37 weeks!

Well here we are...baby could come at any time and I'm pretty sure we are all as ready as we are going to be.  I thought I wouldn't mind going as long as possible because, well, this may be my last pregnancy (not sure yet) and because it is going to be a whole new challenge to have 2 and not much sleep.  But, I think I am ready to meet this little princess.  I want to hold her and see her.  I want to introduce her to her big sister.
Irelyn is finally starting to get it!  She now calls her old room her baby sister's room and refers to her baby sister frequently.  A week ago she wanted to name the baby, Dennis.  This week it is simply "sister".
I am uncomfortable!  I want my body back.  I want to be able to hold Irelyn on my lap and cuddle without a ball in between us.  I want this rib pain to go away.  I want my bladder back.  I want the heart burn to go away.  And I really really want to wear regular clothes.  I have very little that is comfortable or fits.  I have found a few of Joe's t-shirts I like.  I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes so I pretty much get to wear the same 4-5 shirts and pants over and over and over.
I had an appt. today.  I am measuring a little small now, but I had a different midwife measuring today.  I have gained no weight since my last appt. 2 weeks ago.  I think she is just out of room in there!  Time to come out and grow.  I have gained, at this point, quite a bit less than with Irelyn.  The midwife did say she is head down, low, and I am 1 cm dilated. My personal guess is still at least 2 weeks. 

I wanted to give a quick update that Irelyn does amazing in her room downstairs and I now am completely comfortable with it and actually really like that she is down there.  I feel after she goes to bed I can get more done because I am not as worried about being quiet until she completely falls asleep.  Maybe eventually I will put them both down there ;).
Irelyn is close to 23 months old.  I have been planning her 2nd birthday, because I know I have more time to do it now than after baby.  The date of the party will be decided after the baby is born. 
She is absolutely hilarious and so cute.  She speaks so clearly and I cannot believe some of the things that come out of her mouth.  SO smart.  Memory is amazing.  With being smart she is also figuring out how to be sneaky and naughty.  She will stand behind my back if she is doing something naughty so I can't "see" her.  She also seems to grow sweeter everyday.  She gives countless kisses and hugs.  Says "I love you." 
Her favorite movies are: Shrek 1,2,3, Beauty and the Beast, and Monsters Inc.  Enjoys Elmo, but not as much anymore.  She is really getting into coloring.  Favorite toys are her cash register (which she "cooks" with), magna doodle, a lock puzzle, and her castle (tent).  Her purple blankie is still her comfort item. 

She looks so grown up in this picture

This is getting a little long, so I will stop now.  I just keep thinking about things I want to remember and I know soon I may not have the time.  Thanks for reading my rambles!
 
The 37 week comparisons :)  I think I look bigger with baby #2 for sure!

Dear Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,
I am so excited to meet you!  I wonder often when you will decide to make your entrance?  Will labor be similar this time around?  Will you look like your sister? Will your hair also be red?  Will I get to hear this time that you look like me?  No matter what the answer is to any of the questions, I know it won't matter.  I promise to love you SO much.  SO much that I don't even think I can know how it will feel until that wonderful day I hold you in my arms and kiss you all over!  Soon little one.  Soon.
Love,
Mommy

P.S. please don't hurt me too much ;)

Florida 2012

I realized I hadn't yet blogged about our "babymoon".  We had such a wonderful time visiting some of our favorite friends in Saint Augustine/ Jacksonville, FL. We went from Jan. 19-23 and spent the evening of the 18th by ourselves in a hotel in Minneapolis so we were ready to fly out early.

I had been pretty nervous, not knowing how I would feel leaving Irelyn.  I had never left her more than 1 night.  Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard.  I realized when we got back it is almost easier to be away from her in a whole new place rather than if I am home and she is spending the night somewhere else.

I have been to Florida many times, but I think only 1 other time during the winter.  And what a great time for us to go.  It was super cold and snowy back here in Wisconsin and sunny and 60s or 70s everyday in Florida.  Very strange to return the cold, it felt so much like spring when we were gone.  

We stayed with Erica and Jud and their family of dogs :).  We spent our days getting to sleep in a bit, going to the zoo, eating out at restaurants we had never heard of or had never been to, staying up late, shopping, going to the beach and playing games.  A highlight was climbing the 200+ stairs of the Saint Augustine light house- 32 weeks pregnant!

We just love spending time with Erica and Jud and after leaving always want to find a way to be closer to them.  Sadly, I don't think a move to Florida is in our near future, but we had a wonderful time!  Can't wait to take the girls someday!!

Petting the stingrays

Jacksonville Zoo

Erica and I with the giraffes

All of us at the beach

We celebrated Joe's birthday in Florida!  27 on the 22nd.  Largest Chipwich I've ever seen!

At the lighthouse

I think this picture is really neat.  Joe and I at the bottom.

I wrote both girls' names in the sand.  But, you all have to wait a few more weeks to know the baby's name!

35 weeks

On February 6, I hit 35 weeks pregnant with little lady.  I had an appt. with my midwife today.  Not much going on.  The appts. are pretty quick.  She answers any questions- I normally have very few or none. She measures me- I measure right on.  And listens to the baby- she sounds great.  It's pretty much the same every time.  Irelyn went with me this time for the first time.  She was really good.  Didn't really get it, but sat nicely and wide eyed when we listened to the baby's heart beat.  She LOVES babies so I hope she will love her baby sister.  She also is very sympathetic and has a hard time if anyone is crying, so that may be a challenge.  Maybe I will get lucky and have one of those babies who never seems to cry.  ;)

My mom did make the comment the other day that she thought I had "dropped".  I hadn't really thought about, but I guess I kind of agree.  I still think my basketball looks pretty high, but I feel like the kicks are a little lower and even more pressure on my poor little bladder. I have the same right rib pain I had with Irelyn, but lately it hasn't been as bad because I think she shifted a little.

I have heard many times you can somewhat base your pregnancies based on how your mom's pregnancy went.  I didn't realize it, but my mom went 1 week over with my older sister and I went 1 week over with Irelyn.  She went 5 days early with me, so we shall see how this one goes.  The midwife also said today to expect half the time of labor as the first time.  This would be 3.5 hours total!  Kind of scary fast if that happens.
I have joked with a few people that this baby could be a leap year baby.  (a little embarrassed I had to explain what leap year is to my husband...).  I'm, I guess, indifferent to if that would happen.  It would be special and unique, but also strange.  

So, ready or not this baby is on it's way!  Countdown is on!

And again for fun, the comparison of belly with Irelyn and belly with little lady...

Little moments

Tonight Irelyn climbs up on to the couch by me, lays down on me, and says "I love you."  First time this has happened without me saying it first or asking her to say it.  "I live for little moments like this!"