Monday

First I'd like to say I have been and will continue to pray for the people affected by the flooding down in KY/TN. Its been a busy week or so in the US between the flooding and storms, the oil rig explosion and spill, and the car bomb in NY. My prayers are with everyone affected by all of these situations.

Today is Nathan's first day as Photo Editor. I'm sure it'll be months before he really gets into his own groove, but he's getting there. Yesterday we did some long, long, long overdue spring cleaning in the photo office. And Nathan's setting up some of his own systems of organization. He still needs a lot of reassurance... but I know my husband and he will figure it all out. One thing that will really help is getting his new staff in. Right now he is the photo department. Our friend Briana is up here freelancing so he has assignments covered, but he is still very much in transition mode. I'm hoping he gets into the settling mode within the next couple of weeks. The exciting part of today for me is that this marks the first of most days where he will actually be home in the evenings.

Baby news... This week I will be 36 weeks!!!! I have my 36 week appointment on Friday, then I will see my midwife once a week. As pregnant as I feel.... I still cannot believe we are seriously almost there. This has been about a two and a half year journey and to think that in four (to six) weeks I will be holding my baby in my arms... its just amazing. I had PT today, which went very well. My PT is great about adapting things from week to week. She seems to think the baby is really dropping, which I think as well however that means lots of extra pressure on the pelvis. So we'll see what my midwife thinks on Friday. Aside from being sore/in pain because of the pelvic joint issues... I feel great. I'm not comfortable sleeping at night, but I think I must still be getting the rest I need. No other pregnancy issues to complain about. The heartburn/indigestion seems to be under control. And I just feel good. The only thing I'm really kind of dying to do is go swimming!!! The thought of being weightless with the pressure off my joints... sounds so nice. I just hate to buy a maternity bathing suit to use only a small handful of times.

I have been pretty emotional over the last week or so. The new Mother's Day commercial for Hallmark made me cry... about three times. I cried during the singing of My Old Kentucky Home before the KY Derby. Seriously. Before the first line had been sung... I had tears coming down my face! LOL Then they showed Calvin Borel getting choked up during the song and that only made me cry a little harder. Oh and that was while I was sitting in the chair (home by myself) with a big bowl of water melon resting on the top of my belly. I love being pregnant... And then there are times when I am just driving down the road and start to cry. Today I thought about what it is going to be like when we take our baby to Dr. Shamma's office for the first time to meet everyone. Phew... that really gets me going.

All in all... I'd say things are pretty normal.

Oh and my mom and dad are coming up this weekend which I cannot wait for. Not just because they're bringing me a La Z Boy.... but because I miss them. I hate that our parents haven't been able to be around very much to watch my belly grow and feel the baby move. So I'm really glad my parents will be able to get a visit in while I'm still very pregnant. And being Mother's Day weekend will make that even more special. When you are your parent's daughter... you certainly appreciate your mom (and Dad!) for all that she has done and all that she has taught you, but when you become a mother... that takes the appreciation to a whole new level. I know I am still technically a mom-to-be, but I already have a whole new understanding and appreciation for my parents... and I know that will only develop further as I venture into the life long journey of parenthood. {Love you Mom and Dad!}