Baby

So the due date came...and went...and baby still isn't here. I've done aerobics, jogged in place, drank herbal tea, and even rearranged the living room furniture. Nothing. He just isn't ready to come yet. So, we're still waiting...

Sea Bond

The other night I had dreams with commercials. Weird, I know. The only one I remember is for this product. Seriously, it has to be the most annoying jingle in the world. Bet you'll be singing it for the rest of the day!

Here's the commercial:

How to Make a Pregnant Woman Very Angry

1.Give her a cell phone with horrible service so that she can't make/receive a phone call.
2. When she finally calls customer service, send her to a customer service station in India with a man that she cannot understand while her phone cuts in/out of service.
3. Have the man with the strange accent say he cannot help her and transfer her to someone else.
4. Put her on hold, and when someone finally answers, have her give her speech again to someone new.Have that person say that they cannot help her, and transfer her again.
6. Have the woman give her speech again, and have the service representative ask security questions, then tell her since her husband has the primary phone line on the account, he cannot help her unless she gives him the last 4 digits of his social security number (which she doesn't have).
7. Then, have the representative offer to go through simple troubleshooting steps on the phone when she has already explained to him the the phone works fine, the service just goes in and out constantly in the apartment.
8. Have the representative say "I'm sorry, but if you are the only person who is complaining about service, we think it is you, and it's not worth it to us to try to change anything."
9. While said woman is on the phone, make it so that the only place in the apartment where she has enough service to carry on a conversation is standing right above the heater floor vent, giving her hot flashes. grrrrr.

An Unexpected Good Day

When I woke up this morning, I figured that it wouldn't necessarily be a great day. My hips were hurting, and Glenn left early this morning. However, it was actually pretty good. Here's my agenda:

8:40: Baby doctor's appointment. I got two free diaper bags packed with a bunch of stuff, the doctor said that everything looks good, and if I haven't delivered before hand, I'll see them in a week.
9:30: I was able to hang out with Lindsey and Annabelle for a bit, and talk to Glenn while he was waiting for his plane in Denver.
11:00: Chiropractor appointment. For the first time since I have been going to the chiropractor, my pelvic bones were perfectly aligned. So, that's good news for labor and delivery...
12:00: I replaced my windshield wipers all by myself! And, it only took approx. 7 minutes.
12:30ish: I drove to St. Anthony and visited with my student teaching cooperating teacher. I hadn't seen her in 9 months, and it was great to catch up with her. She's so awesome! It made me miss teaching though...
1:30: Teeth cleaning and Dentist appointment. I was really nervous for this one because really, after over 3 years since going to the dentist, I wasn't expecting a great check-up. Turns out, it was a great check-up. My teeth feel squeaky clean, there wasn't too much tartar and plaque, and I still have no cavities! Plus, I got to catch up with one of my old bishops who warned me when I was going on a mission to stay open to the idea of meeting a guy (little did he know)...

Now, I'm taking it easy, making sure that I don't go into labor until Glenn gets home tomorrow. Pretty good day!

Halloween

This is the result of our last-minute costume creating. It was a good one, by the way.

Hodgepodge

Every now and then on Jeopardy (which is pretty much one of my favorite tv shows) there's a category entitled "hodgepodge." I never really understood what that meant, (heck, I don't even know if it's one word or two) but based on the category, I'm assuming it's just a bit of everything. So, that's what this post will be: a bunch of random things (but mainly about the baby).

Nothing really new to report on the baby situation. there's still 2 weeks to go. The other day my belly turned on the stove by accident. We're starting to get serious about getting everything organized. My wonderful husband caught the "nesting bug" this weekend and willingly cleaned everything out of the crib and set up all the bedding super cute. My friend is helping me get all the clothes organized, which is a big help, and I have almost everything I need for the suitcase to the hospital.

I feel ready to have this kid. It's weird how for 6 months I feel great, and then one day I wake up and decide I'm sick of being pregnant and not being able to move around. However, no signs of labor yet. The baby can't come until next Wednesday when Glenn will be home. He's leaving for a business trip on Monday and then returning on Tuesday.

I'm so glad that I wasn't 9 months pregnant in July or August. It's been beautiful weather here (in the 70's) but I have been burning up. A comfortable temperature for me would be about 62 degrees. Poor Glenn keeps wanting to turn on the heater because he's cold, and I'm sweating. Last night I felt so bad because he was shivering in bed because I didn't want the heater on. After giving him my blanket, and he was still cold, I felt some compassion and turned it on for him. However, if I had my way we'd be sleeping with the windows open. Maybe it's a good thing that I've been so hot, since I don't have any coats that fit around my belly!

"HEE HEE WHO"

Last weekend, Glenn and I took a childbirth education class. We went in a little apprehensive about the whole thing, but came out feeling much more comfortable with what to expect in the next few months. We learned all sorts of relaxation techniques, what goes on during labor, caring for the baby, and took a tour of the hospital. We also got our carseat, however it barely fits in our cars. Hopefully we won't have to travel too far all together.

As far as the baby, he is back on track with the November 11th due date. Two doctors visits ago he was measuring ahead of schedule, but now he's back on track. We'll see what the doc says on Friday.

A Great Sense of Accomplishment

Note: This occurred a couple weeks ago, but I am just now getting around to posting about it.

Last December I finally graduated with my Bachelor's degree, and commenced the journey of searching for a job worthy of a college graduate. Unfortunately, receiving a teaching degree in a subject that already has a shortage of jobs combined with living in a college town has resulted in a somewhat frustrating experience when it comes to wages and even finding a job at all. Since the college students make up for almost half of the total population of the town, there are plenty of people willing to work for horrible pay because some money is better than no money, and companies can pay minimum wage because there's a surplus of people needing a job. Related to this idea is the fact that many companies have a huge potential employees pool, so they don't want to hire people over-qualified for the job because that means they will have to be paid more. So, when you combine this setting with the "lower" cost of living compared to other states (which is so not true...my cost of living was less in CA than in ID), for the past 10 months or so, I have gotten paid equal or less the hourly wage I received when I was 18 years old working at a Hallmark shop.

Needless to say, since graduating college I have been filled with feelings of bitterness, negativity, and low self worth. I also wondered what the point of college was if it wasn't reflected in the amount of money I made. Also, it didn't look good on my resume that I graduate from college and then have these jobs that anyone can do.

After working in Special Education, I learned about IBI workers. Apparently, IBI workers could work in schools (getting paid close to a teacher's salary) or in Developmental Disabilities Agencies. However, my co-workers informed me that you have to have a set number of hours working with children with disabilities, have a Bachelor's degree in a select field, pay money to take an IBI class, pass a test (that very, very, few people pass on their first try), then do a student project to become IBI certified. The whole idea of getting paid twice as much as I was currently getting paid sounded intriguing, but didn't pursue anything due to the cost of the class, and the fact that I was pregnant and probably wouldn't finish the certification before the baby came.

Thanks to encouragement and support from my parents, we decided that it was worth the investment to go through the IBI class, even if I only work as an IBI therapist for a little bit. I ended up taking the class in August and then the test at the beginning of September. I knew that I basically only had one shot at taking the test (I only know one person who passed the test on their first try). With the baby due in Novemeber, if I took the test in September (it takes a month to get my results back.), with then roughly a month to finish my student project (which must be completed in 5 months). Well, I took the test, and it was the hardest test I have ever taken in my life. I have never studied harder for a test in my life either! Combine that with the faith and prayers of my family and it was one crazy month of waiting for my test score.

Well, I finally received my results, and I passed on my first try! The pass rate is an 80% and I received an 85%. I know for a fact that there's no way that I did it all on my own. There's no way I could have. I received some help from above. I made the goal to pass the test on my first try, and it's such a cool sense of achievement knowing that I accomplished my goal. Also, the increase in pay is the coolest thing. It's not like we'll have a bunch of extra money lying around ,but I definitely feel like I am now being paid closer to what I'm worth. It's fun to go to work, and totally worth the pay now. This experience has really taught me that if you set your mind to do something, and work as hard as you can, you can accomplish your goals. I still have my student project to take care of, but that's ok. I think I can do it. :)

Yellowstone Trip

Finally made it to Yellowstone. As a reflection of our poverty, we went on the only free day of the year. SO amazing. Pics below as usual:

2008-09-28 Yellowstone

I was tagged?!

I'm not sure what it means, but I was tagged, and since I don't really have anything significant to do at the moment, I figured I would play the game. Here goes...

I am- sitting on the couch watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition

I think - I don't deserve all the many great things I have in my life.

I want - to replace the love seat in the baby's room with a glider.

I have - a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education.

I wish - we knew where/if we were going on an internship this winter.

I hate - bending over to pick up things off the floor.

I miss - having hobbies/knowing what I liked to do for fun.

I fear - the dark

I feel - pregnant

I hear - the kid who lives above us bouncing his 10" tennis ball on the ceiling.

I smell - the remnants of dinner.

I search - for matching socks every morning in the laundry that I still haven't folded.

I wonder - if I'm ready for all the changes that are coming in our lives soon.

I regret - eating all the sugar I ate last week.

I love - my husband. :)

I care - about pleasing too many people

I always - eat a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. (most days.)

I am not - a girly girl

I believe - that I would not survive without God in my life.

I dance - horribly.

I sing - very quietly...unless I know that nobody can hear me.

I don't always - water my plants when I am supposed to.

I write - pretty well (at least I always did in school).

I win - Uno almost every time I play it at work with a client.

I lose - almost every game I play with Glenn.

I never - RSVP when I am supposed to.

I listen - To just about everything.

I can usually be found - at work or home.

I'm scared - of almost all animals.

I read - National Geographic and the Ensign.

I'm happy about - All the blessings I've received.

Baby Update

Went to the doctor again today...everything looks good. The doc said that I'm measuring a week ahead of schedule, but didn't change the due date as of yet. We are starting to get all the stuff we need for whatever his name will be. We got this stroller, which should get here within a month. I really wanted this.one, but they only ship in the UK. Bummer. Now, I'm getting ready to order the car seat, thinking about this one. So, I am currently at either 33 weeks and 3 days, or 34 weeks and 3 days. Crazy!

Another terrific hike.

2008-09-13 Alaska Basin

Ranch/Cabin Weekend

A friend of mine has a family ranch that is currently being used as a cabin. We went there this weekend to celebrate his birthday with some friends. It was awesome despite knowing that it will probably be the last real trip we can take this summer before school starts and the snow even arrives (it was said the mountains are getting snow this week).

The "ranch" has a nine hole golf course though we mostly used as a kite-boarding field, a water-slide, an ATV that was used for less-than-common things, two zip-lies, and we brought a projector for the Wii and the movies. It was a fun time -- thanks guys!

2008-08-30 Lovell Ranch

Baby crib

I finally completed my pre-fatherly duties by putting together the crib. Christy helped and has already made curtains and has tons of plans for the baby's room.

2008-08-28 Crib