life as an ostovic

With Jack’s due date 3 weeks away, we are getting very excited! I am now going to see the midwives every week, and have just a few visits left! We’ll be doing some important things over the next few weeks- like getting the car seat into the car and getting familiar with how to use it! I’m getting up a few times each night as Jack has made my bladder a pancake. The cortizone shots (for the pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome) seem to have relived most of the pain in my hands, but the numbness remains. At least that allows me to sleep better, so I am grateful for that.

We have a few more baby supplies to get, but are just about ready. We’re enjoying the anticipation!

Can’t wait for you all to meet Jack!!!

As Jack’s arrival gets closer, everyone is excited- including the residents and staff of Bath Manor Nursing Home. This week I enjoyed 2 showers at work. One shower was given by the Activity Staff for me to share with the residents. The residents played a few games (with prizes too), enjoyed cake and punch, feeling my belly, and although they weren’t supposed to- some brought gifts. I brought in several baby items from home and the residents seemed to enjoy looking at them and touching them. One of my staff members collected advice and created a book for me entitled, “Motherly Wisdom From the Ladies of Bath Manor”. It is beautiful collection of a lifetime of experience with children and parenting.

The other shower was given by my fellow Department Heads. They made it so special- they decorated with balloons and banners, brought in Olive Garden for lunch, had cake (yellow, my favorite!), and were incredibly generous with giving gifts. I can’t wait to see the pictures! Now we have a nice supply of diapers, wipes, clothing, bath stuff, blankets, etc! Their friendship and support means the most to me!

I am very thankful to all my friends at Bath Manor, for their kindness and generosity, for celebrating Jack with me- and for making me feel so special and so loved.

bags packed
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

Well, here they are all ready to go with us to the hospital. We have just about 4 weeks to go till the due date. It is very strange to not know what the next 20 days will hold. Our lives will change significantly when Jackson arrives, but we do not know when that will happen. Patience is the key, but that is hard because we are so excited to see what he looks like and meet him for the first time. We are also very excited to introduce him to all of you. I am going to want to introduce him to everyone, so be ready to hold him! : )

Anyway, Melanie continues to have very strange things happen to her body, all normal but some are not very fun. today she recieved cortizone shots in her carpal tunnels which is supposed to relieve the pain in her hands. Hopefully now she will sleep better at night.

well that is all for now. talk to you all later.

derrak

video shoot on location
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

Recently I have been a part of producing a video for the church. It is a 30 minute video talk by Knute Larson that will be shown on Sunday Feb. 6th during our services. On this project i have been learning a lot from those helping out. these pictures are of my new friend Matt Murphy (the camera guy) who is just an all around great guy and amazing at video production. I love his creative mind. Also on location is Grant Erikson (In the yellow and blue striped shirt) a well seasoned veteran who we have all been learning a lot from about how to do this. He has been directing the shoot, and is one of the most kind and friendly men that i have met.

matt murphy
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

The camera we have been using is a Cannon XL I. Apart from some glitches in our wireless mic the shooting has gone really well. There are a couple moving shots that we accomplished using a van.

Knute on location
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

Here is a pic of the man himself, Knute, preparing for the next shot. In the end we will have shot at 5 locations (three of which are outside). This coming week another friend, John Ziebro and I, along with some help from Matt will begin editing this down into its final version. I expect at least 30 hours of work editing this. Sounds like a lot but it will be worth it. We will do most of it using apple’s Final Cut Pro 4 on a Power Mac G5 with dual 2.5 GHz processors.

Greetings to all! We’re counting down the days until Jack’s due date. His bag is all packed for the hospital including his “Daddy and Me” going home outfit. Pregnancy continues to be quite an experience. I still LOVE to feel him move, and it cracks me up when he gets hiccups. The good news is that at my last appointment my belly had not grown since the previous visit 2 weeks before. My hope is that his growth has slowed down and that he will not be 10 pounds. I have another ultrasound on February 11th so they can check his size before my due date.

Derrak and I are enjoying our last weeks of just us as we know our life is about to significantly change forever. We’ve been relaxing and doing house projects, and trying to squeeze in a few dates before Jack’s arrival. The great news is that after my 12 week maternity leave, I’ll be back at Bath Manor working part-time in the Activity Department. I’m really happy about it. Derrak, Grandma Ostovic and Grandma Bottger will each have a day with Jack while I’m at work.

Thank you all for your love and support!

melanie & jackson
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

Per a request from Suzanne Cooper, here is a pic of my beautiful wife with child.

derrak

grace
Originally uploaded by dostovic.

We had two more visitors last week. Sarah and Grace Sustin. Here is a pic of grace, sorry your head is cut off sara. : )