4 Weeks To Go!

The final countdown is on and it begins with 4 weeks to go until my due date. I delivered Lainey one day early so I hope that I am right on time with this baby as well. A lot has happened in the last two months concerning our new arrival. The baby room is officially vacant of anything related to a computer room. I didn't think it would happen but Rhett and Derek worked their butts off in the basement. The baby room is still not 100% ready but its getting there. The dressers that go with the crib we have are completely out of stock everywhere. When I ordered the crib in April I never anticipated this would happen. I wish I would've just gotten the dressers and stored in our shed but that's an after thought. Now I have a closet full of clothes in piles and no dressers. I'm going crazy!! I really have a kick butt collection of clothes for this kid. Mostly hand me downs ( free & extremely inexpensive) and I am loving it. I had a growth chart made for the baby's room and I can't wait to see it in person. I found two on etsy and pinterest I liked so had them combined. Super excited about it.

Also looking forward to hanging the two canvas I purchased and rearranging the furniture in the room. I feel like I'm finally getting it together. The car seat and diaper bag are ready to go too. My work schedule has been crazy the last couple months with different shifts than normal. One week I worked 4 different shifts. Talk about up and down and not a normal sleep schedule.

I feel pretty good overall. Other than the fact that this heat can take a hike and I'm so ready for October weather. Its by far my favorite. My right ankle is swelling a bit with my varicose vein/heat. Also getting heartburn quite often. I feel that I am carrying him high so contributing it to that. Recently I had a patient acknowledge my pregnancy first and that was really nice. Typically I am the one that makes conversation about it and brings it up first. One thing about my work schedule being different is I have had far less weekend shifts and that means less getting up at 3 am and working 12 hours=Awesomeness
I have still been working out with Darla about once a week. I am now to the point where I will go to my Dr's appointments on a weekly basis. It's just crazy how quickly it goes from once a month-every two weeks-weekly. I definitely feel pregnant now especially when sleeping. Rolling out of bed is interesting. I have been sneaking into Lainey's bed quite often for much needed space. She is more interested in sleeping in our bed still which is fine because it leaves hers vacant...for ME!!

Next week we will be doing my maternity pictures so looking forward to that. My sister helped me go through all my options and helped pick out what I'm wearing. I have stayed up to date on my belly book each week and documenting this pregnancy. I had a growth ultrasound week 33 and everything was just great. Baby measured 4 lbs 5 oz. and in 22% size. Maybe he is going to be tiny like his big sister was!! I failed my one hour glucose test week 26. That drink is so nasty. Instead of taking the 3 hour test ( because like I said that crap is nasty) I chose to check my blood sugar for two weeks. That was an interesting first few days of learning how to prick myself and work the little glucose monitor. I documented every single thing I ate for 2 whole weeks and all my levels 4 times a day. (fasting, breakfast, lunch, supper) All was well with my numbers. Then for the following two weeks I only had to check fasting twice a week and after a couple meals. I of course checked the fasting one every single day though because its me. Sylvia approved of all my numbers and said I officially did not have to check anymore and did not have gestational diabetes. Woo hoo! Very thankful I have not had to prick myself since.

The other day I asked Lainey what she thought baby boy was going to look like. She stated blond hair like me, brown eyes like Mommy, and short. Most people comment that she favors Rhett so I'm hoping he favors me! The girls at work threw me a little get together at the park one weekend. They are all so sweet. We didn't take a single picture though I am sad to say. Where was Grandma Gina?? I have my list all written down for things to take to hospital. I work the next 3 days but Tuesday when I get free time I may just pack  it all up to be prepared. Ready or not these 4 weeks are going to fly by!! Soon we will meet you precious little man and I just can't wait.

We Love You Already!! 

Growing up

The other day I was in the post office and Lainey was playing a game of hide and seek behind the rack of bubble wrap/mailers. The postal worker asked how old she was and when I replied 2 years 8 months she said oh my I thought you were going to say 3 or 4. I am happy I can still say 2 because just the thought of her being  3 & 4 makes me sad. When she turns 4 will she still say things like, "Tuggle (snuggle) me Mommy." "Your my best friend." I have no room left at all in her baby book to do monthly updates so here we go for the last couple months. My pretzel/noodle obsessed girl has had quite the busy summer so far.

First and most importantly we got a puppy. Cocoa Rainbow is the newest member of the family. I have taken to calling her Loco Cocoa lately. She is a sweet puppy and enjoys getting into Lainey's toys a little too much. It has been good practice for the baby teaching Lainey we don't choke the puppy and picking up her toys. Sometimes she calls the puppy her baby and even gave her a stroller ride one day. Drake (Cocoa's Daddy) who is 7 years old plays very well with her. Ammo (14 years) pretty much ignores her. He does let Cocoa lick his ears though. That is something Dakota used to do on a regular basis so its a positive! Mommy, Daddy, & Lainey went to the movies to see Finding Dory. I think that is her 3rd movie so far. Complete with popcorn, slushy, and m-n-m's overall it was fun. On the way to the theatre she fell asleep so we ended up buying tickets for an adult movie. Right before it was to start Lainey woke up so we hurried to switch screens and got lucky finding seats in the very back row. We attended a Cardinal's game (tickets courtesy of Rhett's boss). The seats were great! Very close and the evening weather was perfect. I think we may have spent more time getting food, going to the bathroom, and rearranging seats but it was a fun night. Thanks to Allie & Avrie for coming with us.

We attended a Mommy & Me cooking class at Eckart's. This consisted of blackberry picking and learning 3 new recipes. Lainey was a pro blackberry picker but we probably will wait until she is a bit older to go back for another cooking class.

One day my Mom asked if I had ever posed the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I actually had never asked this before so I went ahead and asked. Of all the answers to receive I did not think my child would respond a "Hunter". I thought this was a pretty funny answer. We do have dead animals mounted everywhere in our living room so I shouldn't be surprised. I'm pretty sure her Daddy thought it was a cute response. We attended the 4th of July parade/picnic in Steeleville. We didn't end up with much candy other than some flavored tootsie rolls since Lainey was very timid about picking it up. She pretty well stayed glued on my lap the whole time. Honestly it's probably better off too. Less sugar for her and me! At the picnic we had a huge moment when she rode her first carnival ride. We had done a carousal ride before so I'm not counting that. She has always been so shy and reluctant when it comes to bouncy houses, monkey joes, any type of ride including the small ones at Wal-mart. This is a kid that is in love with her trampoline and jumping. She stated that she wanted to ride the cars with Avrie so I thought we would give it a shot. Surprisingly it went awesome and I was the crazy Mom going ape shit crazy taking pictures, video, smiling from ear to ear, and waving to her. All Avrie wanted was to ride the orange motorcycle. Bless her heart because she settled for the blue car with a partner.Thank you so much to Allie for having her ride with Lainey because I don't think she would've done it by herself the first time. A bit later she did indeed ride it by herself though. She's growing up and getting braver!

In the evening we went to Valmeyer for fireworks and although last year she enjoyed them this year she did not. She stated that she only liked the little ones. Recently we have made good progress with the computer/baby rooms and this also meant changes for Lainey's room. The mattress for her toddler bed got moved into the baby's crib which meant we needed to purchase a full size mattress. Let's be honest though she currently sleeps with us. Now that she has a full sized bed in her room the goal is to get her in it. She was extremely excited about converting it into the "big girl bed". It really makes her room seem so much more grown up. Not sure if we will change the theme of the room yet or just buy solid sheets and pillow cases for now. Proof that she really did sleep in it by herself for a few hours!!!

This girl is loving the water this summer. We have made one trip to the OFallon splash pad and hope to get back before baby arrives. She has also enjoyed the sprinkler, pools, and swimming in our lake. Between Rhett getting sand delivered-Jaimee & Will bringing back a ton of sea shells from Florida we have our own little beach.

Lainey and I spend quite a bit of time together just the two of us but she & Daddy also have their own one on one time. Lately they have been going to feed the pet deer at Grandpa Simpson's. They also are the produce pickers from our garden. One Sunday morning while I was at work I received the sweetest picture and message from Rhett. It said "Someone wants to go to church." Typically she #1 never wants me to brush her hair. #2 would probably prefer to stay in underwear rather than get dressed. #3 waking up early for something is a struggle #4 refuses to let me take her picture without bribery. Not for big Daddy! He said that she hopped right out of bed and totally cooperated. After church they went to breakfast at Lisa's with my parents. I don't think it gets any better than that. Seeing your husband being an involved and loving father is truly wonderful. Looking forward to the next chapter in our lives with little Bon Jovi arriving.

                                               
                                                  We enjoyed celebrating Bailea's 1st Birthday!!!!

                                                  Lots of Fun Time spent with Grandma Gina!!!!!