Dr. Appointment & Weekly Update

Well, I went to the Dr. today for my weekly appointment.

The Dr. told me that I was almost 2 cm dilated. I thought Whoo-Hoo it's gonna happen soon then right? She informed me that while it is possible it could happen at any moment it could also take weeks. And that sometimes you dilate just a little bit and then it could be the same next week.

GEEEZZZZEEEE!!!!!!!

So I guess it is somewhat of an update and a small change but nothing to get terribly excited about.

Other than that everything was normal and Payton is a little over 6 lbs. and my belly is measuring 37" from top to bottom which is exactly what it should be - and I haven't gained any more weight since last week.

Stay tuned until next week (or hopefully sooner).

Ok - So Is She EVER Going to Get HERE!!!!!

Well, this is week #37 - and every book you read and every pregnancy time line says - and I quote "your baby is now considered full term and may come at anytime in the next few weeks" - today would be great with me!

Last week at the Dr. she checked me out and the baby has dropped (which we knew last week from the mid wife - sometimes I don't think the Dr. even looks at her notes before she comes in) and I am ZERO centimeters dilated! Not even 1 - not even 1/2.

MISS PAYTON - if you can here your mommy - you can come out now!

I know that every pregnant women in history must have felt like this towards the end - but good grief - if she's done baking then take her out of the oven.

I'll keep ya'll posted if anything changes - but no Payton yet.

36 Weeks Down - 4 More to Go (**Maybe**)

Well today is Sept. 15 - exactly 1 month away from our due date of Oct. 15.

It is hard to fathom that in only 4 weeks we will have a baby girl. Well, that is if she doesn't decide to come early. Which trust me at this point would be ok with me.

Someone recently told me that when you have a baby you can imagine how tired you might be, how much they may cost, how little they will sleep, or even how upside down your life will get - but you can not imagine how much love you will feel for this tiny miracle until you hold her for the first time.

I am so anxious I can barely stand it. I know Drew is tired of me saying "I wish she'd hurry up and come out already."

Every woman I've ever know who's been pregnant says that they felt the same way. The last couple weeks are the hardest to just sit and be patient. The nursery is finished, the showers are over, all her clothes are washed and put away, everything is put together, and there's not one more thing left to buy - so you just have to sit and be patient.

IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ME TO BE PATIENT!!!!!!!!

All in all though I don't have any complaints. We've been very blessed that everything is going well. She's already dropped and she's in head down position - so she's ready to go to - we're just waiting on God to give us the signal.

Until then - we'll keep updating you!

25 Years Is Really Something to be Proud Of

Last weekend we celebrated with my parents as they renewed their vows for their 25 wedding anniversary.

25 Years together with the same person is surely something that takes a lot of love, a lot of patience, and a lot of work.

It was so touching to watch them renew their vows in church - sometimes we forget as children that our parents are "in love" with each other. It was nice to have our families and friends there to celebrate this.

There's a quote about marriage that says "Love at first sight is easy to understand; it's when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle."

This couldn't be more true - marriage is hard work - but the rewards are so worth it. I hope that in 20 years from now Drew and I are still as in love as my mom and dad are. We are so fortunate that both sides of our parents are such great role models for how to show each other respect and love and how to compromise to make a marriage work.

I just wanted to share this with everyone because 25 years really is a big deal and I am so glad we were there to celebrate it with my parents.

The BEST Bookshelf EVER

Just thought I would share how proud I am of the bookshelf the Drew and his Dad built!

I saw this bookshelf in the Pottery Barn Kids magazine and showed it to Drew. He said no way in H E double hockey sticks was he paying $300 for a bookshelf. So I asked him "Do you think it would be possible for you and your dad to build it?"

Of course it would - who am I kidding Mr. John could build a mansion out of toothpicks if he had too.

So they got together made a pattern, went and got the materials, and got to work. Drew decided when they were at Home Depot that just regular pine was not good enough, so he bought oak instead. I am sure this blew Mr. John's mind because I wanted it painted white anyway.

Anyway - they worked all day one Saturday and the end result is magnificent!!!!! It is beautiful and so special because they built it together just for Payton. It cost a little less than $100 to build. And it is filled full with books from all her family and friends! She even has a book that my Grandma found that was my mom's when she was little. It even has my mom's little girl handwriting in the front with her name and phone number.

I can't wait to read her all her storybooks. But in the meantime while I am waiting, I have a fabulous bookshelf to look at every time I walk in the nursery!

Thank you so much for building it - I love it and I know Payton will too!!!!

Being Pregnant Togther!!

I have to say from the moment I found out that Kye & LeAnne (Drew's cousin who's like a brother and his wife) were pregnant - I started planning all kinds of activities for our kids to do together before they were even born - even before they knew they were having a boy!

I am glad that someone so close to us is pregnant at the same time because it's fun to share all the ups and downs with someone who is going thru the exact same thing at the exact same time.

Drew and Kye are about 6 months apart and when Payton and Cole get here they will be only 11 weeks apart! It is going to be soooo much fun. All the cousins will have kids so close in age.

Summers at the lake with Kate, Steven, Payton & Cole! Can you just imagine!

But I am so grateful to LeAnne for always being there when I need to vent, or share good news, or just ask hey do you ever feel like this. Thank you LeeLee I love you!!!!

3-D Ultrasound Pictures

We went and had the 3-D ultrasound pictures done at 14 weeks earlier in the pregnancy because we just couldn't wait to see if our baby was going to be a boy or a girl. It was probably the most exciting thing we have done yet. Though dad assures me it will be nothing compared to when she actually gets here. But nonetheless it was the coolest thing ever! Technology has really come a long way. So... we decided to go again at 32 weeks so we could see what sweet Payton was up to in there. And let me tell you, and this is probably one of those mom moments you always hear about, but she is so cute. Probably the cutest baby EVER! It was so fascinating that we could actually see what she looked like. And not like an alien like the ultrasounds from the Doctors office. Which brings me to a whole nother issue - how can the 3-D ultrasound only cost $100 and be so amazing and the crappy doctor's office black and white bill the insurance for over $500. Our great health care system! Anyway - take a look at the pictures! They are truly amazing! We can't wait for her to get here!

P.S. Drew is absolutely smitten! She's not even here yet and she has her daddy rapped around her finger!

And these were the 14 week pictures - just so you can compare. Keep in mind - her head at 32 weeks is taking up the same amount of space that here whole body was taking up at 14 weeks.

Ta Da....

I have started a blog! I was inspired by two very creative mommies who keep blogs for their families to keep up with what is going on with them. I couldn't think of a better way of keeping everyone in the know with everything that's going on. Since so much of our family and friends live miles and miles away and 9:00pm isn't always a good time to call everyone to update them on the latest job, house, baby news - I thought what a better way. So this is a play by ear kind of thing since I'm not sure how to work the whole thing yet - but I will post and you can check back and look at pictures and read what's going on with Me, Drew and Miss Payton - who is only 5 weeks from making her debut! We can't wait! I think there is a way to subscribe to a blog - which gives you an email when I update and I'll have to ask how to do that and get back with you all. But for now just put the link in your favorties and check back! We love ya'll!