October 8??

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday where we learned that my body is still working on getting into the ripe labor shape it needs to be in. With this, my doctor looked at us and suggested we set an induction date just in case. She's a very sweet doctor, very kind, doesn't seem to think of you as just another patient, but a human being and recognizes that having a baby is a life changing event. And, she always gets two thumbs up from both Kevin and I when she acknowledges Brooklyn the first thing she comes in the room. It makes us feel good that she is including our little girl in the process. Normally you have to wait a week before they schedule your induction date, meaning that October 10 would be mine since I am due on October 3. She said she'd cheat a little and would try for Monday, October 6. That day was full and she doesn't work on Tuesdays, and she wanted to set it up with her and not another doctor, so she scheduled me on October 8. So, if I don't go into labor on my own, October 8 is the day. I would, of course, love to go into labor on my own. I've been having some pretty painful contractions, but they don't stick around long enough to constitute actual labor. I'm uncomfortable, sore and tired, all the normal end of pregnancy symptoms.

While I'm very anxious to meet my new baby girl, I am soaking in all the time I have left just Brooklyn and I, because our world is about to change very soon and there's no going back. Getting this close to our baby girl's birth just makes Kevin and I reminisce about the time right before Brooklyn was born. We couldn't imagine how much our lives would change and how rich they could truly become. It's amazing how much a baby changes your life. It's something I wouldn't change for the world though. I absolutely love being a mom, nothing in life is more satisfying and rewarding. Just gazing at Brooklyn from across the room, watching her deep in play and realizing that she's all mine and something that Kevin and I created is just the most incredible feeling. Before I got pregnant this time and even for the first few months, I wondered how I could possibly love this new life inside me the same way I love my first born, but I really believe that your heart grows bigger with each child and I am already head-over-heels in love with my baby girl. I just am extremely eager to meet her, to hold her in my arms, to see what her precious face looks like, to kiss and cuddle her, to look into her eyes, to comfort her, to protect her and to introduce her to the world.

So, October 8 may be the day. The Lord only knows the answer to that question. But, I'd like to throw a question out there to all the moms that are reading this. What did you do to induce labor? I've heard lots of suggestions from eat lots of baked beans to run up and down your stairs in your house 10 times take a break and then repeat for seven times. What worked for you? I'm ready to give a few things a try to see if my baby girl will decide to arrive on her own without an induction.

Maybe, Sometime...

Maybe, sometime soon I'll have this baby. For a person who was not gifted with an incredible amount of patience, the wait is killing me. I know I have a week and two days left until my due date, but I am so ready to go into labor at any moment. My body is telling me something could potentially be happening, but that doesn't mean it will happen right away. I remember being like two centimeters dilated with Brooklyn for a long time and she wasn't born until after her due date. This time around, I have gotten myself so ready that I am already acting like I am passed my actual due date. I am just that ready to welcome my new bundle of girlie joy into my world. Will she come tomorrow? Saturday? Or two weeks from now? I have no clue. It will all be according to God's plan and while that should keep my mind and heart at peace, it's not. I'm trying to be patient, but it's not working so well. I just really want to hold my little baby girl and introduce her to her big sister and begin the next stage of my life as a mommy of two precious little girls. I'm just so ready...please, oh, please, let labor begin soon!

The Waiting Game

We've officially entered the stage of pregnancy that I call "The Waiting Game." This is the period when my baby could be born, and she would be okay healthwise, but at the same time, I want her to stay put until she's just a bit more baked. (I know, the comparing the womb to an oven seems odd at times, but I guess it makes sense.) So, we wait. We don't know when she'll decide it's time to join our family. It could be tomorrow, it could be on my actual due date, or it could be after it. I was two days late with Brooklyn and I remember those last four weeks just droning on forever and ever. I never thought that the days would pass, let alone weeks. But, they finally did and what did we have to show for all our waiting? Our precious Brooklyn.

To be honest, I am not the most patient person in the world. It's something that definitely doesn't come naturally to me, but it's something I work on every day. Having patience as a mother is pretty important especially when you're trying to set a good example for your kids and help them gain this trait. I will admit that I am not always perfect in this department, actually often times I fail. So, when it comes to having to be patient for the arrival of my baby girl, it's a definite struggle, especially when I keep having contractions on and off all day long and some of them are way more painful than others.

We have her room complete. The walls are painted. The new bumper pads and curtains that my mom made are in their places. The new carpet is installed. All of the baby clothes size newborn to three months are washed, and put in their spot either in the closet or in the dresser. The carseat, swing and bouncer cover are washed and all items are ready to be used. The letters are strung across her wall, announcing that yes, it is her own room. (We're not releasing her name until her birth). Our family room has been rearranged to make room for baby items, such as a baby swing, a Graco bed, etc. The outfit Brooklyn purchased for her is washed and tucked neatly away in our new diaper bag. The only major thing left to do is moving Brooklyn's car seat over and installing the car seat base in the back of the Mommy-Mobile. That and packing hospital bags, but really I don't like to do that too soon because I'm afraid I will have to wait even longer. We even have solid arrangements made for where Brooklyn will go when Mommy and Daddy are at the hospital having her sister. We have preregistered at the hospital and have taken a hospital tour to know what to expect on the big day. And, my weekly doctor's visits begin next week.

But, there's still one thing that is missing from all this baby preparedness and that's our baby. Brooklyn asks me from time to time when her baby sister is coming. I tell her I don't know. One time she responded to her my not knowing with "maybe November." Hmm, baby girl, I don't think so. That would drive this pregnant mama a little insane, and besides my doctor wouldn't let me be that overdue. But, when she said it, it did bring a smile to my face.

We cannot wait to meet our little girl. The one that we found out in January we were going to have. The one that we struggled (I mean really struggled) to come up with a name for. The one who will reside in the purple room in the southwest corner of our home. The one who will make our first-born princess a big sister. The one who will depend on us for everything that she needs. The one that will grow our hearts even more. The one that will change the dynamic of our family. I am reminded of the saying that the best things come to those that wait? So, I guess, let the waiting game begin...

A little update

There's been so much activity going on in our little household, here's an update of some of the highlights...
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Our baby girl's nursery is painted. Thanks to nods from my doctor's office and Brooklyn's pediatrician, we made it a family affair. I had been obsessing over what colors to paint the room for over a month and finally as we stood there the night before buying the paint, we reached a decision, a creative agreement on what colors to paint. I wanted a two color scheme, but was having the hardest time deciding between purple and turquoise or two different shades of purple. And, then there are the color tones to consider and how to actually paint the room. We decided and painted two-thirds of the room from the bottom up a dark purple and then the remaining third of the room plus the ceiling a lighter shade of purple. With Brooklyn's help, we completed this task on a Saturday morning before lunch. The room now feels so warm and inviting and no longer our office, but the room where our new baby daughter will have just for her.
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Within a span of a week and a half, we celebrated my dad's, mine and my sister's birthdays - all separate celebrations. My dad's birthday is July 7, but we celebrated at a local seafood restaurant on July 12. It was one of the best times I've had with my family. We all had fun talking, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. It was such a wonderful evening, that none of us wanted it to end. We stood outside the restaurant for the longest time continuing our conversation and starting new ones. We went out again this past Saturday for my birthday. Again, a very nice meal, great conversation and great company. And, then yesterday, was our final celebration for my sister's 21st birthday. Kevin took the first official photo of her sipping her first legal drink - a cosmopolitan. I cannot believe my sister is 21 - makes me feel kind of old!!!
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We have finally decided (or narrowed down to be exact) names for our baby girl. I'll admit this has been quite the struggle. Poor Kevin, every time he would come up with a name, I would shoot it down because I didn't like the nicknames associated with, the meaning of the name, the sound of the name or the origin of it. I have been seriously very, very picky over what to name our new addition. With Brooklyn, the name just came to me, and when I mentioned it to Kevin, it stuck as we both just loved it and thought it would be perfect. We hadn't had that feeling with all the names we had come up with the new baby, until now. We have a good list and I don't know if we'll narrow it down to one or just wait and see what names best fits her after she's born, but I can tell you, I am so excited with the prospect of the ones on our list.
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This Saturday marks the beginning of my 30th week. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy seems to be flying by. When I was pregnant with Brooklyn, there is no way it moved this fast. Maybe it has something to do with being pregnant in the summer and the summer always flies by in our household, or maybe it has something to do with having a toddler already. I don't know, but it's flying by. When I look in the mirror, I can no doubt tell that I am pregnant, but it really depends on what I am wearing how much it shows. When I look at my friends that are pregnant or others that I know of that are pregnant, everyone looks so much bigger than I am. I never got too big with Brooklyn, and this baby is turning out to be the same way. At my 28 week appointment, I had only gained 3 pounds. I'm always amazed at this, especially this time, since my cravings have all been sweet and sugar-related! I only gained 17 pounds with Brooklyn and it looks like I might be on pace to do the same this time around. The baby is super active always kicking and moving. Her most active times are when Brooklyn talks directly to my belly button (the baby's ear as Brooklyn believes). It's sweet that they are building a bond even before she leaves my womb. It makes my heart melt to see how excited Brooklyn is and how much she wants to be a big sister.
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And, lastly, I'll leave you with a bit of fun news. One of my closest friends is in the hospital right now in labor. Her due date was yesterday, but after her doctor's appointment today, she was walked over to the hospital and admitted into labor and delivery. This will be her third child. I am so excited for her and can't wait to meet their newest addition. I'm sure it will make me long even more to hold my baby in my arms, but all in good timing, right!?

For My Baby Girl

Tiny movements like tiny kicks
Tiny baby, a mother’s bliss
Can’t wait to give the tiny you
Huge hugs and lots of kisses too

What tiny dreams you might have now
I would understand someday, somehow
I dreamed last night, your tiny face
An angel indeed, made from God’s sweet embrace

How else would mommy know
How much her tiny little angel has grown
How else would mommy guess
If her little angel has some requests

I know that somehow you could now hear
Oh, what a thrill you will bring us here!!
Now hush my baby, it’s time to rest
Inside my womb, your own calm nest

My Girls

I don't say it enough, but I really have the World's BEST Daughter! I really do. The kind of girl that melts your heart by wanting to hold you when you're feeling down or tired and tells you "just put your head on my heart Mommy, I'll make it better." The kind of girl that wants to be just like you so much that she'll imitate your every move. The kind of girl that makes you laugh because there's no other response you can give when she throws you for a loop by saying "taking away my toys Mommy isn't going to work." The kind of girl that can be all girly with Mommy but then turn around and two seconds later be wrestling or using tools with Daddy. The kind of girl that can be super shy around everyone but with Mommy and Daddy she lets loose to dance, sing or share one of her funny faces.

How did I ever get to be this lucky to have such an amazing person to care for and raise? How did I get chosen to be her mother? I don't have the answers, but I tell you what, I'm in awe and full of gratitude every day for the chance to spend time with her. She has truly made me a complete person and has shown me how to live life to the fullest and how to have fun every single day, every single moment. And, I thought I was supposed to be the one doing all the teaching!

As the birth of our second girl is right around the corner, I often ponder what she'll be like. Will she be like her sister? What will she be interested in? And, the thought that has crossed my mind several times, will I ever be able to love her as much as I love her big sister, and will we share the same kind of bond? I don't know who she'll look like or what her interests will be, but I know that like her big sister, she will be mine and I have already fallen in love with her. I can't wait to meet and greet her into our family. And, heaven knows, she's going to have one amazing big sister. Oh, I can't imagine how my heart will grow when she is born, but I know it will. I will get to be a mommy to two little precious girls! I just feel so blessed.

Our Surprise

We had a bit of a surprise on Thursday morning when after a second elective ultrasound to learn that we are in fact having a GIRL!

At our first ultrasound, the technician guessed that it was a boy because he didn't see any girl parts and thought he saw some boy parts. So, we began preparing for what a baby boy would be like in our family. We had a name already picked out and we began designing (in our minds) what the nursery would look like. My mom made Brooklyn's bedding and curtains and has offered to do the same for this baby. So, this past week, we made a trip to look at fabric swatches and found a pattern that we just loved and thought would fit the room just perfectly. We took along our camera and shot a few photos of each of the fabrics. We then designed a theme and idea for painting the room. We, of course (and thank goodness) didn't make any purchases.

So, there we were getting ready to walk into the ultrasound office to get a chance to see our little man again. Brooklyn had been talking about how excited she was to see her brother again. As the ultrasound began, the technician told us he would try and determine the sex of the baby for us first, or just confirm that we were having a boy. After watching our baby's bum for about five minutes, I asked the technician if he knew yet. He responded with, yes, he knew right away but was trying to get a clearer image for us to be able to see. After moving around a bit more, he focused on these three little lines between the baby's legs, indicating that this baby was actually a girl NOT a boy. In fact, the technician didn't know how anyone could have thought this was a boy, but said he has seen this type of thing happen a lot. I looked over at Kevin and he looked at me. We were both in shock and truly surprised. The technician carried on with the ultrasound showing us the baby's face, hands, feets, back (a very straight spine), rib cage, etc. He went back a few times to the baby's bum and each time we saw those three lines confirming a girl would join our family around the beginning of October.

Now, we are back at square one for names and room decor. But, that's really okay. It will be fun coming up with both. As we told our families and friends about our new realization, some asked if Kevin was okay with the news. He, in fact, is very thrilled and excited to be having another little girl. He absolutely adores Brooklyn, and even though she's a girl, she loves to pick up a hammer or screwdriver and help him fix things around the house. And, she is fascinated when he is shaving his face in the morning to the extent of pretending to shave her face too. She is very sweet and affectionate sometimes too, and he just eats that up.

Who knows what our new little girl will like and be into, but we are very excited to meet her and welcome her into our family, and we know that the relationship between Brooklyn and her will be something worth watching! And, yeah, I'm excited about having another little girl in the family...girls are so precious!