Pics

The last pic turned out a little dark, but I like it. I think it's a good picture.

I've Been Meaning To . . .

Update! It's been a while, and we've been crazy busy since school is coming to it's long-awaited close. First, some pics . . .









Okay, so here's the latest. The pregnancy pic is from 3 weeks ago, when I was at 33 weeks. Today, I am at 36, which is the start of the 9th month. They say the average pregnancy lasts 9.5 lunar months. That means if things go according to the average, Keely would be here in 14 days, or 2 weeks. Wow. Ironically, Keely doesn't have much more than that before our induction date on June 11. 5 days more than that precisely. Our last ultrasound revealed that she weighs in the vicinity of 5 lbs 11 oz, with an expected weight gain of 1 lb per 2 weeks. That ultrasound was done on May 11. Keely is getting big! How we are built to give birth to 7 or 8 lb babies is beyond me. As labor and delivery approaches, I find myself getting more excited and nervous. I am not nervous about being a mom. Really, I am not. I love the idea. I know that I will be a great mom. I trust that God has had his beautiful hands in this for a long time. And, He'll take care of us. I am nervous about labor and delivery, though. I used to tell myself and others that mind is more powerful than body. Because of that belief, I find that I am able to talk myself out of being sick, something my dad can do, too. I've been that way for a long time. I feel a cold coming on, and I just don't allow myself to get the cold or for the cold to last long. I am wondering if the same concept can apply to labor and delivery. Carl and I took childbirth classes this past month. The classes were more informative than I'd anticipated. I am glad we took them, though. Every week focused on a different aspect of pregnancy and post-partum. They showed videos of live births and way too many boobs for my personal pleasure (breastfeeding). When it came to the video about epidurals, I thought I was going to throw up. It was horrible! I was cringing. They combined that video with the one over cesarean, and again, I thought I was going to be sick. Cesarean didn't even show anything other than CG imaging. I told Carl that I did not want an epidural or cesarean. He's so good about telling me that I am strong enough to do without those if I really want to. My mom tells me to focus on breathing and relaxation in order to have a natural birth. Carrie did it with Ella. I guess what it boils down to is that I know I am strong. I have the ability to relieve stress or physical pain by picturing myself somewhere else or by squeezing something as hard as I can. I just don't like physical pain. So, we'll see how labor and delivery go. At this point, I am not planning on getting an epidural. I am planning on getting valid reasons if I am told I need to have a cesarean. I don't want a cesarean to be a matter of convenience. I'm not really planning a natural birth--I am being induced if Keely doesn't come on her own before June 11--but I am planning to limit pain meds. Encouragement would be nice for those of you that read this episode of our lives.
As for the other pics, they are from my baby shower. Carrie emailed me this cool slideshow that contained many more pics, most of which Carl and I were in. I can't figure out how to upload it, though. I just need to play around with it more. We're getting maternity pics made tomorrow. Carrie wants to go into professional photography, and she's building her portfolio. Anyone who needs pics taken should look her up. She's pretty good and has access to professional-grade equipment. I'm sure she'd be flexible about location and everything. Anyway, I will post those once they are finished and in my hands. School is coming to an end, and I couldn't be happier about that. This year has not been bad or anything. It's hard teaching and dealing with end-of-school-rowdiness when you're 9 months pregnant. The kids are probably as ready for school to end as the teachers. We got our TAKS test scores in this week, and the results were less than satisfying. My kids did wonderfully! I am so proud of them, honestly. Overall, however, the school's scores were not up to par, due to low scores in the area of science. I hate the way Texas rates schools! It is so completely unfair. I don't mind the TAKS test. I mean, I hate it, but I can deal with it. I just don't think it is fair for a school to be given a low rank when most of the scores in most areas were high (or average even) but one area was below state standard. Does that seem fair to you? It is completely biased. They are forcing special education kids to take a test that is not built for them. No Child Left Behind causes children to be left behind. They are forced to integrate into classrooms that teach on a level that is too high for them. They are forced to take a test that adheres to the higher level. Don't get me wrong . . . I fully believe that special education students are entitled to a fair education. They deserve the same chances that other kids get. I just don't think the system is just. My kids and co-workers work extremely hard all year. Not one teacher at my school neglects his or her responsibilities to the students. Even though there are many kids at my school that could care less about TAKS and their futures, a majority of the kids work hard. Self-confidence is lacking amongst the kids who do not try to rise above their circumstances. How could it not when they are being told by the media that only people who look a certain way or come from certain backgrounds have a shot at success? I hate the media for conveying such things to the youth. It is tough to be a kid these days. But, enough of my rant. I'll end on a happy note.
Yesterday, my niece, Ally, turned 5 years old. It is so hard to believe she is that old! In some ways, it is harder to believe she is 5 than it is to believe my oldest niece is almost 9. When Carl and I were experiencing all of our fertility problems, I found comfort in knowing that no matter what I will always be a big part of the lives of my nieces and nephews. They are what made everything okay. Watching them grow and learn, playing hide-and-seek with them, going to their birthday parties, and asking them how school is going are some of my favorite memories. I couldn't be prouder of them. I can scarcely imagine a greater feeling than being an aunt. That's why I am so excited to be a mom. Because I know that will feel even better. Carl and I are really looking forward to making such happy memories with our own daughter. Only 2 weeks and 5 days to go!

More Pics For Your Enjoyment

Carl's mom finished making the bumper pads and bedskirt. We hung up the mobile the other day. We bought new cordless shades for the nursery. It's really coming along. We have to finish the other dresser, which we're working on today, and get some shelves for Keely's bunny collection. Other than that, we're just waiting on the rest of the decorations Tonya is making and the changing pad cover and valances my mom is going to make. Our shower is on May 9th. TAKS is this coming week on Tuesday and Wednesday. School is over in just 4 weeks. Our induction date is in a little over a month and a half. And, time is ticking, just as it always does.

Update

I don't really have much to update on, but I did think I should share the newest update. We've set a tentative induction date for June 11!!! That means that our sweet Keely Star should arrive in just 56 days! Wow! We're planning to induce for selfish reasons, really. My father is leaving town for a big ASHRAE meeting that was set up some five years ago. Prior to my getting pregnant, my mother was going to go. Carl and I were even thinking we might try to go. It's in Kentucky, and I have never been to Kentucky. I love going places I've never been. I set the goal when I was 15 to see as much of America and travel to as many states as I could by the time I was 25. Now, I have seen most of the east and west coasts and some of the middle. In all, I've been to 28 states and Canada twice. Not bad, huh? Well, we're not going to Kentucky, and my mother isn't either. We're getting to spend time with our brand new daughter, instead. I won't ever regret missing the opportunity to add a state to my repertoire. I'm not even thinking twice about it. But, my father is leaving on my actual due date. I don't want him to miss meeting my first born. He means the world to me. There are some things that a girl just needs her daddy to be present for. This is one of them. So, we set an induction date and are hoping Keely decides to come on her own before then. She might, she might not. It doesn't matter. We'll get to see her soon, no matter what. So, for those of you that are praying folk, please keep us in your prayers as we go nuts preparing for our little girl's entrance into the world. God bless!

Keely

We had another sono today. Keely is measuring right on cue, and she weighs 2.2 pounds. She was being shy and hiding her face with her hands and feet. You can see it in the last pic. We managed to get a couple of good face shots, however, and she is really, really cute, if I may say so. Anyway, we're excited and working hard to prepare for her. We lack two big things, one of the dressers and the bedding, in the nursery. Other than that, we are practically done. I've been cleaning and getting rid of some of the stuff we have. We're having a garage sale Friday and Saturday. I think it is true when they say that some of the tiredness returns during third trimester, because I am feeling it lately! Even as I am typing, Keely is kicking. I just can't wait until June!!!

WOW, Third Trimester!!!

So here we are at the start of the third trimester! Only 98 days until we'll get to meet our sweet baby girl! I cannot believe it's gone so quickly! Anyway, we've been working like crazy on the nursery. I thought I would post some pics of what we've done. Our first baby shower was given on Thursday, so I am including some pics of the loot. Work threw us and the 4 other couples who are expecting a joint shower. It was very, very nice, and we got some great stuff. My sisters and friends are throwing a second shower on May 9. Carl and I decided we have way too much stuff crammed into our cute, tiny house, so we're having a garage sale on the 20th and
21st to alleviate some of the crampiness. I plan to spend spring break on cleaning spree, since I won't get the opportunity to thoroughly clean my house again until school is out. I may or may not feel like cleaning it then, since I'll be less than a month away from delivery. Anyway, enjoy the pics!

24 Weeks!!!

We've reached what is called viability as of yesterday. I thought I would share my 24week belly shot and my new haircut with everyone who reads this. Here you go! Oh, and I threw in a couple of pics of Carl's newest project: Project Nursery 101. He's finishing it up today.