One or the other

Well... if I don't have a baby on Thanksgiving... I'll at least have cute toes.

And really bad breath.

(This is the Cafe Trio pizza rumored to induce labor. Yes, those are mushrooms and whole garlic cloves. Neither are my favorite, but I'm trying anything and everything at this point).

An early christmas

I'm debating on whether or not I should get my Christmas decorations out this week. I really enjoy Christmas and Christmas decorations, but I'm also a firm believer in ONE HOLIDAY AT A TIME. Which means, you don't start decorating for the next holiday until the previous one is finished (I know I'm not the only one who feels strongly about this). By ALL means, put up your outside lights before it snows, but I think there should be some city ordinance against turning them on before Thanksgiving.

Back to MY dilemma. I've been looking forward to decorating for Christmas since we moved into our home in May (that might be because it will actually look like I've done some decorating in general, I'm apparently the complete opposite of my sister-in-law who moved in 2 weeks ago and her house looks like a picture out of a magazine -that's a compliment Jes -just in case that wasn't clear). I'm afraid that if I wait until after Thanksgiving, that I'll be a little preoccupied with trying to figure out a baby, and the decorating won't happen. Okay... to tell you the truth, I'm actually MORE afraid that I'll find myself STILL pregnant after Thanksgiving, but that's another story.

I brought it up with Justin last night, and he didn't think it was such a great idea. I'm almost done with Christmas shopping (I need about 3 or 4 more gifts, and a couple of those are actually birthday presents) but he wasn't too excited about early decorating. I tried to convince him that all of the going up and down the stairs and putting up decorations may actually induce labor. I don't think he's convinced, but he did tell me that his 'book' said I would want to clean all of the time, and THAT'S not happening.

He's right, the nesting stage either missed me, or didn't include an obsession to clean. I'm not sure if I ever feel that absolute need to clean. Too bad for us, and our house. Luckily I have a willing husband who gives in, and has been doing far more than his fair share of cleaning.

Either way, don't judge me if I have a Christmas Tree up at my house soon. I promise I won't turn the lights on.

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.