Thirty-three Weeks

These last few weeks are flying by in one respect (or maybe, it's just summer flying by), and utterly dragging in others.

At 33 wks, I've gained 28 lbs and am HOT as all get out (and, yes, I realize it's summer in the South and everyone's hot)! I've also noticed that the closer to the end we get, the more frequent my heartburn/acid reflux has become. I really have not had much at all. I could probably count the instances on one hand, but I've had it about 3 times in the past week. I hope that doesn't continue for the next 7 weeks.

But, enough of the complaining : ) ......... on to the good stuff!

At 33 weeks, Eli is between 4-4.5 pounds and over 17 inches long. The amniotic fluid is at its highest levels this week. From here on out Eli will be packing on the pounds (well, ounces anyway) at 5-9 oz/week. Eli's brain is continuing to grow, which is increasing the size of his head. Eli still moves around a lot. He's a lot calmer during the day, it's usually just late at night that he starts to play. I hope he gets that out of his system before his big debut.

We are pretty much ready for Eli (as far as things 'around the house' goes). Wesley still has to touch up the chair rail, and we've got to hang a few more things on the wall. We've been out of town so much that we haven't had time for this yet!

I went back to the doctor today for one final BP check before our anniversary trip. My BP was great - 104/60 (the lowest it's been the entire pregnancy, I think). I gained 1.5 lbs since last Tuesday, which I was really bummed about, especially considering I haven't even been eating that much lately (due to lack of space!), but the doctor also said I'm measuring about 2 weeks ahead. Maybe Eli will come early?! : )

And, finally, I'm headed here tomorrow:

The School Box!!! I'm super excited about it!!! And, yes, I realize being this excited about shopping for teacher supplies is the epitome of dorkie! : )

Old Fashioned Blogging

Yesterday we spent the day at Family Reunion. I can only remember going to one true family reunion with my family (although there have been plenty of times where we've all gotten together), but Wesley's family has a 3 day family reunion every July. Last year (my first time to go and just days before our wedding) we spent the entire three days there. This year since I'm pregnant and not sleeping well, I didn't want to attempt to sleep on the bunk beds, so we just went for the day.

We had a great time! Wesley played a lot of sports with "cousins" (I use the term loosely - you know.....those beyond your first cousins) and I did a lot of sitting and talking, or listening really.

The reunion is of Wesley's paternal grandmother. Her maiden name is Jones and there were 13 "original Joneses". I refer to them as the OJ's, ha! I'm not sure if anyone else does this, but it makes sense to me! Maybe its just because I'm pregnant right now - but there is no way I would want to have 13 babies! That means that Mrs. Jones (the matriarch of the family) spent roughly TEN YEARS of her life pregnant - noooo thank you! Some of the OJ's have passed away, but their families are still coming to reunion.

Last night after dinner I sat around listening to Mrs. Taff (Wesley's grandmother, and OJ #9, I think), one of her sisters, and one of her brothers tell stories about when they were growing up. Some of them were very amusing!

One thing I learned about the OJ's is that they have an old-fashioned blog (as I referred to it) it's really a stack of letters they send around to each other. They call it the "JJ" - "Jones Journal."

The JJ starts with OJ numero uno, and he writes a letter to the rest of the family about anything that he chooses. You can write about life, updates on your kids and grandkids, the weather, etc., really just whatever fancies you! Then, that person sends their letter to OJ #2, who reads the letter, and then writes their own letter to add to the pile. This continues all the way to OJ #13, who then sends all 13 of the letters back to OJ #1. After its made a complete round, you write a new letter to replace your old letter, and send the thing on again.

They are currently on round number 141! The length of time it takes to make a round varies. I wish I had asked when the JJ got started, but I didn't (but, I did find out it takes 4 stamps to mail that thing! : ) ). I actually got to look at some of the letters too. Wesley's grandmother's last letter in the JJ was written in Jan. 2010.

Because some of the OJ's have passed away, they just have a representative (like a son or daughter) to write the letter and update everyone on what's going on with that family.

Wesley's grandmother mentioned that she has saved all of her prior letters (all 140 of them), and that they serve as an excellent family history. I was so fascinated by the whole thing. I don't know many families who are so close to each other, enjoy each other, and genuinely care about even the trivial things of each other's lives. I'm lucky to have married into that! : )

Wreaths!

So, I've gotten some new wreaths for the door, and I really like them!

This is what we had:

I made if myself, and really liked it for awhile, but it was time for a change (Notice lock box STILL on the door more than 6 months after buying the house. It has since come off thanks to some nagging and threats to call the realty people myself and be ugly about it.).

This is what I had on the door for the 4th. I wanted something patriotic, but not overkill because we've got an American flag flying too.

The star was one (of two) I bought from Kirklands a few years ago. It was an off-white color, and I never even hung it in the house. It was one of those things that once I got it home, I couldn't make it work. I liked it too much to get rid of. I decided a little navy paint couldn't hurt, and I was very pleased with the end result!

(And, notice.....NO lockbox this time!)

Here's the star up close.

And, finally, here's what's on the door now.

I love this wreath! I bought it off of Etsy with some birthday money.

Currently, I'm working on a wreath for football season....which for Auburn football is only 61 days away - War Eagle! : )

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating our country's freedom. I'm so thankful for those who have sacrificed so that July 4th is a day worth celebrating our country's freedom, and thankful for a Savior who makes everyday worth celebrating true freedom!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Happy Birthday, my Wesley!

Happy Birthday, my Wesley!

I love you so, so much and am so blessed and thankful to have you as my best friend and husband!....and baby daddy! : )

Recipes

Here are the recipes I mentioned earlier. They're pretty similar, and equally delicious! I highly recommend them both!

Chinese Chicken Salad

(We had this at my Dothan Baby Shower, and it was sooo good!)

3 cups chopped chicken (a small rotisserie chicken would work just fine)

10 oz bag shredded cabbage

1 bunch green onions (tops only)

2 pkgs Ramen noodles (chicken flavor)

2-3 oz chopped almonds

3 T butter

4 T sugar

1 C oil

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

6 T vinegar

1 tsp accent

*Combine chopped chicken, cabbage, and onion tops in a large bowl and set aside. Crush noodles and toast in skillet with melted butter. Mix all ingredients. Can be served with crackers or enjoyed by itself!

Oriental Cole Slaw

(This is the yummy recipe from my friend, Allison. Very similar to the Chinese Chicken Salad.)

1 head Napa cabbage, sliced (Allison just used the bagged stuff)

1 head green lettuce leaf, sliced (I think she left this out)

4-5 green onions, chopped

Brown (in 1/2 stick margarine):

2 pkgs Ramen noodles (beef), crushed

1/2 C sesame seeds

1 C slivered almonds

Dressing:

Seasoning from pkgs of Ramen noodles

4 T sugar

1 C oil (vegetable or peanut)

6 T cider vinegar

3-4 T soy sauce (to taste)

*Can also add chicken or other meat (Allison included chicken in hers).

Tip: Only mix as much as will be eaten, as it will get soggy. Just store the noodle mix and cabbage mix in separate containers.

Thirty-two Weeks

32 down....8 to go (you know...ish)

According to my BabyCenter weekly updates, Eli is now sleeping 90-95% of the day, which I've noticed. His little head maybe covered in hair, and his bones are continuing to get stronger. Eli is now about 17 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds!

I've noticed that I drink water ALL THE TIME (and as a result go the bathroom ALL THE TIME). Seriously, I take a bottle of water and a tall cup of water to bed and drink them both during the course of the night. I looked it up and talked to my doctor about it, but it's normal due to the increased amount of blood flow and all that amniotic fluid (which replaces itself every 30 minutes).

I still don't sleep well, and at times am battling leg cramps. But, the end is near!

Tuesday we went for our "baby Eli checkup" at the doctor, and all is well! I only gained 2 lbs in 2 wks this time. I can live with a pound a week - I just don't like the sound of 2lbs/week (which is what it was the past two times I weighed!). Also, my BP was good - 109/70. We'll just pray that keeps up!