This is my life

Here's me...ready to have our baby!
I am going to give birth while Portland is experiencing triple digit temperatures. I know it. And then, the city will be using so much power, what with all the A/C demand, that our hospital will lose its power. Can that happen? Hmmm...maybe that doesn't make sense. Hospitals have to have some serious back-up generators or something to keep people well and living, right? Yes. That is what I will cling to! Although, maybe that is just to keep machines running and not so much for the A/C. Dang.



Here's me from the side...WOAH!
Maybe I should be more concerned about our A/C working when we get home. Poor hot baby! I know all the born and raised Oregonians are saying "Get over yourself! We've been doing this for years!" I can't help it! I was raised where if it's hot outside, you pump your A/C!!!




Last but not least, our super-cute crib waiting for baby.
Doesn't it look like he'll be so comfy? Then why is he not coming?? Come out little one! Make your presence known! I am ready for you! (As you can see, I am technologically challenged and cannot erase or rotate this picture now that I have placed it here. Sorry!)

This is the type of decor you use when your daddy works at Nike...

And your uncle. And your other uncle.

Help!

If I do jumping jacks, will the baby come?

And I quote...

"Well, that's a nice size baby you've got in there!"
Spoken yesterday by doctor, while viewing amniotic fluid on ultrasound.

ACK!

Baby, oh baby, you're precious to me
Still kicking and squirming and swelling my feet
It's hard to believe that so soon you'll be here
Filling our hearts with such love and such cheer
We've waited for you, we have prayed for the day
That we'll welcome you home, where you'll live, grow and stay
Your daddy and I so await your debut
To see your sweet face and to say "We love you."

A thought...and a new vow

I am making a promise to myself that I intend to keep forever. If a pregnant woman ever tells me she is tired, I am going to empathize with her and remind her of how much it is worth it! Especially if this pregnant person is super close to giving birth. Why do people feel the need to constantly say, "Pfft. It only gets worse."??? How does that help anyone? I would think it actually gets BETTER at some point and that you should encourage them toward that thought. So what if it takes a year to get there? I think it is important to validate pregnant women and how they are feeling. Not make them feel like poo. This is my lifelong goal now. =)

**And FYI - none of my friends or family have made me feel this way whatsoever! It's some people at work and random people who shouldn't be offering their advice to me anyways! Leave me alone! =P

For Roy...

This post is dedicated to Roy Bunch, who wants to know how we are doing in our 9th month of pregnancy (WAY past 7th!!).

We are great! It is a bit hot, but not too bad. I am big and my body gets sore, but sitting down with my feet up feels great. My ankles swell by the end of the day but at least it's not my face (yet). Sometimes my emotions get the best of me, but I have a terrific husband who talks me off the ledge. =D I would say that physically speaking, I am ready to just have the baby! I can't wait to bend over the sink to pluck my eyebrows again or tie my shoes or use my hands to pick things up off the ground rather than my toes! But I am looking forward to a few weeks of rest before the big welcome for little Henry.

Jim is handling pregnancy quite well. =) I'm sure I am a constant source of entertainment for him as I explain (not whine, thank you) all the woe's of my poor body. He is very accomodating and I am very appreciative. He is doing great at his new job and enjoying the different company culture that NIKE offers. I am so happy for him.

That's an update! Woohoo for me!

WOW

My husband ran a marathon on Saturday. He rocks. He was a bit salty-faced at the end, but had a great attitude and a huge smile on his face whenever we'd catch him on the run. I am so proud of him! I still think he's crazy...

And props to Trent, who ran it with Jim, and kept him laughing the whole way! =D

Since I've married Jim, he has become many things:

1. An avid hiker
2. A backpacking enthusiast
3. Camper extraordinaire
4. Snow shoeing adventurer
5. Sometimes not so graceful cross country skier (hehe)
6. A casual runner (to keep him in shape for all his other hobbies)
7. A marathon runner

I think it is fair to say that I was not made aware of this adventurous side of Jim when we got married. If only I knew what I was getting myself in to...

I would still love him.

The difference a year can make

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of one of the saddest days in my and Jim's lives. I can still feel the pain of loss like it was yesterday, but the Lord has blessed us so much in this one year, way beyond what we could have imagined, that the pain becomes easier to bear. I cannot explain the depth our marriage has grown or the strength our friendships have taken, but these things are what I am thankful for each and every day. We have a precious baby boy on the way, a new house to put together and enjoy with our friends and family, so many baby nephews to love and hold born in the last 8 months, amazing, AMAZING friends and family... I am so thankful that even in the deepest heartache, God can reach down and grant us peace - that He makes His love for us known in so many other ways. True, it is hard not to get just what we want, right when we want it, exactly how we planned for it. But now I cannot argue that the Lord knew better than me - knew the person I would become, the things I would learn, the bonds that would grow stronger.

Thank you to all our family and friends, who have helped make this past year not one of suffering, but one of many joys and good memories. I am eternally grateful for the love and support that has helped put the smile on my face today. Thank you especially to my husband, who has shown me more love than I deserve and who sacrificed so much to keep me going. I love you all.

Uh oh

My appetite is increasing. The days of "I've worn the same pregnancy clothes throughout my whole pregnancy" are sure to be over soon. Ah well!

Does 10 weeks seem like it's not very far away to anyone else? AH!

So, I'm having to train multiple people at work in several different areas of my job. I would say that it is the most stressful thing I'm involved in right now - over preparing for a baby, selling a house, buying a house and Jim starting a new job. But the funny part to me is, I am getting so tired of talking! I know! Who has ever heard of such a thing? =) But seriously, I talk, talk, talk and explain things all day long, every day. I'm tired of hearing my own voice, and I didn't think I'd EVER say that. Huh. And how am I supposed to pass along all the info I just so happen to know after working here so long?? Ayaiyai. Too much.

And I'm hungry again...

Best news ever...

One more thing to be absolutely happy about!

New home

Hello everyone! Jim and I made an offer on a beautiful home last night and it was accepted! If everything moves forward according to plan, we will have the keys to our new house on June 12th. Yikes! Just enough time to put a baby room together - not to mention the rest of the house.

Here are some pics of the house, though I don't think they do it justice...

Bums, burgers and burns

I love how I've been saying, "Wow, this baby's got a sharp behind" when all along it's most likely been his foot. =D

Only 3 1/2 pounds gained this month! Woohoo! According to our doctor, I am perfect, my uterus is perfect and my baby is perfect. A man who knows how to treat a woman! After hearing all this "perfect" business, I felt totally justified in stuffing my face full of Wendy's right after my appointment. Mmmm. Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries and a Frosty...you warm my heart. A girl's got to indulge sometimes! Especially when she is "perfect."

On to other things... Do you ever wonder why you do certain things? Especially when you KNOW what the consequence will very likely be? Thanks to my pregnancy born clumsiness (ok - so I'm not the picture of grace when I'm not pregnant either), I burned my thumb on my curling iron a couple days ago because I wasn't paying attention. So I have this lovely mark that is starting to heal over. I get it real close to my face to have a good look. For some reason it strikes me it would be neat to pinch the skin in the middle with my nails and see what happens. DANG IT! WHY STEPHANIE? I KNOW what is going to happen! OW! Raw spot in the middle! Now it burns all over again.

Friends

Can I just say how blessed I felt yesterday? I got to watch as Mike and Eric slaved away at our house with Jim - finishing one chore and asking for another as I watched helplessly, unable to climb ladders, lift heavy objects...you get the picture. My favorite mental picture (should have taken a real one!) was watching the three of them pick weeds together in our front yard. They were chit-chatting away and laughing and filling paper bags to overflowing (which I suppose I should be embarrassed about). =/ Anyhow, I just feel so lucky that we know so many people who would offer their time and backs to help us with such icky housework. I know we often take for granted what a blessing it is to have such amazing friends. I have people tell me all the time that they wish they could say the same. You guys are awesome!! Thank you SO MUCH!

And we've got all your backs when the time comes for any of YOU to pick weeds and clean windows!

Good practice

Ohmygoodness. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to take Jim to have his wisdom teeth pulled! It only took about a 1/2 hour, which was fantastic for me, and the doctor was really nice. When they wheeled him out in the wheelchair with a mouth FULL of gauze, I could NOT contain myself. The poor boy! He was so funny! Funny looking with the gauze, but also as loopy as they come! I don't remember laughing so hard in a long time. The whole way home he would repeat himself over and over, asking the same questions, telling me he wanted to spit... And THEN he wanted to come into the grocery store with me while I filled his prescriptions!!! I had to tell him quite firmly, "NO. Stay in the car. I'll be right back." But he was so cute! So helpless! I loved it. =D

The practice part came into play when we got home and I got to change his narsty gauze many times, stick wet tea bags in the back of his mouth, remove them, more gauze, medicine. AND WHEN HE COULD START EATING! Oh boy, then it was really game time. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Stephanie...I'm hungry!" =) I felt like I was constantly on the move to keep him comfortable, but I'll tell you what, I loved it! It's nice when you get to turn the coin and be the one "taking care" of someone else. He has proven himself a worthy caretaker of me many different times and deserved all of my attention.

I'll tell you what else... It was all worth it just to spend that one hour of total loopiness with him on Friday. I will never forget that precious hour when my husband, for once, was nowhere near being in control, saying the most odd things, stuffed full of cotton and totally dependent on me. =) Sweet boy.

PS Jim recovered very well, for the most part and is doing great.
PPS Oh yes...I took pictures.

Pictures, Puss and Poo

I thought I'd provide a picture of my growing belly for all of you who don't see me on a regular basis...or at all!

Here's me at 20 weeks:















And here's me on Monday, at 26 weeks (yikes!):















Things are quite well - baby is still quite active and we are just enjoying the miracle of the "alien in belly" phenomenon. I just passed on a horrid cold to Jim (oops), but I'm glad to be over with it. There is nothing worse than being sick and miserable and not being able to take anything to help numb your pain. I watch Jim take his Tylenol Cold PM every night with a bit of jealousy... But I'm glad he can take something to help him sleep, especially now! I would still keep him up with my out of control bladder if he weren't on drugs!

Speaking of Jim being on drugs...he gets his wisdom teeth out on Friday! I can't wait to see what kind of reaction he has to the surgery. All I remember is him walking into my bedroom just hours after I had mine taken out and LAUGHING. So my cheeks were a little puffy! I will have the camera charged and ready. Blood, puss and swelling to you (man, I'm gross)! Muahahahaha! (I really do love him a lot) =D

I have discovered a new joy...shaving my dog. She has been very patient as I test out different ways to trim her long wispies with the clippers. So what if she's a little crooked looking on the backside? It's getting hot and she'll be so much more comfortable! I am suffering from the "trying to get it even" syndrome, and I just end up taking off too much in huge clumps - one side, then the next....wait...now I need to fix this side... You see? The pattern goes on and on. So I just stop at some point and let her look a little nerdy. =D All I know is Maddie still loves me and I love her more when she doesn't get poo on her hiney hair.

I have nothing further to share at this point, so I say, TOODLE LOO!

Rock-a-bye Baby

And I don't mean lullaby. Our baby is a rocker! He is constantly moving, poking, kicking at all hours of the day! I know all you women who have been pregnant are laughing at this girl who thinks she is the only one who gets to go through this, but I am not that dense. I know this is the life of a pregnant woman! I just have to talk about it! And I seriously think my baby might move a bit more than normal! Am I naive?? :) All day! ALL day! What does that mean when he's out of my womb?? Oh dear....

It has been lots of fun watching our little one move body and limbs all over my tummy. Quite strange and yet, such a miracle. :) We had our 6 month appointment yesterday (ACK! 6 months!) and everything went very well. Only time in my life I will be okay to hear I have gained 19 pounds. ACK! Apparently, 19 lbs. at the 24th week is still right in the middle of where I need to be, so I am okay with it. But come on, when anyone hears, "So, you've gained 19 pounds..." your first reaction is "WHAT?!" :) Where did it all go? Hmm. Maybe I shouldn't ask that question...

Anyhoo. Life is full of so much good stuff. :) Jim and I have been very faithful with our nightly walks, averaging about 45 - 60 minutes each walk. It is a great time to laugh and talk and watch Maddie get excited at everything she can see. We feel so blessed with so much, it makes it hard to complain about anything (like heavy budgeting - arg).

Life is good. Thank you, Lord!

Does anyone remember yesterday when the sky was blue and the air was warm and the birds were chirping and the kids were playing? That was AWESOME.

What happened?

Fridays

Fridays are the best days and the worst days. You wait for Friday all week long and daydream about what you'll do on the weekend (or how much you are going to rest...yes!) and as soon as Friday gets here, it's the longest day in the world! What's up with that?! Can't it be 5:00 already? I think I'll write a poem...

Friday, you are here at last!
Thank goodness that the week has past
I'm all burnt out and going crazy
My little brain is going hazy
Rescue me from work, I say!
It's time to rest and eat and play!
Friday, loyal, trusting friend
Won't this hour ever end?

Yours truly,
Stephanie

Happy Birthday to me...

I wanted to share the precious poem that Becky and Sarah wrote for me on my birthday. Get ready for pure delight (and entertainment!!)!

Stephanie Stephanie Marr
She has a pretty new car
With a fancy new do
One thing is true
When people walk by they go "Rarr!"
Inside her tummy is a boy
Who certainly brings her great joy
When she sings "lala"
He goes "Hi-yah!"
We sure hope he likes Chips-ahoy! (my personal favorite line...)

Isn't that special? I love my friends! Delight! Delight! We had a lovely day together full of Red Robin french fries (yummm) and waiters that sing to you (giiiiiiirls!) and shopping yesterday. All with two babies! Good times for all. Thank you to my dear, sweet friends for the fun day and the gifts. You shouldn't have... :) I love you all!

Is it weird that my legs are sore from two days of walking? I mean, I do keep a mean pace, but is that sad? I don't mean they are sore like I really strenuously exercised. They're just sore. Mostly my calves. Must be the hills. =D