Mid week check-in

39 weeks. 4 days. I am hanging in there! I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning and they stripped my membranes (technical term) to prepare and get ready for labor. I was 3-4 cm and the hope is that stripping the membranes naturally dilates you so you can go into labor on your own (my goal!) I went back this morning and I was 4-5 cm, so it worked. Now it's just a waiting game until regular contractions start. The doctor said since I am almost 5 cm, the labor should be pretty quick if everything goes as normal as can be. My due date is Sunday, and I scheduled an appointment for next Monday in case I don't go into labor over the weekend. They will let me go as long as I want (or up to the end of next week) before we have to discuss induction. The told me it was completely up to me, but I want to wait it out as long as I feel like I can in hopes to avoid a medication, induced labor.

Besides the rain today, we have had the best weather this week for spring break. Monday and Tuesday were AMAZING! Reese spent Monday with Kyle's mom and her two cousins, and the had a great day. Bowling and ice cream were checked off her list so she was a happy camper. Tuesday the kids, Kyle, Krista (sister in law) and the cousins went to Cave of the Mounds outside of Mt Horeb. I had my doctors appointment that morning, and was having irregular contractions, so I decided to hang at home and get some relaxing in for a bit.
Preston had an awesome Monday with us, and we spent the whole day outside. Sidewalk chalk, kite flying, bike riding, soccer playing, and running around.

Swimming was also on Reese's list, so with the crummy weather today, Kyle took the kids to the hotel here in town where you can pay for a day pass to swim. I think all we have left to do is go to a movie (she wants to see Zootopia) and roller skating (which might not happen.)

Kyle, who took this week off, has been busy outside with yard work and yesterday worked on getting our small vineyard ready and pruned for the grapes this summer. We have 3 rows of vines that produce concord grapes. We also know two people who make wine :) Works out nicely for us. Last year when we moved in, the grapes were ready to be picked, and we just didn't have time to get to it, so Kyle had a family friend come and pick them and he made 30 gallons of wine from them. This year, we hope to take care of them and be able to pick on our own, getting it made by friends who live near us. They are mostly all pruned up and ready for a good harvest this summer! I am SO excited to be able to enjoy a glass (or bottle) soon :)

Spring Break!

Spring break has arrived and the kids couldn't be more excited about it. A week off of school and the weather looks somewhat decent. Reese created a "spring break to-do" list with Kyle last week- so we will see what we get checked off the list.
We already did #6 and #7. She is keeping us quite busy this week :) Today she is spending the day with Kyle's mom, getting a Grammie day in while Preston spends the day with Kyle and I getting some alone time before baby comes. I think him and Kyle are going to do "man things" like clean the garage and get stuff done outside :) Due date is this coming Sunday! I have an appointment tomorrow morning to see if anything is changing. I have a feeling I am going to make it at least until next Sunday, if not longer... 

Easter Sunday- 39 weeks

Reese had a 1/2 day on Friday and in the afternoon we started Spring break with pedicures and manicures. She loved being pampered and it was a fun girls date :)

We celebrated Easter yesterday with a nice, low key day. Even though the weather didn't cooperate and it was crappy and rainy out, the kids still had a good day. The Easter bunny visited them at our house and they got some new soccer equipment to keep them busy outside this summer. We went to church and then headed to Kyle's brother's for lunch and an egg hunt- the kids even braved the rain for a bit to find some eggs and their Easter baskets from Grammie and Papa.

After church she got cake AND a chocolate covered strawberry- I think it made her day!

Cousins- Reese, Mekenna, Preston, Maddy

Aunt Krista makes the BEST cakes- this one didn't disappoint!

Hanging in there

I am 38 weeks and 5 days. I am hanging in there, but getting pretty darn uncomfortable. My ribs feel like they are broken and I have lots of pressure. I think this baby will be a decent size :) I had my regular weekly appointment on Tuesday. I am 3 cm and baby is all the way head down. Now it's just a waiting game until baby decides it's ready to make an appearance. Anytime would be nice. Reese and Preston are on Spring Break next week and are hoping for a baby so they can spend time with it.

We had a fun weekend this past weekend with lots of Easter activities. Saturday Reese's school held a lunch with the Easter bunny and had lots of activities too. Home Depot was there and did a workshop where the kids got to build their own toolboxes. A local daycare was also there and sponsored all sorts of crafts and things for the kids to do. Reese had a blast and was more than willing to sit by the Easter bunny for a picture.
Sunday afternoon our friends held an Easter egg hunt at their house. The kids also had fun making s'mores and playing with all the kids there. Sunday eve I took Preston down to my mom's to spend the night since Aubrey was spending this week at their house for her Spring Break. Reese was bummed not to get to go since her Spring Break isn't until next week. But, when my mom brought Preston home Monday afternoon, Reese got to play with Aubrey for a bit and she was excited about that!
Last night, I dreadfully decided to get our Easter eggs dyed. I'm not going to lie, I just really don't enjoy this tradition. The dye everywhere, messy kids, hands in and out of the dye cups, just gives me anxiety and is not something I enjoy. But, I took one for the team and the kids actually did really well with them this year. Now, they are stinking up the fridge waiting for the Easter bunny to hide them on Sunday morning.


 I got in one more Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project before baby arrives and I am too tired to even see straight. Ive been wanting to re-do the china cabinet Kyle's grandma gave us for our wedding and I finally got around to it two weeks ago. I really like it- I used Old White Annie Sloan chalk paint.

 

 Easter lunch at the school. Reese building her toolbox at the Home Depot workshop in the gym.

 Egg Hunt at a friend's house. The kids found 400 (!!!) eggs total!

 Reese and Malorie

 Beautiful day for a fire and S'mores

 Aubrey got to visit after school for a few hours on Monday.

 Coloring eggs yesterday

The final countdown....

37 weeks is here. Accompanied by Kyle taking a trip to Thailand for work this week :) At my appointment last week the doctor gave me a 10% chance of going in to labor this week, so with that, I told Kyle to go ahead and get this last work trip out of the way. He has no more travel planned until the end of May. I still have my back up plan in place in case anything should happen this week, but so far, feeling good.
This past weekend we celebrated Kyle's dads birthday on Saturday with a cookout and his parents house. It was kind of crummy weather, but not too bad for March. The cousins had fun playing and wore each other out. Kyle took off early Sunday morning, while the kids and I had a typical Sunday (church, groceries, naps) :)
I had Reese's conference last Thursday at school, and it went well as expected. She is one of the top 4 in her class of 68 for reading, and is excelling at math too. So crazy to me how much she has learned since last September. She is now reading books to us at night before bed instead of us reading to her! Her teacher said she is "one that wants to please the teacher" "knows right from wrong" and is always striving to make good choices at school and be a good friend. Sounds like Kyle and I have done at least one thing right :) lol.
I have my 37 week appointment on Thursday to see if much has changed. This weekend we are going to be busy with Easter activities. Saturday the school is putting on a lunch with the Easter bunny and crafts/games that the kids are excited to go to. Sunday afternoon one of our friends is putting on a kids egg hunt at their house. Hopefully the weather stays warmer for us!

 Hudson- 10 months, thinks it pretty cool when we pick Preston up from Preschool

The kids on a nature hunt on our 5 acres- Reese fully equipped with her bike helmet :)

3 kids. 3 bellies. Left to Right: Reese, Preston, baby #3 

Boy or girl?! 

All taken within 36-37 weeks

You can sure tell Reese was a summer baby, holy tan!

March!

March came in like a lion with a bit of snow and cold temps, but now we are evening out to be like a lamb, and I sure hope it stays. As I type this I have our deck door open getting some fresh air, and it feels amazing.
Kyle survived his trip to Istanbul last week and made it home this past Friday afternoon. We enjoyed a nice long weekend as Reese didn't have school yesterday. The teachers had an in service because we have conferences this week. I had Preston's conference last Thursday, and to no surprise, his teacher said the one thing he needs to work on is self control :) I just kind of laughed and said, yep! He has  a hard time managing his emotions. He gets really frustrated or angry easily if he is presented with a challenge, and has a hard time controlling his body when made to sit for long periods of time (like at circle time.) I know that will develop on it's own, so I'm not worried about it. Right now, he is a typical 3 year old rambunctious little boy. Other than that she said he is doing great and he is a fun kid to have in class. We will see on Thursday how Reese is doing, I expect no issues with her, other than she tries to be "too much of a leader" at times :)

This weekend we enjoyed the weather and played a lot outside. Saturday was a morning of running errands, and we bought a treadmill for our workout room. Time to get in shape after baby is born with summer right around the corner. Monday, with Reese off school, we decided to go to the zoo since it was 65 outside. Kyle's mom had the day off too, so she joined us. We had a great time and it was so nice to get out and enjoy the weather! Here are a few pics from our day.

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday. I'm 1-2 cm dilated, baby's head is down, and everything is looking good and right on track. Kyle travels to Thailand for work next week, and the doctor said he said there is a 10% chance I'd go into labor, so I told him to keep his travel plans since it's looking like I'm going to make it near my due date (April 3.) I'm feeling good but getting pretty uncomfortable at night. The end is near!