37 Weeks - Full Term

I am SO relieved to have made it to 37 weeks with this baby. The last 5 days have been a bit nerve-wracking as I've had lots of contractions and other "the baby is coming soon" symptoms. I was so afraid that he was going to arrive late Saturday night because I'd been having some awful contractions from 11 am Sat to 2 am Sun. When they didn't stop after laying down for a bit, I got scared and started making a plan for "what if" that night (my on-call friend was out of town, so finding someone for Cooper was my main worry). I now have two on-call friends. :) But long story short, the contractions did eventually subside, and here we are 5 days later with baby still cookin'.

Went to the doc today.  First the nurse came in to get the baby's heart rate and such, using the little doppler.  Hudson was turned funny and it took her a minute or two to even find it.  Those few minutes usually have me nervous, but since he's been moving so much lately, I knew he was just at a weird angle.  Anyway, so the nurse kinda pokes him with the doppler wand, and he totally kicked right back at it!  That made us both laugh.  Then as if in defiance, he moved and moved and moved.  My belly looked like something possessed.  Oh wait, it is.  The nurse couldn't believe how much movement the kid made.  He's just as active as Cooper was before birth.

Then the doc came in and I told him all the ins and outs of the last two weeks, and said, "Long story short, Dr. K, there better be some kind of progression, or I think I'll just cry."  Without the gory details, there is some progression toward birth, but not a lot (if you want details, text or call).  I'll take anything at this point, and it was enough to keep me feeling like all the discomfort hasn't been totally in vain.  If I had to guess though, I'd say I'll make it to my c-section date of 5/16, but it's gonna be a looooong, uncomfortable two weeks.  But I can do anything for two weeks, especially something with such a great outcome.

I asked the doctor if he could guesstimate how big our boy is currently.  Taking into account that they really can't get a very accurate measurement by pure feel, he said if he had to bet, he'd say Hudson is right around 7.25 lbs currently.  I asked his prediction for birth weight, and he said at least 8 lbs, more like 8.5, if I make it to 5/16.  I was hoping for a little bit smaller baby than Cooper was.  Little bit is all I'm gonna get--maybe.  Cooper was 9 lbs. 1 oz, so looks like his brother is gonna be a contender, except that this time we're making the deadline a week (and two days) earlier.

This picture I took on Sunday.  Hudson was turned funny, and my belly looked like a bullet or something.  I took this and sent it to my Mom, but thought it worth keeping as a permanent blog memory.

This one was taken this morning.  I put on this shirt, not having worn it my whole pregnancy because I remember it being kinda big and baggy with Cooper, and also because I just barely ironed it.  It's one that's such a pain to wash and iron--not worth it.  But after my ironing escapade the other day in an effort to be productive while taking it easy, I finally ironed it.  However, the girth of my baby bump just about exceeds the limits of this blouse.  It was as tight as could be.  I was determined to still wear it and not waste all that ironing effort--ha!

At this point I am thankful for every day Hudson is able to continue growing in the womb, making sure he's as strong and healthy as can be, but at the same time, I'm SO READY for this to be done.  Uncomfortable doesn't even begin to describe it, especially now that he's dropped so much.  Two weeks and counting down every minute...

Polliwogs and Crawfish

Cooper has been all about "pets" lately.  He and Nate often go on an "adventures" as Cooper calls them, which means they go for a walk in the woods or something.  They returned from their lunchtime adventure today with a bottle full of polliwogs (7 total) and a crayfish, among other small pond/stream creatures.  Coop was SO excited to show me his newest pets.

  Mr. Crayfish

 Several of the polliwogs   Most of them have all their legs and are starting to lose their tails.  We'll release all these pets tomorrow, but he sure had fun with them.

 This afternoon we were enjoying playing in the front yard when I spotted a silk worm hanging from our tree. Cooper loves these little green guys, which we call inch worms.

With all these creatures, all I can do is grin and bear it, since it brings Cooper so much joy.  He loves to find new pets outside every day.  Wonder what he'll find next...

Sweet and Sour

Tonight at bedtime prayers, one of the things Coop prayed for by himself was "Please bless Mommy to not get bit up by mosquitos." So sweet, but Nate and I had to hold back some giggles. Earlier in the evening I'd told Coop we had to go inside because I was getting bit up by mosquitos. Guess that was important to him! Too cute.

Then that same little guy was laying in bed a few minutes later and cried out, "Mom! We need to clean up this whole big mess or I'm gonna think it's monsters in the night!" The "big mess" he was referring to was the train track we'd built earlier in the day together, that I'd left for him to play with tomorrow. We always clean his room at night before bed, but tonight...can we say bedtime stall tactic? He's never seemed to care about messes before. Ha!

Had a great day with my "Snuggle Bug Forever" as he likes me to call him. We went to the library to play computer games and get books, had a picnic lunch in the car (he always begs for this), came home and played Duplos and trains all afternoon. It was a good Mommy & Me day as I'm trying to spend one-on-one with him before this baby is born.

Here's a picture of him playing in one of the animal masks I ordered for his preschool party this Thurs. Love this little guy.

Happy 38th, Nathan!

It's been nearly a week since Nate's birthday, and I forgot to blog about it. Been a little preoccupied trying to not have this baby too soon.
We had Nate's Aunt Denise and Uncle Jim over for a visit, dinner and dessert. It is so nice to have family near enough to join us for these occasions. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of Jim, Denise, or myself (I've been terrible about that lately!).
At Nate's request we had grilled burgers for dinner. I think that was his sweer way of trying to keep me off my feet. And since he doesn't really like cake, we had key like pie instead, his favorite. Wasn't a grand party, but I know he felt loved. Thank you to all who called and sent cards/ gifts and such. He downplays it, but I know those little things mean a lot. Happy 38th, Nate!

Baby Registry

I've had several people ask what we need for the baby, since they want to purchase baby gifts.  As much as I don't like asking for things, knowing that many friends and family want to celebrate our upcoming arrival with us, I thought I'd go ahead and set up a baby registry with the few things we need.  I registered at Walmart, since that is the most universal store with baby items.  You can look up Chrystal or Nathan Smith.  Due date 5/22/13. Registration ID 80541133091.

There are a few items on the registry that are total "wish list" items.  The other more practical items are things we need.  I do already have enough newborn size diapers, and a few boxes of size 1.  We may use another box or two of size 1, and then it will be on to size 2.  We also need wipes, and I love Pampers Sensitive wipes for those first few months with a newborn.

I'll keep adding to the registry as I think of things we may need/want.  Thanks for your thoughtfulness, and by no means is this asking/expecting gifts from anyone.  People just keep asking... :)

A Child's Prayer

Each night a different person in our family offers the family prayer at bedtime.  Tonight it was Cooper's turn for family prayer, and he was reluctant, as he often is, to give it.  I don't know what it is with him and praying, but he often really has to be coaxed to do it.  Once he starts though, he's all about doing it BY HIMSELF and will have NO help.

Tonight once he started, his prayer was sweet as usual, asking for safety and blessings for each person in our family.  He most always prays for Baby Cheese as well.  I've been teaching him that he can pray for help with specific things like feeling peace, not being afraid, being a good boy (minding mom and dad), etc.  We were having thundershowers tonight, and although the rain had momentarily ceased, in his prayer tonight he said, "Please bless the rain and thunder to stop because it scares me."  That is the first time I've heard him pray for something specific like that on his own without being coached or talking about it before the prayer.  Such a sweet and simple thing, but it made my heart smile to see that he understands somewhat the concept of faith and prayer, that Heavenly Father hears his prayers, and that he can pray for help with many things.  Being that he is so reluctant to pray sometimes, it was a big moment to me as a parent.

Self Tanning Like a Boy

The last few days of beautiful weather Cooper has spent a large part of the day playing in the red dirt in our backyard between the fence and the woods. He's dug it up so much that's there's lots of dust, and he's been covered head to toe. His arms, face, and legs look like he's applied self tanner and turned orange. Tried to capture it on camera a little. Love my little guy who loves to play in the dirt!