Countdown

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant. That is just totally unbelieveable. Even though I am feeling Ben inside, and am doing lots of things to prepare, I can't believe that I am going to have a brand new baby in just a week or two! If he comes as early as Madi did, that is in 8 days!!!! Whoa!

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and am very anxious to see if I am any more dilated than I was. I have been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions (practice contractions) and even the other night I was timing them. They ended up being very irregular, but were still coming about 8 times an hour. I think it was just because I needed to drink some water. I had not been feeling good for a few days and wasn't drinking enough. Finally today and yesterday I am starting to feel better. My allergies were really bad.

I feel like I have gotten a lot of things done in order to prepare...but I know I can never be prepared enough. The house has had a thorough cleaning. The ironing is done. The freezer is full. My bags are packed...all three of them. One for me, one for Ben, and one for Madi who will be hopefully staying with my parents at least one night. What else is there to do? I do need to work on birth announcements. I am pretty behind with them. I guess I should get working on them to pass the time more quickly. I think I am going to need about 35ish, and I have about 20 of them 70% done.

It's been a great couple weeks. Gregg and I both decided that we really think we are actually ready to have another baby. God has richly blessed us both with good jobs, a nice comfy home, wonderful families, and a beautiful daughter. We can't wait to add a son to the mix!

That's it for now. I keep thinking the next time I post, I may be at the hospital. Who knows? Only God knows!

35 week Dr. appointment

I just got back from a doctor appointment a little while ago. I am already 1 cm and 80% effaced, and the baby's head is low. It sounds as though Ben will be as early as Madi was, if not earlier! The doc said if I go into labor now, they would not stop it. She thinks he is over 5 lbs! When she was walking out of the room she said, "I don't think it will be long!"

So my goal today is to get some housework done. Last week I was up to 11:45pm making a double batch of lasagna to keep in the freezer for those first couple weeks home. I also made muffins on Monday, and froze half of them. I think tomorrow I am going to make some chicken noodle soup to put in the freezer. When Madi was born, I had not prepared meals and was overwhelmed with the thought of having to come up with something for dinner. I had a bunch of meals brought to me, and my mom made some, too. But looking back, I wish I had made something to have when she came home.

Aside from thinking about meals, I need to do some cleaning so that when he comes home, I come home to a clean house. Clean the bathrooms, dust, vacuum, clean the microwave and the burners. Those are the things on my list for today and tomorrow!

Hopefully this weekend I can get out and get some consumables for Ben's homecoming. Good old nursing pads, and sanitary pads....as well as newborn diapers and pillow pad things for the wipe warmer.

I am trying to enjoy every minute of these last few days and weeks. I want to relish in his kicks and turns. It's awesome to feel a baby inside, and I am loving it.

That's it for now! Have a great rest of the week and weekend! :)

Chasey

Ben's room is ready!

Now all we need is Ben! Gregg's dad is making us a changing table, and it isn't ready yet, but other than that, his room is ready for him! I spent a lot of time this weekend getting it done. It's so exciting! :)

Last night's project

I did this page last night in about 2 hours.

Lots of pictures

Madelyn's favorite thing to eat is yogurt. Here she is enjoying some.

These next couple pictures are from my grandfather's viewing. I got some cute shots of Madi, Chloe, and my grandmother.

Right before the viewing, after checking into our hotel, Gregg and Madi had a chance to go swimming. Madi was just about to go under in this picture. :)

Here I am today, at 34 weeks! We are getting so close now. I can't wait to meet our little guy. I am feeling great, especially now that I am done working. We have a lot to do yet to get ready, and I needed to stop working so we can take advantage of the weekends, and so that I can take advantage of getting as much sleep as possible before Ben's arrival.

Here is our completed den. I am soooo happy to have redone it before Ben's arrival. It feels so good out there, and Gregg and I have been using the room a lot more even in the last week. I think I will be scrapping more now that it's all out in the open, and I don't have to retreat to the back of the house to do it.

All the paneling you see is new, as well as the crown moulding, and the sliding glass door. Everything is so fresh and new!

It looks pretty crowded, but all this stuff was basically in Ben's room.

Here is Ben's room! We just finished painting and putting the trim and closet doors back up. We have maybe an hour of work yet to do, which I am hoping to do during Madi's naptime today.

Finally, last night we took Madi to the park. She loved it! It was a little cool outside, but that didn't stop her from having a blast! Every time we drive by the park, she squeals.

Playing Catch Up!

Just thought I would post a quick and short update. I am now 33 weeks, and find it hard to believe that this little guy could be here in 4 weeks. If he comes as early as Madelyn came, he will be here on April 20th! That's only 4 weeks and a couple days.

We have been making huge progress in the den. I will post pictures tonight, I hope. Tomorrow, Gregg is taking off and we are going to town on Ben's room. We have to take apart the home gym and put it back up in the den. That is our goal for tonight. We hope to have the room painted by Friday! I have to work this weekend, and then I have off the following weekend. I am only working 2 more weekends after that, and then I am going on maternity leave. I can't believe he is coming so soon!

I found out today that my good friend, Abbey, who used to live nearby, but now lives in North Carolina, just had her baby. I don't know if she was born last night or today, but I know her name is Cameron Elaine! CONGRATS, Jake and Abbey!!!! Can't wait to see her and hear the birth story! :)

That's it for now. I am going to do some better catching up on here tonight.