Back in the Groove with God

Bible Study started back up last week!!  I've been really looking forward to our "break" ending and getting back into the groove of things.  I admit, it's hard to continue my quiet time when I don't have a scheduled homework or reading to help me stay on track!  So, with that said, I'm glad to be back in the groove with God :)  Here is a peek at what my perfect "quiet time" looks like.  I try to sit down around lunch time when Kenwood is either at school or down for his afternoon nap.  This day I was stocked with some Bagel Bites ( I could seriously eat these everyday...and I intend to do so while I'm still pregnant haha) a nice and healthy Dr. Pepper :)  and my Bible and "Frazzled Female" study book....pure bliss.

I ran across this quote which also made a pretty big impact on my thought process:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered... Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives... Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies... Succeed anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you... Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight... Build it anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, then others may be jealous... Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow... Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough... Give the best anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God... It was never between you and them anyway."

Gearing up for the big arrival!

WARNING:  If talking about dilation and effacement in pregnancy grosses you out, STOP READING NOW!!

I went to the doctor last week and I was 2-3cm dilated and 75% effaced.... She is head down and "fully engaged" full delivery. While, I'm not getting my hopes up because I went 2 weeks at 2cm with Kenwood--I'm getting very anxious!! My doctor said she thought she'd probably see me at my next appointment (Wednesday) but then she corrected herself and said she didn't want to speak to soon.  Way to fake me out Doc!  I am now full-term which is a total blessing in itself!! That means that if Miss Olivia came TODAY she should be good and cooked and healthy.  I haven't really had any contractions I don't think...just alot of wishful thinking "Is this a contraction?" "OHHH I think I'm having a contraction"  I'm sure I'll know when it's for real.  Maybe I'll be lucky and my water will break without any major pain! HA! Ya right. 

On the other hand, since doc said she could be here any day now I've been trying to keep the house decently clean and catching up on my rest!  I have been soooo beyond exhausted, I feel like I'm in a 100year old body because of all the aches and pains, and my complexion looks like a 14 year old girl.  I am SO ready for my mood swing hormones to balance out (as I'm sure my dear husband is too!!!) and for my body to feel "normal" again.  I've gotten really good at complaining, can you tell?

I'm getting ready!! Kenwood and I have been spending lots of quality time "playing"...he loves to play and we build blocks and make the toys "hide" in their block houses and then we "hide" under the covers in mommy&daddy's big bed...he keeps wanting me to "RUN MAMA" and chase him around the house...which is close to impossible with my not-so-over-exaggerated waddle so I'm ready to be able to do that again!!!

I went ahead and did Kenwood's Valentine's cards for his school party, because I'm sure I won't remember to do them when the time comes!!  Here is a sneak peek:

February is right around the corner...which means we're gonna have a family of FOUR!!! AHHHHH Here goes nothing! I will try not to go into hibernation with two kids....I will try.  Hopefully my next post is about a birth! But, lets not get our hopes up--she's as stubborn as her father. 

Pregnancy Post

I'm sitting here on this Sunday morning, exhausted!! Almost officially "full-term". They say 37 weeks is "full term" and while I'm technically 36 weeks pregnant--I'm IN my 37th week. So, it confuses me!! Anyways- I haven't been nesting much because I am so beyond exhausted no matter how much I rest!! At almost 37 weeks, I am STILL getting nausea. I think the nausea mostly stems from the extreme heartburn I've been getting as soon as I lay down for bed. Convenient.

I went to the doc last week and had gained 5 pounds. I'm topping the charts these days with a total weight gain of 42 pounds (according to last week!!). I've been swelling a bit this week and been more tired than normal so I'm desperately hoping I'm not getting pre-eclamptic. I showed signs with Kenwood which is why they induced me early--good thing too since he was 2 weeks early and 8pounds 13ounces!!!!

I woke up this morning short of breath, nothing really helps so either she is crowding my lung space (which is common) or my blood pressure is going up. Arg. I go back to the doctor tomorrow afternoon so hopefully I will know more and maybe even get an induction date!!!

Until then, I'm enjoying a warm bath at least once a day and some quality time with my husband and my munchkin! Kenwood and I are watching Finding Nemo right now--I think I know the entire script for this movie :) but he loves it & I love him!! CANNOT wait to have 2 snuggle buddies and have some energy again!!!

The Nursery

Olivia's nursery is pretty much DONE!! We are waiting on the nightstand that matches her furniture and then we'll hang some stuff on the wall.  But, other than that...we're pretty much ready for her to be here!!! NOW, please.

Here is the entry nook to her room...I had posted awhile back about the name plate that is hanging there now.  Kenwood has one on his side too.

The room so far...the walls are a light gray, and the furniture is Ivory...with ivory, khaki, and light pink fabrics and accessories.  There are a few touches of teal/turquoise too...

We are waiting on the nightstand to put beside the rocker...

This is one of my FAVORITE purchases!! Thanks Hobby Lobby for your 50% off sales every other week :)

 Kenwood has been a big help setting up sister's room....

Even if he would much rather play on the rocker than help set up :)

Thanks again to Hobby Lobby's 50% sale!! I got this framed corkboard and hot-glued some ribbon to it.  It's hanging in her bathroom so we'll be able to see exactly which bow we'll need!!  All of the frames that will be hanging and going in her room are black too...so it matched perfectly!!

The bow-holder above will be much more "full" as soon as I get my Ebay order in!! I got a "lot" of 22 different colors of bows...guess we'll have one to match just about everything!!  Yes, I am a believer in the BIGGER the bow, the BETTER.  I love BIG, OBNOXIOUS bows :)

 Since I'm planning on her being a bald baby...like every other child in our family, I had to invest in some cute headbands too!!  

 And I bought a 10color pack of skinny headbands on Etsy to clip all those big, obnoxious bows to :) 

When Parents Text

I came across this website thanks to a friends post on Facebook the other day.

Www.whenparentstext.com

I think it's a whole lot funnier when you are a parent or have a parent that actually uses their texting!! There are a few on there that I actually laughed out loud...mainly because I can see myself doing the same thing in the future.

It made me think about how kids are getting cell phones younger and younger these days and before I can blink Kenwood and Olivia will be growing up and texting their friends (and us). Dillon and I laugh and imagine the kind of parents we will be to our kids as they get older, how we'll interact with them, discipline them when they do the same things we did millions of times before or possibly worse, what kind of relationship we'll have with them. It's fun to think about and I know the day will come entirely too fast when we will know the answer to these imaginary thoughts. Until then, We're enjoying these last few weeks as a family of three and giving all our love and attention to our angel boy. He has no idea what is coming....

Winter TV

I love the premieres of new shows in the winter!! It's the perfect time of year to  stay cuddled in your pj's and watch TV all night long, every night with the man of your dreams :) On our list this season:

Biggest Loser-- obviously!! It started last week and it's always been in our top favorite shows!  It's very motivating and I'm looking forward to getting started on our diet again once baby girl gets here! Kenwood is already on a health kick--he prefers salad at every meal :)

Californication-- this is actually a pretty trashy show, but it's entertaining and we like it! It's not any worse than True Blood that everyone else watches I guess.  We watched the first 2 seasons on DVD, and the new season started on Showtime last night.  We'll be watching it via DVR tonight!

Shameless-- this is another Showtime series.  A new one.  The premiere was last night, and it looks pretty funny with a decent cast.  We'll give it a try and probably end up liking it too!

The Bachelor--This is MY show and Dillon won't watch it. But, I'll be watching it via DVR religously every Tuesday since we won't be watching it live :)

Off the Map--starts this week...looks a little like a mix of Grey's and Lost so it's bound to be a show we'll enjoy!! Plus it has the guy that played Saracen in Friday Night Lights (another favorite show) so if nothing else, we'll give it a try just for that!

...then there was FOUR

Well, the countdown is on!  I am almost 35 weeks pregnant with Miss Olivia Kate and we couldn't be more excited to meet that precious face in a few weeks!  I'm really not sure how Kenwood is going to handle having another baby around the house.  He is such a laid back kiddo that I almost expect him to do well with being a big brother...but at the same time I'm so terrified that he's not going to get the attention he deserves as soon as his sister gets here!  I don't want him to grow up too fast because of us saying "Can you bring me a diaper?" "Can you get sissy's bottle?" etc. etc.  I KNOW he'll be a wonderful helper but I want to make sure that I'm not expecting him to help too much and I want to let him still be a toddler and play with his toys and ROOOAR with his Dinosaurs.  I just want my two little babies to be babies forever I guess....and she's not even here yet for me to be concerned about HER growing up too fast!! Haha  I am so thankful to be able to be a stay at home mom and spend every waking moment with my kiddos.  I know I complain sometimes to my husband about how worn out I am chasing a toddler and being 9months pregnant, but honestly there is no other place I would rather be than worn out at home with my sweet baby boy and soon to be baby girl.  I feel so blessed to have this chaotic, always messy, full of laughter, toys everywhere home where we can just enjoy being a family and relish in our little moments together.  Dillon and I are very lucky!