Bluebonnet Boy

I have always loved bluebonnet pictures!  I didn't get to take any of Lane last year, and I really regretted it, so I wanted to make sure to get some this year!  We went Tuesday night to Circle C Park right down the street and got some really good shots!  There was a chance of rain and a cool-down coming and I knew I wanted to get them done before Ellis arrived, so I am glad it worked out.  Lane was less than cooperative, but you would never know it from the pictures I got!!!  He slapped on a bit of a fake smile in some, but I was also able to get some cute natural laughs and smiles as well.  The patch of bluebonnets wasn't really that big, so we pretty much stayed in one place and knocked out the whole session in about 15-20 minutes.  Hopefully next year I can get some of BOTH of my kiddos in the pretty flowers!  I think Ellis will be a little too young this year.

 

 

Pregnancy Update: 38 Weeks

With each week that goes by lately, I keep thinking this could be the last chalkboard picture of this pregnancy!  If you had asked me mid-week, I would have said this would probably be the last, but if you ask me now (Saturday night, the 5th) I'd say it's most likely we will have yet another week with the chalkboard.  

At the beginning of the week I was having lots of dull cramping in my lower abdomen, especially at night.  Then Wednesday night around 2am I was having constant contractions that were intense and lasting a long time!!  They went on for over an hour, then subsided.  Then came back around 4 am.  I debated on whether to call the doctor or not, but  I was able to get myself back to sleep since they weren't necessarily regular or in any pattern. By the time I woke up in the morning they were completely gone.  The rest of the week I have felt just fine, with little to no contractions at all.  Guess it was all just a little tease!  

     Taken: 3/31/14

I went to the doctor for my 38 week checkup and ultrasound on Tuesday, April 1st.  Kyle and Lane were able to come to the ultrasound before school/work, and it was confirmed that baby girl is still head down!  Whew! (The doc couldn't feel her head last week and wanted to make sure she hadn't flipped.)  Everything looked great with the baby, who is likely to be rather big compared to what Lane was!  Lane weighed 5 lbs 13 oz when delivered at 37 weeks, and the sonographer estimated that Ellis weighs 7 lbs 15 oz right now!  Given, she already has a week in the womb past her big brother, but still!  That seems huge compared to the little peanut I delivered 4 years ago, especially knowing that she could stay in there even longer.  We were happy and thankful to see all of her organs functioning normally, her sweet profile--complete with mouth movements and practice breathing, and of course, that she was head down and in position for delivery.

Girlfriend has some lips!! And cheeks!

I stayed after the sonogram for my checkup with the doctor, and Kyle took Lane on to school and went to work.  Dr. Schneider ended up being out again that day, but luckily I was able to see one of the other doctors in the practice for my appointment.

Details:

• BP 120/64- still looking good!
• Baby's heartbeat in 140's during ultrasound and 150's during appointment.
• I lost 1.2 lbs since last week, bringing my total weight gain down to 21.4lbs.
• Dilated to a 2 with a "softening cervix."  She said that means effaced, but didn't say how much.
• Mentioned dull cramping in lower abdomen I've been having to the doctor and she said that means labor is on it's way!
• That night after I went to bed was when all the real strong contractions started.  I don't know if it was her checking my cervix earlier that day that caused it, or if it was just practice labor, but it was pretty intense!
• Talked to the nurse the next morning who said to make sure to stay hydrated and watch for patterns in contractions with definite peaks.  

This waiting thing is new to me!  Lane's birth happened so fast.  One minute I was at work, thinking I had almost a month longer to go, and the next I was being induced 3 weeks early.  I didn't have time to dwell on anything, my house was a mess, I had no bags packed, and had no clue what I was in for.  This time around I am pretty much the opposite!  I am mentally ready for Ellis to come, I've been trying hard to keep up with the house and keep it tidy for her arrival, bags are packed, gear is ready, and I somewhat know what to expect as far as labor goes this time around.  Ellis Paige--come on out!!  We can't wait to meet you!

Super Saturday

Lane started soccer on Saturday, March 29, 2014.  He had done 2 seasons with "Soccer Shots" a while back and decided he didn't care for soccer after all!  We ended up taking about a year long break and he played T-ball instead, liking it much better.  We decided to try out soccer again and signed him up for the Spring season with i9 Sports, the same league that he played T-ball through.  Soccer Shots was more like soccer lessons with drills and activities.  This league plays actual games, so we thought he might like it better!

I was all excited because he needed shin guards for this season.  I think little soccer uniforms are so stinkin' cute!  He got a pair of white and a pair of navy shin guards and socks and looks like a pro to me!  I took an absurd amount of pictures of him in his uniform, but he looked so cute I couldn't help it!

 

The team has a short practice before the game and then plays a 30 min game against an opponent.  Lane was a little slow to warm up, but eventually came around and started having fun!

 

Just chatting with the two ladies on his team.  ;-)  Who are about a head taller than him...

Just about ready to start the game!

The team has 8 players, but only 4 play at a time.  Lane would beg to go back in after he was subbed for!  Doesn't he look so precious on the bench?!

Put me in, Coach!

Some serious dribbling

 

Getting a pep talk from Daddy

Lane's team did really well and ended up winning big!  He didn't score a goal, but we were so proud that he did well on defense, dribbled like a champ, and smiled the entire time!  After going into it thinking he wouldn't have fun, it was refreshing to see his big grin while on the field!

Telling the other team "good game!"
 

A team huddle after the game

Gotta love the post-game snacks and juices!

 

Lane took a nice, long nap after his game and was so pumped for Aunt Sara to come over to babysit him for the night while Kyle and I went to a wedding.  They had such a fun time!  They played outside, went to Chick Fil A for dinner, and read lots of books before bed.  We are lucky to have her close by!  It's always nice to have a babysitter you love and trust!

The wedding was for Kyle's friend Cole, from his old company, Bain, and Sarah, who is Kyle's current boss' daughter.  Kyle knew both of them while they were dating, and Cole is the one who introduced Kyle to his current company where his father-in-law is the founder.

The wedding was at the home of the bride's parents and it was pretty amazing!

The flowers were all so beautiful.  These double doors were covered in flowers and were especially pretty.

Here I am at 37 wks 5 days pregnant.  I had to wear a maxi dress to hide my swollen feet and ankles.  It was a tiring night, but I am glad I was able to go!

 

More details...

The pool and dance floor looked really pretty at night!

 

One of the coolest parts was that right after the couple cut the cake, a firework show began across the lake!  You can't see from the pic, but the bride and groom's name was lit up in lights on a deck across the water.

 

I made it until almost 11pm, and we headed home to get some rest! 

Big Brother School

The hospital where I will deliver offers a "Big Sibling Class" for ages 3+ on the last Wednesday of each month.  I am glad we squeezed it in before it was too late!  Lane went to "Big Brother School," as we called it on Wednesday, March  26, 2014.  

Looks ready to me!

 

The instructor suggested each child bring a doll or stuffed toy to "practice" on.  When Kori was born, she "gave" me this doll so I'd have a realistic looking baby of my own.  It was lovingly called "Rubber Baby" growing up, because it is made of soft rubber.  I figured Rubber Baby was perfect for Lane to take!

Looking like a proud Daddy and cradling baby like a pro!

 

Ready for class in front of the hospital!

The class was held in one of the actual labor/delivery rooms so the kids could see where their Mommy would actually deliver.  The nurse that led the class was so nice and really great with the kids.  She spread out a blanket and offered graham crackers and apple juice.  Lane's only other classmate was a little boy named Matteo, who was born March 3, 2010...just 2 days before Lane!  They were fast friends.

Matteo brought an Elmo doll to practice on, so they practiced putting a diaper on him and the nurse talked about diapers and why babies need them.  First, she asked where diapers go and put it on Elmo's head as a joke!

 Look at Lane's face!!  I think she had just asked if he will help change the poopy diapers!

Helping velcro the diaper on.

 

Next, they measured their babies.  She showed them the nasal aspirator, nail trimmers, and other little items and tools that parents might use on a newborn.  

They each got a baby hat to put on their babies and talked about how babies need to stay nice and warm.

Lane's favorite part (besides the free snacks and juice,) was playing with the baby bassinet and taking the babies' temperature.  The nurse gave him some purple latex gloves, so he was pretty excited!

 

He loved pressing the buttons to turn on the lights and heater.

Showing the boys the thermometer.

They colored a picture for their new baby siblings while the nurse answered questions and chatted with the parents.  Then, she read them a book outlining some important rules for big brothers about newborn babies.  

Overall, it was such a cute little class!  Lane already knew a lot of the key points from being around Evin when she was tiny, but the important thing is, he got to see the hospital and the room I'll be in.  I think it will definitely make him more comfortable when he has to come there with us!  He is officially ready to be a BIG BROTHER!