Results of today…

Well, today they tried to turn our little guy with no success.  He just wouldn’t turn, and would only really move part way before stopping.  It’s a bit tough as I’m running out of space for him to be turned, and he must be pretty set on being born breech!  I felt really confident in our doctors skill, and he gave the most amount of pressure he felt comfortable giving without doing any damage.  I have to be honest, it was the strangest feeling.  My head was more down than my feet, in hopes that gravity would assist and they gave me a muscle relaxant.  Then, he used his skill to try & get him to turn.  But first, he had to bring him up towards my lungs which was perhaps the most uncomfortable part of it all as it made me sweat profusely, and made it difficult to breathe.  Then, he tried getting him to turn but he just wouldn’t budge despite all the efforts.  It was just so strange & uncomfortable.  But, it’s over & he’s healthy & okay so that’s all that matters!  I’m still hoping he’ll decide to turn on his own but I somehow doubt it.  We’ve decided to go ahead with a scheduled c-section next Thursday, the 5th, unless of course he flips on his own or I go into labor before then.  Stay tuned for more details later…

38 week update

Well, I can hardly believe I’m over 38 weeks.  I don’t know where the time has gone, but it has completely flown by.  Maybe it’s due to Christmas, and now New Years, but I don’t feel like the time is dragging on – which is great!  I’m so excited to meet this little guy, and although I am feeling rather large these days, I’m trying to still enjoy every minute of the pregnancy & get things done before his arrival.  However, I do feel a little like he’s running out of space in there.  And I’m just so curious what he’s going to be like – and what we’re going to name him!  We still haven’t decided, and at this point, I think we’re waiting to meet him to make the decision.

As of last Friday, he was still breech, and weighing approximately 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  And of course, his head is still in the 95-100% percentile.  I’m hoping that’s not completely accurate!  Tomorrow I’m off to the hospital for them to try & manually turn him.  Please pray it’s successful, but most of all that he tolerates it well.  If it doesn’t work, we’ll most likely be scheduling a c-section shortly after 39 weeks – which isn’t that far off.  But, I’ll think about that if & when that is to happen.  For now, here’s praying he flips.

38 weeks, 1 day

Some of baby J's gifts from friends...

Nearly ready!

At just about 38 weeks

Happy Christmas, British style

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10-11

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

This is our third Christmas spent in Durham.  I can hardly believe it’s really been three years.  Ben & I had fun trying to remember all of the Christmas’s we’ve spent together & we realized that this was our eighth Christmas together – that’s counting our first Christmas together in 2004, which was the year he proposed.  I will always remember this Christmas a little differently, with Baby J on the way.  We do miss family back home, and would love to be celebrating with them next Christmas.  But, we have been so blessed by friends here in Durham, even being included in their family’s Christmas traditions.

Christmas Eve we spent with the Kirschenmann’s, an American family that also lives here in Durham.  They have two teenage daughters and we had fun eating, playing games & bantering together.  Being around teenagers just makes things feel like home to me.  I guess that means I’ve been gone from home a long time – because all but one of mine and Ben’s siblings are out of their teenage years (don’t worry Syd, you’ll get there).

Christmas Day we spent with the Briggs’ & their three kids, along with two other American couples.  They have a tradition of eating curry on Christmas day & it was great!  No point in spending all day in the kitchen when there’s playing to be had.  I was grateful they don’t have the tradition of eating Christmas pudding (a.k.a. dessert).  I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan.  It’s okay – but tastes more like glorified fruit cake, which I’ve never been keen on.  One British tradition that we did partake of was of course opening up our Christmas crackers before our Christmas meal.  For my American friends that aren’t in the know, Christmas crackers are little presents which look like a toilet paper rolls wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper & have ends to hold onto.  They are usually filled with a bad joke, a trivia question, a little present, and then of course the best part – a crown which you wear through the entire meal.  Everyone crosses their arms while holding onto a cracker on either side & then you all pull & see what you end up with.  And like Dr. Who, it’s a silly and fun tradition that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  (As a side note, many British families have the tradition of ending their Christmas day by watching Dr. Who, although our preferred poison is ‘Downton Abbey’).  Also, many British families listen to the Queen’s speech Christmas day.  Although we didn’t do this Christmas day, we did listen to it on you-tube today.  And that my friends, was our British Christmas this year.  Happy Christmas!

Christmas Eve at friends, the Kirschenmann's

My cute hubby trying on his new shoes

Almost ready for Christmas dinner at our friends the Brigg's - notice the box at the end of the table filled with Christmas crackers?

Opening our 'Christmas crackers' & exchanging bad jokes before our meal

Orrey & Kristi

Ben & Matthew having fun with the top from Ben's cracker

Richard makes a good trifle, and Orrey loves it. It's a yummy British pudding with several layers - one of fruit salad mixed with jello, another of pudding, and then topped with cream. I'm sure there's other things in there too, I just know I like it!

Random update

One month from today, this little guy is due to arrive!  I can hardly believe that it’s really only a month until January 10th (not that I expect him to arrive on time).  The last few months have absolutely flown by.  I’m off work now & on maternity leave.  I am so grateful for the amazing maternity leave in this country & my job the last two years to enable this.  It is such a blessing.  Right now however, I feel awful.  I have this horrid cold & earache that keeps me up at night.  I’m excited to feel like my healthy self again.

In the meantime, I’m trying to keep getting stuff done, but at my own pace.  I’m almost done with his room, and today we got our pram (a.k.a. stroller for my American friends) & car seat and a few other majors.  Wow, I actually had to stop and think what a pram is called…does that mean I’ve been here too long?  And as of Friday, he’s still breech.  There are exercises & positions  you can try to help him move, some of which I’ve done.  But, I’m really not so sure he’s going to listen.  He’s been in this comfy position since 28 weeks, and doesn’t appear too keen on moving.  We’ll see.  I’ll give it a few more weeks.

As for other updates, Thanksgiving came & went.  We celebrated three Thanksgivings, the last being with our cell group from church.  We are the only American’s & they all decided they wanted to know what this Thanksgiving stuff is about.  Who wouldn’t anyways?  It’s an amazing meal, shared with friends, followed by more amazing food, and then amazing leftovers.  I unfortunately, don’t have any pictures for evidence of the occasion.  I love thanksgiving, and love the time to reflect on what I’m thankful for.  This year, I’m particularly thankful for this little baby and what an amazing miracle he is.  He truly is a miracle from God, and I can’t wait to meet him.  I’m also thankful for Ben and his amazing support, and family.  For old friends, and new friends.  For a job.  For God’s continuing provision in our lives, and that we always have enough & more.  And most of all, I am ever thankful for Christmas, and what that means for us.

I’m off to get some rest – maybe a bath, movie, & sleep.  I’m a bit sad as I’m missing a Christmas party tonight…but sharing this would just be mean but thankfully for everyone else, Ben is forcing me to stay home.  ):   However, I’ll end happily & show you our lovely tree.  Merry Christmas!

Our tree