You poor thing!

It's very interesting the conversations you have with people when you're pregnant. What I find the most funny is that people rarely ask me questions. It's usually more of an assumed statement. Here are a few examples,

"you're getting an epidural, aren't

you?"

"Ugh, you're going to hate going through the whole summer in this heat?"

"I bet you're just ready to get him out of there, you poor thing"

"you're not still riding that bicycle, are you? WHAT? You should stop."

"When are you due? You look like you're ready to pop!" And they're looking at me with this horrified expression like I'm some sort of freak and when I tell them I have (8,7,6,5...etc) weeks to go they reply, "really?! I don't think you're going to make it!"

As if there were an alternative.

I find the negativity very surprising for such a wonderful time in my life. I'm experiencing the miracle of growing a life inside me. I'm making this baby and its a baby that no one else can make. Its my very own. A combination of the man of my dreams and me... an individual, a

personality, a beating heart. I don't waste my time or energy fretting about the heat, or the pain, or my size. I've done the best job I can in providing a healthy, loving, stress free environment. I eat well - most people would be astonished at the fruit and veggies that I consume per day. I have not stopped working out and I was still getting in bike rides 3 or more mornings per week as well as swimming and strength training most days, sometimes doubling up and getting two workouts per day when I don't have work. (my last bike ride was a week ago on Friday 7/16. After the two cyclists were killed in separate events in one weekend-very close to my house... I just can't get myself out there anymore. Especially since I ride alone every day).

It's not that easy but I'm motivated. Sure, I like sitting around on the couch eating ice cream as much as the next person. Sometimes that's the most tempting activity I can think of, in fact :o) but the way I feel when my blood is pumping and my muscles are staying strong is irreplaceable.

Along with that, I must stay strong because I intend on having an active birth. Meaning, no lying in a stinking hospital bed as though something were wrong with me :o) I know it's going to be a challenge but I believe in challenging myself and I know I can do it. I'm planning for an un-medicated birth. No epidural, no induction, so hopefully a lower c-section risk and less medical intervention. I don't want to offend anyone who is or did get an epidural - I completely respect that decision, I know natural is not for everyone. And of course in the event my doctor suggests any of the labor inducing drugs, I will go with what's best and not be completely stubborn to my birth plan. I am not the expert so I'll do what needs to be done for the safety of myself and my baby. My doctor is very supportive of my choice to go unmedicated which makes me feel encouraged.

Mike loves it, he's very supportive and is making sure he's well educated in his role as support person. I don't think I could ever be more in love with him. That's a topic for another day ;o)

This is his 'moses basket' next to me on the bed. He will sleep here for the first few weeks :o) I love to just look at it and imagine him sleeping in there

Maternity Leave and Child Care

Yesterday I finally talked to my boss about my maternity leave. My boss is super cool and we get along really well, but even still its always hard to talk about taking that much time off.

I know he's trying to decide if I'll even come back to work after the baby is born. His own wife didn't, after all.

My thoughts about it at this point are that it's part time, so what's the sacrifice? I don't see any reason not to go back. I really like a lot of the people there and I know I'll enjoy the company every other day. The greatest thing about it being part time is that I don't have to decide one extreme or the other. I don't have to stay home full time or work full time. I get to enjoy that balance. Although this is all still just how I feel about it right now. I obviously haven't done this before, so I reserve the right to change my mind *wink*

So, I plan to take 8 weeks off after he's born and then when I go back to work we'll be using a Mother's Day Out program at the Chapel Hill Methodist Church.

Mike and I toured it a while back and we feel really good about it. MDOs just seem more attractive to me because it's not "daycare" it seems like the caregivers want to be there and I see it as a more loving environment. The drawback is that the hours are a little short and I'll only end up with 16 hours of work per week when I'm supposed to be 20. I'm looking into the early drop off option but I know this won't be an acceptable long term solution. I might have to pick up a Thursday nanny or something... hmmm.

Also, my boss intends for my position to turn full time for 2011. That will be a whole other thing to consider as I weigh the option of full time daycare or staying home full time to raise my own child. Mike and I have talked about this and it might just open up opportunities to a different kind of lifestyle than I ever considered before.

I'm also excited about a new friend that I met! Her name is Kelly and I've talked to her at the CHK Fitness Center pool twice now. She's only a week away from her due date now (I'm 5wks away) so our babies will be very close in age. Her husband works for CHK and does triathlons, too! They just moved here a few weeks ago from Denver. It seems like we have a lot in common already- I'm picturing play dates! Why should we both sit at home while our husbands are out getting in long distance training rides when we could be together? Since they moved here from Denver, I kind of feel like she's "my people". Silly I know- and I'll also go ahead and say that she's originally from Norman, so it's not exactly the same.

I like friends. I consider myself a "collector" if you will. The more the merrier, I always say!

34 weeks *Work Shower *

Friday was my baby shower at work. A huge thanks to Emily, Janice and Carrie. Wow... it was so amazing!

I'm sitting there, working along and minding my own business and they're trying to figure out how to decorate the conference room where my shower will be held without ruining the surprise for me. Option 1, sign out of my computer and go back to Emily's desk to work. Option 2, set binders up to block my view of the conference room (binder-blinders!). We chose the latter, which was quite funny, but, so very worth it!!

When I walked in I just wanted to melt. everything matched my brown and blue argyle themed nursery.

There were cutout onesies hanging from clothes pins and strun

g across one wall. The table littered with blue "Its a boy" confetti, a 3 tiered tower of rolled and tied diapers with ribbon and decorated with mini bottles of baby toiletry items :o) white napkins individually hand stamped with blue silhouettes of a pregnant mommy. Dishes of my favorite fruits... party punch (the best!) and of course.... my long awaited and much anticipated cake!

Emily is a talented cake decorator and mine turned out exceptional.

It's funny how you can wait for something for so long- and it always feels lik

e its so far away. Then, suddenly one day its here and gone in what seems like a blink. Doesn't seem very fair! My consolation is that I have pictures to remember it by.

Mike came and we enjoyed opening all the gifts together. I love how people can really make you feel special. It's humbling to see people go through so much effort just for me and can make me wonder if I really deserve it all.

And then how do I show my appreciation? I'll have to think of something really great to thank Emily. Suggestions are welcome!

We came home and then spent the evening and a lot of time on Saturday in the nursery going through everything again, putting the new things away, rearranged a little, and then relaxed. It's such a cool room to sit in and think about the future. It gives me hope, makes me feel calm, inspires dreams and sometimes makes me feel a little anxious :o) We are six weeks from our due date which sometimes feels like plenty of time and other times feels like not enough.

Now that we've had our final shower it feels like things are wrapping themselves up and it's almost time to close this chapter and move on. Does that mean I'll be bored for six weeks?? :o)

32 Weeks - Trip to the west!

Our trip to Salt Lake was so wonderful! On Friday night Clark and Christy threw a little get together and so many of our good friends were able to make it. It was nice to see them and catch up a little :o)
Saturday morning I got to spend time with Amy Still- I finally got to see Ella again who is now 3 years old- it's amazing to remember the days when I used to be her nanny. I watched her from the time she was 3 months old to the time she was 11 months (when we moved to OKC). She grew so much in that time and so did I. It was a time in my life that I really needed something new that was just mine - something that made me important.
Ella now has a baby brother who will be a year old in August, his name is Emerson. It was fun to meet him and see how different he is from Ella. Amy was wonderful to talk to and ask questions - her and Monte are awesome parents that Mike and I both admire.

Saturday morning we drove to Green River, WY to see my family! My mom had a get together that afternoon in her back yard and the turnout was so great! It really made me feel special how many people came, especially those who had to travel. Nic, my bestest life-long friend, came with her two kids Adrianna (9) and Aiden (5 months). I really don't get to see them enough!
My mom was beaming the whole time, of course. I sometimes wondered who the party was really for *wink*
Sunday Mike took my mom and Mark to the golf course for a half a round *grin* the original plan was to hit some balls on the driving range but that was unavailable so they let them play 4 holes and my sister, Jessie, drove me around in the golf cart. We had a lot of fun spectating! I'd have to say it was one of the best highlights of the trip!
Oh yes, and Mike kicking my butt at "Scene it, Friends". An unexpected surprise- sheesh!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/ConnieDFranklin/July2010GreenRiverBabyShowerWeekendFun?feat=directlink
That's all for now!

32 Weeks and headed to SLC/GR!

Mike's been in SLC all week and I'm going to be joining him tomorrow. I've missed him so much this week! I know it has a lot to do with the changes in my hormones from the pregnancy but I have never missed him so much in my life!
It should be a fun weekend- Clark and Christy are having a get together at their house tomorrow evening and it will be fun to see old friends :o)
Saturday morning we'll drive up to Green River and spend time with my family. Mom is having a shower bbq - I'm sure I'll have some pictures to post from that!

I haven't seen my sister Jessie since New Years so it will be great to see her reaction to my pregnant and constantly wiggling belly!