Life is Good

Tonight I was in the bathroom getting ready for another trip to the mall. (I'm trying to walk this baby out.) I opened the door while I put on my make-up and heard Andy and Georgia hootin' and hollerin'; laughing ridiculously at something, though what I don't know. But I had to smile and think, That really is the best sound ever.

Pregnancy Update

I know there are a few of you who like up-to-the-minute details of this pregnancy as we're nearing the end. I had an appointment yesterday morning and learned that I am 4 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I was honestly shocked at that information. I was in active labor with Georgia at 3 cm. I know that each person/pregnancy is different, but it seems strange to be one cm closer without feeling the pains of labor.

My doctor told me two things after my exam: 1. Because of my progression, I would be very easy to induce. I asked for at least one more week and she told me that was fine. (I would really like to go into labor on my own - just a personal preference.) 2. This labor is going to go much quicker than the first. I am not going to complain about that! Other than those bits of news, she said everything looked great and hoped to see me before my next appointment. :)

As the end draws near, I'm becoming increasingly excited. I have had a lot of back pain (as I did with Georgia, but worse), I haven't been getting hardly any quality sleep and the pain has prevented me from a lot of play with Georgia. I'm tired of complaining and I'm just ready to be done!

However, having said that, I'm trying to hold these last days close to my heart. In comparison to the span of my life and my child's life, the time that I spend pregnant is so short. And I don't want to forget how amazing it is to carry a life inside of me. There were many things that I'd forgotten about between this pregnancy and the last. It truly is a blessing from God to have carried this baby and now be able to raise it to glorify Him.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Preggos

This is my dear friend, Colby; the picture was taken a few weeks ago - right around the 37-week marker. She and I are both due February 11, each with our second child. It's been so great to go through this pregnancy with her.

Well, I guess I should say 'were due' as she decided to move forward without me and have her baby early! I was going to wait to do this post until next week when we were nearing the 40th week, but now I can't. Her son, Boone Douglas, was born last night around 8:00 pm after only a few hours of labor. He weighed in at 7 lbs. and 2 oz. Congrats, Colby!

Death Storm 2011

I was hoping we could get through the season without a major storm. What was I thinking??? This is Iowa, for heaven's sake! I am just really glad of two things: 1) I did not go into labor and 2) we didn't lose power. We were able to stay cuddly warm and Andy even got an extra day off.

Here are a few pictures of the aftermath of Death Storm 2011, as many have lovingly referred to it around here. Andy went out to shovel/blow snow, but couldn't even get out the front door! Thankfully the back door was a little more cleared, though he had to shovel his way from our back porch, through the driveway, and across the street to our neighbor's house, who kindly lent us his snow blower.

I'm not sure how many inches we got exactly, but I did hear it was right around 15. My goodness, that's plenty. Let's hope we can avoid another one of these storms before the baby comes.

Can't get out the front door!

Guessing Game

I am 38 1/2 weeks pregnant. Today I had a doctor's appointment and I am dilated to 2 cm and am 50% effaced. She told me that she thinks the baby is right around 8 lbs. My due date is still about 10 days away (Feb. 11). I know I shouldn't get too excited; I could be pregnant another 3 weeks. But I can't help it! The process has begun...

And because of that, it's time to play the guessing game. I would like all my faithful blog readers to guess the DATE and TIME that this baby is going to make it's debut. I am even going to offer a small (but fun!) prize to the guesser who gets the closest. You can throw in your gender, weight and length guesses for fun, but the prize will be given to whoever is closest to the actual date and time. (Please only leave your guesses by comment on this blog.)

Happy guessing!

On Turning 30

It's true. Two days ago I turned 30. Turning 30 is a milestone. Some people were very worried about me, wondering how I was feeling about it and if I was okay or felt differently, and others took the 'what's the big deal?' stance.

I'll tell you that...I'm fine. There's something a little magical about your twenties, or maybe I should say delusional - you think you'll be in them forever. Trust me, they do come to an end. And because of that, turning 30 is just weird! But I am really loving this time in my life. I've been married to an amazing man for almost 7 years, we're growing our family and are loving parenthood. We enjoy our work/ministry and have great family and friends surrounding us.

In celebration of this event, Andy took me out the night before my birthday. It wasn't my birthday present, but a celebration of the end of my twenties. He sent me the following email on Thursday afternoon to prepare me:

I was thinking about you today,

And how this is your twenty’s last hooray.

I thought about how twenty-nine started for you so bad,

So I thought I’d help you end it feeling glad.

Tonight I’ve made plans

So be ready to leave

By five thirty five with our sweet daughter G.

She’ll need to be fed,

Or food ready to go

For I have someone to watch her until ten or so.

Don’t ask me what this night will entail

Or what we might do

This won’t be your birthday present, but it will be a clue.

As we go through the night

Pay attention to what we do

And when you put it all together, guess and I tell you “False or true.”

I love you completely

With all my heart and my mind

Tonight dress to match what I’m wearing

If wondering what to wear has crossed your mind.

You are the best wife

And the best mother of all

My love for you grows each winter, spring, summer and fall.

Enjoy tonight,

This night that’s the eve

Of you entering your thirties and becoming old like me.

I love you babe with all that I am,

Andy

So after we dropped off Georgia, we drove into Illinois and then back into Iowa for dinner and went to a movie. All clues to my actual birthday present: Illinois + dinner + theater= tickets to Circa 21, a dinner theater in Rock Island, for a show of my choosing. Hairspray is coming this June so I'm reserving my tickets for then.

On my birthday my girlfriends planned a surprise coffee date, pedicure and lunch out for me. The coffee and pedicure are postponed due to a friend's sickness, but we all had lunch and it was so fun to sit, talk, and laugh without kids. (Girls are just as giggly at 30 as they are at 17.) They gifted me with lunch, balloons, flowers, and 30 index cards entitled "30 Reasons You're So Wonderful."

I truly am blessed and I guess I wouldn't mind turning 30 every year until I'm at least 50.