Lately

 This week has been a normal week for us.  The boys finally went back to school on Tuesday!  Praise the Lord!!! They were glad to go back and I was glad to have a little mommy break.  The rest of our week has consisted of grocery shopping, laundry and just trying to take it easy and put my feet up at night.  

I had my 36 week appointment on tuesday and baby Sydney sounded great and all going well.  No progress right now but my doctor did say she was pretty low and asked if I've had a lot of pressure down low.  Uhm yes, most definitely!  I have felt like I have carried high with each pregnancy but I feel like she is really low right now.  

My doctor mentioned a few weeks ago that since she is my third we could schedule an induction.  The reason would be convenience but also preventing my water breaking at home (or in public)(since it broke on it's own both times) and with number three my labor could be quick so we want to make sure we have this baby at the hospital!  I'm scheduled for an induction for Friday March 20th unless she decides to arrive early!!!  Three weeks from tomorrow EEEEEK!!!

On a sad note - we noticed about a week ago that our sweet 8 year old doxie, Gracie, cannot see and is either going blind or completely blind.  We first noticed when she was running into walls, the laundry basket, she couldn't find the stairs outside and tripped down the stairs.  I totally thought it was her back giving her issues but then we realized that she couldn't follow our hand when holding a treat.  

I took her to the vet yesterday and she confirmed that she indeed is blind in both eyes.  It may or may not be permanent.  The next step is to find out why she is blind.  Her blood pressure was normal so that was ruled out.  She could have this disorder called SARDS, which for unknown reasons, the retina detaches from the eye causing blindness - that's best case scenario.   Or she could have a growth or tumor in her head pressing and causing the retina to detach.  Thankfully she doesn't seem to have any pain with her eyes or head or any discomfort.  Blindness is the only symptom.  We are praying it's just SARDS.  The vet referred us to a vet optimologist to further find out what's going on.  We will see him next week!

35 Weeks

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!  

Sydney Deborah

Movement: She moves constantly!  I'm pretty sure she is head down as it feels like a foot in my ribs most of the time!   She still moves a lot but I'm sure she is starting to run out of room.  

Sleep:  Sleeping good but can be hard to find a comfortable position in-between getting up to go pee.  

What I miss:  Bending over and just having more energy. 

Cravings:  nothing really except fruit and sweet tea!

Symptoms: I get tired so easily.  I'm still working out 5 days a week (except this week I only worked out two days since we were iced in and no school all week)  I am looking forward to getting back in the gym next week.  I don't like to sit in one spot for very long.  I get restless and have to move.   I hate to complain because honestly I am so thankful to have made it this far with a healthy baby and pregnancy.  

I have my 36 week appointment on Tuesday and will see if I'm dilated at all.  

I've been washing up newborn clothes and blankets and getting things ready for my hospital diaper bag!  Eek!!!  It's still hard to believe we are having a baby in less than four weeks!!!  I'm so excited and cannot wait to meet this sweet baby girl.  

  

In typical third baby fashion we have hardly anything ready, haha.  Her room is not painted, no furniture and no bedding yet.  I'm working on getting a painter to paint her room and the furniture should all be in this week so hopefully it will be here soon.  The bedding is ordered but probably won't be here til the second week of March.  Haha!  I just have to laugh.  We have the bassinet, swing and bouncy seat and that's really all we need in the very beginning anyway.  It will all come together eventually.

Snow Days

 

We are currently wrapping up day THREE of SnowBlast 2015.  And school was just cancelled for the rest of the week!  Cue the crazy eye emoji!  I'm over it, as in totally OVER winter!!!  Ole man winter can just go to... well, this snow just needs to go, you are not welcome here.  

We have been homebound since Sunday night.  Snow/sleet came in late sunday night then when things started to clear up yesterday, we got more snow last night.  I love sleeping in and spending time with my precious little boys but I'm about to lose it over here.  I always tell people I love being a stay at home mom but I'm not very good at the "stay at home" part.  I like being on the go.  

Thankfully today the sun came out and even though the temps were still in the teens it warmed up the roads enough to melt the ice so we headed down to the new McAlister's that just opened less than a mile from our house.  Oh sanity in the form of sweet tea!!!  I think the boys were equally glad to get out of the house.  

Matt has been working from home all week and I can tell he's ready to get back in the office and definitely back in the gym.  Honestly the only positive I can find is that I am 35 weeks pregnant, exhausted and all I want to do is chill on the couch and watch mindless tv all day!  

Matt graciously took the boys outside today to play in the snow for the first time this week.  It was so cold they only lasted about twenty minutes.  God bless him!   

Yesterday I made Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls.  They were so yummy!  

This is how Annabelle does a snow/ice day!  Such a lazy dog!  And Gracie is under the blanket right next to her, haha!

 Another must do on a snow day....making rice krispy treats with my favorite five year old.  

Valentine's Weekend

 

On Friday Ryan had his Valentine's party at school.  He has been looking forward to it all week.  

These were the Valentine's that the boys took to school!  Found the idea on pinterest.  Thought it was super cute.  I thought it would be easy but they took me over two hours to cut out and assemble.  

 Ryan's party was fun! Colton sat at the table with the other kids and totally thought he was five years old.  He had a little hard time accepting it was not his party.  He wanted a cupcake but there was not enough for all the siblings.  Then he wanted Valentines.  I had to remind him that his party was the day before.  

My parents came in town for the weekend.  The boys were so excited to see Nana and Granddad.  

Saturday morning Matt had to work but I made the boys heart shaped pancakes to celebrate Valentine's day.  

We had a low key day then Matt and I go to have a date night while my parents watched the boys.  We had a delicious dinner at J.Alenxanders, one of our favorite places.  Then we headed to the grocery store in preparation of the snow storm coming in on Sunday!  So romantic, ha!

Sunday we all headed to church.  We went to First Watch for brunch.  My parents headed back on Sunday afternoon.  The snow/ice was coming in Sunday night and we did't want them to get stuck in the storm.  We always enjoy their visit and they will be back when baby Sydney is born.  

Valentine's Party

 

Today I went to Colton's Valentine's Party at school.  I love seeing him interact with his little friends. Colton was so excited to see me at his party.  I was a little late because I had a doctors appointment but he was so happy when I walked in.  He melts my heart!

For their craft they made these adorable Olaf's!  He was pretty cute before he ate him.  

And I can't go without posting about these adorable goodies for baby Sydney.  It's hard to believe she will be here in less than six weeks!  It's getting very real.  

I love this beautiful and super soft blanket with there monogram.  I never get tired of seeing her monogram.  

I found these two sweet gowns at the baby furniture store on clearance and had to get them.  I took them to a lady here who does embroidering.  They turned out so pretty.  I have to say too that the boys were so cute when I went to pick them up I got in the car and showed them and they both said "awww that's so cute" in the sweetest voices.  They are going to be some awesome big brothers.  

Great Weekend

Saturday morning I met up with these pretty ladies and we headed to the spa for a girls day of pampering.  I got a prenatal massage and the girls got massages and facials.  We have a fun time and laughed until our bellies hurt.  We definitely came away with lots of stories and memories, haha!  

 

After the spa we got cleaned up and headed to 12 South to do some shopping.  The girls loved all the little boutiques and shops.  We started getting hungry so we knew it was time to find a place for dinner.  We ended up at The Tavern in The Gulch.  It was yummy and turned out being a fun place for dinner.  

We stayed up way too late talking and just hanging out.  It was SOoooo good to see then and I enjoyed their visit so much.  I can't wait for our next girls trip!  

Sunday morning Matt had to work and I took the boys to church.  Love this picture of these two little hams.  They melt my heart.  I love this age!  They are really fun these days.  

These two are two peas in a pod.  Ryan loves spending time with daddy and Matt is equally crazy about him.  

And of course this little monkey had to get in the picture too.  He is so funny and so cute.  He keeps us laughing and such a joy!  I love love love these three boys and SO blessed to call them mine. 

Fun Friday

I've been looking forward to this weekend for some time.  Three of my best friends from Cincinnati came to visit on Thursday.  Jayne (in the middle) flew in from Florida were she spends the winter.  She was one of my MOPS mentor moms and I just love her to pieces.  Laura and Kristin drove in Thursday night.  We've done a number of girls trips and I was so excited they decided to come see me this year.  

We stayed up late chit chatting Thursday night and it was just the most fun!  

Friday morning we started our fun girl time.  Ryan had school and my neighbor graciously offered to watch Colton for me.  We started off by shopping in downtown Franklin.  The girls loved all the little boutiques and shops that line main street.  We found some cute stuff before we stopped in for a drink and light snack.  A little more shopping then it was time for me to pick up Ryan.  I got him from school then we headed to Mac N Kate's for lunch.  

My sweet sweet friends showered me with some adorable goodies for baby Sydney.  I felt SO loved.  The food was amazing and Ryan did so well.  I think he actually enjoyed hanging out with the ladies who lunch, ha!  I am SO thankful for these sweet friends/  They are a true treasure.  

I had to go get Colton but the girls continued shopping at The Factory in Franklin.  I met back up with them on Saturday morning for a girls day at the spa.  

Weekend of Sickies

We had a weekend of sickies around here.  Boo!  Ryan had been battling a runny nose and some congestion Thursday and Friday.  On Saturday Matt had to go to work and I cleaned and organized while the boys played.  I told them if they were good we would go to the bookstore to play with the trains (even though they have countless trains at home) and go to lunch at Cracker Barrel.  

By the time Matt made it home in the afternoon Ryan started complaining that his right ear hurt.  Urghh that's not a good sign.  I gave him some tylenol and benedryl before bed hoping that would give some relief.  Unfortunately the pain only got worse.  My poor baby!  I felt so bad for him and wish I could take the pain away.  

After dinner the boys were watching Despicable Me.  They were totally enthralled and loved the movie.  

Ryan's ear only got worse as the night went on.  We tried to get him to calm down and get some sleep but he was just too agitated to sleep, even with me in his bed.  In the middle of the night his ear started bleeding and fluid started coming out of his ear.  I knew his eardrum had more than likely ruptured.  Poor baby!!!!  There isn't anything you can really do for a ruptured eardrum (it sounds worse than it really is).  Thankfully it did provide some relief and he FINALLY fell asleep around 3AM.  

I called the doctor first things Sunday morning and he prescribed some ear drops and said come in on Monday.  The ear drops did help and the doctor put him on antibiotics Monday.  Thankfully he is feeling so much better and on the mend.  Now I'm just praying no one else gets sick.