If it's in writting, it MUST be true

O lost her 2nd top tooth at friend's house on Wednesday.  She brought it home and immediately started talking about keeping it.  I'm sorry, but lost teeth are sort of gross.  Sure, they're cute and little when they're in the mouth, but pull those suckers out and they just give me the heebies.

We told her, in no uncertain terms, that in order to get the money from the tooth fairy, she had to leave the tooth in exchange. O then decided that she'd skip the money, and the tooth fairy, all together and keep the tooth.  We told her no.  We don't keep teeth.

She was so upset.  Started crying hysterically at the table, etc.  (Oh, the drama.)  When we got ready for bed, she showed E the note she was going to leave for the tooth fairy.  It said "Dear Tooth Fairy, I wanted to keep my tooth, but my MOM said NO! Love, O." (which, as an aside, she never calls me "mom" unless she's mad.  She normally calls me Momma or Mommy.)

After E finished putting O to bed, he came back into our room and told me that there was a reason behind all of the madness.  Apparently, if O brings the tooth to school, she gets a little necklace with a tooth shaped container that holds the tooth.  She only gets it if she loses a tooth at school or she brings one in.  E and I decided that we would let her keep the tooth so she could get this.  E wrote a note from the "tooth fairy" saying that she talked to me about keeping the tooth, etc.  and that she'd make an exception to leave the tooth just this once.

In the morning, O came down the stairs so excited!  She was shouting "She let me keep my tooth!"  She laid out the letter from the tooth fairy onto the table.  A, who has a very good memory, looks at the note and says "Hey, that doesn't look like the tooth fairy's handwriting!"  (keep in mind, he has yet to lose a tooth himself.  He's only seen O's notes.)  "Is the tooth fairy real, Momma?" 

I'm totally not into lying straight out about things like the tooth fairy.  It bothers me.  However, I didn't really want to ruin the moment for O, either.  So, I simply said "Well, A, what do you think?  Do you think she's real?"

O, at this point, says to A "but, look!  The note is signed 'love the tooth fairy!' "  A, with a smile on his face, says excitedly "well, then she MUST be real!" 

You know, because everything you read must be true.

I am glad that we have the simple joy and excitement of the tooth fairy still alive in our house.  For now.  Until A discovers some other discrepancy.

Back and Forth

Yesterday I had my 36 week appointment with my OBGYN.  Overall, it went well.  Everything looked good. Lost 1.5 pounds, and my uterus still measured 36 weeks (I measured the same 2 weeks ago.)

My OB, of course, is leaving on Sunday, the 2nd, and won't be back until the 10th.  To sort of make a long story short-(ish) I'll just say that we both REALLY want her to be at my birth for several reasons.

My dr. was really hoping that I'd be dilated some yesterday, so that I can come back in on Thursday or Friday and maybe do a little stretching and get things going and started, possibly having baby girl come this weekend.  It wasn't really unrealistic, since I was dilated with O and I at 36 weeks.  (I can't remember with A.  How bad is that?!?!?)

When my dr. walked into my room she says "I want you to either be closed, or like an eight or something."  She was kidding.  Sort of.  She then says "but I doubt you will be.  I'm guessing a 3." That was my guess, too. 

Turns out, I was closer to a closed than we thought I would be.  I was a finger tip to 1.  She couldn't tell super well because my cervix was very posterior and hard to reach.  Since my OB is going out of town, I didn't really want to "make her" reach or even try to stretch me.  There's no point, really. 

Here's where I go back and forth.  Part of me feels like I totally read my body wrong, and I feel stupid for thinking I was dilated more. (Stupid, I know, but true.)  That same part of me feels slightly disappointed that we likely won't have a baby this weekend.  That same part that is happy with my weight gain RIGHT.THIS.MINUTE. and doesn't really want to gain any more.

The other part?  The other part is glad.  The other part knows this is the last time I'll likely ever be pregnant.  The last time I'll ever feel a little person move inside of me.  That other part is glad, too, since our family is just getting over a tummy bug (everyone but me got sick.  amazing!) and we have a few home improvement projects we'd like to accomplish this weekend.

Then there's this middle part.  Or maybe it's back to the first part of me, I'm not sure.  But, I just have this feeling that this little girl is going to come when my OB is gone.  It may not be in the beginning of her trip, but it may be on the last day (or two.)  That's kind of a negative part, huh?  I know it's pessimistic.  I know.  But, I keep trying to figure out what I have to do in order to have the birth I want and have the level of medical intervention I need with out having those two things get confused by the on call dr.  The good thing is that my doula should be able to help me with some of that.

Did you follow me on all of that?  I wouldn't blame you if you didn't.  Heck, I can barely follow my own thoughts.

A Quilt, my Belly, and other things

I finally got around to piecing together that quilt I mentioned in this post. I wanted to use up my scraps, as well as make something that went with all of the fabric in the room.  If you know my sewing style, I'm not on much for actual "patterns" or quilt styles.  Its too, um, formal for me.  So I laid out all of my larger scraps on top of my backing piece and my batting and sort of just pieced it all together. 

There was a point where I was about to throw the entire quilt out the window.  That point was towards the end, too.  Isaac kept crawling in my lap while I was sewing and I screwed up an entire line.  That one long stitch took me almost 2 hours to take out.

But, it's finished now.  Whew. 

Part of the quilt.  Not sure if I'm going to regret the satin fabric...

 The binding is half brown and half the brown/white fabric.  This picture has the quilt folded in on the top right corner so you can see the backing, too.

Since I uploaded some pictures from my camera, I found a few belly pictures I thought I'd share. 

This one is 34 weeks, taken right before my baby "sprinkle" that my friend D threw me.

A took this one for us.  We realized later that E's shirt was unbuttoned.  Classy.

 

These are from Monday- 35 weeks.

As a complete and utter unrelated topic, have I mentioned how much I hate staying home all day?  Isaac woke up sick last night, so we've been quarantined today.  I hate it!  I get so restless and have cabin fever!  I made an attempt to leave the house this morning, to get Zeke some medicine for his fever, but he fell asleep in the car before we even left the subdivision.  So, I made a loop and came back home.

Speaking of crazy things.  I am slowly packing my bag for The Girl's birth.  E asked me yesterday if I had packed for him.  I told him no, and he said "oh, never mind.  I'm sure we won't be in a rush to get to the hospital with how long your labors are.  I can pack then."  Thanks for that reminder, babe.

One more update to add to my hodgepodge.  We finally chose a first name for The Girl!  I'm about to bust at the seams!  I want to tell someone in a bad way.  It's probably a super good thing that we choose names late in the game.  Otherwise, I may not be able to keep it a secret. ;)  O keeps asking what her name is.  We'd tell her, but the last time we told the kids a secret (that I was pregnant) they blurted it out to my parents on the phone.  So, we're staying tight lipped.  E keeps telling the big kids that we're going to name her "George".  They think that's nonsense, and laugh hysterically.  Isaac, however, keeps saying "Baby George!"  It may end up her nickname.

I have no energy nor desire

I want to relay some information for those of you who care.  However, I'm not feeling so hot right now.  I've got a sore throat and a headache.  So, instead of a well-put together post, you get bullets.  Or asterisks.

*My good friend Devan (I'd link up to her blog if I wasn't so lazy) threw me an ah-mazing baby shower yesterday.  It was just unbelievable.  Cute decorations, awesome food, fun friends, and amazing gifts.  On top of all of that, she made me a diaper cake AND got me a massage gift certificate.  I think I love her. (Well, I already knew I did, but it just reinforced it.)

*I had a panic moment in my bathroom yesterday, getting ready for the shower.  I kept thinking "no one will show up".  I asked E when I'd stop caring if people like me.  He replied "I don't think YOU ever will."  Fine.  I see your point.

*Thankfully, almost everyone showed up.  Which was just wonderful, since I haven't seen a few of those girls in ages.  It was so wonderful and I left feeling so loved and blessed to have such amazing women in my life.

*Today was doctor appointment day.  I had an OB appointment at 9, and Zeke had a sick visit at 11:30.  We left the house at 8, and didn't get back until 12:30.

*I rested for a few minutes after I got Isaac into bed for a nap.  When he woke up, my throat was SO sore, and I had/have a bad headache.  Of course, this happened AFTER we went to the dr.  Sheesh.

*Good news, over all, from the OB.  Baby girl is head down, and her head is low.  Yippee!  I was a little afraid, for a while, that she might be transverse.  The last few days, I have felt her hiccups down low, so I was feeling a tad better.  But, it's good to know that she is, in fact, head down.

*Baby girl must have had a growth spurt.  Last appointment I gained zero pounds in two weeks.  This appointment, I gained 4 lbs AND measured 2.5 weeks ahead.  (Last week, I was about .5 weeks "behind" .  which, really isn't "behind".  I know, its confusing.)  I refuse to think that the weight gain was from my eating of baby shower cake yesterday.  nope.  can't be. ;)

*Unfortunately, it seems as if my upper back pain is likely to be a kidney stone.  Fun.  I mean, it's not completely a surprise.  I had 2 with O's pregnancy, a few after that, and one during Isaac's pregnancy.  But, it just isn't my favorite past time.  I did get a script for Percacet if I need it.  If I don't have any issues before the baby is born, we'll just use it after delivery.

*I hired my doula.  Did I tell you guys that?  She's awesome.  I met with her a few weeks ago with Isaac in tow so we didn't finish everything.  I can't wait to meet with her again (sans Isaac) and get some more things "planned".

*The weather seems to be cooling down a little bit.  At least our morning walks to school are cooler.  I actually wore a T-shirt today, instead of my usual tank top. I know, I know.  It's down-right chilly. :)

*There are some things going on with O that we could use some prayers for.  It's nothing scary, but definitely things that need to be worked out now, while she's 6.  I'll share in more detail another time. It's the kind of topic that needs an entire blog post.

*My friend Devan and I are going away for a girl's night this Friday.  I cannot wait. 

*we still do not have a name for miss baby.  Ack!

The Big Reveal

I FINALLY have the nursery cleaned up enough that I felt I could share pictures. It seems the nursery (a.k.a. the bonus room) seems to be home to random things that need to get put back into the attic.  (It makes sense, since we have attic space on either side.)

But, today!  Today, it's cleaned up and ready for it's time in the spotlight.

Want to take a tour?

Here's the view when you first walk in.  See my little helper?

 Closer view of the wall/window

 The changing table

 Um...This is why he's in a big boy bed now. ;) 

 This is actually where the rocking chair will go once the baby is actually sleeping in here. This cradle, while beautiful and antique (was E's grandpa's), is a pain in the hiney to put together.  I'm doubting she'll even sleep in it. *sigh* 

View from the bed. 

( I'm pretty sure Isaac exceeds the weight limit of that cradle.  Seeing as one of the supports popped out.)

 The crib.  Minus my helper.

 The Ultrasound wall. :)

Bonus picture: not really part of the nursery, but still stinkin' cute.  Newborn diapers.

There are still a few things I need to do.  In fact, I bought a growth chart, just today, that needs to be hung up.  Oh, and the simple little quilt I need to finish start to go on the bed. (ha! simple!  help!) 

I hope you enjoyed the tour. 

Zeke goes to school

Isaac had his very first day of "school" yesterday.

He is going to the same Mother's Morning Out program the big kids went to.

It's only 1 morning a week, for 4 hours, but it's a great experience for us both.

He's at that stage now, where I can't get a good picture of him because he never sits still. 

Never.

But, I did get his "bickpick" on in time for some quick snaps.

 I also got a face shot while he was finishing up a snack he started early in the morning.

 My big plan was to get pictures of him in his class, in front of his cubby, etc.  However, he just jumped right in and started playing.  I decided not to rock the boat and just took a picture of him playing.

 He had an awesome day!  I tried to keep him awake on the way home with some snacks, but he fell asleep, with a goldfish in hand. 

Even in my dreams

Birth has been on my mind a lot lately.  For obvious reasons in terms of myself.  But, I've had some friends recently give birth, and some about to have babies any time. 

Something else that has been on my mind is names.  Not just any names, but a name for our baby.

I should preface this whole post by telling you that E and I take for.ev.er to name our kids.  O was the earliest.  Maybe around 30 weeks.  A was 36 weeks.  I was named just days before we had him.  I'm totally not a "let's wait to see what they look like" kind of person, either.  I like to paint letters to hang on the wall, I like to get things monogrammed.  I like to KNOW what to call my baby, even if we don't share it with anyone else until they are born. 

So, true to form, this baby girl does not have a name.  We've gone through the baby books.  We've posted on name blogs.  I have several that I could "go with" and one that is my favorite.  E, on the other hand, likes nothing.  Nothing is "grabbing him" and he's not "in love" with any name.  Which makes it particularly hard to decide.

So this name thing has been on my mind, along with birthing.  It's no surprise that I had a dream about it all last night.  In my dream, I delivered a healthy baby girl, with blond hair, at 36 weeks.  It was a short labor (this, in itself, is a total dream. ha!) and she arrived with out complications.  But, whenever people asked us her name, I could never understand what we told them.  It was just jabbering.  People seemed to like the name, whatever it was.  But, I could never grasp what it was we actually named her. 

Apparently, even in my subconscious, we can't decide on a name.