37 weeks

Well, we made it to full term! Here we are at 37 weeks!

The news kept scaring us on Thursday morning about this massive "Blizzard" we were supposed to have. They kept explaining how we would need to be home and not moving by 8pm and that we were supposed to get massive amounts of snow. Courtney's My Gym closed for the night and everything. The snow did start up pretty good around noon. I left to go and get Courtney because of nap time, so I brought her home for her nap.

Of course we had a class going on at work, so they all stayed until 5pm, and Hubby had to drive one of the visiting students back to his hotel in his Jeep. But he finally made it home.

We did have heavy bands of snow that were blowing sideways, so as far as visibility goes, it was pretty bad for a few hours. Which also caused the roads to ice up. So, the roads were pretty icy also.

The next morning, daycare was closed, so I stayed home with the kid. But we really had to finish up our class at work, so they delayed the start time. Hubby went and picked up the student again, in his Jeep.

By noon-ish the sun was back out and starting to melt the snow. We had places in our backyard where there were 2 foot drifts, but then we also had bare grass, so it was really hard to tell how much snow we got. We did get more than my parents, I would guess we got about 5 inches maybe. Like I said, it was really hard to gauge!

Saturday morning during breakfast we told Courtney she was going on an adventure with mommy today. We also told her someone would be going with her, but we didn't tell her who or where she was going. We learned that lesson from the Elmo show.

So, she and I headed down to my parents house. Shortly after we got there, a herd of deer came through. She watched the deer for as long as she could. She loved it.

Then it was time to take her to her "Adventure". My mom had gotten tickets for Disney on Ice. So, we headed down to the World Arena. Once in the parking lot we told her what was up. She also noticed all the kids right away, so she was pretty excited once she saw them.

Once inside she saw the booths with all the cool Disney stuff for sale, and of course the Princess "spinner" as we call them, caught her eye. She asked for one right away. After getting her a spinner and a few other things we headed off to find our seats. Once we were comfortably in our seats, Nana ran off to buy her a stuffed Minnie and Mickey. And since we came home that afternoon, she has been attached at the hip at least to Minnie, if not both.

Here she is waiting for the show to start:

Once it started she was mesmerized. She loved watching all the characters and skating. Right before intermission there was a "villain" who took Minnie and Mickey hostage. Oh boy did that cause her worry. All through out intermission she kept saying "where's Minnie and Mickey? Who is going to save them?" She gets quite into these things.

She also got into the audience participation parts towards the end. We got to help "save" Minnie and Mickey by chanting "Minnie, Mickey" over and over. And she did. She also waved at the characters. Something she wouldn't do at the Elmo show in December. She had a ball. She kept telling Daddy that night all about how she "saved" Minnie and Mickey.

After the show we headed back to Nana's for some lunch. It was already well into nap time, so I let her just skip it that day. After lunch she and Nana took a long walk around the neighborhood to walk her dogs she has that has a pull string. Finally when they returned we hit the road. She actually fell asleep in the car, about 10 minutes from home. It was the first time in a VERY long time she has done that. Of course I had to wake her up when we got home, so she only got about a 10 minute nap.

Here she is that night feeding Minnie and Mickey dinner at the coffee table. The dinner is actually pieces of an Elmo Lego set she has. But that night, it was dinner for Minnie, Mickey and a giraffe. After she fed them, she spent a lot of time showing Hubby and I how Alice spun on the ice. It was quite cute.

That night, I put her to bed, and as I was walking out of her room she was calling after me "Mommy". But I walked straight into our room and turned on the baby monitor. And somewhere in that traveling across the hall, she fell fast asleep. It was probably 3 seconds!!!

The next day we headed out to breakfast and then to Target to get some last minute baby items. We picked up things like a container of formula, and some other little things so we are more prepared. They didn't have the size blinds we needed though, so I will have to get to Home Depot soon to see if they have what we need.

Once we got back home, Glenn came over and helped Hubby install a shelf in "sister's" room. Courtney calls her "sister" so we do too. Hubby used a saw to cut the wood for the shelf. As you can see from the picture, Courtney didn't like the noise of the saw:

Hubby needs to do some touch up painting and that will be all done! Hubby also put a roast on the smoker and invited Glenn back for dinner. We also found out that our neighbor was home alone because her hubby was traveling, so she also joined us for dinner.

The next day, Monday, I called the doctor. I had been experiencing some lower abdominal pains and wasn't sure if that was normal or not. The nurse told us to go ahead and come in to get checked. So that afternoon we went in. The doctor checked and I am 1 centimeter dilated! He said things are starting to move in the right direction, but it could still be a week or two, or it could be a day or two! Gotta love it.

Last night, or I guess this morning, at 2am, I woke up with some pretty bad pains again. Then the contractions started pretty heavy. But the contractions never got consistent. They were all over the board for time. So, we didn't bother with a trip to the hospital. I really need to get a bag packed!! Finally about 4:30 or 5am things settled down and we were able to go back to sleep for a little while.

So, I stayed home from work today. Hubby went in and sent our office assistant Kim over to help me out with some things. She cleaned my kitchen and then got out all the bottles and sorted them out and washed the ones we will be needing soon. She may come over and help tomorrow as well, we will wait and see how tonight goes. There are still lots of little things here and there we need to get done.

The other day Courtney wanted to say HI to sister, so she pulled up my shirt to look at my belly. All of a sudden she realized I don' t have a belly button anymore! She asked "Mommy, where is your belly button?!" I told her that sister stretched it all out, but once sister comes out of my belly, it will come back. She said "sister took your belly button? But she will put it back when she is here?" I agreed with it, that is pretty close! It was so cute. But now she is concerned about my belly button. She keeps checking to see if it's back.

Last night when I was putting her to bed, we were talking about what it would be like to have a baby in the house. Her thing she always says is "babies cry". Which they do! And I told her that her sister would cry also. She told me that when sister cries she will make her happy again. How cute is that? And then she sang 'rock a bye sister' to my belly! Just melts your heart I tell ya!

Well, it's time to go and watch Idol! We will keep you updated on baby status!

36 weeks

Hello 36 weeks! I am officially 9 months pregnant. I am so close to the end now! And things are still going well (again, knock on wood). Of course trying to make it past 2pm without a nap is tough daily, but here we are!

Courtney continues to be funny. She is now in her 'why' phase. It's amazing how many times she can say "why?" Recently Hubby was leaving for work. Courtney asked him "where are you going?" He told her he was going to work. She then asked him "why?" He told her, as she sat there eating her breakfast of oatmeal and a banana (her favorite), that he has to make money. To which she replied "why?" Thinking quick Hubby answered "so we can buy you bananas". To which our quick thinking kid replies "oh, so you are going to work and then the store to buy bananas?" And now every time we tell her daddy is going to work, she responds "to make money to buy bananas". This kid is too big for her own britches!

This weekend we went to the zoo again. They have a new baby giraffe! She was actually born on February 5, but she just made her first public appearance this week. So, we went up to visit her. She is adorable. Courtney has been big recently into turtles too, so once we fed the giraffes she wanted to go and see the turtles. So we worked our way towards their education center, which means we also had to stop and ride the "round-go-merry" and the pony's. Then we headed into the education center. There is always something new and different going on in there. This time we were treated to seeing one of the keepers feed their barn owl Hoosier. It was pretty neat to see!

For those of you who know how to see all the zoo pictures, you may want to check them out. You might be able to catch a picture or two of me 9 months pregnant.

Sunday Hubby took advantage of the really nice weather we have been having by joining his friends on a motorcycle ride. Courtney and I took advantage of the time and headed to Nana and Papa's house for a visit.

Today Courtney had another video swallow study. I am afraid it wasn't good news as I had hoped. Her swallow is just the same as it's always been. But at this age, she isn't going to outgrow it. So, at this point they are pretty sure it's some sort of neurological or central nervous system problem. They also noticed today that basically all the muscles from her mouth to her epiglottis are weak. The next steps are to see a neurologist again. We also need to go back to her ENT to have her palate, uvula, and epiglottis checked for defects. And also to start some sort of therapy. I was sure hoping for a lot better news that all that.

Here is a picture of part of the nursery. I put up more pictures on our website of the nursery as well for those of you who want to check them out.

Well, the little one is watching her favorite movie "Lady and the Tramp". So, I will use this time to go and fold laundry. Hope everyone is well.

Just an update

It was a good and busy weekend here. Saturday we got errands run in the morning. That evening our friends had a "Baby Party" for us. Since we aren't registering anywhere Kelly came up with the idea of having a party where everyone provided a frozen meal for us. So, all our friends brought us frozen meals for our freezer to use up once the baby is here! What a great idea! We spent the night eating yummy food made by Kelly and telling funny stories. Courtney was at home with a babysitter. It was nice! I had a great time and laughed pretty hard.

The babysitter's name is Amber. Courtney for some reason struggles with that name. First she kept calling her Anger. Then it switched to Amger and now she says Amberger. Another Courtney-ism...

Sunday morning was a pretty nice morning. The Z's called and said they were heading to the park with their little one's and would Courtney like to go? Courtney said she would, so they came and picked her up and took her to the park for a while. We got so much done while she was gone! We were so appreciative! And it sounds like Courtney had a pretty good time! I was worried that she wouldn't listen to Kelly and Tony, or behave, but apparently she did pretty good. I guess she just struggles to listen to her mom and dad at home. Which I guess is pretty normal and should extend throughout the course of her life, lucky us.

Just as Courtney got back from the park my mom arrived. She help us put up the boarder, and it turned out so cute. Then we moved in the crib, a wardrobe, the rocker and rug AND got the pictures up on the wall. It is really coming together. We are just missing blinds and curtains on the window now. But, we are darn close to being all done!

I know this baby may not be in her room for a few months, but Courtney came home from the hospital and went right into her crib because she had to be on the lights for her jaundice. I figure the more prepared I am for situations like that the more they won't happen!

Now it's back to work!

35 weeks

Here we are at 35 weeks today! In just 2 short weeks I will be considered full term! WHOOHOO!

So, baby stuff first. We finally went yesterday and took a tour of the birth center at the hospital. Since Courtney was born, they opened a new hospital on the north end of town, Memorial Hospital North (or Memorial North for short). This baby will be born at Memorial North. It's a much smaller and quieter hospital. And it's pretty much brand spanking new, so it's really nice. Should be interesting to see how it goes. Their policy is pretty much the baby doesn't leave your side unless it needs medical attention. So, the days of taking the kid to the nursery so you can catch a few zzzz's are gone.

This hospital is probably a bit closer to us than the one downtown where Courtney was born. It also is away from town, so less traffic and chaos to get there. From work and home it's not hard to get to!

At work this week, they surprised Hubby and I with a "Welcome EEK" party. They got us a fabulous cake that is a pregnant belly with an alien popping out of it. I always joke that is what it is kind of like having this moving thing inside your belly, so they just put it into the form of a cake:

We thought it was hilarious! They were all also so kind and chipped in and got us a double stroller! How thoughtful is that?! We felt very touched.

Last night we told Courtney that we went and saw the hospital where her baby sister was going to be born. And we explained that she would visit mom and baby sister in the hospital. Then after a few days Mom and baby sister would come home and then there will be a baby in the house. She was so cute, her response was: "an itty bitty baby?" We told her yes, her sister will be 'itty bitty' when she first comes home.

As you know we have Buddy the Beagle. We often refer to him as "the beagle" or "Buddy the beagle". Well, recently in the mail we received some sheets about wildlife from a company trying to sell us stuff. There was one for a crocodile, one for a snake, a polar bear, etc. One of them was a bald eagle. We gave them to Courtney to play with. We went over with her what each one was. Later she was still looking at them, I sat down with her and pulled out the bald eagle one. I asked her "what is this?" Her response: "a beagle" In her mind bald eagle = beagle. Cute!

Courtney had an ENT appointment this week. Her right ear tube is now out of place. But it just recently came out, which I suspected during her last ear infection because it was so painful for her. But it was sitting too close to her ear drum for the doctor to try and remove. So, we get to go back in 3 months and hopefully it will have started to work it's way down the ear canal so he can grab it and pull it out. She also did have some fluid behind the ear drum, which isn't a huge surprise because she still has some slight drainage. The doctor did clean out the wax in her ears, as it was pretty heavy and thick. My goodness, the stuff he pulled out of there!

It's been a pretty busy week here. Plus I have had a few days with lots of contractions. So, the last 2 nights I have been in bed about 6pm drinking water trying to get them to stop. Not sure what that is all about. But I haven't hit the mark that makes the doctor worry. I haven't had to go to the hospital or call the doctor. Speaking of which, I guess I better go and work on drinking yet MORE water... Hope everyone is well!

34 weeks!

Well, somehow we have made it to 34 weeks with no issues (knock on wood). It was just about this point in the pregnancy before that I made my trip to the hospital where they would not let me go home again without the baby. Of course I had also had several trips there before too. I am sooo thankful this one has been so much smoother. The little one is kicking and moving like crazy still. She likes to kick me in the ribs on my right side. Which hurts, but the funny thing is that Courtney bruised my ribs on the left side. These kids just have to be opposite in every way, don't they? But I am okay with that, I feel more balanced out now, haha.

Hubby had a good time in Boston. He arrived Sunday before the big storm hit. They did end up canceling class on Monday, so he and his co-worker Shane, who was with him, headed to Faneuil Hall for lunch and to the Aquarium for the afternoon. The cancelling of the 1 day of class made them have to suffer through 2 long days of class, but at least they got to have fun on the day off. He was able to catch up with some friends and his cousin while he was there too! I am so jealous because he also ate at the Union Oyster House while he was there. He did several of my favorite things.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, things are normal here. Courtney says little quips all the time that just make us LAUGH! Tonight she wanted to go and play on the deck. Hubby told her that she could but she needed to put her shoes on. She told Hubby "ok, that's a great idea!".

This past Saturday we had 2 friends (who are also co-workers) come over to help us paint the nursery. So, now the walls, ceiling and closet are all painted!! My mom will be coming over this weekend to put up the boarder. I found a super cute rug that fits the decor of the room today when we stopped on a whim at a furniture store that was going out of business and got it for super cheap! That's always nice. Now we just need to find some curtains and a ceiling fan. I have started to stock up on Newborn diapers and today I dug out the baby's car seat and took it apart and washed it. We are getting there! Now I just need to dig the boxes out of Courtney's closet that have the bottles and such in them.

The weather all day outside on Saturday was odd. It started off sunny, then the snow moved in. It snowed for about an hour, heavy and thick wet snow that stuck to the ground fast. Then the sun came out and melted it all away. A few hours later another storm rolled in and covered everything again. The sun came back out again after about an hour or so, but this time it didn't melt the stuff on the grass this time, but the streets cleared off nice.

Yesterday (Sunday) we got Courtney up at 7am, which after the time change was not an easy task for any of us. But we got her up and kept her moving all morning so we could put her down for a nap early. We had a big birthday party to go to that afternoon. Kinsey turned 5. I still can't believe she is 5! I remember Tony calling us to tell us she was here, and then going to the hospital to meet her. And it all just seems like a short time ago, not 5 years. Kelly and Tony put together a slide show of pictures of her growing up over the past 5 years and put it to music. I made it about 5 seconds into it before I needed a box of tissues. Even now thinking about it, I am getting misty. Kinsey had a kid party the day before and an adult party on Sunday (her actual birthday). Courtney had a great time playing with Hailey as usual. She was a little on the grumpier side than normal, not sure why, but we got through it.

The weather was nice enough in the afternoon that after most of the guests left Kinsey's party, we all went out back. Rick gave Kinsey a set of mini lacrosse sticks, so Tony, Rick and Hubby worked on teaching her how to use them. Courtney and Hailey played on the swingset or with a little push car. Then Courtney decided she wanted to learn how to play lacrosse also, so her Uncle Rick showed her how to use the stick.

We thought for sure that the kid would crash when we put her to bed that night, but of course she didn't. She stayed awake for about an hour reading and singing to herself as she usually does.

Speaking of sleeping, I just can't get a good night sleep anymore. I know, surprise surprise. So, getting up this morning was super tough. Between lack of sleep, the time change, and the fact that it was dark out, ugh.... Maybe tomorrow morning will be better. I guess I should go and head to bed now to try and get some sleep!

Hope everyone is well!

Progress...

Well, for those of you who have been worrying, fear not, we have made great progress on the nursery. Hubby actually got a coat of primer up on the walls, and a coat of ceiling paint on the ceiling yesterday. We also actually picked the paint colors for the walls too! Hubby is going to get another coat on the ceiling hopefully on Friday. And then we have some help coming over on Saturday to help with the walls.

I am 33 weeks now! And still things are going smooth! (knock on wood). The heartburn has really really kicked in now. It drives me nuts, and I haven't had luck getting rid of it yet. Tums knocks it down for a little bit, but it always comes back with a vengeance. Getting up from sitting positions is getting harder and harder, and sitting on the floor, and then trying to get up is just about next to impossible.

Hubby is on what I really really hope is his last trip before the baby arrives. He landed in Boston this afternoon, before the big Nor'easter is supposed to hit. He is there to attend a class. Hopefully the weather won't be too bad. He only has to make it a mile from his hotel to the class location. And he could do that by walking, taxi or the T. So hopefully one of those methods is available tomorrow, and hopefully they don't cancel the class.

Courtney was complaining of ear pain again this week, and she had just finished her antibiotic. So, to be on the safe side, we took her in to get looked at. She is halfway through getting her last molar in. The doctor attributes the ear pain complaints to the tooth coming in because she the ear was looking pretty good.

I took her down to Nana and Papa's house today. I told her yesterday that we would go down there today. She woke up saying "we go to Nana and Papa's house now?". Between the time I got her up and the time we left the house (only about an hour), she must have asked me 20 times, "we go to Nana and Papa's house now?" And on the way down in the car she asked about 3 times, "are we almost there?". We only stayed a few hours, but she had a great time. She made cookies, finger painted, rode around in her wagon in the backyard, played Playdoh, and just had a blast!

Well, I need to go and find some more Tums. For those of you in New England, I hope you are ready for the storm!!!