Dreaming What Ifs...

CONTEST! Guess the Birth Date!! CONTEST!

IT'S CONTEST TIME!!!!  The moment everyone has been waiting for.  It is now time to try and guess my baby's Birth Date.  Correctly guess and win a fabulous collection of Oregon-Made Gifts (yet to be determined - but sure to be wonderful.)

Please read the following rules CAREFULLY.

1. This contest is open to ANYONE, ANYWHERE (to all my "lurkers" - comment and try to win!!  If you were ever going to comment, NOW is the time).
2. Be sure to fill-out the e-mail address field so I can notify the winner.
3. Guess BOTH the Date and Time you think I might give birth.
4. You can guess anytime from now until I actually give birth. 
5. In the event that your guess is incorrect and I am still pregnant at the date and time you originally chose - you can RE-GUESS a different day and time.  (for example, you chose May 1st at 12pm and that day passes without a baby being born - you can try to guess a new day and time)
6. Because I'm asking for the Time - you can choose a date already taken.  Whoever guesses the closest time for the correct day will be chosen WINNER.
7. I will keep updates going from now until the birth - keeping all readers informed of the progression of my cervix and any contractions I might be experiencing.
8. I'll be posting the guesses on my sidebar as they fill up.  Keep an eye out for date and time combinations already chosen.
9. If you have any questions - please feel free to e-mail me.

THINGS TO REMEMBER.

My official Due Date is May 23rd.  My other two children were both late and induced.

FIRST OFFICIAL UPDATE - April 29th, 36 weeks pregnant -  I had my Doc appt. today and am happy to report that I am:   50% effaced, 2 cm dilated.  The baby is still VERY high, however and the cervix is quite "posterior" (whatever that means).  When he drops, I'll be sure to let you all know. 

Fun Monday - Walking EE Wilson

AOJ and the Lurchers wants to know all about our favorite walk.  This is an assignment I can handle.  There's one place that we take walks whenever we can.

During World War II, Camp Adair was one of the largest army training facilities on the West Coast.  It was the second largest city in Oregon.  Today, all that remains of the encampment is crumbling foundations, a few scattered buildings, and roads that lead to nowhere.  It is now part of the E.E. Wilson Wildlife area and a great place to walk.

Long crumbling roads fight against the onslaught of grass and weeds.  Bordering trees  are a mixture of evergreens and deciduous;  Most planted by seed blown in from local orchards and yards.  Old twisted apple and pear trees sit randomly placed among aspen and maples.  The abundance of birds call their home here, singing praises from their branches.

During the summer months, fruit ripens on the wild blackberries and we eat during our walks.  The juice runs, staining our fingers purple, and the kids yell for more, trying to avoid the prickly thorns.

When Autumn arrives, the wild apples turn shades of gold and red; old varieties like Gravenstein, Spar, and McIntosh.  Surprisingly, the apples are clear of worms and blight.  It is as nature intended; the birds and spiders keep them clean.

Also during this time, the sunsets seem brighter, more orange against the evening sky.  The weeds and thistles silhouette nicely against the backdrop.

After October we stop walking for a while as E.E. Wilson allows hunting in certain areas.  Kids, bikes, strollers, and dogs do not mix with the sound of gunshots.  We wait until the new year and then start our walks again as weather permits.

It is this time when the fun really begins for the kids.  The grass has died, exposing the crumbling foundations and old abandoned sites.  These are the best places to explore and hide-out.  Now is the time when imaginations run wild.  What did this thriving army town look like?  Who walked among these roads before the deer, birds, and coyotes took over?

E.E. Wilson is a place to walk, run, ride bikes, watch nature, and most of all - for bringing a friend along to enjoy it.

Not feeling the love...Again

I casually turned to the fellow soccer mom, who I chit-chat with weekly, and asked if she knew where I could find a changing table pad.   She responded with a couple of store names and then asked, "Who is the pad for?"

I was a bit surprised at this question and responded, while pointing to my huge belly, "well, me."

She turned, "Oh?  You are expecting?  When are you due?"

"In four weeks."  I said, wondering how on earth this woman could have missed the fact that I had a huge bulging pregnant stomach.

Her eyes literally fell out and rolled across the ground.  "Oh my.  I didn't realize.  You don't look that big.  I didn't realize you were that far along."

MORE PROOF - I don't look pregnant.  JUST FAAAAAAAT!

Maybe this explains why I don't get a lot of queries from people.  The only people who say anything are those that know I am pregnant.  Dave reassured me last night that I did indeed look extremely pregnant - but not as big as when I carried Buttercup. 

After carefully examining my figure in the mirror - I realized that I am carrying all my baby fat in my hips and butt.  AHA!  That explains it all.

Better get busy

We only have 2 years left to blog....

2010:  Doomsday for the Internet

Insert Loud Girly Squeal Here

I received the most adorable, cutest package in the mail.  She told me a sweater was coming, but when the package arrived, the contents just blew me away.  They are soooooo wonderful.   I am completely overwhelmed.

Karisma hand-knit two beautiful baby sweaters and a little hat. 

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Insert Loud Chuckle Here

Also were two very humorous towels full of good Aussie lingo.  So - now I can tell Karisma that She's a real darl.  Bloody oath.

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Insert two children saying "That's Mine!?"

And finally - so the other two kids didn't feel too left out were some books, pencils, stencil, and lipgloss.  Notice the lipgloss is not featured in the picture.  Um - that's because Buttercup quickly swiped it and is hiding in the bathroom gussying herself up.

Thank you so much Karisma.  I can't wait to put them on the baby!!!  He is going to be the best-dressed babe in town!!

What I Meant To Say

to the two elderly women from the Jehovah Witness that stood at my door.  Instead I stated something stupid and told them I wasn't interested in speaking to them. 

"Of course I have to believe that life will get better in this world.  I have two small children and one on the way.  I have HOPE in my heart that I will be leaving them in a world that isn't about to fall apart.  I have HOPE for them and their future.   I have HOPE that the lessons I teach them will guide and direct them to build a better future.

"Yes, there are a lot of things that are wrong in our world today.   But, you know what?  It isn't anything new.  Every generation for thousands of years has had to deal with the same problems we face now:  Greed, Crime, Hate, War, Lust, Drugs, and Violence.  The problems are the same, they just come in different packages.  Is our world worse?  I don't know, but I can tell you some things are better.  (at least here in America)

"My children will live beyond infancy and not die from a common infection.  My children won't suffer the effects of Measles, Mumps, Smallpox, or Tetanus.  Chances are good they will outlive me.  My son won't be apprenticed off at the tender age of eight to shove cannonballs into the naval gunnery.  My daughter won't be married off at fifteen to a man three times her age so we can unite our clans.  My children will grow up and strive to become what they want.

"No, the world isn't perfect.  It never has been.  But to think that only the Afterlife is the Hope I have?  That's downright wrong.  I live on this world and I live NOW.  I have HOPE the little things I do right now will make the future better.  I have HOPE that all those non-profit organizations and philanthropists who work so hard to help others will make the future brighter.  I have HOPE that all those persons who strive to make this world better are doing just that.  Yes, I  have HOPE...but it isn't about when I'm dead.  It is about the here and now - LIFE!"

Why I Hate Being Late....

When I was 4 months pregnant with Jammin' I commented to Dave one day "Hey, I think Natalie is pregnant."  (Natalie, being the local news anchor.)  Dave highly doubted it and asked me why. 

"She just looks pregnant."  I was correct.  One month later she announced she was due - exactly ONE week after me.  I felt a great kinship with the woman.   We were about the same age, pregnant with our first child, and due at the same time.  We even shared the same doctor's office.  I loved her. 

Jammin's due date came and went.  I woke up Tuesday morning and turned on the t.v. to watch the morning news.  Natalie was NOT on the air.  I looked at Dave.  "WHERE'S NATALIE?"  I yelled.

He stood like a deer in headlights.  "Um.....she had her baby yesterday."

I was pissed.  I hated the woman.  I was suppose to have my baby before her.  Life was so unfair.

Fast forward 2-1/2 years.  I was pregnant with Buttercup.  Somehow, I had convinced myself that FATE was kind and since Jammin' was a late baby then Buttercup was sure to be an early baby.  I had deemed it so.  There could be no alternative.

A good friend of mine, Angela, was pregnant at the same time.  She was due 2 weeks after me.  I felt a great kinship with her.  We were both having girls and suffering through those hot summer months.  We'd bring our boys to her parents pool and cool off from the heat.  We were miserable together.  It was a great bond.

Then, I received a phone call.  "Um, Karmyn, promise you won't hate me."  It was Angela.  Her darling daughter had decided to arrive early - 6 weeks early.   

"Oh no, Angela.  Of course not.  I'm just glad she is healthy and that everything turned out so well."  I smiled but inside I was seething.  I was suppose to give birth first.  Did I hate her?  Only for two minutes until I was happy and relieved she had a healthy baby.

And, of course, FATE did me wrong.  Buttercup was late; five days late.  That may not seem like much, but since I was convinced she would arrive early, each day was a torturous affair of second guessing my very soul.

Fast forward 4-1/2 years.  Angela informed me that I have now gone further than she did with her third child.  I told her I'd like to this baby to arrive early - but not THAT early.  Besides, we have a lot of activities going on in May and having an early baby would really "complicate our schedule".

Angela told me I had just jinxed myself.   Not wanting to have a complicated schedule just meant I was going to have one.

Maybe.  But I'm not doing any guesses.  I really don't want to have a late baby, but I'm completely expecting that situation.

Jammin' was due March 27.....born April 6
Buttercup was due Sept. 28....due October 1

This baby is Due May 23rd...... I'm totally prepared for a June baby.   

Another Boring Pregnancy Post....

Because that's all I can think about right now.

First off - for my regular readers who may not know - The Beautiful and Illustrious Swampy is throwing me a Virtual Baby Shower on May 9th.  If you would like to participate - please sign up here!!!

And now - here is what I did all weekend long:

    I was busy throwing a load of baby clothes into the washer when Dave walked in.  He was reluctant to start the garage clean-up to retrieve all the stored baby furniture.  He quietly asked, "Do you really need to do all this now?  Isn't it a little early?"
    "Um, you do realize that I could give birth in 2 weeks."
    As the panic slowly eased from his eyes, he agreed, "Let's get to work."

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* Yes, I am planning on using Cloth Diapers - I've chosen two brands: Bum Genius and Happy Heinies.  Aren't the names delightful?  Of course, for the first 2 weeks I'm sticking to those disposables.  I'm not entirely crazy.

* No, we don't have the crib out yet.  I've decided the baby will sleep in the little bassinet for the first 2 months.  Bringing the crib in means having to rearrange Jammin's room - and I'm just not ready to start that project.

* Yes, I have a lot of clothes, but only a few are new.  Most are hand-me-downs from Jammin' and other friends and family who knew we were trying again.  And hey - remember the 12 bags of Girl clothes?  Well - I sorted through all of them.  Two moms at school have little girls.  The 9mo old gets the 12-18mo clothing.  The 18mo old gets the 24mo-3T clothing.  And Goodwill received the rest.  I feel better knowing someone who could use my clothes.

* Could I give birth in 2 weeks?  Possibly - but highly unlikely.  Case history proves otherwise.  Details for the "Guess the Birth Date" contest will be coming soon (next week). 

Overheard Conversation.........

Jammin' - Daddy, when are you going to be done?  Is it my turn, yet?
Dave - Soon, soon....Let me just get through this part.

Silence....

Jammin' - Come on Daddy, when do I get to play?
Dave - In a minute....I just need to kill this guy.

Silence.....

Jammin' - DADDY - It's MY Game Boy.  Let me play, please?
Dave - okay, okay.....just a minute. I just have to get through this section.

Silence.....

Jammin' - I WANT TO PLAY!  YOU SAID I COULD PLAY!
Dave - I'm almost done.  Give me a minute.  I'm almost done here.

Silence.....

Jammin' - BWAA BWAAA - DADDY!!!!!!!
Dave - Okay, okay....let me wrap this up and hit save.

Silence.....

Jammin' - DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDYYYYY
Dave - I'm done, I'm done.  Here you go......

Silence......

Buttercup - Is it my turn now?

TAX SWAP

AFF and DC DAYS organized a wonderful Tax Relief Swap among bloggers.  This swap was a way to get some love in the mail instead of bills.  Of course I felt the need to jump right in and receive something good in my mailbox!!!  I was partnered up with June Cleaver Nirvana and she sent me the most awesome of gifts:

First - a lovely handmade card - which I was quite impressed with because not only did she stamp - but she also embossed (After 7 years of scrapbooking, I've finally gotten into the whole embossing phenomena and LOVE it).

Second - WOW!  A Digital photo album key chain.  It is MY present - so how come my husband thinks he can have it?  Hmmm..... I foresee a fight coming on....but guess what, folks.  Pregnant women usually win this type of match.