the inevitable

So Justin and I went to our first of 6 childbirth classes last night. I didn't realize it was his first time seeing a video of a live birth. I guess in Oklahoma it's illegal to show that kind of thing in public school, or at least it was in the 80s. He did very well! No leaving the room or turning pale or barfing, even when the nurse gave the poor guys in the room a vivid analogy about the pain of labor, comparing it to having a blood pressure cuff wrapped around their um... nether regions and having it set to go off every 2 minutes! I'm actually more squeamish than he is when it comes to that stuff. I know I won't be able to watch OR listen when they talk about epidurals... the very thought of a big old needle anywhere near my spine makes me want to pass out!

It's been a busy week and the time seems like it's both flying and dragging endlessly until the baby comes. I have lots to do at work before my leave and the house is coming along really nicely. It looks like there are going to be 3 showers planned, which will be great fun. Winter has also finally decided to show up here - a few weeks ago the temperature dropped and it's been nice, frigid, and snowy ever since. I didn't realize how much I missed the sparkling, breathtakingly cold "real" winter! I just hope it doesn't last till June this year. ugh.

return of the man-pit

I am so excited, our basement, otherwise known as the man-pit, is almost done. Justin painted a very manly stripe along the wall the other night and we're getting ready to have the new carpet put down tomorrow. The men will be able to return to their lair of TV, movies, and snacking soon, and Justin's new office/storage will be ready too. We'll even have a new table for studying and space for the baby to play. While I don't recommend taking on a house renovation project during pregnancy due to the stress levels incurred and unreliability of contractors, I am going to be SO happy with the new room. Sighs of relief have been coming out of me for days. Finishing the basement means I'll finally be able to get the nursery done and our kitchen/dining room will follow soon after. There is finally a glimmer of hope that I will have a complete house again soon. Justin and Matt have been working their respective bootys off... i will need to send them on a vacation.

Our Winter "Vacation!"

We had a very unexpected extra four days in Oklahoma. The gorgeous, 68 degree weather which we enjoyed on Thursday turned into a much more Michigan-like setting an hour before our flight was scheduled to leave from Tulsa on Friday. Justin's parents lost power first, then phone, then water... you can see why in this photo! Luckily we had a propane heater to keep us warm. With the house being at the bottom of a long, steep hill with a gate right in the middle, it took us two days to actually get out to town. We spent the time reading, playing cards, sleeping, and doing crosswords. Click here for a bunch more of my storm photos.

Our flight was supposed to leave on Friday and was cancelled an hour before we got to the airport. Then it was Sunday... then Tuesday... finally we managed to make it back to Lansing last night. I was never so happy to see Lansing from the plane! Meanwhile, the Millers probably won't have power for at least another week. Luckily they were able to make it to a friend's house to stay for the time being.

We had a good rest of the trip, getting to see both grandmothers and a whole bunch of other family. Justin got to have his favorite Hot Hamburger (the world's nastiest food) at Murphy's Steak House in Bartlesville, where we also saw Kevin, Kara, and their adorable daughter Grace. We also went baby shopping in Muskogee and visited Oklahoma City where we got to see Stephen Wright, Bill and Lori Hicks, and David & Amy Sparks. Stephen took this shot of Justin and me enjoying the last of the gorgeous weather.

week of calm... sorta

We've returned from a New England Christmas - although snow and sleigh bells were replaced by all this warm weather it was still nice to be home. The grand tour took us to Niantic, Pawcatuck, and Boston, with a stop at the Mystic Seaport for a lantern light tour - one of those cool things I haven't done since I was kid. It was like a live version of the History Channel. Good to see family as always... and who knows when we will get out there again with the little one coming.

This week we're playing catchup with the house projects. The nursery is coming along and I now have a dresser in which to put all the vintage 1970s baby clothes that my mom brought out of the attic. The scary thing is that I actually remember wearing those plaid corduroy bell bottoms to nursery school! Denise and I ventured down to Ikea yesterday and picked up some extra things. We also got the travel system stroller/car seat combo that we've been eyeing. It really seems like there is a baby coming soon...

On the 1st, Jill put up our new web stie for church - immanuellive.com. Check it out! We will have pics for the photo gallery soon. She did an awesome job in getting all that info up there. We have now entered the 21st century... at least technologically speaking!

On Monday we're headed out to Oklahoma to see the in-laws. We're hopefully going to get to see family and grandparents and also meet up with some friends in OKC. Our much-anticipated Sonic trips may have to be limited due to the fact that I've developed a mild case of gestational diabetes... so no cherry limeaides for me this trip... the sugar-free ones just don't cut it. ugh.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. I'll write again upon our return from the OK state.