...NINE!...

Here is what's happening with the ever growing, ever kicking, ever squirming Noah these days...

"Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height now—at around 4 lbs and 17 inches in length. With each added layer of baby fat their skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect little miracle-gro to gain about a half a pound of weight gained per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth."

The very best smell in all the world!

There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly laundered baby clothes washed in Dreft! It is pure ecstasy!! We have now completed the washing of all of Noah's clothes, bedding, blankets, socks, stroller covers, bouncy seat covers and washable toys. My mom has been doing all of this laundry for me and I have been able to sit back and reap the benefits of sniffing all the beautiful clothes as she brings them back to me to put in his dresser.

Here are his dresser drawers filled with his clothes... clean, great smelling and ready for a baby boy!

Finished projects!

I thought I'd show you my most recent project I completed for Noah. Here is his baby hat and matching blanket that I knitted for him for the hospital! I can't wait to see him in it!I'm almost finished hand quilting his quilt and sewing his matching diaper bag. Stay tuned!

The countdown begins... TEN....

10 weeks to go!! I'm 30 weeks today and had my doctor's appointment this morning. It was great fun as usual!! I actually lost a pound so my overall weight gain is 7 pounds! Terrific!! I am measuring exactly 30 weeks which is great and Noah's heart rate is 154. Right where it should be! My blood pressure is 100/70. Can't ask for better than that!

The doctor also wants me to take iron supplements which I don't think I'll do. He said my iron level was right in the middle of normal where it had been a high normal at the beginning of my pregnancy. He said it's normal for iron to slowly drop throughout pregnancy and being an 'older mother' (have I mentioned that I dislike that term a great deal?) and having had more than a few babies, low iron can be a problem for me around labor and delivery time. I think instead I'll focus on eating a lot of iron rich foods. I am not a big fan of supplements. I'd rather do it naturally if possible.

Other than that I'm in perfect health and I get to start going to see the doctor every two weeks!! It won't be long now!!

29 weeks today!

This is my last week in my 20's! My 30's are just around the corner. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has flown!! It won't be long now. Here is what is happening with little Noah this week...

"Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to accommodate his brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and him well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)"

Noah's bed is complete!

Here is Noah's bedding all made up and ready for him!! You can see all the little toys and animals I plan to take to the hospital... and yes, Mr. P has already informed me the baby cradle in the hospital only has four corners! But, there can be more than one thing in a corner, right? Also, our firstborn son has happily made a new sign for his door with the help of a scroll saw, some sandpaper and a little paint. Lovely, isn't it?The curtains are finished and when Mr. P gets home from work and installs the curtain rods, we'll put those up. Once the window seat covers are complete, the room will be all ready for a new baby! My 'To Do List' is dwindling!!

Exciting times!!!

and that's not all...

Here are a few other pictures from the day including my two favorite sonogram pictures! They told us that Noah is perfect in every way including having just a touch of hair around the back of his head. Looks like I'm getting another baldy! Flibby and Miss Poppins were my only babies with hair... and they had enough for 10 babies! But, the other three had light blonde peach fuzz. So, will Noah's hair be blonde or brown? Hmmm... some things just have to be surprises.

Our entourage arriving at the hospital! Mr. P and I were there, of course, along with all five children and my mom. We took up quite a few seats in the waiting room as usual.

Hannah Banana and Karate Kid enjoy wondering what Noah will look like as we wait for our appointment.These are my two favorite sonogram pictures! They look so much like son number one, it's amazing! I've added a few pictures of Karate Kid for you to see if you see the resemblance. What do you think?And, last but not least... a cute little picture of Noah's foot! The foot is to the far left. You also get a very clear look at the umbilical cord... or as Cindy Lou says, his "biblical" cord.

Here he is!

Now I have some pictures downloaded for you compliments of Mr. P! Isn't he beautiful? I'm amazed at how clear the sonogram was and how realistic! It was absolutely wonderful!!

OK, this is just to get you started!

We're back!!! That was the most wonderful and surreal experience I have ever had!! I was able to see my Noah so clearly it was like looking right into his face!! He grimaced like he was ready to cry, he yawned, he smiled, and he even stuck out his tongue. We saw him open his eyes! It was amazing!!!

They gave us a wonderful DVD full of video and pictures. I'm not sure how to capture the pictures to download them... that's a job for Mr. P who is at the hardware store at the moment. But, in the meantime, I'm showing you my first born son looking at pictures of his little brother. They are like twins!! It was uncanny!! I'll post some pictures of them both and you can see for yourself! This picture will give you an idea of what baby Noah looks like.

Stay tuned... more to come. Lots more!!!

Today's the DAY!!

It's here!!! Today's the day!!! My 4-D sonogram is in a few short hours. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!! Stayed tuned for updates and pictures!

The Room of a Noble Son!

We have almost completed our boys' room! The room has been painted a lovely khaki with Noah's wall painted two shades lighter. Also the inside of the dormer windows is painted in the lighter color. We picked out the fabric for the window seats and the curtains last night. There were some terrific bargains at Walmart's fabric department... unfortunately they are doing away with their fabrics so everything is on sale. I'm thankful for the sale but I'm so sad to see the fabric department go away! I buy so many things from that department!!
We found these adorable nursery rhyme pictures at Kirkland's Home and I just had to have them for the room! I love the vintage illustration and the calligraphy of the rhyme. Their 'old world' look goes great in the new room which we are decorating in an 'old world' map theme. Beautiful!!! And, I wanted to show you Noah's finished quilt! What do you think? I'm still in the process of hand quilting and that wrinkles the quilt a good bit. So, once it's done, I'll give it a good press and it won't look quilt so rumpled. Our baby plans are coming right along!! Now I'm working on the design of my door bow! I'll let you know how it turns out

Birth Announcements!

As I'm working my way through my 'to do' list, I have been pondering a creative birth announcement idea. I came across this one on the internet and I saved it to see what I could do with it later. Of course, those of you that know me well know that I never buy these things. I have to make my own! But, I love to gather ideas and put them together into something truly unique to us! Here is the preliminary idea for Noah's birth announcement...What do you think? The picture and words are printed on vellum and then a nice coordinating cardstock is used as the background. I absolutely love tying my announcements with ribbon so that is certain to be included. So many ideas... so little time!

HELLOOOOO Third Trimester!!

Can you believe I'm entering my third trimester today? I can't believe it either! But, my little pregnancy ticker is proof positive! I moved up a square and now there are only two squares left until the big day!

I am really enjoying being pregnant! I always feel better pregnant than not. It may be that I take better care of myself but I think it's just the wonderful glow of pregnancy that gives me tons of energy, great hair and nails, and a new zest for life! Food tastes better, flowers smell better, and life is grand! It is the best time of life!

Yesterday we went swimming at the pool for the first time of the season. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE the pool and being in the summer sun? There is something special about soaking up the sunshine! I live for it each and every summer and being pregnant just makes it all the better. I also walked this morning at the lake!! I haven't been able to do that for a while because it's been too cool in the mornings. But, not today! And, it looks like every day this week will be equally wonderful! So, I'll walk my two miles in the morning and swim in the afternoons. I'm getting ready for labor and delivery! I can hardly wait!!

The 4-D sonogram is coming up in a few days!! Oh, what fun that will be!!! Then I start going to the doctor every two weeks. WOW! Noah really is almost here!

And, how is not-so-little-anymore Noah doing these days?

"Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?"

Let me mention how much we are enjoying the baby hiccups! It's delightful and we were almost late to church on Sunday morning with everyone gathered around my tummy watching it jump and 'hiccup' along... not to mention all the acrobatics Noah does when he has the hiccups! He either enjoys them very much and they set him to dancing a jig, or he is quite annoyed by them and throws a little fit. We can't decide which... but, he is quite the active baby when he has the hiccups!

Fun stuff going on around our house these days!