Evelyn Grace Doty

It's been almost three weeks, three weeks since a day that we had planned so carefully and prepared so happily was to come. There was to be a party, we planned a cake. Invited a couple friends. We took our children with us that morning. I made sure each one was clean and looked adorable to see their new family member for the first time. So much anticipation was Andi going to get the sister she had been praying for or were we going to have a little boy join the ranks, either way we were thrilled. I had kept myself busy that weekend thinking of our little one. I felt it was a little girl, I knew one was missing from our family, so I wanted to do a pink punch at the party, but what if it was a little boy! I couldn't have pink punch for my little boy! Orange Julius that would be perfect, didn't show any preference for a boy or girl. Those were the silly things I had been thinking about before that morning. We went into the doctors office, our ultra sound was first. There was our baby! So beautiful and perfect! Andi just kept looking at our little baby so excitedly! Something was wrong though I could tell, I could see it on the Ultrasound techs face. She was hardly talking to us, when she was usually upbeat and telling us all about what we were seeing. But she didn't say anything so I put it out of my mind, and just enjoyed watching her little heat beat. She finished and the kids were restless so Rob offered to take the kids to the car as the visit with the doctor is usually quite short after that. I sat waiting for 40 minutes for the doctor, my heart was pounding my children were in the car with Rob. I had this feeling or thought come, something was wrong something was wrong with my baby in a way that could not be fixed. And then a second thought; this is not your last one. I was almost in tears, the waiting was killing me, how were my children doing out there, my poor husband, they should have just come in with me. Then a nurse walks in and tells me the doctor just left to go deliver "Can you wait 20 minutes?" Rob was supposed to go to work in a few minutes, we already had waited so long. I explained to her that I had already been waiting and that my children and husband were in the car waiting for me and that I could not. She said she'd be right back and that my other doctor would be in to see me. A few more minutes past and then he came in, and he starting telling me about my baby. "We're seeing a few things on the ultrasound that aren't right, and unfortunately when we see more than two or three of these things it doesn't look like your baby will make it." He begins to explain all the abnormalities with our baby and asks if there is a time that my husband could come in so we can all talk about it together, I have silent tears streaming down my face, I tell him that he's just out in the car with our kids, they send a nurse out to sit with our kids so Rob can be with me and tell us the next steps we have to take for our little baby.  Rob comes in unsure of why, because he can't stop thinking I just saw the heartbeat what could be wrong? I again hear the grim diagnosis of our little one and they tell us we will immediately want a second opinion and want us to see a high risk specialist as soon as possible. We ask if they were at least able to see if our baby was a boy or girl, they tell us that she is just too swollen, and that we can just leave no need to check out with the ladies at the front that they will take care of everything including making the appointment with the high risk specialist and will call us as soon as they have everything done. We leave unsure of what to tell the kids. Rob takes the day off work and we talk to our children about our little one and let them know that the baby is sick, but with few answers for ourselves we can hardly answer theirs. That day was spent in prayer in gratitude for our little one, asking for peace and comfort. And a miracle. All day long the tears would come and go, we sent a text message out and told them that we wouldn't be having a party that night, they couldn't see the gender and nothing else. The appointment was set for first thing the next morning, thank heavens because I don't think that we could have waited any longer. We left our oldest children with our neighbor as we drove bright and early to Idaho Falls. We saw the ultrasound, they explained in greater detail what was happening with our little one. She has cystic hygroma, two large cysts growing on the back of her neck that are filled with fluid, that fluid is leaking into her cavities around her lungs and heart. The pressure that puts on the heart will eventually stop it. It's also what is causing her to be so swollen, and we still couldn't see the gender. They wanted to do a test that would require amniotic fluid, however she had very little. Her cysts were pushing her little head against me causing her to only have access to about 2 tablespoons of fluid, and if we tried that test we would most likely only seal her fiat. So they asked if they could do a different blood test, one where they would try to find enough of my child's blood out of mine that they could find the cause of her cystic hygroma. They told us it could be one of three chromosomal disorders. Only one of which would give her any chance at life. Because of how swollen the baby was we couldn't see all of the vital organs, we had no idea. They told us it would be a huge miracle if she made it to delivery, and that we could have anywhere between hours and months with our little one. We left feeling like we had more questions then when we went in! We sat most of the day feeling every kick every movement we possibly could. We chose names, I started to work on crocheting two small blankets, one if it was a boy, one for a girl. Planning for the worst, and still hopeful for the best. I had to go back into my doctor's office in Rexburg the next day to discuss the specialist findings and to come up with a plan for our baby. As we went in they told us that they believed with from what they had seen and with the specialists findings that our baby had 1-2 weeks top and then I would have to go in a deliver a child I would never hold alive. They gave us the option of being induced, for my health. I couldn't do it, I couldn't think of ending that sweet heart beat no matter what. We asked for an ultrasound so that we would be able to see her just once more alive. The ultra sound tech was so sweet she just stayed there till after 6pm giving us almost an hour long ultrasound. We saw her beautiful hand it was so perfect it looked just like Nuel's tiny and chubby. She made us a video and printed off pictures, I am so overwhelmingly grateful for them.  Because they only gave her a couple of weeks we were to come in every day to every other day and check her. We waited on pins and needles to hear the results of the test, find out if we were having a girl or boy. On Wednesday two days before we were supposed to hear back (at the earliest) I got a call from the specialists office. It's a girl, we were having a little girl we had chosen a girls name before we became pregnant, but it wasn't fitting for her. We chose Evelyn Grace Doty. Evelyn was to be the middle name originally it means life, and she has truly given us new life and new purpose and new hope. She has Turner Syndrome, the only one that gave her any chance at life. The doctor asked us how bad my bleeding or cramps were, I told her I haven't had any, that she's an active little girl and that Rob was still able to feel her. She was very surprised, and said who knows maybe she's resolving her cystic hygroma. They wanted us to come back in and see how she was doing with them as soon as possible which happened to be Monday. We were so excited once again, ignoring the fact that we both had felt she would not make it and that was okay. We still prayed for a miracle ignoring the fact that Evelyn was already a miracle! We got into the office and had to wait for about an hour to be seen! We were dying. We got in there and as soon as they started the ultrasound I knew. I knew a lot of what they would tell me and I knew she would not make it. The specialist began to explain that she was in critical condition and that she would most likely pass within the week. He explained that the swelling had gotten significantly worse than it was just the almost two weeks before. She was so much more swollen. The fluid was pooling and was continuing to cause problems with her major organs. Instead of seeing four chambers to her heart, two were being completely cut off, leaving the other half of her heart to work much harder. The doctor apologized for the bad news and asked if we had any questions. We really didn't have any. We left quickly and go to the car and just wanted to break down. That was it. There was no way for her to make it through this and we knew it. Not because it was impossible but that a loving Heavenly Father was looking out for us and taking care of us and it was not best for her to come right now. Evelyn is our little girl we know that she will be part of our family forever. We have been so blessed throughout this experience and even though it's hard and it sucks, we have been able to feel the love of our Heavenly Father. She has changed our lives forever.
Written Days Later...
Some days are better than others, some days it just smacks you in the face that it could be my last day with Evelyn. That it might be the last kick I ever feel. However I am continually reminded that we hope to endure things, that trials are all blessings and all that all we go through is necessary for our salvation. And I am so blessed to have my wonderful Hubby to be there with me, that we can support and lift each other up. This is an experience that a loving Heavenly Father has picked out just for us and our family, even though I am definitely not the first to experience this and surely not the last, everyones experience is still different and this is tailor made for us, to give us experience. I am so grateful for it. But I am still so scared, I am so scared to deliver my sweet child. I am terrified of saying good bye for a time when we lay her to rest.  I am still taking it one day at a time and pray for her continually. I don't want her to feel pain and most of all I want what is best for her, and I don't know what that is, there is only One who does and His will be done.
She is continuing to surprise everyone with the fact that she is still here at all. Thank you to all who have prayed for, fasted for and put her name in the temple. She is fighting, she is fighting hard to stay with us a little longer.

Nuel Benjamin

I am just now getting around to telling Nuel's birth story, but when you're done reading hopefully you'll understand why it took me so long! haha

So on December 15th I went to the doctor's office for my usual appointment and they checked me and I was at a 5 and about 85-90% effaced, and having contractions about every 20mins. (I had been having regular contractions for DAYS and it was getting ridiculous!) I have a history of fast deliveries so I was feeling like they should strip my membranes or just break my water or there was just no way I would make it to the hospital. I just asked if there was anything they could do because they monitor the baby for an hour at all of my appointments and noticed my contractions were still coming but they said that they couldn't because office policy wouldn't allow them too. They also sent me to get an ultrasound and found that he has NO room left inside me and that he should come out soon. The ultrasound tech giggled at the thought of me going another week and laughed out loud at the thought of me going to 40 weeks. So with my pelvis pulled apart as far as it could they sent me home with this advise. "if you feel anything different just go into labor and delivery and get checked, really just go into labor and delivery whenever you feel like it, just go in and get checked at least once a day if you need to." or my personal favorite "Call 9-1-1 if you go into labor, so you don't have the baby in the house or car." Needless to say I cried, I have never wanted the stress of a home birth, I can just see it now, my two toddlers trying to figure out what the heck is coming out of Mommy, Rob freaking out because the kids are trying to help and I am having a baby and not in the hospital! The idea to me is ridiculous, I know some women want it or love it, but I am NOT one of them and will never be one of them! I like the security of the hospital, that there are trained professionals there to help assist and if anything should go wrong there is equipment there to help me and the baby. So I went home upset and called a friend to come watch the kids so that I could go on a date with my Hubby because I needed some time with him to feel comforted. My contractions were still coming all through the date and I was exhausted from the continual attack on my body, so we went home. Around 2 in the morning I was still having contractions and they were 2-4 mins apart (this had happened a few times so I was worried they would still send me home and I would just be home and in pain not having the baby) So finally I decided alright lets go in (that was around 3 or 4am)

We get to the hospital and they check me still 5 and 90% (My thought - great here they go just going to send me home again) But we got lucky and the nurse was like let's monitor you for an hour and see what your contractions do, well after an hour I was still contracting every 2 mins but I didn't dilate any further, so she suggested that I walk around for an hour or so and then get monitored again, So I did it was horrible but we went to get checked again after the hour of walking and still very little change so they had me be monitored for an hour but about 30 mins or so into the monitoring I start getting VERY painful contractions and the nurse decided to get the doctor to see is she would strip my membranes because I was just not dilating anymore and clearly in labor and pain. The doctor came in looked at my stuff goes to check me/strip my membranes if needed and as soon as she checks me she tells me I'm at 7.5!! Yah! We were officially getting admitted about 7:30am!

Once I'm in the room and have my IV in I feel like I need to push, they check me and I'm at 9.5, I have really enjoyed giving birth naturally because as soon as your done your done! But I was really tried and wanted some sort of break/relief before I had to push so we decide to get a shot called an intrathecal it's supposed to be a "quick" shot in the back (the needle doesn't stay in you like an epidural) and take 5-10 mins before you feel relief and last for about an hour. And because I was at 9.5 I really didn't have any other pain relief options. I was already exhausted so decided to do it hoping that I would get enough relief to have energy to push.

I am stuck at 9.5 they can't figure out why my one side won't open fully and they don't want me to push, I am waiting to get a shot and fighting the urge to push (which is definitely way more painful then pushing to me) I finally get the shot and they try moving my uterus to get me fully opened, I get to 10 and the shot still hasn't kicked in. So I start pushing and (with my first two I pushed a total of 6-7 times all together) I push for about a half hour and they ask me if I want a break (I am like NO WAY, it's time to get this kid out of me!) and I am just starting to feel the shot kick in! After another 15mins or so he's finally here, a pound and a half bigger than my other two and just perfect! I had to stay in the delivery room for some extra time because I started to hemorrhage and needed to be taken care of/monitored before they could move me.

No words describe the feeling of bringing life into the world, seeing the joy in your husbands face as he holds his little one for the first time. It doesn't matter if it's your 1st or 3rd (I can't speak for any further than that :) but it's amazing. Knowing how absolutely perfect he is and loving him more than life itself and just an incredible overwhelming feeling of love, joy, and comfort. We are so grateful for the blessing of little Nuel in our home.

Now for the part of the story of why it took me so long to write all this! Shortly after delivery I developed an incredible headache, they brought in the anesthesiologists who gave me my shot and lucky goose me I am the 1% who get spinal headaches from the shot and they can't do anything about it till I've had it for 48 hours, and I will not stay there for 48 hours (even though they kept offering it to me) I wanted to get home to my children as soon as possible. Nuel had to get looked at by the pediatrician before we leave and she comes in and looks at his chart and says "this baby is 37 weeks?" I just tell that's what they tell me, and she's like well he looks more mature than the 41 week baby next door. So we were happy to hear that he's absolutely perfect and good to go home. We go home Saturday afternoon, and are so happy to see the kids (they only saw us for a short visit while we were in the hospital.) My headache is still killing me but I am so happy to be home with my babies I try to ignore it. Sunday comes and I feel pretty good we get to see some family who come to visit Mr. Nuel and it was just a nice day. Monday comes and I am dying literally can't do anything so my sweet in-laws take Rocky and Andi before Rob had to go to work so that I could hopefully get better by that night I am in so much pain and then the left side of my face starts to go numb. I call the doctor and ask if I should go in to the ER or make an appointment or what because it's freaking me out that the left side of me is going numb. They tell me to do neither but to call 9-1-1, so I call Rob at work and tell me what's going on and he heads home immediately and got home shortly after the paramedics. They are okay with my vital signs but aren't super happy with my blood pressure or the fact that I am going numb so they test me for stroke, (multiple times.) Then they decide that we need to go to the hospital, luckily Rob was home so he took Nuel and got him in his car seat and was able to follow the ambulance to the hospital. After testing me for stroke again at the hospital and my numbness levels they decide that it's not a stroke but that they don't know why I am going numb besides that it could be my body responding to the pain level from my headache and decide that I need a blood patch in my back, to fix my spinal headache. Unfortunately there are no anesthesiologists available to fix me that night so they let me go home and tell me to be back at the hospital at 8:00am the next morning to have a blood patch done. So I get to the hospital and finally get a blood patch, which really kinda sucks they give you a few shots in your back to numb you and then give you an epidural except instead of giving you medicine they put your own blood in you to fill the hole that is allowing you to loose spinal fluid. After letting me "set" for a couple hours they send me home and I am not allowed to do ANYTHING, the most I'm allowed to do is pick up Nuel (and say only when I have to) and continue to not do anything for 48 hours. My in-laws keep the kids because Rob had to work so that I could follow the doctors orders and get better. Luckily the blood patch worked and all I had was a sore back after the first day! (I had a lot of shots there)

After that we had just a couple days before it was Christmas so we were busy Rob with work and me wrapping and cleaning and being together for the holidays! Which is another story.

Needless to say I would do it all over again to have our little Nuel here, but don't want to be pregnant again for a LONG time...

Waitin' on Baby

Well we've been at 3cm and 80% for about 2 weeks now with no change. (boo) Which I guess is a good thing because when I went grocery shopping I filled my freezer and haven't been able to make my freezer meals yet because theres no room for them! But I have my hospital bag all nice and packed! Baby Blankets are made burp rags and finished and the only thing I could possibly do more to prepare for him is to buy him an outfit that matches his siblings for Christmas! (I probably will because I love the kids in their new shirts (or whole outfits as maybe necessary) for Christmas!) They just look so cute! Who knows maybe I'll go crazy and get Rob and I shirts or sweaters to match too!

We are ALL getting our hair cut today! I am a little nervous (not really nervous but I can't think of a better word) for little Miss Andi to get her hair cut for the first time EVER!! But she's over two and needs it so I decided that instead of me cutting it I would take her to my hair appointment and let her get it done. So Rocky will get his hair cut this afternoon (by me) and then the rest of us are going in to get it done. (Rob can't always have his hair cut by me because 1 I don't like doing it 2 he has SO MUCH hair we need to thin it out every time, but I can't do that (so we do every other hair cut) 3 We really love Clarisa doing our hair!

I got a hair cut that was really bad a few months ago and I have been growing my hair out and Clarisa did a GREAT job fixing it but I still hate the cut it's just not me and I don't like it at all. It's not bad (especially if you would have seen the before, that was HORRID!!) but it's not a cut that I would EVER choose for me and I find it really annoying and just hate it. I've also (before the horrible hair cut) started to grow my hair back out, and now I don't know what to do suffer thru the hair style I don't like or cut it short again into a style I do like. So I'll post pictures of what I decide because at this point I have no idea what to do!

** I wrote the above a few days ago and can't find my camera cord so no pictures sorry! **

Basically you can count this as a separate post...

So here we are about 4 cm and 80%. This is taking forever! I have NEVER felt THIS uncomfortable in a pregnancy, he's really making me want to never get pregnant again...

I now go to the doctor twice a week, and it stinks I get to be monitored for an hour and the bands that they wrap around your belly are HORRIBLE!! (Someone please invent something different to go on the belly when they are monitoring your contractions and babies heart beat!) whoever did the ones they currently have I think were thinking "huh, how can we make a pregnant woman going into labor more uncomfortable?" Because there's just no way to feel comfortable with those around my enormous belly. I also get an ultrasound as well once a week which is fun, unless it takes the full 30mins and then it stinks... because you have to lay uncomfortably while they watch my babies lungs in action.

On the brighter side I get checked twice a week... (I guess it might be a little brighter if there was actual change (like enough that we'd be having the baby) I have LOTS of (awesome) contractions and they get regular and stay regular (about every 5 mins) for about 2 hours and then they begin to get further apart so that has been frustrating. I get so excited like alright time to call Rob and then they stop and I just want to cry.

Crying has been a higher on the list of things that happen lately, because I am so fat and uncomfortable I just don't know what to do, my skin is so tight that it's itchy and just makes you feel like you can't relax! I NEVER sleep, it has been virtually impossible to sleep for more than an hour or so at a time. So now night time and I have a love/hate relationship because I am just so ready for it because I am exhausted but then I can't sleep and can't get comfortable! I guess most people have stopped reading long ago because let's face it this whole post has pretty much been a Sireena let's it all out time.

So let's get to the cute things in life, like how my cutie son wakes up every morning and goes to the Christmas tree and says "Merry Christmas." He also like's to rein-act Mickey's Christmas Carol by putting a key in me (like Scrooge does when he opens the door) he then has me say "Scrooooooooge" and then he (acting as Scrooge) says "Jacob Marley? NO! it can't be!!" then he squeezes my nose and wants my to shout "Ouch!" Sometimes the roles are reversed but either way it's one of the cutest things I have ever seen!

Andi has a long list of things she's afraid of; leaves, turkeys (not real ones fake ones) and Spiders! We have a bad habit of occasionally teasing her and getting a little piece of lint and blowing it in her direction while we yell "Oh No! Spider!" Rocky thinks it's HILARIOUS! Andi screams and cries (a lot) we really need to get it on video! She is our chatty little girl she tells us about everything and all her emotions and tells us what everything is! She never stops talking and 95% of the time I LOVE it!

Well my children and now up from quiet time and it's time to get back to them so the next update will probably/hopefully be announcing our little one has FINALLY arrived!

Food, Wrapping and so much More!

So we ended up in the Labor and Delivery department last week due to some severe pain, and SURPRISE you're already dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced so I had to be monitored for a while. Luckily I didn't continue to progress after an hour so I was able to go home but now knowing that I am moving fast and the nurse predicted a couple weeks tops before I deliver I have A LOT to do! So today I started making my grocery list for all the freezer meals I need to make (hopefully I will get them done this weekend) so that my family will actually eat healthy, warm meals. I think I got a good mix in there so they don't get bored. I also made a grocery list for my children's lunches. I am going to pre-make a bunch and freeze/refrigerate them so that I can easily feed them once this little guy is here. That doesn't sound like much but it took me a little while to finish those lists! haha (I'll take pictures to share once I finish them! It should be interesting!)

I also started to pack my hospital bag. I had a great list when I had my first child and couldn't find it, I have pregnant brain and can't remember what I usually pack or what I wanted! So I started looking all over the internet for a good list... I decided that it doesn't exists, and then I found an okay list from a UK hospital site. Needless to say I had to make my own list; and since I have a few pregnant friends I'll share:

Mommy:

Panties (make sure they are comfy)

Pads (I am not the biggest fan of the ones the hospital gives you)

Nursing pads

Nursing Bra

Facial wipes

Make-up

Shampoo/Conditioner

Pony tail/bobby pins

Suckers

PJ's (I bought a pair of nursing PJ's just incase I am there longer than expected)

Brush

Lotion

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Mouth Wash

Tissues

Deodorant

Going home outfit (something comfy!)

Lanolin cream (I only used it with my first but thought I'd add it for everyone else)

Snacks (I put just something small that I love to eat in my bag because I don't like hospital food)

Daddy:

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Mouth Wash

Deodorant

Hair Glue (or gel or whatever if your Hubby is like mine he appreciates this addition)

PJ's

Extra Shirt

Extra set of Underclothing

Snacks (I have him pick out a few things to stick in the bag, hospital food sucks)

Baby:

Blanket

A couple outfits (I pack a newborn and a 0-3 months size) - to go home in

Onesies

Burp cloth (just because I like mine)

Car Seat

Last Minute Grabs:

Camera

Phone

Phone Charger

I think that's about everything that's in my bag. But I'll add something if I think of it. (My bag is not that big (it's a small duffle bag) it just sounds like a lot, and I get travel sized pretty much everything.)

Now It's time to start wrapping all the Christmas presents for the children so that it's not done last minute and I am not stressed about it. I feel lucky that I finished the kids Christmas shopping weeks ago!

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and we'll see how everything's going then, because you never know, this little boy could all the sudden decide that he is comfy in there and is just settling in and could hold out for 3-4 more weeks or go nuts and wait the full 5 weeks! Lot's to do to get ready for this little boy and we are so excited to meet him.

Husband

I have the most wonderful, Amazing, INCREDIBLE, husband ever! He has been so great the past few weeks as my pain intensifies and things keep getting left undone. Not only is he going to school full-time, but he's also working, and last night was in-particularly hard. I couldn't sleep and I was in a lot of pain, he got up to get me a warm rag and drink of water. Then he got up with the kids changed diapers/underwear got them a movie going and all settled in while he got ready for work, so that I could sleep longer! And if that weren't enough he also unloaded the dish washer and put the couple of dishes I left in the sink last night in! He's such a sweet help and keeps rubbing my feet or back and trying to keep me comfortable. I love him so much and am so grateful for the wonderful Husband and Father he is. I am so blessed with such a wonderful little family, and I can't imagine what life would be like without him.

Thank you Honey for all the hard work you do for our family. You make us all so happy and comfortable. I am so relieved that I get to spend eternity with you. I can't think of anything better! You are amazing! I love you fiercely!

Almost 34 weeks...

I haven't been posting frequently mostly because we are just chillin' at home, waiting to have a baby. I know only 34 weeks, but this pregnancy has been so hard on my body I have my sciatic nerve pinched (this happened VERY early on in my pregnancy and I had it most of Andi's pregnancy so it wasn't surprising) I have pelvic displacement, which they would like to put me into physical therapy but between Rob's work and school schedule and having two kids at home and us only having 1 vehicle, it just won't happen. So the doctor suggested a wheel chair or walker... I only laugh at this because yeah, right with two toddlers! Then I have the usual morning sickness, (which is all day) hot flashes and being super uncomfortable due to a HUGE stomach, and a few other things. I haven't slept much lately and it's weird to know that I will be sleeping better in just a few short weeks when I have the baby. Yes, even if I wake up every two hours to feed him I will be sleeping more/better. Well now that I feel like the biggest complainer ever, onto other things that are better/wonderful!

Yesterday was wonderful, Rob had the day off and we got to spend the day all together as a family which was so wonderful! On top of that we got the house nice and deep cleaned together so that these next few weeks it will be easier for me to keep up and hopefully have very little to do. We also got the Christmas tree up and decorated! Rocky keeps looking at it and then telling me "Merry Christmas!" I am so excited that we have just over a month to wait till Santa shows up at our house. I have ALL of the kids shopping done! They have all their presents bought and stockings are ready to be stuffed! (Even the newest member of our family is good to go) Hopefully he shows up in time! I haven't shopped for Rob this year yet, (well I've gone I've looked I just have no idea what to do!) We decided that to save a little extra money this year we are only doing stockings for each other and are only allowed to spend $35 dollars. I have no idea what to get him that fits in a stocking keeps in budget and he'll love... I will have to keep working on that one.

I have also started packing my hospital bag... Well sort of mostly I've made the list and put a pair of nursing pajama's in my bag... that's it. But we're getting close and excited and have hopefully enough clothes for this little boy when he comes to keep him nice and warm! I have started making all his bibs, but haven't sewn any of them together they are all just pre-washed, ironed, cut and pinned. So that won't take too long to finish! Nuel's baby quilt is coming along, it's mostly done, except the part where I need to sew around all the little rectangles, (it takes forever and I can't sit for very long, or stand for very long... it's a vicious cycle.) So hopefully this week I will finish all the sewing!

I also made it my goal to have something different and fun going on each week till I finish this pregnancy and have Thanksgiving this week... and then no clue. I have another doctor's appointment on the 30th and hopefully we'll see if I have started doing anything, (considering I've had lots of contractions I am hoping to hear that SOMETHING is going on) But other than that I have nothing! No clue of what to do! I guess Andi and I are going to get our hair done on the 6th but that doesn't take very long and really won't help me as I am trying to focus on a fun goal/activity each week. And I am really wanting to go and get my toes and nails done (like I have for the other two) right before I hit full term. (hopefully I can get that in as it's finals week for Rob.) We're also looking into putting the kids into a dance thing for a week which would definitely help time go faster (it gives me something to do everyday that week for a couple hours and helps the kids get energy out in a way that Mommy can't do right now!) So we'll see if that works out, we have to see a few things first!

Haven't had much to say..

So I skipped out for a couple of weeks due to having nothing to share with everyone, haha. But I'm back so here goes my randomness...

We took the kids pictures a couple of weeks ago, we learned that me sweet baby girl is TERRIFIED of leaves. Who knew, I didn't know that they were scary but I was very wrong. The poor thing I have to drive back home and get Daddy, (the only one who can cure the tears about a fear) and finished taking the pictures. (Rocky loved the leaves and was so sad to leave, he loved running through them and hitting them with sticks) I just can't believe how fast they are growing up it is crazy! I was looking at pictures from the same time last year and I just can't believe how much they have changed.

Rocky has begun talking (finally) and is just such a wonderful brother! I can't believe how sweet he is when Andi gets hurt, or is sad. He just loves her and takes such good care of her! I am so proud of him! Earlier this week we were having family home evening and learning about Gratitude and Thanksgiving, we read a talk from the 1982 October General Conference and talked about things we can/should thank our Heavenly Father for, I love that both my kids we're thankful for Mickey Mouse. (he's a big hit at our house, we just love the older cartoons of him!) And then at bedtime when he said his prayers he said "thank you for toys, thank you for Mickey..." It was very sweet.

I am getting very tired of being pregnant... I am so grateful to be a woman who has the ability to get pregnant and carry a child but it is hard. And with each pregnancy it has gotten harder and on me physically. My contractions start earlier and it seems that I have more and more pains that I can't do anything about and it makes me have to sit on the couch WAY more than I would like to! It makes me feel like a bad Mom, I just sit with them on the floor and play as much as I can. But it's not the same and I miss chasing them and jumping around with them, and every time I do that I start having lots of contractions and have to go back to reading books to them or something less physical. I guess that's the price I pay this pregnancy. I can't wait to meet our little boy, to hold him and to feel that sweet joy of knowing that the last months have all been leading up to that moment. When he first holds your finger and you get to hold him close (in a much more comfortable way) and know that you would do it all over again for that just that one moment. And I get to sleep again, (I know newborns are supposed to keep you awake and your supposed to "enjoy" the sleep now, but I sleep more and WAY better when I am not pregnant, plus even when it's not more it's better sleep so I am ready) Only a little over 5 weeks, (hopefully!)