4 days until due date

Four days until my due date. Overall, still feeling pretty good. My biggest complaint, overall, is still my hips / leg pain. Sleeping is becoming difficult because of leg pain and difficulty changing positions. I have also been getting very tired mid-day, needing a nap, which is so unusual for me.

The waiting is hard, too, because of the whole not knowing when things are going to happen. I like my new doctor, but don't have quite as much confidence in her willingness to let me do things my way. I am  bit worried that she is going to push for an induction before I am ready, and having researched getting my membranes stripped I don't want to do that. (She hasn't mentioned stripping membranes. She has mentioned induction, but in a joking manner like "We had you on bed rest all this time and now we are probably going to have to induce - ha ha!") Still, we'll see. I am just afraid that at Thursday's visit, we are going to start going down that road (which makes sense - I mean, it is something we will need to start discussing...)

I am feeling conflicted. (Not that any of my feelings matter if I want to do it naturally, which means things will happen when they want to and my feelings won't affect that at all - although I guess they could contribute to my willingness to induce. I mean, I could probably get induced on Friday if I wanted to.)

Wanting to have the baby earlier:
Hopefully the hip pain being gone faster / getting a move on towards feeling normal again.
Getting to meet the baby faster.
Not having to worry about inducing when I don't want to. 
Not having to worry about the baby's health when I can't directly see the baby.
Not having to wait and wonder anymore.
Baby will be smaller / hopefully easier to deliver.


Wanting to wait until later:
More time to decide on a name.
More time to finish Geoff's room.
Farther away from Christmas
More time off work / closer to Spring Break when I DO go back.
Still worried - am I ready for two?
Mainly - wanting the baby to come in its own time.

I had bad dreams again last night. I freakin HATE that I read the synopsis of Sophie's Choice a few years ago because my dream was a strange twist on that.

Sometimes I dream that the baby is a boy, and sometimes I dream that the baby is a girl. (Not always bad dreams, just commenting. I still don't have an idea.)

We need to narrow down our list of boys names. We are down to two girls names, but even then I am stressed about it. Ok. Enough venting.

Christmas 2011

This year we celebrated Geoffrey's 3rd Christmas. It was a lot of fun because he was so much more aware and into everything! It was somewhat low-key - due to my being very pregnant - but lots of fun, anyway!

The Christmas season started off as we started spotting Christmas Lights on houses. When we would drive places, Geoff would point out and shout "Christmas Lights" whenever he saw them! Gary came over to help Grant put ours up and they look awesome and festive. Geoffrey is happy because he can see the CHristmas lights from his bedroom window.

We put up our Christmas Tree in the living room and our house looks warm and cozy! Geoff got a chocolate advent calendar, and LOVED reading his "chocolate book" every night. By the end of the season, he could recite the beginning of "The Night BEfore Christmas," as well as single "jingle Bells" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." He also really loves any of those stuffed animals that sing and danc e - this year, his favorites were a snowman at Nonnas, a snoopy that rang bells, and the barking dog that rolls around.

We went to Irvine Park to ride the Santa Train during its first weekend. Uncle Blake came with us. We loved seeing all of the lights they decorated with. Geoff was very excited but got very shy around Santa and would not sit on his lap or talk to him. None-the-less, we got a cute family picture and Baby #2 got a special North Pole blessing.

Steve signed us into Disney one day, and we spent a full day doing California Adventure and Disneyland. We got to see the Christmas Parade and the CHristmas fireworks, as well as ride "its a small world holiday" and "Haunted Mansion Holiday."

We also visited the Aquarium of the Pacific which had some Christmas decorations put up as well.

On December 23, we went to Nonna and Grandpa's for dinner and stocking gifts.

Christmas Eve saw us in Beaumont at Darci, Scott, Drew, Parker, and Karson's house. Geoff had a lot of fun spending time Grandpa Bob and Grandma DeeDee, and with his cousins, including Taylor, Tristyn, and Josiah - until, that is, he got a snazzy trash truck which pretty much diverted his attention for the rest of the night!

(Trash Trucks were the hit of the season! Also a hit was "Don't Break the Ice" - he is starting to learn how to play games and take turns - although this will take time (the taking turns part) - and a subscription to High 5 magazine. We are slowly doling out the presents though, so we'll see what else he likes as time goes on!)

On Christmas Day we went back to Nonna and Grandpa's to open CHristmas Presents and have dinner. One of the first packages Geoff opened was a trash truck, and he pretty much didn't want to open anything else. We had to hide it and avoid any package that might include a trash truck or else the other gifts may never have been opened!

Mom, Bobby G, and Andy arrived Christmas night. Our Christmas trickled over the next week as Danny gave Geoff a few presents each day. We enjyed cozy days of holiday programing, such as "Mickey's Once Upon a CHristmas" and "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas," where Geoffrey was introduced to Huey, Dewie and Louie, whom he thinks are hilarious!

Grant, Bobby, and mom have also spent a lot of time working on Geoffrey's new room - it is going to be awesome!

Happy Christmas, 2011

Feeling good

10 days left and I am feeling pretty good! No signs of labor.

Potty?

We haven't seen Geoff's Elmo potty for a few days. Sort of an odd thing to disappear, but we recently moved all of the furniture out of what will soon be Geoff's bedroom in order to paint it, and we thought maybe it was in the playroom somewhere behind the furniture or perhaps in Danny's room. I wasn't overly concerned because I really would like to graduate towards using the big potty, which he seemed to be doing really well the past few days.

So today, we were getting ready to go and we told Geoff to try to go to the potty. He said he already did. "Where?" we asked him.

"On my little potty."

Grant and I sort of looked at each other - like what was Geoff using for his "little potty?" Visions of a pee filled trash truck sprang to mind as Grant said, "Little potty? Where is your little potty? Show Daddy!"

"It's down hur," Geoff said, pronouncing here with his signature sound - the same way he pronounces Bear (bur) and there (thur).

So Grant follows Geoffrey into the living room where Geoff shows Grant his potty, hiding inside his Cars tent, almost full! Guess Geoffrey has known where it was the whole time - and has been using it!

Geoff wants to swim

Geoff was so cute today. He wanted to go swimming int he jacuzzi and Grant said he could after his nap, but after his nap we went out to dinner. So we are leaving John's pizza and Geoff says, "Can we go swimming now?" and Grant says, "Sure, when we get home we can go swimming." SO Geoffrey starts taking off his clothes in the parking lot to get ready to go swimming! ha ha!

Geoff's speech

Just got this email regarding speech milestones for Geoffrey's age. I guess we have no worried in the speech department...

Your 2-year-old now

Look for reassuring signs that your child's language skills are on track by watching his behavior as well as listening to his words. Among the language-related skills expected between 24 and 36 months:

• Listens to a story with pictures (staying engaged as you discuss them).
• Plays pretend games.
• Enjoys looking at picture books, turning pages, and naming what he sees.
• Can answer questions with "yes" or "no."
• Can follow a simple request.
• Learns new words quickly.
• Copies words parent speaks.
• Names common foods and objects he has regular contact with.
• Identifies body parts.
• Refers to self by name and knows last name.
• Knows about 200 words by 24 months and 450 words by 30 months.
• Uses two words together by 24 months and three- to four-word sentences by 36 months.
• Sings songs and knows a nursery rhyme or two.

Geoffrey makes me laugh

He is full of gems tonight!

While watching a trash truck video on Grant's iphone, I asked Geoffrey to turn the volume. His response, "I can't because my back hurts."

 Gee, I wonder where he got that from!I've been telling him I can't lay down with him in his bed or pick him up because my back hurts lately.

Also: Earlier he heaved a big sigh and I asked him what was wrong.

Geoff: "I'm just taking a break." Me: "From what?" Geoff, "From not listening."

37 weeks

I hit 37 weeks last friday. 37 is technically full term, although I am really hoping this baby will stay until the due date - or much closer to it than this!

I had a growth scan ultrasound - the baby is head down. It is measuring in aprx. the 37% for growth - about 6 pounds, 2 ounces.  My fluids are 9 cm. The heart rate stays pretty consistently around 140. Everything is looking good there.

On Thursday I had an appointment with Dr. Hargrove. I am about 2 1/2 cm dilated and 70% effaced - so who knows! That could mean anything - you can be dilated and effaced several weeks before labor.

Thursday night I had some lower back pain that had me kind of worried, but I felt good all day Friday. THe baby is very active, so that is good! This morning I have some cramps, too. But the ache is more constant - not coming and going like a contraction would be, I think. Who know - Geoffrey's contractions were so different what with everything coming on so suddenly. I know a lot of this can come early  (Braxton Hicks, etc.) I just don't want to have the baby yet!

My mom will be here in about 10 days. They are leaving next Friday morning and driving out, so they should be here Monday or Tuesday.

Still, with my worries, I have been trying to get stuff ready. My birth plan is updated, we got down all of the newborn clothes, the Moses basket, etc. I can't find my favorite nursing pillow - but lots of friends have offered to lend me theirs. I am just feeling irritated that I can;t find mine. I need to pack my hospital bag - which I will probably finish today. Mom had a good point on the phone yesterday. If I get everything ready, the baby won't come until January. If I procrastinate, the baby will come early. Right, Murphy?

The other worry is baby names. I think we are feeling pretty settled for one gender, but are clueless about the other gender.

I am also VERY out of shape. My legs hurt pretty bad, and my left leg is especially stiff. I don't want to exercise or stretch or walk too much since I don't want to go into labor yet, but I don't want to be this out of shape when I go into labor, either. Sigh.

Well, that's the update for now. Just typing this update has made me feel better, so that's good. I am such a worrier! The baby is moving right now, too. (o:

Holiday Trip to Disneyland

Steve signed us into disneyland today sonwe could see all

Of the Christmas stuff. We haven't been here since September so we are pretty excited. Our first stop was playhouse Disney at dca. Geoff was really excited to hear Jake and he neverland pirate songs and to see Mickey mouse clubhouse. 

Next we went on monsters Inc. Geoff didn't want to go. He thought it would be scary! We told him it was funny and that he would like it. When we got off he said, "I told you you would like it! Can we go again?" 

We went through bugs land and rode heimlich's chew chew train and then the walked over to paradise pier and rode king triton's carousel twice. 

So far we have visited three bathrooms. Geoffrey has only peed once, but his underwear are dry! (we are using pull ups today) oops spoke to soon (o:

We went on the fun wheel. Geoff got a little afraid when are car started swinging, but seemed to like it otherwise. 

We stopped for a snack/lunch. Half way through, geoff said, "my foot tickles!" ha ha! This is the first time I am aware of that his foot has fallen asleep! We have a table right next to the band shell And an Irish rag band is playing a cross between Christmas carols and Irish rag. Geoff had fun dancing along to the music!

Scardy-cat geoff did well on the next few rides - the golden zephyr and the little mermaid, but in redwood creek challenge trail, he dint want to go down the hoot and holler slide! He went ahead and played on the smaller slides and the ropes, though! Now we are going

To attempt a nap on our way to

Disneyland! 

Geoff fell asleep before we made it to the hub. Grant and I swung by star tours and through a combination of a baggy sweater and bad posture we hid my pregnancy enough to get a child swap for grant. He is going to get fast passes to haunted mansion holiday and then ride star tours while I chill here with geoff. I found a place on the parade route so we can watch the Christmas parade - it starts in about an hour and a half.

 Yes, 5:30. I am hoping this area won't get too crowded because it is past main street. It's a pretty quiet spot. Mostly. I just hope the Monorail doesn't blow it's

Horn! My text is taking forever to send! I have tried to send 

The timing work

d out perfectly. Geoff fell asleep at 3:30 and the parade got to us at about 5;40. The music woke him up and he got to chill and slowly wake up as the parade went by! He loved it! He laughed at donald duck and chip and Dale, and he thought the snowflakes on roller skates were really cool! 

Next, we rode the monorail, which geoff had been requesting for days. We got to ride in the very back, which was awesome! Now we are taking a round trip om the train! 

After the train, we had dinner at redd rocket's sharing a pasta and a salad. Next, grant and geoff had time to ride autopia - geoff was very eager to drive! He said they went "crash boom bammers"'on the ride, which I am sure means they wacked the rails more than once!

We found a great spot to watch "believe in holiday magic" fireworks. At the end, geoff got a real kick out if the snow! 

On our way to new Orleans square, grant had to go for the bathroom so he went ahead since I was moving slow. I noticed that dumbo had no line so geo and I hopped on. Geoff was excited to tell daddy that he made it go up and down and we rode in his favorite color green dumbo. 

We finished the evening with the holiday rides - haunted mansion holiday and then it's a small world holiday!

Such a great day with my wonderful family. I feel so lucky to have them! I am feeling pretty sore now, but today was magical and so worth it!

35 1/2 weeks

I am about 2 cm dilated. This really means nothing because it is a 2nd pregnancy, but I thought it was interesting. Everything is looking good - baby is head down and everything is progressing normally.

The worst part is the hip pain - hip/thigh/lower back. Sleeping is uncomfortable. I am slowly trying to regain my strength from the bed rest, but I get tired easily from walking.  I had a prenatal massage yesterday - it felt great!

We still don't have names picked out. Sigh.