Another Baby Update

Well, the baby has dropped! Today Dr. Hudson said "it could be anytime...tonight, tomorrow, 2 weeks from now..." I had to laugh at that "timeline" of sorts. :) I'm still having contractions and while they are getting stronger, they aren't at all consistent.

We're ready though. We're all packed, my mom gets here tomorrow, David finished the cradle, the outdoor Christmas decor is up (don't judge - the presents are all bought, wrapped and delivered and the CC envelopes are all addressed too...I did all that over the summer) and I got everything on my to do list done. It's funny though, now that the house is spotless, I am being a little OCD about constantly cleaning up after us. I wash a dish as soon as it's used, I'm doing a load of laundry as soon as there is enough to wash...things like that. I keep thinking I don't want to come home to a mess with a newborn - lol. We both think it's kinda funny, I think it's just my need to control something in all of this. :)

Anyway, we're really hopeful that the baby will come sometime this week. Dr. Hudson said that if I haven't had the baby by the 30th an induction is on the way, so Lord willing the little one will come before that. We'll be keeping you posted!

My Talented Husband

I just need to take a second to brag on my extremely talented husband. Just yesterday his new logo design for Growing a Greener World was announced. They are launching a new show on PBS in the spring and this logo is for their show. I am so proud of him!! Check it out at the link above on Facebook. :)

Maternity Shots & Baby Update

Yesterday Bethany went with us to Oregon Park to take some maternity shots of us. My beloved husband was wonderful and let me pose us however I wanted to get the pictures I was hoping for of this special time in our lives. Here are a few of my favorites and the most recent belly shots at 38 weeks.

I really, really love this pictureThis one just makes me smile and I had to share it in color since that tree is so beautiful!And here's some shots of this massive belly...

As for a baby update - I want to the Doctor today and things are moving right along! I started to soften last week and things are progressing. We have 2 weeks to go until our due date and today she said I am dilated to a 1 (slow and steady, right?) and the baby has shifted to a full downward facing position which is fantastic! I have been having real contractions for the last 3 days which is also great news so hopefully next Monday we'll see even more progress. My mom gets here next Tuesday, so as far as we're concerned, anytime after that this little one can make his/her entrance. :)

Botanical Gardens

Last year Paul & Bethany invited us to go with them to the Botanical Gardens for their Fest-of-Ale. While we didn't get any Beer, we had a great time walking around the gardens at night and generally goofing off together. We decided to head down again this year on 10/22 and the weather was PERFECT! It was a bit more crowded, but that didn't keep us from having fun. Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Beautiful Yellow OrchidsI love these plants - too cool!David & Paul being sillyBethany & IPaul & BethanyDavid, baby & I

Visiting with Deborah & the kids

We had such a great time with Deborah, Erin & Grady while they were here after our baby shower! On Sunday, we went to church, had Chinese for lunch, took naps (the kids did anyway) and around 3:30 we headed downtown to the Botanical Gardens. Erin was far more fascinated by the fountains than anything else, but we had a great time being outside and enjoying the cool weather anyway. Here are a few pictures from Sunday.

Deb & GradyPlaying in the WaterShe tried for a while to catch this leaf and pull it out of the water - such a fun gameErin showing Deborah a pretty flower (after which we made sure she didn't pick any other flowers at the gardens, lol)Erin in awe of the fountain at the gardens

Monday David had to work, so Deborah and I lounged around with the kids until he got home. Erin got to play her favorite game here, throw rocks and stuff into the water under the bridge behind our house, and we created some masterpieces on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. When David got home, we headed up to a super cool playground where we expelled the rest of Erin's energy and had a great time once again soaking up the cool weather. There was a section of the playground that was perfect for Erin, but when she got bored of that there was a small hill that Deborah and David taught her to roll down. What ensued was a round of much laughing and great photos.

SwingingErin in her cool shadesI love this "snarl" face Erin is making now, it always makes me laugh!! I'm gonna save this one for her wedding slide showErin playing on the playgroundAfter Deborah tried it out to see if it would be safe, David took Grady down the big slide - I wish I had a picture of Grady's face after the ride, but I was laughing too hard to take one.
Let's just say he didn't love it.David & GradyI have a whole series of pictures of David posing like Grady,
this one made me laugh the hardest though :)Grady stylin' in Uncle David's hatDeb & ErinFor the record, Deb took this picture.
I think I'll keep this one for her wedding slide show too :)Deborah teaching Erin how to roll down the hill - she loved it!Deborah & the kids - I love this picture!

We had such a great visit and can't wait until our little one is old enough to play with his/her cousins! :)