37 weeks down, 3 to go!

Since it's close to Halloween, I thought I'd scare everyone with a bare belly shot at 37 weeks. Loving the glare from the flash and the lovely line down the center of my ENTIRE belly. That just happened to show up a couple days ago. I told Adrian it'd better be the FINISH line!

I had another appt this morning {I feel like I live there lately!} and found out I'm 2cm dilated, at -2 station and 60% effaced. Progress! I was telling Adrian last week I'll probably go overdue because it seemed like NOTHING even hinting at my body preparing for labor was happening. However, in the past few days I've had a ton more contractions and cramps. Nice! I'll give it another week and a half before I start doing squats and running up and down the stairs. Oh, and the neighbors have a trampoline, I'll have to give that a go too. ;)

May the Force be with You

 Lately Thomas has taken quite a liking to Star Wars, and of course, Colin follows right along! So suddenly the Transformers have taken a back seat to light sabers and the boys are running around in Star Wars gear. What I thought might be a passing fad has now morphed into a real obsession. Adrian's thrilled. Me? Don't tell anyone, but I've never been able to even sit through all of the movies. I mean, in my defense, there are what- 83 of them?!

Colin got a light saber for his birthday and used some birthday money to buy the Darth Vader helmet. I think they both look super cute during their little battles. I swear I saw a light saber on Adrian's Christmas list too.

35 Weeks and Counting!

The end is near! I can feel it! I hit the 35 week mark last week and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank heavens too, I don't know how much more I can take of this pain in my ribs. Little girl needs to DROP!

Other than the normal aches and pains, I'm actually doing very well. Baby girl is measuring right on track, which is not normal for me! Normally this is where I start getting more ultrasounds and Non-Stress Tests because I'm measuring small. Not so this time! Everything really looks perfect. My blood pressure is normal and there are no other causes for concern. Odd! I've never had an end of pregnancy quite like this! I'll take it though.

We've just about got everything ready for her arrival. I normally try and have stuff done by 36 weeks. Hailey came on her own at 38w and Colin, at 39w3d. I know I have a few more weeks, but I have big plans to spend those weeks laying around eating bon bons. Until I hit 39 weeks, then I'll walk as many stairs as I can manage and pray I go into labor!

I just finished up a few more things in the girl's room today, so I'll have to get Hailey to pick up her toys and I'll take some more pictures of it. It's cute!

Colin's 3rd Birthday

Colin turned 3 in early October. He's been super excited about his birthday for weeks. One morning he ran up to me and said, "Mom! I'm almost 5!" I reminded him he was actually turning 3 to which he replied, "Mom, what's after 3? {4} and what's after 4? {5} See! I'm almost 5!" Ok babe, whatever you say.

We took the kids to play at Hollywood Connection a few days before his birthday. It's a fun little place and I can't remember if I brought the camera but forgot to take pictures, or that I just forgot the camera entirely, but we have no record of the event whatsoever. So you'll just have to trust me- we went, we had fun!

The day of his birthday we had family over in the evening for cake and ice cream. Unlike Thomas, Colin isn't afraid to show his love of chocolate. I asked him several questions about his cake and he replied, "chocolate" to them all. So that's what he got- a "Death-By-Chocolate" cake. Yum!

 Colin got a few dollar bills in cards and he cracked us up! He has zero concept of paper money at this point and he'd let every single bill fall to the floor each time, like it was a piece of garbage. "why do people keep putting these green papers in my cool cards?!"

Just after blowing out the candles, I tried to get every one's attention for a quick "look over here!" picture. Everyone cooperated, except for Colin. Can you see what he's doing instead?! Little stinker!

Thomas' Baptism

Being as Thomas turned 8 this year, the next big event was his baptism! In the LDS faith, kids are baptized when they're 8. It's considered an "age of accountability" and is a pretty neat event. We had his on Saturday, September 24th. The place was packed- we had lots of family come, but being as it was a Stake baptism day, 8 kids from other wards were also being baptized. Thankfully, we got to go first!

Adrian performed the baptism as family gathered around and watched. We felt so blessed to have so many family members there! This side of the family is getting pretty big! I remember when there was only adults...now the kids outnumber us!

We had a luncheon across the street at the clubhouse afterwards. It was a fun occasion. Long day, but fun!

Thomas' 8th Birthday!

Thomas turned 8 in early September and we had a little family party to celebrate. I'd say something all mushy like, "my widdle baby turned 8!" but seriously- look at him! He's not my little baby anymore! He hasn't been to the Dr for a while, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was still in the 90+% for height. He's skinny though- really, look at Adrian and I. The kid doesn't have a chance. {None of them do!}

Thomas has decided over the last couple months that he doesn't like chocolate. Sure he still eats it all the time, but it's his new thing. So he wanted a chocolate-less cake. His favorite cookies are Snickerdoodles, so I suggested a cinnamon cake and he was sold. I even made white-chocolate cinnamon letters and shapes for decorations. He loved it!

His birthday was on a Sunday this year- and one that we had plans to go see a baby blessing on- so we celebrated a lot the Saturday beforehand. Adrian is so creative. He had this idea to suspend yarn all over the house in a maze-like game that Thomas followed to get to his presents. I had in my head what he was planning, but his plans were a bit larger. He strung that yarn EVERYWHERE. Thomas woke up, Adrian explained what he had to do and my word, Thomas was SO into it! It took him a good 40 minutes to follow all the yarn around the house, then he finally got to open some presents! All while following the yarn he'd roll it up into this perfect little yarn ball. He apparently has WAY more patience than I do! I gave up watching after 10 minutes and went to make breakfast.

We took the kids, one of Thomas' friends as well as Kory, Raz and their family to a bounce house place to celebrate Thomas' birthday. The pictures are terrible, but the place was really fun. The verdict is out as to who had a better time though- Kory and Adrian, or the kids?!? Hmmm...