Only 4 1/2 Days Left

Here's me right before bed on Wednesday night. 38 weeks, exactly one week before my scheduled delivery. My cankles are back. In the past week I've had good days and bad days. My doctor had to give me a prescription for nausea and to "slow down my system." I was having to eat every three hours and was in the bathroom way too much. I'm managing just to take a half dosage at night only now. It keeps me from waking up and needed to eat and wanting to barf. Okay, too much information, but this is all the journaling I've been doing.

I only have three pairs of pants that I fit into. I'm not working anymore and I'm resting a lot. I've been reading books on c-sections the past 3 days. Today I'm going to try and find sheets to fit the bassinet part of my pack n' play and buy a second car seat base, other than that I'm all geared up. I'm visiting a friend today - she has some baby gifts to give me:) And tonight I'm going to dinner at the new Cheesecake Factory with two or three girlfriends. Earlier this week I bought everything I need to make my favorite meal (dhal bhat) but I can't get into spending more than 15 minutes on my feet in the kitchen so I haven't done it yet.

The past 2 nights I've had dreams of being in the hospital for delivery. I'm excited.

Did you know that only 3% of babies are still in a breech position this late in pregnancy? This boy is starting out rebelling and trying to be unique. I opted not to try a version to turn the baby, I hope that was the right thing to do. We really want 4 kids and I don't want having a cesearean with my first to ruin my chances.

Anyway, I'm just rambling here. Love you all!

Confession

I stole this book from the public library. Kind of. I returned it today.
Let's go back to this summer, probably late June. I went into the library, like I do most weeks and I checked out a couple books.
I am a library geek. I am on a first name basis with the circulation lady, Lisa. I have been at the library almost weekly for the whole 3 1/2 years I've lived here.
Well, this particular summer day a woman I'd never seen before checked my books out. I asked her if she was new, she said no, she just didn't usually work the circulation desk. Jump ahead two weeks. My books are due and I return some and go to renew the others. This particular book I have not even opened yet. When I go to renew it online I find that it and the two other things I checked out on the same day were never actually checked out. I return the other two and mention that they were never checked out properly and I think I even tell them I still have another out but they can't fix it cause I don't have the book with me.
Well, when I start reading this book I just can't really get into it. I'd read the first four in the series several years ago and so I've forgotten a lot and am having a hard time getting back into it, plus maybe I just wasn't in the mood. On top of that, this book was long winded and used the f-word too much. But I just couldn't return it without finishing it. I knew I had no due date and I just kind of forgot about it. Periodically I would pick it up and read a chapter or two. Recently Brandon figured out that I'd had it for several months and asked how and then told me just to return it if I wasn't enjoying it. But I DO like it I insisted. Finally, last week I plodded thru the final few chapters and really enjoyed myself. I'd skimmed a few of the later chapters just to get going again after a couple month break.
Anyway, I returned the book I "borrowed." I think I had it checked out (or not) for 7 months. I am a bad person, but it took me that long to read it. I am making a public confession, for all it's worth, and it's sad, but I really don't feel that bad about it. The library system has several copies of the book and I had the big awkward hardback. I know I should feel bad, but hey, at least I returned it.
The End.

A Year in Review; 2006

January began with a visit from the Jensens. We drove down to Dallas together and spent some fun times there, including a visit to Medieval Times.
A haircut was my next big move for 2006. I also quit my job of one year as the counter manager at Foley's Penn Square's Prescriptives Cosmetics.
My brother, Teddy, began his training as a missionary for our church in Feb. 2006. He spent a couple months in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT learning Malagasy before heading to Madagascar.
March is Spring Break. We spend our break with ALL of my siblings (except Ted), their spouses, their children, my parents, and Grandma Donna in Rocky Point, Mexico.
Looking good with Victoria & Alicia in April.
Shortest hair I've had in years.
In April I began hating my new job at Emser tile. I also began burning out on my calling in Primary. Gas prices spiked all around the nation. I finished my Spanish class, did my taxes, and my favorite tv shows were Grey's Anatomy and Crossing Jordan.
This is me and my friend Lacey at the Paseo Arts festival. I went to 3 of the OK metro's art's festivals this year. This is the day I figured out I was probably pregnant. I remember I kept telling her that my boobs hurt.

2006

Here is our baby at 8 weeks gestation. We lovingly referred to him as The Gummy Bear after this. We announced our pregnancy in July.
My best friend, Jen, and I. Spent a few days in Utah in August; hung out with the Jensens, Jen, and went to my 10 year high school reunion, also spent an evening with Mom as she was there on for BYU's Education week. Four of my siblings and several neices and nephews met me at the Phoenix airport for my layover to see my little baby bump, talk for a while, and give me maternity clothes.
September- discovered that we were having a boy!
October- Vacationed with Mom in Massachusetts. Here's us on the ferry from Nantucket to Hyannis.
Spent Thanksgiving with Brandon's mom's family. Good times!
Spent Christmas with Brandon's dad's family. Good times again.

More good times for New Years with my family.

Baby Shower #3

My third and final baby shower for this pregnancy. The first was in Utah, the second in Arizona, and finally one in Oklahoma. This one was thrown by my friend Megan, assisted by my cousin Alisha, and given with help at the home of Denise. We had a great turn out and a lot of fun. There must have been about 17 guests, most of whom stayed most of the time, so it was a room full of talkative women. I got great gifts; blankets, books, clothes, toys, diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, etc. I was very pleased. Several women chipped in to buy our bassinet/playpen which is being shipped to the house in the next couple days. We're so excited to get it set up! Again, the food was great. We had a chocolate fountain, fruit, cheesecake, and all sorts of things to dip in chocolate, plus some great punch. I truly feel honored to have such great friends.

More Ice

Here is the walk from the mailroom at our apartments. That may look like snow, but it's not. It is a sheet of ice from freezing rain and sleet. Today will be the first day with temperatures above freezing in a week and yet the schools are still closed. Driving has been treacherous. Sleet and snow are expected on Saturday.
Happenings:
Not much. Walked to the mailbox with Brandon on Monday. Periodically he would have to leave me to go sliding giddily across the parking lot and then return for my arm. Church was cancelled on Sunday so I got to email my Relief Society lesson to the sisters. Tuesday I drove for the first time since Friday morning. Got some grocery shopping done. Also napped. I've been exhausted the past couple days. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of cardio at the gym and essentially nothing else the entire day. Nothing. Today I'm determined to be more productive.

Jonah's Arrival

I am scheduled for a cessarian on Jan. 31st. This boy doesn't seem to want to get into a birthing position. I'm focusing on the positive - Mom can schedule her flight out, no labor pains, quick delivery, etc. He could still flip, but it seems unlikely. Lots more to tell but I'll blog tomorrow when I can include pictures.

OK Weather

Granted, Oklahoma has possibly the weirdest, fastest-changing weather in the country, but Okie's, especially the news stations are also obsessed with the weather. We are currently experiencing "Ice Storm 2007", as the news stations have so named it. It is our only real storm this winter except for the similar one in November. This one hasn't hit OKC as hard as the eastern part of the state where ice has taken down power lines and left over 40,000 people without power. That would really suck. Oh, the first 2 hours might be fun, but after that, it would just be cold and miserable. Think of having a baby and trying to find a friend's house to go to. Scary.
Anyway, Brandon's school closed at noon on Friday, so we're enjoying a 3 1/2 day weekend. This is good for him because it gives him extra time to study for part 2 dental boards which he is taking on the 22nd and 23rd.
Friday I got really "nesty" and cleaned everything out of the bedroom and vaccuumed and declared it a "no cat" zone from now on. I also organized all the baby clothes from my AZ shower in with the stuff I'd already organized by size before our vacation in my first spurt of nesting.
Yesterday went by quickly. I watched my new Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire dvd. Not only does the new Dumbledore bother me in that movie, but Hermione always looks like she's about to cry and she bugs the crap out of me. Hopefully in movie #5 they will be better. She needs some acting lessons and Dumbledore needs to reread the books and get his character down. Or maybe it's the new director's fault. Dunno. But I also don't like the soundtrack on movie #4 as much. All that said, it is a good adaption of the book and still very entertaining.
I finished reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (book #6) about a week ago, I'm about a year behind everyone else. I loved it just as much as the other books and it got me so excited for book 7. As far as movie #5, I believe it's coming out this summer. I'm most excited about seeing the creatures that pull the Hogwarts carraiges. Ever since I read that part in the book, that's what I've been most excited about seeing put on the big screen. Sirus' house should also be highly entertaining, not to mention the climax at the Ministry.
Well, enough about Harry Potter. Church got cancelled today, which meant I didn't get to teach in Relief Society and I'd already asked for a substitute for next month, so that's kind of sad.
I enjoyed being iced in, but I've got to walk around more today, all the sitting of yesterday was hard on me. I don't understand why Jonah wants to lay straight across my stomach for the past few months. Lay upsidedown! or even rightside up, there's more room!! I think I will try to get Brandon to escort me to the mailbox at the front of the apartment complex sometime today, I need to walk! We're having the missionaries over for dinner tonight and that's always fun.
Well, that's enough from me today. I'll be enduring constant weather coverage every time I turn on the tv today, man, it's worse than tornado season.

Thursday

Woke up just after 8am today cause I needed to pee (again). Ate some cereal, had some tea. Found out the high today should be 62 degrees but it won't be above freezing after that for at least a week. Yipes.
At 9am Brandon's phone rang, he woke up and came in to snap at me for not waking him. Even though he usually (although yesterday WAS his first day back in 3 weeks so I'm not quite used to it yet) has to be at school for a patient at 9, it never dawned on me to wake him. I just told him he never asked me to wake him and asked why he hadn't set the alarm. I crawled back into bed while he told me to go get the antibiotics and then rushed out the door. I slept until 11. Woke up, resteeped my tea and had another cup (Teavana's "To Life", one of my all-time favorites, packed with anti-oxidants. Check out their website sometime). It was wonderful and much needed (the extra sleep, but I suppose the tea was too). I feel significantly better today, but I probably should pick up those antibiotics anyway, right? Well, I'll definitely be picking up a Cold Buster Jamba Juice.
I was supposed to go to work at 12:30 but a few minutes ago (11:30) I got a call from my boss that neither student has showed up or called in. What a weird last work week. I guess I get to run my errands earlier.
Watched The Illusionist on Tuesday night. It's a good one, you should rent it.
Read a few of your blogs today and two of them inspired me to post one of my most-used recipes. This recipe has been highly modified from its original version that I found in 1996 on the back of a box of instant rice.

Taco Rice
Boil 2 cups rice with 4 cups of water or chicken broth
Add 1/2 packet of taco seasoning mix
2 fresh cloves of garlic; minced
Boil for one minute then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking add one cup of frozen corn.
When rice is done, stir in one can of black beans.
Dish up into individual bowls or plates. Add 1/2 chopped tomato, 1/4 diced avacado, and shredded cheese to each serving.
We also serve with black olives, pepperoncinis, and sour cream on the side.
This is a family favorite. Easy, one dish, all food groups, healthy, hearty, tasty, filling.
Enjoy!

Netflix

I love Netflix. I have been a member since July of 2003 when Brandon was in Anatomy class from 8-5 Mon. thru Fri. and I was only working part-time. They have always had a much better selection than Blockbuster, but Blockbuster is only 5,000 movies behind now (I wonder if they have my weird British selections, tv series, or classics yet). Just in the last week I've been tempted to switch to Blockbuster since they started running their tv ads that mention that now you can return your movie to the store and get a new movie immediately. I do hate going to the video store, but every once in awhile I wish I could have a movie tonight instead of tomorrow afternoon. My loyalty is wavering. What do you think?
Here is a link to be my "friend" on Netflix so we can see which movies the other person is watching and how they've rating their viewings. Let me know if any of you are members.

http://www.netflix.com/BeMyFriend/PTDsZldFNdQoD91IKucl

A Wednesday with Emily

Thanks to an extremely low sodium diet, I once again have ankles. Unfortunately I realized on Saturday that I also was extremely low on protein. So now I am doing low sodium for breakfast and lunch and a regular dinner.
Hmmm... what else is new? My baby is still breech so the doctor is scheduling me for a cessarian, which I am hoping I will not have to have.
Got to leave work early today as one student didn't show up and the other had to go to court this afternoon. Preschool was highly entertaining, as usual, this morning.
I love Jamba Juice, and I think Cold Buster might be their best flavor, plus I swear it is healing me. I replace at least one scoop of orange sherbet with mangos.
Yesterday my doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics that I am supposed to fill if my head cold is not gone by tomorrow. He said I could be getting a bacterial infection on top of my virus. BUT, today for the first time in 9 days I am cutting back on my nose blowing. Who knew the body could produce so much mucus!
I need to run into Maceys today and also go grocery shopping. It's probably taco rice or unstuffed peppers for dinner.
Worked out yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks. Jonah did his usual dancing, but now that there's less room it really hurt.
Target sushi (minus the soy sauce) for lunch today. Mmmm.
Note to those with nut allergies: the Chicken Tikka Masala from Ajanta contains cashews. Jamon, please don't sue us for making you violently ill on Monday. We love you. Who knew one bite could cause such a reaction?
Something else I learned this week: Stalin was responsible for almost as many deaths as Hitler, nearly 30 million. I knew next to nothing about him before preparing a lesson for my high schoolers. Evil, evil men.
A bobby pillow looks like a perfect nap-spot for a cat.
Styrofoam cups from Braums are rather delicate. After an incedent with my Jamba Juice cup this morning, Jodi informed me that a bump from the elbow in the car has twice pushed her straw thru the bottom of the Braum's cup. Those of you who are outside Oklahoma are missing out on some good milk from the dairy here called Braums. I also like that they serve 32 oz. orange juice (as opposed to most fast food breakfast joints that only have an 8 oz.). The icecream is pretty great too. Look closely on the milk carton to discover the creamy secret... it's concentrated.
Why did the airport inspectors open my foundation? It was EXPLODED all over my luggage when it should have been sealed AND tucked inside a latched train case with the rest of my toiletries. I have been unable to remove the big spot from my suitcase no matter what products I tried on the vinyl and I have yet to see if my long-wearing $40 formula will come out of my shirt. A true test for my ever faithful green spray n' wash stain stick!
Well, that's about all for today's ramblings.
Aloha to all my faithful readers.

Mascara Search

This is Prescriptives False Eyelashes Mascara. I've been using it for the past 2 years. I like it in brown more than black. I ran out recently.
Now, I've been getting my skin care and cosmetics for half price or free for the past 8 years. Last January was the end of those days (for now). But I've had plenty of most things on hand. I have had to buy some skincare. And I'm spoiled now having used the nice brands for so long.

My first job in cosmetics began in 1999 at what I call the "Et Cetera" counter. After a year of working there, I moved. About 6 months later I got a job working at the Lancome counter. I worked there for several months and then started freelancing as a makeup artist for Lancome's special events, which allowed me to only work 2 days a month. I did that for 3 years. During the last year of that I began my own home-based business selling Mary Kay. I did Mary Kay for about 3.5 years. Then I began a job as the counter-manager of a Prescriptives counter. I love all three brands I worked for (I also really like Clairins). I like a few select items from other brands I was exposed to as well. Let me know if you ever have questions regarding your skincare regime or cosmetics, I love sharing my knowledge.

Anyway, back to mascara. When I ran out of my "false eyelashes" I decided I didn't want to spend $19 to replace the tube with the same stuff. What other mascaras do I like? Lancome, but theirs is $22 and Mary Kay which is $15 and I believe has been recently reformulated so I may not like it that much anymore. Well, my mom has always liked the pink & green drugstore mascara, but I never did. But I believe there must be some very good drugstore mascaras out there that cost less than $10. I was very amused at the Wal-Mart selections that boasted 3x, 5x, and 8x the volume. How much volume is too much? Is 3x enough? Where is 6x? I took a random shot and bought Cover Girl's VolumeExact in brown. I'm not very impressed. It seems to flake off a bit (I frequently use eye drops and also rub my eyes), which irritates my sensitive eyes. I never had a problem with my False Eyelashes.
I'm looking for something water-resistant or at least smudgeproof, but not waterproof, and that gives a little volume. Any suggestions??

Baby Shower #2

Baby shower #2 was in Arizona. It was given by my lovely sister Robin. She was greatly assisted by my mom and my sister-in-law Michelle. All my sisters were there, plus several cousins, old family friends, an aunt, and a couple adorable toddling neices.
The food again was great! Spinach dip, tuna with cilantro & lime, danishes, and Robin's famous shower punch. I have 4 friends in AZ, 3 were out of town, and one thought it was the following Saturday, so I missed out on seeing them, but had a great time with my family. Thanks for coming and for all the great gifts!
Robin had Brandon and a few other people do a Brandon & Emily's Baby Madlibs, which was highly amusing. But of course, we were mostly just there to stare at my belly, shower me with gifts & advice, and have a good time in each other's company, which we certainly did. We also found out that my cousin and my sister are expecting babies this summer. So fun! Jonah will have cousins his age, lets hope for boys!

Today was our childbirth class. It was 7 hours long. We were not looking forward to spending our Saturday this way but it was actually pretty fun and very informative (plus a little scary). We really liked the teacher.

I'm really ready to nest: clean the house, buy the bassinet, the carseat, etc. Thank you Michelle and Adam for the swing! We plan on keeping the baby in the bedroom for awhile and then moving him to the "nursery." The nursery will still kind of be Brandon's computer room, I think. We're in an apartment, so we're not painting and we're moving in June so we're not keeping baby furniture and decorations to a minimum, but I'm still looking forward to its transformation.

Fun in the Snow

Alan and Brandon clearing off the frozen pond.
Katie in action. I went down two small hills on the sleds, obviously not on my belly though.
Brandon at the bottom of the sledding hill.
I actually rode on back of the snowmobiles once, nice n' slow, on a road. It was still fun.
You wouldn't have been able to resist wearing this either.

Baby Shower #1

Barely made it to Utah for my first baby shower. Had some major flight problems.
Linda was a fantastic hostess. She served my favorite food: Smothered Burritos with Cheese from La Puente. She also made her fantastic guacamole and creamy tomatillo dressing was served with the veggie tray. I made salsa. She got a cake that said, "Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails - It's a Boy!" from a fantastic French bakery. The food was incredible overall.
She was distraught that she'd bought way too big of a cake and 3x as many burritos as she needed because so many people didn't show up and hadn't RSVPed. We certainly enjoyed the leftovers though. I was only disappointed that I didn't get to see a lot of my Utah friends. Whoever came to the shower were the only people I spent time with on the trip besides the family because for the next four days we holed up at the cabin in Heber with no cell phone reception. We did have aunts and cousins from three sides of the family show up. Three out of four is pretty good. I had my best friend there too.
Linda had frozen little plastic babies into ice cubes to put in our limeade and each guest was to write on their cup (which matched the invites and cake) what time they thought their baby would be "born" (thawed out completely). It was a great conversation piece. We also played How Much Liquid Can a Diaper Hold? It's shocking just how much. Prizes were given to the winners of the games. But mostly we just had a great time hanging out and talking. It was great to see my aunt, cousins, and favorite in-laws. I got great gifts, mostly clothes, but also a baby carrier, a couple toys, and gift cards. Yippee. I can't wait to go buy my baby bed, etc.!

Christmas with the Jensens

Cody (yellow lab), Me, Brandon, Katie, Alan, Linda, Brandon M., and Andy.
Out behind the family cabin in Heber, Utah on Christmas eve.

Cankles

So, I flew to Utah on the 22nd and then a couple hours later went into a salon for a pedicure (thank you, Jen!). The guy working on my feet said, "Oh, have you been experiencing a lot of swelling?" I say, "No, not really." but then I look down at my feet and gasped as I see that they are swollen and have indentations from my shoe straps! Oh, I guess so. Probably just from the inserts I wore in my shoes right? Made them kinda tight. Or I hear travel makes some people puffy... No, I have officially moved into the realm of cankles.
I know this is a normal pregnancy symptom, but it feels anything but normal. In the summer when it's really hot my feet and hands swell a little, but nothing like this. The sensations are gross and uncomfortable. Those first couple days I thought that my skin might actually split open. Brandon assured me that that could not happen, but I wasn't entirely convinced. Putting my feet up above heart level helped a bit, but it is not an easy thing to do, as pregnant women are not supposed to lie flat on their backs. In addition to putting my feet up for swelling I'm also supposed to walk around a lot and not sit still too much. ? Which is it? Asked my doctor yesterday and he said it is really both. So many contradictions!
He also said I need to cut back on my sodium and drink more fluids. Sounds easy enough. I've always been pretty good at drinking lots of water and I am more a sweets-lover than a salt-lover. Doc told me they would give me a list of foods high in sodium. In my head I'm thinking, "Like I don't know this stuff - mac n' cheese, canned foods, pickles, blah, blah..." Two shockers on the list: bread and cereal. Not all cereals, but lots, and most all bread products. That makes life a little harder. And protein is hard to come by unsalted. This is going to be harder than I thought.

(Imagine my fat legs, feet, and ankles here cause I'm certainly not going to be posting a picture.)