31 May, 2009

I'm thinking

That I will be uncomfortable for awhile! Each pregnancy seems to go a little longer for me, and with each pregnancy less progress happens early on. I was reading posts from 2006 when Kacen was born, with Kacen at 36 weeks I was a tight two and 80 percent effaced by now and he came 18 days later. With Abbi I was 3 cm and 60-70 % effaced by now, she came 15 days later. Alona at the 36 appt was 3 cm and 80 % effaced, she came the next morning.

So with Jesse being a really loose 1 to a 2, and not effaced I'm thinking I'll be uncomfortable for a while longer.

27 May, 2009

first weekly appointment !

And... I am 2 cm dilated! Soft, but the baby is still high up, the doctor can feel his head and I am not effaced yet.
Next appointment on Wednesday!

26 May, 2009

getting closer

I have less than four weeks! It always seems like these last few weeks drag on FOREVER though. Though I know that it truly isn't very long and in all probability the baby will come before the 21st of June. I can't wait for my doctor appointment on Thursday. At least I have that to look forward to now... an appt each week.

25 May, 2009

Who knew you could spend SEVEN hours at the zoo!!

Memorial Day was a really nice day to go to the zoo. Not too hot, not too cold and a real nice breeze! I made it a point to go to the zoo before the baby comes, I didn't want to have to stop every hour for a fussy baby! We got there around noon and left as they were supposed to close the gates, 6:35 p.m.
We did all but one activity, the small animal building. Which is not such a disappointment, considering it always smells like b.o. We started up at the top by the beastro and had our lunch that we packed and moved on to the monkey house from there and then went and saw the Elephant Encounter. The children got to see, they squeezed in front of some adults and sat by the fence to see Dari, the 49 year old elephant that was strutting her stuff. Paul caught her on tape walking backwards and doing her other tricks. Alona enjoyed playing on the man-made elephant. She was the only one of the kids that dared get wet though it wasn't a typical way of going about it. The elephant would start playing Pop goes the Weasel and then Alona would beat on the elephant with her legs and hands playing with the tune and then stick her hands on to the elephants nostrils to feel the water when it sneezed. I tried to get the Abbi and Kacen to go in front of the elephant but that resulted in kicking and squealing. They were all happy to play along on the elephant with the tune that he was playing though.

Alona then picked where to go next, the Penguins! Though we did stop at animals along the way, "no mom, we are going to see the penguins!" We got there after quite a few stops, the rhino, black bears, checoan pecary, zebras and more primates. The penguins were all huddled together like always, not swimming or off doing something interesting. The giraffes came next along the walk of the zoo, and then we realized what time it was and ran off to see the bird show. It was jam packed! The seats in the bird show got filled before everyone was there had a chance to get in, and we were there right as they were starting, so we were left out of the stadium and attempted to peak at the show, standing on a short concrete wall where 5 ft seemed to be the ideal height to see. I attempted to hold up some of the children so that they could see the birds flying around. They were not to captivated by that idea.
We took a nice break and the children rode the carousel, they were very excited about that! And then we went over to the Oasis filled up my water jug and had sno cones and Alona had a banana ice cream cone!
We then went to asian highlands and around to the camels and the madagascar display. That is where the children were able to get their souvenirs from the zoo. Alona got a lemur mask "Look, I have two faces!" she said while we were waiting at the train. Abbi got a squeaky lemur toy she had a very hard time deciding what toy to get. Kacen has a rubber snake that he was wearing as a beautiful necklace. He also was biting things with it and playing that he was biting off the snakes tongue! After the gift shop we enjoyed kettle corn in the shade and headed up the hill when we heard the train whistle and noticed that the train was still running! It was a short wait, the children seemed to enjoy it. While we were riding the train, Alona noticed the playground that was being passed. Right as we were getting off, she had to stop and everyone had to go the playground! The first time that we have done all of the children's activities in one stop! They had a blast and when asked if they had fun at the zoo and what they liked the most...it was the train, the playground and the carousel. It was fun to see them playing on the fun equipment, hiding in the egg and turtle shells, riding the alligator, climbing in the spider web. And of course at the beginning of the zoo and throughout there were the Lion drinking fountains, Paul got plenty of pictures with the kids inside of the lion's mouth, I love it!

22 May, 2009

ready to burst


















I just want to poke holes in my feet and relieve the pressure that is there. It is painful to walk, stand and very difficult to bend my ankles which makes it even more impossible to get up out of the tub and other spots. Just thought that I would post pictures for all the talk I have on how swollen that I am, now it is believable to all. My hands are getting quite uncomfortable too.

three energetic children, anyone?

I am soo tired I can barely keep my eyes open. After four days of nesting I am drained and am not functioning, my feet also make it hard to stand and move around with how swollen they are. It even hurts to try and wiggle my toes now. There are dishes waiting, chores to be done and children going crazy. Anyone want three kids to entertain them for a little while?

21 May, 2009

getting ready

I am getting ready slowly and surely. It seems to me that I get a lot done each day. But I do have super swollen feet, ankles and hands, have a huge abdomen (I was not this big around when I delivered Kacen) and move real slow, I bet without all that added to me I would move quicker and get more done.
This week a few of the things that I/ we have gotten done.
The bassinet is put together and waiting on my side of the bed. Before putting that there, my night stand was cleaned out, my box of papers were organized and cleaned up and the floor was vacuumed. Kacen's closet was organized and sorted by size, smallest to biggest. I will know where to go when I need baby clothes or Kacen's clothes.
The van (and the car) was cleaned out and the unwanted items that we had in the back of the van were sorted through and are ready to be put out for a yard sale. The kids are happy to sell their things that they don't need any more and have a little extra to do something fun.

I cleaned out and organized all of our cupboards in the kitchen. Yes our kitchen cupboards have some pretty strange things in them, but they are organized and go together. Our books that did not fit on the bookshelf were mixed in throughout all the cupboards, now have a cupboard of their own. A separate cupboard for children's things, games, cards, games, crayons, markers, paints etc. The microwave is cleaned too!

The baby bag is almost ready! Just need to put some last minute things in it, the camera, battery charger (I should put that in now!), makeup. I all ready have the baby coming home outfit (with cute hat and socks), blanket, burp cloths, diapers, hair ties, my coming home outfit, the kids shirts, phone list of who to call, list of people who are willing to help with meals to call them and have that arranged, nursing pads, small toiletries, deodorant. I need to go and get some tennis balls, hard candies, snacks for Paul to put in the bag and facial cleaner and I think I am set!

I have quite a few things still left on my to do list, Cleaning/ sanitizing baby toys is on the small list that I have. Cleaning off the end table, mopping, clean the stove, have a yard sale, write out thank you cards for the baby gifts that I have received and making freezer meals for when we may need them after the baby comes. We get to go to the zoo on Saturday and I have volunteered to be a co-leader in a mixed girl scout troop!

We went and got a digital camcorder on Wednesday, ready to record the arrival of our newborn baby when he decides to come in the next few weeks. Video can be put directly on to computer!
Also got a few other things that were missing..
Baby Blessing outfit, found cheap on ebay. I had looked a lot of places and the consensus was the same at almost every place $43! I found one for $18. Alona got her own blessing outfit from her grandma, Abbi had a dress from when I was little and Kacen's was from his dad when his dad was blessed. So it seemed only right that Jesse would have his own.

The kids all have their own big brother, big sister and lil brother since 2009 shirts/ onesie personalized wit their names on them. I thought that would be a cute gift for them to get when their baby brother comes. Pictures of those upon the little ones arrival!

With my birthday/ baby money that i received I got this, a moby wrap. I hope that it will be as easy to use as everyone claims that it is. And that I actually use it, I am a very simple person.

Some things that would still be nice,
I have been eyeing these wooden letters. Of course if I got it it would say Jesse, but this is the font that i like and these are the colors that I would pick. Order-able off of ebay. Just thought that it would be cute for him.
To be prepared I still need to get some diapers. A bottle brush would be nice. Eventually some more sippy cups and I like this too...
But yeah all that that we haven't gotten, besides the diapers, is just wishful thinking!

16 May, 2009

showering Jesse


There were so many ladies show up that were invited from my neighborhood. Made my day seeing all of them there, after a week of calling around getting rsvp's from family members and not a single one saying they were coming, I was quite downhearted. I prayed before hand and realized that people do care, of course my neighbor is throwing me a shower with another lady. People care enough to throw me a shower!

Just being there after a few minutes, mingling with those who were there I was excited to be there, So happy! There were games, everyone had a paper plate and had to put it on top of their head and try to draw "baby Jesse" and then I had to pick the one that was closest! There were actually three pictures that had most of the body parts I wanted to pick one but picked another one that had legs, arms, a nose and eyes! It was the wife of my home teacher and he is an art teacher, I am sure he is so proud of his wife! Then the hostess read a story that had MANY left and rights in it. It was really cute and fun. And then there was a tupper-ware container of diapers and everyone had to guess how many were in the container, the winner of all those got a prize and I got to keep the tupper-ware container of diapers.
Some things given to us for Jesse:
*hand made blanket with two burp cloths
*a hooded towel with baseballs around the hood
*a hand made bibb with two matching burp cloths(hand made as well)
*diapers
*baby photo album
*winnie the pooh socks, wash cloths, hats & pj's
*hand made nursing cover
*bath supplies, lotions, soaps, cream
*wash cloths, book
*snow suit, outfits and onesies

Whats your guess?

a few ladies at the end of the baby shower were guessing when Jesse would come. Come on let me have it...when do you think he will come?!!!...

If this helps any...

According to the ultrasound I am due June 21

My first baby was born at 36 weeks (to the day)
My second baby was 9 days early
My third baby was 7 days early
I am completely swollen like I was with my first baby.

The guesses so far,

June 5-Kelley & Alona's guess
June 6- Mary's guess
June 7- Caren's guess
June 8-
June 9- Susan P.'s guess
June 10- Ruth's & Crystal's guess
June 11- Charmalee's guess
June 12- Margaret's guess
June 13- Mandy's guess
June 14- Marta's guess
June 15- Charli's guess
June 16- Heather's guess
June 17- Jayne & Abbi's guess
June 18- Jana's guess
June 19- Paul's guess
June 20- Diana's guess
June 21-
June22-
June23-
June24-

15 May, 2009

I heart traffic jams and drive through convenient stores

I get really sleepy driving lately. I have to catch myself from falling asleep going fast on the freeway, not a good thing. I was very sleepy 1/2 way to my uncles wedding today. So at about Centerville everyone was hitting their brakes and then bam we were at a dead stop. And voila I was wide awake. Thank you traffic jam and rubber neckers! There was a crash, about ten cop cars an ambulance and a fire truck but the people in all the other lanes had no reason for going two miles an hour on the freeway and blocking traffic for a thirty minute stretch. But I am so grateful thet they all wanted to look. It woke me up!!

On the way home I am always afraid that I will be as sleepy as I was going there. So I wanted to grab a drink and on the way to the freeway there was a convenient store with a drive up window!! No getting the kids out of the car, wrestling with them as I got a drink or them grabbing everything off of the shelves and my eight month pregnant self running after a two year that knows his mommy can not keep up with him. Nope I just had to wait behind two cars, for less than five minutes. Stay in my seat, no need to unbuckle the children! Tell them what I wanted and I was off!! While getting the children a small pink lemonade of course and helping them to share before heading home!!

10 May, 2009

baseball

Abbi went to her first baseball "game" it wasn't really a game. I just helped her with catching, hittting, throwing and running. They wanted the parents to do a pre-assessment. She did great at hitting and throwing the ball back and was very cute to watch her catch the ball. Hopefully I can be of help to her with catching the ball. I wonder at what age most catch on to that...

She is so excited that she gets to do a sport of her own, play with other children her age. We went and picked out her mitt a few days before she was supposed to have her first baseball game, but that one got rained out. She has her own mitt and ball and is super excited about the shirt. She has a brown one right now, but we need to trade it in on Saturday for a yellow one. They sent us to the wrong field last Saturday, so wrong field, wrong team and wrong color. So this Saturday right team, field, yellow shirt and baseball Pictures!!! Her team is called the Cardinals!

church day, mothers day

Alona and Abbi woke up and I could hear them from my bedroom. We get our church clothes out the night before and they put them in the hallway. Abbi comes out and says, "Its church day!!", Alona is like "its Mothers Day!!" They kept arguing back and forth about what today was.

Kacen's present to me today...waking up, taking off his diaper and running to the bathroom. His first time going by himself and he can do it! He climbs up on the stool and gets up there and goes. He got a little too excited with flushing! Three hours so far with a dry little boy!

When we got back from church and were trying to hurry to get ready for Grandma's, the children came and gave me each a color of nail polish that they had picked out. So sweet, I wish I could have caught it on camera when they said happy mothers day. Kacen was a cutie and they were all so excited with the cards that they made and the colors of polish that they picked out.

When we got home from Grandma's house Abbi painted my nails!! And then I painted Abbi and Kacen. We then played two rounds of "Fairy" go fish! Abbi won the first time with six matches and Alona still had five cards in her hand. We played again so Alona could get another chance. And that she did, she got six matches the next time!

34 weeks today!!

01 May, 2009

I can officially say...

I am due NEXT month!!!!!

With my birthday, children's soccer and baseball games, the end of school and going to the zoo hopefully it will seem to fly by (while I treasure each moment of course).