Christmas 2012

Can't believe this Christmas has come and gone. And I still have a baby in my belly! Even though it was hard to plan anything, and we ended up changing things at the last minute and being flexible, we had a really nice Christmas with our families.

Early Saturday morning I woke up with regular contractions, so we went to the hospital. We were being cautious because it's our third and we knew we had a 30 minute drive down to Pomerado. We got down there around 2:30 and the contractions stopped. We walked for an hour and still nothing so we went home. 

Here we are walking around on trip #1 to the hospital. Don't you just love the gowns?

The next day we mostly hung around the house, thinking labor would start back up any minute. We napped, played with the boys and took a walk around the ranch. 

The next day (Sunday), we had Christmas with my family. We had a delicious brunch and opened roughly one million presents. 

Eric whacking Jake's new trike with his light saber.

Racing

The boys have a Christmas book where the boy gets a big orange in his stocking and they thought that was the coolest thing ever. My mom put one in each of their stockings and they were so excited!

Chocolate before bed. Must be Christmas.

That night around 6:30 I started having contractions (I had been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions since Saturday) that were uncomfortable and regular again. Still thinking it was all going to get started and go fast, we headed back down again thinking it was time. Nope. Home again. Not before a drive-thru cheese burger at 1:30am.

Trip #2 to the hospital. I opted out of the gown this time.

Next day was Christmas Eve and we decided to do our own family Christmas then, again, not knowing when baby was coming.

Eric chose these Angry Birds jammies for Christian

I guess I didn't take any other pictures of this...

After presents we went into town for brunch at Denny's.

At Denny's

The boys got to use umbrellas, which they thought was pretty awesome.

For the record, I had an adorable pink and black outfit for Lela which would have gone perfectly with these Christmas Eve outfits... Ah well, she'll wear it soon!

That evening we went to my Gramma's for Christmas Eve dinner. Let me just interject here and say my mom is amazing! She has been doing the work of 3 or 4 different people all at once the past couple weeks. She cleaned my house and has been keeping the boys a lot. Then had to come to our house at 2am, then stayed the next night since we were expecting labor any second. Then she cooked the brunch for all of us, came back the next night and she was also in charge of all the cooking for Christmas Eve at my Gramma's! She's the best!

After dinner, a bunch of us went with Gramma to her church for Candlelit service, and it was so nice! Then we came back for dessert and presents.

Kiddos playing with Angela and Trixie

Time for a sing-along!

The next afternoon we headed to Oma and Poppa's. We had a yummy prime rib dinner and a really fun time.

Eric played with Gracie's princess game.

We had a wonderful, crazy Christmas this year and we are so thankful for people to spend it with.

As for the baby situation, we are actually scheduled for an induction this evening. I had an appointment this morning and we decided to go ahead with it. I have had the other two kids naturally, so this is definitely a different approach than I would prefer, but quite frankly, we really need this baby to come in 2012 (insurance deductible, taxes, etc.). We are so excited to meet our sweet Lela tonight or tomorrow!

Eric is Four!

To Our Eric,

This past year you have grown so much in so many ways! Not only are you growing taller, your heart is growing, too, as you continue to become the most incredible boy! You are smart and curious, driven and passionate. You still like to push boundaries, but in this past year we have loved watching you develop empathy and a desire to care for and protect those you love. You don't like it when Mommy is upset and try your best to talk me out of it or make me feel better when you can. You love your brother and are so excited to meet your new sister.  We can't wait to see how you are with her. Thank you for the laughs, questions, love and growth you bring to this house every day. We love you infinity!!

37 weeks, 6 days

This pregnancy is rapidly (and sloooowly) nearing its end, so I thought I'd check in. I am in the very uncomfortable stage, with a lot of pain in my hip area. I have been limping around like an old person for a week or so :) Other than that though, we are good. Baby is healthy and content and growing well. (Although Jacob is CONVINCED and has told us on a number of occasions that she will not have legs or feet when she is born)

I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I'm about 1cm and 70% effaced. This change all occurred since my previous appointment a week ago, which prompted him to say, "Let's really try to keep her in for another week, rather than 3-4 days." The boys have been sick and I feel like maybe I'm getting it, so it would be better for all of us - especially the baby - if we can bring her home to a healthy/semi-rested house.

We are planning to have a birthday party for Eric this weekend, so it would be nice if she came right after that... But of course, this is not my decision! :)