Third Anniversary

July 20 was our third anniversary. I can't believe it's only been three years! So much has happened in those three years that it feels longer. I admit the first two years were very difficult, and we both made many mistakes. But this last year has been wonderful, and our love has definitely grown stronger.

Like our birthdays, our anniversary was pretty low key because we are so excited about and preoccupied with the baby. To celebrate we first went to the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and watched Legacy. Totally cheesy but cute. Afterward we went bowling. Usually we play two games and each win one. We played three (they gave us a coupon for a free game), and I lost all of them! Justin got a million strikes. So not fair.

Next was dinner at the Macaroni Grill, where Justin proposed to me, and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. I had really yummy lemon and raspberry cheesecake. We then wanted to watch a movie, but all the times were really late so we just went home and watched half a movie, I think. It was a good day. It was our last year of just the two of us. I am excited for this next year with the baby!

Almost There!

I am now in the final countdown for Baby. Less than 3 weeks to go (though really it could be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Here's what's been happening:

• For the past couple months I've had terrible acne on my face and chest. 
• I've already leaked colostrum (pre-milk) a couple times, much to Justin's amusement and my embarrassment, though thankfully we were at home both times it happened. 
• My belly button is sticking out more. It looks like a volcano, not a true outie.
• My feet and ankles have been incredibly swollen ever since Sunday, July 25. None of my shoes fit anymore, so I have to wear flip flops everywhere, which doesn't help the swelling. 
• I'm mostly all baby, but my thighs have chubbed up a lot. 
• Baby dropped Sunday, August 1.
• For the past month I took yoga classes and did a couple step aerobics classes and gym and swim workouts. 
• The past week or so has been terrible for sleeping. I toss and turn all night.  
• I was handling the heat well until July hit, and it was a record-high month of crazy temperatures, as reflected in our latest electric bill.

I never thought I'd be the type to feel like I was done being pregnant, but I feel that way now! In fact, yesterday I had three meltdowns. For the most part, during my pregnancy my emotions weren't any crazier than normal until the last month. Then yesterday it hit hard: I didn't like the lunch I ordered and cried; I felt negatively about my body and cried; I was hungry and didn't know what I wanted and cried. All of this within four hours. Poor Justin was a complete sweetheart.

Baby moves around a ton. It almost feels like he's trying to kick and stretch his way out. Poor thing is probably cramped in there. One night I threatened to spank him if he didn't move away from his favorite spot by my bruised ribs, and he promptly responded with a hard kick! It made me and Justin laugh.

Our childbirth classes have been going great. We only have two left--one lecture day and one party day. As for my birthing method, I've been doing Hypnobabies, a type of hypnobirthing (self-hypnosis). It's about positive thinking, visualization, relaxation, and deep, slow breathing. No negativity, fear, or pain allowed. I really love it and recommend it to all mothers who fear giving birth, whether because it's their first time or they've had previous traumatic births. It's all about empowerment!

Why I've Been MIA

A couple months ago our laptop cord, which we had purchased only three months prior, stopped working. We tried exchanging it at Wal-mart, but they no longer carried it and told us to contact the manufacturer. I did and discovered the cord was recalled. We sent it in a month ago and still have not received a replacement. I contacted them again, and they said they sent a new cord out a few weeks ago and asked me to confirm the address. We'll see what happens next.

Not having a working computer at home has been a trial and a blessing. On the down side, we have to go to the campus computer lab to pay bills, check our email accounts, and do other important things, and I am way behind on my blogging. However, I have gotten a lot of things done at home that needed to be done in preparation for Baby and I (hopefully) have broken the habit of being glued to the laptop and checking my email and reading blogs 500 times a day. I have realized I can survive without the Internet, although it is very frustrating to not have it when I really do need it!