Spring Break and 37 Weeks

Last week was our first real Spring Break as a family!  We had a really nice and very low-key week.  Josh took off the first two days, and we enjoyed sleeping in (as much as you can with little kids) and doing a mix between running errands, relaxing, and getting projects done around the house.  The last three days were very lazy days.  We stayed in our pj's and took it easy.  Between being nine months pregnant and having a sinus infection, I'm afraid I was a little too boring for James at times.  He asked me one morning after I'd snoozed on the couch for an hour, "Can we go to Jumping Place?"  I said no, because I hadn't showered yet (and I didn't feel up for it anyway).  He then said, "Well, can we go...like...run to Daddy's office and bring him his cell phone or something?"  That made me laugh, because he hadn't left his cell phone, but that's something we've had to do before!  So, we got out and ran a drive-through errand just for him. It turned out to be good, though, because he pushed through his boredom, and he and Jack made their own "Jumping Place" in our living room and had a blast!  They were making a big mess, but I didn't care because they were having too much fun with it.  I really enjoyed watching the two of them entertain each other the rest of the week.

One really sweet thing was that Jack wanted James to put him down for a nap everyday last week.  Jack had resisted, since James was home, and was crying a pitiful, tired-cry when I tried to put him down.  He asked for James, and James said, "I'll lay down with him."  I thought it would not end well, but I figured it was worth a try.  James laid down with him for a few minutes, and then closed the door and left.  Jack came out crying that same pitiful cry, asking for James to lay back down with him.  James, having the tender heart that he has, felt the same tug as I was feeling, and said, "Alright, I'll lay with you for two more minutes."  I was so proud of James for doing this for his brother!  Well, to my amazement, it worked!  Jack stayed in bed after that and took a good nap!  This happened the rest of the week, and I was so tickled by it!

I'm 37 weeks and feeling really at peace right now.  I feel like I've gotten everything done that can be done before he comes, and I'm really excited about him coming.  I also am really enjoying these last couple of weeks of just Jack-and-me-time while James is at school, because I know Jack is feeling unsure about things right now.  While moving baby items into his old room, he sat in the bouncy seat, put a baby toy up to his cheek, stuck his tongue out unhappily, and started talking baby-talk.  Then, he told me he wanted to wear a diaper.  He's also having more outbursts lately, so I think he's definitely sensing what's about to happen.  He's pulled away from me some, which breaks my heart, but I know this is just a transition time.  He's still very excited about Ben, though, and lights up when we read stories about new babies coming.  He loves to talk to Ben in my belly, gives him kisses, and lights up when we talk about him.  Jack loves babies and is such a natural with them.  Our next door neighbor has a baby, and Jack is really sweet with her and will periodically go over to her on his own and talk to her and try to make her smile.  James is nothing but excited about Ben coming, and I know is going to love being the "huge" brother as he puts it.

I'm feeling much more uncomfortable sleeping now and have excruciating pains when I turn from side to side.  It's so bad that I sometimes get up and get back in bed the other way just to avoid rolling over.  I'm starting to swell, especially at night, but it's not as bad as what I had with James.  I'm also feeling pains in my ribs, because he likes to get right up under them a lot lately.  Other than that, though, I'm very pleased that I'm still able to get around really well and feel pretty good during the day!  It could be a lot worse!

My ring had been off for a while, and I couldn't believe there was still an indention!

I was really excited at my 37 week appointment yesterday to find out that I'm 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced!  That never happened with my other two, so I was really surprised to hear that!  With James, I was less than 1 cm up until 2 hours before he was born.  With Jack, I was 1 cm dilated up until I was induced.  I'm so anxious to see how these next 2-3 weeks play out!  Dr. Becker also said that he was not down low yet, and that he's still head down.  I can't wait to hold that head in my arms!!  

Last night was my diapers and wipes baby shower for Ben!  It was a small, church shower at Johnny Carinos, and I felt so spoiled by my sweet friends who put this on and came to celebrate with me!  I have some of the most thoughtful friends around, and they did such a great job putting this together.  I'm so excited about not buying diapers or wipes for a long time, and I also got some really special gifts from friends and family.

I was so surprised when I opened this present from my Aunt Barbara!  It was a "quiet book" that she had made him, and it's very similar to the one my mom made me when I was little (that I loved playing with)!  I'm so thrilled to have this for him and will always treasure this!  

Aunt Bibi got him a super-soft blanket/lovey that I'm sure he will sleep with for years to come!  She also got him a "Brothers" picture frame that I'm very excited about.  I'd been on the look-out for one and can't wait to put a picture in there of my three boys!

I was so excited to receive this quilt that my mom made for Ben!  She has made one of these beautiful quilts for each of her grandchildren, and I couldn't wait to see Ben's.  I absolutely love it, and I'm so thankful for my wonderful and talented mama who loves to make special things for her loved ones!

My wonderful hostesses, who I'm so blessed to call friends!

And speaking of talented, my dear friend, Amber, made Ben's letters that will go on the wall in his nursery!  She has done this for each of my boys, and as always, did an amazing job on them!  They turned out so cute, and I can't wait to hang them up!