40 weeks

Well, this last week my due date came and went.  I never expected the baby to come near my due date, so I wasn't too surprised.  But, you know, as you grow up you sure do get lied to or at least deceived about pregnancy.  There's many things they don't tell you, such as it really being at least ten months-not nine, and that your due date means nothing.  I thankfully already knew these things before getting pregnant, but gee golly, these last few weeks have been crawling!  I've at least still been working so these days go by faster than if I were at home.  I am thankful to have had shorter work days this last week to be able to come home and do some last minute things, rest, and walk with the fluffy baby. 

In the last week or two, I have noticed that people just don't think when they say things to you as you're about to give birth.  Such as:

1. There's definitely a 9.5 lb baby in there; I think the baby gained a half a pound overnight!  
2. Oh my gosh, you're huge!
3. Whatever is in there is huge! And you're going to do that naturally....yeah right!  
4. Are you having twins? (this was a serious question) I laughed at this because the woman asked if I minded telling her my due date (of course not).  But then had no problem quickly asking if there were two in there!  
5. Is the baby ever going to come out?  

What encouraging words for a post due date mama, wouldn't you say?  Good thing most of the time I can let these types of things go and if not, Jon gives me a good reality check and gets me back in line!  

 40 weeks

Jon and I decided that if the baby wasn't born by this Sunday, we would go tot he Chicago Botanic Gardens.  We love going there throughout the whole year and enjoying what each season has to offer.  Since it has been getting warmer here, things are starting to bloom, but most of the magnolias and tulips were still waiting to pop out.  If the baby doesn't happen to be here next week, guess where we're going back to?  Last year Jon and I got to enjoy the tulips around my birthday because it was warmer so much earlier compared to this year.   We had a great Sunday together; it has been our special day to enjoy since it's our only day where neither of us work.  After the gardens, we used his Starbucks discount and got some fancy clover press coffee.  Then, we grabbed some dinner and I got some spicy shrimp.  But, the only thing spicy food does for me is regret eating it as the baby kicks and jabs me even harder than normal!  Forget it! 

We at least saw some magnolias blooming; what a sweet fragrance!  

Jon got a flash for the camera and was excited to test it out on the bambino/a and I.  

Now I am 40 weeks 4 days.  Tomorrow I will go to my midwife and they will do a non-stress test, ultrasound to check fluids, and then check me again.  Hopefully this week there will actually be some progress, compared to last week.  But to be honest, I really don't mind having the baby inside-I'm not going crazy-the only thing is that it's so hard to move around.  Being in bed fine, until you have to roll over because your hips are falling asleep.  Getting in and out of the car usually is accompanied with a rather large grunt and heave-ho of myself, followed by a few seconds of panting and steadying myself.  The baby will come when it's ready, I will work on being patient until then. 

39 week + comparisons

First off, let's start with a cute picture of Jonathon and the fluffy baby.  Aren't they cute?

Molly has been getting lots of long walks lately and she loves it.  She thinks it's all about her and giving her time to sniff all the new spring smells, but it's really about moving the baby southward!  After the walks, we both tend to pass out, but I never complain about extra cuddle time.  

Last post, I shared pictures my dad had taken of us and that was my 37th week.  Here is our regular side profile picture, not quite as exciting as the outdoor pictures. :)  But, I look back and I think I look small....oh dear. 

 37 weeks

     38 weeks                                                                      39 weeks     

I thought it might be a good time to have a comparison photo as people have been asking what I look like and if I have dropped yet or not.  Although I am not super low, you can tell that the baby is sitting lower a bit and boy do I feel it!  The baby still likes to remind me that it's in there by jabbing me and hitting some painful nerves with their big noggin!  The picture on the left is actually on my birthday, last Sunday!  Wouldn't it have been nice if the baby decided to gift me with its birth?  But, it didn't.  I remember when Jon and I found out the due date last fall, he said, "Ohhhh, your birthday is going to be rough.  You'll be big and tired and crabby."  Nice.  It didn't really bother me because I thought, well, that's probably true.  I may be big and tired, but I wasn't crabby on my birthday.  If anything, I used my birthday combined with being quite pregnant to be doted on even more, haha.  Who can resist an almost 10 month pregnant woman with a pouty lip on her birthday?  Well, not Jonathon.  I didn't want any gifts, but just time with Jonathon since our schedules have been pretty opposite, I just needed a day with him.  So, we spent the whole day together relaxing and eating and enjoying time together.  I was spoiled.  He even wrote me a nice letter and made the pregnant woman cry.  To finish off the night, we got some yummy Coldstone ice cream! Thanks for a great birthday!

My kids at school have been pretty funny throughout the pregnancy and realized I am really going to miss all these things and their extra love after the baby is out.  They're always feeling my tummy, listening to the baby, and asking it how it's feeling and what is it doing in there.  While swinging with one girl, she said, "Ms. Anika, what is that baby doing in there?!"  I replied, "Well, it was awake during your nap time a bit ago, but now it's asleep.  I think it's just relaxing."  She responded very seriously, "Oh.  Well, I think that baby must be some type of wild nocturnal animal!  It is always awake in the night and asleep in the day!  Yes, it is a wild, nocturnal animal."  I laughed so hard, what a smart thought.  Another boy looked at me (as if I haven't been around at all), realizing how big my belly was and exclaimed, "Oh, Ms. Anika, I think you are really going to pop!  It just looks like your belly might just blow and pop!  Oh my!"  He said this while having his hands out in front of him as if to shield him from the blow and then ended with them on his cheeks because of his amazement.  These are the types of things that I will miss, but now they will always be asking about the baby and how the doctor got it out, I'm sure.  

Anyways, soon, hopefully soon, we will meet this Wild and Wooly bambino/a!  

37 week catch up

I seem to be getting behind as the weeks wane on.  But, there is a reason as to why I'm a little late and that's because Jon's beloved grandpa passed away on Easter.  His grandpa was a very special man and really welcomed me into the family and made me feel extra loved.  We will really be missing him.  Jonathon was gone for the weekend during that time to be with him and family and since he has come back it's been a whirlwind.  I was very glad that we felt comfortable to be separated during a time when it was important for Jonathon to see his grandpa and family and also glad that the bambino/a did not decide to come out early.  

But, now that we're nearing the end of our 38th week, we're ready for the baby to just come already!  I have been getting quite tuckered out, especially still working full time and I am just dead in the evenings.  And yet, I don't sleep well during the night.  For one thing rolling over is horribly uncomfortable and difficult and if I don't roll over, my hips go numb and hurt like none other in the morning.  Another thing that hinders my sleep is Jon not being there three nights a week and then coming home early in the morning.   The Pocket Baby is a good cuddler, but not quite the tall size that I'm used to.  In fact, here is a picture of her taking over Papa's pillow. 

But when Jon is home, this is how Molly likes to sleep: still taking over Jon's pillow.  I often find her like this in the mornings.  Jon, though, never realizes that she's wrapped around his head...

We had our final ultrasound this last week and baby was still in a good position, but was measuring big for my technical week.  They said I'm more like a week ahead schedule, so maybe we'll be seeing the baby a bit sooner!  In the ultrasound, we got to see the baby move their tongue in and out of their mouth, their healthy heartbeat, as well as some hair on their head!  But what color will the hair be, it could be anything based on Jon and my hair history!  While meeting with my midwife, she checked my belly and then grabbed it and talked to the baby and said, "Okay, you're done cooking, you can come out now!"  We'll see if the bambino/a listens to her and all the other people encouraging it to come out.  We are very excited to meet this little one and see who they are and give them lots of love!  

 I do not have our typical side view picture for our 37th week, but these are even better!  My dad helped take some pictures as I realized we didn't really have any of us together during this pregnancy (how sad).  Thanks dad! 

Hide and Seek-If I can't see you, you can't see me...

Such a sweet man!

Still can't find me?

 Thanks for visiting after your fun baseball game!

35 weeks

Last week was my 35th week, can you believe it?  Just a few more weeks (hopefully).  The pregnancy is definitely starting to wear on me especially during my work week.  During the day, I have these wonderful aspirations of things I'm going to do when I get home, but the story's always the same.  Get in bed and lay there for hours, then eat, brush my teeth and go back and go to sleep.  Oh, I do get things done, sometimes, but it's usually on the weekends when I have little spurts of energy followed by more laying down.  But, laying down has not been the easiest either as getting in and out of bed is quite difficult, as well as rolling over in bed.  Some nights I feel like I am wrestling an alligator in bed as I try to maneuver my belly and pillows around me as I turn to the other side so my hip doesn't ache horribly.  The other hard part is that Jon works overnight three nights and I never sleep well on those nights.  The Pocket Baby and I are lonely for him.  One early morning when Jon came back home I was already awake laying in bed and heard Jon coming down the stairs.  At that moment, so did Molly and started barking right next to me (thanks by the way).  An instant after, I could feel my belly shudder, the baby had gotten startled by Molly's barking and shook inside of me.  I could just picture it, how newborns get scared of their arms or noises and then their little bodies shudder.  Poor thing, then on top of it, it got the hiccups and wouldn't go back to sleep so I was up at 5:00 waiting for work at 9:00.  Well, I guess this is good practice for when the little one is actually out of me and waking up throughout the night. 

35 weeks

Just from things happening in the last few hours, I have found three signs that pregnancy might be starting to wear on a person....

1.  Your maternity clothes as well as your husband's large clothes are no longer fitting.  

2.  You try to swipe your debit card in your gas tank door flap.  Then when you actually realize to swipe the card in the card swiper, it doesn't work.  You then yell, "Fine!  I guess you're not going to get my gas then!"  (I meant money, but oh well, they don't want my gas either). 

3.  Pregnancy also might be wearing on you when you walk to your car and every time you see the car seat and freak out and panic that you left your baby in it overnight or the whole day.  But then you look down at your belly and realize that the baby you're freaking out about is not born yet...oh.

Speaking of car seats, here is Jon being such a good Papa and reading all about the car seat, figuring it out and putting it into the car.  We found out that fitting a car seat in a compact car with a husband that's very tall is kind of difficult and very crammed. 

 Last Saturday, we also had a shower for us hosted by some of our first small group at Harvest.  I failed to take a picture with them though, ugh.  But, we did manage one picture with two of the couples from our newly married group who came to celebrate.  It was great seeing everyone and were really blessed by them. 

34 weeks

Jon and I failed to take a 33 week picture because we had a busy last weekend.  My parents came for a visit and as we normally take a picture on the weekend, the time slipped by us!  We all meant to take pictures since family was in town and the only ones that we managed to take were at my midwife appointment!  Before leaving town, my parents came along to my appointment and got to meet one of the two midwives that I am with as well as drive by the hospital where Jon and I will be.  The midwife said everything was looking great and baby is still head down.  In a few weeks, we'll have our final ultrasound to see if it's facing the right way and try to sneak one more glimpse of what our little one looks like before he or she decides to leave their wombie womb. 

The weekend with my parents was a nice and relaxing one that also included me using their bathtub and swimming pool!  I loved being able to get some exercise and feel almost weightless at the same time, what a joy.  We do not have a bath where we live, so it was also relaxing for my achy body to sit in a warm tub.  We also had a fun time going to a few places for baby things, tasty food and a special shared birthday dinner for Jonathon and I at Jameson's Charhouse. 

We got a tasty, little birthday cake from Mariano's Market.  It's one 

of my favorites: a yellow Madeleine cake!  Yum! 

34 weeks

We are pretty much ready for the baby to come, just a few last minute things and to finish packing my hospital bag!  Oh, and after such a difficult time with names, I think we have some possibilities that we are both loving.  We'll wait to see what the little one looks like so we'll know for sure.  In a month or so, our lives will dramatically change, but we are so excited to meet this wild and wooly one!  We love him or her so much already! 

32 weeks

This week I had my 32 week checkup and I feel like every time my midwife doesn't always know what to do with me because I really have no problems or questions.  It is fun to hear the heartbeat of the baby and the midwife checked how the baby was positioned.  The little bambino was head down, which I could already tell by the kicking on top on the pain below.  But, just as our little jumping bean has been, I feel it flip all over the place and then usually settles back into a head down position.  It'll get stuck there eventually; it still has a few weeks.  I can tell the poor little thing is beginning to get cramped in there though, sometimes I feel like it's already trying to get out or banging on my sides saying, "Let me outta here!"  But I reply and say, "No.  You need to stay in your warm little wombie for a few more weeks."  A few nights ago, I was going to sleep and I kept feeling continuous on the beat kicks.  I thought wow, our baby's got rhythm!  But after 2 minutes of this, I realized that the baby must have the hiccups and what a bout of them they were!  I called Jon over and he could feel them as well and laughed.  I think that was a fun moment for him.  

Jon and I have also been blessed with two part time jobs for Jonathon.  I'm so proud of him for working these jobs even though they aren't in his field, he will definitely be doing some ministry at these places.  We'll just continue to pray for God's timing and placement for us as we learn to trust him during this time.  It's funny I feel like I keep hearing messages and verses on trials and learning how to be steadfast.  I thought that I learned in the past that I can't do things on my own, but God has been teaching me even deeper lessons about relying on him, giving over my worries and always going to him in everything.  Through this, Jon and I have also had some really good conversations about God's presence even when we feel alone, as Christians, we can never be alone.  He always has his perfect timing and perfect plans, so much better than we could imagine.  During this pregnancy, I have learned so much about how I am not in control and trading in my plans and fears for his peace and trust in him is a much better place to be. 

Above is a picture of Jonathon and the outfits he bought for the baby when we go home.  Well, that is providing that we don't have a gigantic baby that doesn't fit into them...He picked these out all on his own and even got good prices on them.  He called me and said, "I got fleece so that the baby doesn't get cold."  So cute.  Didn't he do such a good job?  I'm so proud of this Papa. 

32 weeks

31 weeks & Riley's Visit

I can't believe we are getting so close to the end and to meeting our little one soon.  This time has really flown by and often times I wish I could have more time; not getting better, but to do more things with Jon or to get prepared.  One fear I've been having a lot lately is just my time with only Jon and I feeling a lot like sand in an hourglass.  We are excited to be a family of three, but it's bittersweet thinking of not having just us two.  But, I know that after having this little one, we will not be able to imagine life without him or her.  And after all, we've had almost 6 years together and more to come with a happy little family.  Seriously though, we are very excited to meet our little one.  Last night, Jon and I had a nice time of prayer for the baby as well as our own time having a theological discussion over food and relaxing.  I treasure these times to connect.  This last weekend, I also treasured our time with our wonderful friends, Mic and Sarah.  As most of my blog followers should know by now, we met Mic and Sarah while in Korea and we developed a special bond with them.  I think we've always felt comfortable as though we were all siblings together.  It is even more special now that both Sarah and I are pregnant, me being about 9 weeks ahead of her.  They were in fact the first to find out that we were expecting when we met them over Labor Day.  We were pretty early along, but knew we couldn't spend the weekend with them and not tell them!  When we first told them, I think Mic thought we were joking and so he started joking about it.  Until I responded with, "No, seriously, I'm pretty sure beer is bad for the baby (obviously)."  

 This weekend with Mic and Sarah was pretty relaxing since it was cold and Sarah and I were both tired pregnant women!  On Saturday while Jon worked, the three of us went to an outlet mall across the border in Wisconsin and found a few baby things.   On Sunday, we enjoyed a nice lunch together before doing some more exploring and shopping around.  But, our favorite parts of the weekend was playing music together.  We had our own little bluegrass band including a banjo, guitar, violin, and mandolin.  I recorded a video of one of Riley's songs that they wrote.  We had only played it together a few times, so it was not perfect but definitely fun to learn together. 

In case you missed Sarah's picture on Facebook, here's a "Perfect fit" for playing bass.  I said, "It's like it's made for a pregnant woman."  Nice that they made the curve to fit a round belly. 
I have a feeling it won't fit for long though.  My belly is now starting to get in the way of even more things such as reaching in the kitchen sink and the stove.  This makes necessary tasks more painful and difficult.  Baby! You're getting in the way! 

Picture courtesy of Mic and Sarah

This will be my 31 week picture since we failed to take one while they were here.  Sarah is about 9 weeks behind me, so there is a bit of a difference...I love this girl and so excited to meet their little boy. 

Mic and his banjo

Baby Shower, Auto Show & 30 weeks!

The last two weeks were busy weeks.  A week ago had our first baby shower with a great group of friends and family.  We felt so blessed by all the gifts and encouragement by seeing everyone.  My only regret is not being able to talk with everyone as much as I'd like.  I only got to see my parents for a brief time, so it was sad to have to take off. 

So happy to have Cindy, Christine, and Loice there for the shower.  I was their nanny during college and they were also our sweet little flower girls.  They are not so little anymore!  

 

 After the shower and very tired.  I feel like the picture should have 

been planned for before I was tired and emotional.  Oh well.  After having the 

shower, we definitely feel more prepared for the baby coming!  Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us, but most of all thank you to our main hosts: Mom, Connie, and Diane!

Yesterday, we went to the Chicago Auto Show for the second year in a row.  I loved it last year and was super excited to get to go this year as well.  It's a lot of fun to have so many different types of car to look at and sit in as well as to gawk at!  It makes comparing the vehicles a lot easier as we think ahead to when we might need a new car.  But mostly, it is just a day of fun to walk around together and enjoy seeing the cars. Our favorites to see were Volkswagen, Honda, Ford, and Jeep.  We also had fun looking at the crazy Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.  I absolutely love how the new Beetle looks and even though I can't get it, Jon says it can be my old lady car for the future.  Who knows where we'll be in the next year, but I'm sure wherever we are, we will continue going to auto shows, whether big or small. 

Honda Ev-Ster: quite the futuristic car with cockpits and a joystick steering wheel.  

We got to meet Aaron and Richard from the Discovery show Fast N' Loud.

30 weeks

...and feeling pretty good!

There's a bun in that oven!

This was a fun picture taken by my cousin Blythe on Christmas day.  It's funny how I felt big that day, I look at myself now and realize wow, the baby's grown in the last two months! 

28 weeks & Sicknesses

Well, this last week has been an interesting one.  Not necessarily the best one of pregnancy, but testing, none the less.  This last week, I experienced four separate sicknesses within the week: bladdar spasms/infection, kidney stone, horrible cold, and that Australian flu bug.  Did I say that it was not the best week?  Jon had the flu a few days before I got it and I took care of him and bleached our place like crazy, but still got it!  But I was very blessed to have lots of prayer and recovered quicker than he did.  He was also such a brave and good helper to me as he would take my throw up bucket, help me upstairs, brought me anything that I needed and cared me all throughout the day and night as well as checking on the baby and asking me how I think the baby felt.  He was very loving and I am so glad I had him with me. 

This last week did have a good part, which was going to visit the hospital and labor and delivery wing.  I had already been there earlier in the week to get checked with some of my sicknesses, but they gave us a detailed tour and a lot of information about what will happen while we are there.  Although I hate hospitals, I feel pretty good about being at that hospital for our delivery.  I feel even better now that we have two midwives that we're working with rather than several doctors at the practice I was at before.  I can't believe that we are really nearing the end of the pregnancy and in less than three months, we'll be welcoming our little one into our family! 

Now, on to this weekend with my first baby shower with Jon's and my family as well as many friends!  It should be a great day!

27 weeks

Nothing too new to report here.  We are just ending the second trimester and moving into the third trimester, which is quite hard to believe!  Jon looked back at some pictures from even ten weeks ago and was amazed at the changes in my baby house.  This little kangaroo has also been so fun to feel and see its changes.  Jon and I have a fun time imagining what the baby is going to be like and from how busy it is inside of me, we know it will not be boring!  Lately, I have been threatening the baby with more pelvic rock exercises (for our Bradley class), if it doesn't stop hurting me and trampolining on my bladder so much.  I point at my belly and say, "You're going to get sloshed around and moved in there if you don't stop!"  This usually follows by me having to do at least 40 pelvic rocks to move the baby and get more comfortable.  Oh well, preparation for birth, right?  We are so excited to meet and see what this little kangaroo looks like, so the next three months might seem pretty long especially as my baby house gets bigger! 

Oh, I did meet our other midwife this week as well as have my glucose test.  All was well, except I am a little anemic, which I already am without being pregnant.  Nothing new there.  The only bad thing was the actual drawing of blood where my arms were dug around in multiple times and then even after taking 4 vials of blood, had to come back to the lab to do it all again 5 minutes later.  This was not my favorite nurse.  But, at least I can handle needles compared to Jon; he would not have made it.  She kept being concerned about me passing out, as she was digging around for my vein I responded, "Do people normally pass out on you!?" 

27 weeks

Jon is pressing on with the job search and is doing a good job.  We'll let you know with any exciting updates with our upcoming future!  Thanks for keeping up with us!

Bambino at 26 weeks

Well, we're nearing the end of our second trimester and quickly heading into the third trimester soon!  I really can't believe how fast everything has gone.  I thought pregnancy would take forever, well it has sped by at an alarming rate.  Sometimes I say, "Wait, hold on stay in there longer!  I need more time!"  Really, I have three months left and by that time I'll be yelling at the baby to come out, I'm sure.  We have noticed that it is getting harder to wait and meet this little one.  We also sometimes have times of wanting to find out the gender (especially as we "discuss" names).  I am really totally happy with not finding out the gender, I love the surprise!  But, it would be nice to rule out an entire gender list of names!  On top of names that we already liked, Jon wanted to look at Swedish and German names as well.  We laughed our way through many of them, but some are promising.  But, we will NOT be naming our child Inger Borg Enger, hahaha. 

26 weeks

It's been pretty great, I've found with pregnancy, most food tastes even better.  Even at the beginning, I didn't have nausea problems and only rarely food did not taste good.  This last week I have had two really amazing food experiences; one with Korean and the other with a Chipotle burrito.  Below is the picture of our Korean meal we had at home after making a craving stop at Seoul Market. 

Yummy bulgogi, japchae, and kimchi!

My other wonderful meal was with a gigantic Chipotle burrito.  I think it's the most of the burrito I've ever eaten and only had a little left to bring home.  Jon was extra happy that I was eating so much meat and beans to give extra protein to the baby. 

This week the little bambino has been very active.  We see even more when the baby pushes out my belly or makes ripples across it.  I think I even felt one or two bouts of the baby's hiccups this last week as well.  At work, some coworkers have been very excited to feel the baby move and the kids try to feel and listen to the baby.  They think they're going to hear it crying inside, but I keep telling them that comes after it's out of my belly!  This past week the baby did two extra fun things.  The first was when Jon had his head against my tummy trying to see if he could hear the heartbeat yet.  As he moved the side of his face along my belly he told the baby, "Don't kick your Papa." What do you think it did, kicked him!  Yep, right in the face!  It was pretty funny.  Another time this week, Jon was sitting next to me talking to me about Star Trek.  Previously, the baby had been completely still...until Papa started talking.  Then the baby started going crazy and pushing and stretching.  When Jon stopped talking to put his hand on me, the baby stopped moving until he started talking again and the baby would again kick.  One time I actually felt it's body part, which I think was a foot!  The baby is finally big enough to make out body parts as it pushes; this might not be as cute in a few months so I'll enjoy it now.  I pushed back on the spot where I saw it push out and the baby's foot pushed back right where my thumb was and I could definitely feel it; it was amazing!  This changes and bonding times with the baby are really fun for Jonathon and I; we can't wait to meet this little kangaroo! 

Christmas & 25 weeks

So, Christmas was a few weeks ago, but I thought I better throw some pictures up.  Jonathon and I drove up to my parents and then also visited family in Duluth.  We hadn't all been up there for several years, so it was great to be together once again!   We were very thankful for safe travel as you never know during Wisconsin winters.  Thank you for everyone getting together up in Duluth, it was a lot of fun.  I loved having relaxing time in Birchwood as well and even got to see my wonderful friend Lindsay.  Jon and I both enjoyed getting extra rest and time in front of the fireplace after his graduation, as well as eating lots of Kringle; thanks Hoodie!

All the cousins, spouses, and now second cousins!  

 My lovely cousin, Blythe!

Gingersnap!  Ginny, our adorable little niece. 

25 weeks

Nothing too new to report this week.  I've been feeling really good still except for some pain in my tailbone.  But continuing to walk regularly and doing my exercises seem to help it.  What I really wish I could be doing is running.  Because just getting out of bed was exhausting in the first trimester, I stopped my running routine and instead taking on longer walks.  With this nice weather recently, all I want to do is get out and run.  But, I know the ice will soon return and I will opt out of running through snow and ice this year! I'm hoping to do more swimming soon as well, ahh, that would feel amazing! 

A friend from Trinity told me that being pregnant is kind of like practicing hospitality.  Something completely takes over your body/home and you need to learn to adjust your life, take care of the guest, and give up your own comforts and habits for the little one you're growing.  I really liked this and have thought a lot about it as I continue to practice hospitality with this little kangaroo.  :)

Practice for Jonathon & 23 weeks

I am pretty behind in blogging, oh well.  That's going to really happen in a few months when the baby comes anyways! 
Over Christmas/New Years, Molly had a bit of a sick tummy.  She did this last year around the same time as well, sad girl.  So, after several vet appointments, she is finally better.  But during that week, Jon was home to take good care of her and baby her.  Good thing he is at home because otherwise she would have been all by her lonesome and would have had no one to shove medicine down her throat and make her eat!  Jon said that that week was great practice for being a daddy.  It was funny, I resolved myself to sleep the first few nights she was sick, but Jon definitely had his daddy instincts going.  Every time Molly would move or start to make her throw up sounds, Jon bolted up in bed and took care of her.  We learned that she had some more problems with her ulcer and her separation anxiety from Mama is no joking matter! 

Here is a picture of her being extra pitiful in her doggy bed!  

23 weeks

24 weeks

We are now technically 25 weeks, so I need to get moving on this.  Both Jon and I have been having a lot of fun feeling the baby and watching the baby move my stomach!  Sometimes I do not enjoy it as much like when I'm trying to sleep or when I wake up in the early morning, somehow the baby starts doing flips.  But, this is all part of God's way of preparing mothers to take care of their little ones throughout the night.  As I've been going through this pregnancy, I've realized all the little changes and things that God made to be preparation and practice for having a baby; it's pretty cool.  Now, for two funny stories about the baby moving.  One time, I was sitting criss cross and my laptop was on my knees, but also resting on my belly a bit.  Well, wouldn't you know, but suddenly, my laptop was kicked up and slid off my belly.  Apparently, the baby did not like sharing my belly with a laptop!  It was hilarious, it just all of a sudden fell off!  Another time, Jon and I were sitting on the couch and we saw the baby push out my stomach in the biggest bulge we have seen yet.  I was so excited so I poked my belly and said, "Hello baby!  What are you doing in there?"  Right after I poked it, the baby stretched or reacted somehow and again kicked out in a bulge but this time also hitting or pushing against my bladder really hard!  Thanks, baby!  I yelled out in surprise pain and Jon's reply was, "Well, you shouldn't have aggravated the baby!"  I guess that's what I get.  But how else can I interact with him/her?  This little baby is little kangaroo in there, I'm telling you! 

Today, we had an appointment with our new midwife and on our way down, we had a fun ride with an old Indian woman.  This woman was hunched over with a walker and I could barely tell what she was saying.  But she couldn't get over my belly and kept talking about it and pointing at it.  She talked a little about how she had two boys and that she said for sure there was a boy in my tummy as well.  She laughed and smiled a semi-toothless grin, and then the elevator door chimed and off she sped in her walker. 

Graduation & 22 weeks

Two weeks ago was a huge week for both Jonathon and I; it was his graduation weekend.  Jon was so happy to be done with finals after being literally sick and tired throughout the week.  I think he wrote around 40 pages within a few days and is very glad to have a break from writing and reading. I am also very happy to have my husband back after 3 years of him being held captive by papers, reading, and writing!  I kind of don't know what to do with him now.  The graduation weekend was a very nice weekend and both of our parents came down as well as my brother to celebrate.   Thank you for everyone who came and supported us throughout the last several years.  We are thankful for our time here for Jon to go to seminary and look forward to what God has for us next!

Jon getting hooded.

 So proud of my boy!

Outside the graduation chapel.  What a long, yet quick three years it was!

He looks the best in this picture, never mind me!

 Jon and his parents

Jon received a nice Martin guitar for graduation that he had been wanting to get.   It will be great for us singing together as well as for at church if he needs to play. 

Mom, Anders, and I.  

I got Jon a special watch for graduation especially so he can keep track if his sermons get too long.  :)


And...Pregnancy update


22 weeks
Whoa, where did that bump come from?  I feel like it wasn't long ago when I didn't look pregnant.  Sometimes I even forget that I am pregnant.  This last week I could feel my skin pulling, I guess because the baby was growing.  In fact, I believe the little one's supposed to really have a growth spurt this next month.  But, the most exciting news is that I started feeling bigger pops of kicking and therefore, Jon also got to feel the baby kick!  The first time it was on accident as his hand was just laying across me, but then he felt a pop underneath!  Lately, I have been able to see some sleep patterns with the baby as it's very quiet during the day when I'm moving and very animated when I sit or lay down.  In fact at night, sometimes it seems like there is a pinball game going on in there and it keeps me up.  But at least it makes me smile and I can feel and talk to the baby as I go to sleep.