my 100th post

December 30th
Happy Birthday to me
and Happy Birthday to Lucy Clover





I will tell the whole story and add pictures tomorrow

Santa Babies

Congratulations to Jen and Keith, baby Dayton was born yesterday evening and I'm so ready to see him.
Good luck to Michelle and Dave, they are hoping Megan is going to make an appearance today.

So who does that leave? ME!!!! Come one Lucy. I feel like I'm going to explode. I only have a few days before Finley leaves on his ski trip, and Christmas is just around the corner.

... and we're still rolling....

Yesterday was a pretty interesting day. We headed to see the doc in the morning. Everyone was so excited, although Bryan and I kept emphasizing that there was a good chance we were just going to get sent home.
This little girl is so ornery. She was, yet again, transverse (sideways), but this time in the opposite direction. Even Finley found it amusing that she was able to move that much.
He pushed her a little with two fingers and "oh look, she's head down now."
"What?"
Bryan laughed.
So obviously she won't stay that way. Weird. Although she was pretty low when I went to bed. Finley said that if I go into labor she will most likely turn the right way.
So that was that. No need to go to the hospital to do a version on a baby that is just going to keep spinning.
He also moved my cut off (induction) to December 29. Yes, that's the day BETWEEN Jack's and my birthdays.
I told Finley how miserable I am, and about the contractions and show. He smiled. "The only way to feel better is to go into labor."
Yes, thank you. I know.
Anyway, so he didn't check me. He is leaving on Saturday for a week long skiing trip with his family. I don't go back again until Monday the 29th... the cut off day.
In my opinion Lucy should come out this week while her the dr is still around and be home in time for Christmas. It may be selfish but I'm going to be praying for that. It would give me all of Christmas break to recover. During that time my mother in law and Aiden will be on vacation. Everyone will already be "around", like Bryan and my dad won't be traveling.

Did I mention that my mom and brother came back very late last night from Indiana and brought my grandma with them! I am really hoping to see her today, and glad she can be here for both the holidays and Lucy's birth.

"Lord, thank you again for this time of year. Thank you for the safe travels of my family over the past few weeks. Thank you also for my doctor. I really love him and his kind nature, I know it comes from you. I pray that you will help my to relax, because I know that you already know when Lucy's first and last days will be.Also give Jen courage and peace today as she goes through labor to meet her new little son, Dayton. I know she waited a long time for him. Amen."

The name of the week

I have an iVillage pregnancy calender that gives me little trivia and facts each day. It also includes a "name of the week". I opened it up this morning and you'll never guess what the name of the week is... LUCY! It's currently number 221 on the popularity list, I want everyone to know that now in case it turns out the way Aiden and Jack did. I thought I was being so original with both of them, and about a year after each were born their names were in the top 5. I'm big on originality so I was a little ticked.
(Warning: TMI ahead)
I am going to see Finley this morning. Somewhere between on again off again contractions, diarrhea, and spotting yesterday (which generally stopped while I was sleeping) I have no idea how today is going to go. I have somewhat high hopes, but I shouldn't because I have learned that lesson in the past. We are really ready, and I think Bryan is also hoping something good is going to happen. He is going with me, and actually has the whole day off just in case she isn't head down, or if we have to head to the hospital.
Fortunately I have some things to look forward to this week if I don't get my first choice. Tomorrow I have a Christmas tea with all the ladies from my bible study group. There are a couple ladies you are seasoned knitters and I am going to see if I get find out how to make some little flowers for some of the boho hats I have been making. Also Bryan's company Christmas party is on Saturday, it was really fun last year.

"Thank you Lord for the holiday season and all the joy of being with family and friends. Please help us to remember why we celebrate. Please give my family peace and patience today. Help us to continue to be excited and happy even if we don't get what we are hoping for. Amen."

For Fun

You're It::
Here's how it works: Bold all the things that you have done in your life.

1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing- 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie- 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee

Have you done most of these? Anything that shocks you?

Grumble Free

I'm still pregnant. I am really looking forward to my appointment tomorrow morning. Bryan is going with me, normally he doesn't get too. But there is a chance some decisions will be made tomorrow. Otherwise I am hoping she is really head down this time, and that maybe some of these contractions are paying off.
Bryan came home on Friday, he got home at 11 in the morning so the kids went with me to the airport. We usually just pick him up in the arrivals drive up, but we actually parked and went in. Kinda exciting.
Yesterday we went to the Motorcycle show at Quest. Jack went with us, but Aiden stayed home. We really struggled with that decision because we knew Aiden would love to see Valantino Rossi's motorcycle, but there was WAY too much stimulation there for him. It was $13 per adult, so we really didn't want to pay that much if we weren't going to be able to stay and enjoy ourselves.
In other news I started the ol "please Lord let the labor start soon" herbal regimen. Evening Primrose, Blue and Black Cohosh, and Raspberry leaf tea. Plus we went out for Mexican Friday, and yesterday I ate half a pineapple. I refuse to use caster oil. I tried it with the other kids and it is possibly the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted. I can't get it to go down (or stay down).
So if anyone has any other suggestions please pass them along. I would rather use natural remedies and have her soon than get induced next week.
It occurred to me yesterday that there are several other things to look forward to this month. I am trying to decide what to get Jack for his birthday. I am pretty settled on art supplies and some toddler begging (although he isn't graduating to his big boy bed yet). And for myself I will probably have a day to pamper myself once the holidays are over. I decided what I am doing for Nolan's b-day this year (in March) but I am tempted to do it sooner. I found out I was pregnant right after his birthday last year and didn't get the chance to do what I planned. I'll blog about that a little closer to when it happens, I don't want to remind anyone how strange I am right now.

"Thank you Lord, this has been a really nice weekend. Thank you for bringing Bryan home safely. Please keep my family safe while they travel this weekend. Help me to be patient. Amen."

The boys

I am so happy Bryan is finally coming home today. I really do okay when he's gone. The first couple days are usually rough, but he used to be in the Coast Guard...
He has a direct flight from Newark, and because of the time difference he is scheduled to get in at 10:57, how awesome is that? I don't even have to wait all day or pick him up at night. We're going to the grocery and Super Supplements this morning and then it will be time to pick him up, all before lunch.

Moving on. So Aiden finally had a good day yesterday. It was the first day since Thanksgiving that I didn't hear from the Principal or bus driver about some difficult behavior. I was SO happy for him. He got a fresh pack of bubble gum and is going to get to pick out some juice at the grocery today (it's the little things in life). I really can't blame him for being so off lately. I have too (not in an autism way of course) but Christmas is only a couple weeks away, he's getting a new baby sister any day, and daddy has been gone. Also our slightly traumatic start to the week was a little much for him. He didn't want to get in the truck for several days for fear that the rock is still really in the tire.
He apparently has a new girlfriend. Last week he announced that he is "finished" with Alyssa (the girl who was trying to kiss him all the time). Now everything is about Evie, I guess she rides hi bus but is in a different class ??? It's going to be really interesting to see what his relationships are like when he gets older, he's emotionally so complicated (even more than your average dude) and has killer pretty boy looks.

I do realize I don't talk about Jack enough. It's not that he doesn't get enough attention, that is so far from the truth. He has become very entertaining. His new thing is, "its scawey". (scary) He does a really cute little scared face with big blue eyes. He has been talking in lots of 3-4 word sentences and loves to play "whats dat?" He has really been blossoming since Aiden has been in school. Before he pretty much wasn't getting a word in edgewise. It's also interesting to see him develop in ways that took Aiden much longer. Jumping and hopping, galloping, running on his feet instead of always tippy-toes, somersaults, hand-eye coordination. It's just different. It's nice.

So, on to the weekend. What time does WalMart open? I've been awake since 4:30 (not because of my kids this time) so I'm ready to get going.

"Lord, please protect Bryan as he travels home. Amen."