Hey everyone!! Kacie gave me a great idea, I want all of y'all to guess when Liberty is going to arrive!! Closest to being right wins...the satisfaction of being right. ;)
Date: Time: Weight: Length:
Good luck!!!
**Update** So wow! Thanks for putting in your guesses everyone!! I think its very interesting that most of the dates are right around my actual due date. I guess no one wants to go over. :) Well, I'm going to put in my guess! I really want her to be born before Christmas so I doubt that'll happen, so I think she's going to go after. Which would be great because my mom isn't coming into town until Christmas evening. So here is my guess!! Date: 12/27 Time: 12 noon Weight: 8 even Length: 19" I was a pretty chubby baby but Tim was small so we'll see!! :D
Woo-hoo!! 36 weeks!! Seems like a lot! And it is, a whopping 32 weeks since we found out I was preggers! Libby now weighs close to 6 lbs. and if she were born now there would most likely be no complications! I think 37 weeks is "full term" and if a baby is born before then they're still considered a preemie but don't usually have problems. Anyway, so Libby should be here anytime within 2 to 6 weeks! That's a pretty big gap! Most first-time moms are usually about 10 days late so that would mean her birthday will be on December 30th. Although my mom's first (Rebecca) was born 10 days early so that would be December 10th! Pretty big range!
I'm feeling ok, just huge and sluggish. Its getting more difficult to move around and to sleep. I'm still struggling with acid reflux and I'm hoping she drops soon! That will squish my stomach less but put more pressure on my bladder, oh joy! Also, if I walk around for more than 30 minutes then the Braxton Hicks contractions really hit me hard. My stomach gets as tight as a drum! It's quite uncomfortable but nothing more than that. Just makes me take frequent breaks! And I love my exercise ball!! Every pregnant woman needs one! They're really fabulous and so comfortable. Plus, I'm going to take it to the hospital with me and use it during my labor.
We finished our birthing classes last week and we both feel like they were completely worth it. We learned a great deal not only about child birth but also about nutrition, healthy living, and child care. I would really recommend the Bradley Method for expectant couples! I'll let you know how well it works after Libby is here. :)
This survey and its implications have been all over the internet and selected news media recently. I never watch the "big three" (ABC, NBC, CBS) so I don't know if its been covered on those channels. Anyway, I wanted to post this video along with the survey information along with my thoughts. And yes, I completely realize that Barack Obama is our new President and will be so for the next four years. I understand that. However, I do think that this should make us pause and consider where we as a nation are getting our news. Do you seek to honestly become informed over the issues? Or do you merely vote for the candidate who has the (R) or (D) next to their name?
One of the first classes I ever took in college was a state and local government class and the professor really emphasized this with us. We read various news stories and then asked a series of questions: why are they telling me this? who is this story directed at? why is this (certain detail) included? When reading articles or watching news stories we should always ask ourselves these and other questions. However unbiased a reporter, publication, or channel represents themselves there is always a slant.
This is one of the reasons I enjoy watching Foxnews as opposed to the other stations. Fox realizes that people have biases and therefore does a great job of presenting both sides of the story. There have been countless times when I have seen this played out. My favorite show on Fox is Brit Hume's news reports at 6pm EST. He has an excellent sense of humor and fairly presents both sides of a particular issue. He also has a round table discussion called the 'All Stars' on every show to discuss the relevant stories of the day.
Anyway, I digress...What I really wanted to post is this survey that was taken after the election to poll the knowledge of people who voted for Obama. It is really quite revealing and disturbing. John Ziegler, through Zogby, conducted this poll and asked twelve questions to 512 Obama voters nationwide. The results are astounding. The video is quite long but shows 12 people who had already voted for Obama and their answers to the 12 questions.
As Tim pointed out, I'm sure that a number of ignorant McCain voters could be found. Unfortunately, Zogby has declined the request to do the same poll of McCain voters (and I don't think the results would be the same). However, I really don't see that as the point. What I believe the poll does is point out the incredible influence mainstream media has on a majority of Americans. We are a part of a give-it-to-me-fast, microwaved world and we are too lazy to discover the truth for ourselves. So take this poll and video as a lesson, the next time you read a news article or watch a story ask yourself some questions. Why are they telling me this? Why are they including these details? What is being left out? And take it upon yourself to become more informed.
This quote is posted on the top of Ziegler's website and I think its a very relevant one. "Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."
George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Ok, finally I'm going to post some new pics. Although I wasn't happy at all with how they turned out. I need a girl around here!! Maybe that's why the Lord is blessing us with a little girl. :) I need someone to tell me to turn my head this way or that. I'm hoping to get some professional pics done when Libby is a few months old so that will be nice. Plus, hopefully I'll be done with this lovely puffiness in my face that I'm currently experiencing. Nothing like having people who haven't known me very long telling me I look nothing like the pictures that were taken just last year! :( But since I'm 35 weeks hopefully I'll be back to 'normal' before too long! :) Something like this...
Taken spring '07 at my parent's house Taken this past April - 5 weeks! 30 weeks ago?!
And now for the current ones... My neighbor Christine and I - she's due about the same time I am!
Alright, so I guess I'm proving myself to be incredibly vain but hopefully that will spur me on to get back to 'normal' after Libby is here! No excuses!! Well, it would be nice not to have to deal with 11 degree weather in January but I'm not sure how much I'll be able to get out in that! Especially with a tiny newborn! But I know I can do it and y'all are gonna help me!! I know my peeps will be there for me. :)
Sunday afternoon Rebecca, Mom, Lizzles and I drove from the ranch in Wimberley to my parent's house in Magnolia. Mostly an uneventful trip except for one minor detail, we were starving! We decided to eat on the way as we had left about 2pm and hadn't eaten anything since breakfast several hours before. So we started looking for a Whataburger. Not sure why except that since I was in Texas I wanted things only found in Texas! And as all my Texas readers know, Whataburger is VERY Texas! So we drove, and drove, and kept driving. All the while passing up about four Sonics. Unfortunately we had four very undecisive women in the car and no one wanted to say "yes! lets just go there!" so we didn't. And everyone at one point was certain there was a Whataburger in the next small town, just 10 miles down the road. Until finally the preggers lady was about to barf. And then we were saved! Finally! We saw the Orange W up ahead, in Giddings, I believe. And we were saved. And Rebecca was saved from me barfing in her little red car. :)
That evening we made it in around 6 and were greeted by my dad and two youngest brothers. It was so cute seeing the reaction of Robert (the 8 year old) to my protruding belly. He really handled it well and just seemed excited. And later when we sat down to watch a movie he brought me his favorite blanket and pillow to use. :) So sweet!
That week with my family was just wonderful! It was relaxing and busy, in the perfect amounts. I hung out with my parents and family a lot, drove to College Station to see my sis and her husband, went to lunch with Lizzles, and to the Galleria with Jess! And mom and I dragged poor Robert around town looking for a baby book and shower supplies. He was really sweet though and totally enjoyed his Wendy's frosty. I also helped (a term I use very loosely) my dad burn some cleared brush in the back of their property. That was fun and nice to hang out with my dad.
Meeting up with Jess and eating with Elizabeth were two high points as well. It was so nice to spend time with good friends! I've known Elizabeth since highschool so we're old buds and have had many adventures together! And Jess and I worked together at Drs. Alexander's Orthodontics which was also quite interesting at times! And dinner with my sis Stephanie for her 23rd bday was fun as well! I finally got to see her apartment too. :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPH! SiStErS!
And then on Saturday morning my mom and sisters threw me a beautiful shower with lots of our friends. And my two SIL and MIL came to that as well!! It was a lot of fun and so wonderful to get to see so many old friends! And blogger isn't letting me attach any more pics to this post so I'll have to devote one to that shower. There are a ton of good ones, believe me. :)
Ok, the house is messy and I have a million things to do but I really want to write a little about my Texas trip. Oh and seriously, Libby is one spoiled lil girl already!! She has so many beautiful clothes, stuffed animals, and gear. I'll post some pics when I get things straightened up and in order.
So I flew out Thursday afternoon from Newark airport and our plane was delayed, wa-ho. We had one lay-over and then I finally made it into DFW at 9:30. And my sweet Chris and Katey were there waiting for me! It was so good to see them! They took me to their beautiful, new house and we stayed up munching on goodies and catching up. Friday we were able to meet Jess and the Alexander kids at Chick-Fil-A and it was so wonderful to see them! We laughed and ate and had a wonderful time!
Friday evening was our first shower hosted by Katey. It was so beautiful and so much fun! She and Chris did a great job decorating and preparing. There were yummy sandwiches and snacks and an adorable cake! I have a few pics from that but I'm still waiting on some from Katey... Hopefully Katey has more pics of the people who came! Thanks so much, girls!!!
Saturday morning Bethanie and I woke up early (she spent the night with me and Chris and Katey's) and were on our way to New Braunfels by 7:57. Yep, thats right, people, a HENDERSON left on time!! She claims that Steve has reformed her but I told her it was because she was with a Shenk. ;)
We made it to Heather's beautiful house by 11:30 where we found a flurry of ladies preparing for our second shower. This one was given by my SILs Heather and Mindy and my MIL Carol Sue. And many other people helped too by preparing and making cakes. And were there cakes!!! Sweet cousin Abby took pictures and she did a great job. Although, again I didn't get many of the people actually attending the shower. :( There was a great turn-out and it was so fun to see everyone!! Thanks for coming!!
We had so much fun and Libby and I got some wonderful gifts. Plus, I got to spend a lot of time with some great ladies! Thank y'all so much!! I spent the night with family and friends at the Ranch and then Rebecca, mom, Elizabeth and I left to go back Magnolia. I spent the whole week with my family there and that is where I will leave off and resume next time!
Ok, so this weekend we had this guy show up and he has left a few times but has again returned. In my horrid state I never posted any pics but I can't leave it for any longer!
Well, sorry I've been MIA for a while. This new thing my friends have on their blog that shows the most recently updated blogs on their link list puts a lot of pressure to write new posts! Plus, I'm feeling another type of nasty pressure. :( I got back from Texas really early Tuesday morning and went to work doing laundry and unpacking. And then on Thursday I discovered an unwanted souvenir from Texas. A very awful cold. So since then I've been pretty miserable. Right now its taken up residence in my head and isn't moving. This morning I finished up my third box of tissues. Winter colds are awful and in my opinion even worse while pregnant. I wouldn't wish this on anyone! So right now I'm just taking it easy and trying to quell my nesting urges. Yep, people, I'm 33 weeks and getting things set up! My plan is to have all of Libby's things ready by week 36 so I can take it easy and just do cleaning and cooking until her arrival. Plus, you never know what day God will pick for their birthday! A friend of mine went into labor when she was 38 weeks but more often then not its around 41 or so. So we'll see!! No way of knowing at this point!!
One more thing, a big shout out to Hollie for my new blog layout! Thanks so much!! Y'all should all visit her funny site and maybe you'll get a makeover too!
I'll write more about my trip later but for now I'll just say that I had a fabulous time! I love my Texas peeps so much and had a wonderful time with them!! Pictures to come soon!!
