36 Weeks

For the past couple of days I find myself saying, "I just want to be done", or "I want this kid out of me now", etc. People keep saying, "Just wait one more week so he's fully developed"- like I have a say in when he's coming anyways! So- here is Jackson at 36 weeks and 2 days. He's trying to cover his face with his arm again :) and his eyes are closed. The doctor said he had a big nose- TWO TIMES and I almost punched him in the head. We'll be requesting a different doctor next time- maybe someone who appreciates Jackson's handsome face.

My Big Fat Greek Baby Shower

The past two years I have had the opportunity to see what real culture truly is. It's so refreshing to see that people do keep culture and heritage a part of their families and traditions. Chicago is full of diversity and people who are proud of who they are.
This past weekend I went to a baby shower for a friend of mine who is Greek. She's not the kind of Greek that people are in Seattle where they mention it, but rather she wears it on her sleeve. Her family all speaks Greek. They attend a Greek Orthodox church, and everyone is named, Nicki, Nico, George, Georgina or Gina.
So- she invited me to her baby shower and it was held at her family's Greek restaurant (I'm not kidding- just like the movie!) Everyone knew everyone and if by chance they werent' related, they had attended Greek school together as kids. It was the funnest shower!
So I got to thinking- what is my culture? What sort of heritage or traditions am I going to be sending down to Jackson, besides the occasional Sunday meal at O.C.B. (Old Country Buffet) with my family? Will I make meals that make him feel comforted? Will I have an accent that only he will hear? Will Matt and I share with him things that are special to us? Will they be special to him? So- that's what I've been thinking about the past couple of days. Jackson will be here soon (Lord willing) and I can't wait to show him what I cherish so much about life.

Pregnancy Profile

Bethus calls this the "perfect pregnancy pose". I think it's fair to say that I'm carrying this baby in front- he's sticking straight out! We are continuing to get ready and countdown for Baby Jackson. We are both very excited to meet him!

:)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Who's Hungry for Hot Dogs?

Little Vienna Beef hot dogs to be precise, because that's what my once cute little toes look like now! I went to the doctor today and learned that I gained 5 lbs this week, almost all in water. Ohmigosh- I think that's only good if you have fins and gills! I can't make a fist with my swollen string cheese fingers and I can barely get my shoes tied because my tree-stump legs don't bend too good anymore. Some of you are emailing, saying I look good for 9 months pregnant, but I haven't posted a new picture in awhile for a reason. So- for those of you who don't see me on a regular basis, here is proof of just how big a 5'1" woman can get when incubating a small linebacker.

I am all about the sneaker shoes right now....

....and from the side.

Matt and I each picked out a "first outfit" for Jackson :)

One Hot Mama!

So, we were walking to the car the other night and Matt said to me, "You're hot babe. I'm sure it's because you're carrying the baby and all." I was so touched and told him so. He looked at me confused and said, "No, I mean in a body temperature way- you are actually hot all the time." I didn't have my coat zipped up, but it was almost snowing. O.K... romance killed. :)

City vs. Suburb Perspective

Matt and I have been hard at work outfitting the nursery and getting ready for Baby Jackson for the past couple of months. We are working hard at cutting corners and keeping costs at a minimum so I've been scouring Craigslist for all the deals I can find. Baby stuff is typically only used for a short time so you can get relatively new items for a fraction of the price. So, Friday we spent the day driving around the suburbs picking up baby supplies. We started the morning off in North Riverside, about 40 minutes from our condo in the suburbs. Right when we were pulling off the freeway Matt got a call that his work was closing for the day due to the 9 inches of snow we were getting in the middle of March (gotta love the Midwest), and because he's one of the supervisors, he had a lot of people to contact and let know of the change. So we pulled into a parking spot right off the main road so that he could start making the calls. I noticed a large dumpster next to our car so I thought I would throw away some wrapping paper from a gift that I had received in the mail that morning and my Starbucks cup. I was two steps out of the car when I heard an angry voice yell at me to get back in the car. I looked around and saw an old man hiding behind some bushes/shrubs/trees and I said, "I'm sorry sir?" because I thought I misheard him. He growled at me again to get back in the car and get away from the dumpster. I jumped in the car with wrapping paper and cup still in hand and told Matt that I thought the guy was going to shoot us. Matt rolled his window down and asked if there was a problem but the old guy just yelled for us to stay in the car. We both looked at each other and shrugged. Matt assured me that he only had a few more calls to make and then we would leave. We were there for 10 minutes when three separate police cars showed up. The old man had called the cops on us for an illegal dumping!!!!!!! When the officer approached our vehicle, he asked if we were the reason for him coming out. "I don't think so..." Matt said, because obviously three seperate policemen were not needed for this, but they spoke to the crazy old coot and he said we were making an illegal dumping! I told the officer that I thought it was a public dumpster and that nothing was put in it after I was yelled at. The old man still went over to look in the dumpster to see if anything had been deposited. Are you kidding me?!?! We apologized to the officer for the misunderstanding and drove away. As we drove off I said to Matt, "That man would save so many tax dollars by just purchasing cable and giving himself something to do." I am so glad that we live in the city where we call the police for gang violence, gun shots and drugs. We don't have time for that petty stuff. Still, the event made me laugh.

The Nursery

Matt spent every last second last weekend getting the nursery ready. I know that we still have 8 weeks to go, but anyone who knows me, knows that I like to be prepared. Sox and I have been spending a lot of time in the nursery, just relaxing and getting ready for Baby Jackson. I think she knows that a big change is coming. I love the Chicago Bears mobile- it is priceless!

Jackson Showed His Stuff!!!!

We had to go to the birthing center at the hospital this morning for more pre-term contractions. While that part wasn't fun and a little scary, what was great was when they had to do an ultrasound and I asked if they could try and see if the baby is a boy or a girl. We got a clear shot of his "stuff" and there is no mistaking this little guy- he's his daddy's boy through and through! :) Matt started smiling and I started crying. Then they showed us his beautiful little face (seen in the picture on the left) and then I really couldn't stop crying. So- blue it is! We are glad that the "Pee-Pee Tee-Pees" Uncle Dave bought are going to be put to good use :) No wee-sprinkling in this mama's face!

Two Ships Passing In the Night

Things have been very busy for the Rife's in Chicago lately. We certainly feel like two ships passing in the night now that Matt has started working 3:30pm-12:30am Monday-Friday. We pretty much see one another on the weekends, but we are making the best of it- TEAM RIFE! I usually wake up and watch TV with him for a bit around 1:30am when he gets home and he's been getting up to get my car in the morning so that we can say hello and goodbye (kisses!) It's been rough, don't get me wrong, but we have managed to make it better than I thought it was going to be. God is good.
A couple of weeks ago we had a little scare when I had pre-term contractions and had to go to the hospital. While it hadn't gotten to the point where it was pre-term labor, it was still a little frightening. Apparently I had worked too hard and too much that week (it was conferences week at school) and I was dehydrated. Every thing's fine now, but I had to tell my principal that I can't stay late after work anymore because I have to get home and get my feet up. She was very understanding, and I think I was more upset about it than she was. Our enrollment is projected to be down for next year so we are looking at possibly cutting a teacher or two and I'm the low man on the totem pole- again. So, I'm back keeping my eyes out for another job just in case. I'm just praying for a miracle- I really love this job and don't want to go anywhere. This has been a great year of teaching for me.
I have to go to the doctor every two weeks now to check the baby's heart rate, etc. I had read that at this point in the pregnancy I should be monitoring the baby's movements twice a day, to make sure there were 14 movements in a two hour period. So, I asked the doctor if I should be monitoring now and she laughed. "With that baby? Wouldn't you lose count?" she asked :) We have a very active baby. Last time I actually counted it was 14 times in 10 minutes, so I'm just not that worried. Apparently the baby already has mom's energy and vigor. Hopefully he or she will have Dad's patience and good looks!
Apparently the weather's been cold in Chicago this winter- I hadn't noticed. I have been cold every day of my life for as long as I can remember, and now pregnancy has brought on a whole new outlook on life. I have been SO hot this winter. Our neighbors downstairs are elderly and keep their heat very high, so Matt and I have the windows open and a $17 gas bill. I'm sure he's a lot more comfortable now that I'm pregnant because I always keep the place so hot!
I think that's all for now. I hope everyone's well. We miss everyone in Seattle- come visit!!!