2 Weeks of Busy

Wow, looking back over the past two weeks I'm overwhelmed by the amount of things we have done. Life is happening at rapid speed and there is no slowing down. From showers to T-Ball I'm exhausted just thinking about our activity. I'm only going to touch on the major activities. Of course Connor's party will have a post all to itself.

Of course we have to begin with Isla's fun art birthday party! The kids had a blast painting ceramics and celebrating little Isla!

Want to join our neighborhood group? We think there may be something in the water.......

The next major event was the sweet shower at AWK8 for myself and another teacher. Caleb and I were so blessed by the entire thing, and I was overwhelmed by the generosity and sweet gifts. The Social Committee did a great job, and I know I left feeling very special. Grandma Glenda even got to come and enjoy the festivities.

 From the shower I went and spent an hour and a half at the doctor before I left the appointment to take Connor to his callback for Happy Birthday Jesus. It was a tad stressful, but Connor was outstanding and did an excellent job singing his solo. I get so much joy seeing him focus and do such a great job. He was called back for one more audition after this to sing with the choir live, and so we are still practicing and praying that our little boy does his best.

 By the end of that week we were off to Connor's first field trip, his first time on a school bus, and mommy's first time chaperoning as a parent. I am so glad I took the day off from work. We went to the Little Farm in Homestead and the kids had an absolute fabulous time.

 They got to touch all sorts of animals from pigs to turkey. They got milk and feed goats and even ride ponies. Our little animal lover was on cloud nine and couldn't get enough of it. He was eager for each new animal, and willingly waited his turn to pet each one. Couple that with his birthday being the next day, he was the happiest child ever.

Monday night Connor played his first T-Ball game of the season, and as a 4 year old. He is playing on the Dodgers team this year at Rotary Park which are the same fields that daddy played on growing up. He's been going to practices over the past month and was more than ready for his first game. He had two excellent at bats where he knocked the ball straight and true. He also did an excellent job manning first base. The kid has a great arm. Daddy was all over the field too as one of the assistant coaches. Even when the game was over Connor still wanted to play. He's such a natural!

 Here is the 38 week mark. At my appointment this week I was 1.5 centimeters dilated and 60% effaced. We are still on schedule for being induced next week, but I am more than ready to go right this minute. I'm doing everything I can to try and put this in motion. At this point in my pregnancy with Connor I was heading to the hospital on this very night. In my eyes I can't do enough stairs at school. I try to make a point of doing multiple sets at the end of every school day hoping to get the ball rolling. I've also been doing physical therapy multiple times a week to try and recover from my fall the first day of school. I think we've finally figured out that I must have popped my SI joint out of place. There's nothing to do about it until after Caleb is here, so I just suck it up and make it through each day. I've been getting crazy long Braxton Hicks contractions and I was just hoping that they would convince the doc to move forward the induction. I thought for sure after my exhaustion from Connor's birthday party I would go into labor, but Caleb is enjoying the hot tub a little more than Connor did.

We got to celebrate Connor and Grandma Jo's birthDAY last night with Uncle Scott in town. It was so sweet to all be together and see Connor and Scott play. Grandpa Ernie was sweet about baby Caleb coming and Connor and him were ready for bed about the same time.

Only Weeks

 36 weeks!!!!

Wow!!! Actually today I am 37 weeks, but I took the update picture at 36 weeks. Things are in motion for sure too! The doctor last week said I am 1 centimeter dilated and 25% effaced. I'm curious as to what he will say tomorrow. It is exciting for sure! I just keep saying I have to make it through this weekend and Connor's birthday. If Sir Caleb wants to come any time after that I will be more than happy to accommodate! This is surreal. I cannot wait to look at him, and hold him. I'm so curious as to what he looks like, and what color hair he has (right daddy?). I'm excited to see the excitement on his big brother's face because he can't wait either. I'm ready for our sweet little family to grow and make new memories. I finally decided to start packing my hospital bag, and I don't feel nearly as ready this time as I thought I was with Connor. It will be what it will be.

Connor auditioned on Sunday for the Happy Birthday Solo during pageant. I was so proud of him standing up there singing on that big stage. He has callbacks tomorrow night! No matter what happens my little guy impresses me daily, and has worked very hard. I am proud of him and his sweet little angelic voice!

Saturday Showers and Sunday Sprinkles

Last Sunday was the Baby Shower for Aunt Heather and baby Hayden! So excited for this little cousin to come a long and join the family!!!! It was so special because it was held down here and not only was the Allen family well represented but so was the de Rose clan. It was so neat to see lots of Sheridan Hills faces and hug some necks that hadn't been hugged in a long time.

 Grandma, Aunt Carla, and Aunt Andrea did a wonderful job putting such a memorable shower together. The decorations were beautiful, they even reused the ribbon balls that were made for Aunt Heather's bridal shower! The games were a blast, and between Grandma Glenda and I, we swept the room! I didn't win the gorgeous wreath though! Baby Hayden was showered with so many wonderful and lovely things. He's going to be set when he gets here!

 Bestie Bumps!!! We can't help but take these pictures every chance we get! It's not every day you get to share this special time with your bestie!

 The next day, Sunday, was my "Sprinkle" for Baby Caleb. Grandma Glenda decided to put a little something together just to make this time special. I didn't need a full blown shower because I kept everything we got/had from Connor, so a "sprinkle" was perfect.

 It was sweet to get some NEW things though that will be just for Caleb, and the bottles and outfits were a wonderful surprise. The main gifts were diapers of all sizes and wipes. No running to the drug store in the middle of the night for those. I think we are set!! Great Aunt Carol also blessed us generously to get the stroller Connor and Caleb will share. It was so sweet to even get things from loved ones who weren't able to be there physically.

 The four preggos at the sprinkle were certainly a sight! Joy and I are only a week and half apart....the same with Connor and Isla. We're on the same life path!

 Grandma Glenda sewed a sweet little crib quilt for Caleb that is made of minky and flannel elephant fabrics. Aunt Katrina surprised me with a gorgeous full sized quilt she sent from Virginia. I was floored. It is amazing, and all the ladies had to get out of their seats to come up and touch it and look at it closer. What a special keepsake! What a special friend!

 Grandma Glenda came up with fun games for everyone to play from baby trivia, to guessing how big around my belly is with yarn. There was lots of laughter and fun!

 

 Aunt Laura made a gorgeous cake that tasted as good as it looked. She also made her famous cupcake truffles and Grandma made a ton of other "sprinkle" inspired yummies including pretzel sticks, strawberries, and rice crispy treats. Ice cream sundaes were even made!

 

 I could not be more blessed and grateful for the special ladies that spent their afternoon with me for baby Caleb. Since so many dear friends have moved away within the past few years it was a little sad not having them there but those who were able to come made it so special and so full of love. What a great afternoon!

 This was the awesome invitation that Uncle Casey made for the special occasion! I LOVE it!

Pre-School Days

It has been a slightly crazy first 3 weeks of school. From juggling my own doctor's appointments with my fall, and then Grandma Glenda having surgery, we haven't really had a sense of normal. There is no stopping the machine of school, so that has to be the one constant, and we just rush around trying to get life accomplished in between. I'm craving a little bit of normal though before Caleb gets here because that is going to be a whole new experience and life adjustment. Good thing I know Who is in control.

 Grandma Glenda's birthday was a lot of fun. We got to have a yummy family dinner and of course Connor enjoyed helping her blow out her candles. It's practice for his own birthday that he can't stop talking about. We got mom a FitBit, but we haven't quite had the opportunity to show her how it works and get her up and going with it.

 As part of her birthday festivities we took a family trip to Disney, and Uncle Casey was even able to fly home for it. Talk about special! Our first evening there we even played Disney Golf in the rain, much to Connor's delight and joy. Saturday morning was Epcot, and I spent the day in a wheelchair. I'm moving much slower these days. We had tons of fun, but we can no longer mention Soarin...we had a bit of a traumatic cell phone mishap that shall not be spoken of.

 Our evening found us at Hollywood Studios dodging torrential downpours and finding things to do inside. A few of us didn't feel like drawing "Russel" from Up as instructed, and may have deviated from the plan, but Connor did an outstanding job....I was impressed, like really, woah. We had a yummy dinner at the Brown Derby, our first time dining there, and even got to toast Grandma Glenda for her special day. Before leaving Connor was willing to try the "Elevator Ride" and I shed a little tear for my little one becoming a big boy. While they rode, I found a special prize to commemorate this special event, an adorable plush Sven. He was a brave boy on the ride, no tears at all, and came off saying he had fun but had no interest in doing it again. He loved his new Sven, and has slept with it every night since.

 Sunday was Magic Kingdom and Grandma Glenda's day in the wheelchair. We are definitely a sight that's for sure. I only got overheated a few times, ugh! The group rode many rides and Connor even enjoyed the rain showers we got. He was so grateful for our trip, and it always makes me want to do it again. It's not crazy to want to take him again in October right? His thank yous are just the best. I think Uncle Casey got all the Disney food he could muster too, and headed back to Virginia with a satisfied belly and great memories.

 I tried to take a clever 32 week picture and the only one I could compare it to was being pregnant with Connor at 33 weeks. Shorter hair on the left is baby Connor, longer hair on the right is Caleb. I definitely notice that I am sitting much higher with Caleb, and I feel it too! I hit 33 weeks this week, and someone actually told me that it looked like I was dropping. Gosh I hope that's true! At my last OB appointment the doctor told me I am measuring right on track, exactly the week I should be. Though I feel huge, that made me feel better. Also, based on the cardiologist appointments I've been having they feel that another induction is wise, and it will be scheduled for my 39th week. No exact date yet, but I don't feel confident I'll even make it to that. I was already dilated when I went in for Connor at 38 weeks. I just need to make it through Connor's birthday and then I can sit back and wait!

 We got to see baby Caleb yesterday on 3D images and were amazed at how much he looked like daddy. I mean, same nose, same mouth, it was eerie. We could even see that this little one already has about an inch of hair!!! What does one do with a baby that has hair?!?! He didn't really want to cooperate and kept putting both hands and even his feet in front of his face. At one point I got up and started jumping around to try to reposition him. He was having none of it. His grumpy little face was evidence of how he felt about the poking and prodding, but seeing his chubby little cheeks made us all giggle. Big brother Connor definitely thought it was neat to see his little brother, and eventually took control on my phone to take lots of pictures himself. I'm so glad Aunt Kaitlyn and Grandma Glenda got to join us there. I love having everyone involved and just as excited to see Caleb.

Our goal now is to finally prepare at home. We took the house off the market, and it's time to buckle down and make ready for baby since this is where he will be coming home to. Connor is thrilled to have the crib back in his room. He wants to watch Caleb sleep. I just hope he doesn't prevent sleep! It's crazy to think that at this time last year we had just completed Connor's sleep study. He is still a terrible sleeper, and wakes up multiple times a night, but he has been going to bed on his own recently and that is a huge deal! I think no nap, and school has a lot to do with it.

He is loving school, and looks forward to the projects that he will do each day. He did his first packet of homework last week, and enthusiastically did it every night. I know that wont last forever, but he does love to learn. He was doing addition for us in the car the other day, and told us that if he puts his fingers and toes together he has 20. Yup, that's our boy!