Because I like a Challenge.

 Today, I decided to keep one of my friend's little boys so that she could go on a field trip with her oldest.  She has 3 kids and I understand the desire to do things one-on-one with your children. 

She offered to pay me for my time, but I declined.  I just asked that she do the same for me one day.  I'm sure that will come in handy :)

She dropped off her littlest (about 6 months younger than Brighton) just before 8 a.m. yesterday.  It was raining buckets when I loaded the 4 boys into the van to take Chandler to school.  After dropping Chandler off to school the now 3 little ones and I headed to the Museum in Durham.

We had the museum practically to ourselves because it rained ALL DAY LONG!  We mostly kept to the inside stuff and we treated to a volcano (really, it's a tornado) display right away.  In the past we haven't had the patience to always see the volcano (I'm not sure why the boys insist on calling it this) form, but today we got to see it twice!

 Next it was off to play with the large tinker-type blue blocks.  These are always a hit for the boys and I love the big comfy couches for me to sit on!

After playing in another toddler area we checked out the indoor animals.  Here's Emerson pointing out a snake, and Brighton jumping up to see it.

The worst part of the day was making the trek from the indoor part to the butterfly house and the cafe for lunch.  While at the butterfly house we saw one other family that had made the trek and we had the entire cafe to ourselves.  Here at the butterfly house, Brighton spied the birds on the ground.  Can you find them in the picture? 

Also at the butterfly house, the boys enjoyed looking at all the bugs.  Mom is just glad that most (if not all) are behind glass.  Yuck!

After having lunch we trekked through the rain back to the indoor part of the museum and played with the blue tinker-toys again.

We headed home after noon and had to pick up Emerson's older brother from preschool.  As you can tell from this picture, Emerson had a great time.

It certainly was a tiring day for me too!

Nesting and Wasting Time....

I guess you could say I'm starting to "nest".  I'm really not doing all that much in terms of getting ready for baby, because honestly, I don't feel up to it.  Taking care of a household and three boys is more than I can manage somedays and this weekend my hip has really been bothering me, so I've tried to take it easy (relatively).

Derek probably made 7-8 trips in both of our attics this week and weekend gathering things as I would think of them that I needed for the baby.  Like I mentioned in a previous post there would be things I would remember once I started to see the baby stuff.

I did contact our Pastor, and secured this baby's Baptism date in early June.  My loyal blog readers will remember that my grandmother made the Baptismal blankets for Chandler and Brighton.  Before she died, I asked her if she thought she still had material ready to make one for Maverick and she told me right where to find it in her house.  Funny thing is....she had material ready for not one, but two blankets.

A friend of hers took the material and made Maverick's blanket for his baptism.  I finally got around to calling this friend (actually her daughter) this weekend and shipped her the fabric and lace needed for baby # 4's blanket.  Can't wait to see the finished product!

I also managed to pack most of the things that I will need for my brief stay at the Birthing Center.  I have the robe that I normally put on after getting out of the tub where all 3 boys have been born.  This was one item that required 3 trips into both attics and looking through all of my dresser drawers trying to find.  It was driving me crazy that I couldn't find it, but all is well now.  I packed the boy and girl outfits and "emergency childbirth supplies" should we be delivering on the side of the road (hope not!)

All that's left is electronic items like my I-pod with hypnosis tapes, camera, etc... and food!

And here's a time killer for you if you need to waste time.  For Christmas, Brighton got a "Find It" game.  I had played with it some, but started to really try and find the 40 some items hidden in the tube. Well, after Derek and I spent WAY TOO MUCH time looking for the 5 remaining items, including the elusive penny, I managed to find the teacup.  It's actually a metal disk with a picture of a teacup on it.  

I've caught glimpses of the penny, but not enough to bet my life that there truly is a penny inside this tube.  Derek's solution is to cut the tube open and pour it all out.  We haven't reached that stage of desperation....yet.

34 Week Checkup Ultrasound

So I had a check up with the midwives today and I saw Jewel, the midwife that caught Brighton.

It was nice to catch up with her, although I was constantly interrupted by Brighton, Maverick, or both.  Unfortunately, Derek had a meeting and couldn't come to this appointment.  I'm assuming that I was measuring "normal" but didn't bother to ask the exact measurement.  Brighton helped Jewel find the heartbeat with the doppler and he found it on the first try.  It was nice and strong.

Jewel and I mostly talked about family planning after this birth and what my options are.  At this point, I really don't have a clear plan, and luckily don't need one.  When people inquire as to if this will be my last pregnancy, all I can say is "probably".  I'm very non-commital at this point, but hopefully once this baby is born will get a feeling of completeness and can answer the question with more certainty.  Derek seems much more certain that this is the last baby, but hasn't made an appointment for a vasectomy :)

Jewel talked to me about placenta encapsulation and if it's something I would consider.  For those of you who have no idea what this is, basically it's consumption, in some form, of the placenta by the mother after the birth.  The idea of placenta sushi is completely gross to me, but I would consider it in other forms such as pills and/or teas.  There are many documented benefits to this including helping with anemia and also post-pardum depression.  It is also linked to better milk production in the mother and more energy.  From the little research I did, it seems cost-prohibitive at this point since it can be upwards of $200.

I was also treated to a very crude ultrasound that I recorded on our flip.  I can hardly tell what I'm looking at, but this does prove that the baby is head-down and ready to go.  My next appointment is in two weeks, and then it's every week after that until baby appears.

CAN'T WAIT!!

21 Days and Counting...

Wow!  34 weeks today!  That means I have 21 days until I'm "full term".  Anytime after that date is fine with me (do you hear me, baby?)

That also means Mommy Daddy needs to get started on the "nesting" activities that I cannot do myself.  

So last night we finally starting reading the library we have accumulated of books to prepare siblings for the new baby.  I still think that C & B think I'm having a two-year-old, because they refer to the baby as Maverick's baby friend.

Another thing that I wanted to get done before the new baby comes is to get our resident baby (Maverick) to give up his Me-Meat (binky)

I think Derek was more hesitant to do this than I was because he knew he'd be dealing with the majority of crying (if any) that came during the night.  Being pregnant, I get to bypass night-time duties for the most part.  We let Maverick have his binky for one final naptime on Friday, 2/8.

Here he is waking up for the last time with his binky.

Derek thought that having Maverick throw a binky in the trash would help him understand that there were no more binkies.  The jury is still out on whether this technique helped any at all.

Anyways, before bed, he threw away a binky and was so quick that I had to take another picture to show it in the trash.

Binky in the trash:

Overall, the transition away from the binky went very well.  There was some crying (about 1 hour) on the first night and some shortened naps for the next few days, but we seem to be over the hump and binky free.  Hooray!

 So here I am at 34 weeks!

Here are some other things that are on the to-do list:

1. Install Carseat in Car
2. Pack bag for birthing center
3. Buy Birth Day cake for baby # 4
4. Get baby paraphernalia down from attic (Boppy, bouncer seat, snuggle nest, swing, clothes, blankets, probably more stuff I'm forgetting...)
5. Keep practicing hypnobabies
6. Get everybody (but me) a haircut
7. Try to relax and enjoy these last days as a family of five!

Lemurs

Catching some rays at the Duke Lemur Center

Today we visited the Duke Lemur Center.  Not realizing the Lemurs would be hanging out indoors, as opposed to our visit last summer, we didn't get to see as many lemurs up close as before.  Oh well, we still enjoyed our visit and hope to visit again someday.  Daddy got to join us, so that was a real treat!

More Snow

 Today was another snow day.  The flakes were coming down from mid-morning through most of the day.  They would taper off and get smaller at times and didn't amount to much, but the boys were so excited!  They said that it looked like somebody was tearing up bits of toilet paper and throwing them into the air (yes, some flakes were that big!)

They went outside for about 30 minutes or so and ate snow off the car, ran around, threw snow at each other, got wet, got muddy, got cold, and came inside.  Mom was left with the washing and drying off of  coats, hats, gloves, and shoes.  Fun times?!?  Depends on who you ask.

It's Fun being the Only Child

Today, Chandler had a teacher workday while his brothers had preschool.  That meant he and mommy got to spend the morning together doing fun stuff!

We started the morning out by going to an IMAX movie "Born to be Wild".

We were the absolute only ones in the theater!  I'm not sure that has ever happened to me before.  I think this is Chandler's third movie in a theater, so it was a real treat for him.

After the movie, we headed to Krispy Kreme for a snack.  Mommy had coupons for two free doughnuts from Valentines' Day, so that worked out perfectly.

Finally it was off to Chargrill for Lunch where with a gift certificate and a coupon, lunch only cost $3 for the pair of us.  You'll notice "Sparky" from AWANA is in all these pictures since it's Chandler's week to have him.

It is nice to be able to spend one-on-one time with your children.  Their personality really comes out and it's less stressful than dealing with the fighting (that can sometimes come) with more than one in tow.  I know Daddy was jealous.  Don't worry.  He will get to have fun with the whole family on Monday when we head to the Duke Lemur Center.

Feeling the Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was a very busy day for us.  We stared the day with the big boys having dental checkups.  No cavities!  Hooray!  Then it was off to take Chandler to school for his Valentine's Day party.  

After a quick stop at the Chiropractor....who inquired if this would be the last pregnancy....we went to get the oil changed in the van.

While we were waiting on the van, we shopped at Dollar Tree for Birthday party supplies for C & M's combined party.

The last time we got the oil changed, there was a car (bug/beetle) with eyelashes on it in the parking lot.  We set off to see if we could find it again, and here it was.  Brighton thought it was so cute!  This person must work in one of the shops nearby, because what are the odds...

After the van was done, we headed to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  What a treat for mommy!  We ran into some good friends with kids almost exactly Brighton and Maverick's ages.  They played for almost an hour in the playground while Mommy was able to catch up with a friend.  Then it was off to pick up groceries before heading home for naps.

Let's just say, that afternoon, I was exhausted.  Go figure.

Here are two super cute Valentines I got from my two little guys.  Brighton's (on top) lists 7 things I love about Mommy.

1. I love your clothes
2. I love your eyes
3. I love your pancakes
4. I love when you watch TV with me
5. I love when you make breakfast with me
6. I love your fingernails
7. I love your pretty earrings

Maverick's card read: I love you (front) and This Much!! (inside) with his handprints.

Blue-Eyed Twin

We had a brief (although enjoyable) playdate with Maverick's buddy, Cameron, today.

Cameron and Maverick are only 5 days apart.  We really need to get these guys together more often.

We had planned to meet up at the indoor playground, but they were closed for "preschool" from 11-12:30.  A quick change of plans and we drove to Cameron's house for some fun.  

Lent

 The season of Lent is here!

How do you plan to observe this period of time leading up to Easter?

Most people try to give up things for lent, such as chocolate, sweets, sodas, alcohol, etc...

Instead, one of my favorite bloggers has done something different.  She calls it:

40 Bags in 40 Days

Since I am hopeful that baby will be here before Easter (yikes!) and I'm also pregnant and tire out easily, I've decided my goal will be 20 bags in 40 days.  I got started today with my mudroom cubbies. This is the before picture.

 I was able to throw out one bag of trash from this area, and Maverick was quite the little helper.  We probably re-hung 7 or 8 jackets and put away 15+ pairs of shoes.  We are off to a good start!

Lil bit of Pink

As always, I shopped at the big consignment sale at the fairgrounds.

I didn't need much, clothing-wise, since Chandler hasn't grown much and can still wear much of his summer-wear from last season.  I was able to find some things for Maverick's & Chandler's Birthdays and some Easter basket goodies, so it was a success.  Thanks to grandma for helping me out.  All the bending and sorting through piles did a number on my back though.  I was pretty worn out afterwards.  Just in case we are surprised with a girl in a few weeks, I wanted to have something pink on hand since we have nothing in that color!

I managed to find some nice swaddling wraps that are the muslin cotton type that Maverick enjoyed so much and two Boppy covers that are in more girly patterns.  I washed these up and they are ready to go.  Derek commented that he's not used to seeing pink baby things in the wash.  This will either be the last time, or just the beginning.  Time will tell.

Here's the cute coming home outfit for our baby girl.  I've had this since we were pregnant with Chandler, so maybe it will finally get used?!?  Somebody gave me the matching hat (size 0-3 months) and I did find this cute ladybug blanket at the consignment sale that I thought coordinated well.

Here's the coming home outfit for our baby boy!  The shirt reads "Mommy's Big Man".  So precious!  We've always had red as a feature color in the coming home outfits to coordinate with the NCSU booties and hat that all of my kids have worn.  Number Four will do the same. 

Lunch Date

 Yesterday I had a lunch date with my little cutie pie.

I got a Chick-Fil-A calendar for Christmas, so it was time to use my February coupon.  Maverick and I shared a meal and I brought some strawberries from home for Maverick.  I seem to have an endless supply of free icecream coupons, so that made for a nice after lunch treat.  

Maverick was quite the little cutie and was greatly admired by the group of nurses that were there having their lunch.  What a pleasant time we had.  It's amazing how going from 3 down to 1 child can make a simple outing, well.....simple.

Get your Guess on!

One week ago I had another midwives appointment.

We thought that I'd be having an "in-house" ultrasound, but they decided to delay that until my next appointment at 34 weeks.  I'm still very curious as to what it will look like.  Derek took a picture of the midwife, Sarah, checking up on baby.

I'm 31 weeks here and everything is looking good.  Sarah believed the baby to be head down today.

We talked about being a little bit more proactive in getting to the birthing center this go around so that I don't wind up delivering the baby in the car on the side of I-40.

I guess Derek will have to be my voice of reason, because I most likely won't think it's time to head that direction until I'm 7 or more centimeters.  In the past, I've never felt like much was happening until things were really moving.  Oh, and 2 out of 3 times I've been complete upon arrival to the birth center!

My midwives think that based on my history I will go somewhere between 37 and 39 weeks 

(March 13th- March 27th)  FYI, my babies have all been 19" long and have weighed 7 lbs 1 oz, 6 lbs 13 oz, and 7 lbs.  Now's the time to put in your guess on this little baby.  The winner will get some yummy Goodberry's.  Good Luck!

Just for fun, I took this online labor prediction quiz.  Here are the results:

http://www.justmommies.com/quizzes/labor_prediction_quiz.php

Labor Prediction Quiz Your labor prediction quiz results are below..... Get your bags packed early just in case you need them. Make sure your partner has a phone available when he's away because this baby just might come early. We predict your baby will come 2-3 weeks early. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 6.8 pounds and that your labor will be about 6 hours long.

Our Week according to I-Phone

 Here is how our week went according to my I-Phone:

Katie got a cone :(

She was not too happy about this, but wouldn't leave a certain hotspot alone.  At least it's pink, right?

Baby had a tea party, courtesy of Maverick.  He loves playing "chef" in the kitchen.

Maverick graduated from his baby highchair seat with straps to just a chair (no straps)

 Mommy organized the kids sippy cup drawer.  This makes her very happy!

 The little boys and I had a MOPS playdate at the Rainbow Room.  I loved the fact that Maverick is old enough that he no longer requires much help to get around on the equipment.  Nice break for me!

 My big boy on the slide!

 A good friend, Charlie, had a birthday party.

The theme was geocaching and all the party guests "found" their goodie bags in the woods off a trail.  The hit of the party was a large mulch/mud pile.  Go figure!