making me happy

• the weather (hello sunshine!)
• a husband that understands that although I love the sun, we must also run our A/C non-stop now.
• and since we are on the subject: a husband that takes kids on nightly "jazzy rides around the neighborhood to give me some rest time, runs my bubble baths for me, rubs my feet, does the dishes and laundry, shampoos the carpet, hangs nursery decor to my exact specifications, and participates in my hypnosis.  All without a complaint, mind you.  
• family (especially a great mom) that watches these two kids regularly while I find myself either at the doctors office or hospital weekly.
• friends...man and what great ones I have!  From all the texts and phone calls checking in to see if kid #3 has made it here yet, and offers to take them off my hands for a while, to the friend who brought a bag full of movies (mainly involving talking puppies) for the kids to watch while I put my feet up.
• But best of all was yesterday arriving home to a friend who not only brought me my favorite flavored Jamba Juice but one for the kids to share between them so I could sip away on my own.  It was heaven.  Especially since they pulled their lawn chairs out and sat for a full 15 minutes sipping away.

sorry the pictures blurry...straight from the phone

• Also making me happy is our little B's obsession with hats lately.  You can count on him sporting something on his head if you run into us or drop by.  The Easter Bunny brought him a bubble blower this year and he often can be found outside mowing the lawn while wearing his great grandpa's stetson.  I have yet to get a picture, but am dying to get one because it's super hilarious.  One day soon I'll move quick enough to snap some decent pictures around here.

• And yesterday Miss A went and did a Kindergarten screening test.  I am weirdly emotional about it (she's still my little girl!) but it sure did make her happy.  She can't wait to go.

So grateful for all the help & well wishes.  I am in the final stretch.  If I don't go into labor this week I will probably get induced next week.  (So cross your fingers for me!)  I have been laboring on and off for a week or more now and have had the nurses tell me they know they'll see me back in the delivery room that same afternoon...only to stop contractions later.  It's been hard on my body, and the sudden heat rush hasn't been kind to my feet/ankles.  

All this just helps me to know: I am ready.  Can't wait to be nuzzling a newborn around here.  (And to walk somewhere quickly.) Family of 5 here we come!

spring

This Easter came way to quickley! I was so disappointed when it snowed the Friday morning before, but the weather sure did pull through as best as it could for us. 

Love the neighborhood egg hunts, having the Easter Bunny as a motivator to be extra good, and the bright and sunny colors that fill up the primary room in Church as all the little kids wear their new Easter outfits. 

impromptu smelling of the flowers.

 

 This year Little B got the whole egg hunt thing, but just preferred digging in Grandma & Grandpa's dirt.  And so that is what he did.

 Also loving this springtime(ish) weather.  We got out to the zoo (hoping to induce labor) and it was a fun day.  Except it looks highly suspicious that we picked up a turtle while we were there.

 All the cousins...which getting them all clustered together and looking in the same-ish direction is one thing.  Getting them to all smile at the same time was another.

 Also with spring comes kite flying weather.  I think this is my most favorite activity we have done the past several Sundays after eating dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  We all head down to the park and basically just watch the kids run back and forth a million times.  Who cares if the kite catches wind or not, this is one activity that tuckers everybody out.

Randomly, this morning A told her little brother that he was "eating like a creature, and not a human."  Am I ready to add an additional boy to this craziness?  We have the nursery ready to go in anticipation for the next arrival.  Yesterday morning I couldn't find little B so I went searching because it was too quiet.  Found him lying in the babies crib eating A's Easter candy. 

still kicking

I promise I am still alive.  Just busy...with you know, stuff.  Here's the run down because I feel like just jumping right in after taking the last 4 months off.

I have officially 5 more weeks to go before baby #3 is due.  But it's become a battle between me & my doctor about inducing me early.  (I don't want to, he does.)  I am measuring a month ahead and have for a while.  Don't get all excited and toss the twin word around or miscalculated due date on me (unless you want me to turn grumpy).  I have extra amniotic fluid.  Which also comes with the bonus that I have to run up to the hospital every week until my due date to have Non Stress Tests done.  I feel really good about how big I am.  I even let my sister talk me into buying skinny jeans upon entering the 3rd trimester.  That or I have a real tendency for self-destructive behavior.

And for those who don't know, baby #3 is a boy.  Miss A is more than thrilled & every day her excitement increases as she talks about plans for the baby.  Her latest concern just yesterday was where the baby would sleep when her & her brother go to grandma's for sleepovers.  We do have a name picked out, but we are one of those people and are keeping it to ourselves until the little guy is here.

I am getting excited and nervous for labor.  This time (as previously mentioned) I will skip paying the anesthesiologist to hang out feeling guilty he can't help me, and making the decision ahead of time I will be going natural.  Really looking forward to having my doula there as well. (side note: this is why getting induced early doesn't sound terrific to me.)  Bug and I have been practicing our hypnosis as well.  Bug feels like its pretty powerful and he is ready to have a pain-free delivery.  I am still a little apprehensive.  At least it helps me to relax.

As a result of pregnancy the nesting has begun.  I know that among some of my family and friends the word "nesting" has a negative connotation.  I love it.  I feel like Bug has to take my ridiculous whims seriously.  So Miss A has been slowly giving over her room to the nursery, and gaining an adorable bedroom downstairs.  Its complete with beautiful wallpaper that her grandma helped put up when she grew up here.  There's something extra charming in knowing that connection.

The highlight of the past week + was my twin sister visiting with her kids.  It was so fun to have them here.  We filled our days with outings all around the valley.  And the nights were filled with yummy dinners together, a girls movie night out, and my favorite: our family tradition of a pedicure party in honor of the current mother-to-be.  It was filled with delicious food and me not having to try and bend over my gigantic belly to try and paint my toes.  So fun.

Baby clothes are sorted once again.  Nursery still needs to be painted (hopefully this week?). My hair is in desperate need of some attention from my stylist (thank you hormones for sparking this abundance of regrowth).  Getting really antsy to start working on my consignment projects.  And also looking forward to having the ability to walk somewhere fast.   

But most of all can't wait to snuggle a new little tiny one.