Doctors and D-Day

Since Sunday, Thomas has seen a doctor three different times and I've seen one once. It's been a crazy week. But after a week of Thomas just not being Thomas, I think he's finally on the mend. Two days ago (on Tuesday) I woke him from his 3-hour nap at 4:00. He sat up briefly to drink his milk, then laid back down until I forced him to get out at 5. This is him looking so pathetic that day (He wears pajama bottoms at naptime because they are more comfy and because I don't like putting his dirty pants that have been on the ground into the place he sleeps! So that explains the odd outfit.):

He has not been running a fever, but he's had a stomach bug of some sort and he's just not had his usual energy or appetite. He has been content to just sit on the bed or couch and cuddle with me, and for as much as I enjoy it, it's just not him. I was so happy to see him tonight after dinner acting more like himself. Hopefully tomorrow will show more improvement!

As for my doctor's visit, my body seems to be gearing up quickly for this baby to arrive. Not to give too much information, we'll just say that this baby could come at ANY time. Trey was out of town, but decided to come back a day early just to make sure he won't miss the big arrival.

If the baby doesn't come on his/her own before then, because of a minor issue I will be induced at 39 weeks (will either be next Thursday or Friday, May 1 or 2). Trey's hoping the baby comes sooner, I'm hoping he/she will wait until I tell him/her to come out! Either way, by next weekend Thomas will have a new brother or sister!

Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers that the baby will make a safe and healthy arrival into this world!

Full term!!!

Today has been a very important day. I figure I'll do the big birthday post next so that it will stay on "top," but I must also note the other significance of today. According to my calendar, I have officially reached the point of being full term in this pregnancy -- 37 weeks (according to my doctor's dates, this happened on Friday)!!! As people who are familiar with my previous experiences with pregnancy, I've been a bit prone to unbelievable drama and issues, so this is such a milestone to make it to this point with nothing overtly out of the ordinary to note (knock on wood!). To mark the occasion, I put together the crib today and the new nursery chair over the weekend. The room is slowly coming together (Caroline, if you read this, you'll be happy to know!). :-)

Hopefully the baby will stay put for the next couple of weeks at least. And as the baby's daddy is about to hit the road again, I sure would appreciate it if this baby could cooperate and only want to be born on a weekend. Please tell me that's not wishful thinking.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me and prayed for me to make it to this point. Please continue to hope and pray that this pregnancy comes to a happy and healthy end at the appropriate time and place!

Thomas's new baby brother or sister

After more than two weeks of sickness (for me, with of course Thomas's croup sandwiched in there too) that has most likely culminated in what Dr. Internet tells me is walking pneumonia, the antibiotics finally seem to be kicking in and I'm starting to feel better. I talked to a friend on the phone today and she didn't think I sounded all that great, but believe it or not, I'm tons better. And just in time since Trey is back out of town this week. I was just about ready to put "Caution" tape around our house when finally I found the energy today to start cleaning!

Anyway, that's not the point of this entry. The point is this oft-neglected baby that is growing strong and currently a mere 10 weeks from his or her due date! Today I bought a crib secondhand and the lady from whom I bought it said something about me having a baby in two months and I thought she was wrong. As I drove home I nearly steered off the road when I realized she was right! How did the time pass so quickly?

This has always been Thomas's blog, but I guess he's going to have to start sharing this space, so I might as well start now. My pregnancy with him was so dramatic and I kept family and friends updated weekly with our progress. This time, I hardly share anything at all! It's terrible! So this entry is about this new baby who will be joining our family far sooner than I'm ready to realize!

Two months ago I had a wonderful ultrasound that seemed to indicate that this baby is perfectly healthy. The sex is a mystery by choice and I'm very excited to find that out on delivery day. It does make preparation a little different, but it's not like I really "need" all that much the day he or she comes home. And if it's a boy, we're essentially set! Anyway, the ultrasound allowed us to peek in on our little one and he or she is beautiful! Want to see (I would have shared these sooner, but it took me until yesterday to take the time to remove my personal information from the scan)?



And a nice long leg...


The tech attempted some 4D shots, but the baby wouldn't really cooperate. Here was one of the best she could get (baby with hand up by face):


Last week I had an ultrasound at my doctor's office (the resolution is not as great as the previous scans that were done somewhere else). There was one minor issue at the "big ultrasound" that might have meant I would need a c-section. As of last week, we think everything is okay and that won't be necessary. Either way, the baby is perfectly fine. Anyway, the pics I got last week weren't fabulous, but here's one of the baby's face, turned toward the "camera."


(The white line at the top right is the top of the skull, and just beneath it is the right eye...if that helps anyone see it better) The baby wouldn't cooperate for a profile shot.

I'm going to go on record as saying I'll be completely and utterly surprised if this baby is not a boy. Every ounce of my intution tells me this is a boy and it has from the moment I found out I was pregnant back at the very end of August. I will be happy either way, but I do believe it is a boy. Trey, of course, thinks otherwise. We'll see who's right.

After two pregnancies that have been anything but routine and uneventful, I feel so blessed that things have been so easy this time around. I thank God everything to this point has been exactly as it should be and I hope and pray things stay on that very course.

I think Thomas will be in for a shock when the baby arrives, but ultimately I do think he'll be a wonderful big brother. I can't wait to see him in that role. I know it will be hard for him to share the spotlight, and it will be an adjustment for his parents as well, but in the end I can't wait to see our family grow. I just need to get on the ball to make sure this new baby feels completely welcome when we do bring him or her home! That probably means it's soon time to convert the guest room to the baby's room...but for now, the new crib is in the dining room. Slowly, but surely, we will get there.

As I type this baby is doing somersaults. He/she is so much more active than Thomas ever was. I hope that's not a sign of what's to come because I can't imagine a child more active than Thomas! Speaking of Thomas, I'm listening to him kick the side of his crib right at the moment as he tries to get himself to sleep. He never seems to stop moving.

I must run and do some things before bed, but I'll try to do better at not neglecting this new baby in the future!

Thomas makes a big announcement

In case you haven't heard, Thomas has a little something he wants to tell you. The thing is though, if he actually were to tell you, you might not understand him exactly. So, we decided to get him a clever little t-shirt to help him say what's on his mind.



Hopefully at first glance you get it faster than his Dad did. :-) And some more just for fun...





Thomas loves his dog Sully. I think she longs for the day when his throws are a bit more of a challenge, but his arm is improving.


She tolerates him, but wishes he'd learn she's not a pony:


At least she gets lots of love from him. If only she knew there soon will be two little ones who want to give her lots of love. :)






So yes, Thomas is officially a big brother-to-be! His little brother or sister is due to arrive around May 11, 2008. I am officially through the first trimester today (13 weeks). So far, things have been breezing along and we hope you will pray with us that they continue that way for 27 more non-eventful weeks. We'll keep you posted!