New Due Date...?

This pregnancy is going pretty smoothly. I have had some heartburn, and a very hard time getting comfortable at night, and some swelling of the feet, but overall I am feeling great. It helps that Anthony is so wonderful when it comes to all my "demands". He is always there to rub my legs and feet, strokes my hair to put me to sleep and makes sure I always have whatever food I am desiring at the moment. I don't know what I would do without this man! He did say the other day that he was looking forward to me not being pregnant anymore...he is tired of gaining "sympathy weight". That HAS to make you smile!!!



Last week I was sitting at Mom and Dad's house watching a little TV. I got up and something felt different. Looking at my belly (Mom agreed) it appeared that I had "dropped" or "lightened". I sure was able to breathe easier! With my other two boys, I don't recall dropping until I was quite a bit closer to delivering. After doing a little searching, I discovered that people tend to drop 3-4 weeks or less before they have their children. In some circumstances it has been 8 weeks prior, but those cases seem to be few and far between.



I called my doctor and they did not seem too concerned. I already had an appointment scheduled for Monday the 10th, so we decided to stick with that. I will have the glucose test done that morning and the doctor will see me (as opposed to the midwife). She is going to measure me (belly) and if I am still measuring ahead of schedule, they will most likely order an ultrasound to measure Sam. Maybe, just maybe, they will change my dute date accordingly.... I still believe I am about 3 weeks farther along than they have said.



Look for updates Monday evening....



For anyone that is interested, I am registered at TARGET. I do not yet know when my baby shower will be, but as soon as my friend lets me know, I will pass the information along.



In other news...they have broken ground for the new Cheddar's in Alcoa. We will be putting our house on the market in a few days. Anthony's projected move date will be the beginning of November. I am praying that all the pieces will fall into place and the whole family will be able to move TOGETHER.

Jake, Eli and Sam

We have decided on a name for the newest member of our family. I wanted something that went with Jacob and Elijah. I like having a shorter version for both and the fact that they are biblical. So...Samuel it is. I think Sam will fit in perfectly. Eli already makes it a point to say goodnight to Sam each night and kiss my belly.

Sam is quite active! I can already SEE him moving. I don't seem to remember it happening this early with Jake and Eli. I am still convinced that I am farther along than they originally thought. I had the 20 week ultrasound and Sam was measuring 22 - 23 weeks. I am anxious for them to set a new due date, but I think it will take quite a bit more convincing.

I have not yet registered, but plan on doing that very soon. I don't think we are going to put much time into a nursery because we will be moving soon. It won't be long after he arrives that we will be packing up for TN. I figure we will have him in our room until the move, then once we find a place in Maryville, we can get him set up in his own room. Oh, how I wish I had not donated/sold all of our baby stuff. I had no idea there was another one in our future. Now we will be starting all over again. Thank heavens for handmade blankets, clothes, etc. That is ALL I saved!

I am going to try and continue working as long as I am able. When Sam arrives I will revert back to being a stay-at-home Mom. Eli will not be entering kindergarten in the Fall, so he will have another year home with Mom. I cannot imagine putting a tiny baby in daycare either. And since Memaw and Grandpa won't be joining us in Maryville (...yet...), I will just plan on working again once ALL my boys are in school. Can you believe Jake will be starting 3rd grade this year?!?!?! Am I really that old?

We have made plans to go to a friends' house for a bbq and fireworks on the 4th. Stay tuned for pictures. Maybe even one with my buddah belly!

Pink or blue...???

We have been waiting for this day since we found out we were expecting #3. Our doctor's office makes you wait until you are 20 weeks before they do THE ultrasound. So, yes - we were counting down the days. When we first looked the baby was curled up tight in the fetal position. It didn't take long before there was a ton of movement! Almost right away he turned and we discovered there will be another boy in our family!
They did all sorts of measurements to rule out abnormalities, deformities, etc. He is an active, healthy and LARGE baby. They are thinking that maybe they misjudged his due date. I am supposed to be 20 weeks, but he measured about 22 weeks. At this time, they are not going to change the due date, but will keep a close eye on him as he grows. They are guessing he will come along around October 23rd as opposed to November 1st (although the c-section is scheduled for October 26th).
All my boys are excited and I am relieved to be able to refer to the baby an "him" instead of "it".
Now, names....

Nana and Papa's 60th Anniversary Dinner

It was so nice seeing everyone.

Especially out-of-towners.

Jake looks slightly scared here...

Don't I have a beautiful Mother!?!

I believe this was during the lemon wars :)

Jacob's Last Soccer Game

Jacob played his final game yesterday.

He is a real go getter...

and a fierce competitor...

"Monkey Boy"

We really need to get them a fort/climbing set for the yard. We are in negotiations for a trampoline. (with a safety net Memaw)

There is something about black and white photos and little boys...

And big boys too!

It took me awhile, but I am finally posting our beach pics. We had a great time, but it would've been better if Anthony had been able to come.

Even hotel hallways are fun when you are on vacation!

Jacob writing messages in the sand. It says, "take us to Hawaii". Apparently, Hilton Head wasn't quite good enough. Though, as soon as we got in the car to head back to NC they were asking when we could come back...

I asked Eli what he would think if it we had a boy ... he prompltly said, "no, I already have a brother to love." They are both looking forward to a sister, but we will not find out until June 17th. The c-section has been scheduled as well. I go in at noon on October 26th (Monday). It is somewhat strange knowing when the baby's birthday will most likely be. It is much easier to plan!
Looking at my last post (late March) it says that we were getting ready to start our landscaping project. Well, now it is finally (almost) done. We really didn't get everything together and ready to plant until last week. A lot of the hold up has been the rain. But, it is finally finished - all we have left is to add a few bags of touch-up mulch.
We also successfully got our small front garden planted. We will be cutting our first heads of broccoli very soon. The seeds for the large bottom garden are on the kitchen counter, but again, rain... We will be planting corn, half-runners, okra, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, squash, canatloupe, pumpkins, watermelon and a few others in the larger one. We already have the broccoli, peas, lettuce, jalpenos, beets, tomatoes, cauliflower and strawberries coming in strong up top. I feel like a little farmer girl!
Most of Jacob's soccer season has been cancelled due to rain. He has only been able to play 4 out of a possible 10 games. This includes 2 make up games they have cancelled. A lot of the practices have been called as well. He really enjoys playing. Hopefully next year they will have a more regular season.
Anthony is calling us for steak quesadillas. Another update and pictures coming soon!