Walk It Out

Starting the weekend Martha and Ron were in town (mid-August) I began having daily pre-labor - essentially fairly consistent and uncomfortable contractions every day from about 2pm until I fell asleep at night, but sometimes in the morning too. Like the world's worst mind trick, I wondered every day if "this could be the day" and was left feeling frustrated and discouraged when it was just the same thing the next day. Not to mention it was hard to not get Jimmy's hopes up as well when he would witness me having contractions all evening. My only consolation, a combination of nice walks and lots of cuddling while I rested.

Reading material: check!

Wrong shoes, kiddo

So 39 weeks 2 days (Tuesday, Aug. 30) was one of those days when the contractions started in the AM and some were pretty uncomfortable, so Jimmy decided to stay home and possibly go into work late and I took to the streets to "walk it out" - hoping to get the contractions into a better rhythm. I scooped up Danny and walked the beach in front of our house too. A nice bonding moment knowing now what was coming next ;)

I also called the doctor and they suggested I come in for a "labor check", so I went in and saw Dr. Carroll who confirmed that I was having early labor contractions, but that it wasn't the active phase yet and that I was 4 cm and 80% effaced. She then suggested I consider an induction later in the week if they eventually stall out again. Before she left the room, however, I asked the magic question - "is there anything you can do today in the office that might help push things along?" to which she said, "lay back and I'll strip your membranes!" And then she explained that this process doesn't always do anything, but we'll know within 12 hours and then she let me know that she was on call tonight in Labor and Delivery and if I came in, she wouldn't send me home. Wink wink. Essentially, if you come in with contractions, worst case scenario, she'll break my water and we'll get this show on the road. Ahhh, I can see the end in sight!!

Within an hour or so, the contractions were stronger, but still not entirely consistent, so I laid down to take a nap and got in some additional snuggles with my sweet Crew.

Knowing I had "the out" offered by Dr. Carroll, Jimmy went ahead and took the boys to Papa and Lita's and we decided to go into town and have a nice dinner and maybe do some more walking to see what will happen and then possibly head to the hospital. With some spicy Indochine in my belly, the contractions finally got into a rhythm and by the time we paid the bill they were consistently 4-6 mins apart. So at about 7:30 or 8pm we headed to Labor and Delivery only to be told Triage didn't have a room :( So I walked the halls and the contractions kept getting stronger and closer together - finally this was it!

Mildly amused in Triage waiting room

TO BE CONTINUED...

More Brotherly Love

Since my last post, our family has EXPANDED! But before I get into that extremely exciting turn of events, let me quickly share some other recent happenings. Trying to stay in some kind of sequential order, people!

So Danny and Crew have really gotten close lately meaning they play together a lot more, but also drive each other nuts. Crew wants to do everything Danny does and wants to have everything Danny has. We're definitely in the "buy 2 identical" of everything phase with these guys! Love the moments when I catch them just sitting close together on our gigantic sectional...

BUSTED! Playing together at SJDS Summer Camp

Watching Dannys "iPad" together

And a couple random shots of Crew being cute...

Bed head

What's with all the pictures?

A Weekend Away

Grandma and Grandpa Ron are at St. James Plantation for the week and they graciously welcomed our crazy brood + Uncle Kevin for the weekend! In addition to great meals, new toys, etc, they helped  entertain the boys so I could work, stay off my feet more than usual and Jimmy and I could go out on a date. I also took 3 naps and, yes, I'm counting...

Way too big for the pack-and-play

Fishing from the Dock with Daddy and Kevin

Dinner sans mom and dad

Awesome salt water pool!

Love the gradual, beach-like entry

Cuddling with Uncle Kevin

Handsome brothers

Ferry ride home

As of Late...

I've been on another "no time for blogging" hiatus, so this is kind of going to be a brain dump. In addition to staying busy with activities, we had a stomach bug roll through our house. Started with Crew, hit Jimmy hard and me mildly (thank goodness) and completely skipped Danny (woo hoo!). There has been a lot of snuggling while we all recover.

Meanwhile, in healthier times...

Dress up!

"Moby Dick", my new minivan, in the background!

Pizza with the Henson Family

Library puzzles

Tubby Time

Mid-day Mall Excursion

Sam's Birthday Party

Lastly, at 34 w 7 d, baby boy officially "dropped"! See below for 34 and 35 week comparison. More room to breathe now, but his pressure in my pelvis is causing some serious nerve pain. Randomly get these shooting pains down the inside of my thighs causing me to either stop in my tracks or pull a wacky "Elaine" from Seinfeld dance move. Oh and I've entered the Jimmy's t-shirts phase...because nothing else fits.

Camp and Cuts

Last week Danny and Crew went to "Christmas in July" camp at their preschool. It was so nice for me to have every morning to work and stay off my feet. They had so much fun, almost too much fun, hence why Danny is overly-tired pouting and Crew is fast asleep with his lunchbox in the pics below.

Danny and Crew the Elfs

Love their little kids salon where they get their hair cut. Don't know what I'd do without the cartoons and lollipops.

And in other news...

Crew just being cute

Testing out our new living room rug

Decided he needed to nap a little longer

Crew loving sitting at the bar - thanks Grandma and Grandpa Ron!

Mommy and Me

Between general snuggles and both boys not feeling well this past week, I've been getting lots of love as of late. With the shared breathing space and my weakened immune system at 34 weeks, it'll be a miracle if I don't end up sick too. Fingers crossed. Moms are always behind the camera, never in front, hence these are all selfies...

Throwback Thursday to 30 Weeks

34 Weeks Sickie Pillow

Oh and my 34 weeks bump also makes for a great Matchbox hill...