Is something s'posed to to happen?

When I signed up for this pregnancy gig I was under the impression that I would be pregnant for 40 weeks and then I would get a baby.  Well, I've been pregnant now for 40 weeks and 4 days and I have yet to see a baby.  Talk about getting the raw end of this deal!  

The Plan

Originally we planned to be in England for at least a couple years, but have you found that life doesn't always stick to "the plan"?  We sure have, and we're excited to announce our newest detour.  

After attending a seminar presented by a professor who splits his time between Oxford and Columbia University, Justin decided to look further into programs offered at Columbia.  He discovered an incredible program that appeals to his career goals perfectly.  He applied to the program in December and yesterday we found out he was accepted!  

He will graduate from Oxford with a Masters of Science degree in Medical Anthropology and will pursue a 2-year Masters of Public Health with an emphasis in Global Health Policy and Management.  We will be here through the summer as Justin finishes his dissertation and then will move to New York to start Columbia in the fall.  

As of right now that's our new plan.  We're excited for the adventures that await us, but are happy to savor the time we have left here in Oxford as well.    

     

Dear Cody,

This was our most recent rental car:

Wish you were here.

Blenheim Palace

A couple of our friends invited us to go tour Blenheim Palace with them yesterday.  It is located in a little village right outside Oxford and is where the 1st Duke of Marlborough and his posterity have lived since 1705.  It is also famed as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.  The palace is situated on 2,100 acres of land which includes gardens, lakes, fountains, etc.  Once again we were privileged with beautiful weather in which to wander.

Left, left...left, right, left

We've also been doing LOTS of walking this week (in an attempt to kick Baby into gear).  The weather has been super conducive to our plan and we've discovered some awesome areas around town.

Additionally, lots of fresh pineapple has been consumed and a swig of raspberry leaf tea was swallowed (eww!  NOT worth it) to hopefully keep Baby on schedule.  I don't mind if she wants to enjoy her little cocoon in my belly for one more week, she's entitled to 40 weeks and I'm willing to grant that, but I just don't want her to be so cozy that she decides to overstay her welcome.  I'm eager to kiss those little fingers and toes (instead of having them jabbing at my ribs).  Any other old wives' tales out there that might help to keep Baby on schedule?  Please share!      

Simple Enjoyments

We've tried to do some things this week that we know will be less simple to do once the baby arrives.  Two of these activities included:

Going to a show

(Singin' in the Rain)

and  

Going to the temple

Both were very enjoyable.  We have no intentions of ceasing to do such things once the baby is here, but we do recognize that the ease with which we now do them will never be quite the same.  Comparatively I guess you could say this week is to having a baby as a bachelor/bachelorette party is to getting married.  Party on!   

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

The hospital bags are packed.

The baby's clothes have been washed, folded, and put in her dresser.

I have notified the teaching agency I work for that I am no longer available to work.

Our ride to the hospital is on alert and their phone number, along with other important numbers, are posted by the phone.

We're ready!

Countdown: ONE WEEK from tomorrow!

Infiltrated

The Malden household has been infiltrated by new 'dos.  Here are some looks at our luscious locks "before": 

(Justin's stylists was a bit on the eccentric side)

There should now be "after" pictures, but neither one of us was in the mood to model our posh new styles, so you'll just have to keep an eye out for them in future posts. 

Crafty Carol Makes a Comeback

I made more bows AND I knitted a pair of booties.  Ahhh yeeeaah.  

You can call me Queen of the Craft if you want.

An Equation of Love

THIS

PLUS (+)

THIS

EQUALS (=)

i LOVE birthdays.

Winter is Finally Over!

This won't seem like a big deal for those of you living in warmer climates, but spring has finally hit the UK.  We've had a few days of beautiful sunshine with temperatures finally hitting the mid 50's (for most of the day)! Surprisingly, after just a few days of sun, everything began to bloom.  I finished my second term this past Friday and since then Jill and I have been going for lengthy walks to enjoy the weather and to get the baby moving. We've discovered more of what Oxford has to offer in the last three days than in the first 6 months we've been here. 

What'dja do last night?

We went to listen to the philharmonic orchestra perform in the Sheldonian Theatre.

  

It was brilliant.  

(Up until the emergency alarm sounded and the entire theatre had to be evacuated...)

Is it possible??

Every night I go to bed thinking my belly can't possibly grow anymore.  Every morning I wake up flabbergasted to find that I'm bigger than I was the night before. 

Everything is still going well for the most part.  I'm having some issues with dizziness/feeling faint, but I haven't actually fainted yet, so *{shrug}*.  I guess my blood is just struggling to pump through my now massive body at an appropriate pressure.  Understandable.  

We went to a prenatal class on Saturday and met a woman who is having twins at the end of April.  She was pregnant from her chin to her upper thigh.  We're talking HUGE.  If I hadn't known her due date I would have guessed she was 3 weeks PAST due.  I can't recall ever wanting twins, but if I ever did the desire was firmly laid to rest.  Poor, poor lady.  

My goal was to have everything ready for Baby's arrival by the end of February.  Didn't happen. Maybe by the end of this week?  So while we're not quite ready for the actual appearance to be made, we're still excitedly anticipating it.  Countdown:  3 weeks, 5 days!