Waiting Game

With every baby I tell myself to plan for the due date or later. Yet, every time I get to 37 weeks I play the waiting game. This time hasn't been too bad. I am of course tired and uncomfortable. I am looking forward to not being pregnant and getting my body back to myself, but I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of going through the newborn stage again.

Lest you think we've been twiddling our thumbs while we're waiting, think again. We've been busy. Jeremy's been consumed with the yard (and training for a sprint triathlon). We had a new sprinkler system design and installed and then the front and side yard scraped/graded. Last Saturday our grass seed was laid. We're starting to see some green sprouts and are excited to have a lawn. It's been a big project and so the rest of our yard has been rather neglected. But little by little we'll get it how we want it to be.

the yard after grading and during trenching

the trenching was long because Jer kept digging up pieces of the old driveway

 we finally hired someone to finish trenching and install the sprinklers

 the grass seed laid with peat moss

 I've been finishing up a few house projects. I bought some armchairs a while ago and finally got around to re-upholstering them. We painted the living room and I made new curtains. I keep working on the "den" or computer room as well. It's like the room I'm never satisfied with. We also got all new windows for the house and they are fantastic. It was funny how excited we were about them. Then back-to-school shopping, cleaning out closets, and last minute baby preparations took the rest of my time. I sure do enjoy the last bit of nesting energy I get at the end of pregnancy.

chairs before and after

A Sneak Peak...

My midwife wanted to do a growth check on the baby since I carry so low it's hard to get a good measurement of my belly. Today we had an ultrasound and it was fun to see the baby full grown. He/she wouldn't take their hands away from the face, so it was hard to get a good picture. But we could see him/her blink and grab and hold the feet and the fat rolls on the belly. (Gosh it's awkward to write gender neutral.) Baby is actually measuring a week ahead, except the head which is 2 weeks ahead (maybe I'll reconsider going natural) and is estimated to be 7 lbs. Here you can see the chubby cheeks and pouty lips. We're so excited to meet him/her in just a few weeks (or less). At my last appointment nothing had changed, but the head is so low that she thinks I'll have a fast labor. A couple weeks ago she said to just go to the hospital when I'm in labor and they'll contact her. This week she gave me her cell phone number and asked me to call her when we're on the way so she can have a heads up. I certainly hope it'll be quick.

Baby Guess

Take a guess at the gender of the baby and when you think he/she will arrive. While you're at it, guess the size too.

Previous stats to help you out:

Paul was due Dec. 16 and arrived Dec. 18 (after induction) at 2:02 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and was 19 1/2 in. long.

Sam was due Feb. 13 and arrived Feb. 9 at 9:23 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and was 19 in. long.

Audrey was due Sept. 30 and arrived Oct. 1 (after induction) at 2:51 pm. She was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20 in. long.

Baby in utero is due Sept. 12. At my appointment today I was dilated to a one and 80% effaced. I'm not planning an induction unless I go 2 weeks over my due date. My midwife seems to think it'll come early, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

We are getting excited to meet a new one of these:

Kid's Day

I'm not sure how many of you knew about this holiday, but Sunday, August 5 was Kid's Day.  After Mother's Day and Father's Day the kids wanted to know when Kid's Day was. I said that every day was kid's day and grumbled about it, but Jeremy thought it was a great idea. So we picked a Sunday and gave the kids each a gift, homemade card, and breakfast in bed. Later Sam wondered why no one else had wished him a happy kid's day.

Sam is our stuffed animal lover and he had been eyeing this giant bear at Costco for some time. He is super huge and Sam is in love with Beary.

Paul, on the other hand, is hard to buy for. He doesn't play much with toys and everything on his wish lists costs at least $100. I thought this keyboard would provide hours of entertainment for my kids like ours did when we were little, but alas after the first day it sits in the closet. At least they're not recording fart sounds all day like my cousins used to do. 

Audrey loves anything pink and to do with babies (she has not yet taken interest in princesses). She got a doll car seat which she carries around with her purse all day. 

Breakfast on the bed cause what kid stays in bed any longer than necessary.