Strawberry Picking!

This morning we woke up and had breakfast. The president of the MOM's club called and said the strawberry picking was going to be cancelled and moved to Thursday because of the rain. I looked outside...it was beautiful. Hmmm...come to find out it was pouring in Friendswood, where she lives. She said that we would, instead, meet at the McDonalds in Alvin and let the kids play. So I thought we would go ahead and go since I had been telling Elijah we would do something. When we got to McDonalds only one other mom was there (I guess no one from Friendswood wanted to get out in the "rain"). We let the kids play, had a snack and I decided to go ahead and go strawberry picking with Elijah. The weather was fine and I'm in no position to procrastinate right now. Who knows where I'll be Thursday. So we went to Frobergs. Now, let me explain about the pictures. I am not trying to be all "artsy" with my picture taking...I just can't bend over or down very well so I just held my camera down and clicked away. I got a few good ones though...



I could not get him to look at me...the sun was pretty bright.

Elijah was a pro. I thought he would just pick everything, but I told him we were looking for the big, red ones. He would walk down the row and say, "look Mama, a big red one!"

We had a great time. I only pulled about 3 out of his bucket that weren't any good and its just because they were way too ripe/rotten.

Once again, bright sunlight and Beau-the-squinter's child do not make a good picture! Ha!

We will definitely have to go back! It was only $1.50 a pound! Can't beat that! Elijah was incredibly protective over his berries. When I took the bucket from him to inspect it he had a small tantrum. I threatened to throw them all away and he calmed down. I gave the bucket back, we took them to the lady to have them weighed, when she took his bucket he looked at me, I warned him and he just stood there saying (very quietly) "I want my strawberries" over and over. He was portraying extreme self control. I was very impressed. He had to hold onto the sack for the rest of the shopping and all the way home. Then he had to eat some for lunch. He's so funny.

I am "on call" tomorrow at work. they pretty much just put me on the schedule even though there's pretty much no way I would go in so my maternity leave won't have to start yet. Really nice of them! So we'll just be resting. More later.

Maternity Service Announcement

I have an announcement to make on behalf of all currently pregnant and future pregnant women of the world. Please refrain from making any comments that contain the words "big, huge, or fat"! It makes no difference if these comments are said with a smile, followed with a "just kidding" or a "I don't mean that in a bad way." Personally, I don't care if you rub my belly, but if one more person tells me how big I've gotten or makes a fat joke I am going to go off on you!

Anyway, I worked a few hours today, its getting harder and harder just to walk. We are supposed to go strawberry picking tomorrow morning at the local farmers's market (if the rain will hold off a few hours). Then I will decide tomorrow evening (if we don't have a baby yet) if I will put my name on to work Wednesday.

Off to put Elijah to bed. Hope everyone is having a great week. More later...

I'm going to be pregnant forever!

Well I went back to the MD this morning. It appears I'm going to be pregnant forever. I am still just about the same as the last two weeks...maybe a little more dilated. The only real change is that she is so much lower. If you know anything about head placement and such during labor...she has moved from a -3 station to a -2 station. All that means is her head is pretty much in my knee caps! The MD was shocked at how low she is. She just kept saying, "her head is right here...I can feel her head right here!" I am having more contractions that are stronger. I was a little disappointed because I am totally done being pregnant, but she assures me there is still a definite possibility it could be soon...even tonight! That would be great! We are going to eat Indian food tonight so maybe all that spice will get things moving. I would go for a long walk, but with her head being so low it is hard just to stand and walk around the house! I'm pretty much finished with her room, just need to hang some decorations on the wall and Mom and Dad are bringing the rocking chair when I do go into labor. I'll post pics when I'm done...very soon.

In Elijah news...
We have been sitting on the potty lately. Not really consistent, but at least I can now talk him into pulling his pants/diaper down. I think its time for some pull-ups. I want to get a book called "Potty train in a Day" I know it sounds unbelievable, but I have talked to quite a few people who used it and swear by it. I think Elijah would do good with it. We offer candy if he'll poop or tee tee in the potty, but nothing so far. We did get the "Everyone Poops" book off the shelf and move it into the bathroom. He gets to read it if he sits on the potty with his pants down. He is fascinated with it. Here are a few pics of him "trying" to poop the other day and reading his book...

If we're lucky we'll have a baby soon. If not, I go back to the MD next Thursday. Tomorrow is the last day I'm officially on the schedule at work. If I want to quit I can, but if I want to keep working I can do that too. I'm taking it one day at a time, though. Just keep us in your prayers that if I do go into labor soon we will have a safe delivery and healthy baby. Also please be in prayer for any of our family that will be traveling in for the birth! More later...

My Crazy Kid!

After days like today I wonder, "If I don't go into labor tonight, this baby is never coming". We worked so hard this weekend! I worked Friday, Saturday we got up and got moving. After breakfast I took Elijah to Bibby and John's. Then I went to get a carpet cleaner from Kroger's and some other items. When I got home Beau had moved all our furniture out of the living room. I'm sorry, but it was disgusting!! Our carpets were gross. We had planned on putting in Pergo floors after Christmas, but with our financial situation during my maternity leave we haven't been able to. Anyway, I didn't think cleaning the carpet would really work, but it looks great!! Plus we found lots of stuff under the couches!! We did it ourselves because professional carpet cleaning solution has been linked to Kawasaki's Disease (that's the disease John Travolta's son who just died had). I have even asked my pediatrician about it and he agrees with the research and advised us not to clean the carpets. So we used some organic cleaner from Melaleuca. After cleaning the carpets Beau went and got Elijah to bring him home for his nap and I went and ran a bunch of errands. When I came home the boys were working in the yard and I went to work in Sadie's room. Elijah had picked me some flowers at John and Bibby's and wanted to give them to me. He was so proud...

Isn't he cute! Just in case you didn't get a good look at them...

Later that afternoon we got a package from Aunt Amy. It had a great bag with Sadie's name on it, a bunch of bows and clothes for Sadie and a gift for Elijah...

It's a Diego Backpack. He put it on and was so excited. He calls it his "rescue pack" which is what Diego's bag is called...

Gotta go...

Thanks Amy, we loved it!!

Saturday night we ate dinner, put Elijah to bed and watched a movie. Today, after church we had lunch and went back to work. I worked in Sadie's room and then decided to take a little nap. Beau was working outside and I guess he didn't think trying to saw thru the gutter by our window would keep me up...so much for my nap. I got up, did 8 loads of laundry, worked more in Sadie's room, went thru the house straightening up, and got ready for all the youth group to come over for Devo. After devo I folded and put up the laundry and now here we are. I am on call tomorrow so that's good, I get to sleep in. Yeah!

Best story of the day:

This morning during church Elijah wanted to go to the nursery with Grant. He kept asking and asking. I told him to whisper that he could go after communion. He wouldn't whisper. I told him again. He wouldn't whisper. I thumped him (and when I say thump, I mean the slightest little tap of my finger, I actually didn't didn't even think he would feel it) on the chin. He turned around to me and yelled, "Don't hit me, Mama! Don't hit me! I'm in a bad mood! Don't hit me!" Beau leaned over and said, "Watch out, some one will be calling CPS on you" I didn't think anyone except maybe the people right around us even heard, but yeah, every person (even people who sit on the total other side of the building) came filing by me after church making fun of me. Everyone kept saying..."Don't you hit that boy!" They think its so funny.

More later, I'm sure.

Update on Sadie's Arrival

Well, Elijah and I went to the MD this am again. My MD is out of town for Spring Break so I saw another doctor in the office. He said I am the same as last week...Posterior, 50%, and dilated to a 1. That's good news for me. Even though I am so uncomfortable I need more time. I need a little more time to get Sadie's room ready, we are planning on cleaning the carpets on Saturday, and the longer I can work the longer my maternity leave will last thru the summer. I need to be off as long as possible in June because Beau will be gone twice in June for a week at a time and it will be very difficult to find babysitters for two kids from so early in the morning to so late at night for me to work.

I am finding it very interesting what everyone is putting in as their guesses for Sadie. They all seem to be centered around the end of the month and a 7lb baby. I'm enjoying reading them, keep 'em coming.

Elijah and I also went to the grocery store after the appointment. We spend an obscene amount of time there, but thanks to all my coupons, not an obscene amount of money. I had so much stuff it was falling out of the basket by the time we got to the register. I am trying to make sure I have everything I need so I won't have to go back before Sadie comes....oh and Mom, I bought you some "fake" peanut butter so your stay won't be horrible!! You may have to sleep on the floor, but at least you'll have some peanut butter!! Ha!

I leave you with this video of Elijah. He is very much into having you "watch this" He also asks us every day if its time to go to the hospital to get baby Sadie. I tried to get him to say in on the camera, but today he came up with a different answer for how we're going to get her....

Take a Guess

If you notice on the right side of the screen is a place for people to post their guesses on Sadie's due date, time, weight, and length. To guess, just leave a comment and I'll post it on the list. Good luck...there just might be a prize for the winner (probably not, but maybe! Ha!).

Elijah stuff:
He has informed us, for the last few days, that he is now Jackson. Not sure where that came from. I think its funny though, because that's the name I wanted for him when I was pregnant. But after calling him Jackson for the past day or so I am glad we named him Elijah...he's definitely an Elijah.

Everything is followed up with a "why not?" from him. Such as:
"Elijah, don't step on that toy."
"Why not Mama?"
"Because you're going to break it."
After about 5 rounds of this my answer came back as "because I said so!"

Today he came up to me all upset and frustrated and said, "I want my sister!!" Again, not sure where he gets this stuff.

Sadie stuff:
We took our Maternity pics today. Not the best, not impressed with the photographer, but I just wanted to have one and they are good enough. I'll see if I can scan one for you in the next couple days.

I work tomorrow, but go back to the MD on Thursday. I have her diaper bag and my hospital bag semi packed and ready to go. Still have quite a bit to do, but at least she has clean clothes, a place to sleep and a place to change her diaper.

I have this experience every couple of days where I'm overcome with emotion and just think "I am going to be holding and rocking my baby girl in a matter of days". I love Elijah with all my heart, so much that just thinking of him makes me swell with pride and love. There is just something about a Mother having a daughter. I imagine its what Beau looked forward to when thinking about having a son. Or maybe its from the wonderful relationship I have had with my own mom. Either way, I am so excited.

More Thursday...

"Where does the Livestock Show Live?"

Friday morning we went to the Livestock Show. It was cold and rainy, but we were tough and made it thru. The whole way there Elijah kept asking, "Mama, where does the Livestock Show live?" (side note: he wants to know where everything "lives" now. He asked me, the other day, "where does poo poo live?") I kept saying "wait till you see the big buildings, it lives in the city". When we got to where you could see Reunion Arena he got all excited, clapping and yelling "Yeah, farm animals!!" Our first stop was the rabbits

Then he was so excited to get to sit on the tractor. He kept turning the wheel and saying, "go tractor!" I think he was a little disappointed it wasn't moving for him.

Next was the Birthing Center. There was a big sign as you entered with a picture of a pregnant cow. It had this list:

First Signs of Impending Labor:

1. Decreased appetite

2. Increased discharge

3. Restlessness, agitation, irritability

4. Swelling

5. Tight Udders

I turned to Beau and said, "Lets see...I don't have that, I have that, I have that, I have that, I have that...are my udders tight?" He wasn't amused. I thought it was pretty funny. I also thought it would have been funny to go into labor while in the Livestock Birthing Center, but no luck.

These piglets were born the day we went...13 at once!! Wow, and I think I'm uncomfortable!

The next place we visited was the petting zoo. It was mostly goats, but there was also a lama, sheep, and a deer that apparently thought Beau's sweater was dessert. He followed Beau around the whole time nibbling on his sweater. There was a huge sign that said, "Not responsible for damaged clothing" Before going in I thought it was an odd sign, but now I see it's importance...

Elijah loved the goats...

He had a great time feeding them...

Looking at the new baby goats...

then we went to the Farmyard Follies...

We went thru a place called Fun on the Farm. First the children get an apron and a basket...

They go thru different places like a chicken coop where they collect an egg in their basket, they help cut wool off a sheep and put the wool in their basket (don't worry, it was all fake)...

Then they plant a "seed" and harvest their produce, collecting it in their basket...

He "milked a cow" and put the carton of milk in his basket...

They did have some real animals to look at along with the fake ones they worked with...

He picked a peach...

Then he took his basket to the Farmer's Market and "sold his goods"...

He collected his money for his goods...

(Not pictured) He took his money to the "grocery store" and got to pick out a real treat. He chose an apple juice box. It was a pretty neat idea.


Cheering at the pig races...

Mama and Elijah at the Pig Races...

Papa and Elijah at the pig races...(Elijah is saying "cheese")

I had to work Saturday and Sunday so I took today off. We're just hanging out doing laundry and stuff. Aimee is coming over in about an hour to help me go run some errands. Hopefully Sadie won't come today...we're having Maternity pictures in the morning! Hope everyone is well!

The Two C's of My Day

Well, we've had a productive week. I worked Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday I stripped, primed and put the first layer of paint on the changing table. Its an antique dresser I found at an antique mall in town. I hated to paint it, such a pretty wood, but it needs to be white for Sadie's room. Here it is before...

Here it is after I primed. I think I'm going to get some new knobs...

I also painted her little table for beside the rocker and the book shelves...told you I was productive.

Then we get to today. We did some cleaning this morning then we went to see Dr Klein. This is where the first C of the day came in. Cervix! I am going every week now. I will be 36 weeks tomorrow so I totally expected to go in and have him say I am no where effaced or dilated giving me the next 2-4 weeks to finish getting ready. Not so much. I am 50% effaced and dilated to a 1. I freaked out. He told me it was okay, second-time moms can go 3+weeks dilated and effaced. So I asked how much time I have. He said, and I quote, "could be two weeks, could be tonight, just don't do it next week, I'm on vacation." Seriously! Also, I talked to the Anesthesiologist that did my epidural with Elijah (which was just perfect) and he said I couldn't go into labor next week because he'll be gone. So...since both MD's have said that I'm sure it'll be next week.

On top of that...our plan, if I have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night like last time, is to have Aimee come over and spend the rest of the night with Elijah so we don't have to wake him up and take him to the hospital in the middle of the night. After hearing about my "C" she said, "you can't go into labor Saturday night, because we won't be home" I said, "Yeah, Beau is preaching Sunday morning and night because Rayford's out of town" so that would be just perfect!" I just really need at least another 2 weeks to get ready. Can you tell I'm panicking a little? One good bit of news. I lost 1 lb from last week!

The next C is much better. Curtains. I got the curtains for Sadie's room in the mail today. I went straight to her room and put them up. Don't they look great!!!

Well I'm going to a MOM's night out event tonight with Aimee. Its a swap meet. You bring things you want to swap (purses, jewelery, clothes, books, whatever), you get a ticket for every item you bring and you can exchange those tickets for other items from other moms. We're also stuffing Easter Eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt. Better go get ready. Beau said he and Elijah have a big night of sitting on the couch, watching basketball and eating ice cream ahead of them.

You HAVE to see this!

Okay, Aimee and I finished painting last night. Unfortunately the idea fell short and you can't really see the stripes...especially in the picture. However, at this point I am too tired (and behind) to repaint them to be more noticeable so they are staying the way they are. Anyway, to the good part...Beau put the crib together this afternoon and I put the bedding on it. I LOVE this bedding. My sweet friend Sandy made it for me! It is gorgeous! I can't wait to get the matching curtains and maybe even a blanket. Here are some pics...

I snapped these in such a hurry, I'll send some better ones soon...

Of course I couldn't take a picture with Elijah around without him wanting to be in the "cheese"

Isn't it just great!!!

Keep scrolling down for lots of new blogs from this weekend.

I keep forgetting...

I keep forgetting to introduce you all to some very special little boys! My aunt Sherrie and my college roommate Kelci both gave birth to their first sons last Friday the 27th. Here are some pics...


Joel (my mom's little brother) and Sherrie with Ethan just after his birth...

Ethan Benjamin Hoover born at 5:58pm on February 27th. 6lbs 10 oz 19.5inches...

This is Kelci with Benjamin (I had to steal the pics off facebook, I guess that's why they're so small)...

Benjamin David Brock born at 4:24 am February 27th. 7lbs 10.5oz 20 inches long...

I'm so excited for all of them. I can't wait to meet both of these precious boys!