40 weeks and 2 days.

Im officially overdue. I'm physically feeling pretty good, considering my size and constantly chasing around two very busy toddlers, but mentally, I'm spent. Dave had last week off and is back to work this week. Thats life, but I really miss his help around here during the day. Between child obligations, renovation meetings, and just being nice company, he makes life better. He has been a great support this last week, he is very understanding and doesn't even pout when I say this is the last one (he is still hoping we go for #4, maybe that will change when babe #3 is actually here ;)). Maggie has been a mega help over the last month or so, too. Sully and Anna are obsessed with each other, so many days he will hang with them while I bring Greta home for a nap, and sneak in a few zzzz's myself. It has been a much needed and appreciated break.

I saw my doc today and things are moving in the right direction. I am dilated 2cm and 70% effaced. I really wanted to go on my own this time and I think that is part of the emotional roller coaster. Dave is of the mentality that 40 weeks is plenty, especially given my advanced maternal age. I agree, the baby is checking off perfect at all of the appointments and I would hate to push it and have something go wrong at this stage in the game. So, we have an induction scheduled for Friday.

Im really excited for baby number 3. We are going to be so busy and I'll need some time to get into my new routine, but this babe is really the icing on the cake. I can't wait to introduce Sully and Greta to him/her and then to watch the baby become part of the party. When Dave and I eat dinner at the table we eagerly anticipate a future of a full table at meals with lots of noise, laughs, and definitely some chaos. We can't wait to meet you, #3, we already love you so much.

Halloween fun.

Warming up after tubbies. 

All dogs go to Heaven.

We said goodbye to Kenzie today, our 12 1/2 year old black Lab who has been around almost as long as Dave. I adopted her as a 7 year old around Christmas in 2009. She had always been a bit of an anxious pup, but also so full of love. She had adapted really well to the addition of the kids and had been so tolerant of them, even when they were nothing but a nuisance to her. I'd grown accustomed to her being at my bedside each night, waiting outside the shower door for me to finish a shower, and being my number one nap partner when I was able to sneak away. She was always so happy to welcome us home and join us for a walk. The house already feels so quiet with her gone.

She had been slowly declining over the last six months and then more rapidly over the last few weeks. It is really a sad realization when the end is near. Dave and I have spent most of the day in and out of tears, talking about all of our favorite memories with her.

We will miss her greatly and always think of her fondly.

Kenz with her cousins Rudy and Ozzie.  

Greta sharing her cozy and baby LouLou with Kenzie.

Keeping a watchful eye on her napping Sully.

One last family photo.
(As you can tell, we had a 'no dog on the bed' rule ;))

37 weeks with number 3.

I did it! I made it to 37 weeks and the end is finally near. The kids are gearing up for the baby, and its about time Dave and I follow suit. We did install the infant car seat in the car and are planning on the baby rooming in with us for the first few months as with construction, we really don't have anywhere else for it to go! Sully has been extra mama friendly, even letting me be the one to tuck him in at night rather than Dave. It feels good to be the one he wants because 90% of the time they both beg for daddy, but I'm tired, too.

I hosted a small gathering here last week for my neighborhood ladies group and it totally wore me out. A few days before the party we had a truck load of lumber dropped off in our living room, so I had to improvise and had the guys throw together our new den for the occasion. Although the walls were dry wall and the floor was plywood, it turned out pretty nice. We enjoyed having a couch to sit/play on for the first time in 4 months and were sad when they had to dismantle everything the following morning so they could get back to work . It did give us a taste of whats to come, and we can hardly wait. I napped for three days straight following the party and am finally feeling back to normal.

I saw my doctor today and everything is right on. Baby is measuring 36 weeks, heart rate was 150, 50% effaced and no sign of dilation although the baby is head down and beginning to engage. Doc says Im right on schedule for an end of the month delivery (although Im hoping for maybe a week or so earlier ;)).

Tacos in the park. 

Visiting daddy at work (very distracted by the tv behind me). 

Mismatched day at preschool. 

Pretty princess. 

Who needs water? 

The den, before the party. 

Looking back into the new kitchen. There will be an island where the ramp is. 

The new kitchen, almost complete. 

Story time with daddy. 

Back at work in the den, with Greta supervising

37 weeks today!