Doctor Update

Well, another doctor's appointment down, only a few more to go! Matthew was once again his charming self at the doctor today. He was well behaved and received clearance to remain another week in the womb! My blood pressure was 120/82 which is great considering I gained almost 11 pounds since my visit 2 weeks ago! Most of the weight gain is water weight as evidenced by my ever increasing ankle size. My doctor told me no one can gain 11 pounds in 2 weeks at the end of their pregnancy unless it is water because there is not enough room for that much food anymore. I had to remove my wedding ring today which made me kind of sad, but I know this is only temporary. We just finished eating out with my parents at Cork N Cleaver to celebrate my graduation. I am sure the extra sodium in my Thai Peanut Chicken will help with the swelling! The one thing I am looking forward to with all this swelling is knowing what it is like to lose 10+ pounds over a couple days once this little guy arrives (it will be like a miracle diet)!!!! My doctor also cut my work hours back to 8 hour shifts instead of 12 hours. I am just hoping I can find shoes that my feet will fit into for work tomorrow! Have a great weekend!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Charlie and Becca on the birth of their son Logan Christopher on Monday! I went to nursing school with Becca and we have been sharing our first pregnancy experiences with each other! So happy for you both! He's adorable!

Thankful Wednesday

Since I missed last week while at camp, I decided to post Thankful Thursdays a day early!
Today, I am thankful for...

1. IOH surgeons. Last week while we were at camp, my Uncle Mark required unexpected triple bypass surgery. He is only 52 years old and this was a pretty scary time for all of us. He is recovering in the hospital, and we are all thankful for the technology that made it possible to know that he had 2 arteries that were 100% blocked and one that was 75% blocked. We are all praying for a speedy recovery for him.

2. Facebook. I have been a member of this lovely invention for some time now but never really checked in to see if anyone left me a message. Since getting home from camp, I have made many new friends on Facebook and look forward to keeping up with the kids throughout the year.

3. Nail polish. I actually managed to paint my own toenails today! It was quite a feat and I am sure it would have been funny to watch, but the job is done! Hopefully, this paint job will last me until Matthew arrives!

4. GRADUATION!!!! Hallelujah! I have officially finished all the requirements for my Master's degree. I should have a diploma that makes it official very soon!

5. Leftovers! I haven't had to go to the grocery since we got home from camp because of all the leftovers from the wedding shower I hosted on Sunday!!!!! I typically do not like leftovers, but this week I LOVE them!

Sleepy Head

Hello! Good to be back among the blogging world. I think I am still recovering from camp. I felt fabulous the entire time we were gone and Matthew behaved himself! I gave him a little pep talk before we left for camp. I think the week has kind of caught up with me. Yesterday, I spent most of the day in bed. Today, I have been up and around, but am starting to feel tired now that I sat down at the computer to catch up. My cankles are a permanent fixture these days and I don't think I could get me feet in regular shoes if I wanted to. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and I am hoping she might check to see if I am dilated yet. I have been having a few contractions here and there but nothing too exciting yet! Will keep everyone posted! Have a great week!

Back Home Again In Indiana!

We're Back!!! We had a GREAT time at camp this week. The theme of this week's camp was "GRACE". We watched one of my favorite movies, "Hoosiers" this week, had great Bible studies, had a very good group (Detroit Red Wings), played a lot of sports, and just had a wonderful time with everyone. Jamie got along just fine this week and everyone was glad to see she had not had Matthew while we were up in Michigan! It actually took until Thursday for at least 3 campers to notice that she was pregnant! Teenagers are so funny! We didn't have a lot of time to take pictures, but here are some that we did take. I'm hoping to get some more from some of the kids' Facebook pages! Enjoy.

Doctor Update

Just wanted you all to know that the doctor has cleared Matthew and I for camp! My blood pressure was great today and she said he looked good on the ultrasound. She also told us that he was a good sized baby, but not too big! That was nice to hear. She said that his larger size did not mean an early induction or even that he would arrive early! So, August 25th is still what we are planning on!
Signing off for now!
See ya next week!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Air conditioning!!!!

2. My mom and sister. I have been getting ready to host a wedding shower the day after we get home from camp, and they have been so much help! My mom is helping me make most of the food and my sister is helping me get my house in order. Have I mentioned that I love some of the perks that come along with pregnancy? I figure I might as well accept the help while it's being offered! Thanks to both of you!

3. My washing machine. Even though it has run over twice in the last month, I am thankful that we have a place in our home to do laundry. The two times it ran over were our fault, so we can hardly blame the machine! I love coming into our house and smelling fresh, clean laundry.

4. My co-workers. A couple weeks ago they threw a baby shower for me, and yesterday, I received a phone call that there were more gifts waiting to be picked up from some of the girls who couldn't make it to the shower! I really do work with a great bunch of people and am grateful for their kindness to me during this pregnancy.

5. Grace. This is the topic of the CAC devotions for this year. I am so thankful that each day I can start anew because my God is bigger than me and loves me in spite of me!

This may be our last post before we leave for camp. I will probably be taking next week off from blogging. No news is good news as far as blogging goes! Please pray for us as we travel to camp and spend a week with some amazing kids! We look forward to sharing some camp stories with you when we return!

Clear for Take-off!!!

Well, we just got home from our ultrasound.... The ultrasound technician informed us that Matthew is locked and loaded which means head down and ready for exit. We were wondering whether we needed to call the traffic control tower to request a fly-by before his arrival. She also told us she was willing to stake her entire week's pay on the fact that Matthew was a boy (keep in mind this was the same girl who told us we were having a little girl 14 weeks ago).

The BIGGEST news of all is that Matthew is weighing in at a hefty 6 lbs 6 ozs today. Since we have 6 weeks to go, there is a great possibilty that our little guy might be wearing toddler clothes home from the hospital! We weren't sure whether Ryan's nightly dose of ice cream has caused our baby's large size or the entire package of sandwich cookies Jamie has had over the last week. Either way, we both decided to celebrate with a large twist ice cream cone from Zesto's on the way home! Jamie has one more doctor's appointment Friday afternoon to get cleared for camp and then we will be praying for a delivery sometime after July 27th! Gotta start packing! Have a great week!

Thankful Thursdays

Today, I am thankful for:

1. Beautiful weather! I have been able to spend some quality time outside over the last couple weeks. I was so worried that I would be miserable this summer with the heat, however, so far so good.

2. Encouraging people. I have been blessed with some really encouraging people in my life during this pregnancy, people who say things like, "I can hardly tell you are pregnant" even though I know there is no mistaking it these days. I have become more conscious of what I say to people throughout this process. I have decided that no one wants to be told, "You look puffy," whether they are pregnant or not (yes, someone actually said this to me at the end of a 12 hour shift at work).

3. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Cream. Well, I must say I was not a firm believer in this stuff until I actually tried it. In all my schooling I have been told that stretch marks are familial and you cannot really prevent them. Well, a few weeks ago, my belly started to erupt with them. I have been a tad self conscious about it, even with Ryan, so I bought some Palmer's just to try it. After only a few days of using it, I can tell that they are starting to fade already! HOORAY! Now, I just smell like cocoa butter all the time which makes me hungry!

4. Our recliner. Last night around 1:30 I developed the most awful heartburn. I couldn't stand laying flat, so I got up and went and slept in the recliner. I was able to sleep great until about 6 AM when Ryan was up and around. I went back to our bed then and was able to sleep for another hour or so. That recliner has been a lifesaver on a couple of occasions throughout this pregnancy.

5. Christian Athletic Camp. One week from Saturday Ryan and I will be heading to Grand Rapids, MI to counsel at CAC. This will be my 9th year at camp (5 years as a camper, 4 as a counselor). It is one of the highlights of our summer and we are so excited to be able to go this year!!!! Please pray for the campers and the counselors as we all prepare to converge on Caledonia Middle School for a week full of sports and Jesus!!!! It's always such an incredible time!

Olympic Pineapple Swimming

WEEK 33 UPDATE...
Matthew is now weighing in at a hefty 4 pounds, and is about 17 inches long. Hard to imagine all that fitting in Jamie's belly area. Matthew's skeleton is starting to harden, making him look much less alien at this time in the pregnancy. He has been quite the kicker all along, and seems to especially enjoy spaghetti and ice cream. If push comes to shove, and Jamie is late delivering, I'll feed her spaghetti flavored ice cream, and he should be doing the butterfly stroke right down the birth canal. Ok, so that was a little gross. Sorry. With all the Olympic swimming on television, Jamie is wondering whether we have the next Michael Phelps in her belly.
Jamie is scheduled for another ultrasound next week, just to make sure that Matthew really has turned. Then another doctor's appointment next Friday.
We are really looking forward to the little guy making an appearance soon. But not too soon, as we are still going to camp in 2 weeks, so any time after that would be great!

The Return of the CANKLES!!!!

Well, this morning when I got home from work, my cankles (calves and ankles so swollen you can't distinguish between the two) had returned. I told Ryan I felt like I had duck feet!!!! After a few hours sleep and some spaghetti and garlic bread, they have reduced to just slightly swollen! I am pretty sure the spaghetti had nothing to do with their reduction, but it certainly tasted YUMMY! Ryan even surprised me and made it the way I like it (my way=lots of sauce, his way=barely coated with sauce and dry noodles).

Hope everyone had a nice 4th! I worked all weekend, so I enjoyed one firework that I saw from the window of the hospital! Oh well, my job security is never in question! Speaking of hospitals, we just got home from visiting my grandma in the emergency room. She has been coughing for the last day or so, and we finally convinced her to go to the hospital today after a pretty scary night of not being able to catch her breath! The doctor thinks she either has pneumonia or bronchitis and we are awaiting the test results to find out for sure. I am going back to the hospital after while to find out!

Life is otherwise normal around here. Ryan is taking his afternoon nap, and I am trying to get motivated to work on homework! Only a few more days and school will be over!!! I am getting very excited and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! After being in school for 21+ years, I am looking forward to a break from the books for awhile!

Have a great week!!!

Thankful Thursdays...Ryan Style

Today, I am thankful for...

1. A baby heading the right direction. We had a doctor's appointment this afternoon, and Jamie's doctor seems to think that Matthew has decided that head-first is the way to go. Talk about an answer to prayers! Soon, he'll be heading on out!

2. Oreos. Jamie and I went to the grocery last night to get some things for this weekend. Oreos were not on the list. Jamie sent Ryan to get things near the Oreo aisle. Oreos jumped into the cart. Ryan eats a whole row of Oreos before bed. Ryan is happy.

3. Being NEAR family and friends. Seriously, has anyone noticed the ga$ price$?

4. My beautiful wife. She is still getting no sleep, is uncomfortable most of the time, and has to live with a husband who doesn't always find the right words to say at the right times. With all that is happening to her, she continues to amaze me with her love and grace toward me. I love you, hun.

5. Our independence. This weekend, when we are partying and having a great time with family and friends, I hope all of us remember the ones that have served and are serving our country. I am so thankful to live in the United States of America. One of the reasons why this country is so great is because of the soldiers who protect it. I have the greatest respect for those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country. My prayer is that they will someday soon be able to come home to their families.

Big Baby Means Big Diapers

ONLY 8 WEEKS TO GO!!! It hardly seems possible to think that in less than two months, we will be with child! Jamie seems calm as can be. I am trying to act like I am, but inside I am just as anxious as a three year old the night before Christmas. I'll try to contain my excitement enough to finish the growth report. Matthew now weighs about 3.75 pounds (about the size of a large jicama). Don't ask...I don't know what a jicama is, either. He should be about 17 inches long, and will gain about a pound a week over the next 7 weeks. Which, if I do my math correctly, does that mean we'll be having a 10.75 pound baby??? Holy big baby!

In other Peppler news, we bought a minivan last week. No, it's not orange. Actually, it's black. It's a 2007 Kia Sedona. We started a tradition several years ago of naming every car we have had. For instance, Jamie's Alero was named Beverly. My Explorer was named Malcolm (Malcolm Ex). My sister had a Cougar that she named Johnny Cougar. Just another example of how odd we are. The problem is that our new vehicle does not have a name. I'll put a picture of the van below. We need a name for our van. Send us your entry, and you'll receive a prize*.



*Prize mentioned above is purely the satisfaction that you named our van. Thank you for playing.