Laura decided Independence Day was a good day to attempt to gain independence. Around 2am (technically July 5th) I started having contractions. By 2:30am they were averaging 3 mins apart so I started timing them. An hour later, they hadn't stopped, so I got up and moved around a bit as that can help. They stopped for about 30 mins, then picked up again. I woke Rob up around 5:15am and we called the OB, who told us to head to L&D. I called Betsy, who was somehow instantly alert and headed right over to stay with the kids (she later discovered that she had put her clothes on inside out, but none of us noticed at the time).

The contractions slowed down by the time I got to L&D fortunately. They picked up again for a bit, then settled down to every 20-30 mins. For those of you interested in TMI, they shortened and opened the exterior cervix, but the interior stayed closed. A few hours later, the contractions were holding steady at 2-3 an hour, and there hadn't been any more changes to my cervix, so they let me go home.

I am now on strict bedrest until further notice. I'm allowed up to go to the bathroom and to shower. Ick. At least I made it through 14.5 wks of modified bedrest first! I will be 29 wks on Saturday. My goal is now 34 wks, which is only 5 wks away. I'll feel more comfortable once I hit 32 wks though. Even 30 wks would be better, and that's only a week away :)

I feel like a ticking time bomb, which is an interesting feeling. Laura is super active now, so at least I know she's ok. She's head down and posterior, like all of my babies have been, meaning her back is against my spine, so the kicks are all aimed at my tummy.

We also had the transmission go out on our van this week. Well, it didn't actually go out yet, the check engine light went on and we got it in before it failed. It had to be taken out and completely taken apart to get fixed. Oh, well. Who needs money anyway? :)

In other news, I don't think I've posted about Rob's amazing accomplishment yet. Over the past few weeks, he has learned to swim! In just two visits to Jojo's pool, he managed to go from a severe fear of the water and being unable to even doggy paddle to jumping off the diving board into ten feet of water (several times)!!! It was wonderful watching the grin on his face as he mentally checked that off his bucket list :) Kylie has also taught herself how to swim this summer and Beth has decided to remove her floaties and figure out how to swim on her own as well, so I'm sure she'll be swimming in no time (as long as I'm allowed to keep going to the pool - we'll have to see what the dr says)!

Finally, a few facebook statuses from the past few weeks ~

Eva has taken to growling at people when they are trying to take something away from her that she wants to keep.

Recipe for a perfect summer day ~ swim all morning, sonic for lunch, nap all afternoon with a cuddly munchkin while listening to the rain on the windows, dinner out with a friend :)

Rob's going to sleep while I'm finishing up a homework assignment. He just gave a hugely exaggerated sigh, to which I responded by telling him that he got to go to sleep tonight without having his head scratched as I am working on homework. He responded by saying he wasn't thinking of that. He was thinking of "Fiddler on the Roof" (which we haven't watched in several years) where the guy sounds like Sylvester the cat when he's singing "Miracles of Miracles". Apparently Rob would not want to be standing in front of him as he would be covered in spit. He finished his thought by saying he didn't think he'd have to dance in a glen to get his point across either. Huh.

Rob's deep thought for tonight ~
"You know what phrase I find funny? 'Farting through silk'. As if it's a completely different experience to break wind against cotton than silk. Do you think they do tests like taste tests??? I can picture it - 'Nope, that was definitely cotton' or 'Oh, that must have been silk - I feel higher class!'"
Interesting that he never shared insights like this BEFORE we were married . . .

Jack (as we are driving to the movies this morning): Hey guys! We totally forgot our Phineas and Ferb game! Oh, that's right. We can't play it without the Millennium Falcon.

I'm so glad I married someone who still lights up my life when his car happens to pull up behind mine in traffic even after fifteen years of marriage :)

Jack used a pen to decorate himself from forehead to feet. When asked why he matter-of-factly explained "Mommy, I was pretending to be a plane". Of course.

Megan: I've decided I'm going to be a pseudo-vegetarian.
Rob: Ok. What is a pseudo-vegetarian?
Megan: I'm not going to eat certain kinds of meat.
Rob: Like what?
Megan: Rabbit
Beth: What about goat?
Megan: No, I like goat. Oh, and buffalo because they are endangered.
Rob: They aren't endangered anymore.
Megan: Oh, ok. Then I'll eat buffalo. But no endangered animals. And no rabbit.

 One of the best parts about being a parent ~ deciding to go out and get cinnamon rolls at 9pm (with Ashley), then sneaking into the kids' rooms after Rob put them to bed to give them some :)

 Driving home from our wonderful date night, Rob comments "do you think that squirrels pass gas? I was just wondering if small mammals have gastrointestinal disturbances." And they say romance doesn't last in a marriage . . . (ps - according to google, they do. Ah, the classy conversations we have at our house ;) )

While driving to watch the fireworks Tuesday night, Jack piped up from the back seat "Mommy, I wish my arms were longer. Then I could reach up and pick a star out of the sky for you. It would be beautiful!" - This is one of my favorite comments ever!!! I love my little boy!!!