Time is ticking...

Hi Folks! I'm still here and Jackson is still in my womb. These last weeks are going very, very, very slow. I just went to see my midwife this morning and found out that I am not dilated. Although, that doesn't mean much. I could dilate and go into labor fast. So, Jackson could still come before or on my due date. He could also come after. Who knows? Thats what my midwife said..."Who knows?" There is no way to tell. I also had a non-stress test. Swelling, headaches, and higher blood pressure became too much for the midwife's comfort, but after the non-stress test and the blood test to rule out toxemia (again), she told me I need to be putting up my feel a lot more. I was also told not to go anywhere alone and to lay on my left side when I'm not putting my feet up. I admit it...I am one of those people who can hardly stand to lay around and do nothing. But, I suppose I will have to. The midwife told Troy to tie me down. I don't want him to have to do that, so maybe I'll just listen to what she says! :)

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Mercury Warning

We have been encouraged to use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs in our households to save energy. Troy and I have used them in a few of our lights for a few years now. I saw on the news the other day that these bulbs contain mercury, and once broken, the mercury is released from the bulb. The mercury is only about 1/100 of the amount that would be found in an old thermometer, however, caution should be taken if one were to break, and in disposal of the bulbs. The EPA released these guidelines on what to do if one of these bulbs were to break. I thought this info would be handy for those of you who use the bulbs.

What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

2. Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.

   1. Use disposable rubber gloves, if available (i.e., do not use bare hands). Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the plastic bag.

   2. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

3. Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag.

   1. Place the first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal.
      Note: Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.

   2. Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

4. If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet:

   1. First, remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner, following the steps above. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

   2. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

If you would like to dispose of your CFL bulbs, click here:State Mercury-Containing Bulb (Lamp) Recycling Programs

Labor and Delivery Tips?

As Troy and I are getting closer and closer to experiencing labor for the first time, we could always use some helpful advice on how best to go about that momentous event. Robyn sent me a link to a blog that had some tips for expectant dads, so that gave me the idea to post this blog. If you have any tips for Troy and I on the big day, please let me know. I know every pregnancy is different, but there are some tips I'm sure can apply to almost every birth. Please do share them!

2nd Baby Shower

Troy and I had our 2nd baby shower on Saturday. This shower was for family and family friends. It turned out wonderful! We got some major items that we needed (Car seat/Stroller, Pack n' Play, Changing Table, Diaper Bag, Snuggly) and some really neat books (Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, The Hungry Caterpillar, Winnie the Pooh, etc. We also scored on some cute clothes and some Target gift cards to purchase what we still need. Again, we were so blessed to have all these things given to us! Having a baby would be an extremely expensive endeavor if it weren't for these gifts!

Here are some of the evening's highlights:

Troy, playing the Diaper Game (its melted chocolate in the diaper)...I wonder if he will have the same look on his face when he comes across the real stuff!

Angie did a wonderful job on the cupcakes!
L-R: Jackson's Great Aunt, Aunt, Mommy, Great-Grandma, & GrandmaJackson's Grandpas!Troy, Me, David, & Robyn (Jackson's Uncle and Aunt)....Robyn, thanks for taking all the pictures!

Falling for Fall, Aching for Autumn

Oak Glen is calling my name. I hear its gentle whisper in the fall breeze! Troy and I have made it a tradition to go every year. We usually go to eat at Law's Cafe (they have great soup and pie there) , go to Riley's (the original farm...they don't charge for parking), visit Yodeling Merle, and pick up some sweet Spartan apples to make apple crisp. It is my favorite thing to do to welcome in the Fall. The unfortunate thing is that I can't walk around that much right now due to swelling. I must quiet that beckoning and wait until after Jackson is born to go! I'm sure Jackson will be thrilled to accompany his parents on a Autumn adventure! By the time we get to Oak Glen, though, I'm sure it will be very late in the season. Lets hope they don't run out of apples!

More Weird Dreams...

Last night I dreamed that Jackson looked like Carrot Top...it was a bit scary! He had all that hair at birth and the huge toothy smile too! Yikes! Of course, if for some reason Jackson came into this world looking like that, I would still love him...

Stay Puft...

I can honestly say I feel like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the Ghostbusters movies. My feet, ankles, legs, hands, and face swelled up quite a bit this week. I went in and got evaluated by the Labor and Delivery department, but they said that I was just fine except for being "extremely dehydrated." I feel like I drink all the time, so I guess its just not enough. The doctor told me to keep my feet up more (I know I haven't been doing enough of that!) and to drink a lot more water. I'm just glad its not Toxemia or anything like that! I must admit though, its soooo hard to stay off my feet when there is so much to do!

38 Days Left...

The time is flying! There are only 38 days left until Jackson is due! I worked really hard today and I got a lot done in our nursery. It is starting to look ready! I got a Disneyland Jungle Cruise picture framed for the nursery and that turned out wonderful. As you can see, Jackson already has some toys to play with. Due to the fact that we only have two bedrooms, this room is 1/2 office. We still have to conquer that part of it. We received wonderful news this morning concerning more bedrooms, though. Our landlord said that there may be a three bedroom apartment available in our complex in mid December. I was sooo thrilled to hear that. Another bedroom would be such a relief! Please keep us in your prayers concerning that situation. I have tried so hard to make enough room for little Jackson, but it still is a squeeze!

1st Baby Shower

Saturday was the first of three baby showers for Jackson. This shower was for the church ladies. Quite a few women showed up and I received quite a few necessities for Jackson! It was such a blessing! We had fun playing the classic baby food game and a few other games. The food was wonderful...
Chinese Chicken Salad...need I say more? The cupcakes had little frogs on top of them to match Jackson's jungle animals theme. Cute! Troy came and picked me up at the end of the shower in his parent's SUV (our cars were too small to fit all the gifts!). Troy's favorite gift was definitely a little soccer ball for Jackson. He was absolutely thrilled about that! Overall, the Lord has really, really blessed us and Jackson with the items we need. Just think...there are two more showers to go!