5 weeks left - MAX!

Nice play on words, huh? So we went to the doctor's office today and checked on little Max. Even though Dr. Kendrick DID NOT want me to have made any progress (and I really wanted to have made some progress) I was 20% effaced. What does that mean? Basically, nothing. But it's better than absolutely nothing so I'm taking it and running with it! I'm progressing! Hurray!

In other news she decided to switch my due date and use my last period date instead of actual ovulation date (I think she's been going by that the whole time and I've been using the ovulation date... so I don't know). Anyway, Max will be here NO LATER than 5 weeks from tomorrow!! September 24 is the new due date and he officially has 5 weeks to get out or we will use force. I go back in 2 weeks and get an ultrasound to check his size in 3 weeks. So stay tuned...

More Maternity Pics!

We got the rest of our maternity pictures today and are just SO in love with them! The canvas looks amazing and we have so many to choose from to hang that our house just may begin to look like a shrine to this pregnancy...

Baby Shower #2

Ritchie's sisters were so kind as to throw me a second baby shower with all of his family! It was a beautiful day out in Aunt Lorraine's backyard. We ate yummy kibobs, jello, fruit salad, regular salad, and of course some delicious cake that Ritchie's sister made! We played some fun games and just enjoyed each other's company. It was such a great day and I was SO honored that they wanted to do this for me.

My mother-in-law and me!
Ritchie's sisters (the hostesses) and Nana.
The best sisters :)
My mom and me.
Just a couple of Ritchie's aunts.




We got so many wonderful presents from Ritchie's generous family. It was a wonderful day and now it's just on to the waiting of Max's arrival...

Cutest dog

Hi everyone,

I put Gracie's photo on the cutest dog competition web site. Please vote for her!

Vote here!

- Ritchie

Maternity Photos

We have some fabulous friends, Rob and Sharon Vreeland, who gave us a maternity photo shoot for our shower gift. The outcome was amazing and they have been beyond generous with their gift! We're so excited to show off a few until we get the rest of our favorites on a disc!

Robert Vreeland does photography in the area so if you need pictures of ANYTHING get in touch with him! He does amazing work and is such a fun, warm, creative guy - you'll love working with him!

www.murphydogstudios.com

8 Weeks Left!

Today I'm officially 32 weeks pregnant! This 8 week mark brings so many feelings for me. For one, 8 weeks is still 2 months so it seems somewhat far away still. However, when I look at the 8 weeks in sections (like I go back to work in 3 weeks, have 2 weeks of prep work, then 3 weeks with the kids) it seems like it could fly by and that makes me excited/nervous/stressed/giddy all at the same time! I cannot wait to meet Max and I don't know how it's possible to be SO in love with someone you haven't even met yet, but everyday I love him more.

So in the next 8 weeks we have a few things to do around the house before we (okay, I) feel truly ready. The nursery is ALMOST done, but we need to put up blinds and the mobile and hand a clock and some frames. We also need to tailor the curtains some. I also need to wash Max's clothes and we need to assemble the swing, pack n' play, bouncer, etc.... I would love it if Ritchie would finish cleaning out the garage, patch, sand, and paint the baseboard downstairs, and we have to find room in the kitchen for bottles and bibs. Other than that we're feeling pretty ready. Going back to work brings a whole other list of "to-dos" that I'm not allowing myself to think about yet!

So, countdown continues and before we know it I'll be updating weekly on the plans for delivery!!! Since I have gestational diabetes they are watching Max's size carefully and will not let me go past my due date. So NO MATTER WHAT I'm having this baby within 8 weeks. I would prefer 6 or 7 weeks, but if he needs 8 to be ready then so be it!

1st marathon out of the way

As most of you know, I have been training to run a marathon since November 2008. On July 26th, 2009 I have accomplished my goal of running a marathon. This grueling, strenuous, rewarding, and ultimately crazy activity occurred over the course of 5 hours, 52 minutes in beautiful San Francisco. We started on the Embarcadero along the famous piers, traversed through the Presidio and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. Coming back over the bridge, we ran back through the Presidio due south to Golden Gate Park. Once through the park, it was a downhill jog through Haight-Ashbury back to the Embarcadero and through to the finish line. (Sorry for the pic on the right, had to grab a proof photo.)

Most people would consider this a physical accomplishment and I would agree to a certain extent. Physical training for this endeavor was absolutely necessary, but I had no idea that there was a mental element as well. By the halfway point, I would have been content to call it quits, get a ride to the car, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee. By mile 18, I seriously began to question my sanity and wondered why I even attempted such a long run. With 8.2 more miles to go and a large blister on the ball of my left foot, I found myself determined to cross the finish line. Time was not important, just the fact that I was not going to quit. When I passed the 25 mile marker, I actually choked up a bit. I can't really say why now, but at the time it seemed appropriate. Crossing the finish line was an instant feeling of relief, pride, and joy. Mostly joy for the fact that I didn't have to run anymore, but also joy that I broke through the pain and completed a goal.

Aside from everything Jamie and I have done together, this has been my greatest accomplishment so far. Much to Jamie's dismay, I look forward to the next big race and hope that I can make huge improvements in time and physical strength.

If you are interested in increasing your level of fitness and doing a bit of self-exploration/discovery, I would absolutely recommend this to you. Find the time for yourself and push yourself beyond what you think you can do. I promise it is worth it in the end.