Well, first off I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope that it was filled with love and happiness. I was reading a friends blog about how we sometimes get selfish at the holidays and feel like we have to spend a ton to make people happy. I know that I have said it a few times, but there didn't have to be anything under my tree this year, or probably for the coming years. I got all that I wanted and stuck him in a santa hat!

For the first time in a long time, the spirit has come to my home. My family was here last night just hanging out, having some snacks and enjoying the time. That is, to me, what it should all be about. Today, I hung out with my mom and my son, took it easy and just took some time to be thankful.

My only regret is that I didn't get out to the cemetery. We started out there yesterday just to stop by my dad, but there was this woman who was in a car accident and by the time we had waited until the police arrived, Elliot was a bit fussy and tired of being in the car. While I do like to make it a point to stop out there, I know that the spirit of my dad is with us always, and I cannot wait to teach my son about what a respectful, caring and loving father he was. I hope that my son gets the traits of hard work, respect, humility, modesty and honesty that my dad had and passed on to me!

So again, I wish you all the good, love and peace that can be given to all of you, and I wish you a wonderful day!

It is so hard to believe that my little bird is just about two weeks old. What a life changing experience. It isn't tough to learn that things all of a sudden do not happen on my time, they happen on his. There are a lot of times that I am washing bottles or doing laundry, but he is sooo worth it.

People are still stopping by to meet him and say hello, and my friends have been great. Everyday is something new. I have a tough time putting him down, I just want to cuddle and hold him. It is so fun to see the new things that he learns from day to day. Like finding his thumb to suck on, or those strange baby smiles for whatever reason.

All is healing well. Due to the back surgery I had to be put all the way under so I wasn't the first to get him. My mom was. I am so glad to have the support that I do.

Hopefully today I can take the tree that has been in the stand for a couple of days and get some lights and ornaments on it. The snow hindered us yesterday, so with that being cleaned up, maybe some stuff can happen inside the house. I guess you learn to slow down and take things in because it is all so precious. I read in the paper of people who aren't taking care of their kids, or do bad things to them, and I look at my son and want to hold him closer to protect him always from the bad things. I don't understand how someone can do something so terrible to any other person...adult or child.

Christmas takes on a whole new meaning this year with this special gift....

Bored....

Yes, I am bored...I know that the standard sentence right now is to enjoy it while I can and rest, but geez. I do a little shopping for Christmas and I get kinda tired, but beyond that I have started a book, and I am watching way more T.V. than I ordinarily do. I don't like to be driving much and the ice on the sidewalks and such scares me. Goodness knows I'm kinda clumsy.

I guess tomorrow will be the teller as to when this is all going to happen. I didn't think that my back would be an issue, but the hypothesis seems to make sense. I met with the ob the other day and he was a really nice guy. I am hoping that if anything were to ever go down and I needed a doc like that, that he would take me. It appears that he more than likely will come c-section, which is fine. I don't know that the laying and the threat of a nonworking epidural is a fate I want to tempt.

Maybe today I will try to clean out my trunk. The stroller I have is gigantic...It's like a cesna for a baby.

It was strange...yesterday we ran into a woman who had a 7 week old..her sons name was Elliott. I'm not sure how it is spelled, but it was ironic. It really made me want to hold my Elliot. This has been a road of greatness, and I am so thankful for the miracle that I am about to get. It is so hard to express it. It might be that my mind and body are all jacked up, and I know I am slightly more emotional than normal, but this is my dream come true and I am excited to meet him.

Yeah, Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving. It was so fun to cook with my mom last night. We always use my grandmas recipe for stuffing. I made it this year, so I guess you could say the torch was passed. It is strange to think that this is the last holiday that we go from two people to three again.
I remember the last Thanksgivings with my dad, and wow, do I wish we still had him here to bark the orders and speak the truth! There is no little one yet, but the time is ticking down. It would have been something to have pictures of my dad with his grandson.

It is strange and shouldn't happen where you sit down and think about what you are thankful for on one given day...unfortunately I am just as guilty as a lot of folks. At this stage of the game, I am so thankful for my family and friends, that I have a roof over my head, a job that keeps me sustained and this wonderful gift on the way. I am keeping my fingers crossed that maybe he will be a birthday present. Who could ask for anything better!

I wish everyone that comes across this a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with people that you care about.

So it is a little blurry, but it is mine! :) Only a couple more weeks left and thank goodness. These randoms pains can catch me off guard at times. I guess it is all part of the getting ready process. I have one more ultrasound on the 24th to measure fluids and such. I will have a bag ready by then just in case. Apparently if your numbers don't add up, they don't let you leave.

My work folks are so great. There is one more shower on Monday. I am really excited. This week can sort of start the official countdown to my leave. I have never liked having a sub because it is so much work. This still holds true, but at least I know she is great!

I gave my mom some quick camcorder lessons the other night. Let's hope she remembers. I can see my son being put on dvd with his grandma's finger in the frame. :) I am sure she will do great. If anything, the thought and consideration is there.

Last night was a first....I had to run out at quarter til nine because I wanted one of those Betty Crocker molten cakes that you put in the micro. I would have to say that it surprised even me! It was damn good though :)

This is how big I feel, but not nearly as cute as I look. I think the countdown can begin really. Parent Teacher conferences are out of the way...that was a feat in and of itself. I like to keep a lot on my plate and I think that is what has made this go quickly, but I won't lie...I am ready for some of this responsibility to come to an end. It makes me happy to think that with that happening there will be a different set of responsibility...my baby!

The election has come, and I have found myself in more discussions than I guess I would care to be, but I think that it is important to be informed and see what happens. At this point the deed is done and hopefully it is not full of empty political promises.

I found out that I have a great substitute teacher coming in for me. We have worked together on a few occasions and she is wonderful. There is nothing like knowing you kids are in good hands.

We got a bit of sleet here last night. It was odd because the days prior to it were 70's and 60's. Welcome to Wisconsin. I am dreading a heavy coat and such, but I love the first snowfall when everything sticks to the trees and looks fresh.

Fall....

I wish it were just one pretty little leave hanging out in my yard...but no, there are thousands, compounded by the wind that I decided needed to be picked up today. It started with some little last minute yard tasks and escalated to mowing and leave sucking. 5 bags later I realized that I am too dang stubborn. That is really not something that I would advise at 8+ months pregnant. The baby is mad at me, and so is my body. The ultra sad part is when you look outside, not only is it in the low 40's, but the leaves are covering the yard again...how futile is that?

So it has been a bit. My shower was amazing and beautiful and I am so thankful that we are so loved. My family on my dad's side all came and that was fantastic. My dad passed almost 9 years ago, but everyone still keeps in touch and they are so happy for us. All of my friends came out, and everyone was so generous. This baby is so loved already! I can't forget to mention that the cake was incredible. I'll plug Lovin' Oven cause they did a hell of a job! I usually don't even like cake..but this...yum! :)

So there is about 5 weeks left. I get to have another ultrasound the first week of November to check the baby's size. They will also start doing non-stress tests twice a week just to monitor. Apparently when he doesn't seem happy to be in there anymore and isn't moving as they want him to be, they will look to delivery. It is crazy the things that they can do these days.

The first quarter of school is about under my belt, and there are about three weeks left of the grad class...I have been doing well with keeping it together so the hope I have is that I can continue to do so! Here's to hoping!