She's at...

7.5 cm now, and moving along quickly!

Terminal Count Entered

Yes, that's my (Collin's) Space & Missile background coming through, but we're getting close to "liftoff." We're in the hospital, and Dr. Callison has been in to see Janelle and to break her water. Contractions are coming every minute or two now, and based on what I can tell, they are VERY strong. Fortunately, the nurses are working to give her some Nubain right now to take the edge off (Janelle's avoiding an epidural, as usual). Dr. Callison said she fully expects to deliver a baby within an hour or two. Janelle says she's not so sure, but I think she's just trying not to get her hopes up too much in case it takes longer. Stay tuned--we'll try to pass along information as it comes. Keep praying!

the home stretch

I figured I should probably take the time to post an update again, before the baby arrives, now that we're less than a week from this little girl's estimated due date!

I had my last (39 week) OB appointment Wednesday, and every thing's looking really good - no weight gain, fundal height was 43 cm (or weeks - still measuring big), and I've reached my goal of 4 cm dilated before labor! Woot! :) My parents arrive in town on Sunday night, so if we can just wait until then, hopefully we'll be ready to have this baby. So excited... and getting a bit nervous too. Ultimately, I can't wait to meet my littlest baby girl. Here's me at 37.5 weeks.

Since school let out, we've been a frenzy of activity, trying to get the kids out of the house doing fun stuff and having play dates with friends. We joined the local Botanical Gardens and met some church friends out there for a fun (and hot!) day of water activities and pretty scenery. Looks fun, huh?

We've also gotten together with some of Moira's little girlfriends from school - there was a birthday party at the movies to see "Up," a lunch date at Chick-Fil-A, playing at the park, and story time at the library today. It's so fun to watch Moira getting bigger and interacting with her friends. So far, she's got great taste in her choice of friends! They're so cute together.

As usual, I've also managed to keep myself busy with various projects of the creative variety. Here's a look at the purse I knit for my friend Janessa's birthday, and the crocheted flower headband I made for Moira. Quick projects that are cute, fun and uber-gratifying. I think they both liked their gifts! There are more of these in the works, so there might be more to come later...

Now we're getting the house ready for Grammy & Papa's visit, and doing what we can to prepare for baby. We're all so excited to meet our little June Bug! I also just found out that the hospital we're delivering at has Wifi, so we intend to take the laptop with us and give updates here when I go into labor. Next time you hear from me here, hopefully it'll be with good news!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Today is the last day of school! It seems like just a couple months ago we were sending our little girl off for her first day of Kindergarten, and now the year is over. Moira has grown so much this year - she's reading and writing, doing great with math, she's developed even more curiosity and personality (if that is even possible), and made some wonderful little friends. She had a wonderful teacher and a great school - I'm so thankful that her first year was such a positive experience. Next year she'll be going to a new school down the road (rezoning) and I hope and pray it'll all go as smoothly as this year has. Fortunately, she'll be making the move with her best little girlfriend from her class, Celeste.

Here's the tail-end of Moira's class singing their song for the Kindergarten Performance. Moira is the 5th one in orange, from the right.

After the Kindergarten Performance yesterday - doesn't she look all grown up?

The 3 little girls from her class that she's made such good friends with this year: (left to right)Kendal, Celeste, Moira and Chloe. Aren't they adorable?

Celeste & Moira - so glad they'll be going to the same school next year!

Hugging Daddy good-bye this morning before her last day. *sniff*

This Summer should hold lots of fun for her (and all of us). We have swim lessons set up with Celeste, fun church activities to occupy us, and play dates to make with Celeste, Chloe and Kendal - along with a new baby sister to anticipate! Life is good. Thanks for celebrating our precious big girl with us! :)

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a very busy, and very fun weekend! The kids had their joint birthday party at Jump Zone on Saturday, and enjoyed celebrating with lots of friends from school, church and even a couple of neighbors. Sunday we headed to Tennessee for the Renaissance Festival and had lots of fun there too. Here's what it all looked like in pictures (click on each picture to see the full albums)...

Moira's and Ian's joint birthday party

At the Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Whew - it was a lot to do, but a lot of fun! I feel much better having this weekend checked off the list of things to do before the baby comes though. This is Moira's last week of school and then we'll be all ready for Grammy & Papa to arrive and have this little girl finally! Can't wait!

4

That's right - my little boy is four years old! It just can't be possible. I so vividly remember whiling away pregnant hours dreaming of who my little boy, my only Son, would be. And now he's 4 - out of nowhere... I swear it just happened when I wasn't looking. In honor of my little guy's birthday, here are four things about you, dear Son, that I cherish with all my heart.

1. You can smile at me and suddenly everything in the world is right again. The ear to ear grin, complete with twinkling eyes makes me melt every time! We're gonna have to keep that sparkle in your eyes and solitary dimple under wraps when you're a teen, ya know...

Ian flashed me this killer smile while at his choice birthday dinner at Applebee's...

2. You're so silly! You'll do anything to try to make us all laugh, and you have the sweetest little giggle. Your Daddy and I can't help but grin at each other when we hear you and Moira off playing together, giggling away, in all your boyhood sweetness.

...but couldn't help but turn into a silly face monster shortly thereafter! The camera WAS out after all!

3. You're really such a good little boy. I know it's tough to be "good" sometimes - having all that energy and curiosity spilling over the top - but you really do amaze me at the tender age of four, how well you listen and obey. You usually seek to please and be as helpful as you can, and I don't think we give you enough credit for that! I'm so glad God gave you such a sweet spirit and a heart of gold.

The last day of preschool with Ms. Teresa and Ms. Sheree

4. You're an adoring little brother to Moira, and I know you're going to be an incredible big brother to your little sister too! There's no place you'd rather be than with your family, spending time together. I love that you cuddle with me, unprovoked, and that I often catch you spontaneously hugging one of us. There's such a warmth about your little arms wrapping themselves around me - your lovin' is contagious!

Happy faces, happy hearts.

I pray God will continue to bless you through out your boyhood and beyond. May you grow in His spirit and love, and never forget the gift that you are to us. Some day you will be big and strong, and won't need us anymore, but I pray that you'll take with you all the love and direction that we have to give. To my dear Ian, we love you, now and always.

Love, Mommy

Obsessed much?

So yes, I'm the type of crafter (and person in general) who goes through crazy spurts of productivity with a particular thing, and lately it's been knitting. I just can't seem to get enough!! I love working with fiber, being productive and creative at the same time, and being able to use or gift the finish product - it's so completely satisfying! I've been crocheting for quite some time now (about 8 years), but I've only started teaching myself to knit in the last 2 or 3, so I'm not quite as proficient in my newest love as I am in the other. I think the thing that has spurred me on lately is the prospect of getting to wrap my newest baby girl in some really cute hand knit pieces! :) So, without further ado, let me unveil my most recent accomplishments...

"Darling!" (a mock cable jumper and diaper cover) from Pipsqueak Knits by Jil Eaton. Knit in Berroco Comfort, color 9757. Size 6-12 months, for the Loaf this Fall.

This was so much fun to work on! Really love the soft, stretch fiber and I think our little girl will look lovely in this with her brown hair and blue eyes - assuming she's going to look anything like her siblings! ;-)

"Baby Bolero" from One Skein by Leigh Radford. Knit for baby #3 in Bernat Alpaca, color wheat, size newborn. Has a lovely Eyelet pattern on the center back, but I couldn't get a good shot of it. This is actually the second I've made - it's super quick (2 nights or so) and makes a sweet baby gift.

"Saartje's booties" a free pattern on ravelry.com by Saartje de Bruijn. Knit with Wildflower D.K. by Plymouth Yarn, flower buttons from Hancock Fabrics, size newborn.

I'm new to ravelry, but all I have to say is it ROCKS - definitely go check it out if you're a knitter or crocheter! I loved the double strap on this pattern, for style purposes and security, knowing how easily baby shoes tend to slip off. Can't wait to slip these pale green booties with pink flower buttons on our newborn!

"Provence Baby Cardigan" also a free pattern on ravelry.com by Classic Elite Yarns. Knit in Berroco Pure Pima (cotton), color 2241, size 9-12 months - perfect Spring cardigan for our baby.

I loved this cardigan the moment I first saw it! Something about the leaf panels shown here, worked in delicate, slick, cotton was magic to me.

It hasn't been blocked yet, but I'm really pleased with the way this turned out! I was also pleased to find such perfect buttons to match at Hancock.

I'm really proud of these! They're a version of Saartje's booties modified by yours truly, and the first piece of knitting I've made creative changes to... ever! :) Crocheted up a little flower, sewed it on with a small button for the center and viola! - a darn cute little bootee, if I do say so myself!

Knit with Patons Grace in color Rose and Snow, size newborn.

If you saw the maternity photos in my last post, these are indeed the very same booties from the pictures. I look forward to displaying a picture of our little girl wearing these next to the picture of them resting on my belly.

And, finally, here is a sneak peak of my current work in progress, which also happens to be my first cable project! I won't tell you what it's going to be just yet - but I'm really excited about this one, since it's actually for me! Knit in Patons Classic Merino Wool, color Dark Grey Mix 00225. Loving the challenge and repetition of cables. :)

***

That's all for now. Aren't you impressed that I've posted again so soon?! I hope you've enjoyed seeing these projects - even if it's only a smidge as much as I enjoyed making them and sharing them with you! :) As always, thanks for letting me ramble, and caring enough to read it all.