38 weeks

Coranelle learning how to take care of her baby doll.
My own little baby doll.
A daddy, daughter date night.
Snow boots from Grams.
I asked her to smile. This is what we captured. It makes me nervous for her teenage years. Look at that sass!


2 weeks left- more or less. This waiting game is hard to play. I thought that with the second baby, I'd be a bit more patient, but I'm not. I just wish I knew when Sheldon would grace us with his presence. I am ready to meet him.
Last night, I had contractions from about 5pm-2am. But, they were more annoying than anything. I don't think they were doing anything. Most of them lasted about a minute, but they were 3-6 minutes apart and just sporadic. Since they didn't get more frequent or painful, I figure they are just braxton-hicks. I'm having them again today, but not bothering to time them because it's better to just stay busy and ignore them.
Last Friday, I was 1.5 cm dilated. I feel like that is kind of a tease, because that could mean progress or it could mean that I will be like that for another 3 weeks. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for another check. I found out that I am strep B positive again. I am a bit bummed about that because it means that they want me at the hospital 8 hours before Sheldon is delivered to be sure I get two, four hour rounds of antibiotics before he comes through the birthing canal. I was hoping to not be at the hospital for as long before delivery this time, but I guess I have no control over that.
Our bags are now packed and I am getting anxious to hold a newborn again and see what life has in store for us soon. Ryan and I are both wondering how many more nights we will be sleeping through the night. (Although, I couldn't actually say I am currently sleeping through the night). Last night, I kept waking up just drenched in sweat. And, I wasn't hot. Gross, I know. Hormones are crazy. Every time I woke up to pee, my brain would start going crazy. "What if I go into labor in the middle of the night... What do we do with Coranelle? Will this baby like to nurse? Will I make enough milk? How are we going to be sure he'll take a bottle? Will Coranelle still take naps once Sheldon arrives or will he keep her awake? When am I going to pump? Will I get the epidural again? How long will labor be? What will Coranelle think when she comes to visit at the hospital." And on and on my mind goes.
I need to work on being patient and calm. Meanwhile, as I type this post, I've had at least 3 contractions. So, we'll keep playing the waiting game. In the mean time, I'm trying to soak up all of my one one one time with Coranelle and Ryan. We're going to be a family of four soon!

picture update

Below are some pictures from the past few weeks- Enjoy!

Planting my spinach while Coranelle enjoyed the backyard.
She's big enough to climb and use her slide and she loves it!
She got to plant her own set of snap peas. She thought each of those little pink cups needed about 6 seeds, so we'll see how her pots end up doing.
Working on fostering a love of gardening at a young age.
Headed home from our Buena Vista babymoon with a mocha.
Sightseeing and taking long walks at 36 weeks.
My cute hubby!




The view from our B&B. What a great time away!

preparation update

Tomorrow, I hit 37 weeks, which means I will be full-term. How can that be possible? I don't think I have quite accepted it yet. I don't imagine I will be super early. On Friday at my appt., I had a cervix check (my favorite thing) and I am still closed. But, my Dr. said she could feel the little head right over the cervix, so he's in place. I never heard that with Coranelle as she was floating up in my ribs. The Dr. also says it looks like another small baby- 6 1/2 pounds or so. She watched Sheldon squirm around inside me and commented that it looked pretty painful- I admitted that it is. She also measured and couldn't get a very accurate reading because my ribs are so flared- also painful. Then, she asks me why I never complain to her. Well, what can be done? I have a small torso and there isn't much room.

I admitted to Ryan that I was a bit worried that I am not more excited for Sheldon's birth. I think remembering Coranelle's colic makes me nervous about the upcoming newborn stage. I am trying to figure out the logistics of breastfeeding, pumping, coordinating two kids' naps, getting chores done, feeding a family of four, and making sure each kid gets some quality attention and I feel overwhelmed. I promised Ryan that I would talk to the dr. this week about getting a name of someone I can talk to if I experience postpartum depression again. I know that this go around, I need to be more honest about how I am feeling and coping and be smart enough to ask for and receive help. To be entirely honest, I pray every day that Sheldon will be a calm baby that loves to eat. We'll see.

Meanwhile, today Coranelle and I packed our bags for when the time comes. She helped me pick out books, outfits, socks, and toys to put in her backpack. I think she has some idea about what is going to happen because of all the books we've been reading. When I ask here where she will be when I am having baby Sheldon, she says "Grams.. PopPops for a while". I talk to her about how she can come visit us in the hospital and meet her brother. We continued our preparations by going to Target and buying newborn diapers and a few extra bottles for Sheldon. Coranelle got to pick out stickers, books and coloring books from the dollar section that she can take with her when she stays with her grandparents. I have also purchased a breast pump, a new nursing tank top, a bottle warmer, and a used double stroller. Wow- how do you need so much stuff for the second baby?! I have received mountains of hand-me-down boy clothes and have been sorting through and getting Sheldon's drawers and closets organized and ready. His room is adorable and we love how it turned out. Now we just need the baby to complete it.

Until then, I am battling another cold. Wow. But, Coranelle seems almost totally over hers and two of her big molars have come through this past week. The pain of the molars coming through has made her play with her ears and occasionally tug at her hair again. Yikes! So, we are trying to stay on top of using the oragel and Tylenol to avoid any more hair pulling disasters. She is doing so much better when being dropped off places and has moved out of the "up" stage for now. She is also doing much better at playing on her own in the evenings when I am cooking. (I cheat now and then and turn on "Cars" and that helps immensely.) She seems to be getting anxious to meet this brother she keeps hearing about and sometimes squeezes my stomach and shouts "Sheldon... Out Out now". I think that she'll go through a phase after he arrives that she wants him to go back IN. But, she'll be a great big sister.

So, while we wait for Sheldon to come out, I'll try to stay as comfortable as possible. I have to admit that I am not loving being pregnant right now. Everything aches and I wake up 5 or 6 times a night to pee and then cannot go back to sleep! I cannot wait to sleep on my tummy again! And I cannot wait to wash dishes without having to lean over my big belly. Ohhhh, and I really cannot wait to have a margarita!

That's all of the update I've got for now. I hope you're all doing well! Stay tuned for some recent photos. I can't seem to get access to them on the new computer right now.

The calm before the storm

Imagine, waking up without an alarm and hearing the river rushing right outside the cracked screen door. Picture getting a cup of coffee with fresh cream and enjoying it quietly while taking in the views of the snow capped mountains. Those are the mornings I had on our babymoon this past weekend. We stayed at this great Bed and Breakfast in Buena Vista, located right on the Arkansas River. We got to sit and chat with the other guests at the B&B while eating delicious, hot breakfasts. For 6 meals, I didn't have to coerce anyone to eat while my own food got cold! We didn't have to plan our days around naps or what a toddler likes to do or be able to handle. Each morning, we went on 2 hour walks along the river and enjoyed the awesome weather. We got to hold hands and have long, uninterrupted conversations. We drove up to an old mining town and enjoyed driving just to drive. I got to finish a book! We went out to eat for salad and pizza and when they told us it was a 45 min wait, it wasn't a problem. We really really enjoyed our time away and our time as a couple. That's not to say I didn't think of Coranelle every few minutes and miss her tons. She's pretty addicting and such a huge part of my life, it's impossible not to miss the cute things she says and does when you're away. 2 days was long enough and I was craving a hug from her! My family is awesome and it was a fun chance to get away and a reminder of how much we love and cherish our daughter.

We came home to amazingly clean carpets as Ryan's dad, aunt and uncle steam cleaned our floors while we were gone. Our bookshelves were also dusted, our outlets scrubbed and the spring cleaning process was started! The house looks like a new house and it is so exciting to have someone help me nest! Coranelle did awesome with her grandparents and is now prepared for when we are in the hospital.

On the down side, Coranelle's cold seems to have returned this past weekend, after a 4 day break. She has had this cold on and off since mid Jan and I am really wishing she'd get better. Her cough will go away for a few days and then it will come raging back- keeping us awake and accompanied by the stuffy and snotty nose. Sometimes the cough is a barking cough, but she hasn't had much of a fever or been wheezing. Back in Jan, we ruled out croup by calling the ask-a-nurse, but I cannot believe we haven't kicked this. Who knows, maybe it was a succession of about 8 different colds? I do leave her with other kids at MOPS, the rec center and church. But, I don't feel like I can stop doing that as I want her to be accustomed to not having all of my attention, all of the time, when her brother comes along.

So, last night, she got really fussy and seemed really warm. Trying to take her temp with the under arm thermometer is like I've committed some hideous crime. She kicks and arches and screams like I'm killing her. Anyhow, I couldn't get a reading that way, so we got 101 in her ear. She was inconsolable at this point and I called the nurses. They told me that three days of fever and her complaints about her ear hurting after this long having a cold were reasons for concern. She refused to eat any dinner and it was scary to feel her so hot and see her so unhappy. I was up with a very warm child at 3 am and again at 4am and then didn't fall back asleep until 5:30ish (half an hour before we get up).

A bit exhausted, I made a dr. appointment today. It was a rough hour as Coranelle goes nuts when they try to weigh her and take her temperature. I thought it might get better as she got older and you could explain "why" they had to check her out. But, I think it got harder because she is stronger and I am really pregnant and trying to restrain her kicking, screaming and squirming is tough! Good news was that the dr. ruled out an ear infection, pneumonia, bronchitis and then after two tests- strep and the flu were ruled out. So, it seems as if the cold has turned into a sinus infection and my daughter is now on amoxicyllin (her first antibiotic ever!). I am so hoping that she feels better fast as it was sad to miss gymnastics and playdates today. I want her to be back to her energetic, playful self again. And, her refusal to eat ANYTHING is very worrisome. I want her to feel better! I cannot feel 100 percent when she isn't!

While I was taking Coranelle to the dr., Ryan had to take our computer to the Apple dr. due to an "accident" we had on Thursday before leaving. I was cooking Jambalaya for dinner and had the recipe up on the laptop while Coranelle was having her snack. I have been trying hard to stay hydrated and had a glass of water right next to the computer. I got up to add something to the pan and next thing I know, a little person had spilled a whole glass of water over our keyboard. Yikes! My fault for leaving that scenario, but disappointing. Ryan took the whole computer apart and we left it to dry out over the weekend, hoping it would come alive, but it didn't. The help at the Genius bar at the Apple store did not have a quick fix. Our hard drive is undamaged, but everything else is dead. So, we'll be looking into a new computer. Sigh... one of those unexpected things in your budget. I feel terrible for ruining the computer. Meanwhile, I am using Ryan's college laptop. It's one of those old computers that you click on an e-mail and leave for a few minutes to go do something while it loads. I got spoiled with our little Mac book. So, there's the long winded explanation for why I haven't uploaded any fun pictures from our trip and why I am slow with e-mail communication right now. Hopefully, we get the computer situation worked out before I'm needing to send out birth announcements and pictures!

Until then, keep Coranelle in your prayers. We want her healthy again! I hope the rest of you are doing well and are healthy and happy!

Thankful

34 weeks along
Coranelle having fun in the bath while Grandpa Steve was helping babysit.
Showing off her new, green tutu from her Auntie Rachael while testing out Sheldon's new travel bed.
Mom and sisters at my baby Sprinkle this past weekend. I didn't get any pictures of the other guests, but it was a great time and Sheldon and I feel very spoiled and loved!
Nemo to go in Sheldon's ocean themed room.
Two sisters being very good sports at a shower with lots of talk about babies, labors and toddlers.
One of my excellent sprinkle hostesses.
And the other! Thanks for a wonderful time to celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby Sheldon.


Over the past few days, I have just felt abundantly thankful for a lot of things in my life right now. I think I too often take my blessings for granted and get hung up on little circumstances that pass away. Here's my list-

1. I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy and lots of friends and family to support me and help me along the journey. I appreciate the backrubs from my hubby and his willingness to cook dinner when I'm tired or feeling dizzy and off. I appreciate all the help from family to help us clean our house and carpets. Ryan's dad and uncle are coming this weekend to steam clean all of the juice stains out of the carpet! In April, we have a whole cleaning party coming to help me with my nesting. And, in light of the stories I've heard lately about fertility issues and failed pregnancies, I am so thankful that Sheldon has been growing along well inside of me.

2. I am thankful for such a wonderful church. I have found so much grace and truth, strength and encouragement since we have been going to Flatirons. I am so thankful to have a pastor that is authentic and honest and can share openly about the hard things that happen in his own home, marriage, faith, etc. We have met a lot of really great people through this church and I just cannot imagine life without it. I have not always felt this way about church, so this is incredibly refreshing and wonderful.

3. I am thankful for my MOPs group and all of the women that I have gotten to know over the past few months. They are moms that have been really supportive and I SO appreciate their honesty about their own lives, joys, challenges and struggles. I really look forward to our Tuesday meetings. I love that Coranelle is so happy about the two ladies that take such good care of her for those 2 1/2 hours that I get to spend with other adults.

4. I am really thankful for a husband that is so often on the same page as me when it comes to... life. He supports me and agrees with me when it comes to discipline, raising our child and preparing for the next (although he doesn't have the nesting instincts that I do... funny :-) ). He shares my faith, my passions, my ideas about money, and my morals. I know that not every marriage is like this, but I just love mine. I don't know how I would have gotten through those first 6 months of colic without his strength, patience, support, consistency and love. He's awesome and I am so happy to have him.

5. I am thankful to have the rec center so close. Sounds petty, I know. But, there are a few wonderful girls that work in child sitting there and Coranelle just adores them. They are very patient with her and her opinionated and spirited ways. It is wonderful that I can leave her there and know she will feel happy, safe, and comfortable and I can have a few hours a week to myself.

6. I am thankful for our upcoming trip to Buena Vista this weekend- our babymoon- if you will. I am excited for some time away to relax, ignore chores, and spend some quality time with Ryan. We are staying at a neat bed and breakfast, right along the river. I am looking forward to walks, wandering through Salida, finding fun coffee shops, reading, playing games and relaxing. I am also thankful that we have such wonderful, willing grandparents to watch Coranelle so we can get some time away! I'm a little nervous to leave her for two nights, but it will be a great weekend!

7. I am thankful for great girlfriends whom I've met in the past few years. I am thankful for their listening ears, their smiles and their support.

Thanks to all of you who read and offer such great advice and support. Have a wonderful day!

count down

climbing the dinosaurs at the mall


pushing Gerry around on her inch worm
turning our driveway into a masterpiece with Ryan
Cooking
??? Not sure
A special chair while we were making pizza. Don't try this at home, as it didn't end well (A bloody fat lip), but it's a cute picture.
Having a great time on the bridge at the zoo.
Watching the monkeys.
Talking to the penguins.

Thank you so much to everyone for the outpouring of advice. The nursing and breast pump wisdom was awesome and I really appreciate it. We're working on looking for the stroller and pump.

Today marks 34 weeks. That means 6 to go. I cannot believe that we have just over a month until we have our son. When I walk into Sheldon's room, I am amazed that I am going to do this all over again! Do I remember how to care for a newborn? Will he be a happy baby? Am I ready to do the whole nursing thing again?! Coranelle keeps reminding us how she is going to help when Sheldon comes. Someone mentions Sheldon and she says, "Help... new diaper... rockabye... tuck". Then she'll tell us what she knows about babies- "Cry... poopy... milk... little... gentle". I think she's got it about covered!

This morning, I held our friends' baby boy, Liam. He is such a cute, happy boy and every time I see him, he flashes me this huge, adorable, toothless grin. Being around this little guy makes me excited to meet and hold our own son! Won't be much longer.

We keep forgetting to take our weekly picture, but I haven't gained weight in about 6 weeks, so I don't imagine the belly looks much different. We'll try to get one this weekend and I'll post it. I think little Sheldon is running out of room to grow again. I am getting more and more uncomfortable and having pretty intense braxton-hicks contractions. My belly got tight often with Coranelle, but it seems worse this time. It seems to be hurting my back and making me nauseated more often. I imagine it's because I am carrying him a bit lower, but who knows.

What else is new? I'm trying to get in as many special- Mother Daughter days as possible before life changes. We did Monkey Bizness today and the zoo yesterday. We're very much looking forward to the end of flu season and spring time. We have had off and on colds since about December.

Speaking of doing things before life changes, I have another question. Coranelle has never been a "good" eater. I really noticed this during this past weekend when I watched one of her little friends gobble up dinner. I know she is growing (although she's tiny), and healthy. The thing is, she doesn't eat independently very well at all. I feel like I am constantly having to break apart her sandwiches and bread and shove them into her mouth. We really have to bargain and coerce her to eat most of her meals. It's often a battle. A few days ago, it took us 40 minutes for her to eat 2 small chicken nuggets, 2 chips, and a strawberry. I don't think I'll have that luxury once Sheldon arrives. So, I am wondering what I should do to help her eat on her own. Sometimes, she'll help us scoop her yogurt, pasta, etc. with her own spoon, but she loses interest quickly. We know she CAN do it, but relies on us too much. Also, does anyone have meal ideas for little ones. Maybe meals that incorporate calcium and dairy, as she is still refusing milk?

Thanks for reading and for the advice. Enjoy the pictures!