IT'S A . . .

Just thought I would share our exciting news! We had our ultrasound today and the baby looks good (or as good as a spooky skeleton-type creature can look on a ridiculously archaic, non 3-D, really poor quality ultrasound machine).


I know in the past we have left everyone in suspense about the gender of our babies, even when we found out. Well, this time I am just too old and tired to keep secrets and thought I would share the details of what we found out today.

Soooooo. . . . . .

What we found out is that it's a

VERY, INFURIATINGLY MODEST BABY!

It kept its little legs crossed and tucked the entire time - at which point I was desperate enough to try rotating myself from side to side (picture a beached whale desperately writhing towards water) and tried to poke and prod it into submission, in attempt to get the little bugger to move its legs. No luck. For all its stubbornness I am figuring it must be a girl - who takes after her aunt Alissa ;).

So enjoy the irony (I know you think we deserve it for secrets of the past) we're all in the same boat this time!

[And, for the record, that is not really a picture of my ultrasound, the equipment portrayed is far too modern in comparison to that which we had - what a disappointment all the way around!]

Pudgy

A couple of weeks ago Morgan cornered me while at the stove and asked if I was going to have another baby. I told her we were planning on it at some point and asked her why she was asking. Her response: “Well, I didn’t know if I should tell you, but I noticed you’re getting a little bit. . .” (See her patting her tummy with a sheepish expression) “Well, you’re getting a little bit . . . PUDGY. I didn’t know if I should tell you!” Well, Morgan, you probably shouldn’t have!

However, if an eight year old can tell a person is pregnant at nine weeks then I guess that person should know so she can go public earlier than usual – lest everyone wonder why she is so getting so “pudgy.” So for the next ten weeks (until she actually looks pregnant, not just fat) give a pudgy person a break, it’s not just a case of Midwest depression (although there may be some of that going on too) or a newfound love affair with snacking while watching nighttime television (also possibly a byproduct of the aforementioned Midwest depression) that’s causing it. There is a baby in there behind that Jell-O like mass of flesh. I heard its heartbeat today. So, let’s just agree to disregard the fact that the said child is the size of a small Oregon Strawberry.

While we’re on the subject of progeny – wish Daniel luck! Here’s his last chance for a retraction and apology from the editor of the annual Christmas newsletter for previous statements/slander about his Y-Chromosome deficiency. We’ll look forward to finding out in early November!

Motherhood Morganism

As I was putting the littles to bed last night Morgan slumped in and said “I have a headache and I feel tired and grouchy.” I, with great empathy in my voice, stated that I, too, am familiar with those feelings. Her response was, “I know! I feel like a Mother!”

Augmentation

A couple of months ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a mastectomy. Understandably, it was a bit of a hard time for her, and upsetting for me since we are so far away and felt like I couldn’t do anything to help. Thankfully, Daniel’s mom came out to Neb. to hang here with Daniel and the girls (big THANKS to a great Mother-in-Law!). This allowed Emily, Taylor, and I to be able to trek over to Washington to visit for a couple weeks after her surgery. It was a good trip (although a very, very long drive!). I’m not sure how much help we were, but it sure was nice to visit.

Due to the situation, there was, of course, a great deal of conversation regarding breasts as well as talk of various forms of augmenting and masking the missing member of the pair. Well, I didn’t think that little ears were really paying attention to these conversations. However, soon after we got home Emily came in sporting this look.

Quite frankly, Mom, I think she mastered the balance – it’s apparently just a matter of finding the right size of ball(s) (although after having children I’m thinking one of those longish water balloons might fit the bill). The leotard over the top of the whole outfit keeps everything tight and in place – and obviously leaves you feeling like a complete woman! (see picture below)

Let me know if you want me to start shopping for you!

And It Came to Pass

“Previous Post Recovery” (aka PPR) requires that I follow up with Emily’s advanced spiritual development. The other day I could hear Emily in the other room “reading” from the scriptures. It was so cute I had to transcribe as she “read.” She said “Again and again the Namenites are coming to tore dem hair and fire dem and fire dem.” It was apparently a very violent time for the Namenites.

I then told her how big she was to be able to read the scriptures by herself and she said, “I know ‘It came to Pass’ so now I can read the scriptures.” She then proceeded to open her scriptures and say, “The Namenites came to pass and they cut their arms off. I don’t know what page that one story is.” She continued to thumb through the book looking for the said story. I love it!

Also she had the best line the other day when I said something was stupid. She said “Mom, you shouldn’t say stupid – it’s a dumb word.” So is dumb okay then?