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"Any day now..."

I can't complain, but it's a very strange feeling... It's true, and has been for a week or so now, that our little one could healthily make his appearance any day now... but it doesn't always feel that true. Our pastors have joked that we now understand why childbirth is used as analogy for the coming of Christ... even if it doesn't feel so imminent, it really could be any time, and we're just waiting for that new life to start, wondering at the great mysteries it will hold, hardly knowing what to do until then... yep. pretty good analogy. I can see why the New Testament Christians had to be told to get on with their lives in the mean time! It's strange to go to bed each night not knowing whether you'll sleep through the night this time, or wake up to something crazy and new. What I plan to do the next day almost seems insignificant.

Anyway. That being said, I sure don't feel like as much of a ticking time bomb as maybe I should. I've been feeling like I'm just as likely to be weeks away as a day away, so I'm trying to be patient. I've been doing pretty well at that, too, until my doctor shocked me by offering (ok, scheduling) me an induction almost a week before my due date for no reason. What??! Needless to day I declined (I'll spare you the plethora of reasons I hope to avoid having labor induced).  But that was a bit discouraging and stressful to me for some reason. I don't want to feel like we're an expiring carton of milk! But I'm hopeful we won't have to deal with that issue again and my son will get some timeliness from the McDiffett side of the family. ;)

So here we are though, waiting. We suppose we're just about as ready as we'll ever be... ;)  The house is coming along quite nicely. Would you like to join me in looking at it to pass the time? I'll post some before and after pictures just for fun (and dramatic effect).

And here's what I think will be my last little survey-update.

How far along? 38 Weeks. For the record, "typical" gestations are between 38-42 (or even 37-42), so I'm really just toward the beginning of that window. So patience it is!
Total weight gain/loss: ~20 lb. hey that's more like it!

Best moment this month: seems like it's been so long, hm...I guess in general it's been good to feel like we're "coming along," both with house stuff and the closeness of baby's arrival. the house is a lot more tangible though. haha.
Miss Anything? sleeping without rib or hip pain? ;)
Food cravings: Artichokes are finally on sale at Save Mart! and this morning I baked my FAVORITE muffin mix (blueberry streusel, however it's spelled). and we had macaroni grill recently. Good food week.
Belly Button in or out? Out... and I'm starting to wonder if it will ever be the same again ;)
Wedding rings on or off? On still. blessed with no swelling.
Emotions:  ?  (hah)
Weekly Wisdom: I really don't know any better than you do how close we really are to baby... though I'm pretty sure I've asked that of my almost-due friends before ("any indications of how soon?") maybe soon I'll have a better answer than "who knows" ;) but then again...Who knows. :D

Weekly Confession: you already got that, up there ^
Looking forward to: Starting life with baby. (Scott and I are both really looking forward to his paternity leave!! haha)

(And here's a few baby shower pictures, at 36ish weeks)

such a cute woodlandy theme :)

kicking for Nana and Mema

The lovely hostess!!

34 Weeks

First a few pictures...

Church shower--Mexico themed :D

Gracias to these 2 ladies for putting it on, with such fun decor & games...

...and to this one for all the delicious food! (baby seconds that)

34 weeks--thanks Carolyn for the pictures!!

How far along? 34 Weeks--just 3 weeks from "full term" and 6 from due date
Total weight gain/loss: about 15 lbs
Maternity clothes? yep. and non-tying shoes ;) still fit in some of my shirts tho

Best moment this month: Showers and setting up his room & things all prepped & sorted have been so great! and feeling his squirming... except when he hits my ribs & bladder ;)
Miss Anything? simple things like laying on my stomach to read... :P
Food cravings: Last night at 9 (after dinner & birth class) we went to IHOP to satisfy my husband's sympathy craving for all-you-can-eat pancakes. tho i put down a combo & a harvest grain n nut pancake pretty easily myself
Anything making you queasy or sick: not much... but strangely Scott has reported a thing or two that have turned his stomach lately. haha.
Have you started to show yet: um... ya. this reminds me though, i want to try to take a video of the little guy showing himself by poking out of my belly! it's pretty strange.
Belly Button in or out? quite out!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Emotions:  I've a bit been more needy/clingy/dependent towards Scott lately... he likes it ;)
Weekly Wisdom: Birth classes are more entertaining when your instructor is British ;)

Weekly Confession: Baby clothes (sizes) are pretty confusing to sort!
Looking forward to: Am I a broken record yet? more than ever I'm looking forward to when the birth is over, and we get our first moments with our son!  Scott has been more impatient than I am though ;) 

Loved this shower activity idea!

muchas pregnant girls... and we're missing one more due valentines day.

Bedding set, a little nursery sneak-peek ;)

Two months to go (if that)!!

Well, December has been a whirlwind--for that matter, what happened to November? Goodness. Not only is this year ending so quickly, we are officially less than 2 months from my due date!! I'm not too panicked yet. but who knows, we may get there. For now I'm looking forward to spending January doing a little more relaxing, and preparing for our lives to change completely... no big deal. ;) 

How far along? 30 weeks (actually 31 maybe, but I prefer even #'s)
Total weight gain: between 10 & 15
Maternity clothes? finally got some for Christmas! especially loving the elastic-paneled jeans, ahhhh....
Best moment lately: getting the crib set up and staring at it nightly, Scott having a break from work, house progress, and the bony elbows & knees & feet always make me smile (except when they poke my ribs)
Miss Anything? Someone mentioned ice skating today... that would be fun. but i think i'm definitely in the awkward-balance stage.
Food cravings: Orange juice still sometimes...fruit maybe
Anything making you queasy or sick:  occasionally the thought that we're really gonna have a baby in 2 months! eek! :P
Have you started to show yet: This weekend I've got more comments than ever that I'm "really popped out/getting bigger/looking pregnant all of a sudden!" Hey, I can't help that my third trimester conveniently corresponds to the biggest eating holidays! :P
Gender prediction:  It's a boy, and I'm quite happy about it. Though I'm determined there will be a McDiffett girl ONE day!! (Our sis in law is also having another boy ;) )
Belly Button in or out?  outie! In fact I think it caught a crumb (outside my shirt) the other night... is that TMI?
Wedding rings on or off? On, no trace of swelling yet.
Happy or Moody most of the time: As if a pregnant woman's (any woman's) emotions could be summarized in two words. hah. I'm happy tho.
Weekly Wisdom: We really need to take a birth class of some sort...

Weekly Confession: We really need to take a birth class of some sort...
Looking forward to: Holding him.  

28 Weeks (~6 months)

Can't believe I'm almost (depending) to the last 10 weeks of this pregnancy. Nuts! One fun thing lately is that, according to some "your pregnancy this week" thing, the decrease in amniotic fluid means I'm suddenly able to start feeling little baby parts more distinctly! They're right, I've really been feeling bony little feet or elbows or hands or maybe a head poking me in the ribs and sticking out funny in my belly. Strange and fun!

28 weeks, dressed for Scott's company Christmas party. (It's not a green screen--it's little boy's room!)

How far along? 28 Weeks--Third trimester already, eek!
Total weight gain/loss: About 10 pounds
Maternity clothes? Finally got some shirts! (Thanks, Mom-in-law :) ) more to come.
Stretch marks? I've decided this question is a bit awkward...Cause it's not just the belly that grows, ya know. ha

Best moment this month: Long-overdue relaxation time at the beach for Thanksgiving with family. I think the little guy really enjoyed all the tasty food, down time, and (at least I think) mom being in such a happy mood all the time.
Miss Anything? Currently living without a kitchen sink or oven, although we do have cabinets now!! yay
Food cravings: Yesterday I had like 3 cups of orange juice and 2 oranges
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, but my stomach holds slightly less than it used to...someone's starting to crowd it.
Have you started to show yet: Yep. Enough for people's comments now ;) I love it when people who haven't seen me in a while go "Oh! You've gotten...er, well, you're showing more now, huh?" :P
Belly Button in or out?  out now :)
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Content.
Weekly Wisdom: (going to double up on the "confession instead") It's strange to register for things involving a person you've never really met, and a job you've never really done before! (so far we're partially registered, Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. May add or remove a few things once we finish at Target)

Weekly Confession: Lately I have not been as good about trying to eat mainly nutritious things and minimize the other stuff (dessert definitely more often than normal these days)... pretty much been eating whatever I feel like, although today I felt a little like a bad mom for eating a bowl of captain crunch. haha.
Looking forward to: Meeting the little guy, and in the mean time, NESTING ;)

24 weeks

Finally got around to posting this! Sorry it's been a bit. Well well well, as you may have heard, it's a BOY!!  It was quite fun seeing him on the ultrasound at my 20 week appointment, kicking his little legs and wiggling.

20 weeks--It's a boy!

How far along? 24 weeks. I guess that's 5 months? at least of his actual existence (minus first 2 weeks). though the month thing is actually a touch more confusing than weeks to me.
Total weight gain/loss: about 6 or 7 pounds now :)
Maternity clothes? mm, still fine in most of my old clothes...but contemplating maternity pants soon.
Stretch marks? no?
Best moment lately: it's been fun feeling the little guy move so often these days. and good to start to see the light at the end of our house-tunnel, hehe.
Miss Anything? Artichoke season... hah
Food cravings: well I'd love a good artichoke... but not much else specific
Anything making you queasy or sick: nah. but occasionally my stomach gets nervous when I'm struck with how soon I'll have a baby, and how crazy different life will be!
Have you started to show yet: yep! a home depot worker yesterday was the first stranger to ask me how far along I was when she saw me touch my belly.
Belly Button in or out? shrinking and squinting but still kinda flat 
Wedding rings on or off? on. no swelling here so far! :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: in general the whole month of October has been a pretty stressful one and not always that pleasant--the house has been keeping things pretty crazy on top of normal semi-busy life. but so far i think November is looking up.
Weekly Wisdom:  Write things down. not just sentimental things, i mean--my little weekly planner is quickly becoming an extension of my brain. Without it i'd wake up most mornings like "Well... I'm sure there was something I was planning to do today." It even helps me remember what I've already done... haha

Weekly Confession: perhaps the strangest thought for me when it comes to adjustment to motherhood is a change in my independence. I won't glorify independence as some great thing like some would, but either way, it does fit me much more than I've thought. I think even from toddlerhood I was perfectly happy to entertain myself much of the time, and despite the fact that I do love being with people, I also enjoy having time just to myself (even "to myself" with others around, if that makes sense), and for the majority of my life I've had quite a bit of it. It's going to be very different having someone both so constantly with me and so dependent on me--I really have had nothing to compare it to thus far (a cat doesn't even come close, haha). I think I will enjoy it--but it will be very new.
Looking forward to: moving in to the new place, nesting, baby showers, and finally meeting the little guy!

24 weeks, in baby's new room (before paint)!

a few new milestones :)

Quite a bit of new things to report since i last wrote! And yet, life has barely slowed down long enough for me to post.

Ireland was wonderful. Seriously, if you've ever debated going, just go. You'll love it. So beautiful, lovely people, and so much to see! Only I'll warn you, you're most likely going to wish you'd gotten to spend more time there ;)  It was so great to hang with Heather and her family, as well as to get to see Laura (think we really have spent more time together abroad than at home) and the wedding of dear Stefanie and Mitchell in Germany. Way too much goodness in one trip, and so little time since to sort and post pictures! :( 

Since we got back from Ireland (and after I finally got through the bulk of jet lag), we had TMC's Outreach Week to prepare for and direct (thanks so much to the 12 students who came up from Master's, and got so much work done around church! And to all those who helped with hosting and otherwise taking care of them). Even crazier, on Monday of last week, we closed escrow on our new house! So for the times we weren't working with the TMC team, we were in demolition and decision mode at the house. So far we've torn out cabinets and a sofet (sp) in the kitchen, jack-hammered out some tile, even torn out some of the drywall, taken down popcorn ceilings...and some other things either destructive or constructive. Thanks to the helpers who've already jumped in! Especially our parents. It's a bit overwhelming, but I think we can expect great things from the finished product!

Our new kitchen ;)

But more importantly, baby!  I am now definitely "showing," and baby is definitely moving! I felt my first for-sure little kick or bump on one of our last nights in Ireland (fortunately before Scott and I separated to head home and to Germany, respectively). Since then I've felt little him or her squirming or jumping around quite a few times, and last night he/she even gave us a couple leaps that Scott was even able to feel for the first time! Crazy, crazy. Hard to believe that in not so many months, we'll be seeing this little one squirming right beside our bedside instead. But speaking of him/her and he/she, maybe even crazier, we have our mid-pregnancy ultrasound today!! As always I'm just a touch anxious (plenty to check up on besides gender, I guess), but mostly excited.  I hope baby is not shy, cause we're really looking forward to knowing whether we've got a son or a daughter, and all the excitement of picking paint, and registry items, and for me, just getting to imagine our new lives as parents with a little more specific detail! 

Well, suppose that's enough until later (and I don't just mean enough exclamation points).

2nd Trimester and 4 months already?!

September 17th

Just a quick update before we leave on our trip to Ireland (and me to Germany, for the much-anticipated wedding of Mitchell and Stefanie)!  Can't wait to see Heather, Laura, the Walshes, and the lovebirds, and get in some incredible sight seeing and relaxation. Our "last big hurrah" I joke, before baby comes. Hope this poor kid won't be angry forever that we took them to Ireland before they could see it. Sorry, baby!

How far along? 16 weeks. That's 14 weeks of carrying little one, and 12 weeks of knowing about it.

Total weight gain/loss: Well I'm still not sure it's possible, but I weighed myself the other day and guess what? Normal weight!! I have no way to explain except to suppose that the baby must have gotten the best of both his/her parents' good metabolisms! Fine with me, I'll keep eating, maybe even more now....

Maternity clothes? Rubber bands on a few jeans... but I can tell I'm getting real close to that "just give me stretch pants so I can be comfy" phase. 

Stretch marks? Don't think so? 

Best moment this month: Seems like there has been so much to plan and look ahead to, so I've really liked the moments that some things started to feel more set, finished, or tangible (instead of looming).

Miss Anything? Caribou Coffee white mocha or whatever it is. that probably doesn't count but it's true

Food cravings: Yep, I do crave food, often and plenty. Sometimes I imagine baby as The Hungry Thing. I like dinner food so much more than lunch food, so lately I'm trying to have more leftovers available for lunch.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. I feel a little guilty when people ask how I've been feeling, 'cause I've had it pretty easy so far! There's the occasional food picture (pinterest or recipe books) that makes me have a stronger "yuck" reaction than I would normally, but that's it.

Have you started to show yet: Not by a lot, but yep! And actually, after the chiropractor straightened me out yesterday, I think I might show a touch more... or at least I'm more comfortable. 

Gender prediction:  Oh we're so close! We're finally starting to think maybe a girl, despite what has seemed the majority opinion at first! A girl name is the only one that we have pretty set, so it would be convenient ;)

Belly Button in or out?  In... but I think it's getting a little shallower...hehe.

Wedding rings on or off? on. oops, except when I'm working, gotta put em back on

Happy or Moody most of the time: The past few weeks have been a bit more stressful (seems like I've just had so much to do/plan/think about) but I'm enjoying the second trimester so far.

Weekly Wisdom: Make sure I'm getting enough protein! It's crazy how much higher this recommendation is for pregnant women than for everyone else (almost double, by most suggestions)!

Weekly Confession: Oh shoot...I think I had one but I forgot it. Have I already confessed my forgetfulness?  Oh how 'bout this... I have like 5 brands of prenatal vitamins and enough of them to keep me going past my due date already. Most I've gotten free or cheap. I switch off to get the best of each. It's a little weird, but let me have my thing.

Looking forward to: Ireland, nesting, and perhaps most of all... Four more weeks 'til we (hopefully) get to stop calling the baby It or He/She. It's not like the anticipation is killing us or anything... but just a little bit it is :D Also, 'til the end, I'll be wondering what this little one's face looks like. No "cheating" on that one though!

These are starting to look a touch repetitive, aren't they? hmm...

3 months (12 weeks)

Just had my 12 week appointment with the little one--guess that means it's time for another update! The other day, Scott congratulated me on "two months of knowing we're pregnant." Time has gone fast, but that still seems long!

It's been such a blast finally getting to tell everyone about our newest adventure. Thanks for all the excitement and encouragement! For those we were able to tell in person or by phone, the reactions were so fun (some of them will last in our memories forever, haha).  To those who knew longer, thanks for keeping the surprise so well even when we forgot to ask.
Besides the fun reactions, probably the best part is that we can now share our thoughts and excitement with those around us. I'm determined not to let it consume everything we talk about, but hey, when it does, it's fun. :)

Another fun fact, Scott and I met 6 years ago yesterday, and started dating 5 years ago tomorrow. (Scott says that means today is sandwich day...hah)

How far along? 12 weeks. Plum size, and peach is next! yummy. (?) ;)

Total weight gain/loss: I'm surprised to find that I'm still pretty much at my normal weight. But don't worry: I'm sure anyone who's spent any time with me lately can vouch for the fact that I have definitely not been skimping on eating. Hah.

Maternity clothes? My few tightest pants will no longer button comfortably, but I've still got some room to grow before I really need to change the wardrobe. I'm wearing my smaller stuff while I can!

Stretch marks? Don't think so... but may not be far away

Best moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat! It's definitely been a bit weird to know I've got this person living inside me, I know it, but then as I've joked with a few, for months this little one doesn't call or write or even knock yet. So it's a relief every time I can check in and know for sure that all is well with him or her.

Miss Anything? The days when having pretty clear skin took very little effort.

Food cravings: Lately (due in part to a couple weekends of party or mountain festival food) vegetables (especially salad) have been so good. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: At the start of the 12th week I've kinda thought I felt the funny stomach a little stronger, but really my symptoms have still been very minimal. The one thing I really do notice is that there's less room in there, though! When I'm full, I'm full, don't even want to think about or smell food. (well, until a while later...then I'm hungry again)

Have you started to show yet: Maybe not to the unattached observer, but I think it's safe to say yes, a little.

Gender prediction: Almost everyone is saying boy. I am back to unsure. 8 weeks more to wait!!

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, but a few things have gotten me down, or stressed.

Weekly Wisdom:  Drink lots of water! 

Weekly Confession: Lately I guess I'm eating more sweets than I'd hoped I would while pregnant. Would like to cut that down a little, want to set that baby up to have healthy cravings, not too much sugar!

Looking forward to: Feeling baby move! It might be soon. Sometimes I try to focus and see if I can feel anything... I think it's just digestion so far. hehe.

the first two months of poppyseed :)

well, the news is finally out!

We found out about our little poppy seed on a Sunday night, after having spent the weekend camping with friends. My little brag--we actually hiked to the top of Tehachapi mountain that weekend while I was unknowingly carrying the little one! (Though we suspected he/she might be there). Our first reactions? Scott was probably more just purely excited, but I was a mess of so many emotions, I could hardly think straight! :P Turns out pregnancy is quite the incredible, bewildering reality even when it's expected. But I felt better when Scott admitted the next morning that he had woken up in the middle of the night thinking he was about to have a heart attack, and had to go sit up and read for a while to calm down. hah.
we decided to wait to tell our families and everyone else until after our first doctor's appointment (and as we hoped, first ultrasound) at 8 weeks. At first I didn't mind the time we had to keep the news just to ourselves and let it sink in (it still hardly felt real!), but after a week or two, those became the longest four weeks ever! By now, our baby has already gone through poppy seed, apple seed, pea, blueberry, and grape, and is now a little lime! That's some pretty exponential growth if you ask me... and I've certainly been feeling some of the work behind it! ;)
So here's some belated pictures:

4 weeks--just after we first found out

Our little alien baby, 2.03 cm at ~8 weeks 4 days

9 weeks (sorry, skipped 8) -- after finally telling our families (disclaimer: IHOP and Jamba Juice are also adding to this picture!)

And here's a few more deets; Amy Garness, I hope you don't mind that I've stolen your cool little question list :)

How far along? 11 weeks now. (which in truth is 9 weeks...fun fact)
Total weight gain/loss: I think I may have gained a few since we first found out :P
Maternity clothes? not yet. most of my jeans have always been a little loose around the waist, and I have some loose-fitting shirts, so I might be ok for a bit ;)
Best moment so far: Seeing the little one on the ultrasound screen! and watching for a minute as that tiny heart went whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. :D Shortly followed by finally telling family and friends.
Miss Anything? Energy, I suppose. And it also seems like the adjustments to my senses of smell and taste have left my cooking intuition a little confused. Because of both of these, my dear hubby has already helped out with a few dinners! Also (almost forgot) my brain and memory have definitely not been firing on all cylinders lately! (if they even were before...)
Food cravings: nothing in particular... which is sometimes everything in particular. I go from nothing sounds good, to anything and everything mentioned sound good. The one thing I can pinpoint is I often am sick of sweet foods (even bread) and want something more salty (like cheese or something). I'm definitely hungry (and thirsty) more often!
Anything making you queasy or sick: A few slightly queasy moments, but no sick so far! probably among the worst was watching the highschoolers at summer camp popping "barbecue-flavored" mealworms into their mouth by that candy store in Pismo. Oh man. My clam chowder was not sitting too well.
Have you started to show yet: Sometimes... mainly when I've eaten a big dinner ;) But i already feel like there's less room in there!
Gender prediction:  Kinda hoping for a girl, but sometimes I've had a feeling it might be a boy.
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy, but sometimes blah. Occasional flashes of firey-ness, haha. 
Weekly Wisdom: Write stuff down... even if you can't remember where you wrote it.
Looking forward to: Second trimester, registries and showers, all that stuff that will make it feel so much more real! We've also been looking forward to finding out the gender from almost the first moment.