Week 35 Update

Today, I went to see the baby doc. We are at week 35, so we are now starting our once a week visits. I must say, I wasn't that excited about going today. Last time I went, two weeks ago, I gained 4 pounds in a month stretch. That is a lot for this pregnancy, seeing as I was loosing for the first few visits. Anyway, I have been short of breath and have been having some braxton hicks contractions. Those are real fun by the way! Especially when you are carrying a 23 lb baby around. I wouldn't recommend it. Back on subject, I managed to gain a happy 4 pounds in two weeks this time!! I almost passed out. 4 lbs in 2 weeks. That is very bad. To top it off, my sugar level was at a +4. Really not good. I got a little worried then. I had to take the 3 hour glucose test back when they do that test. I failed the 1 hour test, but only by a few points, so the doc wanted to be on the safe side and check me for gestational diabetes. I passed the 3 hour test with flying colors. However, I have been pretty good about what I have been eating. I guess not good enough. I got my sugars stripped from me today. Even though we supposedly only have 5 weeks left, the doc is not excited about my new developments. That also means no more Raisin Bran for breakfast. I love my RB in the morning. What am I gonna eat now?

On to the good news. I am dialated to a 2. Now this is not an invitation to be at the hospital tomorrow, but it is progress! I am almost done! Baby Robb is in head down position and is knocking at the door! The doc says that he will probably be my biggest baby by weighing in at about 7 lbs. But he also says, this is one long baby. He predicts about 2 weeks and we will have a bouncing boy. And of course he calls him Cletis. Strange for a doc to name your baby, but we have been in his office a lot in the past 2 years. My dad has predicted the 15th and my grandmother the 18th. We shall see. This weekend we are planning on our annual Oktoberfest Trip! I can't wait. And once again, I got a frowny face from the ol' doc. This is a 2 hour drive and an entire day of walking. He then grinned and said to behave myself. I promised no backroads of Bowie County! He knew there was no talking me out of this trip. I see him again on Tuesday and will report his findings.

I added this pic for some giggles. I hope you enjoy.

Toilet Paper Fun

I am sure that all kids have done this at some point. I just had to share. Riley was so proud of herself. Atleast it wasn't the entire roll, but it was brand new. See for yourself......

SuperHero Hattie

For two days, I feverishly stitched up a lime green SuperHero costume. One if Hattie's playgroup friends turned 5. He wanted a SuperHero themed party; costumes and all. And like most parents, his wish was mother's command. Now mind you, Hattie knew about this idea long before I did, so therefore, once again, her wish, my command. Last year for Halloween, Hattie really wanted to be a SuperHero, but she got stuck with Little Red Riding Hood. So, since we are far enough out, I decided to tackle the caped wonder. This is how it began:

On Friday morning, we loaded up and took off for Joann's. Of course, you all know what a pleasure that is for me! Upon arrival, Hattie greeted everyone she met with "Hi, do you know me, I'm gonna be a SuperHero!" Excitement is an understatement. There was a round table that was covered in shiny, and shall I add slimy, costume satin. This was no run of the mill cheap, creepy satin. It had glittered sprinkled all over it! And there was no changing her mind. It was lime green slinky, slimy satin or nothing. So, we put it in the basket and moved on to the cape, same fabric, just a different color. I knew this was going make me have to sew with no little ears around, if you catch my drift. Then came the pleather for the spats, gloves and belt. We were set. Almost anyway. The pattern didn't specify what you needed if you were just doing certain pieces of the costume. So, I had to figure out how much I needed and wasn't doing it fast enough for the Joann's team member. She decided that she would figure it out for me. What did that cost me? Twice as much of this gross fabric than I needed.

We get home and Hattie begins immediately asking, is it done yet.......I knew this was going be one for the books. I managed to put it off until Saturday night. I got a mock up made, alterations done and the new pieces cut out and was ready to roll Sunday morning. Suprisingly, it went together rather quickly. Now, remember I told you it was covered in glitter. Well, they use a spray adhesive to get it to stick, which you CANNOT iron .......note to self, remember that next time! By Sunday night, all I had left was finishings. I was so proud of myself. I still had my gift!

Monday consisted of snaps, zippers (UGH) and velcro. The finished product was very well accepted by the next SuperHero of the world. And what SuperHero doesn't have a sidekick? Riley also got a glittery green cape! Her's was done in what we call in the sewing world as "down and dirty". It took all of 5 minutes to make it. But Hattie was super pleased that she had a sidekick. Of course, all the work against the villians really wore the sidekick out!

And here she is in all of her glory......

(her super power....lightening)

Birthday Blues

This past Monday, September 8, was my 33rd birthday. As a child, I remember not being able to wait until I turned 33. You see, then I would be as old as Jesus. All the week before, it was a joke with whomever I talked to about turning 33. And now that I am as old as Jesus, I am just happy that I made it this far!

However, a small dark cloud passed over my celebration. My paternal Grandmother passed away on September 6. So instead of eating cake, (this year I would get double, one for me, one for the baby) I was in a Funeral home having family visitation night. Thankfully, my Daddy fought to have the funeral on the next day and not my birthday. I saw so many faces that I haven't seen since moving away from home 12 years ago. Some were welcomed and others, not so much. It is amazing to me the people that come out of the woodwork! It is sad that it takes a funeral, not a birthday, to get all these people in one place. Life is so busy.

I feel it is only appropriate to share a small glimpse of the woman that went to meet her maker almost a week ago. My Grandmother was one of the most wonderful people you could have the pleasure of meeting. She made everyone feel welcome. As you walk into her house, a huge bear hug was given and a loving kiss on the cheek. Almost instantly afterwards, you were asked if you were hungry or thirsty. And out came the food. I am not talking small things, I am talking whole meals. Two or three of them at time too. I don't know where in the world it all came from. It was just a regular frig. But it could hold enough food to cover an entire table that sat 8. She really didn't take no for an answer either. If she pulled it out, you might as well sit down and get out a fork. Fortunately, she was the best cook. I will never find a pecan pie as good as hers, or fried chicken, or homemade, not that orange boxed, macaroni and cheese. YUM! She never sat down either. Well maybe once in a blue moon, but not often. She was too busy making sure your tummy was full. Grandma was also known for her switches. No belts, paddles, or hands would do. It had to be one of the greenest switches off the bush out back. She would strip the leaves and make you watch. Then you got your licks. Ouch. I didn't get that too often. I actually used to behave myself. She never lost her cool. She was firm without being harsh. Her voice never raised, but was you knew she meant business. She was simple, non frivolous. She loved the word of God. And she had such great perseverance. Hugs were common place with her. There were so many things about my Grandmother that made her so special. Words do not do her justice. She did love a good rain shower. She got one on the day of her funeral. We woke up to light rain and it remained just until it was time for them to lower her casket. The clouds parted and the sky was a blue as could be. On the way home that evening, there was a rainbow in the western sky. I couldn't help but think that was her way of saying goodbye. Anytime it was time to leave, she would walk you out, and without fail, say "You don't have to rush off, Gracious" Grandma would stand in the front, or back depending on where you parked, and wave and watch you leave. You would be far gone before she stepped back into the house.

Ask & You shall receive

Okay, for those of you who don't get to see the belly, here are just a few samples of just how huge one can get with their third child!!

Early June 2008

A little belly....Just starting to really show.

September 5, 2008

No, I didn't hide a beach ball under my shirt. I am really this big.

I spy.....

Something that isn't really there.

Hattie and I were driving our normal Friday morning trek to dance class. We have 30 minutes of highway and we usually play I SPY. This morning was no different. We were about 5 minutes into our trip and I hear "I spy something....(insert various colors here)" On about the 5th turn, Hattie yells out, "I spy something white". I saw no white, other than a few signs and the stripes on the road, which we had already called out. One of the rules, which Hattie strickly enforces, is No Repeats. So I am looking and there isn't a speck of white for miles. After guessing the No Repeats and getting completely slammed for it, I ask her what she sees that is white. "The clouds, Mom". Now mind you, the sky is as clear and as blue as it can be. It is a perfect fall sky. There are no clouds to be seen. "Are you sure, I don't see any clouds"?, I ask her. "Of course, there are clouds, you just can't see them because they are still sleeping."

And what do you say to that 4 year old logic?

Labor Day--Labors of Love

Alright Erin, this is for you. What wonderful memories this post stirred up. I find it appropriate for this to come on Labor Day, yet I am, as always, a day late!

How long were your labors?

Kid #1 - 9 hours...
Kid #2 - 3 hours
Kid#3 - he isn't here yet, I'll update upon his arrival!

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1 -My water broke at home. Very messy. Someone should have told me I would need a diaper. :)
Kid #2 - I was on the phone with a friend who said "Amanda, I think you may be in labor. You just had a contraction 3 minutes ago." Now let me explain just a little. The were not regularly spread apart, I could walk and talk through them. The nurse at the hospital said that I was not meeting the criteria to come in when I called. They actually had to break my water for me.

Where did you deliver?

Thankfully we had plenty of time to get to the hospital for both.
Kid #1 - near the banks of the Brazos River
Kid #2 - near the banks fo the Red River

Drugs?
Should you even ask? Absoluletly, yes to the drugs.

Kid #1 - Nice narcotic and then the Epidural (4 tries I might add).
Kid #2 - Barely enough time to get the Epidural! I was dialated to an 8 when we got there.

C-section?

Not so far. Don't want to jinx myself :).

Who delivered?

Who else, but the OB/GYN doc!

That was super fun....let's here your story