FCC baby shower

I had a wonderful shower for Clara at our church yesterday. These
flowers were the centerpiece with a green blanket and bow. The
hostesses made me feel so great with all their preparation and I felt
so supported by my church family. It was hard to find a seat and we
were not done til 1:30! I am truly blessed. Thank you.

Glucose Test

I just drank the orange sugar drink. I will update when I find out how
good I process!

5 year Anniversary Trip

We took the A&M passenger train ride from Springdale to Van Buren for our 5 year anniversary. I surprised Nate with the idea and he had to convince me it would be ok to spend the money to ride first class. I think he was right. It was nice to have all the room I needed to spread out when Clara wanted to stretch. Especially cause we had lunch later and I ate a lot after walking around for a while. I was wearing my new sweater I got a Walmart it is just two sizes larger than I normally wear and I felt great in it. Thanks to Annie for suggesting that I don't have to have maternity shirts especially on the cheap.



This was the car we rode in. Its name is Explorer. Nate had a great time taking pictures of the scenery and got to stand between the cars when we went over the bridges. That was neat. I was not up for it cause in any other time in my life I have never had great balance, this was not the time to test it now.




I had a great day. Nate even managed to fit in a haircut during the stop when we walked out of the depot and saw a barber shop. Nate has a busy week and we were worried about finding time for it. So far he has managed work and school very well and deserved a day of relaxing.

5 years. Wow. And Clara will be joining us soon and Jackson is almost 4 years old. Time flies.

Clara's movements explained

Maybe Clara moves around so much cause she wants to be a part of the stuff I am doing. I know that has no scientific or researchable background, but it makes me happy to think about. I also know that it will be a completely different thing when she is here and I have to incorporate her into all the things I am doing. And I doubt she will always be so excited for Roadway Design as she is now. That's all very reasonable.
Maybe she moves so much when I am at dinner with friends cause she would like to meet them and hang out and have fun like I am doing. And she moves a lot when I eat chocolate cause, really I eat it for her. I don't really like chocolate normally. And she really calms down when her daddy holds her in my tummy. He does the same for me when I get all rilled up he calms me down and makes me feel safe when he holds me. I hope that works when she is crying in the night and I run out of things to try and soothe her.

What I feel like today

I think my mood about pregnancy changes almost daily. Today I feel large and unkempt. I have never (I repeat NEVER) wanted to go clothes shopping this bad. I would like to look like a woman who is carrying a child. I feel like a circus tent. I know there are better options out there and I will have to make up my mind that this is important to me, not a waste of time and energy, and let go of the money it takes to have clothes that fit me. I didn’t feel this urge when I dieted and lost 10 pounds. It was even part of the diet to lift your spirits and show yourself how great you look and feel to buy some new clothes that fit the new body. I flat refused. I am just cheap and clothes have never been a priority. Today, it is a priority. I am even considering a foray into internet shopping *gasp* something else I have never had an urge for. I don’t think I would do it but the physical stores in this area have reduced or eliminated their maternity sections to the point that it is a waste of time to go and check Target just to see if they have a maternity section this week.

I also feel like I can’t wait until I am not preggers anymore and I want to see the baby and what she is like. I get very excited thinking of holding her and watching her and learning about her. But then I realize when she gets here I will officially be a PARENT! That is getting a little scary. So, I am torn between hurry up and get here and maybe I could wait a little longer.

I think I will focus on how short a time this pregnancy really is and how I do not plan to have this happen very often in my life. Surely, I will not even spend a great amount of time looking like a circus tent. Maybe that’s what I should be for Halloween?

Jackson and his mew-mew

This is Jackson's stuffed cat Mew-Mew. We thought it was a goner as soon as we gave it to him. He is mostly lab but apparently a mild chewer. He really chews on bones but just slobbers on the cat. Well, he shakes it to break it's neck and sometimes tosses it in the air.

Clara's Tree

I planted Clara's tree on Sunday. It was given to us by a friend who grew it from a local tree acorn. When Clara comes and the tree greens out in the spring we will start taking her picture to watch both of them grow. By the way I am at 24 weeks in this picture.