40 WEEKS 5 DAYS

Okay, so today I thought I'd recap on my pregnancy. My due date was on Monday, April 20th. Today, 5 days later, I am still waiting.....waiting for my little man to make his grand entrance. He sure does know how to keep us all in suspense! On Wednesday evening, I wasn't feeling that great, so we came home early from a nice dinner at my aunt's house. Well, a little while longer I started having some small contractions. By midnight they were getting stronger, but still pretty far apart. Around 6 in the morning, they were about 5 minutes apart, still pretty strong, but pretty bareable. Then around 9 they were about 2 to 4 minutes apart and so we decided to head over to labor and delivery to get checked out. Well, on my way over, the contractions pretty much stopped. And after getting checked out, they sent me home. You could imagine my dissappointment. Then, to make me even more discouraged, I hadn't even dialated or efaced any more than I was a week ago. And now it is Saturday and I haven't even had any more contractions. Not sure what that was all about, but I have to say, I think it was a pretty mean joke for my body. I just wish that you would get signs that would tell you that ok, now that this happens you are this amount of time away from having your baby. I don't think it's too much to ask. But, Calvin is still healthy and pretty darn active. He isn't slowing down much and must love it where he is. He is in no hurry to leave his happy home. Me, on the other hand, I'm ready to have this guy. I go back Monday to see if I'm progressing. That will put me at 41 weeks and if I don't have him by then, they will most likely schedule me for an induction. I never thought it would be so long and so hard to wait. Wish me luck everyone. I really don't want to be induced. But, I guess I gotta do what I gotta do.

Here's what Calvin looks like right now. Isn't it amazing????!!!!!

DUE DATE

Okay, today is supposed to be the magical day. But, so far no contractions, not a one. I love Lorilee for taking me out today to the mall and to Target to get me walking around. I hope your efforts aren't in vain friend. As for my pacience. I'm pretty convinced if one more person calls to ask if the baby is here yet I'll scream!!!! Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate all of the love and concern and excitement that everyone is sharing, but it's so dissapointing to have to tell everyone that "nope, no baby yet, not even close".......Okay, I know I won't be pregnant forever, but for a control freak planner like myself, this is the hardest thing ever. I really think you should have labor signs and then labor ACTUALLY begin. Not this guessing game that is happening. Okay, I know this is a total venting post, but it just goes to show how excited I am to meet my son and hold him and love him.

NO MORE WORK FOR ME

Well, it is official.....I'm officially done working. I have to say I have quite a bit of emotions about this transition in my life. I have never not had to work before. I started working for D'Boni's Pizza when I was 16 years old. At the time it was for extra spending money and for me to save to buy a car. Well, as college rolled around, I continued to work until I graduated. Then I decided to go on a mission (a different kind of work). When I returned from my mission I got engaged and I needed to work to help make ends meet since we were moving to a more expensive part of the state. Then we moved back and again, I worked to help pay off our debt. Well, the time has come that our debt is pretty much taken care of (except for our car) and Joe has a very good career ahead of him in the Air Force. Now, the baby is almost here and I am taking maternity leave. I have been so excited for this day to come, when I wouldn't have to be on my feet all day long or deal with crazy customers. But truth be told I'm pretty sad today. D'boni's is like family to me. I practically grew up there and worked with many different family members and great friends throughout the years. And since I've always worked since I was 16, I'm not sure what life will be like with this big change. Yeah, I know I will be working hard taking care of a little baby boy, but it will be different, that's all. So, goodbye to a great job and great people whom I love very much. Another chapter in our lives is taking place...moving to a new state....having a baby......a new career for my husband.....wow!

20 YEARS AGO

Over 20 years ago, I befriended a little girl who moved here wither her family from Mexico. Her name was Marizol Fernandez. Even though she didn't speak English and I didn't speak Spanish, we became best friends. We did everything together, so when she moved away 18 years ago, I was devistated. We never stayed in contact and I always wondered what happened to her. Well, about a year ago she located me on Myspace (gotta love technology). Well, yesterday, she and her boyfriend were returning home from a trip and decided to take a detour to Escalon to come and visit me. So, after 18 YEARS of not seeing eachother, we met again and it was so great. I was nervous at first, but we just fell into conversation and talked about the good ol' days of Van Allen and learning eachother's language. It was so much fun. I took her around to see her old house where we used to play. Then we went over to Van Allen to show her all of the changes that have taken place there since we were little kids. Then we headed over to get some D'boni's pizza. Sadly, they couldn't stay for very long, but I am so glad she came to see me. She is doing really well down in Riverside and I told her that we can't let another 18 years go by again. I love how you have those friends that come into your life and no matter how much time goes by, you can just pick up and be great friends again. I love you Marizol!!!!

GENERAL CONFERENCE

This weekend was the 179th annual General Conference. I missed Saturday's sessions, but I got to go over to my in-laws' house to watch it with them on Sunday. The conference was so great. I love to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing. They are absolutely amazing and I always feel the spirit. The talks were so good too. I learned quite a bit and I am so thankful for our Prophet and Apostles. They have such a love for the Savior and you can feel the love that they have for each one of us. My favorite talk was by Elder Holland. Most of the talks during the first half were about the atonement of Jesus Christ. His talk was so insightful. He talked about how the Savior really does know what we are going through during our trials and when we sin. He said something that I never knew or thought of before. He said that Christ too knows what it is like to be alone spiritually. He talked about when he was on the cross and that He kept calling to his father and asked why he had left him alone. We really know that he wasn't alone, but Christ needed to feel that. He needed to make that connection of being alone so he could know how we must feel when we do not have the spirit with us when we sin. I LOVED THAT. My savior really does know me and understands every part of my thoughts and feelings because he too has experienced it all. He has a pure knowledge of everything and I am so grateful for the trials that he faced and overcame so that one day I too will be able to overcome all of my trials and know that He understands. That to me was the best talk of the day. I also liked many of the other talks and really got a lot out of conference this April. I can't wait to read them again in the Ensign so I can learn even more.

38 WEEKS TODAY

Okay, so I'm at 38 weeks now and I am going crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do not do good with waiting and I just cannot wait to meet the little man inside my tummy. All I can think about is my son and I don't want to wait anymore. BUT on a good note, if I do wait just a few more days Joe will probably make it here for the birth. That is something I just thought would never be possible. He graduates from Sheppard AFB training on Tuesday and will move to Luke AFB in Arizona on Wednesday. After that he will be so close that he can just jump on a plane and HOPEFULLY make it here in time. I'm praying so hard that he will make it (I know there is a chance he might not). Okay, well I have another Doctor's appointment on Thursday. Maybe I will have some progress. Yesterday I had quite a few Braxton Hicks Contractions. I really haven't felt too many of those during my pregnancy so yesterday was quite a workout for my belly! Okay, I guess 2 or so more weeks isn't really that long to wait, but like I said I don't have that much patience for waiting.

SO YOUNG SO IN LOVE

I was cleaning out some of my things down in the basement the other day. I came across this picture of Joe and I when we were dating. I LOVE these photos. First, we look so young, second, we look so in love. I know they are a bit dorky but I thought they were lost and I was SO excited to find them. It was all folded up and wrinkled but I think they came out great. I love you JOE!!! By the way I think this was the Summer of 2001