...and soon there will be FOUR!

Here we are, only 5 weeks to go until our family of three becomes a family of four! We're getting really excited for Henry's arrival. The nursery is fairly ready (not ready enough to post pics yet), my hospital bag is packed and his closet is now full of newborn clothes thanks to many friends and family members. Since I had the option of having another C-section we went ahead and scheduled Henry's deliver date for March 9, 2011.

Henry gave us quite a scare last week though! I wasn't feeling all that great one morning and was pretty sure I was having some form of contractions yet I went to work anyway, against my better judgement, thinking it would all pass. By mid morning I was instructed by my doctor's office to head to the hospital. I was indeed having contractions however I wasn't in active labor. Turns out I was extremely dehydrated due to the stomach flu which in turn caused my contractions. After 6 hours of IV fluids (I couldn't keep anything down) the contractions stopped and I was able to go home and let it run it's course. After 2 days of very little to eat and early bedtimes (Audrey was tucking me into bed ...very sweet) I was finally feeling back to normal. The good news through all this ...Henry was just fine! The midwife at the hospital gave us an ultrasound for reassurance. He was active throughout the contractions but the ultrasound showed us that he was exercising his lungs and already weights over 5lbs! Both really good signs of a healthy baby.

This past Saturday my girlfriends threw me a wonderful Sprinkle! For those that aren't familiar with the term, it's a smaller version of a Baby Shower for your second little bundle of joy. We had it at my house because there had still been so many of my friends that hadn't seen our new home yet. I was a little concerned about how well we would all fit but it turned out to be a warm and cozy setting. I'm sure the mimosas and wine helped with that as well. Henry got SPOILED too! His closet went from nearly empty to jam packed with clothes for months to come. I can't thank all my friends enough for helping us celebrate the arrival of our little boy. We are truly blessed, that's for sure!

And now we just wait! With the arrival of Henry coming early March we can only hope that Spring will follow close behind. Within the past week we've received almost 10 inches of snow. We had our fun in the snow. Audrey would stay outside until her little fingers turn to icicles if we'd let her. And while I love snow days too I also start to crave the sunshine and warm breeze this time of year. It would be really nice to enjoy that while I'm home with Henry in March.

I'll post pictures of the nursery as soon as I have the final touches applied but for now here are some pictures from the Sprinkle and our recent snow day.

Wrapping up 2010

Well I can't say I know where this year went. Here we are and it's December already! Christmas is just 10 days away. I imagine the busier the year is the faster is seems to fly. Our 2010 sure did bring a lot of changes into our lives. We are all so happy in our new home which reminds us every day how lucky we are to have been able to make this change. Not a moment too soon either since the added space is much needed for the growth of our family. Baby Henry will be here in just 3 short months. We're staring to get things ready for his arrival (or at least thinking about it). For the past 5 months Audrey has enjoyed the spare bedroom as a "Toy" room but she seems to be very open to giving it up for baby "Hemry" (This is how she says it) once he arrives. After Christmas we'll be slowing rearranging both kids bedrooms. Henry will take on Audrey's gently used furniture while Audrey will get all new "big girl" furniture. We've pepped her up on this for some time now that she is actually asking for her big girl bed.

I'm just over 6 months along in the pregnancy and everything is going great. I can't say this is a better pregnancy than with Audrey but it is certainly different. I seem to be growing at a rapid rate with this one. Sometimes I can't believe that my belly is going to stretch any more over the next few months. I've gained about 17lbs already (I blame the Holidays) however I've been told I only look like I'm smuggling a basketball under my shirt (comforting). Early in the New Year we should have a birth date scheduled for the planned c-section. I assume it's like riding a bike ...all this newborn stuff will come right back to me (I hope). Audrey I know is going to be a big help! She already hugs my belly while saying, "I love you so much baby brother"!

On a sadder note, while our family is growing in one aspect, we have decreased in another. Our 17 year old dog Tia has passed on. It was a tough decision for Mike to have to make and one that was postponed for quite some time but in the end it was impossible to ignore the signs. While she still had most of her health she was fighting the toughest journey of all ...old age. Audrey sometimes asks where her dog is and we tell her that she's in Heaven with her mom and dad. George is now Audrey's best friend. It seems, that since Tia's passing, he's taking a great liking to her (....hmmm, perhaps he things she's the one who makes the decisions in regards to who stays and goes around here). He loves to wake her up in the morning with his extra powerful Siamese cry. This can usually turn "grumpy" Audrey into "giggly" Audrey.

Well as I said Christmas is right around the corner. Audrey is very excited and I think she's starting to understand the idea of Santa. She has gotten a little confused when it comes to the feastive decorations though. Christmas trees and Christmas lights are refered to as Birthday trees and Birthday lights. We don't correct her mostly because it's cute but also because she's not all that wrong ...we are celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Heather and the kids are coming to town in a couple of days. I absolutely love it when all the kids are together ...the big kids and small ones :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!