38 Weeks

I don't know if everyone else is sick of reading these posts, but I'm sick of writing them. The past few months I realize I've complained a lot about being pregnant, it hasn't stopped. Paul is a trooper to listen to me talk about how bending down is so difficult, and how I'm tired ALL the time, and that my hips just ache so badly especially in the mornings... I could keep going but I won't make you live through it too. I guess I'm being a baby, millions of women go through this and I've only heard labor is much worse, but as of right now I would be happy to take on the challenge.
We went to the doctor yeseterday and I was told I'm dialated to barely a 1, whoopie, I could be there weeks! The doctor doubts the baby will come by the due date, he said it's usualy that a rookie mom will go at least 7 days past her due date. Well, that was the last thing I wanted to hear. I've been counting down almost by the hour for the past week and had my mind set on only 1 week and 3 days left till the baby, but now it's back up to about 2 weeks. So in my desperation I asked about being induced. My opinion of no thanks to induction has changed to PLEASE do it! I have to keep telling myself that not being induced is better in the long run for both my baby and me. It's probably a good thing that the doctor doesn't want to do it unless I pull a gun on him.
Well, enough about bad news. Though I was very unhappy after the doctors appointment I am very happy I have a healthy baby boy still growing inside me. Already he is making it clear that he is the boss and he will come when he wants and is ready. I'll count my blessings and enjoy my 4-6 hours of sleep a night instead of 2, and the fact that Paul and I can still go on spontaneous dates, and that I can take time to cuddle with Paul or stay up late watching movies.
So, to conclude, hopefully there will only be one more of these blogs, next thursday after one more doctors appointment. Although if I don't get to do a "Week 39" post, and it's "The baby has arrived" instead, there will be no complaining on my part. Wish me luck!

37 Weeks (Full Term!)

37 weeks down and only 2 weeks and 3 days to go...hopefully. We had a doctors appointment today and the good news is, we have a healthy baby still cooking, the bad news is he doesn't seem anxious to come into the world. I'm not dialated and no signs of him having dropped yet. I guess I had high hopes of being one of the very few first time moms to deliver early. The doctor guessed the baby's weight to be 6lbs which would put him at 7 1/2 lbs. at delivery in 2 1/2 weeks. So far Paul and I are still having a very hard time coming up with names we both like. Our number one is Keenan Clark (no middle name yet). The second runner up is Caleb Clark. Any other name suggestions?
We are all ready for the baby to come though, the cradle and all his little belongings are squished next to our bed. I'm working on getting a few decorations up to make it look a little more like a baby's room. I'm also working on a U of U quilt for Paul and the baby. It's nice to have a few projects to keep me busy, but they sure don't keep my mind off the baby and how he could come any day now.
Paul is hating is Physics class but loves his Lower Extremities class where he gets to learn all about the joints, injuries and how to diagnose them. He's also surviving work, but I have a hard time surviving at night without him. It's so much fun when I get to have him awake and with me the three days he has off each week. He keeps himself busy at work by studying a little and reading A LOT of books, his most favorite being the Eragon series.




Paul bought me a blender for Mother's Day and I've loved it! We make Orange Julius often as well as smoothies. I had the brilliant idea to take the bottom part of the blender off while it was full of freshly made Orange Julius, don't ask me why. Once I unscrewed it Orange Julius went everywhere! And of course it didn't miss getting on my huge tummy. Paul thought it was halarious but I was very disappointed about all the wasted drink.

We were working on getting the cradle up and Paul thought for sure he could fit in it, looks like it's just baby size, but he had to sit in it to prove it.

Mother for life and longer...

Often times during the week I get comments from Paul like this, "you are just like your mom" or "OK Rhonda!" or "That is SO something your mom would say/do". At first I thought oh great I'm turning into my mom, NOOOO!!! I even tried to think of ways I could change to be different and stop doing all those things that my mom does. I now realize what a complement the phrase "you are just like your mom" really is. My mom is one of the most amazing women I know, who better to be just like?

Ways I'm like my mom:
I find the cheapest way of doing things.
I make things very complicated to find the "best" way of doing things.
It's my or the highway.
I LOVE babies! (and do odd things to make them smile even for the kids of strangers in the elevators.)
I make endless To Do lists...as well as To Do lists for my husband.
I turn the soap dispensers upside down for days in order to get everylast drop. I also cut the lotion tubes in half so I can scrape every bit out before throwing it away.
I go into the store for one thing and come out with ten because they are "on sale".

Things I wish I were more like my mom:
Friendly and non judgmental to strangers.
Forgiving
Great listener
A rare love for the gospel.
Always wanting to learn new things.
As I am about to embark on the adventure of motherhood I hope I continue to follow the steps of my mother, she has raised 6 wonderful children and has inspired us all. THANKS MOM! I LOVE YOU!

3 days of summer

Paul got a whopping 3 days of summer break so it was a mutual decision that we splurge and take a summer vacation. We went to St. George for 3 days. We had planned on camping one day but the weather was bad, very windy and rainy, so we stayed in a hotel for two nights. We didn't do anything way exciting but it was great to relax and enjoy some time together. We did go to the temple, did some shopping and a 2 hour walk/hike. The hike tuckered us both out even though it was easy, I guess it's time to start working out again.





I think Paul's favorite part of the trip was eating at In and Out. Mmmm, it was good.

That's right, I climbed up there almost all by myself. :)




Today Paul started real life again, back to work and school. I know I've said this before but he is tough to be doing all that he is and I sure appreciate him. Working 40 hours and doing 15 credit hours is not easy, especially when working requires staying up all night then going to school before he can finally crawl into bed for a few hours of sleep.

The church has gotten rid of the married student wards now, we are all required to go to the family wards. They want to put more young single adult wards in so we're getting kicked out. It is a bitter sweet thing for me, I really enjoyed the married student wards because we get to do fun activities like cliff jumping and linger longers, you don't get those in a family ward. But it will be good to learn from those in our family ward that have experience and it's great that sacrament meeting isn't so quiet because of all the kids. We felt very welcome on Sunday except that after church we realized we had gone to the wrong ward.