14 days and counting...but not too quickly

Well, I am two weeks from my due date today. I had thought through this whole pregnancy that I would have delivered by today or before today...why? CJ was two weeks early and I have based this whole pregnancy on what it was like before. So, now that reality has set in and I know that (duh!) this one is completely different than 8 years ago I am settled into the fact that I could go full term, it could go slow and that to just take one day at a time. Here are some good facts/thoughts that keep me going: 1. My house is clean 2. Baby bag is packed 3. My bag is packed 4. As of today my classroom is all ready to go, no need to go back to work until Nov. 1st! 5. I feel relaxed as of 5:00 today 6. I am dilated to 2 and 50% effaced with a moderately soft cervix 7. Did I mention that I am more relaxed? 8. The baby is moving constantly and I have contractions enough times for me to remember that yeah...this is going to totally hurt! 9. I am ready to go for some walks, get out and about and get things going a bit faster now that I feel "ready" and 10. I have resolved to take it easy and have patience and enjoy the ride!

I have not mentioned that I am married to the best guy in the world and that he is totally supportive, loving and rubs my back at the first sound of my sigh, breathing or as soon as he hears me up and about late these past few nights. (Wow, maybe I am getting close to delivery...I am so sentimental and emotional!) As for CJ, he is beside himself with excitement, talks to my tummy every night and loves his baby brother, "Zac-Zac". We are all ready for this little guy.

As for the rest of my family and friends...thanks for all the calls, the texts, emails and messages of "how are you today", "anything new", "any baby yet?", "are you surviving the heat?"...they are all welcomed and appreciated. I feel loved and blessed.

Well, nothing like blogging for some therapy...now I must sign off before I start crying all over the keyboard! Here's to having this baby when he is ready...I know I am!

TAG...I guess I am "It"

Well, this is for Judy, Sarri and Allison...thanks for playing TAG. (I like to pretend it is TAG and not Tag the game...hee hee. I am a dork making a teacher joke on my blog.)

20 years ago...
1988- I am getting ready to start my senior year at Mac High after just returning from Bogota as an exchange student. I didn't want to be in Mac, live in Mac or breath the air in Mac...or the US for that matter. I hated returning to my boring life without boys, dancing, drinking and having way too much fun for my own 16 year-old good. Oh, well...seems like I survived just fine.
Little did I know that in just a few short years I would be changing my major at OSU about 5 times!
10 years ago...
1998- I had been married for two years and living peacefully and wonderfully in Mac. (look up ironic in dictionary and read previous entry) Carlos and I were living out in the country in a great little rental, no child, no worries and loving life as newlyweds for the most part. All I remember is drinking large amounts of wine, relaxing when we wanted, taking road trips to see friends and family and just enjoying life to the fullest. Started my first job as a 4th grade teacher in Salem.
5 years ago...
2003- Carlos and I have a 3 year old, still live in Mac, just within the city limits in our own home. Still loving life, working full time as a teacher and loving being a mom. I think that consumed all my time and I don't remember much.
So far this year...
I have been pregnant and that is all I remember.
Yesterday...
Not sure...see above entry.
Tomorrow...
I plan to work in my classroom to get things ready for my maternity leave.
In the next year...
Our family will expand by one-lovely-little-baby-boy! Not so sure beyond that...time will tell.

Four Pregnants Ladies and Two Drunks

Now that is really not a fair title for the blog...but "two buzzed, not pregnant" didn't sound funny and I was trying for the "Four weddings and a funeral" title...well, I did say try.

Great and wonderful friends Beth and Heather took four pregnant ladies to lunch at Macaroni Grill (yummy). The fun parts were:

-choosing the non-pg ladies their drinks

-eating fab food

-laughing really loud and disturbing the peace at M. Grill

-having a great table to ourselves

-teasing our waiter and making him blush

-talking about men...past and present and laughing, laughing and laughing!

-did I mention laughing?
-being right next to the bathroom

-walking around Bridgeport for a few hours, window shopping and hanging out...sans kids and hubbies pulling us in their direction

-eating Gelato after fab lunch and not feeling guilty

-people watching at Bridgeport and laughing, laughing, laughing...really loud!!!!!

-enjoying each other's company and laughing

It was a great afternoon. I spent a total of 11 hours away from my home, family and comfort of just being home. It was a huge step for me this close to a delivery date... I had a great time and appreciate the conversation and company of such great ladies!

Thanks!

My thoughts on love...

Here is a quote that I hope to some day be famous for...have not seen it out and about in "quoteland" or anything, so if you have heard it or seen it, let me know.

"You love what you know...you know what you love." - Paige Lomas


I could type forever about the deep meaning behind all of this, but I will let you ponder for yourself.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, today is the day that I entered the "late thirties". I am no longer early thirties or mid-thirties...today I hit 37 and it feels weird and I feel old(er)...but know I am still a little young at heart...just not as young as I used to be. My boys were great today. They intercepted a phone message informing me the baby's crib was in, then picked it up today and just finished setting it up and putting the cute little sheets on! I love, love, love it. Of course it just completes his little room. My friends Kari and Heather took me out for a fab lunch and great chat (gossip) and wonderful company. Thanks ladies! Then I came home and one of my favorite movies was on, Pride and Prejudice! What a great day. I did work in my classroom a bit but I do enjoy that and feel great about how much I got done today. So, all in all...great day turning another year older. Thanks to all the texts, phone messages and hugs today wishing me well on my birthday! They are all greatly appreciated!

The Evil Empire

Well, it happened today. I entered the store that I have not been to in about a year or so. A store that I have been to in the past, but have chosen to not return to...for various reasons, most importantly...IT IS AN EVIL EMPIRE! What is the name of this store you ask? Starts with a W and ends in a -mart. I was there about an hour (spending a fabulous gift card, thanks Barb!) and found 6 things I needed, about 4 things I didn't really need right now and never got 2 things that were on my list...EVIL! My friend Kari called while I was in said Evil Empire and asked if I needed a rescue and/or if she could join me...sure I said, I will be in the pillow aisle (needed item). When she located me, she had to laugh at my choice of jewelry that day...since I knew I was going to said Evil Empire I thought sporting my pearl earrings, necklace and ankle bracelet would be appropriate...I was trying to look like a really "belonged" there. (side note: if you choose to shop there I will not hold that against you or make fun of you and will still be your friend) Anyway, after getting all the things that I needed, didn't need and wandering around trying to find things I made a quick mental note of why I really do not like that place:
1. it is dirty
2. there are people there that have no problem using "ain't" one or two times in their sentences
3. lots of crying babies, toddlers, children...
4. their items are very cheap and it bothers me that I choose to shop at a locally owned store (starts with a B and ends with -mart) and pay more (according to Allison) and shouldn't have to pay more...things should be the same price everywhere!
5. it is dirty...did I mention that?
6. there is trash all over the parking lot
7. the salespeople are really nice, I hate that nice people work in a place I can't stand....not fair!
8. lots of women choose not to wear bras in said store...even though they are dirt cheap! (see #4)
9. I am sure I will think of another reason I can't stand this store...and it will come to me, but I will spare you the blog!

My Fabulous Seeeeeeeeeeestor!

I just have to blog about how great I think my sister is! She completed a "Try-It" triathlon yesterday! Check out her blog (Anna Goes Bananas) and read how she came in 10th overall and 1st in her age division! Way to go Anna....I am so proud of you! Can't wait to see the pictures!