36 Weeks

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 36 weeks!

BABY'S SIZE: 18.5 inches, 6 lbs, the baby is the size/weight of a crenshaw melon!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 31 lbs now which I wholeheartedly blame on the Holiday season ; )

SLEEP:  Getting up multiple times every night to go to the bathroom and then just laying there feeling her swim around.  Nature is definitely getting me ready for sleepless nights to come.  

MOVEMENT: She is a mover and a shaker who gets hiccups all the time now!

SYMPTOMS:  Hard to get off the couch and floor otherwise moving around pretty good and no waddling yet! : )

WHAT I MISS: Taking long walks outside and enjoying the sunshine while at the parks!

CRAVINGS: Holding a snuggly and warm baby.

MATERNITY CLOTHES: Here and there but mostly just wearing comfy shorts/sweats after work.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO:  Getting over this cold and seeing our girl on ultrasound again this week.  (Baby is measuring a tad small so we get to see her on U/S again just to check and make sure everything is a-okay!)
PREGNANCY PROGRESS:  At today's appt was I was 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced and baby girl is head down and sitting at a -1.  So after calling in and being sick last Thursday, Friday and throughout the weekend it was time to kick it into high gear.  In just a few short hours I have washed and sterilized all the bottles, nuks and pump supplies.  Washed and ironed her sheets and blankets, packed the hospital bags and scrubbed the bathroom thoroughly.  (The BR just really needed a good cleaning!)  We are ready to meet this baby and have decided that my last day at work is Feb 4th that is if she doesn't come any earlier so here's to my last few weeks at work and enjoying the small things!  

Pride.

Riley needed his flu shot.
I was putting it off and then decided it could be put off no longer.
I made the appt and even thought of cancelling because of exhuastion.
After much wallowing I picked myself up off the couch, drove to get Riley man and proceeded to the clinic Tuesday afternoon.
I had told Riley we were going to the Dr's office and he was so tired from naptime he just didn't care-that is until we parked.  His sweet little voice called out to me "Mommy owies?" 
I thought twice about lying to him and or ignoring his question but finally said "Yes, sweetheart just one owie this time." 
He looked up at for a minute while I got him out of his seat and seemed to ponder his options. 
We made our way into the line, checked in and stared at the pretty fishies in the tank. 
We got called back and he cheerfully said "hi" to all the nurses along the way. 
I just kept waiting for the ball the drop and for him to take off running in the opposite direction but then he saw his Dr, Dr Rzepka who he loves now.  Rzepka asked him why he was here and his answer surprised us both.
He replied "one owie," and proceeded to follow the nurse, pull up his little pant leg, sit on my lap and not cry one tear.  He looked at me after seeing the needle and repeated his mantra "one owie mommy, one owie, wight?" but never uttered a whine or shed or a tear.
He got a sticker and a sucker for being such a big boy and I walked out with my mouth wide open.
After the nurse made me feel like the worlds worst mother for opting for the shot instead of the nasal spray with the live (yes living, real, actual) flu bug I questioned my decision but after already telling him he was here for a shot I thought it best to stick with the plan and follow his brave lead. 
I.am.so.glad.I.did. 
He surprised the heck outta me and I couldn't wait to tell Daddy/G'ma/G'pa-anyone that would listen-that my 2 year old made me so proud. 
You are a very big boy indeed Riley and we couldn't be more proud of you! 
Love you Little Man and thank you for teaching me a new lesson nearly everyday!

And he has started calling me Mama Mia all the time because D sings alot and 'oh mama mia' is one of those songs he can't get out of his head.  It is so nice to hear "Me miss you mama mia," when I get home everyday!  

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jan 2nd ushered in another year to celebrate for D and Riley was so excited that it was his Daddy's b-day.  He insists that D is two and that he is now tree!  We had a 2nd b-day party to go to on Sunday before Christmas and Riley was so confused after just celebrating Owen's 2nd year, celebrating Daddy's day and now Logan's 2nd b-day, the poor boy was calling Logan-Owen and Evan (who we saw at Christmas) remained nameless as Riley just didn't even attempt to keep it all straight anymore.  At the last minute I decided we would send Daddy away for the weekend of Feb 19th for the annual Duck's Unlimited Fishing tourney which just a few days before I had laughed about even considering saying yes too.  I really didn't want him going away merely 13 days after she is due but then I figured I could
a. rally 
b. actually accept help that is offered
c. remember that all babies do is sleep and that if I can't make it 24 hours on my own I am doomed for when Daddy get's busy at work again! 
d. Keep calm and carry on! 

So I collected money from my bro-in-law and signed the duo up after receiving confirmation that others would also like to go and from here D is in charge of organizing-like he always is. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!  We love you more than you realize.  You are our rock.  You are so easy to love and I aspire to be more like you (when I grow up of course ; ).  I am sure our newest little will be enamored with you just like Riley is and soon when you walk in the door you will be showered with double the hugs and double the squeals of joy and excitement.  Thank you for always putting us first and picking us up when we falter.  You are the most patient and loving person we know.  I did not know I could love you anymore and then you proved me wrong.  I can't wait to see you hold our new baby and I can't wait for her to get to love you also.

P.S.  This Daddy took his big boy ice fishing for the first time last week and he was so excited about it!  Riley did awesome according to D and even caught his very first perch.  D dutifully caught the whole thing on camera and the video is so freaking cute I can't hardly stand it!  Riley is sitting in a tiny little fold out chair jigging his pole like a pro and answering "no yet Daddy" when asked if he has a bite.  When he finally did get a bite he reeled it in like a pro and held it up proudly with no trepidation.  D has been so excited to take Riley out and enjoy the hunting and fishing like he did growing up and didn't expect to be able to do it with Riley being so young but he CANNOT wait to take him out again and we will likely be aquiring a fish house before the end of 2011 hits! 
I on the other hand normally enjoy a night off but missed the boys tremendously and just couldn't wait to get them home this time.  My time alone with just the 2 of them is coming to a close and I just want to soak it all in while I can. 

35 Weeks! Oops yesterday again!

Pretty sure he is saying "Ahhhh, my mommy is getting big!"

                                                               

                                                         PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 35 weeks!

BABY'S SIZE: 18.5 inches, 4.5 lbs-5.5 lbs, the baby is the size/weight of a honeydew melon!
TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 29 lbs now which I wholeheartedly blame on the Holiday season ; )

SLEEP: Sleep without my guys home on Thursday night was not easy and then Friday I was up all night with hip and back pain which led into Saturday night where I heaved from midnight on...not a great weekend of sleep!  Good thing it was a long weekend off and thank the Lord for Tylenol PM which knocked both me and baby girl out from 7:20-3:50 a.m. Sunday night! 
MOVEMENT: She is making sleep interesting these days.  Nighttime is her tumble time and it feels like she is going to bust right through my stomach!  I will switch positions trying to get us both comfy and she just keeps rolling around furiously.  She has also had hiccups alot these last few nights and it doesn't make for a real restful sleep when your belly is jumping every few seconds.  Gotta love nature's way of preparing you for the no sleep zone to come! 
SYMPTOMS: Starting to feel like a whale.  : )  I woke up Monday morn to no pregnancy rash so finally the ammoxycillun 3 times a day is working!  Woo hoo!  I hate being stared at!
WHAT I MISS: Taking long walks outside and enjoying the sunshine while at the parks!
CRAVINGS: Holding a snuggly and warm baby.
MATERNITY CLOTHES: Starting to wear maternity jeans more regularly, although I wore the most uncomfortable ones on Sunday!  How did that happen?! 

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO:  Relaxing all week long and taking my time with chores and laundry.  I just want to sit and be still after 2 busy weeks with the Holidays and parties.  We are all dragging just a bit!