Bummer...literally.

So I have been having some intense pain recently...actually for a few months. And unfortunately it keeps getting worse. At this point, I am in pain if I stand too long, if I lift anything (even the boys) and especially when I sleep - rolling over just about does me in. Today I cried when getting out of bed, it was that bad.

At first I thought it was the psoas muscle, but after a little research I am fairly certain that I have Symphysis pubis dysfunction, which basically is pain caused by a misaligned or separated pelvis. Not so fun. But I am comforted by the fact that there is a name for what is causing all this pain.

Also, natural birth is recommend for women with this, so I'm right on track with that. Though thinking about being in labor on top of all of this is a bit overwhelming. One of those things where the Lord reminds me that HE is in control, not me.

Anybody else ever dealt with this before? As far as I can tell, there are no real treatments for it, other than being careful about certain movements and not lifting things. At least it will resolve itself after the baby is born, so that is encouraging.

Family

Today I am thankful for my family. I got to help my sister get ready for her Christmas Banquet at school which was super fun. I don't really have much opportunity to curl my hair, so it was great to have an excuse to do someone else's. (It's not like I have a daughter to practice on either.) Plus just hanging out with Rach was fun. Always is. She is a funny girl.

Ta-da!

And while we were in the midst of curling, my brother and his wife stopped by for a surprise visit. I am so glad they did - chances are likely that we won't be here long term, so I want to take advantage of every opportunity to see each other while we can!

Grow, baby, grow. Slow, mama, slow.

Just got back from the doctor. The baby is healthy and growing right on track. I, however, am growing a little more than recommended. That's right, another 10 lbs this month.

So, at the most delicious time of year, my doctor has suggested that I give up sweets.

On that note, Sharks said, "Mommy, 'Yikes' would be a pretty name for the baby."

Deedo

One of us thinks this is a darling picture of Deedo. The other thinks he looks a bit like an old-timey baby, you know, like in those immigrant photographs on Ellis Island.

What do you think?

Maggie-Goats

This is Maggie-Goats. I got her for Christmas when I was 2, and named her from a nursery rhyme that I misunderstood. (Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy...)

Ever since I stopped playing with her I have been saving her, thinking that one day when I had a girl, I could pass her on. Ever since we got married, Chet has been trying to get rid of her. I actually thought he had because I hadn't seen her for over a year.

But the other day, I found her stuffed in a box in the corner of our attic. Kinda freaked me out. Maggie Goats is about the size of a 6 month old and for a second I thought a real baby was lying there in that box.

Nope. Just Maggie Goats. And for the first time her true hideousness was revealed to me - somehow, for all these years I have missed the eyes that won't stay open or closed, the tracheotomy neck, nasty hair, not to mention the general awfulness that is this doll.

I wonder how I ever thought it would be a good idea for a child to play with this doll.

Of course there is nothing I like better than pranking my husband. He tends to be very jumpy. (All the more reason.) So I put Maggie Goats under the covers on his side of the bed, then asked if he wanted to snuggle. Ha! Gotcha! Soooo worth it.

He got me back the next day though, when he buckled her into Deedo's car seat. Despite her obvious hideousness, I really did think she was a real child, at least for a second. And that only adds to the creepy factor.

So here's one last hoorah for Maggie Goats - once loved doll, now creepy prank toy. Off to the dumpster tomorrow.

(At least that's what I'm telling Chet.)

27 weeks

Our landlord stopped by this week and as we chatted, I casually mentioned the new baby (we hadn't told him yet, simply because we hadn't seen him in awhile.)

He looked up at me and said, "Wow, I would never have guessed. I can't tell at all."

To which I replied, "Liar, liar, pants on fire."

Babies

Just saw this trailer on a friend's Facebook. Don't really know anything about it, but it looks kinda cute, doesn't it?

Random stuff

Pardon the jumping around...my brain is functioning with only 4 hours of sleep and let's be honest, I am kind of a space cadet at this point in life as it is.

Still have to get some pics up from Peru...but there are a bunch on Facebook if you want to check them out. It was a wonderful trip; I just get re-tired thinking about all that I did to get there and back again.

For now, we are just trucking along. Sharks has croup, Deeds has a mohawk, Chet has finals, and I have a squirmy baby growing inside.

Tuesday is the day I have been looking forward to all semester - Chet's last final, after which my brother and sis-in-law have offered to watch the boys so we can go out. Sushi and a movie, here we come.

Today's conversation with Sharks -

Me: Buddy, what kind of pet would you want, if you had one?
Sharks: Probably a camel.
Me: What would you do with a camel?
Sharks: I would ride it and you could put a string on it and walk it round and round. Like in my Bible.

(Later I realized that he meant a donkey and he was referring to the Triumphal Entry.)

I am reading A Foxfire Christmas and falling in love with the simplicity of Christmas past. Oh how I wish it was still possible to give oranges, stick candy, and rag dolls for presents. Or receive them.

Ok, I am off to bed. Hopefully Sharks will have a restful, barking-free night.