Happy Veterans Day!

Some quotes...

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... --Patrick Henry--

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. --John Stewart Mill--

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem. --Ronald Reagan--

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. --George Patton--

We make war that we may live in peace. --Aristotle--

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. --George Orwell--

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Thanks to all who have served or are serving.  And to those who are no longer with us because of their bravery, I pray your efforts are not in vain, and that we show our gratitude in how we appreciate our freedom.
 

"Oh Honey, I don't miss those days."

The title just contains some encouraging words from a cashier I encountered yesterday when she saw my belly.  She then went on to discuss how much she hated being pregnant all three times.  Of course, it just so happens, she doesn't seem to enjoy being a mom either.  At least if she does, she kept those details to herself.

I've decided some people are just miserable.  But that's not the point of this post.

The point is - I think I WILL miss this.  I won't miss being nauseous all day during the early weeks.  I won't miss never feeling like I look put together.  I won't miss having to wear glasses because contacts suddenly irritated my eyes.  I'm sure I won't miss being 8.5 months pregnant and thinking if I get any bigger I'll pop.  But I will miss this.  I'll miss the sweet punches and kicks and rolls I get from Karson throughout the day.  I'll miss knowing that he's protected for now, and that only I can take care of him.  I'll miss the anticipation that Justin and I feel.  I'll miss the excitement of preparing.  I'll miss the moments when Justin gets to feel Karson move.  I'll miss Justin's morning hugs when one is for me and one is for Karson. 

I know that having him here will be infinitely more special.  And the moments I treasure now will be replaced with other special ones, like seeing Karson smile, hearing his laugh, and watching him learn and grow.

But, dear angry cashier lady, despite your inability to look back on pregnancy fondly - I'm happy to say, I will in fact miss these days!

Under 100 days! And perhaps under 100 things left to do!

We have less than 100 days remaining of waiting for Karson to arrive!  (What if he's late you say?  Hush your mouth!)

I'm officially 26 weeks along, and by some standards, start the third trimester tomorrow as we start week 27.

The milestones this week are fun ones.  By the end of the week (or possibly by now) Karson's lungs will be capable of breathing air!  He will also have hit the minimum goal weight of just over 2 pounds.  Getting closer and closer to being ready for this big world!

His kicks are also getting stronger and more consistent, and I am going to begin kick counting. 

And my favorite (from cradle.com): 
"By this time, your baby’s brain wave patterns are similar to those of a full-term baby at birth. Activity is beginning in the portions of the brain that process visual and auditory information."  
But I have to wonder...what the heck is he thinking about???

In other news, we got a lot done this weekend!  We cleaned out the landscaping; pulling, trimming, and sprucing up all around the house.  We had hoped to pressure wash but some thing was broken and Justin will have to make a trip to Lowe's for a tiny part that spoiled those plans.  We also hung curtains in the nursery (yay!), assembled airplane #3, got in a cross country flight...(ok, all three of those were Justin...).  But I wasn't completely useless.  I took care of some errands, checked one more person off of the Christmas shopping list, and made some ground on knitting a baby hat.  (How's the blanket coming along you ask?  Again I say hush your mouth!)  Let's just say I wish it looked this good...

 

 

Next on the to do list is tackling the garage.  We need to move the bed that was previously in the nursery out, along with some closet storage left by the previous home owners, and some boxes that I swear must not be ours because I no longer recognize them.  We MUST make this a priority because it's the only way I have a shot at parking in there this winter!  And more importantly - I CAN'T GET TO THE CHRISTMAS STUFF!  Too soon you say?  Pshaw!  I would have put one of our three trees up this weekend if not for the blockage in the garage.  But more on my obsessive Christmas decorating later.  If you're judging me for skipping Thanksgiving, you should know that I put my fall dishes out in August.  So...take that!

Nonetheless - we keep moving forward, and one by one, we're reducing our to do list.  This is good because last I checked the world was not on pause while we slowly get ready!

Who, me? When?

It seems sometimes I forget I'm pregnant. Ok, I don't really FORGET, but every now and then it doesn't seem real.  It's as if I'm watching A Baby Story and someone else is the main character.  I'm just an observer smiling and crying and rooting her on. 

At the last doctor appointment (week 25) the Doc was feeling the abdominal area, and in particular noting the growth of the uterus.  He once again commented on it being a big baby (really, must we always bring that up?) and said something along the lines of:

"You will run out of room to grow up soon, and your belly will start growing out more.  Probably November."

I smiled at how November would bring a fun large belly to this happy pregnant gal I was observing.  She must be so excited!

I still smile at that thought, then I remember...she is ME!  And November is NOW!  Not only is this real, it's moving quickly!  Karson will be here in no time! 

Don't get me wrong...that is good news!  I can't wait to meet him, and I'm glad this is going by quickly rather than painfully dragging on. 

But sometimes I can't believe how much time has passed already! 

When will I get the nursery organized? 

When will I crochet the stupid blanket? (What was I thinking?!) 

Why do we only have two planes painted? 

How will I get all of the Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years/meet my new niece travel in? 

We need to tour the hospitals! 

We need to take the birthing class! 

I need to take a breastfeeding class! 

Justin and I need to do something fun for this anniversary! 

I should start scrapbooking! 

I should take more pictures! 

I need a new camera so I can take more pictures so I can scrapbook! 

I need to slap that "A Baby Story" girl and get her moving in to a higher gear!!! 

AND...I need to tell her to relax because it will all fall in to place.  I've seen this episode before and I know she can get things done when she needs to.  So I'll add "take a deep breath" and "enjoy this part too" to her list of to do's.  But seriously, she needs to get moving...

McReally?

We all have one.  A guilty pleasure.  Maybe it's movie theater popcorn. (guilty)  Maybe it's Krispy Kreme doughnuts. (guilty!)  Maybe it's the McRib....(huh? NOT guilty!)

I would like to explain to you how many times the McRib has come up in conversation during the last few months, but I'm not sure I can accurately recount the times.  First someone mentioned it being their favorite and they were sad it wasn't on the menu full time.  That led to a discussion of the elusiveness of the McRib.  We later realized there was a McRib locator where people could submit questionable, possible, or confirmed "sightings".   Really?   What is this...Big foot?  Elvis?

Then this week I see an article that it will be available for a limited time at all locations at once, for the first time since 1994!  Let the Chaos begin!

I for one do not get it.  I am a BBQ fan.  I like ribs.  I like sandwiches.  And I like McDonalds despite the evidence that suggests they may be doling out meals that are more plastic than nutritious.  I do not, however, get the appeal of something that is made from mysterious meat, and made to look like a bone in rib patty.  But...kudos to McDonalds for making this concoction so popular that it has amassed a cult following. 

A friend posted this facebook status update earlier:
A McRib sandwich commercial came on and my daughter just stared at the tv like they'd shown her a real live unicorn.

So...maybe it's the mystery!  Maybe it's the fact that you can't get one whenever you want one?  Regardless, I'll not be fighting the crowds to partake.  Thank goodness Karson has not decided to make this a gross craving.  I'll simply avoid McD's until this is over, then go back to enjoying their nuggets.  What's that?  What do you mean they're not really chicken?

What are YOUR guilty pleasures?  Go ahead, admit it...you know you have one...

25 Week Quiz

How far along?  25 weeks and one day!

How big is baby? About 14 inches, and roughly two pounds!

Weight gain? .:Drum Roll....:.  14.8!  That's right!  I avoided seeing 160 at the Doctor's office by .2 for one more appointment!  .:Crowd Cheers!:.  However, thanks to some yummy treats at the baby shower...I saw it when I returned home this weekend.  .:Crowd Groans:.

Stretch Marks? Not yet!  But I've started that itchiness...argh.

Maternity clothes? Exclusively maternity pants.  I can still wear some of my usual shirts, but quite frankly, I enjoy wearing clothes that say "I'm pregnant!".  Even if they also say "I'm sloppy and eat a lot!".  I was also in need of new boots for winter, and instead of buying them, decided to buy something comfortable, and less expensive in case my feet grow (.:gasp:. ...can you imagine...).  The end result was a pair of super comfy black Clarks from an outlet we passed last weekend.  Cool points - no.  Comfort points - yes!  I'm not swelling yet, but I imagine I'll eventually be grateful for my ugly comfortable shoes!

Oh - I am sleeping in the same old stuff I've always slept in, but my mid section often peeks/hangs out.  It's not a sexy look. 

Sleep? I'm now a three pillow kind of gal.  It seems to be working.  Even if I'm crowding Justin a bit.  :-)

Cravings? Nothing in particular, but I can remember craving popcorn recently.  Although I did that before...

Nursery update? Lots of updates since the last quiz!  New ceiling fan, ottoman, crib, mattress, bedding, name for wall, storage unit, new furniture arrangement.  So much!  We're still only two planes in to the six plane set we're making to hang from the ceiling.  But we're saving that activity for days when we can't get out, watch football, nap or otherwise completely procrastinate.

Movement? Karson is a mover and a shaker!  He's kicking me now!  The funniest is when he seems to push hard against the right part of my stomach.  This happens in particular when I'm first laying down at night and am somewhat on my back watching tv.  It looks a little like an alien might break out of there.  If he does that now - I can't imagine the havoc he will be wreaking when he gets big!

High point? A baby shower with Crystal this weekend.  Brittney, Vicki, Rachel, Cheryl and Laurie, as well as Crystal's mom and a couple of coworkers helped us both celebrate!  It was a fun crew!  And we will never look at Raisinettes the same! 

Low point? I can't recall one off hand.  I will say that I feel pregnant today.  For the first time since the first few weeks, I'm doing that "I need to pee" every 15 minutes dance. Not fun.  Maybe it's just where Karson is positioned.  Of course, after scurrying to the bathroom, I realize it is in vain and I imagined it.  I hope that's temporary!  I'm also out of breath today.  It could be from a newly bigger belly, or it could be from running up and down the stairs for the unnecessary bathroom breaks!

Other: Justin and I just booked anniversary plans.  That may seem irrelevant, but since it's our last pre-kid anniversary, we've decided to make an effort to do something special.  I'm excited!

And for your viewing pleasure...a 25 week belly pic!

Footed PJ's and Sweater Vests and Muscle Tanks, Oh my!

Kart...er...Karson got lots of cool little boy clothes and fun toys and needed items at his first shower!  We had a blast over the weekend visiting with friends and family, and celebrating the coming arrivals of Karson AND Karter!  (By the way, I already confuse their names, and from now on may just call Karter "my niece".) 

We got some helpful basics and items from our registry, including a bumbo, activity jumper, baby carrier, car seat cover and travel/camping items. 

We received some gorgeous homemade items,  (thankfully Crystal's family is far craftier than I am.)  Seriously - aren't these awesome?

We also received some adorable clothes!  Including softee jeans (LOVE!), PJ's with planes on them, and some warm clothes for winter.  I LOVE footed PJ's, and clearly was beyond excited when I saw the rear of this little monkey set. 

I also love sweater vests!

And I look forward to seeing a little tough guy sporting this muscle tank...

Karson is a lucky little boy already!  And we have two more showers to go!  He will be spoiled before he even arrives!

Here are some shots of the Rinker crew from the weekend...