Mother's Day was lovely!  I spent it with my favorite people, was showered with cards, flowers and some very relaxing time!   Olivia and daddy got me "pitty wawa's" (pretty flowers) and she stares out the window every chance she gets to tell me how "pitty" they are.  My step dad bought me red roses (fabulous treat!).  
I did about 15 loads of laundry (we'll call it nesting) and loved every minute of it.  My little lady curled up by the dryer warming herself and pretending to go ni-night each time the dyer started.  As I watched her, I recall doing the same thing at the house I grew up in - only the warm spot was a vent in our kitchen under the sink.  I watch Olivia and often miss childhood.  The creativity, love and optimism she has for everything and everybody is something I long for daily.  She is incredibly peaceful and innocent.  I only hope to adopt some of those traits back, now that she is reminding me of what is really important in life.   That is what made my Mother's day so perfect!

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The last two weeks have flown by and here's what happened:
Baby and I have passed the 38 week point...
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38 weeks - 2011
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38 weeks - 2009 (my last photo - I delivered her a few days later!)
Just barely at 38 weeks, I started having cramps, pains and other things I do not recall with my first baby.  I couldn't sleep, eat, cry or manage - so about 2 a.m. I quickly packed a bag and Rob drove me up to labor and delivery.  I was hooked up to the monitors for about an our while the sounds of baby heartbeats filled the dark and lonely room.  For the first time, it was just the two of us, I was so tired and totally in love with the rhythmic sounds.  The nurse checked on me frequently, maybe too frequently - but she was deciding if I needed to be admitted or not.  
To be real honest, I felt safe and wanted to stay, be served ice chips and listen to my son and really feel him.   
After a little while longer, the nurse came in and told me they were discharging me simply because my cervix had not changed since I checked in.  I was so exhausted, almost wanted to beg to let me stay.  I called Rob and he came to pick me up.    It was about 4:30 and I finally got into my own bed.  7a.m. came rather quickly and I had to be ready for the daycare kids to arrive.  I still don't know how I survived the day.

The next nights to follow were easy, and Friday's (the 13th!) appointment brought some phenomenal news!    The doctor discussed with Rob and I the option of elective induction.  I have dropped a few pounds since last week - down to 26lbs of weigh gain,  dilated 2+, I'm completely thinned and the baby is at a +2 station.   With all that and the very quick delivery of miss Olivia (3 whole hours!), she recommended we go in and start the process of delivery as soon as I hit 39 weeks (if he doesn't come sooner).  So, she called the hospital and officially has us on the schedule for this Thursday 5.19.11!   All we do now is wait and give labor & delivery a call about 6:30 Thursday morning to check room availability.    2 more days, 3 more bedtimes... surreal.

The weekend - Daddy headed out right after the appointment to join his brothers and pals for fishing opener.  I was nervous to see him go and he was nervous to leave me behind.   BUT,  I was very pleased I'd have this one last weekend with my little lady.  ONE LAST WEEKEND - really?!?  I still can't believe it..... We played and hugged and hugged and played and held hands and loved each other the entire weekend!  I rush around all week taking care of things and other peoples kids that I barely have the time to hug my own lady.  While I regret it, I love it.  I love seeing her interact, I love being there when she needs a kiss, I love making her lunch and listening to her slurp her "lo lo" (cereal) milk but I miss her because I'm always called away for someone else's bumps, spats, etc.  Doing daycare has some really great perks, but being alone with my child(ren) would be a dream come true.   So, there are some big decisions and commitments that I will have to face before I can be with just my children, but I feel it in my bones that it is not that far off. 
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Saturday we went to Under Water World with grandma checking out all the "pish". Olivia was pretty intimidated by the giant sea turtles but quickly realized they were stuck behind the glass. That night we spend tons of time together.... Just the two of us - playing and putting on pretties!  More importantly, taking coins from daddy's dresser and depositing it into her piggie and our little babe's "ribbit".  She was very careful, counting to six as she dropped in an equal amount into each bank.   After an hour of coin snatching, Olivia declared it was time for her baby to go to bed.  The entire time, she's mimicking daddy and my nighttime routine.  She wiped and changed her into the nighttime diaper, put on dora undies- explaining potty in the diaper was yuckie, told her to lay down (maybe too forcefully - we don't choke her :)  and then resting her her woof by her side.  
She then trotted out into the hallway only to turn around and run back to the bedside, yelling "lay down, ni-night!"  She picked up the baby, rocking her gently, kissing her head and laying her back down, one last time. 
I asked her where she was going to sleep for the night and she cautiously said, "up stairs, mama!?" OF COURSE, baby! I swooped her up and headed to my room.  She quickly squirmed out of my arms only to run back into her room and steal her woof from the baby and was ready to snuggle with me.  My gosh, the flight of stairs was something I will never forget - her arms tightly wrapped around my head, while saying, "my mama - I la you too"!  At that very moment, I was the happiest I've EVER been!  She nearly choked me to death as we crawled into bed, arms now around my neck and my face forced directly into her chest.  I was breathless for several reasons!  I couldn't help but stay there until she fell asleep and regretted pulling away.   
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Sunday, I woke up to a very smiley face and a tickling hand in my armpit.  "Mama, wait-up!"  "wait- up, Mama!" 
We had a lovely breakfast and headed out for some "pitty wawa's" for our window boxes, lunch and waited for daddy to come home.  Once he did, we packed up and headed to grandma's to drop the lady off for one last adult date night - before our little guy arrives.  We decided to see Bridesmaids - HILARIOUS!  I have NEVER been in a movie where the ENTIRE crowd roars with laughter, I almost (almost) peed my pants from laughing so hard, Rob giggled uncontrollably and it was exactly what we both needed!    I, with out a doubt, have to say this is the most hysterical movie I have ever seen.  Even Rob said it was one you'd have to watch a few times, it was so funny.  I have always enjoyed Kristen Wiig, but now I officially LOVE her.  : ) 

I look forward to this week, just enjoying the sun touching my skin, the tight hugs I get from from my little lady (she sits right on top of my baby belly, legs clenching around my waist and our cheeks smashed together),  the "spare time" we have as a couple and some final packing for the hospital.  I feel like I am floating on air and love knowing I'll be holding another one of our precious children before the week is over.

xoxo



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