4 Days and Counting!

Yesterday was a big, eventful day. I had my last appointment yesterday afternoon. I had a jewelry show at 6:00 and as I was setting up I got a phone call from my mom saying that something was wrong with one my horses! She thought he had colic, which can be life threatening at the worst, at the very least, an expensive trip to the vet. Since I was at my show, and Craig has our farm truck with him, my aunt Sarah had to come over and tow the horse with our trailer to the vet over 50 miles away. He's a great equine vet, but the emergency visit reflects it. After my show I met her at the clinic at 10:30 and didn't get home until 1:00a.m. The good news, as of this morning, is that he's going to be ok and will be home tomorrow!

So, at my appointment I was dilated to 2.5cm, but still only 50% effaced. I am pleased with the progress and can't beleive how close I'm getting to having my little girl. My doctor doesn't expect me to go into labor before monday so we are planning a Birthday Party on Monday at 5:00a.m. I have had a few minor pains, but nothing to alarm me. And if I didn't go into labor after last night, it will absolutely take an intervention on my OB's part to get her out. I keep saying that she's not wanting to make her entrance because it's so cold outside! I don't blame her, it is pretty chilly out here and expected to get even colder in the next few days, at least by Texas' standards.

So, in four days (or less) we will be meeting Reagan Elizabeth! We are so excited and so nervous, but I am so READY! I hope that all have a great weekend and I will update on how we are all doing

37 Week Appointment

Thursday was my 37 week appointment. I got to see my baby girl crammed in there like a sardine. The ultrasound tech wasn't even able to get a good 3-d image because all appendages were in the way! She kept saying "this baby is REALLY low!" Tell me about it! She likes using my bladder as a trampoline!

The ultrasound machine said that Reagan is 99% for size and weight and estimated her weight at 7 pounds 14 ounces. I don't know how accurate that is, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned. She still feels like she will only be about 8 pounds at delivery. I wouldn't mind a baby that's only 8 pounds as opposed to 9. I was hoping that she would say that we could induce this monday, but she still wants to wait one more week. Unfortunately, I have made no progression to indicated that labor is close. I am still, after 3 weeks, only dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced. I did the same thing with Hayden. Dilated a little and stayed there until my induction.

So as of today, I have 9 days or less. I can't wait to meet my baby girl. She has been so active lately. Last night mom and I were watching the acrobatics going on inside my belly. It is so fascinating to watch and a little bittersweet since this is probably my last baby. I am trying to enjoy every little moment I possibly can, but it also hit me that in just a few days I will have two children! I had a moment of panic when this realization hit me. Two children to care for, provide for, love and nurture. I worry that I will drop the ball, but I know that in the end it will all be worth it. I can't wait to see them both smiling and happy. I can't wait to see Hayden hold his little sister. I can't wait for the days when they fight with each other and when they play together. I feel so blessed and I'm ready for it all to begin.

Oh How He Loves Us

I was moved to tears this morning in church. I know the Lord loves us all. But today I felt it. I have heard the song before, but never read the words:

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,I am unaware of these afflictions

eclipsed by glory, And I realise just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus: And oh, how He loves us so,

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us all

Chorus 1:Yeah, He loves us,Whoa! how He loves us,

Whoa! how He loves us,Whoa! how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,Whoa! how He loves us,

Whoa! how He loves us,Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

When I think about the way that he loves us, it's just so amazing. He's so faithful when I know I don't deserve it. I guess I have never really listened to the song and when I read the words "heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss", I was thinking Huh? And then our pastor gave us something that he pictures when he hears that: You know that grandma who is so excited to see her grandchildren? She gives them sloppy wet kisses without regard to what people are thinking. That's how our Father will greet us when we see him in heaven, he said. Without regard to anything else, he will wrap his arms around us and be so happy to see us. How could I not be moved by such a welcoming thought?

Merry Christmas and New Tradition

We had a Merry Christmas at our house. Craig's family came over Christmas Eve and we had a traditional meal. It was great to spend time with everyone and I was so glad that Craig didn't have to work.

Chris and Suzi gave Hayden a great present. It's a pop-up Monster truck. He LOVES it, but it's a little loud so he covers his ears and has us make it pop up. It was definitely a hit.

Hayden and Momo and THE truck!

Matthew and Momo

Michael and Momo

Suzi and Momo

And of course, my silly hubby and Momo

So we started a new tradition in our little family. At least I am hoping that it will become a tradtion. The director at Hayden's play school gave him a bag full of "Reindeer food". It had instructions on it that said: "Sprinkle reindeer food on your lawn right before bedtime on Christmas Eve. Quickly hop into bed because it works best when children are sleeping. Contains enough food for 9 reindeer including Rudolph. P.S. don't forget to say your prayers."

I thought it was such a cute idea. So we had Hayden get ready for bed and then we took him outside and had him sprinkle it in the grass. Then we told him that we needed to read a story and say prayers. He ran right to the ottomon in the living room and put his hands together for prayers. It was so cute because he was in such a hurry!!! We always say prayers in his bed! I had printed out "the night before christmas" and we read that and THEN said prayers. He is really starting to understand Santa. It's so exciting to see the wonder and excitment on his face.

One of the presents that Santa brought included The Polar Express. He was riveted! He is really starting to show interest in trains. It was a very cute movie.

Another present that he got from Santa was an easel/desk. Santa left him a great note. I just had to get a pic of it!

35 Week Appointment

I had the dreaded exam today. I only say dreaded because it was a physical exam. Who likes those? It went really well and I was pleased to find out that I am already dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced. I know that is by no means an indication that she will come early, but I didn't start to dilate with Hayden until I was 36 weeks and by 40 weeks had made no changes. I am hoping that this time around I will progress much faster. I FEEL like I will have her early, but who knows? My OB did say that moms that feel so strongly that their child will come early are usually right.

I have been having some braxton hicks and she has been so low for a few weeks now. Either way, we scheduled a birthday party for January 11, 2010 if she is not here before then. I simply pray that all goes well, there are no complications and that she is healthy. Plus I would like to be somewhat close to the hospital when and if I do go into labor on my own. Given the chances that Craig will probably be out of town, I really do not look forward to driving myself over an hour to the hospital! Wish me luck, PLEASE.

You Know How To Whistle, Don't You?

You just put your lips together and say "woo hoo". At least that's how Hayden does it. I am afraid that I am going to have a problem on my hands when Hayden gets older. I can already hear the phone ringing at all hours just to find out it's not for us, but actually little girls calling for Hayden. It happened to my sister-in-law with my oldest nephew and I suppose it will be the same for me too.

One foreshadowing of the events to come happened today. Keep in mind he has always flirted with anyone of the female species from waitresses to grandmas in the grocery store. He's seemed mesmerized when he saw a group of older girls laughing and giggling. He's even glad to hug our friend's daughters. So, today we went to lunch at Chick-Fil-A. He sat in a booth, next to me, facing another mom with her daughter. This little girl was so cute. She had red curly hair pinned up with a purple gingham bow and was wearing a yellow jacket. She reminded me of Shirley Temple right down to the cute little smile.

There was one empty booth between us. The little girl had her back to us and the mom was facing me. Hayden stands up in the booth and whistles. Or more accurately, says "woo hoo" not once, not twice, but three times! At first I didn't realize what he was saying until she turned around and her mom started laughing. I just grinned and blushed I'm sure. I was wondering what her mom was thinking. My son was cat-calling her daughter! Oh, what's a mom to do?

I think it's setting in...

I have been talking more and more to Hayden about sister. I think it's really starting to sink in with him that there is SOMEONE in my belly. A few nights ago I was sitting on the couch and was talking to Hayden about Reagan. He came over and placed his little hands on my belly and started talking to her. He was telling her all about Momo, BB, Aunt Suzi, Uncle Chris and the boys coming to see him on Thanksgiving. It was so cute! We call her "Sister", but of course it comes out as "Sisser". He says her name with an East Texas drawl: Raaaygiiiinn! He told her to "come soon, play monster trucks!" He has even stopped getting in her bed and has started calling it sister's bed. That's a definite improvement!

I love it. I had no idea how much I would enjoy these times. It is going by too fast and before I know it, they will be fighting and complaining about each other. I will have to think back to these sweet moments and remember that there was a time that he looked forward to having a baby sister.