Play date

My SIL/friend, Jackie, came to visit the other day. We hung out, hunted for fabric for a little project she is working on (a great deal of discussion went into these fabric choices. It was intense), had some lunch, and hung out at the homestead for a while. It was a fabulous time, and just the distraction I needed.

The end is in sight!

Today is the official due date for the kid (no indicators that anything is happening--sadly), and last week the doctor told us it could happen anytime and it is just "wait and see."  I may have pushed her to give us a date that would end the "wait and see" period, because, honestly, I just need to know when this will be done.  So, if nothing happens before August 7, that is when we are heading to the hospital to be induced (after we call at 6:30 am to find out if they have room and when we can come in.  I think they should just have a bed ready for me, because I am willing to be at their front door by 6:30 am).  I pushed for sooner, but no one listened to me.  Meanies.  Whatever.  At least I have an end date and can mark off the days for that.  Lets just hope things happen sooner than that.  

Crafty Boredom

I have been on maternity leave for two weeks. The house is (fairly) clean, the baby space ready, and I'm bored puttering around the house and equally tired of lacking the energy to leave the house. And so I've resorted to crafty things. We're growing wildflowers from the seeds we handed out at the wedding, so I picked some petals, dried them, and put them in a clear Christmas ornament I had hanging around.  We now have a nice little ornament that has mementos from the wedding.  In a couple years these petals will be dust and shaking around this glass ball.  Until then, I'll just enjoy the few brief moments I had of putting it all together and alleviating my boredom.  

It's cheesy, and I'm okay with that. It amuses me.

My heart is full

I have been sitting here thinking a great deal about how blessed I am in my friendships.  There are several ladies in my ward that I have become friends with since I moved in, and friends I've made through my time in the singles ward.  We've hung out together, had family activities together, and gotten to know one another pretty well.  As I approach the due date (six days away and I hope I don't have to wait out the week after still being pregnant), these women have called and emailed to check in on me, offered to take Maggie on walks and bring dinner, make sure I know they are thinking of me as I go along.  My friends and family in SoCal (and other parts of the country) have also been checking in on me, letting me know that while they cannot be here physically, they are sending thoughts and prayers my way.  It is all appreciated.  Greatly.  My heart is full to know how blessed I am to have these people in my life, and to know that I can truly call on them for anything.  I hope I am able to be the kind of friend that they are to me.      

Fly away with me!

Kevin loves pretty much anything having to do with knights, castles, and the medeval era.  Part of that includes falcons and hawks and how they were used for hunting back in the day.  So, I found a great deal for a falconing lesson and off Kevin went with his brother, Dan, to learn to fly a bird of prey.  I have now found gifts for every birthday and Christmas coming up.  Shopping made easy.

 These guys are speedy; they routinely fight air traffic tickets in court, apparently.

 Artistic shot of the falcon.

The mighty hunters (held by Kevin and Dan).

They made a movie about me...

Have you seen Pixar's "Brave" yet?  I'm pretty sure they based the looks of the main character, Merida,  on myself as a younger lass.  Ok, mostly just the hair.  And maybe, slightly, the eye color.  But hey, after a lifetime of seeing blondes and brunettes get all the hair glory in Disney films (the Little Mermaid doesn't count, because, really? How could I identify with that perfection of a mane?), there is finally one I could relate to.  I thought I'd give photo documentation to prove it.  The movie has me seriously considering growing my hair out, again.  We'll see how long I can stand it.

Merida, from Pixar's "Brave"

Shaine, age four-ish

See?  The resemblance is uncanny. :-)

Stats

I went in for an ultrasound yesterday so the tech could give us a guesstimate on the size and weight of the baby.  Right now, she is predicting 8 lbs. 5 oz (plus or minus a pound) and a size consistent with a July 17th-20th due date (which is this week).  Knowing my luck, the kid will still come in the middle of August and be on the plus side of that weight estimate, by more than a pound.  I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, so we'll see what she says about this situation then.  But in the meantime, I am so absolutely ready to be done with pregnancy.  I want my body back, my range of motion returned.  I'd like to be able to paint my toenails by myself again.  I want to sleep comfortably again, and be able to walk without pain in my joints.  I am over and done with it all.