Near the end....

Dear Baby,

Your room is ready.

I have done all four (totally uncomfortable) ice exercises to prepare myself for the pain of labor.

Our bags are packed.

Plans are made for Cole and dogs to be cared for.

You hurt in my body - you are outgrowing me.
However, I am trying to remember that these may be the last days in my life when I get to carry a baby inside of me.  I love feeling you move through the day and wearing my belly with pride.

We passed 37 weeks gestation - all of the books say that you are fully developed.

I got my toes did.

Daddy has the yard and house looking great.

Your carseat is wating.

Your big brother is waiting.

We are all waiting.  

See you soon.

Love,

Mama

You, Me, & Big Brother at 38 weeks, 4 days.

Update:
The carpets have been shampoo-ed - - - again.
And the dogs got baths.
This house is SO ready for you!

Update on the Update:
I have "re-did" my toes twice.
The house is clean.  I am having a hard time keeping it this way!
Your brother and I are adjusting to our new schedule and soaking up our last days alone.  Having fun AND ready for your company!
My legs are shaved.
I've walked, bounced on the exercise ball, eaten spicy foods, AND determined that you are stubborn!  ;-)

dog show dudes

I think these two are super cute.

We got to visit with our friend, Beth, at a dog show she and her pooches were competing in. (I somehow managed to not take any photos of Beth or any dogs...?)  It was a nice morning out and great to see Beth.  In the downtime, we entertained Cole with funny Kramer hair-do's, Leapster games, and iPhone entertainers. 

Such a goof!

Old Is New

Opa pulled out one of Daddy's old toys for Cole's enjoyment.  Derek remembered it fondly and Cole loved it!

The Big Brother

Cole's days a our only child are numbered (16ish days).  I can't imagine sharing the love I have for him but I hear that there is no worry - I'll just grow more love.  Which, I imagine is true because it's exactly what happened with Cole.  For the past three years I have known overwhelming love, pride, and joy - all wrapped up in one handsome young boy.  Here's what he's up to these days.

- He eats salad.  He tried it for the first time last week and we've gone through tons of ranch dressing and a few heads of lettuce since!  Before he tried it he always told me that he would like salad when he got big.  The implication here makes me weepy.

- He no longer wakes up AS predictably.  We've started letting him *stay up late* on weekends and he then sleeps in a bit on the weekends....sometimes it's still 5:30, sometimes 7:30!  He goes to bed easily (for the most part).

- He went on a field trip to the Magic House last week with his school.  I wasn't able to go (because a: work and b: limited mobility!). Cole was able to tell me all about it in a way that I could picture his day! 

- He put on a t-shirt last week and asked where it came from.  I told him that Oma had given it to him.  He asked if Oma got it for him in Heaven? 

- We read "The Kissing Hand" often.  Cole believes in the kissing hand.  We exchange smooches on the hand at bedtime and drop off for school.  He holds his palms closed to protect Mommy & Daddy's kisses as long as he remembers (usually a lot longer than Mommy remembers to protect her kissing hand!).

- He has started copying me in saying "How did you get to be so cute?!"  He asks me this....I melt and tell him just because I am his Mommy.

- He requests to listen to his music on my ipod.  He has a playlist consisting of some SpongeBob, Yo Gabba Gabba, Trout Fishing in America, and Bob Marley.   He loves to sing along with TFIA - the Window. 

- Tonight when we said our prayers he reminded me to pray for Japan.  He told me that the earth wiggled there and people's houses broke.  I had talked to him about this a few days ago but I was brought to tears by how much his little heart and mind soaked this up.

- Parent-Teacher Conferences this afternoon:  Cole is young for the class he is in now and we will send him to preschool for three years to give him a good foundation for his education.  My heart swelled when his teacher talked about his good hugs and sweet nature.

I am so proud of this boy and I cannot wait to see him become a big brother.  I can't imagine growing more love since at least weekly I can feel my chest puff up and eyes tear up with pride and love.  My chest might explode with two kids to adore!

Sushi Sister Visit

Jayjay made a quick visit home for Mardi Gras. Since D and I feel we've outgrown Mardi Gras (for this year anyway!) we all met for family sushi night to get some Jayjay time in.

Service was 'leisurely' at the little restaurant.  This gave us plenty of time to visit.

Have Saki.

Play "light sabers" with chop sticks.

And practice our stick skills.

Can't forget the sushi!  It was worth the wait for the sushi fans in the house!  Here's a little guy that WAS a caterpillar before we attacked him!