catching up (again)

[ school ]

Christie and Jordan have been in school for a little over a week now. Christie is in 4th grade and Jordan is in 2nd grade. They are both doing very well and enjoying school a lot. They come home excited to tell me about what they have done. Jordan's teacher is Mrs. Hanzon and Christie's teacher is Mrs. Francis.

[ watching soap operas and eating bon-bons--NOT ]

So, what do I do with myself now that I'm all by myself (at least for a few more weeks)? Well, one thing I do NOT do is watch TV. A few weeks ago the baby shifted to the head-down position favored by obstetricians for delivery and that really changed the way I've been feeling. I can feel the baby's legs/feet/knees/whatever pushing up against my ribs so I feel a little out of breath a lot. So that means that I'm moving a lot more slowly. Getting my usual housework done takes longer now. I'm also still tired a lot so I do have nap time during the day. And I'm working on projects here and there as I feel up to it. Right now I'm working on a Santa cross stitch that's more than half done--and I just started it maybe 2 and a half weeks ago. That's some kind of record for me! I am also working on Christmas presents--a lot of them will be handmade so I'm trying to get as much done as possible before Baby comes. I need to get cracking on Halloween costumes. Jordan's is almost done--started it awhile ago. I need to get started on Christie's!

[ countdown to baby ]

42 more days! FORTY-TWO MORE DAYS!!!!! I'm trying not to focus so much on how much time is left and just enjoy the end of this pregnancy. But it's hard not to count down from FORTY-TWO DAYS!!!! Baby is very active--especially at night--and it's fun to feel him/her move. With Christie and Jordan, sometimes I'd feel something poke out and by feeling the shape of it through my tummy, we could guess if it was a foot or knee or shoulder or whatever. This time around it's a little harder since the placenta is in front and it's like feeling things through a thick quilt. But it's still fun to feel Baby move around!

We bought a new carrier/stroller combo a few weeks ago. Our old one was too old to be considered safe. Then last week we were blessed with a crib from some friends who were moving to a new home. We need to buy a mattress but we were very grateful to get the crib. I've been buying diapers when I go to Costco and I need to wash the blankets and the few baby things I kept from C&J. Clothes will have to wait until we know if we have a boy or a girl!

[ weather ]

While I don't think I suffered terribly from the summer weather (thank goodness for AC in the house and car), I was really excited about the storm we had over Labor Day weekend. Since then the temperatures have been delightfully cool, while still letting us enjoy the last of summer weather. In fact, we went out on Labor Day and the Wasatch Mountains had a dusting of snow on the tops! Leaves are starting to turn on some of the trees in the neighborhood. I'm excited to see the change of seasons!

[ last night as a temple worker ]

For the past 2 1/2 years, I have been an ordinance worker for the Deaf at the Provo Temple. Tonight (Wed 9/3) was my last time going. It was rather bittersweet. I have really enjoyed the calling--I've learned a lot and it's been wonderful to keep in touch with friends in Utah Valley. Provo Temple night for the Deaf is the first Wednesday of every month and next month will be too close to Baby's arrival for me to feel comfortable driving all the way down there. I don't know if I will be released or if I'll be able to go back after a couple of months but I'm not counting on it. Maybe someday I can work in the temple again.

[miscellaneous tidbits ]

We bought Christie and Jordan bikes about a month ago. Christie had learned to ride a bike on a friend's bike so she was just fine with it. She's been riding it to school. Jordan's not quite so confident so we have some work to do there.

[ work @ Sorenson ]

It's been crazy busy at Sorenson for Steven. He and some other co workers in the Tech Support department were asked by the Sorenson President/CEO to undertake a huge project that another department was supposed to but completely dropped the ball on. This in addition to their regular work. It's been stressful and hard on all of us but the team is getting some really good recognition and a reputation for not just getting things done but getting them done well and--more importantly--ON TIME. So I think good things are in store for Steven there. We were all glad to have the long Labor Day weekend. And Steven's looking forward to Baby's arrival as much for the time off work as meeting Baby.

[ church ]

No changes in callings. I'm still trying to figure out who I can ask to cover my Primary class for at least a month after Baby comes. Unfortunately, there are not that many reliable people who don't already have callings during Primary time. Sad.

[ pictures coming soon ]

I need to get my pictures downloaded from my camera and organized and then I'll post pictures of our various doings. Hang in there!