34 weeks

...ok, so really more like 34.5 weeks.  

We had our doctor's appointment yesterday.  Another exciting afternoon of waiting for an hour to be seen for 8 mins.  Everything was fine.  Blood pressure is still good (this is my favorite part of the visit because I've always had low blood pressure), heartbeat is still strong.  They stopped telling me how much weight I put on between visits - which makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.  My legs are still swollen, and I imagine it'll only get worse, but I don't notice it too much.  The only new thing was that now at 34 weeks - If I were to go into preterm labor, they would no longer try to stop it.  So, anytime Abigail decides she wants to come, she's got the doc's permission.  

After our appointment, we went and bought a glider from a lady we found on craigstlist.  I really like it and am very happy we finally found one that looks nice, works nice, and didn't cost 400 bucks.  Seriously, gliders are insanely priced for a good one.  

Then, we went to taekwondo - which was a good workout, and came home.  Kyle and I watched some TV for a while and then it was time for sleep. 

 

Today is Halloween - I'll be sure to post some pics later of today's festivities.  As for now, here's a picture of my big Halloween belly.  I apologize for the less that stellar picture quality.  

mobile

I'm just a postin' machine today.  

I decided to try to make Abigail a ribbon mobile to hang over her crib.  It doesn't sparkle or play music, but it sways nicely in a breeze and is fun to spin.  I think I will probably still add a few things to it - probably some small silver balls or mirrors on the inside (by the way, these types of craft materials are Much harder to find when you don't have wal-marts or hobby lobbies around!)

Who knows, maybe she won't even notice it - but it was fun to work on either way. :)

hiccups

Some babies apparently never get hiccups before they're born.  Others do.  I think Abigail may be trying to set some sort of record.

She has them all. the. time. 

Last night as I settled into bed, she started again.  I decided to just count them as a way of lulling myself to sleep...like counting sheep.  Somewhere after 300 I gave up and just started poking my belly.  

My dad said to play music for her, and that does seem to help sometimes.  The problem is - when the music stops, she starts up again.  

Then again, maybe they aren't hiccups at all.  Maybe she's redecorating in there, or drawing, or laughing, or dancing the robot.  I dunno.  But, if fetal hiccups are any indication of healthy lungs - I suspect we have quite the crier on our hands.

can't wait. :)

40 days

My ticker tells me that we have 40 days to go until Abigail meets us face to face.  So, that could also mean it could be in 30 days, or 50 days.  We'll just have to wait and find out.  I'm really hoping she's early - not too early - just early enough.  I have maternity-itis.  

I am constantly pulled by a few different emotions.  The first one is a growing excitement over having a daughter - a real one, that I can feed and hold.  One that I will bond with and get to know on new levels in just 40(ish) days. That's the first emotion that's always with me now: excitement. 

The second is apprehension.  Just the normal first time mom apprehensions.  Will I be a good mom?  Will I put her car seat in right?  Will I make the bath water too hot?  This is in conjunction with the apprehension over not being completely ready for her arrival.  We still need diapers.  We still need a changing table...etc etc.  So, first excitement, then apprehension. 

The third emotion is hard to name.  It's a bittersweet mix about my relationship with Kyle.  On one hand, I am so excited to see him as a father.  I know he'll be great, and even though I know that - I also know that he'll exceed my expectations and be even more amazing.  At the same time, it's a little sad to know that in 40(ish) short days, we will be giving up the leisurely freedoms we enjoy now.  We won't be able to just hop the train and go grab a burger at midnight if we want.  We probably won't have the time to just veg out for an entire weekend doing nothing at all.  It's just a change.  An end to one lifestyle and the start of a new one.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that the new one will be bad...and I'm sure after a few weeks, we won't be able to remember what life was like before Abby joined us...it's just something new and unknown.  

So, I spend my days going about my routines and being pulled by one emotion or another.  They usually end up canceling each other out and I just keep doing whatever I was doing.  I know 40 days is not long (unless you gave up chocolate for lent - then its an eternity!)  Until then, I just watch my ticker tick away the days.  

dissection of a song.

Every so often a song comes out that just sticks with me.  It gets in my head and won't leave.  Right now, this is Coldplay's song Vida La Vida.  I am totally loving this song.  I started craving this song like I might crave a really good sundae.  It got to the point that I decided to take a moment for some introspection - to pinpoint Why exactly it is that I liked this song so much.  

I think I've narrowed down a few of the factors. 

1)  It has strings.  I tend to like songs that use violins, cellos and the like.  This song has the added bonus of using these instruments to create a constant driving beat throughout the song.  This driving beat creates an energy that I like in the song. 

2)  It has bells.  During the chorus, they hit a big bell several times.  This is enhanced by the line in the song "I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing"  The bell is hit during the off beat and I love it.  This is my favorite musical component of the song.  I also love that the lead singer mimics hitting the bell while he sings the chorus. 

3) Religious imagery.  I'll get into the meaning of the lyrics in a moment, but this song is full of religious imagery and allusions.  I'm not sure yet if I like this in all songs, or just the way it is done in this song - but it makes me listen to the words more, and that's always a good thing. 

4)  The meaning of the lyrics.  There are many many many theories out there.  I've read about people who think this song is about Bush (I don't think it is, and like the song less when I try that theory on for size), Caesar's reign (could be, but I think it was later that Caesar), Napoleon's fall from grace  (probably the most compelling theory as far as historical accuracy), and even Jesus himself (this theory has some interesting points to be made, but I don't think the whole song can apply).  All that being said - I don't know that this song is about one single historical figure, but I guess it could be.  It's certainly about somebody who was once in power, but lost his power....and is now reflecting back on his life. 

5) I think another reason I like this song so much, is that the subject matter is somewhat melancholy, but the song is pretty upbeat.  This clash of ideas appeals to me.  

6) And finally, I like this song for several specific lyric lines. My favorite though, is in the chorus: "Be my mirror, my sword, my shield" I know this is probably an old phrase, but I like it.  Reflect me, defend me, protect me.  

So, without further ado...  Here is a video of the song as well as a link to the lyrics.  

weekend update.

So this past weekend was pretty good.  It was different because Kyle left for Dallas where he is hanging out with Kyra and his mom and meeting his godmother from South Africa for the first time.  I'm really glad he got to go down there.  He gets back tonight, and I'll be glad to have him back too.  I think this is the first time that he's travelled while I stayed home...since we've been married anyway.  

So, Kyle left on Friday night and I went over to our friend Mary's place and hung out with some of the BC crew. It was a good time.  Good company.  On Saturday, I bummed around the apartment most of the morning.  I don't think I did much productive - which was fine.  I cleaned up a bit.  Saturday night, Mary and my friend Stephanie came over to hang out.  We went out to a nice Thai food place for dinner and came back to the apartment.  We watched Juno and ate brownies, candy, and apple cider.  Just some girl time - it was fun.  

Sunday I made myself get out of the apartment.  I got a few things at Target for the nursery and walked around town at my leisure for several hours - just going into whatever store struck my fancy.  It was nice.  The weather was Perfect!  I spent Sunday night setting up more nursery things, talking with Billie Jo, and watching some tv.   I decided I wanted to make a mobile for over Abigail's crib instead of buy one - so I worked on that last night.  So far, I like it.  I think I actually enjoyed just having a craft project too - it's been a while since I've had time to make something like that.  I'll post some pictures when its done of course.  

In other news, I was sad to hear about the UCA shootings.  That was a weird headline to see.  It sounds like things are being handled well, and I'm sure there is a ton of support there for the students.  I know lots of people are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.  We are too.

And, on the baby front - Abigail is growin' away.  We have another checkup this Thursday.  She has seriously bruised my left floating rib.  I can't even touch it without it hurting, and I can't lay on that side now either.  This may be a combination of her kicking at it constantly AND the fact that I also hit it really hard (on the outside) at taekwondo the other night.  Double whammy.  She's getting bigger and is running out of room to be so active, so now most of her movements are more like slow pushings and stretching.  My whole stomach moves in waves - I should post a video of it.  It's freaky.  

Ok, so that's your weekend update.  Time to get back to work. 

however you like

I saw this video on CNN this morning.  They have a better video on the CNN site, but I thought you could hear the words a little better on this one.  

Anyway, it made me inordinately happy.  Enjoy. 

...oh, and don't forget to vote. 

crib

It will probably be a while before our nursery is "finished"  We still have to find a dresser or changing table, I'd love to find a glider, we still need to get all the odds and ends and organizational things.  And besides, half the room is dedicated to be the computer room - so I'm not sure how exciting it will be to look at once we're done (unless you have a thing for theology books, computer bags, and wires)....it might be a little crowded.  

Nevertheless, we did manage to put our crib together last night.  Kyle and I managed to work together for around the 2 hours it took to set it up.  I'm quite happy with it.  Now we just need a little one to put in it.

   

Can I also just add that my favorite animal on the quilt is the "crazy eye" professor owl?  I think that may be Kyle's favorite too.  That or the walrus.  I love that there's a walrus. 

old.

Yesterday, Kyle turned in a paper that had been the source of some stress over the past weeks.  He stayed up the whole night before working on it - in true Kyle fashion.  He frantically pulled all the pieces together and had the paper ready to print about 7 mins before his class.  He then had a full day of work and class on top of that...  he was a tired puppy.  

So, me being the superwife that I am, decided that I would make a nice dinner for him to celebrate the paper's completion.  I knew that when he got home, he was going to crash right away if dinner wasn't ready.  So, at 5:30 or so, we sat down to a nice dinner of lasagna, salad, and fake wine etc...  We had candles and everything.

By 7pm, Kyle was tucked away in bed.  By 8pm, I was passed out on the couch.  12 hours later, Kyle was still sleeping away (y'know that little device in most of us that wakes us up when our body has had enough sleep - yeah, Kyle doesn't have one).  I woke up feeling rested, but sore.  My hips were all out of line from sleeping on one side all night.  ouch.  

Anyway, my question is: When did I turn this old?  Dinner at 5? In bed by 7? Aching hips?  I'm only 25.  (sigh)  

...now, where did I put my vitamins?  

view

I haven't had time to take pics of the apartment yet, but here are some pics of our upgraded view. 

Here is what we saw from our old apartment:

 

And here is a view from the new one: 

...sorry it's kinda small.  Tried to capture the panoramic effect.  you can see downtown on the hill on the left side of the picture.  Needless to say, it looks bigger from the balcony.  :)

And while we're on a picture kick, here are a few fall pictures that capture a little New England color.  The fall ivy is from the high school.  Love the old architecture. 

:

zzzzzzzzzzz

I'm so tired.  So.  Tired.   The espresso drink I just had only gives me enough energy to fall asleep...instead of just plumb passing out cold.  Caffeine is no match for these baby-growin' times.

more later.  sleep now.    

quick hello

Just a quick hello because I feel guilty for not writing in several days.  I have a pretty good excuse though - we've been moving into our new apartment this past weekend.  

We have some amazing friends that help us get the job done on Sunday.  We started moving late Saturday night (Kyle and I got the kitchen moved...and most our clothes).  By Sunday evening, we have everything set up and unpacked.  Once we get a few more knick knacks put into place, and the wall things hung, it will be time to focus our attention on this whole nursery thing - which is exciting.  

Kyle has mentioned several times how he's getting excited now...about the baby.  Not that he hasn't been excited all along, but, as he puts it "putting the nursery together is the first tangible thing I've been able to contribute"  He says that the idea of building the crib and setting up the stroller are things that make little Abigail's arrival really real.  It's cute to see him so happy about it all....and a nice change from my usual mumbles and groans.  

I spend most of my time feeling like I've been pregnant for a really.  long.  time.  And, I think that early December seems farther away than ever before.  BUT - for all the aches, pings, nerve pinches, and pains that I gripe about...I'm actually doing quite well.  I sleep through the night,  I don't make a zillion bathroom runs during the day, I'm still able to fit into the car.  Y'know - things are ok.  

Anyway, I'm going to set up my closet now.  My whole side of the closet collapsed the other night (too many clothes??...no, just old brackets)  So, it's been fixed and I can now amuse myself by color coordinating what's left of my wearable clothes.  

pictures of the new place will be up soon.  

32 weeks

We had our 32 week checkup today.  

After an hour of waiting, our 8 min visit with the doc was short and sweet.  My blood pressure is still excellent.  I'm up 4 lbs from last visit - but the doctor said that most of that is water.  She said my legs seem to be holding in a bit o' moisture.  C'est la vie.  Abigail's heartbeat was still loud and clear, and I'm still measuring right on track at 32.5 weeks.  We go back in 2 weeks.  

The women at work decided to start an office pool of when I'll deliver.  5 bucks to reserve your guess day.  Whoever wins, splits the money with us.  It wasn't my idea, but I think it'll be fun.  :)

Here's a pic I took earlier this week.  32 weeks and growing!

chocolate

blog while the bloggin's good, right?

I meant to capture this moment in writing earlier, but I forgot.  

Last night after childbirth class, we were driving home and I mentioned that I'd had a bit of a sweet tooth all day and could really go for something chocolate.  Kyle suggested that we stop at the corner store on the way home and he'd run in and get me something.  

I kinda went back and forth thinking that while that sounded good - I didn't really NEED anything, and it would be healthier to just drive home etc etc...  However, Kyle convinced me that it was fine to get a treat every here and there and besides, we were going home to watch the Apple keynote presentation on their new laptops (see justification blog from a while back).

Kyle asks what I want, and I said, "I dunno, maybe some M&Ms?"  

He goes in the store, and a bit later comes back out.  He has a bag.  In the bag is: one package of M&Ms, a Hershey bar, a whole package of double stuffed oreos, a bottle of chocolate syrup (in case I wanted chocolate milk), and a cherry coke (because he knows they're my favorite).  

It was like winning at the slot machine.  

Don't worry - I didn't have all that last night.  We shared some cookies, and they were marvelous.  Just thought I'd positively reinforce this behavior with a public note.  

Childbirth class

Last night, Kyle and I began childbirth classes.  We go once a week, for five weeks. 

Our instructor has been a labor and delivery nurse since the late 1960s.  She has a very thick boston accent and a good sense of humor.  I think she'll be fun.  So, last night we start off with introductions and such.  She goes over some diagrams of how my organs are now all rearranged (my lungs are now basically in my shoulders, which explains why I get so out of breath doing hard activities like...sitting up, rolling over, and putting on socks) and we watched a video about the stages of labor.  

Her quote was, "If you don't have nightmares about this video tonight, I didn't do my job"  Well, I'll admit that I was about ready to jump off the pregnancy train after watching this woman give birth to a 10 lb baby...but, we were reassured that we would be spending the next 4 weeks educating ourselves and learning all the various relaxation techniques etc etc...

We spent the last part of class learning about the various stages of labor, how to identify them, when to call the doc, when to come into the hospital, and what will happen once you get there.  I learned a lot of stuff, and I think the classes will be good.  

We go on Tuesday nights.  I'll keep you posted.  

green lions

They say that pregnancy makes you dream crazy dreams.  Well, I've always had pretty vivid dreams...so that's not new.  Last nights dream made me laugh, so I'm sharing it with you.  

Kyle and I were lions.  He was a big strong Mufasa-type lion, and I was the pretty Nala type.  I'm not sure where we were - but it had that kind of end-of-the-world feel.  There were no humans anywhere, and everything was mostly desert.  There were a bunch of other lions too - but they weren't important.  Because of the desolation around, all the lions were traveling together in a big herd looking for food.  

We knew where food was.  There was a spot where a train had wrecked.  Lots of food had spilled all over the place, and the lions went and picked their meals from it.  Most everything was meat.  Whole turkeys, sausages, chickens, ribs...Everything was raw, but fresh (I don't know how the meat was still good, since the train wreckage was old...but y'know how dreams are)

So, Kyle (the lion) had never been to this place before, so we were walking around and I was showing him what food was what and trying to help him decide what to eat (because even as a lion, Kyle couldn't see 100%)  I settled for some sausage links and asked Kyle if he would like a turkey...

Kyle (the lion) was looking kinda sheepish and said that he didn't think he could eat any of the meat.  "Why?" I asked.  "Because it's all imported from different countries, and I'd really rather only eat fair trade and environmentally friendly transported food"  

So, after giving him my best confused-lioness look I could give, I start looking around for something "local"  I find a whole toppled train car full of veggies. "From Arkansas" was painted on the side of the car. I told Kyle that all of the bell peppers, apples, and tomatoes he could eat were locally grown.  I then tried to explain to him that lions don't eat bell peppers.  

He didn't care.  Kyle, the environmentally friendly lion, gingerly pawed some bell peppers and apples together and ate them while I kept watch - so that the other meat eating lions wouldn't notice us.  

The rest of the dream then morphs into some crazy taekwondo ceremony (we weren't lions anymore...) but I'll spare you. 

---------------

So, folks, what does it mean?  Am I missing the wholesome substance that is "back home"?  Do I think that Kyle is a big stubborn cat?  Did I just have too much milk before bed?  Interpretations are welcome.  

101

My blogger homepage tells me that this is the 101st posting on this site.  That seems like a lot to me.  100 posts since...late March.  Maybe it's lying.  I bet it is.

Anyway.  I'm exhausted right now.  Totally drained with sandbag eye lids begging to close.  I could sleep for days...or so I feel.  Lucky for me, as soon as I'm done updating this little site, I plan on doing just that.  Well, I plan on curling up in my favorite corner of the couch with my favorite tiger blanket (By the way, AJ, if you're reading this... I get a lot of use out of that blanket you made for Kyle) and allowing myself to fall like a lead weight into slumber.  

mmmmm.

Today has been a good day so far.  We went over to some friend's house last night for dinner and company.  We ended up staying till almost 1am.  When we got home, the sox were still fighting to win against Tampa Bay.  So, we watched that.  They lost...but they'll win next time. :)  Kyle stayed up after that to watch the US soccer team play Cuba.  The US won.  By 4am, we were finally both asleep.  

I woke up this morning.  Cleaned up around the apartment.  Made cinnamon rolls.  Got coffee.  Woke Kyle.  I arranged to pick up a bunch of boxes from some guy off craigslist (We move a week from today - time to start packing)  So, we drove out and got a whole car load of boxes.  Then, we drove out to the only Target that had our crib in stock and picked it up as well.  Yay for having a crib!  We were happy to find it in the store - it saved us over $50 bucks in shipping.  

I'm excited that next week we'll be in our bigger apartment and then I can start setting up house and the nursery.  It'll be fun.  

Ok, so there's our little sunday morning blip from lauraland.  I'm going to go enjoy a good nap now.  :)

Sister Blog

So, after many a months of wishing...my sister decided to start a blog.  Yay!  I'm making this announcement so that you will all go read it (because she's like the best writer ever)  and so that it will positively reinforce her to keep it up.  

http://allthatisordinary.blogspot.com/

7 things

This idea of e-tag is a little new to me.  I'm told that if you're tagged, you write 7 things about yourself that nobody else knows....or at least that not many people know.  My friend Bethany (check her blog on the right) tagged me today.  So, let's see...

1)  I want an entire thanksgiving meal right now.  I want dressing and gravy and dad's sauteed mushrooms.  Robert's cheese grits, Anne's vinegar beans, Y's pies, Jennifer's little pecan squares, grandma bread...I want it all.  now.  Ok, so that's not so much an interesting fact - but I had to get that before I could concentrate on anything else.  

2) My sister and I have the same little birthmark inside our middle toe.  I forget what foot...I'd have to look.  I also have a huge birthmark across my hip that Kyle says looks like Africa. 

3) When I was about 5, I used to catch house flies and pull off their wings and call them "walks" To this day, it is one of my biggest regrets.  I don't think I'll ever forgive myself. 

4) About 3 weeks after we started dating, Kyle and I were driving back from a taekwondo tournament in Memphis.  We got stuck in a bad traffic jam and spent the time asking each other questions back and forth.  During a lull in the conversation, I looked over at him and thought to myself "He's the one I'm going to marry"  I just started giggling.  Of course, I couldn't tell Kyle what I was thinking at that point - he probably would have jumped out of the car and hitchhiked home.  But, that's when I knew.  Clear as crystal. 

5) I was prom queen.  Go figure.

6) The first time I sent an e'mail, I accidently sent it to several thousand people around the world (I forget the actual number, but it was a lot) I somehow sent it out to mailing list that my dad was on.  The e'mail started out "I am Laura the conqueror, I have conquered the art of e'mail..."  I got a reply from some guy in Hawaii saying "Dear Laura the conqueror, your e'mail was sent to 35,000 people"  or something like that.  From then on, Laura the conqueror has been one of my family nicknames.  I still have a viking hat they bought me somewhere.  

7) I am amazed by life.  I try not to take the one I've got for granted - because despite the everyday stressors, I have a really great set up.  Little things make me happy, and it doesn't take much.  I think I can find beauty in just about anything.  I can watch a few leaves being blown across the road, or a bird hopping around, the bus driver on the T, or watching the street lights come on at dusk...anything, and I can find a way to feel connected to that thing.  Alive or not.  It keeps up my appreciation for the connectivity of life. 

So, there ya go.  I don't know if I know enough other people to tag.  But, for now, I'll tag: 

Kelly Dement

Shelby Scarborough 

Jessica Rodgers

Heather Busch

Jennifer Boulden  (I know, no blog...but you could start one!)

Kaylee Edwards

PS: If I know you, and you have a blog - tell me!  :-)

weekend guests

Sorry for the delay in blogage...its been a busy weekend!

Let's see.  On Friday, I spent all day in a professional development seminar.  It was about bilingual assessments and the complications that come with assessing bilingual students.  I thought it was actually a pretty good seminar - learned stuff.  After that meeting was over, I headed home and Kyle and went downtown to pick up Shelby!  She was up here doing some inventories in New York, and since we're just a hop, skip, and 4 hour train ride away - she decided to stop in and visit.  Much to my happiness.  

Shelby Kyle and I went out to dinner at the Publick House, then went out for ice cream (I had a cone that had marshmallow cream and cocoa krispies dipped around the whole upper edge. amazing)  We headed home after that and crashed.

On Saturday morning, we got up bright and early and drove up to Chelmsford for a taekwondo tournament.  Kyle competed and took 3rd in forms (after winning a tie breaker) and 1st in weapons.  He's beginning to build a reputation up here for being the weapons guy to beat.  As always, I was super proud of him and we enjoyed making an appearance at the tournament even though we had to leave pretty early (for the first time that I can remember).

So, after that, we all went downtown.  We took Shelby to the apple store (of course) and then Kyle left to pick up our friend Kaylee at the airport.  While he did that, Shelby and I did part of the freedom trail and waltzed around the city for a while.

 

  We met up with Kyle and Kaylee that evening and we all walked over to the North End for dinner.  Of course, it was Saturday night and we had no reservations, so we ended up waiting in line for 2 hours.  The food was yummy and the company was great, but we were all pretty tired at the end of the day.  We got home a little after midnight and it didn't take long for us to crash.

Sunday.  Shelby and I got up and walked down to this place for breakfast.  But, their cashier guy was late to work, and we couldn't wait, so we ended up at dunkies....which was fine.  Then she had to skedattle out to the airport to catch her flight.  

When the rest of us were eventually up, we went downtown and took Kaylee to her first Cheesecake Factory.  Kyle's food was really late and messed up - but other than that, it was good.  We think maybe they put something in our dessert though, cause after lunch we were all exhausted again.  We decided to put walking the freedom trail on hold and help Kaylee find and check into her hotel.  So, we did, and the rest of my Sunday was basically spent resting.  

 

So, it was super fun to have Shelby and Kaylee around for a while.  It's always nice to have people from back home up to visit. :-)  

PS: I was super excited that I was still able to wear my hoodie.  I heart hoodies. 

30 week checkup

We had our 30 week visit with the good doctor today.  From now on, we'll start going every 2 weeks instead of once a month.

In case you've forgotten, at my last appointment, I had gained more than I should have.  I was pretty bummed about it.  So, I've been trying to eat better, walk more, drink more water, eat less ice cream.  So, all week I've been a little nervous about stepping on the scale today.  I never thought I would be somebody who cared how much she weighed during pregnancy... but, alas, I am. 

So, I step on, and it took the nurse a while to find my weight because my belly kept bumping into the balance thingy.  Once I figured out I needed to step back a bit, the nurse told me I only gained 2 lbs.  Yay!  I was happy.  Blood pressure was still perfecto. So, other than not really fitting on the scale, all was good. 

The doc saw us and said my glucose test came back fine.  She said I was borderline anemic, so she gave me some iron to boost it up.  She said that might help with my energy level too.  She asked if I wanted a flu shot.  This is kind of a trick question.  I haven't had a flu shot in....I dunno, 10 years?  But, I'm not responsible for just me anymore, so while I decided I didn't really want one, I went ahead and got one for Abigail.  She will be born during flu season after all, traveling on planes, and being passed among many.  So, can't hurt right?  

I also had the doc call in some DHA supplements for me (and so my mom can rest easy that I'm building Abigail's brain with all available tools).  What else?  The doc said, after pushing on me a whole lot, that baby seems to be head down - which is good.  She'll keep checking as little bit grows.  Abigail didn't like the pushing very much and gave the doc a good strong kick that said "excuse you, it's already cramped in here"  

So, we go back in 2 weeks.  I'll keep ya posted.

Oh, and to celebrate our lack of excessive weight gain, Kyle and I went and ate greasy hamburgers for dinner.  (sigh).  Well, my stomach was not happy with me.  Its not used to that kinda grease.  Serves me right, huh?  

:o)

Hurricanes

Wow.  I actually feel a little let down...a little abandoned.  Sorry I couldn't deliver the awesome power I had hoped to show off.  I guess somebody decided that one crazy hormonal whirlwind named Laura was enough for the country.  That, or maybe the hurricane is also feeling the fatigue of the third trimester set in.  Truthfully, I didn't know if I'd have the energy to be a good storm. 

Laura weakens in Atlantic, Marie forms in Pacific
4 hours ago

MIAMI (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says Laura has weakened over the cold waters of the north Atlantic and is no longer a tropical storm.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Marie formed in the Pacific about 575 miles southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

Laura's maximum sustained winds dropped to near 45 mph early Wednesday and the storm lost its tropical characteristics. It was centered about 505 miles east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, at 11 a.m. EDT and moving north-northeast near 18 mph.

The center says it will stop issuing advisories on Laura.