More cute...

I finished writing his birth story, but the birth part alone is several pages (the whole story is 46 pages single spaced). So I figure most people just want to look at pictures anyway, so I'll post those.

The Man with many faces...

I love them all...

ok. skip to pictures...

I started to write the story of Miles' birth...I got through a paragraph then the realization of how hard it is to type with one hand, while nursing. So here are some pictures instead.

First day - all bundled up

 Bright eyes - they look blue, but we all know that can change. 

 Visiting with Aunt Heidi who changed stinky bums, helped with latching, and shared lots of love while Mom napped.

 There's nothing he likes more than sitting on his Papa's chest...

 All dressed, ready to go home from the hospital.

 Waiting until they say 'go' - and Mom gets a couple more shots...

Such silly faces and alert eyes...

So who does he look like??

more to come... when he's like 18 and I can type with two hands again...

For Jamie...

Remember when we were little and we used to cut papers in half and tediously make little keyboards (in alphabetical order until we finally saw a real keyboard), and then we would put them in books, and on shelves, and in cupboards, and carry them around with us as mini portable computers. And then remember how we used to pretend that we had mini phones that could call, AND control the whole house like the ultimate remote control. In our 'houses' we would have automatic beds, lights, music, all controlled from our little paper computers and remotes. Then there was the vending machines where you could press any button and pretty much any food would come out, hot and ready. And, of course, the catalogs that you could just touch - "got it" - and automatically those things would be sent to your home.
Well, I think we invented Apple, and I think they owe us a lot of money.

Patience

Last night my spiritual message was about patience:


“Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.
“Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

It's fitting for right now.
However, I'm actually very calm. I know he'll come when it's time. I have SO much to do at work to keep me busy, the time will pass and before I know it he'll be here.
It's everyone else that can't seem to wait - and asks repetitively - and wonders loudly - and checks on me frequently.
Be patient! He'll come when it's time!

Nesting...

I wish it was as simple as gathering sticks and grass and making a simple little nest. But as humans, we like to complicate things and make our nesting involve everything from organization to cleaning to baking.

I have been 'nesting' at school for some time. I already have OCD, now it has become extreme color-coded OCD. I've reorganized, labeled, sorted, foldered (that's a word) and categorized everything in my office. Fortunately my classroom is organized, and most of it is our leveled library which I have already unleashed my OCD upon. I keep telling myself that I'm being anally organized so it will be easier on my sub, but I know that it's really just me building my little school nest.

One of the reasons I nest so much at school is that it's hard to nest at home. I clean - I clean all the time, but unfortunately other people, and dogs, live here and are constantly messing up my cleaning. If I could i would tip-toe through the house for the next couple of weeks, leaving everything in it's perfect tidy place - and kick everyone else out. But that's not really an option, so I try to be patient with Art's piles, clean what I can, when I can, and overly organize Baby's stuff. It puts a few little sticks in place.

I have found one avenue of nesting that I can follow here at home. Cooking. This weekend I felt the overwhelming  need to stock my freezer. So much so that we did a rush trip to Salt Lake and back so I could start the process. Yesterday I cleaned the fridge, did the shopping, and made Art Gazpacho (that's not really stocking the freezer, just making him happy). This morning I was up at 6 (my brain is SO tired, but my hips will not allow me to stay in bed), and by 9:00 I had made and frozen a batch of cookies, a batch of scones, and 6 loaves of bread. I also made croutons, got a roast in the crockpot and prepped my potatoes for dinner. Then I cleaned up after all my cooking, wiped up the cabinets, scrubbed the sink, and wiped up the kitchen floor. A few more sticks were put in place for our soon-to-be-full nest.

The Nursery .... sort-of

It's finally a nursery - sort of - because it's also an office, and Art's closet, but there is room for baby! the giant recliner is going in the basement, but I've been sleeping in it fairly regularly. Soon it will go downstairs, and the room will be a little more open. 

Now, if he could just arrive. 2 weeks to go... (But not until after next week, I've got school work to get done! After this week I'll be ready to walk away from school - THEN he can come.)

Thoughts on Pregnancy

Today I had a shower with all my friends at work. They are so cool and low key - when I said we had a million cute outfits and we just needed essentials they were all over that. We got diapers, burp cloths, a bathtub, our port-a-crib, and much more - it was pretty awesome. Maybe, perhaps, we're ready for this little man to come.
He's got clothes, a name, diapers, a carseat, a bassinet, binkies, and lots of soft blankeys - what else could you need?

So, I am thinking about bringing my pregnancy to a close - in 6 (or more) weeks - and thought I'd share a few thoughts on pregnancy (you know, now that I'm an expert and all)

1. Pregnancy Brain is the truest thing in the world. Just now, I am trying to remember if I've already written this post, or just thought about it. I really don't know.
2. Pregnancy is a FULL BODY experience. From your nasal passages to your sore feet it effects everything in between.
3. Sleeping while pregnant is preparation for a newborn. I haven't slept through the night since February, and currently I sleep no longer than 2 hours because I have to get up - go pee - stretch my calves - drink water - maybe take some tums - climb back into bed - readjust the pillows - get the  belly and knees properly supported - and then attempt to sleep - and by that time, I need to pee again.
4. Telling a pregnant woman that "You'll never make it that long" or "Are you sure it isn't twins?" or "6 weeks, wow, you've got a long way" - are NOT NICE THINGS! Stick with, "you're glowing" or "pregnancy suits you" - or I might cry.
5. Speaking of crying - it's uncontrollable, unreasonable, and most often unexplainable - but it's also unavoidable. As Art says, "go watch a chick flick or something so you at least have a reason to cry..."
6. Men don't understand. They try. But they don't get it. Accept that, and then talk to your sisters, girl friends, or even your female dog - they all have a better grasp on what you're going through.
7. There is no solution to eating. It either makes you nauseous, have a foul mouth, or causes heartburn. And no matter how much you eat, you feel like there just isn't enough room in your belly to house the food - so what's the point. Oh yeah, you're starving all the time.
8. Baby bellies are heavy! They make you tip over, they are nearly impossible to hoist out of bed, and hauling that thing up the stairs makes you completely winded. I knew it was "weight" but I never realized it would be 'heavy'!
9. Moving is not easy. I have tried to stay 'active' during my pregnancy. I walk or swim every day. I stretch every night. I do lots of things to keep me moving, but it is so dang hard. I used to think it was funny when Kassie couldn't put her shoes on because she had a big pregnant belly, or Kelli need a pedicure because she couldn't reach her toes. Karma sucks - I can't do either. Nor can I lift, twist, stretch, sit, stand or lie down. Please can I have my body back?!
10. It's 40 weeks. Whoever first said '9 months' is an idiot. I've been pregnant for 34 weeks, that's 8 1/2 months, that doesn't mean I only have 1/2 a month (2 weeks) left. Could we all please just say 40 weeks from now on? (And yes, I understand I've really only be PREGNANT for 32 of those 34, but those two were pretty dang important.)

So with that, I'm going to waddle my way through the next 6 weeks, they're considering a pool at work to predict his birth date since they all think I'm coming before 6 weeks. That's fine, as long as I get the money.