how do I go into labor

Alright, I am down the the last week and need to know ANYTHING that will help push me into labor?? And I want something more original than just sex and walking. So come on, let me know soon!

38 weeks

I kinda just woke up in this picture if you can't tell.



Well, some exciting news, we had our appointment with our midwife yesterday and she checked me and said I am already dialated to a 3! And I guess my cervix is totally soft- she predicted this weekend- but I think just because she said that it will probally take 2 or more weeks still! I guess we will see. On a bad note- I have been working in the yard alot and got some kind of poison ivy on my hands and right arm. It is horrible. I can't sleep at night because of it! Not because of being 9 months pregnant- but because of the stupid poison ivy! Maybe thats what distracted me to getting to 3 centimeters without noticing! So, keep checking in on us. I'll be posting as soon as I go into labor!!!

last date night

Well it could be our last date night for awile anyways. This weekend Eric and I took a trip to Paducah Kentucky(yes the place is just as cool as it sounds) about 2 hours north. We went to the concert of one of our favorite bands Nickle Creek. It was a great show and we had a fun time in the little town. Paducah is right on the Ohio River, so we figured we had to zip across just to set foot in Illinois. It crossed our minds to just keep on driving 6 more hours and go to Chicago for the day- but instead we saw the signs to Metropolis IL. Come on.... think about it.... Yup thats where Superman is from. And there are signs all over the freeway about it. So we had to stop and see the GIANT SUPERMAN. It was one of the most random places I have ever been to, but it is kinda fun when your traveling the country and come across some of these novelties.

Maternity Pictures

http://lemondrops.smugmug.com/gallery/3076577/1/167836384
(click here)

I know what your thinking- another picture of Melea and her pregnant self. But trust me there are crazy people (Linda) out there that really like seeing these. Don't worry soon you will be ambushed with pictures of Baby Eli. Anyways this is a link to my maternity pictures I had taken last week. This is a friend of mine Jenica who lives up in Longview and is getting into doing some professional photography. She does a great job, I think, especially with kids photos. You can check out her other work on this same link.

34 weeks

Growing, growing and STILL growing. I feel like I went alittle too far, like all of the sudden I don't have anymore room and I still have 6 weeks to go! I guess everybody feels that way though, so I have heard. For those that didn't hear I am at home in Washington right now. I had a REALLY hard time with Eric going away for the month. And after sobbing uncontrollably to my mom, she booked me a flight home. Pathetic, I know. Those hormones are great huh? I feel much better being around family here. So now I am trying to get a standby flight back ASAP cause you really shouldn't be flying in my condition. Can't you just see the headline now "baby born in the sky" free airlines tickets for life maybe?!?!?

moving in

Before. Moving Day. After. One room down, lots more to go still.


















Well, we have been in the house a few weeks now but just got our household goods delivered Friday. The house is alittle crazy right now- I find that I can move like 3 things then its time for a break. This may take awile. Its crazy to think I only have 8 more weeks til baby comes! Time is flying by too fast.

Fort Campbell

FORT CAMPBELL
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 160th Special Operations Aviaition Regiment (SOAR), 5th Special Forces Group and 101st Corps Support Group. The 101st Airborne Division is one of the most powerful and prestigious divisions, having made a name for itself during World War II as the Screaming Eagles in Bastogne, Market Garden, Holland. Today, the highly trained soldiers of the 101st are the world's only Air Assualt Division. The 101st participates in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions at home and abroad.
Over 30,000 soldiers and 55,000 family members call Fort Campbell home.

28 weeks

Well, lets see I still feel great so far! I have started getting pretty uncomfortable sleeping, if there was a nice way to ask my husband to sleep somewhere else or at least not breath on me in my sleep I would do it! Just kidding, I love him! Eric and I started our 5 week child birthing class this month, and it has been really good so far- Eric is the sometimes annoyingly over involved dad wanting to see/touch everything including the Epidural needles, which, made the rest of the class almost pass out :) But again, I do love him. I went to MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) yesterday with an old friend from Korea and had a great time. I met several other pre-moms like me just attending to start getting involved with the group. So far so good out here in Tennessee, I will have Eric write the next post about what he's doing here.

NEW HOUSE

Well, we got to Clarksville Tennessee on Saturday, and made an offer on a house on Tuesday! So looks like we are closing on May 20th. We are so excited! This area is strange in the fact that you can rent for the same price as you can buy so it only made since. We are in a new neighborhood behind an elementary school and its a really pretty area. The couple that live there now are from Portland and are moving back where he will attend Multnomah bible college! Small world! They invited us over for dinner- but we'll wait til after closing! We really like the town so far, its a good size (4 Starbucks) If you didn't know- that is the official way to rate a city! I had my first OBGYN app. yesterday and everthing is still going good. The hospital is very nice! The only downer is there is a major baby boom this summer (the boys got home 9 months ago ; ) 200 babies will be born in the month of June alone! I'll let you all know more later.

The Quick Shower!

Funny we call it the Quick Ladies Shower- yet hardly any of us are Quick's!! It was the Bauer/Fleshman shower to be exact. I had a joint shower with my wonderful cousin Bethy who is due May 13th. We had about 13 of the "Quick" ladies there. We had a good time of talking, eating and opening gifts! Lots of very appriciated gift cards and outfits. Now that I have had all my showers I am pretty much set for everthing this baby will need for at least the first year! I have my stroller, pack an play, clothes, clothes, clothes, toys, cloth diapers- and gift cards to let Eric do alittle shopping for his little boy! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! He will be a very well dressed and loved little one!

April Showers continue

On Saturday the 21st I had Baby Shower #2 at Abundant Life. It was at 9am and I am surprized at how many came to such an early morning shower! We had about 20 people there. We played a fun game and everyone wrote baby boy and I some helpful messages. Thank you all for coming and for all your wonderful gifts! The advice and prayers were also very touching.

First Baby Shower!!!

This was great! I had my first shower at Eric's parents house (Grandma and Grandpa Bauer :) It was very nice and I got TONS of stuff. Alittle bit of everything outfits, toys, blankets, gift cards:) I had a great time and thank you all for everything!!! Alright so here come all the pictures...................


24 weeks now

Last stop on our road trip

Okay- so we finally got to our last stop on our road trip, it was our favorite by far. We stayed at Uchee Creek Army Campground in Columbus GA (Fort Benning) It was a beautiful campground in the woods on the Chatahoochee River and we stayed in a little cabin that was just perfect. We got to BBQ, have campfires and go canoeing (with gators) We both loved it there! Eric is still at Fort Benning just checked into Airborne School and I am HOME in vancouver!!! He will spend the next 3 weeks jumping off of high objects and eventually out of an airplane 5 times. I will return to him at the end of the month and we will make our last little drive to Tennessee for good. Thank goodness! I will post some Easter pics this weekend and my baby showers when the come!

New Orleans

I feel like I'm the host of a travel show with all the entries- I'll let Eric write about New Orleans...

What to say about New Awlins...interesting. I have never seen a city quite like it. The French Quarter, which dominates the downtown area is a mix of elegant architecture and inner-city grit. The people are warm and inviting, especially the con-artists. A man bet me a shoe shine that he could tell me where I got my shoes. After a few minutes of talking he said you got your shoes on your feet! Wow! Later on we came across many who fell victim to a similar scam.

Bourbon street is not as I expected. It was much like a street from the 'ville in Korea, for those who have been. It is a street lined with bars and "gentleman's clubs." Every night is a party. It is a very narrow street and I can't even imagine what it would be like during Mardi Gras.

Our hotel was on the corner of Bourbon (named for the french royal family, not the liquor) and Canal, one of the main thoroughfares of downtown. Every night on the corner, a small brass band would play, loudly. At first it was charming, then it was LOUD. People would crowd around them and listen to them play. They were all very talented, but, as I am sure the locals would agree, it was a bit much sometimes.

One of our favorite places in the city was Magazine street. It was "uptown" and very reminiscent of 23rd street in Portland. Many beautiful houses and great little shops lined the road. It was much more our cup 'o tea.

While we were there we got to visit a good friend of mine from DLI. John is a native "New Orleans-er(ite)" and it was great being able to spend time with him in his homeland, which explained alot about him, (just kidding buddy).

To sum up, the food was great, the people were friendly and the town has to a great extent it's own identity. New Orleans has an indescribable quality which is equal parts beauty, culture and grit. There is no doubt this is why the people are so eager to rebuild after Katrina

Our Hotel on Bourbon and Canal















Eric's first crawfish experience















Eric and his buddy Jon from DLI

Galveston Island

We were in Galveston TX for 3 days, its about 45min south of Houston and you have to cross a big bridge or take a ferry to get to it. The beach isn't anything special alittle brown and rough but its a fun town with lots of shops and resturaunts. We were lucky the weather was decent for us being that this is a prime storm area.
We stayed here at Hotel Galvez built in 1911















Some of the only area that survived the great storm in 1900. Downtown

san antonio

Well as most of you know Eric and I are on a big LONG road trip to move slowly from San Angelo TX to Tennessee. Our first stop was a couple of days in San Antonio. Our good friends Justin and Jenny got married on Friday the 23rd at a beautiful outdoor ceremony. It was a very fun time. The next day we explored San Antonio, went to the river walk, Alamo and downtown. San Antonio works very hard to never tear down old building so it is a very well perserved town. Heres some pics of the trip so far, I'll write more about our other stops soon!

Michael, Allison, Aidan and Arabella Ramsey

boy, oh boy

IT'S A BOY!!!!! Sorry these pictures are so blurry- I don't have a scanner so I had to take pictures of them to get them on here.
















Thumb sucker














Foot and leg















Circled area is his penis!!

Monday is the big day!

Tommarrow is the big day!! We get the big ultrasound where they will look over the whole body, heart chambers and of course the sex!! The whole thing will be about 30 min. I can't wait to see it again. Last time it was kicking and spinning all over- it was so fun to see!