Private

Hello readers (the few that you are). I know it's been over 2 months since I've posted. I've decided to go private with the blog so that I'll feel more comfortable posting about Pippa. Please comment with your email so that you'll be able to continue to read. I'll moderate the comments so everyone can't see your email address. Thanks!

41 Weeks and 3 Days

Today I reached "that point." I went back to the dr. today and I'm still pregnant. They did an ultrasound and a non-stress test and everything is fine with the baby. The Dr. asked if I had felt the contractions that recorded on the NST, and I said yes, but I've been feeling them for weeks. They estimated that she weighs about 8 lbs 3 ozs right now, give or take a little. I'm still at about 3 cms dilated but I'm now about 90% effaced, so that's some progress. So no baby just yet, but if she's not here by Thursday morning at 6:30, they're going to induce. Thank God! Originally, I had not wanted to be induced at all, but there comes a time when it's ok to change your plans. That's what I mean by "that point." I'm not sure I could wait much longer than that, and Saturday would be a whole 2 weeks overdue. There is no longer any comfortable position at all, and I'm just ready.

Room for Pippa

Just thought I'd post a few pics of what Pippa's room looks like. I'm no decorator, and the curtains aren't quite finished (I have to make a valance to break up all that green), but it's ready and waiting for whenever she finally decides to make her appearance.

37.5 Weeks

I don't really have much to say today, but I did want to go ahead and post these pics. Jennifer says I'm definitely not giant, but I say pictures are deceptive. I mean, I know I'm smaller than most of the people in my prepared childbirth class, but I still Feel big. But that's really not nearly as relevant as the fact that I feel ready to have baby Pippa.

1st Baby Shower

The Meemaws throw fabulous parties and this was no exception. It was a "garden party:" very "grown up" but laid back and fun at the same time. Which was perfect for me because I don't really like being the center of attention with everyone watching me. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends! My only regret was that not everyone could make it.


I think we finally took a good group picture.


Blakeney liked the grapes (except the sour ones, of course). The food was great and displayed in a very fun way.


Come on ladies, how hard can it be to draw a picture of baby Pippa with crayons on top of your head?

I think maybe Lily thought we were crazy.

Isn't this an incredibly beautiful cake that Marie made? I had to look twice to realize it was a cake. Thanks, Marie!!

Vacation

Group shot right outside our room. And yes, I'm with Magnum P.I.


It's a little cheesey, but we always play mini-golf on vacation. Wade won (he got 2 holes-in-one) and I came in third (I had one amazing hole-in-one).



We got to see my brother and his family while we were in Panama City. I'm holding Anna Beth and that's Lilly Kate's head. She had to show us her new swimming-lesson moves.

20 weeks--For Those Who May Be Interested

I decided I better post again so that those pictures aren't the first thing people see here. I'm now 20 weeks along in my pregnancy--half way! I'm finally starting to feel her move around a little, especially when it's a really strong kick. That part took longer than some people's because i have an anterior placenta, which just means that there's more between the baby and the front of my belly. I know I shouldn't rush things, but I'll be glad when Wade can feel her move, too, so that he can understand better how amazing the feeling is.

I went back to the doctor today and everything is progressing as it should. I've gained 11 pounds since November, which I think is pretty good. I do feel like my hips and face are starting to try to catch up with my belly. I'm feeling like an almost normal person these days--no more sickness, Thank God. However, I can't eat any fried foods because that makes me sick, which I guess is probably good for me. But how would You feel if you couldn't have fast-food french fries? That sentence reminds me that although I feel much better, I am now a lot less nice and much more sarcastic. I'm also a little crazy, but hopefully I'll get over that. It is true what they say about a pregnant lady's memory. It's so weird to know that you're supposed to remember something but it just will not come to you. This also makes work difficult because I have to constantly multitask and sometimes I'll just have to stop and say "What was I doing?" Very different from my normal self.

In other news, I'm very excited about J-Day--less than 2 weeks to go!!

17 Weeks Pictures

News

We're having a girl!!

More later...right now I'm so tired I can barely think.

12.5 weeks

So I decided I better start updating more. I really need to blog about meemaw Christmas and post some pictures, but that will have to wait for a weekend when I'm not so tired. I also think I'm going to start posting pictures of myself, i.e. the progression of the belly, but that will have to wait as well.

I went back to the Dr. yesterday. Everything looks good, he says. It did take him forever to find the baby's heartbeat, which scared me for a second, but he said baby was just moving around a lot. With Baby moving that much, you'd think I'd have felt it by now. Oh well, it won't be much longer before I do, I guess. I should report that I have been feeling better. The nausea is only occaisionally now, which is excellent! However, I seem to have replaced the nausea with a never-ending headache. But I've been assured that it will eventually go away as well--something to do with lots of blood and large blood vessells.

Other than the headache, I really do feel much better. And if you know me, you can probably tell that I'm starting to show. My pants can definitely tell. So much so that I gave in and bought 2 pairs of maternity pants. I just can't get behind wearing my regular pants with them not buttoned (too uncomfortable). And the maternity pants are definitely comfortable. Thank goodness I wear scrubs at work. They'll still fit for a good long time.

At our Dr. appointment next month, we'll get to do an ultrasound and hopefully find out if we're having a boy or a girl. I definitely want to find out; I couldn't stand to wait.

And that's all I have time for now. I hope I'll be able to post some pictures this weekend.

Now that the Meemaws FINALLY Know....

...I can tell everyone that Wade and I are expecting Baby Weathers sometime around Aug 8th! It's been so hard not to say anything, but the meemaws had to know first. I've already been to the doctor a few times and everything seems to be just fine so far. Right now I'm 9 weeks along. We had our first ultrasound last Wednesday, and much to our relief there seems to be only one baby. Right now I'm really hoping that 12 is the magic number and the nausea will be gone after that week. Really I shouldn't complain though because it's just nausea and I feel fine most of the time.

Merry Christmas!

I know it's a day late, but Merry Christmas anyway! We've had an excellent Christmas so far (I still have 2 more "events," including Meemaw Christmas). I hope everyone else has also had a nice time. I still think my favorite part of Christmas is hearing the words: "For unto us is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord..." And the second best part is getting to see all the people I love. Why would anyone not want to be a part of that?

Abe Quotes

A while back, I happened upon a collection of quotes from Abraham Lincoln. I found them fascinating for the most part. I know this is long, but I thought I'd share them with any of you who might care to read them.


"Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them." Lincoln and the Civil War In the Diaries and Letters of John Hay selected by Tyler Dennett (New York, Da Capo Press, 1988), p. 143.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume IV, "Remarks at the Monogahela House" (February 14, 1861), p. 209.

"...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863.

"I have never studied the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say that if all that has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God bless the women of America!" The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Remarks at Closing of Sanitary Fair, Washington D.C." (March 18, 1864), p. 254.

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume I, "Speech on the Sub-Treasury" (in the Illinois House of Representatives, December 26, 1839), p. 178.

"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Reply to New York Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association" (March 21, 1864), pp. 259-260.

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Address at Sanitary Fair, Baltimore, Maryland" (April 18, 1864), p. 301-302.

"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume I, "Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois (January 27, 1838), p. 109.

I Wasn't Tagged, But....

Ok, so no one tagged me (probably because I don't usually do these things), but this one appealed to me.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? I like real, but artificial works better for us (especially the pre-lit kind)
3. When do you put up the tree? I refuse to put it up until December, but I don't have a set time
4. When do you take the tree down? I try to get it down before Jan. 1
5. Do you like eggnog? I don't think I've ever tried it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? probably my "Brandon Bear" teddy bear, which I still have
7. Hardest person to buy for? siblings and spouses
8. Easiest person to buy for? my husband
9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes! It wouldn't really be Christmas without one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Who emails Christmas cards? Mail, of course.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea--I usually forget stuff like that.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love Christmas movies! Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version), Love Actually, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
13. When do you start shopping? I usually put it off, but I don't wait until the very last minute
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? This one is too hard...I love food!
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white ones. But my grandmother's tree wouldn't be right without those big old-fashioned colored ones.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, travel, travel...Wade calls it the Gauntlet
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blixen (sp?), and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither--If anything, I put a ribbon/bow
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When I was little, we had family presents C. Eve and Santa C. Morning. Now with family, we open whenever we see each other. Wade and I open C. Morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Starting before Thanksgiving. Have we forgotten to give thanks?
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I just love having ornaments that have meaning.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? No preference
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? That's a secret
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Someone with time on their hands.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Most busy people like me.

I tag: Jennifer, Susan, and Marie

Seriously?

The library across the street from my office put up Christmas decorations/light today. I think at some point we're just going to skip November altogether.

VOTE!

I fully intend to vote after work today, and I hope everyone else is voting also. You know how I feel about everyone voting, I'm sure. I just hope that I don't have to stand in line past 7:00 (although I will if necessary). From what I've been hearing, the lines have been very long today. When Wade got to school this morning (SSHS is a voting site), there were cars lined up on both sides of the road for at least half a mile. Dr. Whatley got to his voting place in Auburn this morning at 6:45 and there were No parking spots. I guess that means voter turnout will be good. The only thing I hate about election day is all the "guessing" that "experts" make well before even the first polls have closed. I wish we could skip that part and just get to the "who won" part.

So, I'll just say it one more time. You can't be my friend if you don't vote (unless you have a valid reason why you can't, and then I'll consider it).

As I read over what I've written, I'm struck by how whiney I sound. I do apologize for that.

Happy Birthday to Susie!

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday, Dear Susie,
Happy Birthday to You.

Just imagine all of your tier 1? friends singing this to you--or maybe not, I do remember how we sound. I hope you've had a wonderful birthday today.

The Veil

I know today's blog should be about Hockey Day, but that will have to come later.

I was thinking earlier today that one of my favorite parts of the crucifixion account in Matthew is the reporting that the veil was torn in two. It's just so symbolic. Not only did Christ's death change our faith forever, it also changed our culture (though not exactly overnight). Gone are the days of animal sacrifices in order to keep our souls clean. I, for one, am eternally grateful.

I know this post was short, and that I could say so much more on the subject, but I have to get back to work.

The Great Pumpkin

I'm so excited that It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is coming on tonight. For those of you interested, it's on ABC at 7:00.

Song

I love this new song by Casting Crowns.

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see


The last part is little kids singing.