Well, I got my compression stockings this past Friday! Let me tell you, they are already making a world of difference. I don't get a stinging pain as soon as I stand up, I don't get sore when I stand still, my veins aren't popping out as much, and I overall have more energy. The lady who measured my leg for my stockings told me my legs were swollen, and the stockings would help a lot with that, too. She said, "You are going to have so much more energy and feel so much better after you get your stockings!" Boy was she right! Yesterday was one of the best days I have had in a while. It didn't hurt that I left Emmaline with her father while I went to a baby shower for a few hours, either!

I am almost packed and ready for our trip to the birthing center. I just need to pack towels, some wipes, gloves, and my going home outfit, oh yeah, plus my pillows and blanket, but those may have to wait a little while longer. Saturday morning I woke up realizing that I had completely forgotten to pack a bag for Emmaline, in case we have to take her over to someone's house. Guess I had better get that done, too.

My baby shower is coming up in two weeks. I am so excited about that!! My darling sisters Erin and Elin, and my kind friend Lisa have volunteered to throw a shower for me and Ian, and I am really, really excited. I didn't have a very big baby shower with Emmaline, (again, my kind sisters and mother took me to a nice little coffee shop where we had cake and coffee and they gave me lots of stuff for Emmaline. Which was very nice to have such a small party, as I had no idea what I was getting into, nor did I have many friends. Sorry about the length of these parentheses) whereas this time around I have wanted to involve the whole world. I don't care about getting stuff, I just want to celebrate the wonder of having another child with everyone I know! I can't wait for this baby to come!!

OK, so it turns out I over reacted a bit. I do not have varicose veins, just incredibly ugly spider veins...all over my left leg. I saw my midwife today, and she has suggested the use of medical grade hose for my leg, butcher's broom for the pain, and white oak bark and vitamin c to help strengthen my veins. She said I do have some varicose veins developing in the same area as my really bad spider veins, but hopefully the support hose should slow that down. Other than that everything is looking ok, and I can still deliver at the birthing center! Yea! I so don't want to go to a hospital. Oh well, God has His own plans in mind. I guess we'll wait and see.

David just asked Emmaline to "Come here. You ready to put your diaper on?" To which Emmaline replied, "No!" David says, "Yes! Come here!" And I swear to you that Emmaline tried to say "I said 'No!'" It turned out more like "say No!", but still. David and I both turned to each other and asked simultaneously, "Did you hear that?!" We couldn't believe it. Our kiddo is altogether too smart, and figuring out how to be hornory way too soon!

This 30th week has been a total bear!! My exhaustion has come back with a vengeance, as well as my nausea. Beginning this past Monday I noticed some soreness in my left leg right around my knee area, and also some loverly spider veins (YEA!!). The pain would be worse immediately after I stood up from reclining. Then on Wednesday morning I got up and felt even more soreness and pain on the back of my knee. I called my midwife and left a message with her assistant about what was going on, and waited to hear back from her. (Which I still haven't talked to her yet, but that's due to playing phone tag.) On Thursday morning I kept wondering what could be causing the soreness, so I actually looked at the back of my knee, and this is what I saw:



HUGE VARICOSE VEINS!!! Altogether, that spot is about the size of a golf ball. Oh, I was sooooo depressed after seeing that. I feel like my body is falling apart and betraying me. I feel like I am WAY TOO YOUNG for this to happen!! I am soooooooooo ready to be done with this pregnancy!!

On a somewhat more positive note, I am convinced that I am going to go into labor early. I am not carrying this child full-term! This conviction is not of my own desire for this to be over; it's almost as if I can feel it in my very marrow. This boy is not going to put up with cramped conditions much longer. This conviction came on Saturday, so I went crazy trying to get my bags packed and ready for my labor and Ian's delivery. There's still so much to do!

So, over the past two and a half weeks Emmaline has gone through some terrible suffering.

It started the weekend we went camping (which I am NEVER doing again while pregnant and having to keep up with a mischevious toddler!). The day before we were set to leave she got an incredibly nasty diaper rash. The next day she got her first ant bites, plus something in the air was aggravating her sinuses, plus she was teething! She was so miserable on that camping trip. The following Monday, after her ant bites, sinuses, and the rash were finally clearing up, she decided to pick up a bee, therefore getting her first ever bee sting! Her little thumb and forefinger were so swollen and puffy, but she handled it like a real trooper. Also around that time I noticed that the bottoms of her feet were a little puffy and splotchy. The swelling from her sting had gone down by the next day, but while playing outside a few days later she got bitten by ants again! Those bites have finally cleared up, but the bottoms of her feet were still splotchy. Over the past few days I could tell they were really aggravating her.

After getting awoken at 3 o'clock last night because Emmaline couldn't sleep for the itching on her feet, I decided it was time to take her to the doctor. After calling to set the appointment, I noticed that Emmaline had finally cut two of her cuspids (Praise the Lord!!). No wonder she has been so cranky!

The pediatrician diagnosed her as having inherited the Farina eczema gene, and that was what was bothering her feet. SO, now she is getting pampered feet with lots of lotion and steroid creme, plus some infant tylenol to help with the teething. David and I are praying we will get a full night's sleep tonight...it's been so long....

Here is Emmaline 13 days after having turned ONE!! She had shown some signs of wanting to use a utensil (mainly whining and refusing to eat until I figured out to give her the spoon), so here is Emmaline getting a chance to show off yet again!

This is a dresser set I fell head over heels instantaneously in love with at the flea market. Lucia was kind enough to buy it for me as a Christmas present (thank you, Lucia!!!), and David has gotten started on refinishing it for me. I can't wait to see what it looks like all cleaned up!!

Here is our lovely, delicate Emmaline, having just stuffed an almost whole boiled egg in her mouth. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do her puffed out cheeks justice. I did have a video, but someone who shall remain nameless for the time being erased it! Aaarrggg....note to self: keep the camera away from the hubby, wink, wink! Also unfortunately, this is a small indication of how Emmaline prefers to ingest her meals. The bigger the bite, the more the fun!! (In her opinion)

Finally, it's here!!! This is me in a dress that I probably won't be able to wear again while pregnant; it isn't a maternity dress and the baby is growing too big for it. On a positive note, I did finish making my first maternity dress!! Now I am working on my second. Hopefully, I will have pictures of those up soon.

Also, another positive note, we have a tentative name for our baby boy now!!! David didn't like Ephraim Nathaniel (which is still my favorite), so he has finally come up with a substitute I actually like: Ian. There is some consideration of Giovanni as a middle name. The two names flow together pretty well, it's just a shame they are both a version of the name "John" in two different languages! Hee hee! We'll see as time progresses.