Not a birth post....

I know you guys are getting excited, but we did not have a baby yet. Somehow I do not think I'm going to have this baby until my due date, May 8th. I have had some contractions and some cramping, but not enough of either of them.



We had our monthly get together with Doug's side of the family today. I forget how much fun they are until we have them. Charlotte ran around with her cousins all evening. When the kids were getting ready to leave, Charlotte's cousin Lizzie (who is all of 5 years old) grabbed Charlotte's cheeks, pulled her really close and said "Just follow your dreams." Not just once, but at least three times she grabbed Charlotte to tell her that. When they actually left Charlotte came sobbing downstairs because her friends had left. She is lucky to have such wonderful cousins.






Here is Charlotte being Mom coming home from an appointment while chatting on her phone



We could not find another cell phone so I was very lucky that Ben preferred a plastic snack bag for his phone.

We got Ben a scooter at a yard sale this week and he cannot get enough of it. Anytime anyone comes over he says I show you my scooter. You come see my scooter and he will bring it right to the window. We got it at our first yard sale and every stop after that we had to take it out of the trunk and and scoot around. It's good when you get a kid a toy and they actually enjoy it. Especially when it only costs $3!

Update

Went to the dr today. Had high blood pressure, 140/something but I think it had more to do with the fact that I waited for an hour before I got in than anything else. I am 3cm dilated, 80% effaced and -1 station. As I am leaving she says you can make an appointment for next week but I doubt you'll need it. I don't think they realize they curse me when they say that. I will, of course, now make it to my next appt. Oh well. Feeling pretty good. I will be 38 weeks on Friday. We had some friends come over and play today and the kids had such a good time. We had so much fun with Kelly and her kids. Took the kids swimming the other day, I could not believe how much fun they had. But I didn't bring the camera because I was sure I would have dropped it.

Pictures

Charlotte is 4 now, though she's so mature that it doesn't seem like such a big deal that she is finally older. Here is a fun picture of her running around. She now loves to wear dresses and I love that she loves it. She had a great birthday. We had the usual family party on her birthday and then on the Monday following we went to the bounce house with her good friend Nicole.
That is a great example of Ben's smile. Anyway, they were all excited to be there.





They had a great time together and I was glad it was just one more kid that came with us.


after the 12th snowy day in a row (yes, I'm exaggerating) we decided to bust out the swimsuits and blow up pool. The kids had a blast.



This is Collin with her babies. It is crazy how instinctual they are with their mothering. Ben is really good with them. He will stand right by her box and say, I no touch your babies Collin. I no touch your babies. He is fascinated by them. She had three, though one is very much the runt. We hope she will make it.


I cannot find my Easter pictures and I'm rather concerned. Oh well, another day. The kids had a great Easter and I love that they are not old enough to expect certain things or think they are not getting enough.

Cerclage

Ok, so I am cerclage free. This was by far the easiest removal, though I'm sure it has to do with the fact that this one was not embedded in my cervix and I was not contracting. Doug missed this one by about 10 minutes. Nothing exciting on the baby front though, I am a fingertip dilated (can't remember if that even counts as 1cm) and at -2 station. When my cerclage came out with Ben I was +1 and 3 cm so this could take a while. Anyway, that's my update!

First time for everything

Not the best picture or anything but I figured you guys would bear with me! This was just a few weeks ago



And this a cute picture of my sister and Charlotte. Charlotte cannot get enough of her. She'd kill me if she knew that I was posting this. Good thing she's not a blogger


I will be 36 weeks tomorrow so today we got the hospital bag packed and pulled out the baby clothes and set up the crib. I've been realizing this is the first pregnancy since losing Evelyn that I've actually been able to be excited about. We were terrified with Charlotte that we were going to lose her the entire time and could never be truly excited. With Ben, we had Charlotte and were worried that this new baby would take away the love and attention we could give to her. Plus, we were on bedrest with him too, so there was always that fear that something would go wrong. I have been blessed to have no bedrest with this baby and hardly any problems. I actually am excited to have a baby. I went through those clothes today and thought all about the happy memories we have of Charlotte in those clothes and the good memories we will make with this baby. I honestly can't remember if I've mentioned it, but it's a girl! I will not name names as to who blew it. But no one gets to know next time!

We have taken in a few stray cats, why I do not know. But it is what it is. One of them who was named Colin ended up pregnant. We have yet to switch the name. She had her babies this morning and I can't believe how excited I am to have kittens. Also, it has helped to get me thinking about the fact that we are actually going to have a baby soon. My cerclage removal is scheduled for Tuesday but I am going to try and reschedule because Doug has a dr's appt that he can't reschedule. Charlotte had a birthday and we went to the zoo and the bounce house and I promise to blog about all that soon. But tonight I am finishing a movie! Hopefully getting ready for the baby does not mean that she will grace us with her presence soon.