Final Stages

Not only am I in the final stages of pregnancy, but I am happy to say that the nursery is also in its final stages. Besides a few finishing touches...it is DONE! Now I have to get the bonus room done so family can stay in it after her arrival. This will be on the top of the list after Christmas...until then...I am going to enjoy Christmas.

Good For 2 weeks...at Least!

Great news....I got a message on my cell phone this morning from the Dr. office stating that my test results came back and it is negative.

Yipee! She is going to stay inside for at least 2 more weeks. This makes me feel a lot better about everything I am feeling and the ultrasound yesterday.

Good News...Not so Good News

This was the news I got from my Dr. visit today.

The good news is:
-the baby is doing great (developing well, weighs almost 5 lbs., excellent heartbeat, practicing breathing exercises, etc.)
-looks like she is going to have plenty of hair for bows
-I am almost past the "scary" point...meaning that if she came early (like beyond 2 weeks...we would be okay).
-Mommy is doing great

The not so good news:
-cervix is thinning (only 2 cm thick at one point today)
-cervix is funneling (meaning showing signs of thinning/opening
-her head is "very far" down into my pelvis

What this means...well I will know more tomorrow after I get my fetal fibro. results (determines whether I will deliver in the next two weeks). However, the Dr. didn't seem too concerned and feels like the test will come back negative (meaning she will stay baking for more than 2 weeks). She definitely will probably come early...just how early is the question

Bake baby girl bake! We need at least a few more weeks! I will post tomorrow once I get my test results and hopefully some 3D pics of her this weekend when and if I get to a scanner.

Rewards

Last night I got to experience the greatest reward I have ever recieved from teaching...watching 4 of my adult education students graduate. This was such an awesome experience that brought me to tears. Never as a 4th and 5th grade teacher was I moved quite like I was last night. I was so proud to see them dressed in dresses, ties, and graduation caps/gowns and get their diploma.

To have experienced their challenges with them and see their blood, sweat, and tears that they had to endure to reach this goal amazes me! For example, just a few obstacles...no income, 3-4 kids at home, older adult that lost job due to sale of company overseas, out of school for 30 years...these are just a few. I was reminded last night of just how far determination in despite of odds can get you! My hats go off to all these adults!

Sometimes I question my decision to go back to teaching/work instead of staying home. However, last night affirmed, yet again, that I have lives to touch beyond my own kids! The rewards of seeing these adults reach this goal that opens doors to their futures is so great, and they are so grateful for me being a part of their lives (as I was showered with hugs and words of thanks).

Back in Business

Thankfully I have my camera back and I am back to business! My mom was so gracious to let me borrow her digital camera during the month and a half or so that I was without mine. Below are some memories she had captured of CR...she doesn't get around to downloading her pics often.

A while back my camera started developing spots on the screen, and then the flash went out. I have had this camera for 4 years (would have been at Christmas), but thankfully when K bought it for me, he bought the 4 year warranty. Just in time...it saved me $270. Because my camera was considered "out of date" by Sony...they replaced it. Now I have a brand new Sony Cybershot. I am looking forward to using it during the holidays and when Carragan makes her arrival!

" Some of Mema's Captured Memories"

CR with "his puppies". My dad raises beagles, so CR loves to "help" take care of and play with the puppies. He knows all there names (16 or 17) and has started naming his stuffed puppies at home the same names

Getting treats at Mema's (obviously before dinner...from the looks of his plate in the background.) I guess that is what Mema's and Granda's are for!

Uncle J and CR last Christmas

CR flakes out while participating in the neighborhood Christmas parade last year at my parents.

CR at Mother's Morning Out. My how he has grown and changed in little over a year.

Outside...where he stays at my parents house when at all possible. They have plenty of land for him to play on and things to "occupy" him.

How sweet...I can't believe he is not that little any more. Where have the days gone. I thought I would never get him out of diapers and now I miss those little days.

Can't resist playing in a puddle! ALL BOY!
Getting bathed outside...he gets filthy at my parents...to the point that sometimes he has to have a bath before he can go in.

CR loves "driving" Mema's car

His favorite buddies...Max and Wig. He is carrying a cricket container...probably getting ready to go fishing in the pond across the street.

One of his favorite snacks at Mema's and Granda's...ice cream sandwich!

Thanks mom for sharing your camera and the memories!

Face Lift

Yes...it was about time I did something different with my blog...it was in bad need (well is still in need of some work), but at least I am on the right track. Thanks to all of you that have been so dedicated to look past my slackness.

I wanted to stay with the "pink" theme since I am still estatic to be having a girl, but man was the other bad!

I just found this neat site:http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com where they have some neat stuff. I am excited about more changes soon (well hopefully soon...you know I have nothing else to be thinking about right now!

Magic of Christmas

This year I am going to be honest and say, I was being a Scrooge about Christmas. Yes, every year I dread the hustle and bustle of shopping and all the "commercial hoopla", but I have never felt as negatively about it as I had this year. I was not looking forward to it, couldn't stand to hear Christmas music, didn't want to decorate, and least of all SHOP! Thank goodness God knew this and has used my child to change my thinking this year.

The magic of Christmas has encompassed CR this year beyond any before. He enjoyed Christmas last year and loved all that the holiday entailed, but this year...it is beyond imaginable. With his whole being, he is sharing in the magic! Because of this, I have embraced the magic once again (better than in many many years). I am seeing Christmas through his eyes and what JOY it is bringing to me and the season! I am looking forward to much less of the normal Christmas "doings" and trying to replace it with the true meanings of Christmas for me and my family!

Below are some things we have done so far, but there are many more to come....

CR carefully watching Dada place an ornament on the tree to learn how to do it.

One of CR's favorite ornaments...Santa on a tractor (his ornament from last Christmas). Each year since he was born, I have gotten an ornament for him, usually something that relates to his birthday that year or something that relates to him that year. This is something that my Mom and Dad did for me and now I have a slue of ornaments to look at and cherish from the years.

This year he is so into his Christmas Thomas set. He has already worn the batteries out...which I have to figure out how to replace. It is so cute to watch him imaginary play with it.

A snow globe at a local mall of the Polar Express...my favorite (and CR's) favorite Christmas movie and book. He has really gotten into Polar Express this year and loves watching ALL of the movie (something he does rarely with any movie) and chants and/or "reads" portions of the book.

Getting his face painted at a Christmas event at the library. This is the first time he has ever wanted his face painted...he was so still.

His finished product that he picked out to have painted on his face

CR and "his girlfriend" visiting with Mrs. Claus after their telephone calls to Santa (on the red phone behind them). Too bad I didn't plan better and dress him more Christmas like. He was still dressed in his "school clothes" that accompanied "purple day". I am so glad he was able to talk to Santa since he is not fond of going to visit Santa and sit on his lap this year. He says he doesn't like his beard.

Bundling up with "Mamie" waiting for the Christmas parade to start. This is an event that CR has looked forward to all year. Every time we have gone to the library this year, he has reminded me about the parking garage across from it and how it was where we parked for the parade last year and how he wants to go back...finally he got his chance. Now he is counting down the days until the "tractor parade".

Daddy and CR entranced my the parade sights

CR sees something he likes and gets that finger pointing...something he has done since before he could talk

Sharing some time with "Mema" while watching the parade. Bless his heart...it was freezing but he didn't want to leave until he got to see Santa (the last thing of course)

CR talks Daddy into playing "golf" at a local Christmas event

Another event favorite...all the rides and blow ups

Mommy's big ham!

Saturday evening we attended a church wide fellowship at some members house. We all met to have treats and hayrides through the Christmas lights at this group of family member's houses. We have always (since CR was 2 months old) gone here to enjoy the lights (yes all 350,000...yes I didn't make a mistake and add too many 0's), but for the past 2 years we have taken rides through the lights on four wheelers/Rhinos, etc. Of course, this is all right up CR's ally. He had to take 3 trips through the lights this night and cried when we made him get off. Our only saving grace was we told him we would take him back in a few weeks when Santa comes to visit at the lights.

This picture is not good of all the lights and is just a small portion, but you can see just from this that it is a sight to see. You can't tell from the picture, but this is of the pond area where trees are made of lights and outline the water's edge. They have a sign along the rode that tells you to turn your radio to a particular station and you can hear the Christmas music that the lights "dance to". It is such an awesome sight! Thanks McNeely's for all the hard work and efforts that you all go through to do this each year! It is truly a part of the "Magic of Christmas" that I look forward to year after year!