still cooking

I haven't done much cooking lately other than that of a little baby. That sentence sounds really weird doesn't it. Oh well. I'm still cooking this bun in my oven. Despite all my tactics to get her out she is staying put.

So while she's getting nice and golden, we have been doing our own thing.

We've been going on lots of walks and little trips to target to walk around and pick up a few last things. And we've been eating lots of ice cream :) okay only twice but all in the same week.





**A bird just flew into my window and totally scared me**

Back to the ice cream. Lydia loves it. So do I. For our second trip we went down the street to a little dairy deli with some friends.











**Are you kidding me. Flew into the window AGAIN**

We've also been spending time with our cousins. Eating at a big kid picnic table. Where toes can't quite touch the ground.









So while we are very excited/anxious to meet our newest family member, we are soaking up these last days as a family of three. Loving on our little (about to be big) one and waiting. WAITING. waiting.

date night and belly shot

Patrick and I went on (what I hope) will be our last date night before adding a second child to the mix. I hope it will be our last not because it wasn't enjoyable but because I'm anxious to have this baby outside of my body. We're starting to feel a little squished :)

So went to get Thai food (yum!!) and then ice cream. We went for a walk around a park while eating the ice cream...got to balance out the calories :)

Here we are:


And here I am with my big ole prego belly and getting fuller by the second face:

made with love

We've been busy lately. Trying to get our house in order before number 2 comes along. Patrick and I recently bought a new mattress set. Our old one was not so comfortable for this prego and overall just worn. We bought a memory foam. Last night was our first night on it and I slept great... Patrick not so much. It may take some time for him to get used to.

With the thought of getting a new mattress came thoughts of getting a new bed in general. Patrick liked a few in the store where we got our mattresses but I kind of wanted something different. I sent him a link off pinterest. He wasn't too impressed by it. Said he'd rather spend extra money and get one already made from the store. Then I sent him another one. Said I loved it! Turns out he loved it too!

One thing to understand about my husband is once he starts thinking about something he can't quit thinking about it until it's done. So a few weekends ago we went down to my parents and bought some wood. The next day my dad and Patrick spent all day building this bed. Talk about a labor of love :) Next weekend we brought that sucker home and Patrick stained it.

Now we have an AWESOME bed with a comfy mattress. I'm one happy girl!

Here are some of pictures of the staining process and then the finished product.













And now for my measly (compared to the bed...but I'm still proud of it) item made with love for my girl. Lydia is hopefully going to be moving to a big girl bed in the next 6 months or so to make room for new little girl in crib. So to make her bed a little special I made her a pillow case. It was totally on a whim and probably due to nesting. It's totally homemade and far from perfect (my first attempt at a pocket pillow case) but I like it.

front


back

baby update

I'd been feeling like I wasn't getting much done lately. Didn't really feel ready for the baby but didn't really feel motivated to do much either. Wednesday that changed. All of the sudden I was motivated. Wanted to get the bookshelves out of Lydia's room so we could put in the toddler bed. Not only did I want to get the bookshelves out, I wanted to box up all the books rearrange the room and get those bookshelves out of our house all together. So I got to work. Lifting books (heavy books), putting them in boxes, lifting those boxes, moving (empty but still heavy) bookshelves to different rooms. I also walked over 2.5 miles because I was feeling good.

Wednesday night I woke up in the middle of the night with really bad back pain and fairly tough contractions. These continued through the day on Thursday. Patrick's mom was so sweet and came to my rescue. It was so hard for me to lift Lydia when I really just wanted to lay on the couch all day. She came over and did every thing! She took Lydia and went to the grocery store for us. She told me to sit on my bottom and she finished boxing up the books that I was so eager to have gone. (THANKS DIANE!!!)

Mid day on Thursday after taking easy and spending lots of time on the couch but still having contractions, I called the doctor just to see what they wanted me to do because I am only 35 weeks. She told me to drink 2 big glasses of water and lay on my left side while counting contractions for the next hour. If I had over 4 she wanted me to go to the hospital. I had about 2 in the first 30 min and then all of the sudden I sat up and had to run to the bathroom. Nasty VOMITTING took place. After that I had 4-5 more in the remaining 30 minutes.

When Patrick got home from work his mom took Lydia to their house so Patrick and I could head over the hospital for me to get checked out.

We concluded that I was having contractions and am 1 cm dilated. They continued to monitor me for about an hour and then checked me again. Because I hadn't dilated any further they sent me home saying I wasn't in active labor. They told me to take it easy and not to lift anymore heavy things and that they'd see me back when I was in more active labor.

My back is still sore today but not nearly as bad as Thursday. I still had some contractions today but again not nearly as bad and not as consistent. I go to my OB on Monday for my normal 36 week appointment so she will check me again and see if there has been any more progress.

It's funny how I've known all along that this baby has got to come out of me eventually. I mean that's what happens right. You don't keep a baby in there forever (thankfully)! But I still get a little anxious when I think about going through labor. Experiencing even these baby contractions has me wanting an epidural. HA I'm suck a weakling.

Not being able to lift heavy things means that I really have to limit how much I hold and carry Lydia. She is such a wiggle worm lately that it's even hard for her to sit in my lap. She flops all around and will elbow or kick my stomach (on accident) and send me into a contraction. I hate it because I know that these last few weeks of just her are precious and I want to be able to soak them up. I want to be able to hold her a while before laying her in bed at night. It's just not possible right now. It kills my back. I've been praying that the Lord would give Lydia much grace in dealing with her mommy and daddy as we adjust to having 2 kiddos.

Today my mom came up and helped with laundry and dishes and also took me out for lunch. We went and picked up some newborn diapers and a few outfits for the new babe. She bought me some new pajamas so that I'll be comfy and not so blah looking in the hospital. I'm feeling more and more prepared (house wise) for this little one.

So thankful for all the help of our sweet family! Can't wait to meet this little girl (in a week or so)

baby #2: 32/33/34/35 weeks

You know you are WAY behind on posting when you have to combine 4 weeks worth of updates.

At 32 weeks I went for my normal appointment. I saw a different doctor than usual because mine was on vacation. She measured my stomach and said I was measuring 29/30 cm and suggested I get an ultrasound the next time I came in to check the babies growth. I wasn't worried because I'm pretty sure I measured small a few times with Lydia and then the next time would be right on track or bigger than what was expected. Another reason I wasn't worried was because I just figured with it being a different doctor they probably measure a little differently from each other. Anyway left that appointment excited to get to see baby at next appointment

I had also gained 1 lb (138lbs). Can't remember my blood pressure or babies heart rate but they were all just fine.

Here is a 33 weeks picture.



Last Monday rolled around and I went for my 34 week appointment. My mom came up to help with Lydia at the office and to get a peek at the little girl in utero. So thankful that she was there because we ended up being at the dr's office for 2 hrs.

I made up for weight gain this time and gained 4 lbs (142). My blood pressure was normal.

Everything checked out wonderfully with the ultrasound. She's measuring just fine. (When my normal doctor measured my stomach this time I was right at 34 cm)

I am thankful for the good report and don't take it for granted. I know that every single day with this baby growing inside of me is a gift from the Lord. He is the giver and sustainer of all life.

And here is a 35 week and 2 day picture. (taken just before posting this post)



I'm feeling very big and starting to get pretty uncomfortable. Currently experiencing heart burn. My face has started to retain water or just gaining weight there?? I don't know. I haven't really been swelling in my feet but my hands have started to feel a little tight if I'm really hot. Getting excited to meet this little girl. Just bought a toddler bed for Lydia tonight and now it's time to get the room set up for two girls (even though they probably wont be officially sharing the room for at least a few months).

baby kate and family

Sweet, sweet dear friends. Snapped a few pictures for them one night after dinner. Thankful for the Lord bringing such friends into our lives. I think baby K was three weeks in these pictures

complications

I have a ton of posts that I need to post but am having trouble with photobucket (the site I use to put up all my pictures). Please forgive me if I bombard your google reader with 10 posts at one time.

HAPPY FRIDAY!