The Roller Coaster of Pregnancy

Yes, I think that is the best description of pregnancy.  A roller coaster.  It could also be summed up in the words to this familiar song . . . "you're hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down."

So let me tell you about the recent ups and downs on my pregnancy roller coaster adventure.

Down: I've been really sad recently thinking about how much less time I'm going to be able to spend with Kate.  Don't get me wrong - I'll still be at home with her all day, but it won't be just me and her, hanging out, playing, laughing, napping, etc.  I've become so sentimental about this that recently I let her watch a little extra tv, just so I get some time to hold and cuddle her.  Chalk it up to pregnancy hormones overemphasizing the negative.

Up: Every time I see a little baby I get SOOOOOO excited.  A baby that will actually hold still, that won't try and kick you and run away when you change their diaper, and that will take naps on your chest.  Aaah.  Can't wait.

Down: How horrible I feel 90% of the time.  I feel like I'll never have energy again, never go a day without heartburn, never be able to brush my teeth without my gums bleeding, and never be able to sleep through the night without having to get up and go to the bathroom six times.  This pregnancy has been WAY harder on my body than the first one.

Up: I can't wait to see Kate as a big sister!  I know that she is going to be so awesome, and I can't wait to see her in action - she really is so sweet, and can already say, "Emma" perfectly.  Can't wait for two little girls!  Bring on the tea parties!

Down: Will this baby ever come????  I know that technically it's 4 weeks until my due date, but hey, I'm getting impatient here.  I feel like I'll be fat . . . forever, and ever . . . no hallelujah, no halleljuah!  Kate was born two weeks early, so I already feel that if this baby comes a day after October 10, I'm getting the short end of the stick.  Which isn't good, because what are the chances of me getting lucky two times in a row?  Not good.

Up: Labor - on the one hand I think it's going to be awesome and exciting going au naturale - my sister-in-law described it as a real "high."

Down: Labor - what was I thinking?  All that pain and no epidural?  Ugggh.  I hurt already.  My sister-in-law is certifiably insane.

Up: Well, at least I'll be getting some free meals out of this thing.

You know how it is.  The roller coaster of pregnancy.  There must be something to it, because where my (semi) flat stomach once was, now resides a large bump, resembling the up and down of a roller coaster . . .

The Great Northwest

It's now or never.  This post, I mean.  I know if I don't write about our trip up to the Northwest right now, it'll never happen.  Something else will come up -  my need to go get another handful of peanut butter m&ms, a trip to the bathroom (for the umpteenth time today), or the tired bus is likely to hit at any moment.  So here goes.

Our first stop was Seattle, Washington, to visit several of Dave's aunts who live in a closeby town called Enumclaw.  They couldn't have been more accomodating - and it was great seeing both Karyn and Kamele and their families.

Our first real day we took a trip to the horse races, a first for all of us.  Dave loved it because he picked the winners three out of the five times . . . too bad we don't gamble, we could have struck it big!  (Sorry no pictures, I was too busy chasing after Kate).

The next day Karyn and Chris showed us around Seattle.  Our first stop was Pike Place Market - one of my favorites! 

We had freshly made donuts, saw them throwing fish, and looked upon row after row of fresh and delicious looking produce  -

We bought some fresh peaches which we made into peach pie later that night!  Scrumptious!

We saw the original Starbucks -

In Seattle, people are crazy about their coffee.  There are about two Starbucks per street.

We also just walked up and down the streets and enjoyed all the shops, here was one of my favorites -

I love their motto, if you look carefully at the bottom of the sign, it says, "Forgive me chocolate for I have sinned.  I have not yet had my daily confection."  Pretty sure that's one sin I've never committed.

After a lunch of gyros and some delicious mini cheesecakes, we made our way to the city center where we got a lovely view of the fountain and Space Needle.

It was pretty windy, but Kate had a great time -



The next day we headed to the zoo.  For some reason, I failed to take any pictures.  But my favorite were the new baby leopard cubs.  There were two of them, and they were fast asleep.  We have this game with Kate where we pretend to be asleep and she says, "Boo!" and wakes us up.  She just couldn't understand why the baby leopards wouldn't wake up when she pounded on the glass and said, "Boo!"

That night we got to see a Mariners game.  The field was amazing.  Too bad they lost horribly to the Angels.



We still managed to have a great time.

The next day, we headed down to Portland to spend some time with Lisa and Matt, my sister and brother-in-law.

We spent one day at the Portland Children's Museum and Kate loved it.

Along with many other things, she got to do construction,

go grocery shopping,

spend some time at the vet's office,

and drive a bus (Daddy is the passenger in the back - he fell asleep).

We also visited the famous Portland Rose Garden.

The flowers were AMAZING -

Kate enjoyed them too.

Since Matt and Lisa had to work during the day, we got babysitters so we could go out at night.  They showed us the best places to eat in Portland - including Little Big Burger, Le Happy (a crepe place), and Torro Bravo (our favorite - divine Spanish food).

On Saturday, we all took a trip to Mt. Saint Helens.

I'd been there before, but it's still pretty amazing.  Here is the picture before Mt. Saint Helens erupted in 1980.

See what I mean?  Pretty big difference.

Looking at this picture makes ME want to erupt.  Except hopefully I'd look better than Mt. Saint Helen's in an after picture.

After all that, we were exhausted.  Luckily, the flight home wasn't too crowded, so Kate could do this -

And so did Dave and I, just as soon as we walked in our front door.

Thank you family, for the wonderful time!