Well, a lot has happened since my last post. Nothing too exciting like going into labor, but things are looking good for an early arrival for our little girl. Let's start with last week first though. Last Monday I had my doc appt and blood test. The results showed normal iron levels but high thyroid levels. I always thought my levels were low but in actuality they are high explaining why I have always been able to eat a ton and not gain much weight. They think after I have the baby my levels will even out again. If not they will put me on medicine to lower my thyroid. Hmmm. Doesn't sound good to me. I kinda like my over active thyroid and my ability to eat pretty much anything I want. Wouldn't you? So I guess we will address that issue down the line. I didn't gain much weight again, just another pound and at 19 pounds total weight gain the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure she was growing ok. Funny. That is what they did with Pete because I hadn't gained much and was measuring small and he was 8lbs 1oz when born. I didn't argue, I have been dying to see her again for 17 weeks. Since she was so packed in there and felt large in size my doctor scheduled twice a week non-stress tests to make sure she had room to breathe and grow. So Thursday we had an ultrasound and a non-stress test. All went well as I suspected. But man was I glad to see her and get the official word that she is big and healthy.
Here is our little girl. This is all they could get because as the doctor said, she is PACKED in there! This is her face, barely. She is laying horizontally and you can see dark eyes, nose and lips. The top of her head is to the right way at the top of the picture and her body to the left. The easiest way to see her face is to find her eyes first, they are two dark spots. Her right eye is much easier to find. Then you will see her nose and mouth to the left of those eyes. She looks pretty to me.
And this is the only other part the tech could find. Her fingers. Again, they are at the top middle of the pic.
You can see four of them and not even a palm or anything. But the tech was able to take the measurements she needed even though we didn't get a good glimpse of anything good. And guess what, she measured 7lbs, 11oz already! (plus or minus 1lb they say). And if she went full term she could still gain another pound. Ouch. No wonder I can't breathe. I know there are bigger babies that this but maybe they are not all packed into such a small space. She was doing well, no worries, and was sitting way low, head down, legs up, ready to go. Oh, and I passed my non-stress test just fine. They just watch her heart rate, movements and contractions for about a half hour. I actually really enjoyed the test. I was laying down in a big comfy chair with the lights out. No noise, no boy hanging on me, just listening to my baby girl. Overall it was a wonderful experience.
Friday wasn't so wonderful. I threw my back out lifting Pete up at the park. It was excruciating. A guy at the park saw it happen and had to help me get Pete into the car and the wagon into the trunk. I am so thankful he was there otherwise I wouldn't have known what to do. I was miserable. I have never, ever hurt my back like that or felt such muscle pain. I came home, iced my back, took Tylenol and rested and by Sun felt much better. Thank God for that and thank God it was the weekend and P. was home to help. That was no fun but it could have been much, much worse. For a while there Fri night I thought I had injured myself into labor. Back contractions all night but I guess they were just from my injury.
We had a nice weekend together as a family. We played some volleyball, not me of course, did some garage sale shopping, went to the zoo to try to walk the baby out and had some dinner out. Here are some pictures of our week and weekend. Looking back at my pictures it looks like I have pictures from every day this week. I think I need to slow down a bit or I am going to have to get a new computer just to hold all of my pics. Can't help it when you have such cute kids though.....
A pic of our really cold afternoon at the beach on Monday. It was so cold we had to pack up and come home. I was really disappointed because I was sure it was going to be my last chance to get to the beach this summer.
Walking back to the car at the beach.
Pete and his new light saber. He loves this thing. Well, he loves to wap his sister and dogs with it.
Whitecaps baseball game on Tues night. It was a perfect night for a game with $.50 hot dogs and a big win for the team.
At the park watching dad and sissy play volleyball. He came across a tennis ball there and it kept him busy while we watched on.
Afternoon of our ultrasound. Right before heading to the doctors.
Park on Friday before the back injury. The kids had so much fun wading in the water, splashing and catching frogs.
Trip to the zoo. Took Pete a little while to warm up to the animals.
Walking around the zoo with sissy.
Looking at some animals with dad. Pete found most of the animals very interesting. It was a cool morning and the animals were awake and active. I love how intently Pete is watching one of them.
Well, that's all the pics I had time for tonight. Time for bed. I wish I could post more pictures, I have so many wonderful ones. But you get the idea and are probably bored out of your mind.
Last but not least, I had my 38 week appt today. Non-stress test went fine though they had to zap her a couple times to wake her up to get the test results they needed. It was funny, almost like my tummy was getting tazered so she would move and pass the test. I gained another pound so I have finally reached the 20 lb mark, thanks to my hyperactive thyroid apparently. And....I am dilated to 3 cm! Doctor said she would be very surprised if I went to my due date. She said I was nicely on my way and when I go I am going to go fast. I am so happy to hear that. I am so ready and excited to meet and hold our baby girl. So, we will wait. But it doesn't sound like we are going to have to wait long. But God only knows. We have to keep telling Katie that, "God only knows when she is coming!" when she asks every day if today is the day.
Good night and prayers for a safe, quick delivery would be much appreciated. Love to all.
Our little baby girl right after she was born.
Pete meeting Jamie for the first time. 
First family photo. 
That's all for now. I hope to tell the story of our first week with Jamie soon. It has been nothing but a joy, except for the aches and pains of childbirth that are still hanging on. Off to feed and enjoy our little girl, and try to get some sleep......
Kids and dogs playing outside our new house. 
Saying goodbye to my friend Kari who moved to Denver this week. Lucky duck.
Pete playing in the new Boppy Kari gave us. Well, she gave us the Boppy and a blue car slip cover for it when Pete was born and before she left gave us this sweet pink flowered cover. Pete likes to hang out on this pillow. He better get over it before "Jamie" comes. Thanks Kari and good luck in CO. Enjoy your new life and we will all miss you!
And this is the only other part the tech could find. Her fingers. Again, they are at the top middle of the pic.
You can see four of them and not even a palm or anything. But the tech was able to take the measurements she needed even though we didn't get a good glimpse of anything good. And guess what, she measured 7lbs, 11oz already! (plus or minus 1lb they say). And if she went full term she could still gain another pound. Ouch. No wonder I can't breathe. I know there are bigger babies that this but maybe they are not all packed into such a small space. She was doing well, no worries, and was sitting way low, head down, legs up, ready to go. Oh, and I passed my non-stress test just fine. They just watch her heart rate, movements and contractions for about a half hour. I actually really enjoyed the test. I was laying down in a big comfy chair with the lights out. No noise, no boy hanging on me, just listening to my baby girl. Overall it was a wonderful experience.
Walking back to the car at the beach.
Pete and his new light saber. He loves this thing. Well, he loves to wap his sister and dogs with it. 
Whitecaps baseball game on Tues night. It was a perfect night for a game with $.50 hot dogs and a big win for the team. 
At the park watching dad and sissy play volleyball. He came across a tennis ball there and it kept him busy while we watched on.
Afternoon of our ultrasound. Right before heading to the doctors.
Park on Friday before the back injury. The kids had so much fun wading in the water, splashing and catching frogs.
Trip to the zoo. Took Pete a little while to warm up to the animals.
Walking around the zoo with sissy.
Looking at some animals with dad. Pete found most of the animals very interesting. It was a cool morning and the animals were awake and active. I love how intently Pete is watching one of them.
Well, that's all the pics I had time for tonight. Time for bed. I wish I could post more pictures, I have so many wonderful ones. But you get the idea and are probably bored out of your mind.
Moving into the new place. Before.
After. Done in 2 days. Just need to put some pictures up. 
Trying his hand at spaghetti last night.
Pete loves hats. My friend Erin, who I miss so much every day, gave him this hat. It's a Life is Good hat that says Peanut on it.
Pete has had some trouble walking lately so I took him to the doctors and they said some good orthopedic shoes with heel support will help straighten out his foot. She recommended Stride Rite shoes so we went Wed night to get him some. The trip to the shoe store was almost as traumatic for Pete as is a trip to the doctors. He is a pretty sensitive little boy. He only wants mom or dad touching him or messing with him. Good thing we bought the first pair he tried on. I can't even imagine a trip to the barber! They are not the cutest things but they are the best shoes available for him and he is worth it. $48 later he has white size 5 shoes that help him walk straighter, give him more support and drive him crazy! Funny how I would never, ever think of buying myself $48 shoes but when it comes to your children you don't think twice or bat an eye. Well, maybe I flinched a little bit when she told me the total but I knew it was necessary for a lifetime of healthy legs and feet for my little boy. Note to family: future Christmas or birthday gifts for Pete, gift cards to Stride Rite shoe store. Here is Pete crying about his new shoes and the scary lady who put them on him. 
My little walker in his new shoes at the Children's Museum today. We love that place! Good fun and wears him down nicely. 
My sweet cousin Kaela sent us a big box of baby girl clothes a couple weeks back. Kaela works with a good friend who had a bunch of new or hardly used girl clothes from her daughter. She knew we were having a girl and gave Kaela some of the cutest baby girl clothes I have ever seen. We were in the middle of packing/moving when the box arrived so I finally got to take it back out today and look for a couple hospital outfits to pack for our baby girl. It was hard to choose just a couple, they are all so sweet and in perfect shape. I didn't take a picture of the ones we chose so you will have to be surprised when you see her in them in the hospital pictures. Pete helped choose a few, or make a mess more like. 
Trying on some of baby sissy's clothes. The giraffe onsie he has on was actually in the box but was neutral so I put it on him. It's a size 6 months and fits my almost 16 mo old! Cute huh? Thanks Kaela and Mao. We appreciate the sweet clothes and thoughtful gift so much. 
37 weeks tomorrow! She is now considered full term and I can safely give birth anytime now. I still feel the longer she stays in the better but I am fine with meeting her whenever she decides to come. I had a doctors appt Monday and things looked good. I hadn't gained any weight so I was still at 177 lbs. They want to check my thryoid and iron levels again to make sure my levels are better so I will have a blood test Monday at my next appt. They checked me for dilation and I was at a 1 meaning she could progress from here quickly or it could be another 3 weeks. We will see where we are at on Monday! I started packing a bag for the hospital this week and will write up some instructions for Pete and Katie this weekend to make sure whoever watches them has an idea what to do. I am nervous to be away from my boy for 2 days. All he knows is me and dad. He has had a babysitter maybe 5 times in his life and hardly ever sees other family members or friends. He has never been away from us over night. I am physically ready for her to come. I am done being pregnant. I can't sleep at night. I can't get comfortable ever. My hands and feet are swollen so much they throb all day and night. I can't take a full breath and feel like I am always light headed from lack of oxygen. My belly feels like it is stretching, itchy and tearing open. Gross huh? I am not even that big, how would it feel if I had a big giant tummy like other pregnant women? My heartburn is unbearable at times. Today I had it from the minute I woke up until now. I am not allowed any more Tums or Rolaids for the day so it should be an interesting night. My bladder doesn't exist. It's pretty embarassing and annoying. I am hot and sweaty no matter what the weather is. My doctor said it is the hormones. Guess girls have a lot of them so put me and my daughter together and we are a perspiring mess. There is more but I need to go to bed before the sun rises again so I will stop here. Is she worth it? I know she is more than worth it. What a blessing to be here, so close to being done and meeting her. We are truly blessed, every day, every minute. Well, I will update again Monday after my appointment. Hope you all have a great weekend and watch the blog over the next few weeks! It's going to get exciting!
Pete eating his raisins and watching all the kids at the park.
Katie and Pete brushing their teeth before bed last night.
And here are some other pictures from this week/weekend. There were so many great pictures it was hard for me not to post 50 of them up here. These are the favorites of my favorites. Have a great week. Pray for us and our house sale, packing, moving and making this rental work for us and our new family. Pray for some relief of the increasing aches and pains that make days and especially nights hard for me.
Father-daughter volleyball every Friday.
Mom and Pete watching volleyball from the sidelines.
Slide at the park with sissy.
Holland State Park Beach yesterday. Our little volleyball player. 
