As of Late...

I've mostly been consumed with baby stuff. I shouldn't be, it's bad for my mental health. I've finally hit 37 weeks, the magical "full term" mark. But, I'm trying to keep up my mind game of James arriving one week late, which means four more really long weeks. The thought kills me at moments.

On the bright side, I've actually been a lot more comfortable. I can stand for longer than 30 minutes! This is a miracle. I can actually go grocery shopping and not limp out of the store using the cart as a walker. I don't have to lie down to recuperate after a walk, making dinner or showering and getting ready. And I can breath much easier, never a bad thing!

These of course come along with the fact that I never sleep well, have nightmares, every night all night long, usually about someone trying to kill me (could this be a parallel to how I'm actually feeling about being pregnant?), my maternity clothes are getting too small, I can't do the dishes because I can't get close enough to the sink and best of all I have a constant smear of who knows what just below my bellybutton which is also just below my line of sight. Taylor laughs at me constantly because I can't tell how dirty I am. I'm just not used to my stomach rubbing up against everything. 

Exhibit one, making breakfast Saturday morning a few weeks ago, you'd think I'd be able to see all that flour on me, nope. We laughed pretty hard when Taylor pointed it out to me and then even harder when I realized how Taylor was wearing his shorts.

Yep, inside out. We're going to make great parents. 

On a more successful note, the nursery is coming together. I'll take photos once it's a little more together, the crib is currently a holding tank for, well, pretty much everything. But, at least now you can see the floor!

Taylor was so proud of himself for putting the crib together! He blasted pandora and got to work. I had no idea he took these pics, he really wanted to commemorate the moment :) 

What a proud Dad!! He was so excited about the carseat. According to my mom, my dad has a very similar picture with Allison's carseat. Cute. 

I successfully completed my first sewing project! I used leftover fabric from a quilt Grandma Becky is making for James and a generous stack of other fabric scraps to put a little runner together to cover the top of his dresser/changing table. I'm pretty proud of myself :) Don't look too closely, there are plenty of mistakes. But for my first ever attempt, I'd say not too shabby! Now onto the hard part of the batting, backing, quilting, binding etc...it might have to wait for Grandma Becky to be 100% finished. 

So, the obsession with baby stuff...try as I might it's really hard to think about anything else. Alas, the countdown continues and my mind games live on. Any suggestions on surviving the last month of pregnancy? Which of course really means how do I make this baby come on his due date!?

The Mark of a Stranger

You're shopping at the grocery store, you and a stranger go for the grapes at the same time. You smile, acknowledge each other, maybe say something quick, then you both move on. A few minutes later you're in the baking isle and guess who's there? The Grape Stranger. You can't help but give that knowing smile. Of course, this continues throughout your shopping experience, at the milk, the chicken and if you're lucky the checkout line too.

Well, yesterday the Grape Stranger was Joe. And we actually met in the candy isle. I was buying stuff for our Relief Society activity and as it turns out he was getting stuff for the Boy Scouts. He spoke up first, we had both been there for nearly five minutes grabbing various bags, putting them back, a conversation was inevitable. 

The first question of course "You have any other kids at home?" No, this is the first… It's a boy, we're really excited… Yeah, James. "Oh, that's great! Good strong biblical. Like mine, Joseph." Yes we wanted a good classic name. The conversation continues, we talk about the candy, how much we don't like Safeway, how we both live in Queen Anne. And of course where we are from originally. Now, when this question comes up, I get a slight feeling of dread. Why? Once your say "I grew up in Salt Lake" I automatically feel like the person connects me to The Mormons. I shouldn't dread this question, it should be a great opportunity to bring up the Church, but I do. He didn't say anything, just asked if the weather was better there, sarcastically of course. The conversation ended with dreams of sunshine and summer and I moved on with the shopping. It was only a few seconds before Joe turns the corner and he's also for looking pasta sauce. 

The first question this time, well after "Hey, stop following me around the store", "So, do you belong to The Church?" 

"Yes, I do!" 

"Well, that's great. I love Mormons. I belong to the Catholic Church on top of Queen Anne, but I just love the Mormons and their emphasis on families. I don't have any kids myself, but you know what else? I really hope Romney wins" 

"Wow! You don't hear that everyday from someone born and raised in Seattle."

"Oh, I can't stand the socialism around here!" 

"Same here!"

"I dated a Mormon girl for quite awhile actually. It didn't work out, but we're still friends. She's married now with a big family. Anyway, I just love the Mormons" 

"That is so good to hear, thank you" 

"Yes, well, you take good care of James, the world needs more good people like that" 

At this point someone walks down the isle and he finishes off the conversation with a loud "And this world needs more Mitt Romney too!" 

"Yes it does!" 

So we part and I finish my shopping. I did spy him once more, greeting an old friend this time. Just by my quick observance of this interaction, I form my final opinion: Joe is a genuinely good guy and a very nice fellow. I smile. We meet each other once more dropping our carts off. He offers to help me out, I get this offer all the time with my ever protruding belly. I thank him, but assure him I've got it. 

I walked out feeling quite happy. Joe made my day. Monday had been a bit rough, Joe gave me a reason to smile. And our ward mission goal is to have a gospel conversation with someone every week. Well, neither Taylor or I have managed this, but I'm counting this one! Even if he was the one to bring up the church, I still talked to someone about the church! Success :) 

Why this experience impacted me as much as it did, I still don't really know. But, this is my small tribute to Joe for making me smile, for letting me accomplish a goal and for giving me renewed hope. Sometimes I feel like we are all alone in believing, preaching and living eternal Truth. But Joe reminded me that we aren't. Thanks Joe, I hope we run into each other again.

Also, check out this great ad by the Catholic Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd