Enjoying the Time Leading Up to a New Baby

So Karalee and I were going to get out yesterday. We live only about 15 miles from the infamous Tombstone, Arizona where shootouts at the OK Corral can still be witnessed, but also where you can buy your way into debt with all the trinkets and other tourist trap things they have for sale there. Over the Memorial Day weekend Tombstone is having one of many events they have throughout the year that include the shootout and other activities that center around reenacting the way things were there in the late 19th century.

Well, Karalee and I didn't end up going to Tombstone. I have just finished up a round of working the swing shift, so even though the event didn't start until 10:00am yesterday morning, right now 10:00am would be like 7:00am for most people (I mean, 10:00am is really early, by the way). So the time to get up and go rolled around, and I was too tired.

On top of me being tired, poor Karalee is definitely experiencing much of the difficulties associated with pregnancy. Granted, her experience is undoubtedly not as bad as some mothers' (like some mothers that might be confined to a bed or the hospital at the same time in the pregnancy--and worse) but she still has a lot of trouble sleeping and can never get in a position that is comfortable for very long--be it standing, sitting, walking, or laying down.

Karalee has admitted that at times she forgets she's even pregnant because she feels no adverse affects. However, much of the time she is sore or in pain. Some of the pain is almost as unbearable as it is inexplicable, although lately a lot of the pain and inability to sleep comes from a very active baby that likes to give shots to his mommy's ribs. In fact, Karalee is becoming more and more convinced that there is simply no more room for the baby in her womb and that's why he kicks so much. Sometimes, Karalee's tummy feels like the baby will push his rear end, or leg, or something up against the roof of her womb so hard that parts of Karalee's tummy will feel hard as a rock for a few moments in that place where Nathan is pushing.

So instead of getting out much because if Karalee's going to be uncomfortable she might as well be uncomfortable at home, she and I lounge around the house a lot. We are trying to enjoy each other's company as much as possible before the baby is born and our lives are radically changed forever. To enjoy one another's company we prepare for our primary lessons together, we occasionally go on a walk together, we rest, and we watch TV.

Karalee loved reading Harry Potter so much growing up that she insists that we read the books together. At first she wanted me to read the books on my own. I did read the first three books before we were married, but only finished the fourth book a few months ago. Right now, we're in the middle of reading the fifth book--she wants us to finish that and the sixth in less than a couple of months, because the sixth movie will be out by then and I have to read the books before I watch this movie. The books, particularly starting with the third, are decidedly more entertaining than the first two, which were very much designed for prepubescent readers, especially for being targeted for teenagers and young adults.

I have asked before if Karalee would read my books aloud with me. For now, she doesn't seem terribly thrilled about reading Ann Coulter, History books, or books on the constitution. Maybe she'll come around.

Of a truth, Karalee doesn't have all the time in the world to spend with me since, during the week I am gone for long hours at work. Also though, with no alarm clock to wake up to we usually sleep around nine hours--at least. Really, we're in bed for 9 or 10 hours, but only sleep 7 or 8. We'll wake up to go to the bathroom, the sun will wake us up, or Karalee is just plain old uncomfortable! So when I go to work we usually only have two or three hours together before I leave. Karalee is so kind to spend some of that time fixing a delicious meal for us to eat before I leave.

While I am at work, Karalee spends time looking for coupons of things we need to buy, finds deals for things to buy, communicates with family and friends, cleans what she can (which sometimes makes her back hurt), and watches a little TV. Sometimes she's just plain old miserable and in pain and doesn't feel like doing much. But, for being in her ninth month of pregnancy, she's doing quite well at keeping busy and doing what she can.

Last night, a co-worker of mine took us out. He was very gracious by taking us to a Mexican place to eat, followed by a viewing of the new X-Men movie in theaters (the movie was pretty good, especially for only getting mixed reviews by critics). We invited him to go to Cold Stone with us after the movie, but he declined. However, when people come to visit we usually try and get them to take a picture of us (although my cousin Michael came on Friday to give us some breads but we didn't ask him), so we have something to show our child when he's old enough to appreciate his pregnant mommy. Of course, Karalee is very reluctant to be in any picture (kind of like her mother), but relents out of devotion to her unborn child.

Here is the picture that Karalee "consented" to have of her posted. Anyway, hope you enjoyed!