8 inches and counting

Here's the pregnancy update: she's not coming! At least that's what it feels like at this point. In just 2 weeks my belly has stretched 8 inches! I didn't think I could get any more stretch marks and boy was I wrong. Every day my clothes get tighter and my back and stomach ache a little more. At my 39 week appointment last week, the Doc gave it to me straight. The baby is very high (which I've heard a lot this last month) and dropping does not seem to be in her plans. Here's why: I haven't made any improvement for a month now (my cervix is not effacing and dilation not occurring), the baby is posterior meaning she's facing the wrong way which makes it hard for her to drop and if anyone has experienced "back labor" it's most likely because the baby was posterior, and the doctor thinks I have bony protuberance blocking the path. So what does this all mean for Keith and I? A likely c-section on Monday. I wanted to avoid an induction but after pushing off dental interviews for so long in hopes the baby would come early or on time, Keith scheduled 3 interviews and will be gone from the 7th through the 12th. Since it's our first and my emotions are running extremely high, I absolutely want Keith there for the delivery. So the doctor and I decided to go ahead and schedule an induction for Monday the 3rd in hopes that some good changes occur this week. Please pray for us and the delivery of a healthy baby!

Baby Shower

Last Saturday was full of baby! After attending my friend Meagan's shower (her little girl is due about a month after mine) I headed off to a shower thrown by the amazing girls I work with in the archives. It was so fun to see my friends and open up packages of adorable baby goods. Thanks to everyone that came and for all of the wonderful gifts. Special shoutout to Natalie Groen for heading up the shower!

Keith's rendezvous with the car door

Keith is a real man now and he has the scar to prove it! Last week Keith was getting into the car after a little shopping trip and smacked his head on the door frame. He got into the car and had blood running down his face which sent me into panic mode as I frantically searched for something to stop the bleeding and my nausea. I don't typically handle blood well and being pregnant has only amplified that. Luckily we had some napkins in the glove compartment (I know they're not necessarily sanitary) and we were able to save the car interior from a new red dye job. Seeing as how it was after 5 pm and being poor college students on DMBA insurance, we opted not to go to the ER for stitches-probably not the brightest idea but we saved a little money right? The next day the wound was still bleeding so Keith went to the health center to get it stitched up:


Notice the bruising underneath, that looked pretty nasty for about a week. Unfortunately, the stitches were put in pretty late and he is going to have a good scar from it. Luckily he has fun with it and likes to tell people that he got between me and my ice cream which really isn't all that far fetched.

PUPPPS

No I have not developed a love for puppies as the title may entice some to believe, I have instead developed a beautiful rash with the name of Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. As my family knows, I tend to have a knack for developing weird illnesses and this is just another one to add to my list. Funny enough, I knew on Saturday as I ran my hands across my bumpy belly exactly what had happened overnight. I remembered in my pregnancy class reading about some disgusting rash that could develop inside of your stretch marks and I thought to myself, "well thank goodness only 1% of women get this and most of the women who do are carrying boys." How wrong I was to think that I wouldn't be in the 1%. Just a brief description, the rash starts in your stretch marks (which makes them extremely red, bumpy and itchy) and then typically progresses its way down your thighs and arms. It develops in the third trimester and stays until after the delivery where it can linger for weeks until disappearing. Let's just say, it's like having permanent hives on your body. The reason I share this is so that all of you can know that if I am itching my belly, it's because I can't help it. And if the next time you see me I am covered in zit like sores all over my body, don't be alarmed I am not contagious and I have not developed some flesh eating disease. Because I don't want to scare those of you who are thinking of getting pregnant, I will not put a picture of the nasty rash on here but feel free to google it, I'm surprised how much I found. If anyone has any ideas on how to relieve the crazy itchiness, I'm definitely open for suggestions!
Besides PUPPPS, everything is as expected with the last month of pregnancy. We are so excited to bring the baby into our home. The doctor checked me on Friday and said I'm dilated to a 1 and my cervix is thinning so let's hope this baby wants to come a little earlier and let's hope that she comes out a girl!

Good samaritans and butterfingers

Today I was waddling my way up a hill on campus towards my car when I saw a construction worker pull into a parking spot right next to the sidewalk where I was passing. I noticed him because he pulled into a spot I knew was specifically designated for workers, he had a hard hat on and because his long locks and mussy stash were a little foreign to my Rexburg eyes. I continued on my way and becamea little alarmed as I heard brisk steps behind me. The next thing I knew I found myself walking in stride with this big burley man. He asked "what happened to your belly?" "It just keeps expanding on me." With that he laughed and handed me a package of peanut M&M's and turned around to meet up with a fellow worker. I could not keep the smile off of my face I was so overwhelmed with the kindness he had showed me. Such a simple act truly made my day and motivated me to reach out to others in such small and simple ways. I've noticed this happening much more often with my pregnancy and am grateful for all who have helped in any way. It truly makes the pregnancy more bearable (let's face it, this last month is not fun) when you constantly hear kind words, witness sincere smiles of sympathy and love and have unkown strangers reach out a helping hand.

Today also marked the third day in a row of my breaking a glass item. Tuesday, I broke a picture frame which was not too upsetting because I didn't really like it. Wednesday however, I dropped a jar of jelly in the fridge and shattered, and I mean shattered, the glass crisper cover in the fridge. Keith was sweet enough to spend an hour cleaning up the mess. This morning was probably the most upsetting. I was loading the dishwasher and got a little too aggressive. I ended up breaking my favorite glass pitcher that Keith and I received as a wedding gift. So moral of the story, do not allow me into your kitchen (where all three incidences occured) and do not let me touch anything glass.

Finally! A post worth reading - Keith learns how to blog

Well Natalie finally did it, she got me to write on the blog. Things have been going pretty well for the Shaw family. We're staying busy with school, internships and dental interviews. I am happy to say that I have gotten a few more interviews and am excited to see the schools, not pay the money to fly out there. I visited Nova in Ft. Lauderdale a couple of weeks ago and liked it a lot. The campus was really nice and I was impressed with their facilities. I interview next at Louisville in Kentucky, then Case Western in Ohio, UNLV and Marquette in Wisconsin a little later. I will post pictures later from the Florida beach. One of the dental students I stayed with rushed me over there after my interview, we jumped into the ocean for 10 minutes, then jumped back out. I changed into some dry clothes there in the parking lot then he took me to the airport and I flew out. It kind of stinks that I fly out to these places and can only stay for a day or two. I wish I was not going to school so I didn't have to rush back to my classes.

Natalie and I like our new apartment besides the fact that we are on the first floor and get to deal with the company of ants. Natalie opened up our pantry last night to find ants all over our shelves and they had eaten through are oatmeal cream pie wrappers which caused Natale to go into shock, saying "Why, why my oatmeal cream pies?" They had also gotten into our chip bag which Natalie had been eating earlier with salsa-she still can't get that out of her mind.

We like our new ward and have a new calling with the activities committee. We had an activity this past Friday that was amazing. They fed us dinner and had scones with honey butter that was to die for. Nat told me to put the recipe for it on here so here it is: 1/2 cup of butter (it has to be butter, not the wimpy margarine stuff), 7 oz. marshmallow cream and 1/4 cup honey. Whip it all together and you'll be eating it by the spoonfulls.

Both of our internships are going great. Natalie enjoys working at the obgyn office and is learning a lot. She really enjoys it when she can be in the ultrasound room helping with that. It has been fun having family so close. I love going down to Sunday dinner at the in laws. I always give my mother in law Lynette a hard time with all the sweets she cooks, but man is it good. Natalie and I are still learning new recipes each week.

My sister in law Rachel and her family are still moving in right across from us and we can't wait till they are officially moved in. The kids and I like to lay on the grass and pretend we know what constellations we're pointing at. Kate just names the stars after the members of the family. I think she pointed to the same star for me and Natalie so I am going to have a talk with Kate about renaming me a star.

Natalie and I are so excited to have our little girl and cannot believe how fast it has gone and as you can tell by the pictures, Natalie is packing. Anyways I can't believe I have typed up this much and feel like that time has come for me to end this post. Hope everything is going good for everyone. Love Keith and Natalie!

The Incredible Shrinking Brain

Keith and I have decided to take a birthing class with a couple of our friends to prepare for the inevitable. Last week in class, our teacher informed us that women's brains truly do shrink a bit during pregnancy. Let me tell you, Keith and I are convinced she was telling the truth. Let me relay just a few recent moments:

Saturday we helped Rachel unload her moving truck into the new apartment. Before they left she handed me an extra key and told me not to lose it. Well, a minute later I found myself bewildered as I stared at the strange key in my hand. I turned to Keith and asked where it came from. He didn't know so he asked the family and Rachel relayed the whole scenario for me-told me I looked her in the eye and even responded. I still have no recollection of this happening.

Sunday, my family asked where Keith was. I told them he was outside and they informed me that he couldn't be because he had just come in, sang a little song (as usual) and even talked to me. Once again, I have no recollection.

Today I started school. trying to be prepared and studious, I packed my bag the night before with my books and packed a lunch. Minor detail, I completely forgot a writing utensil. A little important considering it helps to take notes on the syllabus which by the way, I didn't print out for class. Not because I was lazy but simply because I don't remember getting the mass e-mail sent out last week telling the class to print it off and to have it read for the first day. It sits in my inbox now and reminds me that I have lost my mind. Pray that my teachers have mercy on me this last semester!