Yes, they can be still!!

37 1/2 Week Doc Appt

Went to the doc today for my 37 week checkup.  Not a lot of change - I went from a 1.5cm dilated to "a little more than a 2."  So doc said he is pretty confident that I'll be pregnant next week, but "not too long after that."  So who knows what that means, but it was music to my ears.  I have just a few things I wanted to have done in the next week... My brother is going to detail my Honda (it's BAAAAAAD!) on Wednesday, I have a pedicure scheduled for Thursday and on Monday, my dear sweet husband is allowing me ONE deep housecleaning from our old housekeeper.... So I'm going to be set after that... My mom is really rooting for the baby to come next week since it's Spring Break, and it will be easier on her not having to deal with the boys' school.... But I'm good with any day that is soon!  I have my next appointment on Monday - 38 weeks!  Almost there now!!

Donuts with Dad!

 

On Thursday, Ryan went to work a bit late and took Jackson to school for Donuts with Dad at Jackson's school.  Jackson just loves spending ANY and ALL time with daddy.... and as you can see, Ethan was feeling the same way!  Our boys sure do adore their daddy...

Blog Book Finished...

From 2010, that is.  Yep, I'm that far behind!  These books take me FOREVER to finish... I only work on them once in a while - like when Ryan and I are watching a movie - I'll work it then, or something like that... so naturally, it takes forever.  Plus, I did my 2008 book in 2011 - that was my first one.   So now I have 2008-2010 done.  I felt so happy to get this one done because it was on my before-baby-to-do-list.  It's 186 pages and 100% customized.  I adjust each and every blog entry so be formatted on the page like I want it to.  I can change the font, color, picture size, text size, etc.... so I go thru each page and format it the way I want - that's why it takes so long.  But it's worth it.  No reason to have this blog and this amazing archive of our lives if I don't publish it somehow.  I guess I'll start on 2011's book after baby....

37 Weeks, FULL TERM! YAY!!

• Baby's Sex: BOY!! (Name to be announced at birth!)
• Baby is as big as: Watermelon (19 - 22 in, 6.5 lbs)
  
• Cravings this week: Coffee, sweet tea, grilled cheese sandwiches.
• What's different this week than last week: Sleeping is officially a problem.  I toss and turn all night long because of my hip pain - laying on my back is what caused the dizzy spells and when I do that, I can't get a deep breath.  So I guess this is God's way of getting moms prepared before baby comes for the late night feedings, etc.  I know one thing - I'll take the late night feedings over this!!
• Weeks to go:  3 weeks
• Next Appt: Monday, March 11th
• Big Brothers: Ethan has decided he doesn't want baby to come out.  When I ask him, he says NO!  He doesn't totally understand all this but I'm starting to get a little nervous about how he's going to handle not being able to climb all over me when I'm holding the baby.... He tends to want to be glued to my side when he or I are on the couch... so it should be interesting.  I want to try to balance both kids... I don't want him to feel like he is being replaced or anything - so I have to figure out a way to balance it.  I know one thing - this baby is going have to be a "go-with-the-flow" kind of kid!  My boys don't know how to be quiet and they are so wild... Hopefully, baby boy doesn't mind.  :)
• Notes:  Hospital bag is packed, mom has done the 'rounds' with me as far as picking up kids, etc - so we are officially ready to go!

As of Friday, Ryan and I got the stomach bug - probably from Ethan - and it was BAD.  Needless to say, there is no picture for this week... I wasn't feeling too photogenic.

Ethan and Lily

Every night at dinner, Ryan asks each of us who we'd like to pray for before we eat dinner.  Ethan's is always the same - he always wants to pray for Lily.  He just loves this girl so much!  I think she has a bit of a love/hate relationship with him... but once she gets warmed up, they play SO well together - it's really cute!  She's only about 2 mos younger than him, so they are super close in age.   I was trying to get a pic of the two of them - while Ethan was antagonizing her acting like he was going to steal her swing... (he loves when she screams at him) so at first she wasn't in the mood for a picture.  

They crack me up!

36 Wk Check Up!

I went in yesterday for my 36 wk "REAL" checkup from the doc.  I was oddly very nervous but had pretty much determined not to expect to hear any news since I had not progressed at my 36 wk with either of my past two pregnancies.... but low-and-behold - Doc said I'm 1.5cm dilated and 70% effaced!!!  I was totally shocked!  Now, I'm not ignorant - I know that technically, this doesn't mean that I'll deliver early but it definitely gave me some much needed hope.  My level of discomfort at this point has been insane.  I know I'm "supposed" to "enjoy" this pregnancy and "not rush it" and blah blah....I just don't.  I am ready for this precious baby to come out!!!!!!!  So now, if the weather will just cooperate, I'm going to walk my booty off to get him out! Friday is officially full term!  YAY!!!!

Feb Phone Dump

Here's my iPhone pics from February.... 

Its a tech world we live in...

Lots of construction in our neighborhood... It's actually ALL around us right now.  Hoping for no nails in my tires.

 My V-Day present from my honey - a perfect, perfect gift.  Lots of chocolate covered strawberries from Sheri's Berries!

 Fun with the Burrow Boys!

 

So sweet when he's sleeping....<Ethan>   We were trying out our new baby monitor.

 Ryan and Kraig - Our double date was long overdue!  So much fun!

 He'll always be my baby....

 Jackson - still wearing the Spiderman hat that Mimi got him - even at bedtime.

36 Weeks!

• Baby's Sex: BOY!! (Name to be announced at birth!)
• Baby is as big as: Watermelon (19 - 22 in, 6.5 lbs) - another app I have said he's as big as a bowling ball.  Yep!
  
• Cravings this week: Coffee, sweet tea
• What's different this week than last week: I got dizzy twice this week - in the middle of the night.  I'd wake up and the room was spinning.  I think it's probably from laying on my back, but not sure.  I have it on my list of questions for the doc, but it's a little freaky!  It's almost as if I am really really drunk- and the room won't get still.  IDK.  Add it to the list of things I didn't have with the other 2 pregnancies!
• Weeks to go:  4 weeks
• Next Appt: Monday, March 4th - 36 wks!  Starting weekly appointments!!
• Big Brothers: Been trying to go for walks when the weather allows and no one is sick.  The boys ride in Jackson's Power Wheels truck so that we can walk fast while they speed by us.  They are at this point where they don't want to ride in a stroller and no one is fast enough on their bikes, so the truck comes in handy.  It's been hard having the boys sick so much this month and last month though.... and it's just downright COLD outside - 35 and under almost everyday... So I've found my level of laziness is super high these days.  :(  Quite opposite of Ethan's pregnancy when it was hot outside but nice and we were out there playing every single day.
• Notes:  I have almost everything done on my "Before Baby" To-Do list!  I finished my 2010 Blog Book this week (that only took me nearly 2 years to finish!), and I ordered all the pictures to finish out Ethan's baby book.  Baby clothes are all washed and put away.  Car Seats are ready to be put into the car when we take off.  I'm set with everything I need for the baby.... All I have left is packing MY hospital bag, and I figure I have a few weeks before I have to do that... 

More Crud....

My sweet Jackson has a bit of a tummy bug.  He has been a trooper, but more than him - his daddy has been a trooper... Two nights in a row- in the early early hours - Ryan has willingly rushed up and cleaned up Jackson's sheets and help Jackson get cleaned up.   I'm pretty grateful that Ryan is such hands-on dad!  In 4- almost 5- years, Jackson has never fallen asleep on the couch. My boys usually save their sleeping for their beds or the car seat.  Jackson came home from school on Thursday and was just wiped out.  I was hesitant to send him anyway, but thought maybe he was sick from eating too much fiber or something... not thinking this was a bug but after getting a little sick at school too, I knew it was a bug.  He asked to go to bed early last night - also a first - so I knew this boy is down... This morning, he woke up feeling much much better - telling us he's hungry and eating a yogurt, a pudding, crackers and most of an egg right off the bat.  Then, he just wanted to lay around on the couch today and watch TV, so that's what we're doing.  I can't wait for this season to be over.... It's always bad around our house in Jan/Feb. I dread it every year.  So WELCOME March!!!  Please give us a month of good health... oh, and a new baby!!  :)

Big Helper.

Ryan was rushing to get to work the other day and Ethan decided he would help, so he was running all over the house looking for Ryan with Ryan's shoes (obviously not his work shoes) - saying "Daddy, here you shoes, here you go daddy, here you shoes."  Anything for Daddy...

Playing with the butterflies...

My mom got the boys this toy forever ago.... I mean, it may have truly been a year ago.  Jackson has asked me so many times to play with it since he sees it "hidden" in the closet.... I just have been lazy assuming it would be a huge mess... Anyway, we finally played with it the other day and these boys have been nonstop playing with it ever since... It's actually a cute toy. 

those sweet smiles...

 

I told Jackson the other day that he's my #2 man, after daddy.... he asked what that meant, and daddy told him it meant that he is in charge of taking care of mommy when daddy is not around... He said he'd opt to be my #3 man instead.  Ha!

35 Weeks!!

• Baby's Sex: BOY!! (Name to be announced at birth!)
• Baby is as big as: Large Cantaloupe (19 - 22 in, 6 lbs)
  
• Cravings this week: Chocolate, coffee, sweet tea, PB&J.  That's basically my diet.
• What's different this week than last week:  Everything is officially ready for baby.  I have everything washed, organized and put away.  I have HIS bag packed to go to the hospital (not mine yet).  My mom is coming with me next week to do pick up/drop off procedures for the boys' schools...
• Weeks to go:  5 weeks
• Next Appt: Monday, March 4th - 36 wks!  Starting weekly appointments!!
• Big Brothers: Ethan has been increasingly interested in every single baby we see out and about... He wants to "pet" the baby and won't leave the baby's side until I intervene and make him... It's really precious.  I explained to Jackson our process for when the baby comes and that Mimi will be here to watch him and Ethan... He seemed ok with this "as long as it's only for 2 days."  Both of my boys have been extra needy of Ryan the last few weeks... Both fighting/crying/arguing over which gets Daddy to put them to bed... Not leaving his side when he comes home each night.... Ethan especially seems attached to Ryan... and this makes me extra sad, but at the same time, I know that the timing is probably a blessing because Mommy won't be able to devote as much attention to them when baby comes... so this is all the way it's meant to be, I'm sure. 
• Notes:  I had my doc appointment yesterday... I'm really happy to hear that the baby is doing well - good strong heartbeat, measuring well, etc.  I went into the appointment worried to death because this little guy just doesn't move as much as my last two babies.  I was convinced he is wrapped up, or there is something preventing him from being able to kick as much as I'm used to babies kicking.... While I was waiting for the doc in the waiting room, the baby was kicking me like crazy.  Hiccups, jabbing, full body movements - you name it.  By the time I got to see the doc, I explained my worry and he said it totally makes sense.... Basically he said - you aren't noticing his movements cuz you are too distracted with your boys and your life.... If you have a chance to sit and do nothing, you feel him - it's cuz you're focused on him.  Well, that's totally made sense to me, especially after what had happened while waiting in the waiting room.  So I guess I'm just a worry wart... a busy worry wart.  :)

Jackson's PreSchool "Assessment"

Today,  Ryan and I met with Jackson's teacher at his school to talk to his teacher about his progress in 4 yr old preschool.  This is the time of year where they recommend the student to Kindergarten, or not, based on the Pre-K assessment they do.  I was excited to hear about our big boy's progress!  We love Jackson's teacher... she's so kind and patient and really loves the students - I actually enjoy her company!  So we sat down and after some small talk, we get into the evaluation.  Jackson aced everything on the first side of the page... Knowing his letters, out of order, and their sounds... Knowing his name and his parents' names, his phone number (he didn't know his address, so we have to work on that one).  

On the behavior side, he knocked it out of the park with one exception (as you can see below):  "Completes work on time."  Next to it, she writes "is a perfectionist."  I laughed at seeing this because I know he's like this... She used the example of one time the kids were given a worksheet and asked to color all the squares.. Most kids dug in.... coloring 1, then 2, then 3, 4, 5 squares.... Teacher looks at Jackson's page... He's still on the first square.  Most kids are on the 5th.  She said it's quite "cute."  He will trace the square, shade the outside carefully, go around the edges, and finally color the middle... all so delicately.  I agree, a perfectionist.  One of her observations that I was shocked to see was "Will focus on task at hand."  I told her that this is something we struggle with with Jackson... He tends to get distracted VERY easily and doesn't always want to listen... If he doesn't pick up on something right away, he gets very frustrated and wants to quit.  Well, she said she sees the exact opposite of him in class. Shocking to us!!  We were not expecting such great reviews on the behavioral side, but I'm proud of him for demonstrating good behavior and showing his best side when he's at school.  She told us many times - "He's just such a good boy."  Ryan and I walked out of there so proud and chests high - our big boy was doing a great job!  We're still about 85% sure we're going to Bridge him (A program offered for kids not quite ready for Kindergarten but past the point of preschool... it's basically Kindergarten, half days - just to give kids a little headstart, rather than him being in a class where 90% of his class is older than him).  The teacher was 100% in favor of either Bridge or Kindergarten... She said she thinks J would succeed in either one.  I'm just really happy that Jackson has had such a great experience at his first "real" school.... I'm excited to see what his future brings him! 

Ethan and Hobbes, BFF

Something's Wrong w/ This Pic....

Um... Well, at least he got the belt on...Somehow?

The big box, part 2, and Daddy Day

Last Saturday was "Daddy Day" and that was extra special because Ryan was gone Wed night, Thurs night and Fri night - so by Saturday, the boys were elated to have a whole day to be "just the boys" while I was in Eureka Springs. Ryan took full advantage of having some time with his little guys... and being the big kid that he is anyway, he decided to tweak the box.  He cut out windows, made hidden doors and a back exit.... The boys have been in heaven ever since!  So funny - this is exactly what John Rosemond (Author of "Making the Terrible Twos Terrific" - a GREAT book, by the way!) was talking about with kids... They don't need special toys.. they need an imagination and some TLC.  My boys are so so blessed to have Ryan as their daddy... He's such an involved, loving and STRONG father for them to admire.... I'm so glad they have him as a role model and I pray they always do look to him as who they want to be "just like" .... What a better world this would be with more little "Ryan Stearle" clones.... I know this is why God insisted I have all boys.... Ok - enough of my sap.  

Here's a few more pics from "Daddy Day."

Ryan informed me that their day included baking banana bread and taking it to Aunt Janet's house, going to Petsmart to look at the animals, and WMT to pick up a few things... I think they had a blast. On Sunday, he managed to get the boys up and around to church at 800am before heading to my mom's for lunch.  I'm impressed, but not surprised... Ryan is a pro.

At night, Ryan and I have a little routine (which will be altered when baby arrives, I'm sure)... While I'm cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, Ryan takes the boys upstairs for baths - one at a time - on his back.  Ryan pretends to be "The Lizard" and usually Ethan goes up first... while Ryan is making all kinds of Lizard phrasing...(It's a Spiderman thing).  Upon dropping off Ethan at the top of the stairs, Ethan becomes "Baby Jaguar" (It's a Diego thing).  So he growls and howls waiting for the Lizard and Jackson's arrival..... Upon Jackson's arrival on Ryan's back, Baby Jaguar chases them into the bedrooms growling and showing claws... It's quite humorous.  Ryan sent me this pic Saturday night of "The Lizard," "Cheetah" and "Baby Jaguar."  I LOVE these boys!!!