37 Weeks

I was officially made it to 37 weeks yesterday, which means this baby is full term (well term to the point that they would not stop by labor). This is all new territory to me as Colton came at 36 weeks. I woke up this morning with contractions, nothing too organized but still enough to make me stay home and take it easy until my Dr Appt. At my appointment I found out I am 4 cm dialated and could very well be in labor. So now I am sitting at home with contractions still happening but nothing consistent enough to send me to the hospital. I am thinking it could be a long night/couple days at this rate. I am supposed to be working this week yet but this baby might have other plans for us. I have my hospital bag packed and ready to go and Colton is packed and ready to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa if and when needed! I am getting very nervous at this point - I am afraid I will not know when I should head to the hospital but I am putting faith in my body to tell me what is going on. I will say I have the best Doctor - she called tonight at 8pm to make sure I was doing okay still and said to call her in the morning if I needed anything, she will make sure to get me right in. Well for now we just wait, could be hours, days or even weeks until we meet this little one....

* Update - I went to the Dr again this morning (37 Weeks 2 Days). I had contractions all last night so I wanted to see if we were making any progress and the answer is yes but slowly. I am not dialated to 5cm - so half way there!! Also starting to thin a little and my Doctor says she would be very surprised if we don't deliver in the next couple days. So for those of you whose guess is coming up you just might be right! I will try to keep everyone as updated as I can over the next week. Wish us luck!

I laughed so hard I cried!

I read this email at work today and I was laughing so hard I was crying - as were 2 other girls sitting close to me as they received the email at the same time. I am pretty sure the guys sitting around us are convinced that we have completely lost our minds. So anyways, I just had to share this one!

This is an "actual letter" from an Austin, Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. This was PC Magazine's 2009 Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'
Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always...

Every Woman in America

And the predictions are in.....

We would like to thank everyone who sent in their baby prediction - it was quite close between boys and girls but the girl guesses have the majority (24-21). I think some of you might be a little early with your guesses and I am really hoping that some of you are quite late but only time will tell! Also for those of you who guessed the baby would be close to or over 9 pounds you are in big trouble if you are right!

Jan 3rd - Daddy 6 Pounds 11 Ounces 20 inches
Jan 5th - Grandma Yvonne 7 pounds 6 ounces 21 inches
Jan 7th - Courtney 5 pounds 1 ounce 17 inches
Jan 7th - Krisi 7 pounds 3 ounces 20 inches
Jan 7th - Linda 7 pounds 11 ounces 21 inches
Jan 8th - James
Jan 9th - Kelly J 7 pounds 9 ounces 22 inches
Jan 11th - Betsy 7 pounds 10 ounces 20 inches
Jan 11th - Michelle S 7 pounds 7 ounces 22 inches
Jan 11th - Kayla 7 pounds 8 ounces 20 1/2 inches
Jan 12th - Deb G 8 Pounds 12 ounces 22 inches (and will look exactly like Deb)
Jan 12th - Mommy 7 pounds 8 ounces 20 inches
Jan 13th - Ashley H 7 pounds 2 ounces 20 inches
Jan 13th - Kim 6 pounds 8 ounces 21 1/2 inches
Jan 14th - Grandma Lori 7 pounds 4 ounces 22 inches
Jan 15th - Lisa 8 pounds 7 ounces 22 inches
Jan 15th - Carrie 7 pounds 0 ounches 20 inches
Jan 16th - Big Brother Colton 10 pounds
Jan 16th - Heidi H 7 pounds 6 ounces 21 inches
Jan 17th - Ian B
Jan 18th - Great Grandma Gwen 8 pounds 4 ounches 22 inches
Jan 18th - Liz 8 pounds 3 ounces 21 inches
Jan 19th - Katie S 8 pounds 3 ounces 21 1/2 inches
Jan 20th - Auntie MaryBeth 7 pounds 6 ounces 19 inches
Jan 21st - Cassie 7 pounds 4 ounces 19 inches
Jan 21st - Uncle Brad 8 pounds 4 ounces 20 1/2 inches
Jan 22nd - Bill 6 pounds 2 ounces 18 inches
Jan 22nd - Jaclyn 8 pounds 2 ounces 22 inches
Jan 22nd - Grandpa Steve 6 pounds 4 ounces 22 inches
Jan 23rd - Suzi 9 pounds 2 ounces 21 3/4 inches
Jan 23rd - Kristi B 7 pounds 6 ounces 17 1/2 inches
Jan 24th - Richard 7 pounds 11 ounces 21 inches
Jan 25th - Alicia 8 pounds 9 ounces 21 1/2 inches
Jan 25th - Heidi S 7 pounds 5 ounces 21 inches
Jan 25th - Stacy 7 pounds 8 ounces 19 1/2 inches
Jan 25th - Tanya 7 pounds 7 ounces 20 inches
Jan 26th - Zack 6 pounds 10 ounces 20 1/2 inches
Jan 26th - Donna 8 pounds 10 ounces 20 inches
Jan 26th - Adam 7 pounds 8 ounces 21 inches
Jan 27th - Anna 7 pounds 4 ounces 21 1/2 inches
Jan 27th - Carter D 9 pounds 0 ounces and 19 inches
Jan 27th - Auntie Melissa 8 pounds 1 ounce 21 inches
Jan 28th - Margie 7 pounds 2 ounces 21 inches
Jan 30th - Eric H 7 Pounds 0 ounces 20 inches
Jan 31st - Bonnie 7 pounds 6 ounces 20 1/2 inches
Jan 31st - Missy V 7 pounds 14 ounces 21 1/2 inches

We are very ready for this little one to arrive! The baby's room is ready, the clothes are all washed, we are stocked up on diapers and all other necessities and all of our toys and baby gear have been gather back to our house so now we just have to wait until he or she decides it is time to make the grand appearance... my only request is that this little one doesn't decide to arrive during a snowstorm (which it seems like we have one about every 3 days lately)!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

We spent Christmas Eve at Freddie and Melissa's house enjoying some wonderful appetizers, opening presents, playing games and laughing and haning with family. Some highlights from the night included Frankie and Uncle Rich spending well over an hour trying to transfor Colton's new Transformer, Colton taking on everyone in a battle of Rock Em Sock Em Robots, the boys playing some Don't Break the Ice and of course watching the 3 boys run like wild animals all throughout the house. It was a great night!

Christmas morning we woke up to Colton yelling "There are red presents under the tree with my name on them and my stocking is full". It was exactly how I imagined Christmas Morning would be. We opened our presents from Santa, ate breakfast in our jammies and then got ready for the family to come over. We spent the afternoon eating, opening presents, playing games and watching Transformers (Colton is all about Transformers right now)!

We had a great Christmas Weekend, couldn't have asked for it to be any better!!

Christmas Concert and Annual Cookie Bake

Sunday was another fun filled day. We started off the morning watching Colton perform in his Chirstmas Program at church and he did awesome. Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Yvonne, Grandma Lori and Grandpa Steve were all there to watch him (he thought he was quite the big shot) and just so you know the last time my dad went to church was for Colton's Baptism so yah I guess Colton in kind of a big deal! Sunday afternoon we went over to Grandma Yvonne's house for our Annual Day of Cookie Baking! We made Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies and of course my speciality... Chocolate Covered Pretzels. The boys were pretty helpful this year, they cut out all the cookies, went through several shakers of sprinklers, helped open the Hershey Kisses, dipped pretzels in chocolate and even frosted a few cookies but I think they highlight of their night was doing Cannon Balls into Grandma's Recliner. They set up her little step stool and took turns launching themselves into the recliner! It was so much fun to watch them and no one got hurt so all turned out perfect. It was an awesome Sunday with family, wish we could have days like that everyday!

Just had to add these last couple pictures - after all that work I guess it was time for wine (and by wine I mean some HUGE glasses of wine and maybe even some right out of the bottle)!!

Boy or Girl? What do you think?

Well I am 34 weeks along already, the last couple months have really seemed to fly by with the holidays and everything else to keep us distracted. The baby's room is completely ready, all the baby clothes are washed, and plenty of diapers are purchased so now we just play the waiting game. I am feeling great, although last night I may have experienced some Braxton Hicks Contractions for the first time or it was just some really crazy cramping that lasted for about 4 hours. After some rest and lots of water (thanks for the tip girls) I am feeling good again this morning. I have realized that I cannot be quite as active as I would like to anymore but that is okay too, only a few more weeks and this baby will be here. Which brings me to my next topic.... we would love to hear everyone's predictions! I will tally them up and post the results mid next week so leave a comment with what you think we are gonna have and when the baby will make his/her grand appearance. My actual due date is January 30th in case you have forgotton!

Here is what we need for your guess - Gender, Weight, Height and the Baby's Birthday.

In case you think a picture will help you with your guesses here is me at 34 Weeks (well one day early as Frankie took the picture last night).

Disney on Ice, Mickey and Minnie's Magical Adventure

We took Colton to see Disney on Ice Thursday night and he loved every minute of it! We went with Grandma Yvonne, Grandma Lori, Auntie Marissa and Auntie MaryBeth (yes Colton had plenty of people there to spoil him)! We had amazing seats and the shows was great! Colton's favorite by far was Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and the mini donuts during intermission. Here a just a few pics from the show.

Holiday School Pictures!

Yes he just had school pictures done in October but this time they called them Holiday Pictures (what a great way to get more money out of the parents)! I don't think we will be ordering any this time around but I still wanted to share them with everyone. The first one is my favorite for sure, that is the look I get quite often from him when he is doing something he knows he shouldn't be!