Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Contractions

I get a little active, like...walking to a restaurant across the street from the Embassy...walking to the bathroom...standing up, I might have a contraction, or maybe even a few. Sometimes it feels like I'm having a contraction just sitting there.

Unfortunately these contractions are like the road to nowhere. I'm not in labor, and as far as I can tell, he's still high in my torso and head up or horizontal. His movement seemed infrequent today compared to previous days, but I suppose that's to be expected when he's getting so big.

The pregnancy is getting harder and harder. I feel bad for John who is taking on more and more at the house after working hard at work. This is one of those times that I'm so glad we have a nanny/maid.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

3 weeks 6 days

Until my due date. He's welcome to come any day after Friday (the 3rd). I have to do a few things yet like pack a hospital bag, and have P wash the NB and 0-3 mo. clothes. We have to arrange the two cribs in the nursery so we can get to the clothes.

The last two births at the Embassy (both within the last three weeks) have been very quick. Neither of them had time for an epidural, and one of them didn't even have the Dr. present because it was so quick (one almost didn't have a Dr present). Part of me thinks it would be nice to have it happen so quick, part of me is scared to deliver a full size baby with no drugs.

I filled in at work for my co-worker this last week and my body is exhausted. Thank God for a three day weekend!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

We interrupt...

the very important work project to give you this post.


I'm working on something really important at work, so of course I can't concentrate on it. I'll be honest, the project is scaring the crap out of me. I'm writing the speech for the Ambassador for our Hail & Farewell party (a yearly event welcoming newcomers and sending away departing employees with love). A lot of people think it's not a big deal, and they're probably right. She's going to take what I write, chew it up, and spit it out anyway, but good lord! Some people know I'm writing this, and I don't want it to just be adequate. I want it to be amazing. I want her to have to not chew it up and spit it out.

I don't know where this drive (to have a great product - not so much to do it quickly) came from. This is not how I was in High School, or the two years I spent in Bible college. I think John might be an influence though. It's a bit encouraging and scary for when I start school because I know that I'll want to hand in great quality work, but it will probably take me a long time to do it!

The good thing about this project is that the people I've been asking for help have been very helpful today. Thank you people!!

Baby update: Friday I'll be 34 weeks along which means I'm 3 weeks and 2 days from being full term - yikes! The bassinet is set up in our room, and the crib is ready in the nursury. The only necessary tasks we have left to do are buy diapers, wash his clothes, and pack the hospital bag. Wow...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day

I had an amazing Mother's Day. I was left alone until after 8:00 to read and watch T.V. in the room (this is actually normal for a Sunday, but it was still nice). As I was reading my book I heard the noise of the waffle maker and started preparing myself for a delicious breakfast.

The kids and the husb came to greet me and Malachi brought his gifts from school. I figured one was a frame, and I was right. I'll have to put a picture of the two of us in it. I might have to take a picture of the two of us. Then what I thought was a simple card turned out to be a poem that was tear inducing. He read it, and even though I know (having been an Elementary school student myself) that the teachers told him what to write, it still touched me enough to make me cry - and I had a hard time stopping. But I got myself under control enough to eat said delicious breakfast - and it was very delicious.

My in-laws were flying into town yesterday so we spent the rest of the morning preparing the house and our selves for their arrival, even the kids got showers! John and Malachi picked them up and brought them home, and we hung out for a few hours.

John, his dad, and Malachi went to a birthday party and the girls and Simon went grocery shopping for the week. We hung out at the house, and after the party the girls and Simon met the boys at a restaurant for dinner, which was closed. As was the next restaurant we tried, so...we went to the food court. Lame. It was supposed to be our treat to my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. So, we did buy for her, but we're going to make it up later.

After we got home the kids went to bed and the adults played a game. It's fun to play games with adults, it doesn't happen here, so we were missing that.

Really, a great day.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Blah

Can I be frank? This pregnancy is getting on my nerves. I'm in a lot of pain lately. I keep telling myself that I get to meet him soon and it will all be worth it. But that's so hard to think of during the pain.

7 weeks and 2 days until my due date.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Roundup

I haven't done a roundup post in a long time. But I'm feeling a bit out of the loop, so here we go.

This week's theme is holiday ceremonies. We just had what is called by the Catholics in Latin America (or maybe just Central America), Semana Santa (translated Holy Week). Costa Rica had two National Holidays on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Except for Easter Services on Easter (Pascua in Spanish) it's become a week to take vacations. We had to work on Monday and Tuesday (because we took Wednesday off, but normally we'd have to work Wednesday as well), but the traffic was so light...driving around was a joy, and a breeze...literally. With the traffic moving so quickly the windows were open and the breeze was coming through.

So this year we decided to adhere to local tradition and go on vacation. It dawned on us that it was the first time we've taken a vacation without guests since May or June, and it's the longest vacation we've taken since we got here.

We had a great time. There was beach time, and pool time, and food time, and sleep time...for three nights, and when you factor in travel time, about 3 1/2 days. We all had an amazing time. We left on Saturday to be home in time for the Easter bunny to visit and thought that we'd beat traffic because everyone would be going home on Sunday. HA! The InterAmerican Highway was horrible. But once we reached the Autopista (the main highway going East/West from San Jose to the East Coast), it was smooth sailing because they opened all lanes to go East bound. It was really freaky the first few times to find ourselves heading Eastbound in the Westbound lanes. Especially on bridges. But we adjusted and then enjoyed the freedoms (and breezes) that having two to four lanes brought verses one to two. My friend came home from a different beach on Sunday and said there was no traffic. Oh well...We had a great time Here on Easter.

Easter here was a normal American Easter. Egg hunting, brunch made by the hubby, and good times with our family. Oh, and lots of candy eating.

We might not be here for Semana Santa next year, but if we are, I feel we might not be traveling because it would be so close to our departure.