Just an Update

So, 38 weeks and 2 days today. The body is definitely getting to its limits and letting me know...but I am grateful that it isn't nearly as bad as some of my friends have had it. Just within the last week we had to go to Wal-Mart and buy me some flip flops that were 1-2 sizes too big in order to fit over my feet comfortably. Before that my feet would puff up but my sandals still fit. Now my feet are even bigger than they were when we went shopping for the flip flops and I am amazed at what a change can happen in one week. My mother seemed to remember that it was the Sunday before she had me that her feet got too big at church to get her shoes back on....so maybe this is a good sign that I'm close. I've been having contractions (I'm pretty sure they're the real deal now and not just the braxton hicks) about every 1 to 2 hours. But from what I've been told that can go on for quite a while. It feels like cramping at this point. Not like the worst cramps I've ever had, but somewhere in the middle. Next week (on Thursday) we go in for an ultrasound to estimate the baby's size and growth, and just to make sure the placenta is still looking healthy what with the diabetes possibly taking a toll on it and all. If they think he is getting big too fast they'll likely recommend induction. And if they're really concerned he's too big they'll want to do a c-section...neither option is really appealing to me at the moment. Obviously, if the placenta looks unpromising they will want to get him out asap. One thing is for sure, though: they aren't likely to let me go too far past my due date with the diabetes. So, just a personal request here that you guys will keep us in your prayers and ask that he'll come on his own before we have to take any drastic or semi-drastic measures. It would be much appreciated.

Hooray!

No, we don't have a baby yet, but we're celebrating other good news. My sister is engaged! I've been hearing rumors of an "unofficial" engagement for a little while now, but he popped the question last Wednesday and she has a ring, so it is now "official." No date yet, but we're all really excited that they're getting married. I still haven't met him yet, but if Tiff is in love he must be wonderful. What I do know about him is that he is a dentist and has been teaching dentistry, but after they get married he is looking into working somewhere out of the country...Saudi Arabia being choice #1. So, congrats big sis, and good luck with the heat and humidity ;)

Yet Another Post

I know, I post stuff on here a lot...especially lately. But what else am I supposed to do with all my free time? I've had a birthday, so I am officially a quarter of a century old. Sorry, we didn't take any pictures. Brian asked me what it felt like to be half way to fifty, and I said it didn't feel any different that being on the other side of half way to fifty...besides, I still have another 25 years (which is really like another whole lifetime to me since I've only had that many so far) before I get there. I think Brian might have been hoping that I would have a mini quarter-life crisis kind of like he did when he turned 25 two years ago...but I really don't think its that big of a deal. Maybe its because, as a woman, I have a longer life expectancy than he does. We'll see how I react to 30.

Friday we had a baby doctor appointment. Because of the diabetes they are having me get hooked up to the heart and contraction monitor once a week from now on just to make sure everything is okay. Friday was the first time we did it, and the little stinker would not hold still. He REALLY didn't like having things pressing into his space, and he let the machines know it. They had a bother of a time trying to get a steady heartbeat because all of the movement was throwing off the readings. The nurse said we got the award for most active baby of the week. In the end, though, the doctor said everything looked good and healthy, and his plethora of movement added to that conclusion. I have a feeling this one is going to be a squirmy little guy...and that he is more than likely going to take after me in energy level (have I ever mentioned I was ADHD as a child? I grew out of it, but I really was and we have home movies to prove it). The only question now is will he have my energy AND Brian's "creativity" (that is my kind way of saying he was always in trouble)? Because that would be a loaded combination. Perhaps its best to get the mothers' curse out of the way in one shot at the very beginning rather than having one like both of us towards the end when we don't have as much energy to keep up. Still, it makes me wonder...and worry a little bit.

Our ward and stake are going through some pretty big changes in the coming weeks. Next week we get a new bishopric, and the week after that our stake is being reorganized. A member of the stake presidency let leak in Elders' Quorum yesterday that we're going to be out of the stake we're in, and even meeting in a different building with a different schedule. I don't think I'm going to believe it wholly until I hear it from the pulpit. We also had a personal change that won't take effect for a few weeks, but its still going to be an adjustment: Brian was extended a calling to serve in the bishopric of one of the singles wards on campus. He doesn't have to do anything until the semester starts next month, but its still going to take some getting used to. Our records will still be in our ward, and that means that more than likely I will be attending our ward by myself (with the baby) the majority of the time. Brian really wants me to go with him at least a time or two a month, but that will depend on what commitments I have in our ward (which may change with the new semester), and on the preferences of both bishops. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out.

He likes to move it!

I couldn't believe my luck! Normally when the baby is moving enough to see it from the outside by the time I can get anyone to look he stops. Now I have proof! I was just sitting on the couch and he started wiggling, and I realized that the video camera was sitting right next to me...but that the battery was dead. And then I realized that (miraculous occurance) the digital camera was sitting in the same bag, was charged, and had the memory card inside it! The music in the background is from a movie, but its funky enough that he could be dancing to it. Some of the movement is just my breathing, but I hope you can tell what is him. I definitely can. Sorry if the purple stripes are a bit distracting...

A New Belly Shot

Here I am at 34 weeks and 3 days pregnant.

Whohegonnalookalike?

With "warm-up" contractions setting in (we've been assured this is nothing to worry about at this point), I finally feel like we're in the home stretch, and I can't help wondering what our little guy is going to look like. In my quandering I pulled up baby pictures of Brian and I and was comparing them and picking out prominent features that he may or may not have. As I was looking at them, I thought it would be fun to post a few of them here to give all of you guys an idea of what kinds of genes we may have to pick from. Of course, he could end up looking like neither of us, but its still fun to guess what he'll get from who.