Waiting...waiting...

Well, another week gone by, and I am...amazingly...still pregnant! As of today, I am 38 weeks and 5 days, an unprecedented length of pregnancy for me. I feel like I should win some sort of prize for "longest gestation by a formerly preterm labor mama". But I'm sure that is not going to happen.

SOOOO, we sit....and we wait...and we sit some more...and we wait. I keep thinking that any minute now, my water will break, or I'll start having contractions, or SOMETHING, but Aaron seems perfectly content to quietly simmer...while I quickly outgrow the last of my maternity clothes.

That is no joke, I probably fit into 4 tops right now. I have to try and be very strategic about choosing which ones to wear and when. My criteria for choosing includes:

1. Will I be seeing anyone familiar that I saw a few days ago who might notice that I'm wearing the SAME thing?
2. How wrinkled is the said top?
3. Does the top still cover the elastic waist band of my tightening pants?

If you think about it, what really is the point of going out and buying more clothes, this can't go on forever. However, going out and buying new clothes is probably a guarantee that I'll go into labor before ever being able to wear them....hmmmmm.

Yes, this is my life. And my pants, you ask? Oh, yes. I've been wearing the same ones for weeks now...don't worry, I wash them every other day or so...but I'm pretty sure that when all of this is over, they will be able to walk around by themselves. I might have to have them framed, they have lasted through all three pregnancies without a stain or a tear!

But all kidding aside, each extra day is a blessing and we'll take it for sure. Last week I was 2cm, and this week, my OB wasn't able to give us any measurements because Aaron's head is pressing so hard on my cervix that he said the front of the cervix was bulging. Sorry, probably sounds kind of gross. So I could still be 2cm, or I could be more, who knows!

The interesting thing to me...and you are all witnesses to this...is that Sunday night is a full moon. Now, the theory is that a full moon can cause some women to go into labor. I don't think I would normally believe this, however, when I worked in the MICU on night shifts, full moons have a strange way of making things absolutely nuts in a hospital. So, I will be letting you know if we end up making a trip on Sunday night!

Oh, I had to share these adorable pics that Nana Fulling took of Addison dressing up and playing outside. Who knew she was such a girlie girl!!

Finally, a smile in front of the camera!!

Almost there?

Well, another check up at the OB office today revealed that my uterus is defying all odds...at least as far as my pregnancies go...and refusing to let this little guy out. I'm 37 1/2 weeks, and was 2 cm dilated, not effaced at all, and my contractions...YOU know, the ones that rear their ugly heads at me around 20 weeks, have all but stopped!

Ironic, isn't it?

However, I'm certainly NOT complaining about making it this far, in truth we have been SO thankful that I not only have made it almost to 38 weeks, but that I didn't have to visit the L&D unit for an emergency ONE TIME during this pregnancy! That is a definite first for us. So, we continue to anxiously await the arrival of Aaron, I mean, I certainly can't stay pregnant FOREVER...can I?

Here are more pics of the girls!




My little Texan





Snow White...defying gravity







Hmmm...which one of us is really pregnant?




Addison LOVES to pick flowers and put them behind her ear



Her favorite hat...in the summertime too!



Pretty little princess!!



Mom, I just want to be a big girl!!!

Still here!

Ok, I know it has been FOR-EV-ER since I last posted (I believe it was in March), but I have finally updated the blog (and gave it a little make over!!) What can I say, I've been busy cooking a baby and thankfully I am still pregnant!!! I am almost 37 weeks (on Sunday), and have been on a "partial" bedrest since about 30 weeks. Basically, what that really means is that I have been...over the last 7 weeks or so, somewhat of a beached whale who gets to sit on the couch whenever possible. If I was wearing black and white...you might not be able to distinguish me from Shamu!

...let's just not go there.

Along with an update on us, there are several random pics from the last few months of the girls, us, etc. Sorry if it seems scattered, but I have an excuse, I'm pregnant and am quickly losing valuable brain cells. The layout seems totally normal to me...scary.

Addison playing in the sprinkler outside


At about 30 weeks, I did have to start progesterone injections for increased contractions...basically the same kind of stuff that put me on complete bedrest with Addison. The contractions are better, but if I'm up and around for too long, sitting in the car for too long, sitting at the COMPUTER for too long, or basically doing anything that requires bending over and lifting, I start getting those pesky contractions. The good thing, of course, is that we are out of the danger zone, so if and when I go into labor, there aren't necessarily any "premature labor" worries. As of today after my OB appointment, I am 1cm dilated, but not effaced. Translation: I could be like this for a few days and then go into labor, or I could be like this for 3 more weeks. Thank you to ALL for the thoughts, prayers, phone calls, etc!!! And ESPECIALLY thank you to Nana and Papa Fulling who have been here to help take care of the girls!!!! We love you!

Emily recently sporting Mommy's sunglasses and some cool wheels




Easter Egg hunt at church!!!



We have decided to name this little guy Aaron Curtis Fulling, so we can finally stop calling him baby brother, baby boy, etc. Emily is very excited about this since she has been calling him "Baby Aaron" for weeks now. He is doing great, and recently has discovered how much fun it is to use mommy's ribcage as his own personal jungle gym. He also enjoys long naps, hiccups, and bouncing up and down on mommy's bladder...a bit like a trampoline. He is a bit of a rascal, he will move ALL over the place when NO ONE is looking, but I'm not kidding, as soon as I get Brian or Emily or Addison to try and see/feel him, he stops. I'm sure he is laughing at this the whole time!


Brian and I (I'm the one with the gut-about 31 weeks)


The girls painting daddy a "welcome home" sign after a business trip!


The girls are fine, keeping everyone busy as always! Both have birthdays coming up in June (Addison will be 2, Emily will be 4...where does the time go???). They had their adorable end of the year preschool program last week and I have to mention a funny Emily story from that day...


Nothin' better than finger painting!


All the kids are up on stage with their teachers sitting below to help them remember words to songs, hand motions, etc. Emily is saluting proudly and belting out "Proud to be an American" quite loudly (I mean truly, I could hear her voice sitting about 7 rows back!). She gets to the part "where at least I know I'm free". As I'm watching, Emily has the one hand up in a salute...just like all the other kids...and then she sings "where at least I know I'm three", and holds up three fingers with her other hand.

Too cute...


Posing for the camera




Addison + blue fruit roll up = interesting diaper colors



Sweet sisters reading a story together


Always fun cooking with Nana!!


Playing dress up!!


Other than everyday stuff, not much else to report. I'll keep you all posted on the status of my expanding belly...I REALLY don't know how much bigger I can get, it's a little scary...and will let you know when Aaron Curtis arrives!


Emily and Miss Kelly!


Addison and Miss Laura!

Emily-ism

I had to share this even though it happened last week. Emily was on the phone with a certain grandmother who will remain nameless (that makes it pretty hard to narrow down, huh? :), and said in motherly fashion:

"Nana, you really need to go to the dentist because, you're pretty old."

Needless to say, Brian and I were rolling on the floor while at the same time trying to explain to our 3 1/2 year old why she might not want to say that to people. Luckily, Nana has a sense of humor as well.

How to stop a runny nose

I don't think there is much more to say here...

My amazing family!!!

I am so blessed by my family. I have an awesome husband, two wonderful little girls, a great dog (I can't forget about her!), and will soon have a sweet little boy as well. I am 26 1/2 weeks right now, and, as most soon to be mothers will tell you, am feeling LESS than attractive at this point. This is why you will see NO pictures of me from here on out unless they are professionally done, airbrushed and polished!

Yesterday was just...one of those days. It is Spring Break week here for our kids, and the girls do not have preschool this week, so when they were fussing and yelling, not sharing, AND having meltdowns at 9am on a Monday, I was beginning to wonder how I was going to get through this week! We had TONS of errands to get done that morning, and add to that my physical state, which, in the last month or so, has begun to quickly deteriorate.

...by deteriorate I simply mean that this little boy I've got inside me is doing what I see as irreparable damage to my rear end! I've been so blessed by a non-eventful pregnancy so far, you'd think I'd be ever so grateful for my expanding backside! Oh, well, that's the way it goes. I wouldn't trade any of these precious kiddos for all the liposuction and tummy tucks in the world!

SOOOO, on this particular Monday, Brian happened to call in the midst of all the chaos to see how the day was going. I burst into tears...did I mention that I'm a little emotional as well? Poor guy, I sobbed with long strings of snot hanging from my nose and managed to tell him between crying and laughing at my sad state that the day was...not going so well.

The next thing I know, he is on his way home to save the day. I have the most amazing husband. I didn't ask him to do this, I would NEVER ask him to do this, he is just the most considerate, understanding person I know, and I'm so blessed to call him my husband. AND, he walks in the door a half hour later with a bouquet of flowers for his pathetic wife!

The flowers!! Thank you hon!!


I forgot to mention my adorable kids. When they saw me crying on the phone, Emily came over immediately with a very concerned look on her face and asked, "what's wrong, mommy?"
This, of course, just started the floodgates flowing all over again. She walked up to me, said I needed a hug, and just wrapped her little arms around me and patted my back. What an angel. THEN, Addison, comes over and wraps her arms around Emily AND me, so we just sat there for a while and hugged. It was one of those moments as a parent that you feel like everything is just perfect and the way it should be. They are so precious.

...and then, right after the hug, Addison hit Emily in the face by accident, but Emily dramatically fell backwards onto the floor and began screeching and holding her face, which made Addison start screeching...you get the picture. I had to laugh at the irony of it all!

Anyway, to my sweet kids and wonderful husband, thank you so much for the love you shower on me everyday, I love you more than you'll ever know!

Joe!!

Today was an exciting day for Emily! Joe McDermott, a children's singer based in Austin, Texas, was here in San Antonio today for a performance at a local bookstore. He is absolutely hilarious, has the greatest children's songs, and Emily ADORES him. If this gives you an idea of the "groupie" we have on our hands, I was told by Emily's preschool teacher this year that on any given day, she can often be found on the playground performing Joe McDermott songs for her fellow teachers and friends.

She has been looking forward to this morning ALL week long, and Joe did not disappoint. Here is a cute video of one of his songs below:



Emily is the one down in the front left hand side of the video with a pink jacket on. She had a blast! Addison did not venture out to see Joe too much, there were just so many books to pull off the shelves, screaming to be done, and people to hug.

When we left, Emily insisted that when we get home, we needed to write Joe a letter to tell him what a good job he did today. Too cute! And for the grand finale, a picture of Emily and Joe after the performance: