2018 :: 8/52

Monday morning it rained a little bit then snowed off and on all day. trevor and I were really lazy in the morning and both took good naps. Al was off Monday & Tuesday. we all went over to matt & Jodi's for supper that night on matt's new wood pellet grill; it was delicious! then home to bed.

Tuesday morning Trevor and I worked/played downstairs until Al got up then they went outside and shoveled before lunch and nap (T didn't nap). during nap time I had my 40 week midwife appointment. my blood pressure was down, baby's heartrate was down a little (but that's ok because it's been really high), and everything checked out ok. she checked my cervix and I was 2 centimeters dialated but she could easily make it a 3 with her finger. she could feel baby's head and I wasn't very thinned out but she wasn't worried. she also stripped my membranes while in there which can start up labor, but it didn't. afterwards, I ran to kohl's and target for a few things and was pretty crampy the rest of the night (which typically happens after stripping the membranes). but no labor and no baby that night.

Wednesday morning was super cold so trevor and I just stayed inside and did a bunch of crafty/play things. I finally remembered to pre-register at the hospital (was supposed to do that 2 weeks ago) so that I don't have to fill out paper work when I get there in labor.

Al worked Wed & Thurs then was off for the weekend. we didn't do a whole lot the rest of the week due to snow, cold, and being so pregnant and uncomfortable. Al and trevor shoveled Thursday after nap.

mom came down Friday after nap and Al went to pick up our new water heater with her vehicle. once he got it home and matt and Al got it downstairs, Al unpackaged it and saw it had a huge dent in it. so Al hauled it back up, out to mom's car and back to menards; ugh! so frustrating! he returned it and is now back to the plan of fixing our current one; hopefully he gets something up and running soon because these half full, luke warm baths aren't helping quite as much as a real warm bath would. mom and trevor went outside to shovel the back patio and play Friday before supper.

Saturday we just played inside in the morning, then mom and I ran to shopko during nap to try to walk the baby out (didn't work), and by the time we came out it was snowing and snowed all night (we got another 3 inches). Al made chicken wings for supper and mom and I continued on with our 8th puzzle in 1 week.

sunday morning was more playing inside, puzzling, but not getting outside because it was so windy. after supper, all 3 of us played monopoly junior and it was a nice long game that dadda beat us bad at. that night I went over to Jodi's house to watch the bachelor and matt came over to watch wrestling with Al.

Monday morning, trevor and I ran a bunch of errands and then came home and scraped the driveway, swept out the garage and played in the snow since it was so nice out! 45 degrees! then in for lunch, woke up Al, and I ran to get my prescription for the hemorrhoids (which didn't turn out to be there; called midwives at 812am didn't get called back and offered the prescription until 11, walgreens still didn't have it at 120 and didn't even end up getting it that day; so frustrating!) after nap time (T didn't nap) we went back outside while Al got ready for work (Al worked on the water heater during nap time and got the new heating elements in; time will tell if it works better); then inside for supper and a movie before early bedtime.

 playing with his new bath crayons

 working in his workbook

 washing his baby toys for baby sister

making soup for nana

dadda burying him

such a beautiful day out!!

scraping the driveway

 king of all the snow mountains!

 getting some vitamin D & relaxing after chopping ice

trevor and tiny :)

40 weeks and counting... uffda, I've been feeling pretty good and sleeping pretty good but man it's getting uncomfortable! we're trying to be very patient but there's so many unknowns. my feet and hands are swollen most of the time. I have hemorrhoids now too which were just a little annoying until sunday when they started to hurt. bending over is hard as is sitting upright, I just end up squishing her. I've had several days where I've lost part (?) of my mucus plug so at there's little signs that something might happen. Saturday night the couple contractions got a little more uncomfortable so I thought maybe something would happen, but nope. 

before nap one day this week, trevor kissed my belly and said "love you baby sister" all on his own, I didn't prompt him with anything. it was so cute!

2018 :: 7/52

Tuesday Trevor woke up at 5 am calling for me so once I went and checked on him I couldn't fall back asleep so I got up at 6am. I was putting away dishes when Al got home from work and he said he was able to stay awake and kinda liked his 6p-6a shift cuz nothing happens between 3a-6a so he was able to get all his report stuff done. he ate and then went to bed before trevor was up. T and I made smoothies, got ready and headed out to run some errands including dropping off our tax stuff finally (although they won't get done for a bit yet). then we went to Jodi's house to play and have lunch. while there I got really shakey and didn't feel well so had to lay down for a bit, but it went away. I still had some Braxton hicks contractions although I felt some lower down or else baby just moved down a bit as it was lots of pressure. I also had to pee every time I stood up.

I had my midwife appointment at 2 pm and I was reminded why I hate afternoon appointments, because they're usually running behind. but I've got to do afternoon appts now due to Al's new schedule so I don't have to bring Trevor along with me. I actually lost a pound this week (thanks to having birthday treats the week before)! and the midwife didn't think the tightness I've been feeling is contractions so I still have no idea what a front contraction actually feels like. she just thought it was positioning, movement and bigness of baby. she thinks that baby girl already weighs more than trevor did when he was born, 7 lbs 4 oz. yikes! :) her heart rate was 150 so that's good a little lower than the 170s of the last couple times but still definitely on the high side; such a mover. she also had trouble finding her head at first, saying that it's really deep; I take that to mean I may have back labor again (I forgot to ask the midwife if that might be the case) so I've been doing my yoga/being on all 4s twice a day now trying to avoid that. my blood pressure was the highest I've ever seen it but they are not worried about it at all. this appointment was with my favorite midwife, Nanette, that delivered Trevor so I asked her what her hospital/rotation is and she's not on call at the hospital until the 20th and after so we'll see if we get her again or not. :)

Wednesday was valentine's day! trevor and I made a cake Tuesday night and I frosted it Wednesday morning along with making us some chocolate covered strawberries. then after breakfast we headed over to Jodi's house with T's valentines and our cake for a little party and lunch. it was fun! the kids crafted, played, had snack & story time, played bingo, exchanged valentine's, had lunch, and cake. then we came home for nap (T didn't sleep but I did). Al got up about then too (he was off Wed & Thurs). at 330 I got Trevor up and we went outside because it was 40 degrees out and sunny!!! we went out front to clear the driveway just about all the way of snow/ice, get the mail, jump in puddles, and play. then T and Al went in the backyard while I came in to open the windows and vacuum. then Al made supper of fiesta lime chicken burgers and shrimp which was delicious, then a little play time before it was bedtime for T since he didn't nap (and bedtime for momma shortly after).

Thursday after breakfast, T and I went downstairs so I could finish up some of my sewing projects. then we came up and Trevor did his perler beads we got him for his birthday while I got some other little projects done (trying to knock out my to do list before baby/in case she's waiting on that :]). then Al got up and he and T ran some errands. then lunch and nap.

Friday Trevor and I went to play at Jodi's house in the morning; the kids played bingo for jelly beans and then played until lunch. home for nap, see Al a little bit before work, and then T and I went out for fish fry with the neighb's. it was delicious but we had to wait a long time (first Friday of lent) so we didn't get our food til 730 and Trevor ate his entire bowl of mac & cheese!

Saturday it snowed in the morning; we got about an inch. mom came down after it snowed, just before lunch. between Friday and sunday mom and I did 4 puzzles (I set up our folding table in the living room and we couldn't stop :]). after lunch and nap, Al, mom and Trevor went out and shoveled the driveway. once they were done, I went out and mom, T and I walked down to the ice rink at the school and trevor ice skated for the first time! they have a bunch of skates for people to use for free and some handled plastic helpers for newbies. Trevor liked it a lot, lasted way long than I expected, and had fun even though the rink wasn't plowed/shoveled. then we walked back and mom made us supper.

sunday morning we just played, puzzled, mom and T went outside for a bit (it was nice out but a bit windy), and then we had lunch. during lunch mom and I ran to the shed with Jodi. once we were back, T had just fallen asleep so mom left, Al got ready for work, I worked a puzzle, and then got Trevor up.

 I made chocolate covered strawberries and graham crackers for my valentine's

 playing valentine's bingo!

 snack & story time

 exchanging valentine's

 perler bead concentration

 I finished baby girl's quilt in case that's what she is waiting for :)

 ice skating!!

39 weeks! and still the most pregnant I've ever been :) no signs of labor except a couple back contractions Friday night during the night but I think that was from so much sitting in hard chairs while waiting to eat at the fish fry. but that's the only time i'm sure I've had contractions; still unsure what front ones feel like but I've heard they're like cramps and I've not felt anything like that. hard to bend over, sit up straight, put on undies/pants, hard to get up off the floor, but feeling pretty good. definitely waddle at the end of the day and flipping over in bed feels like a beached whale, but can't really complain too much. my feet are swollen and my hands swell by the end of the day or if they get hot.

2018 :: 6/52 :: 38 weeks with baby girl

Al was still off tues-thursday of this week! but then he started on all overnights and started 12 hour shifts on the 11th....

Tuesday morning I had my midwife appointment. it went well; baby's heart rate is still high at 170 (when she was moving) but midwife said that's a good sign that she's so active. we went over some more things that might signal labor coming on in hopes that I can get in and get the antibiotics for group b strep in 4 hours before she comes out. also, she told me there's a mandatory 48 hour hospital stay after birth due to the group b, so at least I know that ahead of time. Al and trevor played outside for a bit even though it was pretty cold out. cam and chloe came over for a bit after supper so we had fun playing with them; they'd not been here in a while. 

Wednesday morning trevor had his 4 year check up. we were happy to see our pediatrician and got to warn her we'd be seeing her again soon with a new patient; she was excited! Trevor is 44 inches tall 99th percentile, 40.5 pounds 80th percentile and perfect! he got 3 shots (flu and boosters for tdap and mmr) and didn't shed a tear; a little whine but he was good. it was a quick appointment and trevor got a new book and 3 stickers. then we headed home and shortly after I had a chiropractor appointment which was much needed for my darn right hip and neck. Al and trevor played outside a again after non-nap.

Thursday morning we crafted and Al worked a little bit on the stuff for the inside window trim. then lunch and trevor didn't nap until 330... but Al and I napped right away! :) then Al made his delicious german pork chops and I made roasted red potatoes for supper. we watched a movie and went to bed.

Friday morning trevor and I went to the indoor sports center play zone with Jodi + 5 kids and jenny, kourtlyn and baby klare. it was super busy but the kids had fun and trevor was super tired. then home for lunch, woke up Al to read books to T and nap. I was exhausted and napped right away but trevor didn't fall asleep until 3; guess we're over the growth spurt or whatever was helping trevor to fall asleep by 130 and nap for 2 hours. after nap we played some more monopoly junior until Al had to get ready for work. then some crafting, supper and a movie.

Saturday morning mom came down since none of us have plans during the weekends (us during the week too) in case baby comes. Trevor and Nana played hot wheels pretty much all day while I got babies room and stuff all situated including moving Al's work stuff from her room to our room. I got the carseat up, the changing stuff all together, found the bottles and nuks, got another load of stuff to be washed including blankets and burp cloths. Trevor napped at 3, I took a little nap, and mom made us meatballs for supper; Al made mashed potatoes too. it was delicious! we all ate together before Al had to work at 7. mom, T and I watched Olympics and played/laughed at hot wheels until bedtime.

sunday morning after our smoothies, I ran to the grocery store in the freezing cold and when I got back I was exhausted! mom and trevor played, made & ate lunch, put T down for nap (he did nap) and then mom headed back home. Al was off sunday and then started 12 hour shifts (6p-6a) on Monday. we didn't do much sunday night.

Monday Trevor and I got a few things done in the morning, did some crafts, and Al woke up about lunch time. I didn't feel great after 10am and pretty much had a solid, upper contraction all day long. it was uncomfortable but not painful and definitely high so I wasn't too worried that it was labor. I was able to take a little nap but once Al went to work at 515p trevor and I just watched movies and the Olympics until bedtime. Monday at 5:41pm I became the most pregnant I've ever been :)

 super golden boy

 he loves his new kindle even though we're still trying to figure it out and get some good games on it for him

 4 year checkup

 monopoly junior and cookies!

I was rolling out my hips on my ball and trevor said he wanted to sit by me, so he grabbed his chair and sat by me the whole time :)

this was my last belly picture taken with Trevor since I had him 10 days early, in week 38... I can't believe it's here already! getting so anxious for when it will be because Al's on overnights now which means I have to wake a bunch of people up, if labor starts in the middle of the night, and worry about taking care of trevor and getting to the hospital.

lots of waddling going on lately especially later in the day. :) I've also been having Braxton hicks (fake) contractions everyday for a couple weeks now. I get them multiple times a day, especially when I get up from my couch/chair as it's a bit difficult for me. Friday morning the first 2 I had were lower than usual but then they went back up high where they usually are (lower contractions can be a sign that labor is starting). i'm trying to be very aware of changes and watching/feeling for signs of labor so that mom and grandpa peter can get here and Al can be aware, but who really knows...

at my midwife appointment it said I had gained 5 lbs in one week but that was also after all the birthday parties. but when I stepped on our scale at home on the usual Thursday morning (my turn day) I hadn't gained much. a total of 35 pounds now where I gained a total of 34 pounds with Trevor. 

2018 :: 5/52

Tuesday morning I had my now weekly midwife appointment and Al was off Tuesday & Wednesday, worked Thursday & Friday and then off for 6 days for Trevor's birthday and just his days off. they start 12 hours shifts and new rotation on February 11th. Al will be working 6p-6a but he has every other weekend off (Friday-Sunday) and only works 3 or 4 days a week. it'll be an adjustment but hopefully a good one. not much at my midwife appointment except that I have group b strep so will need antibiotics once I go into labor and need it to be in me at least 4 hours before the baby is born in order to be effective (it's a fine bacteria for me but can be harmful for the baby to get). so now we gotta hope for not a super fast labor.

Trevor has been in a very dadda mood lately so he and Al played together most of Tuesday & Wednesday while I got all but 3 things done off my long to do list and cleaned the house for Trevor's birthday parties. Trevor also has still been napping well the beginning of this week but has been waking up in the early morning calling for us or wanting to get up which leads to little sleep for me since i'm typically awake from 3-5a.

Tuesday night we went to the neighb's for supper; matt made tator tot hotdish, we brought biscuits and salad, and sue and roger brought dessert.

Wednesday morning Al and Trevor shoveled the 2-3 inches of snow we got and played outside for almost 2 hours (it was nice and sunny out and got cold again for the weekend).

Thursday morning, Trevor and I headed up to the cities and drove right up to our chiropractor for our free birthday month adjustments. then we went to nana's house for lunch. Trevor didn't nap so I got him up at 330 and at 4 we left to go to shane & Jodi's house to play and for supper. it was kinda crazy with the 3 boys (trevor, luke and Henrik) but we had fun. then back to nana's and right to bed.

Friday morning we went to the big children's museum in st paul with cousins ruby, tula, and etta (and tula's friend Lulu) and their momma's for a little extra fun for T's birthday. it was lots of fun and had lots to do. we then had lunch with them before heading back to eau Claire. trevor didn't nap on the drive home but did nap once we got home. mom came down after nap and we played at home until bedtime.

Saturday morning we had trevor's friend birthday party at high roller which is a skating rink but we went for the indoor playground area and mini arcade. it was lots of fun and went so fast! the indoor park was super cool and trevor got to actually play arcades games for the first time! he got to pick out toys/candy with his earned tickets, then we had pizza, cupcakes and opened presents. the attendees were Al, Trevor, me, mom, Jodi, cam, chloe, jenny, kyle, kali, kourtlyn, klare, Kassie, kade, Kinsley, leah, cole, and elise. Trevor had tons of fun. it snowed almost all day Saturday and we got 3-4 inches.

during nap, I went and got a pedicure with jodi; it was wonderful and much needed! after nap, Al, mom and Trevor went outside and shoveled. then Al and I went out to dinner with matt, Jodi, jenny, kyle, jake and Kassie for Jodi and my brithdays (Jodi's is the day after mine). we went to a fancier place, johnny's steakhouse, and it was DELICIOUS!! then home and matt and Jodi came to hang out for a bit too.

sunday morning we had birthday donuts for breakfast and got ready for trevor's last, family party. grandpa peter and auntie althea came from Wausau, and grandpa neil and unc-o came from the cities. it was lots of fun and Trevor had so many presents he pretty much spent the whole time opening and playing with his presents. :) we had a taco bar and then ate the cake auntie althea made; it was delicious. then everyone headed out and we had nap time. after nap (T didn't fall asleep til almost 330) we went over to matt & Jodi's for a little super bowl party. jake & Kassie + kids, Emily, joe, graham, sue & roger, Maggie, Sydney, and a couple others we didn't know were there. it was nice and laid back and everyone brought appetizers. we stayed until almost 8 then home to get trevor to bed and watch the rest of the game.

Monday Al was still off (he's on a 6 day off stretch) so we just got little things done around the house, played with some of trevor's new toys, had lunch, then I napped for an hour and Trevor fell asleep at 1 and slept for 2 hours!!!! once awake, Al and Trevor went outside to shovel the back patio and play for a bit even though it was pretty cold with the wind chill.

 Trevor and Luke; the blondes :)

 cake pop :)

 the skyways in downtown st paul are cool!

 trevor, tula and ruby

 Etta!!

 driving the fire truck at the MN children's museum

 playing with ruby & the ball blowers

 sliding with tula

 first arcade games

 cole and T

 birthday donuts

 giant gummy bear from unc-o

 family party; gpa neil, unc-o, nana, auntie althea, gpa peter

 he got his kindle; what he really wanted

 lots of presents, lucky boy

 auntie althea made him a beautiful, delicious cake!!

 the blanket nana crocheted him!!

 playing with the Frisbee golf auntie althea got him

 super bowl party friends

building the dump truck he got from ruby

this weekend was super busy and brought about lots of hip aches and now pubic bone pain (same as this week with trevor, though). I get really sore by the end of the day now especially if it sit in hard, very upright chairs too much (like in the dining room or at a restaurant). i'm pretty slow at the end of the day. :) whelp, we made it past my goal of not having another baby on my/our birthday!!! now the anxious anticipation of when she'll come and how.... yikes! gotta keep reading my ina may book so I can stay calm about labor and delivery. we probly won't be leaving eau Claire again now until she comes.