38 weeks..all my bags are packed I am ready to go

I had another weekly doctors visit this morning and not a whole lot of change. I am now still 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Blake is still measuring big, so that brings a little anxiety as I prepare myself for labor. I am definately losing alot of my energy due to the fact that I am battling insomnia . I have been lucky to get 3 or 4 hours of sleep each night this week due to the large mass growing in the middle of my belly. I have done a great job with my weight gain during this pregnancy until theses last few weeks. I have been averaging almost 2-3 lbs. a week for the last month. We are definately going to have a healthy child this time around. So much for the preemie onsie I bought for Blake at a garage sale last month. I was preparing myself in case he came early.
When I went in for my check up today I had a nurse check me. When I asked her if I was going to get to see my doctor I was informed that she was on vacation. WHAT?? I was a little disturbed that my doctor failed to inform me of this somewhat major detail in my 9 month journey. Anyway, she won't be back until Tuesday. At first I thought my desire would be to pray that I don't go into labor until she gets back, but at this point I am ready whenever God wills it. I have met and been examined by the other on call doctors, so I won't be going into labor with a stranger I have never met. Also, I have already labored and delivered a baby and I remember that in the moment I really didn't care who got my baby out as long as they knew what they were doing and had Allyson's health at interest. I am trying to cherish these last few days/weeks with Blake in my belly, but it is becoming more difficult as the swelling, restlessness, and fatigue set in. This pregnancy that I cherish and want to hold onto is becoming easier and easier to let go. I knew this point would slowly creep up on me if I made it to full term. Two more weeks and I will be there.

My built-in-table

I must admit that my weakness during these last 9 months has been chocolate, but I haven't let myself go overboard. I know you look at the three scoops sitting in the bowl on my belly and question what my definition of overboard means. That bowl of ice cream was on loan from my husband who wanted to get a picture of my built-in table. He was even upset that I was actually eating some of his ice cream for the picture. Brian and I have both found an ice cream that we LOVE. It is a chocolate ice cream with chocolate brownie chunks in it...ummm, ummm. This might be the reason Blake is measuring big for 37 weeks....haha!

We can't believe you are Grandparents!

Mike, Brian's brother, and his wife Dawn officially have the title of Grandma and Grandpa. Mike's Daughter Katie, just had an adorable baby girl on June 10th. Her name is Brennah and she was born at 6 lbs. 10oz. Brennah's entrance into this world also made Brian and I a Great-Aunt and Uncle. Here are some pictures from her birthday.

Katie, Mike and Brennah

Brennah

Great Uncle Brian and the kids

Great Grandma

Dog Sitting

We had a new member added to Mike and Dawns family a few weeks ago and I have failed to get him on our blog.

Meet Jack Boston the adorable baby Beagle.

Brian and I were so excited to be able to watch him over night this week. He just loves to cuddle and snuggle like a little baby. Allyson didn't take to him that well. She spent most of her afternoon in a chair or on the couch where Jack couldn't reach her. She finally warmed up to him right before her three nephews came to take him home. She found great joy in throwing his food on the floor and watching him chase it down and eat it. Basically she found someone who is just like her. He loves food and will sit at your feet and beg for it. Sounds just like my daughter.

Here are a few more adorable pictures of Jack and his new family members.

Aunt Dawn

Cousin Jaiden and his buddy

Playing "fetch your food" with Jack

37 weeks

I met with Dr. Case this morning for a scheduled ultrasound to see how big our baby boy might be. He is measuring in at 7lbs. 7oz. We didn't get to see much on the ultrasound, but we know that Blake has quite a bit of hair and even some fat rolls...haha. He is definately going to be a big boy if he goes to full term. I am almost 2 cm dilated and still 25% effaced, so things are progressing slowly. Brian and I are just waiting to see what birth date God has planned for our little man.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Daddy took a day off last week and surprised Ally with her first trip to the zoo. It was a very successful trip. Ally got to hear the lions roar at each other, see a dolphin show, watch daddy feed the giraffes, see an elephant give itself a bath, and even touch the back of a shark. It was miserably hot so we ended the day at the small water park. Ally and Brian soaked themselves from top to bottom to get relief from the heat. I chose not to participate since I might look like a wet beached walrus on the loose.

Here are a few pictures from the day. Terrified to be that close to

This is all new

Since I had Allyson at 35 weeks I never reached the point of weekly doctor visits, so the procedures from this point on are all new to me. I am currently 36 weeks and growing. At my doctors appointment last Tuesday I was 1 cm. dilated and 25% effaced. Dr. Case said it looks like this one might cook for awhile. I have a ultrasound scheduled for this Tuesday because my belly is measuring two weeks ahead of the schedule, so either Blake is a big boy or he is carrying around more amniotic fluid than he needs to. I am still loving this pregnancy until it comes time to go to bed. Blake just doesn't want to let mommy sleep soundly at night. As the old saying goes, he is just preparing me for what is to come.

I am extremely excited to finally hold Blake in my arms, but at the same time it saddens me to think that it won't be just me and my little girl anymore. Within the last few weeks I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that each new day might be my last with just my daughter. This feeling has urged me to find all kinds of fun things to do with her, that I know won't be as easy to accomplish with a newborn. Thank you Jesus for my daughter and the wonderful memories we have been able to share together throughout the last 2.5 years. Allyson and I are both excited to welcome Blake into our circle of love, but at the same time I know we are both scared. I know you might laugh at me when I say my 2.5 year old daughter is scared, but Brian and I have noticed that she completely understands what is about to happen. My sister-in-law, who has three children of her own, brought to my attention that some of Allysons behaviors might be a reflection of her feelings towards Blake coming soon. At first I didn't think so, but as I sat back and observed I recognized that she was probably right. For instance, the other night Allyson wanted to lay down on me in bed, and I told her she couldn't put her whole body on mommy because we didn't want to hurt baby Blake. She slowly sat up and looked at my belly with confusion on her face as to how she could accurately rest on me without being on Blake. With a helpless look in her eyes she figured out the solution. "Mommy, take Blakey out please". I asked her why? "So I can lay with you" I proceeded to tell her that all three of us would cuddle together. I told her "Blake can cuddle on my belly and you can cuddle next to me with your head on my shoulder". She smiled and joined right in. This was one of Allyson's "cute moments", but some of her other behaviors of seperation haven't been so cute.
I have quite a few post to catch up on, so hopefully I can get to them before Blake decides to make his grand entrance.

Reminiscing...

Blake @ 35 weeks

I have now reached week 35 in my pregnancy and Brian and I can't help but reflect on the birth of our daughter Allyson. I was only 35 weeks when God chose to deliver her to us. On Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 3:00pm Brian and I went to one of my regular doctor visits and on our way out the door I brought something to my doctors attention. She told me to lay back down and she was going to check a couple of things. After a few tests she informed us that my sac had a hole in it and was slowly leaking amniotic fluid. This made Allyson very susceptible to infection so they immediately admitted me into the hospital and started medicine to get my cervix ready for delivery. Dr. Case told me they had to get Allyson out within the next 48 hours since she was at risk of contracting an infection. I was told that I would probably go into labor that evening. Allyson had a different plan. She was putting up a fight. After a day and a half of trying to get my labor going my doctor made the executive decision to brake my water and start me on pitocin. It only took 20 minutes after she broke my water for the painful contractions to start coming on. I labored for about 9 hours and only pushed for about 20 or 30 minutes. Allyson was born Thursday evening (Dec.1) at 6:54pm. She weighed 5lbs. even and was 18 inches long.

Two and a half years later I look at her and think of how fast she is growing and learning. I didn't really enjoy the newborn stage with Allyson. I just couldn't wait to get her to the next milestone in her life. Looking back at how fast she has grown makes me see the newborn stage in a new light. I can't say that I will fully enjoy it, but I will truly hold on to all of the special moments I have with Blake that I know will go by so quickly.

Days before delivering Ally

Our little Preemie leaving the hospital

Uncle Brian with Ally on Christmas

I can't wait for Allyson to become a new big sister. She really picks up on the fact that Mommy has a baby like her cousin Tyson in her belly. She wakes up every morning, comes downstairs and sits on my lap. Her first and immediate request is to see baby blakey. She won't talk to him unless she can see my bare belly. She will wrap her arms around my stomach and tell Blake she loves him. Then she proceeds to kiss my bellybutton. Allyson talks to Blake like an adult would talk to a little baby. She pets my stomach and says "it's alright sweetie, it's alright" in a high pitched motherly voice. The other day she asked me to open my stomach. I asked her why would I want to do something like that? She said "because I want baby blakey out".
I took her to my last doctors visit and explained to her how she was going to get to hear baby blakey's heart beat. Ally gasped and grabbed her mouth when I exposed my belly for the nurse. Blakes arms and legs were literally bulging out of my stomach. She thought it was the coolest thing. When we left the doctors office, Ally just kept talking about how she could see and hear baby Blakey moving. She didn't quite understand that the noise was a heartbeat, but I didn't expect her too. When Brian got home she kept telling him over and over again that she heard baby blakey moving.
I truly cherish these last few weeks I will have with just my little girl and I. She loves to rest her head on my belly every chance she gets, I just hope she has that same love for Blake when he actually gets here. I am very prepared for the excitement to dwindle and the jealousy to kick in once she realizes that Blake is here to stay. If she loves Blake the way she loves her doll baby then we shouldn't have to many problems.

Ally's doll baby

Ally's other doll baby

Welcome to the car wash

Allyson has a baby doll that she loves to be a mommy to. She feeds her, brushes her teeth, puts her clothes on, reads her books, and even gives her baths with a wet sponge. Since she does such a great job cleaning her baby doll, I thought she would love the opportunity to clean my "baby" or in other words, my car.

Question?

When my daughter was born the Bumbo chair wasn't out on the market yet. I have noticed a lot of my fellow bloggers have them for their children. I love the idea of Blake being able to sit up and see the world at such a young age, but I am anxious to know what other mothers who currently have one think of it before I decide to make a purchase. Also, what do you think about buying the tray that goes with the chair? Thanks :)

Daddy Day Care

For the last month or so Allyson has had a difficult time with daddy leaving for work in the morning. Since they spend so much time together in the mornings it is hard for her to let him go. Brian sits her down and explains to her that he has to go to work and then lists all of the fun things they can do together when he gets home. He hugs and kisses her goodbye and then makes his way to the car. This is when Allyson goes into what I call her "Soap Opera" cry. While standing on the front porch watching her daddy's car leave she stretches out her arms and repeatedly cries out "I need you, I need you, I need you". You can only imagine how this breaks Brians heart, so on Friday he surprised her and took half of the work day off so he could have a Ally and Daddy day. I was sure glad when Allyson told me I could come along also..haha. Brian gave Allyson the choice of going to the park or to the pool. She chose the park and immediately went and got her shoes on to head out the door. I quickly packed us all picnic lunches and we spent the better half of the day running and playing at the park. We got her home for her nap, but she couldn't wait to wake up because daddy told her that he was going to walk her down to Dairy Queen after dinner for her first DQ ice cream cone. I didn't have my camera for that event, but it was one for the books. She devoured the ice cream and cone like it was her job. She got to end the evening by having a slumber party with daddy and mommy.