Less than 12 hours...

In less than 12 hours I will meet my second child... isnt that crazy to fathom? I've always wanted to go into labor on my own and really thought that perhaps this time I would. But so far, nothing. I was sure my water would just break. But, that hasn't happened either. Never the less, tomorrow is the day!!

All the details are taken care of... at least everything that is within my control and responsibility. It is so weird to think that at this time tomorrow I will have nursed a new baby probably 5 times already (if not more) and I will have a new scar to prove it!!

So, So Crazy, I tell you!! Keep checking the blog for photos and stories, I'm sure there will be plenty to be had...

Love

The Last of the Shots... For a few days!

So, I just took my last shot of blood thinner before the baby's deliver tomorrow morning. And while I'm in the hospital, they'll give it to me through my IV. Pretty exciting!! No more pokes... well, at least until I return home and then I'll only have 6 more weeks of the poking and then I'll be done until next time :)

Finnegan and I have had a rough morning... our Dr. Appt went well, but since then, he's been cranky and unhappy and just not having a good day. Perhaps after his nap, he'll do a bit better.

Two days...

Ok, so here goes... Two days to go!! This photo was taken on Friday (38wks, 4 days). The belly continues to rock and roll every day!! And boy, does she like to move!! I hope this isn't a telling sign that she's gonna be a climber and give me a daily heart attack!! :)

The weekend was pretty relaxing. Friday was Ken's birthday and we celebrated with a dinner outing to Red Robin! We had a great dinner and dessert afterwards, and then some presents. Saturday was Finnegan's birthday, and it was even more low key. I made sandwiches for dinner, and Finnegan took his time throughout the day to open his presents. I went for a pre-natal massage on Saturday before the birthday excitement began, and a pedi. Both were wonderful, although the massage therapist said to me "You haven't had a massage at all during your pregnancy, have you?" Big Fat Nope!! "I can tell!" she said!! And my back could tell too. It was pretty sore the rest of the night, but feels great now. And I am proud to announce that the massage did allow me to STOP waddling. I walk upright and straight, even though I'm 39 weeks pregnant!! It's pretty freeing!! I'll probably go back in a couple of months for a second massage. :) I also had a pedi!! I was going through the photos from Finn's birth and loved to see my pretty toes sticking out of those compression deals that I have to wear during the surgery and for 24 hours after wards.

Sunday was relaxing with a nap and a trip to Costco after church. Just nice to be with the family and have some quiet time before our sweet daughter arrives.

Finnegan and I have been counting down the days with our paperchain. We tear off one ring each day to mark the days until sister arrives. He gets excited each day when we do it!!

Finnegan had his 2nd year doctor's appt today, and it was a rough one. He didn't want to take off his shoes to be weighed. He didn't want to take his clothes off. He didn't want to sit on the table. Just super fussy today. And then we continued with the shots!! He got 3 of them!! He had to sit on my lap (or what is left of it) and had to hold his arms, while the nurse held his feet between hers!! Oh, poor baby! It just breaks your heart each time. So we retreated home for a movie and some chocolate milk!! It makes everything better :)

6 days and counting...

Oh, Man!! The days are ticking away!!

So, I did sleep on the air mattress the other night. And unfortunately it didn't make either of us sleep any better. And this time, I wasn't just awake when I rolled over, but every time Ken rolled over in the bed above me! And I went back to my regular bed at about 5:30am because I missed my husband... it's hard to sleep in a different bed when he's right there and ready for the snuggling!! So, needless to say, I haven't attempted it again. However, the bed is still set up in our room, just in case. :)

Today was the first day of MOPS at our church. I'd never joined before and wasn't really sure what to expect. A new friend that I've made at our church encouraged me to come and I know that this year I'm gonna REALLY need to extra support of other moms and a connection time. So I decided to join. I am so glad that I did. The head coordinator spoke this morning and God really has preparing her and teaching her so much. Things that are practicle and applicable to my own life. I found myself crying at one point, just realizing that I feel the same way she feels and she's just a few steps ahead of me, giving a good example of the actions I should take to make myself a better mom!! She talked about being a Born Mom or a Made Mom. And I know for sure that I am a Made Mom. Being a good mommy doesn't come easy to me, and I never really wanted children. But it's a fight I'm willing to make. I just have to make my choices each day. What a great reminder that God wants me to fight that fight with me and stands right with me helping me to make controlled and loving decisions with my children in mind.

Also, another bit of exciting news. My friend, that I mentioned above, does some photography on the side and has agreed and is willing to accompany Ken and I to our c-section and be our 'paparazzi' when the baby is born. And because she is there, she will capture those first moments together of the baby and us and we won't have to take the photos ourselves, but enjoy our sweet girl!! And since we won't have family there this time to take those photos, Mandy will be doing it for us, and I couldn't be more happy!!

The last of the chores have begun. I started washing the cushions of the couch today, while Finnegan is continuing his "trial run" nap at our friends' home (the M's). We did trial run #1 yesterday and he had a rough time at first but then took a great nap. Today, he did even better. I think he'll be all set for next week!! He adjusts so well so it makes it easier, but I did still cry yesterday when I left him as he was crying!! I've begun to pack Finnegan's bag for his big adventure at the M's house, as well as my bag. We've coordinated the dogs care, and most of the other details. So, unless the baby come early and surprises EVERYONE, we're on schedule!! :)

I have been having real contractions here and there. I had a few on Sunday and a couple yesterday. I had one this afternoon after standing for about 45 minutes, but none since then.

Well, it's off to finish one more chore before I go and get Finnegan. I'll keep you posted on all the other happenings soon!!

Oh... Wait... One more thing... Can I just say how HAPPY I am that the new seasons have started for prime time television??? Ok, so yes, my life is ruled by TV during the fall and winter seasons. I write the premires in my planner in hopes of not missing any show that I want to watch!! I know it's completely pathetic, but hey, that's me!! Survivor is on tonight as well as the office, and Grey's is on next week!! Yippee!!

8 days and counting....

We are now officially, in the home stretch before the baby will be born. To be honest, there are days, I'm ready and days I could hold this all off for a few more weeks.

We've been blessed by some of our close friends here in town, as they have offered (and we've accepted) for them to watch Finnegan for the full amount of time that I'm in the hospital. And they've even offered to watch him more than we asked (we were planning to pay a babysitter to come and have him sleep in his own bed - but he'll be sleeping at one of their homes instead). This will save Ken from having to run back and forth between their homes and our home and the hospital switching him between friends and family. We've truly been blessed by this gift of love!!

I'm pretty sore today... walking tonight has been pretty painful. I think what I'm feeling is what other women feel when they say "I think the baby will fall out". My muscles are just so sore to walk, or bend. Sitting is the only thing that I think makes it even feel better. And it doesn't even take it away. Grrr...

It's official, I've blown up the air mattress to sleep on tonight, although I don't think my husband will allow me to sleep on it. I keep him up all night with my tossing and turning and pulling on him and bathroom breaks. Oh, I feel so bad. When I sleep good, he sleeps good. Until last night... when I slept good, and he didn't. He said I was still moving a lot. Granted it's only a week, but I just feel so bad for him to not be getting any quality sleep.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!!

So, although our son's birthday is officially next weekend, I decided to celebrate a week early, so we could have one last quiet weekend at home before Sweet Pea arrives. So, we invited about 20 people to the house to help us celebrate Finnegan's birthday. Little did we know, that this small gathering of just a few friends and WA family, would just turn into a WA family party with only two other families joining us. Never the less, we enjoyed the play time with our close friends and enjoyed a relaxing evening together celebrating Finnegan.

We also didn't know that Finnegan's pesky teeth would wake him up early from his nap, and make him super cranky at the beginning of the party. But he was able to find his groove and get over the funky attitude to enjoy his party too! Here are a few photos from the party!

Our Dining room table is transformed into the Cake Central. We had cake, cookies, ice cream and milk to drink (white and chocolate).
With Special Straws for our Chocolate Milk!!
This is me and my birthday boy!!


Here's Finn and Liam Playing together with the toys. Finnegan was getting sleepy, but still found the energy to play!Here we are as the official birthday photo together!! Mommy was trying to make the baby smile, and got a silly look on her face :)
Here are the kids checking out the dogs. Liam and Rylee don't have dogs, so it's a treat for them to see our dogs when they come over. Rylee loves Tootsie!!
Yummy Birthday Cake!!

What a friendly chid...

Today, we walked into doctor's office for my weekly check up. When we arrived, there was another family in the waiting room as well as an older gentleman. Finnegan walked in the door and walked right up to the little girl who was waiting with her mom and dad and said, "Hi, Friend!" She didn't respond, so he said it again! Oh, he is so friendly!! I just love it!!

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In other news, the full gallery of our maternity photos has been completed. If you're interested in seeing them, shoot me an email, or leave a comment with your email address and I'll send you the password to view them!!