MIA, again

I believe the only other time that I went this long without posting was at the beginning of my pregnancy, right after my kidney stones. Well, I don't have kidney stones, but at this point I am just trying to keep my head down and keep moving forward one day at a time. I am trying not to get ahead of myself. About three months after I had Joe I thought I wanted to have three kids. Hah, right now, not so much. You seem to really forget how miserable the end can be. I have tried not to gain as much weight this time thinking that might help with the uncomfortableness of it all, but I was wrong. Did I mention that I am miserable.
Actually, a lot has been going on around here. After selling the Jeep, we had an all new central air system installed in the house. Hip, hip hooray. Our house had been very cool without AC, but that was before the temp was hitting 90. We probably would have managed fine, but I am relishing in the fact that I don't need to find out. With this new system, and the new siding and windows from last summer, we are sitting pretty. Hopefully for quite some time.
Tonight Joe pulled out his I am Big Brother book. I think some parts of this baby thing are maybe starting to hit home. It's so hard to tell. But we talk about where the baby will sleep, a little about how the baby will eat, but I try to get Joe excited about helping me care for the baby, like bath time, changing diapers, feeding (at some point), reading and talking to the baby. Today I ordered their "big brother" and "lil sister" shirts. Yes, I know cliched, but oh so cute.
My appointments are now every two weeks. I think at the next appt. I am just going to tell her that I think I should just have the c-section. Knowing my stubborn children and body, I won't go into labor early, and by the time I am 39 weeks, we may be looking at a big baby, so why try. It still bothers me a little bit, because I here of the stories where these skinny, little petite girls shoot out these ten pound babies. Why won't my body just do what it is supposed to. It would be a whole hell of a lot cheaper. My insurance sucks (pregnancy potty mouth syndrome).
And as for David, over the past two days I think he has just tried to stay out of my way. I have been quite irritable and cranky. But I do have to say that he has really stepped up with taking care of Joe. And taking over the rituals that I always do, like breakfast, lunch, nap time, sometimes taking him on errands, so I can have some alone time. I do have to say that lately, over that past week and a half I have felt very selfish with my time, and wanting to be alone. I hope and think, that once the baby is here and I have my body back to myself, (other than nursing) I might not feel this way. Oh well. Hope to have some pictures for my next post.

Au revoir Wrangler

It is a sad day on the Toland homefront. We have talked about it often. It seemed to happen so fast, (so my dad could get his greedy hands on it), but today we part with our Jeep Wrangler. Because of our many costly home remodeling projects (many still in the interim) we decided to sell the Jeep to help out with costs. David will tell you that I was the only who wanted to sell it. Which isn't true because I had my doubts this morning. But we both know it is the right thing to do at this time. I guess I should be glad because it has been a fast process, and David will (occasionally) still get to drive it. I took these pics today while David cleaned and spruced up the old Wrangler.

Joe evokes the general sentiment of the farewell.

Hope everyone is staying cool!

T-Bones

So my dad talked me into taking Joe to the T-Bones game. I was hesitant only because I work tomorrow, it was last minute and I didn't feel like chasing Joe all by myself. As I neared the ballpark I was even more skeptical and the thought crossed my mind to turn around and go home because of the Friday night crowd. But Joe loves T-Bones games and I didn't want to disappoint him. He actually was very good and we both had a great time. I hope to squeeze in a couple more games before baby girl arrives.

Joe and Poppi

For some reason Joe liked to spread out and roll around on the blanket.

Joe on the playground. A great feature at the ballpark.

I was a little jealous of the parents who got to swing their kids and drink beer.

I know my camera does no justice, but I love when the clouds seem to show us where heaven and earth meet.

I am very tired and headed for bed. Only about eight more working weekends to go before the baby arrives. Holy moly!

Blah

I am a little down hearted. The prospect of a repeat c-section seems ever more evident, and I am ever more irritated about having one. There are a million reasons to not have a c-section and it seems like only one reason to have one: anoxic brain injury. After my appointment today, the current plan is to eval baby girl's measurements again at 37 weeks (just to make sure her weight is consistent and not off the charts gigantic), and then schedule a c-section for 39 weeks. If I should go into labor before the 39 weeks, I can try for a VBAC. She also said that if my cervix were "favorable" she would induce me purely by breaking my water, which I am okay with. Gosh darn it I just hate this waiting game.
As for Joseph, this week he has been quite rambunctious and shall we say independent. I made a feeble attempt at potty training on Tuesday by putting him in underwear. He peed once on the potty chair early in the morning, but had two accidents: before lunch and during lunch. I was a little irritated, not at the accidents, but the fact that when he was wet he didn't seem to care, denied that he was wet, and I had to fight him to peel off wet pants and underwear. Needless to say, I have abandoned this attempt until later this fall, after the baby and Joe are settled(because I will have tons of time then) or even after the New Year, just before his third birthday. I have been impressed with his ability to follow through with directions. For example I asked him to help pick up his toys in the living room. I maybe asked twice, and when I went into the living room, everything but his train set had been picked up and put away. He does the same with the toys in his room. I am extremely impressed at how quickly he acts, and how thorough he is when completing a task. Anway Joe and I are getting ready to make dinner and a big chocolate chip cookie cookie (in an eight inch cake pan) should be interesting. He loves to imitate cooking.

The "Weigh In"

Dum, dum, dum! At the time of this post baby girl is/should be 30 weeks and 2 days. Well, her head circumference, chest circumference, abd girth and leg length all consistently measured 32 weeks and 3 days. Not only that but they have her weight estimated at 4 lbs. 5 oz. I am not sure if I will even attempt a VBAC if I should go into spontaneous labor, or if I will just proceed with the scheduled c-section and not run the risk of a uterine rupture. And since the baby has measured big through all of my sonograms, how early will she schedule a c-section? Also, Val or Hillary maybe you know, if the baby is measuring big does that mean other anatomical areas are developing at the same rate (i.e. lungs)? I am sorry to ramble about all of this, I know most of the time everything works out just fine in the end, I am talking to myself and trying to anticipate what will happen. Because, you know, pregnancies, babies and children are such predictable aspects of life that are easliy anticipated. Ha, ha, ha!

30 weeks

Because I am really curious to see how much this baby weighs right now, I was wondering if anyone else wanted to guess. At this point in the pregnancy, baby girl should weigh 3 lbs. and measure 16 inches long. I am guessing she will weigh 4 1/4 lbs and measure 17 inches. Anyone else care to guess?

Our Day Out with Thomas

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted. I am starting to get tired, and feeling the strain of carrying this big belly. I know all pregnant women feel bigger than they actually look, but I have ten weeks to go and this baby girl is big. Anyway, today the three of us went to Baldwin City for Day Out With Thomas. We had a really good time and totally appreciated the family centered environment.

So here is Thomas at the Midland Railway Station.

To kill time before our 10:30 train ride, we visited the petting zoo. I just thought this furry cow was cute.

David found a new friend.


For some reason Joe was afraid to go inside the fire truck, so we took a pic outside of the truck.

Joe getting a tat.

Joe showing off his Thomas tat.

Thomas approaching the depot for boarding. Joe looks skeptical.


Boarding the train.

Like father, like son.

Enjoying the ride.

Here we are departing the train.


Winding down, Joe and Dad checking out the model train.

Joe and Mom waiting for the shuttle bus.

Again, not sure what I did to create all this extra room at the bottom of the page. It feels like forever since I have posted, I wasn't sure if I could remember how to post pics. Working the weekend. Have a sono on Monday to monitor baby girls growth. Then OB appt on Thursday, when we'll probably talk about the fact that I should have another c-section. Everyone enjoy your weekend, and Happy Father's Day.