Progress

As I write this I am sitting in a coffee shop back in Lansing missing my family terribly. I have finally made it back to start my data collection and all is going well. My first day of scanning radiographs at UM Hospital went really well. In the end I may not be able to collect as many usable radiographs as I would have originally liked but beggars can't be choosers. Unfortunately the radiographs I need are periapicals with a full view of the the teeth from root tip to crown. When assessing dental development all parts of the tooth are important. Kids with disabilities, however, very often do not have the ability to sit through a whole session of x-rays so what we are left with are a couple really random small x-rays that are often crooked or slightly blurry. Out of the 46 files I went through yesterday I think I may be able to use about half. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to 50 or more. We'll see.

This is by far the longest I have ever been away from Connor and it's been pretty hard. I find it so funny that here was a girl who 7 years ago swore she wouldn't get married for many years because she couldn't imagine being dependent on anyone else. HA! Now I can't even leave my husband and son for more than a night or I feel like part of me has died. Life is funny like that. I do have to say, however, that I didn't come alone. Our baby girl has been kicking and moving around a lot. I don't think she likes the fact that I have to sit for long periods of time scanning radiographs.

A couple of days ago I ran down to the library to get some books on dental anthropology and stopped by the river on campus to sit for awhile. As I sat there it dawned on me that roughly four years ago I was sitting in that very same spot also very pregnant. So much has changed in the last four years! Both Tom and I have changed so much! Life is good and a little unpredictable.

World's worst blogger

I think I may be the world's worst blogger at this point. But I do have a good excuse this time around. When I'm not working or chasing a three year old, I'm sleeping...and sleeping with a vengeance. I think one of the big differences between this pregnancy and the last is how tired I am. Whether this is actually a physiological thing that is taking place or just due to the fact that I am so busy and always on my feet is debatable. We are sure having a blast this time around, however. The weather has just started turning for the better in the Northwest which means outdoor activities abound. Already we have been kayaking a few times out in the Kingston marina and have explored around Lake Crescent and the Elwah River. I love it here during the summer! And Connor, amazingly, has been perfect in the kayak. He sits still the whole time and catches seaweed from the side of the boat. He also likes to yell commands and directions for chasing the seagulls.

Our little girl (yes I said girl!) is growing, moving, and dancing her way to almost 20 weeks now. I was able to feel her move much sooner than I was able to feel Connor. I had forgotten what a wonderful feeling that is! In fact I didn't even recognize it at first. It wasn't until my second baby checkup that the doctor mentioned something about baby movements and I suddenly realized that what I was feeling was probably the baby instead of gas. Pregnancy is so full of surprises and funny moments. We had an ultrasound at 18 weeks which was such a blast. Watching her move and spin inside my belly made it really sink in that we are going to be parents of two children!

We are so blessed and so thankful for everything we have been given. Life is good.