April It Is

Well folks, the waiting is still going steady - but I think I can officially say that we will be having an April baby. I doubt I will give birth in the next 3.5 hours at least. I know - stranger things have happened, but really...I doubt it will.

So that's the scoop! I've walked a lot today, eaten pineapple up the wazoo, bounced on the bouncy ball, and yes...I've done that, too. I've had a few contraction this past hour, but nothing consistent. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

I'll try to keep you all posted. Each day with no Baby Drew is harder and harder to keep a good attitude, but I'm working on it. Daily. :)

Also - if there is a posting tomorrow that I'm going into labor, know that it's the real deal. I won't be posting any April Fools joke about this!! I'm secretly hoping I go into labor tomorrow, but have him on the 2nd...picky picky, I know, but a girl can hope, right?

Drs Appointment Update

The update is as follows:

I haven't progressed much (I'm at a solid 2/2.5) and still about 50% and "really soft". The doctor said that he thought it unlikely for me to go into labor within the next 2 days - at which point he leaves for the week - and so to cross my legs until Monday unless I'm ok being delivered by his backup. Which I am. I would prefer my doc to deliver, but hey...I just want to have my kid in my arms already, ya know?

The plan:

On Monday or Tuesday I'll go into the hospital for natural induction. They'll do the whole cervix ripening thing and after that manual dilation. And if I need it after those 2 - then he may break my water...I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope that I still go this week. I've walked today and already consumed 3/4 of a fresh, ripe, pineapple. And I'm praying constantly.

Anyways - that's the update. I'm trying to stay busy, too, with non-important yet fun things. Park play date tomorrow, spending my due date (Thursday) with a friend...maybe an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday with Evan. Making my Key Lime Pie for Easter dinner...and then Easter of course.

If you think about it, please pray for a spirit of contentment. I'm a little down today after hearing 'the news' -- really what it boils down to is that Scot has all next week off and I would really rather spend that time with him being able to help at home rather than trying to prep for having a baby, having a baby, spending time in the hospital, and then only having one (if that!) day at home for his entire time off. So yeah. A baby this week would be ideal, but no matter what, God's timing is PERFECT and I just need to rest in that fact.

What a Year Will Do

My dear friend, Britt, and her adorable daughter Abby came up for a visit today. We went to the park and the kids had a blast on the slides, swings, sand box, and just running around. Britt and I had a blast just talking and catching up. Also today, I just happened to run across this old picture from almost exactly a year ago...my what a year can do!!

Very early April, 2009


Today. Yeah. Wow.

Still Waiting

Just thought I'd let everyone know that we're still waiting over here for little Drew to arrive. I'm caught between the idea of wanting him here to just start the next phase already, and the idea that each day he stays in is just one more day of naps, and 8-10 hours nights of sleep, and solid one-on-one time with Evan. So after much prayer this afternoon (I was quite discontent this morning that I am still not feeling like I could go into labor anytime soon), I have come to the quiet realization in my heart that Drew will come in the Lord's perfect timing.

Waiting is hard for me. Add to that the fact that I like to know what's going on and waiting for a new one is a little difficult at times. So I am fully - as much as my sinful nature can - resting in the fact that the Lord knows I want to be in church on Easter Sunday with both boys in tow. He knows that I'm sick and tired of just looking at all the little clothes and diapers in my room that is half converted to a nursery. He knows that I'm excited beyond belief to meet this new little one, and scared as all get out that I'll go too far over and have to be induced and end up with a C-section.

With all that, Evan and I had a blast today. We played for the morning, reading books, splashing in the tub, having a tickle fight, and jumping on our bed. After a good nap for both of us, we went for a walk in what looked like beautiful weather - my how the wind changes things - and then made dinner. I am daily amazed at what a little helper Evan is to me - I only hope it keeps up once Drew gets here. Tonight, Scot and I are having a little date night, complete with Kettle corn, bubblies (soda), and watching The Blind Side!

So for now - we're just waiting!

Who Wouldn't Love this Face?

food blog update

I just updated the food blog with 2 new recipes. They're not out of this world meals, I am 38 and a half week pregnant ya know and kitchen creativity is in short supply, but they are yummy.

38 weeks

38 weeks and ready!

When I say I'm ready, I mean it! In all reality, I could probably go like this for another 6 weeks. I'm not uncomfortable during the day (that pleasure is reserved for when I'm trying to sleep), I still feel good, I can still paint my toe nails, my wedding rings still fit and my ankles aren't swollen -- but I am ready to meet this little guy and start the next stage of crazy at our house. I'm ready to embark on the unknown again, because as nice as it would be to have Drew as angelic and easy as Evan was, I'm not counting on it (but I am praying towards it!!). I'm ready to sleep well when I sleep even if the sleep is interrupted by those adorable little whimper cries. I'm ready to start using the little diapers and outfits that I've been staring at for the last few weeks. I'm ready to put the baby doll away and have Evan meet his little brother. I'm just ready.

Which means that right now I'm just waiting.

What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of.

A dirty little face after having a blast playing outside in the nice weather we enjoyed this past week.


Wearing his winter hat (not because it was cold) just because at breakfast.


Playing with Scot's stethoscope...please note allt he toys he has to play with in the background.


Riding his horse. Quite possibly his favorite 'toy' at the moment.

So. Much. To. Tell.

Oh my goodness. I don't know if I have even felt so behind in blogging! I know I should get used to this feeling with Drew on his way, but my goodness, between having friends in, visiting friends, doing the mom thing, doing the wife thing, doing the home-maker thing, Bible study, house-hunting, and all that goes with life, I just haven't had the decent amount of time to just sit and think about what's been going on and write it down. So this is going to be the abbreviated version, but hopefully, it'll catch you all up to speed.

I went to the Drs today (I figured I'd start out with the most important/exciting information, right?) and after waiting an hour in the waiting room, and another 45 minutes in the exam room, the Dr told me I was 1cm dilated and 25% effaced! YIPEE!! I know I could go for weeks like this, that's not the point, I didn't do any of this with Evan. I was 3 days late with him and still totally closed and 'thick' - so this is a huge Praise God moment for me because I was so afraid that my body wouldn't know what to do again. The bummer is that my Dr is out of town starting the day before my due date - so next week - on the 39 week mark - he's going to strip my membranes to see if that does anything in hopes that I'll go that weekend while he's still here. I'm totally fine with that. The other little bummer was that while I was laying with the lovely sterile sheet on top of me, Evan stood by the door and pleadingly looked at me and told me he had to pee and there was nothing I could do about it. Thankfully, that's why he still wears diapers when we go out, but I felt bad for him.

I think we've found a house to rent! Another HUGE praise from us. After weeks and weeks of searching, I think this is it. It's a 3 bedroom 1 bath bungalow in a cute little neighborhood within a mile of the hospital. Which means Scot can walk/ride a bike to work and I can stroll the boys down to see him if he knows he's not going to be home before bedtime! It's all hardwood throughout and it's been taken back tot he studs and redone completely! New kitchen, new bath, and a backyard to boot. 2 bedrooms downstairs (with the living areas and bathroom) and 1 good sized room upstairs with a random "mini-room" that the owner says isn't a room because it's only 8x8 and has no closet, but it does have a window. Hello storage space and extra extra guest room! I figure a blow up mattress will fit in there nicely - or a pack n play - or a pup tent. We'll use the upstairs room as Scot's study and a guest room. The basement is half finished with the laundry area down there. Maybe a play room, too? So that's the house news. Please pray that everything goes through - this is so much more than we could have hoped for.

Scot's birthday is now almost 2 weeks past, but we had a few mini-celebrations along the way. His uncle surprised him by bringing over cake and ice cream when he came over for his weekly dinner and we had a lot of fun with that. We also had a few people over this past weekend to help celebrate with more cake and ice cream. I bought Scot a ticket to go see Body Worlds since it's right here in Denver -- a friend met him and they had a grand time.

Evan is loving life. He's in such a cute stage right now. We have this "anatomically correct" little baby that my grandmother gave Jared when he was little that my mom has let us use to get Evan ready for the idea of a baby in the house. He is very good about carrying the baby around and being gentle with the baby. He covers him up and gives him hugs and kisses. He has also recently started checking the baby's diaper to see if he's poppy. It'll go something like this: Evan carries the baby and then all of a sudden gently lays the baby down on his back. He leans over and tries to undo the baby's onesie while saying "poop. poop." It's a riot and we have no idea where he got it from since he rarely has a poopy diaper anymore.

Monday night I had quite the nice surprise. I was in one of those "I don't feel like cooking" moods - which is rare for me even though I'm so pregnant - and all I wanted was Thai food. Scot, being the telepath that he is, called me when he got off work and told me that he wanted to take me to this little Thai place we've been meaning to try but just haven't yet. I was shocked! So we ate yummy Thai food and I am now inspired to try to make something Thai myself. It's the one type of dish I have never tried because it's my favorite cuisine. I also had Thai tea with dinner. Big mistake. As in up-until-4am kind of big. Yeah. Not cool. Needless to say - I'm spoiled by a wonderful husband.

I think that about does it. A few pictures will fill in some gaps and tell a story in and of themselves. Enjoy.

Uncle Dave and Evan watching Scot blow his candles out! Such a fun time and we're really going to miss having Uncle Dave around - not only to feed, but just just to hang out with. He's so good with Evan, too, and Evan adores him!


A friend, Ashley, was in town for a long weekend and she and another friend, Britt, came over for too short of a visit on Sunday. I was very thankful they made time for me as I wasn't able to attend the big party they had planned for that evening. Love you gals!


Evan with his dress shoes. Ever since the wedding, he has been obsessed with these shoes. The only reason he doesn't wear them everywhere is because I hid them while he was napping the other afternoon. Here he is, modeling them for me.


He put them on himself. Backwards, of course, but he actually was determined enough to wear them that he figured out how to get them on his little feet without any socks!


We have a reader on our hands. I will commonly find Evan just like this, and usually with this book, reading to himself. He will wave and 'moo' when he would if I were reading, too, which is priceless.

"Stop, Train, Stop!" is the favorite book right now along with "Goodnight Moon" - which he just calls "Moon" for short.

I'm here...

...I promise. Life is just busy right now (I seem to keep saying that, huh?) and getting on here to actually post pictures and some updates on life before Drew gets here is on my to-do list. It's just getting outdone by other seemingly more important tasks like taking naps and doing laundry and keeping the house clean and looking for housing in Cleveland and the like.

With all that being said - I don't think I'm going to go in the next week (and I kind of hope not) and so I should be on here in the next couple days to update all you patient blogging buddies on life around here. It's anything but boring, I can assure you of that, and I have some pretty cute pictures to share, too.

So stay tuned.

Happy Girl

I know that in the last few weeks it's typical to feel heavy and just blah - and I do - but it's not as bad as I thought, and I think I have Evan to thank for that. :) He is such a happy kid and makes me smile all day long - ok - well almost all day long. Just recently he has been doing the cutest things:

• Snuggling in bed with me. He used to come to bed with me so I could wake up a little easier, but he would always be jumping around and looking out the window. Now, he lays there just looking at me.
• He's started to sing! A lot of times it's nothing, but recently I'll catch "Jeeeesus lalala..."
• He has started to pray after us. The first time was just a couple nights ago and it went like this: Dear God, thank you food. Amen. It was too cute.
• When he burps, he covers his mouth and says "toot"! ha ha
• He tries to hide things from us by sitting on the object or sliding it under his legs if he's sitting down. He'll look at us and ask us "go?", as if to say, 'where did it go?'. He'll then giggle as he pulls it out of it's 'hiding place'.
• Reading to himself. He'll pull a book out and talk to it and turn the pages and tell the story. I'm so thankful he's so good at entertaining himself. It's going to come in handy in a few weeks once Drew is here!

I think that's about it. I've finally hit the 37 week point, so anytime would be good although I doubt I'll go early at all. So now it's just the waiting game, which is the hardest part for me. My energy level is pretty low at times and I have found myself in bed around 8 some nights. I'm taking full advantage of the ability to sleep 10 or 11 hours in a night while I can!

Jared's wedding weekend recap...

...at least an attempt of a recap.

The picture recap is here.

Thursday

Thursday dawned bright and early for us as we got last minute things together for the long awaited flight to VA. I shouldn't have worried at all. With my mom sitting next to me, and Evan's afternoon nap coinciding perfectly with the 3 hour flight from Denver to Atlanta, we did great! Evan fell asleep on my mom and since we thankfully had an empty seat in our row, we just laid him down in between us. It was perfect. Once we got in, we stopped to visit with some friends and then headed to what I like to think of as The Pope's Bed and Breakfast. It was a late night, my friend Katie drove all the way from Charlottesville to spend a little extra time with me, but like all the other nights to follow, so well worth it.


Friday

Even though we all went to bed late the night before, we were up at the crack of dawn. Literally. 6:42 on the clock and I was wide awake. That's 4:42 in CO, people! But it was a big day ahead, so I just went with it. The full cup of coffee I had with breakfast helped. My friend Katie came over again for breakfast, and we got a little more time to just chat and catch up in person. It's never enough time with her, but I was very thankful for what I got! Another good friend, Rebecca, came over shortly after Katie's departure with her 2 little boys. Liam is about 5 months older than Evan and they had so much fun together. Luke, 6 months old, made me anxious to have Drew with us here on the 'outside'. Rebeca and I chatted for awhile, and then once the boys started to get rowdy, we took them to Chik-fil-a for lunch and a good run around int he play place. I had never taken Evan to a play place before and I had no idea what he would do. I'll tell ya - that kid is fearless - he was up those stairs and down that slide, in and out of tunnels, yelling through the netting, looking through windows, and having the time of his life! Both boys took good naps that afternoon while Rebecca and I enjoyed some solid quiet to just talk and catch up!

Scot flew in with just enough time to meet Rebecca before she headed out and time to get us all ready for the rehearsal dinner! The dinner was held at this great Italian restaurant where we had the back room all to ourselves! It was fun to see everyone and Evan did well staying up so late. One of my favorite places in VA for a sweet treat is Rita's Italian Ice - so of course I took Scot there after the dinner. We planned to split one since we really didn't have room for it to begin with, but he asked for Blackberry but ended up with Blackcherry. I don't do cherry. So he ended up eating the whole thing.


Saturday

I need to first say that the days leading up to the wedding were crummy. And today, so I'm told, is crummy again. The weekend of the wedding, and especially the wedding day itself, were some of the prettiest days there have been in 3 months! God is good!

Saturday was low-key to begin with. Scot and I got all ready except for our wedding attire and went to the hotel where family was staying and had breakfast with everyone. It was great to catch up with them. We finished getting ready back at the Pope's before heading off tot he church. God was very gracious to us and Evan slept from about 1:30 until almost 4 in a back room in the church! We were able to prep for the wedding, have the ceremony, and even do pictures with him sound asleep - and he was then a blast at the reception.

Mom and I talked about our favorite parts of the day, and here they are:

1) It was a fairly short ceremony, and when the time came for the repeating of the vows, Jared went first as is customary. They had the tradition vows and when it was time for Jared to say "your faithful husband", he ended up saying "your very faithful husband" - everyone loved it!!

2) At the reception, they actually danced for their first dance. They didn't do the typical highschool stand there and be awkward thing like Scot and I did - they really danced ballroom style. It was great.

The reception in and of itself was a blast. It was held at a very nice hotel in one of their ballrooms. Jared had made sure that there were ice sculptures present (he's been saying he would have them since he was about 7!) and they were spectacular! The DJ did a wonderful job keeping everyone on the dance floor, the food was delicious, the people were all happy and having a great time, and Jared and Madeline looked like they had just won the moon! Evan was a complete ham-bone dancing up a storm and making girlfriends right and left. He loved his little outfit and especially his shoes and would be seen showing them off to whoever would listen. Which was pretty much everyone. Scot and I had fun dancing and I definitely scared too many older ladies who all came over and scolded me to not have that baby on the dance floor. I reassured them that I would not, and just kept on dancing! I paid for it though - when I went to go and put my shoes back on, I felt like the ugly step sister in Cinderella trying to get her fat foot into the glass slipper. Thankfully, I had ballet flats to wear for the rest of the weekend. We said farewell with white sparklers and they were whisked off to the other side of the hotel where the snuck back in to go up to their suite! For those of us who knew what was going on, we all thought they were genius!

Scot and I took Evan back to the Pope's where they watched the Academy Awards while Evan slept upstairs allowing Scot and I to go back to the hotel and hang out with my mom's side of the family who had come in that afternoon, and some of my dad's side, too. It was a very late night, but we all went to bed happy.


Sunday

I love the church we went to while in VA and it was great to bring Scot there for the first time. Not only was it great for him to see a church I really love, but it was also fun to 'show him off' a bit. I figure I'll never have a high school reunion, so this was about as close as I get. :) We had lunch with a gal I used to baby sit for and spent the afternoon hanging out. Scot and her husband, John, grilled and talked doctor stuff, and Evan played out in their big back yard while Wendy and I caught up on life. It was a perfect afternoon. I dropped Scot off at the airport on my way back for evening service at church. Mom, dad, and I all ended up at a friend's house talking and laughing much later than we should have. But it was fun.


Monday

Off again to the airport, this time it was mom, dad, Evan, and me - and I have to say, flying solo will never be fun again now that I've been spoiled! Evan did great on the return flights, playing and eating the entire 90 minute flight to Atlanta and then sleeping the entire - and I mean entire - flight from Atlanta to Denver! It was spectacular! Mom and I had fun chatting and talking about our favorite parts of the weekend, and I think dad had fun sitting next to whoever he was sitting next to. I got off the plane with still swollen ankles and feet, but they are much better this afternoon thanks to Scot pumping them last night to get the fluid to go back to where it came from!

Overall - it was a perfect weekend. I told mom that I got to chat with everyone at church and the reception that I wanted to, and I got to spend extra time with everyone I wanted to. Even with all we did, I never felt rushed or stressed. The sleeping schedule caught up with me on Monday, but that was alright, we were already headed home by that point!

I think that about sums it up. I feel that I'm leaving out so much, but I think I've hit the high points. Hope you enjoyed the recap!!