Saturday, July 18, 2009

For Cryin' Out Loud. . .

Okay, I'm already somewhat of an emotional person. But when I'm pregnant, watch out! Especially towards the end. It seems like I just keep falling apart, bit by bit, piece by piece, until there's nothing left but a dysfunctional puddle.

Justin knows we're getting to the end when I cry about seemingly everything. Here are some examples:
--Coming home from a weekend of little trips (a trip to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and my cousin's missionary report in his sacrament meeting) in the van, I realized that this was the last time we would ever go on a family excursion in it. Sob. . . (Justin told the kids we should just head straight to the hospital after this episode!)
--After spending too much time that I didn't have trying to get large car seats strapped into the Suburban the proper way (and mixing up the instructions), and realizing that the way I had envisioned things wasn't going to work, I was in tears and wishing not-very-nice things to whomever decided that built-in car seats shouldn't be the standard in all vehicles (like in my van!). Oooh, teary and testy!
--After spending a very long day getting the Suburban registered and the van signed over to someone else, I went out to turn off our water main (long story) and saw the van just sitting there by the curb waiting for its new owner. Memories flooded through my mind, and I just stood there, weeping, with my hand on the van. I am so sappy. Then, as I went into the house, I told the Suburban "welcome to the family." I am so sappy and dumb.
--Watching the van drive away for the last time, I cried again.
--My apple tree had to be cut down to make room for the new shed which has had to be postponed, but will be built soon. There was no other way to make it work unless we spent horrendous amounts of money, which would be ridiculous. Sniff.
--I thought about how Jeremy is so young and will not really understand why suddenly his mommy cannot pick him up and is constantly holding this little baby all the time. What will he think? Will he think I don't love him anymore? Oh, the tears!
--I took the kids to Davis Hospital (mostly for the youngest kids' sake) so they could see where I would be staying and where they would meet their new sibling. A dad brought his new child in while we were looking at the other babies. I lost it, of course.

I could go on, but going past a sampling of the things from the past week would take pages and pages and would be totally boring. And, unfortunately, it's not going to stop anytime soon! You gotta love hormones!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Baby's "Official" Birthday

We finally know Baby's "official" birthday! I say "official" in quotes because she could still come when she feels like it before her scheduled due date, which Emily decided to do. (I guess she didn't like the day we picked; don't blame her, it was the day Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S.)

I went in for a doctor's appointment last Thursday, and the doctor came in and told me that instead of the 27th, the baby will be delivered on the 24th. The hospital keeps changing their rules, and this time, they have decided they will only let doctors schedule the O.R's a month in advance. So Dr. Farley called at 8:00 A.M. on June 27th to schedule my c-section and found that his friend and former practice partner, Dr. Sumsion, who usually assists with my surgeries, had called at midnight! (I guess I'll have to razz him a little. . .) So Dr. Farley took the next best available day, which was Pioneer Day. Dr. Farley doesn't usually do Friday surgeries for his family's and ward's sake (he is a bishop also), but he told me he made an exception for me. Gee, thanks!

So unless Baby decides differently, she will be born on July 24th! We are really looking forward to it, and I am scrambling to finish everything I can before that day. Life is not cooperating with me, but I think everything will work out just fine. We are all looking forward to meeting our little girl!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Recharging Our Batteries

I loved a story that was shared by our former stake president on Mother's Day. As I've mentioned before, he spoke specifically to younger mothers still in the throes of it all, and gave us some amazing encouragement. I was reminded of this story tonight and wanted to share it with you.

One of the things President Nelson talked about was that mothers need to make sure they get some scripture study time every day. He told us that his wife, the mother of nine children, had a difficult time finding adequate time to study the scriptures every day, but she made a valiant effort. She found that she could usually get a little quiet time right after breakfast, and so that became her scripture time. One day she was reading a chapter in one of the Four Gospels in the New Testament; the story of how the mothers brought their children to see the Savior, and the Apostles told them He was too busy to see them. However, the Savior said, "Suffer the children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." He reminded them that we all need to become as little children, or we cannot hope to join Him in heaven someday. The house was quiet, as Bernadelle's children were outside in the backyard. All she could hear was faint, sparkling, joyous laughter, which enhanced her study of this particular chapter. Feeling refreshed and spiritually fed, she stepped from her bedroom to check on her children. Entering the backyard, she discovered the source of their laughter: she and her husband had recently purchased several large boxes of tomatoes so they could bottle them, and her precious children were throwing them all at each other!

She was very upset by the incident, but she later told her husband that she was able to handle the situation with calm and wisdom that she knew she would not have had otherwise if she had not studied her scriptures. She testified of the power that the scriptures can give to parents, and to all of us, as we prayerfully study and ponder them. I also testify of their power. The scriptures contain great teachings that apply in every situation we will ever encounter, but there is also an unseen power that enters our lives as we continue to feast from the scriptures daily. Maybe some days we don't get as much out of our study as other days, but by keeping the commands of the Lord to study the scriptures, and trying as best we can to listen to the Spirit as we do so, we will be given power beyond our own to handle life's challenges, big and small.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Moo, Moo, I'm A Cow. . .

The former stake president's wife pulled me aside after the last stake conference (in June) and exclaimed, "You're about ready to have this baby, aren't you!" I replied that we still had until the end of July, and she gave me some words of advice.

She reminded me that the last three weeks before delivery are crucial for a mother's rest--she has every right to slow down and take care of herself. "Look at a mother cow," she continued. "Do you see her jumping a fence right before she has her calf? Look at a mother cat. Do you see her running as fast as she can down the street?" She also illustrated her point with the behavior of mother dogs. "So you see," she finished, "you need to do the same thing. And when you get to that point, just remember that Bernadelle told you you're a cow." Thanks, Bernadelle!

(So what do we have going on these last few weeks before Baby comes? A shed being built in our backyard on the 17th--finally (long story)! Moving things into it. A husband who can only lift light things. Major organization that has to wait until the things that are moving into the shed are moved. Why do I do this to myself? I just hope Bernadelle, who lives down the street, doesn't find out! Hee, hee!)

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Counting Down. . .

Wow, I can't believe it's July already!! My baby counter says we have 30 days left from today, but, unless for some weird reason the OB couldn't get the O.R. scheduled (I always thought that was kind of dumb, because if I go into labor they have to get me into the O.R. anyway. . .), or she has different ideas, this little girl will be coming on the 27th of this month! Yay! We're looking forward to it!