Girls' Day Out!

Marlene called me this morning to see if I would like to go to lunch with her and Hannah. I am all for lunch out with the girls!!! I called Marty to see if she could baby-sit, having completely overlooked the fact that it's her anniversary!! Oops! Since she couldn't do it, and I am determined to go to lunch, I was willing to call my other baby-sitter (and suffer the consequences of her mom bringing her over!) and even pay her, just so that I can get out!!

I called Johnny to see what time he would be home, so I could tell the baby-sitter when to expect him, and he said to just bring the kids to him and drop them off. He's been working on building a horse barn and it's out in the middle of nowhere, so the kids will have fun there. Other than the scorching heat!!

I have a chiropractor appointment at 11:30, to hopefully ease this terrible pain in my pelvic area, and then it's off to lunch and then I believe we are going to go get a pedicure. I can't wait!! I can really use some time away from my house and have some actual adult conversation.

I told Johnny last night that I am NEVER going to have this baby. People have always told me 'Never say Never'! Well, if it's supposed to make things happen, this will be the one time it doesn't work! LOL He told me that it will be better to wait until my mom gets here anyway! BETTER?? For WHO?? LOL Him and my mom, no doubt!

I am willing to wait till Friday if I have to, but I will need lots of prayers to make it beyond that! I am SOOO tired of being pregnant!! I don't know if I've ever mentioned how much I enjoy being pregnant, but if I EVER said those words, IT WAS A BIG FAT LIE!!! My brain can't handle much more, my body can't handle much more, and I am a complete mess at times. Please, please, please pray for me this next few weeks. If it means that my baby will be healthier, I am willing to carry it as long as needed, but if at all possible for me to have him soon, that would be my preference!! His grace is sufficient. That is what I have been praying for, because I just never ever pray for patience!

In a nut shell, that is how I have been feeling. Thank you all for caring and for your many prayers up to this point. Keep it up, so that I can too!! Luv y'all!!

8 months...or so

I like this one best:

But this one is probably more realistic:

Progress

At times nothing seems to be happening. So it must be for the bird that sits on her nest. Things are apparently at a standstill. But the bird sits quietly, knowing that in the stillness something vital is going on, and in the proper time it will be shown. It takes faith and patience for the bird, and such faith and patience never seem to waver, day after day, night after night, as she bides the appointed time.

Restless and doubtful we wonder why we have nothing to show for our efforts, no visible evidence of progress. Let us remember the perfect egg--unchanged in its appearance from the day it is laid. But while the bird waits faithfully, doing the only thing she is required to do throughout those silent weeks, important things are taking place.

~ Elizabeth Elliott

Camping Trip

Well, this past week we went camping and horseback riding. It was alot of fun, mostly for the kids, but we adults had fun too.

The kids were both able to ride all. by. themselves. on the horse. They both thought that was pretty cool. We only had one mishap the whole week. The last day they went riding, Cheyenne got bucked off. I guess Skip was walking along the trail and stepped into a thorny vine. He was only trying to get his foot out of it, but Cheyenne ended up meeting the ground. She wasn't hurt, other than being a little stiff. We were all very thankful for the protection the Lord provided the whole time.

I, on the other hand, didn't get to ride. And if I didn't love ya'll so much I would NOT have posted that picture of my belly. I really am not THAT BIG!! Big, yes. But THAT BIG?? NO!!! So enjoy anyways. At least there's no head to go with the body, so I don't have to claim it as mine! LOL

I have not been feeling very 'bloggy' these past few weeks, so you'll have to forgive the boringness of my blog. I will try to get with it better now.

I did get a nice start on the boys' room, but I don't want to post pictures until it's all done. Stay tuned. And in the meantime, enjoy the pictures of our week.

Tiny

The Randomness Of It All

Hey ya'll!! Someone actually told me I was TINY yesterday!!! Can you believe it? I sure couldn't!! We were shopping for a bed for Travis and both the lady and her husband said it!! I tell you what, I was ready to just plunk down all $20.00 that I had with me and buy out the store!

I was able to do some shopping on Wednesday, that was a little more relaxed than normal thanks to my sister-in-law, Sharon (Johnny's youngest sister). She was such a big help. We took the kids to the Discovery Center

and then did some much needed shopping. Isaac, your birthday gift is on the way!! I got some more material for Travis' room too and I think I will be able to start on it sometime soon! Stay tuned.

Wednesday night the kids stayed overnight at Lester and Marlene's house and I was able to ride with Johnny yesterday. He had a delivery to Alabama, and I really wanted to ride with him, so it all worked out. On our way out and back, we passed, and I kid you not, SIXTEEN MILES of backed up traffic in the town up the road from us. And that was just on the interstate. There was also a side road that had TWO lanes of traffic (headed one way) that were lined up for about 5 miles. Plus about 100 acres of cars that were already in and parked!! For what? you ask.

An outdoor ROCK CONCERT they refer to as Bonaroo. The last few years that we have been here there has been at least one person from each concert that has died and many others that have ended up in the hospital from heat exhaustion and dehydration! Sounds like loads of fun to me! They are packed in there like sardines in the scorching heat of the day for 2-3 days. Camping out at night. It was kind of interesting to see all the VW vans, but the hippies?? Not so much! Oh, and we live about 15 miles from town and can still hear some of the music!!

And that pretty much ends the randomness of this post. Thanks for reading.

A Husband's Guide to Third Trimester Pregnancy

What To Expect When She's Expecting:



TEARS!! And lots of 'em.


Get used to it and be sensitive!

On The Bright Side

Two and a half months?

I can do that!

Ten and a half weeks?

I can do that!

73 days?

There's NO WAY I can do that!!

Why is it that way? It all comes out to the same amount of time, but when you break it down and really think about HOW FAR OFF it is, it seems overwhelming. My weeks tend to go by really fast, so that's easy, and the months don't seem to take too long to get through either, but THE DAYS, people!!! Some of them just drag on and on and on!! WHY IS THAT??

Saturday was NOT a good day. Since last Sunday I have had an apparent mild case of food poisoning. I have not felt sick at all, but there was evidence of it that I have heard defined as 'scoots'. If you don't know what that is, DON'T ASK!!! LOL If you DO know what that is, please excuse the 'too much information' fact!

I'm not sure if my bad day on Saturday was connected to that or not, but I ended up getting a visit from my friend that I thought I had long since parted ways with.

Ralph showed up at my door on Saturday afternoon and let me tell you, he was NOT welcome and it was NOT a pleasant visit that we had!! I hate him with a vengence and he apparently doesn't care for me too much at all either. I believe, thanks to him, I could have competed with Old Faithful in a 'spew off'. I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't be able to get people to travel thousands of miles just to see me erupt and no one would want pictures, but it was still quite comparable! But I'm now hoping that the kick in the butt that I administered to Ralph has sent him on his way for good!!

In the middle of my not-so-friendly visit, my kids decided they would like to come see what was going on in Mommy's bathroom. Cheyenne ever so sweetly said, "Mommy, I just about started to cry!" She hates it when I'm sick! And my dear, dear Travis said, "Are you throw-uping, Mommy?"

Now you're probably wondering why I titled this 'On The Bright Side'. What is the BRIGHT SIDE to 'scoots' and puke?? Well, I'll tell you! That fact that I had an apparent case of food poisoning can only mean one thing... I AM ABLE TO EAT!!!! And to those of you who haven't experienced any 7-9 month stretch in your life where you have been unable to eat anything that wanted to reside in your stomach for more that 20 minutes at a time, please just try to imagine. Food is now my friend and I am willing to see the bright side of all of this because I know it could be SO MUCH WORSE. I LIKE FOOD and when it doesn't like me, I can get a little depressed!

Well, now that I have shared the 'ins' and 'outs' of my personal life with you all, I hope you will please excuse me while I bow out of this one and hide till you all forget that I just got through talking about... well, you know!!

Isn't HE cute!?

Well, here he is!! I thought this was a really good picture of him!

And this!! If you can't see it, the legs are with the feet to the left. And the little turtle in the middle is what we were looking for!

It's a..............................

Ok!! I'll admit, that was mean! But FUN!!

I won't torture you anymore.

It's












a

B O Y !!!!

SURPRISE!!

Well, I was wanting to wait until I could buy or use a scanner to get some pictures put up here, but I just CAN'T!

We went in to the doctor yesterday for another ultrasound and a basic check-up and FINALLY found out, for sure, what we're having!!

I will start by telling you all that I married into a family of 9 boys and 4 girls. (I, of course, got the cream of the crop!!) Of those 13 kids, so far, there are 10 boys and 11 girls. Making 21 grandkids for my in-laws! My husband's dad grew up in a family of 7 boys and 8 girls, and his mom was one of 6 girls with 5 brothers.

I, on the other hand, had one sister. My dad had 1 half brother and 2 sisters and my mom had 2 brothers.

Now, my sister has 4 boys and 1 girl and I have 1 girl and 1 boy.

Bringing the score to: 39 boys - 35 girls

Now that you are thoroughly confused, I think I'll wait till I can post some pictures and give you all a little time to contemplate WHAT IT IS!! HEE HEE (wicked laugh!)

It never ends!

Here we go again!

You ladies must not be able to see the same thing that everyone else does. I guess the pictures may be a little deceiving, or you all are just TOO nice!

Last night after church, Johnny wanted to go to Wal-Mart to get some stuff to clean out our pool. Well, upon walking into Wal-Mart, he tried to convince me to use the little 'hoveround' wheelchair thingy, but I refused. I'm not yet crippled, or, contrary to popular opinion, so rotund that I can't maneuver myself around!

So I convinced him that I would be just fine walking and NOT drawing more attention to myself than I already do, when we walked into the store and past the 'Welcome-to-Wal-Mart' lady! Except, she didn't say, "Welcome to Wal-Mart!!"

She said, "Do you need a ride?"

"Um, no thank you, he (pointing to Johnny) was just trying to get me to use one, but I think I'll be okay."

"Well, I was just telling that other lady, when you walked in, 'Oh, she looks like she's about to have that baby! If she goes into labor here, I'm outta here! Now, you see, I worked in a hospital for 25 years, but I think I'd still leave!"

"I think everything's going to be okay, but if anything does happen, I'll be looking for you ;)"

Now, mind you, I didn't tell her that we usually spend alot of time in the store when we do go, but I have never yet been there for THREE MONTHS, so she wouldn't have anything to worry about! I just smiled, like I do to everyone else that compliments me in such loving, unintrusive ways, and moved on about my business. Careful not to waddle too much.

Oh, it's been a wonderful journey! And not even close to being over!!

Pictures!!

Well, you asked for 'em, so here they are!! I hope none of you are eating while you're reading this cause you may just lose your appetite upon seeing my gi-normous belly. My Rachel Lind was 'kind' last night and only said, "it's getting a little bigger!" To which Johnny later said, "and you're getting a little grayer!" I said, "Why didn't you SAY that!?!" Oh well! It was funny for me to hear anyway!!


Are you sure you're ready?!?





.................................






................................





Ok, here you go!

Ok, now, be honest! What do you think? Am I huge? Go ahead, you can say it. I can take it. Hey, I've taken the rest of it!! LOL I may never talk to you again, but I'll smile and then post what you said about me and hear other people call YOU idiots and morons!! LOL Just kidding. :~)

'Just remember, this is for posterity, so....... be honest.' (I love Princess Bride)

Pregnancy Etiquette

For those of you who don't know, there are a few things that you should NEVER ask or say to a pregnant woman! I was so fortunate to have this conversation with a lady yesterday while I was feeling pretty good and able to be out and do some shopping:

She: OOOH! I just love your belly! (pat, pat)

Me: Why thanks!

She: When are you due again?

Me: The middle of August. August 16th.

She: Really? WOW! (thing #1) That's a REALLY long ways off!

Me: (shrug) Tell me about it!!

She: (examining my belly a little closer) (thing #2) Are you sure it's not TWINS??

Me: Yeah, we're pretty sure it's just one.

She: Wow, I would get it checked if I were you to make sure.

Me: We did that already and there was only one. :-]

She: Wow. If it was me, I'd get it checked again. I think you might be carrying twins!

Me: Thanks. They said that about Travis too, though.

She: Oh, well, do you have big babies then?

Me: No, not really.

She: (looking my belly over one more time) Hmm. Wow!


It was a LOVELY start to my shopping experience! :-) That's okay though, she wasn't the only one to mention 'how much the baby's grown this past week'. I heard it about 5 times at church too. Now, I can see how some people may want to go to church to be uplifted and encouraged, but not me. I like it when people tell me how fat (actual word used) I've gotten or how I won't be wearing my old clothes much longer, or how BIG my baby is getting!! It is such an inspiration and makes me want to keep going back for more. Let's see, I have 48 more opportunities to be blessed by such lovely compliments, but hey, who's counting!! And that's only the ones from church. Who knows how many times I'll be blessed to run into this particular person again. OOO I can't wait to find out!!!



P.S. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be posting any of those pictures y'all were wanting!! :-}

More predictions

Not that I believe in old wives' tales, but I thought this was kinda fun.


Old Wives' Tales
These are the best of the best of old wives' tales and pregnancy folklore. Some may give accurate results and some are just plain silly. Here goes!

Pick up a single key. If you pick it up by the round part you will have a boy. If you pick up the long narrow part you will have a girl. If you pick it up in the middle twins are on the way! **girl**

The Mayans determined the sex of the baby by taking the mother's age at conception, and the year of conception. If both numbers are even or both are odd then it's a girl; if one number is even and one odd then it's a boy. (26, 2006) **girl**

Eat a clove of raw garlic. If the smell of garlic seeps out of your pores, it's a boy. If no garlic smell is detected at all, it's a girl. This test is not for the faint of heart or stomach for that matter. Well, can you eat a clove of garlic? **no thanks!!**

If your legs resemble tree trunks, it's a boy. If they're trim and fit, it's a girl. **girl** ((shrug)) what can I say, when you have legs up to your neck, it takes a long time for them to collect fat! LOL

If you crave the heels of the bread, you will have a boy. If you like the middle, a girl is on the way. **girl**

If your hands start to get dry and chapped, it will be a boy; but if your hands are softer during pregnancy, you will have a girl. **girl**

If you can't tell you're pregnant from the back, you're having a boy. If you look pregnant all over and from every angle, it's a girl. **boy**

A craving for salty foods is a sure sign of a boy, and craving sweets is a sign that a girl is on the way. **boy** (notice the 'sure sign')

If you experience increased acne break out on the face and chest you will have a girl. **girl** unfortunately for me and those that have to look at me! Although for some strange reason it's managed to keep itself contained to one side of my face and neck!?!? More information than anyone wanted I'm sure! LOL

Here is an experiment straight from Baby Predicting 101. . . urinate in a glass or jar with a tablespoon of Drain-O in it. If the mixture is green you will have a girl; if the mixture is blue, you will have a boy. **no Drain-O**

Suspend a wedding ring on a chain over your belly. If it swings back and forth, it's a girl. If it swings around in circles, it's a boy. **didn't try**

If a toddler boy shows interest in a pregnant woman, the mom-to-be is going to have a girl. If he ignores the pregnant woman, she will have a boy. **girl** my little man loves me!!

Which side do you lie on when you are resting? If it's the left, then it's a boy. If you're more comfortable on your right side then it's a girl. **girl**

When someone asks to see your hand, if you show them palms up, it's a girl; palms down, a boy. **boy**


Girl - 8
Boy - 3 + 1 bonus point for the 'sure sign' ;)

Halfway!

Well, I have 140 days under my belt (or rather, OVER my belt ;) ) and 140 left!!! I am so excited that it has actually gone by fairly fast. Especially when I compare to the last two. It's amazing what being up and able to function can do to affect the speed of time.

Well yesterday I went with Johnny again to help him with an on site job that he had. He just had to repair some drop boxes for an outreach center and the kids and I were along to 'help' him paint them. One of the boxes happened to be near a 'Once Upon a Child' store and I asked him if he would drop me off there and I could just walk over to where he was when I was done. I was just looking around since I'm not 100% sure that what I'm having is a girl (even though Johnny is!).

Well, I did find one piece and was pretty excited about it, since it's SO cute and can be used for either a boy or a girl. Here it is. Tell me what you think. Check out the cuffs!

I admit, it looks a little more 'girly', but it's still cute!!!

Well????..............What IS 'it'???

Are you all ready for this??


We don't know for sure!!! Isn't that frustrating!? It is for me. We didn't see any 'boy parts', but the cord was in the way, so we didn't see much of anything! We're GUESSING girl, but I'm not going to plan anything yet. I may have another ultrasound done, but we'll have to see.

Sorry for the disappointment. Believe me, I feel it too!!

Keep checkin', we'll see what transpires.

On a happier note, it seems that everything is as is should be, so for that I am VERY grateful!!

Tonight's the Night

Well, this is your last chance to 'vote'. I am going in tonight at 5 for my ultrasound. Please pray that all is well and that we'll be able to see what we're looking for! LOL

I guess that's about all I have for today! I'll post later on with the NEWS!!!

160 BPM

Well, I had a prenatal appointment yesterday with my midwife, so I thought I'd fill you all in on the details.

I am almost 18 weeks and I was measuring 20 cm., which is a bit scary for me cause I don't want to be HUGE! LOL But she said that that is normal for a third pregnancy, so I'll have to take her word for it! My blood pressure 'couldn't be better' she said at 112/68 and the baby's heart rate was at 160. If that gives anyone any hints feel free to vote again! LOL All three check-ups have been high like that. My midwife says that 'it' sounds WONDERFUL!!! That was such an encouragement to me!

I will try to post pictures of my 'baby fat' as soon as I can get Johnny to take some. I tried having Cheyenne do it, but it didn't work too well. Keep checkin'!

Little Movements

Well, I guess it's time for a new post even though there isn't anything really new to report. I'm sorry I've been such a blogging slacker. I know how boring it is to see the same post over and over, day after day.

For those of you who are never or rarely ever sick during your pregnancies, you probably won't understand the excitement of me and my family when I post that I've not been sick for X number of days or I've been able to go 'so' long without taking a pill, but that is the most exciting news that I have to report. I was actually able to ride along with Johnny and 'help' him 4 days in a row, and I believe I have only thrown up once this week and taken 2 pills. I was saying something to Johnny the other day about already gaining 5 pounds and 'complaining', (but not) that I was going to be HUGE by the time it's all over. He said, "You better not be complaining!" He has also said that he would rather I be FAT than sick. So you all are my 'witnesses'. At the end of this when he has to roll me to the frontroom and the pictures that we post of my pregnant belly look like I'm going to give birth to a nation, help US to remember that he said he would love me anyway!! LOL I told him that I'm not complaining or worrying about the weight I GAIN it's the weight I'm going to have to LOSE that I'm concerned about! But still he tells me not to worry about it. We'll see!!

I told Johnny the other day that it seems like everytime I start thinking that something might be wrong with the baby, (because I'm not as sick as I was with the other two) that the Lord 'allows' me to get sick, so that I will realize that everything is okay. You know, you'd think I'd learn to trust!! Cheyenne came into bed with me the other night and wanted to feel the baby move. We laid there for a very long time and I could not get this little one to move. Then the next morning I was laying in bed trying to wake 'it' (I hate having to use that word) up and still nothing. So, of course, as human nature goes, I started thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder what's wrong with my baby?!" I told Johnny, "I can't get 'it' to move." So he came over and put his hand on my belly and talked to the baby and said he felt 'it', but still I didn't. Well, the next morning (yesterday) right after I ate breakfast, I was given yet ANOTHER reminder that everything was okay!! Yep, you guessed it.... 'Ralph' came to visit! =} Then, what seemed like all day yesterday, I felt little squirmy movements and knew everything was just as it should be. I think riding in Johnny's truck with him for 4 days in a row, I wasn't able to feel 'it' moving as much, but 'it' must have been active and then just wanted to sleep when I laid down. Which is another thing I am very thankful for, because I know the time is coming, when I am dead tired and ready to sleep that as soon as I lay down 'it's' going to start squirming if 'it's' anything like the previous two! As I sit here now I feel flutters. It's such an awesome feeling!!! I love it!!

I will be getting an ultrasound done within the next 3 weeks so my baby will no longer be 'IT'. If anyone would like to put their 'vote' in as to what they think I'm having, please feel free. I think it would be fun to see who gets it right. I will do a post as soon as I think everyone has 'voted' and then we'll see what the ultrasound says. Although I have heard enough stories by now to know that ultrasounds are not guarranteed!! Only God knows FOR SURE, but it's fun to plan.

Well, I guess I have rambled on long enough. I was talking to my mom earlier this morning and I told her that I needed to get off of the computer so I could get some laundry done and enjoy this beautiful weather we're having, but yet here I sit!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day and thank you all again for the many prayers that have been offered on my behalf. I am on the mend.

Don't Drink The Water!!

Before Thanksgiving, Marlene had told me that one of our friends was pregnant and due in June sometime. I didn't know it yet, but I would be in the same boat! Soon after I 'announced' my pregnancy to my sister-in-law, she told me that her husband's sister-in-law was expecting too and due about 4-5 weeks before me. Then, while I was in Montana, she called me again and said that she suspected that *her sister was pregnant too. Yep, due one week after me! About one week after we got back from Montana another *older couple in our church announced that they were going to have a baby. I'm not sure what the due date was on that one though. Then Marlene came over one day and told me that 2 other people that we know are expecting! When I was able to get up and about again and go to church, I was talking to two other ladies in our church and found out that one is due in September and the other is just about 5-6 weeks along. Then Marlene comes along with some more news of another friend of ours. I don't know the details on that one, other than Marlene suspects it was a honeymoon baby!! And then last night Johnny and I called our good friends from South Carolina and found out that she too is expecting and due two weeks after me!!! I am probably the most excited about that one. So, congratulations to my dear friend Charlene!!! I wish you were here!

If I counted right, that is 10 pregnant people that surround me. So, if anyone is wanting to have a baby, please feel free to come visit, we have plenty of water. Although, from my own personal experience, I really can't recommend pregnancy to anyone!

*On a sad note, my sister-in-law and the older couple both have had miscarriages, so please pray for them. This is the 5th one for my sister-in-law.