The Big 3-8!

Well we've made it to 38 weeks with this pregnancy. That's one week further than I went with Preston but I'm trying not to compare the pregnancies because then I feel like I'm overdue already when I'm really not. I had an appointment yesterday and I'm 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. According to ultrasound she is 7lbs 15oz right now. I'm to the point where I feel like a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment--sort of exciting and suspenseful. The maternity clothes don't even fit any more. I just wear huge t-shirts and yoga pants nearly everyday.  

 

 

37 Weeks Along

 

 

38 Weeks Along

 



At this stage...

in pregnancy...

 

I've gained exactly 25 pounds

I have heartburn most nights

People say it looks as though she has "dropped" but I can't really tell either way

Still no name--we are down to three but can't decide

I'm dilated to 1 cm and 60% effaced

I treated myself to a pedicure for cute delivery toes

I'm so excited to see what she looks like--hair, light or dark?

 

 

 

35 weeks

 

36 weeks

 



Our Little Lady is Loved

These sweet friends in my ward, Shana and Jamie, threw me a little baby shower to celebrate this little girl's upcoming arrival. It was so thoughtful of them and the low-key, girl's evening was just what I needed. We enjoyed fresh fruits and veggies, mini turkey wraps, sorbet frappe, cookies, and lemon bars. Scrumptious!

 

Seeing the tiny, girlie outfits and things makes me even more excited to have this little lady. I had an appointment today and she is doing wonderfully. Strong, healthy, and head-down--can't ask for much more than that. We will probably get to meet her in a month or so.

February Fun

 We certainly have been enjoying this beautiful February weather. We love walking around the Riparian Preserve and playing at the kiddie area.

 Hide and go seek is now a hit with both boys.

 And we spend time in our backyard digging in our dirt pile. I decided the boys were old enough to play outside alone while I did dishes and I came out and found this. Grant had dumped dirt ALL OVER Preston. It was insane how much dirt he had on him. The bath after this looked more like a mud pit. Boys will be boys I guess.

 We love walking around Freestone Park, riding bikes, and feeding the ducks.

 And then we have to get all clean from a day of being outside.

Valentine's was a little lame this year. Sean had a migraine after working a really long day, the boys were grumpy, and I was exhausted. We all went to bed early. But here's how I decorated a couple weeks prior. 1. Felt Heart Garland 2. Toll Painted conversation hearts 3. Free printables on wood blocks and in the frames 4. Crepe Paper Rosette Wreath

 

32 weeks along

 

34 weeks along

Grandma Ruth

My dear sweet Grandma Ruth passed away recently and we celebrated her life this past weekend with a viewing, funeral, grave dedication, and a luncheon. Grandma was an amazing woman and I've been blessed to live close to her nearly all my life. We all have incredible memories of grandma and her kindness, service, spunkiness, and honesty. I want to be more like her in so many ways.

 

 

The weather was perfect on this day. Here are my brothers and cousins as pallbearers.

 

Grant and me at the cemetery. Grant just loved the free space to race around with his cousins.

Grandma's beautiful casket and floral arrangement

At the church we enjoyed a family luncheon that was beautifully done and delicious too. Preston spent the day with Grandma Norine because he would have been unhappy with all the activities and no naps. 

 

For the first time since my wedding 6.5 years ago, all five of us siblings were together. Dave came from Seattle, Matt from Tulsa, Laura from Dayton, and Adam and me from here. It was wonderful to see them all and have some time together.

 This is certainly not a complete family picture (we are missing 2 spouses and 9 kids), but here is the group with whom we enjoyed the weekend.

We love you and miss you Grandma Ruth but we are so happy that you are with grandpa again and that you can speak and move and serve like you used to!!!

My Big Boy

I finally got around to taking Grant's 4-year-old pictures today. I had about 7 minutes before the sun went down so I tossed Preston in the stroller, changed Grant's clothes really quickly, walked the boys to the park next to our house, and captured these. I love my big boy!

 

 

Grant's 4-Year-Old Stats:

 

Weight: 36 lb. 2 oz. (51%)

Height: 41 in. (66%)

 

He's growing up. He smiles really cheesy for the camera. He loves to wink at people and calls me "toots". He asks for oatmeal at nearly every meal. His favorite drink is capri suns. He wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He loves affection and hugs. He tests my patience and warms my heart all day long. He tells me he wants to be nocturnal so he can play all night. He struggles writing the number 3 but can write every other letter and number. He adores his little brother and is excited for a sister. He's worried about growing up and cries if you mention him going on a mission. He's a sweet boy and we're so lucky to have him as our first-born.

 

Here is proof--he loves winking at people!

 

Health

There is nothing that makes me more grateful for my health (or my children's health) then being sick. I wish it didn't work that way. For two weeks the boys and I struggled with a cough. The doc says it was a viral bronchitis which is a nice way of saying just deal with it, we can't help you at all, it will go away in a couple more weeks. Ahh!! So hard for the kids. They wake themselves up at night in coughing fits and then they are upset and don't want to go back to sleep. Preston's naps were terrible (because of the cough) and that just makes the whole day bad. Well, we made it through that hurdle, hurray! And now the coughs and illnesses are gone.

 

Unfortunately, the coughing (mixed with loosening of ligaments/muscles that pregnancy brings) caused me to displace 8 of my ribs (4 on the right and 4 on the left). Oh my gosh the pain was severe! Moving, lifting, sneezing, laughing hurt so badly! I would just break down in tears because my ribs hurt so bad. And once again, there is no cure for displaced or even fractured ribs--you just get through it for a few weeks until they heal themselves. I alternated hot packs, cold packs, Tylenol, lidocaine patches, and Percocet when I just couldn't handle the pain any longer. It wasn't pretty. The days were long, Preston couldn't be held so he would just cry with his arms raised up to me asking me to pick him up. Well luckily a few weeks have passed from that ordeal as well and I'm feeling a little better. I can hold my baby, I can cough or sneeze without crying, and I haven't taken any meds in probably a week! The ribs are still tender but much better than before. Oh I never want to go through that again!

 

This was Preston's demeanor while he was sick. He was so sad and grouchy no matter what we did. Even swinging outside didn't bring a smile. =(

 

 In other happier news...

 

 

Baby girl and I at 27 weeks

 

and again at 29 weeks

 

We bought a van!! Sean has been looking for months and we finally found a 2007 Honda Odyssey that fit our tight budget and requirements. Here she is in all her glory. Now we can have a third child.

 This is a funny angle but it shows how Preston just sits on his sister every day and enjoys the ride on the baby bump.

 

One morning we took a tour of the fire station with some friends. The firemen were really good with the kids and let them climb in the truck and see everything. Grant was a little nervous so he's the one in the back.

At least once or twice each day this is where you'll find us--on a walk. Preston loves the fresh air and Grant enjoys riding the new bike he got for Christmas. (Don't worry, nowadays he wears a helmet too because he fell down and was nervous to ride after that. )