Life

Here is what we have been up to lately..

Jason...
Jason successfully graduated and is now a provisionally licensed social worker. It takes two years plus some other requirements to be fully licensed. Until that time, and until he has more work experience, jobs are somewhat limited. It is almost like we still have 2 more years of school left, except that he doesn't have to pay tuition and gets to choose where he works and of course, he can make money. Jason is currently job searching. We are hoping to find a job in the triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) and would like to stay here for a couple more years, maybe longer.

Kim...
I am pregnant. And a mom. And we just moved (more about that down further). Basically, those things consume my life. This pregnancy has been a bit complicated. It started with an ultrasound at 19 weeks that showed something not quite right. Blood tests and a trip to the genetic counselor pretty much ruled out any major problems, but I was told that I would need to come in every three weeks for an ultrasound to monitor the baby's growth. Now it seems like every time we go in for an ultrasound they find something else. It started with my fluid being low which necessitated more frequent ultrasounds and a non-stress test. Baby Wiggle (we are calling her for now-not forever) decided to sleep through the non-stress test and ultimately failed whatever it is that they were testing. I ended up admitted into triage because it was possible that the placenta was no longer functioning as it should. However, after continued monitoring and some tests they decided that she was in fact just sleeping but still put me on "pre-term labor watch" and told me that I needed to come in for ultrasounds every week. Just recently, they found fluid around the baby's heart (something that is normal for term babies but not for 33 week old babies) and now I get to go in twice a week in addition to my regular now-weekly check-ups with my midwives. All this adds up to way too many appointments to keep straight. Currently, the little one is doing well but her growth is low. She is in the 10th percentile. However, Kinsey always was (and still is) very low on the percentile chart so that doesn't really concern us. As annoying as all of the appointments might be, I am grateful for careful doctors and an excellent hospital just miles down the road who really are taking good care of us.

Kinsey...
Kinsey is Kinsey. She pretty much talks non-stop all day. She loves anything that involves the outdoors or friends. She keeps our life interesting and busy and is very excited for baby sister to come. So far she seems to be adjusting to the idea pretty well. We'll see how she deals when it actually happens. She can't wait for her birthday party in "Heptember" and her favorite color is purple (she tells me this daily). Kinsey also has a new haircut. Pictures to come soon.

We moved at the beginning of this month. It was crazy and stressful but we made it. We have a slightly smaller but better maintained apartment that is all one level. Our last place was in a really great area (not to mention that it was on a golf course which was pretty cool) but it was old and we were ready for a change. We now live in Carrboro, a little hippie town that borders Chapel Hill.

I'll try to do a better job of posting in the future. Despite all the stresses in our life, we are happy and enjoying our summer. Thank you to everyone that helped us out so much with the move, especially to Marcos and Metta who helped us pack, unpack, entertained our child, and fed us and to Alicia for all the babysitting she provided. I really don't know what we would have done without you guys!