It's been quite a while since I last wrote and I apologize for that. Lots has changed in my world since I wrote last, but at the same time things are the same.....Let me explain. Well, you all know things are at a bit of a stand still as far as our government and Iraq are concerned. This only means that things are at a stand still here, as well. We are still waiting for the word that will send my best friend to the middle-of-nowhere to fight against some freak and his army. This "hurry up and wait" idea is a popular one in the army. If you remember, I didn't even think Joe would be around for Valentine's Day or my Birthday, but he was, for both. The next item on my list of things Joe would miss was our baby's birth and even though it may be close, he just might be here for that too!! I have 17 days to go until my due date, but I am doing just about everything in my power to get him here sooner rather than later. You name it, I've tried it...spicy foods, walking, (I've been walking just about every day, the weather has been beautiful!!) etc. I think I had a real contraction the other day, but it wasn't followed by any others, so I didn't get my hopes up. However, my intuition tells me that it will be soon. I just hope Joe's around to help me through it.

We had a doctor's appt. last week and I had to go through the ever-horrible weigh-in and I have gained about 25 lbs or so, which is pretty normal, so I'm feeling ok with it. About a month and a half ago, I cut out sweets COMPLETELY from my diet and I notice a huge difference in the rate of which I was gaining weight. Now, I find myself not even craving most of those foods, so it may turn out to be a change of lifestyle for me. Anyway, at the doctor's office, my nurse/mid-wife pushed around on my belly and told us that Luke was about at 7lbs and she expected him to gain about another pound or so....AUGH, an 8 lb. baby....I wasn't planning on that!! Oh well, it just means that it will be safe to enduce if Joe does end up getting and word before Luke gets here on his own. Lots of people have asked if I have dropped yet, because, I guess it is a bit of a warning of things to come, but no, I am still sticking STRAIGHT out!! I sent a picture out and every single person mentioned how high I was carrying him. However, of friend of mine did mention that a lot of women don't actually drop until they go into labor...so, I was comforted.

Well, I finished Luke's blanket about a week ago and I have to admit it looks pretty good. It is so soft and just the right size. I can't wait for him to use it. I have to get started on another one though, because I need some patient direction on how to get it started, again. Like I said before, I wasn't planning on being around here this long, so I figured I would burn some "alone" time in Oregon with a little crochet. I will still have that time, but in order to have something to do, I am going to need to start another blanket. Maybe I'll do a thicker on this time.

I mentioned that I had gained about 25lbs so far, but as far as inches are concered, I swear my stomach is TWICE that. Luke has to be so cramped in there. I mean, I feel every little movement and even though he doesn't move quite as much as he used to, when he does move, the kicks are hard and even a little painful. My doctor says that the pain I am feeling in the top of my belly is most likely my bruised ribs, since he seems to be pretty strong. It wouldn't surprise me because, every now and then, I get a sweet little foot sticking out of the top of my belly. I am so anxious to meet him that I really am not very scared for the whole process. I kind of wonder if in my case, "ignorance is bliss". I just don't know exactly what is going to happen, but I'm not really, very scared either. I tend to float through life in a state of uforia, but hey, it's worked for me so far!!

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