Still waiting

We're still awaiting the arrival of Abby-Jean. Braxton-Hicks contractions are becoming more frequent and slowly getting stronger, but are still nowhere near real contractions (with the occasional anomoly). While she is continuting to drop lower, as of a week ago, there was no change in dilation/effacing worth mentioning. I recall now how days felt more like weeks when at this point in pregnancy!

We're pretty much ready to go as far as preparing for Abby-Jean's arrival; we just pray that God allows her to enter the world complication-free.

LJ is coming up with new things to say all the time. Gary and I usually spend the evenings laughing about the silly things he's said and done throughout the day. One of my favorite new things he says is: "Oh Daddy! Oh Daddy! Oh Daddy! Oh Daddy!" (while running down the hall to go get his Daddy). Sometimes it's "Oh Momma" or "Oh Nala" instead. One more thing worth noting is how much he likes Nala (the feeling really isn't mutual, but Nala tolorates him...most of the time). He'll go right up to Nala and look her straight in the face, then wave his hand about 3 inches from her face and say "HI, Nala." Then he'll pet her (he does quite good too!), then his blankie will pet her, then blankie will give her "kisses" and then LJ will give her a kiss. It's pretty cute.

I can't believe how much we've accomplished on the house since February. Our house went from about half-finished to almost complete. The only thing we really need to do is fix up Gary's office where it's both functional and looks nice. A coat of paint and some cabinets/shelves/or both will probably do the trick! Eventually I want to repaint the laundry room too, but I'm in no hurry whatsoever.

Nesting

Nesting is in full swing. We made the master bedroom back into 2 rooms, half is LJ's new room and the other half is Abby's room. Gary still has his office, and we downsized our bedroom to the one bedroom that has 2 closets in it...and I think I actually like it better than before. Afterall, we only spend MAYBE 30 waking minutes in our bedroom on any given day. I hope to post some pictures before long of the bedrooms. They really turned out better than I thought they would! I still have A LOT of cleaning up to do from the rearranging of all the bedrooms (and laying of the new carpet, etc.) so that's keeping me quite busy.

I begin weekly appointments this week and they start checking for dilation/effacing and all that fun stuff. I can't believe it's already almost time for her big debut! I've been on my feet so much more this pregnancy, it wouldn't surprise me too terribly if she did come a little early. I certainly wouldn't complain. I look like I quite literally swallowed a basketball. I'm SOOOO ready to be able to move like my normal self once again!

Just an update...nothing exciting

Well, we made it through the holidays; Christmas decor is put away, and the house is finally feeling clutter-free. For the first time since I got pregnant, I'm finally caught up on ALL the housework simultaneously. The first trimester wiped me out so much, it was all I could do to do the minimum amount of REQUIRED housework. I was still exhausted during the second trimester, and finally mentioned it to the dr. They checked my iron and it was low. Once I started a supplement, I've felt great! So now that my energy is back, nesting is settling in, as we have quite a bit to do to prepare for Abby-Jean's arrival. (Speaking of Abby, she hasn't stopped kicking for about an hour now, but it's good reassurance that all is well in there.) I've been rearranging and organizing everything. I rearranged/reorganized my laundry room to actually make it functional, and I LOVE IT. My Dad and I installed a utility sink in my laundry room, and I'm not sure how I've lived this long without one. I also set up an ironing station where the iron and board are always ready to go at the flip of a switch...another thing I'm not sure how I've lived without. Once we get the wall built that will divide LJ & Abby's rooms, we'll be moving all the bedroom furniture to different rooms. So, like I said, lots to do, and I'm starting to flip-out that there's around 90 days to do it in!

Crazy busy & A little of this and that

CRAZY BUSY:

It's been a crazy week. Gary's sweet Aunt Dot passed away on Tuesday after a long struggle with declining health over a period of many years. I'm so glad I got to know her at least a little before it was too late. Gary and I got the privilage to travel with her to her son's wedding several years ago, and now I wouldn't trade that for anything. She was quite a hoot to be around.

LJ has held up extremely well during all the hospital visits and family get-togethers we've had since she took an ill turn at the beginning of the week. I've been so proud of the little guy (especially since most of those days he's been without a nap AND getting to bed about an hour late!)

A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT:

LJ has really started using more words. "Off" is his newest to master, followed closely by "on," which still comes out as more of an o---nnnn. He's also been picking up books and sounding out their titles. He does a pretty good job for 2-1/2 years-old. He even sounded out "hat" perfectly...but I couldn't get him to put it together to form a word...it stopped at "h--aa-t." All in due time, I guess.

Okay, I'm going to change subjects and vent a little. I'm SO TIRED OF CAR "TROUBLE." I use quotes because most of the time it's something pretty minor, but it's ALWAYS SOMETHING! We got Gary a "new" (used) car, and have had one problem after the other with it. A slow leak in a tire, a small repaired chip in the windshield failed (now the windshield needs to be replaced), think there is a minor issue with the radiator, and suddenly terrible gas mileage. The most frustrating part is none of them are major problems, so when we take it in, the service dept. says "this is normal..." THEN just this morning, I noticed MY car having leaked a little oil. Great. I haven't had it checked, and I pray it's something minor....but I just don't know yet. And for my final complaint: Getting larger with this pregnancy it making it a huge pain in the butt to get LJ in and out of the car! Oh well, at least that will come to an end.

Okay, I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

LJ will have a little.....

SISTER!!!

I only have enough time for a quick post. Ultrasound showed a healthy baby girl. Her name will be Abigayle Jean (or Abby-Jean for short). Gayle is my mom and my sister's middle names, and Jean is my Granny's and Gary's Grandma's middle names.

Gonna be a good big brother...

We'll find out whether LJ's having a little brother or sister next week! I can't believe it's already that time. I have to admit, I've been a little concerned how LJ will react to me having to tend to a baby, but I got some welcome reassurance last night when we went to visit some friends who welcomed their 4th baby into the world on Friday. I was holding the baby, and LJ had the biggest smile on his face while I explained it's "like the baby in Mommy's belly." He touched the baby's head SOOO gently, and was as affectionate as I've ever seen him be. The funniest part was when I gave the baby back to his mommy, and LJ got all upset thinking that he was MY baby. I had to explain that Mommy's baby is still in her belly, and will come out some time this spring. :0)

Kicking

This is another one of those posts that I type more for my own benefit than for everyone elses.

Baby #2 is kicking quite a bit anymore. Gary felt him/her kick for the first time today. It was so funny to see his face too (he did this with LJ also)...I've tried several times to place his hand where the baby is kicking, and it never fails that the baby stops kicking or they're too soft for him to feel. So today, I made him stop what he was doing (I could tell he was a little put-out, but that he was also trying to not let it show) and come put his hand on my belly. This time after only about 30 seconds, he/she kicked and Gary's eyes got huge, he smiled real big and exclaimed OH..I FELT IT!