Sandy diapers and a Medical Degree

Ah, life.  Life is wild and WE, my friends, are certifiably crazy.  So, here's what's happening in our world: My husband Rhett has decided, after over a decade in finance, that his calling in life is to be a doctor.  So guess who is starting medical school in the Caribbean in TEN days?  That's right, Rhett Buttars.  In other news, I am 8.473 months pregnant and having our third child in TWENTY days (or less, as my babies historically come 2-3 weeks early!).  However, I will NOT be delivering a child in the Caribbean.  I'll hang back here and have her on American soil, and then join my husband in a month or two, whenever I feel ready to move our 3 children across the ocean to a tiny - though beautiful - island.  So there's our newsflash.  For a Q & A, keep reading...

Typically, when we tell people, the same questions arise:

1.  So is he going to be there for the birth?

   - Possibly.

2.  So is he going to miss the birth?

     - Probably.  I'm not above Skyping it.  So if you'd like to watch also (you perv), then just call your old hacker buddy, and figure that out, mmmkay?

3.  Why the Caribbean?

     - So Rhett can start immediately.  He started his college career pre-med, so he's got the pre-reqs done.  But they are all about 15 years old.  And US Med Schools put an expiration date on their pre-reqs, typically 5-7 years.  Carribean Med Schools accept Rhett's old dusty pre-reqs.  So he can start now!  

4.  How long will you live in the Caribbean, and which island?

Anguilla, circled in RED.  Tiny little dot, right middle.

     - Only 16 months on the island of Anguilla (across from St. Martin, just east of Puerto Rico), followed by 2 years of clinicals in Chicago.  So we will be back to the US before my oldest even starts Kindergarten.

5.  Can he practice in the United States when he's done? 

     - Absolutely.  This Caribbean School only takes US and Canadian students, and their education is geared to pass all US Boards.  He will have to pass all American tests.  The more people we talk to, the more I learn that far more doctors went to Caribbean schools than I realized.  

6.  Are you excited?  

     - Mostly.  Rhett is happier than he has ever been, and so that makes me happy.  I'm always up for an adventure.  The timing is truly horrible, which obviously complicates things.  So I'm a little nervous, a little overwhelmed, and mostly excited.

unexpected progress

FIRST, some pictures I've been meaning to post.

We decided to have a little spontaneous photo shoot after church last Sunday with the big Buddha belly. This was the day of the daylight savings change, and I did not account for how quickly we would lose the light. I wanted to try to capture some of the gorgeous dusk shots that we have in Mountain Green, but no dice. So forgive the lighting and forgive the sometimes blurry shots. I present to you the best we've got. :)
(Belly @ 35.5 weeks)

Oh - below, I stumbled upon this gem in one of the folders on my flash drive. One might think this is was our Halloween costume from this year - current belly photo - but no. This is was in 2006 - before we were married - at the annual White Trash ChrismAss Bash at Windsor's cabin (legendary). All guests are encouraged to come in their finest White Trash attire. Hence, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. I thought of repeating the costume this year with the REAL belly, rather than the one below which is made of a couple of towels. But frankly, I lost the motivation. ;)

Ah, memories.

AND NOW, let's move on to the unexpected progress, shall we?

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday, at 36 weeks, 4 days. I've been feeling great, no real pain or discomfort. And I've had a total of 4 contractions this entire pregnancy, which all happened last week. But nothing regular or sustained, and none for a few days now. My due date is Dec. 9, and I have fully anticipated lasting until then. So you can imagine my surprise when the doctor told me I was dilated to a FOUR, when we still have 3 1/2 weeks to go. Four seems like a lot to me! That's like almost halfway to baby time! Still feeling good, though. So for now we'll wait and see what happens.

Dr. Naisbitt said that when something does start to happen, though, get to the hospital quick, because he doesn't think my labor will be very long. When he was 'checking' me - a first, I might add, and not my favorite - he said "Now this isn't your first baby, right?" Yes, yes it is. "Oh wow. Well you've got a cervix to be jealous of." Thanks, doc. I've never received such a compliment. ;)

And Birtha, wow, my little angel is one heck of a chunker! 1 month ago (at 7 months pregnant) she was measuring about 5lbs, 6 oz. Two weeks ago, she measured about 6lbs, 5 oz. So a solid pound gain in just 2 weeks. And now, 2 weeks later, the doctor measured her again to get an estimated size. He took the measurements once, and then said he needed to do it again more accurately, because he didn't believe the size he was getting. Guess what the MORE accurate measurement was... SEVEN pounds, FIFTEEN ounces! She gained another pound and a half in 2 weeks. So our little girl is just a sliver shy of 8 lbs, with 3 1/2 weeks left to cook. You could see her cute little baby fat rolls on the ultrasound! Can not wait to meet my little chunky monkey.

Given this unexpected news, I'm very curious as to what all of you think about it!

I'm taking guesses

on her

BIRTH DATE & BIRTH WEIGHT!

Please enter your guesses in the comments, and the closest guess will get a rediculously cool prize.

something's in the water

I love Rhett. Not sure if I've mentioned that in a while. He makes me happy. And I know he's going to be such a great dad. I don't know who's more excited for Baby Birtha's arrival, him or me.

Last Sunday, at 33.5 weeks.

And the Sunday before, at 32.5 weeks.



And holy pregnant ladies, Batman -- check out all my hot pregnant friends! And had we had the baby shower just 2 weeks earlier, then Megan on the far left would have had that little guy inside too! From left: Megan (with Henry), Marina, Courtney, Emily, Venessa, and yours truly.

And the high school reunion on the couch moment- thanks for coming to the shower, ladies!

Lydia, Nat, Shanna, Angie, Lacey, Michelle, and Haley (the little girls are Lacey's and Michelle's)

Brunch was amazing. Melanie, your homemade quiche is basically the highlight of my life. And thanks for sharing your gorgeous home with us. Skyler was a real champ given that we went OVERtime.

Seriously, guys, the generosity was out of this world. Thanks again! Maybe I'll get the thank you notes in the mail, maybe I won't. The stars will have to align.

And kudos to Holly for staying up all night to finish this masterpiece of a quilt in time for the baby shower! Would you get a load of all those darling ruffles?? When I think of the hours and hours she must have spent on this quilt and the astounding amount of joy it brought to me, I realize that I'll never be that domestic, and I'm most likely a bad person for it! ;)

And again, Melanie, thanks for all the darlingness oozing from every inch of this baby shower. I realize the bad lighting in this photo doesn't do it justice, but she spelled out 'baby girl' with onesies on a clothesline.

And to all the picture-dodgers who intentionally stepped out of every photo op - you know who you are - next time I have the chance, I'll snap a really unflattering photo of you when you're not ready. And I'll post it right here for the world to see. And that will teach you to mess with me when I'm trying for tender group togetherness shots!

Someone is soooo grounded...

I died laughing. Please enjoy.

{and please pardon the expletive.}

Birtha does Lake Powell, and other such nonsense

We went down to Lake Powell for the few days prior to and including Conference Weekend. And it was probably the most perfect trip of all time. The weather was incredible!
It was not too hot, not too cold, and it never got windy like it usually does down there. The water stayed glass the entire time - which translated to very comfortable, non-bumpy boat rides for little ole me and the Fetus, whom we affectionately call Birtha {for now}.


I've been repeatedly pestered to post belly shots. I truly love to see belly shots of other people. Turns out, I like them much less when they're of my lovely largeness. But, your wish is my command. Above and below, Birtha at 30 weeks, enjoying a little boat ride.


We found the coolest canyon with this "fire dancing" on the canyon walls the entire time. It was one of the coolest canyons I've ever seen in all my days of exploring Powell. At the back of the little canyon, another boater informed us that if you hike up a little, there is a waterfall. So off we went, over the river and through the woods to find this mystical waterfall.
We had to overcome many obstacles - including climbing this creatively rigged ladder made of old ski ropes and driftwood.

The men tested it out before I attempted it.

Tell you what, Birtha loves an adventure. Best part of the adventure is a tie* between finding a little frog hopping around the wet sand, and watching Nate try to scale a slimy moss-covered wall. He failed miserably and ended up leaving a sliding butt trail down the steep mossy slope and doing a back-flop into the freezing pool of water below. The adventure ended when we realized that the little drizzle next to the scary ladder actually WAS the waterfall. It was breathtaking, I assure you.

*Not a tie at all. Not even close. Sorry little frog, you can't compete.

And in other news needing updates:

The nursery is coming together!

Rhett, my manly man, set up the crib like a pro.

He's so stinkin cute I can't even stand it.

We had a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Venessa last week. I'll let you guess just by looking at our bellies who is further along. And if you guessed me, well you'd be wrong. She's a whole month ahead of me. It is beyond me how she's got a nearly full-term baby inside there. Where does she put it? It was at this exact moment that I realized the honest truth of my hugeness. But aside from that, so SO excited that we are having kids just a month apart! And they are both little girls, so I can't wait for them to have a cousin their age to be buddies with! I know my cousins were my absolute best friends growing up. I would love to see that happen with our kids.


And one last belly shot to bid you farewell - 31.5 weeks and counting!

food for thought

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

"pregnant women do the weirdest things."

This morning I was enjoying my breakfast of champions at my desk. My boss came into my office to hand me a file, looked at my plate of deliciousness, and said,

"That looks disgusting. Pregnant women do the weirdest things."

I was eating a peice of toast with peanut butter and jam on it.