couldn’t fit through the kitchen door.”

Yeah, that’s me. I feel so fat.

I’m not supposed to be getting fat yet. I guess baby number three is special that way.

I’ve already gained a million four pounds with this pregnancy.

Even when I’m puking sick, I’m still hungry. And I’m really tired, too. So, that means, I eat something, and then I lay down. I ought to go for a walk or something. But, no…I’d rather nap.

I hope everyone has a fun and family filled Thanksgiving today. We all have so very much to thank God for. He has been so good to me and my family.

We are going to my aunt’s for Thanksgiving dinner with all of my mom’s side of the family. We do this every year, and it’s always a lot of fun. Kyra is very excited to play with her cousins, and I’m very happy to be feeling pretty good this morning. I would hate for morning sickness to infringe on my feasting.

Well, I have some cookies to bake, some deviled eggs to put together, and a green bean casserole to get in the oven.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I had my first doctor’s appointment today. I am exactly eight weeks pregnant, and everything was good. I’m seeing a new doctor this time around, as my former doctor has retired from obstetrics. I like my new doctor, though, so I guess it’s all good. I had an ultrasound, and got to see Baby Boo. The baby looked good, and there was just one baby. Kyra’s theory has been that Boo is a girl, and that if Boo did happen to be a boy then there would be another baby in there that was a girl. So, we’ll see. My due date has stayed what I had calculated…still July 5th. So, all in all, it was a good visit, and it was fun to see the baby.

So, that’s my eight week update!

…an episode of ER to make you cry buckets of cathartic tears.

…seeing a friend’s newborn baby to remind you that morning sickness doesn’t last forever.

…coming home from hours of cleaning the church to find that my husband has spent a couple hours cleaning at home.

…having my three year old snuggle up to me on the couch, plop a book in my lap, and say, “Read me a story, Mommy.”

…realizing that you are extremely tired and ready for bed at the same moment that you realize that both of your children are already asleep, and knowing that you can drift peacefully off to dreamland without anyone’s elbows, knees, hair, or feet in your face.

Yeah…there’s nothing like that.

My poor neglected blog. It’s really sad, isn’t it?

I’ve had a lot going on lately, but everyone does, don’t they? I’ve been sick a lot, but the past two days have been a little better. Maybe I’m going to be lucky this time, and not be sick for very long. Maybe. Monday, we went to the mall, and I got so sick on the way to Knoxville. When we got to the mall, I threw up in the parking lot. Yeah. Puking in public is not very glamourous. It was raining, so I tried to hide under my umbrella. I felt sorry for the people in the car parked next to us. I’m glad they weren’t in it at the time. Yes, I know it’s gross, but what can you do?

The kids are doing great. They are always great. I’ve got great kids. Obviously, I think so, or I wouldn’t be putting myself through this again. Of course, the payoff is pretty good in the end. It’s just the getting through these pesky nine months that’s the problem. I’m seven weeks along now. Only thirty-three more to go.

My brother, Jason, got married Monday. His wife, Courtney, seems like a nice girl, and her little boy, Braxton, is adorable. Here’s a picture of them when they said “I do”. Congratulations, Jason and Courtney.

Last night, we had a reception for them at mom’s house. It went well. Afterwards, when it was just the family left, we noticed Elijah was enjoying a little creative time. I didn’t stop him. It was reversible. I just told Chris to take a picture.

I’ve gotten the biggest part of my Christmas shopping taken care of this week. Big accomplishment. Hopefully, I can finish it up soon. The kids are going to have a big Christmas, as far as gifts go, this year. It should be a lot of fun. I wish Chris didn’t have to work on Christmas Day, but he does. It stinks, but that’s just the way it is. He took vacation for Thanksgiving, so at least we’ll get to spend that together this year. I need to wrap my shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and take them to the drop-off location this week…preferrably tomorrow. I was excited to do that this year. Kyra helped me shop for and pack the shoeboxes, so that was nice.

Well, it’s getting close to church time, so I guess I better start getting ready.

It’s just as miraculous and exciting with the third as it was with the first.

How your baby’s growing: The cells that will make up all of your baby’s body parts and systems are dividing furiously as her body begins to take shape. Right now she’s about the size of a small lentil bean (4 to 5 millimeters across). If you could see through your uterine wall, you’d find an overlarge head and dark spots where her eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape. Shallow pits on the sides of her head mark her developing ears, and her arms and legs appear as protruding buds. Her hands and feet look like paddles, with thick webbing between the developing digits, but her fingers and toes will soon become more distinct. Below the opening that will later be your baby’s mouth, there are small folds where her neck and lower jaw will eventually develop. (Inside, her tongue and vocal cords are just beginning to form.)

Your baby’s heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to circulate through her body. Her intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where her lungs will be. She’s also starting to build muscle fibers and, halfway through this week, she’ll likely start moving her tiny limbs. Unfortunately, you’ll probably have to wait until you’re several weeks into your second trimester before you get to enjoy feeling your baby’s calisthenics.

What is misery?
Is it being locked in a cabin with your insane, adoring fan who breaks your legs and keeps you hostage till you write an ending to your book that pleases her? No. It’s not.
Is it being trapped in a miserable marriage to someone you don’t love and don’t want to be with anymore? Well, maybe to some people, but not to me.
Is it any number of bad things happening to otherwise good people against their will or power to change. Okay, let’s change this question a bit. It’s gotten a little off base.

Rewind…

What is misery to me? Misery, to me, is waking up in the morning with an uneasy feeling deep inside. It’s that, oh, so familiar feeling that lets you know. “Hey, Rach. This is not going to be a good day. You are not going to get anything done today. You are going to feel sorry for yourself, and question decision that you have made. Yes, Rachel. Today is a very, very bad day.”

Yes, my friends. Misery is all day morning sickness.

Hey, kids! Don’t forget about my Frappr Map. You guys are supposed to show your love and support by putting yourself on my map. That way, I don’t feel like a big, friendless loser. It just takes a second. Click on this link , put in your first name, your zipcode, and write something (can be as simple as “hey”) in the shoutout box, and that’s it! It just takes a second. Puhlease! Pretty please! (This means you, Ms Tammy, Misty, Dianna, Velvet, and all you other lurkers!)

All of the above.

I am, that is. Jen told me that I am a slacker with my blog lately, but…to be honest…I’m just so tired. Don’t get me wrong…I’ll take tired any day over morning (or as I expereinced with my first two, all day) sickness. I’m hoping that maybe God will have mercy on me and spare me the morning sickness this go around. So, anyway, part of me wanting to curl up under some warm covers and snooze all day is resulting in my brain not coming up with anything even somewhat interesting to write about. I’ll give it a shot, though.

Thanks to everyone for their congratulations and support. I’m very excited about Baby Boo (as Kyra has christened the little one). Kyra is excited, but I think she can’t really be bothered to contemplate it too much, as she realizes that it’s going to be a very long time until Baby Boo gets to come out, as she describes it. Elijah doesn’t understand, but I got quite a kick out of telling him there was a baby in mommy’s belly. His confused looks were priceless. Chris is about as excited as my stick in the mud husband gets. He kind of has a “there…you’re having another one…happy now? then quite bugging me about a baby!” attitude. At least I know from prior experience that he does get pretty happy when the baby actually gets here. No worries!

It’s fun for me to contemplate life with three kiddos four and under. I am an optimist (at least today), and I refuse to think of the bad things that could complicate things with three. Kyra and Elijah are very well behaved for their ages, and I have no problem taking them out with me anywhere. They mind well, and they do good out in public. With Chris’ work schedule, I’m quite used to doing things with them on my own. Kyra will be four and Elijah will be two when Boo is born, so I expect it to be even easier with the added time. Don’t tell me if you think otherwise, because, frankly, I don’t need to hear that. Do however, if you feel so inclined, tell me how you think I am right in my optimism.

Tired as I am, I have actually got a few things done this week. I cleaned the church yesterday, and, I have to say, it’s nice to go to clean something and it be nearly as clean as when you last cleaned it. To clean and not have anyone messing up things right behind you is wonderful. If only I could have that at home, maybe I would be better at cleaning. It’s dicouraging when it gets undone as soon as you do it. I did manage to tackle Kyra’s disaster area room today. That was a nice feeling. Now if I could just rustle up some energy to do the kitchen and the living room too, I would feel like I really accomplished something today.

Well, Elijah is getting a bit whiny, so I think that’s my cue. Have a good evening, everybody!

Kyra has gotten pretty good at being a big sister.

Elijah has not got to prove that he can be a good big brother yet, but he’s going to get his chance soon. In about eight months.