Just Keep Swimming!

Okay...I know it's been a while. Mauldin has been keeping me on my toes recently, so not a lot of time to post. Eric and I will be at 36 weeks tomorrow and Mauldin has been trying to come since 33. The doctors put me on bedrest until tomorrow, but I'm not sure how much longer Mauldin is going to hold out.

This week has been quite eventful getting things in order. As you can read on my husband's, Eric's, post, we were confirmed with our in-home daycare for a spot. (sigh of relief). We also had our baby shower for my family this weekend and recieved lots of wonderful things that Mauldin so desparately needed, including a breast pump, which Eric so lovingly opened and screamed, "I got a breast pump!!!"

The final event this week, was signing Mauldin up for his first swim class. Yes, our son will only be 3 months by the time this summer arrives, but our pool offers swim classes for children under 3. Basically, it just introduces the children to the water and teaches the parents how to make sure they don't drown. It is a four-day class, and Eric will be taking half a day off to come with us for the first day. Annagrace, Mauldin's cousin, is also going to take the class, so he will have some company the rest of the week.

We've already purchased three swimsuits for our future little dolphin, two of which were from my sister, Jenn's, Orient Expressed trunk show (btw, let me know if like their clothes. I'm thinking about hosting a show in the fall). They are my favorite, as they are seersucker with little crabs and alligators on them. I wish we could find an older version for Eric, so they could match in the water. We could be a little seersucker family!

All is still well in the Skates family for now. We are anxiously planning for Mauldin's arrival, and Mauldin in constantly tapping at the door to come out. (Those of you who have had children will understand what this really means) Now that the doctor has said it is okay for him to arrive, I can't wait to see his face and introduce him to the world! Mauldin, we are ready when you are.

29 Weeks and a Glismpe into the Future

Well, it never fails. Thursday night comes and I hear those seven little words, "We have to take your picture tonight." So here are a couple of tonight's pics. We are now at 29 weeks and the clock keeps counting down. At random times it hits me, and I get a nervous twinge in my stomach. Mauldin is getting more active and I can now feel him tickling my ribs and punching my sides. I actually put my cell phone on my tummy the other day and watched it bounce.

Eric and I are now on the every two weeks program at the doctor's office, so our next appointment will be on Jan. 21. Then birthing class on Feb. 6 and 7. The birthing class will definitely be an event. I'm not much for pain, so I've really been putting the whole idea of child birth out of my mind, but as time continues to wind down, I'm have to start coming to grips with it. That is where the video links below come in. I could honestly see some of Eric and me in this. Plus, leave it to Bill Cosby to make childbirth seem funny :)

Natural Childbirth #1

Natural Childbirth #2

I Should Really Be Doing My Paperwork

I'm home, and she be working on the mound of paperwork I have for school. No...not lesson plans...paperwork. One of the "perks" of becoming a special education teacher was that while decreasing my class size 50%, I increased my paperwork by 200%. Hmmm...that doesn't seem even.

With all that said, I am in a time crunch this year to get everything done before I go on maternity leave in March or April. Meaning 200% more paperwork, 30% less time. Fun...Fun. So here I sit, with my manila folders in my office beside me, and instead of working, I'm blogging.

Why?

1. I really don't want to do it.
2. I had the cutest story from today, and wanted to share.

So...here is my story that I should always tell at parties (LOL)

Yesterday, I sent a letter home to all of my student's parents, explaining that I was expecting and would be on maternity leave later this year. As a teacher, we have to inform them, or else some child gets confused and thinks we just got fat and then quit. And tells that to their mom or dad. Hence the letter.

Today, I told my students. Now some of them are very astute, and already figured it out, but others, did not know. I went through the whole speech of how I would be gone, but someone else would be there taking my place (Yes...I was asked if they would just quit coming while I was out), and they would be meeting him or her really soon. Then I took questions.

They really didn't have any, except for one little boy. I was just about done when he raised his hand.

"I just wanted to say...Do you have a scan of your belly that shows the baby?"

"Yes, I do."

"Can I see it? I'd really like to see what he looks like."

Okay...yes, that was all, but it melted my heart. It's one thing for your family or friends to want to see your alien baby ultrasound pictures, but it is totally another, when one of your little boy students honestly takes an interest.

Now it's off to do my paperwork. Arggghhh

28 Weeks

Only 82 days to go, and we are now officially in the third trimester. Mauldin is getting more and more active everyday. Eric and I can finally see him move across my stomach. It is so cool to watch.

As we get closer and closer to the due date, the idea that Eric and I are going to become parents has become more...well...apparent. This past week we ordered our bedding and this weekend, we ordered the glider. The closet is close to being finished, although I am constantly thinking of new ways to organize. Tonight we began developing "Plans of Action" for when I go into labor. Eric went ahead and put his clothes in a bag. Mine are just laying out on the bed.

Everything is coming along, and yet I still feel a lot of anxiety. Are we really ready? Will I be able to do everything that Mauldin needs from a mother? I literally began having a panic attack in the nursery the other night thinking about it. I guess this is something all mother's go through. We all want to be perfect in every way, but let's face it. Just not gonna happen!

I can't wait for Mauldin to get here. Normally I would say it feels just like yesterday that the pregnancy test said positive, but honestly, it feels ages ago. March 27th, or whenever he decides to arrive, can't get here soon enough.

PS: This week also marks the first week that I am unable to see my feet :)

Rich with Life

Eric and I took down our Christmas decorations today. Well...it was mostly Eric. I always get a little depressed this time of year. The house feels a little emptier and it makes me sad. Eric says it looks cleaner, and I have to agree, but it still leaves a little empty space in my heart for the big tree and Christmas china on the table. I stay grumpy for about 24 hours and then it passes.

I just have some many wonderful memories growing up at Christmas. I remember watching my mother make Christmas goodies like cookies and divinity, and teaching me the secrets to all her recipes. I remember helping Dad sort through the branches of our artificial tree and put them on, one-by-one. I remember waking up Christmas morning at 5am to see what Santa had brought us. There was always a baggie of coal on my dad's stocking as a little joke, and our tree would be magically covered with candy canes for us to take off. I never enjoyed eating them, but it wouldn't have been the same without seeing them there.

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately focusing on the New Year and everyone's New Year's resolutions. I gave up making resolutions many years ago. I always felt like I disappointed myself, by not fulfilling my wishes. One week a the gym and I was done. Three days without a Coke...that was it. This year though, I've decided to make one. I've thought long and hard about this, and developed one that I know I can succeed at.

My New Year's resolution is..."To Make Memories."

The holidays are a time that are rich in memories for me. I want to make sure Mauldin has the same experiences. I want him to look at an ornament one day and explain to his wife the story behind it. I want him to remember all the places we took him and all that life has to offer. I want his life to be as rich with memories as mine was.

So there is my resolution. To create a year and a life that is filled with memories for my son. To make his life rich with just that...life. Here's to 2009 and the years beyond!

Who deleted the Blog List

Okay...I know that I don't post as much as my beloved husband, and nor am I as savvy at home to customize my page, but today I decided to do some updating and add some friend blogs. Much to my surprise, when I went to add, all of my blogs on my bloglist had been deleted!!! Now I have to go back and re-add. How crappy!!!

Week 27

Well, I'm really growing. Here we are at Week 27. Next week marks the beginning of the end.

Third Trimester!!!