What would you do for McDonald's?

My husband really did not want to eat cereal this morning for breakfast--no matter what that meant.

"This is really cold snow," Justin says.

The scenic drive.

Our company on the road.

Alas, the Golden Arches.

Worth it, clearly.

Going all Googly-Eyed

Woah! A snow this big makes me go all googly-eyed! Check out what they are calling "The Storm of the Century" in the DC-Metro area. I can tell you one thing, I sure hate going potty in this mess--so much, I even broke down and used a puppy pad (and at my age!)

The view from our front porch.

The view from our driveway.

Piled high!

Look how small I am next to these huge snow piles!

Caught gazing into the winter wonderland.

Scouting out a pee-pee spot.

Please, mom, can't I come back inside?

Geesh! I got snow on by beard.

Really people, do I look amused? How would you like to go outside in this snow naked? I didn't think so! Humf! I might just have to pee on your carpet today.

Spit and Sticks

Spit and sticks--that's how the birds do it. For us, "nesting" was a little bit different. :) After many, many weeks of hard work, Justin and I have completed baby Jackson's nursery (with what we currently have). How wonderful it feels to have a special little place in our home for our son to sleep. Come on in and take a peek!

This is a view from the doorway--the "complete picture" I guess you could say.

Here's Jackson's crib and armoire (and little clothes hamper in the corner).

Voila--what will be the changing table when Jax arrives.

I just love this one. Back Jackson's crib (and we got the adorable bedding on clearance!)

This photo show's daddy's handiwork. Justin hung this chairail by hand and painted the stripes on the wall (I was the designer, he was the constructor). The stripes were a tedious process, but the finished result was completely worth it! Daddy made the little shelf too.

Here's mommy's little rocking and reading nest.

Now, all we're missing is the little guy to place in here. Less than 15 more weeks! Whew!

One Sweet Day

I am pleased to announce that I do not have Gestational Diabetes!!! Thank you Jesus for answered prayers, and please continue to protect baby Jackson and I.

Heart pounding, I decided to go ahead and make the call to my OBGYN's office today to find out the results of my Glucose Challenge Test and CBC. When she said "both are normal," I totally screamed in her ear. For some reason (maybe due to the misinformed nurse at my previous doctors' who said 'you have glucose in your urine, you probably have GD' a few weeks ago) I had convinced myself that I was going to be diagnosed with GD during this pregnancy. However, that was not the case, so I have one less thing to worry about . . . any many more sweet things to enjoy (who wants to not eat cake at your own baby shower, right?)

Today has been a day for counting blessings! Apart from the disappointment of our first Childbirth Preparation class being cancelled due to nonexistant "inclement weather," it has been a sunny-side-up day. Justin filed our taxes this am, and we should get a really nice return (thank you 2009 housing credit). Jus also finished painting the nursery (which means it's nesting time for me). And . . . most importantly . . . I don't have Gestational Diabetes! One sweet day!

Dishwashing

Disclaimer: this is not our sink

There are a lot of jobs out there that people swear they could never do. A lot of folks couldn't imagine wiping hineys in a nursing home--others couldn't put doggies to sleep--some couldn't see themselves traveling undercover, or running into burning buildings, or scouring a dead body for clues about death.

Me, I could never be a dishwasher in the culinary industry.

I loaded our dishwasher tonight for the first time in months (thanks hubby), and the entire time I kept repeating to myself "this is disgusting . . . oh my gosh . . . eww gross . . . only a few more . . . I shouldn't have even started this . . . wow, this is really disgusting." I've become quite skilled at evading the task of dishwasher loading, you see. Growing up, mom didn't cook much, and we didn't have a dishwasher. The few items that needed washing were always done quickly in the sink before bed by mom -- who for that reason alone, is my hero. :) My first year of college was spent eating in the dining hall or out of disposable T.V. trays. Then, second year, I struck up a deal with Lacey, Lauren, and Katherine that if they'd wash my dishes, I'd clean the bathroom. Yes! I got on my hands and knees and scrubbed a shower used by four college girls, I pulled our hair out of the drain, washed our toothpaste down the sink, and bleached the toilet bowl (even after nights of drinking) . . . and I did it all to avoid washing dishes. During my third and forth year at UVA, I had an even better arrangement--I provided alcohol for my roommates and in return they did my dishes. Shoot--it was a small price to pay--trust me.

Now that I'm married it's a little more difficult to bargain to avoid dishwashing duties. Basically, I have taken to just letting them pile up to the point of overflow. Generally, Justin will go ahead and do them when they get to that point. :) So, I'm not sure what overcame me tonight to make me take the desolate plunge into the sink. However, I am sure that I will never do it again. Pregnant or not, the plethora of smells that eminate from dirty dishes makes me gag repetitively. I cannot stand the sound that the water/milk/soda makes when it splashes on the open dishwasher door as it is being loaded. I cannot stomach getting remnants of food on my hands. Dishwashing is, hands down, the most disgusting job on the planet.

For now on, I refuse!

Cheers!

Hello folks! I had my 24-week OB appointment today with Dr. Liao, my first official appointment at Lake Manassas Women's Health. It went extremely well--and extremely differently--from my previous experiences at the world crappiest OB practice, Fairfax OBGYN.

Dr. Liao actually listened to my heart and lungs, measured my belly, and took a minature sonogram of baby Jackson. So cute! I measured 25 cm, which he was very pleased with for 24 weeks. Baby Jackson is breech right now, explaining his frequent kicks against my bladder, but he still has many weeks to get his act together and turn head-down, little bugger. His HR was a healthy 150 bpm.

My own health was also in good working order. There was no glucose in my urine this time, my pulse was 80, and my BP is back down to a normal level (I have been experiencing white coat syndrome recently). Yay! I didn't have time to complete the glucose challenge test today in the office, so they let me take home the lovely 50-gram glucose drink which is now staring at me each time I open the refrigerator. Part of me wishes to remain blissfully unaware of any possible results indicating Gestational Diabetes. However, I know it's best for Jackson and I if I just buck up and chug. Please pray for me as the thoughts of this test have been causing me anxiety for some time now. Tomorrow's the day--cheers!

Miraculous

*~*C'est Moi et Jackson*~*

Yes, this is what I look like at 24 weeks pregnant (yesterday). Wow! What a change from my flat stomach at 4 weeks along. :) Pregnancy has a very interesting effect on the body--apart from the obvious--as you can see--it also creates this awareness of true femininity and strength. Although I'm watching myself get fatter everyday, it's not the same as when I've gained weight in the past. I guess I feel like my expanding figure is for such a greater purpose.

My mom read me a wonderful pregnancy reflection today:

"If I had my life to live over, instead of wishing away 9 months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle."

. . . grow miracle grow . . . (but come off miraculously quickly afterwards) . . .

Dear Baby Jackson

Dear Baby Jackson,
As the weeks until your birth slowly fall away, I'm growing more and more excited to meet you. I wonder what your little face will look like . . . I wonder how big you'll be . . . I wonder how your unique personality will develop and how you'll show it to me and daddy.

Now, as you're growing stronger and bigger inside me, I know daily that you're here with me. I look forward to each of your nudges after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when I'm winding down at night. They remind me that you're really there, really living, and that we'll meet face-to-face in four short months.

You already make me laugh with the way you'll kick wildly within me but then stop when anyone else wants to feel. You're already playing games, you little stinker. It makes me feel so loved by you and so special to be your mom and to be sharing these months that no one else is really a part of but you and me.
I find it utterly amazing that you can recognize voices now too. I wonder if you tire of listening to me give our nursing triage advice to new moms all day? I am fascinated that you'll already know I'm "Mommy" and dad's "Daddy" when you enter our world from listening to us now from inside the womb.

What will it be like when you finally arrive? I can't wait to hold your warm little baby body in my arms for the first time. We are praying for you now. We're praying for your safe arrival and a happy and healthy life for you in our home as our son. I hope you know and feel how much you are already loved.

Until we meet,
Mom

Weekend Retreat

This weekend was a much needed retreat after a week of "pick on Jennifer" at work. My friend Lindsey came up to visit, and although we didn't do anything special, it was so nice to have some girl time! Basically, we just did a little shopping, saw Youth In Revolt with my man, Michael Cera, and caught up on each other lives. Sometimes seeing my college buddies is a bit bittersweet. I keep wondering, "will this be our last 'girl weekend' before the baby?" While I am totally content, ecstatic actually, to be starting a family with Justin, I am also the first of my close friends to forge that path. It's a little scary at times, but I know God will see me through all the ups and downs. At this point in my life, my close friends are really good friends, and I know they support my mommy movement.

On another note--guess what the newest pregnancy inconvenience is? I can't wear my wedding bands. Not because of swelling but because my finger has decided to have an allergic reaction to the white gold. This happened a couple of weeks ago, so I stopped wearing them, treated the reaction, and put them back on this Monday. Two days later, the reaction was way baaack. So, I am resigned to wearing only my engagement ring. :( Maybe this means Justin will have to buy me a platinum wedding band after the baby??? :)

Also, I would like to officially announce that I am now taking prenatal yoga, and it is wonderful! I just love the stretching and getting the perfect pregnancy exercise each week. I'm also meeting some wonderful pregnant women who make me feel so much more normal! Life is good!