Mustache

weight

And, I forgot to add, that the doctor thinks she will be smaller than Tyler's 9 lb 5 ozs. He is guessing she'll weigh around 7 pounds. We will soon find out.

pregnancy update

I had my last prenatal appointment today. That seems kind of strange after months of scheduling appointments. We had another sonogram, and she still looks comfortable and there are no signs of stress. For those gentlemen who may read this, I will spare you the gory details, but there are signs that things are finally starting to move in the right direction. As "insurance," if I haven't had her by Friday, I am scheduled to be induced. It feels strange to have a deadline for her arrival, but kind of exciting at the same time. I'll post as soon as I can about when our little one arrives. :)

Also, I was happy to hear that little Olive's shunt repair surgery went well today.

Olive's broken shunt

Olive's shunt has broken and she will undergo yet another surgery tomorrow to try to fix it. Lynette posted an update on her blog. Please continue to hold them up in your thoughts and prayers.

Miss Olive

Little Miss Olive and her parents are on my heart and mind. Olive had been having a lot of apnea yesterday, and needing to be resuscitated. Scary stuff. Sounds like today was a better day, as they have made some adjustments to her care.

While there is hope and there have been a lot of positives along this road, I think there is a heaviness about what has happened, is happening and what is to come. Please continue to pray.

Lynette and Mom have both written updates recently.

Due date

Well, today was my long awaited due date. I enjoyed my doctor's appointment this morning. He did a sonogram, and I got to see how she is positioned, and lots of body parts, including her profile. She had her hands up by her face, and her face looked kind of chubby...as much as I could tell from the lovely view of a sonogram. She looks pretty comfortable in there - and though he offered to induce if I should choose, there were no signs of stress or reasons to induce, so for now we will wait.

In the meantime, I took a few pictures of the waiting nursery. There is very little on the walls, but, anyway, this is what it looks like now...

The dresser that was my Dad and Uncles' when they were growing up will be her changing table. I picked up some retro flannel with owls on it that Grandma Sue sewed into a changing pad cover. Aunt Lynette sent a Hooter Hider that hangs from the dresser.

So, nothing fancy. But, I think we have what we need...and if we don't, we'll figure that out soon enough, I suppose. :)

More pictures of the homecoming

My aunt, Kathy, was also able to greet Lynette, Rusty, and Olive last evening. She posted more pictures on her blog.

Yesterday, she also kept me informed throughout the day of their flight status. During the evening, she was texting me and sending me pictures which I really appreciated!

They are home! :)

Mom updated her blog with pictures and more information about the arrival of Rusty, Lynette and Olive this evening. I'm so happy!

Christmas 2009

Because of my due date being January 6, we were unable to travel this year. Normally, the week before Christmas is a flurry of making lists, wrapping, packing, and all that's entailed in being away from home for a couple of weeks or so. Then, we set out as soon as I get out of work and drive, drive, drive to see family and friends in Illinois and several parts of Indiana.

This year has been decidedly different. I realized the week before break that my only concern was whether I had planned something special for our family so that Christmas didn't feel like just another day of the week. So far, the two weeks off from school feels much longer than normal. I've enjoyed the down time, with lots of time to relax.

The week before break, it was very cold. Tyler and Wayne enjoyed freezing water to make a big ice block that Tyler used as an ice hat.


Early last week, Tyler and I spent a couple of hours at the zoo. It was good to get some time outside while the weather was in the 50's. The next day, we spent an afternoon at Exploration Place (our local science museum for kids) with some of our closest friends. They boys loved the time at the water table.

Afterward, we took Tyler for his second H1N1 vaccination. It is putting it mildly to say that he was not a fan. This was his 4th separate vaccination appointment in a 2 month time span...I think that was the problem (as well as the fact that he had to have the injection of the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine instead of the mist). Anyway, I'm glad he's done with vaccinations for awhile.

Christmas Eve, the weather changed decidedly. It was very cold, with winds around 50 miles per hour, and it snowed. (Though it was a measly amount of snow - around 1-2 inches, it's better than nothing). It has been very cold since that day too, so the snow has stayed around. I love that we had a white Christmas. The cold has meant that I don't feel like getting out too much.

That day, Tyler and I worked on a gingerbread house.

That evening, we opened our stockings. Then we watched a Christmas movie, Tyler put on his new pj's from Grandpa Miller's and we slept by the Christmas tree.

Christmas morning, we enjoyed brunch together, then Tyler opened his presents. Grandpa Ted came over to join us for Christmas day and Saturday, along with a large cooler of food and some things to do. Wayne and I enjoyed going to see a movie, Up in the Air, while Grandpa babysat and tried to teach Tyler chess. :) I hear that Tyler had a little trouble staying focused. Then Grandpa and Tyler went to see The Princess and the Frog.

During our two days together, we enjoyed yummy food, playing Blokus (a new game from Ted and Sue), and putting together Tyler's new Lego sets.

We'll see what the next week brings. Hopefully I'll get motivated to do something productive, like take down Christmas decorations. :) I hope that this Christmas found you with family and friends, and able to enjoy some time away from routine too.

Coming home...

Lynette, Rusty and Olive are preparing to make their flight home! They had resolved that they would be in Thailand for at least a few more months for Olive's shunt surgery and recovery, as they expected an evacuation would be too costly. However, just a few days ago, they learned that it was not only possible, but going to happen...on the 29th!

It all feels a bit surreal, since it has happened so quickly, and since last evacuation was canceled. She has been more stable, can now regulate her body temperature, can suck (which hopefully will help with relieving pressure) and is often off of oxygen. They should be arriving in South Bend tomorrow, the 29th, around 5 pm!!!!

We are praying for safety, comfort, and that it could all go smoothly. Lynette's blog update gave more specific prayer requests...and indicates her excitement about it all. "I have never felt so patriotic in my entire life in my love for home."

I wish I were there to greet them! :)