reminded that he is indeed listening. We just need to be ready to hear him.

If only all His messages were that easy!

With all the hoopla of the week I've completely missed my 19-week update and I'm actually closer to 20 weeks! Well, here was my update this week...

Your baby weighs about 9 ounces (260g) and measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches (14 to 16cm) from crown to rump.

Her skin is thickening and developing multiple layers- the epidermis and the dermis, the deeper layer where it will form fat. Your baby is now also developing a waxy protective coating for her skin called vernix caseosa. The vernix protects your baby's skin which is continuously submersed in amniotic fluid. Vernix, which is particularly thick around the eyebrows is held in place by tiny downy hairs called lanugo.

Your baby can now grip with her fists. Toenails and scalp hair are growing.

At this point, it may be possible to determine the baby's sex by ultrasound, if the baby cooperates, but the ultrasound technician will rarely guarantee the sex based on the ultrasound results as mistakes are sometimes made at an early ultrasound.

You can hear the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound device or a stethoscope.

Sing it, baby!!

I have attempted to infuse music in my son's life since he was still in the womb. I remember laying in bed and playing Mozart to my tummy, I loved singing to him in church when he was just a baby and I continue to find ways to encourage him to listen to all types of music. Even with all my hard work he is not how I was at his age. My mom tells me stories of when I was just 1 or 2 and I would dance like crazy to Aretha Franklin or when I would sit at a parade and bop back and forth when the marching band would come by.

I had put to the wayside any hopes that he would share the same passion for music that I have; however, I think he's just a late bloomer!!! We were going to Angie's the other morning and I saw him nodding his head to the song on the radio and attempting to sing with it. It's one of my favorite songs right now and I just about started crying.

We went right out and bought the cd and now we listen to it over and over again in the morning. I've posted a link to the song below. It just warms my heart to hear a little child sing, "Waiting on the world to change." He tries so hard and it is the cutest thing ever. If I thought he'd let me tape it, I would.