The end of the pregnancy and things I don't want to forget

We are just days away from meeting Baby J. We will go in at 615am on Thursday, April 19 to have a c-section. The end or this pregnancy has been a little complicated.

At my 37 week appointment we had a sonogram to check on the size of the baby. At this appointment we learned that my amniotic fluid level was really low. This is bad for Baby J because he needs this fluid to breath in my tummy. (I had this same problem when I was pregnant with Jackson) So after a few other tests it was determined he was not in any stress so I was sent home on strict bed rest. The doctor did not want to do a csection that early just in case his lungs were not ready. I went back the next day for the same tests where we learned my fluid levels went up a little bit. So I was sent home again on strict bed rest. I went back again a few days later and my levels were even higher.... so I have been on bed rest since 37 weeks. It has worked well and my levels are where they need to be and Baby J has gotten to grow a bit bigger and stronger. All worth it, although I have not been the best person to be on bed rest.
Luckily my work has been amazing, letting me work shorter hours and getting me all set up on a couch in my office. So although I was a little grouchy at times it all worked out for the best. Jackson has done pretty well and of course Justin has had to help out a lot more which he has been great to do!

Now the sweet stories.... for the most part Jackson has been really excited and sweet the last few weeks. He is 4 and falls apart from time to time. It seems he can tell things are going to change and is a little clingy to me.

He has been very funny to try to think up names for the baby. He will make up a random "J" word and then he will ask if that is the baby's name? He also will put his hand on my tummy and say..."do you feel that? I think that is his bottom?" He often talks about what jobs he gets to do with the baby so we are hopeful he will be a big helper.

The sweetest story has been Jackson's concern for me. On several occasions he has said "I want you to be part of the group." He is very concerned that I will be the only girl in the house. I reassure him I am happy to be the only girl and that I know I will always have 3 great boys to help take care of me. He still seems very concerned. He will end the conversation by saying "You can still be my best friend."

38 weeks

Easter 2012

We spent Easter at home this year. Justin's parents traveled to us and we also were able to spend some time with my family. Just a nice weekend!

Baby J's Nursery

Baby J's nursery is all done and ready for our newest little guy... we are all getting excited. We have about 8 weeks left! I know it is going to go so fast and our lives are going to change so much.
The Tree- came in a million pieces- took 6 hours to put up. Justin did most of it but Jackson and I also both helped. We are super happy with the way it turned out!
The "art" This was something I found and loved... I could have bought about 4 other cute ones too... They say "Someday I'll have Big Muscles" and "Someday I'll be somebody's Prince Charming."
The crib skirt- I made it! I even went a little rouge on the directions and it actually turned out well! It is actually reversible too...
The Curtains- half way home made... I put the trim on them to match the crib skirt.
The blank wall.... We have two brown birds and the name to put on this wall... we will put it up once we are home... keeping the name a surprise! I am actually doing really well with this secret (for once).

Fun Fun Events

We have been busy attending some fun events! We figure we should get some big kid stuff in before Baby J comes.
We went to Sesame Street Live at Sprint Center.
We also went to Monster Jam at Sprint Center. Complete with Pit Passes we were able to walk down on the dirt and were able to get real close to the MONSTER TRUCKS! They really are huge and more that they are big... they are LOUD. We had a really good time.

This is Monster Mutt; he was our favorite!

Two totally different events....

Maui Wowie

We went on a trip to Maui in January! Here are the details...

Justin received an awesome award at work... Peak Achievement Award. People are nominated by other co workers and then selected by senior leaders. It is about 200 employees of the thousands across the entire company of TMobile. It really is a huge deal, once in a lifetime award and was such a big honor for Justin. By far this is the biggest award you can receive at TMobile! Justin is so modest but this really was great recognition for the amazing hard work he puts in at Tmobile.

So the reward for the award... an all expense paid trip to Maui for 2!!! Luckily Justin picked me to go with him.... So we made plans for Jackson to be in great hands and Justin and I packed for 6 nights away from home. This was the longest we had been away from Jackson... luckily it did not phase him one bit! He stayed with Mimi and Poppy and really enjoyed his time.

We were treated fabulously while in Maui. We stayed at the Sheraton Maui Resort, were greeted with new shade from Maui Jim on the second day and fed great meals all week. We got to go on a snorkel and sailing excursion and also a traditional Luau. We also rented a jeep and made the journey to Hana down a winding road through the rain forest. It was perfect! The weather in Maui was about 80 degrees each day. We loved every moment and truly relaxed. This time of year is special in Maui as it is Whale season... yes... humpback whales travel from Alaska to Maui each January through March. It was so fun to see them just flopping around in the water about 100 yards off the shore. Not to mention a few other fun events- a wonderful dinner out (date night in Maui rocks), Justin "cliff jumping" and lots of time by the pool.

This was a once in a life time experience that we will never forget!
Of course baby J was with us... I was 26 weeks pregnant on this trip- we did great!

Jackson's 4th Birthday

Jackson is 4! This was his golden birthday turning 4 on January 4th!

We had a week long of celebrations. Of course- this is how it should be!

We started with our family celebration which included a trip to Dave and Busters to play some games and then lunch at TRex. While waiting for our table at TRex- Jackson was able to "Build a Dino" He created Super Dino. Which went along great with our birthday theme this year- Super Heroes.

On his actual birthday he had preschool- so Justin and I both enjoyed lunch with Jackson at school- a Happy Meal of course. He then shared firetruck cookies with his friends. Wefinished the day with Chick Fil A for dinner and opened gifts. His gift from us this year was playmobile toys... which he really seems to like. Yes- Jackson choose to dress up and wear a tie on his 4th birthday....
The weekend after his birthday was full of fun as Justin's family came in and stayed at our home for the weekend. We also had a big family pizza party at our home with both sides for a total of 18 people. Jackson also had his BIG birthday party. This year we held his party at Blue Valley Park and Rec- he had fun in the play gym and eating cake and snacks with friends and family. We are so grateful for everyone who helped us celebrate!

Christmas 2011

So.... each Christmas season seems to fly by. We try to hard to remember the reason for the season and also try to help Jackson understand what "giving" is all about. This year we tried to have Jackson help us with some donations as well as with understanding that we are so lucky to have gifts under the tree.

Our holiday season was full of love and happiness even with a few 3 almost 4 year old bumps along the way. Jackson is turning into a strong willed little boy who likes to "discuss" everything. He has characteristics of both Justin and I... not always the best ones. So we are learning and growing and seem to be really trying to figure out this parenting thing... and losing our minds a bit too. Back to Christmas.

Some of our traditions/ activities this year included:
Picking out the perfect Christmas Tree
Going on a luminary walk at the Overland Park Arboretum and visiting with Santa while there
Walking through the crazy Christmas light neighborhood near our house on Thanksgiving night
Foxy Brown- our Elf on the Shelf- he gets in lots of trouble but we loved having him for the first time this year.
A trip to the Plaza to see the lights, enjoy dinner and go on a carriage ride.
Jackson's Christmas Program at preschool
Baking cookies and bring them to our neighbors
For our Christmas holiday we enjoyed a great few days together. On Christmas Eve we went to Open Gym where Jackson was able to run, jump and play for a few hours. We attended church at 4pm along with Mimi and Poppy and then headed over to JJ and Gretchen's house for a great Christmas Eve Dinner. Jackson loves crazy times with his cousin's. We then headed home to put out "reindeer" food in the front lawn, set out milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and also read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year I also made some PJ's for Jackson.
Christmas morning Jackson actually slept in a bit until about 645am... then it was presents, making homemade Cinnamon rolls and staying in our PJ's until 4pm!! Mimi and Poppy were with us for the morning and Justin's Parents came for dinner and to stay the night to celebrate with us also. We spent the day relaxing and playing with our newest toys!


Some of Jackson's favorite gifts were:
Vroom Vroom Race Track
Firetruck
Glow in the Dark Watch
Fireman Boots