I almost feel like a traitor that I have yet to dedicate a post to the STEELERS going to the super bowl tomorrow. My folks are coming up to watch the game here with me. It won't be anything fancy, but we'll have a good ol' time. I'm not usually a football fan; football makes for a great nap in my opinion, however, Steelers games are worth remaining concious.

Cheer the Steelers,
The black and the gold,
Here we go,
The town of Pittsburgh’s heart and soul,
Here we go,
With Iron Mike Tomlin,
And his bag full of tricks,
This is the year we'll get that ring number six!

Roethlisberger fires his gun,
Here we go,
At Ward, Santonio, and Nate Washington,
Here we go,
Fast Willie Parker’s gonna make a touchdown
And if you get in his way, you’re gonna look like a clown

Now the offense is ready to score,
Here We Go
And there’s one thing we know for sure,
Here We Go
If we don’t get it in the end zone,
We’ll get 3 points off of Jeff Reed's toe.

We got Farrior, Porter, Haggans,
Here We Go
Polamalu, Hoke and Townsend,
Here We Go
The other team won't get any ground
'Cause the defense is gonna bring the steel curtain down.

why c-section

So I have been asked about 50 times, why Simon is going to be delivered via c-section. Here's the down-low...or whatever it is the kids are saying these days.

When I had Ava, I woke up at 5am with contractions already 7 minutes apart. By 8:30 am I was 2 minutes apart and on my way to the hospital. I don't remember all the dialation etc stuff, but I stayed 2 minutes apart until like 11am. They gave me a shot of morphine--and told me to come back later. We went to Joye's and had pancakes--they were the most delicious pancakes of my entire existance. I dont' remember much, because the morphine made me slip in and out of conciousness and did NOTHING for the pain. NEVER ACCEPT THE MORPHINE!!! I remember being on Joye's bed and just crying, as the pain got worse, and Chris carried me back to the car. This was about 1:30. The nurses immediately called in my favorite person in the whole world, Dr. Silver--aka anestesiologist. The contractions got harder and faster, but the rest of my labor didn't progress. Instead of dialating and softening, the lady parts closed up shop. About 4, they noticed that every time I contracted, Ava's heart rate dropped. Since my doctor was not available, I had about 3 different "on call" docs. About 7pm, Dr. Margit Lister came on duty. She walked in, checked out the chart, and about 2 minutes later I was wheeled down to surgery. Ava's chord was wrapped around her twice. Dr. Lister delivered her and saved her life. It was decided that since Ava was only a 7lb 3oz baby, and I definately have the child baring hip space, that there was no explaination as to why my body wouldn't progress. So, my doc advised that future children should also come c-section, to avoid tearing my scars and save the babies from the fetal stress.
Also, I had a really great and easy recovery from Ava's birth. I did not have the trauma and horrific pains I have read and heard about people having from a vaginal birth. Quite frankly, if my doctor told me I had to give birth vaginally I'd probably get down on my knubby knees and beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeg for the alternative.
Well there ya go. That's "why" Simon is coming via c-section. Hope that satisfies curiosity.
The end.

dear deb,
you know what eating a dozen cookies a day does to you? It makes the scale read numbers in this order 179.2 with 6 very long glorious weeks of weight gain to go. In the next 6 weeks, Simon "theoretically" will gain 1/2 a pound a week...so 3 pounds...meaning there's a good chance you'll put another 10-15 on. HORRAY! You get the wonderful experience of needing to lose 40 pounds when he comes out. HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!! twenty-five pounds on so far...just to put that into perspective...THAT'S AVA AT AGE 2!!!

Ok...vent...not really over. but I'm going to attempt to quit dwelling. Fat Chance. Anyone want to lend me a treadmill?

so...sanity...obviously not my strong point--especially during late stages of pregnancy. Thanks to those who endure me and my bouts of depression, aggravation, and all around not pleasantness. Today in relief society, the lesson was on Finding Joy in the Journey. I know the President Monson is a true prophet, but...I cannot believe that I will miss piles of laundry. I guess I need more faith. I really had a rough day Saturday. I spent most of the afternoon throwing a really intense pity party and then...about 4 hours into it, I realized I had baskets of clean laundry waiting for "tomorrow" to arrive so they could be put away. I got to work on them. I also washed all the dirty laundry that had accumulated. It's amazing what relief can come from just ....getting to work. The mundane task that I had been avoiding all week, was exactly what I needed. Did it snap me back to reality and pure joy? Oh heavens no. But it did get me out of bed and today, I was grateful not to trip over a basket of folded clean laundry. Chris was grateful to have clean dress socks magically waiting in his sock bin, and Ava was more than happy to wear the clean dress and tights. It sure made Sunday morning easier--haha but then again, so did the fact that for some reason our alarm was 30 minutes fast this morning...so we woke up thinking we had 30 minutes to get ready, and we really had an hour.
Another constant lately that puts my life into perspective is having Matt & Angie for neighbors. Can I just say that their life the last 7 weeks...has been one trial after another? Moses! Talk about refiner's fire. Poor baby Flash (Colton) has been at Primary Children's since Friday. He is a complete mystery to every doctor. His heart scans as perfect, but refuses to cooperate when he falls asleep. He nearly went into cardiac arrest about 3am. As you can imagine, they are beside themselves with worry, frustration...I can't even begin to think how it must feel to them to have no answer as to why he is not well. Angie never complains. It's amazing to me. She just smiles and endures...I guess is a good way to put it. She has such strength. I am so fortunate to have her as a friend and example in my life. Colton is scheduled to stay at PC until at least Tuesday...they don't want to send him home until they know why his heart is irregular.
Ava is boundless energy today. She has been run-run-run for hours and is still going. It's 11pm. She's bathing now, so maybe that will help to calm her. No more chocolate chip cookies for her. Speaking of which, I made some today--ate about a dozen....and now need to be rid of them. Please come take them from me.

Becca, you're totally with me on this.

Um, I'm so tired. Today my phone has been ringing non stop. It's GREAT that Inwest is busy; I just forgot what life is like when we are rockin and rollin. Madison is here keeping Ava company in the princess tent. YEAY princess tent. I have yet to hear a scream or cry and it's been almost a full 30 minutes. HAHA! Sweetness. Um, whatelse? The plumbers came today to do the bathroom stuff. They were quiet-even with a jackhammer in tow, very friendly and so clean! Seriously, every crew that comes in, leaves my basement with no trace of their visit-other than improvments. I'm extremely impressed. Tomorrow the electrician comes to finish what Chris started. It's moving right along. Pictures may be posted tonight. No promises.
Sandi has been gone for 2 weeks. She's not coming back either for another week. I miss her. I hope she's enjoying the weather down there. I'd be in St George if I could be. Away from the snow; away from the inversion; away from...my laundry. :)

are we there yet?

So...I'm to that point in pregnancy, where climbing my stairs takes WAY more effort and energy than it should. I'm not sure if it's because I've been on the go non stop for the last couple of weeks, or just where I am in the stage of pregnancy, but I cannot remember ever being so tired and....fatigued? is that the right word? I've decided that I hate laundry, and am thus going to a laundromat tomorrow to do it all in one fail swoop, because climbing 12 stairs over and over with baskets full of clothes-clean or dirty-is the most unappealing thought to me. I am beyond caring that I have my own perfectly functional washer and dryer. I also have lost the desire to sport any clothing not made of flannel and a great arch support. The underwire in my bra is about to face a seriously heinous death. Whose bright idea was it to stick wire under my boobs anyway? As if anything could hold these ever growing beasts off my -again-every growing stomach. Let's get serious. All it does is bore into my stomach making me ever the more grouchy. DOWN WITH UNDERWIRE! I'm going to visit Lactation Station soon and then my bra hostility will be numbed for a bit. W00t. I loved Mother Hen Maternity, but they have been replaced with a Cuddle Haven-and now, I have to travel to Salt Lake for a nursing bra store. *sigh* Wow, I'm a sour puss. SURPRISE!

Hey good news though-shocking I know! Kira and Blake came to see me today. I was totally caught off guard and hugged her for a freakishly long time. I was scared if I let her go, she'd disappear. She's been in CO for the last 3 months. *sigh* and will be here a week...before departing for San Jose, CA--where her next assignment is. It's been good for their family, because she makes a crap load more as a traveling nurse, but I've missed my best girl friend. Kira knows the stress and anxiety and craziness of my life and has experienced it all and then some. She's also lived with me for 2 years during college, so she knows the craziness of my mind as well. Next to Chris, she probably knows me better than anyone. She could probably give Chris a run for his money acutally ;) I loved having her here. They promised to visit one more time before heading to Cali. I'd be so spoiled if they did. Jen and Ava played dress up the whole time, and make up and giggled and were SO cute. it was as if they'd never been apart. Jayden is so tall! Almost taller than Ava. He's no longer the chunk-a-doodle he was last summer. He's still all smiles!