Our Kentucky adventure

Just as evidence that little J went to KY on an airplane while in my belly...It was a tight squeeze while the pull down table was in use with this 35 week pregnant belly.

One of the flights I was at the very back of the plane.  I was annoyed at first, then quickly realized that the lavatory was just two steps away.  I suppose it was just the perfect seat for me.  This same flight, P got a seat at the very front of the plane, which I though was extremely strange since our tickets were booked together.  Being the amazing guy he is, he gave up his economy seating (more leg room) to come sit at the very back of the plane with me.

and even sitting at the very back of the plane, in seats that don't recline at all, P was able to snooze the flight away. 

My legs were forced to dangle for the duration of the flight, as my legs are too short to touch the floor.  I had brilliant plans to bring a beach ball so my feet could rest on it, however that ball didn't make it in my bag, probably related to the last minute packing job.  And so after 8 hours of air travel...having an hour to lay in bed

and put my feet up before our dinner with the faculty at Bellarmine was essential.  I wish the picture did justice to how terrible the swelling was.   

The faculty at Bellarmine University were amazing.  I am so excited to become part of the BU family, and feel totally welcomed and supported.  Our first night we had dinner with some of the faculty, which lasted 3 hours.  Though P and I are totally not the typical "socialites" and would prefer an "eat and run sort of deal" it was a fun time, filled with fun people.  I think it is the first of many, so we better get use to it, and perhaps buy some more formal clothes for such occasions.

(apparently the water retention didn't just affect my feet/legs...but my husband he is one good looking fella!)

(and a belly picture just a day shy of 35 weeks)

The hospitality of everyone was amazing, the campus is gorgeous, and I realized that all of the area hospitals are just a few minutes drive from BU. 

I had the opportunity to meet with the nursing faculty, who are strongly encouraging me to start the MSN program - yes I am waiting till at least 2012, even superwoman couldn't handle that many life changes at once.  So plans to study for the GRE are in my future.  Having P work there, will allow me to obtain my MSN at no cost...so really there it just makes sense to pursue. 

The faculty, and the dean of the health sciences department - who is a RN - have told me they will help in every way to assure a RN job for me.  This is a huge sigh of relief.  Tonight I just completed the Kentuky RN license process, which was lengthy, expensive, and annoying.  Now it is done and my "to do" has an item crossed off! 

While P was busy doing professor type stuff - figuring out his teaching assignment for Fall 2011, getting his books, meeting with the high-ups, etc - I took a chilly stroll around campus.  I love that one of the buildings is called Miles Hall - little K's middle name is Miles.  This building hosts the Nursing department as well as Health Sciences, which I will frequent when I decide to start my MSN degree at Bellarmine.

I was reassured that KY will be green, and there really are trees there.  So perhaps I won't miss OR too terribly (doubtful, but a girl can dream)

On word (over)used, in my opinion, is eclectic.  EVERYONE says it.  It made me wonder if they would all consider me eclectic - with my nose piercing, "hippie" earrings, clothing style, etc.  I realized that I really do dress like an Oregonian while I was in Kentucky.  

Anyway...this was an advertisement at the KY airport.  According to it, P is "world-class faculty!"

The hallway at our hotel seemed to have the most short ceilings.  P jumped (he is a short guy) and touched the top of the ceiling with his head, with little effort, I just had to remind him to avoid the fire sprinklers...

and then we laughed out loud after checking out his facial expression in this picture.  Totally reminded us of our little R and his goofy facial expressions.

We checked out homes in the area, and have started seriously considering our options for housing.  So much to decide, and so much to figure out still.  

A massive winter storm canceled our flight home, so it was a scramble to get another one booked.  We managed to do so, and only ended up getting home an hour later than our originally scheduled flight.  I was extremely miserable, and less than fun to be around on that plane flight home.  I was in the middle seat, and had to force this poor little grandma to get up a gazillion times to let me get up to pee/walk around.  The four hour flight from Houston to Oregon seemed like FOREVER.  I was crazy hot, had a throbbing ear, an aching back, congested head, hacking cough, and swollen feet/legs.  I was clearly one of those pregnant women, who complain and fuss about every little thing.  After working Thurs-Sat, getting on a plane at 5:45am on Sunday, having a jam packed Sun-Tues, and finally getting home at 2am on Wednesday morning...I'd say I earned the right to be one of those pregnant women.  P did such a great job dealing with me, I have one amazing guy.

and this morning, after visiting the Dr., I do have reason to be one of those complaining 35 week pregnant women.  Per my Dr., I have a "raging ear infection coupled with bronchitis."     

and no post is complete without some pictures of the cutest boys around.

and I can't leave out my 35 week pregnant belly full of our baby girl...

 or a picture of the SWEET, multicolored necklace my little R made me while I was on my trip.  I got to sport this beauty proudly all day long.  R pointed it out to everyone today - patients in the waiting room, the Dr., the pharmacist, random grocery getters - beaming with pride, stating "look at the necklace I made for my mommy, my Nana helped me!"