Large and in Charge

38 weeks


I feel large. I read an article that says that Caroline will be growing an ounce a day at this point. I predict she will weigh 6lbs 13 oz. Micah has predicted 6 lbs 3 oz. The sonogram person said we were probably looking at a 6 pounder a month ago at term. With all the protein I've been eating, I'm thinking she'll be closer to 7 pounds.

I am walking funny. Like, it hurts to walk. But it hurts to lie down for too long. But it hurts to sit for too long. I just wiggle around. I'm pretty uncomfortable, but I know Caroline staying in for as long as possible is a good thing. I'm trying not to be too moody, but I just caught myself talking to Brock on Reba telling him how annoying I think he is. However, the doctor gave me an out saying that being hormonal is totally normal...

Much love,

38 Weeks, Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! I love my daddy. Growing up he made my breakfast each morning, packed my lunch, took me to school when we moved to Amarillo, was forced into wearing hair clips (ask him about inadvertently wearing a plastic clip to church) and playing Barbies, and then when I was older played tennis with me. I really was never one for the outdoors and didn't take to the rodeo/ranching life like a son probably would have, but he never pushed me into anything I didn't like. Although, I must say--I do know how to ride a horse, shovel manure, have driven a forklift, and used a posthole digger to help repair fence. Laziness is a sin in the Kenner family. My daddy developed a strong work ethic and sense of pride in a job well done. Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

Today is Micah's first Father's Day to celebrate...sorta...what if Caroline really came today?!? Wouldn't that be wild? I did eat Mexican food for lunch...maybe that will get something going. We celebrated with church this morning, delicious Mexican food with friends, and now Micah is napping and watching golf. Caroline, Dodger and I bought him an I-Tunes gift card to keep him entertained on the highway, and what I thought was the Phil Steele magazine on college football. I instead, accidentally bought the Dave Campbell magazine. Another poor gift giving moment...a true football faux pas in the eyes of Micah. He, of course, was really nice about the whole thing trying to make me feel better. Maybe once in life I will have a shining gift giving moment! Nevertheless, Micah will make an amazing father. He has a wonderful dad as an example to him, too. I can't wait to see him in action.

38 weeks. I really didn't think I would hold out this long. WOW! I feel big. BIG. I went to the doctor late last week, and I'm in the early stages of labor cruising around. I suppose this is better than walking into to the hospital cold turkey and sitting there for hours upon hours waiting. I won't go into detail on what all went down at the doctor's visit, but ouch. Micah had a meeting during this appointment so I grabbed the nurse's hand to squeeze. The doctor suggested "that I bring reinforcements next time." I apologized for literally snatching her hand away from her, and called Micah to inform him of next week's appointment time and date and to clear his schedule. I am still obsessed with eating meat. I have eaten a disproportionate amount to my normal diet of steak. Oh, and squash and zucchini on the grill. I really love summer time food. I could eat my weight in squash. Speaking of weight, when I went in I haven't gain any in two weeks. I suppose Caroline is gaining everything I'm eating which is good for her. Plump up! I'm trying to stay busy. I'm not good when I have nothing to think about...my mind begins to wander. For instance, yesterday I had a Mother's of Preschoolers gardening seminar brunch. I came home really hot and exhausted and immediately began whining and feeling sorry for myself for being hot and uncomfortable. After a couple of hours of resting, I got up, went shopping and errand running and came home with a new attitude--a can do spirit. So, I changed air filters, vacuumed the vents, did laundry and dishes, ironed, planted a plant, swept the porch, helped Micah with dinner, and then went over to a friend's house for a game rematch of Acquisition. I lost this time, but at least my mind was distracted into laughing and having fun! I hope my "can do" attitude stays with me.

Much love,

Just Say No

Tell me you've seen this commercial. Tell me you've wretched. Please. This advertisement always seems to come on when Micah and I are just about to fall asleep, and it always elicit quite a giggle from us. I can't find the exact commercial, but here's a link to the website. Have fun laughing, and just say no!

http://www.smokerssavior.com/

Much love,

Beyond Strange

I have to take lots of "rests" these days in the escape of air conditioning. I miss working out in the yard, but my body is not having it right now. It screams...sit down, drink water!!! I came across this show tonight. My, oh, my. Did you ever see the movie Best in Show? This is not dog showing, but extreme dog grooming. No words. Judge for yourselves.

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/extreme-poodles/

Much love,

Shopping

Happy, hot Sunday. On our way to church today Micah comes into the bathroom where I'm putting on my makeup with sad, puppy dog eyes. He proceeds to show me his hand which is red, swollen and already blistered. The hot iron was sitting on the bed and not only did it fall and land squarely on his hand and it's heavy, but it was hot, hot! Needless to say, we didn't make it to church he was in so much pain. Poor guy--he had a pinched nerve in his neck all last week, stomach bug this week and now a burned hand. So, back to sleep we went after getting settled with cool compress and Tylenol.

We were supposed to attend a summer cocktail pool party on Friday night. On Thursday, I searched high and low for a dress. Mind you, I have some adorable linen dresses that scream, "Hand me a mojito!" and let's be social. However, at nine months pregnant, that same dress wouldn't get close to zipping. Not close at all. So, I bought two options. We didn't end up going due to Micah's unfortunate stomach issue, a house showing, and it being waaaaay hot and me...the waddling one. I'm guessing we wouldn't have been the life of the party.

While shopping, I noticed all adorable sheath dresses out there. This must be the year for the sheath. I love a good sheath. And, bright colors. I love black. But something about summer makes me want to shed the black and wear fuchsia, yellow, cobalt blue, lime green and don an oversize floral print. I also noticed the dress that were very fitted in the bodice and then floated away into an a-line shape skirt. I even tried one on just to see if it would fit. Bhhahaha. What was I thinking?!? So, since we didn't go to the party on Friday, I'm taking back the maternity dresses, and I'm getting store credit for something I can wear long term. SO EXCITING! I'm feeling motivated to see a thinner me come back. I keep thinking healthy baby and pants with a zipper and button in a single size instead of small, medium, and large maternity sizing or pajama pants.

Happy shopping everyone!

Much love,

Steak makes me happy

Never in my life have I ever requested so much steak in all my life. I think I could eat it every day for lunch and dinner at this point. So good. Cravings are pretty bizarre. I suppose I've traded apples and grapes for steak. We've been busy bees lately. We have weekly doctor appointments, attended baby basics classes, finished our childbirth classes, several house showings, and Micah has suffered from a tummy virus to top it off. Getting around at nine months pregnant is tough stuff. Getting out of bed--tough. Getting out in the heat--tough and exhausting. Cleaning house--tough. Tending the flower bed--tough. Thinking clearly--tough. The heat and end of pregnancy has me a little swollen. Nothing like other people have related to blood pressure, but my wedding ring fits but very, very snuggly. I resorted to wearing a back up band that is a smidge bigger. I feel weird not wearing any band at all. Caroline's diaper bag arrived, and I'm excited to begin using it. It's perfect so Micah and I can both tote it around. I don't see labor happening any time soon. She really seems to like it in my tummy!

Much love,

Parenting Style

I don't know what kind of parent I'll be. I know what kind of teacher I am. What kind of daughter I am. What kind of sister I am. What kind of wife I am. But, parent...no. Don't really know. I see certain parenting styles and think...that's what I'd like to be like. However, the reality is...just don't know. My closest experience with parenting would be parenting Dodger Malouf...the single greatest dog in the world. I don't know if anyone loves their dog...errr, dog that doesn't think he's a dog more than Micah and I do.

A Snapshot of Parenting Dodger

There will probably be times of innocence.


Times of laziness and relaxation.


Times of grouchiness


Times where a heart to heart is necessary


Times of picture perfection


Times where we break all rules and sit on the table


Times of naughtiness


Times of chaos


I am looking forward to creating lots of memories.

Much love,

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Week 36. In a month or less, I'm going to be a full-fledged mom. Some days I think I'm ready and other days, I think, "What have I done?" Then, I see everyone else with their children and I think if they can do this, surely I can... child rearing has been going on since civilization began. So, I can do it...right? Right?!? Nevertheless, I am nine months pregnant today. I don't see any impending labor signs other than I really think she's dropped and I have to go tinkle ALL the time. I mean ALL the time. I could buy stock in Charmin or Angel Soft. I also sound like Rice Krispies cereal when milk hit them. Snap, Crackle, Pop. I read somewhere that's my ligaments loosening up for what's to come. Nothing like your hips and neck popping in the echo of the bathroom as I make my 4 AM potty run. And, another weird thing is my insatiable craving for meat. Red meat. In the last few days, I have wanted hamburgers, barbecue sandwiches, and steak. And, I've eaten it all. I could eat more. I even went to the grocery store in the over 100 degree heat with the help of my friend, Kim, who was in town yesterday and stocked up on meat! Beef it's what's for dinner. Oh, and the heat. Whew! I don't know if I mentioned that Micah teases me about being a cold-blooded reptile. That's changed. I have the AC cranked up and I really don't care at the moment what our energy bill will be. It's scorching outside and I don't like being hot. The doctor said I'd go back to normal after six weeks postpartum. I'll take cold-blooded over sweating any day.

Micah will be driving back from Sean's wedding in Dallas today. I didn't get to attend. I'm guessing that a five hour car ride would have turned into a much longer one, and I wouldn't have been very pleasant company to ride with considering driving to Lubbock for doctor's appointments is rough considering how much I have to squirm around to find a comfortable sitting position. He's been on the go so I haven't heard many details of the wedding, but I'm sure it was lovely. So now that he's done traveling until Caroline comes, I feel much better knowing he'll be here or at least in Lubbock should the deal go down! Dodger has been keeping me company and he's been a delight. He's crawled in my arms and wanted to be held like a baby or crawled on my chest and put his face right in front of mine. I do love him so.

Much love,

35 Weeks

Week 35. Several people have commented how it looks like Caroline has "dropped." Maybe. I don't know. I do know that I feel like I've got to go tinkle ALL the time when I'm standing up. This does not go well with my fear of public restrooms. My thighs are getting quite a workout in my hovering method. I just got done with meeting our pediatrician. We are going to use Dr. Guetersloh in Lubbock. She's even a Malouf. I seriously didn't know this when I received a recommendation from a friend. I told y'all those Maloufs were fruitful--everywhere! I'm on weekly doctors appointments with my OB. She's pretty cozy in my tummy...not dilated, but beginning to efface. I was told not to get too hung up on numbers as anything can happen at any time. I'm rooting for her to stay put in there for at least a few more weeks while a few items on the agenda get figured out. Her crib is set up and ready for her should she make her appearance soon. I also washed her newborn clothes in the special baby detergent and got them in the dresser. I finished packing up my room on Tuesday and my car is full on file boxes. I turned in my keys to Highland. Now, I'm plotting for next year--where will I work, will I work, where will Caroline stay should I work, yadda, yadda, yadda. So I'm supposed to be resting, but there's been a lot going on around here. That's my weekly scoop!



Much love,