Waiting...

I literally contantly think I am about to go into labor. Granted I am only 35 weeks...every little thing makes me stop and say "is this it?" I feel pressure in my stomach, and I started thinking "this is it! this is it!...oh wait that's just gas"

Today I was brushing my teeth and the baby started kickin a lot and I started getting braxton hicks with cramps. These were a little more painful than usual. So I started getting nervous and sat down and started getting mentally ready...yeah I know, a little dramatic. I have been having more/powerful braxton hicks, cramps, and back pain. I am beyond anxious already. The baby is pretty low (says the doctor) so I am ALWAYS thinking about that. Seriously this is torture! Is it time yet? Baby just let me know when you're ready...I'm ready when you are

The past few weeks

I have been really behind on writing...it seems I'm not doing much, however I don't feel like I have any time. At any rate, last Sunday our current church community had a baby shower for us. Erik and I are fairly new at this church so I was a tad nervous that no one would come, or that it would be awkward. However we had a fantastic time! They decorated the night before and her were at least 30 people there! They had all kinds of food and gifts. We played games and laughed and prayed together. Even a few of the kids I taught in Sunday school came. They were so cute! They were being my little helpers. They brought the gifts over to me and took all the garbage for me.It was sweet. The best part was that Erik was there. I know that's not traditional and Erik was the only guy...hahaha it was so funny. However I really liked having him there. And it was nice cause some people hadn't met him yet, or didn't know he was my husband. At any rate, we are having a third baby shower in 2 weeks. This one is for my family/ friends. I'm really excited about this one, there are a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. However my mom is basically planning all of this, which means its going to be classier than I would've done it. It's soo funny to watch my mom freak out about things that I could care less about. However, I need to step in once in a while to calm her down.
In other news, Erik has started his new job at the University. Today is his first day of work, and he called me during his lunch break. It sounds like he is enjoying it and he is meeting new people...which is nice. A lot of our school friends moved away, so we don't have that many friends here in Chicago. Hopefully Erik is meeting some more guys to spend time with. Did I mention that this job pays double what he was making at his old job? woo hoo!
The hunt is one for a new apartment. We are having a hard time finding an area we want to be in/one that we can afford. However we are starting to pin point some areas we like.
I realize my blog entries have been a tad boring lately, but I'm not doing much. I promise I will write again when I have a funny story something.

Vannae's Mistakes of the Day

1) Going grocery shopping while pregnant and hungry

2) Eating spicy food, causing horrific heartburn

3) Watching Extreme Home Makeover...cried the entire episode

How low can u go?

Today was my midwife check-up. Lately I have been having cramps in my abdomen and lower back...so this midwife check-up was much anticipated. The baby is fine and healthy. She is measuring exactly where she should be. However she is even lower than she was...she is in my pelvis. This could be the source of my cramps. I'm not dilated or anything (however...her checking if I was, was not my favorite experience). Of course this worried me...how am I supposed to handle labor if I don't like my cervix being check. Sigh...I hope I can do this.

At any rate, I have notice how low she is, and I often find myself wondering, "How low can you go, little one?" I constantly feel like am squishing her when I sit down.Or my pants squish her when they bunch up around my hip. Or I worry when I bend over...if don't squat. I don't want her head to be all squished and weird looking. In these moments she kicks me to remind that she is there, she is very vocal like that. At any rate, I hope she is okay...and when she's ready to come out, believe me I am MORE than ready for her to come out.

Addiction

In the past I have thought that I may have a problem…like if there is some sort of 12 step program, maybe that’s where I should start it. I am obsessed with Twilight. I usually can control myself on a regular day to day basis. I am not constantly thinking about the series. I don’t dream of vampires and werewolves fighting over me. However when the Twilight series is mentioned, shown on TV, or when someone says the name Edward…I lose it!

I never ever watch Oprah anymore. I feel she has gotten a little crazy with some of her shows, but this particular episode that was on the other day, I HAD to watch. Yes, Oprah had the stars of Twilight on her show. As soon as the show started I couldn't’t stop smiling. And if I had been home alone I would've screamed like a 14 year-old girl. In fact, that is what I feel like when I read the books or watch the movies, like I’m in high school again. I feel excited and girlie and super immature.

At any rate, I have always felt a little too crazy about the books. I have fallen in love with Edward and I have felt just like Bella (awkward and out of place), but after watching the people on Oprah, maybe I don’t have as big of a problem as I thought.

There was a fan club called “Twi-Moms”- a group of mom’s over the age of 40 who are more obsessed with Twilight than me! They have movie premiers in their houses. And even have a fake red carpet that they walk down and take pictures with their cardboard cut out of Edward! Yes, these women have officially made me feel normal, well somewhat. There was a sorority at UCLA that also was a huge fan club for Twilight. One of the girls had a comforter with Edward and Bella on it, and she would lay over Bella and pretend Edward was really there….yeah…for real?

At any rate, though I maybe a tad obsessed with Twilight, I guess officially I’m not crazy…well that’s what I’m choosing to believe : )

Highlights

Here are the highlights of the past week:

-Erik got the job at the university...which pays double what he makes now!

-Erik and I officially have a plan on when to move out...and so the apartment hunt begins!

-The baby has moved into the birthing position and has moved down a bit...which means I can finally breathe!

-I have had incredible energy the past 2 days and have gotten a lot done!

-I'm 9 weeks away from my due date!

Life is good

Sunday School

So even though I'm not really supposed to, I went to church today. It was my first day of being a Sunday school teacher for the 8-11 yr olds. I was actually pretty excited, mostly because I was able to get out of the house. My parents and Erik tried to stop me, but I reminded them that I was not running a marathon...After much debate I put on my Sunday best and escaped to educate the youth about Jesus.

Now I must admit I was a tad bit nervous. I mean I haven't taught Sunday school in years. And I was scared that the kids would give me such a hard time, that I would have to yell...and yelling would lead to breathing issues.

At any rate, I walked into class (armed with treats) expecting a nice class. Yeah, pregnancy must be making me delusional. When I walked in the kids immediately started asking me if I was going to have the baby right then and there. I said not if they don’t stress me out. This lead into a discussion about where babies come from…I was so not prepared to have that conversation. So I tried to get onto a different topic.

Eventually everyone settled down and I introduced myself and ask them their names. It was nice because the kids seemed to like me right away and wanted to show me the ropes. One child, Leah, took it upon herself to tell me about each child in the class and if they were troublemakers. Little did I know that she was going to be my main problem…

This week’s lesson was about the first four commandments. We read a few verses and talked about practical life application of these commandments, all without too much trouble. We had a Bible memory verse and that was around the time everything fell apart. Most of the kids memorized the verse right away and were very proud to recite it to me. However there were a few kids who took a little longer than others. This made the kids who had already memorized the verse angry and they began to chastise the kids. They were calling them slow and were yelling at them. So of course I stepped in and told everyone to be quiet and tried to give the kids a chance to say the verse. Eventually the children all memorized and we had time to play games. I decided to pull out an old favorite…Heads Up 7up. Some kids played that with me while the others played air hockey. Next thing I knew kids were fighting about who got to play air hockey next. The littlest girl, Leah, ended up pushing a boy because he was in her way. He fell to the floor. The kids playing Heads Up 7Up were arguing about who’s turn it was to be the thumb pusher. It was chaos. I was told that the rule of Sunday school was that if I have to say someone’s name 3 times they get taken back to the sanctuary to their parents. If I had actually followed this rule there wouldn’t have been any kids left. Here is a list of the children who got sent back to their parents and their offenses:

Leah (age 8): Pushing a boy down, harassing the other kids, talking out of turn, and drawing on the board without permission

Sebastian (age 9): Diving on top of the air hockey table, wandering around while I was talking, yelling at the other kids, and hitting a boy with his jacket.

Basically after this experience I got a little panicky about having a kid. I mean, I forgot how energetic and crazy kids can be. Also I think one of the little boys had a crush on me….it was cute, he even lied about his age so he could be old enough for me. By the end of this day, I was ready to go back to bed rest (its much more peaceful here in the silence of the living room).
I have to teach Sunday school again in 2 weeks….I am going to need a lot of grace and prayer