Flavor Dilemma

I had an amusing encounter today while grocery shopping. While I was loading up my cart with frozen juice concentrate, I noticed an elderly gentleman stooped over his cart examining the ice cream at the end of the aisle. As I passed by him, he smiled up at me, then down at my obviously pregnant belly and said, “What kind of ice cream would you recommend? I’m sure you have a good recommendation. Or do you recommend them all right now?” I had to laugh, as I’m sure a very pregnant woman in the ice cream aisle seems like a good candidate for a flavor recommendation. I replied, “I’d pretty much eat any flavor of ice cream right now, but my favorites always include chocolate and caramel.” He laughed, smiled kindly once more, and turned back to pondering his own choice. I have to say, pregnancy is not short on amusing moments!

Baby Shower

My mom threw us a baby shower last Saturday afternoon in Rupert. My mom did a wonderful job organizing and planning the shower. Mom worked really hard and we sure do appreciate it. I know Mom would have loved to have had the shower at her new house, but since it wasn't quite ready, we had it at my grandma's house. She has a large garage that is often used for parties and BBQs. We appreciate her willingness to give up her home for us! Many of our wonderful friends and family came out to support us and our little girl, and many of Tyson's family (including you, Pam!) sent gifts and cards to my mom in advance for the shower. It was a great afternoon and we were just so blessed!

My mom and my sister-in-law did a great job decorating!

My good friend Jenny made this beautiful cake! She is so talented!

My closest friend, Jenny (she made the gorgeous cake), and her little girl, Carleigh. Carleigh was due on my birthday in May, but she came a couple of weeks early. Our little girl is due on Jenny's birthday! Isn't that fun?

Sister-in-law Jen and niece Juniper

Our good friends Nanette, Brittany, Ashley, and Ines. They drove three hours just to celebrate with us!

I caught my Aunt Sherri in the middle of a bite!

Shower guests

More shower guests!

My Inner Geek

Several months ago Tyson put an X Files series disc on our netfilx list. I had never seen an episode since sci-fi has never really been a genre I'm interested in. However, after that first disc, to my own surprise, I was hooked! I have now seen every single episode of the X Files and the first movie. Now, Tyson and I have not seen any of the blockbuster movies of the season. However, we've been looking forward to and planning for the new X Files movie that opens today- I know, I'm totally in touch with my inner geek! So today we're headed out to see yet another saga in the X Files story. I can't wait!

I'm sure that you're thinking I'm a bit of a nerd right now.....but wait, there's more! Not only are we going out on opening night to see the X Files, but we're going to a matinee. Yup, this pregnant gal can't stay awake past a certain hour, so in order to fit in a movie and dinner, we're hitting the last matinee of the day and then going out to eat. So now you know that I'm truly a lame ol' geek. And to put the icing on the cake, I'm proud of it!

30 weeks

Only 10 weeks left until my due date, woohoo! You can't tell I'm counting down the days, can you? I'm definitely feeling big. Tyson has to help me off the couch now- once I sink into our comfy couch I have a hard time pulling myself back up! Our little girl has been pushing (and kicking!) against my ribs a lot the past couple of weeks. It makes it hard for me to breathe sometimes and can be a bit uncomfortable, but I don't mind too much. I enjoy feeling and watching her move around. I'm pretty sure she often likes to sleep in the 'stink-bug' position (bum up). A few times a day the left side of my tummy takes on a funnel shape, and I'm sure the top is her bottom!

Thoughts on staying home

The Girltalkers have been doing an excellent series on homemaking. This comes at a time for me when I've been making the transition from being a teacher to being a stay-at-home (soon to be) mom. Up until maybe the past week it hasn't seemed like much of a transition, since I am used to having the summer off from work. However, since Walmart has begun stocking it's shelves with school supplies again, I am reminded that teaching other people's children will no longer be my job come this fall. Rather, I will be responsible for teaching and caring for one child- my own. I have looked forward to this change in our lives for quite some time, and I have no regrets in making the decision to stay at home. However, not everyone understands a mother's choice to be at home with her children. When I first announced at work last spring that I would be resigning from my teaching position to be a stay-at-home mom, several people were almost appalled at the idea. A few coworkers even told me how much I would come to dislike staying home, followed by an ominous, "you'll see". Thankfully, most people have been very supportive in our decision. I'll end with this quote from the Girl Talk blog:

"How can it be a large career to tell other people's children [arithmetic], and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute." G.K. Chesterton

28 weeks pic

Well, it's a few days late, but who's counting? Here I am, large and in charge at 28 weeks! I can't believe I've already made it to the third trimester. Though I'm still feeling great, I have noticed a few of the third trimester symptoms sneaking in, like fatigue and various aches and pains. I am hoping this trimester goes by quickly, as we have many things planned such as our baby shower on the 26th, finishing the nursery, and childbirthing classes. Our little girl has one strong karate kick that she likes to practice throughout the day, and especially at night! It is so fun to watch my belly contort and move as she wiggles around in there....she'll probably end up being as fidgety as her mama!

Busy Busy

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lull in posting. We've been busy the past couple of weeks! Last week we spent several days with my family for the 4th of July, and this weekend we'll be traveling to spend time with Tyson's family. In between our trips I've been keeping up with housework, laundry, and my graduate course. Oh, and of course, I've been lounging in my new pool. After many not-so-subtle hints to my wonderful husband, he bought us an above ground pool (18 feet across, 4 feet deep). I've spent my afternoons this week floating in my pool lounger, working on my tan, and reading magazines! I can't tell you how nice it is to be outside during the hottest days of summer (90-100+ degrees) and not swell up or feel like I'm going to pass out. It's wonderful!

Since we'll be busy traveling this weekend, I may not post a belly picture until Monday or Tuesday next week. 28 weeks tomorrow! Wow! Twelve weeks left......woohoo!