The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

As I finished my routine prenatal yoga the other day, I realized I may not have very many more days with my dear friend Sue. We've become quite close over the last several months, spending a lot of quality time together.Nate gave me this dvd for my birthday this summer, and it has easily been one of my very favorite things throughout this pregnancy. Which got me reflecting...there are some things I think I'm actually going to miss. For instance, using the pregnant excuse. I don't think I've overdone this one, by any means, but I have used it to my advantage lately to get a couple of foot rubs and pedicures. I'll miss how concerned everyone is with my well-being; I realize that soon "me" will really mean the baby. But I've been really greatful at how most people are pretty much willing to bend over backwards in order to make sure the pregnant lady is comfortable, satisfied, etc. While I definitely won't miss the pregnant mush brain, that scientifically I can't explain, but it definitely does happen!, I will miss being able to use that excuse. Probably the number one thing I'll miss about being pregnant is feeling the baby move. It's pretty special. While I suppose pregnancy has it's perks (I know there are plenty more, but right now...I'm claiming pregnant mush brain and can't remember all of them), there are sure a lot of things that make me excited about completing this whole adventure.

One thing I'm definitely looking forward to:

Seeing my feet again. I had to really lean over my belly to even see this much of my toes to take the picture. I'm excited to trade in constant back aches and hopefully remember what it's like to have stomach muscles and run again. I can't wait for people and small children to stop staring at my ginormous belly; maybe they'll just stare at a cute baby that's with me, instead. I'm thrilled to get a comfortable night's sleep. Even if it is only for a few short hours at a time, in between baby cries, I bet for those few short hours I'll be comfortable. I will really miss Nate telling me how much he loves my belly every day and always wanting to rub it like a Buddha, but I'm thrilled to watch him transform into a dad. I can image nothing sweeter.

We had a dr appointment first thing this morning, and I couldn't wait to hear what he had to say, being 40 weeks and all:

I showed up ready for some good news or atleast to hear there's been some progress, only to learn the dr was on his way out the door to perform an emergency c-section, and we needed to reschedule. I suppose if he's not delivering my baby today, he should atleast get to deliver someone's. Please bless there isn't another lucky woman that goes into labor tomorrow (unless it's me), and that we actually get to meet with the dr and figure out what we are going to do about this baby.

Does he atleast LOOK like he's dropped??????? I am getting more and more uncomfortable...or maybe I'm just talking myself into it. We're just ready to be done, I think.

One bit of good news, last weekend we put up Christmas lights and it made my whole day! It's nothing spectacular or fancy, but it still makes me so happy.Except for the part where Nate decided he just had to get on the roof and put lights on the chimney (which have now fallen a bit, as you can tell, meaning he is bound to scale the roof again). I tried to tell him I could not handle the stress of watching my husband slip off the wet, very slanted roof directly onto nothing but rocks below, but he just told me maybe the anxiety of it all would put me into labor. Thanks, husband.

It's nice to make it feel a little more Christmas time. I'm trying my best to get in the spirit, listening to only Christmas music, having lots of Christmas decor up, and today I even bought eggnog. So far, it still doesn't feel like that special time of year. I think what will do it for me is just having this baby! And hopefully getting to bring him home in a stocking. :)

It's the Final Countdown!

We officially know the baby will make his appearance sometime in the next two weeks!

We know this because at our Dr appt this morning, where he informed me I have had absolutely ZERO progress, doc said he wouldn't let the baby cook past Christmas. How comforting. Oh wait, nope, I forget, I was totally distrought. Just the last few days, I think I've been having a pity party for myself. Not that I'm completely miserable being 10 months pregnant, because it really isn't that bad. I think it's just hitting me that I won't be here:

with any of these guys:

for:and that's never happened before.

It depresses me to think of Nate and I (and maybe a brand new baby that we won't know what to do with) in the desert, with no snow, by ourselves, and nothing to do.

Or perhaps I'm depressed because this weekend we are supposed to be here

at Utah State, for Nate's graduation. I cried when Nate told me it was this weekend. I'd like to say it's just crazy pregnant hormones, but it felt like the cherry on top of nothing going my way. He has already been mailed his actual paper degree, and he says that's all that matters, that paper got him a job. But I really, really wanted him to get to go to his own graduation. He says it wouldn't be any different than mine, but it is, because he would be getting hooded for his Master's also, and I think that's pretty special. Plus, I'm quite sure this is the only time he will be graduating from college! Although it is currently about 2 degrees in Logan, I would give anything for us to get to be there. Even if Nate says he doesn't care, I'd still appreciate the closure I'd gain from watching him graduate. An engineer's wife should get a degree just to say their marriage survived (all nighters on campus, never having dinner together, etc).

I'm not trying to gain any pity votes, I'm just hoping getting this off my chest will brighten my attitude a little. Yoga, long walks, and even holiday treats only temporarily satisfy. Perhaps if I were better at keeping a journal, I wouldn't have to bore unexpecting bloggers with my woes. I really don't have anything to complain about; we have a good life here in Ridgecrest, and are so thankful for all that we have. There is a healthy baby about to change our lives forever, and I should be greatful to be able to experience this life-changing event at such a special time of year. I'm sure I will look back at this post one day and scoff at how silly I seemed. This could very well turn out to be the most special Christmas we will ever have. I need to just remember that we were blessed to get pregnant when we did, and the Lord has everything in sight for us. So here's to me bucking up. Hopefully.

We're kind of a big deal.

Since the beginning of our time here in Ridgecrest, we have heard about the train man. A retired engineer who REALLY loves trains, and has over a mile long track of train you can ride in his backyard. He decks out his land at Christmas time and gives away "tickets" to come for a ride. A little while ago, Nate started a class through work, where he gets to go the train man's garage once a week and learn about machinery, or something. A few weeks ago, Nate told me we were in! Train man had given him a "special invite" to come to the train ride in December. We felt pretty darn special, since we'd heard so much about this train. And I was so excited to put something to look forward to on the calendar! A few days ago, Nate brought home The Ticket, and as I was reading the rules on the back (yes, there are rules), one of them said: No pregnant women allowed. What kind of crazy train is this?! I was so bitter. But wasn't going to miss out on this, because it's such a big deal! We had tickets the same night as our friend's The Hill's, so I decided I could be the designated photographer for the evening, while they all had their train fun. Ashley, Kendall, Tyson, and Nate waiting in line. (Don't worry, it's not snowing. I was just on a strange setting on my camera).

The place was LINED with cars, and we waited in line for probably atleast a half an hour. It seems that everyone in Ridgecrest had a special invite! And here I thought we were a big deal.

We really weren't trying to make this a belly shot, we just wanted to show the lights in the background. But when you're 9 months pregnant, every shot seems to be a belly shot. It kind of becomes a focal point. Nate just wore a t-shirt, because he was going to mutual to play volleyball afterwards, and strangers were making comments to him about freezing, so Ashley took Tyson's extra blanket and made Nate wear it, just to save us from embarrassment. :) It was a little chilly, but it just felt like a brisk fall night to us, definitely not winter, as these Californians claim it to be. I was in a track jacket and sandals and felt great. We passed some friend's from our ward, and they said, "You can tell who just moved from Utah!" Too funny.

Here's the crew finally on the train. Ready and SO excited! Tyson really was excited the whole time we were waiting, but when we got closer to the lights and on the train, he was completely mesmerized and couldn't take his big eyes off any of it. At this point, I was bitterly making my way to the elderly and handicapped bench, where you could wait for your famiily to return from their train ride, since you couldn't ride it yourself. A man Nate works with was running the train they were going to ride, and to make a long story short, I got to ride the train too! He broke the rule, not us. It was a Christmas Miracle!!!!! I felt like a little kid; I was so darn excited that I wasn't getting left out.

The light displays around the yard were fun. They have all been donated from community members over the years.

The pirate ship shoots steam cannons at you when you ride by.

There has to be some toy soldiers in order for it to be Christmas.

We took this next picture while riding over a bridge at mach speed!

Actually, you can pretty much walk faster than the trains go, but the bridge part did make me a little nervous. I kept wondering if there was a weight limit for the trains, and that's why they don't let pregnant ladies ride...

The loch ness monster light display was my favorite. I just thought it was way funny.

The train ride probably lasts a good 10 minutes. I think it's a fun tradition. It's just neat to think that this man loves trains so much, this is what he wanted to do with his retired spare time. And it's something to look forward to in Ridgecrest! It was fun for us to think that next year, our little man could enjoy it, too.

There were probably 20 or so workers helping run the whole thing. I think there are three trains that all go at the same time. It's more impressive to think about all of the work and effort that took place to get the 5200 feet of track intricately designed through his entire yard, than the actual displays. Though we did really enjoy the little village we rode through, mostly because there was a brothel and we all couldn't stop laughing.

A Christmas tradition isn't complete without Santa scaring small children.

Here's Tyson looking at his mom like, What on earth have you done to me? Classic.

We had a really fun night and glad we could share it with friends. Even though we learned we probably aren't as big of a deal as I thought we were. :)

Presents!!

Well, Christmas came early to our house last week. It all began when I got my email confirming that the pack-n-play had arrived at my local Walmart and I could go pick it up. Yippee! Nate likes that it monkeys, I just like that it's so cute. We had some leftover money from the baby shower, and were so excited we could get this.
The next day, the UPS man dropped off a VERY large box on the doorstep. I had no idea what it was and I couldn't handle the suspense! I finally mustered up some energy and dragged it just inside the door (so it wouldn't get stolen, cause who wouldn't want a big giant box?!), but it was on it's side and it was too heavy for me to turn, so I had to wait for Nate to come home to even see what it was. Much to my surprise...

A beautiful new rocker!! My dear parents were thinking of us. It's very comfy, has cushy arm rest, and a footrest; all neccessary things to make for the perfect rocker. It was such an exciting surprise for me, and Nate loves it when he gets to put stuff together. So all in all, it made for an awesome evening. Thank you, thank you padres!

While Nate enjoyed sleeping in with his long holiday weekend, I decorated for Christmas. I am usually in no hurry to do so, but was just downright bored. I don't really sleep all too well these days, and was just waiting for Nate to wake up so we could play.

It's mde it feel a little more like home, to have more stuff in the house with all the Christmas decor. And I do think it's pretty great to have a fireplace for the stockings. Besides, if the baby comes anytime soon, atleast the house will be ready for Christmas and guests. :)
Our week of presents was topped off with the ultimate present...a new tv

Nate has been doing extensive research on tv's since we've moved here, because having a bigger living room has made our tv seem very small. After a LOT of thinking and comparison shopping, we finally got one on a great after Thanksgiving day sale. Nate was SO happy. He kept calling it precious all night, and still gets giddy everytime he walks into the room and see's it. So there goes our Christmas! We also purchased a new dresser, but I don't have a picture because we had to order it and it won't come in until next week. But that's definitely our whole Christmas!! All the presents under our tree will be for other people. And they may not be very elaborate presents, because we got a new tv. ;)

We're happy for the Holiday season and expecially happy it's December, because the baby WILL arrive sometime this month! Here's to hoping the Dr apppointment tomorrow tell us it's sooner rather than later...but I'm not holding my breath.