Countdown

Now that we are literally in the final countdown for Baby #3's arrival....my counting down has become quite bittersweet. Yes...I am sure it is in part to my raging hormones, but oh well.

We are at 14 days and, don't get me wrong....I am siked!!! But it also means, 14 days left of just me and my Zoe Zoo.

I have never been one to get worried about having enough love....or would I love this Baby as much as I do Zoe. Showering with love is not the problem...

And I have also never been one who only has wanted one child...I know that it is such a desire of my heart to have multiple children. I feel like giving Zoe a sibling is the best gift I can give to her. There is nothing I love more than my sisters and the relationships I share with them.

I am just so used to it being "Just the 2 of us". I love my days with Zoe more than anything. There is not one day I would want to spend with her...and my days not spent with her a few and far between. When Zach took Zoe to visit his parents, I was so torn because it was a weekend away from her...and I only had so many left with just her! Selfish, yes! But I didn't want her to go! Even though, in the end, she had a blast and I am so glad they went.

I am constantly in a battle of bittersweet. I think what is going to be hardest for me once the Baby arrives are the first few weeks. I am so beyond blessed and we will have plenty of help in this transition...but I know I am going to want to do everything myself (well, except the cooking). I don't want Zoe to feel like I am not there...and I want to be there!

Oh...I could go on and on....but the countdown continues....14 days to go!

Zoe's Potty

Zoe is extremely interested in the Bathroom...she loves to go with you when you go "Pee" so I thought it was about time to introduce her to her own potty. Now everytime I go to the bathroom, which is every 15 minutes lately, Zoe follows me in and sits on her potty while Mommy goes potty. And we start to talk about all things potty related.

I saw this book a long time ago at a bookstore in Fairhope. I said that if Zach and I had a little girl, I would be getting this book (the boy version of the book is Zack's Potty). I think it is such a cute little book and Zoe is loving it! When we have our potty discussions, we usually open this up and look at the pictures right now...she is not crazy about listening to all the words yet...but I get a couple key ones in every so often.




Zoe likes sitting on the potty, but doesn't sit for long periods of time....we are taking all this very slowly and I have no expectations.


Zoe is too busy to sit on the potty....she has way more fun pulling the potty apart and playing inside it.


We are having fun getting used to our next milestone....

What I am Loving!

~One Thousand Gifts~
I LOVE that today I finished One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp....and I LOVED it!

It is very typical in every book, the last chapter sums everything up and closes! Well, the way Voskamp finished her book was beautiful...the whole book was beautiful! But the last chapter really hit home for me and my faith...where I am at and where to go from here. I LOVE reading a book that gets me thinking, that inspires me, encourages me, that makes me want to put words into action....and that is what this book has done. Not only did majority of her words just make me say "WOW, that was awesome!" but they made sense to me. The last chapter was full of goodies that I want to share.

One of the first things I LOVED was that she discussed the Walk to Emmaus. Going back, the whole book revolves around Eucharisteo, the act of giving Thanks to our God for all the gifts He bestows on our lives....even the ones that might not seem like gifts. Just seeing the word Eucharisteo, Eucharist....obviously hits home for me being Catholic. The Eucharist, our thanksgiving to God and forever remembrance of His Son, is kinda a big deal. And The Eucharist was first initiated by Jesus on The Walk to Emmaus....so I LOVED that she was discussing this.

"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him"

She also included at little prayer that I LOVED!

"Thank you, God, for the bread now...for Your Son and sacrifice...for the love song You keep singing, the gift of Yourself that You keep giving...for the wild wonder of You in this moment. "

LOVED this one...."The intercourse of soul with God is the very climax of Joy." I mean doesn't this make total and complete sense...Why do you think so many things of this world don't make us happy, don't bring us joy....even when we think that is all we need. Only things of Him, from Him...will bring TRUE JOY!

Voskamp included some words from Teresa of Avila that were just beautiful!

Just these two words He spoke changed my life, "Enjoy Me." What a burden I thought I was to carry--- a crucifix, as did He. Love once said to me, "I know a song, would you like to hear it?" And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky, After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang, "Enjoy Me."

God wants us to know Him, to love Him, to spend time with Him, to enjoy Him!

And a great thought to end the book...

"Communion with God, what was broken in the Garden, this is wholly restored when I want the God-communion more than I want the world-consumption. What that first and catastrophic sin of ingratitude ruptured, what that one bit of the forbidden fruit stole from those fully alive---union---can be repaired by exact inverse of the Garden: lifestyle gratitude and a willingness to eat the bread He gives in this moment. How badly do I want to return to perfect Paradise, walk with God in the cool of the evening, be fully alive?"

If any of you decide to read this book, you will not regret...in fact...you just might LOVE it, too!

37 Week Appointment

I visited with one of the midwives yesterday, Kelly. I have seen her many times throughout my pregnancy and I like her....but she isn't really a "midwife" as I would first think about it. She is more "with the times", where I really want someone who will help me pull out all the old tricks to get through this delivery a little bit better than last. The first time we met, she told me that she gives her patients meds right when they ask after I told her I wanted to go natural...That she hated seein her patients in pain. I want someone who will help me work through that tough contraction and have lots of encouragement! That is not to say she won't be that way in delivery...I just thought midwives mindsets were the more natural route...

All went well though and I was very relieved....I do believe my scale at home is broken...really! When I got weighed I had only gained 1 pound from last week....so +35. I mean...6 lbs in 1 week is kind of ridiculous. What doesn't help is that I told Zach about this absurd weight gain and he looked at me and reminded me of all the sweets I had that week and told me he could see how I could have gained 6 lbs...seriously! He said he loved me no matter how much weight I gained...snickering!

The baby's heart rate was in the 150s....so high! I measured 36 weeks...consistent once again. I looked back at my post from Zoe's 38 week check and I measured 36 weeks at 38 weeks....so I am not worried at all because that precious little one came of her due date :)

So my eyes are set on the prize...come on August 14th!

Next appointment is Wednesday. I meet the last Midwife, Michelle, and my progress is going to get checked.

Water, Water Everywhere

Saturday, we got to join in the fun of celebrating Carson's 2nd Birthday!




And the cake was GREAT!


Once it cooled down outside some, we headed out to let the kids play with the water toys Kimberly got. All our little ones had so much fun!



I think Zoe's favorite part was sliding down the slide into the kiddy pool. She did it over and over and over again.


Sunday, we went to Mass and then headed to the Pool. It is so much easier doing fun things with Zoe when Zach is able to come, too! Zoe is ready for the Pool!!!





Zoe definitely needed a break from the water, so we headed to the shade and got some treats!

Zoe still has some trouble with really cold foods. She loves them...just makes a face when they hit her teeth. We love the water....but are so ready for Fall....this heat is tough!

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Size of Baby: Baby #3 weighs about 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. He/She is now considered "full term," even though DDay is three weeks away. His/Her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Weight Gain: The scale says I gained 6lbs from Tuesday to now....and I believe at that I stop weighing myself....YIKES! I am going to deny that the scale is telling the truth and just carry on with the next 3 weeks as if weight doesn't exist. +40.

Maternity Clothes: If I can, I stay in my pjs all day...doesn't happen often, but I love it when it does. Otherwise, I wear my dresses. It is so hot...anything else makes me feel like I could just sweat to death!

Gender: My husband has such a great sense of humor...he suggested if we have a boy, we could just bring him home and give him a name later....so funny, right? That will not be happening! I have a feeling it is between 2 names...we will see which one he picks. If we have a girl, we are good to go!

Movement: Movement is still the same...slowed down, but still have some low.

Sleep: Not good at all this week. I don't know if I am just preparing myself for late nights or what, but I had a hard time sleeping almost every night. I think it mainly has to do with sleeping with Zach though. I get so hot and there is just not enough room for the 3 of us. I can't roll over without running into Zach and getting comfortable is harder....And Zach steals my pillow for my legs! Sleeping uprate has been most comfortable, so the couch is working well.

Symptoms: I have had a lot of cramping, menstrual like. Not really too painful, but very uncomfortable and noticeable. Still have the Braxton Hicks. I have had some bad back pain on my right side from the weight gain I am sure. Some swelling, mainly in my legs and feet and more in the mornings or if I have been on my feet too long. Walking is just getting harder and harder and I look so ridiculous. Really feel like a bowling ball is between my legs, Baby is so low!

I am really loving my sweets. It is really all I want and all I think about. So, I have gotten Fudge Pops...fat free. But I did make Monkey Bread Saturday morning and enjoyed a lot of cake at the Birthday Party....SO GOOD!!!

Best Moment of the Week: We checked another thing off our list! We got my car cleaned and installed the carrier car seat! Zach finally gave in...I really don't think he realizes that there are only 3 weeks left until this baby arrives...maybe less...and he only has 1 more weekend off from work. So, I am glad we got this done now...even though I thought I was going to die doing it!

I am going to deep clean one room at a time...I don't think I could do the whole house in one night like I normally do. We are going to have to get a couple things from the attic, like burp clothes and receiving blankets, little booties and some onsies. And I think we will be prepared...even though all these things can be done once the baby arrives, it just makes me feel better knowing they are done beforehand. I am so excited!!!!!

Appointment on Tuesday!

Never too Early!

Let the Planning Begin!

I am in full swing planning mode for Zoe Jane's 2nd Birthday Bash! I like to start early so I can spread out costs and really find exactly what I want. I love birthdays!!!

Last year...I feel like Zoe's birthday celebration was more celebrating that we made it! We conquered the first year and survived and that deserved a celebration! A 1 year old is still so little and Zoe was really exhausted by the whole thing! SO much to see and hear and do....she just fell right asleep on me. This year will be a different story and I want to cater to that!

I love that Zoe's birthday is in the Fall and we can do things outside still because it is just crisp and perfect weather. This year I have decided to do a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme...big surprise I know. But it is what she LOVES and I want her to get excited about the decorations when she sees them.

We will be having her party at our house probably the weekend before her actual birthday. I am thinking cupcakes and cookies and a cute smash cake for her...made by The Dessert Box, of course. I already have gotten everything for party favors and I am looking into balloons and decorations.

I would really, really love to find a way to get a life size Mickey Mouse or Minnie to come surprise all the kids, but that is still in the works. So many ideas...we will see which one make it! Oh I can't wait.... I love a party!

What I am Loving!

~Baby #3~

I am LOVING that I got these cute little outfits for Baby #3 yesterday. Who said you couldn't plan when you don't know the gender. I bought 2 outfits per gender. I did the same thing with Zoe's arrival....but I bought newborns. As a first time mom...newborns made sense....well she SWAM in them because she was so small. So this go around, I bought preemie. Zoe wore her preemie clothes for the 1st 3 weeks. Preemie says up to 5 lbs, but they fit really well in an almost 7 lb baby :) Once Baby #3 arrives....and we know who our little one is...I will return the other outfits...gotta love receipts.

I also got this Sound Machine for Baby #3 this past week. We got this for Zoe later in her little life and I wish I had gotten it earlier. The sound we had for her had a timer of about 20 minutes, so Zach and I would wait and hit the button immediately to keep the sound going....if there was a break she would flinch and we would freak out if she woke up! I have really enjoyed this sound machine from Babies'R'Us (Target has nothing!) .

~Zoe Zoo~

I am LOVING this precious smile...goofy but precious! And her adorable pigtails!

I LOVE taking Zoe to the park as our last hoorah of the day. It is just a little bit cooler and I can find some shade while she plays. This time, we visited Mulberry Park. It is an older park with matured trees that create shade and that I love!
I LOVE that Zoe wants to run everywhere she goes now!
And she can climb all the stairs all by herself!
And she LOVES the big slide!And she is becoming more interested in the swing...but we still need to work more on her balance! And I LOVE when she sticks her head out of little openings and puckers right up for a kiss from Mommy....and she is saying "Love you Mommy" now and I seriously could melt to a puddle of mush every time.
Time to Go, Mommy!

~Only So Much Time~

I am LOVING that as you near the end of a pregnancy, there are certain things you have to do to be prepared for the arrival of your little one!

• I filled out forms with work for my Maternity Leave.


• I have begun to think about what I want to bring to the hospital in our bag. Last time, I don't know what I was thinking on some things...you live and you learn. Things that will be coming along for the Delivery Ride are a robe, slippers (ones I will throw away after...yucky hospital), comfy socks, computer, very relaxing music on CD or Ipod, pajamas, yummy snacks (hard candy and chewy candy during labor), camera and charger, my pillow, phone chargers, a book for reading time (this is a joke...there is no reading time during natural birth), a head band and hairties, my glasses or contacts. This time around I want to bring a little something for our Midwife and Delivery nurses. I am sure there is more...still thinking.


• I am finishing up all the forms for the hospital, photocopying cards and getting ready to mail.


• I am making my list of phone numbers for my mom or sisters to contact once Baby #3 arrives.


• I have already started to think about arrangements for Zoe if I were to go into labor during the week.


• I have almost finished all the organization I want to do in the house...I also want to do one more BIG and I mean BIG deep clean of our house before arrival.


• I have hinted to my husband that I need a DEEP clean of my car too before arrival...and said that one way or the other, it is getting done. I don't care if I pay someone to do it!


• I have gotten our extra car seat base out and it is ready to be installed, along with seat protector and car organizer for odds and ends....I have a feeling this is going to be very handy with two in the back of the Camry now.


• I have gotten out bottles and breast pump parts to sanitize and store.


• I have marked on the calendar and very much look forward to our last game night with all our friends before arrival!


• I have gotten the ball rolling with Do It Cute to have a shirt made for Zoe for Delivery Day.


• And last but not least, I have decided a pedicure will be happening before delivery...no ifs, ands, or buts about it :) And I will be getting this done at my favorite place in Snellville...best pedicure I have ever had!!!!