Still pregnant {37 weeks}

Well, this time last week I was convinced Hattie was well on her way, now I'm not so sure.  She may stay in there forever.  These seem to be the weeks where time stands still.  Everything has gone so fast up until this point.  I need a distraction!  All of the rooms in my house are decorated now and I have nothing left to do, so let's have this baby already!

I went to the hospital on Saturday night after a super low kick count.  I really wasn't concerned, but I called my doctor as I was instructed to do, and after I had taken all home measures to get her to move (o.j., sugary treats, and oh yeah, a taco), and he (dr. on call) told me to go into labor and delivery and be monitored just to be safe.  It was nearly midnight and Rhett was awake with an awful barking cough, so I ended up going by myself to labor and delivery so that we didn't have to bother our neighbors for a sitter.  By the time I got there and was all checked in, she was moving all over the place.  I told the nurse, but they still had to monitor me (for 3 stinking hours) and report back to the doctor.  After we determined everything was just fine, I was so tired and worn out.  It was nice to hear her little heartbeat for so long, and to see all of the contractions I was having, as proof, on paper.  They also checked me and I was glad to know that I was 60% effaced.  I was not effaced at all as of last Tuesday, but was dilated to a 2.  The nurse explained a lot to me.  Apparently with your first pregnancy you efface first, or as you dilate, but with subsequent pregnancies it happens after, and sometimes all at once.  Who knew?!  Oh, my nurse was the very same nurse that I had when we first checked into the hospital with Jude, Cathy.  It was fun to catch up with her!

I'm just so excited to meet this baby girl.  I can't wait to see her face and snuggle her in my arms.  I can't wait for the boys to see her for the first time.  I can just imagine Rhett's excitement and sweet demeanor.  One of my very favorite first moments with my boys was looking into their little eyes for the first time.  I talk to them right away because I assume they will recognize my voice and be comforted from all of the scariness of what they've just been through.  AHHH, I can't wait!  What and who will she look like? The anticipation is almost too much!

Big boy room {#2}

Poor Rhett...this room has been a while in the making.  I think I started it last fall, so let's not do the math on that.  My style, and budget require time to collect and gather just the right stuff.  I didn't care to fill his room with a bunch of matchy unnecessary things.  I wanted just the right pieces that are grown up enough, yet still young enough for him to enjoy now.  This room will be with us for a while, so I want to make it count!

I just got the monogrammed pillows back today.  They were the last decorative item I was really waiting on.  Pillows are my love language.  There are no less than 6 on every bed in this joint.  

I'm still up in the air on the headboard.  My plan as of late was to make a white linen headboard trimmed with silver nailhead.  However, I'm really digging the vintage iron headboards i'm seeing in magazines, so I'm keeping an eye out and my options open.  

Giraffe growth chart has been around the block.  It was handed down to us when Jude was a baby from the family I nannied for in college.  The little bear ottoman and lion head also came from that family.  I love them all!  

These vintage milk crates are my favorite!  I picked them up at a flea market in IL and added the casters  to them.  We have one in Hattie's room too.  They are perfect for housing all of Rhett's little loves.  

The artwork on the wall are original Martin boy canvas abstracts.  We painted them in IL when Rhett was 10 months old.  If you look closely you can see his little toe prints:).  Both are signed with tiny handprints on the back, of course.  

If you ever see a globe at a garage sale or flea market, buy it.  Don't hesitate.  I love them and have them all over my house.  They are so fun and colorful and add so much to any space.  My mom collected most of these for Rhett last year when I started his room.  

Update {Week 462}

36 weeks and counting.  These past few weeks have been a busy but good time.  We've had friends in from out of town, Rhett started Mother's day out and Hattie is making progress to meeting us face to face.

I think my body is officially done being pregnant...so is my husband.  Last night he told me that he hopes that she comes soon so that we can ALL stop being miserable.  What!?  Okay, so maybe I'm super tired and a little more on edge than usual, but seriously.  He almost got five across the eye for that one, and quickly realized what he said and how those may not have been the best choice of words in that moment:).  Bless his heart, he just wants his wife back.  The one who is so not so short tempered and irritable all hours of the day.

Anyhoo....Hattie is ready to come.  She told me.  In all seriousness I think she needs a few more weeks to grow in there, but I'd be fine with her coming in 2 weeks or so.  She was still measuring fairly small at my 36 week appointment.  Right under 33 weeks was their estimate.

I had gained 28 pounds up until  this week, but lost 2 pounds in the last 3 days.   I think I'm going to stop working out at this point and take it easy.  I'm never hungry anymore and I threw up this morning...out of nowhere.  With both of my boys I started losing weight (about a pound a week) at 36 weeks.  I really want her to be growing and gaining in these last few weeks, especially since she is measuring a bit small.

I was dilated to a 2 at my appointment this week, so I'm happy that some progress is being made.  My doctor said that we can schedule an induction for the 39th week, so that means I would only have two and a half weeks to go, but I'm on the fence.  I've never wanted to be induced, but it sure would make things easier having two other kids at home who I have to arrange care for.  My boys were both 10 days early on their own and they never made it to their induction date, so I will probably go ahead and schedule it and pray she comes when she's ready.  Either way, I'm just ready to see her sweet face!

This pic will have to serve as my 36 week photo..

My sweet friends from college got together this past weekend and we went out to celebrate Hattie.  Sarah treated me to a pedicure, and Aja, Nina and I went out to eat and spent the night reminiscing and chatting it up.  It was wonderful.  We don't get this opportunity often, so it was really special.  They also showered me with special gifts and I was so overwhelmed by all of their sweetness.  Love these girls!  

I mentioned that Rhett started mom's day out.  He did, and it's the cutest.  He sort of has a love/hate relationship with the concept of school, but overall he has done really well.  He wakes up early and tells me that he doesn't want to go to school, but once he's there he has so much fun.  He has been coming home singing songs and doing cute little motions.  The other day he told me that, "R.E.D. spells red".  Here are some pics of his first day..

This kid...so silly.  

His breakfast of choice was a sausage biscuit and o.j. from McDonalds.  

He's not so sure about this anymore.  

I'm getting really excited for the cooler weather that's heading our way.  Once Hattie is here I can't wait to enjoy a hot beverage on the back porch and snuggle my girl in a cozy blankie.  I love it!  

A player at heart

I love this picture.  It pretty much sums up the joy this kid has for the game of baseball.  Everyday when his daddy gets home the question is always the same, "Can we play some ball, dad?"  I love that he loves something this much at such a young age.  He has a passion for it, a drive, and it's so fun to see that in him.  It's nothing we've forced on him, it's just in him.  I also love that his daddy never turns him down for a game of catch.  

I heart #33.

Have I ever mentioned on here how much I love Jude's little gullet?  I do, and frankly, I will cry when it is gone.  It keeps him a baby to me just a little bit longer.  It is shrinking, as he slowly becomes gigantic on me, but I love the above pic because you can see it. 

He had such a great first season.  I'm so thankful we didn't rush into t-ball last year.  Dallas didn't want to start him off too early, and I think it was the right call.  This year coach pitch was a success.  Looking forward to many more years of watching my boy from the bleachers.  

Severely behind...

So this is a bit of a catch-all post.  A picture dump.  Here's what's been happening at the Martin home for the past few...

 The boys participated in their first lemonade stand.  We had lots of customers. 

 Dallas turned 32!  I failed to find the candles for the cake, but made up for it by getting him Apple TV for his special day:). 

 Cousins!  My sister and her three wee ones stopped by for a quick visit 2 times, both on their way to and from my dad's house.  It was so great to see them and the boys loved it!  Jude is especially smitten with Ellie, the oldest.  Luke looks like he could just join right into our little family here with that white head.  

 33 weeks I have been cooking this sweet baby girl.  It's getting close and I'm starting to feel the weeks adding up.  I'm feeling puffy all over and ready to meet her.  Doc still thinks she is small, but says my due date will remain the same, she'll just be a small baby.  She was 3 lbs 12 oz at my 32 week appointment and ultrasound.  

My sweet boy started KINDERGARTEN!  I was so emotional the night before, but managed to hold it together when we took him and dropped him off into someone else's care for 6-1/2 hours.  I've been a wreck ever since:).  

He didn't get the teacher he had hoped for, but I was super happy for the one he got.  I've heard great things.  He thought she had "witch hair" but seemed to get over that pretty quickly.  

He did such a great job and was such a big boy.  His teacher had all good things to say about him.  Rhett and I visited him at lunchtime and he was so happy to see us.  He did cry a little, but was super brave when it came time to get back to class.  I'm so proud of him.  Today was his second day and he came home with a dollar.  We asked him where he got it and he said his new best friend gave it to him. I asked what his name was and he said, "I don't know, some black kid".  We'll have to work on names.  

Meanwhile, Rhett and I have been adjusting to being alone together all the live-long day.  It's nice to have this time with him, but he misses brother.  Sometimes he'll just get extremely whiny and can't tell me what's wrong.  Yesterday he cried and said, "I just want to eat some crackers with Jude."  He starts a Mother's Day Out program next week, and I think he will welcome the distraction a few days a week.  About 6 times a day he lifts up my shirt, puts his hand on my tummy and says, "I want to talk to baby Ha-ee." He also pats my belly, and if I say she's moving he will run over to me an put his dimply little toddler hand on the side of my tummy and look at it until he feels something or gets bored, whichever comes first.  I'm so thankful for this special time with him.  He's really never had it as the second child.

Jude had is very first flag football game today.  It was pouring down rain and that made for double the fun.  The kids had a blast and his team won!  

We finally have an office! 

We brought this trestle table back from IL strapped to the top of our car..classy, I know.  It was in 7 pieces, but Dallas got it put back together in no time.  I was impressed with his wood working skills!  This table has been in my family since I was born.  A neighbor made it for us as a dining table for a project in his woodworking class at Miami of Ohio.  It is made from solid cherry.  My dad later used it as a desk for years, and no longer needed it after his move to the lake.  It's been broken, sitting in my sister's garage for a year, so I jumped on the opportunity to have it in my home.  This is a much improved office from the tiny built-in off of our kitchen.  That will now be a homework space for Jude.  I still need to get some wall calendars and bulletin boards hung, but besides that, not much else will go in this room.  There is a leather chair and ottoman in one corner, and I'm on the hunt for a cowhide rug.  I'm super excited to have a dedicated office space..I've never had that before!  

So, now I feel a little more caught up:).  Hope everyone is doing well and having a great back to school season.  Can't wait for fall weather!

Hattie's room

My goal with Hattie's room was to create a space she can grow into.  A room where in two years we can remove her crib, replace it with a big girl bed and call it good!  I tried to use a lot of what I already had, make things, find items second hand and repurpose anything I could.  I think the rug is the only brand new item purchased for her room.  

The ruffled curtains really helped "girly" up the space. 

Measuring stick looks really dark in the bright sunshine.  

Love this little pouf!  

Getting all of the necessary essentials washed and ready!  

There you have it.  Now all we need is a sweet faced little baby to put in it:).