Just Messin' With Ya!

This should be Boy #3's tag line...

Let me start this post with a warning: Do not continue to read if you don't like long, boring, mildly graphic novel-length posts filled with complaints. With that being stated, let me start by saying WE ARE GOING CRAZY at the J Home!!

It all started at my 34 week appointment. As my doctor was doing a routine ultrasound, she informed me that the baby looked like he'd dropped, head pressing against cervix, and that she needed me to be "really careful and stay off my feet" so we could keep him in for at least 2, hopefully 3 more weeks. She also said that would explain the contractions I'd been having and gave me some medicine to stop them. My doctor is normally extremely laid back, so her panic invoked a bit of alarm...

Needless to say my husband and parents were a bit worried about me (let's face it, Sarah staying off her feet is a bit of an oxymoron, even for only 2 weeks). And I was personally exasperated because I hadn't planned on stopping life until 36 weeks, so naturally I'd crammed everything into my schedule for those exact 2 weeks.

Just another trauma to add to my baby list. Trauma, you ask? But having a baby is supposed to be a joyous an blessed occasion. I'm sure for most normal people, it probably is. A little background information: 

Hunter 3 weeks

Hunter was breech all along and at my 36 week appointment with him, I was told there was no way I could go into labor on my own. Well, what do ya know, 2 days later my water broke all over the floor and we were off to the hospital for a c-section, stat! (Yes it is very tramatic being caught completely unprepared and thinking you still have weeks to get ready- we didn't even have a car seat for him!) Once opened up, they figured out I have a heart-shaped uterus (which is usually no big deal- it just means you typically can't carry babies as long. It also means no option for a v-bac and a limited number of pregnancies). With Kyler, I started having regular contractions at 35 weeks. We made it to 38 weeks with him, when I literally watched him "drop" and then went into labor the next day. My contractions had been so bad for the previous 3 weeks, that I didn't think I was in real labor. Brett and my mom literally forced me to go to the hospital! (Good thing they did, because I was dilated to a "5" and less than an hour later we were looking at a "stat surgery" once again...)

Kyler 3 weeks

So last week I was cleared to go off the medicine and do whatever I want. The doctor's exact words: "Okay, so if you're in pain, just come in and we'll take the baby." Um, what kind of statement is that? So of course, with every few contractions, I think "Is that the real thing?" and poor Brett is constantly on edge because he knows from experience that his wife won't go into the hospital until she's crawling on the floor and can't speak (who wants to go to the hospital just to be sent home?), while our sweet friends and family members keep asking "Are you having contractions? Are you in labor? How are you feeling?" (Mighty crappy, thank you, having a heavy baby grind his head into your pelvis everytime he moves is no day at the beach.)

Low-Rider

So the last few weeks we've been in "hurry-the-baby's-coming any-minute-mode." We've scrubbed every inch of the house, finished spring cleaning, caught up on all the yard work (yup- even the garden), washed all the baby clothes, crib and cradle set up, car seat ready to go... And now NOTHING!!  I know I should be happy to have almost everything crossed off my list and make it to my May goal. But (maybe due to the fact that he's been consistently measuring 2 weeks ahead) Brett and I honestly thought we'd have an April baby.

But no, after all the worry and stress and having to do everything for the last few weeks (on Brett's part) and all the frustration at having to sit around unable to do anything (on my part), here I am 3 weeks later with no baby and no change in progress...

You'd think I'd realize by now I can't plan on anything going how I think it's "supposed" to go. This little guy must be meant to help show his mom yet again that she has absolutely no control and needs more patience..  

Baby Boy #3 @ 37 weeks
Measuring over 7 lbs. so far...

Okay, message received, kid! I'm patiently waiting. Now stop messing with our heads and just get here already!

The Hunt Is On!

We started celebrating Easter a day early with a lunch and hunt at grandma's:

 The boys had so much fun! Thanks for everything, Grandma!

On Sunday morning, the boys woke up to some goodies from the Easter Bunny.

Saturday night, Hunter started a long conversation when he asked "what eggs and bunnies have to do with Jesus?"  Pretty deep for a 6-yr-old, if you ask me...

After church, he announced "Easter is my new favorite holiday!" 

I beamed and proudly asked why. 

He answered, "Because we get gifts and candy!"

(Okay so he's still just 6)

  And it's a good thing- 'cuz he then had a blast at great-grandma's famous hunt.

Kyler's winnings were big- he got the $5 egg!

Happy Belated Easter!

What's In A Name?

Help Wanted: 3rd Boy Needs Name 

   He's coming any moment and we still can't find the perfect name... The problem is, Brett and I have 100% opposing tastes when it comes to names. Especially boy names. And seeing as how we've used up pretty much the only two names we could somwhat agree on, we're stumped. Please take a look and help us out! 

Eating My Words...

I've been known to say I think kids are really cute until they hit about six or so. After that, their teeth get too big for their face, they learn mean things at school, the boys get stinky while the girls get giggly, they all become obnoxious, they're on their way to the "awkward phase," and basically, they're just not little and cute anymore...

I am now officially eating my words.

I love six-year-olds (well, my own six-year-old, at least) and here are a few reasons why:

1. They are increasingly more and more independent (making breakfast, cleaning up all the toys, helping buckle brother into car seat, thinking he's going to learn how to make a bottle, etc.) but still needing a morning and nightly cuddle-fix.

2. They still are so excited to have their parents around- he'll even insist on holding my hand when I come help his class at school! It also helps that Dad is the best at soccer, the fastest runner, the best swimmer/biker/insert-amazing-feat-here, and of course, the "funnest" AND "smartest" person in the world; while Mom is the prettiest lady, best cook, nicest mom, and "funnest" AND "smartest" GIRL in the world. (sorry for what's happening below, the "smartest" girl in the world can't figure out how to get the dang picture to rotate...)

3. They start thinking of sweet things like giving mom a much-needed back rub, or surprising the whole family with breakfast (the yummiest soggy cereal ever tasted), or helping dad with his honey-do chores... 

4. I have a feeling he will be extra helpful with the baby. He heard Brett and I talking one time about how we're dreading the whole getting-up-all-night-stage, and offered to get up at night with the baby. After I told him no because we'll need to feed the baby, he replied, "But mom- you can just teach me how to make a bottle and I'll be so quiet I won't even wake you up!" The poor kid obviously knows how much mom loves her sleep... Note to readers: Don't worry, no need to call DCFS, I will be feeding my own baby at night. Although I really am toying with the idea of teaching him to make a bottle ;)

5. Six has all of the sudden become a magical age full of firsts:

• First Real Friend: I say "real," because it's the first time in his life when mom's not the one saying: "Here's so-and-so, this is your friend- now you're expected to play and get along." Hunter's made a couple of new friends this year and it's been fun to see how excited he gets about playing with them. (It can become quite the ordeal, as we have to play with our best toys and be on our best behavior). In the back of my mind, I'm thinking,"What's so special about this kid?" and then I remember it's special because it's Hunter's choice.  
• First Crush: I've been lucky enough that he's been willing to talk to me about this cute girl he adores. This picture explains it all: 
     
It took him a week to get up the nerve to give it to her, because after all, "What if she doesn't want to marry me back?"
• First Time Reading: Can I just say watching Hunter learn to read has been so much fun (probably because I haven't had to do much in this area)! I've never been excited to play cars, trains, super heroes, swords, robots, monsters, or any other boy-related toy or activity with my kids... In fact, I have no problem admitting I really suck in this area as a mom (luckily Brett makes up for it- anyone who knows him can imagine how much he loves to play with the boys). So now, I can look forward to bonding over Harry Potter this summer with my new little reading buddy.   

So here's to my six-year-old.

He's not obnoxious, hasn't developed a "mean streak," nor is he awkward or stinky (yet?), and there are definitely no horse smiles here- he's still as cute and sweet as ever!