Stuck

I'm looking back on the past few weeks and it seems that I took the entire month of January off from the world. Is this OK? I'm going to work, and making most of my basic social obligations, but otherwise I've been a motionless lump on the couch. Apparently, this is a result of my current gestational condition, but it feels very strange to me. I've always been quite active and social, but right now I've got nothing! I even forgot about and slept right through our niece's birthday party yesterday afternoon! I'm a horrible human being!

I'm also feeling guilty because many mom's-to-be are chasing around after the rest of their children while they're feeling this way. I, on the other hand, am doing nothing. Does this mean I'm less equipped for the demands of motherhood? I'm telling myself that listening to my body is good...and that since I'm tired and have the chance (perhaps for the last time in this stage of my adult life) I should be resting guilt-free for a little while. The word is that my energy will improve in the next week or so, so until then I'm vowing to loose the guilt, kick back with my feet up, and watch a few more episodes of McLeods Daughters, Season 2.

Ok, Ok!

In response to Chatty's last two comments (she caught my little hint from last week in the "currently reading" section of this blog), I am finally making this post. Yep - there's going to be one more addition to our family - and not a puppy this time. We're expecting a baby right around the end of July! It is exciting news for us! We found out on my birthday at the end of November (that is a birthday I will never forget) and we've been celebrating ever since! It has definitely been a time for new things - the house, puppy, baby news...life is full!

So far I'm feeling great - no morning sickness, just finding that naps sneak up on me without warning. Since I'm at the very end of the first trimester it appears that I may have escaped morning sickness altogether...hopefully that is true!

Thanks to all the books, advice, birth stories, piles of maternity clothes, and the opportunity to be present when a friend's child entered the world this fall, I'm beginning to feel a bit more prepared for the months to come. What a wonderful gift to have such friends! What an even greater gift to have a wonderful husband who is always so good to me and is looking forward to fatherhood with great enthusiasm. I can't even imagine how much our lives are going to change, but we're as ready as we're ever going to be!

I think I'll call her ???

Tonight we went to look at some puppies. The plan was to just go and see if we wanted one. If yes, we would buy puppy stuff tomorrow and then bring one home. Ha ha. Casey, usually the voice of reason, decided that it would just be easier to bring her home tonight. She puked in the car, but she's darned cute! She is a little rotund, and has no name, but she's smart and cute and has already stopped whining and gone to sleep!

(The nieces stopped by to meet her)

Oh, how I've missed you!

If anyone is still reading this blog, my apologies for the long absence! I promise to be back with new enthusiasm in January. There are many pictures to post and stories to share, but here are a few highlights from the last few weeks:

• We've moved! We got the keys to our brand new house on Dec 13th and then it was a mad scrambled to get moved-in, new appliances/furniture delivered, and (partially) un-packed before...
• Our Christmas company arrived in the wee hours of the morning on 12/22. Dad, Diane, and Rob arrived and went promptly to bed after a 22hr marathon drive. They stayed with us and together we ate much food, played games, and went cross-eyed over jig-saw puzzles until they headed home on 12/30.
• We, in our enthusiasm to share our new home with family and friends, happily played host and hostess to many a guest! It was lovely! In the hectic moving period I managed to produce a small smorg of Christmas baking that expired only just as the last guest left! I swear that it was not unlike the loaves and fishes story! We were happy that the new kitchen and living areas passed the entertainment test, and the maiden voyage of the brand new septic system went without issue. Teehee. We celebrated on Christmas Eve with Casey's family--breakfast for dinner, lots of people, and many kids squealing and running around the house. Later that evening Jody and Nate & Becky came out to spend the night (Lance was sickly and joined us the next morning). It was lovely to all be together to share Christmas morning breakfast casserole and exchange gifts. Becky's in-laws joined us for dinner, and number of other guest popped by throughout the evening to visit. It was a long and wonderful day!
• We are puppy shopping...or at least talking about it! That's a first step!
• It was a white Christmas, and our yard still looks crisp and clean in its blanket of snow! Such a treat.

That's all for now! More to come when I can post some pictures!