Some News is Good News

I got a text from Endrit today that his boss is allowing him to stay in the lab on a 2 weeks by 2 weeks basis.  This means that while he is in active job hunt status, every 2 weeks we will find out if there is any funding for him to stay in the lab.  Since his time in the lab ends August 31st, we found out today that he at least has income for another 2 weeks.  So, he is employed until September 15th.  It is a little thing, but it is such a blessing since it at least make it to ware we have 2 more weeks of us not spending our savings.  I said I would update people on Endrit's job status.  This is the first update.  Not much, but better than nothing.  We are being blessed.

How far along? 32 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Large jicama ~3.75 lbs and 16.7 in
Total weight gain/loss: up a bit I am sure...I will find out exactly on Wednesday
Sleep: getting better.
Best moment this week: Swimming.  Unfortunately I had to break out my old 2 piece...belly was just hanging out.
Movement: She is definitely getting cramped.  I still feel her little feet kicking at me when I lay on my right side.  It honestly is so much fun!
What I miss: Not waking up extremely puffy!  Oh my goodness my right hand hardly moves in the morning!
What I am looking forward to: Holding her in my arms.  It is getting close enough that I can say that.
Milestones: Every new week is a milestone in my opinion.
Symptoms: Lots and lots of heartburn and edema.

Thesis corrections

With 5 professors that read Endrit's thesis, compiling all of the corrections is a feat.  The one that is the most stringent writer gave Endrit his copy before the defense.  Endrit and I made all of the corrections on that one before he defended because that is what the professor demanded.  That leaves 4 more drafts of his thesis to dredge through and make corrections.  We have decided to tackle them one chapter at a time.  So today, Endrit came home and we sat at the table with 3 of them open and page at a time we went through all of the pre-thesis pages and chapter 1.  Tomorrow, we will try and tackle all of chapter 2.  We should be done with all of the corrections by the end of the week to send off to the editor.  I am glad that I don't mind helping Endrit with all of this.  I feel that I finally know what he has been doing the last 4 years despite him trying to explain it to me.  I guess that is what happens when you read a thesis 3 times and listen to a defense 3 times as well.

Oh, and nothing on the job front.  I PROMISE that we will tell all important news via text, call, facebook, and right here.  I promise!

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Head of lettuce (estimated 19 inches long and 3.9 lbs) 
Total weight gain/loss:  ummmm...Since my midwife appointment I think I am up about 1/2 lb.
Sleep:  I go through periods of can't get enough sleep and insomnia.  The last  2 days have been I can't get enough sleep.  Naps should never be 3 hours long after you sleep pretty good the night before.
Best moment this week: Has NOTHING to do with pregnancy.  Endrit passed his PhD dissertation.  That was an amazing day!!
Food cravings/aversions:  Not real aversions.  But, I am getting to the "I can eat everything in the house and it isn't enough" stage.  I am really trying to be good.  With this and the sleep, I think she is going through a MAJOR growth spurt.
What I miss:  Being able to bend down.  It is taken for granted by most people I think.
What I am looking forward to:  Meeting her.  I know it is a ways away, but I am really excited to meet her.
Milestones:  I have passed 200 days pregnant, passed 30 weeks.  Those are the main ones.
Symptoms:  big kicks from Marsi that hurt.  She wakes up when I do in the morning. It is really fun to feel her.  Lots of puffiness.  Other things are for me to know and no one else.

Dr. Endrit Shurdha

Endrit had his PhD thesis defense today.  Of course we were happy/scared/nervous about how everything could go.  We pretty much knew he would pass.  And he did!  It was the extent of the torture he would have to go through before they gave him the passing decision.

As is the case of any scientific research, you research one thing and it comes back with at least 3 questions.  At some point, you just have to stop knowing that research is never-ending.  Well, Endrit's adviser and some of the other professors didn't agree on where the stopping place should be saying that Endrit had not done enough research.  Well, his adviser came though for him and defended his position on why the research ended where it did.  He started his defense at 1:00 pm and called me with the results at 2:45 pm.  It was a good hour before I thought he was going to call.

I am so proud of Endrit.  He is amazing, smart, talented, and many other great qualities.  He pushed through the last 4 years and has almost passed every hurdle.  Well, now there is a new doctor in the house...even if it is just a doctor of philosophy.

Tomorrow

So, Endrit defends his thesis tomorrow.  Not much else to say other than that.

T - 4 (or 3) Days

Endrit is defending his PhD thesis on Friday.  As the day comes he is getting more confident.  That is a really good thing. I am definitely putting on a small front for Endrit to keep him calm.  I am extremely nervous for him and sometimes feel like this...

Because his PhD time seems to be summarized by this...

Being 30 weeks pregnant and on moderate bed rest, I have way too much time to think about things!  That is one of the reasons why I decided to break my bed rest protocol so I could go to the temple for peace.  I got peace, started reading comics and found this...

The end is near!