37 Weeks

37 weeks!


This week Will is the size of a watermelon, weighing in at approximately 6.5 lbs and 19.5 inches long. Will is officially considered FULL TERM however it would be nice if he stayed inside for another week or two...or at least that is what my OB is telling me. I am personally ready to have my body, my sleep, and my energy back.  Plus I can't wait to see what our little man is going to look like. 

 Zachary wanted to hold his brother "WILL" the watermelon before he went to Pre-Kindergarten.  He started to kiss the melon and then decided it was too heavy to hold.   Kevin and I were cracking up!

 By the end of the photo shoot he basically dropped the melon on the floor and started hugging it.  These are the sweet memories I will treasure forever. 

Chalkboard countdown this week says...Less than 18 days!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I gained another pound this week so I am up 27 lbs. 
Maternity Clothes: Besides shirts and dresses...all I wear is maternity clothes.

Gender: He's a BOY! We have officially named him William Collins and we are going to call him Will. He is named after some very special relatives and friends...which I love that he will have role models to look up to!

Movement: Baby Austin is a mover. We can constantly see his little body moving all the time. Zachary was the same way....praying that I have enough energy to handle play with both of my boys when Will arrives.

What I miss: Sleeping! However I realize that I will not get my "normal" sleeping in for about the next 6- months.

Cravings: Desserts, Chocolate, and Candy....not a good craving to have. Especially when Kevin is trying to watch what he eats.

Symptoms: Well, we had our 2nd trip to Labor & Delivery this past Sunday.  Kevin was out of town for his 15ish annual fantasy football draft.  I insisted that he go because my OB said I wasn't going to go into labor. He left Saturday morning and within 3 hours of his leaving I started having contractions and cramping that ranged from 3-10 minutes apart depending on the time of day. Z and I went to my parents church's 125th Birthday carnival.  While at the carnival my mom and I thought it would be best if Z & I spent the night at their house.  The contractions were coming quite regularly and I was not feeling well.  I would text Kevin the updates but we both decided that I was in good hands at my parents so he stayed in KC for the night.  I woke up on Sunday morning feeling a little better so Z and I went to our church. During Sunday School I started to have contractions again 4 minutes apart and knew that I HAD TO GO TO L&D.  I texted Kevin he was already at home. He called his parents to have them meet us at our house to watch Z. I called my mom and we met her at L & D.  Upon arrival the nurse in triage put me on the monitor, checked me and suggested that I was in labor.  I wish she wouldn't have said this because it got me all excited.  Instead I had UTI#3 which is the worse one I have had thus far.  They sent me home measuring 3 cm and 60%.  I was a little bummed but relieved that I got more antibiotics. 

On Monday, I saw my OB for my weekly appointment. I'm still 3cm, 60% effaced and measuring 42 weeks.  She said Will could come anytime on his own but she would not induce me until my 39th week which starts Sept 11th.  So we are in the waiting stage. She thinks the reason I keep getting UTI's is because Will is right on top of my bladder.
Exciting things this week: My best friend from junior high, Melody, had her baby GIRL, Chandler on Saturday August 27th.  Mel & I had due dates 1 week apart.  I have an entire post for Miss Chandler's arrival...I will post that later this week.  She's a beauty!

Will's Family Baby Shower

We have been blessed beyond measure during this pregnancy with our wonderful friends and family loving on us.  My "Peacock" family wanted to throw a celebration shower for Will.  They went above and beyond to have a wonderful morning/afternoon together.  My cousin Lisa made the cutest invitations, diaper cake, and favors that matched Will's nursery. 

My Aunt Sharon made the trip down from Chicago. That was so sweet. Especially since we have made the driving trip up there this spring and its a long drive! Thanks Aunt Sharon for making the long trip!

Here are my cousins, Lisa, Natalie, My Aunt Mary, and my cousin Donna they were the shower hostess'.  The lunch was so yummy!

To go along with the monkey theme in the shower they ordered the cutest monkey cupcakes. 

Zachary attended one of his best buddies birthday party's that morning. Then Kevin brought him by for the end of the shower.  He was excited to help open up his brother's presents.  He was also excited because his cousin, Jerrytt came to the shower.  He loves this little guy. Aren't they adorable together!

My cousin Natalie is the master of shower games.  She made up a Name that Tune Baby shower game that is a lot of fun but oh so hard.  My sister and cousin, Kathy are always the winners. 

 Zachary with my Aunt Lou

 As the name the tune game was going on Z would switch teams to the team that was winning.  Here he is on my Aunt Mary's lap trying to win their prizes.

It was so nice to get together with my Peacock Aunts and cousins.  They were so sweet to include Z in the games and gifts.  We had the best afternoon celebrating Will.

36 weeks!

36 weeks!

I was supposed to purchase a 6lb crenshaw melon but I had no idea what that was.  I'm way to tired to make a extra trip to the store to get a piece of fruit. I'm sure I'll regret this but I am hoping to get back on the food comparison for this week.

Baby Will is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during her nine-month amniotic bath.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term.


Chalkboard countdown this week says...Less than 26 days!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Well, I have officially gained 26 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Besides shirts and dresses...all I wear is maternity clothes.

Gender: He's a BOY! We have officially named him William Collins and we are going to call him Will. He is named after some very special relatives and friends...which I love that he will have role models to look up to!

Movement: Baby Austin is a mover. We can constantly see his little body moving all the time. Zachary was the same way....praying that I have enough energy to handle play with both of my boys when Will arrives.

What I miss: Sleeping! However I realize that I will not get my "normal" sleeping in for about the next 6-12 months.

Cravings: Desserts, Chocolate, and Candy....not a good craving to have. Especially when Kevin is trying to watch what he eats.

Symptoms:

Exciting things this week:  My "Peacock" relatives hosted a very sweet, cute baby shower for Will yesterday.  It was great to see everyone and celebrate the new addition to the family. 
Also I went to the OB on Monday...this might be TMI for the blog but Will's heartrate was steady at 141 beats per minute. I am 2cm dialated and 50% effaced.  Baby is head down but not engaged.  Dr. thinks it will be 2 more weeks before I am ready to go into labor.

Jacinda leaves for College!

On Sunday night we said goodbye to my Godsister, Jacinda. It was the last time we are going to see her until Thanksgiving or Christmas because she moved to Colorado for College. I can't believe it. I can still remember when Jason (her twin bro) and her were born back in 1993. These two kiddos were my entire world. I can remember so many sweet times watching them grow up. What I find funny is that my freshman year of college they started kindergarten. I would come home from college, pick them up in carline and take them to get DipNDots. Jacinda would always ask me if my bed was in my classroom. As a kindergartener she had no concept of college dorm life. Now she is well on her way to her first year.

Jacinda lovin' on Baby Will....she's so bummed he didn't arrive before she left.  Don't worry Jacinda I will send you text with pictures of him.


Just the 4 of us! 

 We were re-creating the photo that is on the wall behind us.  The photo was taken of the 4 of us for my parents 25th wedding anniversary. It was 12 years ago.  Jason & Jacinda were so tiny in this photo. It's funny because Zachary always asks who the people are in the photo.  HA! 

 E & Z with their girl!

 My parents with their Godchildren

 Kelley, Jason, Jacinda, and Kelli......We will miss you Jacinda!

 The boys had to sneak into their family photo! 

We are proud of you Jacinda!  Good Luck!

We love our friends!

Last week another set of our friends from Kevin's old stomping grounds came to town. I've said it before and I will say it again....WE LOVE WHEN OUR FRIENDS COME TO VISIT! On Thursday night we met Blake, Lindsay, Mia & Max at their condo to hang out and catch up. Our kiddos are very close in age and got a long SO well together. Zachary did not want to leave when it was time to say goodbye. Fortunately for us they came to check out Kevin's office on Friday and to eat with us before they headed home. Bonus!

Zachary fell in love with Max's swimming gear. Isn't this funny!

Max, Zachary, and Mia....instant friends

I wish we lived closer because these kiddos really enjoyed each other.

 Blake, Lindsay, Kevin, and the kiddos

 On Friday at Kevin's office...in the fireplace :)

 Group Shot!

Thanks Blake, Linds, Mia, & Max for letting us know you were in the area. We we so glad we got to catch up.  Zachary hasn't stopped talking about M & M since we left you on Friday.  Come back soon!

35 Weeks!

Baby Will doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds.  Because of my recent pregnancy side effects I did not feel like making a trip to the store :(so I don't have a food item to compare the baby's size to).  Will's kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.


Chalkboard countdown this week says...Less than 35 days! Yikes! I've gotta get this nursery done!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Well, I have officially gained 26 lbs. At my OB appointment  I did not gain any weight.

Maternity Clothes: Besides shirts and dresses...all I wear is maternity clothes.

Gender: He's a BOY! We have officially named him William Collins and we are going to call him Will. He is named after some very special relatives and friends...which I love that he will have role models to look up to!
Movement: Baby Austin is a mover. We can constantly see his little body moving all the time. Zachary was the same way....praying that I have enough energy to handle play with both of my boys when Will arrives.

What I miss: Sleeping! 

Cravings: Desserts, Chocolate, and  Candy....not a good craving to have. Especially when Kevin is trying to watch what he eats.
Symptoms: This past weekend was rough. I was having contractions and menstral-like cramps all day Saturday.  I was MISERABLE...in fact my husband came into the bathroom and saw me crying. He was shocked because I rarely ever cry because of physical pain. I have a very high pain tolerance.  He knew from the look on my face that I was hurting. I spend most of the day on the couch.  Come to find out I have ANOTHER UTI.  So I was put back on antibiotics.  I go back to my OB on Monday so I am praying that the medicines have taken affect. 
Exciting things this week: I FINALLY got myself and Zachary packed for the hospital...just in case my water would break or I would go into labor. I doubt I do.  However my nephew came 13 days early and surprised my sister to pieces when her water broke spontaneously.  We also executed a solid plan on what to do with Zachary should need to head to L and D quickly. 

Just for fun....let's compare!

Today I was going through some of my digital photos and I happened to find Zachary's pregnancy photos from 2006.  I thought it would be fun to compare.  I think I look pretty much the same in the bellies....don't compare the hair. LOL!  The differences I have noticed between pregnancies...is with Zachary I worked full time in a very air conditioned office.  I was never hot. I had no symptoms besides being sick the first 17 weeks.  This pregnancy I am HOT, uncomfortable, irritable, sore, swollen, very sick the first 20 weeks,  and I have lots of TMI issues.  I am so thankful that God blessed us with another baby.  I am also thrilled that it's almost time for his arrival. My body can't take much  more :)

Big Brother Weekend!

A couple weekends ago, Kevin and I planned a Surprise BIG Brother Get-Away for Zachary. We told him some of the details but kept some a secret.  Note to self....Zachary is not a big secret/surprise person. Kinda like his mom.  Both Zachary and I would rather know what is going to happen so that we can look forward to it and count down the days...instead of being surprised.  Anyways, we left home on a Friday morning. The first stop was a "surprise" breakfast at a local theme park that we have season passes for.  It is Kids Fest at the park which means they bring in all kinds of kids characters.  I called ahead and ordered  private breakfast bunch tickets and character sighting.  Z had no idea until one of the moms in line started talking about how we were going to eat breakfast with Sponge Bob (SB) & Patrick. For those of you who know me well you know that I am not a fan of SB.  However being that it was Big Brother weekend I caved and said ok to the idea. Here's Kevin and Z enjoying the breakfast.  Yes, Zachary loves sausage and bacon...just like his daddy.

 This was the expression on his face when SB and P came out on the floor.

 Here they come...

 I don't know what it is but Z would not get up there by himself. 

 We were not planning on staying at the theme park because it was like 110 degrees outside...for real. But Z wanted to ride some kiddie rides so we stayed for a hour.  While there Kevin told him he could do a carnival game. I must say I love this theme park because they let the kid play until they win. Fortunately, Zachary made the basket on the 2nd try. 

 One of the most exciting things of our weekend get-away is my sister, brother-in-law and nephews gave me a gift card for a one night stay in an indoor water park/hotel for my birthday (back in November).  We finally got to use it...we would have used it sooner if it hadn't had been for the morning sickness. But it turned out to be the most perfect time to enjoy it.  The hotel room have a kid's alcove that houses bunk beds and a flat screen tv.  Z was in heaven. He climbed on the top bunk and grabbed his remote as soon as we checked in.

 After a little resting, we all went down to the indoor water park for some fun. Here's one of the water slides.

 Z playing in the kiddie pools

 After the swimming, Kevin took Z to mini-golf while I took a nap and put my swollen feet up.  On the second day we woke up early and hit one of our favorite go-cart tracks.  We found an amazing deal on track passes at our local water theme park so we stopped by their first to get a 50% off track pass and then went to the go-carts.  

 Here are the boys waiting for their turn on the Hard Rock Go Cart Track.  While they stood in line and rode the carts I sat and watched.  I can't tell you how many people came over to tell me "God bless you" or "Are you ok in this heat?"  One sweet gentleman brought me a bottled water.  I could have gone into the air conditioned inside area but I was having too much fun enjoying Kev & Z. 

 They are on the one in the back ground coming down the hill.

 Both of them loved it. I think they rode it 3 more times before we went to something else.

 Off to the side of the track they have this photo op station. Here they are in a rock band. 

 Kevin made me have a turn too.  Rock on!

 After the big kids rides, Z wanted to drive his own cart.  He loved it!

 Next up was the bumper boats.  Kevin had no idea how wet they were going to get.  Hee hee...

 Remember that amazing deal I mentioned...well it was so amazing that after 4 hours+ at the track we still had rides left on the card so the next morning we went back for some more.  We were the first ones at the track...even before some of the employees. Kev and Z couldn't wait to ride the Rock N Roll carts again. 

After a few more hours at the track we got some lunch and went to a few outlet malls. Then it was time to head home.  We had a great weekend.  It was so much fun to spoil Zachary one last time before his baby brother arrives.  Kevin and I enjoyed having a weekend with no committments, phone calls, and office work. 

Sunday School Baby Shower

My sweet girlfriends in my Sunday School class at church hosted a very yummy and fun baby celebration for Will & me.  They went all out on the details and colors so that it matched the color scheme of Will's nursery.  Betsy hosted the shower at her house and ordered this adorable/yummy cake that matched everything.  Man, it was GOOD! 

 Here I am with the shower hostess's...Laura, Julie, Chrissy, & Betsy
Chrissy was in charge of the invitations, decorations, and some of the yummy food.  The decorations were adorable! 

 Betsy made a Mocha Punch that was to die for...it reminded me of Arby's Jamocha shake. Oh it was so good!

 Heres the lunch buffet line.  Everyone brought something...I think I went back for thirds it was so good!

 I have a ton of pictures opening the sweet gifts they got Will.  This is one of them with me actually looking at the camera. I must add that my sweet friend Lori was my photographer.  Whenever there is an event that I need pictures and Lori is there I "make" her take the pics. Thank you Lori! 

I was telling a girlfriend of mine that I felt odd having a baby shower for my second baby boy.  There is not a lot of things we need but it was so much fun celebrating Will.  I also told my girlfriend that showers for the 2nd baby (of the same gender) are kinda more fun because you don't just get the necessities...instead you get the fun, sweet, custom made items that are awesome. My friend Julie got Will this pacifier that is attached to a monkey. They didn't have these when Z was a baby. I can't wait to use it.  We got lots of books for Will, new towels which are a must have because Zachary's have holes in them, a new bathtub, cute clothes, our bedding ( Thanks Grams & Pops), the nursery lamp (Thanks MaMaw & PaPaw), some custom made "W" clothes and applique onsies that Chrissy made, and some neat blankets, and lovies.  I was overwhelmed at the support, love, and generosity of my girlfriends.  They were TOO much! 

 I also thought it was sweet that my SS class included my mom, Mother-in-law, & sister on the guest list.  We had a great afternoon!

A huge thank you to Betsy, Chrissy, Julie, and Laura for making the shower so special. I love you guys!