38 weeks...anytime now

I went to my 38 week appointment yesterday. I was excited to see Dr. Rollins because I haven't seen her in a few weeks. I did the usual of peeing in a cup, getting my weight (yikes!) and blood pressure...all were good. The nurse came in and listened to the baby's heart and it was still in the 170's. She was bouncing all over and kicking the doppler. I was a little worried that maybe that's too high but the doctor said it just means she's happy...ha.
The doctor checked and I am still 80% effaced and now 1cm dilated. I guess this doesn't really mean anything. Labor is unpredictable but she did say second babies come quicker and I need to be sure to go to the hospital when my contractions are 5-7 minutes apart and last an hour. I am starting to get nervous since I am still working. I really don't want to go into labor at work. Dr. Rollins gave me her schedule and really wants us to deliver with her...it sucks because I have an only 1 in 7 chance of her being on call when I go in labor. She said that I could be induced but I don't want to force my body before it's ready...plus I want the excitement.
London is starting to have a lot of anxiety and for some reason will not sleep in his room. We have been letting him sleep with us because he totally flips out. He told Kary's mom that he wants to sleep with us because the baby gets to...that is so sweet. We are not sure what we are going to do when the baby comes and we have 2 babies sleeping in our room.
I am nesting like crazy and can't stop cleaning...which is good. I have had a few braxton hicks contractions...but no real contractions...I'm starting to get scared of giving birth again but my doctor said this time should be much easier...we'll see...for now, I'm cleaning, packing, working, taking care of London, eating a ton, and waiting in terror, excitement, anticipation for our next little miracle ♥

London's First Haircut

sitting like such a big boy!

I finally agreed to let Kary give London his first haircut. He was born such a baldy and it took so long for him to get hair it was hard to see some of it go. The whispy white mullet was adorable but it was getting a bit out of control. We were originally planning to take him to Kary's salon and have an official haircut in the big chair. But we figure since we have the luxury of having a barber right in the house we might as well just do it at home. We gave London a lollipop to keep him occupied and explained that he was going to get his hair cut. He wasn't scared at all and sat so still and perfect. I kept what was cut off and put it in an envelope for his baby book. He looks so grown up!!!

styling aftwerwards

all done!!

19 More Days....getting ready

hospital bag supplies

room is ready

can't wait to rock her :-)

Kary just needs to raise up the mattress

after Kary raised the mattress

got the boppy, playmat, and bouncy seat (cushion in wash) ready

she is not lacking clothes...this doesn't count the pants, hats, socks, tights, bib....etc.

 

I had my 37 week appointment on Wednesday and the doctor checked to see if I had made any progress. She checked me and I was 80% effaced but no dilation yet. The doctor said I am now considered full term and she really can come at any time now. This kind of freaked us out because we have not tackled our to-do list. So, this weekend we went out and got stuff we know we will need and are going to pack our hospital bag, baby's bag, London's bag and set up the bassinet, install the car seat base, clean the car, wash sheets and blankets, etc. I also am obsessed with needing things cleaned and this is stressing me out because I am so sore and tired all the time.

37 week belly

The baby is measuring great and her heart rate is still in the 160's...I asked the nurse if that was normal and she said I just have a very active baby. She was kicking the heart monitor wand the whole time the nurse was trying to get her heart rate.
I have gained 32lbs so far which is more than I wanted but less than with London so I'm not too concerned. London seems to be getting excited when we tell him the baby is coming but I don't think he really understands.
We have a closet full of clothes, like 100's of baby girl items so we are ready with all that. Her room is ready to go and I am feeling good about being able to use all that stuff we had in storage for 2 years...ha.
I am still working and plan to work up until the 9th. I don't know if I can make it but I'm going to try. I still don't have a sub to cover my class (lady cancelled) and my sick days still haven't transferred to my new job...I am hoping this stuff comes together over the next few weeks so I can relax.
For now I am just stuffing my face, cleaning, working my butt off at work (parent conferences), and  waiting patiently and anxiously for our new little arrival. I am constantly wondering what she'll look like, what she'll be like and how she will fit into our little family. It is a very exciting scary time. I am remembering the horror of labor and starting to really not wanna do that again..ha...But, the reward is remarkable and London's birth was the most exciting day of my life. I should be grateful I get to do it all over again...well, most of it ;-)

Pumpkin Patch

family hay ride!

Last weekend we took London to Patterson Farm for some Pumpkin Patch fun. He was super excited to see the pumpkins. We got up late that day and headed there about noon. We hoped that London would sleep in the car since it was about a 40 minute drive but hfe was too excited to sleep and of course, was about the fall asleep as we pulled into the farm.
There was a lot to do there but London and Kary were both pretty cranky. We went on a hay ride (I almost got stuck in the hay) and it took us to the pumpkin patch. London had fun running through the pumpkins and checking them out.

"this one....this one"

"pumpkins!!"

The best part was the old-fashioned ice cream. I got pumpkin and it was delicious! We tried the playground and some hay stacks but London was pretty cranky. London got a balloon animal on the way home and passed out the second he got in the car. Overall, it was a beautiful, fun day. We will just make sure he is well rested before we take him out on another fun outing.

enjoying yummy ice cream!

pumpkin ice cream rocks!

passed out!

Almost 9 Months Pregnant...hanging in there!!

 

 Here I am at 35 weeks. Trying to take a picture of myself is kinda tricky and I always end up with a giant arm in the shot.

So far, this pregnancy has been amazing (after 1st trimester of course). I haven't been overly sore or uncomfortable, I haven't been overly tired or hungry...it's been nice.

Recently, I started feeling some rib pain and my one foot has become a bit swollen on and off. I also have been really out of breath and dizzy. This is a problem at work when I am trying to talk all day and can barely sit down. I am hoping my body can hang in there. I have about 5 weeks of school left. I am making sure to go to bed early, drink lots of water, and keep my cool. I am hoping I can work as close to my date of 11/9 as possible. It would be perfect if she came on 11/11: our lucky number!

So about 4 months after I got pregnant my best friend Lynn found out she was also pregnant. This past week she found out she's having a girl too! We are super excited because our boys are friends and only 10 months apart and now our girls will be 4 months apart. We are both very lucky. We'll have to wait and see that they both really do end up being girls ;-)

London Turns 2!!

family photo :-)

It's so hard to believe that my little boy is 2 years old! I feel like he was just born. We didn't plan on going all out for his birthday party this year but it turned out to be a pretty big event and he got lots of gifts and had a fantastic time. Kary and I invited friends from work and they brought kids. We went with a Thomas theme and London was sooo excited when it all came together. He was so cute when we sang and was very social during the party. He is still a little confused about opening presents and kept walking away after he opened one even though there were plenty more to open. He kept getting more presents as the week was going on and would say, "mooooore presents??" He seems pretty grateful.

ready to party!

hugging Aubrey...such a flirt.

"cheeeeese" with Aunt Risa

blowing out candles

Thomas cake!

mmm...frosting!

present chaos!

playing with Dexter

buddies

April and Jason

cake with Aubrey

nana and papa Gaffney

he was soooo happy when we sang :-)

On his actual birthday I had to work. I really wanted to be with him but I can't take off work since I am going on maternity leave soon. Kary took him out to breakfast, grandma Gaffney brought him cupcakes, and we gave him some gifts when I got home. We also took him to my school's Fall Festival and he got to see a camel, llama, zebra, a fire truck, and a police car. He also got to eat a snow cone and some popcorn. He looooved the snow cone. When we got home we sang to him and he ate another cupcake (I ate 3!) and then we let him stay up as late as he wanted. He made it longer than me and ended up falling asleep on my chest ( I was sleeping too)...he ended his 2nd birthday the same way he started his life..on mommy's chest.

our first meeting

I love this little boy more than I thought my heart could ever handle. ♥