NOT YET!

Still not yet. I went and saw Machel today and I am now dilated to a "good" 2 and still 80% effaced. The baby is measuring at 7 lbs 12 oz. So for my sake, Machel hopes that I go this week. That's what she said last time. She says it's very possible, but you never know. So, you can still guess if you want to get in to the guessing game. Maybe September isn't such a bad guess after all.

Getting Closer

We had another appointment today with Machel and we are getting closer. I am still dilated to a 1, but now 80% thinned. Maylin is HUGE!!! She gained a 1 lb and 1 oz. in just 6 days. She is measuring at 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 2 weeks early. Machel doubled measured just to be sure and the second time, Maylin was measuring even bigger. So...Maylin is a big baby! She could come any day now. Although, I'm not considered "full term" yet.

Another appointment

We went and saw Machel again yesterday. She finally checked me and I am 70% thinned and dilated to a 1. Considering that I am 35 weeks and that my water broke 4 weeks early last time, Machel is somewhat concerned. She didn't put me on bed rest, but did tell me to avoid certain things. Baby Maylin is doing well. My fluid is a little low, so she is squished, but other than that she is doing well. She is measuring at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and is measuring 1 week early. So, she has slowed down a bit since last appointment. I go and see Machel again in a week and she will check me again. She said she would be happy if I even made it to 38 weeks, so I think Machel thinks the baby will come before then. So, all you late guessers...you may want to rethink your guess. Here is what I have so far. Yes, my dad's guess is in 1 day...but that is only because he was listening to me say that I was having bad cramps and that I knew I was thinning. Personally, I think Riley's and Melise's guess is a pretty good guess. AND I have to say, anyone who guessed in September...I'm afraid you are going to be a bit off. BRAD!!!

Papa Cook: Aug 7th
Amy: Aug 12th
Tricia: Aug 13th
Riley: Aug 15th
Melise: Aug 15th
Denver: Aug 19th
Alisa: Aug 20th
My guess: Aug 23rd
Jared: Aug 24th
Grandma Dow: Aug 25th
McKenzie: Aug 27th
Janessa: Aug 28th
Julie: Aug 28th
Mama Cook: Aug 29th
Becki: Aug 30th
Brad: Sept 2nd
Holly: Sept 4th
Tyler: Sept 5th

BY THE WAY...Family, please take a look at the Dow Family Blog and Brimhall Family Blog links.

Family Blog

Ok, I posted this on my genealogy blog, but I know no one ever reads it. So, I'm posting this here because I like the idea. Who wants to participate in a family blog? I think I would do one for my side of the family and one for Brad's. The idea of the blog, would to post updates of what's going on in your family. I know most of you that read this already have your own family blog, but I mean just a place where any family member can go and read exciting updates. Some family members don't know how to blog or don't, so you could also make updates for the rest of your family. For example: my update for Brad's family today would be something like this:

Marty and Jill are living up in Idaho again. Karl and Zenda have Tom and Alisha living with them. Robert is still working as a chef at Wolf Creek. Nate is really sick and has been for 7 weeks. Keep praying for him. Brad and Karlie are expecting a baby girl in Sept. Tom and Alisha moved up to Farmington. Tom is working at LDS Surgical Center. They will be living close to Tooele in 2 weeks. Seesha started working again. John and Holly are expecting. David is doing well on his mission in Spain. Paul graduated high school. Gwen is living back and forth between Nate's and Melissa's and mom's and dad's house. Joel has become one of Indianna's favorite pals.

Let me know what you think. I think in order to do this, we would need several email addresses so people would know that the blog exists and also to add them in case they wanted to post anything. If you think this is a good idea...leave a comment and email me all the email addresses in your family. I think for my side of the family it would be the "Dow Family Blog" because no one on my dad's side blogs and for Brad's side it would be the "Brimhall Family Blog" because I don't think Brad's dad side blogs either. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Nap Time

Ok...I need help! In the past 2-3 weeks, I have been having a hard time getting Indianna to take a nap. I know she's tired, but when I lay her down, she just talks to herself for like an hour. Then when she doesn't nap, she gets tired at 5:00. We tried to keep her awake until at least 7:00 on those days. Any suggestions or help? Nap times are really important in this house, because that is when I get a lot of my work done. For those that don't know, I work from home. I usually work during her nap and then later at night when she's in bed. Any ideas?

Blessed Honored Pioneer

Happy Pioneer Day a day late. Here's to all my ancestors that came before and endured so much. I want to take this opportunity to honor my own pioneer ancestors. Well, because of the length I will honor one by telling her story. Lucy Perlina Ford was a member of the church in the early years. She was a member of the Nauvoo 2nd ward. She was married to Eli Dow, but later divorced him due to his drinking habit and it was said that he wasn't very kind to her. They had two children: Abigail and Lorenzo Dow. Abigail died in Nauvoo when she was two years old. Lorenzo was my great great grandfather. Lucy got her endowments in the Nauvoo temple. She remarried John Miles (Or Mailes). John went traveled the pioneer trail to the Salt Lake Valley and was one of the first to arrive in 1847. He later came back for Lucy, but died before he was able to return to Salt Lake with Lucy. Lucy and her children (Lorenzo and children from John) travelled to Salt Lake and I arrived around 1849. (I am telling this story, strictly from memory) She lost several children. I think it was around 6 children at a young age. Three set of twins. She lived with George Albert Smith for a while until they got settled. I have Lucy's patriarchal blessing from Hyrum Smith, which states "your descendants will bless your name and always remember you." I am so thankful for her endurance and wonderful example of faith.

Another appointment

Yesterday I had another appointment with Machel. She asked how things were going and did an ultrasound. Once again, she said, "This is a BIG baby!!!" I reminded her that I went 4 weeks early with Indianna and she said that she would for sure check me in two weeks. I figured two weeks isn't that far away, so I didn't say anything about the contractions I've been having or the fact that I think I am thinning. Machel measured the baby and any guesses how much baby Maylin gained after 4 weeks? This blows my mind. Maylin was 2 lbs 8 oz last time (4 weeks ago). This time she is measuring at 5 lbs. 1 oz. She gained 2 lbs 9 oz in 4 weeks. WOW!! Again at the end of the appointment Machel told me to come back in two weeks. So, we go out to make our appointment and the girl says that Machel is booked. So, she calls Machel and asks where she wants to put me. Machel asks the girl, "how far along is she?" It blows my mind that Machel forgot that fast. I think it had been 2 minutes. Needless to say, they moved me back to 3 weeks. So, the next time I see her will be at 35 weeks. Hopefully, baby Maylin doesn't come too early. On the way home, Brad and I were curious as too how early I was measuring. On the ultrasound it says, Aug 30th. So, I am measuring 12 days early. Next time it'll probably be 3 weeks, just like Indianna. Ok...for those of you that want to guess when I'll have Maylin, I'm keeping track. Here is what I have so far.

Papa Cook: Aug 7th
Riley: Aug 15th
Melise: Aug 15th
My guess: Aug 23rd
Grandma Dow: Aug 25th
McKenzie: Aug 27th
Janessa: Aug 28th
Julie: Aug 28th
Mama Cook: Aug 29th
Becki: Aug 30th
Brad: Sept 2nd
Holly: Sept 4th
Tyler: Sept 5th