Meet Emme

On our way to the hospital

Owen meeting his sister for the first time. He was SO excited!

 

He loves to hold her

My babies

This picture makes me laugh. Owen was really being sweet!

Aunt Heather and Emme

Gam and Owen

Owen was the cutest yellow fish (his request) for Halloween

Thanks for the costume Gam!

He cracks me up

Silly

Owen loves to lay next to Emmerson

 

Bert is already protective of the baby

 

Daddy and his children

Thanksgiving

Taking a snooze

 

First bath

Love this little girl!

Rewind - O's Bday

We had a wonderful time celebrating Owen's 2nd birthday. I am still writing thank you notes so my apologies if you have not received one yet.

 

He looked so cute in his hat, bandana and sweater.

Party favor bags

Yummy cake

 

Owen & Connor having fun in the bounce house

The best family pic we took that day. 

Stella helping Owen open her gift

Keleigh helping Owen with presents

Aunt Sara and Owen

Fun after his party in the laundry basket

Emmerson

So far behind.

Emmerson Elaine
October 22, 2012
5:53pm
8 pounds 3 ounces
21 inches

38 Weeks

I had my weekly appointment today. The baby's heartbeat was strong in the 140's with lots of movement. My cervix is completely closed and the baby has not dropped. No contractions, no cramping, no nothing. October 22nd, here we come!

How far along: 38 Weeks - 17 days to go!

Total Weight Gain: More and more each time I go to the doctor. I have noticed swelling in my feet but still.

How big is the baby: Based on my ultrasound 2 weeks ago and the fact that the baby is gaining around an ounce a day, I think this little one is already more than 7.5 pounds.

Movement: Lots of feet on the top of my belly and elbows in my sides.

Sleep: Eh...

Best Moment: When Owen climbs up on me, lays his head on my stomach and sings a song to the baby. He did it last night and I just started crying. That sweet boy looked up at me and said Don't cry Mommy. Love him!

Food Cravings: None, just very thirsty.

Belly Button: Still in but stretching.

Stretch Marks: No

Maternity Clothes: Dresses although even some of those are getting a little short with my large belly. I have no idea what I am going to wear to 3 days of a conference next week and I hate to buy new clothes now.

What I miss: I miss not sweating on my legs because my belly is sitting on them. I miss being able to sit comfortably in a dress with my knees together. I miss people ignoring me in elevators rather than telling me how I look like I am about to pop.

Looking forward to: Finding out what this baby is!

Concerns: Although I am pretty certain this baby won't be arriving early, I have that little thought in the back of my head that it could happen. I am a little worried that I won't be as mentally prepared to actually go into labor.

 

Pictures

Last weekend, my parents came down and brought Owen his big boy room furniture. We had already moved our office down to the living room when we bought our new desk so that room is now Owen's new room. We also switched the guest room and the nursery which was a pain because the crib had to be taken apart and the nursery furniture is heavy. And by we I mean Erik and my Dad since I can't really help lift anything. I dusted and vacuumed and my Mom was great with occupying Owen who so desperately wanted to help. I know we were all exhausted by Sunday evening.

 

The rooms are all set up but I have not had a chance to change out the closets or the drawers. So Owen is sleeping in his new room in a borrowed crib, his clothes are in the guest room closet and the changing pad, diapers and wipes are in the nursery. I am hoping to get everything organized by this weekend. I did wash all of the baby clothes so I feel a little more prepared. This weekend I will wash the car seat, boppy, bouncer and anything else that we will need.

 

Along with trying to get everything ready for the baby, we also have a leak in our roof that needs to be repaired, Erik is trying to find a new car and Owen's birthday is next weekend. Work is absolutely hectic for me with our SE conference next week and trying to finalize deals so I can get paid while I am out. Erik has been super busy being the course leader at school and he is also taking a class to become gifted certified. Hopefully things will slow down a little over the holidays so we can catch up. 

 

Here are a few more pictures from our session. I love the one of me and Owen!

 

Full Term

37 weeks! I can't believe it is getting so close. I had my weekly checkup today and everything was back to normal. No crazy blood pressure which is a relief. I am measuring 37 weeks and the baby's heartbeat was in the 140's. I am down for a VBAC if I happen to go into labor before my surgery date. I don't see this happening since I have not had one contraction and the baby has not dropped at all. Can my belly get any bigger?

Here is a sneak peek from our photo session. I regret that we did not take these sooner because I look like a whale in every picture. We just could not work it out with our schedules. Oh well, Owen is cute so I will just order every picture with him in it!

36 Weeks

While at work yesterday, I got a really bad dizzy spell. I get them when I am not pregnant and it doesn't usually scare me. This one would not go away so I started to get worried. I ate a snack and drank some water hoping that would help. No such luck. I went to a pharmacy to take my blood pressure and it was high. I called the nurse at my doctor and she told me to go home immediately to rest. If I had a severe headache or blurred vision, I had to go to the hospital. Luckily, it did not come to that and I was thankful I had my 36 week check-up the next morning.

My blood pressure was back to normal this morning so that was a relief. My doctor told me to eat more protein throughout the day and to rest when possible. She did my Group B Strep culture and a cervix check to make sure the baby's head was down. She said she could not even feel the head so she wanted to get an ultrasound to make sure. I knew the baby's head was down because I constantly feel it on my bladder, have a foot in my rib cage and a butt at the top of my belly. Anyway, I was excited to get to see the baby. I did not have an US this late in my pregnancy with Owen. I made sure the tech knew I did not want to know the sex. She took her measurements and then I got to see the screen. So cool! I saw the baby's head which is apparently already covered in hair. I also got to see the brain, top part of the spine, heartbeat and a little hand. The tech did not want to show too much of the body in case the baby moved.

My amniotic fluid levels are good and she said the placenta looked perfect. My belly on the outside was measuring 37 weeks. From inside, she was getting 37 weeks and 4 days. She said the baby already weighs 7 pounds. We knew this was going to be another big baby but if they really gain an ounce a day, this one could be a 9 pounder!

I am still feeling dizzy so I have been instructed to rest over the weekend. This is not easy for me to do especially with so much to get done before the baby arrives. I will try my best to relax although Owen may have different plans.

35 Weeks

I think I am in denial because nothing is ready for this baby. We need to move Owen into his new room which as of now consists of piles of paper on the floor. We are borrowing a furniture set from my parents although it is still at their house. We are borrowing a crib from a friend since we have not transitioned Owen to a bed yet. I don't think he is ready and I don't want to change too much before the baby arrives. We are switching the guest room with the nursery. And yet none of this has happened yet. My list of things to do is incredibly long and does not seem to be shrinking anytime soon.

How far along: 35 Weeks - 38 Days to Go!!!!

Total Weight Gain: 22 pounds so far which is much less than with Owen. This entire pregnancy has been different, both good and bad.

How big is the baby: About 5.5 pounds. Although as expected, I am measuring big so I imagine the little one is at 6 pounds and about 19 inches long.

Movement: The belly is getting cramped so I don't feel the somersaults anymore. Just lots of head movement on my bladder and the occasional foot sticking out under my ribs.

Sleep: What is that?

Best Moment: Owen has been waking up early in the morning lately. I am not ready to get up yet so I pull him into bed to snuggle with me while he watches Baby Einstein on my phone.

Food Cravings: Nothing. I have to eat small meals throughout the day or I feel like it is coming back up.

Belly Button: It is stretching much more this time and still has that strange ridge on top. You can see it through my clothes and I don't like it.

Stretch Marks: No

Maternity Clothes: Dresses, dresses, dresses.

What I miss: Being able to sit down without having a belly propped up on my legs.

Looking forward to: We are finally having our family pictures taken on Sunday. I will not like them with my round face but I want to document the moment with Owen. I am also looking forward to a prenatal massage and pedicure.

Concerns: This baby is so much lower than Owen. I really don't think it can drop any more. And if it does, I am going to be so uncomfortable.

What has Owen been doing?

Silly

 

Ready for Vegas!

 

Learning how to ride his tricycle

Hamming it up for the camera

 

 Helping Daddy mow lawn

 

When he is eating something yummy, he does a happy food dance

 

 

Owen LOVES to be tickled!

 

 

 

31 Weeks

Time is flying by. Owen's teacher at school asked to speak to me the other day. I got nervous thinking he bit someone or did something bad. Instead, she told me he is their highest achiever and they would like to move him up to the next age group class which is the Explorers. They tested him on numbers (he can count to 10) and colors (he got 7 correct). She said since he speaks in essay form, they feel he will be more challenged in the next class. I am happy to hear that he is doing so well and I glad he will have the opportunity to learn. Plus, the Explorers are involved in the Thanksgiving Program and this kid loves to sing!


How far along: 31 Weeks - 2 months to go!

Total Weight Gain: 17 pounds so far. I am sure I will blow up the next 9 weeks.

How big is the baby: About 3.5 pounds, 16 inches long and the size of a pineapple.

Movement: I did not feel the baby move last weekend for almost 2 days. I was worried because I usually feel the baby all the time. I think I had just pushed myself a little too hard with tennis, cleaning and yard work. I am told I overdo it sometimes and I think this was proof of that. I was so thankful when I felt a big kick in my side. I should take it easy more often. On another note, I won my tennis match last night!

Sleep: I bought some new pillows and they are helping a little. I do not like the alarm going off at 5:30am for Erik. I can't seem to fall back asleep.

Best Moment: Last night, Owen told Erik he did not get to kiss Baby Apple good night before he went to bed. So sweet!

Food Cravings: Still not keen on food. I am liking ice cream but trying to eat yogurt instead.

Belly Button: Still in for now. It has been sore the past few days. What is that all about?

Stretch Marks: No

Maternity Clothes: Some of my shirts are struggling to cover the largeness that is my belly.

What I miss: Today it is sushi. Or perhaps it is the $2 drinks at happy hour that go with the sushi.

Looking forward to: We are having maternity pictures taken soon. Although I am huge, I hope they turn out cute especially with Owen.

Concerns: I am worried we are not going to be prepared for this baby. We have been so busy lately and there is still a lot to do.

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 Weeks!

Total Weight Gain: Less than last pregnancy although everyone is telling me I am bigger this time!

How big is the baby: Over 2 pounds and 15 inches long

Movement: All the time! I thought Owen kicked a lot but I think this baby has him beat. I have let out yelps on several occasions from massive internal kicks.

Sleep: I am having a very difficult time sleeping. I want to sleep on my back. I have wedges and pillows piled up to prevent me from rolling. I still somehow manage to get on my back and then I wake up. It is a vicious cycle.

Best Moment: Every time Owen lays his head on my belly and gives Baby Apple a kiss. He is going to be such a wonderful big brother although I don't think he really knows what is about to happen.

Food Cravings: None. Food is not much fun this pregnancy.

Food Aversions: My list is growing since everything I eat seems to bother my stomach.

Belly Button: In but it has a strange ridge on the top that sticks out. I don't like it.

Stretch Marks: None so far. I did not get any last time so hopefully I will be lucky again.

Maternity Clothes: It is super hot so I wear a dress almost every day to work. I am much more casual this time around as you can see from the picture of my work clothes today.

What I miss: With this pregnancy, I have shooting round ligament pain every time I get out of bed or in and out of the car. I miss being able to move freeling without pain! I guess that is slowly going away the older I get.

Looking forward to: I can tell you I am not looking forward to Erik going back to school next week. It has been so nice having him around in the mornings to help with Owen. I am looking forward to cooler fall weather, the smell of cinnamon, pumpkin and apple baked goods and the arrival of the little one.

Concerns: Deciding on a name. We have a girl name that we both like from last time. Boy names are so much harder and we just can't agree.

California Visit

We had a fabulous trip to Bakersfield the week of July 4th. Owen was really good on the plane ride there and back. I wish our family lived closer so we could see them more often. 

Trying on his life jacket - ready for the pool

Having fun with Grumps. Owen loved pushing the scooters around the yard.

Ronan and Owen had so much fun playing together

O kept trying to drink his water while Ronan was pulling the wagon! 

These two kept switching places pulling and pushing

Our little fish - just keep swimming! 

We all enjoyed beating the heat with the pool 

Owen and Anna looking at each other under water 

Sprinkler fun 

All of the kids drank a ton of hose water that day

Owen and his Googa who he now sometimes calls Gump 

O kept asking for more fireworks 

Mom with Lizzy, Ronan and Finn 

Laura with Nathan and Anna. They did not like the fireworks. 

Dessert time - Love this picture! 

This child LOVES ice cream especially from Dewar's!

We had a wonderful trip

GiGi with her 6 great grandchildren - soon to be 7!