a mother's intuition??

I think it's more like a mother's-wish/dream-that-needs-to-come-true-any-day-please...
Went to the midwife this morning...only at a 3, the baby has moved so much she's not even "locked and ready" anymore. The past three pregnancies I have been to a 5 by now for sure and felt less ready, what is the deal? After three in a row, almost the same, you begin to wonder if you aren't doing something right, but then I remember that it's all in time and this baby will come when she needs-not on my terms. So now I need to find something to occupy my time and try to not think of what is to come.
If nothing happens before next Tuesday, I'll be headed in again and hopefully with much more progress (wait, did I just say it would be on baby terms, not mine?? gotta remember that).

anything? anything?

set to the tone of the teacher on ferris buellers day off

Since about Thursday night I have been having on and off contractions that can get me down for the moment and then they subside-rather irritating. Well I woke up Sunday morning feeling just plain 'ol crappy. I was supposed to teach my primary class that morning so I decided to buck up and just go to church, that everything would subside like it had the past 3 days...half way through primary I just couldn't take it anymore. I went and found Jake in sunday school and told him we had to get home things weren't looking or feeling any better. We collected the kids, I ditched primary (with my teaching partner grateful she had decided to read the lesson that morning) and we were on our way home to decide if we should drive 20 minutes to the hospital or not.
I immediately went to my comfortable bed and laid down letting Jake take care of the confused kids. Within an hour things, of course, slowed down and I felt a little better throughout the day, I think thanks to a short nap. Jake didn't sleep well last night, hoping and praying that something would happen during the night and reacting to every movement I made-it was pretty funny.
Today I have been trying to be as active as possible to get contractions to do something. They have been pretty minimal until I started writing this post. I cleaned the basement-which was strewn with toys from one end to the other. I crawled and squatted as much as possible to get my body to react-all I have to show for it is a very, very sore back-my fault I suppose.
We made cookies, I did a few freezer meals, helped kids stay happy and do homework and nothing seemed to do anything. Then I went to change a diaper and BOOM! the random feelings of uncomfortableness have begun...I suppose we'll see what happens, but I'm pretty sure this will be the week. We'll know more after my appointment Wednesday morning (if I make it that far, Jake thinks I won't).
It's been a funny day, the girls have been asking over and over if the baby could come tomorrow or tonight. I told them they would have to tell her to come. Since we took them out of primary yesterday they have been super, super excited and confused why the baby hasn't come yet. As I was tucking them in tonight the girls noticed that I was acting a little differently and Sarah immediately declares that the baby needs to stop hurting me, when Kayelynn answers with "no, Sarah, the baby is trying to come out" They both looked at each other and squealed! It was too cute. They then told me that she could come tomorrow when everyone was done with school (which is after 3pm). I told them I would do what I could. So funny the things kids say.

Baby Update...

In case you are wondering, since I did mention that I was headed to the doctor today, I figured I would put up a little update.
I see a midwife, she gave me her phone number so I can call her when we leave the house on our way to the hospital as it is 20 minutes away, that made me think I am probably closer than I am admitting too. I am dialated to a 2 (whoopie) and 60% effaced. The baby is settled in place, as the midwife was unable to move the baby's head, she declared that the baby was "locked and ready". I am measuring only one week ahead, so nothing major...I feel bigger than that, but knowing how I've looked in the past I know I'm not. I have started to get swelling in my feet and legs, so there is some discomfort through the days, but really I'm doing quite well. I finally realized as I was leaving the office that truly I probably only have 2 weeks left, as the last three babies have come in the 38th week-yikes!
I will be going in next Wednesday for my weekly check-up and we'll go from there. I came home and started finding all the blankets, burp cloths and anything else baby and washed them all-I've been in denial that she really is coming this quickly. I just need to pack my bag and get the moses basket all plush with blankets and I'll be as set as I can be until she arrives!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

This is one MEGA-post!

I said I would update like two weeks ago...there is a story, but not really the-dog-ate-my-paper type. I had to plug in the other computer (which, unfortunately I don't know how to do) and therefore had to convince Jake of the importance of this chore...to download all the pictures from since we moved in...and then put them on the jump drive to be able to share them with you...

So I finally convinced Jake to set up the computer the other day and I went to download pictures without a mouse (couldn't find it)-that was so not working, so after crying out of frustration and disappointment I told Jake he would need to find a mouse quickly! He borrowed one from a friend and so I went to download pictures the next day. Things were going great, I was getting happier and more excited-especially because I forgot about some of the pictures on there. Then I see a pop-up notifying me that my jump drive is full and I've only downloaded up until the Christmas parties at the girls' preschool which is where all the fun pictures start! So, here I am waiting to get another jump drive and finally biting the bullet and just sharing what I do have.

So there's the story...enjoy pictures!

our finished home, just before we moved in...

kids enjoying the last nights at the nasty, scratch that, humble apartment

BIRTHDAY BOY-7!!

he wanted the theme pirate...somehow he had lost the hook, eye patch and hat by the time this picture was taken...ha!

daddy's creation of the pirate himself

hope he made a good wish...

he made out like a bandit!

with money even!

one of the prize cars his sisters chose for him...adding to the massive collection

his "most favorite" gift...he couldn't stop gazing enough to even grin at the camera!

DECORATED HOME

we managed to get this put together just before the birthday party...6 hours before this room was all boxes! thanks Jake!

another angle

my nativity up high-safe from small and curious hands

GINGERBREAD HOUSE??

who needs a gingerbread house when they can have a fruity/chocolate pebbles train??? Jake and I went to his work party and since Grandma was the babysitter, they made this awesome train complete with snowy tracks. They had a blast and couldn't get over how awesome their creation was!!!

SNOW MUCH FUN!!

playing in the very, very cold in the backyard

helping each other create a small snow cave

finding something new every couple minutes...who knew a yard would be so much fun??

testing the waters/ahem...snow

and enjoying every single minute!!!

ELEM. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

the first graders were snowflakes...

enjoying the "spotlight"

all M-Z first graders...the school was big enough we went to a local high school auditorium and they had to still split the school by alphabet to get the program to work correctly!

Bryant's select audience! It was so fun to watch the girls amazed with the performance and eyeing where Bryant would be as well as singing/dancing along with the students!

Until I get another jumpdrive, these are the pictures you get to see. We are doing well, settling in nicely, organizing the best we can with an unfinished basement-yet to be finished! {giddy}

I am surviving nicely. I have just under 30 days left and am starting to feel the drag of the days and the desire to sleep and sleep and sleep...needless to say there are many afternoons of cat naps. I will go to the doctor on Wednesday and see what/if any progress there may be. As much as I am not ready for her to arrive, I wouldn't be against an early delivery...I just need to find that last burst of energy to finish that "honey-do" list on my own-haha!