39.5 Weeks

So here I am.  Everything is about to get very real.  I've been filled with many emotions over the last several days.

I've been scared to death for labor and delivery and slightly intimidated by the days and weeks to come.  It's a good and bad thing that I've been through this once before.  Good because I know what to expect, and bad because I know what to expect.

I'm so excited to meet the newest member of our family.  I wonder if he/she will look like Vera.  I'm a little nervous about our boy name.  I still can't make a decision.  Adam says it's up to me at this point.  Maybe it will be a girl and then I won't have to make a decision.  I have a hard time making big decisions.

Sleep hasn't come easily, so I've been pretty tired.  I was awake two nights ago for about 3 hours reading a book because I couldn't get comfortable in bed.  Last night I took Tylenol PM before bed, and slept so well.  It felt good to get a night of quality rest.

I have been easily irritated and annoyed, mostly with day-to-day activities.  Moving around is such a challenge.  Carrying a clothes basket is quite a sight.  I get frustrated when I have to bend over to pick something up.  The hardest part of my day is getting up when sitting on the floor.  My hands have started to go numb when washing or fixing my hair.  Dr. Train says that's due to pressure on nerves and an increase in blood and fluid volume.  The true blessing is that it's summertime, and I don't have to be on my feet at work each day.

I have been trying to soak in as much one-on-one time with Vera as possible.  We've played games and watched shows together, taken naps and rocked together, and had some really funny conversations.  She told me today that she thinks only one more day until her baby brother or sister arrives.  I hope she's right!  She thinks we should name her sister Mya and her brother Nick or John.  haha  Throughout most of the pregnancy she's said we should name this baby Thumby.  No idea what's up with that, but I do know she's really excited to be a sister, though it will be quite an adjustment for her too!

The last few days have been filled with chores.  I wanted to clean up really well because I know it won't get done for a few weeks after the baby comes.  Yesterday I washed all of my bedding.  Nothing beats a clean bed--especially when you're super-tired or not feeling well.  I have most of my laundry caught up.  Adam went with me to get groceries on Sunday, and we stocked up on things to make quick, easy meals.  Adam has been a big help the last few weeks.  He knows that I haven't been sleeping well, and he sees how hard it is for me to do certain things.  I really appreciate him helping me, especially with Vera and at mealtime.

Today I had my doctor's appointment.  So far, I've gained 25 pounds, my blood pressure is 112/72.  The baby's heart tones today were at 150, which is the fastest they've been in a few months.  I'm measuring in at 39 cm.  Last week it was 36 cm, so this baby is definitely growing.  However, Dr. Train said this baby is not as big as Vera was.

I asked Vera to take my picture before I left for the appointment (since she knows how to take pics now.)
^ This is the first pic she took.  Not bad really.
Below is the second picture she took.

Then Vera wanted me to take her picture.  Here she is...savoring the last days of being an only child.

So I resorted to taking my own pics in the mirror.
39 weeks 3 days

Dr. Train gave me the option to come in on Sunday evening for an induction.  I don't know how I feel about that.  On one hand, I'm really ready.  But, I'm also so afraid of being induced for a lot of reasons.  I get the feeling from Adam that going in on Sunday could be a good option because he could plan ahead at work, we could have Vera where she needs to be, and feel organized and calm.  But, the good thing is that Dr. Train is on call this weekend, so if I decide on Sunday morning I want to go in, all I have to do is call the hospital.
After talking to Dr. Train today, we decided to strip my membranes.  After doing that, she had a good feeling that things could start happening soon.  She said I'm about 3 cm dilated and things are looking more favorable.  I think I've been having a few contractions since then, but I don't really think they're regular enough to time.  I did pack my bag more thoroughly tonight.  Vera's things are also packed and ready to go.

I've been praying for a healthy baby and a safe, easy delivery.  I know this is all on God's timing, and everything will work out just fine.  Hopefully it will be soon...

Vera's First "Selfies"

Vera learned how to take pictures on my phone this week.  Her dad may or may not have assisted in teaching her how to do this.  Here are her first selfies...

Poultry Days 2014

This is the first year where Vera really understands and remembers what Poultry Days means.  She was really thrilled for the parade, especially the candy part.

She also knew that after the parade she would get to ride some rides.  Uncle Brian was nice enough to get her some ride tickets for her birthday.  They hung on our refrigerator for two months, and Vera just couldn't wait to use them.  After the parade, as we walked to Poultry Days, we ran into plenty of friends to talk to, and Vera grew quite impatient!!  We met up with Bailey, Mindy, Sanchez, Grammy and Papa.  The first stop was the animals exhibit.  Grammy bought food for the girls to feed to the animals.

Then we made our way to the rides.  Vera and Bailey rode the choo choo train first.  Here's Vera's very first ride ever.

Her giggles indicate that she loved it.  Adam and I both said she was either going to love it or be scared to death.  Having Bailey as a companion definitely made things more comfortable for Vera.  There were 3 rides that Vera was tall enough to ride.  Her dad was a trooper putting her on and off the rides, and riding with her on the Carousel.

This dinosaur ride went pretty fast, and Vera was holding on with a firm grip for dear life.  But she wore a smile the whole time.  It's hard to see, but they're in the green dinosaur in the background.  I had to post this picture for the memories of her holding on so tight to the side of the car.  We tried to get her to ride a second time, and she panicked because Bailey wasn't there.  We didn't force her to ride, and found some others that were more comfortable for her.

She got to ride in the first car of the choo choo train.  (I think she rode the train 3 times and the carousel 3 times)

Aunt Mindy was nice enough to take the girls on the spinning teddy bear ride (think kids version of Tilt-A-Whirl)  I love this picture!  Thanks Mindy!

It was hot, but Vera had a lot of fun.  She fell asleep in her stroller on our walk to the car.  Vera was sad when we drove by Poultry Days on Monday and I told her that it was closed.  Until next year....

"First" Camping Trip

At the end of May, Adam and I bought a camper.  It was our original plan to spend this summer looking and getting ideas because it isn't the best timing for us to be doing a lot of camping.  However, we spotted this camper around Mother's Day in Versailles and went to check it out.  Of course, it was pretty much exactly what we were looking for and it was in our price range.  So, after a lot of debate and thinking, we decided to buy it.

We decided to go camping right after school was out to "try out" our new camper.  Adam and I thought it'd be a good opportunity for us to get some family time in before the baby comes.  Who knows what the rest of our summer will bring.  So, Mandy, Jeff and Blake borrowed my mom's camper, and the six of us went on a camping trip for the weekend to St. Marys.  It could've been considered "borderline crazy" because I was 37 weeks pregnant and Mandy was 27 weeks pregnant.  But, I must admit that it was one of the most lazy camping trips I've ever taken.  We did nothing except sit in the shade, watch the kids play, and cook delicious food.  It was really nice.

Friday night was fairly sleepless for both parties mostly because we had a child in each camper that became nocturnal.  So Saturday involved naps all around.  But, the kids did play in the swimming pool we brought, and they had tons of fun.

Blake hopped in the pool with his clothes and diaper on, which turned out to be great entertainment for the adults for a while.  His shorts started to sag lower and lower to the ground.  His diaper was totally saturated to the point that he waddled around and could hardly get in and out of the pool.  Plenty of belly laughs for the adults, and a good workout for Mr. Blake.  :)

The kids thought it was great fun to pour water on our feet so "they would grow."  They  nearly emptied the pool pouring water on everyone's toes.

Saturday night it rained steadily and continued into Sunday morning.  The guys thought ahead to put most everything away before they turned in on Saturday night, which was so smart!  The toys, chairs, wood and other paraphernalia was all dry!  In the morning, the guys had enough time to cook breakfast on the fire before the downpour started again.  We ate in the camper and then decided to pack it up and head home.  There were puddles everywhere outside, it was chilly, and the kids were getting restless.  Poor Adam and Jeff were soaked as they loaded everything up in the rain.  We made it home by noon that day, which was nice because we had time to unload, clean up, and take a nice nap!

This is how I remember most camping trips ending as a kid.  Vera proved to be no exception.

We had a fun weekend!  Hopefully we can enjoy a few more camping trips this summer as a family of four!

Another Great Year at Patty's

I've said it a zillion times over, but Patty sure is the best!  Vera is always in good hands at Patty's house.  She plays hard, learns to play with a bunch of boys, gets plenty of hugs and love, and has done exceptionally well on her school work this year.  At the end of their "school year," Patty presented each of them with an award for working so hard this year. 

Patty also deserves an award, because it really is incredible what she was able to accomplish with 2 year-olds.  Here's a list of skills that Vera and her buddies mastered this year in their classroom.

*Colors
*Shapes (2D & 3D)
*Count 1-30
*Number recognition 1-30
*Number sequencing 1-30
*Number to objects
*Count by 10s
*Count backwards from 10
*Alphabet recognition
*Alphabet sounds
*Alphabet sequence
*Alphabet upper/lower case match
*Beginning sounds of words
*Patterns
*Opposites
*Rhyming
*Reciting days of week
*Phone number
*Address
*First Name -- recognize, spell and practice writing
*Holding pencil
*Sight words (They learned 31 of 38 kindergarten sight words)
*Sight word reading books

Several people have asked me if I'm sending Vera to preschool next year.  I tell everyone that there's no reason for her to go.  Patty has done so much, and Vera has done so well.  I can honestly say she can do everything on the list.  Some are easier for her than others, but it is so amazing to me how "sponge-like" preschoolers really are!!

Ansonia was THE LAST school out this year.  Mom and Vera's first real day of summer is today, June 9.  So for about 2 weeks, Vera thoroughly enjoyed the company of the school kids at Patty's house.  Jenna, Lydia and Courtney played "girl things" with Vera, and she loved every second of it.  In the mornings when she woke up, she was so happy when I told her the big girls would be at her work again!  Patty sent me these pictures and said Vera was in heaven.  She had a tea party with the big girls, and she "had to look stylish," which is why she's wearing the scarf. 

Vera will miss her friends at Patty's house this summer, but she is super-excited to stay home with mom all summer.  Hopefully when the baby comes, Vera can go to Patty's house for a few days to play with her friends. 

36 Weeks

It's getting closer.  And thank goodness it is.  Within the last 2 weeks, I've started to feel more uncomfortable, more gigantic, more tired, and more ready to meet this baby!  Overall, everything is going very well.  I passed my last hurdle before delivery, which is a negative result on the Group B Strep test.  Hooray!  My blood pressure is good (120/60), and the baby's heart rate is around 139.  At my 36 week appointment, Dr. Train said I am 1-2 cm dilated, but I have lots of progress to make before I'm ready to have this baby.  From 36 weeks to 37 weeks, I actually lost weight, which is normal and a pleasant surprise.  I'm measuring just slightly smaller than what's normal.  I haven't gained nearly as much weight this pregnancy than with Vera--and a good thing too!  With Vera I gained almost 50 pounds!  Eek!

36 weeks 0 days

Now that school is over, I can focus more on getting things ready for a newborn in our house.  Hearing that I was slightly dilated was a real reality check to get organized.  I've laid out a few things to pack in my bag.  Adam and Vera assembled our baby swing about a week ago, and Vera just couldn't wait to play with it.  She has played babies a lot more lately, and her babies have spent lots of time in our swing.  Most of the time, her babies swing really fast.  I told Adam it's good that the swing is out now, so we can practice being gentle and slow in the swing.  Today I cleaned up the car seat and washed up a few other baby things.  I have diapers and wipes here and the sleepers are washed.  I'd say we're ready enough.