Some Goings-On

Hi Everyone! I have apparently forgotten which order you have to upload images in to make it all cohesive. I just wanted to add some recent pictures from our lives. Here is a picture of me about 2 weeks ago. I am even bigger now. We have 2 or 3 more weeks before this baby should come. Carl is amazed by and respectful of my girth. Last week was my last full-time week of work. For the next two weeks, all I have to do is work 1 or 2 8-hour shifts per week! Then I conveniently get 3 months off (1/2 of it will be paid), and then I only have to go back and work 1 or 2 shifts a week! I am excited to be a mom and to see our son on the outside. . . at last!




Here we are at Carl's parents' house. I think I look like I'm in the middle of a contraction.
Carl has been enjoying the fun of baby showers. We have had 4 of them, and Carl has been present at 3. He is already such a good dad!

In other news, we went to Moab Thanksgiving weekend. Here is Kane Creek Canyon where we went petroglyph hunting. I think I'd like to do this on bikes one day.

I know I look beautiful in this picture. We found this petroglyph of a mother giving birth to a breech baby (feet-first). Carl and I were thinking how amazing it is that through all the centuries and centuries of history, the family and childbirth have always remained a central theme in the lives of all people. That shows me that family is indeed sacred and needs to be protected.

Carl and the little petroglyph look disgusted at each other in this picture.

And here is one just for fun! I already sent this to a lot of you, but I can't get over it! I sent it to Robin, and she commented that OSHA would probably be upset with this clear violation of the patient's consent.

What else is going on? Carl is nearly done with this block of school. He's been working as an associate's degree RN, and is now working on his bachelor's RN through the Chamberlain College of Nursing. He will graduate in June. We're thinking of taking the GRE at the same time. Then all we have to do is apply for anesthetist school and wait around to hear back. Carl is enjoying working in the MICU @ the VA. Carl is also in charge of the Christmas program in our ward. He has done a great job picking music and arranging numbers. I am contributing by singing in a sextet, a trio, and playing the violin as long as I'm not in labor.

Me?? I have a new hobby. I sell stuff on the internet! Well, I sold one thing on the internet. . . our little loveseat. I love the concept! People come to your house, give you money, and haul away your junk. Why has it taken me so long to discover this joy?

In conclusion, we are planning on a waterbirth at the birth center here in Salt Lake. We're taking hypnobirthing classes at the U which have been really helpful in teaching Carl how to keep me relaxed and not freaking out as the contractions pick up. We watched a GREAT documentary on natural childbirth called "The Business of Being Born". You can get it through Netflix or at the library, and I think everyone would find it very interesting. Strangely, it is produced by Ricki Lake. She sure did a great job, though.

Okay, that's it for now! See you all soon, and Merry Christmas!