Mid-Night Hospital Run

I decided that John and I needed practice going to the hospital. Well, really I thought my water was leaking and I was having contractions. We called P here some time before mid-night and when she got here we went to the hospital. 

The nurse on call did a fetal monitor which also monitored the contractions. Turns out I am having regular contractions, every seven minutes I have a big one and in between I have small ones. She did an exam and said that I'm not leaking fluid, I'm only dilated to 1 and he's not in position. I am partially effaced though - so I have that going for me.

So we were sent home. I'm supposed to try to get some rest, and maybe I can do that. I'm going to try at least. When I get up in the morning we'll count to see how far apart they are. When they're about 3 1/2 minutes apart I can go back to the hospital.

Right now the contractions are noticeable and the big ones are a little painful, but it's still very manageable. I'd like to think that I will eventually fall asleep.

June 10th

June 10th was the last day of school, I thought (it's actually the 9th). I told the baby that he could come on June 10th, or any day after. Recently when the pregnancy got difficult I began telling him that I'm full term on the 3rd and that he could come anytime after that. Today I found out why the pregnancy got so difficult. Here's my status update from Facebook: 


37 week check up: 
Ultrasound: check 
arrhythmia gone: check 
head down: check
size of abdomen (in weeks): 37 weeks 5 days
size of femur (in weeks): 38 weeks 5 days
size of head (in weeks): 39 weeks 3 days
weight of baby: 7.6 lbs
original due date: 6/24/2011

due date due to size of baby: 6/11/2011 

This kid is humongous! Do you "see" the size of his head?! I have to push that out of me! I could go into labor any day. My hopes are that he waits until the pump and diapers arrive. I also hope they arrive before next Friday. 

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.

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!

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.

A Moment

I have a moment, so I'll blog a moments worth.

Malachi's 4th ever swim lesson went really well today. They decided to put him with the beginner beginners. This was a good move. He did really well compared to the rest of the class, and I think that was very encouraging for him. He even jumped into the pool (holding onto the coaches hands) with a lot less reluctance than before. He didn't cry once, and there was very little choking on water. This was a very, very good lesson for him. Hopefully his next lesson will be good. Unfortunately that's not until Thursday the 28th because of the holiday/vacation.

Seizures update: no seizures in a while. I'm reluctant to say that, because every time I say that he has a seizure. However, after some blood work the Dr. increased his dosage of Valpakine to 250 mg 3x/day. We started that on Wednesday night, but even before that he'd been seizure free (partial and tonic clonic). I don't know if I'm comfortable yet, but I'm getting there. The medicine seems to have a very good side effect: he sleeps! He hasn't slept more than 8 or 9 hours a night in a long, long time. Keppra is said to cause light sleeping in children, apparently Valpakine works the other way and is stronger than the Keppra because he's now sleeping about 11 hours a night!

Simon is teething molars. I got a call at work the other day from P who said that Simon had been crying a lot that day and he felt really hot. Turns out he had a temperature of 100.6. His fever was gone later that night, and he seemed to be in a bit of a better mood. I knew he'd been getting ready to cut a molar or two, or four, so I checked and sure enough, he cut his lower left molar. I could tell that the second one was very, very close. He cut that one that night or early the next morning.

Teething with Simon is a bit weird. He's usually fine until the actual day of cutting. That day and for a while afterwards - about four days with a normal tooth, who knows with a molar - he's got the crankiness, lack of appetite, snotty nose, etc. So that's what we've been dealing with this week. Today, it seemed to be the worst for him because he wouldn't take his afternoon nap, so by 5:30 he was stupid tired and stupider hungry because he'd eaten very little. After a very rough dinner time, daddy took him to play in his room, which seemed to make him pretty happy. Once bed time came, he was really mad again. It didn't take long for him to go to sleep though!

John got lettuce plants today at EPA (think: Lowes or Home Depot) and planted them in our gardens. We now have approximately 16 heads of lettuce growing in our garden. Our dill, spinach, and zucchini are going to overtake other plants soon if we don't give a ton away/use it all. In fact...

Today a photographer came over to do some maternity shots. She's a friend from work and has this as a side business. She took pictures of the kids and grandkids on John's side last November and we really liked what came out of that. In fact...Simon's not had one year photos, so we might want to get in on that since he's already over 14 months.

She showed me some of the shots on her camera, and I'm anxiously awaiting some samples from her. I'm trying very hard to not bug her...especially since it's only been 81/2 hours since she left. Speaking of leaving...she left with a gallon size ziplock stuffed full of spinach and a spicy pepper. This might become a tradition, anyone who leaves, leaves with food.

The pregnancy is getting difficult. It's becoming increasingly difficult to do anything. Thank god for my maternity belt, which I'll get good use out of tomorrow at our Easter Egg Hunt. This is a work event, and I've been voluntold for crafts. I hate doing crafts...of all the things I could do that's what I hate the most. However, I like doing crafts at this event because it's the first thing on the schedule. I'll be able to enjoy the rest of the time half working half hanging/out with the kids. Also, this is my first time going to the DCM's (Deputy Cheif of Mission) residence, so that should be fun for me.

John and I are looking forward to our family vacation for Semana Santa (Holy Week). We leave mid-week and get home in time to be visited by the Easter Bunny - yay! This will be Simon's first conscious Easter, it should be fun.

And now my moment is over. John has requested I pick a movie, and so I shall.

Check Up

Saw the Dr. today. Blood pressure: good. Measurements: good. Weight: good (we think. his online chart system was down, so he didn't know for sure). I told him that I've felt some contractions lately and that they're sporadic, only hurt a bit, and usually just on one side (the right side normally, although the other night and tonight the pain was on the bottom half). He asked if the baby's moving and I said...a lot. He did an exam and said that it's definitely Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm not dilated, so I'm not in labor. I see him again in a month.

Breakdown

Today I had a breakdown. Not that I haven't had a few in the last eleven days,  but this was like a real breakdown. First came the stress cry that I got under control after only about five minutes (that's a really long time to cry), and then my body and especially my brain only did what was necessary. During the kids' naps I went to my "happy place." I was somewhat blissfully happy for a little bit because my brain wouldn't allow anything else. Then I returned to reality and fell into some crying, although this time instead of being in the "privacy" of the car with John and Malachi, I was at Malachi's school with all of his friends and their parents for the Valentine's Party/Presentation. It was very hard for me to control myself there. I almost wasn't able to do it a few times. My husband was gracious enough to make dinner (well he usually does, but I think he could sense my utter lack of willingness to do it) and after the kids went to bed I drew a bath, lit some candles, and read a book (my "happy place"). I've made it known that sometime soon I need dinner and a movie out with a girlfriend. I'm sure I'll get that with no contest.

Just for a quick update: Malachi's EEG went well. The Dr. will got the results to both tests tonight. We're apparently meeting with him on Thursday at 2:00 but were only informed of this through the Embassy nurse who was informed by our neurologist. I was supposed to bring him the previous test results (the ones done 19 months ago) but when I went to their office today it was closed...at 10:00 a.m. They don't hold normal office hours here...anyway, I digress. So he has nothing to compare them with because I have to work the next two days. Oh well. He'll tell us that there was nothing on the MRI and the EEG and we'll tell him that's what happened last time.

Simon's still teething the 8th tooth, which came in one day last week, but other than that, he's great. Thank God. #3 is moving a ton and I can even now feel him punch and kick at the same time. He's strong too, it's starting to get a bit...uncomfortable. Less than half way to go!

Children (all 3) Updates

Written Monday night:
Malachi got into the neurologist today at 2:00 p.m. I picked him up from school, which he wasn't very happy about (partly because he's afraid to go to any Dr. because there might be shots, partly because his friend told him that he was going to his house after school - wrong! Not even if there was no Dr. appointment would that happen), and we got to the Dr's office to early, so we walked to a nearby play ground.

We got to the office before John, who joined us about five minutes before the appointment was supposed to start. Fifteen minutes later a woman came out (I'm confused about this. He's a Pediatric Neurologist and her son was sitting alone in the waiting room...), and we were told to go in. He asked us about the event (his English isn't great and my Spanish isn't great, especially in the realm of medical terms, so he and John did most of the talking together), getting very specific, and I felt a little foolish getting into the position that Malachi was in, but once he got an idea of what happened he did a physical exam.

Written Tuesday night:
The physical exam was passed with flying colors, and the Dr. determined that we just needed to increase the amount of medicine that he's given. He gave us a Rx and scheduled an appointment for April (some Dr.'s here schedule their own appointments and then have you inform the receptionist when the appointment is) for another check up. He reassured us that Malachi's "attack" shouldn't cause us any concern, and we should proceed normally (although, who am I kidding, as much as I want to proceed normally, I'll always be watching out of the corner of my eye to see him, and straining my ear to hear him, and occasionally calling out his name if he's too quiet).

Then the best part of the appointment, the announcement that no testing was needed - not even blood tests! So...not only was he fine, but we didn't have to poke or prod! That's definitely the best part. We (Malachi and I) were dreading news of blood or other tests. There were cheers from the two of us!

We left the office, and celebrated the amazing results of the afternoon, and Malachi's great behavior by getting lunch for John and I and dessert for all three of us! Last night I was exhausted and even though that was the case, I didn't go to bed early enough. I did spend a great evening with my wonderful husband though.
Today at work, I was so tired. I had two meetings this morning, the second one running until almost 12:30. By the end of that I was very hungry and almost laying down on the table because my body was so heavy and hard to support. In the afternoon, I chose to go to a meeting just so I wouldn't fall asleep at work.

We left work a bit early so I could make it to an appointment that I had at 5:00 p.m. When I (finally - they always run really late) got into the office, and switched to English after the greetings so I could speak my mind better, I started with I'm exhausted, and he said I look it - I believe him.

We talked about my few questions, and he did the exam: measure the belly, take the blood pressure, listen to the heart beat, weigh the big fat preggo. I say big fat preggo because I gained 3 1/2 kilos this month!! For those not familiar with the metric system that's 7.71617918 pounds! That's way too much for one month and he said the only reason he's not killing me is because so far I'd lost almost that much. My net gain in half the pregnancy is only half a kilo.

I think I may have eaten a few too many Thin Mints this month (who am I kidding, I've had almost five boxes worth in five months...and that's not a joke).

I go in again in about five weeks and get to have another sonogram! I love seeing the baby! I also love that they're not as rigid as Dr.'s in the States about how many times I have to go in. It's cheaper this way.

Oh, and real quick...Simon's improving. He's eating more, and sleeping better.

Not Yet 4 1/2 Months

I'm not yet 4 1/2 months into my pregnancy. However, I'm showing quite well, I too easily tire out, I get sore in so many places after a day of work (or after standing for a while), my belly hurts when placing Simon in the crib, etc.

On the other hand...I can feel him moving around a lot. I love that part! It doesn't hurt to have him move, or sit up top like he does. I love knowing that he's growing and doing well.

Also, I think we've picked a name...and no, I won't tell you what it is. We have to have ONE secret!

New Stuff

Becky at Small Bits is hosting the roundup this week. The theme is "new stuff."

Of course I got a lot of new stuff for Christmas, I made out like a bandit actually. And my blog background is new (this was a coincidence, I did the new background a few days ago). But the best "new stuff" that I'll be getting in 2011 is my little boy.

I've been feeling him move more lately. I got my eyebrows waxed yesterday and when I laid flat on the table, I felt him climb as high as he could and go as close to the front as he could. It was the first time I felt him strongly. It was a bit of a weird sensation actually. Not weird because I've never felt it before, but weird because I felt such a strong movement so early in the pregnancy.

Speaking of early in the pregnancy, I'm already pushing the limits of my shoes and boots. I can't believe that at 17 weeks my shoes were too tight.  This pregnancy has been so different from the other two.

Besides the biggest and best new thing that I'll get in 2011, I'm going to get a lot of little new things in the upcoming days. I'm so excited to buy things in the States again. Thing is...where we're posted, a lot of what I'm buying will be cheaper in the States than it is in Costa Rica.

I may not blog much, if at all in the next week or so. But a lot of my readers will be sick of me by then!

Check Up

John, Malachi and I headed over to my OB's office yesterday to check on the baby, the previously mentioned placenta issue, and of course to find out the sex.

My OB lets the other Dr's in the practice to most of the ultrasounds (apparently they're better at it), so I met one of the other Dr's and she did our ultrasound. I was only 15 weeks 5 days, and he wasn't cooperating as much as she would've liked but we did get glimpses of HIS "stuff" if you will a couple of times. We laughed as we realized that we would have three boys in the house. Malachi was mad - he wanted a sister. I assured him that a little brother is way more likely to rough house than a little sister. I think that helped a little.

The rest of the ultrasound went well. The placenta is in a great position - couldn't be better actually. And the check up with my Dr went well. I didn't have any questions - it's my third, I feel pretty confident right now. He did my vitals and checked the heartbeat for himself. The one odd thing this check up...I've lost more weight. I lost about a pound in the last month, making it a loss of about 7 1/2 lbs. How I lost weight over the holidays and with barely exercising I have no idea! If I continue to lose weight, I'll have to eat more and I don't know how that will be possible! However, this month, I'm supposed to do business (eat like I was) as usual. I got a DVD of the whole ultrasound, and I'll see if I can somehow get the file online.

It seems the boys are getting sick. All three of them have some kind of congestion. John's well enough to be at work, and the boys seem fine right now, we'll see how it progresses. I really hope if Simon has a sinus thing it goes away in time for the flight next week.

What flight, you ask? Well...I'm going home! I'm going to visit my family and celebrate my mother's birthday. I can't wait to go to MN, and I can't wait for food. FOOD! Good (but really probably bad) food. With the cold weather, staying inside and sitting around all the time, and all the eating I'm going to do, I imagine I'll gain a bit of weight in the States.

What the What?!

Ok, so John and I wanted to get pregnant and have a baby while we were in Costa Rica. We thought since it usually takes us a bit over a year to get pregnant we'd finish the pill after my August supply. So we did. And three weeks later he impregnated me!

When I told John I was pregnant he was in a state of disbelief. There was about five "what?!"'s and a bunch of "you're kidding me"'s thrown in between. He then asked to see the test for proof.

Yep honey...it's true. We're going to have another baby. A whole year before we thought we would. Of course I was ecstatic immediately, I think John was in shock for about a week.

I had a six week sonogram to see the baby, confirm the due date, and we got to see the heart beat which was only about a day or two old. So cool! I'm really excited about this one. It's going to be great to have a baby overseas.

5 Days and Yes, I Am Counting

John has a three day weekend this weekend with President's Day on Monday the 15th. He can't take leave during the birth/homecoming of the baby because we'd lose per diem for the apartment and would have to pay for it ourselves the days we use leave. Since we're certainly not doing that, I decided that the three day weekend was too good to pass up.

So after discussing it with John, and then after we discussed it with the Dr at last week's appointment we decided to schedule an induction. I got a call from the Dr's office on Friday morning saying that I'm scheduled for the induction on Friday morning at 9am. I have to go in on Thursday night to spend the night to do some pre-induction stuff. We're to arrive there at 8:00pm Thursday night. There's a small chance that the medication they give me on Thursday night can actually send me into labor, but I'll probably take some Benadryl that night to make sure I sleep. Otherwise I don't imagine that sleep will come easily with all that excitement.

Malachi's very excited about spending the weekend with our friend. I don't know what they'll do all weekend, and I feel for my friend who doesn't have a car, but she's usually really good with Malachi so I bet she can think of something.

With the snowstorm this weekend, we've spent almost all weekend inside. The boys ventured outside on Saturday and then yesterday we went out with some friends to do some sledding. I was outside for maybe 45 minutes and from all the walking around and going through snow I was really sore. The government is closed today so John has the day off. So far it's been just like any other weekend day and it's been very confusing for me.

Snow, snow, and, more snow

We have another big snow storm in the forecast for this weekend. It's supposed to start snowing today and not stop until late tomorrow. We're looking at over 10 inches and possibly up to 20 in isolated areas. Then we're supposed to have more snow next week and more again next weekend. It looks like we're likely to have a slow and snowy drive to the hospital when I finally go into labor.

I'm now 11 days away from my due date. I could really go into labor any day and would think it quite funny (although maybe not at the moment) if I went into labor during the snow storm this weekend.

John and I are now in touch with the FSO that John's replacing this summer, and I've been able to contact his wife. I hope that I'll be able to get lots of information from her. I'm getting so excited to go! John talking to his new boss down there, and we said we'd like to go there in the third week of April. So as long as the baby cooperates with his arrival time, we should be arriving in Costa Rica 10 weeks from now! That's so close, and I can't wait!

Let the countdown begin!

I would've posted this yesterday except but I wanted John's happy birthday post to be the only one.

I'm now 13 days away from my due date. I'm seeing the Dr. today, next Wednesday the 10th, and Monday the 15th. I really hope I'm not still pregnant on the 15th, but we'll see. If nothing else, then I'll be induced no later than the 23rd. That means that I will have him in 20 days or less.

I have to admit though, I'm so ready for him to show his face. I feel like I've been pregnant for so long and waiting so long for him and now that it's so close it seems unreal.

The last couple of weeks I've started to get nervous about labor and delivery. Not about anything going wrong, more like, I won't know when I'm in labor because I didn't start naturally with Malachi, or I won't be able to keep track of my contractions. Really, I'd prefer it if my water would break to let me know.

Malachi hasn't been sleeping very well at night. John and I are starting to explore the idea that it's time to stop naps pretty soon. I think we're going to wait for a bit because it'll be nice to have a couple of hours during the day when I can still nap. I'm a firm believer in "quiet time" for kids once they're done napping. I think we'll have Malachi sit in his room and read books, or play quietly with his toys. That way mom and dad will have some time everyday to chill and make sure we're not going crazy. :)

Snow Day

It snowed all day yesterday and into the night. Church was cancelled today due to the fact that all Arlington buildings were closed. Don't think we would've made it to church anyway. I slept in until 10am this morning. Thank you John! It was weird though because when I looked at my clock it said 9 o'clock. I was surprised to find that it was an hour behind. Don't know how that happened. Or when that happened. Does that mean that I went to sleep at 2:11 last night after finishing my book instead of 1:11 like I thought?

Last night I packed the hospital bags. I had started the baby's a while ago. I put a few more things in there and packed for John and I, except our toiletries of course.

Some friends are coming over later today to help me clean and organize in preparation for John's big party on Tuesday. Part of the help I need involves organizing baby stuff because it's strewn all over our bedroom which is where we can do some party over flow and people can use the restroom, so I want to make sure it looks good too.

Malachi has been amazing lately. He's at an age where he learns so much so quick. Yesterday he was learning how to tell time on a wall clock that isn't digital. He's been learning about it on his little digital clock, but it was so much fun to see him learning about the small hand and big hand of the clock.

I don't know if he understands how close we are to bringing home his little brother. I've been pregnant for so long, I wonder if he thinks this baby is ever coming out. I think he'll be amazing when his brother comes home though. Malachi's such a caring young boy. I know he'll love his brother so much.

I've decided and have told God that the best day for me to have our son is Friday Feb 12th. John has a long weekend that weekend, so if I went into labor after 2pm on that day - it would be great. Of course I know that no matter when he comes, it will be great. I'm just so excited!!!!!

I am alive!

My mother in law called me recently to see how I was doing. She noticed I'd been very silent on my blog the last few days.

I have had some very blog worthy things happen the last few days, but I haven't had a computer to blog with. We've been not so patiently waiting for the arrival of our new netbook. It arrived today! I now have a computer that I can do more than update my Facebook status and read my emails with. BTW my phone makes for a horrible computer.

Since I last blogged, I've had two Dr appointments, almost fell asleep during worship at church, had a surprise baby shower at mom's group, and got a few more things done for the arrival of the baby. You'll notice, I didn't put on there that I had the baby.

Nope. Not yet. I'm also not patiently waiting for that. I'm trying though. I know it's good for him to be in there as long as possible. I also know that I can for sure say that he'll be with us no later than the 23rd of February, because my Drs don't let their patients carry more than 41 weeks. I'm really hoping to go into labor naturally though, and avoid the pitocin. I hate pitocin - it's evil.

The surprise baby shower with my girl friends in mom's group was so great. My friend Elissa is due three weeks and one day after I am, so they did a joint shower for us both. We're all hoping that I'll have the baby before the next mom's group meets because I'm so ready for this son of mine to show his face. I don't want to be pregnant on the 9th. We both got some great gifts - I'm going to make one of the outfits his wear home outfit because the pants match a pair of pants that Malachi has and I can't wait to see them wearing the same pants and take lots of pictures of that! Our friends prayed over us before we parted and that was such a blessing for both of us. Neither of us is having a first child (this is her third) so both of us are understandably tired and overwhelmed by the responsibilities to our families and our pregnancies. The prayers brought so much peace for both of us.

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday. The exam showed that I'm still as pregnant as can be and have not started any kind of labor. I was really hoping she'd tell me I'd started dilating or effacing, but oh well. He'll come...eventually. :) I have all my appointments scheduled through my pregnancy. My last appointment is scheduled for the day before my due date. If we're not in labor by that day, I'm sure they'll schedule an induction. Please, please pray that I don't have to be induced. Like I already said: pitocin = evil.

On the Foreign Service front: John got his orders and we also got our housing survey. The two of us are now deciding what our priorities are for housing. Some are obvious of course like security. I've also started research into schools. It looks like we have some pretty good options. I should also find a pediatrician and a neurologist for Malachi. I'm probably going to have to bring the baby to the pediatrician shortly after we move down there for a check up. It all seems like its getting more real, oh and BTW we're moving to post in mid-April. John has to work out with his boss exactly what day, but it looks like we'll be down there in about 12 weeks. I'm so excited!!

Baby Shopping

Today we went to Wal Mart to use some gift cards that we got at our shower in Dallas. We had quite a few things left on our list. We knocked some of them off the list today.

While it's exciting to have done that, I discovered how much I really hate Wal Mart. Since I don't feel like totally reliving the experience, I'll make this brief. It was really crowded, dirty, didn't have some things that I thought would be basic for furnishing a baby room, and had really long lines. The only upside: a helpful woman in the baby section. Unfortunately, still not helpful enough. We did save about $80 because we didn't buy them at Babies R Us, but it's not a fair estimation because some of the things are different sizes: diapers, wipes, etc.

Tonight I packed the baby's hospital bag. I started packing a lot of stuff that I ended up taking out of the bag because I know that the hospital will have it. In the bag, I left: onesies, socks, diapers, diaper creme, and wipes.

I guess I could pack a bag for us soon. If this pregnancy goes the way that the other one did then I'll need my smaller maternity clothes for after the delivery. Unfortunately they're not for the right season. I might be wearing some baggy clothes on the way home.

The last couple of days I've felt something pointy pointing my belly. Without knowing for sure, I'm assuming that it's an elbow. It's possible it's a knee, but there's really no way to tell. Then tonight when I was making dinner I felt something move inside and put my hand on the belly. It was something small and softer than the joint I've been feeling. I'm guessing a hand or foot. I never got to this point in my pregnancy with Malachi and amongst all the unfun stuff I've been going through these last few weeks, it's been a lot of fun to experience these little things.

The cold that won't go away...and other stuff

Remember the cold that I had a couple of weeks ago? Well it seems that Malachi did catch it and it was dormant until a few days ago. This cold never seemed to bring his spirits down, and on the first day that he was pretty sick, I had to work at keeping him laying down and watching t.v. He never seemed to get much of a fever if any at all, and he's barely coughing now. He is still suffering from nasal congestion and is still blowing some pretty colors (she says sarcastically). We skipped church today to keep his cold with in the family (hopefully). Malachi was supposed to graduate to the next class up today with his friend Kimberly, who I'm sure is very sad he's gone from church, again.

Yesterday morning we went to Costco with a couple who is moving to Ecuador in May and wanted to start stocking up with things that they need to bring down with them. We spent quite a while walking through the warehouse, but fortunately for me it was at such a slow pace that I didn't have too much of a hard time. I did take a break in the furniture section at one point, but so did the rest of the group. I found a leather chair and ottoman that I really like and would be good for nursing, and would serve to be just an awesome chair for our furniture collection (and would really be the first thing we bought for our furniture collection since we gave away our old living room furniture). I didn't get the chair and ottoman, but I did get a pack of socks! I've needed new socks for a while. I probably should've just gotten two new packs of socks and thrown away the old socks that are now hole-y. We went to a restaurant for dinner with them called City Diner. None of us had been there, and only two of us liked their food. I don't think Malachi liked his food either. But we were all really hungry and ate the food, even if we didn't like it. I'm happy for the two that did like it though, at least we all weren't eating food we didn't like.

After a short nap for Malachi and I we went to a couple's house (with their knowledge of Malachi's cold, and permission to bring him over) to have dinner and games with them while the kids played and watched movies. We've known this wonderful couple for over seven years now and have enjoyed living near them again, if even for a short time. We don't get to see them often enough and we really enjoyed our time last night. The adults sat in the living room for dinner and the kids sat in the dining room. After John and I had both finished our dinner and were enjoying the fellowship with our friends, we heard one of their kids yelling out to us that Malachi did something, to which he yelled out to us that he puked.

I took him to the bathroom to clean up, and asked him what happened. He replied that he took too big of a bite and choked on his food. He's done this once before...when he was two. I know that he didn't learn from this lesson because this morning he ate half of his clementine in one bite. /sigh

I'm really loving that John has tomorrow off. I wonder what we'll do...probably hang out and rest, my favorite thing to do right now.

My due date is in less than a month, weird, and cool. I love that he's chillaxing and growing and waiting until he's ready to come out. I'm still looking forward to a normal labor and delivery.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I love you!!