But for some reason I haven't felt any urge to write lately. It's not that there's not anything going on, but maybe just nothing that stirs my writing imagination? No new pictures to post really...I don't know. But maybe I'll try to post some recent highlights:
-Fall weather seems to be here and I love it. Cool nights and lovely days. Today is rainy and overcast; delightful. Not sure if this is here to stay or just a teaser, but I do love fall. The farmers are all anxious to get in the field and Mike's planning on starting next week. This rain won't help that goal any, but it's still not far in the future.
-Our church is officially pastor-less. They're moving out tomorrow and last night was the big discussion meeting with all the congregation there. It really wasn't as exciting as a lot of people were hoping for and is was organized by a Ph.d.'d facilitator who keep the yelling to a minimum. There was more I would've liked to say, particularly to certain people, but mostly the hope is that we can just put this behind us and move on. If we don't, who knows what will happen. Mike even talks of us changing churches and frankly, I'm glad. Not so much that I want to change, but I'm grateful that he would consider it. As was said last night, since he was "born into" this church I wasn't very confident that he "knew the way out." But since he is considering the need to move, it shows that he does. I'm really really hopeful that they will find a solid new pastor with great teaching...but I hear my hopes are not well founded considering the seminary candidates that they have to look at.
-I have gotten nothing done recently as far as exciting home projects go. Unless Parker's scrapbook counts. I'm really trying to hold my nose to the grindstone on that one and I have about 5 months to get it caught up. Finally gaining some momentum; I got to his first birthday!
-And that brings me to the fact that I guess I haven't mentioned on here that I am actually 18 weeks pregnant. Can I blame my lack of creative home accomplishments on that? I've been feeling pretty good for awhile now, but those first few months I was moving pretty slow. Even actually threw up a record of two times (it was none with Parker) apart from the food poisoning and flu times. But more energy and less nausea these days as long as I watch what I eat. Finally starting to look a little more pregnant but frustrated that a lot of the times I just look fat. I'm really paranoid about weight gain and body shape this time. I honestly think I'm doing all that I can and my doctor said that my weight was "perfect" but I am afraid of going back to square one when this one is born and having 50lbs. to loose again. No, I am not at this point wearing my size 8 jeans anymore. But I am still in the 10's (with a little help! more on that in a minute) and exercising everyday and trying to eat as smart as I can when I seem to have to eat almost every hour...Found a workout called "the perfect pregnancy workout" DVD that I've been doing. It's alright. Not very hard, but hopefully good for maintenance. One of the main things that I like is that I can do it everyday all the way through and not worry that I'm doing things I shouldn't. Apart from all that worry stuff, definitely enjoying this pregnancy better so far. For some reason I feel more qualified to be pregnant this time? Or maybe it seems more real? Not sure exactly, but I am somehow feeling more free to shop for maternity things, or enjoy feeling the baby move, or having people notice and not just feeling awkward. Can't explain that well...
-Ok, about the "help" I mentioned. This is my new love affair with proper undergarments. First I finally broke down and bought a $40 nursing bra. I never found one that I really liked with Parker, just bought a few cheap ones and tried to ignore the sagginess. But this time I was already hating all of my bras as I outgrew my "smaller me" ones and wasn't big enough for the "pregnant me" ones. So I ordered one that came highly recommended from "Mom's 4 Life" website (amazing site). And I LOVE it. I have never has a bra that fit so good: it evens me out, fits smoothly, doesn't feel like it needs to be pulled up all day, and is made in such a way that it will still fit even as "things" change and sizes fluctuate. So excited. Along with that I also ordered a "bella band" as I had heard them recommended before, but just had never tried it. They say that they can help all through and after pregnancy with clothes that just don't fit right by sucking in maternity pants that are a little too big, or holding tight regular pants that do everything but button well. And I am very much in that awkward between stage, so I thought I'd give it a shot. And I really like that as well. I'm back in my favorite jeans for awhile longer and also can wear my shorter shirts as this will cover the in between if need be. As I told Andrea "I felt so good that I put my heels on." It's amazing what a different a good foundation can make!
-And finally, potty training. Not a big fan. Definitely did not need to make my life harder, but really want to avoid two in diapers. I'll keep you posted. So far I'm doubting my timing.
So, that's about all I know right now. You're probably shaking your head at my excitement over bras and training pants but hey, your day may come when those sorts of things make a big difference in how your life goes as well. In the meantime, the weekend is only 20 minutes away from me!
