Answered prayer...

After my ranting late last night (it was after 10:00 pm), I took half an Ambien and went to sleep. This morning I called my amazing friend, Melodie (who only lives about 5 minutes away and I have known since 1st grade) and asked her when her parents would be back in town (they have been like parents to me growing up). She said on July 1st. Well that won't help.

I poured my heart out to her about how frustrated and stressed I was about someone watching the kids. She simply stated that she would come over no matter what time of the day. I hadn't really considered her since she just given birth 3 months ago (oh and the birth story is amazing. This is her 4th child and 2nd daughter. She has really fast, non-medicated labors and right as she got to the pushing stage, the doctor declared that the baby was breech and she didn't know how to deliver breech. Another doctor was called. He was 30 minutes away so Melodie couldn't push for that long. When he arrived, she pushed and her little girl came right out and Melodie didn't tear at all!)

So the plan is for her to be "on-call". She and her little one will spend the night and her husband will drop the kids off on his way to work. My girls are thrilled with this plan as they love their "aunt" Melodie and her kids. They are especially thrilled to spend some time with her new baby ;).

God sure answered that prayer fast, lol. I feel so at peace now and not anxious that I actually want to wait until Friday afternoon to go into labor so Melodie's husband will be home on Saturday to help her out.

(so now you know that baby will probably come tonight....)

I'm so stressed

This baby shows no signs of coming anytime soon. I'm having no contractions and feel fine. I was due on Sunday.

On top of that, we really have no one to watch our kids while we're in labor. We were counting on Brian's parents to come over but they leave for Texas tomorrow. Brian called our good friends, the Payne's, and they are willing to come out at a moment's notice (until Thursday). There is a big church wedding this Saturday and they are heavily involved in helping out.

I'm only comfortable leaving all the kids here for about 1 hour. Lauren is almost 12, Maddie is almost 11 and Ava just turned 9. They are really responsible and I'm not worried that they may do something bad. I'm worried something bad will happen to them. Fortunately the hospital where I'll deliver is about 5 blocks away.

In a pinch, Brian will drop me off at the hospital and I'll labor and deliver alone. Won't be fun, won't be ideal but I would be able to relax knowing the kids are taken care of. The nurses at our hospital are wonderful.

I'm just going to pray that someone will be available when I'm in labor.

Nope, no baby yet....

No baby yet. I think it will be next Thursday which is depressing to think about. I'm just trying to keep myself busy.

Yesterday was Ellie's 4th birthday. She was so excited to turn 4. So far she's scored a Cinderella coloring book from sisters, flowers from Daddy, cake, ice cream and a dress I made her. The dress matches the coming home gown that the baby will be wearing. She loves that! She has big plans for this baby and talks about how they will be best friends.

A few days ago I asked her what she wanted for her birthday dinner. I had been telling her how I was taking a whole chicken, sticking a can of pop up its bottom and grilling it. She said she wanted chicken for her birthday dinner but not with pop up its bottom, just regular.

Ellie is our little firecracker and always has been. She was an easy pregnancy and an excellent baby. She's incredibly smart and helpful. She loves her role as big sister to Graedon and sometimes tries to mother him (which he does not like). She keeps up with her sisters and they include her in almost everything they do.

She's a special little girl to us and I can't wait to see how she interacts with her new sister (if she would ever get here).

Hopefully my last...

I just got back from *hopefully* my last doctor's appointment before this baby comes. I'm due June 14th according to my calculations and one ultrasound but June 17th according to the doctor. Dr. Mears thinks I'll have the baby this week though. I hope so! I'm soooooo ready to meet her and see my feet again.

I've run out of "must do" projects so you can find me wandering around trying to find something to occupy my time. Sometimes I'll decide to clean out a closet, scrub kitchen shelves, organize my sewing room, but most of the time I just wander and peek in on what the girls are doing.

I don't like being idle but I also don't want to start a project that I have to abandon to give birth. I think I'll do some sewing for the kids. It is really rewarding seeing them wearing and enjoying something I've made.

Well off to rub down a pork roast. I'm making pulled pork for dinner tomorrow and this thing needs to marinate in the rub for 24 hours. I know I still need to post for Ava - hopefully later today!

Happy 9th Birthday Ava!

Okay - so your birthday was yesterday ;) I promise to write up a post about you soon - maybe even before you turn 10.

My sweet boy...

Brian took Grae and I to Target the other day to buy some flip-flops for my hugely water-logged feet. No shoes would fit.

I sat down and started trying them on. I've never liked flip-flops (or thongs as Brian was trying to call them) but I have no choice at this point.

Grae was going crazy trying on shoes. He loves walking around the house in any shoes but his own, so he was in shoe heaven.

At one point he spotted a pair of pink "crocs" - you know the Target faux brand. He put them on. I wasn't paying much attention at that point as I was still trying to cram my swollen feet into various sizes and shapes of flip-flops. Did you know they sell flip flops that look like they have been worn in the trenches of WWII? Is that called desconstructed? Are the strings and dirt part of the charm? Anyway...

I did pay attention however as Grae grabbed the following shoe and jammed the heel right into my thigh. "Ow," I yelped. Grae simply said "All done, " hobbled away, put the shoe back and picked up another one that looked equally painful. He was on his way toward me again. This time I asked him was he was doing.

"I the doctor," he said. "Doctor hurt self," and jammed the shoe at me again (only this time softer).

I finally realized what he was doing. The nurse at my doctor's office wears pink crocs and she gave him shots about 1 month ago. As soon as she was done with the shots, she had said "all done." I had no idea that Grae would remember that event, let alone that she wears pink crocs. I am amazed at how smart this little boy is and his memory. He is not even two yet!

So as he hobbled away in his pink crocs (that Brian would not let him buy), I finally found a pair of flip flops that fit, were comfortable and only cost $10. It was a fun trip and probably my last trip to a store until the baby comes. Of course I keep saying that. We are going to walk down to Tuesday Farmer's Market next Tuesday (which is a few days before I'm due). We need to buy some Oregon Strawberries. We usually buy enough to make freezer jam for the whole year. There is nothing like the taste of Oregon Strawberries!

So I'm off to take a nap (or more than likely do some laundry).

More landscape work

We've been working hard the month of May to get some of our hardscaping and plants in. I want to relax and enjoy the backyard and our new little girl in June. Looks like I get to do that!

Brian called today to let me know he found a free standing swing for the backyard. He found it on Craigslist and the lady is only two blocks away! She only wanted $50. We've been looking at spending $169 so this is a great savings. Next year Brian is going to build a cedar arbor and put a cedar swing in it so this is only temporary.

Now without further ado: our backyard work in progress.

When we moved in:
Now. The "playhouse" for the girls in the corner is not quite finished. We are going to put an open pitched roof and some stairs. It is made of 4/4 pressure treated fir and cedar.
Here is the same corner a month ago: Before: Now: We planted some shade loving hosta, ferns, astilbe, ground cover, fushia and dianthus.
The huge lilac in our yard has a split down the middle. Pefect for a secret garden path. We've planted some grasses, sedums and thyme around the rock garden bridge. Oh and Brian's newest brainstorm.We had some cabinent doors leftover from the bathroom remodel so I painted them with chalkboard paint and Bri hung them by the hinges. The girls are having fun chalking out in their play area.

The backyard is really starting to come together. Of course we have tons more work to do ;) It looks really nice in person. You'll have to come over to see it.