half way there...

... well, a little over half... we are about 22 weeks now into this pregnancy.

Feeling great besides this awful head cold that came out of nowhere. This baby boy ( another boy!!! :) ) is a lot quieter than his brother was, until daddy is around, or when I lay down at night. Then it is like a circus show in my belly. His favorite thing is using my bladder as a trampoline.

Since we found out we were pregnant, I have been preparing for another boy, though everyone else thought or hoped for a girl. We had a name picked out for a girl, but the boy name .. no idea. After we found out he was a he... my mind was swimming. I had been looking names on line, tkaing suggestions .. nothing sounded right.. nothign 'clicked'. Then as I was blow drying my hair, a name passed through my mind, and I could almost see the face that went with it, and I knew it was this little boys name. Samuel. Samuel Arthur (my dads middle name). Perfect.

Oh my lord, I cant wait to meet this little guy and hold him in my arms!!!!!

This school semester is almost over. Got lots of stuff to do for my finals. We get 8 days off, then return back for Fall semester. That will go until December 13.... gives me jut about a month to really get ready for Samuel, due around the 6th-ish if January. Oh! And I might be starting an internship next semester for a wonderful lady who owns her own interior design firm. I used to house sit for her when I worked at the vet clinics. I really look up to her. Very strong and smart lady. So we will see what pans out.

So far we still dont have insurance.... There was some miscommunication (long story.) at Ians work, so we wont be getting it until November, and we still arent sure if I will be covered for this pregnancy. We are looking into some alternatives just in case, and might even consider doing a home birth with a midwife. No matter what, this baby is coming, so we just need to figure out the safest way we can do it. Unfortunetly it really cuts down the amount of doc visits, etc... I 'need'.. but everything seems ok, so I guess its no big deal. The family pulled together and helped us pay for the ultrasound on Wednesday.. something we are massively grateful for, and deeply touched. Thank you again everyone.

Well, I gotta get back to school work. More updates as we go along...

so.... whats new?

Not a whole lot, to be honest. School is keeping me super super busy. I am growing by the day it seems.. incredible how fast this is all going. We are almost half way there!! I feel the baby everyday now.. not often, but at random times through the day. We are truly amazed about all of this still. Elliott is getting more excited it seems, and asks me questions about the baby every day. He will ask if the baby likes cake, or if the baby likes to play ball.. lol! He is so wonderful. He is going to be such a fun big brother.

I went to see a chiropracter; my midwife recommended it. I have come to find tht my pelvis doesnt move the way it should, and that all of the nerves in my lower back are basically 'shut off'. Not going to be very helpful in the birthing process, and they wonder if that could have been a contributor to me having to have a C-section with Elliott, on top of the epidural, etc. So, we are going to try and get some treament going, but it is extremely costly. I really hope we can at least get some minimal help; enough to help me along on this path of a natural birth......

Well, we are down to a 2 cat household now. A few weeks ago we had to put down swett Lolli-Pop. many issues we just couldn't fix. It was an extremely hard decision to make. The peace in our home is noitcable now, and the two originals, Banshee and Mira (aka the Beaner) are such happy girls now.

That is really all, besides that it is still hot, I just turned 30, and I am sadly obsessed with the British TV show HEX, thanx to my dear Aunt Lynne.. :). I will probably be posting again in a couple weeks, when we find out what this baby is (boy or girl). I hope it is sooner than later. xoxo

photography

Hey, so, I thought I would post a couple links to my photography websites so those of you who havent seen much of it, can see what I love doing in my spare time... which is very spare.

http://jpgmag.com/people/Jillian

http://www.myspace.com/camerunningphoto2

thanx for the love and support~

Our first entry. (aka I dont know what I am doing).

Hey! yeah, thanx for checking out our blog page. Figured it would be a good way to keep in touch and fill everyone in on whats up with us.

Lil E is doing great. Had a bout of illness the other day, but he is strong.. pulled right out of it without a complaint. He is so wonderful. We are still working on potty traing, thought the #1 thing is pretty much conquered.. its #2 that is really the problem now. Isn't it always? Ian is working hard as ever. Still waiting for news of a career position to open at the post office..... School is awesome right now. Really loving my architectural drafting class and textiles. Cant wait to be off my online logics class.. also have a building codes class which technically hasn't started because my school is so awesome that they didnt have a teacher to teach the class when it started... this school sometimes.. But, I am already through with 1 year! probably 3 more to go since I will be taking 3 months off when the baby gets here.

Speaking of....... things are well! Just went in for my 4 month checkup! Heart beat is good and strong.. I am actually starting to show a tiny bit. I haven't felt it yet, but man I can't wait. Giving me a hell of a time with Braxton Hicks contractions though. never had these with Elliott. Guess i better get used to them... Still don't know what we are having. Will probably be another month before we do.

We are planning a natural birth (i.e. no drugs). We are really excited, and doing tons of researche on how to make it really work for us. We will still be delivering in a hospital, but with the assistance of a midwife and doula only. I will labor at home as long as I feel I want to.. the less time at the hospital the better.

- this is at 10 weeks -

Well, I am not sure what else to write. That is pretty much what is going on besides hot weather and lots of chocolate cake eating.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo