My big-little Girl

Avi is my big-little girl. She was sitting at the table this morning coloring! I felt like she is really graduating from the baby stage. She was so cute to watch color and snack on chex cereal. Unfortunantely I have not been able to locate my camera... humph.
This week we taught her to respond to being asked how old she is- she is so cute! She holds up her finger, and then claps- because we always celebrate her getting it right. Now I am working on teaching her to sign "thank you". The first time I showed her- she blew me a kiss back :). now it is kind of a random movement from the chin or chest.
Her cheeks are chubbing back up- at Erin's she was basically on the BRAT diet, and yes, it was helping her diaper, but she started to loose a little bit of weight. So I am very glad she is gaining back. Speaking of which- she has not pooped in the middle of the night for about four or five days!! and her bum is looking better- I think she needed the prescription bum paste- which smells horrible!!
Avi likes to sing songs with her baby- she thinks it is fun to have me help her to do the actions to "Wheels on the bus" and "Pat-a-Cake" with her baby doll.
She is also understanding some simple commands like- "Give that to ____", and sometimes- "Put that away".

Christmas and 30 week appointments

Perinatologist appointment- cervix is at a about a 3!! wow!! bed rest works! So the plan was if the cervix was good I would go to Idaho, but the cord is wrapped twice around his neck- so we are going to stay here. We are going to start non-stress tests twice a week and I need to do kick counts morning, afternoon, and evening. Ecogenic bowel still there, but not really a worry. I am about 30 weeks- and the doctor said I can get off bed rest at 34!!! The end is in sight!
OB- 134 lbs, 31" belly.-the doctor felt my calf and bemoaned my pitiful no muscle state.
We went to Erin's this afternoon and had a game afternoon. We played Bananagrams, Apples to Apples, and Quirkle. It was fun to be together. We had the French hot chocolate from The Devils Food Cake mystery novel. I loved the frothiness of it!! It is something like 1 jar of Mrs. Richardson's hot fudge sauce with 3 qts milk, and mix that in with a container of wipped whipping cream....I don't know- I was on the couch, but the consistency was great- though I think I would like to switch up the chocolate...
I am working on a crocheted mermaid tail- I saw it on Pinterest and though it is for baby girl pictures- I thought it was way too cute to wait...
Christmas...
Christmas day. Avi wore the dress her Grandma and Grandpa Nelson gave her last year to church- she looked very cute! A man in the ward in the ward she had the cutest smile he has seen on a baby- it was her crinkled nose smile. When she got home she saw her skoot n' ride Radio Flyer rider that Grandma Dorsey got her. She was very excited- especially in a dress she had a bit of a hard time mounting, but she got it... We let her play with that for a while, and later she grabbed the blanket that was covering the elephant ball popper that I had gotten her. She didn't even notice it- she played with the blanket and the other toys in the room for about ten minutes, and then she finally saw it. She got excited and ran over to it and got excited for me to take it out. I had pulled a Christmas classic, in forgetting to check if it needed batteries... so we got it out, she like the balls that came with, but she knew that it was suppose to do something more than just sit there-later thankfully Grandma realized she had some batteries that would fit in a lantern. I think Aliea and Jaxon have thought it cooler then Avi does, but I think it is awesome, and she has fun with it.
The family got here about four, we were suppose to have dinner, but it was running late. Gunnar had said he would be able to skype starting around five or six. So I installed a camera on my laptop and set up a skype account Christmas eve. Around four I turned skype and started to wait for Gunnar. About two hours later, dinner still not ready and no Gunnar. So I checked my Facebook- again I must have checked my Facebook right before Gunnar got on, because there was a message from him that was two hours old! He was not on line- my heart broke. I started to cry- I checked to see if he had at least written me an e-mail- nope. I had missed him! But it turned out, he was still on! We couldn't get my skype to work- so we messaged, then we got my mom's to work, and I could hear him, but he couldn't hear me- but at least I got to see him!! What a handsome guy! I have to admit between thinking I missed him, and I had Braxton Hicks for about an hour or so that day- so I was a bit nervous- well, my emotions were gone- I basically cried for most the call... lucky Gunnar!
Dinner was done about the time I started skyping with Gunnar, so I ate after. My favorites were the steamed pork buns, Kim Pop, and the pagogi- Yum!
We then started opening presents! Wow, what a late night for Avi! But she did really well considering. She did better than I thought opening presents. She didn't get too caught up on what she had unwrapped, but moved onto the next present pretty well. She got a blow up wand from her cousin Emmi- and it was so funny- I blew it up for her- I think because I had put it to my mouth, she thought it belonged in her mouth. She happily ate at it till she found a present that could distract her enough! Everyone was so kind in gift giving. I feel so blessed and spoiled.
Christmas Eve, we watched the new "Christmas Carol" with Jim Carey- oh my word it is so scary!! I had forgotten! It is not suitable for children! I don't know why they made it dark and disturbing!
Earlier- Avi and I played with the nativity- telling the Christmas story simply- she also got it at bed time.
I wrapped my last present, worked on something for Gunnar, played with Avi....

Third molar, aliens, and...

Avi is getting her third molar! It is coming in on the bottom right side. I spotted it last night- she just had had some rice, so for a moment I wondered if it was rice in her mouth, but nope- it was the beginning of another tooth. Last night I went to bed about midnight- Avi had a poopy diaper- thankfully not leaked out. Emily put her back in her bed, and she of course cried, but it was so bad- I told Em to go ahead and let her sleep with me. I am pretty sure her mouth was bothering her. She was restless and fussy, and the dead give away of teething- she wanted to sleep on top of me.
I have one more present to wrap. I guess since tomorrow is Christmas eve- I am not as on top of things as I feel, but better than Gunnar's mom was telling me that her dad would wait till Christmas day to wrap all the kids' presents- there are nine kids in their family...
I have found more crochet projects I want to attempt- ha ha ha!! mouse hat, mermaid tail, bumble bee tushy cover with hat... okay, just found a pig set too- oh man... this is trouble!
Today I got a package from Alicia- the trade. I LOVE what she made! they are sooo cute. coordinating skirt, tie, and hair accessory- Oh, my babies are going to look sooo cute! I really hope the hats/beards fit her guys well. Kesten came over and we exchanged presents (okay, so in gift giving she always puts me to shame, she is so nice)- and they had ordered  a bearded hat for Frank- the beard, I have to say- looks awesome on him, but I made the hat too long- apparently not all guys have as long as heads as Wayne!! He can get away with it, but I feel bad- I like things to look the best I can make them.
The last three days Avi has played mostly with a bucket of Aliens from Disneyland- the Toy Story ones. She loves them! They are just the little plastic aliens, but she loves pulling them in and out of the bucket, playing around with them, putting them in the lid and dumping them back into the bucket.... they have been her favorite three days running- who would have guessed?
I finished the book of Mark this morning. I thought it would be good to read some New Testament before Christmas. I loved it. I haven't read the book of Mark a ton, so it was nice. It is such a nice summary of the Savior's life. I have loved thinking about the miracles and works of the Savior as Christmas is drawing near. It is such a blessing to have the scriptures. I think my next goal will be from my mom's ward- they have a 'coming closer to Christ in 40 days' program- a schedule for reading The Book of Mormon. I would like to read it again before the baby comes- seems a good way to polish off my bed rest time. I hope Gunnar can join me- I was going to ask him to start with me today, but no call.
My belly is huge- at least I feel it is. I feel like when I am up walking my belly leads the way. I am watching for stretch marks- thankfully none so far- well no new ones that is. Motherhood really is insanity- you loose your body, your sleep, your health...but it really is the best thing. I called to register at the hospital in Provo- since my appointment on Tuesday is there. The young man who was registering me told me he was in Air Force reserves and going in full time this upcoming year, when I mentioned Gunnar being deployed. That launched us off into talking about military service, etc... he said he was a thrill junky and wanted to lead a "meaningful" life, so he wanted to be a paratrooper and never get married and have a family. I told him- okay- get your thrills in while he was enlisted, but that in few years, he would be older and wiser he would realize the best thing he could ever do in his life was to have a family. I let him know having kids is the best thing in the world- yes, I loved sky diving when I went, but having kids is even better. He commented that I was pretty sure of myself when I told him that having kids was the best thing ever- I told him I was because I was right.

Avi wet the bed

Today Avi took off her pants and her diaper and wet the bed when she was down for her nap... I knew it was coming... she has been discovering taking off her pants for about the last week, but here it is. She was not wearing a onesie today, so I think we will need to make sure she is wearing one.
Yesterday Teresja came over for a few hours while the family was gone to a movie. We had lunch and played Banangrams- each of us won a round. I feel I should get extra points winning against Teresja- she is ridiculously good at games. Let's just say every time there was a word or two she had that I had never heard.
I gave up on Avi's little present she had unwrapped. She got it out and wanted to try it on. The tag was still attached to the sleeve. So she got pleasure out of trying to hand me the tag and it still be attached.
Poop out this morning, so I called the pediatrician. I talked to the nurse. She said that to start her on probiotics and if she isn't better in ten days then to bring her in. My mom went shopping to pick the probiotics, and she also needed more vitamins. The nurse suggested Culturelle- it is the most studied. Oh, wow- for 30 packets it is like $19! Well, there is Christmas! I think we will start with these, and see how they go and then hopefully be able to find a cheaper brand.
I talked to a friend from Fallon tonight. To my shock, I found out she reads this. Thankfully skims through... honestly- I don't have a very exciting life so it is a wonder to me that someone should read this. It was lovely to catch up a bit. It is a wonderful blessing to have friends.
It is certainly different to be at mom's as opposed to Erin's- I felt it the most today. My mom was gone today shopping for a few hours, so Emily was doing dishes, and helping out... I think she was a bit overwhelmed by it all, so I got up to help out with Avi a bit more than normal- Emily said thank you- I was up again this evening, because it was getting late- past Avi's bed time- mom was just making dinner- Avi needed to start her probiotics, so I got up to give her them- Erin happened to be over and said I should lay down..the difference of understanding bed rest- and what possible affects could be of delivering early (the saying "thank you" vs. the "lay down"). Emily had also forgotten to get me lunch... I grabbed some fruit to tide me over. I felt like it is harder to stay down when left alone with Avi here- partly because if I get all the way down on the ground with her, I get rashed from the cat-carpet, and partly because Avi likes to travel up and down the steps. I am further along- 29 weeks, and am on a modified bed rest, so I guess I could test my boundaries a bit more, but it is a whole mental torture to know the should's and shouldn't's. What if this little guy comes early and ends up with mental retardation, heart problems, asthma, bad eye sight....? Just because I wanted to take care of Avi more or play with her a bit better being up... but then maybe we could be fine if I am up a bit more...what a situation...
I made- what I think are rather cute bearded hats for the trade. I need to take pictures. I really like the look- I am very curious about the fit. I hope they like them!
Kesten's family and Matt Maddox's family came over last night- they were going to carol, but Avi was already out. I can't believe I married Matt's cousin. It is such a small world. It was fun to visit. Kesten like the head band/ear warmer I made her for Christmas- I had her try it on to see if I needed to move the button, but it fit perfectly, so she ended up taking.
No Gunnar today. In a way I almost feel I mentally asked for it. Last night I was thinking how ridiculous just talking to him for 15 minutes is. I want him home. I feel done with just talking to him a bit about half the week, and that is all I get of my husband. I know, I should be grateful for that, that it is incredibly better than what was available before, and it's only about a year total, and we are about half way through, but I just can't believe it is six more months or so before he comes home. The glass is half empty.
Mom and I started watching Sherlock- the tv series on Netflix tonight. I think it will be fun to watch. There are only three episodes so far- I hope more will come out before we watch all of them.

Sunday at mom's house

Avi opened a Christmas present today. An adorable sweater.... I half put it back in its wrap and put it back under the tree. I worked on some Christmas presents today :), finished the Doctrine and Covenants, ate delicious jalapeno jelly with cream cheese and crackers. Cute young men brought me the sacrament, at Erin's house it was usually the young men leaders that brought it. Avi is the queen of giving hugs and kisses. She will hold her doll and give it kisses- it is rather cute. She is beginning to get kissing her hand, but hasn't got the blowing part yet. Avi loves knocking on doors. She also loves hiding things- even if it is just putting her toy behind her back, then she puts up her hands and asks where did it go? Grabs it, and throws it back again. Today she figured out hiding her feet in between the cushions on the couch- pretty much awesome in her world. I think about half her days consist of some sort of peek-a-boo or hiding something. She loves it.
My hands, feet and lips are falling apart. They are painfully dry. My lips are cracked and bleeding.. ugh- I guess it is Utah that makes them worse! (They are normally bad, but this is painful)
I was playing with Avi in the living room, and I was leaning on my arms. My arms eventually started stinging slightly- I am still a bit  uncomfortably rashed,- I am allergic to the stupid cat! That is normally outside, but my mom and sister let her in when I am not around... uck! and ouch for me.
I got to talk to Gunnar today! Oh, happy day! I miss him so much. This is really ridiculous. I can't wait till we are done. I can't believe there are six more months- SIX!! Props to those military families that can take it in stride, I personally feel it is horrible- especially since he got to choose to leave!!
Last night to tonight Avi's poop has been more solid, she had a looser one today, but it didn't leak out and it had some thickness to it... hopefully this keeps up as we are careful with the dairy. As Avi's hair grows it seems to be becoming more and more mullet-fantastic. The back is growing- seemingly in two layers, while the top is getting a bit thicker and the sides are still short and thin... oh my baby girl... maybe when I am off bed rest we will go through the fight to teach her to keep a head band on. Have I mentioned I really love my little girl. She is a doll. How did I luck out to have such a cute sweet heart?
As I have watched the nativity and seen some pictures of it- it has made me so excited to have this little boy. There are times I feel my arms were made to hold my babies. Is there anything better? Especially as I have been on bed rest I feel I have ached to hold Avi and now I am starting to feel the longing to hold this little guy in a few months. 

Avi with Santa Pictures

Avi at the Carbajal's Ward Christmas Party

 

Avi at the library in her Owl Hat

Crochet Crochet crochet

crochet, crochet, crochet... that has been my life this last week, thus no blogging. I had an order for bearded hats that was big, I thought I was putting out at a good rate, and then I started getting sick on Wednesday, and was miserable on Thursday. Lucky me the girl who ordered, messaged me on Thursday saying that she had miscounted and needed thankfully a lot less! It was my life saver! They are done and in the mail. Happy day! I hope they fit who she gives them to. I made some with a button and some without, thinking options are good. They look great when they fit right, so I hope they do! I had myself and family to try to get sizes from. I am more comfortable with having the person here and being able to custom make it to fit them.

We are still dealing with poop outs with Avi, They are less often than when she was on dairy, and her rash is looking better, but we are just not getting over crazy poop! Finally I am on the correct insurance, so on Monday I am going to call to make an appointment with a pediatrician.

After two months of wonderful care from Erin and family, Avi and I have moved to my mom's for the holidays and if things are still going well, we will are moving up to Idaho to be with Gunnar's parents for till the end of bed rest. We will miss Erin and family. They were so good to us and took such good care of us.
I had my perinatalogist visit this week. The eccobowel is less noticeable now, but that usually happens the further along... At first my cervix measured 3.7- up! but then the baby moved, and I was down to a 2.5- right on the line of safe cervix. 

Avi likes to play peek-a-boo around both sides of an object. Or if wearing an oversized hat- that will also do.
Avi loved looking at the box mom's Costco navtivity came in. When it was put on on top of the piano, it took her a day or two, but then she was excited to point that the picture on the box was now up on the piano. She is teething the upper left side. Huge poop outs this weekend- one equaled a midnight bath, the other left a poop trail as she was carried into the house- and this was through pants and a onsesie.
Monday we went to Sonja's while Sonja and Teresja made dress up skirts for the neices. Avi enjoyed the food, wandering around, trying on different hats, taking her nap, and dancing to some the music on the Bollywood movies we watched. I crocheted.
I got a package from Gunnar. Oh, the love! Merry Christmas!
Finished "Lost".

Bearded Hats!!

Okay- so here is my latest project.. I never knew these crazy things existed till one of Erin's friends on Facebook asked if I could make them- so I discovered them and have spent way to many hours making up the patterns. I think they are hilarious! They have really grown on me. I will see if the friend wants to buy them from me... I found a few things from this project- 1. making an adult hat takes so long!! wow! I hardly had the patience to do it! 2. I taught myself a new way to handle the popcorn stitch 3. children's head and women's heads are basically the same size (but the woman needs a longer hat)- while men's are a bit bigger (longer hat, wider beard)... interesting...
So yes, I think you could describe my last two days as crocheting (also working on making a pattern for a tapered head band with some zig zag for cool element :))... I listened to most of the General Relief Society broadcast from this last conference. I had forgotten that Sis. Beck said General Presidency has asked us to study the new Relief Society book... I guess I need to get on that.
I have gotten on Pinterest. Oh Trouble!! I see addiction written all over it. I will have to be careful to time myself...
Gunnar called today- and shocked me at the end of the call. Out of no where he called me gorgeous and told me he appreciates looking at me in our family picture that I framed for him so he could have it on his nightstand. I was blown away. I wanted to ask where that came from. It totally made my day. I still feel shocked...
Jennica came over tonight to give Erin and Wayne the evening off. She brought pizza and we watched "The Muppet Christmas Carol". I love that movie!! We usually watch it every year. It is really one of the best versions of the The Christmas Carol.
Teresja came over on Monday evening while Erin's  family went out. We had Indian and watched another muppet movie- it is the muppet week! Avi was so sick- she was listless. She laid on my chest and hardly moved. But very thankfully she felt better in the morning.
When Erin's family went out they went to Korean they had left overs so I have fallen in love with- Jajangmyeon. Yum!
I miss Gunnar, I am mad at Gunnar, I love Gunnar, etc... how can there be such a range and mixture of emotions for one person??

My Crocheted Hats

I am selling this one for $21

without the Butterfly $20

 

* alterations to http://knitprocro.com/baby-bear-hat/

Owl hats for $25

Long tailed hat for $20 0-12 month, 12 month $25

New born pattern-*http://oodles4noodles.blogspot.com/2011/03/long-tailed-baby-elf-hat-tutorial.html

Bear Ear with Ear flaps $15 0-12 month, 12 month $20

News Boy hat 0-12 month $15, 12 month $20

First Sunday in December!

27 weeks pregnant. 6 weeks of bed rest. If all goes well- 9 more weeks bed rest to go (well, if things go REALLY well, maybe my cervix will hold and I can get off bed rest before and be okay.... hummm...)
No Gunnar today, but he certainly has been on my mind. I went to lds.org while everyone was at church. I watched the the video about the temple in El Salvador. It was marvelous. I watched the next video on the queue, it was "Things as They Really Are". The clip is made from part of the CES by Elder Bednar. When he addresses gaming. It is a big deal to me because it is one of the biggest points of conflict in our marriage- I despise it, and Gunnar enjoys it. To me he has wasted enough of his life- I think it is time he grows up and becomes a real man. He has cut way down on his play since he married me- but I frankly have zero tolerance for it. I hate it every time.(I don't mind a group getting together to play Rock Band, or something like Wii sports...) I told him before we got married he needed to quit the games or find another girl. Yes, I know they can be entertaining, I played them for a couple of years in grade school but after that I got a life! I could keep going on about the negativity I see coming from them... Anyway, thought it was a good clip and I liked the article that related "Getting Real". I went on to find more quotes and articles on the Church website about gaming. I hope Gunnar enjoys what I share with him.
We watched the first presidency Christmas devotional tonight. It is always so lovely. I think I always need to hear the reminders to refocus on the Savior. I loved Pres. Utchdorf's use of the The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Avi looked so cute today! Erin dressed her in the dress she got from her dress she got from Grandma and Grandpa Nelson last year (12 month dress-we now don't roll up the sleeves to have it fit :)). She also wore a furry white coat- she looked like a doll!
Avi is so funny. We got a bag of tangerines from the Nelson's this year- Avi, though she should know better by now because she keeps doing it, still tries to eat the peel and the seeds-she will pick one up put it in her mouth and then spit it out- she is doing the same thing with bits of the paper towel she rips off of the one I put down to catch the juice she is dribbling...
This evening Jessica, the neighbor came over for a little bit. She had brought her son who is about two months older than Avi. For the first time-that I have ever seen- Avi pushed Jaxon out of the way- so she could get to the little boy to play with him. I was shocked! Jaxon pushed away!! Avi ran over to the little boy and smiled at him, maybe tried to him a kiss, and he just kind of stared back. I was thought it was rather cute.
Okay- so maybe I have been a member of the church since I was eight and I am a returned missionary- but in all that time I was not sure if the "D" in the name of the church was capitalized. I looked it up tonight- The name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now I can start writing my tithing checks correctly :).

Avi fun and family visit

So modified bed rest has been exciting, spending a lot more time with Avi. She loves to be chased, tickled, give and get hugs & kisses, play with yarn, my clothes, dump out the play utensils and dishes, eat the fake food, climb around the fisher price barn- mostly take the animals out of the stalls, play with my clothes and socks more, be chased around more, and play peek-a-boo.
This morning Erin took Avi to the ward Christmas party. Avi ate pancakes like crazy and cried like mad on Santa's lap- I love the pictures!! The classic screaming child. Erin said the Santa had a hard time with the crying baby scene.
Tonight Avi fell asleep on top of me, I moved the blanket down, and she scoot down so her head was at the top of my belly- it now sticks up enough to delineate into sections- and her body arching over the belly. Little brother started kicking her. Avi stirred. I bet she was wondering why mom's belly was getting uncomfortable.
I was able to sell another cocoon a girl who saw it on my classified ad on ksl.com. Very exciting!! I am thinking to see if anyone would want to order one of the hats I make- especially since it is Christmas time! I tried to get Avi to take pictures in her two of her hats, it is almost getting funny how many hats this girl has- and I have made more newborn sized ones for little brother...Well, I don't think any of the pictures turned out. She wanted the hats off and to go play... Erin was trying to help by entertaining her, but Avi was all over...

Mike, Liz, Sonja, and Anders visited yesterday. They had come down for a wedding. It was fun to see them. Avi was very happy to "Hi" to them, but cuddled up to me. They brought me my Christmas present- maternity clothes!! Oh, my word! I am so spoiled. I have one other maternity shirt, that Kesten gave me when I first went on bed rest... The shirts are really cute- they are the cutest shirts in my wardrobe! I think I am going to have to try to wear them even when I am not pregnant- they are soo cute! And the timing is so nice. I am getting to the point that my shirts are not long enough to cover this big boy up. And it will be nice to have something to wear to my exciting doctor's appointments- I realized I had been wearing the same thing... I feel spoiled rotten!
I finished Goose Girl last night. I basically read it yesterday, I had started Wednesday, but had not read much. I thought is was a fun read. But again I stayed up way later than I should, and when I read D&C 88:124- I realized I need to change my ways!! So with that- it is past 11 and I will try going to bed, hopefully I can actually go to sleep this early...
I have been able to talk on the phone with Gunnar for the last two days :). Yesterday he responded to my "hello Handsome" with a "hello Gorgeous"- it is nice to be called beautiful by my husband. I was looking at Avi's baby books and examined the pictures with Gunnar in. My goodness I am attracted to that handsome man... good thing we are married ;p.

Two Day- Two doctors appointment

Yesterday I saw a perinatalogist. My cervix is still about 2.8 :). So we are going to try modified bed rest, and go back in two weeks to see how we are doing. The perinatalogist that was there was not my regular doctor. He did not read my full file and was rather fast in my visit, maybe because they were behind schedule by forty minutes... I ended up calling the perinatalogist I regularly see to ask her a few more questions- she was the one that told me try the modified bed rest... She was explaining modified bed rest-saying I could get up a bit more, but I was to do no house work, no cooking- only simple meal prep. no lifting Avi, and no intercourse- when she said no intercourse-I responded that it would not be a problem, she started to explain that it really was important to not have intercourse- I then reminded her that Gunnar was in Afghanistan. It just made me laugh because I wondered what she thought I was thinking when I said it was not a problem...

Yesterday I made an Adorable Bear hat for Avi- I basically followed the pattern http://knitprocro.com/baby-bear-hat/. Seriously so cute! I added a small butterfly that was sweet touch to make it more fitting for Avi. It came together really quickly which was fabulous.
I also started on an owl hat for Avi, but today I found I made it too long, so I took out more than half today. I tried out four different patterns for crocheted roses tonight, as I listened to General conference talks- Here is the link for what I think is my favorite of the four.
I had lab work done today-glucose testing and tests for infection- since we saw the eccobowel. And later I had my OB/GYN appointment. I am now 132 with a 26inch belly. Baby's heart rate is good. The funny thing I had a little sinking feeling when I saw 132- that moment of oh no- I am back in the 130's... But really I am pregnant!! and it was not long ago, that I could not believe I had made it below 140 let alone 135 or... It is healthy regular weight gain so far, I just wish half my weight gain didn't go to my love handles, I don't just pop-I thicken when I am pregnant. Like it matters right now anyway!
The Relief Society presidency came to visit me today- They are so sweet!  I was really impressed how quickly they got me visiting teachers and they have come to visit me- and I don't even go to church... maybe that is why...Well, they have been one of the fastest R.S. presidencies to come in and meet and assign visiting teachers that I have had.
Sonja drove us and helped take care of Avi while I did the labs/break/Dr. appointment. I think it was nice for Erin to have a break! She was able to take Jaxon to Trafalga- and she said it was nice to be able to actually be able to do some of activities.
I have been able to talk to Gunnar on the phone three days in a row now- we are on a roll, but I doubt we get to talk tomorrow- three is the longest stretch of consecutive calls I get. I had a spectrum of feeling for him today. I was really missing him earlier. I longed to just have him here, but then later I was feeling numb towards him. I felt like he was kind of fading from me in a way, he just seemed to be this distant figure that I worry about. I think I need to do better on focusing on his good points- I listened to Elder Holland in "How do I Love Thee?" I need to be a better spouse.
Sonja brought Christmas presents from Gunnar's parents for Avi. She was allowed to open one of them, because she can use them this winter- it was a pair of snow boots. We put them on her feet- and to my surprise, she did not like! She had a really hard time standing and tried to get them off-she is use to the light leather/cloth shoes. She'll get use to them... but it was rather funny to see her try to stand. I love her soo much.

hats and poop everywhere

Back to Erin's house. Poor Avi is officially allergic to milk. We had stopped giving it to her for about the last week, and yesterday without thinking I shared my granola with her. About twenty minutes after she was fussy and just wanted to lay with me. For the rest of the day she basically had diarrhea. Poor kid!
While at mom's I finished the fourth book to Work and the Glory, made a bear ear hat for the little guy and for Avi, and had lots of good snuggle time with Avi. Oh! and the excitement of the weekend- Avi's rash is getting better, but it is still a bit there, so I while I was getting her ready for bed one night- I let her air out. She was so cute running around naked! She went over to my mom's door and peeked into her room and was saying "boo". It took mom a minute to see her, when she saw her she told Avi to come in. In pushed the door slightly open. Avi was still standing in the hall, and I saw a little piece of brown starting to come out of her rear end...I panicked! I grabbed a wipe and ran over. A little late- plop on the floor. I wiped her bum and scooped her up- more poop fell- falling onto my pants and the ground. My mom was to be by that time- asking to take Avi- I was so panicked- it suddenly hit me- I am on bed rest! I am not suppose to be up! or picking up Avi! Sweet mom cleaned up and I got back in bed and got Avi ready for bed.
Tonight Erin took Avi with her family to Trafalga. Avi surprisingly did not like the carousel-it was a favorite for her at Disneyland. Avi enjoyed being her in the little umbrella stroller- I was also shocked, she usually get tired of being in a stroller rather quickly.
I made a really really cute owl baby hat for the baby today. It took me all day! but I am really pleased with the results, when I figure out pictures- I will put one on. I combined so many patterns and did my own changes, that I don't think it worth it to link to the patterns I used.
I got to talk to Gunnar today. He asked me what we should name the baby. He shot down my ideas and didn't have any of his own- because he doesn't have any name books over there... I have sent him suggestions in the past too, but he doesn't like any yet. I am honestly thinking I am just going to decide something for myself. But it was great to talk to him. Avi even got to say hi and talked to him a little bit- it was rather adorable... we probably shouldn't tell him when she was saying "dada" she was pointing to an Elmo book...
Last night I watched some Mormon Messages on YouTube. They are so good! I was really hit by "My New Life", it is about a woman who survived an accident, but was disfigured due to burns. It really hit me because I worry that my husband doesn't really find me very attractive... The woman seems like a truly great person. I loved her perspective on the privilege and importance of motherhood.
I am 26 weeks now. I have been through five weeks of bed rest- I have ten to go. It is too bad bed rest is not a linear experience. It is more exponential experience of discomfort. But after this week we are into the single digits of weeks left, and for a how cute this little guy is going to be- it is totally worth it!

I ruined Christmas on Thanksgiving

So I ruined Christmas today. I checked Gunnar's e-mail to see if he had read my e-mail I had sent him the other day, and I noticed an e-mail that said something like Amazon Kindle Fire: now shipped. I was so upset he had bought a $200 dollar Kindle when I had gotten him a Kindle Touch for Christmas. It had just arrived in the mail yesterday! It was a big deal for me to order him the Kindle Touch. I do not buy expensive things. So it was a huge stretch for me to spend that much money on a present. I am also a believer in libraries, but Gunnar thinks they are really cool and it would be useful especially while he is over seas... It was tough for me, but when you are in love you do crazy things. To see the e-mail was like heart break- my great Christmas present now ruined! Plus I have just had a really tough last couple days being really mad at him for choosing to be gone. REALLY MAD. So this was like the straw on the camel's back. I cried. I ranted to Erin, and then he called. I said happy Thanksgiving, and we chatted about his Thanksgiving, and then I told him he had ruined Christmas. He asked how and I told him he had ordered a Kindle Fire when I had already gotten him a Kindle Touch. he said he had not, I responded I had seen the e-mail, he asked if I had read it- I had not- he told me it was just an advertisement. I opened it and it was an advertisement. I so embarrassed. I was the one who had ruined the Christmas surprise for Gunnar.
We went to mom's for Thanksgiving. It was delicious! Avi like the candied yams- yes, I let her eat candied yams, but at least she was eating a vegetable... stuffing, not the creamed peas, not the turkey, not the potatoes, bur once she saw the rolls the she not eat anything else till she had one. She also loved the fruit salad. One of my favorites, was the homemade cranberry sauce my mom made- it was new to this year. We had a brownie pumpkin pie with some ice cream for dessert- quite decadent. (Avi had yogurt with oatmeal for dessert- she loved it- she tried to pick up the bowl to lick it out, but it had a suction cup bottom so she wasn't able to get it off the tray.)
For dinner Aliea and Jaxon were on the piano bench, we had the kitchen table and a card table at the end. Avi was at the card table and Warren put across from her. Warren commented at being at the kid table, we corrected him to say he was not at the kid table, he was at the baby table :).
After dinner and dessert were over and Warren had gone home, everyone but Wayne and I went into the kitchen for a dance party. It was so cute! The kids were so funny. I really wished I could have been the one dancing with Avi, but Erin was good with her. Avi had fun, until she saw the pretzels, after which she just wanted a pretzel.

Some Avi cuteness and Christmas begins before Thanksgiving

I am feeling behind the times. I found a site which has cute templates for blogs- but I cannot find the "design" button on my blog... to change mine, and on the new ones- which don't require you to find the design button, I keep coming up with an error. Am I doomed to a plain old blog with the basic template??
Avi cuteness:
-She sat in a round floaty and had me throw balls to her, so she sat there with a three balls piled up around her in the floaty.
-She loves to find places that are just the right height for her to sit. The bottom stair is ideal, the front of the treadmill... she even tried the little couch from the doll house, but she found it a bit too small for her.
-She loves the fishy- I think they are vinyls in the play room. She talks about them and loves to touch them. She was climbing over the Fisher Price farm to touch one, and thought it was cool so she was going back and forth (was that yesterday or today?)
-Today she was willing to wear the pilgrims hat from the dress ups. She was so cute! She then put on another hat that covered her whole head, and the silly girl went walking around until she hit into the wall. She is so funny like that, she put clothes over her head, or whatever and walk around until she hits into something, sometimes repeatedly! (maybe once I was laughing too hard to stop her from doing it more than once...)
-Tonight we had pizza and grapes. I had picked off the sun dried tomatoes off of mine. I had a grape on my plate and Avi came and stole the grape. She then grabbed one of the tomatoes that was burnt- it was blackened so I think she thought it was a grape. She took a bite and smiled she turned to Erin and gave her a big charcoal filled smile. We laughed that she like it. She chewed on it for what seemed like a whole minute. Then she took another bite and got to the part that was not burnt. At this point she realized she was not eating a grape. She spit it out- it was so funny!
-She has been such a love to me! She keeps coming up to me and giving me hugs. I LOVE it!
When I cradle her baby doll she comes to me and gets in my arms, so she can hold the baby and be cradled too.
-Her poop is looking better- so it looks like she is dealing with a milk allergy right now. She is still rashed, with a bumpy rash- so we are trying free and gentle huggies and not huggies brand. We put lavendar oil on and gave an oatmeal bath today. The surrounding redness has gone down, now we will see if the bumpy rash part goes away, if not we'll go to the doctor... With the rash looking better, the poop better, and her molar being broken in- she is a much happier baby. She was just so delightful today.
I read A Christmas Carol today. I had remembered it being short, but wow, really that is a fast read. At parts it feels almost funny to read because it is memorized from seeing the movies. It is a wonderful Christmas tale. I told Gunnar, (Ya! after two days of nothing I got to talk to him today!) I was reading it, and he laughed at me for reading it the day before Thanksgiving. But it is our book club book for the month, so I had to get it done before book club... that is in a couple of weeks :).
Erin is set up for Christmas, not that I have seen up stairs, but my tree is decorated. This evening I had the lights off in the room enjoyed the glow of the christmas lights on the tree. I know the Christmas tree upstairs is decorated and she put out her out door decorations. She told me Avi just loved them!
There is a part of me that doesn't want to do holidays. I am in bed and Gunnar is gone. It is funny- most of my life has not included Gunnar, but after only two years of holidays with him, I feel they are so empty without him.

Family Home Evening and complaining

Couldn't sleep till five a.m. the other night. Ugh. I don't understand why pregnancy is has to be so uncomfortable. The baby has found new ways to cause me pain, plus all the general pains I have been dealing with already. Start with morning sickness, then suffer some more... gosh good thing I love my babies, else I think I would really be done.
Last night I taught Family Home Evening. We talked about the first Thanksgiving, read a scripture on gratitude, then wrote down something we were thankful for on a strip of paper. We put it in a container and played pictionary and had to guess who's was who's, then we put them back in the container and played charades with them. Best moments-
1. Jaxon's was a bus driver. He happened to pick his for the pictionary round. He drew a man. We guessed several things- including a bus driver, but that was not it, he said- it was Jack Sparrow.
2. Wayne got the word family- so for his picture he drew a family of turkeys.
3. Erin got the word diaper- she drew Avi- with a diaper and tickling her belly- since that is what Avi loves to do when she is getting her diaper change- she had a word bubble saying "tickle, tickle..." since Ave says that as she tickles her belly. It is so funny- because Avi says it in the funniest voice- it is a throaty nasal voice- if that makes any sense.
4. Because of Erin's drawing, when Aliea got the word diaper for charades, she just tickled her belly.
5. and final- Aliea and Jaxon got together to do the last charade- it was Jaxon's bus driver. So they went off to plan how they were going to act it out. They came out with Jaxon riding on Aliea's back- Aliea was the bus.

I have been working on a crocheted jacket for the baby. The pattern has been the most confusing I have ever worked with. I am almost finished- sewed it together, to find out it is a joke. The body and sleeves are okay, the neck is ridiculously large! I think I am giving up- I think I am just going to take it apart and use the yarn for something else- I just don't like that because then the next item with have a lot of tied together pieces... humph!
It is pathetic how tired and sick I feel after playing with Avi for probably a half hour. How in the world am I going to take care of her and the new baby after three more months of bed rest?

Come Thou Fount... video

I got to Face book chat with Gunnar today. So that makes since last Sunday we have talked three times on the phone and face booked once. - averaging every other day. Not too bad, but my pessimistic side says that it is pathetic- a wife should be able to talk to her husband everyday! But hey at least we live in a time of modern technology!

I found this video on the blog that had ideas from the last Relief Society lesson in the ward. First of all, I love this song, second of all, it has a great shot of Uncle John, on Gunnar's side.
I had my visiting teacher come today!! They are very nice. They each have done bed rest too- well, one did one week and the other two weeks- does that really count?? Yes, it does, but it certainly is not the same as being down for months...
Little Avi's nose is running and she seems just slightly fevered. Goodness this poor kid- diaper rash coming and going like crazy, poop outs all the time, a little rash by her ear- looked better today, either a B12 deficiency or geographic tongue, molar coming in... Yet, she is still a pretty happy little kid. I don't think she'll ever out grow her sensitive skin. Well, I like hypoallergenic soaps and lotions better anyway.
I have a headache that is not really going away it started last night. I took a nap today, it helped, but it is still lingering. Hum, this is the longest I have ever had. I am pretty lucky that I usually have short headaches, so this is perplexing to me.
Erin put up a Christmas tree in my room- it is not decorated- just up. Avi was fascinated! Avi loves to play with balls. I think they and little cars are her favorites right now. Erin was telling me the other day when they were out they went to several different places- Avi loved it. We think Avi has the explorer spirit. She loves being out and going. She gets restless when she is in one place too long.
Did I mention I am 25 weeks now :)

Snowball!

I am moved down to the basement now. I use to be in the on the main floor in the front 'sitting room'. I was up there so I could be close to what was going on. I was, but I was in the corner. So we moved me down here so Avi would be more comfortable to stay and play with me- not as much for her to get into, and it keeps her close.
Most of the day the family was gone, so yes, I did feel a bit isolated, I wanted to know what Avi was up to in the morning, but Erin brought her down for a kiss good bye before they left. Later we had great success in having her down here playing with me!! Ya! We mainly played with the Fisher Price barn and Mr./Mrs. Potato Head- I was so proud of Avi- she has developed the eye/hand coordination to put the pieces in the holes. Yes, her potato head mostly consisted of ears, but it was marvelous she could do it! She also grabbed the hats and would but them on her head :).
I got quite the surprise for Avi and Erin today... it was a snowball! Thankfully it brushed right off the blanket I was on :). Avi got to take it into the tub to play with it while it melted. 
Today I worked on putting pictures of temples around matting the frame a Proclamation to the World. I am getting closer to finishing- I need to put some pictures in place so I can cut the final ones and make sure everything is fitting. While I worked on that I listened to Elder Utchdorf's, Forget Me Not.  
I took a shower today- it is sad that especially this week it is note worthy... do I admit how how many days it has been? I had missed Gunnar yesterday- he had been on line wanting to skype! but I had no way of knowing- we had dinner and moved my room while he was on... he had said he hoped we could talk today- so I was guessing that there might be a chance to skype. So after my shower I was debating- do I put make up on? So I can look nice for Gunnar. I was wondering, got on Facebook, just in case he was on, and he called on the phone, so I ended up glad I had not bothered with the make up (don't get me wrong- I like wearing make up- I just don't see the point of wearing it unless I am going out right now). I was so glad to be able to talk to him, I felt we started off well, but I don't think I handled the rest of conversation well. I was telling him I had looked into stuff for his schooling, and I wanted him to check out the links and this and that... I don't know, maybe I was being too bossy, I just didn't feel right when it came time to say good bye- which was a minute and half earlier than normal...
I watched some of Lost today. Gunnar and I stopped at season five because all the characters just seemed so crazy and immoral, but really I think we stopped just when it was getting good! I am in season six now. Yes, they are still crazy and immoral, but it is not the same as the other seasons... I paused my episode to get Avi ready for bed. Wow, I love that little girl. Earlier while we were playing we got a blanket and rolled her up in it- so she was bundled up. She loved it. So tonight I bundled her up after her diaper change and did the rest of our routine with the cutest little bundle.
I was enjoying watching Lost, but really that enjoyment is nothing compared to getting Avi ready for bed. I cannot believe how much I love her.
** I had a picture to put on, but I can't figure out how to get a picture off my camera on a Mac...

Another hat and PT rejection

Well, I have watched a ridiculous amount of shows on the computer and just finished another hat for our little guy- I made a few changes, but I really enjoyed the pattern. I learned a new stitch and a new way of starting a project. I think it is adorable- I am excited for him to wear it! It is a Monkey ear hat.

I got to talk to Gunnar today. He was able to go to church this week- and he ended up singing- apparently he was singing with a few other guys before church and the bishop came up to them and asked to sing in meeting. It is truly amazing how quickly 15 minutes can go by. Every time he says it is time go I am shocked.
Ah, I was so addicted to looking at my split ends. I am so grateful I cut my hair right before bed rest. I have not been stuck looking at split ends so far- ugh I just glanced and saw a good one... I don't need to look again... I can resist... stupid split ends!
Yesterday, Erin was telling about the book she just finished- it was written by a man who lost his just after the birth of their daughter. The wife died because of a blood clot she got from bed rest. That was in 2008. That poor family! Well, a few minutes after hearing about the book I got a call from the physical therapist. He said my insurance had not authorized care- that is was not medically necessary. I told him it was ironic, from what I just had heard- he said if I do die from a blood clot, I can haunt them. I will be the ghost of Tri-Care.
Anyone who has done bed rest-really done bed rest (sometimes woman can get away with still being up- they just do it like house arrest)- knows how it destroys your body. I only had it for two months last time- my back hurt so bad after. It made my knees worse. Everything is stiff and sore, and you have no muscle, no energy... Yes, last time I did some light exercises and stretches- it is just really nice and comforting to have a professional be able to tell you what is safe for your baby and how to really deal and counter act some affects of bed rest. Oh well, at least I got one visit- so I know some tricks to help

Avi has a molar!

Avi's first molar has broken through! I was wondering... I thought it looked like her lower left gums looked like they could be preparing, and she has been more fussy and asking for "nanas"- her word for food a ton- I wonder if it because her mouth has been bothering her. I feel like she is so grown up- getting a molar!
I think my belly has had an additional "pop" I believe it is bigger. That is the second in the a week, I hope I don't end up with too many stretch marks.
I made our little guy this cute newborn ball cap. While staying up way too late watching some of season 5 of Lost.
Kesten came by yesterday to visit. It is amazing to have a friend like her. We have been friends for 14 years now, even through me living in five different states and going through, well, I don't know how many moves... What a blessing.
Book club was last night. There was a good sized group. It was a party! We had read The Giver. I had not read it for years. It thought it was an interesting mix of those that believe they die in the end and those that don't. For some there was no question, other like me debate it.

Perinatalogist visit 24 weeks

Perinatalogist appointment today. I am a 2.9- YA! so stayed steady for a week, my next appointment is not for two weeks- since I have been okay and we are past 24. The little guy is looking good. At first his  right kidney still looked dilated, but when the doctor looked, apparently he had relived himself, it looked normal :). But the intestines were showing up bright- which could from my bleeding before, or could mean cystic fibrosis, down syndrome, potential low birth weight, or nothing. The doctor asked if I wanted to get an amniocentesis to check for down syndrome, I was kind of shocked with one indicator that she would offer. I said we didn't need it. The only difference it would make anyway would I would do some research on down syndrome... he is right on for size and active. I am starting to get pains from him pushing up higher, I think he bruised my liver the other day ;).
Last night I was trying to straighten up a little, just in case my cervix had dangerously shortened and I would be admitted to the hospital. I know I am really blessed- things have been going well, but this is still horrible. I really hate bed rest. I hate not being able to take care of Avi. I hate that both me and my daughter are a burden on others. It is like the stupid deployment- I hate it. I want it just to be over but there is nothing I can do. I can only choose to have a better attitude, some days that is harder than others. I just lay around I shouldn't be the one complaining. I can't change it so I just have to deal. I am tired of the fear, I am tired of my body being sore and weak, I am tired of me and Avi being a burdening others. I want Gunnar home, I want him to here taking care of us, I want to be up. Maybe I am not dealing very well tonight...
Avi cuddled up to me tonight as I sang to her. I love her cuddles. She slept through the night last night! She is distinctly saying "no". She is getting taller- her dresses are shorter on her and she needed new tights. Today dinner was later than usual. I think Avi thought we were trying to starve her. I gave her a piece of bread to snack on, then some bites of dried fruit. I put away the food. Avi came over got my snack tupperware and carried it out crying for more food. It was rather cute, considering the box is at least half of her. She just had had some so I had her wait, but I snuck in a banana before dinner too.

Sugar and Insurance- both trouble

I just watched Sugar: The Bitter Truth. Maybe I had a bowl of ice cream as I watched it :). But wow, I really need to cut down on sugar intake- basically he goes through the biochemistry of how fructose is metabolized- and the out come is that it is a poison to your body. And of course the more you eat, the higher propensity you have towards it, and the same goes for if you are pregnant- the more sugar crosses to the baby the higher propensity they have towards it too. Though poor Avi got her dose in the womb, I am so thankful I am being careful with her now. I need to catch up in my habits though- I am so addicted!

Let's see, today I had more trauma with Tri-Care, turns out they put me on the wrong plan- I am suppose to be Prime-remote, I am on Prime, I call they say I am not eligible for either since Gunnar is not living with me- nonsense! Finally I talked to a friend who's husband was recently deployed and she gave me the number to a DEERS facility in UT and I was able to talk to them. I need to Fax in some forms, but hopefully everything goes smoothly and I don't have to keep jumping through their hoops.
We watched a bit if the "The Shaggy Dog" this evening. Avi loved it when they would show the dog. She was so funny, because there would be a shot of the dog, then a shot of a human- when the dog disappeared, she would turn to us with hands up wondering where the dog had gone to, and by the time she turned back around to look at the screen, she missed the next shot of the dog and the shot would be back humans. The movie didn't keep her attention for too long, she got up on the couch and climbed around on me- she was so smiley and adorable.
She has had poops out everyday for the last two months, I called and asked her pediatrician about it, he said to try not giving her milk for about a week, she doesn't drink very much, but we'll try it to see if that makes a difference.
I got to talk to Gunnar today. I am so glad. I was feeling the strain of not talking to him, even though it had only been a day. Poor guy, I might have been a little emotional when he called. I really miss him.

Sunday and this and that

I am very excited- Diana wants one or two cocoons too! I really didn't know if people would buy them, so this is exciting. I am finding out I am not very business oriented- I had not thought about shipping or method of payment- poor Diana is having to deal with me figuring these things out. I hope she- and who she gives them to enjoys them!
When we got my wedding ring we got it just a touch bigger, just in case I got pregnant someday and my fingers would swell. Now I am on my second pregnancy and my poor ring keeps falling off. Oh, well with the way I eat- it is going to pay off having a bigger ring probably faster than I want.
We made it viability!! Things just get better from here! Well, maybe not my strength and soreness... but it is worth it! I was reading posts from other women with incompetent cervix, each had stories of lost. How am I so blessed? I am so thankful I do not have a true incompetent cervix- my has at least enough competence to make this this far.
Yesterday Aliea and I made jewelry. Aliea got a kit for her birthday and used it to make a necklace and I used my stuff to make Avi another bracelet. I made it to go with her Sunday outfit today, but Wayne got her dressed for church and the bracelet didn't happen.
I had the sacrament brought to me! I really appreciated having the opportunity to receive it.
I watched Elder Waddell's talk from the priesthood session. His focus is on missionary work- talking to missionaries and return missionaries. He told return missionaries to think about the lessons they learned on their missions and to apply them to their lives and they still need to be missionaries. On the mission you are so busy doing the Lord's work. I want to be able to use my time wisely and be productive. It is somewhat frustrating on bed rest, but I have been blessed to keep "busy" these last three weeks- they really haven't been too bad. Thankfully though this talk help me think of something I should be doing anyway, but hadn't 'found the time' when I was up- family history! What a great opportunity I have right now to do the Lord's work, from bed. I had my first indexing experience and realized I have a lot of work to do verifying the work what has been done in my family and then I can move on from there.
Mom and Em came over for the primary program today- I extra sad to be not be able to go to church, the Primary program is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. They stayed for dinner and dessert- everything was so good- a little too good ;), I ate a bit too much.
Avi is every learning her routine. Usually when Erin or Wayne come to pick her up to bring her up to bed she starts crying. Now she starts crying when I turn off the lights and say a prayer with her and try to sing to her... Next time I think I leave the lights on.
Avi loves being flipped around. I put her on my legs and lower them, guiding Avi through a flip. She wants to do it again and again, and when I have her on my lap she leans backwards on my legs to go for a flip. Seriously this child is born for tumbling. 

Baby Cocoons for sale and Veterans' Day

Veterans' day. Well I didn't get to communicate with Gunnar today, but he did 'take me out to eat'-in a way... Chilli's resteraunt was kind enough to give me the free veterans' day meal- chicken tacos, that were delicious! It was exciting to get take out- and I so appreciated their kindness.  It was almost like going out- only in I stayed in bed. You know- eating a meal in bed is just not as exciting if you have to do it constantly...I wonder if I will ever be excited for breakfast in bed again.

So these last few days I started watching some shows on Hulu and Jane Eyre while I croched. I am making hooded baby cocoons- I hope to be able to sell a few (I am selling them for $25). I think they are adorable. I want to do something productive while I am down. Cute Alex-use to be Chipman- wants one. I was delighted. It is a fun excuse to reconnect too!
The other night I dreamed we were in the neighborhood in Highland that use to be our ward when we lived there. I had taken Avi trick-or-treating. By the time we got to the end of part of the block I realized I had been foolish to get up. I could feel the baby was low-putting pressure on my cervix. The house at the end of the block belongs to a sweet couple with a severely handicapped daughter. In my dream, the daughter with a little bit higher functioning, but still greatly handicapped. I interacted a little bit with the girl, and I knew because I had gotten up, my baby was going to come early and be handicapped. I was trying to get someone to go back to where we had parked and get the truck, so I wouldn't have to walk/be up anymore. I felt foolish- that they would be thinking that I was being lazy not to get it myself, but more than foolish I felt scared- getting mad at myself for risking my baby by being up and feeling that pressure low- being so scared he was going to come that day.
Tomorrow we are week 24- viability. I was so nervous these last two days- what if we didn't make it? What if I loose him now? I sat up a little bit while I was playing with Avi- is that going to cause him to come?

Well, I am glad tomorrow is soon. I am glad he is still in.
A few years ago I was at Jennica's and we watched some episodes of "Grey's Anatomy". So this evening- I decided to try to watch the newest episode on Hulu. The intro talked about how we, society, say we "had a terrible day" so often- for maybe getting caught in a traffic jam or fighting with the boss.... then it shows a man coughing up blood, and the episode proceeds to be a very traumatic one, and ends by saying when something truly terrible happens, we are left wishing we only had to deal with the fight or the traffic jam. Okay, so my life is pretty great right now! It really is.
Let's see- I have a beautiful little girl, that I adore. I have not lost my baby. I have a husband that loves me- even if it is only distantly ;). My family and friends are alive and pretty healthy. I have a sister and her family to take care of me and my baby. Maybe tomorrow I will keep going, but right now I am feeling so tired! I am so blessed.

Dr. appointment...

I went to the doctor today. My perinatalogist was not there. I went back down to a 2.8. The cervix is dynamic, but still, going from a 4.5 to a 2.8 in a week and half- ugh. I need to be more careful- I have been doing bed rest, but since my cervix was so long I was sitting up and moving around (crawling around with Avi mostly) more. The important thing is that I am above a 2.5- that is the start of the 'danger zone'. The perinatalogist there said they usually don't do cervical length checks after 24, but she thought I should be monitored. So we will will see what happens next week.
My kind mother has let me borrow her lap top so I can have the internet. The school district just gave them new lap tops and the let the teachers buy their old ones if they wanted to- mom had chosen to do so. What a blessing that I am able to use it!
I got to talk to Gunnar today!! Poor guy was sick yesterday. He was cute because he said it is probably not as bad as being pregnant. I agreed... But sick is not fun. I am glad he is feeling better today.
Avi is loving Erin. I am glad she loves her, and Erin takes good care of her, but it kind of hurts as she doesn't want to come to me more and more. Part of it, is Avi is having a tough time with her sleep, so she is getting grumpy and clingy.
Don't me wrong, Avi still plays with me. It just is a matter of timing. Last night, for FHE we watched "The Zoo Keeper"- I would suggest not watching it. It not worth your time. But Avi loved to see the animals. She got so excited! It was sooo cute!
This morning Avi came toddling into my room- she loves the curtains that separate my room from the hall- easy peek-a-boo. She had her arms up and a huge smile. It really made my day. She would come in and hurry out, and then come back in. I think the best joys come with motherhood.
Last night I finished the third book to "Work and the Glory". I am really enjoying them. It is helping me to get a better visual of where things were at in Church history, as well as bring up things I need to work on- like not murmuring and forgiveness. It has motivated me to start reading the D&C again.

Oh, acid indigestion! I thought it was suppose to wait off till third trimester... I've got my trusty tums, and I am waiting to see if I need to get something more serious to help. It's okay to have four at a time right??

Avi's Christmas Photo Shoot

So most my favorites I don't have on here, because I am dealing with a MAC- thanks to my wonderful mother! So at least I have a computer, but I am not computer savvy enough to figure how to get my pictures rotated!! I decided better to wait off than put sideways pictures on.
I thought it was funny of me to do Christmas pictures in October, but now on bed rest- I think it was inspiration!