Three Weeks to Go?

Well, today I had my 37 week appointment with my doctor.  Not that anything is truly new, but there is suspicion that I have "dropped."  My doctor said I was measuring smaller than last week and asked if I thought if I may have dropped.  Last night, during one of my visits to the bathroom, I felt like I was carrying differently.

When your torso is as short as mine, I don't know if there is a distinct viewing difference.  Also, I can't say that breathing is that much easier...but once again, my torso is short, and I don't know if the baby dropping can make a difference.

FYI, my labor with Evan was quite a bit longer than they suspected upon my arrival because he took hours and hours to drop...after I went into labor.

Tonight I finally packed my hospital bag.  

Now do you think we can narrow down some baby names?

Some Outdoor Fun

It has been so long since we've been outside to play.  (Actually, I guess the kids have been outside, but I haven't been joining them for more than a few minutes.)  Today the weather was nice (though the grass was still wet at noon), and I was feeling well.  We took advantage!

Meghan and Evan received a real soccer ball for Easter this year after expressing an interest in soccer and kicking other balls.  Meghan's interest (and skills!) have improved since then, of course.  We actually signed her up for her first extra-curricular activity at her preschool.  It's called Soccer Shots.  It introduces young children to soccer skills in a fun way.  She has only had one session, but she really enjoyed it.  

Meghan picked out her outfit by herself today.  (I was quite impressed!)  It was the first time she wore this soccer shirt.  She was excited to find thumb holes in the sleeves.  Seriously!   (At first I thought it was sewn incorrectly...then I saw the other sleeve and realized that it was on purpose.)

 We also had fun using the sidewalk chalk today.  As I suspected, she loved this little number activity.  She added the 10 herself, and asked if we could add 11 and 12, too.  (She likes to count backwards from 12.)

 After playing on the swing set, the children found some little yellow flowers.  I, personally, love that my son gets excited about picking flowers.  (It is good to balance out his love for trucks, trains, and tractors you know!)

On his own, Evan went to get the broom to get the grass off the driveway.  

 Below are some videos of our time outside.
Meghan dribbling (much more carefully than before her first Soccer Shots).


Meghan kicking (not her best, but still fun).

The kids using the mixed-up numbers.

That was some well-spent time with the kids!

Thankful for These Moments

We made and enjoyed homemade ice cream.

 Evan getting stuck in his dump truck...but still willing to smile.

 Getting Meghan's hair untangled from the helicopter's blades with much, much patience and no scissors.

 The children and "baby" using the bouncy seat for so long.

These past two weeks have been incredibly busy.  Blogging has taken a backseat (as it should), but I still wanted to share a few moments with those of you who enjoy checking in with us.

Meghan's Perspective

Meghan asked to take some pictures with our camera.

 She did a cute job capturing us.

 Then she needed to be in the picture, too.

I believe that is a look of adoration for her daddy.

I believe I was 33 weeks pregnant in those pictures. We're up to 35 now.  This may be my third pregnancy, but I have never been more aware of how much time is left...nor how L.O.N.G. of a pregnancy it has been.  (I fully expected to be late with M and E....and was a full week late.  I cannot imagine another 6 weeks...)

Any guesses as to when this baby will actually arrive?  Due 10/20...far away!  

Surprise!

Between the flooding with bridges and roads washed away and our baby measuring large we really didn't know if it could happen.  But it did!  As a group, Derek's family pulled off a surprise 60th birthday party for Derek's mom, Janice.  Somehow, we even kept it a surprise.

 I just love the pearl balloons that were chosen.  A balloon birthday banner was inspired by this one.

 Sixty balloons (minus one that was defective) were hung from the ceiling and banners.

 Despite my lack of photography, the party was a full success in celebrating Janice and her birthday.

The children spent much of the day playing and exploring outside.  Meghan found two golf balls (true treasures!) on the property...probably leftover from her dad and uncles' teenage years.

 The children did a lot of running.  The rest of us did a lot of enjoying the party and celebrating Janice's birthday.

 Not only is it officially the last weekend of summer, it was my last weekend being allowed to travel before the baby's arrival.  Just in time!  As you might imagine, it was also really good to see my parents, especially my mom, and support her during this time when she has lost so much with the flood.

Bible and Toe

I am not a graceful person.  (We can attribute some of this to my medically diagnosed lack of balance...Seriously, a few years ago I had to have testing done because of Meniere's Disease, and one of the outcomes was a balance disorder.)  After eight years of marriage, Derek has gotten used to me stubbing my toes on everything.  When I told Derek I thought I broke my toe, he asked me what I stubbed it on.

Honestly, since we have moved into this house I have been waiting for something frozen to land on my foot.  Things slide out of the freezer all the time...and I have monthly near-misses (and a few mild hits) from the freezer.  Ouch.

Before you read on, just keep in mind that most people's feet are not attractive...mine are no exception.  The first two pictures are on Day 2 of broken toe...after a full day on my feet except when I was driving or folding laundry.  All of my little piggies were swollen.  (The last picture is on the morning of Day 3.)

This time I did not stub my toe, though I'm sure with the swelling and bruising that the little pinky toe is broken.  It is bruised all the way around.  The other toes may appear a bit red, but that is just my flip-flop suntan.

Since the first day I experienced some numbness twice, I did contact my doctor, but have decided not to go see him at this time.  Unfortunately, it hurts all day, except when I am still in bed in the morning.  I suspect have it elevated all night and not walking on it have something to do with that.  I haven't taken pain medication since I am nearly 9 months pregnant and the pain is not intense.  Ice helps, I suppose, but it still hurts.

 A Bible slid off the nightstand and onto my foot.  That's it.  It did plenty of damage.  It was not even a large Bible, but a compact slim-line edition, just over an inch thick.

So what's God trying to tell me?  Read the NKJV?  I will admit this particular Bible has not been read in a long time by me.

Oh, feel free to laugh now.  I can't hear you.   What's probably really funny is seeing me on stairs.  I was already slow on stairs.  Now I'm even slower...and use them many times daily.

I can't find my pair of Birkenstock sandals (just one shoe...do you know how aggravating that is?).  Sneakers are out of the question; so I have been wearing my flip-flops.  Thankfully, they have a pretty stiff bottom, but they sure do hurt to put my foot inside of them.

Big Baby

On Friday, I had my 34 week doctor appointment.  The doctor was concerned that I was measuring big.  At 34 weeks I was measuring 37, which is outside of the "normal" area.

This was a concern since it could mean a big baby or extra fluid...or maybe something else.  I couldn't have an ultrasound that day, but scheduled it for Wednesday.  Well, apparently the waiting was not worth it for me because today I decided it would be worth it to take TWO children with me for an ultrasound.

All is normal and well, thankfully.  However, the baby is measuring large.  At 34 weeks, this baby is 5 pounds, 6 ounces.  Apparently, average is 4 pounds, 12 ounces.  The ultrasound technician gave both of the children their own picture of the baby, which they LOVED.

FYI, Meghan was just 7 pounds, 5 ounces.  Evan was 8 pounds, 5 ounces.  I'm hoping to not have a nine pounder...I'm not particularly large...not even an inch over 5 foot...not that anyone hopes for that.

With the stress of my mom, I'm glad to know that all is well with the baby.  Please do keep Mom and the family in your prayers.

After the Rain...

I've had a rather heavy heart since I last shared how the area where we grew up was heavily flooded.  I do try to not complain here on the blog, because it is where I record our every day life and special moments...not my venting and complaining.

But life does not always go as expected, and I want to share the unexpected, too, even if it isn't directly about our little family.  The counties where we grew up have many bridges washed out.  Roads are closed all over, and many, many lost electricity and time at work.  The flooding has been extensive in the Binghamton, NY area and south to where our families live.  Homes and businesses have been lost.

My dad's house sits across the road from a small creek.  (If I remember right much of the creek in the summer is mostly dry and has several inches of water along one side.)  This creek overflowed its banks...and into my dad's cellar, yard, barn, and garage.  However, other than a coat of mud on everything, it looks like their losses are minimal.  He will know if he lost his furnace after it fully dries.

Derek's parents and grandparents both live on hills, and though greatly inconvenienced with days of lost electricity and not being able to leave town due to road closures, they are fine.

My mom's house (and town) is between two of the rivers that had some intense flooding.  I saw records showing the Susquehanna River, near her town, has a flood level at 11 feet.  The river crested at nearly 26 feet.  Mom and John's house (like many, many others) was submerged at least the full first floor of the house.  It's still not safe for them to return, though waters are receding, to know the extent of the damage...but obviously, it's bad...and costly.

Just as God offers us hope with His promise each time we see a rainbow, my mom was offered hope, too, when it was offered that the family (Mom, stepdad John, sister Erica, and Erica's two children) could live in a house with just one other person.  Knowing they have a home while some intense work is completed on their own home is huge...it's a basic need that has been provided to them.

I am thankful of basic provisions.  It's amazing what I don't need-or even want- when I consider reality.

Too Close to Home

Source

We may not be flooded here in southeastern PA, though the flood warnings have been issued.  The above picture is from my hometown in northeastern PA.  My father informed me that the my hometown is pretty much under water.

Most schools closed early...my alma mater did not...and the students are still there because the buses could not run safely.

Praying for our families and friends...safety for everyone...and much more...up to seven more inches of rain in the forecast.

Potty Training

It seems that my little guy is finally ready to potty train.  After dropping Meghan off at school yesterday, Evan and I came home.  He was given a large cup of juice/water (to get things moving faster than normal) and chose which underwear he wanted to wear.

Evan, nearly 2 months of age

It's tiring!  Exhausting really.  I'm 8 months pregnant and squatting and sitting on the bathroom floor for what feels like much of the day. (Hmm...maybe that is why I spent several hours last night having contractions?)

We've had plenty of accidents.  (Including Evan's first sitting on the toilet when things weren't quite well-placed.  I stepped out of the bathroom for a bit since he wasn't ready to be done and I had been with him for about five minutes already.  Shortly after leaving him, I could tell he was going, but also heard an, "Uh-oh!"  The floor and wall were, um, wet.  Despite the mess, I still called it victory since he was sitting on the toilet when it happened.)  But it's not all messy!  He loves to tell me he needs to go.   Oh, and the shortest time between successful times on the toilet- 7 minutes.  Often he just goes a little, and then is so excited to get a piece of candy.   His new favorite sentence is, "I want candy."  Somehow he thinks if he says it enough we'll just give it to him??

Whew.  Would anyone like to take over for a couple weeks while I get rested up for the baby?

Adjusting

We're all adjusting to Meghan's return to school.  Evan no longer begs ALL day to go to school, too.

Evan has always been great at playing independently.  After Meghan, we really appreciate that.

Yes, he really is content to lay on the kitchen floor and play with his cars.  It helps that his two blankets, Bear, and Rocky are all there with him.

It's That Time Again...

College football season.  To be more specific, each week during September, October, and November our lives slightly revolve around a certain team's schedule.  I'm sure you know who I mean.

Today, Evan was actually the one excited for the "photo shoot."  I think he just wanted to make silly faces...totally unprompted by anyone, but quickly copied by his sister.  In those last few photographs, Evan was trying to have his arm around Meghan in the last few photos.  You may not have noticed though.

In celebration of the first Penn State game of the season, we had friends visit.  They arrived a few minutes after the game began.  Prior to their arrival, Meghan was lying on the couch, watching the first few minutes of the game.  Once they arrived, both Meghan and Evan were busy playing with the other four children.  After they left (and the game was over), Meghan was disappointed that the Penn State game was over, and she didn't watch it.  Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to watch Penn State football every Saturday for the next many weeks...and it may not always be so exciting.  

What They Say: August

August 2011
Evan: Mom, can I go to outer space?

Meghan (to Mom): Your belly shows.  I think your shirt is too small.

(During pretend play)
Meghan: But we can't get eggs.  They aren't on sale.  
(Mom taught her well!!)

Grandpa: What do you want to watch?
Evan: Baseball!


Mom: How old are you?
Evan: W.
(I wish this was a one time thing, but every time he says W.)