Less than two weeks to go...

Well, I met with the midwives today, and every thing's looking like it's supposed to. I am now 38 weeks and 2 days. That means we have a little less than 2 weeks to go. If she's on time. If she wants to hang out in utero the way Josephine did, than I still have a month left of pregnancy. I sincerely pray that is not the case.

This has by far been the hardest pregnancy I've had. I guess that's what happens when you carry 4 full-term babies back to back in 6 years. It takes its toll out on you. And the old grey mare, she ain't what she used to be. And let's face reality here people, I'm not getting any younger. When I first started this journey called motherhood I was 24, fresh faced and about to graduate from college, and in the best shape of my life as a recently retired aerobics instructor. Needless to say, the fact that I haven't done a single grapevine in those 6 years, coupled with taking care of 3 little ones, while carrying another little one, has made this pregnancy the most taxing. I'm tired all the time. I'm even convinced that I may have somehow acquired pregnancy-induced narcolepsy. I can no longer stay awake even for my favorite shows. I've never heard of this disorder before, and I've never known anyone else to have it. So I may be the first. But I think it's for real...

I've never been a fan of the pregnancy aspect of child bearing. Give me labor and delivery once a month for 9 months, but do NOT give me 270 days of back pain, cramping, nausea, muscle spasms, heartburn, weight gain, and all the other unspeakable aspects of pregnancy. I guess it has something to do with the way I'm wired. I'd choose sprints--impulse, intensity, sudden bursts of energy--over marathons--steady, paced, in it for the long haul--any day of the week.

To the menfolk--if you get squeamish with pregnancy details, then stop reading here. But most of you are dads, so you're probably familiar with all the terminology. However, for all of you who DO care--i.e., my lady friends--as of today, I am 2 cm dilated, and 70% effaced. The baby is low (meaning she's dropped and ready to go and in the blast off position), and every thing is on course. So hopefully we'll have our little girl within the next two weeks!

I Haven't Laughed This Hard In A Really Long Time

Holly is sweet and simple. Like a lady baker.
I would not be surprised to find out that she had worked in a bakery before coming here. She has that kind of warmth. I'm pretty sure she's baked on a professional level.--Michael Scott, "The Office"

More power to 'em

I find this little clip strangely comforting to me in my current condition. Yet, now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I should feel better about my present circumstances, or if I should feel bad for all the complaining I've been doing. Either way, I'm glad it's not me.

The real question I have is...How is this woman's body still functioning properly? Seriously.

For the Love of Money

We've implemented Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Jr. here at the Buckland house this week for our two oldest daughters, Isabel, 5, and Josephine, 3. I am so proud of them, because they've really latched on to the system really quickly. Every morning, Isabel & Jo get up and make their beds, feeds the cats, and are helping out a lot more around the house in general. It's great! I thought it was going to be like pulling teeth with them. But as they are working, they have some toys in mind that they're saving up to buy. So that's been a motivating factor for them.

This morning, as I was cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast, I heard two little voices singing in unison as they were making their beds, "Money, money, money, money--MONAAAY!" Whatever works, I guess! I just hope we're not creating miniature Ebenezer Scrooges.