Prego Friends

So I know about a million pregnant people right now... which is fun.

I've got one girlfriend here, Sarah, who has been such a great connection. She is about a week and a half behind me- so we're on the same track as far as development, weight gain, nursery decorating, etc.

Here are a couple of pictures of us last Saturday at the Farmer's Market in Olympia. Unfortunately it's so sun-shiny outside that it made some pretty harsh shadows on our faces. Still... the bellies come through nice and clear, don't they?

My running shoes are acting as walking shoes these days, and it's the weirdest thing: walking three miles FEELS like running five miles. I'm about that fatigued at the end of the walk, and my feet are puffy like after a run, and my thighs feel like I ran the whole thing up hill!

I'm not complaining, because it doesn't really hurt. It's just uncomfortable. I think I just am a tad worried about what it will feel like in a couple of months. One more trimester, as of Thursday! Hooray! My prediction is that I will continue to walk, because I go crazy without some kind of exercise, and I will just walk more slowly (As to avoid that rather unpleasant sensation of my uterus wanting to fall out. I swear it feels like that now... everything is loosening up).

I'm really looking forward to running again, running so hard I'm drenched in sweat from my hair to my feet. I dream about it regularly... some pregnant women dream about their hot doctors. Not Liz... running is what does it for me.

Anyhoo... that's just the latest.

Good Things

It seems like things are going very well. Today is 24 weeks, and Margot weighs a pound and a half and is 8" from head to rump (not including legs). You've got to love the fun facts in What To Expect When You're Expecting.

Last weekend Bob and I put the crib and the changing table/hutch/dresser together and in the nursery. It's starting to look more like a baby's room than an empty yellow bedroom. Hooray!

We registered, and that could have been overwhelming, but it wasn't. Have you seen the selection of binkies out there? Every once in a while living in the land o'plenty can be a bit daunting. Organic cotton spit up cloths? Does this aspirator that looks like an elephant really work better than the plain white one?

But last night things really got interesting. I was sleeping, as is my custom. And I awoke at 3:58 a.m. to find my belly moving all over the place. Little Margot was having a dance party, I think. It was pretty cool. I suppose I have just assumed her movements are somehow based on mine. Last night... the whole show was hers.

But here's the best news. Wait for it...

Today Bob came home and confirmed (as much as can be confirmed with the Army) that our brigade commander has said and confirmed to the squadron commander and to the troop commanders, that any soldier whose wife is due within 30 days of the deployment can stay back on rear detachment until the baby is born. And then they will fly out to join their unit, wherever that may be. How long will Bob be here after Margot has made her arrival? I'm not sure. It could be two days or a week. I will certainly take this victory where I can.

Be still, my heart: Margot's daddy will be here for the birth! I couldn't ask for a better gift than that. Bob and I are so happy. The stars are aligned, I think. And the universe is looking quite hopeful from here.

The Story of a Marriage

It's been a long time since I've blogged about a book I've read. And I don't really know why; maybe I'm just getting lazy. Rest assured, I AM reading!

There is a book list that comes out every couple of months called the Indie Book List. It's peer reviewed and fantastic. The books that make the list are on there for a reason: they're stellar!

So this book, The Story of a Marriage, is set in 1953 in San Francisco. There is sexual tension, racial tension, economic instability... it's enthralling. Additionally, the book is expertly written, and every few pages there is this sort of "aha" moment where much is revealed. Sometimes what is revealed answers questions I had, and other times they blindsided me. I do love it when that happens.

I need to find a job that pays me to read. I've got four more library books off the last Indie book list waiting to be read. But guess what?! The NEWEST Indie book list came out late last week! I need more time to digest all this great literature.

Yes... Still Here!

It's been a long time since I've posted, and it seems tons has been going on. Here is a brief recap:

Two friends from work, Kathy (on the left) and De Anna (on the right) came over to help me paint the nursery a couple of weekends ago. Now it is a lovely shade of warm yellow called "Sun Hat." I love it, and I think Margot will too. Happy room color = Happy baby? Let's hope. Then there was this amazing parade in Olympia called Procession of the Species. People come together, make costumes, and take part in this giant exposition of creativity and love of Mother Earth. There are four categories you can be in: Land, Fire, Water, Sky. And you can be any animal or creature imagined or real, living or extinct.

A couple of weird bits about the day:
1. There was a ROBOT in the parade. I'm thinking that guy didn't get the memo.
2. There were jelly fish in every single category. It's a little known fact that jelly fish can survive in fire, just like dragons. Who knew?!

Finally, while our guys have been gone (for a month long visit to California for training), much has happened. One of the highlights is that a generous man in the community donated 2,100 DOZEN roses to the ladies of our brigade. Here are some of Bob's guys' wives and myself with our roses at the grill out I hosted on post. It was a nice treat.