Still here

I haven't had a lot to write about lately. I'm still here. The baby is still here. We're just hanging out waiting. I hate waiting.
The good news is my blood pressure has been pretty low lately, so we're not too concerned this week. I went on a walk on Thursday (almost 2.5 miles roundtrip) and one of Justin's friends called him asking why his pregnant wife was walking by herself up a busy road. Just trying to encourage this baby (and my body) that it's okay to go into labor.
I honestly can't think of anything else that's going on right now.
Pretty sad, I guess.

"Her children will arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

I feel impressed upon to inform the blogosphere about someone very special, my wife Melanie.
As anyone who reads this blog would know by now, she is pregnant. Not just a little pregnant, but fully ready to not be pregnant any more (anyone who has been pregnant can understand that point I'm sure). And though it has been a challenge and there have been hard times during the course of the past nine months, Melanie is an incredible woman who has endured it all well. She still manages to do many of the household chores, share the cooking with me (or the chefs at Su Casa), and work sometimes more than forty hours a week (at least until recently). I love her, and we are both anxious to meet our newcomer - hopefully sooner than later!

Tag

I was tagged twice... one takes too much time for right now. So, I'll do the 4-4-4. (This tag is where you go to the 4th file on your computer, you select the 4th picture, then you tag 4 people). Mine will be the 4-4. I'm not tagging, but you can do it if you want to.

This is Justin at Disneyland (toontown) during a work trip we went on in 2006.

Sooner or Later

My vote is sooner.

My blood pressure is starting to 'creep' up. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I borrowed an automatic blood pressure cuff from my mom, so we've been watching it creep up ever so slightly since my last doctor's appointment.

We've tried Cafe Trio's pizza, long walks, I got a massage hitting all of my 'pressure points' today, and smelling Clary Sage essential oil every chance I get, and we're also doing a few other methods that may induce labor. Except the castor oil, I haven't tried that, and I'm not sure I will.

I talked to one of the nurses at my clinic, and she said keep watching my blood pressure and if I have any other signs of preeclampsia to go to the hospital. I'll probably call my doctor (she was out today) tomorrow morning and see what she thinks. Either way, I guess I'm done working -at least full time. I worked about half a day today and I'm set up to make some phone calls and emails from home, but I'm supposed to be laying down a lot right now.

I don't think this baby is going to interrupt our Thanksgiving this year -unless he or she needs to eat.

Final Goodbyes

The funeral was very nice and a fitting farewell to Grandma. I don't really have much to add, but I wanted to post the obituary.

Ardith Moyle Chipman Petersen
Ardith Moyle Chipman Petersen 1933 ~ 2008

Early Monday morning, November 3, 2008, mom was able to gain freedom from her physical limits while under the watchful and caring eye of her daughter. Mom was born to parents Clarke and Asenath Moyle Chipman September 18, 1933 in Lehi, Utah. After moving to Magna and graduating from Cyprus High School, mom met and married dad, William DeWaine Petersen, in the Salt Lake Temple July 2, 1953.

In 1967 DeWaine was killed in a tragic car accident leaving mom, a young mother of five children, to raise them on her own. This was a responsibility mom took great pride and joy in. She was active in the Hunter 1st Ward of the LDS Church and held positions as Relief Society president, Primary president, teacher, Scout leader and other auxiliary positions. Later mom was involved with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers where she proudly shared her heritage. She was able to manage her home, church responsibilities, attend every sporting event, musical recital and performance of her children, and later her grandchildren, all while working full time.

Mom retired from Beehive Clothing as an auditor after 18 years of service. Of all the many accomplishments mom achieved, all pale in comparison to the joy and pride she had in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, totaling 25.

Survived by her five children: Karl (Judy), LeeAnn (Kim) Hardcastle, Paul, Karen (Wade) Leatham, Gregg (Barbara); 15 grandchildren; Annie (Ross), Melanie (Justin), Haley (James), Jodi, Gordon (Jessica), Matthew, Travis, Kyle, William, Jacey, Maxwell; great-grandchild, Elliott and one due in late November; sister-in-law, Deloris (Robert). Preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws, Van and Myrtle; brother, Bevan; nephew, Steve. We would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the compassionate care and endless support given to Mom and our family from the caring and warm staff, as well as the friends and residents of Highland Care Center, both in her healing and passing.

Proof

There have been more than a few comments made by some people that claim to not quite believe I'm pregnant. Here's the ONE photo that I have allowed taken of my pregnant belly. I know many of you will also comment that I'll regret not having pictures during this time. I appreciate your concern. However, I just don't believe you! I guess if in case I do eventually regret staying behind the camera as much as possible, I'll wish I had listened. But not today. Between a swollen (or bulbous -as some might call it) nose and face, acne like I've never had before, and swelling in ALL other areas, I'm content to not chronicle these days via pictures.

Here's ANOTHER reason why... the last two and a half weeks have brought on the feet swelling. Or, in the case of last night (I was up far to long cutting Justin's hair) the feet AND calf swelling.

The 'before' picture isn't the best, but please notice the defined difference between toes, feet, and ankle.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Entrances and Exits

I'll be honest, I was fully intending on participating in NaBloPoMo this year. Even though this baby is due anytime this month, I still figured I could post once a day. I came really close to posting Saturday night about the fun day I had with two baby showers, and hopefully I'll get around to that soon. As you can see... I will not be very successful at nablopomo this year, so I'm not going to try, but I'll catch up in 2009.

All day Sunday I was thinking about how we enter this life, and how we leave it. It seems like at those moments, the purpose of our lives is for other people, not ourselves. I'm sure this little baby will work his or her hardest to be birthed/born/delivered, whatever you want to call it, but I'll be honest, I'm pretty sure I'm going to work a bit harder. I've spent 9 months now (yes, 40 weeks, is pretty much 10 months) working towards this child's entrance into this life. I've tried to eat well, exercise, educate myself, and prepare for all of the physical needs the baby has when he or she is born. And labor... well, Justin and I will be working pretty hard during that time too. The baby has been working hard too -growing and developing, but once got the ball rolling (ie conception) nature pretty much takes over and things just happen that way.

When our time comes to exit this life, I feel like, in many cases, it's the same way. This may not be the case when the death is sudden, unexpected, or very quick, but for those that grow old and live through their bodies slowly shutting down or not working as they were designed to, I think a lot of the reasons for staying around is often for the benefit of others.

My grandma (my mom's mom) has been through more than her share of trials in this life. She is a very strong women, and has raised her children and been the head of her family for over 40 years since her husband passed away. Her physical body has been deteriorating for years, and she's been living in pain, for who knows how long. I think she has also been given more than her share of 'near death' experiences or episodes with her health. The family has spent many nights and days in various hospitals planning out last requests and funeral arrangements, and yet she has hung on.

In fact, she was very close to leaving us 2 years ago, and although no one would have begrudged her for passing, she came through and was able to see 3 of her grandchildren marry in the temple, and her first great-grandson was born.

This morning at 5:20 she was blessed to have the desire of her heart fulfilled and she peacefully and quietly passed away while her daughter (my mom) was by her side. Last night my mom was planning on spending the night and staying awake so she could make sure my grandma got the extra shots of morphine to keep her out of pain every 15 minutes. We (her family) warned her against staying up all night, and that wouldn't be good for her (my mom), but I think we all knew that's just what would happen.

I was up around 2 this morning with heartburn for about a half an hour and I was thinking about how similar birth and death were. I fully expect I will spend many nights awake during the entire night with sick children, feeding newborns, or worrying about teenagers that haven't returned home yet. And that's just what I'll do, give up my sleep and needs for others, which my mom was more than willing to do for her mother last night. Before I tried laying down again, I said a prayer that my grandma would be able to leave this life. If there was something (or someone) she felt like she needed to stick around for, I hoped and prayed that she would be able to let it go.

Although she will be missed dearly, I believe that she is with her eternal companion, my grandpa, who she has missed every day for far too long. She is no longer tethered to a body that will not do her bidding and she was able to see our child (and know if it's a little 'he' or a little 'she') before any of us. I feel very blessed by the legacy that she has left us with and know that she'll continue to watch over her family as much as she can.