The Waiting Game

Well, now all we have left to do is wait.

 Well, that and lots of nesting to do. Actually not really nesting, just flat out cleaning. This baby in my belly makes it hard to do normal cleaning. Like for example, mopping and cleaning the tubs. I'm hoping my wonderful hubby will help me with some of these things this week. ;) 

I had my first weekly appointment today! (I'm 36 weeks and 2 days) I couldn't WAIT to hear what Dr.Youkilis was going to tell me about this baby. After waiting for him to deliver a baby real fast...(how amazing is his job??) he checked me and revealed that I am in fact... 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced! 

Woo hoo! 

I had a feeling I was at least a little bit dilated, this baby is so low and I have been having a ton of Braxton Hicks contractions. I asked my Doctor if he could guess when he thought baby would come what he would say, and he said "Hmm Fifteen Days." I asked him if he just made that up and he said "Yes!" Ha! He of course can't say when baby will come, that is up to Rhetter man. 

I was SO giddy to find out there was some progress though, and excited because I am only 36 weeks, so he might just come early like his big brother Case! I'm not getting my hopes too high though because my big sister was 2 cm and 50% effaced for two entire weeks with her second baby! 

So, for now we wait. 

(...and pack the bags) 

:)

Hello 9th Month!

Well, it's finally here!

I am 36 weeks preggo today, which means I am officially entering my last month of pregnancy!

I am definitely in "nesting mode". I have days where I clean all day, like yesterday for example. I picked up, cleaned up, scrubbed some muddy paw prints off the carpet, hung the new shelves for the boys rooms, did four loads of laundry, and thought about my to do list for the rest of the week. 

Today though I'm going to take it easy, that's usually how it goes. I go go go one day, then the next I rest. I am washing all of the receiving blankets though, I have to get things ready! Matt and I have also talked about how we need to start buying newborn diapers every week, we need to get stocked up before our little guy makes his appearance! We have all of the other basics, thank goodness!

I have a friend in PA school, and after measuring my fundal height she thinks Rhett has already "dropped" and that she predicts I'll be having him around 37 weeks! Ahh! :)

I keep going back and forth about when I think little man will be arriving. On one hand I do think he'll be early, I've measured slightly larger than my due date this entire pregnancy. Case was two weeks early, and my Mom was early with all three of us. I am 95% positive Rhett has already dropped, and I am having a ton of Braxton Hicks contractions. However, I just know that since I think he's coming early, I'm going to scrub my house, be completely ready with bags packed and he'll be a week late. 

It's just the waiting game now!

My Doctors appointment is in two days, we'll see what he says! Hee!

Eight Months!

All of a sudden I feel like I have that huge pregnant belly! 

Rhett's running out of room in there! He's stretching out as much as he can though, I am constantly feeling little feet and elbows pushing their way out, or making their way across my belly. Or, he'll shift in such a way that it takes my breath away! Some days I truly believe he's trying to escape! He is a wiggly little guy! He's also carrying super duper low, I definitely have the pregnant woman waddle going on! 

Next Tuesday I will officially be in my ninth month.I also have my first weekly appointment, and Case will have his second day of "school"! They will be checking me at this appointment, I am so curious to see what my Doctor says about his position, and his thoughts on when he will be making an appearance! 

Crisp, Beautiful, Breathtaking Fall

I always forget how much I love fall. I'm a summer girl at heart, but every single year, those first cool mornings, the changes in the leaves, the promises of pumpkin patches and comfort food, of scarfs and boots always catch my breath and make me smile. 

The change of seasons always reminds me of how wonderful God is. How perfect his plans are, and how beautifully he can transform our surroundings and our lives. Matt and I are so blessed to share these seasons  together, and with our little man Case. We are so unbelievably thrilled to add baby Rhett into this family, and cannot wait to meet him!

Here are a few memories from this fall so far...

We visited Nanny, Poppy, Mamaw & Papaw in Ashland! 

Nanny read to Case, and Papaw played "This Little Piggy" :)

We went back to Boyd's Orchard with Daddy one afternoon...

We played football in the backyard... 

 

 

An Afternoon Spent In The Arboretum

This is Dad pointing to UK's Football Stadium, when we were driving in Case pointed to it and said "FOOTBALL!"

(Daddy was so proud!)

 

They had creative scarecrows set up along the trail, they were so cute!

He was looking for frogs.

Case was cracking up at Grand-dad right after this picture was taken, he shook the tree so the walnuts would fall off the tree!

 

Grand-dad and Case found a hay maze!

Case's First Day of "School"

I can't believe it's already here! I can't believe Case turned two and can now attend a Mother's Morning Out Program for 2-4 year olds. (The very one I taught at while pregnant with him!)

We went to visit on a Monday, in preparation for the following Thursday when I would leave him for the first time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are short days, only 9am-12pm. I had a Doctor's Appointment at 10:30 so I thought it would be the perfect first day for him to attend!

Thursday morning rolled around and I was so excited for him! He did so well visiting on Monday, I knew he would have so much fun playing. When we walked in and I signed him in, it was so weird for me! I felt like I should be introducing myself to all the parents, and helping wash the kids hands before they came into school, playing cars and blocks with all the little ones that were coming in to play. It was so different being just the parent instead of the teacher as well!

Case ran right in and started playing with the matchbox cars. I stayed a few minutes and talked to my former co-workers, then I said "Good-bye Case! I love you, have fun at school!" and left the classroom.

As soon as I got in the car it hit me! This really was his first day away from me other than with family, friends or at the church nursery. This was kind of a big deal! I made sure my phone was turned up in case they needed me, and then ran a few errands before my Doctor's appointment. 

(Doctor's Appointment went well!  I made sure Case was allowed to come visit in the hospital after I had Rhett, and everything about my pregnancy is still right on track!) 

It's funny how hard it is to find something to do when you have the free time! I called my friend Kara and was able to have a quick lunch with her and her Mom very close to Case's "school" it worked out perfectly and I got back just in time to see Case helping put the bikes away on the playground.

I walked through the gate and he spotted me...he lit up and started yelling "Mama!! Mama!!" and ran as fast as he could into my arms. I was literally a puddle of melted mush right there on the playground. :) 

Both teachers told me over and over how well he did! 

"He didn't fuss at all!"

"He sat so well for story time and snack time"

"He did so good!"

"He is so cute!" 

My heart swelled with pride as I scooped up my two year old, picked up the tissue butterfly he made during art and we said "Bye Bye" to the teachers! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of our little guy!