Last Day of MDO

Today was Colton's last day of MDO at Foundry. He has enjoyed school and learned so much this year. He is going to miss his teachers ("Moo Shay She" is what he called the two of them, Ms. Leslie and Ms. Shirley) his friends and school.

I love this picture.He had no hesitation going straight into class and starting his day.

I am so thankful these sweet ladies were his teachers. They were so sweet, kind and loving to him. They will forever have a special place in as our hearts as Colton's first teachers.

Today Colton's class got to perform at a luncheon at the church. I was so impressed at how they all stood so still and most of them actually sang. Colton didn't sing any but he stood there still and didn't cry when he spotted me in the audience. They were so cute. I'm so glad I got to be there to see them sing.

Here he is with part of his class after the performance. They were heading for popsicles.

At the end of the day daddy surprised us both and picked up Colton. Colton thinks this is such a special treat. Daddy got this picture of Colton and me before we left for the day.

It was such a great day for both of us. I am so worn out I can hardly see straight but it was an awesome day. My Pre-K class graduated this morning and I am so thankful I was a part of it all. My class this year will always have a special place in my heart. They were 16 of the most precious kids I've ever taught. What a fun 2010-2011 year at Foundry Faith Academy!

Last Visit

Today I had my 38 week appointment (at 37 weeks and 5 days). I am 2 cm dilated , 80% effaced and at a minus two. My belly was measuring 36.5 weeks but she said it was only measuring a little small becuse Chase was SO low. Chases heart beat was about 148 ( I cant remember the exact number) and I've gained 1 lb in one week. That means I'm up 4 lbs from my pre pregnancy weight. Today was my last Dr. visit and I actually made an appointment to go back for my post partum visit in June. EKKKKK! Its official, I am in the books to be induced May 24th at 7 am. After a lot of hesitation and thought about this decision to induce I am feeling very comfortable with it. My Dr. has no concern that things won't run smoothly. She, in fact, said if I'm in at 7 am she thinks Chase will be here by 2pm. Lets see how close she is to that. I know it's only a guess but it sounds good to me! She also, along with Zak my parents my mil and a few friends, does not think I'll make it to Tuesday. I do. We're taking Colton to the Truck Show at Reliant on Saturday and she thinks after walking around all afternoon she'll be seeing me on Saturday night. Honestly, I think Chase will stay put til Tuesday, but what do I know?
Until Tuesday, I have a lot going on which is great. It'll keep me busy! I'm so excited that Chase hasn't come too early because tomorrow is the last day of school and I'll be able to make it to my classes PK Graduation. I'm so excited to see them graduate. They have been working so hard on the cutest graduation program. I feel a really strong connection with these kids, they have been such a blast this year and have made me smile so much. I have 16 of the cutest kids any teacher could ask for with the sweetest parents I've ever had. I'm sad to see the year come to an end for Colton and I because we have enjoyed it so much but we'll both be back next year! Tonight were celebrating my dads birthday. (Happy birthday daddy. We love you so much. You are amazing and I can't wait to see you with your TWO grandsons!) Zak's best friend Josh, and his wife are coming into town, and tomorrow were having them over for dinner. Were hoping to see them Friday as well. Then on Saturday were going to the Truck Show. Sunday I'm hoping to tie up some loose ends and on Monday I have a work day at school. I'd like to be there to get a little more organized for next year but if I don't make it no ones going to miss me and I can go up in the summer anytime.
So, until Tuesday, I'm going to spend lots of time loving on Colton and enjoying being a mommy of one because life's about to get crazy fun!!!

37 week appointment

(37 week belly shot)

Today I had my 37 week appointment at 36 weeks and 5 days. Chases heart beat was 132 bpm. This is the slowest I remember it ever being but the nurse assured me it was a good strong heart beat. I have not put on any weight since last week. Which the doctor was not concerned about. (This made me happy.) My belly was measuring at 35 1/2 weeks and I am still 1cm (and a little) dilated but she said Chase had dropped a lot. I knew he had because I haven't been feeling his feet in my ribs. I've also been able to breath and even bend over a little bit better. The pain, from what the Dr thought was scar tissue, is also much better. Over all, I am feeling okay. Sunday was a horrible day for me, as far as being uncomfortable. Now, I know it was the baby dropping and since I have felt much more comfortable. The Dr. said I would probably have pains lower now, which I am, and would start having trouble sleeping at night. Start? Since 7 weeks I've had trouble sleeping.


Now onto the exciting news. My Dr. and I discussed induction last week. I was hesitant about this for a few reasons but after a lot of thought and discussion with Zak we have decided to go ahead an induce. So...we have an induction date of Tuesday May 24th. I'll be 38 weeks and 4 days. I've decided to go with an induction for many reasons. 1. My Dr. is positive I will be ready and Chase will be too. She feels it'll be a really easy induction. I trust her 100%. 2. My Dr is going to be out of town for a few weekends here and there and Zak and I really want her there for delivery. 3. The planner in me can't say no to planning this. It will be good for everyone involved, specially Colton.


I have to admit that I left the Dr. a little down in the dumps. I was so excited we had a date but was a little worried I was making the wrong choice since I hadn't dilated anymore. But, the Dr. was really happy with how low Chase was and she said I was well on my way. I have one more Dr. visit scheduled for next Wednesday and then, hopefully, Chase Zakary Day will be here on May 24th!!!!

Mothers Day 2011

I had a great, lazy, relaxing Mother's Day this year. It's my last Mother's Day as a mommy of one. Next Mothers Day I'll have an almost 4 year old and an almost 1 year old. WOW!

On Thursday Colton gave me this at the door when I went to pick him up. His teacher tried desperately to get him to say "Happy Mother's Day" but there was just too much going on. When we got home he randomly started saying "Happy Mudder's Day" and giving me hugs. SO sweet! Sunday was a lazy relaxing day. Zak wanted to make or take me for breakfast but I had a tough uncomfortable night and I really wasn't in the mood for a big breakfast so I decided I'd just have cereal. He also had big plans to let me sleep in but I was up, alone, at 6:45 until about 8:15. (Of course Colton sleeps in on a day I can't sleep!)


We spend a lot of time outside and for a while now I've wanted a new chair to sit in while Colton plays. Months ago we went to Bass Pro Shop and I sat in this chair. I fell in love. Zak and his good memory remembered. My Mothers Day present was that chair. It is so comfy. I love it! I also got the sweetest homemade card from Zak and Colt.

Colton and I spent the day on Saturday with my mommy celebrating Mother's Day with her. My mom is so amazing and has been such a blessing my whole life, especially since having Colton. I do not know what I'd do without her.

Sunday Zak's parents came over. Lori, my mother in law, made me this canvas and got this book for Colton. Very sweet, Thank you Lori.

(Sorry don't know why this pic wouldn't flip.)

Zak, Colton and I went to HEB for a couple groceries, along with all the Dads in Cypress. Then, we came home to get a few things done around the house and ready for Chase. It was actually a very productive day, and the best kind of productive day because I didn't have to do any of it! For dinner we went to Potbellys for sandwiches and dessert. Zak said I could choose anywhere but that's what Chase and I were craving and it was perfect!

Unfortunately, Chase didn't give me much of a break on Mother's Day. Yesterday was by far the most uncomfortable day of my entire pregnancy. I was so thankful Zak was home to help with Colton, I'm positive I couldn't have gotten through yesterday without him. I think it was just Chases way of telling me he's on his way! :) Which is a wonderful present.

I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you to Zak and Colton for making my day wonderful.

I love you both more than you'll ever know!

36 weeks...9 months

Today I am 9 months pregnant! I can't believe it's May already. I had my first weekly appointment on Wednesday and things went well. The week before I was having a lot of burning pain in my upper abdomen, where I had my gallbladder pain last time. I knew it couldn't be my gallbladder since it had been removed but the pain was getting worse and worse each day and I finally decided it was time to call. After talking to the Dr. she put me back on the low fat/no fat diet and wanted me to go see the surgeon who removed my gallbladder. I made an appointment with him the next morning because I wasn't staying on that diet if I didn't need to. He was pretty confident that it was nothing but he said it could be stones in my bile duct, which is extremely rare, or scar tissue. He also wondered if it could be something to do with my liver. He sent me for blood work and an ultrasound but said nothing about a low fat diet so Zak and I hit up Potbelly's for sandwiches and ice cream for lunch. Thankfully, a couple days later, everything came back completely normal. He and my OB think it's the baby pressing on scar tissue from my surgery and are hopeful the pain will go away after the baby is born.
Now back to my weekly Dr visit last Wednesday, at 35 weeks and 5 days. The baby's heart beat was at 136 BPM. I gained 1/2 a lb in 2 weeks. Which means I'm up three pounds from my start weight. :) Not bad! She also checked me to see how I was progressing. I was 1 (and a little bit)CM dilated and 75% effaced. She said she thought Chase would definitely be a May baby. She thought he could even come early, around 38 weeks was her guess. (I was at this same exact point at the same exact time with Colt. She said Colt would be early and he ended up being induced at 39 weeks.) I tried not to get to excited about the idea of him coming a couple weeks early but who could help it. I'm ready for him to be here. Then, I started talking to her about when she would and wouldn't be on call to deliver. There are a few weekends coming up that she will not be delivering. I expressed to her how important it was that she be there for the birth and she said since I was progressing well already she wouldn't have any problem inducing early. Possibly May 23rd or 24th (at about 38 and 1/2 weeks). Then I got really excited! We decided we'd talk about it at my next appointment. I love the idea of Chase being here early and being able to plan the day. But, I don't know. This is probably going to be my last pregnancy and I don't know if I'd like to see how it feels to go into labor on my own. I know that my Dr. would never induce if the baby or I were not completely ready so I think we'll just wait and see how next weeks appointment goes to make a final decision.
I'm excited about the idea of my littlest guy being here in just a few weeks. Until then, I'm going to enjoy as much time with Colton as possible because I'm getting a little sad at the thought of him not being the "baby" anymore. He's so ready for Chase to be here. Every time I drop him off at my moms he says. "Mommy you go to Dr?" The other day I had a meeting at school and he stayed with Nanny for a little bit. When I picked him up he looked up at my belly and said, "Mommy Chase come out yet?" He's been so sweet this whole pregnancy and I'm afraid hes a bit attached to the belly. He tells it "Good morning." all day long.

On Thursday we had "Moms Munch" at school. All the moms come in for breakfast with their kiddos so we can celebrate all they do for their kids. My amazing class and parents turned the day around and surprised me with an awesome bag, full of baby goodies. I was so surprised and thankful.

Maternity Photo Shoot

A couple weeks ago, when I was 34 weeks pregnant, Kellie took Maternity Pictures/ Family Pictures. They turned out amazing. We were Kellies first real session for Madison Paige Photography and we were honored to be the "guinea pigs".

Kellie,

Thank you for capturing this amazing moment. We had a lot of fun and we will cherish these pictures forever. You did an amazing job.

I love how big Zaks hand looks on my belly.

It was so windy!

I love my boys!

Colton loved the gagi (tractor).

One of my favorites!

Love this one too! And this!

This was at the end of the shoot after the sucker.

Easter Blessings

This long Easter weekend has been so wonderful and so needed. Zak and I always have so much going on and so much to do around the house. We took this weekend to enjoy family and time together. Here is our weekend...In Pictures!
On Friday, I was 34 weeks pregnant. It's going so fast. I feel like the past couple of weeks have gone really well. I think Chase moved positions because I'm not as uncomfortable (pain wise) anymore. I am starting to feel very large. I can no longer see my feet, I have trouble catching my breath and I always have a foot on the right side of my ribs. Chase gets hiccups everynight between 8 and 9PM and I love knowing hes in there but I have to say the hiccups feel so weird. More weird than I remember with Colton. Chase seems so much lower, maybe thats why. One things that's getting very hard to do, that make me so sad, is rock and cuddle with Colton. It's just hard, there's not enough room for all three of us. I went to the Dr. last Wednesday and everything was looking good. I've sort of lost count of how much I've gained I'm still a little under my start weight, but I'm gaining. Chases heart beat was 138 BPM. I go back in a week and a half and start my each week visits. Its getting close!!! (I'm hoping to talk to Zak about putting the bassinet, swing and pack and play together this week. And, I may or may not already have mine and Chases Hospital bags packed.:))


After a day of being lazy and hanging out at home, Friday night Grandad came over to babysit (Baa joined in just a bit later) so Zak and I could have a much needed Date Night.

Zak and I headed to one of our favorites, PF Changs. After dinner and a little window shopping we went to Dessert Gallery for the best desserts we know.

Saturday morning we got up and headed out to meet Kellie for Maternity Pictures. Shes an amazing photographer who's decided to not waste another day not doing the things she loves after losing her sweet Maddie. We were her first "real" photo shoot and we are so lucky she chose us. I would have never done Maternity pics if she hadn't talked me into it. These will be something we will always cherish! From what I've seen so far, she did an amazing job. Here are two of my favorites. I think I'm going to frame these two and hang them in Chases nursery. (More to come in a Maternity Shoot blog soon.)

After the shoot we made a quick stop at JCPennys so Colton could pick out a toy to give to Chase after he's born. He picked out this orange and yellow giraffe. He loved on it all the way home and we talked to him over and over about it being Chases present. I'm not sure if he really understood but the Giraffe has been put away for safe keeping 'til Colton meets his baby brother.

After a very long nap, We went over to Nanny and Grandads for an early Easter dinner. Just after we got there Nanny and MiMi arrived in from Lubbock. MiMi brought an Easter basket from her, Jerry and Meemaw. (Thank you guys.)

Colton also got a special Easter bag from Grandad, Nanny and Baa. (Thank you as well.)

As if two Easter baskets weren't enough, Baa and Grandad set up a HUGE Easter Egg Hunt just for Colt in the back yard.

That evening the Easter bunny came to visit!

Colton woke up at about 7:30 this morning. The Easter Bunny had left the goodies on the coffee table. When he came in to wake us up he had a smarty pack ( from MiMi and MeeMaws basket) and his new tool box in hand. He was so excited!

After an Easter breakfast of pancakes and sausage and a little playing we headed over to GaGa and PawPaws. GaGa and PawPaw also had a special basket ready for Colton. (Thank you!)

Colton loved everything in his basket but then he found the grass. He had so much fun throwing it around and stuffing it in the eggs.

GaGa made a great lunch and these special bunny cakes.

Hope your Easter was full of blessings!