Happy 36 Weeks!

Today marks Lauren's 36 week birthday. We are thrilled to put another week under our belt. Yesterday I had an appointment and things are pretty much the same as they have been despite that my cervix has thinned a little bit. The true test will be any change in timing and the intensity of contractions or obviously my water breaking.

We are slowly putting away our "don't go into labor" thoughts and getting very excited about the arrival of this little girl.

Lastnight my friends came over and showered me with lots of clothes and goodies for Lauren. One night in the hospital I realized that Lauren can't share clothes with Allie because their sizes and seasons won't work...I panicked (just a little) because I am not where I can get out and get the stuff that we need. My friends obviously listened to my hysteria. Thank you girls for the clothes and goodies and of course the good time.

Allie and Jake have been busy as ever. They get to go swimming on the days where they go to Nae Nae and Papa's house. They are so bronzed right now they don't even look like my children. They cannot get enough swimming right now. After they get home from the pool and they have eaten dinner we typically go to the neighbor's house for another swim with the neighborhood kids or pull out the slip n slide. I sit outside in my chair and just laugh.

The neighborhood boys (4 of them at about age 3) are going to be trouble. In fact they already rule the roost. It's pretty funny. Each of them are working on their potty training and so there is a lot of in and out action going on in the pool. Allie's typically the ring leader getting everyone to race or splash.

Speaking of potty training, Jake is still doing pretty good. He has the pottying down, it's the number 2 that we still need a little help with, but yesterday he did do it. I had to sit with him in the bathroom because it was taking so long and he was getting frustrated. I am very proud of him for doing so well. He loves to get high fives and praise after each visit.

Well, I'll keep you posted on everything. If something happens I'll make sure to update as quickly as I can.

35 Weeks and Counting...

Today marks the 35th week. I am very excited about it and looking forward to hitting next week.

Being at home has made life seem a little bit more normal. I am definitely wishing I could get up and organize and fix dinner. Soon enough that will happen and I'm sure I'll wish I could admit myself on bed rest.

Matt got the kids a slip n slide. I don't know how our children could walk after playing on it for about 4 hours. It was dark outside before we shut it off. The neighborhood kids all came over and I think they all had a blast. That may have been one of the best investments ever made. It is just so much fun to watch them laugh and play.

We did take time yesterday to celebrate Jake realizing that he had to go potty himself. Our wonderful babysitter has really been working with him and he called me yesterday from her house to tell us that he went potty. We know that he still needs some coaching and doesn't really stop to go because he can just go in his diaper. Well last night outside sliding he stopped and realized he had to go on his own. We were high fiving and hugging and dancing. He was proud of himself. I hope that he continues...

Well, not really much else to report. I had a Dr. appt. yesterday and everything went fine. I'll be back next week.

Happy Father's Day Dad's!!

I'm Home!!

Sorry for the delay in updating...we had a busy weekend. Well, everyone that was here cleaning and helping get Lauren's room together had a busy weekend. I had to sit in my bed and dish out orders. While that may sound like fun, I really wanted to be able to help do clean, organize, and get upstairs. I still haven't made it up there. So my Mom and sister have pretty much taken over and made sure that they could get her stuff together, get Jake's old clothes in storage, organize our closet, etc...

Thank you thank you thank you to our parents for really helping us out to throughout my stay in the hospital to keep our house moving.

I got to go home on Thursday evening. Matt came up and got me and we were able to say good bye to my nurses. Allie, Renee, and Jessica had come up earlier in the day to bring cupcakes to everyone. Allie wanted to stay in the nurses station the whole time and just talk with the nurses. I really think that she is going to be in the medical field in some way or another...maybe because throughout her little life we've been in the hospital for multiple months. She's really hoping this baby comes soon.

Anyway, I'm rambling and writing this all out of order, but the main thing is that I'm home. I'm still on complete bed rest which let me say is much harder here than at the hospital; however, my husband keeps me down and my kids are great about just coming in my bedroom. I do make it out to the couch for spurts and I have an anti-gravity chair where I can sit outside when the kids are playing. I did get sunburned on my shoulders in a matter of like 20 minutes.

I'm glad to be home, in my own bed, surrounded by my family that I missed daily. It's still difficult not to be able to "run" the house now that I'm home but I'm sure once there are 3 kids running around complete bed rest will seem like a treat.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Happy 33 weeks Lauren!

Today marks 33 weeks. We are thrilled to be here! I've had a busy morning, ultrasound, shot, and then a telecon to follow. I wanted to take a minute to update. They measured her at 4lbs-7oz. She has grown appropriately! We are getting closer to a 5lb mark which in our minds is big enough to take home (that is ultimately our goal no matter how far we go). In the NICU 5lbs seemed to be the line in the sand. So we are at least getting close to that.

So today we celebrate Lauren's weekly Birthday and her growth! I never do get to see a good look at her face, but her feet are all over the place!

Have a good day.

Nothing Really...

Well, nothing to report really. I have a growth ultrasound tomorrow and the way things work around here they literally just come in your room and tell you that transport is in the hall and go down to the perinatal lab. I have asked that I either go early at 9am or after my telecon for work at 11am. Who knows how it will work out-I am so anxious to see her growth that I really want to go early.

Tonight Matt and the kids and Jim and Renee came by. Matt brought me some good 'ol Lion's Choice. I could barely eat it. My stomach has been getting so full the last week or so that the meals that would have left me hungry are filling me up without finishing. The dieticians have been in the last 2 days to give me snacks where I'm getting more proteins. My weight gain is fine it's that I intake the right foods now since I'm not able to eat as much. My dream is that this baby is getting all of these calories and that she's a chunky girl.

I think I've mentioned that her kicks are strong. She is in an "L" shape across my belly and must enjoy stretching. Her bottom pushes out the right side of my belly hard enough that I sometimes have to push back. I don't know if her legs are long, but boy do they feel long. A nurse commented on how long she seemed based on her where her "rump" was positoned and her heart. That is so good to hear. I just really hope she's big.

I will update tomorrow. I just wanted to post about the past few days.

Sunday "Run-Day" for Matt

So yesterday was a busy busy day for the Matt and the kids. They had their Target stop to make and they headed out to get things for the house and of course they had to get band-aids and new tooth brushes. They seem to always need those. Then, Matt promised Allie he would get her tennis shoes so they went to the Mall and she got what she calls, "the most awesome shoes ever". Of course they are pink. Then they went home for naps, showered up, and headed to Faust Park. I thought that he just took them there to play, but they went and met a friend of ours, Michelle Twellman, for pictures. So today Matt surprised me with the pictures that she took. They are beautiful and they made my day!

I will post some...

I have been doing fine here, beginning to get in the uncomfortable sleeping stage where the tossing and turning begins and my belly makes it difficult to manuever easily. Lauren is quite the mover as well. She is constantly on the move and beginning to hurt at times when she kicks. I am grateful for that though.