Making progress!

I had my 37 week appt this past Monday. I am 1cm and Bebe Cole is still high. We discussed a possible induction for either a week before my due date which would be right before Thanksgiving, or the Sunday after Thanksgiving - this is all depending on *if* he drops. Since he is so high up, my doctor can't tell if he is head down. I go back on Nov 16 (Cory's 30th birthday) for another appt and ultrasound to check position. I'll also find out then, which day the doctor was able to schedule the induction.

Since I have made some progress *which I totally didn't expect* I have started packing my bag and getting last minute things together. I mean, this could happen at any time! I am so ready to meet this little man!

5 1/2 weeks...

We are getting close to Baby Cole's arrival! I went to the doctor yesterday and there is nothing to report. Everything was good. She did my group B strep test and since I had been having contractions, she checked my cervix. No progress...he is still up high and no dialating...Which is a good thing since I still have about 5 1/2 weeks left.

Halle is getting really excited about getting a baby brother. She asks about him all the time and likes to put her head to my belly and listen for baby Cole to make "noisies." Often she will hug my belly and say "I love baby Cole" She just melts my heart. She is going to be a great big sister.

We have been staying pretty busy the past couple of weeks with birthdays, gymnastics, doctor's appointments, subbing and a photoshoot. Halle was chosen to model tutu's for Baby Cakes Boutique. I can't wait to see all of the pictures. Here is the "sneak peek" photo. Fake smile, but still so cute! I also am including a pic of baby Cole's bed and one of Halle watching cartoons in her toy basket.

Still have LOTS to do...

Well, I have been able to check a few things off of my list lately in getting the nursery ready for Cole's arrival. We have about 8 more weeks!!!

My dad went to get the baby crib out of the attic a couple of weeks ago for me and realized that he only had part of the crib..that's not going to do us a whole lot of good. So, the hunt was on for a crib. After searching craigslist every day.multiple times a day, we found a nice cherry wood convertible crib this past weekend. Since we now had a crib and bedding but no mattress, we went out and purchased that too so we could put the bedding on the crib. It is so cute! Pics to come soon, my camera battery is dead at the moment.

So here is the list of things to do as of now:
1. move the full size bed to Ross' house
2. make curtains for the nursery - fabric has already been purchased!
3. make another Boppy pillow cover *I made one already and have to say I am pretty impressed with myself*
4. get a few more necessities
5. check and make sure I have all parts needed for my breastpump (and make sure it still works)
6. put a clear coat on the letters for the nursery (might do that today)
7. recover glider rocker cushions

I don't feel as overwhelmed about getting ready for Cole as I did before. I feel that if he came early, we have what we need to get by. I am just so ready to meet this little man.

*LOTS* to do!

Well, we are coming down to the end....of my pregnancy that is. I have about 11 more weeks to go and still so much to do to have everything ready for my little man's arrival. I thought I would make a list so I can start checking things off.

1. Get dad to take down the crib, clean it, make sure it is safe.
2. Purchase a crib mattress.
3. Move the bed in the nursery to Ross' house.
4. Purchase a dresser for the master bedroom (that actually matches) so we can move the one in there to the nursery.
5. Finish painting letters of Cole's name for the wall (almost done with that!)
6. Make boppy pillow covers.
7. Buy a few more necessities for baby such as blankets, burp clothes, bibs, etc.
8. Make curtains the nursery and recover the cushions on the glider rocker (with mom's help of course)
9. Find some gold colored storage bins that I can paint purple paw prints on.
10. Find out when the crib bedding will be in (ordered from Ebay...custom made LSU!)

Ok...I am now officially overwhelmed!

*Big Girl* Bed

Well, since Halle will be turning 3 this December, we decided to finally convert her crib into a toddler bed. Her pedi always said to leave her in the crib until she consistantly climbed out of it, but she had NEVER tried to climb out and I think at the age of almost 3, it is time to move up.

So, Sunday evening we made the switch. She fell asleep in the living room that night, so putting her to bed in it was easy, we just laid her down. We put pillows on the floor next to the bed in case she fell out. As Cory and I went to bed that night, we were wondering what she would do in the morning when she woke up....would she call for us like she always had or would she get up and come in our room. My guess was that she would show up in my room to wake me up in the morning. About 7am came the next morning and I haven't seen or heard her yet. I flipped on the video monitor to see what Halle was up to and she was still sleeping, but starting to stir a little. I watched for about 30 minutes while she just played in the bed. She would hang her head over the side and check things out on the floor, then she would lay back down. Then she put her feet over the side and swing then a little, then laid back down. She just laid there and made some noises and did some singing. I was so suprised to see her so content in the bed. Then, the phone rang and I was called to sub that morning so I had to go in and get her. She was so excited to see me and tell me about sleeping in her Big Girl bed. I still wonder how long she would have stayed in there.

Every morning since then, Halle has not gotten up as I thought she would. Instead, I still hear the same "mommy....mommy....I need to potty!" that I heard when she was in the crib. She sits in the bed until I come and open her door, then she happily bounces out of bed. I guess she thinks she can't get out until I come in there. Let's see how long that lasts!

24 Week Appointment and other news...

I went for my 24 week appointment this past Thursday. It was uneventful - which is always great! My doctor said that everything looked and sounded good. I have to go for my glucose test sometime in the next couple of weeks. I go back to the doctor in 4 weeks, then after that, she sees me every 2 weeks. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going! Bebe Cole will be here before we know it!

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We decided to go ahead and take our house off the market this week. We have had it for sale since April and nothing has happened with it. We decided since we only have about 3 1/2 months before Cole will be here and the fact that I am not working this year, that it would be best to wait and put it back out for sale in the Spring.

Now, to that *not working this year* thing. I did not receive any offers for a job this school year, so we decided I get to stay home with Halle (and Bebe Cole after he arrives). I didn't push for a job as hard as I did last year. I knew the likelyhood of me getting hired was slim since I am pregnant. I have decided that I am going to sub this year so I can get my foot into the door of the school where I would like to teach (and send my children). I am really excited about being a stay at home mommy this year. It is a new adventure for me. Until this summer, I have never been able to stay home with Halle. Yes, we are going to have to adjust to one income now, since I received my last paycheck last week, but it is so worth it to me. I have always envied the moms who get to stay home and raise their children. It is such a privilege! It also gives me extra time to spend with just Halle before Cole arrives.

A little late but....

We are having a BOY!!! I just realized that I never posted this! We are super excited! His name will be Cole Allen. Same initials and middle name as his daddy. Now our little family will be complete!

I would post ultrasound pics, but my scanner had decided it does not want to work. So, I'll post a belly pic instead. This is me at 22 weeks.
I go back to the dr. this Thursday just for a checkup.

16 Week Appointment

I had my 16 week appt with the dr. yesterday. It was pretty uneventful...which is good. I am measuring right on time. Mom and Halle came with me this time and we got to hear the heartbeat again. The dr. had trouble finding it at first, then as soon as she would find it, the baby would move, then as soon as she found it again, the baby would move again. So...we definitely have a very active baby. I have been feeling a few little flutters the past few days. This is one of my favorite parts of pregnancy...feeling the baby move. It is such an amazing feeling...that little life inside moving around. Halle was excited the hear the baby's heart. I can't wait to find out if she is getting a brother or a sister. We find out on July 15th!

Intelligender

I broke down and bought one of those Intelligender tests yesterday. I am dying to know if this bebe is a boy or girl. I know that the test is not completely accurate, but I couldn't help myself. I worry that this will give me false hope, but I just have to keep reminding myself that it is not 100% accurate and that I did this just for fun.

I took the test this morning and here are the results...

Now I just have to wait about 6 more weeks to see if it is true or not.

So much has been going on....

I have had a busy few weeks so I have a lot to update.


Let's go back to Mother's Day...my 3rd Mother's day was great and I have a wonderful husband! Cory got up with Halle, cooked breakfast, got me a great present (prenatal massage!), and took his girls to Disney on Ice! It was fantastic! I think I enjoyed it as much as Halle did. She say in Cory's lap and never moved, eyes glued to the ice the entire time.

Next came the end of school. Very bittersweet moment for me. I have been laid off from the school I was teaching at due to low enrollment for next year..you know, last one hired, first one out. It stinks! My first graders have come so far and I am beyond proud of them. They have matured and learned so much this year. I feel so accomplished to say that my entire class passed and is going to second grade. It was a challenging year since it was my first, but it will always be special for that very same reason. I will miss those 15 children so much and I hate that I will not get to see them next year. I wish them all the best in their future!

On the last day of school, I had my 12 week appt with my doctor to see baby #2 again! Cory came this time. It is so amazing to see that little baby on that screen swimming inside of me. It is also great to see that proud daddy watching that screen. We got to hear the heartbeat for the first time...158 bpm...nice and strong. Here is a glimpse of our little one growing.

Today is the first real day of summer vacation. Halle and I didn't do much today. Just some grocery shopping in the new ride. My wonderful hubby bought me a Yukon this weekend. We don't have a lot planned for the summer. Hopefully I'll get a job for the next school year, but if not I will just be a sub for the year. With a baby on the way, I am doubtful that anyone will hire me. I know that they are not supposed to discriminate, but we all know they do. It will happen if I am meant to have a job this year. All I can do is trust in God that he will provide what we need. Besides hoping for a job, we will be hanging out with Aunt Carley and Addison, swimming in the backyard, blowing bubbles and just enjoying my last summer with just Halle.

Happy Summer!

Big Sister

Well, Halle is going to be a big sister! She doesn't really understand what that means yet, but it is really cute to hear her say it.

Baby #2 is due December 1st. I guess Cory and I have a thing for December babies! This one will be close to Thanksgiving, so maybe it's holiday babies that we like. Who knows! We are just extremely excited to be expanding our little family.

I went to the dr. yesterday for an ultrasound and OB appt. The ultrasound was great! I got to see the little blob and see that beautiful flickering heartbeat. Of couse I teared up as soon as I saw it. It is just amazing! The OB appt. was uneventful, it was really just a quick chat with the dr. to make sure I didn't have any questions and off the to lab for bloodwork. I go back in 5 weeks!

Here is a glimpse of the cute little thing in my belly!

Random Photos

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Halle's first year. I am running out of room on my computer, so I was doing some saving to CD's and moving things to Photobucket for backup. It just amazes me how much she has grown. Where has the time gone so quickly?