38 1/2 weeks

So, I have 1 week and 2 days left. I went to the doctor today and she said I am not quite dilated to 1cm and that the baby's head is down. So be patient she said. I have to endure the elephant feet, the "shuffle" and the orange peel for a little bit longer. I sound so attractive don't I. The shuffle is, in the morning I walk around like a little old lady because I can't bend my feet due to all the fluid and the orange peel is what they call all the fluid in my stomach. Anyway, atleast they have a name for everything I have:) I will keep you all updated!

Baby Shower!

This last Saturday (Sept. 23rd) my mom along with my cousin and aunt had a baby shower for me. It was so sweet. I enjoyed everyone there and appreciated the time that my family spent getting everything together. I realized that showers are truly a blessing...not just the gifts (that help out so much!) but the presence of friends and family, supporting Francisco and I and the new baby. It meant so much to me and I truly felt supported and loved.

Here I am with the hosts: Aunt Carla, Cousin Brittany, and my mom

My mom is posing with some of her care packages she put together. These were so cool I didn't want to open them! In the background is also the diaper cake she put together, I too wanted to save it, but I'm sure I will need the diapers:)

Here are the "mature" parents to be:)

Here I am with my "Baby on Board" sign

*I also have to mention that my ESL students threw me a surprise baby shower on Friday (Sept. 22nd). I was so surprised! They are so precious and I felt like, "who am I? to be ministering to these women" anyway, it was a real gift. I will post pics when I get them.

37 weeks

Okay, here I am...in my 9th month. Only 3 more weeks left to go! Well, as I am writing this it is really only 17 days (2 1/2 weeks). It amuses me because all these magazines I read talk about the "waiting game" and how I can deal with it, but I have no problem thinking of stuff I need to get done before the baby comes. Maybe that is due to the fact that we have no car seat, no mattress, nothing really...just a changing table (without a changing pad) and a bed (without a mattress). I am what some would call unprepared. Maybe it is due to the denial of my husband and saying, "it's too early to get this stuff" we'll see what he says when we are in the hospital and he is having to run out and by a car seat so we can take our baby home:) I think I am more worried about getting the apartment cleaned and getting in as much time with Francisco and at work as I can before we have the baby. There just isn't enough hours in the day. So crazy, when I first started this blog or when I first found out I was pregnant seems like just yesterday. The whole pregnancy has just flown by and I don't know if I have said this before, but I am already missing it. I have enjoyed it for the most part and I think there will be a part of me that will miss being pregnant. But, I am sure once I can turn over in bed, or sleep on my stomach, or bend over to tie my shoes I will enjoy life without a stomach:) **Just to clarify, I ahve had problems with my blog posting so actually right now as I post this I am 38 weeks and 2 days. Only 12 days until my due date:)

Ugly feet

Okay talk about showing you an "ugly side" of me... These have got to be the ugliest feet ever! Get past the unpainted toenails and they are still ugly! So I have edema (pitting edema!) Francisco can press his finger into my feet and the mark stays there for a little while. yuck! It goes all the way up my legs. Look how chunky my legs even look. Anyway, besides being a little hard to walk on...everything else is fine. I hope it is true what some of my Latino friends say, "the more fluid you have the easier the labor"...they have all sorts of "tales" like that for me...I should have kept a book of them these last 3 months!

United 93

Okay different topic, but definitely worth mentioning (according to me). Last night Francisco and I watched United 93. The movie about the fourth hijacked plane that never reached it's destination because of the passengers and crew members.
This movie helped me to understand the fears, the pain, the confusion, and many other emotions that people passed through that day.
It helped me to appreciate teamwork, it helped me to appreciate the different talents the Lord has given each one of us, it helped me to appreciate how precious life is and the fact that we really have no idea when or how we will die, we just know it will happen sometime in our life (or do we fail to think about the fact that we won't live forever).
Most of all I could see the Lord's unfailing grace in it all. This plane crashed in an open field. What are the chances of that? It killed only the people on board and failed to reach it's destination (which I am sure was meant to be more destructive). I also thought to myself, these 4 hijackers on the plane were out to kill because that is what their God says is faith. But, if they decide to repent and accept Jesus Christ with all their heart....the Lord says their is forgiveness. Who are we? That The Lord FREELY hands out grace and makes it available to all. I am no better than these 4 hijackers (although I would like to think so), so the same grace that covers my sins, was made available to them as well. How many times to a FULLY appreciate Jesus and what he did for me and everyone else I come in contact with. The Lord is more than good. I don't even like to use the word good because I don't feel it is strong enough to describe who He is.
I have to admit sometimes I have gotten tired about all the "hype" about 9-11, but then again I do not even understand the affects of what happened that day. Sure we all remember where we were at that day (I can remember we were getting ready to leave for my uncle's funeral and someone turned on the t.v. and there it was....the two towers being hit. It was unrealistic and I remember being mad because I thought how dare this happen on the day of my uncle's funeral. selfish, yes. Worried, no). I have no idea the anger and pain that people may feel because they lost a loved one that day. I wasn't even really affected by it all. I wasn't even in the vicinity of the crashes, I had no family or friends affected...it was more or less like I was watching a movie.
So, I have many points to this blog, I guess I am just trying to make sense of the movie still, but I definitely have a new appreciation for the heroes on "United 93" and I also have a new appreciation for all the authorities that work eachday to protect us, allowing me to live a "normal" life. I don't have a clue what goes on in the "world of terrorism", but I am thankful for that.
See the movie. It's worth the $4.

Lamaze

So this weekend Francisco and I had our Lamaze crash course (Friday night 7-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm). So Friday night was just movies and talking, but Saturday was the fun part! My favorite part was how they had our husbands give us massages to relax us and make our "contractions" less painful. The lights were down and she had calming music playing. Everything was calm, until Francisco and I crack up laughing about everything. We are not good together when it comes to behaving ourselves in a class. The instructor had us sit in a chair and the husbands massage our faces and temples...well Francisco was seriously suffocating me! I crack up laughing because I am suppose to feel "calm", but I feel more pain:) Then the instructor had us do some swaying back in forth motions and our husbands were suppose to hold on to us...well Francisco was moving my arms like a bird, like I was flying. What is this? I was laughing so hard I couldn't stop! I thought we were going to have to leave. Then she has us get on mats and try to imagine this. She wants to women to get on their hands and knees to practice opening to pelvis. What does my husband do? He gets up next to me on his hands and knees and barks at me like a dog! Okay, so good thing everyone was paying attention to the instructor because I had to remind Francisco that we were in public and we want the people to think we are "normal". Anyway, it ended up being a really fun day, he makes me laugh so much. In fact, the nurse giving the class said that laughing release endorphins and therefore make the contractions less painful. I think I am going to try and laugh the baby out! One of the grandmas that came with her granddaughter said, "well you kids were having a little too much fun over there." Maybe.
Anyway, the good news is I feel a whole lot better about giving birth. I am actually excited to accomplish this and I know I can do it. I was encouraged and a lot of my questions and doubts were answered.
**By the way the picture I have is of a birthing ball that Francisco called the "cow" the things that it sits on are apparently the utters. Anyway, Francisco enjoyed bouncing up and down on these balls. He's a BIG kid. Love him.

My Husband

Why I love my husband...

He makes me laugh (here is playing an instrument with the vacuum cleaner)

He's creative (Here he is creating a picture frame out of old wood he found, while eating ice cream...he's a sweet guy:)

He's determined. Determined to learn to play the guitar, determined to learn English, determined to be a good husband and determined to take care of me.


*Most of all, he makes me feel loved and beautiful. He protects and provides and he's a good example to me.
Sometimes, I think to myself...where in the world would I be if I weren't married to him? Where could I possibly go or be that would be any place better than to be with him?

Sorry if this seems cheesy...I just had this urge to share with you all, why he's special to me.

Lady In Waiting

So I had a doctor's appointment today....and the doc said, well you're there Meghan...if you go into labor now we aren't going to try and stop it. WAIT! We haven't even talked about meds, Francisco and I are going to take our lamaze class this weekend, we don't have a car seat or anything yet for that matter.....and you're saying the baby can come anytime. I had a little freak out session in my mind. Plus, to top it off after my appointment I had a date with Julie Neese to go to Wilson's apple orchard to pick some apples. As I am on the way to her house I was talking to my sister and she said, "just so you know I went picking the morning before I had Caedmon" I thought just my luck...when I am most unprepared and my house is dirty. Anyway, nothing has happened, and if it does atleast we will already be at the hospital at our lamaze class. By the way, my computer was down for a while so now it is finally up and running...so sorry in advance for all the posts that are about to come!

Asustada

Okay...so I found this picture of when we were on our honeymoon.....and I thought it was a great picture of what I am feeling lately. So this is suppose to be my nervous/scared/excited face. So confession number one: I don't particularly like the unknown. So the whole idea of giving birth just scares me right now. I am starting to doubt myself and if I can really do it. I mean, I know I have no choice...this baby is coming, ready or not, but I would really like a sneak preview before it all happens at once. What makes it worse...is Francisco is fretting about it. He hates to see anyone in pain. For one, he always says, "Maggie what are you going to do?" Hmmmmm....not quite sure, but I was hoping he had some idea...guess not. Then the other night, he says that maybe we should think of asking my mom to come as a back up just in case he would pass out because this stuff makes him a little uneasy. Oh great! So now I am worrying about him, whether he will stay on his own two feet or not. My sister says what she wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during my labor. Now, I am starting to think this is going to be interesting. Sometimes I lay awake at night visualizing the whole process and thinking of a way out. Funny. There is no way out. I even start thinking about Eve and how in the world did she do it...she was the first woman to give birth to a child and without medicine, a doctor, etc. Wow! Now that is a superwoman. So if she did it, why can't I? And she did it more than once. Now, it must not be that bad. Anyway, this is a tiny glimpse of what is going on inside my head the majority of the day.
Oh yeah, I have to add the piece about how I just love the fact (not really) that when you don't even ask for people's personal experience they tell you their horror story anyway. Then after all is said and done, they say, "you'll be just fine" oh yeah right thanks....what makes my situation so different. Errrr. Well, my comfort lies in knowing I have the strength of the Lord. There is a little corner in my heart filled with excitement to share this experience with my husband...although it will be painful I think it will be a bonding experience. And what comes in the end is a blessing from the Lord...a baby that he has entrusted us with, to care for and to grow in his ways.

Falls, laughs, and wet pants

Although I do not know who this baby is nor is it Francisco, use your imagination for a second. So we are outside in our garage last night cutting Francisco's hair (although everytime he hates how I cut it, he always insists on me cutting it:) Anyway, he decided to sit on a toolbox which he put on top of a stepping stool. All the sudden he looked at me with a confused blank look and I looked at him, wondering what in the world was his issue...and at that moment he fell backwards right off of the stepping stool (the pic above is a good pic of what he looked like). You guys, I laughed so hard I peed my pants twice! Now we are talking pee....this was no dribble...this was a full fledge pee (two times). I went to bed laughing. Of course Francisco was annoyed at this point because all I had done for the last 4 hours was laugh. I think it was his facial expression...but also a part of my lovely mood swings....since I laughed at everything that day. Or was it just everything was funny? Who knows. Francisco and I were both sleep deprived because his nephews stayed the night with us...and I couldn't sleep, so that meant Francisco couldn't sleep either. Another one that made me laugh: we found a Spanish speaking church a while ago and have been attending their Sunday services. We love the community, so it's been a huge blessing. It's smaller, and the people like to say "amen" in agreement with the pastor. Well the pastor said, "with this point I am going to end the sermon" and Francisco blurts out, "amen"....I looked at him and just started laughing. He was so tired I don't even know if he knew why he said amen. I laughed the whole day about that one too:) He claims, he knew he said amen....he was rejoicing the sermon was going to end:) Funny.

Here he is!

So here's the new guy. My opinion: he looks just like his dad. I am glad I can finally share these pics with 'ya all. He looks so huggable:)

He's a long boy!


This one cracked me up....I thought it was feathers at first. So cute:)


Sweet.


Here's the whole family....Can you say "cheese" Brighton? Love the face:)

Neighbors

Okay according to my experiences there are two kinds of neighbors: quiet sweet ones and loud obnoxious ones. Of course we have them both.

So here is a picture of our quiet sweet neighbors.

Not really. But isn't this the cutest thing. Across from us live a Chinese couple and I love them...everytime I see them I want to squeeze them. Anyway, I am not sure who keeps putting these balloons up, but they are the coolest. On Francisco and I's anniversary they had the sweetest heart on their door...we thought maybe someone put it on the wrong door and it was really for us. But, after this one I am convinced that it wasn't for us. So the husband, I think does all this..I think he is a romancer:) Anyway, if anyone knows where in the world you can get these...maybe he makes them. I don't know...I could just ask him. I want some.

And now here is a picture of our obnoxious neighbor:

Anyway, He drives us insane. Now we are talking midnight, 3am you name the hour and he is blasting his rap music to the max. Francisco always takes my swifter and bangs on the ceiling (which I hate because I love my swifter:), but of course the guy doesn't hear him....the music is too loud! What gets me is he has a girlfriend and child that live with them. When do they ever sleep?? Last night at midnight he was blaring the music so Francisco said you couldn't hear it in the living room....So we take our futon mattress and move it into the living room to sleep (now this mattress isn't light). After all is said and done and we plop down to sleep...of course he shuts his music off for the night. Oh the joys of apartment living. I am sure it's payback time for all the times Em and I had DDR parties and shook the windows of our neighbors apartment below us. I am pretty sure we weren't the quietest neighbors. With that being said, we are ready to be done with apartment life. We would like to sleep one night:)

RATS!

So Francisco went to work the other day and started cooking up his hot wings that I packed for him for lunch in his small little oven. After they were all done, smellin' good, hot and ready to eat...he sees that he cooked them along with rat turds. Yes, rat turds. Apparently a rat had entered his oven and did his duty during the night when he had left his oven at work. He had to throw them away! It was so gross and kind of unrealistic that I didn't believe him all day. He always calls me at his lunch time and I always ask how his lunch was and when he told me the story while laughing, I didn't believe him. He says he will never leave his oven at work overnight again. GROSS!!!!!!!! By the way, I was looking for a rat picture and they were so gross to even post that I resorted to this picture that was from a shoot the rat website:) Hence the target...anyway I am sure this is what Francisco looked like when he saw the turds:)

Goodnight Sweetheart

Okay, so I was working last night and I was taking care of this older lady. As I was passing by her room I heard her husband singing to her by her bedside. It was "goodnight sweetheart" and apparently it's been a night time ritual of theirs for years. I think that is so precious. Other nurses were making comments that he's a weird guy (guess he should be living in Austin with ya Em:) I saw nothing weird, I just think he's still in love with her and that must be weird to them. hmmm....why do so many couples lose the love? Makes me sad.

Another topic: I am tired ALL DAY LONG. I would think I was sick with mono if I wasn't pregnant. But, seriously what is the deal? I wake up in the morning with Francisco and then when he leaves I go back to bed and I am out hard until noon or 1pm. Then, I get up and all I want to do is sit...but since I know I need to get things done I force myself to shower and run errands or the dreadful...clean. Then before I go to work at 7pm I could use another nap. I just feel EXTRA sleepy. Anyway, I guess instead of being worried I will enjoy life with sleep before I live life without sleep.