uh-huh...

still prego.

contracting regularly, sometimes uncomfortably.

this means ABSOLUTELY nothing, as i've been doing this for weeks now.

apparently, we're having a june baby.

Happy 10th Birthday to Athena Marie!!

seriously...

I'M STILL PREGNANT.

Just Kidding!!! That was mean, eh? I'm still very pregnant and have resigned myself to the fact that I may be so for weeks to come. This lil' photo gem is Gracen's first picture ever taken. Cutie-patutie. And while you think me cruel for a little joke here, won't it be nice to have a quick comparison for sister likeness? See, I'm doing you a favor...

all in good time...so they tell me.

Perhaps this picture says it all. I took another dosage of the ol' castor oil today and twice as much as before. While it was more gentle than the last time (you'd prefer that I not expand here--you're welcome), it seemed to be "working" in terms of bringing on labor. I was ecstatic. Starting around two, contractions became regular though not painful enough to constitute real labor. I called the birth center around 6:30 to inform them of the potential Miss Aves appearance. I was told to take a walk for an hour. We did. Contractions lengthened, accelerated, strengthened. YIIPPPYYY!!! Called midwife back. She said to come in for a check around 8:00. Did. I was lectured on taking the castor oil, told not to do it again, and sent on my merry way. And Adam sat there with a lovely told-ya-so-neurofreakazoid-smirk on his face. Since being home, they have weakened even more, and I am conceding. I give up. I will try no more (I don't think) to force this baby out. I know she has her own schedule and I should respect that.
And these two cheeseballs have been living it up while I pout around the house, seeking new ways of making the universe bend to my desires (and also take multiple naps). I think tomorrow, I'm just gonna play with them.

An Update from the Expectant Mother...finally...

Hi. 'Member me? I've been very anti-puter these days. I have been reading your blogs, even if I haven't commented. I think about commenting, I ponder and plan, and then I fall asleep. The napping has increased even more with my mother taking up residence here for a few weeks while we wait for Miss Avery and while her husband is traveling about Nigeria for the month. I really will reemerge full force in a few weeks. Promise.

Some big things have been happening these days. Babies seem to be emerging all over, and I couldn't be more excited. (Actually, I could be more excited if I could be depregnatized immediately, but we'll get to that frustration in a moment.) Bloggerfriend Becky and her husband welcomed lil' Ellen MeKay April 12th. She's a doll, and I can't believe she's already so BIG!!!! One of my first great friends from college, Shannon, and her husband Wes welcomed their daughter, Abbie Grace, on May 13th. She's as pretty as her Mama, and I'm so glad things went so well for you guys!


We'd like to congratulate my sister Jenny and her husband Andy on the birth of their daughter, Briahna Mei Blessing, on May 16th. This pretty little lady is truly a blessing after a tough year for them and the family after the loss of sweet Jade Lynne. We welcome you to the family and are so happy for all that you've brought to your Mama and Daddy (and the rest of us). Hopefully you'll have a new little cousin (within the next 12 hours, preferably) to come play with you!!



We'd also like to congratulate our dear friends and neighbors, Amy, Tommy and Walker, on the birth of little Miss Aubrey Rose. Gracen and Walker got to have their first sleepover last Friday night when we got the call that sweet thing was on her way. They wanted to share a bed, but we decided (G's father, especially) that perhaps sleeping might be better accomplished if separated. Lil' A made her appearance about 1:18 AM, May 17th at their home. One of my midwives said that smelling a newborn baby's pheromones can help induce labor. Needless to say, I'm going to rub all the hair off of poor Aubrey's head from sniffing her to death. Thank you, Amy, for letting me borrow her:)

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And on to the bitterness...

I am 3-4 cm dilated, completely effaced, have had my membranes swept, have taken castor oil (ouch), have eaten cups full of parsley, have pumped ounces of colostrum, have taken homeopathic tinctures, have jumped up and down on an exercise ball, have walked for miles, have drunk gallons of red raspberry tea, have taken evening Primrose oil every way possible, etc. And I'm still pregnant. Yes, I realize that I'm not technically to my due date yet and that my obnoxious behavior is complete overkill to the process and my sanity. The only thing I can rationalize, is that doing "something" at least helps me to feel in control, as obviously ineffective as my trying is. I know that she can't stay in there forever, but I NEED FOR HER TO COME OUT NOW!!!!! If ever I was even slightly graceful or composed during this pregnancy, which I'm pretty sure I wasn't, I have lost it all. I'm having contractions, sometimes regular and even uncomfortable (if fact, I just had a big one--SWEET!!), but none that seem to want to hang around. I find it odd that I'm craving the pain so badly. I need to go write a note to myself to read while in the midst of labor when I'm screaming like a monkey and certain I can't go on that reminds me of how I desired to be in this place and what will be there at the end.

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If I'm still pregnant tomorrow, I'll update on Gracen and her new twoness.

The Deuce

First, no baby yet, but Shanna is showing all the signs...maybe G will have a sister by Memorial Day!!! I'll keep you all up to date as things develop (or maybe Jessica will).

OK, the G-Unit turned 2 almost a month ago, and I'm finally getting around to blogging the affair. I'm sure that says something about us as parents.

I guess this is the point that requires some emotional reflection about how enriched our lives are because of Gracie. Those of you that know me, know that I'm not exactly what you would call "sensitive", so here's my best effort at it....

Gracen has been the center of our lives for the last two plus years. She has been the reason behind ALL of our major decisions in life: what job to accept, what house to buy, what car to drive, our diets, our exercise routines, our sleep schedules, etc. Raising a child, as most of you know, is no small task. It requires tremendous sacrifice--most of which has been borne by Shanna--and it's an 80 hour a week job without a vacation package. As a scientist, it's been fascinating to experience altruism firsthand. I mean, sleep is a precious part of my daily routine, yet the demands of parenthood have required me to frequently forgo my right to a "good night's sleep". (Again, I have to add the Shanna disclaimer...she sleeps much less than I do.) Anyway, we as parents throw our personal interests out with the dirty diapers in exchange for what's best for our children. And why do we do it? Mostly because we can't imagine doing it any other way, but the reason I do it is to see just how happy the kid can be. Yeah, for me, it's all about that smile.

While the point of the 2nd B-Day party was to maximize the kid's happiness, the camera failed to capture even the slightest hint of a smile from the birthday girl. She isn't quite as receptive to the camera's presence these days. That's OK, she's still cute whether she smiles or not.

Our custom party banner set the tone for the night's festivities. Thanks to Katie Kate, an unparalleled artistic genius when it comes to the textile medium!

Gracie fights for her safety as she recognizes the danger posed by two flaming birthday candles.

The party continued thanks to Shanna's impressive work as the back-up candle-blower-outer. (And yes, that's Matt Jessee with a girl in the background. Her name's Tess and we're big fans.)

Nevin and Zachary are kickin' it at the party. Notice Melanie in the background (Nev's wife) pining over the thought of Nevin as a daddy.

Walker Blue after his favorite pastime, competitive eating. I'm pretty sure he out-competed Gracen and the dogs. Here he's preparing for the next big competition, present opening.

Walker assists the G with her birthday booty. Get your minds out of the gutter; I don't mean it the way the hip-hop community uses it!

Lily Grey takes it all in with those beautifully wide eyes.

Phillip Thomas came all the way from Hawaii to meet Zachary. He also made a cameo at G's party. Good to see you Phillip.

I couldn't think of a better pic to end it on. Believe it or not, this was the closest the camera got to capturing G's delight during the soiree.

Bein' Preggers Ain't Easy....

Why hellllooo, Ladies!

Shanna hasn't dropped off the face of the earth, she's just really busy being pregnant. So on the weekends, we've been giving Mommy some much deserved breaks....

For the last three weeks Gracie's been talking incessantly about three things (besides Froggy): Smokey Bear, talking trees, and boats. To calm the child's anxiety, we've cruised over to Smokey's place for the last few Saturdays to literally say, "Hi Smokey". As you might guess, Smokey lives in the forest, so we usually pay a visit to the talking trees that live near by. (Sorry they're not pictured. As glamorous as they may sound, talking trees don't photograph well).

Note: Froggy is also a huge fan of Smokey's

And if the weather's nice like it was this Saturday, we head out in the boat. Gracen's favorite past time in the boat is saying,"Hi", to: the rocks, the water, the river, the lake, the birds, the turtles, the froggies, and to the occasional jumping fish.

Little G rockin' the hat on Lake Jordan

Saturday's destination: White Oak Creek Wetlands.

Well, there's a brief post for you. One of us will write more in the coming days. We have to post something commemorating G's 2nd birthday. I'll leave you with a picture from the festivities......

Gracie opening the now infamous, "Ruff Ruff Bubbles"--it's the gift that keeps on giving, Ryan!