..... till baby comes.  Can it be true? Can I survive one more week? One moment I think that a week will go by quickly, and the next moment I'm on the verge of tears, thinking I can't go through 6 more loooong nights. Nights are the worst for me. There's hardly a comfortable position, and if I find a comfy spot, well, it doesn't last long before I'm miserable again. Of course there are lots of trips to the potty too. I'm usually so glad to see morning light. .... but sadly, not feeling very rested. It's the way it goes for me in the last month or two of pregnancy. Okay, now I didn't come here to post a "poor me" weblog. So, I'll stop right now, and also say that I truly am blessed and this being pregnant is in fact a gift that I treasure....especially when I think of so many who I know would love to be in my shoes! It's truly exciting to think that in one week we will get to hold, see, and kiss our own precious wee little miracle. AND find out what gender has been giving us all the worries of the past 3 weeks. The past 3 weeks when I was to the Dr for my checkups, the baby has acted up (heart rate goes down too low), and given the Dr reason to send me for tests, non-stress test of the baby, ultrasounds, etc. Last week on Monday the Dr actually admitted me, the nurses had started IV and I was donning the lovely hospital gown, and perched in the starchy white hospital bed. Well, after observation and monitoring baby for quite a long time, the Dr concluded that baby was in fact fine and healthy, amniotic fluid levels were good, etc. So, to be honest, the Dr just isn't sure why the low heart rate for only short periods of time?? The nurses at the hospital are getting to know me/us already and they laughingly say "it's a boy!, because boys are always the ones who give the trouble". Lee contradicts that by saying "it's a girl, because girls are so hard to figure out". I laugh, and say, "we'll find out soon". But, to be honest, most of this pregnancy has me thinking "boy". ?? Lee also says that there's something about pregnancy that makes me come up with so many home improvement projects. When I look back, he's right. A lot of our bigger projects have taken place when I'm pregnant, and often even in the last trimester. Duh! But, I guess I see things that I think really need to be done, and then thinking of try to accomplish it after baby comes, and not knowing will it be a content one or fussy, seems too risky for me. So, we plunge ahead and "git-er-done". This time stripping off the wallpaper off our bedroom walls, and the basement bathroom (no pics now) was the task at hand.   
(the reason there's new drywall smear behind the headboard of our bed, is because there was sliding patio doors there and we tore off the dingy little deck right outside our little bedroom and replaced the doors with a window.) I single handedly (with Elyse's help) pulled the paper off both rooms. (edit: Lee did help me finish up one night after the children were in bed).  
I rented a wallpaper steamer and that helped so much. But, then Cedrych seemed to freak out at the steamer, and didn't want to go play, but wanted me to hold him. I either had to work during the time he was happy to play in the bathtub with Elyse, or during nap time or at night. Any other time was just so frustrating for both of us. So, after the task of stripping the paper off was done, I readily agreed to Lee's suggestion to hire a painter to come do the painting. Yes! Good choice and worth the $230.00 it cost!! Lee was so patient and agreeable and obliged to my suggestion to put up some fake "bead board" (is that what you call it?) on two walls of our bedroom, and also change out a vanity light in the bathroom, put up new towel holders, etc. I'm so happy with the results. It feels so much more fresh, clean and happy! With the cottagey touch I was hoping for. I've also been putting some of my artsy side to work. Love it. Most of my inspiration come from web blogs or pinterest. I see something and then tweak it to my own style/liking. 
  
 
 So, now with most of my projects done, we wait for baby. Ravi and Elyse are so excited (especially little miss Elyse!!). Cedrych mimics excitement too, but bless his little heart, he has no clue what's coming!! 
I just squish him, nibble up on him, kiss him, and chant/whisper in his ears "mommy loves you, yes she du-oes, mommy looooves her little baby (cuz that's what I still call him), uh, huh, huh, huh!" Then he giggles and wiggles and comes back for more. He's so mushy!! I'm worried about how I can give Cedrych what he needs, and also the new littler baby when he/she comes. But, I try to rest and trust that God will give me grace and wisdom. Cedrych is starting to talk. He's like a little parrot around here. Repeating the last 2 words he hears us say. So cute. So funny. We laugh at him a lot. It's hard to believe that at the age he is now (almost 20 months), Elyse was pretty much potty trained and talking sentences. Cedrych still seems like such baby. It's just okay though! They grow up so fast. I've been thinking of that so much lately and really trying hard to savor these moments. Because too often I don't! ******************************************************* Ravi has been doing great in school, or mostly great. His little/big mind just wants to wonder around, and he says he gets bored "because teacher keeps repeating things they've already learned....even when I was in kindergarten!!!". He really has disliked doing his "handwritting" assignments. Well, his teacher was getting a bit concerned and talked with us about ways we can get him to stay more focused and get his handwriting done at school, instead of bringing homework home. So, Lee gave him an incentive to work toward. Every day that Ravi comes home with all his work done, done right, and no tally's, then he'll give him an "R" to mark on the calendar. When he gets 21 "R's" then he earns a trip to Cabela's (Wheeling, WV about 2 1/2 hours drive from here). It would be a family outing and overnight at a hotel with swimming pool and Ravi could pick out his first BB gun. Oh, boy! Did Ravi ever get motivated!! Oh.my.word.YES! It has worked quite well. (not that we'll always hang bait out in front of him like that though =) So, that was our last weekend's activity. A trip to Cabela's. A very very happy, fun weekend for the entire family. Thanks Ravi! I will say though, that doing a trip like that at 8+ months pregnant was a bit of a stretch for this fat momma. But, we managed, and actually had a lot of fun! 
**Cedrych warily surveys his new home away from home.    Of course the motel beds are for romping, jumping and horseing around. Of course!  
!Swimming!  
**Break time and snack time at Cabela's   **Ravi is ready for the hunt!  
**Olive Garden dinner enjoyed by the whole family! 
 **Of course little girls have to get a shot too! 
**Finally, the trip ended at home on our deck enjoying "mud valley creamery" ice-cream and target practice with the new BB gun! ****************************************************** Monday, after a long day at the hospital and Dr visit, we came home to no supper preparations. Why I didn't plan ahead, I'm not sure?? But, I threw together some noodles and hot dogs. With the weather so nice, I decided we could eat out on our new deck (built at the end of last summer, and we barely got to use it before the cold weather set in). Then some more inspiration hit, and Elyse and I ended up having some fun with our McDonalds drive through service. Kid's happy meals, and all. Fun times. It's amazing how happy you can make children with some simple things like this. I can get so busy and focused on my projects, and housework, and all that goes with mothering, that I forget to make special things like this happen. It's really not that hard, and the happiness is generates is so worth it!! 
**Giving their order at the "drive through window" 
**Elyse taking orders. 
**Handing them their orders  
**"happy meal" prizes in their repurposed gift bags. *************************************************** I have a wonderfully good man. After his offer to his extremely tired pregnant wife that he would go get grocery's Saturday evening, this is what I found on the kitchen bar then next morning. Meant so much to me!!!!   ************************************************** Special times with extra special friends! 
 
********************************************************** My very caring, generous sister and her boys came to spend a day and night helping me with all kinds of things. To add to her generosity, when she came she brought an ice-chest filled with about 10 meals for the freezer to use after baby is here! I cried.  **** Ready for bed and story time with Aunt Thelma. ***************************************************** We had the most p.e.r.f.e.c.t. weather today. Here's what we did as a family this evening. Rocket launch!!  
   
There is so much I'd like to include in this update, but time won't allow. I'll just do this much now and then maybe in the next couple days, when I sit and twiddle my thumbs (ha!), I can do more? I know most of you haven't seen or heard much of me that past several months, but I truly do think of you all often, I read blog updates and emails and admire and get inspired. I smile, and eat up all the pictures you post/email. I love your comments and the messages you send me via email, face book, text and snail mail. And I thank you for your prayers. Please keep me in your prayers as we anticipate next weeks precious delivery. The C-section is something I'm not looking forward to - in fact dreading! When Cedrych was born I wasn't prepared for the panicy feelings I had laying on that narrow operating table with my arms outstretched and strapped down, feeling like I can't breath, etc.! So, please pray for calmness for me, and that I can rest in His care over myself and this wee little baby!! Carmen | 
Which made some happy ladies!]
mmmm cheesecakes! mmmm
)
