Hunting 2008

This is a short ode to my husband and his love for hunting. He went out for opening weekend on Saturday and Rem was a complete embarrassment. Apparently he either chased the other dog around or walked behind Aaron, not exactly what you want or hope for when you're looking for pheasants.

But...today Aaron went out again and Rem, knowing his days were probably numbered if he didn't pull it together, hunted well and they even got a bird. (You've got to love bankers hours, did anyone else get the day off for Columbus Day?)

Here is the proud puppy with his bird:

39 and a half weeks and no baby in sight

We went to the doctor today and this baby apparently has no interest in having a birthday. I had high hopes of having the baby over the weekend so that my doctor would be available to deliver the baby, but nothing happened. I think that was what was so dissapointing...I know my due date is still a few days away and I could still go into labor at any time, but I had really hoped to have him on Saturday or Sunday.

I had a good cry about it on the way home from the appointment, and now I'm committed to the long haul. Worst case scenario, they will induce me a week from Thursday on Oct. 23. So, maybe he'll come sometime between now and then, but at least I have an end date in sight.

My husband keeps reminding me that no one is pregnant forever and even if we have to wait all the way until next week, I'm on the home stretch, and as much as I know that, it doesn't really make me feel any better. I do have to give him credit though, he was very very sweet to me. We went for a walk tonight and then splurged on some Ben and Jerry's frozen yogurt. Yum.

On a positive note, I have very pretty cherry red toenails. I figure its the least I could do for those that have to hold my legs! I guess I should also mention that day one of maternity leave was pretty awesome. I slept in a bit, had coffee with a girlfriend and just relaxed. I basically have the same agenda tomorrow. If I'm not going to be having a baby, hanging out and relaxing...not at work is not a bad way to spend your days.

There Are Many Great Things About October

One great thing is that October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. My dear friend Libby, who blogs at Blessings and Glory, has committed to posting every day in the month of October to raise awareness about Down Syndrome.

Libby and Alex welcomed their second son, Charlie, into the world just over a year ago and have been walking a God filled journey as they have faced and celebrated Charlie's diagnosis. Libby has an incredible story to tell, and I am honored to point you to her blog.
___

In other great things related to October, it is officially fall in the great Yakima Valley. The trees are brilliant shades of yellow, red, oranges and amber. The sky is brilliant blue and Mt. Adams looks majestic rising above our barren hills.

Central Washington gets a bad rap for being ugly and dry and hot...which all those things can be true. It doesn't have the lush beauty of coastal Washington nor does it have the forested hills and mountains of Eastern Washington, but when you step back just a little bit, the acres of vineyard and apple orchards butted up against brown hills and pink sunsets make for a pretty stunning backdrop.

It would be appropriate for me to publish a picture right here...but unfortunately I'm blogging illegally from work and I don't have one to post.

I'm headed home to go for yet another walk. Last night Aaron and I walked the steep grassy terraces at the nearby park and I have every intention of doing it again tonight. Between dancing at the beer festival over the weekend and climbing hills at the park, I have been getting some pretty odd looks in the last few days.

But, can you blame me?

Progress Made

We've got 1 centimeter friends!

I'm happy to report that all my efforts to make some progress actually paid off. I don't know if I really believe the walking and spicy food truly have an impact on the body starting labor, but let tell you, I've been on cloud nine all day. Not to say labor is imminent...but progress feels so good!

The unfortunate thing is I've started retaining water and my feet, hands and face are looking a little puffy. I'm pounding water and trying to keep my feet up, but I'm really hoping this baby decides to make an appearance sooner than later.

I keep asking Aaron if he wants to have a baby tonight, and even though I'm mostly joking and he just laughs at me every time I ask, he went out and installed the car seat. So, tomorrow when I'm driving to work, there will be a little seat to look at in my rear view mirror. That makes me really happy.

For those of you mamas out there, what is the one thing you couldn't live without at the hospital? I think I've got my bag and baby's bag pretty well packed, but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing.

High Hopes

I had such high hopes of having a baby this weekend. Granted, I knew it was a little early, but I did everything I could to induce labor. I went for a massage on Saturday morning, I ate Mexican food for lunch, I've faithfully been taking evening primrose oil supplements, I've been walking. I even spent a little time behind closed doors with the husband...nothing!

So what do you do when labor seems like a distant pipe dream, you can't sleep and everything hurts? I don't know...if you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

I did have a slight epiphany last night as Aaron and I were on our hundredth walk of the weekend; this could be one of the last walks he and I would take just the two of us for a really long time. These are the final days as a 'couple.' And as much as I want to savor these final days, the giant belly with it's protruding alien elbows and achy pelvis are keeping me slightly distracted.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm attempting to be patient, but I would really like to have this baby. I am so done being pregnant and so ready to meet this little man.

T-Minus 14 Days

I feel like a whale. After making it through the sweltering summer months with no swelling to speak of, my feet decided they were done and swelled up about three sizes, two nights ago. No big deal, I said to myself, I'll just drink lots of water and put them up for the day...it's a good excuse to hang out on the couch, but none of my efforts helped.

This baby seems to be nice and comfy in my uterus. He rolls and kicks all day long letting me know he very much likes his tight little quarters. I keep telling him he would have so much more fun outside of the womb, but he's not buying my sales pitch. I'm going for a massage tomorrow and I continue to walk everyday, so hopefully we can get things going this week. I might even risk it and eat some spicy tacos tonight...I'll pay for it, but it might just be worth it.
__ __ __

In other blabbering, I would really like to hear what people thought about last night's VP debate. I thought it was more compelling than the presidential debate and I thought both candidates did surprisingly well. To be completely honest, I am still undecided. I lean republican but I have some reservations about the McCain Palin ticket. At the same time, I don't know that Obama and Biden are our answer. Aaron and I have been having some good debates (its hard to debate about the bailout plan with a commercial banker...not something I would recommend, unless you want a 10 year history on banking and mortgage products...)

Interestingly, for the first time in my life, I actually care about the campaign. I read the news everyday, hungry for more information about our candidates policies and plans. I want answers. It just seems like there's too much at stake not to be listening, learning and asking questions.

So tell me, if you feel comfortable, who are you voting for and why?

October Means Baby Month

With the arrival of October 1st, the excitement and anticipation for the arrival of our baby is hanging thickly in the air. Back in February, May and even July, I wasn't totally convinced October would ever arrive. But, here it is with 85 degree weather, sunshine, red and gold leaves on a few trees and a mama with a gleam in her eye, waiting hopefully.

When my mom was visiting a few weeks ago, she was telling stories about raising me and one of her 'famous phrases' was telling me to wait hopefully. Basically, she was nicely telling me to be patient and probably be quiet. But, that term, waiting hopefully, has resonated with me and I keep mulling it over, rolling the words off my tongue as I try and digest why those two little words mean so much to me.

What does it mean to wait hopefully?

I feel like the final way I can honor this pregnancy and this incredible journey I've been on in the last nine months, is to wait hopefully. Not with fear and anxiety, but with confidence and hope.

I'm not by nature much of a risk taker. I frighten easily and worry often. But, I am slowly shedding those behaviors as I've found more and more confidence in my ability to care for this little life inside of me. And, I feel honored by the courage God has filled me up with. It has been an answer to prayer, and I know friends and family have been praying specifically for bravery and courage.

So, for the next 17 days I am waiting hopefully, shedding any last seeds of fear and trying to enjoy the rolls and kicks inside of me, because in such a short period of time, a new journey begins.