Just for those who have been keeping track, I did see the doctor this week and we got some feedback on those Braxton Hicks contractions. Unfortunately (for me), he said we were right to take it easy whenever I got so many and that I should be resting as much as possible... though, no official 'bed-rest' or anything (thank you!). He checked me out and said (hopefully this doesn't weird people out) that I wasn't dilated yet, but I was 25% effaced, which may just be normal for me. Furthermore, he mentioned that if I did happen to go into premature labor in the next week and a half (till about Jan 7th or so), that they would try to stop it, but if I began anytime after that they would just let it progress completely.
I am REALLY hoping that I can at least finish this intensive class of mine the week of Jan 7th-11th, because it would relieve me from taking a 3-hr evening class over an entire semester... and, since it's not offered as a semester class this spring, it would effect our loan-repayment scheduling!... so, as excited as it makes me to think that this baby could come into my arms earlier, I'm really hoping he waits a few more weeks. :) Meanwhile, Christian is doing his best to help me out and we're taking small trips to stores to get all our last-minute buying in place.
Oh, and I never really talked about this on the blog yet, but I have progressed significantly with my dissertation! yaa! On December 17th I went in front of my dissertation committee and defended the initial part of my dissertation (called my proposal), and passed! In this proposal (which has a literature review, rationale for study, and a statistical methods section) I describe what it is I am proposing to accomplish with my dissertation. During the defense, my committee asked me various questions about what I would be doing and made sure that I understood the statistics behind it (not the easiest part for me). They also suggest various additions or changes that will hopefully make it a better study. Now, the next step is for me to actually do the study, analyze it, write it up, and then defend that :) easier said than done- but I'll probably work on that in late spring and early summer, so that I might have a chance to defend the entire dissertation next fall (we'll see :). Oh, and in case you are wondering, my title (thus far) is "An Alternative Approach to Treating Anxiety: A Meta-Analytic Review of Art Therapy Treatment Outcomes"... really interesting sounding, huh? :) Basically, I'm going to look at all the well-designed studies that use art therapy to reduce anxiety symptoms and I'm going to figure out how effective this intervention is in achieving this goal.
I hope you are all doing well. Much Love!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Week 34- 6 more weeks to go!
Merry Christmas everyone! Christian and I just celebrated a wonderful Christmas together as we spent the day cooking and watching some nice movies. :) It was quite relaxing.
Well, actually, I've been getting some symptoms which have caused Christian to worry a bit about me. Braxton Hicks contractions- quite normal... just not as frequently as I've been getting them. It seems that anytime I stand up for five minutes or more I get one and they prefer you get less than 4 in an hour (otherwise my doc suggested I drink lots of liquids and lay down). So... in the last three days we've had a series of exertions where I've gotten 4 or more of these 'practice' contractions and we've cut our trip (ie, shopping or something) short so that I can get home and rest. Today was a bit difficult for me, as Christian insisted that I sit down most of the day and direct him. So he cleaned the apartment, learned how to cook a pumpkin pie, and pretty much cooked our whole Christmas meal. Amazing, huh? I just wish it wasn't so hard for me to stay still. Apparently, I can be quite stubborn... as I attempted to clean a bit while Christian was distracted on the computer, and that didn't work in my favor, as the contractions came back with a vengeance. :( So, if you think of it, you can pray that these symptoms stop or that when I see my doc on Thursday he tells me that we shouldn't be so worried. :)
Here's the lastest picture of this prego woman. I've certainly gotten big, and there's no mistaken that a baby's in there!
Some wonderful friends of mine, Tracy and Brooke, threw a fabulous baby shower for me not that long ago. It was simply amazing! Everyone was so supportive and encouraging, which was exactly what I had hoped for. So many encouraging words, it was so nice. It will be a treasured memory of mine for many years to come, that's for sure. I didn't end up getting a chance to get a picture of everyone who came, but here are a few that I snuck in at the last minute.
Here's Brooke and Tracy:
And here are some of the women from my small group at church (Heather, me, Renee, Michelle, and Kelly):
And here are some of my friends from both work and school (Amanda, Ariel, me, and Nicole) :
And Brooke made this fabulous cake out of diapers! I'd never seen one made like this before, it was stunning!
Fabulous, huh? Now, if only diaper changing were as fabulous. :)
Well, actually, I've been getting some symptoms which have caused Christian to worry a bit about me. Braxton Hicks contractions- quite normal... just not as frequently as I've been getting them. It seems that anytime I stand up for five minutes or more I get one and they prefer you get less than 4 in an hour (otherwise my doc suggested I drink lots of liquids and lay down). So... in the last three days we've had a series of exertions where I've gotten 4 or more of these 'practice' contractions and we've cut our trip (ie, shopping or something) short so that I can get home and rest. Today was a bit difficult for me, as Christian insisted that I sit down most of the day and direct him. So he cleaned the apartment, learned how to cook a pumpkin pie, and pretty much cooked our whole Christmas meal. Amazing, huh? I just wish it wasn't so hard for me to stay still. Apparently, I can be quite stubborn... as I attempted to clean a bit while Christian was distracted on the computer, and that didn't work in my favor, as the contractions came back with a vengeance. :( So, if you think of it, you can pray that these symptoms stop or that when I see my doc on Thursday he tells me that we shouldn't be so worried. :)
Here's the lastest picture of this prego woman. I've certainly gotten big, and there's no mistaken that a baby's in there!
Some wonderful friends of mine, Tracy and Brooke, threw a fabulous baby shower for me not that long ago. It was simply amazing! Everyone was so supportive and encouraging, which was exactly what I had hoped for. So many encouraging words, it was so nice. It will be a treasured memory of mine for many years to come, that's for sure. I didn't end up getting a chance to get a picture of everyone who came, but here are a few that I snuck in at the last minute.
Here's Brooke and Tracy:
And here are some of the women from my small group at church (Heather, me, Renee, Michelle, and Kelly):
And here are some of my friends from both work and school (Amanda, Ariel, me, and Nicole) :
And Brooke made this fabulous cake out of diapers! I'd never seen one made like this before, it was stunning!
Fabulous, huh? Now, if only diaper changing were as fabulous. :)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Musings on Motherhood (vol. 2) and Marriage
So, I have two months (so, they say) until the baby arrives. This is both exciting and ... can I say, intimidating? There was a time, recently, when I was pretty frightened of the upcoming responsibility (and, well, let's face it, it'll come again), but I had a wonderful dream the other night that put it all a different light. Until that time, my dreams had been pointing toward my underlying anxieties of whether I could manage it all, how my self-identity would be shifting, and if I would make some dramatic mistakes. The other night I had this vivid dream of holding my baby above my head as he looked down with a smile and giggled at me. I lowered him down, while smiling myself, and gave him a big kiss. The love between a mother and a child. :) I've been feeling that blessing now.
People will say, "I can't wait to meet him," and I understand, because I have said that many times to other pregnant friends in my life... but, I don't feel that way about my son. The reason is, that I feel like I've already met him. He moves and reacts to things ALL the time! It makes me grin, as I think about it now, because Christian and I tend to be pretty easy-going people, and I think we are in store for a pretty lively child. :)
So, I'm excited to finally hold him in my arms and look at his face, but there are definitely things I still need to get taken care of. Finding a family childcare provider, for instance, is incredibly hard. Both emotionally/psychologically and practically. How do you really know that someone is a good fit for your child? And the mommy guilt that comes with this is not insignificant. Why aren't there more books out there describing how hard it is to be both a professional and a mother? Perhaps there are... but, wow, it's difficult. In so many arenas, too.
Mothers who are able to stay a home and delight in their chosen occupation are to be greatly respected in my book... but, I think it may be difficult when we don't have many examples in life of women who provide for their families in other ways as well. Families come in all shapes and sizes and as I attempt to grow out of my need to be approved by others (...when will that be accomplished?) I am looking for ways to meet this challenge with integrity and humility. It's been helpful for me to 're-frame' this dilemma as an adventure of sorts. Sure, there are women who have done this before and are continuing to do it now, but it's refreshing and invigorating for me to see this new life transition as uncharted territory. How will God work in my life this time around? Can I continue to rest in him? Believe me, I am the first to realize that I will try (time and time again) to control all the different facets in my life so that it goes as I have planned... but, we all know what the end result of that is, don't we? Letting it go... little by little.
Christian is a wonderful man. I am so honored and blessed to have him in my life. He is strong, supportive, sensitive, and highly intelligent... not just with biology and research, but in social skills and in an ability to read people. He cares about people. He may not care that much about keeping a clean house or washing the dishes every night or putting the toilet seat down, but, in way he cares just because he knows I care. He pays attention to my moods and the way I need to be taken care of and he serves me... he almost seems to delight in serving me. There, literally, is not a day that goes by that he doesn't look at me and (even in the middle of another conversation) say how much his breathe is taken away by his perception of my beauty (especially with my pregnant body). How does such a man exist? He even loves the way I look when I'm angry at him! "Oh, you're beautiful when you're mad," he'll say. How can someone stay angry after that? :) he's gotta know what he's doing. He will even talk about how exciting it is to see all my mood-changes with this pregnancy... he calls it "passion" :) and I can see him trying to hold back a grin as he seeks to sympathize with my wild swings in mood.
This past month, Christian and I celebrated our 4th anniversary and looked back on all the ways that we've grown with and toward one another. It's true that marriage is hard work, but when you have a man like Christian, it all seems worth it. It is hard to describe, but there's a certain sense of warmth and intimacy that comes when you allow yourself to be shaped, molded, and supported by another. I know that my life, my pursuits, my thoughts and dreams... I know that all of these things affect my husband, just as his affect me. It may be hard to believe (though, most of you married folks will agree with me on this one) how even an argument, which results in a need to humble yourself to your spouse and listen to much needed critique... can make you feel closer to him. The other night we were both feeling stressed and in a bad mood ... and, well, it was only a matter of time before we fumbled ourselves into an argument. In the past I may have secretly taken a little bit (well, maybe a larger bit) of pride in my ability to assertively, rationally, and logically frame my arguments in a way that would likely lead to my 'victory,' but Christian has helped me see how relationships and marriages mean a whole lot more than 'winning' an argument. Of course, I've put victory and winning in quotation marks because you don't truly win when you make your spouse feel like they are less than who they are... or you choose not to really listen to where your spouse is coming from. Well, Christian gently reminded me the other night that I continually find it hard to humble myself and recant my 5-point positions... but once I did, it amazed me how grateful he was... it was like we hadn't even had an argument. How can it be so hard for me to remember that Christian is not out to hurt me or tear me down? Too much baggage in my past... and, here I am with a man who loves me for all of my insecurities and my sometimes all-too-tough facade. May the Lord continue to bless and protect us in this marriage as we approach an expansion to our family life.
People will say, "I can't wait to meet him," and I understand, because I have said that many times to other pregnant friends in my life... but, I don't feel that way about my son. The reason is, that I feel like I've already met him. He moves and reacts to things ALL the time! It makes me grin, as I think about it now, because Christian and I tend to be pretty easy-going people, and I think we are in store for a pretty lively child. :)
So, I'm excited to finally hold him in my arms and look at his face, but there are definitely things I still need to get taken care of. Finding a family childcare provider, for instance, is incredibly hard. Both emotionally/psychologically and practically. How do you really know that someone is a good fit for your child? And the mommy guilt that comes with this is not insignificant. Why aren't there more books out there describing how hard it is to be both a professional and a mother? Perhaps there are... but, wow, it's difficult. In so many arenas, too.
Mothers who are able to stay a home and delight in their chosen occupation are to be greatly respected in my book... but, I think it may be difficult when we don't have many examples in life of women who provide for their families in other ways as well. Families come in all shapes and sizes and as I attempt to grow out of my need to be approved by others (...when will that be accomplished?) I am looking for ways to meet this challenge with integrity and humility. It's been helpful for me to 're-frame' this dilemma as an adventure of sorts. Sure, there are women who have done this before and are continuing to do it now, but it's refreshing and invigorating for me to see this new life transition as uncharted territory. How will God work in my life this time around? Can I continue to rest in him? Believe me, I am the first to realize that I will try (time and time again) to control all the different facets in my life so that it goes as I have planned... but, we all know what the end result of that is, don't we? Letting it go... little by little.
Christian is a wonderful man. I am so honored and blessed to have him in my life. He is strong, supportive, sensitive, and highly intelligent... not just with biology and research, but in social skills and in an ability to read people. He cares about people. He may not care that much about keeping a clean house or washing the dishes every night or putting the toilet seat down, but, in way he cares just because he knows I care. He pays attention to my moods and the way I need to be taken care of and he serves me... he almost seems to delight in serving me. There, literally, is not a day that goes by that he doesn't look at me and (even in the middle of another conversation) say how much his breathe is taken away by his perception of my beauty (especially with my pregnant body). How does such a man exist? He even loves the way I look when I'm angry at him! "Oh, you're beautiful when you're mad," he'll say. How can someone stay angry after that? :) he's gotta know what he's doing. He will even talk about how exciting it is to see all my mood-changes with this pregnancy... he calls it "passion" :) and I can see him trying to hold back a grin as he seeks to sympathize with my wild swings in mood.
This past month, Christian and I celebrated our 4th anniversary and looked back on all the ways that we've grown with and toward one another. It's true that marriage is hard work, but when you have a man like Christian, it all seems worth it. It is hard to describe, but there's a certain sense of warmth and intimacy that comes when you allow yourself to be shaped, molded, and supported by another. I know that my life, my pursuits, my thoughts and dreams... I know that all of these things affect my husband, just as his affect me. It may be hard to believe (though, most of you married folks will agree with me on this one) how even an argument, which results in a need to humble yourself to your spouse and listen to much needed critique... can make you feel closer to him. The other night we were both feeling stressed and in a bad mood ... and, well, it was only a matter of time before we fumbled ourselves into an argument. In the past I may have secretly taken a little bit (well, maybe a larger bit) of pride in my ability to assertively, rationally, and logically frame my arguments in a way that would likely lead to my 'victory,' but Christian has helped me see how relationships and marriages mean a whole lot more than 'winning' an argument. Of course, I've put victory and winning in quotation marks because you don't truly win when you make your spouse feel like they are less than who they are... or you choose not to really listen to where your spouse is coming from. Well, Christian gently reminded me the other night that I continually find it hard to humble myself and recant my 5-point positions... but once I did, it amazed me how grateful he was... it was like we hadn't even had an argument. How can it be so hard for me to remember that Christian is not out to hurt me or tear me down? Too much baggage in my past... and, here I am with a man who loves me for all of my insecurities and my sometimes all-too-tough facade. May the Lord continue to bless and protect us in this marriage as we approach an expansion to our family life.
The Blessing of Our New Home
As, I've blogged about before, Christian and I recently moved, and it's been a HUGE blessing in our lives. We are almost entirely unpacked now, which is record-timing for us, and we only have the baby room and some other touch-ups to go. I'm loving this place so much, that I wanted to share some of my photos of the space. I love decorating, but I have a feeling my 'decorating style' may change a bit once the baby arrives ... and especially once he is up and moving around! :)... so, this is my last attempt at a pre-baby set-up.
This is the living room ... and the new color, Bayleaf green.
This is the dining room, where we enjoy most of our evening meals together... it's amazing how nice it is to have a dinner table to eat at!
Here's view of the living room and dining room from the kitchen.
And here's the kitchen. I needed more space for storage, so that's why the main table is in the dining room. It been nice having the stools in there, as one of us will sit down and talk to the other as we cook dinner (we tend to take turns). As you might be able to see, I still have a couple boxes to unpack in there.
And here's our bedroom. Christian thought it would be nice for me to have a small desk/vanity in there, and I have LOVED the convenience that this has brought. ...and I'm sure he enjoys having a clear counter-top in the bathroom. :)
The color on the wall is an oatmeal color, and it's not exactly this dark, but the lighting is a bit fainter in there... which works for us, as you don't really need bright lighting in a master bedroom. (and it's brighter in other areas of the apartment)
And, of course, we've just had our first big snow and it's simply gorgeous in the living room. It makes the apartment so bright!
And... (BIG smile), Christian got me a wonderful rocker/recliner for my birthday. It will eventually be in the baby room as my 'rocking-the-baby' chair, but as it is so comfortable, Christian and I have been enjoying it in the living room. I thought about the 'traditional' glider, but I never really liked the look of them (as in, I didn't think they would fit with the rest of our furniture once it they graduated to a post-baby state). This will be a wonderful help as I rock the baby to sleep.
This is the living room ... and the new color, Bayleaf green.
This is the dining room, where we enjoy most of our evening meals together... it's amazing how nice it is to have a dinner table to eat at!
Here's view of the living room and dining room from the kitchen.
And here's the kitchen. I needed more space for storage, so that's why the main table is in the dining room. It been nice having the stools in there, as one of us will sit down and talk to the other as we cook dinner (we tend to take turns). As you might be able to see, I still have a couple boxes to unpack in there.
And here's our bedroom. Christian thought it would be nice for me to have a small desk/vanity in there, and I have LOVED the convenience that this has brought. ...and I'm sure he enjoys having a clear counter-top in the bathroom. :)
The color on the wall is an oatmeal color, and it's not exactly this dark, but the lighting is a bit fainter in there... which works for us, as you don't really need bright lighting in a master bedroom. (and it's brighter in other areas of the apartment)
And, of course, we've just had our first big snow and it's simply gorgeous in the living room. It makes the apartment so bright!
And... (BIG smile), Christian got me a wonderful rocker/recliner for my birthday. It will eventually be in the baby room as my 'rocking-the-baby' chair, but as it is so comfortable, Christian and I have been enjoying it in the living room. I thought about the 'traditional' glider, but I never really liked the look of them (as in, I didn't think they would fit with the rest of our furniture once it they graduated to a post-baby state). This will be a wonderful help as I rock the baby to sleep.
Visiting (and being visited by) Loved Ones
This past month, I've had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. As seen below, we saw my sister, Ruth, and her husband, Matt, this past thanksgiving, but we also got a visit from my folks earlier in the month and I visited some dear friends, Tawnya and Sam, as well.
Tawnya and I met at church when we were in junior high and have been friends ever since... with each of us playing a significant role in each other's weddings, and now as we share the life transition of having a little baby. We both forgot/neglected to take a photo of the two of us together, but I did manage to remember to get one photo of me holding her little boy, Truman (though, admittedly Truman's face isn't readily seen here).
When my parent's came out it was over my birthday, which was very nice. Believe it or not, I had not been able to spend an actual birthday with with my parents since high school! They took us out to eat at wonderful restaurants, bought me some very nice maternity wear, and blessed Christian and I with a wonderful crib. Here are a couple pics of the weekend:
Tawnya and I met at church when we were in junior high and have been friends ever since... with each of us playing a significant role in each other's weddings, and now as we share the life transition of having a little baby. We both forgot/neglected to take a photo of the two of us together, but I did manage to remember to get one photo of me holding her little boy, Truman (though, admittedly Truman's face isn't readily seen here).
When my parent's came out it was over my birthday, which was very nice. Believe it or not, I had not been able to spend an actual birthday with with my parents since high school! They took us out to eat at wonderful restaurants, bought me some very nice maternity wear, and blessed Christian and I with a wonderful crib. Here are a couple pics of the weekend:
Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful time over Thanksgiving this year. Christian and I went out to Kentucky, with Christian's brother Chase, to see my sister, her husband, and her little angel. We had a blast. The meal on Thanksgiving day was everything a Thanksgiving meal should/could be and the rest of the weekend was spent playing some of our favorite games and just relaxing around the house.
There we all are playing a fun game we learned, called Bang!... it's a card game created in Italy about the American West... with "Willy the Kid." :)
Anyone recognize this game? :) We had five people playing Cities and Knights, but without the C&K expansion, we just made our own extra knights and city walls. :)
Here's Christian having some fun with little Aidan (almost 2 yrs old). Aidan thought it was hilarious to have a pillow fight with his uncle Chris... Aidan is definitely a happy child, as he's always laughing or smiling. :)
And here are some pics of the proud parents, Matt and Ruth.
It was wonderful to spend some time with Ruth and talk about 'prego' stuff... I'm not sure if it inspired her to have another soon or frightened her off :) but it was certainly nice to see a sibling while I was going through such a momentous time in my life. I kept telling Aidan he would be having a little boy cousin soon, but I don't know if he quite understood what I was saying... he just smiled. :)
There we all are playing a fun game we learned, called Bang!... it's a card game created in Italy about the American West... with "Willy the Kid." :)
Anyone recognize this game? :) We had five people playing Cities and Knights, but without the C&K expansion, we just made our own extra knights and city walls. :)
Here's Christian having some fun with little Aidan (almost 2 yrs old). Aidan thought it was hilarious to have a pillow fight with his uncle Chris... Aidan is definitely a happy child, as he's always laughing or smiling. :)
And here are some pics of the proud parents, Matt and Ruth.
It was wonderful to spend some time with Ruth and talk about 'prego' stuff... I'm not sure if it inspired her to have another soon or frightened her off :) but it was certainly nice to see a sibling while I was going through such a momentous time in my life. I kept telling Aidan he would be having a little boy cousin soon, but I don't know if he quite understood what I was saying... he just smiled. :)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
How we've been doing
Well, I am just about 26 weeks along (25 and a half to be technical) and strangers have now begun to ask me, "When are you due?" It's hard for my mind to get around the fact that I only have 3.5 months left before the baby is due.... three and a half months! I think I would feel better if we had set up the baby room already, but hopefully that'll get done before Thanksgiving. Other than needing to get finish my dissertation proposal, the biggest thing holding me back from finishing that room is deciding what I want in it. :) Do I want beige walls or yellow ones? Do I want gender-neutral bedding or boy-specific? I love black-finished furniture, but should I get a black crib?... choices, choices, choices. My mom, whose gone shopping with me many a time, could testify to my lack of decision making ability... this is why I generally prefer to shop alone. :)Christian: "Do these pictures show how hot my wife is or what. Truth be told, I'm not sure if I should allow these on the internet. How the heck did I get such a beautiful wife?" (Christian insisted on having this be in the middle of my thoughts... I think he thought it'd be funny. Marriage is compromise, right?)
If you're wondering why I have blue pants on in these pictures, well, they're part of my costume. My friend, Brooke, hosted a costume party and Christian and I went as doctors. My hair-stylist thought I should go as a red-headed doctor from Grey's Anatomy and Christian should go as "McDreamy"... I've never watched the show, but I've heard it's an intriguing and addicting series, and, well it sounded like a good idea. Much better, anyway, then a scary set of doctors with fake blood all over or something. :)We still haven't been able to narrow down a name for our son. Christian still loves the name "Archer" and I love the name "Gabriel" (with a hard 'a', like the angel in the Bible). Gabriel means, "God is my strength." Well, who knows, maybe we'll end up with an entirely new name. We've certainly talked about a few of them. For some reason it was SO much easier for us to come up with a girl's name (Isadora). Part of the difficulty, though, for me, is that it's hard to figure out what name would best fit this child whom I've never met. Names are powerful things.
May I present Dr. "McDreamy" and Dr. Addison from Grey's anatomy... yeah, I didn't go as all-out as Christian did. :)
Well, we moved into this new apartment at the beginning of October and we've been slowly making progress. Christian and I love to paint the walls, which we feel make it seem more like a home, but it makes things go a bit slower when you have to wait to set everything up until you've gotten to the walls. I went with new colors this time around. Part of the excitement of moving so often is that you can change your decorating when you move. I've purposely chosen (or obtained) neutral-colored furniture so that I can change the wall colors and accents more easily, and I certainly enjoy the process. In the last two apartments we used a dark sienna red for the living room, but in this apartment we used a muted forest green called 'bayleaf.' It's growing on me... but I still need to find some nice accents... I' m thinking some fake oranges or something. :)
Here is what our living room looked like when we first got the keys. Isn't that a nice view? And, look, clean carpet!! Wonderful, isn't it? The simple pleasures in life.
Here's another picture of our view from the living room. It feels so nice and homey.
I'll show more of the living room once it has reached a more cohesive state, but for now I'll just show the paintings I hung up this evening. As you can see we painted the kitchen in a yellow,
but it didn't look quite right to have my yellow painting directly on the yellow (different yellows). But, I feel pretty happy with the solution I came up with. :)
OH! And I almost forgot. We got an unexpected, but appreciated, visit from Christian's father this past week. We had a lot of fun with him and it was so nice to connect with him once again. He got to see Chase play a great football game and we all got to talk over decaf coffee each night. :)
Friday, September 28, 2007
San Francisco, APA 2007
This past August I went to the APA (American Psychological Association) convention in San Francisco where a group of women and I presented some research we had done together. It was wonderful to be able to go to APA again (was my third and probably final time for a while), and I loved being able to see San Francisco. I don't believe I've ever been to CA, so it was quite an experience. Helen, the professor I work for (and my supervisor on this research project), used to live there, so she enthusiastically took us around the city each night. Thanks to Maria, I have these pictures to share with you all.
This was one of the famous cable cars in San Fran. Apparently they're the only ones left in the USA. We took it down to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner.
This was one of the famous cable cars in San Fran. Apparently they're the only ones left in the USA. We took it down to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner.
Maria and I traveling on the cable car.
Here we are overlooking the famous Alcatraz Prison.
And here is the actual military fortress, Alcatraz, which was in use from 1859-1934.
This night we went to the Cliff House restaurant overlooking the ocean (at least, I believe... can't remember which night was the ocean and which night the bay). As we sat at dinner within a matter of minutes we went from being able to see all the water and shore to having the fog completely block our view! It was amazing and beautiful.
And last, but certainly not least, here we all are in front of our poster that we presented. For those interested, it was under Division 43, Family Psychology (there are many divisions at APA). Starting from the left is Helen, Lindsay, me, and Maria.
Thanks Maria for all the photos!
And here is the actual military fortress, Alcatraz, which was in use from 1859-1934.
This night we went to the Cliff House restaurant overlooking the ocean (at least, I believe... can't remember which night was the ocean and which night the bay). As we sat at dinner within a matter of minutes we went from being able to see all the water and shore to having the fog completely block our view! It was amazing and beautiful.
And last, but certainly not least, here we all are in front of our poster that we presented. For those interested, it was under Division 43, Family Psychology (there are many divisions at APA). Starting from the left is Helen, Lindsay, me, and Maria.
Thanks Maria for all the photos!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Little Baby Campbell
Yeah! I was able to scan the most recent ultrasound photos! Isn't he the cutest?
You can see his little heart up there and the different chambers... so exciting!
And you can also make out his nose and mouth- his profile :)
Some of them are more detailed than others and I wish I had a video presentation instead of these stills, but still... so cute!
You can see his little heart up there and the different chambers... so exciting!
And you can also make out his nose and mouth- his profile :)
Some of them are more detailed than others and I wish I had a video presentation instead of these stills, but still... so cute!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Week 20
So Christian and I went for our Week-20 ultrasound today to find out how our baby is doing and see if they could confirm the sex of the baby. Can you guess? Well, our initial intuition was correct. We're having a boy! Yes, we are adding to the army of Campbell men. With only three girls and our child being the seventh boy in the Campbell family, the females are certainly being out-numbered. And... my sister, Ruth, has a little boy as well so I guess we're making up for the overwhelming amount of estrogen in the Lane family.
I wish everyone could have seen Christian after we found out the good news. When we reached the waiting room he raised his arms in triumph and walked around in circles as if greeted an audience of great applause. The lady at the front desk laughed and said, "I know what that means!" :) He is indeed a proud father.
I wish I could scan the ultrasound pictures we got today, but unfortunately I've already long-since packed our printer/scanner... but rest assured he is the cutest child I've ever seen. :) And active too!!! He's been moving and flipping around for the past three weeks, but actually seeing him move and flip around on the ultrasound was surreal. He extended and bent his legs, he rolled around, he flexed his hand, he sucked his fingers, and he looked like he waved at us! Amazing. And the coolest thing was that I could feel him nudge my near-by organs/tissue as he did it. :) Every time he moves, I say, "oh, he's awake again." Oh, and he was healthy too. All the organs and bones they can check via ultrasound were doing well (kidneys, heart, lungs, bladder, etc.), and his size is right on track with what they've considered normal development.
Okay, so now for the pictures!!! I received my digital camera in the mail today and now I can have fun posting photos via this blog. This first picture will help illustrate what our lives have been like for the last 2-3 weeks. I've been packing up all these boxes and Christian had the exciting job of piling them on top of each other in the corner of the apartment. I still have to pack up the kitchen and some electronic stuff, but we're making good progress. (and these aren't even all of the boxes!)
If you'll notice, the cat is enjoying the new adventure of climbing on the boxes and finding new places to sleep.... so, I just couldn't resist taking a picture of him laying there.
Isn't he cute? Okay, well, now for the long anticipated (at least by those family members who haven't seen me yet) photo of my growing 'prego' belly. So, here I was today at 20 weeks-- half way through!
I was thinking that I wasn't showing that much, but I guess this picture proves there's something there. :)
I wish everyone could have seen Christian after we found out the good news. When we reached the waiting room he raised his arms in triumph and walked around in circles as if greeted an audience of great applause. The lady at the front desk laughed and said, "I know what that means!" :) He is indeed a proud father.
I wish I could scan the ultrasound pictures we got today, but unfortunately I've already long-since packed our printer/scanner... but rest assured he is the cutest child I've ever seen. :) And active too!!! He's been moving and flipping around for the past three weeks, but actually seeing him move and flip around on the ultrasound was surreal. He extended and bent his legs, he rolled around, he flexed his hand, he sucked his fingers, and he looked like he waved at us! Amazing. And the coolest thing was that I could feel him nudge my near-by organs/tissue as he did it. :) Every time he moves, I say, "oh, he's awake again." Oh, and he was healthy too. All the organs and bones they can check via ultrasound were doing well (kidneys, heart, lungs, bladder, etc.), and his size is right on track with what they've considered normal development.
Okay, so now for the pictures!!! I received my digital camera in the mail today and now I can have fun posting photos via this blog. This first picture will help illustrate what our lives have been like for the last 2-3 weeks. I've been packing up all these boxes and Christian had the exciting job of piling them on top of each other in the corner of the apartment. I still have to pack up the kitchen and some electronic stuff, but we're making good progress. (and these aren't even all of the boxes!)
If you'll notice, the cat is enjoying the new adventure of climbing on the boxes and finding new places to sleep.... so, I just couldn't resist taking a picture of him laying there.
Isn't he cute? Okay, well, now for the long anticipated (at least by those family members who haven't seen me yet) photo of my growing 'prego' belly. So, here I was today at 20 weeks-- half way through!
I was thinking that I wasn't showing that much, but I guess this picture proves there's something there. :)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
Apocalypse?
Hello, this is Christian. I thought that since Emma has written so much I should at least pop in and give the minimum amount of effort... which is pretty common for me. Whatever she said about "Seven" being out of the running, I think she's counting her eggs before they're hatched. I find, after reading Emma's blog, I struggle with similar issues- except in a completely opposite way. Instead of worrying about controlling my child too much I worry that I will not be able to mold and completely and utterly control every aspect of our child's life... ultimately, I would like to vicariously fulfill all my goals through the genetic triumph that will be the melding of Emma and, of course, my powerful genes. But will I truly be able to give our child the skills to finally and truly take over the world? I don't know, but I know that unless our child reaches the utter peak of perfection -- that is, world domination-- he or she will not be spared the rod.
Musings on Moving and Mothering
Christian and I are moving yet again. :) For those of you who've lost count, this will be our fourth residence in our almost four years of marriage. We did manage to stay in our first residence for two years, but since then we've moved at the end of each lease in order to accommodate our commutes (among other various reasons). This will actually be our first move, however, where our square footage will be upgraded. :) We'll be moving from -what Christian affectionately calls- a "half"-bedroom apartment to a 2 bedroom so that we will have a beautiful baby room for our upcoming child... and, well, room for our furniture and guests.
It's amazing how modern conveniences can be taken for granted. For instance, I am really looking forward to having a real kitchen, with a real oven, a real kitchen sink, and a real dishwasher... and a refrigerator that's on the same side of the apartment as the above. :) I'm also loving the fact that we will be blessed by natural sunlight through multiple windows that actually open. Living in a basement can certainly take it's toll on people, and although our current residence has been 'livable' (and would have provided all the necessities of shelter and warmth), I will be happy to say goodbye.
There are a lot of memories in this basement. There were only four months, while living here, that I was not pregnant and during those months I spent them mourning, repressing/denying, and attempting to finish up a hard semester at school and clinical work. There were happy moments, though, too. I just recently developed some old film and came across a photo we took of ourselves with our first positive pregnancy test... I still remember the tearful joy of realizing that all of our planning had suddenly become a reality. And these last months, with our upcoming child, have been beautiful. Granted, the first trimester was not the easiest for me to get through, but I was blessed to have very little on my plate during it so that the nausea and moodiness was, for the most part, restricted to the witness of my husband and I. These last few weeks, however, have been wonderful! I'm loving my growing belly, my renewed energy level, and the feel of little flutterings in my tummy signifying the development of life in my womb.
I talk to 'her' now... even call 'her' by name... (man, it'll be weird if 'she' ends up being a 'he'), it's amazing how much a mother's mind wonders about who this person will be like when they grow up... and will I be the mother I've always wanted to be? Will I allow her (or him) to be her own person, filled with her own dreams and aspirations, or will I pressure her to achieve in ways that suit my temperament more than hers? Will I have the energy to be emotionally available to her when it counts? Am I really wise enough to guide another person in life... aiding in the development of empathy, morality, and justice? Perhaps this is all where grace falls into place, and where the sanctity of dedication (or infant baptism) allows the parent to fully trust the development of their young one to the Lord. I remember my father speaking about how the dedication services have been the hardest parts of his parenting career, where he truly had to give up control over his children's lives and give them entirely to his (and now, my) God.
I think the other thing I keep reminding myself of, as I prepare for this new season in my life, is that this person will not simply be an extension of myself, but rather another human put in my care. It's funny how, even now, as my child rests within my womb, I am preparing for my own separation anxiety... :), can you tell I'm being trained as a psychologist? Well, for the time being, I am enjoying my sleep, my freedom, and my ability to set my own schedule. Christian and I are making the most of these last few months by going to late movies and picking up midnight snacks at the local mexican restaurant affectionately named, "Los," and all-in-all staying up entirely too late on the weekends than our aging bodies can probably really take. :)
Well, I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Labor Day,... and no, Jeff, I don't think we will be using the name Seven for our child, but thank you for the suggestion :)
It's amazing how modern conveniences can be taken for granted. For instance, I am really looking forward to having a real kitchen, with a real oven, a real kitchen sink, and a real dishwasher... and a refrigerator that's on the same side of the apartment as the above. :) I'm also loving the fact that we will be blessed by natural sunlight through multiple windows that actually open. Living in a basement can certainly take it's toll on people, and although our current residence has been 'livable' (and would have provided all the necessities of shelter and warmth), I will be happy to say goodbye.
There are a lot of memories in this basement. There were only four months, while living here, that I was not pregnant and during those months I spent them mourning, repressing/denying, and attempting to finish up a hard semester at school and clinical work. There were happy moments, though, too. I just recently developed some old film and came across a photo we took of ourselves with our first positive pregnancy test... I still remember the tearful joy of realizing that all of our planning had suddenly become a reality. And these last months, with our upcoming child, have been beautiful. Granted, the first trimester was not the easiest for me to get through, but I was blessed to have very little on my plate during it so that the nausea and moodiness was, for the most part, restricted to the witness of my husband and I. These last few weeks, however, have been wonderful! I'm loving my growing belly, my renewed energy level, and the feel of little flutterings in my tummy signifying the development of life in my womb.
I talk to 'her' now... even call 'her' by name... (man, it'll be weird if 'she' ends up being a 'he'), it's amazing how much a mother's mind wonders about who this person will be like when they grow up... and will I be the mother I've always wanted to be? Will I allow her (or him) to be her own person, filled with her own dreams and aspirations, or will I pressure her to achieve in ways that suit my temperament more than hers? Will I have the energy to be emotionally available to her when it counts? Am I really wise enough to guide another person in life... aiding in the development of empathy, morality, and justice? Perhaps this is all where grace falls into place, and where the sanctity of dedication (or infant baptism) allows the parent to fully trust the development of their young one to the Lord. I remember my father speaking about how the dedication services have been the hardest parts of his parenting career, where he truly had to give up control over his children's lives and give them entirely to his (and now, my) God.
I think the other thing I keep reminding myself of, as I prepare for this new season in my life, is that this person will not simply be an extension of myself, but rather another human put in my care. It's funny how, even now, as my child rests within my womb, I am preparing for my own separation anxiety... :), can you tell I'm being trained as a psychologist? Well, for the time being, I am enjoying my sleep, my freedom, and my ability to set my own schedule. Christian and I are making the most of these last few months by going to late movies and picking up midnight snacks at the local mexican restaurant affectionately named, "Los," and all-in-all staying up entirely too late on the weekends than our aging bodies can probably really take. :)
Well, I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Labor Day,... and no, Jeff, I don't think we will be using the name Seven for our child, but thank you for the suggestion :)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Photos from this past spring
Alright, so here are those old pictures I promised. This first set is of when my little sister (though, not so young anymore), Sharon, came out to visit us this past spring. I think it was in April... Sharon, do you remember? We went into the city and had ourselves a blast... don't think I ever spend much time in the city until someone comes out to visit. :) I remember Sharon loved seeing that circular building behind us and to the left because it was on an album cover or something.
Yeah, just some city girls out on the town. This next one is Sharon with her buddies from school who came out for a fun adventure of their own.
Okay, and this last set of photos (I seriously need to take more photos... and actually get them developed) were taken in May... little did we know that we were already pregnant with our second child (I know that may sound odd, and I don't talk like that with most people, but I think I'll always count that first baby among my children). I think I was three weeks along, so the baby was only about a week old in my womb. We found out we were pregnant the day after we arrived home from the trip.
My family were all getting together to travel together to our cousin's wedding in Kansas, but before we left we spent a week together in Omaha. This was my nephew, Aidan's, first visit to Omaha, so it was very exciting. Here I am holding my little godson.
Isn't he sweet? Okay, I can't resist putting another photo of us together...
And this last photo is of my sisters and I (with Aidan, of course) at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Aidan seemed to have a blast. This picture is definitely not my best, but at least my sisters look good in it. :)
Yeah, just some city girls out on the town. This next one is Sharon with her buddies from school who came out for a fun adventure of their own.
Okay, and this last set of photos (I seriously need to take more photos... and actually get them developed) were taken in May... little did we know that we were already pregnant with our second child (I know that may sound odd, and I don't talk like that with most people, but I think I'll always count that first baby among my children). I think I was three weeks along, so the baby was only about a week old in my womb. We found out we were pregnant the day after we arrived home from the trip.
My family were all getting together to travel together to our cousin's wedding in Kansas, but before we left we spent a week together in Omaha. This was my nephew, Aidan's, first visit to Omaha, so it was very exciting. Here I am holding my little godson.
Isn't he sweet? Okay, I can't resist putting another photo of us together...
And this last photo is of my sisters and I (with Aidan, of course) at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Aidan seemed to have a blast. This picture is definitely not my best, but at least my sisters look good in it. :)
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