Final Countdown...

I was going to load the song "Final Countdown" by Europe on the blog as a joke, but I didn't want to catch anyone off guard by having music blaring from my normally silent blog.

We are on the final countdown.... only 11 more days...that is if I make it. There are days I don't think I will. I don't like this waiting around, trying to decide if such and such sign means that I am about to go into labor. With Allison, I had nothing until my water broke. You couldn't argue with that sign....well, the nurses and doctors in triage tried to argue that sign, but I won't get into that story.

I'm feeling pretty good. I've decided that I only have a few more days of being pregnant, ever in my life, unless we have a pretty big change of plans. I am going to focus on the fun stuff and not worry about the aches and pains. I am going to enjoy my donut and McDonald cravings a few more times. I'm going to enjoy my round belly and even the protruding belly button. Maybe my husband will take pity on me and spoil me with foot rubs and back massages each night (we will see if he notices that I slipped this one in.)

I am enjoying as much one-on-one time with Allison while I still can. I am trying to do something with her each day. This weekend Brian and I headed out to Grand Haven for one last trip to the beach for the season. We took a nice long walk on the pier.

A friend of mine and fellow blogger, who is due two days before I am, commented on her blog that she is getting very emotional about these last few days as a family of three. While she is very excited for the arrival of baby number two, she can't help but get sentimental about spending these last few days with her daughter. I know exactly how she feels. I think the thing that worries me the most is the first few weeks of recovery, especially because these past few weeks Allison has gotten very cuddly and somewhat clingy. But somehow we will weather through it - taking it day by day.

Don't Forget to Vote

Don't worry, I'm not getting political on you. I just want to encourage you to vote in the baby pool I created. Click on the link on the side of my blog and place your bet. As a reminder, I have a c-section scheduled for October 23 at 11 am, but that doesn't mean I can't go early!

Our Happy Little Family

Last Friday we had family pictures taken. My friend and walking buddy, Amber, is starting a photography business and offered to take pictures of Allison and the family. Allison gave Amber quite a workout that night, as Allison was on the go the entire time. I think the only picture we got of her actually sitting still was when she tripped on some bramble and was stuck.

I saw a few of the photos and they turned out great! I can't wait to see the rest of them.
Check them at Amber's website.

Thanks again Amber. You really captured Allison's personality and captured some special memories for Brian and I.

Our Pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we took our annual trek to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch. I wanted to get the trip in this weekend, "just in case" the baby were to arrive early. To me it isn't fall unless I have one trip to get my cider and donut. We started off at Steffen's Market and stopped at another orchard, Fruit Ridge Farms, just down the road. The area orchards and farms have banded together to promote their businesses, which makes it easier to find them. Check out Kent Harvest Trails for more information.

The weather was perfect, sunny and a bit cool. You could feel fall in the air. After a long car ride (due to construction, an accident, and poor map planning on my part), Allison was very happy to get out of the car and walk around. The highlights of her afternoon were seeing the animals and sharing a donut with mom - she may not like pasta, but at least she shares my love of fresh, cider mill donuts.

Allison shows off her driving skills.

"This one mom, I'll take this one."

Dad shows Allison a tractor that is very similar to one that he drove on the family farm while growing up.

Allison saw many animals at the Fruit Ridge Farm. She showed off her new vocabulary skills.

Llamas - "daw"

Sheep and Donkey - "daw" - Ponies were "Daw, Daw, Daw!!" Evidently due to Ozzie's large size, most farm animals are dogs in her eyes.

"Oh how I wish mom and dad would just let me go on a pony (daw) ride."

Next year, we will take Allison on a pony ride. She just is too much on the go this year and we were afraid she would not sit still long enough. If she is really good, we will even let her take the "Pig Train" ride.




Allison and her shadow give up any hope of a pony ride and take off to explore the rest of the farm.

Down She Goes

For the past few weeks Allison has been climbing up the stairs, which I figured is a good thing, since I won't be able to carry her up them when I am recovering. It dawned on me that she needed to learn how to go down them, so we have been practicing doing that. Allison has gotten very good at it. To go down, she will lay on her belly and shimmy backwards.

It's What on the Inside that Matters Most

I had my 36 week appointment today. Up until today, I have been measuring only 1 cm behind where I should be belly-wise, which is great since I always measured 4-5 cms behind with Allison. Today I was measuring 3 cms behind which meant I got to have an ultrasound to make sure the baby was still growing on track.

Good news is that the baby is measuring 36 weeks and 4 days, which is ahead of schedule as I was exactly 36 weeks today. The baby weighed in at 6 lbs and 1 oz. The ultrasound tech says I must just carry the baby well. If I was brave enough, I would post an uncovered belly shot to show you that I really do look pregnant, I just don't think everyone wants to see that.

I felt bad because this was the only appointment that Brian has not gone with me. I had him stay at home with Allison, so he didn't get to see baby G.

Even though I may be measuring a bit small, I still feel very pregnant. I don't care what anyone says - I am still 36 weeks pregnant! My back aches, along with other body parts. I'm getting tired. I don't think my body could handle too many more weeks of this.

However I'm trying not to let the aches and pains get to me. I'm still trudging away at my to-do list. Right now it is more my work schedule than my home one that is causing stress. I think I'm doing pretty good on the home front. I did some cooking this weekend and ordered some meals from Alicat, so I should be good in that department. I just have to write up Allison's schedule for when my parents take care of her and pack my hospital bag. I guess I should also make sure that I am good about keeping my camera batteries charged and ready to go, just in case I have this baby early. And maybe buy a new cell phone, since I can't find mine anywhere (did I mention in my moans and groans that I am a big airhead). Ok, maybe my home to-do list is a little longer than expected. Guess I better get busy.

"Hi Dog"

Today Allison and I were at the park when I saw a dog. I pointed it out to her and she said "Hi Dog". This was her first official sentence. She said it so clearly too, "dog" is usually "daw." I had to email Brian this as soon as we got home.

Later this evening when we got home from Grandma and Grandpa's house, she walked right into the living room to the stairs and climbed them up all the way. She immediately walked into the bathroom towards the tub and stood there. This is where she hangs out when I run her bath water. I was going to give her a night off from baths since we got home late, however I figured after all that I better give her a bath.

She is growing up everyday. It just amazes me.