The Day Before

Big and waiting. Excited and nervous. Happy.



But then why do I cry so often? I am looking forward to my baby girl but I am scared because I no how this ends.



With a belly so big how can she be small? They are guessing 7.5 pounds. Is that how much a watermelon weighs?



I have been praying. Praying and pacing. Lord please lets her be healthy and perfect. Please let this be an easy and fast delivery with a recovery that follows suite.



Today it hit Jay. He has been moving around all day doing little projects. Moving piles from one side of the house to other places. Organizing, sorting and throwing away. That was me through the whole last week. A nervous, emotional, nesting wreck. Today I feel a peace over me. I am relaxing. I am playing peek a boo.



Now it is your turn baby.

As much as look forward to the baby being here and the pain, the pregnancy being over, I will miss it. But luckily it will be replaced by a sweet, soft, good smelling little baby GIRL!



March 21, 2011

Fun on a Friday afternoon.

Last Friday it was warm. We wore shorts and played outside. This Friday it is cold. We are wearing our winter jackets and snow is predicted for tomorrow. What a difference what crazy weather. Rather than ramble on about how much I hate the cold and forgot to bring my cactus in from outside killing them all let's remember back to last Friday.

It was wonderful! The weather was warm, so nice and comfortable. It was the perfect day to get outside and shake off this cabin fever. As soon as the boys came home we loaded up the truck and headed out to the park for an evening bike ride and picnic.



They thought it was great. They threw rocks in the stream.



They scared us as they stayed to close along the side of the ice cold chilly water.



The day might be warm but the water certainly was not however there is no telling them that. It is funny how these simple thing can entertain kids. How much I want to remind them of this when they are pacing around the house tripping over their toys saying I am bored mom. Simplicity in the outdoors makes me want to move even more. Not just further south to the warmth but to a place where we have land for them to enjoy, to run around.

They brought along there skate boards. They really don't get much pratice so it was fun to watch.





No they are not wearing pads. Usually where I am insistent on safety this time I was just thinking maybe we can get a two for one discount rate at the hospital?



Evan, I was taking pictures of him on his skateboard, he was doing real well, then I said smile. Poser. But I love it.





It was Friday the 18th and I was almost at 39 weeks. I have been generally uncomfortable and in a lot of pain, ready to have this baby. We tried most the old wife's tells to get labor started nothing worked. Nor has it ever in the past. Here at the park we thought maybe a couple of things would work. One of the tricks we tried last time was going on bumpy roads. We then drove the truck up a dirt road to a favorite fishing spot. It produce no baby then but I was willing to try it again but a little differently. We drove around in the truck all day. Everyone wanted to go for a bike ride but not really me. Last time I rode around on my bike in the neighborhood it was misarable. But it was such a nice day and I was having a great time so I figured I will at least try.



We all got on our bikes and started off. The boys made it to the park through questionable measures and then stopped.



I worry about him.

They wanted to play. Jay wanted to keep on ridding. Trusting them and thinking we would stay close I followed Jay and left the boys. Not Smiley he was happily along for the ride. Or so he thought.



We rode close by on a paved trail it was fun and easy. We stayed along the trail as it went further and further from the boys. I was nervous. The trail then went from paved to gravel, a little further from graved to large stones and river rocks , then to a washed out river bed. It was bumpy!!! Wow if this does not do it. Poor Smiley had a help me look in his face as he bumped along. We turned around and headed back it was too much. But worth the try.


Ah back to throwing rocks in the river. This is more my speed right now. And I am really enjoying the boys.





It is so nice to have the extra sunshine right now. It gives us more time to play, explore and take pictures.





It is so hard to keep these kids out of the water. In a short bit we will be back here and they can tromp around, splash and catch crawlfish.

It was a great afternoon. I loved the family time. It kept my mind off of being miserable for a while. Here is an old picture from 2009 of me 37 weeks pregnant with Smiley.



And here I am pregnant again. Expecting any day about to make him a big brother. But I think he is up for the challenge.




So we left. Packed up the bikes, packed up the family and were thankful for each day we have together.

Project 365 week 11

3 birthdays, the pinewood derby, home still under construction, 3 days of taking someone sick to the doctors, normal activities and commitments, and closing in on my due date I would say it has been a busy week.

I actually started this on Friday but life is busy and will continue to be so. Here is another extended edition of project 365 stretching to Sunday.

March 12
The boys competed in the pinewood derby. We all have been waiting for this day for some time now. We are now waiting for this day 2012 believe it or not.



March 13
I made it to 38 weeks!



March 14
My 32nd birthday! I got a wonderful gift. It is two things I have never had a double strand of pearls, and ones this large. I think they are lovely. And have all ready wore them multiple time. They will be a wardrobe staple.



March 15
My sweet niece turned 5! I can't believe she is that old but she is probably saying the same thing about me.



March 16
I got everything ready to go. The boys are packed and so am I. Just waiting.



March 17
Another birthday. This one belonging to my sister in law Patty.



March 18
What a warm wonderful day we took to the woods to celebrate.



March 19
It was the supermoon. The closest the moon has been to the Earth in 18 years. I could not tell that it was bigger but it sure was brighter.



March 20
Closing in quickly I am now at 39 weeks! I can't wait to have this baby or should I say basketball.

Sickness surounds us but can't stop us

These last few days have been full of early morning construction, doctors visits and birthdays.

MONDAY



It was my birthday. Not quite the day I dreamed of but
1. I was not working. It has been years since I have not had to work on my birthday.
2. I was not in the hospital where I wanted to be. I know that sounds weird but I so very much wanted to have my baby that day. I wanted to share a birthday with my daughter. God wants her to have a different birthday though one all her own.
3. I still had a nice day.

It is also the birthday of one of the little girls from my AWANAS group. She called me up and asked if I would come over to her house and celebrate with her. Sure sweetie.


Happy Birthday Anna!



My boys came and helped open presents and devour cake.

Crazy Gregory. He loves party hats and boy I love him. Having them around me was such a birthday gift. They even remembered it was my birthday and wished me a happy one before they left to school with out any prodding by dad or their grandparents.



We also had a trip to the doctors for Smiley. He has not been feeling well and not sleeping. So we have not been sleeping either. Thankful the doctors confirmed yes he has a cold. Don't you hate it when that happens. But with him about to stay at his grandparents for a few days soon I wanted to make sure it was not something requiring treatment. A cold, I can't believe I took him in for a cold.

Tuesday

No one was feeling well. I was weak and miserable. There is no way I could have a baby feeling like this so I thought I might as well go to the doctors and hear I have a cold too. But my ear was throbbing so it really needed to be looked at. My diagnosis is, an upper respiratory infection. No ear infection. But with some antibiotics they said I will be feeling well and able to have this baby. And the rest of the jam packed crazy day kept on going as normal but with a few hiccups. Oh I need some rest and a break.

Wednesday

Again back to the doctor. Third day in a row! Actually this was an ob appointment. It was planned. Baby is doing fine and still in no rush. I am holding at 2cm dilated and 170 pounds. No gain from last week that was good news. They are guessing she is 7.5 pounds. Wow a tiny baby, will see. My last was 9 pounds.

Worried because of all the deep coughing I was doing I asked the doctor if it hurt the baby. It feels like it is ripping the insides of me out. The doctor said no. But she also said this could be a good thing because I am tricking the right mussels in to thinking I am in labor. They are getting worked out and practicing. Yeah maybe sooner than later. But for what ever reason I think it will be this weekend. It feels like more than wishful thinking.

Thursday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I did not do any special this year. The boys did not have parties so they were not to knowing of what was going on but they did wear green to school. They knew they would get pinched if they didn't.

I spent it in a way I enjoy. I watched QVC. I don't know if you have ever seen it but it is one of the days I love to turn it on and just let it run in the background all day. They show you such wonderful treasure and have preformers. They bring in music and food and tell stories about Ireland. If you have never seen it I would recommend it. And try not to order something. Everyone feels a bit Irish today. I tried to resist spending money but...




Can't wait till they get here!

As far as our house is coming along it is on hold now. Monday and Tuesday the contractor came near 6AM to work on the walls. They finished plastering the wall on Monday. It looks good. It has a bit of a texture to it. We went with this due to the boys. It will be eaiser to patch and cover up all their dings and dents. It also just fits better with the house I am actually very pleased with it.



Tuesday they finished plastering the ceiling and they sprayed this foam stuff along all the bottoms of the walls.



It blocks any cracks and keeps out the cold. And Smiley stuck his feet in it. He got it all over his toes and then cried because it was there. Crazy kid. back to being locked out.



But for now everything is on hold and I am actually glad. It will be nice to have a small break from them in the house making a mess everyday even though I appreciate the work getting done. They will be back in one week to do the insides of the windows. I bet that will look nice and by then I will be happy they are continuing with the work. I do so very much want it all done and to stop tripping over piled up furniture.

It can happen to anyone

Did the time change effect you? It did us. Funny how an hours can throw you. We have a sick baby and I am not feeling well so it wasn't really just an hour earlier it was up and down all night in addition to the hour earlier. I am so tired.

Even with the time change we made it to church on time again! Two weeks in a row. A lot of people were late today. It made it easy to park. And a lot of people were tired today so I was not the only one this happened too. Can you guess where I am going with this?



Yes just after finishing my cup of coffee even I sat there in the comfy seat to that head bop warning. And then jilted by an elbow to my side and Jay saying "you were talking. It is bad enough you are sleeping through the service but people started looking because you were talking."

Ugh. How many people saw me sleeping? Maybe they just think I too was praying. Oh well I got my blanket excuse that I have been overusing a lot lately, im pregnant. He said there was also a few other he saw nodding off too. Good.

My sleeping everyone has forgot about by now but wouldn't it be horrible to be famous and caught on camera sleeping never living it down.

2nd Annual Pinewood Derby

Today had two big events, no birthdays. We started in the morning with the last basketball game of the season. Basketball is going to be a hard one not to have anymore the boys really enjoy it. They learned a lot of skills this season. But there is a basketball court down from the house they can still play on.








Shortly after coming home we got ready to go back to church for the highlight of our day, a highlight of the year. Yes it is that time again for the pinewood derby.



The track was set



The boys were more than ready. They even got there racing tats on.



The turn out was huge. There were over 100 clubbers racing in 94 heats. They all brought parents, siblings, family, and grandparents. There was just standing room left and it was crowded. Their grandparents came too. First timers, they had no idea what they were in for.



Excited. They could not wait to get racing.



Evan's first race was the fastest. With fresh graphite on his car zoomed down the track and came in first.



He took first two times. Always by a good lead. He was smoking the other racers.



Gregory is a fanatic winner. He jumps, he dances, he is entertainment in himself.



Gregory also took first in two races. This was a surprise to us. His car was not built as fast as Evan's.



The races are just as much for the dads too. But it is so much more fun when your child is winning. We walked with pride with our kids.



Evan though both boys came in first 2 times, they raced 4 times once on each track with the worst score dropped and the other three averaged out, they did not place for any trophies this year. But don't tell them that.



They were so proud of them self when they ran first. Evan would say mom aren't I doing such a good job racing? It made me smile.



Dad did a good job on the cars and finished them just in time. Hours before the race. Believe it or not we have all ready been thinking about how to make the cars for next year. Thinking but of course there will be no head start on it.



As far as Smiley goes he was there too. He likes his brothers cars and watching them race but today he had his eye set on something or should I say someone else.



For him it was all about Kenzie. He was determined to catch her and play.



I have got you cornered now.



Come here Kenzie I want to play with you!



Ha but I am free and you are stuck in the stroller.

They were just as fun to watch. They chased each other up and down the gym. Occasional hugs and a lot of mischief.

Whew, what a day. One more thing behind us in this crazy month of March.