Progression of a baby bump

 14 weeks

 18 weeks

 

24 weeks

 29 weeks

 32 weeks

 35 weeks...

Not sure how much longer Russell will stay put.  Doc says I'm 1-2 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  He could come at any time or several weeks from now.  Only time will tell.  What I can say is that reality has definitely set in.  I am getting more and more anxious about the whole "exit strategy" part of this story.  Very excited to meet my baby boy though.  The nursery is ready and waiting for him.  When I opened the box of newborn sized diapers earlier today, I was shocked at how TINY they are.  Amazing how quickly I have forgotten just how little Henry once was...because he is HUGE now.  Case in point, he is taller and heavier than the 5 year old neighbor he met this weekend!  I am hoping to get a few more work projects buttoned up before I jet for a few months (from professional life that is), but other than that, I am feeling like I'm pretty well prepared on the work front.  Other than a bit of organizing that needs to be done around the house (created by re-purposing my craft room into the nursery), I think we are ready to welcome our new son home without too much fuss.  

Happy Memorial Day

This past weekend, we took our annual trip up the cemetery with my folks to pay our respects to my Dad's parents and grandparents.  We got lucky with the weather, which was dry, because it isn't always the case this time of year.

Henry liked carrying the flags the best.  Thank you (Great)Grandma and (Great)Grandpa English for your service.  Thank you "Grandpa Jim"/Dad for your service too!  It was fun trying to explain the differences in the military branches to Henry since my grandparents served in the Navy and my dad served in the Air Force.  Henry thinks all military personnel are "Army men that shoot the bad guys."  I think he might have some learning to do.  : )

The groundskeeper at the cemetery gave Henry a lollipop.  This definitely made the trip well worth it, at least for Henry!

The long weekend was also filled with lots of time outside for Henry, chasing his remote control car and digging in Mommy's garden (much to my dismay).  Ryan barbecued ribs for me and we had a nice visit with some friends. Thank you Nick and Mary for the lovely visit, it was so great to see you guys!  I really enjoyed watching my dad play Legos and Hot Wheels with Henry, since he doesn't get very many opportunities to do now that he lives/works on the coast.  Russell's room is also finally coming together.  Ryan and my dad moved some of our furniture around this weekend, so the nursery is now starting to look like a bedroom, rather than a storage locker.  I spent last week painting the nursery (after getting the green light from my OB of course!) while Ryan was out of town.  Now I just need to hang up some pictures, do some laundry and dig out some of Henry's old baby toys and books (not that Russell will really be interested in them for a few months), and we will be ready for Russell to arrive.  I can't believe we're about to become a family of four.  Eke!!! 

Rainy Sunday - Visiting OMSI

 Last Sunday, Henry and I ventured out to one of our favorite museums, OMSI.  It's a perfect place for some indoor fun on a rainy morning.  He loves the sand pit, which has ultra fine sand with plenty of "diggers" and buckets.  He also really enjoys all the water features.  This is really no surprise given he has loved sand and water since he was itty bitty.

 My little scientist.

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The trip was completed with a purchase of a new recycle can, which Henry instantly fell in love with when he saw it as we walked past gift shop (gift shop marketing is genius...or ridiculous...depending on your perspective).  Henry still has an obsession (which started nearly two years ago!) for garbage trucks and garbage cans.  I am always fascinated by what little kids find joy in...like $5 toy recycle cans.

 

All that playing, made us hungry for lunch.  Henry is such a great lunch companion, especially when we go to one of his favorite restaurants, Old Spaghetti Factory.  The recycle can had to come with us too, of course!

Preparing to say good-bye

How does a person really prepare to say good-bye to a loyal friend?  Someone who has loved you and you have loved back unconditionally?  That is the challenge we face in our household as we prepare to say good-bye to Sophie. She was recently diagnosed with chronic kidney injury (what used to be called chronic renal failure).  In other words, her kidneys are failing her.  There are no known causes, prevention or real treatment options.  Her days are limited.  The only saving grace is that her vet says she isn't likely in pain, but she doesn't feel good. She has rejected eating dog food, so I have begun to cook for her, but she's begun to get a bit finicky about that too. I am thankful for each day she's still with us, but I'm completely heartbroken over the fact she is dying. I'm not ready to say good-bye, but I know the day will come in the not too distant future that I will have too. I am so very, very sad.