28 Weeks

This is what 12-weeks-to-go looks like...

As for what it feels like, well, let's just say that I feel larger than I look. My lungs and stomach are getting squished from below, and my bladder is getting squished from above.

But I'm sure glad that this gets to last a little longer. I had a little scare this morning -- The Kid had been really quiet for a day or so, and my heart was racing at 130 b/m for about an hour. I called the doctor and they fit me in to the schedule. Of course, by the time I got there, my heart rate was normal again, and in the waiting room The Kid was doing the jive in my belly. They hooked me up to a fetal heart monitor just in case, and his little heart was beating strong as ever, which was great to hear.

As for the heart racing thing, that's a bit more complicated. I'm going to try having more protein for breakfast (hello, boca sausage) and have a snack an hour or so after I eat. My body is apparently a little too good at getting my blood sugar down after eating breakfast, according to my glucose test. That should do the trick. But if it doesn't, we can either pursue an EKG and think about meds, or chalk it up to a pregnancy symptom (which it very likely is) and let it be.

Either way, we're both okay! Yay for 28 weeks!

Possession

Painting and hardware and tools, oh my!

We got possession of our house last night, and went over straight-away to take a look around. The sellers were great -- leaving us clearly labeled paint cans, little house tips, and even their new phone number, should we have any questions. We're not moving in just yet -- first comes the Big Trip To Lowe's, then the Grand Paint-Off on Sunday -- thanks to Grimsaburger & Spouse, El Ranchero & Sap, and friends J & M for their help! In addition to the paint (non-toxic, low-VOC, and prego-friendly!), we'll be stripping wallpaper, pulling up carpet, tearing off fake-wood panelling, sealing floors,  hanging blinds, getting new countertops, hanging new hardware, installing a bathroom fan and a new stove hood, spot-tarring the roof, caulking the bathtub, replacing the shower head, moving the downspouts around, upgrading the electricity, and, if all goes well, finishing the basement. All by the end of May. No, really -- it'll happen. I think.  

Being a homeowner sure is busy!

(Pics coming soon...)

Jon Troast

This guy is fantastic. He's a singer/songwriter from Lake Geneva, WI. But he's also an alum of my alma mater. What's super-cool is that his big tour this year involves people's living rooms! He is on a $100 tour, where people invite him into their homes to play for groups of friends and family. My sister, who heard him first on A Prairie Home Companion, set up a tour stop in her living room last night. Jon is warm, fun, and uber-talented.

This video is for her kids' favorite song -- Knock-Down Stupid. Gee, ya wonder why the 2-year-old likes it? He loves telling us that "Jon Tost sing 'knock-down toopid,' like dat. He good."

Check out his stuff. You'll be glad you did.

25 weeks, 5 days

Geez, I look pregnant. What a difference between now and a few weeks ago. But people continue to tell me I am "tiny." Tell that to my too-tight pants!

Last night The Kid kept me up for an hour, kicking away. He was absolutely still all day long, and then at 11:30 he decides its time for a work-out.

Not that I'm complaining (well, maybe a little...). But it's really, really fun - and a little weird - to see little bulges pop out of my belly. It's like Alien, but for Real. And not as creepy.

Aren't they lovely?

It's been a great, fun weekend in Grand Rapids with my nieces and nephews.



This morning Anton (age 5) told me that he only has 4 fingers on one hand, and proceeded to count - beginning with zero - from his thumb to his pinky. We have a future Enron accountant on our hands.


Then there's Hannah, a precocious and precious little girl. Besides thoroughly enjoying bossing her little brothers around, she also loves music, art, dance -- anything artistic, really. She and Anton did a sign version of the Lord's Prayer with their "signing choir" at church, and Hannah did all the motions with grace and feeling.



And this little guy, Christian (pictured here with Lallow Caw) looked at me yesterday afternoon and said, with a big grin on his face, "Auntie Naw, you make me happy." I just about smothered the poor kid with kisses right then and there!

Preparations

I'm 24 weeks pregnant today, and I'm pleased to say that everything is going really well! The kid is regularly practicing his Tae Bo in my belly, all the tests have come out just fine, and I'm feeling great.

Whenever I see this oh-so-cute little hat (Thanks, Mimi!) I think about what our son (our son!) will be like. Will he have a big smile and quick wit like his daddy? Will he easily surpass his mommy in musical talent? I have so many questions and worries, hopes and dreams. And I realize with a (joyful) start that I get to keep on hoping and dreaming along with this kid for the rest of our lives! What a blessing, and what a responsibility, to be chosen to watch over him as he grows.

Most of all, when I look at this little hat, I can't wait to meet the little guy and see him in it! It was knit by his grandma with so much care and love. And I know that more than anything else, this kid will be loved deeply and unconditionally. Indeed, he already is!

Dr. SO'B

Congrats to SO'B on his very successful dissertation defense! His committee (pictured below) gave the New Doctor the respect of asking very difficult questions, which he handled with intelligence and grace. I'm so proud!