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!!!