Our Lazy Pets

Belle

Otis

Caden Lost a Tooth!

The last few weeks I've noticed Caden had an permanent tooth that's grown in the front, but he hadn't lost a tooth yet and wasn't complaining about any loose, so I didn't mention it.  I didn't want him to be worrying about it.

Yesterday I was working from home after a morning doctor's appointment.  Sometime in the early afternoon, I took a quick work break to check on him playing outside.  Caleb, who'd been playing inside, came along outside with me.  I grabbed the hose and was spraying them both down in the yard for some summer afternoon fun.  It was a 90+ degree day!  

After a few minutes of running from the hose, Caden stops and says, "my tooth just fell out!"

Sure even, I put the hose down and over he came with his tooth in hand!

We used the hose to clean it off and wen into the garage to get Daddy, who was working at home too, to share the news!

I thought Caleb would be the loosing the next tooth in the house, but Caden beat him to it!

The tooth fairy visited for the first time last night and brought $1!

Prenatal Appointment #11 - Week 39

We had another appointment this morning. 

Baby's heart rate was in the 150s. 

I am dilated to almost 3 cm this week, and the doc though I was doing well on my own. 

She said I must have a higher pain tolerance to not have noticed any contractions yet.  I'm taking that and adding it to my confidence bank for the rest of labor and delivery!  I had a contraction while she was measuring things she noticed, but it didn't bother me one bit, so they're kind of happening without me realizing it. 

She mentioned that with it being my first that I was more likely to go past my due date, but I was doing well on my own.  When baby's ready he or she will arrive! 

Caleb's First Loose Tooth

Saturday morning, Caleb comes me to saying his tooth is bleeding.

Without giving it too much thought, I explained that your tooth itself can't bleed, and I'm sure everything was fine he must have just bumped it on something.

An hour or so later, he was saying the same thing again.  While there was no blood, a glass of water let him relax that the blood was washed away and all was well.

Then meal time came.

And his tooth hurt. 

Keith and I immediately asked if it was loose.

Caleb adamantly said no, but a quick tooth wiggle from Daddy confirmed that he indeed has his first loose tooth!

Although, nothing has been said about it since Saturday, it's now Wednesday.  We may be waiting awhile!

But someone sure is excited for the tooth fairy!

Week 39

Trying out our new to us glider in the nursery. 

Of course the current baby of the family, Belle, couldn't let me have a seat without joining me! 

Weight: 173.5 lbs.

Total Weight Gain: 33.5 lbs.

I had one of my worst nights of sleep thus far last night.  One of my hips was bothering me; I couldn't get comfortable; and I could NOT fall or stay asleep!  Finally around 4a.m. I gave up and went to he recliner where I did fall asleep for a few hours until it was time to get up.  It wasn't the best sleep, but it was better than what I'd been getting, or not getting, in the bed. 

I'm hoping I was just thrown off by the nap I took yesterday afternoon and tonight will be back to normal.  I realize that could be a laughable statement at 39 weeks, but so far things have gone smoothly!

In this final week I plan on taking it easy, keeping the laundry and dishes done and spending time as a family of 4.

We picked up a glider from Craig's List this weekend for $30!  We're quite pleased as it is a purchase we've gone back and forth on so many times and were looking for the right opportunity.   We quickly learned gliders go fast from Craig's List!  Luckily after a few weeks Keith found us the right one!  Now I'm on the search for a stool for it too.  I'm thinking some of the gift cards we have will make that a snap!

I'm watching for signs of labor all the time!  I'm not sure I always know what I'm looking or paying attention for, but it sure is on my mind a lot! 

The boys really got into being big brothers this past weekend.

Sunday morning I was in the nursery and Caleb sat himself in our new glider.  He held his arms out and asked if that was how you held a baby.  I headed to the stuffed animals quick to pick up an appropriately sized one for him to practice.  We then attempted to swaddle it.  (I think I need to practice that skill!)  Caleb was off rocking him, putting baby panda in the crib, rocking baby in the bouncy seat and all kind of things!

It didn't take long before Caden brought in his own stuffed animal to be swaddled too.  After finding a new stuffed animals, as a sitting dog with 4 legs was pretty hard to work with, we settled on a bear.  They spent time off and on all day taking care of their babies and asking me to turn on the noise machine in the nursery, reswaddle their babies, turn off the lights so they can sleep. 

On the way to lunch after church Keith and I listened as they talked in the backseat about the babies being at home with a babysitter since they didn't come to church with us.  Then they discussed what they needed to do with their babies when they got back home after church and everything.  They even took their swaddled babies to bed with them last night. They asked questions and navigated the nursery like top notch big brothers!  They were adorable and made me one proud mama!

Charm & Honesty

Kids can be so charming sometimes.

I love how they talk to their baby brother or sister.  When I tuck them in at night, they make sure to tell me and baby good night.  Then my heart melts a little!

With their charm comes speaking their mind.  Sesoring is not a skill that has yet been mastered.

Caleb told me the other night I looked like I was having TWO babies.

Caden still wants nothing to do with feeling baby move.  Even Daddy couldn't talk him into it, and we won't force it. Caleb still enjoys it every now and again though!

Prenatal Appointment # 10 - Week 38

My appointment went well this morning.

I'm not 2 cm dilated, 70% effaced.  The baby has dropped, and I'm at a -2 station.  My group b strep test came back negative too.  Things are going well. 

The doctor said it could be any day now! 

Baseball Season 2012

Caden and Caleb played t-ball for the first time this year.

Caleb wanted to play.  There really wasn't any need to discuss, he just wanted to play.

Caden on the other hand, well, he took some convincing to get to play, mostly with talk of ice cream after the games.  While we certainly didn't want to force them into something they didn't want to do, I also didn't want Caden to be sitting on the sidelines wishing he could be playing.  So we encouraged them both to give it a try.

We started practice, got our uniforms and off we went with our first season of baseball!

I sat there through every one of their games as they played in the dirt, hit balls, played in the dirt, ran bases, played in the dirt, stopped balls, and played in the dirt some more.  

And of course they like the ice cream after the game!

With one season under our belts Caleb says he'll be playing again next year and Caden says no!

Caden was the one that would ask to go throw or hit at home, maybe he'll turn around!  We shall see in time!

Our Mini Staycation 2012

After Memorial Day weekend, Keith and I took a few extra days off work to enjoy time with the boys before new baby arrived and we transitioned into a new life as a family of 5.

Keith spent Saturday helping his mom out with things while the kids and I accomplished some errands and some housework before relaxing to play for awhile.

Sunday was a busy day for us as we had out maternity photos taken and then dropped the kids off with my mom so we could stop a wedding reception for a friend my friend Molly and her new husband.  Needless to say after all that we were all pretty tired!

Monday we celebrated the holiday by going to the Memorial Day Parade.

We finished the afternoon with a cookout at our house with my parents and a relaxing afternoon of movies in our living room.  Keith made some delicious ribs and the kids got to enjoy Chipwrecked!  We also watched We Bought a Zoo, which I was a bit disappointed with. 

Of course I started to come down with a cold over the weekend, so Tuesday was kind of questionable as to what we were going to do.  Then when we woke up to rain it made the day even more of a challenge, but we decided to take the kids down to Amish Country. 

We started at Heini's and took a cheese making tour to see how they make cheese.  Then we sampled some cheese and made our purchase selections.  Cheese is very yummy.  I could live without chocolate; I could not live without cheese! 

Then we headed to Chalet in the Valley for lunch.  While we ate our lunch we talked about our afternoon plans, which were poorly thought out!  We hadn't brought much, if any cash with us and there wasn't a close ATM available for us.  That poses a problem in an area that still has many cash only locations.  So we decided to stop at Hershberger's Farm and Bakery after lunch to see the petting zoo and tour the shops before heading back toward home. 

On our drive back we decided a round of mini-golf was in order and we stopped to play.  I'd taken Caden a year or so ago, but Caleb had never been so it was a fun new adventure.  After trying to teach them how to play the first few holes, we gave in and let them run around a hole ahead of us playing their way.  I gave up on the don't pick up your ball until it's into the hole and the no you have to use your club to hit the ball not just scoot the ball along the green with your club. 

We ended early that afternoon to head home and introduce the boys to Ghostbusters, which we watched together for the first time.  Well, they all watched, I watched/napped through it! 

Wednesday came around with much nicer weather, but another morning of decided what to do on our poorly planned vacation!  After the day before in the heat and my cold, I wasn't sure I could handle a day at the zoo, which is what we'd originally wanted to do.  But I was feeling a bit better and the weather was much friendlier so to the zoo we went!

Elephants!

Wallaby Ears

Wallaby Ears

 

Sitting on a Polar Bear

Watching the Rino

Watching the Rino

Rino

We wrapped up our day at the zoo with a nice meal before heading to the private family viewing of my grandmother.  Our time off work was extended by a day for my grandmother's funeral on Thursday. 

Week 38

My due date is in 2 weeks.  2 weeks!!

Wow.

It has flown by, and the reality that we could have a baby any day now is slowly starting to set in.  It's frightening and exciting and a lot of things all rolled into one.  

My sleep is slowly getting more difficult.  I'm still sleeping alright, but I'm waking more frequently to pee.  I also am starting to have a hard time getting in a comfortable position to sleep, which can be frustrating.  I know Keith would agree with the tossing and turning piece of it.  This weekend he moved and readjusted everything in the bed, and I was not happy about it.  I was comfortable how dare you move!

One thing we wanted to do and have failed miserably at so far is to cook meals and put them in the freezer for us to eat after baby arrives.  We have a low key week planned this week, so I suppose we still have time.  I'd hoped to be much more successful at freezer meals.  Generally we're good at cooking and having homemade food around, but we've been so busy with baseball and swim lessons and life that we've struggled lately.  Things are winding down now, as we've purposefully kept our calendar clear, so hopefully we have some time to work on this!

The work days have seemed to drag on endlessly, and by the time I'm finally home, I'm tired and sometimes cranky.  Cranky is happening more and more, but I'm trying to keep that in check too.

I've been trying to keep up with things at home so we're ready to go when the time comes.  I'm trying to keep the house picked up, which I do always anyway, but I'm trying to keep up with the dishes and laundry too.  I don't want to come home with our new baby and be way behind on laundry to start with!

I'm trying to enjoy some stolen moments alone with each of the boys lately, and we're all talking about baby more to help them prepare.  

I can't wait to see them meet their new baby brother or sister for the first time!
 

I'm proud of my husband.

The other night Keith and I were going through a few boxes of toys someone had given to us for the kids.  They did not come from a smoke-free home.  The smell was a bit overwhelming as we were going through things. 

That's when he made a comment that took me by surprise and made me smile.  He said: "smoking is so gross!"

I couldn't agree more, but it meant a lot more coming from his mouth.  You see, Keith quit smoking 5 years ago this coming fall.  I'm grateful all the time that he quit the habit early on in our dating life, but in that moment, I was reminded how proud of him I am for kicking the habit and finding it awful now.

I'm very proud of my husband.  

Letters for Father's Day

Dear Daddy,

Happy father's day Daddy!  We love you!

Have fun changing the diapers for the baby and kissing the baby. 

We had a great time with you watching tv and playing hide and seek. 

Have fun opening your presents!

Thank you for taking us camping, and I hope you have fun when you have some stuff for camping.

You're a great Dad!

Love,

Caden

----

Dear Daddy,

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom and with Daddy living in it.  The end.

I love you.

I like you taking me places.

I love you.

I love the baby too.

Love,

Caleb

----

Dear Keith,

I have been fascinated by you from the first time I saw you five years ago.  I hadn't met you, but I'd seen you working in the next cubicle row over, and I was intrigued.  I wanted to know more about you; I wanted to know your story; I wanted to know you.  I couldn't explain it to my friends at the time.  I'm not sure I could explain the fascination to myself, but it was there, and I was intrigued.

I am in shock this summer marks 5 years since we met and that summer if you had told me then that I'd marry this intriguing guy from work and raise our family together, I wouldn't have believe you.  My young, naive, college intern self would have laughed at you probably. 

Over the past five years a lot has changed in our lives, and as we're about to bring a baby into our family, I can say I wouldn't change a minute of our time together.  I've watched you be a father to Caden and Caleb from the very beginning of our relationship and knew you had something special with them.  As I became more involved with you all, seeing you interact and care for them reaffirmed my love for you.

I know it will be the same with our new baby as we grow to a family of five! I can't wait to raise another child with you, and I can't wait to see you with our new baby as a new daddy.

I love building our family and life together with you.

Happy father's day to my soon to be daddy of three!

Love,

Beth

I don't believe in luck.

I believe in God.

When I look at the bigger picture, I know God has a plan for each of us and it has nothing to do with luck.  As the song says, "you are the potter, I am the clay."

I've been trying to make a point to say 'good luck' less and 'God Bless' more. 

We are so blessed, and I try to remind myself of that more and more as I hope to pass that understanding on to my kids too.  We may see things as unfair and unreasonable, but really, in the bigger picture we are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for that we need to move about our day and remember that God has a plan for us.  It's a grand plan, one that Jesus died for and one that I, for one, am eternally grateful for. 

Prenatal Appointment #9 - Week 37

We had another appointment today.  We waited nearly an hour to see the doctor, which is happening more and more at our appointments.  Luckily today we weren't in a hurry.

Baby is doing well and heartbeat was 141.

The appointments keep going smoothly so we're very pleased!

Nursery Update

We've made a lot of progress on the nursery! 

I love how it turned out and find myself wondering in there every now and again just to look around.

I find the boys wondering in their sometimes too to check it out, which thrills me too!

Are you ready...for your pregnancy to end?

I'm asked this question daily, usually multiple times every day. 

I've heard countless people talk about reaching a point in pregnancy where they are ready to be done.  Ready to have their baby; ready to not be pregnant anymore.   People have an expectation that pregnant women feel that way, and some think it should be more than a month before for their due in some cases.

At 37 weeks, I do not have that feeling.

I'm not ready for it to be over; I'm not ready for the pregnancy to end.

It's not because I don't want my baby.  I most certainly do!

But I know it's not time, baby knows it's not time, and the longer baby waits, the healthier baby will be.  I know I've reached a point where the baby will be fine if born now, but things I've read indicate that making it the full length leads to greater health for baby, and I don't want to rush baby because I'm on a time table.  Baby will tell us when it's time, and I'm hoping baby waits 2 more weeks. 

Pregnancy really hasn't been bad.  At least it hasn't been for me, and I know that is not the case for everyone. 

I'm still sleeping fairly well at this point.  I may get up a time or two during the night, and other than a brief bit of hip pain for a few days, I'm sleeping well.  I'm sure I won't be able to say that with a newborn!

I'm enjoying the last few weeks as our family of 4 and we're talking more and more about baby to hopefully prepare everyone for what's to come.  As if we can be prepared for a newborn to throw out our normal as we re-create a new family normal as a family of 5.

I'm just not yet ready for it to be over.

But the questions, they keep coming.  People keep asking.  And my response has stayed consistent.  Sometimes their reactions are of shock, perhaps jealousy in some other mamas, I'm not sure.  But it's rarely what people are expecting when they say something to the effect of, "I bet you're ready for it to be over."

Photos

Monday during our 37 week photo, the kids wanted involved.  

I love that they want to be involved too!

 

They wanted one with Daddy too!

Caden even asked for one of himself with just Mommy!

Glasses for Caden

After a routine eye exam last week, we learned Caden needed glasses to correct his vision.  We learned one eye is significantly worse than the other and the first step is glasses.

He's quite excited about them and with one afternoon down, we're doing well!

Week 37

Over the weekend my hips started bothering me during the night while sleeping. I've found myself waking to turn over to relieve one side only to wake up a few hours later to turn again for the other side.  By early morning I'm struggling to continue sleeping as moving from one side to the other is no longer enough.  They don't bother me at all during the day while standing, walking or sitting. 

Of course this means using the bathroom too.  Which is happening with more frequency during the night too.  I've increased to about two times a night now, which isn't awful at all.

The last few days by the end of the evening though I'm getting a headache, and I'm thinking it has something to do with the extra work for my back with all that extra weight.

As far as preparedness, I've been reading more and more to prepare!  I'm making lots of things for Keith to read too as I go along and share with him in the evenings too.

As far as the nursery goes, I think we're finally ready!  Well, almost anyway!  We made what I hope is our final pre-baby purchases this weekend.  We bought a stroller, car seat, mattress, pack-n-play, swing and some other odds and ends that we needed to pick up on Saturday.

I spent Sunday putting things together while Keith painted the bookshelf for the nursery.  The boys helped me with some assemble or watched some of it and asked questions as we went along and were interested.  I want them to feel a part of it and I'm glad they're showing interest, and I'm answering all their baby questions to the best of my abilities!

Week 36 Day 3

The boys wanted to join this week as we were getting ready for a t-ball game!

Lately I've noticed when I'm walking around I'll catch a reflection of myself in a mirror or window or anything reflective and think gosh is that really me?  I look so big!

I could also live without the comments from other people, especially the strangers.  I'm not a social or friendly person, pregnancy hasn't changed that.  

At the Car Wash

A few weeks ago the kids and I were out running errands while Keith was away doing something else for the day.  One of those errands was to get our van washed.  We have a lot of large trees in our yard, which leads to a lot of birds in our yard.  As a result, our cars are always covered in lots of bird poop.  (We rarely park our cars in the garage in the spring/summer.)

I stopped at the gas station, filled up and purchased my car wash with my gas.  So after filling up, we drove around back to the car wash.  I put down my window, entered my car wash code and put the window back up.

Sounds simple right?

Well, I should say I tried to put my window back up.  But the window was STUCK.

You know when it's a bad time to find out your car window won't go up?  When you're sitting at the car wash.

We were fortunate there was no one behind us, and the light was still blinking to enter, so I kept trying to put the window up while the kids are asking what's going on from the back seat. 

Just as I decided it's time to turn around and go inside to explain my situation in hopes they'll let me have my car washed another day my window starts to go up!  So I turn around again to get my van washed!  Except that it stops and freezes again about 2 inches from closing as I pull up to the wash again.

Well crap.

So I sit there and play with it some more and it finally goes up!

But by this time, my car wash code is expired.

So I drive on through the car wash, without a drop of water hitting my van.

I go around to the front, park the car and walk inside to stand in line.  Apparently it was a busy at the gas station! 

I explain my situation the attendant, feeling stupid of course, while the attendant at the next cash register drinks sherbert from the container between customers while chuckling at my situation.  (You're drinking sherbert from an ice cream tub at work in front of the public and you're chuckling at me?  I digress.)

She goes to her manager in the back room and comes back with information for another car wash for me.  She give me another code to enter, and this time, I open my door to enter my code and get my van washed.

Prenatal Appointment #8 - Week 36

I had the first of my weekly appointments until Baby arrives yesterday. 

The doc said baby's heart beat sounds great and everything seems to be going well.

She didn't think that my kidney stones would cause any problems with labor or delivery.

She also checked my cervix which is already 1cm dilated and starting to efface.  She said it was normal.

Back we go next week!

Week 36 Day 1

I forgot to have Keith take my photo last night for the post, which stinks because I had a cute dress on and high heels!  Impressive at 36 weeks!  I'll hopefully remember tomorrow.  I'm working at home today, so my attire is not something I need captured on film digital memory. 

Weight: 168

I stepped on the scale this morning for the first time in awhile.  I've gained 28 pounds to date by my own scale measurements.  In looking back it's been almost a month since I stepped on the scale; I've gained 6 pounds in that time, which seems to be a pretty good average weight gain.  I was hoping to keep my gain under 30 pounds, but it doesn't look like that will happen, but the most important thing is a happy healthy baby, so I'm more than alright with that!

I've getting less and less of the, you're so small for how far along you are comments, but the you're so large comments haven't really started yet, so I think that's a good place to be too!

We had our second and final baby shower this past weekend.   

I've been keeping up with the laundry so we're all ready for baby!

The nursery is nearly all put together and everything we have thus far we plan on using the first few months is assembled.  We still have several items we need to purchase yet.  We've planned a trip to Babies R Us this weekend to get the finishing touches we need to prepare for baby.  On the top of that list is a car seat and a crib mattress!  We have gone through our registry one last time and updated it for purchases and prioritized the items needed.  

My mom has been waiting to purchase a baby gift for us until after the showers seeing what we still needed, so she'll be joining us on our weekend shopping adventure.

I've noticed the past week or so water has seemed very inviting.  As we took the boys to swim lessons last night, I was nearly jealous of their time in the pool.  Unfortunate we don't readily have access to a pool, and I no longer have a bathing suit that will fit.  

The fact that baby's due date is less than a month away is certainly starting to make me anxious!  I feel unprepared, but excited.  

I'm very fortunate to not be very uncomfortable yet.  I certainly won't mind if this continues!  I'm still peeing about once a night, but I'm sleeping well and still active in most activities even if my working out has really ended.  I have had a great pregnancy so far and hoping it continues for the next 4-ish weeks!

Baby Shower #2

Sunday some friends and family graciously put together a baby shower for us.  At my request we included significant others and families.  I'm not a big fan of ultra feminine traditional showers, and I really wanted the boys to be a part of it too.  So we held the shower at my house, but some great friends and my mom provided the food and such, one even cleaned our house for us.  So Keith and I have been focusing on other home projects that we've needed to do.  This gave us that extra motivational push to get some things done around the house.  We're so very thankful for our family and friends and enjoyed getting to celebrate at home!

Keith grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone and we ate and enjoyed everyone's company.  It was so nice to see everyone and share our excitement for baby.

The weather had been calling for a chance of rain, but it had been sunny and in the 70s all day, which was fantastic.  The shower was to begin at 4, and I swear, I walked out the door at 4 to thunder.  Moments before the boys had come to tell me it was thundering, but I hadn't heard it and kind of brushed it off, but I wasn't to the driveway before I started getting wet and moments later it was raining!  We frantically started moving things inside as people were arriving and some were hesitating in their cars as they arrived.  We were blessed that after about 15 minutes of rain and hustle, it cleared off and ended up being a wonderful evening outside!

It turned out to be a great time and a beautiful evening outside.  We are so appreciative of our family and friends to share in this exciting time with us!

Grocery Shopping

As we sat down to eat some supper tonight before swim lessons, Caden informed me that he wasn't going to go to the grocery store when he was big.  He was just going to stay at home.  He followed up with saying his mom was going to get do his grocery shopping for him. 

Me?  "I'm going to do your grocery shopping?" I asked.

No, he adamantly replied, my mom when I get big.  After explaining I'll always be his mommy, we discovered he really meant his wife. 

Yeah he said, my wife will do the grocery shopping, and I'll stay home. 

At six he has it all figured out.

I wonder what his wife will have to save in another few decades!

We have a new fridge!

Our old fridge, which should have been replaced awhile ago, was dying a slow, painful, noisy and messy death.  There was a condensation issue inside and outside.  There was a temperature issue.  It was unsightly; we covered it in magnets and artwork to hide it's ugliness.  

With baby and summer coming, we decided we needed something reliable that wasn't going to suddenly leave us in a predicament.  So, we finally purchased a new one.

Now I have more room!  I can put a 2-liter of pop in the fridge and it will stand up.  I didn't want to put magnets and stuff on it it is so pretty, but as you can see, I did. 

And the new fridge, it's fantastic.

As long as you don't mind that cupboard door you see to the right of the fridge, doesn't open very far anymore.  Apparently fridges are deeper than they used to be.  We had to focus on finding one small enough to fit in that spot in our kitchen, but we were successful.

I love the freezer on the bottom from the fridge aspect.  It's so nice!  Using the freezer below though, I'm still adjusting to that.   It's kind of weird.