Painfully Patient & Overwhelmingly Grateful

Here we are nine months later...still getting bigger and waiting for baby's arrival. The excitement and anticipation are growing, but patience is also in effect. I'm no longer working as our little dude's expected due date is in 8 days. Time was more than plentiful the first couple of days, but now it seems there is always something to do with the time I have. Numerous mothers have advised me to sleep now while I can, so I've been trying to get as much rest as I can and take naps daily. One thing I'll miss about school though are the sweet kiddos. Here is a picture one of the children drew of me:

If you're wondering, no, the nursery is not ready to go...but neither is the house. The new cabinets are in, but need molding at the top. Kitchen counters are officially measured, but there is still no install date yet. That means we don't have a kitchen sink either. Pictures of the place have still not been take as there is still a ton of work to do. I'm not allowing myself to be stressed though. We have what we need even though it may not be completed or where I want it to be. Can we make it work? Survive? Of course. No problem.

The last month or so has brought us some bewilderment also. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and love and support from those around us. It's been difficult to express the gratitude we feel for all of it. My old ward threw me a wonderful baby shower after having not seen me in a month! My mom, sis, Erin & Erin threw an over-the-top baby bash. Each of our places of employment hosted sweet showers for us. The parents of the kids in my class threw me a quick one too! You'd think after five showers that that's it, but no. My new visiting teacher and new ward are planning a shower for me too even though they barely know me. What lovely people we are surrounded by and how blessed we are to be recipients of their service and generosity. There's no doubt in my mind that this child of ours will know that he is loved and cared for. We certainly feel it! 

 















On a more heartbreaking note, our 4 year old kitten Peyton is no longer with us. As whiny as he was, he never cried through the pain, couldn't stand up anymore, and sadly left our home and this world. He will be missed sorely.

Hot 'N Heavy

July. Today got up to 90 degrees according to weather.com, but I think it was hotter. I work outside a good portion of the day, mostly on my feet, carrying an ever-growing baby in my tummy. It is HOT. August will probably be hotter. I'm getting heavier and heavier. And that will continue until baby is born. Yay.

Meanwhile, my poor husband has been working tirelessly on getting our new place ready to move in this weekend! Or not... Lowe's San Clemente location kind of dropped the ball on our flooring. So do we move in with no floors? No. Not sure what we're going to do yet. We have places to stay, but how long will we need those options? I am trying to pack up the house, but would like to know for how many days I should leave clothes out. With no floor install date, I have no clue. Anyone that has done construction or reconstruction on their new place is probably not surprised. We really thought we could get this all done just in time, but you were all right: it never goes according to plan. I just really want this burden to go away so Adam can focus on his MBA and healing his injury and so I can focus on preparing for the baby. It'd be really nice to have time to have a conversation face to face with my husband that isn't about the condo or a sleepy, "Honey, could you roll over?" I'm looking forward to discussing baby names, picking out a stroller and other registry items, preparing the nursery, having baby showers, starting birthing classes, etc.

Right now I want to say, "I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining," but I know that is exactly what I am doing. It's nice to have a place to vent about daily life frustrations and then remember that my problems are very minor. I'm thankful that Adam and I are generally healthy. Our families are healthy. We're having problems that come with two of the biggest blessings we've prayed and worked for! How fortunate is that?! In short - I am thankful because I know the challenges we face will soon pass, they are not dangerous, and once they do pass, we'll have reached two goals that we've both been looking forward to for a long time.

Sorry there are no pictures this go around. Once the place is in better shape, I'll take and post some photos.

Let's Get Things Settled...

We finally have some big questions answered...

#1 - It's a boy!! And so far he looks healthy! He's measuring about a week ahead of schedule which is still considered "normal." I will do him a favor and spare the images that prove his manhood. These should suffice.

5/12/12

5/20/12

A month ago I looked like this...

And now I feel like this...

 Maybe not quite there, but enough for this worker at Subway to flat out ask me if I was having a boy or girl. I told him he is brave to ask, but it's a boy.

In other great news, we got the keys to our first home last night! After a long drawn-out battle and process, we are happy to be done with the dealings and on to the fixings. That means a lot of work ahead for Adam so we can move in by mid-July. That will give us three months to settle in before baby boy gets here! I can't believe it's going by so fast. Before I know it I'll be huge and having to hold my belly up wherever I go. I already feel so much slower just getting in and out of the car. Fortunately, I'm still doing CrossFit three times a week. I'm really hoping that it helps my energy, delivery, and recovery. I've got to fight the pregnancy-induced hypertension that plagued my mother and sister. That means more rest, less sodium, and maintain good protein and calcium intake. Right now he's moving a lot again...he's pretty active right around bedtime. I'm enjoying every single minute of it!

 

Heartfelt Circle of Life

Wow. I really cannot believe it's been that long since my last post. We have been very busy, but a lot of things have happened! Here's an update I promise you want to read to the end:

January

Adam is still busy with work, his MBA, and officiating. He takes any games they offer him and is doing really well this season. We make time to attend the Pepperdine v. BYU game in Malibu which happens to be Alumni Night! So fun! 

Then, after eight months of preschool teaching without getting sick, the train hits me. Strep throat goes around and I am the second teacher to get it. That same weekend, my beautiful grandmother Jeana passes away just hours after I tell her my last "I love you" over the phone. She was happy in her last weeks and ready to be relieved of all the pain.

February

As I finish the penicillin to defeat strep throat, I develop an infection from the antibiotics. Just in time for the Grammys! I demand the doctor make time to diagnose me and give me medicine before I have to suffer through a long weekend on the red carpet. Success and relief. Then, Adam has class on Valentine's Day, so we decide to celebrate the day before...until Adam decides we are going to start Mission CrossFit which we do that night. I return on Valentine's Day while Adam is in class and we both really like CrossFit. Jessica and Ashton visit just before my birthday and we have a wonderful time. I head back to LA to prepare for the Oscars and get hit with a respiratory infection this time. Fortunately, I found a great clinic right by the red carpet and they set me up for recovery. The Oscars are great - every year we think it's our last, but nonetheless, my sixth Academy Awards were a huge success. They were on my birthday this year. 

There was something bothering me all of February though, aside from all of the infections, that had me calling my doctor. She sends me for a blood test and schedules me to come in March 7th.

March

My February issue had the doctor thinking I may have had a miscarriage, not realizing I was even pregnant. The appointment is set up to evaluate using an ultrasound. Sure enough, there is a baby in there. The baby, however, is healthy with a strong heart beat. I knew I wasn't crazy!! Despite my negative at-home pregnancy tests, I KNEW all of February that I was pregnant anyway. Yet with others doubting, I began to pray I wasn't crazy. The following week, I go in for my first regular appointment on Adam's and my 2nd wedding anniversary and I get this beautiful sonogram of our first little munchkin. He/she already is taking form and I am already 9 weeks along at this point. (I turned the picture so the baby looks like it's sitting up)

Because of my February issue, they are still keeping an eye on me, but it is so hard not to share the good news! This Tuesday will be 10 weeks. In other news, the teacher I work with is on maternity leave beginning Monday and I am in charge of the class for 2 months while she is gone. I better make sure I regulate my sleeping schedule well!! Please pray for us and the well-being and health of this baby! We are so thrilled! I think the best part was talking to Adam's little sisters about it. They are hilarious and very excited as well. Fortunately, I've had no morning sickness, just a lot of tiredness and some headaches. I haven't gained any weight yet, but I can definitely see my middle section thickening. We're maintaining our exercises though and keeping up the healthy eating habits. So far, so great!! A few more weeks and I'm on to the second trimester!