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.

Another Labor and Delivery Trip

Yesterday I woke up and started throwing up and did not stop all day. By 4 I realized I needed to call the doctor. They sent me over to labor and delivery where they realized I was having contractions. I got 2 bags of fluid because I was dehydrated and a shot of terbutaline. I am home now and lots better. I cannot believe I am already 33 weeks. The weather has been fantastic. I never realized how much I truly hated winter until I had kids. I am so glad to be home now though and to enjoy my own bed.

Potty training

I am trying to potty train Ben mostly because I do not want to have two in diapers. Charlotte potty trained fairly soon after Ben was born and it took just a few days. I did the old keep the potty in the living room and strip her down. It was easy and wonderful. My pediatician said the ideal age is between two and two and a half. And Ben will tell us when he is pooping. So I started. If he is bare bummed and I ask him every 40 minutes or so, he will go sit on the potty and pee. He will not use a small potty because that is not what Charlotte uses. I have tried rewarding him with candy after he pees. Then Charlotte pees every half hour so that she can get a candy too. Every once in a while he will tell me that he has to pee. I get really excited then. His absolute favorite thing to do is pee outside in the grass. Yes, I'm a bad mom and I let him do that. But I feel like the only person being potty trained is me. I am the one who has to remember to have him go pee. And it's been going on for weeks now and I do not feel like we are any closer to where we were. If I strap a diaper on him, potty training is done. But I don't want to go anywhere without having one of them on. And I can't stay home all the time. I did it for a few days, but this has been going on for weeks. He will poop on the potty sometimes, but mostly he asks me for a diaper when he has to poop and I do not want to force him, so I will let him do that. Anyone have any ideas? Even if you do not have any experience but just know something from your cousin's aunt's sister. Especially you women with little guys, I'd appreciate knowing if this is normal. I would like to be done with this sometime. My friend told me it took her son an entire summer to potty train. If I stick a diaper on him, am I regressing the whole process?

In other news, I am 32 weeks and no bedrest. This is so different from my previous pregnancies. I actually have swollen feet. Yeah!! I have an appt on Tuesday but I doubt I will know anything since he doesn't check me. I like my new dr ok, but when he couldn't remember that I actually had a cerclage or know the right time to take one out, I will admit my faith was shaken. If I didn't think I would be such a jerk for switching again, I might. But we are nearing the home stretch and things are going fantastically. Charlotte and Ben play together so well I could cry. I love seeing the two of them together. They are so fun with each other. Charlotte is amazing and does so much to help me. Ben is going through a pinching and biting and poking stage. At least we hope it is a stage. Life is going to be rough for him when this kid is born. Warm weather has been appearing lately and I love it. Below are two pictures. I was going to do some more and videos but the computer and I are not getting along. I will try again later

no more cavities

This morning I finally got my last two cavities filled. It seems as though all of my teeth should now have fillings. All 10 are now done!