Weetabix

I made a new discovery this spring - it's called Weetabix! It is British cereal that has been around for a while but is just now becoming more popular in the US. The funny thing is that I haven't even had it in milk like typical cereal! The cereal is actually a flaky wheat biscut that can be crumbled or chunked in yogurt (this is actually the way that Rachel and I eat it) or eaten with warm milk as a hot cereal and really anyway you'd like to eat it. You should check it out sometime.

Picking Tomatoes!

38 week visit

I'm just checking in to give you an update. Yesterday I had my 38 week visit and there isn't much new to report. The Doctor said the baby's head is really low in the pelvic cavity which is good (or not so good at times because I am very aware of her head being really low - especially when she wants to move around!). He did not do a cervical check so we'll just wait until next week to see if my body is making any moves towards labor. But, as for now, I have some more time to work on my to do list.

Family Photo

Recently, our friend Tripp Flythe took some family pictures of us (and a few maternity pictures of me) along with his lovely wife and assistant, Heather. This was only the second time we've had family pictures done and it was a lot of fun and this one turned out great - thanks, Tripp and Heather!!

Materity Portraits

Here are a couple of the maternity pictures. I am about 35 weeks in these pictures.

36 Week visit and Doula

Today I had a Doctor's appointment. I am 36 weeks and 5 days. It is so hard to believe that I am actually at this point! They did do a cervical check and I haven't dilated yet but my cervix is soft. My body is definately moving in the direction of labor (but of course, what other direction would it move in?) but no news on when. I did have a round of very regular braxton hicks contractions last Friday night and that was just what we needed to move us into action. Vimal made me priortize my "to list" and we have been working hard at completing our tasks.

Also, last week we met with our friend Nicole who is a doula and she is hopefully going to be a doula for us! I say hopefully, because she will be out of town for some of the time over the next couple of weeks. We are praying that she will be able to join us for the labor and delivery of this baby - I think she would be an encouragement to us throughout the process! But, if not, I'm sure my husband will be a great labor coach (that is if he doesn't pass out - I really think if he doesn't have to see a needle he'll be okay!) And my Mom will most likely join us in the delivery room, too if she is able to get here in time.

I'll keep you posted.

Tutus!

We had a play date with some friends recently and here is a cute picture of Rachel and her friend, Ryann. I thought it was cute how they are both standing alike. Little girls are so much fun! There were actually 5 little girls at our playdate and unfortunately we don't have a picture of everyone together.

Family!

These pictures were taken on Father's Day after church. I thought they were sweet pics of us - too bad we didn't have someone around to take a picture of the whole family together. Maybe next time.

Nesting Progress

I just wanted to post a quick update on how things are going in the "getting ready for baby category". Actually, I feel really good about where we are at this point. Here is the status on some of my projects!

*Rachel's baby book (just received the pics to put in and I have a few more to do as soon as I have some time during a nap or at night, that should be complete!)
*I have purchased a baby book and calendar for this little one.
*Rachel's room was painted, furniture up including bedding and she has been sleeping in her "big girl" bed for 2 1/2 weeks - the transition has been smooth thus far - keep praying! We actually have some things hanging on her walls, too.
*Potty training...well, we have good days and bad days but we're hanging in there. We've discovered that muffins and chocolate chips might be good incentive. I'll keep you posted.
*The house is purged and the storage shed is clean and organized.
*I have some new photos framed and placed.
*I sold several items on Craigslist - this is a great way to sell unwanted/unneeded items, go to http://www.craigslist.com/ to see if your city has one.
*I have all of my appts. scheduled that need to be taken care of before the baby comes - i.e. dentist, orthodontist, dream dinners (I just had this appt. and I'm excited that my freezer is stocked with some yummy dinners), hair appt., etc.
Okay, that is just a few things I've been able to accomplish. It may not sound like much, but when you have an active toddler around, there isn't much time for work (other than the necessary stuff like cooking dinner, washing the dishes, cleaning the house, running errands - you get the picture).
*Newborn and 0-3 month clothes and necessary baby items are washed and put away in the nursery.
So, from here on out what ever I get done will be a bonus! I do have some pictures to post so maybe I'll get to that in the next few days - we'll see.

34 Week Doctor Visit

This past Thursday (June 28th), I had my 34 week (I was actually 34 weeks and 6 days) visit at my Doctor's office. Everything went well and is on track at this point. Nothing too exciting to report except that the Baby has dropped so we are one step closer to meeting this little girl. My next appointment is on July 11th so I'll update you on anything new then.

Special Treat!

Around our house, we always seem to talk about "special treats". We tell Rachel she is getting a special treat if we are doing something fun and exciting or if she gets to eat something special so hopefully she'll learn a special treat is special.
Well, earlier this week, I got a special treat! Three of my sweet friends (Kristin, Stephani and Pam) gave me a gift certficate for a prenatal massage! I love massages anyway but this was especially needed right about now - from all of the strains on my growing body to chasing a toddler around! So, thank you sweet friends - I thoroughly enjoyed my "special treat"!

32 Week visit

On Wednesday I had my 32 week visit and everything looks good at this point. Because I've been having so many contractions he actually checked my cervix (and it is tightly closed - which is good news!) and did a test to see if I am at risk for going into labor in the next two weeks. I can't remember what it is called but it was negative so that was also very good news! He said that most likely my uterus is just very sensitive and that is why I'm having so many contractions. I'll update you after my next visit!

Potty Progress!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we started the process of potty training. There is a reason they call it training :) So, on that Saturday we had a "potty party" designed to make the whole process exciting and to teach Rachel how to go to the potty.

First we taught bear how to go to the potty which was exciting and Rachel enjoyed telling bear that she had to go potty and not to pee pee in her big girl panties. And then a little later it was Rachel's turn. She definately enjoyed putting the stickers on her chart, as you can see she is admiring her sticker chart in this picture. And the treats were a big hit, well, most of them. I think I offered marshmellows, pretzels, yogurt covered raisins, fruit snacks, and hershey's candy coated kisses (like m&ms, but semi-sweet). Her favorite options were the pretzels and yogurt raisins - that's our girl! and the really funny thing is that as soon as she started eating the Hershey's candy she spit it out??? I'm not exactly sure what that was about.

She is actually doing pretty well. In fact, I don't think she had an accident all day today and only one each day for the past couple of days. But, she still needs quite a bit of encouragement from me to actually get to the bathroom. Playing is still way more interesting than going potty which I guess she does have to switch gears...for past two+ years she could continue doing whatever she was doing and go to the potty at the same time. We'll keep you posted on the progress.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

I think I mentioned in a recent post that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions. They have increased in frequency in the past few weeks. This morning Rachel and I went for a walk and in a 1/2 hour period I had at least 4 or 5 of them. So, as recommended I came home and drank several glasses of water and layed down for 30-40 minutes (with Rachel crawling all over me, of course :) ). I don't think I even had one while I was lying down but as soon as I got up I had two of them right together. I called the nurse and spoke with her and she immediately felt I needed to be monitored to make sure it is only Braxton Hicks. The good news is that the contractions are only Braxton Hicks but I just seem to be having more than normal and the only way to stop them is to lay down. If only I could lay on the couch all day! I still have 8 weeks to go and I hear that they increase. I'll keep you posted.

Hiccups

Just two days ago, I felt the baby hiccup for the first time. It took me a few minutes to realize that was what it was. What a fun experience!

Sand, Surf and Sun!

We spent the week before Memorial day as a family at the beach. Our time was very sweet as a family before we add our new addition. Mainly, we played in the sand, ran from the water (Rachel) and read some fiction books (Tab and Vimal). Here are a some pics of our time together. And I included a preggo pic for those of you who are wanting to see my belly grow!

Daddy's Girl