Waiting Game - Ready, Set, Go

I am officially on leave from work. I finally feel like I can take a deep breath and relax. We are headed to the appointment that I really didn't think would ever happen. 2 weeks ago, Dr. Kurian said, "If you haven't had Reece in 2 weeks, we will need to do a sono to check his growth." I thought FOR SURE that he would come before today - I was totally wrong. So, this morning, I got up and went to Einstein's for breakfast and then for a tour of Target. You know, 9:15 a.m. is an absolutely fabulous time to frequent the Super Store. A few customers but mostly employees getting things together. I found a great deal on Addidas type pants (10 bucks!) that will be great over the next few weeks - and some other yoga like pants.
Now I am home and the best investment we have made recently is hard at work... our cleaning ladies! Esther and Norma are great and making life so much easier on Monty right now b/c I am pretty worthless at bending over or pushing a vaccum cleaner at the moment. Monty might say that I am ALWAYS worthless in this area . :)
Either way, it is a great gift for them to be here. Thank you so much babe for this wonderful treat!!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and positive thoughts coming our way. I will update later today after the Dr.'s appointment!

A virtue that I apparently do not posess

I am not known by many to be a very patient person. In fact, I much prefer instant gratification. Thus, I do not make a good online shopper nor a catalog shopper - so places like the really good online shoe store --??? is not my friend. I don't even know the name - but Kristin does - she ordered a ton of perfect wedding shoes until the best arrived and then sent the rest back. See, I like to walk into Nordstroms or Dillards, find a pair of shoes and leave. So, today, when Dr. K told me that there had been NO change with the "trapdoor" aka cervix, I was more than annoyed. I asked why I had been having so many contractions (braxton hicks)and cramping with apparently no result, and she replied - "It's because of his size." The contractions are not b/c he's big but because I am one of the lucky ones.
Great... I have a big ol' baby who is just getting more and more plump and I don't like it one bit!! ;) I want to get him more plump with a bottle for him and finally a glass of wine for myself. I love that I didn't have to choose between breastfeeding and formula - another blessing that I can add to being a breast cancer survivor - a glass of chilled white wine with no need to pump and dump!
Next week, on Friday, I will have a sonogram before my appointment to check him out. We will then have to make some decisions about what to do next. I would rather not be induced nor would I like to have a C-section but this happy little man is going to be Ginormous!
I am currently praying that God allows me to have the patience and understanding to know that it's all in his timing and to remember that. Amanda made a good prayer point that I am going to add... that I go into labor all on my own!!!!!
I think that patience at this point is very difficult as my students are quickly finding out. I am still teaching and plan to until I go into labor. Finally the other day I had to have a come to meeting with each of my classes. It went something like this,
Me:"I don't want to come here everyday anymore because I don't feel good"
Them: gasp
Me: but I don't have a choice b/c I want to spend all of my time with the baby.
Them: what about us??
Me: So when I do come and you don't follow directions, you talk back, or you are not paying attention, I get very frustrated and upset and would rather be on the couch with the dogs.
Them: oh... silence.
Me: If you want me to be happy, you need to get it together.
I didn't think it was that harsh, and apparently they didn't either b/c I haven't had any angry parent complaints.
----- Do you remember "Growth and Development" videos???-----
Well, they start in the fourth grade now - boys and girls seperated. And today was our day. I got the boys b/c last year I had the girls. They of course giggle at everything from the adult man pictures, to the words and the P that becomes filled with blood at any given time- "which is totally normal" - but they were so disrespectful to the visiting nurse from another school that they had to exercise at recess (walk laps) and had to write an apology letter for homework. The best part of the whole process was when one of our boys started crying because " I don't want to go into puberty!!!!" - sobbing with tears and snot. LOL... oh it was funny. They also asked that if they went to the bathroom and puberty started did their mom have to take them to the Dr. right away? Like it's a one day thing.
Note to self and all of you other boy parents - talk to them about this stuff BEFORE the growth and development video day!!!!
love you all and have a good night

As promised....

The long awaited nursery pictures....

This is the view from the door.

The bedding... my favorite!

That's the bathroom door on the left - and Monty's favorite thing - the glider/rocker/recliner!

Looking back at his door from the crib

Looking in from the doorway- crib is to the left.

The view from the chair.

Marley's found his new chill spot.

And my belly - it's seriously gotten to the point where I have very few shirts that cover the whole thing anymore. I think it's because he has dropped so much that it just hangs there. Lovely...

can't wait for the little man to come out and meet us - for 2 reasons- I am impatient and am so excited AND to have clothes that fit again.

Patience...

Tomorrow will mark our pregnancy as full term - 37 weeks. My doctor is now comfortable with Reece making his appearance. We are asking for prayers of patience. Monty and I are both very excited to finally meet and see our baby boy and want it now! However, we know that when he is ready, he will come. God knows his birthday and so we just ask that we can be patient with the timing.

I went to the doctor on Friday and had a sonogram to check is growth. He has only gained a pound in 3 weeks - which is good news. They estimate his weight at about 7 pounds 8 ounces. We were worried that he would be 8 1/2 or 9 pounds.
As for the "trapdoor", it's still in the slow process of opening. At our all day "Prepared Childbirth" class yesterday, Monty learned a lot more than he or I had anticipated. There are a few things that some people still hadn't told me - and they are totally inappropriate to write on a blog - even for me!

The nursery is finally finished and I will post pictures as soon as I take them. The missing piece was delivered yesterday~ the all important glider.

Last weekend, I had a great brunch baby shower hosted by 8 of our friends from our A.B.F. at church. I love these friends and feel so fortunate to have found a great church family that continues outside of the walls of the church. Reece was showered with gifts - a video monitor (for Mom and Dad), handpainted canvases, special blankets made by Jessica, great toys, and some gift cards! It was a great morning.

Here's the lastest pic of our little man~

We are so excited to hold you in our arms!!!!

I went for my 1st weekly check-up - only a few more weeks to go. and I should say a couple because we already have some movement of the "trap-door: - it's opening just slightly! The contractions that I have been having are "extreme Braxton-Hicks"- per the doctor. She said that some women have a sensitive uterus and I must be one of them. I go back next Friday to have a sonogram to check Reece's growth. We are hoping he isn't already 9 pounds - he should be about 8 pounds by then. So, we have at least one more week to get the house in order and for me to finish all 12 weeks worth of lesson plans for the sub!

Last weekend, Mom (Reece will know her as Jayne- so far she thinks this is the best option - Patty is thinking of Mia) came in town for a shower. We were given so many wonderful things~ It's amazing to see the love our family and friends have already for our baby boy. Thank you all!

Grandma Patty - who may be Mia....

Grandma Jayne - don't we look like a jigsaw puzzle?

The hosts... Jamie, Me, Sarah, and Megan

This weekend our Sunday school class is having a shower at our friends, Ashley and Ross's, home. I can't wait!

oh by the way... here's what happens when you leave a down pillow in the vacinity of dog with Cabin Fever - Layla has the evidence on her face to prove it!

She looked like a cat who just ate the tweety bird!

spoiled - our dogs that is...

So we brought Layla home yesterday from the doggie hospital after she had her heartworm treatment. We were thrilled and so was she. Marley, on the other hand, does not like things to be out of the ordinary. He was a confused and frustrated dog last night wondering why Layla couldn't play or run around with him. I felt sorry for the poor guy until I came home from work today. He had been a little _ _ _ t. There was pee in 3 THREE different spots and poop in another. UGH... so freaking annoying! Layla has to be crated for 4 weeks and apparently that wasn't going to work for him. So we had to pay the price. He's not happy when he doesn't get what he wants~

On another note, Reece's tests all came back normal last Thursday. We had a sonogram to make sure that he was growing at the correct rate - which he is! Also to make sure that he doesn't have skeletal displacia - which he doesn't! thank you god for always protecting and taking care of us~~

We had a busy weekend taking some belly photos with a photographer our friend, Amanda, recommended. Here are a few that we liked...

We can't wait to share the love!

Turn your head b/c we can't edit it - not even to turn it around...

Grandma Jayne will be here to visit this weekend! yay!

Playing catch - up!

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. I definitely am not as eloquent with my words on here as some of my dear friends.. but I guess that's just not me... so I will include a visual representation of the past few weeks.:)

First, Jay and Suzy got married!! We had a great time celebrating with them on 12/15. The reception was at the Petroleum Club downtown with spectacular views. Unfortunately, my battery on the camera died right after we arrived, so I have this one photo from the night...

After a grueling last week of school (.. seriously the longest ever~~ 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is just too long. The kids and the teachers are soo over everything) we headed to Vegas to spend the day with Monty's dad and brother, Matthew. It was a different way to experience Vegas - no gambling or drinking - just family time and a little shopping at Cesar's Palace. We did make it over to The Bellagio to see their atrium that was decorated for the holidays. It was really beautiful. Getting a chance to celebrate Christmas with Jerry and Matthew meant a lot to us all.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the fiasco about traveling on the 22nd. Don't do it. We thought we were good with a 7:05 am flight. Our driver was coming to pick us up at 5:15 and we were to be at the airport no later than 5:45. 5:30 came and went and still no driver. Monty was furious so we hopped in the car and headed to DFW. We pulled into the terminal at 6:05 and entered the crazy zone. It was the most disorganized mess... needless to say, Monty sprinted to the gate at 7:00 belt and shoes in hand and told them his preggo wife was on the way. We sat in our seats at 7:04. I have never been so sure we might miss a flight. Phew... okay.. on to California...

We got "home" Sunday morning and were headed to a Christmas brunch, when we were told that it was delayed because Dad's wine refrigerator was being delivered. If you don't know, he's obsessed with his wine. It has overtaken the guest room closets, so to have this cool place to keep his most precious babies, he was thrilled. Here's Monty, Dad, and Mom unpacking his new toy.

Christmas eve was different this year as we went to the 5:00 service. We normally go to the 11:00 candlelight service, but I guess everyone is too old and can't stay up that late. It was still special - the kids did a pagent of sorts and retold the Nativity story. The best part about the nights at Jayne and Ken's (mom and dad's) are the quiet times by the fire. Christmas Eve is no exception. We used to have to go to bed early so Santa could come, but now without the morning pressure, we can stay up and visit until midnight!

Don't worry - that's club soda and lime... did you know how much sodium is in one bottle of that stuff?!! I found out after drinking about 12 in 3 days... my legs poofed up!! Pellegrino only from now on!

Christmas Day is always great-- my mom's family gets together for brunch. This year we had it at Aunt Janet's - just a few blocks away. It was the traditional creamed chipped beef- a Randol family treat ;) - along with biscuits. But for a twist, she added ham, turkey, green beans, fruit, cake, and a spinach salad. We voted and it needs to be at her house all the time!

Everyone says that they are twins-- and this was totally accidental!

My precious little bro!

Ali and I at brunch... I am slightly bigger than her these days.. normally too, but much more so now!

OH the best part of California Christmas's -- The weather. We had brunch served outside in the 70 degree weather!!!

Aunt Janet and her cute scarf!! Ali and Danny chatting - that's the middle adult table... very fun!!

Papa and Grandma!

The week went by very quickly with the Annual Tweener Party concluding the fun! This year it was Itsy bitsy... whatever that means.. only about 45 people vs. the 125 who usually attend!

I have more to write but that will have to wait- I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year's!

Jen