Reader's Digest of our lives

I imagine it has been so long since I've posted anything real primarily because I seem to be experiencing first trimester deja vu. Oh how quickly the blissful days of second trimester appetite and energy came and went. Now not only am I getting big and awkward and experiencing the aches that go along with that, but the overwhelming exhaustion, headaches, and edge of perpetual nausea that I thought were long gone are again rearing their ugly heads. I do find some solace in that we are on the home stretch. I have enough accrued sick leave that I should be able to get through the next two months at work with sufficient days off to rest, which is a huge blessing. Matthew is so supportive and kind, and that makes a world of difference as well. I tend to get down on myself for not doing more, and often feel so unproductive. So often I compare myself to what I think others are doing and are capable of. I fail to recognize that my perception of every other woman in the world is probably not very accurate, and that even if it was it doesn't matter because I am not every other woman in the world.

I hate to dwell on the not so fun parts of pregnancy though, because there are so many joys I'm experiencing these days as well. The echo techs at work acquired a 3-D sonogram machine, and last week I was able to be their guinea pig. We didn't get many good shots as the baby was not in a very photographic position, but we did learn that my boy has big feet. They were a bit surprised at how long he already is, and especially noted the size of his feet, which were about the only thing we could get a good look at. Matthew was pleased with this news and feels some sense of pride that my baby is definitely his father's son. It's also been fun to get to know this wee one's personality a bit. He is super active and moves around a lot. I hope I can keep up with him once he's born! We've also started getting the house ready, and were fortunate enough to find a great deal on a nice crib which we bought a few weeks ago. Two points for Craig's List. Having the crib set up seems to make this whole having a baby thing much more eminent and real. Ten more weeks...

While I've been mostly focused on making a baby, Matthew is working hard his senior year with classes, research, and grad school applications. We've looked at lots of schools and discussed a number of options and after quite a bit of thought and prayer we have our top 6: Princeton, Berkley, UCLA, CalTech, Arizona, and MIT. He added two more, but I don't remember which ones. I'm helping some with the initial on-line application stuff, but there's a lot to get done before the deadlines, many of which are in December. He takes the general GRE next weekend, and the Physics GRE the beginning of November. I know the Lord will send us where He wants us, but the process of getting there has been a bit stressful!

Also of note, my family was in town for General Conference this past weekend. We were blessed with the opportunity to attend both Saturday sessions in the conference center, and Matthew and Dad were able to go to the Priesthood session there as well. I was grateful for the music and the talks given, as they were an encouragement and mode of fine tuning for me. As much as I love gathering with the saints in the conference center, I was grateful to watch Sunday's sessions at home. I spent the day cooking, and after the last session Mom, Jennifer, and a deaf woman they made friends with came over for dinner and to celebrate Jennifer's 30th birthday. It's hard to believe we're that old! In my mind I'm still so young, and nobody from my past has grown or changed at all. It's nice though when opportunities arise to see that's not really so. Last weekend I got to have breakfast with Jennie, who was also in town for Conference. She and I grew up in the same ward/stake and have been good friends for a long time. It was really great to catch up and see where our lives have taken us.

I think this post is sufficiently long now, and I am getting sleepy. Perhaps I will post some pictures this weekend. We bought a nice camera some time ago, and have been enjoying learning the ins and outs of armature photography. I think with some more research and practice, we might not be so bad at it. But that is a post for another day.