I have been having contractions since Saturday evening. UGH! Of course, one of the few times I cannot get them calmed, my doctor is out of town. I honestly didn't think (and I don't think the doctor did either) that I would have problems this week. I haven't had a bout of contractions since February. I have had a few here and there, but nothing continual that wouldn't stop. Ended up making a doctor's appointment for today. Thankfully my doctor had thrown out a few names of other doctors that practiced similarly to himself. They did an(another) ultrasound. Everything looks okay....Guess my body is prepping itself for the real thing. It is truly confusing. Some of my earlier contractions did effect my cervix. Therefore, when should I be concerned? When should I just ignore them and stay on the sofa? 4 days of contractions and they are not doing anything major to the cervix....Anxious for my doctor to get back. Seeing a new doctor was fine, but it will be nice to have my own doctor back to consult with.

Baby's room is continually in progress. Still trying to decide on a paint color.

People bringing meals has ceased. So far, we have done okay. Matt's mom sends things periodically. Matt makes easy meals, as long as I have the ingredients on hand. And our babysitter is willing to help cook on Fridays when she is here. She is great about prepping things ahead too. And thankfully, we have a few things left in our freezer that are made up. And of course, Matt is capable of picking things up. I truly MISS COOKING! I wish I could just do it myself.....

Picture on the right is of Lily and Matt on Easter. The other one is today. She was so stylish (and yes, she uses that word). I had to take a picture!

PS Funniest thing Lily has said recently, "I cannot eat my pasta! The noodles are too tangled!" She was upset, shrill, adamant. Once her pasta was cut into pieces, she ate it.....OCD??

Baby Land

Getting ready for a new baby is a big undertaking (especially when relying on everyone else to do most of the work)! It has been unusually big for us this time and there are several reasons for it. Lily moved rooms, we are going from a girl to a boy, there will have been 5 years between Lily and this baby (all of the baby stuff has been stored in the basement and needs cleaned, organized, etc). We received baby clothes from my sister-in-law, so we have been going through those. And then there is the fact that I am on bedrest and must not "shop" for diapers, accessories, decorations, etc via the store. I do it all online. And actually, most of the time that's easier.....I search, click, and it is delivered. However, we have so much STUFF going out, so much STUFF moving rooms, so much STUFF arriving, so much STUFF to wash and find a new place for. It is somewhat ridiculous and almost makes me feel gluttonous.

Because the STUFF is getting to me (and my closets are filthy), Bea and I continue to clean out/purge closets. She is the best! I lie on the bed. She empties out closets and puts them on the bed. I make piles of give away, sell, throw away. She redistributes them to the appropriate area. It has been MARVELOUS! She mentioned the other day that once the baby gets here I will feel so good about taking the time I need with him because our house is organized and at least that will not be hanging over my head. I think she is right!!! Drawer by drawer; closet by closet we are creating a serene environment for us to live in after baby is born!



Had my weekly checkup. Baby looks BIG! His face took up the whole screen (it used to be that you could see his whole body on the screen) and is becoming vivid. It makes me excited to meet this little man. My hopes continue to grow. It will be a huge celebration when we welcome this baby into our family. It is still somewhat surreal. I think I will be on bedrest for a few more weeks. Am feeling a little bit freer to get up a bit. (Freer meaning I feel more confident to answer the door, help in the kitchen, drive myself to the doctor, make simple foods) I know I still need to be careful though. I am not YET going out to eat, attending church, taking Lily to school, doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, etc. Today starts week 31. My doctor put it something like this--we are moving from talking about the odds of survival to talking about the amount of time he would have to stay in the NICU. Meaning, soon we will not be talking about whether or not he will live or what his odds of disabilities are, but we will soon be talking about how long he may have to stay at the hospital.............That in and of itself will be a wonderful change of topic. Every week dr. and I discuss odds, precautions, pains, options, etc. Again, it is surreal that soon we will not have to think about those horrible odds any more.

Continuing to stay positive. Continuing to praise the LORD for his mercy. Continuing to ask HIM for a healthy baby!

PS I am making up for the not gaining much weight comment I made. I gained around 6 pounds in 12 days.....YIKES! Time to stop eating chocolate cake!

Doctor's update

Quick update for now. Doctor's appointment was today. Everything is still looking great, all things considered. Bedrest is still necessary....

Nameless Baby Boy is measuring 3lbs; 8 oz. He is still measuring a little big every week. I think it will still be a May baby. Mid May. Hopefully not Lily's birthday. She's already been having a fit about not wanting us to be at the hospital on her birthday. Worse things can happen, but to her it is a huge deal!

Third trimester symptoms have kicked in. Unable to get comfortable, lots of back pain, etc. However, I am really not complaining because this baby is still safe inside!

I have not gained much weight. Therefore, this baby doesn't have much room to move around. Between this week and last I gained 2 1/2 pounds though.....Maybe 3rd trimester will fatten me up. I am more hungry, so that is likely.

I cannot seem to "keep up" even on bedrest. Somehow my days fly by!

Lily's new closet got installed this week. It looks fabulous! Will have to post some pictures after her room is complete.

Lily has been asking very detailed questions about babies, nursing, etc. She knows much more than I did when I was pregnant for her! Filtering some of it is challenging. She keeps asking more and more questions even if Matt and I think we've covered it. She loves to know how things work.........