Happy Birthday from the Kids

Yesterday was my birthday, and when I finally got out of bed (8:30am), the kids had made me birthday cards and had started to clean up the house. They had also set out what they picked out for me at the store...my favorite cereal (for now...it changes monthly) Blueberry Morning. Aaron was also busily making me one of my favorite breakfasts...breakfast burritos! After breakfast Aaron also did the dishes. What a great start to a perfect day!
Ashlyn and Morgan made their cards without any help from daddy. They sounded out the words all by themselves and were so proud!

36 week Baby Update

I had a doctor appointment yesterday and had my fingers crossed that he would give me some good news (basically that they would induce me yesterday)....but no such luck! Everything looks good....I am measuring a week bigger, but other than that, everything is right on. I asked to be checked for dilatation (which normally they don't do until 38 weeks) because I have been having contractions and I wanted to see if it looked like I'd be going early (since my mom is coming to watch the kids and it takes about 10 hours to drive here). Anyways, here's the news...dilated to a 2 and 60% effaced. Not terrible...but honestly I could be dilated to a 2 for weeks! So, I have my next appointment next Thursday and I'm hoping for some progress. Last night I had some really strong contractions that were very regular, but they stopped after about an hour, so maybe that means we're getting closer.

There is just nothing better than having your baby and making sure everything is ok. I can't wait to see what she looks like! If you haven't noticed...I don't "wait" well. Patience is NOT something I was blessed with.

Anyways, so here are some questions for you (that HOPEFULLY will be answered SOON):

How much will baby Peyton weigh?
(Ashlyn-8.7, Morgan 8.3, Kaden 6.7)

Will Peyton have hair...if so, what color?
(Ashlyn-bald, Morgan-dark brown, Kaden-light brown)

When will Peyton be born (due March 20th, induction on March 13th)?
(Ashlyn-3 days before due date, Morgan-7 days before due date, Kaden-2.5 weeks before due date)

Will I be lucky enough to have Peyton during the day or will I have her during the night?
(Ashlyn-10:48pm, Morgan-1:24am, Kaden-1:59am)

Oh, and Aaron just told me that tonight he has arranged for me to go to Sage Day Spa. My birthday is tomorrow and he wanted me to be pampered....so he got me the Mother Nature Package....Mother-to-be Massage, Chocolate Cream Pedicure and Quick Fix Facial! I can't wait! I have the sweetest hubby ever! This is just what I need!

I'm DONE!

Last night I woke up at midnight with some serious back pain....quickly I discovered I was having contractions. This isn't the first time I've had contractions this pregnancy. About a month ago I had contractions for about 6 hours, but they weren't severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. Anyways, last night I was up until 2 am with these contractions....and I was actually getting excited, except that it was in the middle of the night and that makes everything a little more complicated (kids asleep, Aaron snoring, no babysitter, etc). Anyways, I just kept saying (to myself because Aaron was totally out of it), "Ok, either my water needs to break or these contractions better stop right now!" Well, 2 am was the last time I looked at the clock and then I woke up at 5 am to use the bathroom. So, next time I think I'm going to tell myself, "My water needs to break RIGHT NOW!"

Anyways, tomorrow I will be 36 weeks. I have my induction scheduled for March 13th (39 weeks) and I'm seriously counting the days! I can't take this anymore! Does anyone have any tips/suggestions on things that have helped them go into labor? I've never actually gone into labor on my own. I've been induced every time (early), so I don't actually know what it would be like to do it on my own. I have tried the basic things (and to no avail)....eating spicy food (that's a pretty normal thing for me), driving over the railroad tracks, castrol oil (take my advice, don't EVER do that!), going for walks, etc. I'm needing something more advanced. I do take Red Raspberry Combination Herbal Supplement, and I think that helps once you're actually in active labor, but my problem is getting to that point. If you haven't heard of Red Raspberry Supplement, it's something I found at the health food store. The lady said to start taking it when you have 6 weeks left, and start by taking 1 a day, and every week increase it 1 pill (so 5 weeks left you take 2 pills, 4 weeks left you take 3 pills, etc). It's supposed to help your uterus contract and help you have a quicker labor. I've used it with Morgan and Kaden and I would have to say my labors have been LOTS quicker.

Ok, so that's my dilemma. I know....every pregnant mom feels this way the last 6 weeks....and luckily I only have 3 left. Just needed to vent to someone else.

Info About Beds

Several of you have asked about the bunk bed and quilts...so here it is.

I got the bunk bed from a local furniture store. I did LOTS of looking around on the internet to find the exact bunk bed that I wanted, then I called around and found what store carried it. The bunk bed is made from a company called Lea Furniture and the line is called Carolina Retreat. If you google Lea Carolina Retreat bunk, then you'll get all the info you need. Also, we got it cheaper through the furniture store than we could online.

Also, the quilts are from Pottery Barn Kids. We got the Pink Daisy Garden and the Green Daisy Garden quilts...which worked out perfectly for my girls because Ashlyn's favorite colors are green and blue and Morgan's favorite color is pink. A lot of the time, you can get great deals on the Pottery Barn stuff on eBay (new or used). I do a lot of my shopping on eBay and it's fun and I get good deals.

Anyways, I hope that answers your questions.

Potty Training & Punishment

Well, about once a month Kaden decides he thinks it will be really fun to go to the bathroom in the "big boy toilet". So, he drags it out of his closet, strips naked and sits on it for a few minutes. After about 2 or 3 minutes, he is totally bored and starts pushing it around the room so he can be close to someone (so he has someone's attention). Saturday morning, this is what he did.

Also, happening at the same time....Morgan said a naughty word (I really can't remember which one it was this time...probably butt or poo poo-head or something like that) and because we've threatened so many times, we thought this time we should probably follow through. So, out came the hot sauce and the drama began.

Of course, Kaden didn't want to miss a minute of it, so he pushed his toilet into the kitchen to get a better view. Also, Ashlyn (who had her first experience with hot sauce just a month before and who has been wanting the other kids to get to try it too) came running out of the bedroom to get a front row view of all the action.

After a few minutes, it was over and Morgan was screaming for water. I have to say, I remember my parents telling me "Oh, this is worse for me than it is for you."....they lied! They were secretly enjoying it. Not all the time...but times like these are sometimes pretty comical! Aaron and I have to make sure the kids can't see us laughing.

Anyways, so now Kaden has been on the toilet for about 5 minutes and still hasn't done anything. So, once again bored, he runs to the closet and gets out the handy-vac and sits back on the toilet. I look over at him and notice what's going on and can't help but laugh. Kaden then turns on the vacuum and while still sitting on the toilet, starts vacuuming the floor! Pretty soon he notices that he can't get much work done on the toilet, so he gets off the toilet and finishes vacuuming in the nude. What a goof-ball!

Fat Feet

Sorry about the scary photo. Try to ignore my fat feet...they are alittle swollen. Anyways, I have been begging to get a pedicure, since I can no longer reach my feet...so yesterday after I painted the kids' nails (yes, KIDS...including Kaden who wouldn't leave me alone until I finally gave in), the girls painted mine! As you can see, they had fun. Luckily it's not summer and no one actually has to see my feet (most of the time, not even me!). But I do want my toes to be pretty when I have the baby...is that crazy? Not like the doctor and nurses are even going to notice my toes...but I think it will make me feel since I have little control over everything else that happens at the hospital. Oh, and only 24 days until my scheduled induction (March 13th)! Hurray!

First Night in the New Bed

So last night was the girls first night sleeping in their new bunk bed. The mattresses came in the afternoon, so they spent the majority of the afternoon and evening just playing on their beds. When 7:30pm rolled around, Ashlyn told me she was ready for bed....so we got the kids all in bed early! The girls were so excited for their mattresses to come, that they didn't take their afternoon naps. But by about 3:30pm Morgan fell asleep, so of course, she wasn't ready for bed when Ashlyn was. So, after Ashlyn fell asleep, Morgan sneaked out of her room (pretty normal for Morgan...she's our night owl) and came and watched Food Network with me for about an hour.By the way, aren't the girls' quilts the cutest things you've ever seen?!? Grandma Yount (with the birdie) got these for the girls' birthdays last summer, and they've been sitting at the top of our closet since then. I've been DYING to be able to use them...so I'm thrilled that the time has finally come! Thanks again Cheryl!So, the night went well. The girls woke up bright and early this morning (6:30am) and continued playing in their "tree house" and soon Kaden was up causing problems. Nothing new there!