30 weeks

I'm in the final 10 week stretch. I've been feeling great, no problems at all. Sure I have to pee approximately 474 times a day, but my aches and pains seem to have vanished several weeks ago. I realize that the closer I get to the time I'm due the more likely it is they'll return, however I am quite content for the time being. I have been maintaining a 25 lb weight gain for weeks now. I'd really like to stick to 30lbs or under by the end of my pregnancy. I'm carefully watching what I eat, although still indulging in the occasional craving. ;-) I had an appointment with my midwife last week and won't be going back to see her until July 8th (@ 32 weeks). At 35 weeks I have a final risk assessment with Dr. Henry (my backup OB) and the following week all three of the midwives who will be attending my birth will be coming over to my house for the big "home visit". Initially I thought there would just be Kim (my midwife) and Mary (her backup), but Kim recently informed me that she has an apprentice who works alongside her at her births who will be coming as well. Her name is Shay and I was able to meet her last week at my prenatal appointment. She is a real sweetheart and I'm sure that having her at my birth will be a rewarding experience.


Last week was such a busy one for us. Amidst other activities, Ireland attended Summer Arts Camp at UALR (University of Arkansas at Little Rock). She had a blast! Every day of the week Robby dropped her off at camp early in the mornings and either Jasper and I or my grandparents picked her up in the afternoons. She took four classes: Chinese Language, Music, Sculpture, and (her favorite) International Cooking. It was well worth the time, money, and driving, but, boy, did it get us all out of our comfort zones! Robby and I were glad when Friday came and it was done. We seriously thrive on routine around here. :-p Here's a photo of my sweet girl in cooking class:

We're always busy as a family it seems. We do everything together and on weekends we're always running errands, attending church, and making sure to have our fun time. The kids are participating in our local library's Summer Reading Program and they're doing great with meeting their reading (or being read to) goals every day. Ireland is reading books solo now! I'm so proud. She and Jasper were able to pick out prizes at the library on Saturday for meeting their goals over the past two weeks. It was a thrill for them. There was also an awesome used book sale that day and we got lots of books for just $8.00. Other than that, the kids and I are attending playdates during the week or are busy with our new chore chart and homeschooling. Robby and I are also preparing for the baby's arrival little by little and have made a lot of changes around the house with rearranging, organizing, and purchasing new furniture. Like I said, we're staying very busy! My friend Allison and I have plans to paint the nursery in the coming weeks and she's going to bless us with a mural on the wall. I can't wait to see it all finished up! Allison is very artistically talented and could easily be charging me, but she loves me too much for that. hehe She's also throwing me a Blessingway on July 25th that I am so psyched about! It's going to be a Spa theme and my sister has already hired a professional masseuse (who also happens to be her good friend) for the event. Oh man, I am very much looking forward to it; I need a little pampering.

There's a million other topics for me to update on, but for now I've gotta call it a night. The husband awaits. :-)