The countdown has begun!

Actually, I've had a pregnancy countdown going for a long time, but it's just now starting to sink in: 35 weeks/almost 8 months pregnant. January 26th is just a little over a month/5 weeks/36 days away!!!

Rather, I should say January 26th-ish; due dates are just estimates, right? George is hoping for January 27th, because he and I were both born on the 27th. I think that'd be pretty cool, too, but wonder if baby boy will come early; don't know why, just a feeling. Mom wonders if I'll be late, because she was at least 2 weeks past her due date with both of my brothers.

Who knows? At any rate, time has slowed down to a crawl. Counting down to baby, counting down to Christmas break (1 1/2 days! YES!): time has never gone slower. Part of me is scared to death of labor and the thought that sometime next month we'll have a baby to care for (and the idea that we'll do something wrong and/or screw the kid up completely); the other part is completely tired of being pregnant and can't wait for pregnancy to be over. Oh, the good old days where I viewed pregnancy through rose-colored glasses! The days before carpal tunnel syndrome, getting winded walking up seven stairs, depression, feeling fat and ugly (all the time, anyway), and a multitude of other stuff that doesn't need to be detailed on the blog!

Everyone tells me that I'll forget what pregnancy, and later labor, was like, and I sure hope it's true! Right now I can't imagine doing this again.

Damn Marine Corps

All right, so I know that's not very respectful--and I really do have the greatest respect for servicemen & women, especially the Marines.

But when my brother Zack makes it through 9 weeks of Marine Officer Candidate School and then gets sent home a week before graduation for being "Not Physically Qualified", I get somewhat bitter. There's something wrong with his right leg: it was swelling so badly below the knee that he was on bed rest for the last days of training. The Board told him Friday that he'd missed too many days of training, he can try again next year (application process, tests, and all) and sent him home Saturday.

We are so disappointed, upset, and in shock, especially Zack. He's still mostly in the shock stage: said it's crazy being able to do what he wants, when he wants, eat whatever he wants, etc. I think he'll really have to grieve over the whole thing like someone has died. He wanted this so badly, and worked so hard, and the reason they let him go was completely out of his control.

So now he's stressed out about getting a job, making student loan payments, making it to physical therapy (Marines are paying for that, luckily), etc., and I'm stressed for him too. The good news is that he'll be around in January when his nephew is born! Small consolation to him, though.

So please keep Zack in your prayers. I'm really worried about him!

Updates

**I passed my 3-hour glucose test last Saturday (after failing the previous 1-hour test), so no gestational diabetes for us. Thank you God!

**First childbirth class was Tuesday night and a bit goofy, but I think they'll get better. Every Tuesday for 2.5 hours for 6 weeks--they'd better get better! I did get a nice back rub from George since the lady leading the class had the guys practice helping their ladies relax, just like they'll do during labor (ha ha. Hopefully!).

**Dad is continuing to improve. He looks great and doesn't need the cane around the house. Resting at home and several hours of physical therapy a week are working wonders.

**I got to talk to Zack last Saturday! He is 2/3 of the way done with Marine OCS and so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel (his words). After Thanksgiving we'll start making travel plans to go to Quantico for family day & graduation/commissioning on December 11 & 12. Can't wait!! Here's a link to a photo of him: http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/Icons%20and%20Photogallery/fall2008/D%20Co%20SULE%20I/008.html

**Baby is doing well and starting to sap all of my energy. and making it difficult to stand up from sitting or lying down. and pushing on my stomach so I eat way too much and then am miserable. and thumping away at my insides. But it's worth it. 2 months left--we can do this!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dad is home!

Dad got to come home from the hospital today! He and Mom are both so excited. I think being home will help him more than anything else. His liver enzymes are still high, which is why they kept him a day longer than originally thought, but hopefully those will go down as his body starts to heal. His mouth droopage is almost unnoticable now, which rocks, because that's bothering him the most. He'll walk with a walker for a while and will have physical therapy twice a week for four weeks.

I'm pretty proud of myself that I haven't really had a breakdown through all of this--I think I turned my emotions off early last weekend when Dad went back into the hospital. It's easier to be stoic and do what I can to help them than it is to stress out over what is or isn't getting done in my own life. Now that Dad's home and getting better, must continue to be stoic and unemotional, or else the breakdown might happen!

Odds and ends

It's election night, and I'm jittery waiting to hear the returns. Que sera, sera--but still!

I'm SO glad the never-ending barrage of calls, pamphlets, mail, radio spots, and TV commercials are over after today. We had two political calls Saturday, three Sunday and four or five yesterday. Whatever will we do with our time after today?!

Zack is doing well in Marine OCS. He now has liberty regularly--every weekend, I think--which helps a lot. He has just over a month left!

My dad has been in the hospital as doctors tried to figure out why his legs are weak, mouth and eye are drooping, liver enzymes are high, he has shooting pain in his legs, etc. etc. He was admitted last Tuesday, and after an MRI and multiple other tests came back clear (no stroke, thank God), released Wednesday. He went back in Friday because his legs gave out at a checkup with the neurologist. The doctors finally diagnosed Guillian-Barré Syndrome, in which the body's immune system basically attacks itself; it happens after a virus or other illness, and Dad has had a cold/been feeling lousy since the middle of September. So they are treating him with immunoglobulin something or other infusions, one a day, with the last one Thursday. He may get to go home Thursday or he may stay longer--there are still a few more tests results the doctors want to be sure to rule out anything else.

So it's been a pretty stressful week or two, but we are so thankful because he's finally getting treated and because it could be so much worse!

Dad and Mom got to feel the baby kick on Saturday, which was cool. He is now big enough ("the size of a small pot roast" according to my pregnancy book, a description that is just really creepy) and moving so much that we can see my abdomen shake and move when he does. Very Alien-like!

Hopefully more photos coming soon!

There's no place like home...

I was supposed to be home last night (Saturday) around 11, but my flight out of DC was delayed for hours, which meant that I missed my connecting flight to Springfield. Apparently it was too foggy/misty in DC for our plane to land, so it had to be rereouted and refueled before its return. When it finally arrived, we were told was being taken out of service (!!) but that they had another plane for us. GREAT! We finally landed in Dallas around 10:30 pm and I had two choices until my 8:40 am flight home: hang in the airport or pay $53 (the "distressed passenger" rate) for a motel room. After deciding on the airport, I changed my mind and went for the Super 8, which was quite an appalling dump, but at least had a bed. So after a few hours sleep in my contacts and clothes, we shuttled back to the airport and I'm finally home!!

I had been sad, thinking that I wouldn't get to do any more free history teacher summer trips for a while--but this return trip has definitely cured my traveling bug for a long time!

Time flies

I leave Thursday for a short conference in Arlington, VA--two days of training for the National Teacher Council sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute. I'm not looking forward to flying, but I am looking forward to missing school! No school Friday, so it will just be missing Thursday, but a four-day weekend (even with flying) is worth it!

My brother Zack is having a tough time at Marine OCS. He's back on full duty now, but last week was on crutches and had four days of light duty because he strained a muscle in his leg. Apparently it's a common running injury--but his platoon commander wanted to send him home, and if Zack gets injured again, he probably will. Pray for his safety! I think it would about destroy him to be sent home. He's been training for OCS for almost a year and there's nothing else he wants to do right now besides be a Marine officer. He did get 95/100 on a safe weapons handling test, so that's awesome.

Can't believe it's almost the end of October--and can't believe I'm almost in the third trimester. Just three months left! Deep breaths...no hyperventilating...must breathe!

Half days of school rock!

That's right--the kids left at 11 AM today. ROCK ON!

Half days are the best. Of course, we teachers are here the normal time, but we go out to lunch (so that's what it's like!) and we don't have to listen to the griping/whining/bitching/moaning/complaining that characterizes this school year.

And, this is a completely open weekend for me! YES!

Have a great one yourselves!

Baby registry...whoa

We registered at Target tonight, and now I'm completely overwhelmed.

Even after doing tons of research, reading Baby Bargains about 18 times, and thinking we were prepared prepared to register, I realize now that we probably registered for a load of crap we likely won't ever use. But who knows, until the baby actually gets here? And what's the point of registering ahead of time, then? Plus, after registering for a Graco infant car seat & stroller base, I realized that the stroller we got from Aunt Judy and Grandma (Evenflo) does in fact allow an Evenflow infant car seat to snap in--but all the reviews I've read of Evenflo seats are atrocious (broken parts, recalls, etc.). So now what? How rude to return such a major gift, and it would hurt their feelings (although I doubt they'd notice, really)--but we also don't have a receipt, so have no idea where to return it.

I know: it's the thought, they want us to be happy regardless, and in the big scheme of things, it's no big deal. But I'm ultra-emotional right now, having spent $500 on maternity clothes so far (should get me through January), which is money that we don't really have; moving stuff in Ivy's room and my office by myself; worrying about how I'm going to get everything done before the baby arrives, and how I'm going to pay for it (yes, I, not we; apparently I'm the only one concerned about any of this: painting, ceiling, roof that the insurance won't pay for, etc. etc.); and mostly feeling like I'm in this pregnancy and preparing for a baby completely alone. The house is wreck, the basement is a pig sty (shite everywhere; George hasn't cleaned beyond vacuuming in over two years) to the point that I get heart palpitations just walking downstairs, we don't eat decent food unles I cook, and mostly, if I want anything done, I have to do it myself.

From registering to feeling completely empty and alone--what an uplifting blog post this is!

Shower & Belly pic #2

My St. Louis family surprised us (well, me, anyway; George knew about it!) last Saturday with a shower! It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time. We also celebrated my Grandma Mac's 84th birthday!

One more belly pic! (in my fav maternity shirt)

My "little" brother Zack left for Marine Officer Candidate School this morning. I'm really proud of him! Just still in amazement that my little brother is going to be a Marine.

Here is Zack getting sworn into the Missouri Bar last week by Judge Dennis Budd:

He was back in Springfield from KC for a month, but I feel like we didn't get to see him nearly enough. He'll be home for Christmas, though, and we're hoping to go to Quantico in early December to see him graduate from OCS. Semper Fi!

It's Friday--THANK GOD!

Happy weekend!

Belly pic!

By request: Belly pic #1

1 October 2008

5 months and counting!

Not the best photo, but it works:

you can see the baby belly but not the baby butt!

George talked to Ivy tonight!

Today is Ivy's 10th birthday (can't believe it; when we first started dating, she was in diapers--but that's another story). We haven't talked to her, seen her or had any contact whatsoever in over two years (again, another story). I asked George tonight if he was going to try to call her; he said he didn't know and I told him he should. And, if you can believe it, he did!

Ivy answered the phone and George talked to her for a few minutes. He said she was pretty monosyllabic/non-responsive, but what can you expect from no contact for over two years??!! The last time we saw her, she was 7! She said she got lots of stuffed animals for her birthday, and that her favorite subject at school is Art (go figure) and her least favorite is Computers, because they take tests (although she does well on the tests).

I was in shock when George came upstairs and told me 1) he called and 2) he got to talk to Ivy. Good thing I was sitting down. Do you know how many times in the last two years I've suggested/ranted/pleaded that he call? Has he ever done it? Never! Maybe there was something about her hitting double digits that convinced him to do it, or maybe it's that he knows she'll be thrilled to be a big sister. Who knows.

At any rate, he told Ivy he'd call her mom soon so we can start seeing each other again. Please, PLEASE pray that he follows through. Not getting to be part of her life is heartbreaking.



This picture was taken September 15, 2006, over the last weekend we saw her.

Newest ultrasound photos (viewer discretion is advised)

Here are the ultrasound photos from two weeks ago when we found out gender. Be advised: They're a little creepy!

Baby will be appearing as Voldemort for Halloween!

It's Alien Baby!

Looks immensely comfortable, huh?

Baby as the Joker! Scary!

We're starting month five--just four months until January 26!

It's a...(take two)

It's a BOY!!!

Belly pics coming soon, by request!

It's a...

Secret!

It was my idea to find out baby's gender but not tell anybody--but now that we know, I want to tell everyone!

Ultrasound was fun, longer than the first one--lots of measuring brain, heart, etc. We got some fun pix, including some 3-Ds (baby's name will have to be Skeletor! Some pix are a bit creepy.) and another of the genitals. Apparently our child is an exhibitionist! The ultrasound tech kept saying, "Well, baby's not shy!" because everywhere she went with the sensor, there were the genitals. Not a habit we want to encourage, for sure.

As SOON as the tech pointed out baby's gender, I knew it would be next to impossible not to tell anyone. And it's so hard!! For me, anyway, but not for George. He's giving me crap about wanting to tell people after saying I wouldn't...so I guess we'll keep it a secret for now, but I know I'll let it spill eventually, whether accidentally or on purpose, in conversation or via registry, one way or another!

I'm so excited!!!

Next Thursday is the

ULTRASOUND! Well, the big ultrasound: the one when we find out if we're having a boy or a girl! I get to take the 11th entirely off of work (since who knows how late the ultrasound, and then Burk, will run?), which makes the day doubly exciting.

I am almost positive we'll find out Baby's gender--although I'm having second thoughts, I'm too excited not to find out--but we're contemplating not telling anyone else. Why? Mainly because some people have been driving us nuts every time we see them: "Ooh, I just know you'll have a boy because..." or "I definitely know you're having a girl because..." and this drives us (OK, me) crazy!! Maybe it's that I have no patience with anyone these days, or maybe it's that I want to be able to enjoy the wondering that comes with not knowing, or maybe it's just that NO ONE knows but God, and since no one we know is God, anyone saying it's definite is just really annoying.

Of course, keeping Baby's gender a secret may turn out to be next to impossible. I have a tough time keeping such big secrets, some stuff we register for may give it away, or we may just break down and spill it. Either way, we are thrilled to find out and can't wait for next Thursday!!

School is in full swing!

Not sure why the exclamation point--it's not really exciting news, but it is news, three days into the school year (171 to go). I really like our new principal so far. She's funnier than heck and sort of sarcastic, too: perfect for SCORE.

The kids, on the other hand, are driving me nuts. They're excited that I'm pregnant, but most of them won't SHUT THE HECK UP! The worst are my all-boy classes (shocking, I know). They're just being immature little punks so far, and I'm having trouble not losing it with them.
Since I'm pregnant, aren't I allowed to be bitchy? :)

I swear, if our kid ever acts anything like some of my students...no, no, what a scary thought! Take it away, quickly!

BTW, randomly, P.S. I Love You is an amazing movie. Watch it, cry, stare at the amazing biceps of the hot Irish men, and wish you could afford some of those amazing shoes!!

My head is pounding!

Mostly it's because I've been reading Baby Bargains for weeks and am completely overwhelmed by the choices, reviews, options, and sticker shock (of course) of everything from cribs to carriers. Tonight George and I talked about furniture, which we'll likely order from JCPenney. Convertible or regular crib? Coffee, caramel or chocolate finish? Basic mattress or one step up? What can we actually afford? Then there's the fun of JCP's ridiculously high shipping charges. I was super excited to have a "free shipping" coupon--until I realized that it doesn't apply to furniture or home-delivery charges. ARGH!

Add to baby madness and pregnancy insanity:
1. teacher days starting Monday,
2. kids coming Friday (I am not ready for this!),
3. preparing for my CTU class that starts the 20th (the English class has been completely overhauled, so I'm spending hours updating my PowerPoints),
4. trying to get George to talk about/help me figure out what to do with stuff in Ivy's room to make way for baby (where will her bed, the world's largest toybox, the stuff in the closet, and my two bookshelves full of books go? None of this will fit in my office, already crowded with three bookshelves, a file cabinet, my desk, chair & computer, and another chair.)

and you have a recipe for the first migraine of my life!!

I think sleep will help, but that just brings me one day closer to the end of my lovely summer holiday. Well, life goes on! And will rapidly speed up once school starts, bringing labor and delivery (which, honestly, I'm quite terrified of--or at least, I'm quite terrified of the potential complications) that much closer, that much faster.

Do all pregnant women feel this overwhelmed? Please say yes!

Jumping bean! and car accident

Lots of news! Monday 21 July we got some great ultrasound pics at the early genetic screening (insurance covers it, and we got pics, so why not?). George had to work, so Mom went with me, which was cool. Regular ultrasound this time (hooray!), and it was hysterical--baby was dancing around like a Mexican jumping bean! We figured he/she was responding to the ultrasound pressure, but as the jumping/hopping/dancing/rolling went on, we decided that hiccups must also be involved. We were cracking up! Wish we had gotten a video, but the photos will have to do.

Photo #1: Baby is already trying to get fingers in his/her mouth. Can you tell? And, no more sea monkey! Baby actually looks like a baby!

Photo #2: Compare with the first photo; this one was taken in mid-jump! Head is raised, back is arched, and butt looks really pointy (yikes).

Photo #3: Close-up profile & a few wee fingers.

There are other photos of the hands, perfectly outlined (all 10 fingers are there!), and the wee, wee feet, but these three are the best.

The checkup with Burk after the tests (ultrasound & finger prick) also went well. I've gained 4 pounds ("perfect," according to the nurse) and all is well. We heard the baby's heartbeat, which was really cool! I did get in trouble with Burk for drinking sweet tea, though. Oh well.

So Mom and I had a great morning, a fun lunch and were on our way to Lowe's when a woman turned left in front of me and I hit her. I was going South on Fremont, just South of Sunset (I think), and saw her in the turn lane. She started to turn, so I slowed down (not going very fast, anyway) and laid on the horn, fully expecting her to stop. Well, she didn't. She kept coming, and I hit her passenger door and front side panel, even after I slammed on the brakes. She, in turn, swiped a truck waiting at the side street stop sign.

It was so scary! Of course, I immediately became hysterical--good thing Mom was there with me. We moved the cars fully onto the side street and got out to inspect the damage. The woman kept saying, "I just didn't see you, hon." Really? So my car is invisible, and apparently the horn isn't loud enough to get your attention, either? I couldn't believe it. We all exchanged info, and Mom wondered if we should call the cops. Since the cars were all drivable, and no one was injured, the truck man said he didn't think it was necessary--so we didn't. We probably should have, but I was so shaken up that I couldn't stop crying, much less help make decisions.

The truck man left, and we started to, when the woman stopped. Her car was making a sound, but it was just the cover over the tire scraping. I got Mom's camera (forgot she had it til then) and took some photos of the woman's car and mine. Check a few out:

Yup, that's the hood.

So the woman's insurance is still "investigating" the incident, but it was clearly her fault (she turned in front of me), and she admitted fault ("I just didn't see you, hon"), so I'm hopeful that everything works out.

My car held up really well; I'm proud of my little Honda. The air bags didn't go off, which was odd. Since I was originally going only 35ish (if that; I'm guessing), guess I had slowed down enough to avoid a worse wreck when we hit.

Ended up going to the ER the next day because when I called to let Burk know about the accident--no, I wasn't cramping, bleeding, or feeling any pain other than a sore neck & headache--the nurse couldn't believe I hadn't gone in the day before and told me to get to the ER right away to be checked out. Naturally, I freaked out again, thinking all sorts of horrible things had happened and I hadn't gone in early enough. Thankfully, Mom went with me, and we were in the ER for a total of an hour and a half. That's it! Waited for 20 minutes, called back for vitals, told to go to the acute care waiting room (another freakout moment for me), called back again, head & neck examined, questioned (no, no cramping or bleeding), and then another baby heartbeat check, which was fine--and that was it. THANK GOD everything was OK. I'm not sure I could have taken it if something had happened to the baby.

So that's our news. All is well, just waiting for insurance, although Mom said that's she's still stiff and sore. There may be a doctor visit in her future, too. Will keep you up to date!

Next checkup: August 11. I won't take sweet tea in with me this time!

Back from Philadelphia & Kansas City

I've been gone for two weeks, first to New Jersey for a day to see Ang, Roman and wee Marcus (who is the cutest baby! Cannnot believe I didn't get a single photo of all of us), then on to Philadelphia for the conference on Ben Franklin (which was good, but not as good as others I've been to), and finally to Kansas City for the conference on Harry S. Truman & 1948 (Berlin Airlift, recognition of Israel, desegregation of the military, 1948 election, etc.). The KC conference was fantastic! One of the speakers was Gail Halverson, who was a pilot in the Berlin Airlift. He became known as the "Candy Bomber" because he started dropping candy & gum to the children in Berlin. When the higher-ups found out about it, he was threatened with court-martial, but then it became official policy! It was awesome to meet him & hear him speak. He is 88 years old and still travels a lot speaking--he's been to Germany three times this year already! Here's a (slightly blurry) photo of Gail & me:Good thing it's only from the chest up so you can't see my starting-to-protrude belly!

Pix of me kissing Ben Franklin (ha) and hugging Harry Truman (posing for photos is half the fun of these conferences, really):

On a completely unrelated note, my "little" brother Zack graduated from UMKC law school in May! He takes the bar exam next week, so send him prayers & luck. Here's our family photo after the graduation. Good lookin' lot, huh? :)

Next doctor visit: tomorrow! Check back soon for more ultrasound photos (hopefully).

First doctor visit!

Finally--the first ultrasound pix! 23 June 2008 Baby was less than 2 centimeters & looks very much like a peanut--or a sea monkey. :) Sorry for the blurriness. I tried to make the pix bigger & that's what happened!

We had our first pre-natal visit to the doctor today! I was really nervous about the whole thing (what if something is wrong? etc.), but the entire visit went very well. Dr. Burk is awesome, and his nurse, Kinzi, is super sweet and friendly. We spent about an hour with her going over family medical history, asking questions (I had a ton) and going through our "bag o' goodies"--binder, book, magazines, coupond, wee baby memory book, etc. Hooray!

I learned that Dr. Burk shares a lot of our same ideas about childbirth: he listens to what we want, as natural a birth as possible (I might try to make it without an epidural! I say that now...), inducing/forceps/C-section/etc. only as last resorts, etc. He delivers all his patients' babies himself (no PAs or other doctors in his practice), and plus, he's really laid back and funnier than heck!

The ultrasound was awesome. Well, not at first. It was an invasive (for lack of a better word) ultrasound, and you can use your imagination--it was not the belly kind you see on TV! When we walked into the exam room, I said, "That giant wand had better not be the thing they stick in me!" But, of course, it was. Uncomfortable? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely! As soon as the image came up, George jumped out of his chair (actually leapt) and watched with a huge grin on his face. Burk was pointing out various things ("There's the heart"; "See the fingers"?)--but I couldn't see the screen! A giant wand in my crotch, and everyone gets to see the baby but me. What the heck!

Burk finally tilted the screen so I could see it, and it was the most amazing thing! We could see the head clearly, almost see wee fingers, and see the heart beating rapidly. No word to describe it except amazing (and awesome, I guess. And incredible...). Of course I cried. It's just so amazing to think that this tiny wee baby is living in me, that he/she is growing, that I'm protecting him/her, and that we'll see him/her in January! (how awkward with all those pronouns--but better than "it")

What a miracle!

We got our four photos (looks like twins in one of them--but not) and went to the lab, where the lab tech sucked six vials of blood from me and I peed in yet another cup. And three hours after our arrival, we left!

Waiting 30 minutes to be called back and another 15 to see the nurse: $30 co-pay
Having a giant wand in my crotch and then a bunch of blood drawn: major discomfort
Seeing your wee baby for the first time: PRICELESS!

Welcome to Welchland!

Welcome to Erin & George's blog! Thanks to Ang (who I'm copying) for the blog idea! I'm still trying to figure this whole blog thing out, but figure it will be a great way to keep in touch with baby updates. So bear with me while I experiment!

This is our cat, Llama:

Llama was named after the "Llama Song." You can view the video here: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama

Be prepared to laugh hysterically! (as I do every time I watch it--almost have the words memorized!)