I went to the Dr. yesterday and I have not progressed any further, so I feel like once again I am in hold mode. There is still the issue that I have not ever been this far along at this point or feeling this much going on, so there is a chance I will still go early, but for now I feel like I am back to my normal deliveries. All in all, I am pleased that this baby gets some more cooking time for his sake and mine. Large has his class festival at his school on Tuesday, and I would really like to be able to make it to that (That reminds me, I still need to make his costume for that too).

Good news is that all that scared me into getting everything done for the baby and then some. Since my last post, I have been a busy little bee(OK, little may be an understatement. Have you seen me lately??). I have things put aside to be packed for the hospital and made my list, I sewed a valance for my neighbor, made invites for L's class festival, made some note cards for friends and L's teacher(and even sold some).

In the mean time, I am awaiting the UPS truck. I ordered several things last week/weekend that should be arriving today. I am glad they made it before the baby (of course I am saying this 10 hours before the truck arrives, I may have just jinxed myself). One is his diaper bag and the other is the absolutely necessary vacuum cleaner. I have been without one for 2 weeks. Thankfully, my girlfriend brought hers over this past weekend and even vacuumed my house for me. So it is not as bad as it could be.

So for now, I will await the UPS truck and maybe that will keep my mind off of baby. We are anxious to meet the little guy, but we want what is best for him. I'd like him to be at least 38 weeks, but our Father in Heaven may have other plans, and His plans are always more perfect than mine.

Please keep us in your prayers and please pray for a happy, healthy baby and a smooth delivery.

I went in for my first exam today with my Doctor. I was anxious to see if there was any progress, since I have been having some contractions and back aches. I was both surprised and not surprised to hear that I was 1 cm and 30% effaced. I know to some of you that may not seem like that big of a deal. However, my history has been that I always make it to my due date and even on my last Dr's exam I am rarely more than a fingertip. I do not start progressing until I begin labor. I walk in for delivery when I am only 2 or 3 cm's. The nurses are usually skeptical, but I deliver that day. This pregnancy could just be different, but if this is anything like my other pregnancies, I am sensing an early delivery. We shall see.

I now have all the babies clothes washed and the gear down from the attic washed and cleaned. Now I will be in hyper mode to get some things done. I still have a bag to pack and some wishful items on my to-do list. I better get crackin'!

Yesterday we went to Barry's parents' house to visit their new wired-haired dachshund puppy named Ruby. She is so cute and the boys loved her immediately. Small in particular seemed quite fond of her. He has just latched onto a very small stuffed dog that he has affectionately named "Doggie". I think Ruby reminded him of his Doggie. Since our Chocolate Lab, Sydney, entered the picture, he has been terrified of dogs, even little ones. So, it was very cute to see him liking this puppy so much. He kept saying, "Wook, Mama, Puppy" I let Small put Ruby in his lap and he held her tight. Not too tight though, he was actually very gentle with her. Except for the occassion when she would walk away from him, and he would try to bring her back by her neck. :) Medium also wanted to hold Ruby and every time I would let him, Small would scream, "NO, MY DOGGIE"! Ha! If we weren't having a baby in 4 weeks or less, I'd be very tempted to get a little puppy like Ruby. I will say though, if anyone would like to trade a well behaved, low key small 2 year-old dog, for a happy, fun-loving, ENERGETIC, beautiful 2 year-old Chocolate Lab, I may have a deal for you!

Today is 5 weeks to XS's due date. I have finished washing and folding baby clothes, now I just need to get them to the drawers. Good news though, the drawers are empty and ready to receive them. I also felt it a necessity to spend this evening finding a take-home outfit for XS. Things are moving along, but somehow I feel not quite fast enough. The past few days I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions, pressure and back aches. I haven't really ever had the Braxton Hicks until right around due date time, so this kicked me into high gear. I know, it probably means I should slow down, but now I'm a little concerned we will be having the baby much earlier than the others. I will go in for my next appointment on Tuesday and will be having my first exam. I don't usually make any progress until I start into actual labor, so I will be quite surprised to find it any different on Tuesday, but you never know.

I had a good time shopping with my mom tonight as we looked to fill the gaps for baby clothes. We found some really great deals and some adorable outfits. I found big brother/little brother shirts for the hospital. I'll try and take some pics tomorrow and add them to the blog. I still need to pack a diaper bag, but first I need to get one. I'm tired of the old one's (that could be a whole blog post in and of itself), and ready for something a little different. In the past, I've had very utilitarian diaper bags from Land's End that have been great, and while they have lasted through every kid, I'm ready to actually carry something around that looks like a purse. I'm debating on just getting a large purse and adding a skip hop changing pad/kit to go in it, or get a Pottery Barn diaper bag I've had my eye on. Hmmm, better make my decision quick!

There are many more things to do, but I am slowly checking off my lists(It might help if I stop adding to them). Even though I tend to have lofty goals when I am nesting(and this time I started too late), deep down I know that this baby will come when he's ready and even if my "wish list" is not complete it will be OK. With this being my fourth, I know what things are really important and what things just aren't that big of a deal. I can't wait to meet this new little one, but if he could just hold off a bit longer, that would be great! :)

Here are more pics of the progress in Large's new room. In between painting Large's room and the stripes, I worked on painting this find. The desk was a Craig's List find for $20 and the chair was from IKEA. I painted them both up and this is the result...


Last week I painted a background on a canvas that matches the colors of his room and then gave him several color options and let him go to town painting his own masterpiece for his room. He decided on a Star Wars Spaceship. Of course Medium wanted to get in on the painting, so he got to water color while Large worked on his painting. I was finally able to get a pic of him working on the painting. At first he wouldn't let me because it wasn't finished. He's a typical temperamental artist. :)


Here's the finished piece of work...
I'll be posting the final room pics soon with all of these items in place. I have had fun working on his room, but it's time to move on to the baby. Poor thing has gotten no attention at all. :)

Just thought I would update everyone on what has been going on. We are rotating the rooms. Large is getting his own room as viewed in our video announcing the baby to the boys. He is getting the guest room and will soon reap the wonderful privilege of getting to clean his own bathroom. :) Medium moves up in the bunkbed of the room he and Large shared, and Small moves in and has earned his spot in the Big Boy Bed.

As a recap, you can go here to see the before picture of the guest room. Yes, it had a bit of a feminine touch, but there is very little of that still in this house now. Here is a picture of the prep before painting over the pink flowers...




My dear friend, Angie came over and helped me plan out and execute the stripes on the wall. She helped me get everything marked and taped off, and then Barry and I painted the stripe colors the next day. I think Large thought we were crazy before we got the tape off the wall. Here is the pic of before pulling the tape.





I had a little touch up to do after this, but I am very happy with the results, and more importantly so was Large. I must say that I was quite surprised with how much I enjoyed striping the walls, and how quickly it went. I was ready to keep striping things, but I have more important things left on my to-do list. More pictures to follow...

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. The baby countdown on the side of this blog has been wigging me out. As soon as I heard we were having another boy, my first thought is that there is nothing to do; we have everything boy. Problem is, there was still plenty to do, and I didn't really get started till after Christmas. We have been busy getting rooms ready and I still have plenty to do for baby. I still have not pulled things down from the attic, so no baby clothes washed, no baby gear washed or ready, it's as if we are not expecting a baby in 5 or less weeks. So, forgive us for the lack of posting, but I'm hoping to add some today.