The Final Stretch

Well, we are 34 1/2 weeks pregnant, and assuming we make it to Dec. 23rd, that means a little over 4 weeks left.  Ahh!  So many emotions run through my body as I even type those words....such love and excitement to meet my little girl, such anxiety over her birth and my hopes and prayers that it all goes so much more smoothly than last time, and pressure to finish up everything around the home and be prepared for the holidays!

Last week we had our 34 week appointment.  We go back at 36 weeks, and then every week from there on out.  Everything was fine at 34 weeks.  It was a quick appointment-blood pressure, urine, weight, heart tones, and belly measurement check and that was about it.  I can tell you that this little girl is still sideways, so it's still looking like a c-section as of now, and she is still quite active!  Her movements are more like thrashes in my opinion.  I just picture her coming out and me swaddling her and her kicking and flailing and having no part of that.  Hahah!  Don't get me wrong, I looooove feeling her move about and that is by far my favorite thing about pregnancy, but she seems much more wild and crazy than I remember MJ feeling!  I've gained 24 pounds so far.  I definitely gained more than that with MJ, but I remember gaining a lot in the end-lots of swelling and water weight.  So far so good in that department, but I know it can happen quickly at the end.  I think not working on my feet all day though and not being in hot, humid FL is making a difference.  I'm not really having any swelling at all yet, am still able to wear my rings (umm, yea-who remembers me losing my wedding ring when pregnant with MJ?!?), all my shoes, etc.  I am SO thankful that it's November and not August, because I am HOT!  I can't even imagine having a summer baby.  Being really pregnant this time of year is good with me, thank you very much! 

At our next appointment, 36 weeks, they will do an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid levels.  This is due to my previous history and baby being in distress with low fluid levels.  If the level were to be below 5, the baby would have to come out right away.  If there is still plenty of fluid, then it probably won't be checked again at all.  If it's borderline, then they'll check it again the following week.  I am really praying that the fluid levels will be good, baby and I will stay healthy, and she can stay in as long as possible.  BUT, I am feeling like I need to be prepared for her arrival in less than 2 weeks just in case they tell us otherwise at our appointment.  This means packing a bag, finishing her room, lining up child care for MJ, etc. etc. all just as a precaution.  Yes, these are the things I lie awake thinking about!  ;) 

We look forward to sharing the final part of our pregnancy journey with you over the next month and can't wait to welcome our Christmas miracle into the world before long. 

Bathroom Reveal!

When we purchased our home a couple years ago, the main bathroom was by far the part that was most desperately in need of a makeover!  The layout was horrible, the tub and shower were gross, there was very little storage, the vanity was falling apart, and the baseboards/molding truly were molding!  Yuck!  It had gotten to the point that no matter how much bleach and scrubbing was used, I hardly felt comfortable bathing MJ in the tub. 

Well, thank goodness for a handy husband, father-in-law, and an uncle with free ceramic tile!  We never would have been able to afford to pay someone to do this for us, but between Mat's uncle donating us all the free tile we needed, almost a week long visit from my very handy in-laws, and Mat's hard work as well, we now have a brand new bathroom!  I'm talking brand spanking new!  This sucker was demolished right down to the studs!  The only thing that went back into this bathroom was the toilet. 

Don't ask me why I didn't think to take before or during pictures.  :( 

But, here's the important part...the AFTER!  Take my word for it if you hadn't seen our previous bathroom, this one is WAY better!  They totally reconfigured the layout.  The window had to be covered up, but it was worth it.  We were able to move the shower to a much more logical spot, add a linen cabinet, a much bigger vanity and create some open space.  This bathroom is shared by all our bedrooms, so it's important for it to be functional.  It's still small, but functional and so much more organized. 

Helllllo new bathroom!  View from the doorway

New vanity-a nice tall one that I no longer have to stoop over to

A linen cabinet for storage!  woo hoo

Soon in the pic frames will be black and white bath time pics of MJ (and eventually baby girl)

Fun little canisters on top of linen cabinet to store cotton, qtips, and some decor

Towels hanging on hooks and a shelf for storage baskets

Inside our new tub and shower-pretty gray ceramic tile along with some decorative accent we picked out.  Yes, Mark and Bobi tiled this whole shower for us! 

Considering I really had no part in any physical labor, I can't complain too much, but it was a much bigger project than I think anyone had expected.  As always, things seem to be harder than you think they'll be and one problem just seems to lead to another.  It created a way bigger mess than I'd expected, and although the worst is definitely gone, we're still dealing with the clean up.  Holy dust, batman!  I about cried one day when I walked in and saw all the cleaning that awaited me.  I definitely wouldn't taking on a big project when pregnant in the future, but it is what it is, and it's finally done!  Despite a tense week or two, a little bickering, and a whole lot of cleaning, I'm very happy to now have a clean, organized, and functional space.  Who knew a bathroom could make such a big difference! 

We thought we'd remodel the downstairs bathroom before baby girl arrived, too.  What were we thinking?!  Maybe before the third child.  ;) 

Halloween Moments for Your Viewing Pleasure!

Heavenly Fall

I absolutely love fall!  I think living in Dubuque has made me appreciate it even more, because it's honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  I'm sure many cities are gorgeous in the fall, but something about the rolling hills of our town make it just seem majestic.  The colors this fall have been gorgeous! 

It's become a bit of a tradition to take MJ to Eagle Point Park and take some fall pictures.  I've been doing this since our first fall here.  I'm certainly far from an expert, but I just LOVE trying to take creative pictures of my little guy, capture neat lighting and all the beautiful colors.

Fall 2009-our first Fall in Dubuque

The pictures don't really do justice to the gorgeous colors, but MJ and I had a great afternoon in the park on a beautiful 65 degree day!  My sweet boy was happy to play in the leaves, gather pine cones, walk, run, and play while mama snapped pictures all the while.  My heart was full, and if you would have seen me at 8 months pregnant lying on the ground trying to capture the right shot you probably would have laughed! 

Some favorites...

 Gorgeous colors in the tree above and a very happy little boy to be playing outside! 

 He found this spot and posed all on his own! 

 Keeping an eye on mommy

 Loving the light, the expression on his face, and the death grip on his pine cone! 

 My handsome little 2 1/2 year old! 

 Look mommy, leaves!!

 Playing in leaves is SO much fun! 

Such a happy little guy!  

A couple days later we went back to capture a few maternity shots.  Hard to believe next fall, we'll have pictures of two kiddos!  For now though, she's keep safe and warm in mommy's belly.  <3 

Our Little Fireman

It was pure joy to see MJ enjoy Halloween this year.  I thought he was adorable last year, but now that he's talking and showing so much enthusiasm about "tick or teet" it was even that much cuter!  Once again, I procrastinated on the costume department.  Him and I went to Target a week before Halloween to pick the cutest thing I could find that I thought he would understand.  He loved being a fireman!  Kid will never wear a hat I tell ya, but was so proud to put on his fireman hat for pictures or when it was time to trick or treat. 

We had lots of fun Halloween festivities to attend.  I'm so thankful for all the great family-friendly opportunities around here.  I think MJ was beginning to think Halloween was an every day thing though.  I've had to put fireman costume away for now so he doesn't get the wrong idea.  ;) 

Halloween was also in the midst of our bathroom remodel (more to come later), so we definitely were keeping busy.  We were all rather tired when Halloween was said and done, but we're still enjoying our treats around the house.  Here's some favorite Halloween moments...

 Dubuque puts on a cute Halloween parade the week before Halloween.  MJ just loved it!  Mema and Papa were in town to help with the bathroom, so Mema, myself, and MJ were able to attend the parade.  The weather was perfect!  MJ was so fun to watch and loved being held by Mema to watch the cars and floats. 

 The Saturday before Halloween Galena puts on a fabulous Halloween parade.  It's quite crowded, but we landed a pretty good spot.  It was a bit chilly that night, so MJ and I got to snuggle up under our blanket to stay warm. 

 Mommy, Daddy, and MJ enjoying the Galena Halloween Parade!  I have a feeling this will be a family favorite for years to come. 

 Amidst the hectic schedule, we almost ran out of time to even carve our pumpkin.  Luckily we found some time the night before Halloween.  Last year I remember how MJ barely wanted to touch any of the pumpkin goo or seeds.  This year, not the case.  Right after I took this picture he plopped all of this on his head.  Yay for bath time!  :) 

My cute and excited little Fireman on Halloween night.  We went trick or treating at our local grocery store.  Then, we came home for chili, watched Thomas the Train's Halloween Adventure, and handed out candy from home. 

Such a great week! 

Coming Along!

Baby girl is 31 1/2 weeks right now.  Her she is in all her glory at 30 weeks in mommy's tummy:

Pardon the weird eyes and bit of a blur.  It was taken on my phone.  I feel like I've gained about 10 pounds since this picture was taken a week and a half ago.  Yikes!

According to my weekly updates, she should be around 3 1/2 lbs right now.  I can now feel when she has the hiccups, which is at least a few times a week.  We went to the doctor for our 30 week check up last week and all seemed to be well.  Her heart rate was the lowest it had ever been, but still normal, in the 130 range.  My tummy was measuring a week ahead of schedule...told ya I feel like I've gained a lot this week (we'll blame the Halloween treats).  :) 

I asked the doctor if he could tell her position just by feeling on my tummy.  I was pretty confident I knew how she was positioned, but wanted the expert to see what he thought.  After some pushing around, he came up with the same thing I thought.  She's not head down.  I know she still has time to turn, but as of right now she appears to be oblique...not quite sideways, not quite head up.  She's at a slant with her head up high closer to my rib cage and her feet down low.  This is exactly how MJ was positioned if I remember correctly.  I was leaning pretty strongly towards a repeat c-section, but knowing her current position definitely prompted me to want to go ahead and schedule one.  If she does decide to turn head down, we can always reconsider and cancel the c-section, but for now it's in the books for December 23rd.  I certainly learned last time that things can change, but as of now it's looking like our blessing could come to us just in time for Christmas.  That's only 7 1/2 weeks from right now.  I'm so full of excitement, nervousness, and awe just thinking about it! 

Those 3 Little Words

What parent doesn't love to hear their child say those precious three little words:  "i  love  you"??  We've been patiently waiting for the time when MJ could verbalize that feeling to us.  We've been practicing those words with him trying to teach him  how to say them.  It's been pretty darn cute because many times it would be him repeating it one word at a time after us but would usually come out "I you love."  :)

Today though, this mama's heart has melted.  I picked my little man up from school and as we were pulling off and I was asking him about his morning I said, "I love you, MJ."  Typically this is replied to with a "yeah", but today I heard back, "Yeah, love you too mommy!" 

Had to make sure to document that one!  My heart is mush.  Wrapped around that little finger now for sure!