Quick Update!

Here are a few cute pics of Claire. I couldn't resist posting them!!

This weekend was great! Saturday, I was supposed to get together with some friends from work to have lunch and catch up, but sneaky DJ had planned a suprise shower for me instead! What a great friend! It was so nice of her. I got to see some friends and family I hadn't seen in awhile. We had some really yummy food and they all pitched in to get Ryan and I the awesome stroller you see below. We had talked about getting this stroller, but kept talking ourselves out of it because of the price. Thank you so much everyone for helping with this wonderful gift! It will make life much easier for us in the coming weeks!!As I stated in an earlier post, our crib had been recalled. We got the replacement voucher this past week, so Sunday we headed to Columbus to Babies'r'us to pick out a new crib. Here is the one we decided on. It is kind of like the old one, but has a solid back. Now that that is settled, we can't wait to meet our new little one who will be sleeping in it. Only 11 more days... Claire is getting better about going to bed at night and at naptime (knock on wood)! I really think is has had something to do with getting more teeth. She has been chewing on her fingers like crazy and she doesn't usually have them in her mouth unless she is eating!!

Again, thank you so much (especially DJ) for putting together the surprise shower. It was wonderful and we are looking forward to using the gifts we received soon!

Random Pictures

Here are the pictures I promised along with some cute pictures of Claire. She is such a ham for the camera. Here is my first attempt at putting her hair into pigtails!! Aren't they adorable?????

Here mom...

Eating berries, her favorite thing!!!

Just woke up from my nap!!

Me and mommy!!

My built in seat!! How will I carry her without that bump??

My almost 37 week belly. I didn't think the picture with the shirt quite did it justice. I cannot believe how big I look. I mean, I feel huge, but seeing it is a different story... Only two weeks from today to go!!!

36 weeks, 5 days

I went to the doctor today for my 36 week appointment. He said only one more visit (next week) and then the c-section is scheduled for the following week. Things looked good. I gained a pound or two, my blood pressure was normal (124/60) and despite the frequent Braxton-Hicks nothing is happening yet. Dr. Meyer thinks this baby too is in a breech position. I had my suspicions. It doesn't really matter what position he is in, but I wanted to know. It makes me feel better about having a c-section scheduled. I would really like to try to have a vaginal birth, but not if the baby is breech. Claire was up every hour last night from 1:30 AM on. That really sucked. I just kept thinking, this is more often than a newborn!!! She has to be cutting teeth. Ryan and I are hopeful it won't last long. This too shall pass... I have been meaning to have Ryan take a picture of me, but that hasn't happened yet. I will try to get that done tonight and post it tomorrow. That's the scoop for now!!

Getting closer!!

Well, our family has, at most, 18 days until this new little one joins us! How exciting and scary at the same time. I just pray that I have the strength and patience to take care of two little ones!! We are looking forward to meeting our new little guy and I am definitely ready to be finished with this pregnancy! I have a doctor's appointment later this week, so I'll update again after that. I go every week starting this week. On another note, Claire has decided that she hates naptimes and bedtimes. I don't know what is going on, but it has made things a lot more difficult lately. She had been doing great. We would read our stories and listen to a lullaby, then I would lay her down and tell her good night and love you and she would fall asleep on her own. Now, she is fighting it tooth and nail. As soon as you lay her in her crib she starts wailing and if you walk out of the room she is standing at the rails screaming. I don't know what has caused this change. Maybe she knows change is coming to rock her world soon. I do hope Ryan and I figure this out, because we are both exhausted from it. Last night she fought us until about 1AM!! I'll let you know how things go.

Introducing....

Sophia Lenane

7lbs. 4 0z. , 19 3/4 in. long

Born 6:04 PM July 8, 2008

As many of you already know, Leigh Ann and Patrick welcomed their daughter to the world on Tuesday! She is beautiful and healthy. Leigh Ann is doing well too, though she is pretty sore from delivery. I got to go and visit them yesterday and it was such a treat! It is hard to remember Claire ever being that small, but she was almost exactly that size ( 7lbs. 9 oz., 19 inches long)!! Leigh Ann and Patrick thought Claire had really grown (which she has) but I think it is mostly because she is so much bigger than Sophia! I managed to snap a few pics while I was there, but not many! I believe mom and baby get to go home today! So, Leigh Ann and Patrick CONGRATULATIONS!!! Good luck and enjoy this journey you are beginning!!!

Sophia all stretched out waking up!!

Claire at the hospital. She did really well and didn't even seem to mind when I held Sophia. I told her pretty soon we would be bringing a little baby like that home. I also had a doctor's appointment yesterday, which I ended up taking Claire too (not a good idea). Things were fine, the doctor did check me because I had had some contractions the night before, but she said nothing was happening yet. I gained a pound and measured 35 weeks (I am 34), but it always seems like Dr. Z measures me smaller than Dr. Meyer. I go back in two weeks and then every week after that. I will not be taking Claire back to the Doctor with me if I can help it. She freaked out everytime the nurse or doctor touched me. So, needless to say, my blood pressure was up when we first got there (140/70), but then they had me lay down for a few minutes and it was back to 110/50.

Ryan and I also found out that our crib (the one Claire used for over a year) is one of the recalled ones. I don't think we are going to get the voucher for a replacement in time for this new baby, but we have a cradle to use for the first couple of months anyway.

This summer is flying by. I hope you all are enjoying it!!!

32 week appointment

Just thought I would do a quick update on my pregnancy. I had a doctor's appointment last week and all went well. I gained 2 pounds and was measuring between 34 and 35 weeks instead of at 32. Dr. Meyer said he will just be expecting a baby bigger than 7lbs. 9 oz. (which is what Claire weighed)! I am still feeling pretty good for the most part, but I am getting more and more uncomfortable as this baby takes up more and more room. I only have six more weeks to go at the most and maybe less. I have been busily trying to get ready for this baby and get everything done that I need to get finished before he makes his arrival. I have a little over half of my student teaching portfolio finished (it is due July 15). That is my main goal this week, although I only have about three days to work on it. I am going for CPR and first aid training tomorrow (which is a requirement for student teaching). We are leaving Thursday for a visit to my grandparents over the holiday weekend. So, we are a very busy family and I am a very busy mother. I am hoping Claire takes some good naps so I can get it all done!!! This past weekend we went camping at Alum Creek. It was nice and relaxing once we finally made it there. We were supposed to go for two nights, but only ended up going for one because of the weather and some other unexpected events. Claire loved it. She met lots of new doggie friends! She thought we should visit all of the dogs we ran into. It was too cute. She also got to see some bunnies and squirrels. Well, I should get back to work on my portfolio. I will hopefully update again soon...

Busy, Busy, Busy

Alright, so I almost took a nap instead of updating my blog, but I decided against it since I am so far behind. We had a great time at the zoo, waterpark and the race. I have pictures from the zoo, but not the waterpark or the Michigan race. First here are some random pictures of Claire being cute as usual!

Cooling off on one of the hot days!

Playing with mommy's shaving gel is fun!!!

Hi, I feel better already!!

Claire's hair is long enough it is starting to get into her eyes, but I don't want to cut it yet. So, despite the protests, I managed to pull it up into a "pony tail." I think it is cute, daddy doesn't quite agree!

What, you lookin' at me???

Just bein' cute!

Here are the pictures of our zoo trip. Claire loved it, especially the flamingos and turtles! I think those were her two favorites. She kept trying to go back to the flamingos though!

Ready to go!!

Flamingos, flamingos, flamingos...

Daddy and Claire watching the gorilla! This chimp would smile every time you put your hand on the glass! Big Cat...we had never seen it this close before Claire with the turtles Claire and Daddy in the reptile house My personal favorite!! And actually awake! Getting sleepy and grumpy Ryan feeding the birds Last weekend, we traveled to Van Wert for a short visit with Ryan's side of the family and Leigh Ann's baby shower. Here are some of the shower pictures!

The diaper cake before adding the decorations! After the decorations Leigh Ann and Jess (trying to avoid the camera) Opening her gifts. She got a lot of great stuff!!

Leigh Ann's mom Kelly holding Macayla (Jess's daughter) and Lynette's mom Judy.

Judy, Kelly, Macayla, Julie, and Jess

Leigh Ann practicing with Macayla (you ready,mama???)

More gabbing... Lynette we missed you in this photo!! Julie, Leigh Ann, Me (Natalie), Jess, and Macayla

Then it was over, when the fat ladies sang... Julie, due Aug. 18, Leigh Ann, due July 18, and Me, due August 16 This weekend, Ryan, Claire, the dogs, and I are going camping! I am looking forward to it, although the weather forecast isn't looking good. Then the following weekend (July 4th weekend) we are going back to Indiana to visit my grandparents at the lake. Then I think we finally have an unscheduled weekend to look forward to, although it will probably end up scheduled before we know it!!