9 Months

So, this is it - the final month. I am really, really hoping that I do not have to go all the way to my due date. Since this will be my third delivery and the fact that Jenna came two weeks early, my doctor thinks I have a pretty good chance of going earlier than my due date. I had my first weekly appointment yesterday and found out that I am dilated to a "loose" one and the baby is head down (my doctor felt the head). Of course, I could stay there for a couple of weeks or I could go into labor any day now. This is the part that is driving me crazy!! I hate not knowing when it will happen as I am such a planner. I took the kids for a bike ride today and half-way through it I thought I was going to throw myself into labor!! It is hot and sticky out, I swelled up like a balloon and what I have believed to be the baby moving (arching his/her back or stretching) are actually Braxton-Hicks contractions and I had a few of those! Joe is working on a project at work that is due today and he is the only one who can do it. All he asked last night was that I not go into labor today! I don't think he would have approved of my actions this morning! This afternoon I'm taking it easy and helping the kids make big brother/sister t-shirts that they can wear to the hospital. I have realized that there are two time frames in their minds - Before Big Belly and After Big Belly. I was a much more fun mom, apparently, in the time of Before Big Belly. This phrase often is associated with when we went to Disney. "Mom, do you remember when we went to Disney and you could do things because it was Before your Big Belly..." Ahh, nothing like the sweet honesty of kids.

Preschool Fieldtrip

On May 22 we went on the end-of-the-year field trip with Alex's preschool. Our destination - the Children's Museum in Bloomington/Normal. Our mode of transportation - Amtrak. What a long, but fun day we had!! A group of almost 30 rode the train. The kids had so much fun! Although we have rode the Amtrak before, Jenna was just a baby and has no memory of it. So, this was quite a big deal for her. Joe took the day off and came with us. All the kids wanted to sit together and at one point I think we had 8 kids sitting in four seats! Visiting the snack car was a big treat. I opted not to walk much on the train. I am waddling enough on my own without the aid of a moving train! The museum was great! There are three floors of fun, exploration, and discovery to be had. Jenna and I lost Alex and Joe for most of the morning. The water table, lego table, and farm harvesting center were big hits for Jenna in the morning. Joe told me that he and Alex loved the giant sized chess set. We met with the group for lunch and the afternoon hit for Jenna was the wall painting where she was able to paint on glass. Then it was back down to the first floor where she discovered the train table and finally met up with Alex again where we played restaurant and grocery store. One final stop at the water table and our day at the museum was over. The train trip back wasn't as fun, but we were tired and had trouble finding seats. We all ended up in the observation car and Jenna and Alex played with friends until our arrival back in Springfield. We all had a good time and agreed it would be a trip we could do again. It was a bit sad as we parted with our friends as it most likely will be the last time we see them. With all the kids going to different schools next year, it will be hard to keep in touch. But now our summer has begun and our wait for baby is on!!

Graduation

So, did I cry? You bet! It wasn't at the processional. It wasn't when Alex was awarded his "degree". It was at the very beginning with the slide show that introduced the graduating kids. A baby photo popped up first, followed by a recent picture of the child, and ended with a family photo. Of course, sappy music was playing in the background, the kind you dance with your mom or dad at your wedding. I got teary eyed when the slide show began and it wasn't even Alex on the screen yet. As the alphabet got closer to him, the tears just kept coming. I looked over at Joe, all embarrassed and cursed pregnancy hormones. He just gave me a reassuring look and said it was fine. Alex hugged me. Whew! That was hard to get over. I was fine through the songs sung by the kids. Then the kids had a surprise they had to go get. When I saw the first kid come through the doors with a pink carnation, I knew the water works would start again. And I saw my baby boy, now a five year old boy - a child, and no longer a baby - round the corner with my flower. He had a huge smile on his face and came up to me and gave me a huge hug and handed me the flower. I held on a bit longer than I should have and a bit tighter but when I let him go, I was fine again. The morning ended with the processional, the presentation of the degrees and then we had refreshments. Alex had a cupcake, a piece of cake, and a cookie. How could we say no, it was his big day! Jenna, now, she gave me some grief. We were going to stay with the class so that I could help out before the ceremony began, but she so badly wanted to do what the other kids were doing that I had to take her out. I felt bad for her. She wanted a hat. She wanted to sit on stage. She wanted to sing the songs. But once I removed her and gave her some one-on-one time, she was OK. Then when Joe showed up we made a big deal that she got to sit with Daddy. That appeased her enough. At one point she did tell me that when she went to preschool, Alex could NOT sit up front with her because it would be her special day! Afterwards we went to McDonald's (they are giving out Speed Racer toys, you know). Alex did find a surprise on his booster seat, an army bucket filled with a pack of WOW cards, Spiderman cards, and Star Wars cards along with a Hulk pen and a new toothbrush (he needed a new one, so why not just throw it in). Joe surprised both kids with baseball bats and balls. After quiet time we are headed outside to play some baseball. It's been a good day and Alex has felt special and knows that we are proud of him, what more can we ask for?

Big Changes Ahead

It is hard for me to believe that tomorrow Alex "graduates" from preschool. He had a graduation ceremony last year but I was fine with it because I knew he was going to preschool for another year. But tomorrow, well, I think it will be hard for me. In just a few short months Alex will begin the next phase of his life - the school years. I am having a hard time thinking about him being away from me the whole day -not knowing what he is doing, who he is talking to, how he is behaving, what he is eating, wondering if he is having fun, wondering if he is getting in trouble, wondering if he fits in. It's a lot to deal with. And I know deep down that he will be just fine. I really think he is going to like school. He knows what is ahead. He knows he is going to go to school like Daddy goes to work (5 days of school, 2 days off). He knows he is going to eat lunch at school (just make sure you pack things I like, Mom). He knows he no longer has to have quiet time (the biggest highlight I think). Oh well, plenty of time to dwell on these thoughts in August. I just hope I'm not a huge emotional mess tomorrow. I was teary-eyed at the Big Brother/Big Sister class the kids went to at the hospital this past weekend. Alex and Jenna were so excited about the class. They learned about how things will be different when the baby comes home and that the baby will take up a lot of mom and dad's time. The nurse told the kids that it was alright to feel upset or angry about the baby sometimes. If they felt this way then they were to tell mom or dad that they needed some alone time with mom or with dad. When she said that, I flashed back to one of the hardest moments I had after Jenna came home. Alex woke up from his nap and called for me. I went into his room carrying Jenna. Alex's eyes teared up and he said in his little-just-turned-2-year-old voice "Baby down. Me, Mommy." I'm hoping we all transition smoothly. The class really helped them feel special and understand what is to come. We visited a maternity suite, so they know what the room will look like when they come to visit. They saw a newborn through the nursery window. They made pictures for the baby that the hospital staff will put on the baby's bassinet and they were able to wrap a present for the baby. Alex picked out a bib that said "I've got a great big brother" and Jenna picked out a stuffed animal. The kids then got a certificate and a bag filled with lots of neat things like books and crayons. Jenna thought the tiny baby diaper was so funny. Alex is now really excited about the baby. In class they mentioned how the baby is already getting to know their voices and that when they come to see the baby, the baby will probably turn in their direction because he/she already knows who they are. And that the baby is getting to know their touch, too. This sunk in with Alex because he has been rubbing my belly so much more and talking to the baby. It is so precious. The big day is approaching soon. I'll be 35 weeks on Thursday - 2 to 5 weeks left. Time is going by fast now - and as achy and tired as I feel - this is a good thing! I'll try to post pictures of the graduation ceremony tomorrow, check back!

Mother's Day Tea

Today I was treated to a Mother's Day Tea at Alex's preschool. The timing was perfect as Joe had the day off and was able to watch Jenna so that I could enjoy some time with just Alex. The table center pieces were "flower pots" (Styrofoam cups) painted by the kids with a "flower" in each one (a piece of paper with their picture on it). Alex's pot was painted his standard three colors- blue, red, and black. We enjoyed a tasty snack of fruit and cheese kabobs, cherry tarts (handmade by the kids that morning) and lemonade. Alex and I were glad that tea wasn't actually served because neither of us likes tea!! After snack the kids got up on stage and sang us three songs. The first song was about their love for their moms and the kids did sign language as they sang. Alex wasn't a loud singer this year and he was last year, but he knew all the motions to the songs and made eye contact with me quite a few times. I loved every minute of it. Then the moms were treated to gifts made by the kids - a family portrait on a plate. It nearly brought my emotional, hormonal, pregnant self to tears. Included in our family picture was Daddy, Mommy, Jenna, Alex, Lucky, and C.C. Every one wanted to know if Alex had included the baby in our picture. He didn't, and to that I was glad because I would have been mortified at how large he would have drawn my stomach!! Overall, it was a great time for the two of us. And now, Joe has taken the kids out to do some "secret shopping". We will celebrate my day tomorrow by doing some baby-readiness shopping followed by an ice-cream treat. Then on Sunday we are headed to Hardin to see Joe's parents before they are off on their month-long vacation to Japan and Hawaii. It should be a good weekend.

New Bike

One of the benefits of being a younger sibling is getting things earlier. Alex got his first bike for his 5th birthday. Not quite 4, and for no reason at all, Jenna has gotten her first bike. We thought it was time for her to have her own "big girl" bike and she loves it! Joe and I had the perfect opportunity to have a "Jenna Day". While Alex was at a birthday party, Joe and I took Jenna to Toys R Us and told her she could pick out a bike of her very own. She was thrilled! And though she could not get her dream bike, a Ben 10 bike, because it only came in big sizes, she is very happy with the bike she chose. Jenna still is having trouble starting up the bike, but as her legs get stronger she will do just fine. She is so happy to be just like Alex. And the good thing is, Alex is happy for her, too! (Mom, FYI, Alex's bike is 16" and Jenna's bike is 12").

Funny Alex

I love some of the things that come out of that boy's mouth. It's those moments that I want to capture forever. Here are two of my latest favorites... Alex: Mom, why are we the only yard that has all the pretty yellow flowers? Me: We are just lucky I guess. (Yes, he was speaking of dandelions!!) As my stomach continues to EXPAND, I have given the kids a new job - helping me off the couch or out of bed. They get a kick out of it! One day as I was getting out of the computer chair Alex looks over at me and says "Mom, is that big belly of yours weighing you down like a boulder?" I love him!