32 Weeks!

So they say you're not supposed to fly much past 34 weeks or so.  I now know the reason.  And I'm not totally convinced it's 'cause they think the baby might pop out on the seat-cushion-used-as-a-flotation-device due to all that cabin pressure.  The odds of that happening are still as slim as the little guy sayin' a premature 'How do ya do?' in the frozen juice aisle at Safeway, or making his triumphant entry on a leisurely stroll to the mailbox in search of the tax return.  The reality is, if he's comin', he's comin', and if he ain't, he ain't, whether you're 42,000 feet in the air or lying prostrate on a couch with both feet elevated on a pillowed ottoman.  

No, I now believe the reason women are strongly encouraged not to fly into the 30s weeks is purely because of discomfort and bladder control.  The baby isn't the issue, mommy is.  You think it's difficult getting comfortable on a queen bed with a pillowtop mattress and memory foam?  Try an upright seat designed for an 85 pound prepubescent with unfathomable muscular and structural resilience.  And one would assume if it is difficult to get comfortable with 5 bed pillows, 2 throw pillows, a body pillow, and a down comforter, then it would be mighty tricky to get some shut-eye with a thin, flat airline pillow the size of a handkerchief and a standard navy 'whose hair is that on this' blanket.  And to top it off, it was as if the dinging sound of the seatbelt sign was Beckett's magical cue to start doggy-paddling all over Alexis' bladder.  

Favorite quote of the flight (all 4 flights actually): Alexis: "Umm, can I still go to the bathroom even though the seatbelt sign is on?"  Stewardess (Looking at her face, then stomach, then face, then stomach): "Ma'am, I'm supposed to tell you that you can't get up with the light on, but the bathroom is up there, and I'm walking back here (wink)."  That's service.  Way to stay classy Northwest Airlines.  Now if they could just work on that leg room.

All that to say, Michael Junior's (Alexis' brother's) wedding in Kentucky was awesome!  The ceremony was held in the bride's family's beautiful country back yard.  The impending storm held off (thanks to a multitude of urgent prayers).  It was great to see family and friends, and to spend time with Michael before his big day.  Favorite quote of the wedding weekend: Michael to Alexis (who had yet to see her pregnant in person): "You look like a basketball.  But I'm a little disappointed.  I really thought you'd be like a beach ball by now."  Alexis: "Thanks Michael."

31 weeks!

Beckett's first home!

So there's nothing that's got STRESS written all over it, besides being 7 months pregnant, like moving!  As one of my ninth grade basketball girls told me, "Coach, it's kinda hard to nest when you ain't got a nest."  Thanks Kate.  I know.  But when our landlord told us that he was selling his 'bottom-fell-out, who-would've-guessed-it-was-that-bad-of-an-investment' townhome, we had to skiddadle, eventually.  Of course as far as he was concerned we could stay as long as we wanted.  Right up until his house sold.  Sure, great plan for us.  Let's wait until possibly 2 weeks until the due date, and then be told we'd have to up and move.  Or, perhaps better yet, wait until we had a 2 month old crying, pooping, and needing feedings every few hours, and try to pack the house and U-Haul.  That sounds wise.  No.  We told our landlord we'd be out in 10 days, guaranteed.  

Sure enough, we found a house on a Wednesday, signed the lease on a Friday, and moved in the following Friday (with much help from friends I might add).  Two weeks later (after back-to-back Spring Breaks - Alexis' then mine) we are lovin' it.  It is 3.4 miles from the old place, so no relocation really.  And it is much, much bigger (like almost twice the square footage) for less rent per month.  Yes, God is faithful.  We have 3 bedrooms plus a huge bonus room.  Large deck with monstrous back yard (Roxy, being a 15 pound Dachshund-Beagle, looks like a Black Stallion roaming the countryside).  And I spent my spring break painting Beckett's room (transforming the not-so-masculine peach walls to a, apropos if you follow March Madness, TarHeel blue).  

We are flying to Kentucky next Thursday for Alexis' brother's wedding, so pray for us.  Pray that Alexis is as comfortable as possible on a transcontinental flight.  And pray of course that, especially since we will only be 32 weeks, we don't go into labor, as Beckett will be premature, and we don't know any doctors in the South, though I'm sure they are quite friendly and cordial.

"A house is made of walls and beams; a home is made of hopes and dreams."