A DATE!!!

We officially have a baby date!!!! Our newest baby boy will be here no later than June 23rd!!! That's right, my doctor set up an induction day!!! Today's appointment was crazy - they were super-busy as my doctor has been on vacation for two weeks. It was good to see her and hear about her trip but even better to plan our baby's arrival into the world!!!! I am one centimeter dialated (up from "not even close, honey" last week) and 75% effaced (again up from "someone wrote 50% in your chart but I think you're less than that"). She's actually thinking baby might not make it until June 23!!! Doctor's prediction is that baby will be in the 7 pound range. Now we're just waiting for our healthy, little boy!

Wonderful Weekend

We had such a great, low-key weekend! We took Nicholas to a petting zoo at the library, played in the pool, a trip to his favorite park, & just had a great time! Jason has been wonderful - cooking so many meals to let me take it easy! He made gnocchi (with his very yummy sauce), egg sandwiches, and attempted to make stuffed burgers (not his fault they didn't work!!!). Everything else in our world is fairly uneventful. I have felt quite sick to my stomach since last Wednesday/Thursday. I don't get hungry or want to eat anymore. In fact, the smell of Pizza Hut made me so queasy! Sleeping is a luxury I am no longer allowed! With all the annoying symptoms of late pregnancy, we are so excited to even BE here!!! Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks pregnant! Hard to believe! Saturday was the point of the "pregnancy/birth" when we brought Nicholas home from Children's Mercy - he was more than 3 weeks old!!!! What a difference! Later today I see my doctor - thank GOODNESS she's back from vacation!!! We'll post again if there's anything to report!

Bowling with a 3-year-old??

For anyone who may have a child around the age of 3: bowling may not be right for your kiddo! Whether it was the 6 lb. ball or the awkward roll/throw, Nicholas was minimally successful at bowling. I think he enjoyed himself... Even with the "bumpers" up, he had many a gutter ball! The most painful part was the waiting. It seemed to take FOREVER for the ball to get down the lane! Regardless, he had fun with his friend Ryan & loved eating pizza. Unfortunately, bowling and pregnancy do not agree with each other. I tried to bowl, but stopped after several completely terrible attempts! I blame it on my balance! Jason bowled pretty well - the new bowling alley is great!

Last day

Yesterday was Nicholas last day at his babysitter's house. He's been going to her house since he was only 7 months old... I remember the first day we dropped him off - the tears and sadness. Feeling like I was abandoning my precious little boy! I still would tear up if I had to drop him off in the mornings! It was much better to be the pick-up person. Nicholas was always excited to see me at the end of each day. Part of me feels like it's just another summertime - maybe he'll go back in the fall - but now I'm staying home full-time and he is starting preschool this fall (ironically one of his teachers shares the same name as his babysitter!). It's just another transition in his life... I was so emotional yesterday it got me thinking about his first day of preschool, kindergarten, high school graduation, leaving him at college - I could really go on and on. We will miss his sitter & their family terribly, but know good times are ahead for both families.

Another Milestone

We reached 35 weeks a few days ago - my second goal. It is crazy to imagine this baby as being a healthy, on-time baby! My doctor's appointment yesterday went very well - I'm still not dilating and everything looks great! The doctor said she fully expects this baby to reach full term (37 wks)!! I also had the option to decline my progesterone injection yesterday, which I did. Even if those injections are the only thing keeping this baby inside, I think that's okay. If he came into the world now, chances are pretty good he'd be healthy. I just can't imagine having a "normal" birth experience where the baby can stay in the room with us, have visitors, and come HOME when I am released! With Nicholas, I was released from the hospital about 24 hours after he was born so that I could be with him at Children's Mercy. I just don't think I took very good care of myself in those weeks after he was born - he was our #1 concern. Here's hoping Baby #2 is healthy!

Jiggle Jam!

Nicholas & I got to go to the Jiggle Jam Festival on Saturday with friends Merrick & Becky! Although the day was cold & rainy, a great time was had by all! Nicholas enjoyed all the music (dancing is his thing), the jumpy, bouncy things, and the bubble tent. It was great seeing our friends we don't see all that often and doing something DIFFERENT for a change!

Fun at the park

Nicholas & Ryan had a blast at the park last night...

A New Day

So we're many days past our "Nicholas" day and still going strong. Everything is perfect as of today - my Doctor said there is no reason to think this baby is coming early at all!!! The best news ever! Unfortunately, my doctor will be out of town for my next two appointments, so let's hope this baby holds on until she comes back!
I've been thinking a lot about perspective today... strange how the only thing on my mind last Friday was the baby & the potential for early baby/early labor. On Sunday I found out that a friend from high school passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Certainly puts things in perspective, right? Today I will hug my little boy a little longer and tell him how much I love him. Life's just too short.
My great-uncle passed away today. He lived a long and full life. I'll always remember his hilarious (most of the time) internet jokes and the stories he would tell (you know we're related to the Wrigley family - on the Gee side: this always led to a story about the Cubs & not wanting/needing to actually win games - he was a Cardinals fan).

We Made It!

So Jason is ecstatic this morning - our official "Nicholas Day". It was on this exact day of my pregnancy that Nicholas was born. It's crazy to think that as of 4:20pm today, I've never been more pregnant than I am right now! The past few days we've been slightly anxious - our first hurdle has been crossed! Me, I'm already thinking about that magical 35 weeks - the day after Memorial Day - and how I just can't wait to reach that point!
It's been a pretty low-key week around our house. Nicholas has spent some fun days at his sitter's house - especially yesterday as his best friend was there too! He's really enjoying the nice weather - playing outside at every opportunity. Finally the weekend weather looks beautiful too!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all!!! Hope your day is as wonderful as mine! As you can see, Nicholas helped me celebrate today! Nicholas gave me two "brother" picture frames for Mother's Day! At church, Nicholas made me "flowers", a bookmark, & gave me flower seeds! Nicholas had a great afternoon, helping Daddy mow the yard & wash both cars. For a special treat we had dinner at La Fuente! Nicholas had a special dessert - a cupcake from Addison Pratt's baby shower!