He Is Here....

Our new son was born at 1:22 pm. He was 7 lbs 8 0z (our biggest yet) and 20 inches in length.

Mom and new baby are doing great.

I forgot the USB cable for my camera so no pictures until I get home in a few hours - SORRY !!

- Marcus

The final countdown

The baby clothes are washed and folded in the dresser. The bassinet and car seat are ready to go. A few meals are prepared and frozen. Groceries are stocked up. The bottles are sterilized. I have one day to finish cleaning my house and complete those last, needful tasks before I am off to the hospital tomorrow.

I was thrilled to have a weekend with which to accomplish all the above tasks- plus we got to spend time together, just the four of us, before baby makes five. I got to just sit and talk to Emma, and sit and play with Kyle, enjoying the things that are special about each one of them.

The kids are excited about having a new baby come home. Yesterday I found Kyle laying in the bassinet and Emma on the changing table. Let's hope that's the extent of their regression into babyhood.

I'm excited. I'm apprehensive. I'm missing my sleep already. I can't wait to see our new little boy and give him a name. I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER, and yet I can't believe the time is almost here.

I guess I should pack my hospital bag.

All about a boy

We are busy preparing for baby boy to come. I can't believe I'm into single digit days now! 9 days and baby E will make his way into the world. Of course, I am physically ready to be done with pregnancy, but otherwise..... let's just say I have a lot to do. There is a car seat to wash and set up, a bassinet to track down the pieces for, diapers and baby toiletries to buy, and a few clothes to purchase so he has something to sleep in.

We pulled down the baby seat from the "attic" yesterday. Kyle loves it. He thinks it's fun to sit in- even though it's in pieces while I wash all the covers.

Also, yesterday, Kyle told me he needed to go potty. I am not actively training him due to the impending arrival of little brother, but hey, if he tells me he wants to try, I'll let him! So I took off his diaper, set him on the toilet, and lo and behold- he actually went! I guess I'll just keep letting him go as he's interested for now- maybe I'll get lucky and have a self-trainer!

Not much else going on these days-- just counting down the days and trying to pretend like I'm not. Let's just keep that between us, okay?

An Interesting Week

I went in for my weekly poke and prod, preceded by a size-check ultrasound. For some reason, my OB thinks I look too small to be 36 weeks pregnant, so he wanted to make sure baby boy is growing okay.

As the nurse practitioner looked at my films, she noticed that in all three ultrasounds I've had, the same comment was made- "abdomen is measuring small" (in more medical jargon than stated here). It was about a week and half behind the rest of his measurements. She wasn't sure why, but promised to talk to my OB and have him call me. I tried not to freak out too much or google the problem (trust me, just don't ever do that) until the next day, when my OB finally called. He told me he had a low level of concern but wanted me to meet with a perinatalogist/fetal specialist to get a 2nd opinion.

Well, I met with her the next morning and got an ultrasound. After doing all her measurements and doing a complete anatomy check, the sonogram tech told me "I don't know what they got you all worried for- your baby is measuring just fine. I then met with a high-risk OB, who confirmed everything was just fine.

Whew! Better safe than sorry, I guess. At least I got some good shots of baby boy.

He was sucking/swallowing in this one.

Can you see part of his little face? He's squished under other parts, and don't worry- the dark spot is just where he was using me as a pillow.

On Saturday, the stake held its annual Princess Ball. Emma has been so excited about this since she got her invitation a month ago. So we got her all gussied up in princess gear,

got her a date with "Prince Daddy", as she calls him,

and sent her off to the ball. They took pictures, made a crown and wand, and did A LOT of dancing. They also had cookies for refreshments. Apparently Emma really enjoyed the dancing.

While they were gone, Kyle got in some guitar practice.

He kept asking when Emma would be home. Guess I'm not as much fun as she is.

So, a little anxiety, a little fun, some organizing, a night out with the girlfriends, and this week has come to a close. I'm ready for this week's adventures. Or I will be- after a good night's sleep.

Videos from the program

Here are the videos from our Primary program practice. Yes, that is Emma singing, and yes, she really was louder today.

Here's Emma's speaking part. I caught her good friend Taylor first and then you can hear her cute little voice. I was happy she was one of the sunbeams you could actually understand.

Sing Away

Today was a rite of passage for all us Mormons- Emma's first Primary Program. Being the Primary President, I was much concerned with the success of all the children, but it was hard NOT to be distracted by Emma's hilarious, wonderful singing. She always sings loudly, but not as loudly as she did today. I don't think I could hear most of the Primary over her. She also makes funny faces when she sings because she's concentrating so hard. It is just very entertaining to watch. Many people commented on how fun it was to watch her sing.

I took some videos with my digital camera, but for some reason Blogger is not uploading them, so I'll try to get them up later. I'm biased but I think they're funny.

Aside from Emma, we had one kid who shut his eyes the whole time, one who chewed on his shirtsleeves, one who cried in the middle of the program, and one who just wouldn't stay with in his seat and played with everything he could get to on stage. A few poking matches, some eye-rolling, and of course the few program parts you can't understand a word of. Gotta love Primary!

Still, the principles of this year's theme "My Eternal Family" are inspired. I'm thankful for my eternal family and I hope to be a better example for my children so that they will be ready and able to go to the temple and perpetuate their own eternal families. I love my husband, my sweet kiddos Emma and Kyle, and we're so looking forward to welcoming baby boy.

All things considered, it was a wonderful day.

Here's Emma with her reward (from the teacher, not me!)- a punch ball:

Showing off her special hairstyle

Kyle trying to get in on the action

Falling into Fall

I know it's only September. I know it's still 103 degrees outside. But for some reason, I felt inspired to bring out my fall decor, such as it is, and start decorating.

I don't have quite the decorating eye that so many of my friends and family members have, and I am somewhat limited in what I can make myself these days, so this is the best I can do for now.

Our name blocks with mini pumpkins in a vase

Monogrammed pumpkin

My kitschy tea light holders seemed a little cuter when placed around this cute sign.

I wish I could say I made this, but my arthritic hands couldn't handle it. I found this at TJ Maxx.

I DID make this garland last year- it's hanging on our mantle this fall.

I still would like to decorate my kitchen and maybe some other areas through the house. For inspiration I found Fall Nesting Week at The Inspired Room. I love blog hopping and getting inspired by these other creative women. I can't remember where I found the monogrammed pumpkin above, but it came from last year's Fall Nesting Week. Hopefully I'll come up with some more cute ideas to continue my decorating in the next few weeks.