This is for real ...

We have a car seat in our car!

The reality that very soon we are going to have a person to put into this car seat  is definitely sinking in.

I'm also really starting to understand why toward the end of pregnancy women start saying they are READY.  Until the past few days, I have not understood this phenemenon -- my thinking being, why would I opt for a crying, pooping baby that needs constant care when I can just have my body take care of him from the inside?

On Monday, I started having serious pain when trying to walk.  I thought a good snowshoe hike might work the kinks out.  Turns out that didn't help.  I now basically have to hobble around because my right leg feels like it is going to give out on me with every step.  This is incredibly humbling.  At times I wonder if I need a cane?  I'd gotten pretty accustomed to the ever increasing amount of discomfort that comes with pregnancy, but I did not ever expect that I would literally dread the simple act of walking.

After three days of this, I can now say that I will be ready whenever this guy wants to arrive.

Belly Shots

For those of you who have been asking for updated belly pictures, here they are!

Jason & I got to meet up with Jill earlier this month to have some pictures taken documenting this phase in our lives.

Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

We're at work today, but had yesterday off which was unexpected and fabulous to have a special day off.  We had such a nice day, catching up on chores, going on a moonlit hike through the snow and then making a special meal together.  With some of the tragedies that have occurred recently, I was extra happy & appreciative to be spending the day with my husband.

Getting our tree this year was a comedic event ... I'd had the grand idea that it would be nice to have a tree that was a little fuller which meant cutting down a larger tree and then just using the top of the tree.  We found a beautiful tree, lopped off the top (without measuring) and carried it 1/4 of a mile back to our barn.  It was surprisingly heavy and I had to stop multiple times to rest my arms :)

When we got back, I measured our indoor space and Jason measured off how much of the tree we could take inside.  It was hysterical!!!  It was less than half of what we'd lugged all the way back to our place and was so skinny once it was cut away from the rest of it.  It was truly pathetic looking.  Even though the sun had already set, we headed out on a short hike to see if we could find something better.  We were about to give up when I spied a perfect looking little tree across a "meadow."  Of course, the meadow was actually a huge beaver bog -- a swampy, grass covered area with small streams running through it.  Getting across to check out the tree was doable ... getting back across while trying to carry a Christmas tree just added even more humor to the day.  Picture trying to team-carry a large, awkward object while trying to leap over steams.  Yes ... quite the adventure :)

I was reminded today that this will be our last Christmas with just the two of us.  It's really hard to fully imagine how much our life will be changing this next year.  Since today I am officially six months pregnant, here is an updated belly shot.  (Thanks Mom for sending me some maternity shirts since there are literally no stores that sell maternity-wear here!)

{unintentionally} cruel comments

Today, I received my first really thoughtless comment with regard to my new pregnancy body ... I've known/expected to get some of these, but I have to admit when it came my way I was still stunned.

The comments was "... you know you're going to get really big, since you're already SO large ..."  

There was more, but this was the main idea.  Sigh.  I wanted to just respond that yes I knew I was large, but it wasn't really helpful to have it rubbed in.  But, I meekly just agreed.  What else am I supposed to do? 

Of course, I totally realize that it wasn't meant to be mean-spirited (at least I hope not!), but it still stings.  


On a much cheerier note ... this is our friend Edie, turning 89 years old.

Edie and her husband, Bud, are very dear friends who we met through church and she regularly reminds me how beautiful I am and that she loves me.  They still live in a house they built for themselves 30 years ago that sits on three acres of land with beautiful gardens that they tend themselves.  They love to play board games and this is where our connection began.  

I'd been looking for something "special" to take her to celebrate her big day and came across this recipe from Southern Living which turned out delightful.  One note, the recipe made way, way too much frosting -- I would cut the recipe in half if making again. Otherwise, I was really pleased how the experiment worked out.

So ... now that I've been informed that I'm large and going to get really large ... and I guess I'll have another cupcake! :)

Getting chubbier ... the road to a new adventure

Tonga - July 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day; enjoying fine food and friends/family.  Jason & I celebrated yesterday as we're working today.  So, we're having leftovers before most people even get their first thanksgiving meal - yummy!

While on the topic of feasting .... I have to admit something ... I've put on about 15 pounds since July.

No, I'm not packing on weight because we're moving somewhere that has a scarcity of food.  I'm also not planning on hibernating through the winter (although sometimes that sounds pretty nice).  

A weight gain like this is something I would generally be freaking out about.  I'm comfortable with  five pounds ... I know with a little work, I can get it back off.  But, this ... 15 pounds.  Oh my!  And, I've been told to expect more, lots more ...

We're also expecting a completely new adventure to come our way, on or around March 25, 2013.  Although planned, I have to admit this new adventure freaks me out even more than the weight I'm putting on.

I'm sure by this point, you will have guessed!  Jason & I are expecting our first child!  

So this year we are thankful for a healthy report on this little guy (yes, it's a boy!) and thankful for the road that we've been on together since joining Peace Corps Tonga in 2006.