39 weeks

I can't believe I made it to 39 weeks!  Routine OB appointment went well this morning.  My BP, weight, belly measurement, and Russ' heart rate were all normal.  She confirmed Russ' head is very low and down.  Walking around between 3-4cm dilated now.  He can arrive at any time, literally!  I have an induction scheduled for tomorrow morning.  OB seems to think he will come pretty quickly once my water breaks.  She said she anticipates he will be in my arms by early afternoon.  EKE!!!  Am I really ready for this!?!?!  Guess I don't really have a choice in the matter, at this point (perhaps I should have thought about this a bit harder 9 months ago...).  I am sure everything will work out, just as it was intended, in the end, but my anxiety is growing by the minute.  I'm worried about unexpected complications during delivery.  I'm worried my epidural won't work.  I'm worried about post-partum depression.  I'm worried about colic.  I'm worried about nursing (it took me 5 months to finally get the hand of it with Henry...that is a long time!).  I'm worried about Henry adjusting to being a big brother and having to share Mommy.  I'm worried about becoming a crazy, psycho lady from sleep deprivation.   All in all, I'm just worried.  I recognize it is just in my nature.  I am a certified WORRIER.  I would get an A++ if I were graded on my ability to worry.  Having said that, I am SUPER excited to meet Russell, face to face, for the first time.  I can't wait to feel his fingers wrap around mine.  I look forward to kissing his soft forehead and listening to him make baby coos.  And, I have high hopes that Henry and Russell will begin a life long friendship and bond that only brothers can experience, right from the get go. Ready or not, here we go........

38 weeks

Whoa, that shirt is getting a workout!  Waddling around at 38 weeks pregnant is loosing its allure and novelty.  I am READY for Russell to make his grand entrance!!!  Doc says things are progressing "perfectly."  My blood pressure, weight, belly measurement, fetal heart rate etc. are all measuring normal.  Thank goodness!  I'm still walking around at 3cm dilated, 70-80% effaced (and have been for more than two weeks now).  Doc says he "can come at any time.  Your body is ready."  BUT, apparently it is NOT ready, because he's still not here!!!  Patience is a virtue that needs to be practiced...but I don't wanna practice anymore!  Trying to pass the time with grace.  I went and got my very puffy feet pedicured yesterday and made a baby beanie for Russell a couple nights ago.  I've also been brushing up on breastfeeding tips.  Most of all, I have been trying to steal as many hugs and kisses from Henry to help pass the time.  He usually just pushes me away (giggling), saying "TOO MANY KISSES!!!"

Henry's Favorites

It's been awhile since I've provided a generic Henry update.  Here are some of his favorites in life right now:

Henry loves to chase after his remote control car, in particular if his next door neighbor friend/idol Micah or Daddy will drive the car for him.  Mommy doesn't do it right apparently.  It is fun to listen to his squeals of delight as he runs after the car. 

He loves to be outside.  We try to venture outside to play everyday. This picture was taken last night, in between hail storms. 

Henry loves Legos, both Duplo and regular size.  He needs help with the regular sized ones (thanks Daddy for helping build this tow truck), but has pretty good fine motor skills for a three year old (although he still can't really draw a circle to save his life).  He has free-reign over his box of Duplo sized Legos and I am always amazed by his creativity.  His creations usually center around some sort of wheeled vehicle, from a semi truck, tow truck, fire truck, train, tractor, flying car, cement mixer, tanker truck, or just the generic "funny truck."  His obsession with things that move runs deep!

Henry really enjoys "helping" Mommy in the kitchen and the garden.  Baking is definitely a favorite because Mommy lets him lick the spoon clean when we are finished with the batter.  In the garden, he loves to "help" dig holes.  The only trouble is that he doesn't always want to dig the holes where I want to plant the plants. 

Some other favorites:

* Disney Cars (and Cars 2 and Tow Mater's Tale Tales...see a theme...)

* Strawberries, hot dog buns with mayo (no hot dog), pepperoni, raw carrots (whole, not cut up), spaghetti, waffles, cheese crackers, yogurt tubes (frozen), cashews, chicken nuggets, hummus with rice crackers, apples, chocolate chip cookies, ice water with lemon, and fruit leather are among his favorite foods these days. 

* Loves books with pictures of cars/trucks/tractors/trains, Dr. Seuss, and books with flaps

* Paw Patrol is currently his favorite cartoon

* Super soft fleece blankets

* Playing hide-and-seek

* Racing, chasing and jumping

* Parks, in particular ones with bouncy bridges and slides

* Prefers dogs over cats

* Picking flowers to give to Mommy : )

* Comfy clothes (nothing constricting like thick or stiff jeans, button up shirts etc.)

* Country music

* Watching YouTube videos on the iPad

* Puzzles

* Telling stories.  He often will wake up and start telling stories, usually about his cars and trucks.  I love to stand by his door and just listen for a minute or two before getting him up.  

* Tents, both play and real

* Playdoh

* Calling his Grandpa Keith names, like Fartknocker, Spider-eater, Ditch-witcher (hmm...wonder who taught him these names...thank you Grandpa)

* And, of course playing with his MANY, MANY, MANY cars, trucks, tractors, trains etc.  It is a very rare day that you walk down a toy isle or take a trip to the toy store when he doesn't pick something with wheels.  He can't get enough of them!!!  He also is very adept at pointing out every truck or piece of heavy machinery we pass by on the road, and will correct you if you get it wrong (like identifying wheel loaders vs excavators).

15 Years!!!

Am I really old enough to have been with someone for 15 years!?!  Indeed!!!  15 years ago a svelte young man swept a naive (yet already smitten) young woman off her feet for their first date.  Oh how life was so simple and sweet back then. Fifteen years later we have created a beautiful life and family together.  I love you, honey, from the bottom of my heart, always and forever!

Waiting...Nesting...Enjoying the Late Spring Sunshine

As we anxiously await the arrival of Russell, Mama and Henry ventured out to the farm to pick strawberries with Nana O.  We tried to go last week (just Mama and Henry), but only ended up with about 3.75lbs of berries in an hour of picking.  Yesterday, we checked out a new-to-us farm out in Cornelius and picked 24lbs in an hour (helps to bring Nana O who has bionic eyes and arms).  It was a beautiful morning to be outside soaking up the rays and sampling the berries as we filled up our buckets.  I absolutely CHERISH these moments.

In related news, at 36 weeks pregnant, I am definitely ready for Russell to make his grand entrance. Here's just a sampling of things on my recent to-do list and some other related pregnancy tid-bits:

Clean out and prepare nursery.  Check.

Freshly wash all newborn clothes and blankets. Check.

Install car seat.  Check.

Charge up camera battery.  Check.

Pack hospital bag.  Check.

Clean house.  Check.

Fill up gas tank.  Check.

Arrange back-up, to the back-up to the back-up childcare for Henry in case Russell arrives at an "inopportune" time. Check.

Start carrying a bag with an extra pair of pants and a towel in case water breaks at work.  Check.

Delegate, delegate, delegate at work.  Check.

Become VERY anxious about labor and delivery.  Check.

Stop wearing normal shoes (because my feet are too swollen to fit any longer) and slip on the Birkenstocks. Check.

Experience leg cramps (i.e. charlie horses) every night.  Check.

Use the bathroom about 4x more than a normal human being.  Check.

Waddle.  Check.

Soak up as many Henry smiles, giggles and precious one-on-one moments (this is my favorite part).  Check!