One last update, and then I am not reporting anything until it's the real deal

Okay...so let me tell you about my day yesterday. It was a long one.

On Friday, starting about 11 am, in Target, I began to have regular contractions--you know, 5-10 minutes apart, 1 minute long, etc. etc. They weren't super uncomfortable or anything, so I just continued on with my day, praying that they wouldn't stop. I was in Target for a while, and I still had to go to Publix and Kroger and even CVS. And the contractions continued. At 4:00 ish, I finally finished all of my grocery shopping, and I started some cleaning projects around the house. Again, I was scared to stop for fear the contractions would stop, and they were becoming more uncomfortable. I was having to stop every once in a while, catch my breath, etc. etc. So... Scott and I went to Chili's as planned, and the contractions were less intense, but they never stopped all during dinner. In fact, I couldn't really enjoy my dinner because I was thinking about the contractions.

So...after dinner we had to go back to Target, and at this point, the contractions started to intensify. Walking across the store seemed impossible. So...we finished up there, ran one more errand at Publix and headed home. I was fairly uncomfortable at this point and tired, so I decided to go to bed early, thinking I might need my rest later. Sure enough, at midnight, I woke up again, the contractions stronger than they had been. I went downstairs, and Scott and I began to time them. They were coming very regularly, so I called the doctor, and we decided to get ready to go to the hospital just in case. I took a shower, got my stuff together, and then I decided to lie back down just to make sure they were the real thing. As soon we lay down, Scott was falling asleep, but the contractions started getting worse, so I told Scott I thought it was time. We loaded up and headed up I-75.

So...we check into the hospital, they check me, and I am only 1 1/2 centimeters. DISCOURAGEMENT!! But, naturally, I think, alright, pack it up, we're headed back home. Well, the nurse goes to talk to the doctor, and they decide to keep me for observation because Ada was rather quick to arrive for a first pregnancy. Lying down at the hospital, however, my contractions came to an abrupt stop. I walked for a couple of hours, hoping to get things going again, and the nurse told me that the doctor would be in to see me at 7 am. (This was at 5ish, I think). This story is a long one, so I will make it quick--we did not see a doctor until 10 am--going on 7 hours after we got to the hospital. This was after my nurse talked me into an induction. I didn't want to be induced because I didn't think my body was ready, the nurse told me all these great reasons why I was a prime candidate for induction, I called my mom and Ann, discussed it with Scott, discussed it with the nurse, and we decided that I would go ahead with the induction, and everyone prepared to make their way to ATL for John's birth. I was praying a lot and nervous about how things would go, but the nurse was very convincing. And every time I said, "let's just wait to hear what the doctor says," she would reply, "I know what the doctor is going to say." WRONG--7 hours after I got there, a midwife comes in (a mistake on their part because I am supposed to see doctors) and tells me they are sending me home. You can imagine that I was a bit emotional at this point. I am still confused about why they didn't send me home as soon as they checked me and saw that I was only 1.5 centimeters. But, no, 7 hours later, after no sleep, we headed back to the house. I was emotionally and physically exhausted, and I was (and am) convinced that John has decided to permanently make his home in my womb.

So...I am changing my thinking. They will not let me go 10 days beyond my due date, so we know that this baby will be here by February 20th. Until then, I am getting my mind on other things. Emotionally, I can't take the waiting. I think I thought that he would come around the same time as Ada, as did the doctors, but now, I have decided it will be a while.

In fact, mom and Sarah are headed back home, and only when I am overcome with so much pain that I can not stand it, or my water breaks, will I head back to the hospital. For the time being we are carrying on with life as normal, and I am going to try to blog about things other than this pregnancy.

And that is what is going on with us.

(p.s. the doctor did give me some ambien--the same thing they gave me when I was pregnant with Ada--and I got a wonderful night's sleep as a result)

Still Waiting

Nothing to report.

I didn't feel so great today. I stayed on the couch for most of the day, which I hoped somehow meant that labor was about to kick in to high gear. So far, it hasn't.

I am dying to see little Ada. She and mom are headed this way on Saturday unless something happens tonight or tomorrow. (I'm not counting on it).

I went to bible study tonight, which helped to get my mind off of the waiting and onto some truth. Like God is in control of this thing called labor, and I am not.

I have my coupons ready for a grocery run tomorrow. Still trying to stock the freezer and pantry for easy meal preps over the next month or two.

What else? What else?

Oh, I think Scott and I might go out to dinner tomorrow night. Nothing fancy; probably Chili's, because we love it and it's not too expensive and we never go there (or any other restaurant really). But I am just as excited about a Chili's meal as I used to be about our "fancy" dates in midtown when we were newlyweds.

And that's what is happening here.

What a Day: Again, it's long, bear with me.

Okay, let me start with a quick update on what is going on in our world.

Yesterday mom and I were talking on the phone, and in a spur of the moment, whirlwind decision, mom met me a few exits above Atlanta to pick up Ada and take her to Scottsboro. We decided this would be best for everyone under the circumstances. Ada was excited, and it will allow me to rest and wait this labor out without worrying about getting Ada situated in the process. If nothing happens in the next several days, mom will head back this way with Ada in tow. Hormonally, I am not all together, so I have been a bit emotional about the Ada separation, but I know it really is the most practical solution. And Ada isn't worried about it. Just me.

In other pregnancy news...there is no news. I went to the doctor again today, and I was 1.5 centimeters. Woo-hoo...another half a centimeter (note sarcasm). I do think I am rather effaced, which I assume those of you who care, know what that means, and those of you who don't care, would rather me not explain. I think it's better to be effaced than dilated, right? I also scheduled appointments for the next two weeks. If I have to go to my doctor's appointment on the 16th (my due date is the 10th), it will not be pretty.

Okay, so I left the doctor a bit worn out and discouraged and grumbling to the Lord about how it felt like John would never get here despite the never-ending stop/start contractions. I also grumbled a bit to mom and then Ann on the phone. And even Scott and my college bff, Amy Speakman. I thought I might even cry a few tears of frustration, but they never came.

Well, I noticed about halfway home that my gas light came on, but I thought I had plenty of time to make it to the house without stopping because all I really wanted was to get home and into something comfortable. I was wrong.

About five minutes from my house, I ran out of gas. Completely out of gas.

So, I coasted to the side of the road, and I called Scott--at this point a few tears were falling.

Technically, I was close enough to walk home, and maybe if I had, then I would have gone into labor finally, but I didn't think I should just leave the car there, and I didn't think my body would hold out for that long of a walk. So Scott said to stay put, and he was on the way.

Well, the next thing I know, a policeman is pulling over and walking up to the car. I explained my situation, and he told me he would drive me to the QT down the road, so that I could get some gas. So, there I go, 39 weeks pregnant, climbing into the back of this police car. No joke. I laughed as I got in and said, "I've never ridden in a police car before."

Ya'll, it was a bit humiliating to pull up to that QT in the back of the police car. And then when I tried to get out, I realized you can't let yourself out, that would probably defeat the purpose, right?

Anyway, we got the gasoline, he drove me back to my car, and Scott came home anyway because I think he thought I might be an emotional wreck. And honestly, I was laughing instead of crying by the time he got here. After that, I climbed into bed and slept for two hours, and now I am anxiously waiting for the season premiere of Lost. Get excited!!!

On a completely separate note, I did want to show you a few pictures of John's room. I took most of these this evening, so excuse the lighting and picture quality. I repeat--we have been given so much.

My mom did the pictures hanging above John's bed. I love them. I actually bought the bed and bedding back when I was first pregnant with Ada. They were on clearance at Target, and I jumped the gun, thinking they were neutral enough, and I bought them. When I found out that Ada was a girl, I realized that I wanted her room to be very girly, so the bed and bedding have been at mom's since then. The glider was Ann's through all of her newborns, and mom (UPDATE: Mary Ann also bought this for me!!! I am so sorry, Mary Ann, if you read this before the update. Please forgive my absentmindedness. I know that you also bought it for me) bought it from her and gave it to me. It is a nice glider, and mom's plan is to continue to pass it around to all the sisters. I am so thankful to have it because I didn't have a comfy glider with Ada. I gave that up when I decided to redecorate her entire room:)The changing table was Ada's. I bought it off Craigslist for 25.00 when we moved into this house. She didn't have room for a changing table in our apartment. The little duck was a gift at the work baby shower, and Ada loves it. I don't think John will even get to use it. Ada hugs it, talks to it, and lounges in it. She also puts her baby doll in it and drags it around. Tutti was getting rid of the chests of drawers you see above, and we gladly took them off her hands. Thank you, Tutti!! I want to purchase a mirror to hang over those. I also want to buy some really cute Animal wall cards from Land of Nod, but that will all come in time. His room is a work in progress for now.The diapers, oh the diapers. Above you see just the size one diapers that we have been given. His changing table is stocked with newborn diapers, and below are boxes of size 2s and 3s. Really, I am overwhelmed by the generosity. My family gave me a baby shower, Scott's family gave me a surprise baby shower, Tutti and Jessica gave me a baby shower, and Scott's work gave me a baby shower. We have not bought anything for this little guy.And the clothes. Ann has given me all of Andrew's old stuff, and we have also been given several new things and other hand-me-downs. I have several precious Feltman Brothers outfits that I can't wait to put on him despite Scott's protests.

We are ready for this little guy, if my body will just do it's thing.

Yet another update. Warning: It's Long.

I have hesitated to blog about labor for a few days because sometimes I feel crazy saying, well, I have been having contractions all week long. And, to be honest with you, I believe it's real labor. I think this is how my body does labor. It's incredibly stop-start, but it makes for a fast and easy (with an epidural) labor when it comes time to actually go to the hospital and began stage two.

I have been talking to my mom and Ann quite often over the past two weeks as I believed at various times that it just might be the "real thing," and Ann kept telling me about a term--prodromal labor--so yesterday, when I was contracting yet again, I decided to google the term and see what it was all about. It described me to a T. It's what I did with Ada, and it's what I am doing now. Have you heard of it? Basically, it's when a woman labors over a course of weeks rather than in one big chunk of hours. So instead of 24-48 hours of intense labor, I have stop-start labor for about three weeks beforehand, sometimes stopping for days at a time. Again, the good news is, this usually means a short period of time once I am actually at the hospital. Ada came strangely fast for a first born, so I anticipate the same with John, unless of course something goes wrong, which is always a possibility. Another characteristic of prodromal labor is lots of lost sleep, which happened with Ada. When I arrived at the hospital to have Ada, I was going on maybe four hours of sleep over a course of two nights and days. So...this time I am really concentrating on getting as much rest as possible.


Everyone says that the true test of "real labor," is to lie down, completely relaxed, and if the contractions continue to come and get stronger, then it's the real deal.


Last night, I thought it was the real deal. I made it through the dinner/bath time/ bed time hour with no contractions. That was a first for this week. The rest of the week I had fairly intense contractions during the bedtime process, but then they stopped when I was finally able to sit down and relax. Last night, it was when I sat down on the couch that the contractions began. I told Scott that I was going to lie down for a while to see if they would stop, and they would not. I then called my mom to see if she was snowed in because I had heard that North Alabama was the recipient of some crazy weather yesterday, and I told her I would call her in an hour if the contractions continued. They did continue, but they never increased in intensity, so I decided to try to sleep. And I did sleep for most of the night. Every two hours or so, I would wake up and the contractions would still be coming, but again, the intensity had not increased. I woke up at 5 am, with some fairly strong contractions, so I moved back downstairs, and then at about 7:30 this morning, Scott let me go back to bed, and I slept solidly for three hours. It was Heaven.

I thought that once I got going with the day, the contractions would intensify, but they really haven't. They continue, but nothing is increasing in intensity, so I continue to wait. Basically, I feel achey and uncomfortable, but that is it. I do have a few things on my to-do list--clean the bathrooms again, clean out the pantry and freezer, dust a few pieces of furniture, etc. etc.--so I will just continue on with those things. Anything involving physical activity increases the contractions, but then I sit down and they go back to just dull, achey contractions, so it's not really getting me anywhere. I am a bit frustrated and tired. Can you tell?

Anyway, for the very few of you that might still be reading this post, I have a question, having nothing to do with labor. Do you have a good recipe for chicken spaghetti? I don't have chicken broth or white wine, so is there a recipe that doesn't call for those ingredients? I really don't want to go back to the grocery store because I have already spent my allotted grocery money for the week. Can you help me? I want to make the spaghetti Wednesday or Thursday night (unless, of course, things "crank up").

Part of my nesting seems to be wanting comfort food recipes. I have been trying different biscuit recipes, searching for just the right combo of ingredients to taste like my mom's, and I think I am about to make a cupcake recipe from the most recent Southern Living. I am craving good, full fat;) food. Scott is loving it.

Warning: boring pregnancy talk

Well, there's not much to tell. I am 1 centimeter dilated. Should that even be considered progress? The doctor said he could feel the head and John is in the correct position, now we just have to get him moving.

I don't feel too discouraged about the 1 centimeter because I didn't really dilate at all until the actual day that I had Ada. Apparently my body doesn't dilate until it's ready to have that baby.

So...not much to tell. My mind is very occupied with having this baby, so it's sort of hard for me to blog about anything else.

Ada is excited because she knows that when John comes, Near is also coming. So she keeps talking about that.

I am praying for a restful night. Scott is at the drug store buying me some tylenol because part of the labor process for me is really achey arms and legs--who knows? But I did this with Ada as well. I am hoping to take care of that issue in hopes of sleeping tonight.

Dear John,

can you come out soon? I am ready to meet you my second born and first son. You are big enough, I do believe, that it makes more sense for you to be out here experiencing the world rather than tucked into my womb. All your little arm and leg movements hurt my ribs and my bladder and my hips. And besides, I want to see your sweet face. To meet this person who has been inside of me for the past nine months. Are we ready for this? I don't know. I am hoping that you nurse like a champ. Will you do that for me? And sleep all night, right from the start;) We'll figure it out together, I suppose, stumbling through those first few weeks as we get to know each other. We love you so much already. So much, I can hardly stand to wait any longer to hold you and cuddle with you and introduce you to your big sister. Hurry, hurry, hurry John... we are eagerly awaiting your arrival.

love,

your "mama" (as Ada has named me)

All too familiar

It's 3:30 am, and I am wide awake for the second night in a row.

This is what I did when I was pregnant with Ada, and the end was near. The good news is it means my body is getting ready for labor or laboring or doing something to get this baby out. The bad news is, my body might do this for two more weeks.

I go to the doctor later this morning--at 10:50. Please, please, please let there be encouraging news. If I have to be awake at all hours of the night before John is born, let it be because progress is happening.

Tonight there have been contractions. For a while so strong that I considered waking Scott. And I considered folding the clothes that were out in the hall and cleaning the living room--just in case. Then I remembered a book I was reading, and I opted for that instead.

Last night, I was literally awake all night long. I finally fell asleep around 4 am, for about two hours. I was a mess this morning, and luckily, Scott was able to stay home while I stayed in bed. But, of course, he can't stay home for the next two weeks. So let this baby come. Or let me get some sleep.

For now the contractions have stopped. And I did sleep from 11:00-2:30, so that's something.

I think I will go read some more, and maybe I will fall asleep again. Here's hoping.

Waiting

Well, they did not check me when I went to the doctor today. Progress? I don't know.

They told me they will start checking me next week. And they tell me I will have the baby around the same time that I had Ada.

So...I am sitting tight.

This means I have, um? 2 1/2 more weeks? Give or take a few days. That is plenty of time to clean and re-clean and re-clean again.

In the mean time, I received an e-mail today telling me that John is the size of a watermelon. All I could picture was a huge summer watermelon, and it made me laugh. He feels like a watermelon as I waddle from here to there (mostly the bathroom every five minutes).

While I wait, I am still doing the daily things--cooking dinner and tripping over toys and answering lots of why's and what's that as Ada is blissfully unaware that our days should be any different. I think at this point in my Ada pregnancy, I was taking it easy. I certainly wasn't cooking dinner every night. But a two year old has to eat. As does a 28 year old husband. And for that matter, I am fairly hungry at the end of everyday.

Yesterday I had a special day with Ada. I have been so focused on cleaning, that I haven't given her much undivided attention lately. So after the library, we shared lunch at Zaxby's, and we had a little "John is on the way," talk. She stared at me so hard as I said, "In a few weeks, I will go the doctor and the doctor will take John out of my tummy." I told her that daddy would go with me to the doctor and she may have to stay with Mrs. Jessica. She listened really hard and repeated words here and there, "daddy?" "Baby John is coming?" I then provided the dramatic ending--when I come home from the doctor, I will bring Baby John with me, and he will live with us. She clapped her hands really hard then, and said, "Yea!!!!" I don't think she got it. Do you agree?

And this afternoon, as the rain came in, we played play-dough at her little table. She made me tater-tots. Then we sat on the couch and looked through her baby book. Her only halfway interested and me a bit choked up at how quickly the time has passed. Wasn't I just waiting on her?

Tuesday

Good morning, everyone. I am in a great mood because I just saw that the high for the day is in the 60s. Woo-hoo. We got to spend all afternoon outside yesterday, and it was beautiful, and we will be headed out again today.

I think it is good for the soul to spend time outside. Do you agree?

This morning we are headed to the library for story time, and then I have more cleaning projects on my list.

The nesting is taking over my life. I can't stop. I am not a cleaner by nature, as you know, but right now I can't sit still because I keep thinking of things that need to be done. I am whipping this house into shape, and I think I am going to send myself into labor in the process. Yesterday as I moved and rearranged and vacuumed the "extra room" upstairs, I had to stop every few minutes to get through a contraction. But there just isn't time to sit still and kick up my feet. Last night as John very uncomfortably forced his legs into my ribs, I decided that John can come as soon as he wants to. I am over pregnancy, for sure. (Don't worry, mom, I still think it will be a couple of weeks). I do go to the doctor tomorrow, so hopefully they will check to see if there is any progress.

In the mean time, I thought I would post a few pictures that I took yesterday. I am trying to soak up play time with Ada during these last couple of weeks before I become mom to two.

False Alarm

Last night as I was cooking dinner, I began to have contractions in regular intervals. They didn't hurt though, so I just kept doing what I was doing. Then as I cleaned up dinner, bathed Ada, and got her into bed, the contractions continued, becoming increasingly more uncomfortable as I became increasingly more panicky. I found myself making deals with God, ridiculous, I know.

"Lord," I said,"I need to clean the bathroom, and my bags are not packed, and I just want a good night's sleep tonight instead of labor. Can I please not be in real labor, please?"

I had planned to clean the master bathroom last night because it is in dire need, and I just could not imagine going to the hospital to have a baby without cleaning it first. Plus, the edges nearest the ceiling in John's room still needed to be painted. Being really honest with ya'll, at one point I was in tears, explaining to Scott all the reasons that I could not, refused, in fact, to be in labor. So...I decided to lie very still in bed and read a book, and sure enough they stopped. I thought if I ignored what was happening, it would just go away.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and the doctor assured me that contractions this early with the second one are normal, but it probably doesn't mean anything yet. Thank goodness. He wouldn't check my progress yet, though--he said we would start that next week. I love the doctor that I saw today--Dr. Sharon. He delivered Ada, and if by chance you find that the Lord places me on your heart in the next few weeks, please join me in praying that Dr. Sharon is on call whenever I do go into labor with John. I trust his judgement. I think it is because of all of the small decisions that he made that I had such a smooth labor with Ada. I prayed and prayed and prayed that he would be on call with Ada, and sure enough, he was. Could it happen again?

By the way--the painting is DONE. FINISHED. Pictures will follow soon, once the paint is dry and the furniture is in place. His little clothes are washed and folded and tucked into drawers, and blankets are stacked, because I imagine that a February baby requires many blankets. And Ada keeps saying, "John is coming to my house," so maybe she gets it just a little bit?

So, that's an update on the pregnancy. Hang in there, John, hang in there, there are still a few things I need to cross off the to-do list.

First or third trimester?

I am feeling oddly first trimester pregnant rather than third trimester tonight.

I fell asleep for about 20 minutes of Ada's nap, and I woke up with that familiar first trimester nausea. In fact, the only thing I want for dinner is a Wendy's frosty. Truly, that is the only thing that sounds edible to me right now.

This pregnancy continues to surprise me with its twists and turns.

On another note--I need some reader feedback. With the due date around the corner, I can't help but start to think about non-maternity clothes. You know what I mean, right? Things that don't have an elastic waist band. So, I've been thinking, I have no clue what's "in" right now. Can you help me out? There are so many blogs out there--decorating on a budget, couponing, etc. etc., and I know there must be some fabulous reading on fashion on a budget. How can I find these things? I want some guidance as I begin to make over the wardrobe. For instance, obviously everyone is doing skinny jeans tucked into boots, but by the time I am to the other side of pregnancy, is this trend going to be on its way out? How do I know? I tried to do some searching today--looking for a list of must-haves in 2010. Readers, what do you think?

And, all you nursing mamas out there, what are options for nursing and dressing up? I have weddings this spring--what do you wear that allows you to nurse? Suggestions please.

34 weeks

Six weeks to go, ya'll, and I am ready. Last night as I was complaining over aches and pains, I told Scott that I have reached the point of ready to get this baby out. I am no longer nervous about labor, I just want to feel the relief of having my body back and lying on my back again. I predict that John is longer than Ada was because every move he makes hurts me a little bit. My ribs here, my back there. And my bladder, oh my bladder.

I go to the doctor tomorrow morning, and I think I will soon be going every week. I really can't believe that we are already at the end. It has absolutely flown by. Ada's pregnancy seemed to drag, but I suppose that Ada has kept me too busy to really notice the time passing.

I am trying to prepare myself, as much as possible, for the aftermath of birth. You know, the sleepless nights, the crazy days, etc. etc. For Christmas my mom gave me a certificate for a hair cut at a place in Auburn --AP Pearson's. It's where my sister, Sarah, gets her hair cut, and she loves it. I need someone to give me a cute and doable cut before I move into the land of newborn. In the mean time, I am soaking up my time with Ada and my time to sleep. Remarkably, I am still sleeping well at night. I am so thankful. I didn't sleep well during Ada's pregnancy, but this time I am waking up rested every morning, for the most part.

And I find myself wandering into John's room to look at all those little boy clothes. What will he look like? What will he be like? How will our family change as a result of his life? Six weeks, ya'll. Six weeks.

p.s. I will be back soon with more Christmas blogging.

Baby John

Well, Baby John (as Ada calls him, never just John), continues to make me one sick woman. I am curious if this has anything to do with it being a boy pregnancy rather than girl...hmmm...it really has been so different than my pregnancy with Ada.

I was sick all day yesterday, and I eventually had to cancel a tutoring session, and then I woke up at 5 am this morning because I was so sick to my stomach. I went to a friend's baby shower, and once I got home I immediately climbed back into bed and promptly fell asleep for four hours. I didn't feel tons better when I woke up. Ada and I were supposed to go to a birthday party this afternoon, but I slept right through it.

I am guessing that this has something to do with indigestion? Maybe as John gets bigger, I get sicker? I don't know, but it's no fun.

What are happier things that I can tell you? Not so happy, of course, is the fact that Alabama is now the SEC champion. The good news is that Ada continued to scream "War Eagle, hey" throughout the game, and I certainly didn't tell her that Auburn wasn't actually playing. I am glad that she knows where her loyalty lies;)

Happy, positive, what do I want to say? A four hour nap is pretty positive. I am so thankful for Saturdays and Sundays when Scott lets me sleep for as long as I need to in the afternoons. And I am thankful that he is dealing with the dinner dishes as we speak. Thank you, husband, it is much appreciated.

Also good news--my mother made me the stockings and garland that I wanted from Etsy. She says the garland is not exactly like the Etsy one, but I am still excited!!! She is putting it in the mail on Monday.

And...Ada continues to keep me laughing. Though I spend much time praying for patience, she also makes my days so much fun. She is one big party--we spend much of the day dancing, singing, joking, laughing, and the list could go on and on and on. She truly never stops. In fact, I know it is nap time or bed time when she becomes even more wound up than usual. She has no off button--except for when she feels shy, then she becomes attached to me.

Anyway, nothing much to report here, but I felt like checking in. I hope you are all enjoying your Saturday night!!!

Sunday Night

Last night when I was on the phone with my mom, she observed that my blogging has slowed down quite a bit.

I'll be honest with you...I'm a bit cranky these days, and I am afraid it will show up on the blog;)

You can all pray for poor Scott and Ada, as I am guessing I am not the easiest person to live with right now. But hallelujah, third trimester starts on Wednesday, and I am taking this thing one day at a time. That's all you can do, right? And soon I will be staring into the face of a precious newborn.

In the mean time, what's on the agenda for this week and the weeks there after as we prepare for his arrival.

Remember my big plans to have everything done before Thanksgiving. Well, you can all laugh with me now. The good news is that all of John's furniture will be arriving next week, when Scott and his dad (I think his dad is coming) drive it to our house after we celebrate Thanksgiving with the Moores this coming weekend.

That means that this week, I must, must, must go through and throw away unused toys. Many of the toys are moving downstairs to what will one day be a dining room? Maybe? Who knows? Right now, the room holds my china cabinet (as I dream of one day actually using my china), my computer desk (where I am typing as we speak), and lots and lots of toys--a dollhouse, Ada's kitchen, and random other things. I moved everything upstairs to declutter downstairs, but then I realized it was much more practical to move it right back down. So there you have it. The makeshift office/play room. I may change my mind and move it all back upstairs to what is now deemed the junk room. We'll see.

In the mean time--PAINTING. It has to happen sometime between now and February. It makes me nearly panic just thinking about it. Scott promises it will get done, as he reminds me that there are only a few football weekends left. Ahhhhhh--I might scream.

Anyway, this week, I plan to deep clean because on Friday we all three travel out of town to begin Thanksgiving festivities. I will not return to Georgia until the following Friday, and then my house needs to be ready, as it will be time to "deck the halls." The practical part of me says that I should simply skip decorating this year, but I can't do it. I just can't. I love Christmas, and because Ada is old enough to get a thrill out of Christmas trees and lights and everything else, the nurturing thing is kicking in, and this house will be Christmasy. My mom never failed to make Christmas magical, and I will carry that on to my children. Ada is very into birthdays right now, so I think at some point we will celebrate Jesus' birthday with a cake and singing. I told her today that Jesus birthday was coming up, and she promptly began to sing "Happy Cake to Jesus--" her version of the Birthday Song. I am thinking that at two, that is the most she can relate to what is really happening at Christmas time--Jesus' birthday. I am sure we will read stories and such as well.

So, that's what is going on here. I don't mean to neglect the blog, but I also don't want to complain about things not worth complaining over, so some days I think it best to remain silent. Scott would most likely agree;) He has been very kind and gracious. Last night I told him that I couldn't understand why he and I don't get along lately, and he remained silent, never pointing out that the real culprit is me.

I will say this--I love being third trimester pregnant in the fall so much more than in the summer. Oh, that is the understatement of the century. I am not swollen; I am not sweating every second of every day; and I am not nearly as miserable as I could be!!! Thank you for a February baby!!!

And on that note, let third trimester begin...

And now for Halloween

First of all, I went to the doctor today for the glucose test. I am crossing my fingers that everything comes back clear. I had no problems with Ada's pregnancy, so I don't anticipate any diabetes. Did you see Ann's comment that she got to eat candy bars and drink coke in place of that syrupy drink? I am jealous. Everything else looked good--my stomach measures just as it should, I continue to steadily gain weight;), and the heartbeat was perfect.

I was also given the papers for my birth plan and hospital pre-registration. Filling all of that out made me so excited and eager for February. It was nice to confidently fill out my birth plan. When I was filling out the plan for Ada, I called Ann on almost every question. This time, I zipped through that thing, marking answers with no question about how I want things to go on birth day. A few questions did make me laugh, like this one, "do I want to view the placenta after it comes out?" Um, no thank you. Really. Scott was with me, and we were making all kinds of jokes about that. I also asked Scott if it makes me a bad mom if I want them to clean John up before they hand him to me. Another pregnant girl sitting nearby joined in our conversation, assuring me that she wants her baby cleaned up first. It did make me feel better. Anyway...I am eager to meet this little boy. And I was telling Scott tonight that lately I feel very content and thankful to be at this stage in life--stay at home mom, doing nothing much other than hanging out at home, etc. etc. This is a new contentment for me, and I am thankful to be feeling this way. Ada is with my mom for a few days while I finish up a few more projects around the house, so Scott and I took advantage and headed into the city tonight. As we were driving through down town, headed back towards home, I realized that I didn't feel the usual nostalgia for our first year of marriage spent in midtown. I was okay to be driving away from the city to our little suburb. Thank you, Lord for these new feelings.

Anyway...I really wanted to blog about Halloween and our little Raggedy Ann. At first Ada was unsure about all of it, but when she realized that by knocking on a door and saying "trick-or-treat" she got candy, she quickly warmed up to the holiday. We went to Scottsboro because trick-or-treating is still a big deal on my parents' street. While Ann, Sarah, and I took the kids to the different houses, the rest of the family sat in the driveway handing out candy. It was quite the "block party." See for yourself.

It was a success!! And of course, the next day was the shower (another reason we spent Halloween in Scottsboro). Okay, I am so very tired, so I am headed to bed. Happy Halloween, many days after the fact.

Gray Day

First of all, is gray the color spelled with an a or an e? I never know the answer to that. If a word is not spelled phonetically, I have such a hard time remembering how to spell it.

Anyway...it's been a gray day is oh so many ways. Outside, my mood, Ada's behavior.

Let's start with what has made me excited today.

1. Ada slept until 8:30. Thank you, Lord. Oh my word, that is such a treat. I felt so rested and relaxed when I woke up at that late hour and the rain was pouring outside my window. I found Ada sitting up in bed, contentedly playing with her stuffed animals. By the way, her new thing is to wake up and call out, "Laura Beth, where are you?" Don't know why she is calling me by name. If I ask her what my name is, she responds, "Mommy Moore," but she calls me Laura Beth all the time. So strange, but it causes me to start each day with laughter. It cracks me up to hear my little two year old call me by name.

2. Mixed in with my laundry were all of the little infant clothes that I am getting ready for John's arrival. It was very fun to fold tiny newborn gowns and onesies. I asked Ada whose clothes they were, and she responded, "Baby John's." Then she hugged his pile of clothes and said, "awwwww."

3. After having a very gray, hormonal, pregnant type day, Scott and I threw caution to the wind and ate a comforting meal at Cracker Barrel tonight. We never do that sort of thing, just going out to dinner in the middle of the week, but my kitchen was a mess, my emotions were a mess, and next to going to my mom's house for dinner, Cracker Barrel seemed like the solution. It was just the thing I needed to sit down and have someone serve me dinner and clean up after me. (mom, I really wished I lived in Scottsboro tonight. I felt like I needed mothering.)

There are no reasons why it was a gloomy day for me. I just felt hormonal. I chalked it up to pregnancy. My house wasn't as clean as I hoped for. Ada struggled (as usual) with first time obedience. Hey, Ada struggles with fifth time obedience;) I pinched and spanked and pleaded and timed out, and we survived the day, and we had a few successes mixed in. I had to cancel tutoring when the weather caused Scott to be stuck in traffic on 75. I hate canceling tutoring because I feel like I am letting the family down, so that contributed a bit to the gloominess. And you know, my stomach is just in the way these days. It's hard to bend over and do the daily stuff. I have heartburn, and I feel huge, and you know... But today as I bent over to put clothes into the dryer, and I once again felt like I was running out of room for my growing stomach, I was reminded of little Ada. How once she was the one making me feel claustrophobic in my own body. And I realized how very worth it it is. Oh man. Such a small price to pay for a life growing inside of me. And when I feel something that is very clearly a fist or a foot, I get so excited just thinking about meeting this little boy (please keep him safe, Lord).

In my Thursday night women's bible study, we all have picked accountability questions for the year. Then, each week we report on how things are going. One of my questions is, "am I dwelling on truth or lies?" Because I am of the melancholy sort, my brain can become rather clouded with negative thoughts, usually thoughts that are not even true. I was convicted a few weeks ago that I must constantly be in the word--"the truth" if you will--in order to replace those thoughts. After my post a few weeks ago on the role that the word is to play in our lives, I decided to wander on over to Girl Talk: Biblical Womanhood and see what those girls had to say about daily quiet times. Taking their advice, I ordered the book, For the Love of God, by D.A. Carson, which takes you through the bible in a year (or two years if that works better for your schedule). The goal is to read four chapters of the bible each day, covering a broad spectrum of both the old and new testament, and then Carson provides some thoughts on the days reading. I am really loving this book because the main focus is the bible. Many studies that I have done in the past had me read a few verses and then much of the study was spent reading a man (or woman's) thoughts. That is not the case with this book. Though today is not a good example, I have seen a shift in my negative thinking as I deliberately saturate myself in the word of God and his gospel!!!!!!!! I have also been reading The Valley of Vision as a part of my daily study. Do you know about this book? It's a good one. Mom gave it to me a few Christmases back, and I really love it. It's a book of Puritan prayers, which all point out both the reality of my sin and the good news of the gospel in light of that sin.

What about you? I know that many of you might not struggle as much as I do with negative thinking, but I do think it's common among us women. What strategies do you have for replacing lies with truth? I am always up for a little advice.

Getting Back to the Routine

I am feeling more and more pregnant these days. For whatever reason, I have started getting very sick every single morning. I am so tired of this morning ritual, that today, I grabbed a bag, sat down in front of the computer to carry on with my morning, and I just paused every once in a while to get sick. I don't feel nauseous; I just all of sudden know that I am going to be sick. I will take this over that first trimester nausea for sure!! The only problem is, my back and ribs are so sore from going through the process every day. I think I am going to stop the prenatal for a while and return to folic acid and Flintstones to see if that will do the trick.

Yesterday in Auburn, I was also reminded of my pregnancy when I became so drowsy I could hardly stand it. I told mom and my sisters that I wasn't sure how I was going to drive back to Atlanta. I was a bit panicked to be honest with you. I felt like I had been drugged. Mom made the suggestion that I take a quick nap at Kate's house while they ran some errands with Ada in tow, and I was so relieved. The second my head hit Kate's pillow I fell fast asleep. I think I only slept for maybe 30 minutes, but I felt great afterwards. Thank you, mom, for knowing just what I needed.

I think I must have worn myself out this week. Mom and I worked so hard, but I feel so good about everything. The house is in really good shape, and I am now able to feel really excited about John's arrival rather than stressed. Plus, I am more able to enjoy this fall weather and the anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas knowing that things are in order. Of course, there is still much to do--paint, furniture, etc. etc., but Ann sent two boxes full of little boy clothes, and I know that it will all get done. A few weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.

In the mean time, the normal routines of life are carrying on. You know, couponing and such. After our morning photo session (more on that later), I took a nap while Ada slept, and then the whole family headed out to Publix and Kroger. It was a successful day. My goal was to stay under 60.00, and I did it. Woo-hoo!!!

Here's my list.

And here are the numbers.

Spent: 57.09

Saved: 73.95

So...131.04 worth of groceries for 57.09. I'll take it!!

Now Ada is in bed, football is on tv, and I have a stack of coupons waiting to be organized. What a glamorous life I live;)

I'll leave you with this image--a little piece of fall from our house to yours.

A little sickly

It's been a doozy of a day. I woke up with a little tingle in my throat, which I tried to fix with a cup of hot tea.

However, as the day went on, I realized it was not to be cured that easily.

And I think the two kiddos below sensed that I was not up to par. At one point in the day, I found Ada completely naked jumping from the coffee table to the couch and back to the floor, as if she was doing an obstacle course. I don't why she chose to do this naked. I don't know why she chooses to do half of what she does.

At another point in the day, Hannah began to yell from the top of the stairs, "Laura Beth, Ada is going to fall down the stairs." At first I didn't pay much attention, but Hannah continued to yell, so I decided I should check it out. Good thing. Ada was perched at the top of the stairs, on top of her little fisher price fire truck, ready to ride that thing to the bottom of the stairs. Oh this child. Will I survive? Thank you, Hannah, for alerting me to the situation!!

And since I mentioned the belly comments, I thought I would share an updated picture. Has it changed much since the last one? I can't tell.
And here I am back in July when things first started to grow.Finally, for a point of reference (considering I am only about halfway through this thing), here I am on the way to the hospital to have Ada. (After about two days of no sleep, by the way, thanks to a little thing I like to call labor taking its sweet time).Now, at 8:30 pm, I am headed to bed, hoping that a good night's sleep will nip this sickness in the bud.

Let the Comments Begin

Well, the comments have started.

Today, I was at CVS, and the cashier smiled knowingly at me as she asked, "how much longer do you have?" I am sure she thought I was only weeks away from my due date.

I smiled back and said, "I have to make it to February."

"February!!!" she cries, "My sister is due in February, and her stomach is still flat."

What do I say to that? I decide to point out the obvious, "Yeah, my stomach gets really big."

I loved knowing that her sister's stomach is still flat. Really.

Then I head to Kroger for a few needed items. Again the cashier asks when I am due, and again I tell her February.

Her response? She calls two other co-workers over to see my abnormally large stomach. I love being a freak show.

Baby Update

I finally made it to the doctor today. I went a new way, recommended by Kelly (the same friend who told me about the kitchen!!), and I had no problems getting there on time.

My doctor's office is right across the street from the hospital, so I felt some comfort seeing how easy it was to get there going the new way that avoids down town. I have felt some anxiety at the thought of getting all the way across town when in labor, especially if things decided to pick up during rush hour. My anxiety was calmed today.

Everything went great. I heard the heartbeat for the first time, which was a relief. Until I can feel the baby move, I like some reassurance that everything is going okay in there. And then today I heard that steady sound, and the midwife said that the size of my uterus tells her that everything is developing just as it should, and I felt calm about the health of the baby.

The most exciting news? We scheduled the ultrasound for September 29th, and then we will know if Ada gets a brother or a sister. Last night I vividly dreamed that it was a girl, but who knows, right?

I told Ada that I was going to the doctor to check on the baby, so the rest of the day she repeatedly asked me about it. I heard concern in her voice. She would say, "baby? doctor? did it hurt?" And she asked me if I would get a band-aid. I told her that unfortunately, this situation would not be solved with a band-aid. She likes to hug and kiss my stomach, and she says good night to the baby, but I have a hard time believing that she understands what is going on. I wonder if she finds it confusing that we keeping referring to a baby in my stomach. I wonder if she thinks we are all crazy;) She will see soon enough, won't she?

So, there's a baby update. Things are moving right along. I can't wait to feel that first movement. That is hands down my favorite part of pregnancy. I love, love, love that feeling.

p.s. Scott is currently putting the kitchen together, so I should have pictures of it tomorrow. I can't wait for Ada to see it. It feels like Christmas Eve:)

The Belly, The Gigantic Belly

There it is, folks. 15 weeks tomorrow, 27 to go. Yikes. (Note: After looking at my little chart to the side, I stand corrected. I will be 16 weeks tomorrow. I repeat, I am the most scatterbrained person in all the land).

Somewhere around 30 weeks the belly begins to take on a life of its own, and I begin to wonder if I am going to be smothered by my own body;)

Please note the hair that still hasn't been cut and the eyes that can hardly stay open. And this was before I left to tutor this afternoon. And please note my little sidekick. She is never far from where I am, hence the tiredness, I do believe.

Now, I have Harry Potter number three waiting on me, so I must go now. (thank you tutoring student!!)

p.s. yes my back is always that arched. Apparently it has done that since I was a tiny girl. According to mom, it is characteristically Laura Beth.