Halloween 2013

We had a really busy, but good day today. Sully started off the morning at Miss Jaspers while I went to the doctor, visited a friend who had a baby last week, then went to a work pot luck. We got home just in time for lunch followed by a good 2+ hour nap. Sully woke up ready for Halloween. We went to see Lauren and Sarah at work before heading out to my brother's for Halloween fun. After dinner, Dave and Sully went along with a few cousins to a handful of houses. The concept is definitely a new one for Sully, he was content to just hold a piece of candy in his hand rather than collect more. The stairs are tricky for him as well, which made each house a several minute ordeal by the time he got up and down each small set. Im sure he will enjoy it a bit more next year.

We got home around 7:30 and had a steady stream of kids here. We went through almost all of our six bags of candy in the hour we had our lights on. Sully loved to hand out candy. When a group of kids would walk away, Sully would pull out a few pieces from the candy bowl and try to open the storm door. He had a hard time being patient for the next group. He went to bed close to 8 and I heard him in there until almost 9 talking to himself. I think its safe to say he had a great night.

My doctors appointment was uneventful, again. I am 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I cannot believe I am still pregnant. She stripped my membranes which hasn't done much. I have been having contractions about every ten minutes for the last half hour or so, but that has been going on for the last three nights. They eventually stop and the next thing I know, its the next morning. My blood pressure did go up and there are some elevated lab values. For now, I am scheduled for an induction on Tuesday unless I become symptomatic of the blood pressure issue. I really hope I go on my own in the mean time. Time will tell.

Visiting Lauren and Sarah at Posh. 

Sullivan and I. 

Sullivan with a few of his cousins. 

Sully and daddy trick or treating. 

Helping pass out candy.  

Getting ready for the next trick or treaters. 

I'm officially ready.

Today marks 39 weeks of this pregnancy. I can honestly say that I cannot believe I am still pregnant. I thought the first pregnancy was the longest and the following ones would be shorter. I thought wrong. I went in to the doctor on Wednesday and made little to no progress from the week before, which was kind of a let down. I was feeling pretty sad about it for most of the day, but have since come to terms with it. I have been reading up on "how to safely start labor at home" suggestions and am dabbling in a few, but in my heart of hearts, I know the baby will come when the baby is ready, not when Im ready. Ill survive, not quite as sure about how Dave will handle me if this last much longer, though ;).

We carried on as usual this week, more house progress, a Halloween party, dinner with friends, etc. The dining room is painted (which Dave and I are both really pleased with), and the fourth bedroom took its final shape. Both rooms need new light fixtures, window treatments, etc. but the hard work is done. I love this house more and more everyday. A couple of the before pics in the dining room are from when the previous owners were still here. You can tell by the rug and furniture.

Bedroom #4 before. 

Bedroom #4 after.

Bedroom #4 before.

Bedroom #4 after. 

Dining room before.

Dining room after. 

Dining room before.

Dining room after.

Dining room before.

Dining room after. 

Sully (as the monster Sully) and mama, about 39 weeks pregnant)

Cutest little boy, ever. 

House update.

I realize the house update is long overdue. Im happy to report that I unpacked about eight boxes today and things are really coming together. I wanted to post an update in case the baby decides to make its appearance (any day now, babe!). Although there is still some work to do (ie: wall hangings, curtains, bathroom stuff, Sully's room, etc) you will at least get the picture of the recent progress. I have not posted any photos of the fourth bedroom as the painter is currently using it as his 'office,' so there are paint cans and tarps everywhere. Although there is still a lot to do, i definitely feel like we are at the point of being ready for the baby, which is a great feeling.

We are currently working on the dining room and foyer, I hope they are painted by the end of this week.

Master, before. 

Master, after. 

Master, before. 

Master, after.

Couldn't resist adding this photo :).

Sully's room, before.  

Sully's room, during. 

Sully's room, before. 

Sully's room, during. 

Nursery, before. 

Nursery, after. 

Nursery, before. 

Nursery, after.

Master bath, before. 

Master bath, during (please appreciate the
gold fixtures :)).

Elmo Live!

Maggie called me several months ago to see if Sully and I wanted to join them to see Elmo Live!. Without hesitation, I said yes, knowing Sully would love it, also knowing I may or may not have a new baby. As the day approached, Maggie would send various messages, one was the amount of money I owed her...apparently we had paid for VIP which meant we were lucky enough to meet the characters ahead of time. It was really fun, and funny. I think Sullivan actually got a little something out of it. He would just laugh whenever a character would approach, then reach out to touch them.

We followed up the meet and greet with a 15 dollar Elmo toy and front row seats. Apparently Maggie doesn't cut any corners when it comes to entertaining the kiddos. Sullivan spent about 3/4ths of the show watching, the rest of the time was spent wandering. He did get in a little bit of trouble from the security guy when he stood up front in a 'high traffic' zone (where the characters frequently danced). I learned a quick lesson and did my best to keep him on his best behavior.

All is quiet on the baby front. I saw my OB on Wednesday and my progress remains about the same, except that the baby's head is way down. I have had extreme lower back pain and contractions on and off. I am 38 weeks today and am hanging in there. I cant imagine getting much bigger.

Isaac and Bert. 

Bert, Sully and I. 

So interested.

Sullivan, right before he got into trouble :).

Sully and Maggie 

37 weeks and a break.

Since my appointment on Thursday, my body has given me slow down signs. With contractions and other symptoms, I know the end is near (although we would love to make it at least one more week). I feel excited and giddy at the idea of not being pregnant, and getting to do the non pregnant things I love (ie, sushi, wine, etc). At the same time, I want a bit more time to unpack the 10 or so boxes we have left. I labeled a few boxes as 'odds 'n ends' and those are the ones Im afraid to open. Ill have to keep that in mind for next time, not a good label. Oh wait, there wont be a next time. Mark my words.

Dave and I had a few errands we wanted to run on Saturday morning which were all related to house things when Maggie sent me a text inviting us to the Apple Orchard. I responded with a noncommittal 'we will see, we have a few things to do today.' She quickly suggested how good it would be for Sullivan, with that and the end of the pregnancy in mind, I conceded. We bagged all of our house errands, what a great decision that was. Sully had a blast. He is happiest holding Isaac's hand, chasing Isaac, or tormenting Anna. Such a little character already. We came home for his nap and went to the park as soon as he woke. He slept 13+ hours last night, a sure sign he had a great day. It was so nice to soak up some family time before Dave goes back to work, and while we are still just a family of three.

We had a quiet day today, like I said, I have not been feeling that great, so I needed a day to veg. We slept in, took naps, watched a bit of TV, etc. It was just what I needed. It was so nice to take a two day break from all things house (Dave did a bit of work today, however). We dive back in tomorrow with the painter, electrician, and landscaper arriving in the morning. We finished the nursery the master today, just waiting on curtains. Ill post pictures later this week.

Strapped in and so excited. 

Isaac, Sully, and Anna.

Look closely, Dave was chasing the train around trying to capture the moment,
it was hilarious.

Sully and his #1 buddy. 

Picking pumpkins. 

Family photo.

Obligatory pregnancy pic. 37 weeks along. 

Loving park time with daddy. 

Strippers.

The house is coming along...we hit a solid three day hold on painting due to the incredible amount of wallpaper we had to strip. Let me tell you, it is a very tedious project. Paul, our painter gave us the green light to work ahead of him which has been great. It is so rewarding to see him come through after all of the work we have done and put a fresh coat of paint over it all. The house is gradually starting to feel like it belongs to us, one wall at a time.

The moving trucks came on Monday, and we also had two showings. I was literally following the movers around with vacuums and scooting them out of the house as realtors and their clients pulled up to the front of the house. Dave and Sully were at the new house with the cable guy and doing some unpacking of their own. How exhausting. It was so nice to have the day behind us. We have been unpacking boxes ever since, and I think it is safe to say that we are down to the last dozen or so, I am just out of steam. Instead of unpacking them, I keep restacking them so they look more organized. I need to get to it, maybe tomorrow.

I have had a steady stream of stripper help. My mom dove in a few days ago in the dining room and has hardly been able to keep herself away. She shows up first thing in the morning and leaves when she has appointments to get to. It has been great. Not only is it awesome because of the amount of work she has completed, but also because we just like having her around. Maggie also spent a morning here last week and Dave chips in every chance he gets. Jeff Oliver even peeled a strip or two. I have to admit, its kind of fun, especially when we see progress.  All strippers welcome!

On a completely unrelated note, I saw my doctor today. I will be 37 weeks on Saturday and everything looked pretty good. The baby's heart rate did dip while she was checking me, so I had to stay and be monitored for 30 minutes following the appointment. The baby did great. Its baseline heart rate was in 140s. I am 50% effaced and 1cm dilated. So, we are on our way, the baby will be here before we know it!

Maggie, strip tease. 

Mom, getting aggressive.

Upper hallway. 

Hallway after.  

Stairway. 

Stairway after.