Not my plan... but nonetheless the plan that will be.

On July 10th, a new plan for the birth of our son became necessary for few reasons. The amniotic fluid surrounding him has become very low, without an explanation. I just don't seem to be holding on to the water. The normal range is between 5 and 25 cm. Well, that is a pretty big 'normal' if you ask me. I was 7cm last Tuesday (July 3rd)... I was concerned and started downing the fluids being at the low end of a large spectrum. This past week (July 10) I had gone down to 5cm.

Uh oh. I just froze. How could that be??

John and I both got nervous hearing this. It went down?? I pleaded with my doc and told him I swear I've been drinking a ton! I did not ignore your advice. Good news is... his kidney function is great! So is heart and lung function. But again... fluids... where are they going? Why am I not producing? I'm not leaking and I'm drinking till "my teeth float" as my doctor put it. I honestly feel like it's going to come back up if I drink another sip sometimes! Well, in your ninth month your body slows a lot of the regular functions it was performing because the hormones are now preparing for birth. And your body then begins to rely on the baby to recycle the water through urination. However, Xan isn't doing this very well.

A Week of Pinterest Recipes

If you’re not on board yet... (yes, that’s going to be a pun when you find out) Get ready, as Pinterest will now be part of the catch phrases that we utter almost daily.

Gone will be the days of - "Oh where did you get that recipe!"; “I Googled it.” Now, it will be, “I pinned it” or “On Pinterest...”. The instant gratification is overwhelming. You don’t even have to know what you’re looking for! You log in and start browsing through categories of things you like. Or everything at once if you're looking to be inspired. You are looking at ‘boards’ are specially designed for the visual. Sexy photos that are captioned with just enough information to make you click to find out more or want to see the image bigger. Then you can follow other peoples pins if  you like their style and have similar interests. Many blogs now have links... I have a link to my own Pinterest boards under the ‘Inspire’ tab on the blog. Click it and you can get a visual.

Sharing Traditions... Happy 4th of July!

The Kik's Village House

If only I could be home in Richland, Michigan right now sitting on the porch with my family and friends. I am there with my spirit and my heart. I have started some small contractions and yet, they are the false kind. Still, traveling this past week was out of the question when you're 9 months pregnant. Sigh... I just miss EVERYONE!!

I love the 4th of July. I mean I LOVE the 4th of July. Sure, I'm as patriotic as they come and love that we fought for our freedoms and independence. The holiday resonates well with an independent spirit! But most of all I love the memories that I've had since I was really little! And there have only been a few 4th's that I've missed on that porch. One in 2001, I was in Vienna, Austria. And in 2007 I was living in Winchester, England doing a summer internship. In 2008, I had just moved to Denver and had spent my vacation time back home at the end of June to see my nephew Nolan born. In 2011, John and I had just moved to Las Animas. My friend Karen was married on the 17th of July also in 2011, so we came late in the month to be with her and DJ. And now 2012... oh the sadness of two years in a row!! But so much happiness too... with our son on the way. Hmmm... I keep hoping it would be today... but alas... nothing yet.