38 weeks

Final stretch right? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Either way this baby will come out sometime soon.

Well, things have been relatively quiet the last couple of days. After all the contraction excitement this past weekend at least. My back is super tight from all that contracting though. I had a chiropractor appt last night to help loosen things up. I think it did help, but it wasn't a comfortable process for sure!

Our bags are now fully packed, including all the electronic equipment of course! (camera, video, extra lens, extra battery, laptop!) We even packed an overnight bag for Patrick in case he needs to go to Allison's for a night.

I have 3 meals in the freezer (lasagna, bbq's, soup) and the babies room is looking much more in order. We may paint this weekend though, we'll see.

Work is getting a little slower since most of my clients are quiet right now and I am transitioning things over to co-workers. I'll work until baby, but I am certainly more tired as the days goes on.

Had a little emotional melt down last night, so Ryan ordered me out of the house. Did a little shopping which helped. I think it is just feeling so real that our lives are changing soon and it gets a little overwhelming at times. I am excited though.

The other night when I had a tough contraction, Patrick looked over at me worried and said "baby mama?" I think he gets it a little more. Well except for when Ryan asked him what was in mama's tummy this morning and Patrick giggled and started making monkey sounds. I told Ryan that if I do have a monkey that it won't be my gene pool that created it! ;)

Update from 7/1/10 appt: BP is 112/60 Baby's heart rate is in the 140's (yep, it's a boy now!) I am measuring right at 38 weeks, and midwife thought baby was at least 8lbs, we'll see if she is right!

Yard work

If we finally decided to bite the bullet and give Patrick some big boy toys, we may actually get some things done around the house.

Then again, someone may call CPS on us for letting our child play with trimmers, lawn mowers and large vacuums. Worth a try?

still practicing

I thought for sure we were heading in last night. 1.5 hours of intense contractions that were consistant at 5-7min apart. Then nothing. but then as I was getting ready for bed, more intensity and one that I couldn't even talk through. Overnight I slept pretty well, but noticed I had some painful, intense ones until about 4am. Not sure what all this is about, only time will tell. But our bags are certainly packed, the house is much more picked up and the camera is ready to go! Oh, and I baked some cookies last night, must be a good sign right?

Random fun

Patrick's favorite game with Daddy? Harmonica and "sharp" in the hair. Patrick has this little tong toy (that he calls a sharp) that he pinches into Ryan's hair when Ryan begins playing the harmonica. It cracks him up and he wants to play over and over again. Don't ask me why this is fun or why Ryan let's him do it, but I have to admit I love the giggles that follow.



Then Patrick made Ryan get out his magnadoodle and draw his favorite objects. Bus, Firetruck, sun, shovel, trimmer, mower etc.

What a way to spend Father's day!

The rest of the day Ryan and I went out to a nice brunch (Patrick hung out with cousin Madison) Then I sent Ryan and Grant to a movie and a beer for the afternoon while Patrick and I hung out (well napped really!)
After we woke up, we played outside a bit. I think Patrick has a new shoe obsession!

Practice makes perfect

Well, here I am with a baby and body that are begining to practice getting out! Yesterday had some more intense contractions that had me timing them in at 4-6min and lasting about a minute or more for over an hour. Then not much in the evening, but then overnight? ugg. they are so intense they wake me up. They also continue to keep me up, so not much sleep for this mama. Stayed home this morning to rest up though and have been feeling better with contractions being much less frequent.

Even as a second time mom I second guess myself all the time. I think I logically know they are nothing to run to Wabasha about, but yet I wonder "what if?" I guess only time will tell.

The good news is my body is really getting ready. Wish we were as ready. We continue to talk about names, but keep coming up with each of our favorites but none that we totally agree on. So, I guess we aren't as ready at all!

oh, and as I type this? yep, more contractions. ugg. could be a long month!

family fun

I love spending time just the three of us. It won't be long now before our little family of 3 will be 4, so we have to soak up the moments while we can. Saturday morning brought us out to the farmers market, where Patrick enjoyed some fresh strawberries and a walk by the river to look at the ducks.

more weekend fun

Saturday night we added one more fun toddler to our crew. I really don't know how care providers do it, we had 1 adult for every kid and our heads were spinning in every direction!
I love a great summer day, especially when it is warm enough to play with the hose!

We enjoyed a very messy cookie(although being outside makes for easy clean-up!)We also spotted an airplane or two up in the sky.

We enjoyed a very large red ball. (although not sure if they are "sharing" or not!

The sandbox was a hit, although I think we just need a pile of sand on the ground because that is where it all ended up anyway! Well, that and in their hair!

Three cheers for Elizabeth! Who apparently had a tough time keeping her diaper on!


Snuggles with my two boys.

Someone thinks someone is funny at least.

Time to go.

Weekend with friends

We had a great weekend with friends. We do this little swap each month where we take a kid, so the parents can go out alone and then they take Patrick. It is a nice little deal and we all get to spend some unique time with the other's children.

The first night was this fun little trio of toddlers.

I appologize for the 5million wagon photos, but kids and wagons are just so stinkin' cute!

And kids pulling kids in wagons is even cuter!

36 weeks

Had my 36 weeks appt today with the midwife. Baby is in a good head down position which is great to hear. It could flip again, but much less likely now. We went over some details of the birth and the facility.

Compare with Patrick. Click here
Most folks know that we will be delivering this time in Wabasha, MN. Mayo was fine last time, but we want something different. Wabasha has 1 midwife whom we've had an opportunity to build a relationship with, they also have the option for a waterbirth. I know that sounds very crunchy, but I labored at home with Patrick in the tub, and it was much better than not having the water. I am hoping the water will be a nice option this time. Mayo is actually building tubs, but they won't be ready in time. So to Wabasha we go, it's about an hours drive, so we'll be leaving the house much earlier this time!

The midwife did an internal check on baby this time and found that I am dilated to 3cm today. This could mean I'll go a little early, but most likely means that my body is doing what it needs to do and I'll be that much closer when I do go into labor a month from now.

All good news. My body is working (had some crazy contractions for about 2 hours yesterday that were more painful than I remember this early with Patrick!) Baby is in a good position, heart rate is in the 160's, my BP is low.

The other night baby was moving around like crazy, all of a sudden I felt a foot right in my hand. It was crazy and made Ryan look and feel as well. The minute he put his hand on it, he jumped back a little freaked out. You could feel everything, the heel, the toes, it was really creepy and so very real!

Now to finish putting baby clothes away and probably back a bag soon that will be ready to go when baby is!

35 weeks

I better sneak this in before I am 36 weeks!



It's been an interesting week. I started seeing a Chiropractor for the hip and low back pain I've been feeling. In the process we discovered that baby was laying transverse or sideways. I went back 3 times last week to help loosen everything up and help get baby in a good position. At 36 weeks the midwife likes to make sure baby is head down, then the next two weeks we do all we can to turn baby to hopefully avoid a c-section. Yes, baby can turn at anytime, even in labor, but it is good to have baby settled before then.

Well, today I feel very different. The crazy kicks I was feeling low into my bladder and nerves appears to have subsided. I now have lots of pressure on my bladder that is more like a head. I am also feeling lots of movement much higher and hiccups lower. All good signs. I go back to the chiro tonight and then midwife on Thursday to check everything out.

I am hopefull all is good. I am feeling very uncomfortable now. The humidity is high today, which makes me want to sit in front of a fan. The nights have been cool so far, so that has made night time much easier!

Oh and for fun, if you have been guessing. Here is the Chinese Gender Chart.
It says boy.
It predicted Patrick to be a girl, so not sure it is real accurate!

Building a nest

Whenever Patrick asks "Daddy what duny?" when we are in the babies room, Ryan replies "building a nest". Yep, nesting was in full force this weekend for sure. We got a lot done though so I am feeling a little more prepared.

Patrick also worked hard to help get prepared for baby.



In the end we made some great progress, but there is still a bit to do. I still want to paint the wall with the bed blue. We need to wash all the baby clothes, get some diapers, hang some family portraits and put in the final touches. Then I'll start getting the rest of the house ready!