36 Weeks

For fun I thought I would do a comparison between weeks to see how much I've grown.  We are only one week away from being considered full term!  Here's hoping we can make it into next week.  I'm dying to see him, but every day he stays put is a good thing.  

Mama Bird

Since finding out at the doctor on Monday that my cerclage is no longer holding like it should, and I'm already dilated 2 cm and 75% effaced, "nesting" mode has kicked in full force.  There is so much to get done to prepare for a new baby's arrival.  Those of you who know me can attest that I am a neat freak and a bit OCD when it comes to cleaning.  Multiply that by about 100 and that's how I'm feeling this week.  I had a list about a mile long of random things we needed to complete before the baby is born.  It's so funny how things we haven't thought about doing in the 3 years we have lived in this house suddenly become "must do's".  And it's true...dad's nest too.  Matt has been in the mood to do projects that have been on our list for a long time.

We are two tasks away from being completely ready for the baby to get here!!  Christmas decorations are up, whole home humidifier has a new filter and is not leaking anymore, floors are mopped, laundry is 100% caught up, sheets are clean, nursery is organized, furniture is rearranged, food is made and in the freezer, Christmas shopping almost done (thanks for finishing it up Kate), hospital bags are packed....the list could go on and on.  Now just need to clean out the microwave and cut down the dead flowers out front.  

This kid has got to wait until next Tuesday evening to come at the earliest.  I am in desperate need of a haircut and I can't get in until Tuesday at 7 p.m.!!  But if he decides to come earlier I guess I can forgive him.  It's becoming very real now that the doctor said he could come at any time.  I can't wait to meet him!!

Guesses Are In...

On Thanksgiving we asked everyone in the family to take a guess as to what date the baby will be born, and his weight.   And some friends guessed too.  There is still time to guess if you want.  Just post a comment with your guess.  I'm posting the list below so everyone can keep track :o)  Good luck!

	Name	Date	Weight
	Erin	12/16	6 lb. 8 oz.
	Matt	12/15	6 lb. 9 oz.
	Debbie	12/15	7 lbs.
	Mike	12/23	6 lb. 2 oz.
	Kate	12/18	7 lb. 4 oz.
	Kyle (Big)	12/17	8 lbs.
	Luke	12/17	7 lb. 1 oz.
	Margo	12/12	6 lb. 2 oz.
	Dawn	12/18	7 lb. 2 oz.
	Greg	12/13	6 lb. 9 oz.
	Shelby	12/21	7 lbs.
	Taylor	12/24	7 lb. 1 oz.
	Kyle (Little)	12/16	7 lb. 3 oz.
	Doug	12/22	7 lb. 5 oz.
	Rhonda	12/20	6 lb. 12 oz.
	Donna	12/23	7 lb. 5 oz.
	Darren	12/25	7 lb. 8 oz.
	Dani	12/26	7 lbs.
	Errick	12/17	8 lbs. 3 oz.
	Gabi	12/21	7 lbs. 9 oz.
	Clay	12/25	7 lbs. 10 oz.
	Mandy Keck	12/21	8 lb. 8 oz.
	Debbie M.	12/31	??

Ann Simonson 12/4  6 lb. 1 oz.
Denise Reeley 12/12  6 lb. 12 oz.

Black Friday

I have to vent about this for a second... Yesterday we drove by Best Buy on our way to Thanksgiving dinner. There were 11 tents set up and a bunch of people gathered around. Someone in our town reported that people had been lined up there since Tuesday evening. I couldn't help but to think how ridiculous it is that people would waste their entire Thanksgiving day standing in line for a $200 TV. When we drove by the line to see it for ourselves, I saw little kids in the line with their parents. I could not believe it. I mean it's stupid that grown adults act like crazy 5 year olds to get a new "toy", but to actually subject your children to this mess is just plain dumb! No wonder we see so many problems with kids today. They are being taught not to give thanks for what they have or who their family is but rather that what they have is not good enough and to want more. Instead of eating a meal with family or donating their time to help feed those in need they are wasting time, freezing their butts off, all for an electronic item. I can tell you that I have gone out on black Friday one time and it was not a terrible experience but I didn't go into it with the mindset of having to walk out with something at the price of pushing and shoving other people. And I would rather cut off my right arm than teach my child it's ok to act like a greedy fool on a day where we should all take a step back to give thanks for the things already present in our lives. Sorry to rant on here.

I have so many things to be thankful for this year and yesterday was a great reflection of that. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time spent with family. And I don't regret not having a $200 TV one bit...

Last Major Milestone

Today we hit 34 weeks!  This is our last major milestone.  Obviously, we would like to make it to 37 weeks because he would be considered full term, but we are sure at 34 weeks that if I go into labor then we can deliver him at Bromenn instead of having to be sent to Peoria.  And that makes me really happy!  Today we had a good report at the doctor.  He is still growing and healthy.  We even saw him making breathing movements today, which is really neat.  My cervix has not changed at all either.  Which is a good thing...but starting soon I'll be asking for prayers that it gets shorter so this baby comes out before Christmas!  No good pictures of the baby today...he was pressing his face up against the amniotic sac, so it looked funny.

We are taking a poll with my family on Thanksgiving to see what date everyone thinks he will be born, and what he will weigh.  If you want in on the poll, you can leave a comment for fun!  My mom says the prize should be the winner gets to babysit, but I'm not entirely sure that we will be leaving him any time soon!!  :)

33 weeks and a lot of funny faces!

We made it to 33 weeks!  One more week to go before we hit our very last goal of this pregnancy.  So hard to believe we are upon that last goal and we could expect him anytime after it.  The waiting game is almost over.  Although we are hoping he will not get here until 37 weeks or later, we are feeling more and more confident each day that passes.  The baby is definitely growing and they say he weighs about 4 lb. 10 oz. this week.  That's a 1 lb. difference from last week.  It seems like just yesterday we were rejoicing over him being 2 lb.  He is almost 5 times bigger than Braelyn was.  My belly is about stretched to the max...but luckily I have somehow avoided stretch marks thus far.  I know, I know...still have a few weeks to go... :)  Baby Corbin was such a ham today and we got a ton of pictures.  We haven't seen him like this in a few weeks, but he still looks just like his daddy.  It's becoming more real each day that soon it will not just be the two of us in the house anymore...can't wait for that day we become a family of 3!!  I think at this point it's safe to say we will be coming home with a baby this time around.

Smiles :)

Yawn or sticking his tongue out at us??

His eye is open in this picture...and he looks exactly like his daddy!

32 Weeks