Just so you know...

I am still pregnant. :) I'm 39 weeks 2 days and still going. I'm due on Tuesday. None of my babies have ever been late, but there's always a first for everything, eh? We'll just have to see when Brooke decides to make her arrival! I took a couple pictures yesterday which, hopefully, will be my last pregnant pictures.

Ice!

Yesterday the kids were out of school and Microsoft closed it's office here in Dallas so we got to spend the day as a family because of this:

It was kind of cool and we were glad we didn't have to go anywhere (especially to the hospital!). It melted pretty quickly by after the sun came out. There are spots that refroze last night, but this morning was much safer driving!

More from Carli's Birthday

I completely forgot about these pictures that were on my camera. I found them last night when I was loading up the rest of them onto the computer. Here is our little family party we had for Carli!

Carli blowing out the candles

Carli and her new dolly from Kate

She got a new Dora bed set and here is her face when Daddy brought in the big Dora comforter.Of course, we had to set it all up that night! She loves it!

Well...

Nothing happening now...

Is today "The Day?"

I've having a lot of cramping in my back. I think we'll be heading in to the hospital soon since it's a 1/2 hour drive. Better make some phone calls! Better safe than sorry in my case (not sorry to have the baby, but in the car...no!).

Countdown

I am now at 38 weeks and not much to report. I was a busy little mom today, though! It's coming in spurts, this "nesting." Today I:

Swept the kitchen floor
Did Megan's laundry
Washed and dried two sleeping bags
Washed and dried a couple pillows
Wiped down all the cupboard doors in the kitchen
Kept up with the kitchen (rinsing, loading, washing dishes)
Watched a movie with my girls (Barbie, of course)
Had dr. appt. (maybe dialated to 1, all is well)
Made jello for dinner
Actually made dinner!
Walked to the park and the girls played for a while, walked home
Took friend out for a birthday outing
Made list of what to do tomorrow!

With Carli being so early 3 years ago I've been ready for anything. I realized Sunday I have not been this pregnant for 6 years, since I was pregnant with Megan. I never got to the point where I was extremely uncomfortable with Carli so this has been a little different the last couple of weeks. I saw a picture of a newborn baby girl this morning and just had this overwhelming feeling of wanting little Brooke here and I want to hold her and snuggle her now! If I don't go into labor before next Monday then we'll schedule an induction at my appt. that day. I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that because of a bad experience with pitocin and the epidural. I just hope all goes well and naturally and quickly!

So, I don't want this post to be whiney, but I'm so ready to have our little girl here!!! I better head to bed since it's back to school tomorrow. I'll update when there is any news. :) Countdown on the right is down to 14 days--YAY!

Carli's 3!

My sweet baby is now 3 years old! Wow, I can hardly believe it was 3 years ago she suprisingly arrived 4 1/2 weeks early and was this teeny, perfect, beautiful little baby girl. What a sweetheart she is. She brings so much joy and happiness into our family.


We had a fun day today! She woke up and yelled from the top of the stairs, "It's my bir-day!" She was so excited. :) What fun it is when they realize that it is their special day and they are so happy. She requested donuts for breakfast.
She wanted to go to McD's with her friends for lunch, so we invited some of her little friends to come have lunch with us, play, and have cupcakes. It was totally fun and the moms got some fun time, too (we love to just get together and chat!). My cousin, Stephanie, came with her little baby, Eliza. Isn't she just the most adorable little thing! We're glad you guys could be there!Steph took a picture with me in it to prove that I was there. :) It's nice to be in front of the camera once in a while. lol

Carli enjoyed opening all the fun gifts her friends brought.

Our attempt at getting a group shot.

Another attempt. I have about 12 pictures very similar to this. Ha!

Hanging out at home under her blanket watching PBS Kids and just vegging after the party.

We were all out and about tonight so we didn't do a family party, but that will come and will post pics in the next couple days! Mom gave that adorable polka-dot dress and leg warmers for Carli and it was the perfect birthday dress for the day. She loves it!

36 weeks!

Well, I have finally hit that milestone in this pregnancy to be considered full term. Carli came at 35 weeks 5 days so I was a little nervous all weekend. I've got all the tiny clothes and blankets, towels, washcloths, car seat cover and swing cover washed and ready to go. Just need to finish packing my bag for the hospital and I think we're as ready as we can be for now. My mom bought a darling scrapbook/baby book while she was here last week and I already have 3 pages done--that is seriously amazing for me. lol :)

I'm feeling pretty good so I'm not betting on Brooke making her appearance any time soon. I was getting some good contractions (not regularly) the last couple weeks, but the last couple of days have been pretty quiet. I'm hoping for the long weekend this month so I don't have to worry about getting the kids to and from school while I'm in the hospital. Carli was nice enough to do that for me so maybe this one will be, too. I am so looking forward to this sweet baby girl to be here!



Here's another awful self-portrait, but you get the idea of the belly. :)

Girls and their Dolls

Is there anything like the love a girl has for her doll? My Mom brought my girls these darling dolls for Christmas. Here is what happened when they opened them:

Here is what happens when the flash doesn't go off. It's kind of a cool effect with some brightening, though.
Here is what happens to Grandpa with a little too much excitement and no enough sleep after driving 18 hours...

Time with Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Brett

My parents and youngest brother made the trek down her from Utah after Christmas. We had so much fun with them! I am sad they had to go home already, but am so happy that they took the time to come visit us. The kids were all so thrilled to have someone to dote on them so much for a few days.

Monday was such a beautiful day that we couldn't stay indoors. We went to the park to enjoy the warm weather (when you've got more than a foot of snow at home in Utah you would love to enjoy the 75 degree weather, too!). Brett, my brother, was having a little bit of a hard time adjusting to the warm. He thought it was warm to be so warm in December. lol! :)

As soon as we got to the park the ice cream truck pulled up and, of course, Grandma couldn't resist the cries of "I want ice cream!" from the grandkids and they got their treat. Here are Brett, Carli, and Kate enjoying their treats.

Grandpa with MeganAfter the treats they headed off to play. Brandon and Brett had some races on the scooter and on foot.
Grandma helped Carli on the monkey bars. She really is a monkey when it comes to climbing and swinging.

Brandon enjoying the monkey bars as well.

Kate took off on her roller blades.

Megan waited for so long to have a turn on the tire swing. She was so patient. She and Carli and their little friend they met there had an absolute blast with Grandpa pushing them.

It was a really fun afternoon at the park. Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma in the next post!