Victor is Sweet

The last time I dedicated a post to my new son Victor, he was only a few weeks old and had gone from being a perfect newborn to quite a fussy one. Luckily, that stage lasted only a week or so because since then, he has been the PERFECT baby in every way.

At three months, little VW is almost 16 lbs and cuddlier than the smooshiest teddy bear. He LOVES to be held and snuzzled so I do it all the time. I never feel like I'm spoiling him because even when he's not being held, he is perfectly calm and quiet, gazing about him in that little cross-eyed-trying-to-focus way so endearing in babies his age. He still seems to be an old soul with so much wisdom in his eyes and triple chins. The little strawberry-blonde fuzz on top of his head has multiplied and now lays in a little feathery toupee across his scalp. The perfect peaches and cream complexion he was born with is still very evident and his eyes have remained a lovely steel blue. I can't gush about him enough.

During the day, he sits in his swing or car seat cooing and smiling contentedly until he happens to drift off into a brief nap. He doesnt sleep for long periods during the day and even at night, he seems to be very wakeful. But I guess he's getting enough sleep because even then, he doesnt fuss. Still not close to sleeping through the night though. His eating routine is worked out so that when he eats around 9pm, he doesnt eat again until around 1am...and then again at 5. So I just feed him once during the night, while he's in bed with me. He used to drift of comfortably while he was eating but lately, he's been very fidgety when he's laying beside me so I end up putting him back in his carseat by the bed when he's done. I still haven't been able to get him to sleep for any length of time in his crib. But I keep trying. He just seems to really like being somewhat upright when he's sleeping.

The hand-chewing has started. It will be interesting to see if he begins to suck his thumb or his two fingers, like Nathan. None of my kids would take a pacifier which can be a negative or a positive, depending on how you look at it. A pacifier can be taken away eventually; fingers cannot. Nathan, at 3 1/2 yrs, still sucks his two fingers all the time.

Victor has a great love already for his older brothers and his daddy as well. He watches them closely whenever they're in the room and smiles congenially whenever they attempt to entertain him. He does startle easily though, and that will bring on the most pitiful little curled lip and bout of tears that it just breaks the heart! We've noticed over the past week or so that whenever my husband sniffs or coughs, it scares him into a fit! His whole body jumps and he opens his mouth into a little 'o' until his vocals catch up to it and howls ensue. We really don't know what to do about it...Jonathan has attemped to 'mute' his coughs and sniffs somewhat but that doesnt seem to help as the baby even reacts when his daddy is in another room! Ah well.

I took him shopping Sunday and discovered, a little uneasily, that the child is wearing 6-9 month clothing! Looks like I've got a little viking on my hands.

For Sarah's Little Surprise...

I am posting this very moving little video montage for my friend Sarah who just found out this morning that she is expecting! Here's to unexpected little gifts!

I know you've got dial-up Sarah, but trust me...it's worth it to wait on this one. Dare you not to cry!

Hospitals Make Me Sick

Ok, this has to be some kind of record for one family when it comes to hospital visits within the calendar year! Not only has my family been sick on and off throughout the whole year (seriously, I kept a written tab of sickness in our house and only July and August were illness-free), but we have made so many trips to the hospital, I swear we're keeping the place in business.

In April, my husband woke up w/ severe chest/abdominal pain and rather than risk the possibility of appendicitis or, worse yet, heart attack-we opted to take him to the ER (something we would normally never do since ER visits are so dang expensive). After a pretty inept analysis by the ER doctor, he was diagnosed w/ severe 'gastritis'. Since this diagnosis is not considered an Emergency, my insurance declined to pay the bill and I'm STILL haggling w/ them over it. That's one.

In August, my oldest boy jumped off a pile of dirt at his uncle's house and hit his head on a sharp rock, causing a pretty nasty gash about 2 inches long on his forehead. The local ER is actually pretty good w/ these types of injuries (where diagnoses aren't necessary) and they fixed him up pretty good. That's two.

In September, my 3 yr old swallowed a magnet (as most of you remember) and I had to take him to the hospital for an x-ray so it could be determined that he would be passing it. Since we were never able to find the thing (even after fun examination of his doodie), we had to take him back to the hospital for yet another x-ray-just to make sure. Three and Four.

On Oct 1st, I had a baby. That's five.

And then this morning, I woke up around 1am to find that Victor (who has been suffering from congestion since Thursday), was running a temperature of 101-a very high degree for such a young baby. I called the doctor and because of his age and other symptoms, they advised me to take him to the ER and have him tested for potentially serious viruses, like RSV. Which I did. So I was there until 5am and happily he doesnt have RSV, just an Upper Respiratory Tract infection which is not even that severe. But still, that's six.

SIX hospital visits in one year, people! How normal can that be? And top all that off with the fun fact that when I returned home this morning at six-thirty, my three year old was vomiting and having diarrhea and still is. I should be stressed beyond belief but actually, I'm strangely calm. It's almost funny for some reason.

Comme Ci, Comme Sa

And so the fall days fly by in a whirl of tiny diapers, coke zero, data entry, and television. I will not say that I'm stuck in a rut but I will admit to being comfortably stagnant right now, due to my routined existence. My weekdays are very similar. Get up, exercise, see Johnson off to school, breakfast, work, lunch, work, straighten house, dinner, tv, and bed. Insert breastfeeding every two hours and bible reading at the dinner table and you've pretty much got my day at a glance. I know it sounds horribly dull but like I said, I'm comfortable with a routined life. The idea of NOT having a scheduled time to do things stresses me out so basically, I'm back to being myself. I just had to insert another person into the mix.

Victor is doing great. He's very fat. I laughed last night when I was watching Alfred Hitchcock Presents and realized that my baby resembles the outlined drawing of the director that heralds the beginning of each episode. He sleeps very well at night and I rarely have to get up with him except to change a diaper every now and then. During the day, he stays in his swing, lies on his boppy pillow, or sleeps in his carseat by my desk so he's at easy reach to be rocked. So the fussy situation from a recent entry has somewhat abated.

The other boys have adjusted well. I still have behavior issues w/ my oldest son but as it turns out, he is perfect for everyone but me so I guess I should at least be thankful for that. My Nathan is very loving w/ the baby but other than stopping by to look at him once or twice , he goes about his day exactly as he did before Victor was born. Playhouse Disney in the morning, Star Wars toys and running around outside in the afternoon,and playing w/ Johnson in the evening. Bernice is getting HUGE and eating us out of house and home but luckily she seems to keep a good eye on the boys when they're outside so I don't have to worry too much. She barks if they go off too far and it always alerts me.

I am starting to feel like this house may not be the place we 'end up' after all. So much construction is going on around us and I am becoming such a BABY in cold weather. I have arthritis in my knees from a car accident and as I get older, the cold damp weather really gets to me (switch complaint-free bracelet to other wrist). So I am steadily but non-naggingly tossing 'Go-West-Young-Man' comments to my husband whenever I get a chance. Plus, I will be the first to admit that we spent too much money on this house and it is starting to annoy me. When you build, unfortunately, unexpected costs arise that will inevitably affect the final mortgage payment so collecting on the equity is starting to really look warm and friendly. I guess we'll see what happens.

I need a date with my neglected husband. We are planning to go see The Reverend Horton Heat on the day before Thanksgiving if we can:

I'm going to check around for a baby sitter as soon as I can. Lord knows, I could use some time away since I spend basically ninety percent of my time here at home. I've been a huge fan of the good Reverend and his psychobilly band for a long ol' time and it would be an awesome release to see them live again.

So that's how things are going...'Comme ci, comme sa'.

Victor-Two Week Update

Well, I must say we had a very calm first two weeks w/ Victor. He was the perfect baby...never cried, always happy, calm and peaceful. He slept at night and during the day too. Very laid back and sweet.

He's still sweet but unfortunately, he is becoming quite fussy. He eats well and has gained a whopping 2 lbs and 3 oz since birth! Yesterday at the doctor we discovered this. He also has grown one inch in length so he's 22 inches long now. However, I think over the last few days my let-down reflex has strengthened or something because when it happens, Victor gasps and chokes. He sometimes spits up in projectile-fashion, a problem which plagued Johnson from the beginning. I think he's getting alot of air which prevents him from falling asleep while he's eating and stresses him out alot. He can't seem to settle himself down to sleep afterwards (day or night) so I have to take the time to rock him until he can relax himself somewhat. This, of course, prevents me from getting ANYTHING else done so my house is a wreck, my boys are freaking out from the lack of attention, and I can't cook a meal to save my life! I'm also supposed to be working now but I know I will be 'dealt with' if my efficiency doesnt pick up since I'm currently having to work while holding a fussy baby which means I have to type with one hand. Heh heh. Poor little thing, he really just wants to go to sleep I know. It's pitiful to see.

Anyway, on a positive note. He's very healthy and round. And hopefully this stage will pass quickly. Quickly enough to prevent my strangling my other children, losing my job, or pulling my hair out.

Me and My Moby

Okay the 'baby posts' are probably getting out of hand here...heh heh. But my son took a picture of me in my moby-wrap right after the maiden voyage to the mailbox (hey, our mailbox is really far away!) I loved it! It felt like I was just wearing an outer-shirt or jacket and the feeling of the baby in front isnt very different from being pregnant so it made both of us feel right at home. I'm going to try it tomorrow again when I take the kids to the park and Sunday when I go to the grocery store for the first time.

It says it's good for us to 35 lbs so I should get alot of use out of it.

Victor

Yes, he's here. Thus follows the 'birth story' of Victor James Westmoreland, born at 5:25am Oct 1st, 2007.

First a little 'background' on the day in question. Most of you are aware that my due date was originally September 30th but was revised to Sept 28th after an ultrasound conducted in April. The 28th was actually Friday, as you know, but instead of waking up in labor on that fateful day, I actually woke up with the world's WORST stomach virus. It was horrifying indeed. The mere idea of trying to cope with labor pains while also dealing with congestion, vomiting, and diarrhea was unthinkable to say the least. I was terrified that I would suddenly find myself faced with such an obstacle and so the sickness was even more intensified by just thinking of those things and became and all out panic attack! I sobbingly called my husband, my mother in law, and a sister in our hall begging for help because Johnson was home from school and he and his little brother were blissfully unaware of the severity of it all and wreaking havoc. Jonathan came home, Linda (his mom) came over to take care of the boys, and the aforementioned sister stopped her busy service day to bring me gatorade. After finally getting to the point where I could take some Phenergan, the virus seemed to loosen its hold a little and by evening I was able to eat a little plain rice. No labor yet. Whew!

Saturday I woke up weak and tired but the day was uneventful and I was able to eat a sandwich by that night.

Sunday, I felt great. I ate a small normal breakfast, went to the meeting, cleaned my whole house, and went grocery shopping by myself (which was pretty stupid but turned out okay). Sunday night, I began to feel a few contractions but nothing out of the ordinary. I stayed on the couch until they subsided which was about 1:30am. Then I went to bed. Sleeping was difficult and I kept having crazy nightmares and night terrors, which is really wierd for me. Around 3:30am, I woke with a strange cramping in my lower abdomen that was not similar to any contractions I had ever felt. I got up and started getting ready to leave because I had that 'feeling', you know? The cramp persisted and I was worried so we went ahead and planned to go the hospital, calling a neighbor couple to come stay w/ the boys while we went. I also called my sweet coach, Barbie, and told her to meet us there.

As the babysitters arrived ( less than 10 minutes later), I began to worry because the cramp was getting worse and I told them to tell my husband to hurry, as I was outside waiting by the car. But suddenly, my water broke! I ran inside to change and even though I was a little freaked out (the cramp I felt was obviously my waters pushing against my pelvis), I was glad that I now KNEW this was IT. By the time we got to Carthage (4:08am), there were strong steady contractions present. Strong enough to have to breath through. They were about 4-6 minutes apart. We got to UMC in Lebanon at 4:35. After trying several locked doors, we remembered that only the ER was open at this hour and when my husband dropped me off at the door, I was to the point that I was panicked. The contractions were RIGHT on top of each other. I walked into the completeley empty waiting room and made this known from the center of the floor since I didnt know which desk to approach. A harried man w/ a wheelchair appeared out of nowhere and took me to the maternity ward where Barbie and Granny Linda were both waiting.

There was NO ONE in the maternity ward but 3 nurses, two of which were not really attending nurses, but nursery personell. A young nurse named Tambra w/ short stri-pedy hair got my gown and began grilling me about the facts. By now the contractions were excruciating and I could NOT talk through them so I did my best and waited for her to get my iv in and check me. When she did, I was dismayed to find that I was only 5 cm dilated! It seemed I had a long while to go. And I was almost to the point that I didnt think I'd make it because, since my waters had ruptured, I wasnt 'allowed' to move around the room but had to stay attatched to machines in the bed. This was almost intolerable, let me tell you.

When the time came where I felt like I couldnt take any more, I asked the nurse to check me again. It was now to the point where it felt like one long contraction, with no break to speak of. When she checked me, I saw her eyes go wide and she said 'Oh wow. You're complete. I'm calling the doctor now.' So I went from 5 to 10 cm in less than 20 minutes.

Barbie was trying to help but by this point I was severely blinded by pain and I hate to say, I wasnt being very nice to her (sorry, Barbie). But she did a GREAT job with what she was given. The nurses were scurrying about like so many scattered hens, trying to get the room ready for the birth and all the while telling me 'don't push!' in unison. I saw Tambra say that the doctor was still at home and then I really began to get frantic because I knew I wasnt going to be able to wait. I told her 'I have to push NOW!' and with every ounce of coherence I could muster, told Barbie that I was now going to inhale and begin pushing and that I needed her to count to seven. She did and Tambra resigned herself to the fact that this was going to happen, whether she liked it or not. With one very violent and very intense push, I felt the baby's head emerge and with one more push, the body rushed out. You have not experienced relief until you feel this feeling! It is indescribably wonderful.

Anyway, I had been at the hospital for 45 minutes total when Victor was born. He was perfectly pink and very wrinkly. He doesnt possess the same newborn 'prettiness' of the other two boys, but he is full of Nichols character in his little face. We all think he looks alot like his uncle Josh and his Papa Nick.
His vitals were all perfect and he weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 21 inches long. Unfortunately, due to the intensity of the birth and inexperience of the nurses, there was no time to immediately bond with him. They took him off to the empty nursery immediately and Tambra proceeded to try and extract the placenta, which was being mighty stubborn. At this moment, the very ticked off Doctor arrived, and griped at poor little Tambra for not having called him sooner. We were all pretty annoyed with him. Basically, he came to get the placenta out and do a little 'stitching up', which I'm sure is kind of a pain for a highly paid obstetrician at 5:30am.

Yesterday I spent the whole day in my bed, bonding w/ my little wrinkled son and getting him aquainted w/ the phenom of nursing, which he has taken to wonderfully (and yes, my nipples are screaming). Unfortunately, I woke up this morning at around 3:30am with another bout of that nasty stomach virus and was unable to enjoy my last hours at the hospital. I was given a phenergan shot and some Immodium which left me feeling more exhausted than I should and made me all too anxious to get back home. Which I did. Which I am. Which I love.

The Moby Wrap

I am seriously considering 'investing' in one of these thingies. If anybody has any hands-on experience with one, let me know. I like the idea of wearing my baby easily and comfortably but at the same time, I spend alot of time at home so I am not sure that I would use it all that much. It's a great idea though.

http://www.mobywrap.com/instructions.php?link=4

When it rains...

You know that saying, 'When it rains, it pours'? I'm finally beginning to understand the meaning behind that.

Yesterday, all the way to the doctor's office I was having strong, regular contractions and I thought I was actually in labor (which would have been unrealistically convenient). But it turns out these are still 'false labor' contractions and aren't causing any changes to speak of. I'm actually still at 2cm and 30% effaced. The doctor is not very optimistic about my going into labor by my due date (the 28th) and is now throwing the word 'induction' around, which makes me crazy. I do NOT want to be induced. Being induced means being stuck in a bed until contractions regulate, not being able to eat anything, and relying on stupid chemicals to do what mother nature was meant to do all along. No offense to those of you who have been through it with good results, it's just not what I'm used to and I don't want it. So I'm currently doing research on what I can do to stimulate labor myself and hoping against hope that I don't have to deal w/ the induction issue at all.

THEN, this morning, my three year old proceeds to swallow a very powerful magnetic rock- the shiny ones that you can get at places like the discovery center and which I THOUGHT we had put away where the kids couldnt play w/ them unsupervised. I freaked out a little bit, having heard horror stories about kids swallowing magnets, and promptly called both the Poison Control Center and the kids' doctor. The PCC told me that he'd probably need an x-ray to make sure it wasnt 'hung' anywhere but as long as it was only one that he swallowed, the danger was minimal. I also checked Web Md to verify this and made an appointment for the doctor to see him as soon as possible, which was 9:20 am. The doctor promptly sent us to the radiologist at the neighboring hospital and so we had to wait a good half hour in the outpatient waiting room for the x-ray lab to be ready. The waiting area was overcrowded w/ growly people of all ages and I have never seen so many 'crocs' in my life! (Is it odd that the mere sight of these shoes immediately throws me into the pits of depression?) Anyway, the magnetic rock was actually already in his lower abdomen so they sent me home w/ the happy mission of 'searching' through each of his stools until I find it. If he doesnt pass it withiin five days, he'll have to go back and be x-rayed again. So far, I've searched through one batch w/ no luck. Yay.

September Lullabies...

Last year I posted the lyrics to this- one of my favorite songs- for my friend Heather and her new baby, Ava. I'm so inlove with the lyrics that I'm shamelessly posting it again for myself. No baby yet, by the way. But I'm starting to feel very ready for the weight of that little body on my heart and that fuzzy little baby head under my chin:

PALE SEPTEMBER
lyrics by: Fiona Apple

Pale September
I wore the time like a dress that year
The autumn days swung soft around me like cotton
on my skin

But as the embers of the summer
lost their breath and disappeared
My heart went cold and only hollow rhythms resounded
from within
But then he rose brilliant as the moon in full
and sank within the burrows of my keep

And all my armour falling down
in a pile at my feet
And my winter giving way to warm
as I'm singing him to sleep

He goes along just like a water lily
Gentle on the surface of his thoughts his body floats
Unweighed down by passion or intensity
Yet unaware of the depth upon which he coasts
And he finds a home in me
For what misfortune sows, he knows my touch will reap

And all my armour falling down,
in pile at my feet
And my winter giving way to warm,
as I'm singing him to sleep

9 Months and All Is Well...

Here is my last belly picture. Nine months and counting. It's been a long haul but there are now officially three weeks left until the due date. I am suffering a little bit from lack of sleep (can't get comfortable at night) but last night, my friend Jolie came over and administered a MUCH needed and HEAVILY discounted hour and a half massage complete w/ essential oils specially formulated for 'mother/baby bonding', plinky new age music, and dim lighting. When she finished, I realized that I had never truly had a massage before and pretty stupid for having paid over 100 dollars for some of them. She worked out my hips and legs, my lower back (by loosening my shoulder and applying strange but highly effective pressure to my arm socket) and last but not least, my feet (which, after shopping for two hours yesterday at Wal Mart, were near death). When I was finished, I felt like a new person and a little bit like I'd had a few beers. I slept very well last night.

The massage made me realize that it's really a good idea to invest in some sessions during pregnancy, not only for yourself but for the good of the baby. Come to think of it, I also think a pedicure would be a great idea since painting my own toenails at this point is next to impossible. So those are some things I learned this time around. Other very useful stuff I have learned from this pregnancy, so far:

1. If you have other kids, over-do the relaxing part and assume that the family can take care of themselves sometimes. If you aren't a 'napper' (and I'm not), at least take a few hours during the daylight hours to sit and do nothing. Otherwise, by the time it's your usual hour for preparing dinner or getting ready for meetings, you are quite worthless.

2. If you are going to be driving long distances (more than thirty minutes) remember that you may get unusually tired due to the pregnancy and be very careful. I almost fell asleep a couple of times on what I used to think were 'quick trips' to Lebanon or Gallatin and scared myself pretty badly.

3. Morning Sickness can actually be worse the 2nd or 3rd time around and DOES NOT necessarily mean the child is a different sex than your other children...heh heh.

4. Eating Raisin Bran for breakfast every morning is a great way to stay regular (and when you're pregnant, that's a big deal). And Tums still worked the best for heartburn...I am SO sick of those things!

5. Drinking the occasional beer or a couple of caffeinated drinks a day is NOT proven to be dangerous to the developing baby and shouldnt be judged by 'all knowing' strangers.

6. The single greatest purchase I made this time around was the 'Bella band' that I mentioned on an earlier blog entry. ( http://www.ingridandisabel.com/bellaband.html )
Not only was I able to extend my pre-pregnancy wardrobe and continue to wear my non-maternity jeans until I was 8 months along, but I still use it to keep up those stubborn 'under-belly' maternity pants that old navy and Gap are famous for (and do NOT like to stay put), and am confident that it will be even more useful after I have the baby. I can wear it w/ my pre-pregnancy clothes again (while I'm losing the baby fat) and since it's a basic black, it will just look like an added layer while it holds in that inevitable jelly belly and gives me a smoother waist. Now did that sound like an add or what?

That's all for now. The countdown to 'birth-day' begins and I'm anxious, of course. I'll keep everyone up to date and post an entry about the experience as soon as the dreaded day has passed. Readers BEWARE...

34 weeks

No picture to post this time. I don't look any different than my last picture really and according to yesterday's doctor visit, I've actually lost a pound. The nurse said it's probably because I've really picked up on drinking fluids...and I have! I have been drinking water, milk, and coke zero like it's going out of style! But from what I understand, that's not altogether a bad thing and the contractions have slacked up somewhat.

I also told my doctor about that strange pinching sensation I get sometimes and he said it's more than likely a nerve being pinched when I'm in certain positions. He
checked me to make sure and discovered that the baby's head is really low so it's no wonder that some nerves would be pressed. A 'low' head also means I probably won't go the full six weeks to my due date! So for once, I will most likely be early! Yay! (Deep breath)

I've been practicing my breathing when I can but I don't feel nearly as prepared this time. Still got lots of practicing to do. I've been cleaning like a crazy woman and completely set up the nursery last week, just in case. The walls still need another coat of paint but my hubby will get to that when he gets a chance and we can deal w/ the thin spots for now.

Yes, I dread the labor. With Johnson, I was in labor for 7 hrs from beginning to end and with Nathan, it was five. The experience is very intense because it is so short and I'm not expecting this time to be any different. I am very in touch w/ how my body reacts to certain phases of the labor so I don't take medication so that I can maintain that awareness. Not all women can or choose to do that and I certainly don't blame them. My biggest fear is not being able to make it to the Lebanon Hospital and giving birth in the Carthage ER among strangers. We'll see, I guess.

Some of you have expressed some concern about not being able to pull up my gift registry at Target. Stupid me, it's under my first name Sharron. I don't know why I did that, exactly. Anyway, here's a link that SHOULD take you to it...

http://www.target.com/gp/registry/registry.html/ref=cm_lc_sr_1/602-7766674-4728631?ie=UTF8&type=babyreg&id=1JI1C4X6KYXP8&jsebd=1


Edit: I recently got several notes stating that the majority of my Target registry is 'online only'. Sorry about that. I wasnt even aware. I started a registry at Babies R Us that duplicates alot of the items in the Target one but there's more available in the store...what a pain. It's under Ashley Westmoreland/ Pleasant Shade Tn.

That's all for now.

Uncouth Invitation...

I am taking it upon myself to invite all my lady-friends to a luncheon/shower at my mom's on the 25th of August. Not 100% sure of the time yet...I think around three? So it'll be a LATE luncheon, I suppose. Heh heh. My mom isnt sending out formal invitations so yeah, I guess I'm inviting people to my own shower...(in the words of Judy Holliday from 'Born Yesterday', 'It ain't COUTH!'). Anyway, there it is. Any further info can be obtained by calling my mom...

After the 'shower', I'm gonna plan on leaving my kids w/ their nanna and heading off w/ any who care to join me for a 'girls' night out'. Karaoke and sushi sounds sweeeeet!

Showers and Such...

I am now at 32 weeks. I am so big all of a sudden! I've gained 14 lbs now and 4 of those were in the last two weeks! I've got visions in my head of a nine pound baby...sweet lord noooooooooo!

Anyway, not much to post. I went to the doctor yesterday and everything is going normally. I have lots of 'false labor' contractions (aka: Braxton Hicks contractions) and I notice them more this time than I did w/ the other two. The doctor says I'm probably not drinking enough fluids and the dehydration can contribute to more of those so I have to be more conscientious about making myself drink water now. Too many of those 'fake' contractions can supposedly cause your body to believe it for real and result in premature labor. Yikes!

Saturday, my congregation gave me a shower. It was so nice and most of the congregation was there, which made me feel really special. The sister who hosted it worked SO HARD to get it together and it was such a HOT day. So, thank you so much Michael! Johnson was still visiting in Memphis, so Nathan and I enjoyed all the attention alone. Thankfully, some of the sisters got my boys presents too so they wouldnt feel left out. Awwwwww. I got lots of sweet little clothes and blankets and some of the congregation went in together on my stroller from my registry (one big item down...whew!). As the day cooled off, the nicer it was to be outdoors and by seven o'clock, when everyone was leaving and Michael and her husband were cleaning up, I was still sitting placidly in my folding chair. By the way, I'm SO SORRY Barbie, that I was late! (My friend Barbie showed up at 2pm like a faithful little friend and I didnt show up until four so she had to leave right after I got there...sigh.)

Anyway, Sunday I got some more 'deep cleaning' done around here. I'm 'nesting' in spurts, to conserve my energy, and deep cleaning one room a week. Sunday, I cleaned out the kitchen cabinets while my husband finally got all the bathroom accessories (towel hooks, cabinet hardware) installed in the hall bath. I felt so much better by the end of the day.

Yesterday, I took the day off and picked up Johnson in Bellevue where my dad met me. My son has been in memphis for the last week and a half so I'm very glad to have him back.

25 weeks

6 months and counting.

Everything seems to be okay so far but I'm already feeling a bit of pressure due to weakened muscles, I suppose. At my doctor's visit last Monday I found out that I have gained 7 lbs in all. I was excited to finally go up on the scale but then last Saturday the whole family came down w/ a stomach virus and I think I may have lost some of that.

Victor is very active and likes to kick things off my belly. I'm curious to see how he differs from his brothers who at this moment are arguing loudly over which of them gets to play with the blue 'clone trooper'. Johnson is such an analytical academic and Nathan is just the opposite. He's kind of an athletic , happy-go-lucky sort.

I'm really looking forward to the convention in a couple of weeks. I hope my ankles hold out and my little aches and pains don't get too unbearable for those few days. The chairs are hard so I'm gonna try and remember to bring a 'huge pilla'. I'm also determined to wear my cute shoes, no matter what. The ones I'm wearing are heels but ones I've worn a few times so they are nicely broken in. The other day at the meeting I got up from my chair and proceeded to fall right on my knees at the entrance of the ladies room. Everyone freaked out and told me I had to stop wearing heels and no manner of explaining that my foot had fallen asleep and it would have happened if I was barefoot would appease them. So I'm thinking I'll get lots of scolding when they see my cute 'lucky lous' and 'dancing hearts'. :)