37 Week Appointment

I am proud to report that I still am checking out healthy! Added a few more pounds...not sure how...and my blood pressure was still good- 118/78. Baby sounded healthy and starting next week we will see if I am getting ready or not for her arrival. To be completely honest, I don't know what I want the doctor to say next week. On this weekend's agenda....lots of fun and maybe I will finally pack my bags and at least put the carseat in the back of the truck:)

I also survived a full day at the zoo today!!! A little tired now, but not even too exhausted with all the walking around:)

4 Year Checkup

Today Riley went for her 4 year checkup and doc said she is SUPER healthy. And woohooo this is our first visit since her 3 year checkup, so I would say that is definitely true. She weighs 33.2 pounds and is 39 1/2 inches tall. Still around the 40th-50th percentiles for height and weight, but that is pretty much where she has been her whole life. Guess we are doing some things right:)

Here is a picture from this weekend of her and Diesel. In the past few weeks she has been OBSESSED with him. She calls him her buddy and hugs/hangs on him at least 1000 times a day. It is so good that he loves her too. I think if she could, he would sleep in bed with her.....but let's not give her any ideas. Maybe they both sense change on the horizon....
(and of course we took another pic today with her buddy, but I will admit, I am too lazy to go downstairs and get my card from the camera. Maybe I will add soon.)

Baby's Room!

Baby's room is almost all ready for her! This weekend we finally bought the drapes and Mike was so nice to put them up already:) All we have left to do is hang her letters which we have but just need to be painted. Guess it makes it possible to take these pics and not formally share her name with everyone yet too. (They will be going over her changing table...) Mike has done such a great job in here and it has turned out so cute! And I am getting anxious for her to be in there. Now I guess I just need to find the inspiration to pack our bags....yes everyone keeps telling me to do this...and make one final trip for the evryday supplies. Soon she will be here!!!


(sorry this picture is so dark....I took them all at the exact same time. I was also afraid that if I opened the blinds, it would cast a glare.)

And if you have not noticed, you can cast your vote as to whether she will be early, on time, or late.

36 Week Pictures

And I am not sure if you can tell in the picture, but if my maternity clothes could talk, they would probably say "can't quite reach the pants:)"
(Weeks 8, 12.5, 16, and 20)
(Weeks 24, 28, 32,and 34)
(Week 36)
Moving right along....36 weeks and counting. Guess technically we are at full term now and she could decide to come whenever. Still feeling pretty good, although things are definitely getting harder to do. And sadly with the heat and my weight, etc. my ankles have decided that they will start to swell and my feet have been pretty sore, so having to make myself take it a little easier and possibly going to begin a hiatus from the treadmill. We will see though, I do have a zoo trip planned for Wednesday and we will see how that goes. Just figure that Riley still needs to be active and out and about.

Miscellaneous June Pics

Here are some pictures from the last week. Unfortunately I never had a chance to blog about them all or add them to the appropriate post, so I figured I would just do one generic post. The pictures are from Riley's birthday cupcakes, her first trip to the nail salon with mom and Grammy, and her second swim lesson.

36 Week Appointment

Yesterday I had my 36 week appointment and am proud to report that things are still going very well. I also survived having Riley with me alone.....she did not want me to leave her at home with Mike while he cut the grass. I only gained a few pounds and Riley was once again a big helper finding the heartbeat. I think that I have also taken my last test of this pregnancy and now move on to weekly appointments and in 2 weeks they will begin checking me. Yeah....in the home stretch now! Think we are pretty much all ready for her to come....well besides a few little things...and although I do not remember these things with Riley, think that my body is also starting to get ready too. Now if I could just get myself to take it easy for these next weeks:)

I will try and take an updated picture this week and also will try to create a poll where you can make your guesses as to when she will join the family officially.

Father's Day and More....

A great big....albeit belated....Happy Father's Day!!! We hope that all the dad's in our lives had a fabulous day!!!! Since Riley's birthday was on Tuesday, we decided to do a combined Father's Day/Riley's birthday barbecue. My parents, grandparents, and sister Erika came over and it was great once again to spend some time together. Riley ripped into all the presents as soon as they got here and could not wait to try them all out. From my parents, she got some dress up clothes, accessories, and shoes which you can see her modeling in the pictures. And from Auntie Bika she got more jewels, nail polish, and our entertainment...the Wizard of Oz. After the opening, we all snuggled on the couch for snacks and the movie. Good thing we have a big couch, since almost all of us were on that couch.

After our delicious dinner, we enjoyed a fabulous birthday cake created by Grammy! Riley had requested an elephant cake, and guess what...Grammy made it for her!!! It was too cute and sooooo delicious. Thanks to my family for coming over and spending the day with us and treating Riley like a princess!!! And to mom for making the cake, dad for taking the pictures, and Bika for once again trimming Diesel's nails:) I had a great day and I hope it was a special day for Mike, my dad, and my grandpa on Father's Day!!!!

Happy Birthday Riley!!!

Happy 4th Birthday to our big girl Riley!!!! She has been having a great day. It all began when she woke up to surprise balloons and cupcakes from daddy. Then she was all psyched to open up her gift and get the day started. And tonight her favorite dinner....steak and probably one of her birthday cupcakes with her #4 candle! It is hard to believe that it has already been 4 years since she made us a family of 3, but it has been the best 4 years!!! Hey...it must not have been too bad since we are getting ready to start all over again:)

Then......

and now.....

She has grown so much over these past 4 years!!!!!

34 Weeks

I officially turn to the next week on Fridays, but we had a busy weekend, so I just got around to taking my pictures today. These last weeks just seem to be flying by....I feel like I will be posting the good news soon. As of today about 5 1/2 weeks to go:)

(Weeks 8, 12.5, 16, and 20)

(Weeks 24, 28, 32, and 34)
And I think the end is starting to catch up with me. I have been more uncomfortable at night, especially when getting out of bed and my feet are starting to get tired and sore too. Yesterday my ankles were swollen for the first time (could have been because I was at work sitting all day)...good thing Mom, Riley and I are going for pedicures on Thursday!

COUSINS!!!

Mike's sister Mallory, her husband Mike, and new baby Farrah were in town visiting from Texas. We all headed over to his mom's for a barbecue and to see everyone. We all had a great time talking and catching up...as well as soaking up the new baby. Riley, Jadyn, and Eli had a blast playing in the rain and actually needed a bath before they could be put into the cars to head home:) It was so much fun that not only did we have lunch, but we all stayed for dinner!!! It truly was a fabulous day spent with family having fun. All the moms tried their best to capture a picture of all the cousins...here are my 2 best results. Soon there will be one more cousin to add to the picture too. We are sad that we cannot all be closer together, but will see everyone again in August when Kelly and Ryan tie the knot!

First Swimming Lesson

Today Riley had her first swimming lesson and she did great! She was not so sure when we signed her up, but the neighbors were able to be in the same class and she has been getting more and more excited as the time came. We even got her a new towel, bathing suit, and cover up so she was all set to go. When we got there she could not wait to get started. When it began she met her teachers and they went over their "safety rule" of the day. Then they headed into the pool. At first she was a little shy but then she jumped right into what they were doing. Sorry the pictures are not too great, they made the parents move away so the kids would not be distracted. During lessons the storm rolled in and they just barely finished...cut the lessons a few minutes short actually....before it started to monsoon. She had a great time though and is looking forward to Saturday for the next one. I will keep trying to get some better pictures. Maybe I will even bring the "paparazzi camera" one day when I am sure that it will not rain on us.

34 Week Appointment

Today I had my 34 week appointment and pleased to report that everything looks great! My blood pressure is still good...110/78....and the weight gain appears to be tapering off. I actually lost a pound in the last 2 weeks and have a feeling that I will hover between the weight that I am now and maybe 5 pounds more. And since the doctor did not say anything about the pound loss, I am assuming that he was not concerned. One more 2 week appointment and then I will be going every week. The weeks sure are going fast and she will be here before we know it. I guess maybe in a few weeks we can start taking bets as to when she will make her grand entrance. Mom has always said right around my 30th birthday, July 12th, and Mike does not think I will make it to the 23rd either. Today I made plans for a girls movie date on July 18th, which probably means that something will happen for me to not be there. I guess only time will tell....

Riley was also in heaven at the doctor's. Last time he offered to let her squeeze the gel onto the little doppler machine but she did not want to. This morning she asked if it would be the same man and if he would maybe let her try again. Well I knew it would be the same "man" and he offered her the same opportunity. Today she jumped at it and got to squeeze on the gel, turn the machine on, and help him to find the heartbeat, which they got on the first try! You should've seen the smile on her face!! Then he told her she had to clean up her mess, meaning my belly, which got her a little confused, but that moment of her helping was so priceless:) It also makes me feel good to know that the doctor included her as well. Have I mentioned before how excited she is getting for her baby sister to be here? Well she IS! Lately she cuddles on my belly while watching tv, talks to her, and kisses her all the time. These moments also bring such a smile to my face. Hope they bond this well when baby is here.

Growing Up....

It seems that Riley is just growing up more and more each day! It has been for a long time that she has been asking to chew gum. For at least the past 6 months and maybe even a year she has been unwrapping our gum and "preparing" it for us. (Aka sucking off all the favor first!) Recentlyshe has been asking almost daily when she can chew gum. I have alwaystold her when she was older. Yesterday she got it in her head that today was the day and relentlessly wore me down. First question she asked when she came downstairs today? "Can I chew gum now?" So I got Mike on board...he thought she should wait til she was 14....and explained all the rules to her. Boy did that 1/2 piece of gum make her so darn happy!! She followed all the rules....told her if she broke any no more gum....and even announced when she was done "see I didn't break any rules!". And as you can probably see from the pictures below she enjoyed it very much! (Sorry they are a little blurry...she just couldn't sit still:) )




She also is SOOOO ready to be a big sister! She kisses my belly all the time now...it is right at her eye level...and is helping me get ready. Yesterday we were at my friend Chrissy's who has a 6 weeek old. Riley could not wait to hold her and could not get enough of Layla! Not even when the baby cried did she want one of us to take her. I guess I know who the baby holder will be!!!