Sick and Tired

Although I haven't had to deal with the snowy weather or freezing temperatures, my body decided to create a little natural disaster of its own these past few days. I'm no longer running a fever, but had to resort to using Tylenol yesterday, since my temperature was running close to 101 degrees. At this point, the floodwaters (or floodmucus) have made their way to my nose and are running full force. At least I don't have a fever, which was my main concern. I hope to be better by Monday at the latest so I can go see my students without interruption.

My next appointment is February 9th, but we aren't going to be doing a sonogram unless there is a need.

It's Official

I have officially popped. My hip bones are disappearing! Though you can't see it with my clothes on, I have a little bump in my lower abdomen area. And, if I'm diagnosing this correctly, my fundus (the top of my uterus) is about an inch above my belly button. This is particularly alarming, as the baby books say by the end of the fourth month (around week 17), it should be right around your belly button, maybe even a bit below it. I'm halfway through my fourteenth week now. Let the bulging begin!

Hi, there! We're already each the size of your closed fist. These pictures are SO 12 weeks!

Fear and Bloating in San Antonio

The scary thing about pregnancy is, well, everything. Each little gurgle in your stomach (even though it's probably gas) makes you jump, each cramp is terrifying, and each meal you eat has to be screened for nutrients. It's the hardest thing I've done so far, and I'm only eleven weeks into it. I'm not sure the fear of something going wrong will ever subside, but I do hope each ultrasound brings good news that I can fall back on when I'm feeling anxious.

My next appointment is January 11th, and it's a big one, since this is where I will have the ultrascreen done. This will test for spinal abnormalities as well as the likelihood of having a child with Down Syndrome. Jeff will not be able to make it, since the appointment is at the same time as his first day of class this semester. I'm really excited to see him look at the screen for the first time, though, and it seems that may happen when we find out the sexes, in about a month.

I'm starting to bulge a bit, but it's not as bad in the mornings, so I know a lot of my size has to do with bloating. Once I definitely am showing, we'll take some pictures and post them. I'll feel safe telling the "world" about the news in about a month, once we're clearly out of the first trimester and things look good.

Canyon Lake Park

We're trying to get settled here in Texas, but things are still a bit chaotic. I have no idea how to get anywhere other than the Target, the HEB and the Lowes. I'm still waiting to hear back about whether I got an interview from the job fair. Jeff is getting back into working mode now that I'm here to help with MacGyver. We're living out of boxes, but are hoping to change that soon. I'm either constantly sick or suffering from allergies.

It's fun. I know I made it sound like a mess, but I like it.

The other day we went on a picnic with Mac. We decided to go to a place called Canyon Lake, about 30 minutes outside of San Antonio on the way to Austin. It was gorgeous. There were hundreds of people tubing down the Guadalupe River, and the Canyon Lake itself was stunning. We had to hike down a bit of a rocky trail before getting to the water, which was a crystal blue against the gray backdrop of the rocks. There were even little waves from the boats on the lake; we think this was the first time Mac saw waves, so he was a bit hesitant at first, but he quickly fell in love with them. While we pseudo-ate (the dog was a bit excited), Mac galloped around the shore and teased the water with his white-tipped paws. He loved it, and, although it wasn't the typical relaxing picnic we have been wired to expect, we loved it, too.

When you come to visit we'll have to take you out there for a swim.

Nostalgia

I'm purging here at GHS on my last official day of school, I want you all to know that, even though I keep moving away from family, I don't want to rid or lessen the value of any of my relationships with you because of the distance between us. It's hard to be apart from people I love, but I hope this step serves as a chance to better the time I spend with you all. Plus, there is always Skype, right?

Though I'm in a bit of a nostalgic mood, it's well mixed with pure exhaustion, so I hope my message is coming across.

Kerri

Our new pup!

Here's the picture Michelle from Phoenix Animal Rescue took of us and MacGyver's foster parents the day we got him. I'll post more once Jeff can upload them to his computer after everything is unpacked.

Furr Drive Update

Hey guys,

So, we're actually going to close on the house this month. Our loan officer is bonkers, so I'm not sure I understand why the change back to May, but it saves us some money and is more comforting for both of us. The new--and hopefully final--date is May 27th.

We're also "buying" Mac today, so we will get him on Sunday. So, all I have to get through is Prom this weekend and then packing before Jeff leaves on Tuesday morning. And, all Jeff has to get through is writing his butt off to get as much of his dissertation done as possible before the move. It's going to be a crazy week/weekend, but we're generally looking forward to it.

Miss you all!

Love,
Kerri