Chuck E Cheese

No baby yet.

We keep waiting. And waiting.

And we keep thinking it is going to happen.

We have been super busy, though, which is a nice way to pass the time.

We recently started a babysitting co-op in the neighborhood. The mothers do things quite a bit together (that is my group of friends here) but none of us really know each other's husbands. We figured it would be a good idea to get together, since the father would most likely be home, as well, when babysitting.

Someone had the brilliant idea to go to Chuck E Cheese. I understand that the kids can run around and play, but do you know how loud that place is? It sort of defeated the purpose of the trip. Everyone was running around and chasing their own kids, so we never even got a chance to socialize.

It wouldn't have been my first choice, but the kids still had fun. Daniel was absolutely disgusted, though, and I had to drag him there in the first place. If it wasn't for his friend Chuck going, he would have never made it.

Multitude Mondays - Week Eleven

We truly have a lot to be thankful for this week. I cannot even explain how much our little dog means to us. We are one of those families who considers their pet a child, which I know is difficult to understand for those who don't do pets. I use to be obsessed with Roxy, but lately I thought I had become a little more detached after she declared Daniel the love of her life when we got married. He is definitely closer to her than I am now (which is very odd) but after last Wednesday, I realized how my life would not be the same without her.

She has truly comforted me through all the big things in my life. I got her when I first moved to Galveston and was living alone. I really didn't have any friends down there, so Roxy was a source of constant companionship. She moved with me back to College Station and was there with love and kisses as I went through the most difficult period of my life. We lived in 3 different houses in College Station before graduating and moving to Houston. Then she moved with Daniel to Oklahoma for 3 months before I ended up there. This is also where she became his dog. We, then, made a road trip across the US to settle in Sneads Ferry, NC and later moved on base. If you were counting, that has been 8 different houses in her short 5 years. She adjusts so well to change, and as long as we are by her side, she is content. She is so special to all of us and I hope we have many more years together!

215. that Roxy survived the dog attack

216. that the dog that attacked Roxy wasn't any bigger -- my attempt to save her would have been pointless

217. that the baby and I made it through with no injuries

218. that Daniel was getting off work when it happened

219. that Roxy wasn't too badly injured

220. that although Emily witnessed the whole thing, she doesn't seem traumatized

221. that Daniel kept a brave face through the whole ordeal so I wouldn't freak out (he later admits how scared he was for her)

222. that the kind-hearted owners offered to pay the medical bill

223. that I didn't go into labor because of the experience (although labor would be welcomed now)

Still no baby...

The Wetzel household still consists of a family of four (we count Roxy in everything we do).

You know, I am fine if she decides not to come early.

I am not fine with starting to experience early labor symptoms and then nothing happening.

With Emily, everything happened within a 24 hour period.

I didn't think about it, then all of the sudden I was in labor.

I have been experiencing regular contractions every 10 minutes for the past couple of days now.

Friday I went into a state of panic thinking about how much I still had left to do.

I did it all, which I guess is good.

But now the time really seems to be dragging by.

I guess it really was all wishful thinking...

Could it be time?

Apparently everyone is in shock that I didn't go into labor after my experience on Wednesday.

Actually, I am, too.

Yesterday I started to experience some things that brought on labor within 24 hours for my last pregnancy, which means it might be soon. Or maybe not. I couldn't be that lucky to get this baby out, right? I think it is every pregnant lady's dream to go into labor early.

I told Daniel, just to forewarn him and he started crying (sorta). Apparently, he hasn't had much sleep this week. Last delivery couldn't have come at a worse time for him. He had just gotten off 24 hour no-sleep duty. Poor thing slept in between my contractions, which meant, he only got a couple of minutes at a time. He is actually in bed right now. I'm hoping he catches up on his sleep. Not like that will help anything when we have a newborn in our house again.

Of course, this could all be wishful thinking.

Just in case, though, I ran around like crazy yesterday trying to do all the last minute preparations. Last time, I wasn't even packed for the hospital when my water broke. It didn't turn out to be a big deal, since you have more time available for your first pregnancy. Knowing this is my second go-around, and we have to get Emily situated, as well, I figured it would be in our best interest to have everything ready. All of our clothes are washed, our house is spotless (thanks to the coffee that I was suppose to host this week, but that got cancelled after the mauling), and clothes are packed for me, the new baby, and Emily.

Maybe Olivia could at least wait until Roxy goes to the vet today to have her drainage tubes taken out?

Our traumatic afternoon

Our dog almost died today in front of my very eyes.

I think I saved her life, though.

It was the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced.

I wish I could say I was exaggerating here, but the truth is, words can't do justice what I experienced.

We are currently in the midst of Operation "Walk This Baby Out." Emily, Roxy, and I had such a good time and we were about 100 yards away from our house. All of a sudden a neighbor's dog jumps over their fence and come straight for us. The next thing I know, the dog has Roxy in her mouth, has lifted her 2 feet in the air, and is shaking (attacking) her like a ragdoll. Without thinking, I threw all of myself (and my 37 week belly) on top of the dog and was doing everything I could to get it to release our little one. It was a good minute of me pinning down a large dog with all my might before the owner heard my screaming and ran out to take her dog away. It was so unreal. It was like I was watching some animal out in the wild with a piece of meat.

All I know is...

1. the dog jumped over the fence like it was no big deal... this doesn't seem right, especially with all the little kids in our neighborhood

2. Roxy looked like a stuffed animal being shaken violently in the dog's mouth

3. I honestly thought Roxy was dead

I was HYSTERICAL, as you can imagine. I was quite shaken up from not only what happened to my dog, but also what happened to me. Not the perfect afternoon for someone who is full-term pregnant, you know?

Thankfully, Daniel called just then that he was on his way home from work. The whole family loaded in the car and we rushed her to the vet. She had huge, bleeding gash marks on her side from the dog's teeth and ended up in surgery. We finally got her back last night around 10:30 and she is doing well in recovery.

I'm in recovery, as well.

Multitude Mondays - Week Ten

197. Daniel coming home early on Friday

198. being graced by snow this year

199. eating breakfast on Saturday as a family

200. watching Emily experience snow

201. watching the opening ceremonies as a family

202. getting to be lazy on a snow day

203. long weekends the military gets off

204. enjoying a warm house, warm water, and a huge food supply while stuck in our house

205. that Daniel made it to Lamaze with me this week

206. fun fruits coming back into season

207. realizing the time we have left in NC is shorter than we thought

208. snow cones

209. running errands as a family -- and lunch along the way

210. family walks

211. getting a whole bunch of baby stuff out of the garage

212. that Daniel found his wallet

213. slowly decorating our house -- making it more homey

214. Daniel's interior decorating ideas

It actually snowed!

Yea! We finally got our snow for the year! And quite a bit of it, at that. Stupid me saw the weather forecast yesterday and thought we were getting 2-4 feet, hence the labor worries. It wasn't until later in the day when I was writing Daniel an email about it that I realized 2-4 feet did not make sense (2-4 inches were predicted). We ended up with 8 inches, which is still a substantial amount. Definitely a lot more that last year!

It started around 8pm last night, so Emily got to see a little before she went to bed.

It snowed the whole time we were sleeping. Daniel and I periodically got up to check if it was still coming down because we were so excited. It finally stopped sometime before we woke up, so we awoke to a perfect, pristine landscape.

We took Emily out to play, but she really doesn't like getting messy, so she just wanted to be held the whole time.

Our neighbors built the largest snowman we have ever seen. We were joking that they obviously were not from around here. Anyone with that kind of skill has experience working the snow. Turns out, they are from Maine. Figures.

So for the rest of the day, we are staying bundled up in our house, watching the Olympics, and playing "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games" on our Wii (Daniel's Valentine's Day gift). Our windows will be open all day, though, so we can enjoy the white wonderland while it lasts.

Labor?

How awful would it be if I went into labor tonight?

We don't ever drive in snow.

Plus, our babysitter for Emily is going out of town this weekend.

At least we finally have a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Snow! It's finally coming!!!!

I have to admit... I have been a little jealous this year. Everyone has gotten snow, but us. I don't know if we could handle this, but even everyone in Texas has gotten to play around in white bliss.

It is in the forecast to snow here from 6pm tonight until noon tomorrow. Hopefully that will give us enough to play in and allow for some good picture opportunities.

Unfortunately, Emily doesn't own anything but a light jacket. Hmm. I guess we will just layer a whole bunch?

We are off to run some errands before this Texas family is stuck inside for at least the next 24 hours.

Expect some pictures soon of a few flakes and me freaking out...

All things pregnancy related

1. Weight - I really don't understand my weight gain this pregnancy. With Emily, I ate horribly, didn't workout that much, and literally gained the textbook amount every week. This pregnancy, I have been eating healthier, working out more, and my weight gain is all over the place. One month, when it should have been two pounds, I gained 10 pounds. The next month, I only gained 1/2 a pound. Then, I gained 15 pounds the next month for no reason. All the while, by the way, my clothes fit the exact same. This past month, I gave up on being healthy -- eating in Charleston, pizza, hamburgers, sugar, sugar, sugar, etc. I got weighed yesterday and found out I gained only 4 pounds, which is exactly what I was suppose to gain. Obviously my weight gain has nothing to do with what I eat, which is a nice revelation. I really won't be worrying about my food intake the last couple of weeks.

2. Lamaze - When learning about labor, everything makes so much more sense when you have already been through it once. All the information seemed to go in one ear and out the other last time. We finally understand. Unfortunately, we are also seeing that my last labor was not ideal. I mean, I can't complain too much. It was unusually short for a first-timer, but we are realizing it could have been way better. Suggestions for an easier labor -- don't let them hook you up to an IV the second you get there (unless it is medically necessary), continuous fetal monitoring is not necessary, remember to change positions, and laying on your back during labor is the most painful position. I got to the hospital, they gave me an IV immediately, hooked on the fetal monitor, and had me laying on my back the WHOLE time. Wonderful. At least we know now.

(I am not one to demand laboring all natural. My last labor was so short, I am worried that with the second one being shorter, I won't have time to get an epidural and want some techniques to get through the pain. I have heard too many stories of women getting to the naval hospital and by the time the anesthesiologist gets to them, they are too far along.)

3. Getting ready for the baby - Although I pulled out and washed all our newborn clothes on January 1st, I have not done anything else to prepare for this baby. I am 99% sure she is coming early, and 98% sure she is coming earlier than Emily, but I don't want to get out everything and jinx myself. The midwife I saw yesterday gave me the green light to get everything together. She said that I am officially in the period where it is not considered wishful thinking. That is some exciting news for a pregnant woman. Now I just need to start walking 5 miles a day...

Multitude Mondays - Week Nine

184. Lamaze classes -- and hoping I am not in as much pain this time

185. babysitting co-ops

186. vanilla chai tea

187. a lazy weekend

188. sugar

189. my doting husband

190. getting our taxes done -- checking one more thing off the "to-do before baby arrives" list

191. my comfort level at this point in pregnancy

192. how much joy our puppy brings this family

193. intellectual conversations (debates)

194. how I have been pleasantly surprised by care at the naval hospital

195. jogging strollers -- how much easier they are to push

196. officially starting our countdown

Getting ready for a fast month

Do you know what happens in a month? My mom flies up to help out with the new baby. THE NEW BABY!

I can't believe that time is already here! I still have a few things left to do before the little one arrives. All of the newborn clothes, blankets, and burp clothes are already washed, folded, and put in their appropriate places (this was done Jan 1st). Now I just need to get out some of the big stuff. She will be sleeping in our room the first couple of months since I will be breastfeeding, so I need to set up the bassinet. I also need to order my diaper bag I picked out, along with a few other things.

And then one more deep cleaning of the house is needed. I was suppose to do spring cleaning this week while Daniel was gone, but we have been unbelievably busy. I haven't had a second to sit down and think. I always work better when the deadline is closer, so maybe I will clean all day before Daniel gets home tonight. We will see.

I have felt bad because I have been exhausted recently and haven't gotten much done, but during my lamaze class last night (more on that later) she said this was your body's message to slow down to prepare for what you are about to endure. I am taking this cue and sleeping whenever I am tired -- a luxury that will soon end. Wouldn't it be great if you could catch up on sleep ahead of time? Every new mother would really appreciate this. Unfortunately, no matter how much I rest right now, I am going to be exhausted in a month.

Oh, goodness. One month before my mom gets here. I know she can't wait to meet her newest granddaughter. I can't believe it was so long ago that this happened.

Is that really my Emily?

Multitude Mondays - Week Eight

Every night our internet goes down at 8 o'clock on the dot. Literally. Every night. It is quite upsetting, especially due to the fact that this is around Emily's bedtime, so we have no internet during the most optimal time for us to get on and check our email or blog. During my brief career in the internet industry, I learned that the internet generally slows down in the afternoon when kids get home from school. I was questioning the cable guys in our area because I was really upset and they told me that when you live on base, the problem isn't necessarily school-aged children, but the thousands of single marines that live in the barracks on base. Apparently, they all eat dinner and spend the rest of their evening playing on their xbox that is hooked up to the internet.

Wonderful.

Sorry this is a day late...

172. the Internet, even though we often don't have it

173. that the week flies by even though the days sometimes don't

174. finding great prayer resources

175. our busy social schedule (compared to a year ago)

176. getting my first bag of hand-me-down maternity clothes

177. looking back in my prayer journal and seeing how my prayers have evolved over the past year

178. realizing that Jolie gave me a little snowcone machine (I have been craving them)

179. family pictures

180. watching our neighborhood coffee grow

181. watching our Bible study grow

182. slowly learning to not make assumptions

183. nesting