Neglected

Yes, I have neglected this blog. The first three months have left very little spare time.
I wish I had more time for:

• Bible study.
• working on the kids' yearbooks
• hot baths
• budgeting
• time with friends
• working out
• breathing

I'm a routine-lover and I just haven't been able to work these into my routine. All my time is taken up trying to get work hours in, cleaning, cooking, bathing the kids and running Ace back and forth to school. Unfortunately, I'm not one for staying up late to do any of the above items. My lights are out as soon as Lily Kate has had her last feeding - around 8:30 pm. Getting up earlier would mean somewhere around 4am...probably not going to happen.

Right now, it's time to get Ace up from his nap. My wonderful little man has adjusted fabulously to having a little sister. I'm more in love with him than ever (despite a rise in time-outs and whining).

Delivery Day Drama

Got a call at 6:48am from the hospital to say that they are booked! They said they'd call "in a few hours" when they knew when/ if they could get us in. Mind you, I was already whining about not being able to eat until after my originally scheduled 10:30 delivery.

At the command of my sister, I called the hospital about 10am and was told we are now on the schedule for 5pm! That means I have 4 hours from now until the hospital will even check me in. The lady I spoke with (at 10am) said I could have clear liquids until 10:30 - chicken broth, jello, water...how generous! I didn't even bother.

Yes, I'm hungry, tired, anxious and thinking to myself that Lily Kate should be here already. Wondering what God knows about this timing that I don't.

Isn't this how it happens when you feel like you've got all your chickens in a row and are prepared for something? God just reminds you that HE is in control. Going to go plan my first meal once I can be back on solids...McDonalds, Chik-Fil-A......

2 Days

3 Days

3

3 Days Until Delivery

The wheels are in motion! Today is my last day of work (actually, I have 3.75 hours left of work because Jonathan let me get a bunch of hours in this weekend). I even slept in until 6:45 this morning! After work, I plan to make one last cleaning circuit of the house. I may even take a nap when Ace does today.

Tomorrow, Mom comes into town. Hooray! I'm excited for her to go to my last doctor's appointment and meet my new doc. Ace is so excited for everyone to come, including Lily Kate. Yesterday, he told me that he would help me with her poopy diapers.

I got my hospital bag halfway together yesterday. Discovered that there are a few more things I need. Also learned that packing for girls is soooo much harder even when they are only a few days old: the matching socks and bows and headbands....what a pain. With boys its: pants, shirt and white socks, end of story. Good thing she's worth it.

Had contractions ALL night last night. Every time I woke up it was with one. I just told her she couldn't come yet because Daddy has a big meeting on Wednesday and I've got my errands for the week planned out.

4 days

4

4 Days until Delivery

Oops - skipped day 5. It consisted of a 7:30am cleanout of the garage, vacuuming, tile scrubbing, work, church, a hot bath and a good book at the end of the day.

Feeling good today. Still thinking my water could break at any moment. Hungry like a bottomless pit and allowing myself every indulgence: donuts for breakfast & fried pickles and jalapenos for lunch. Grocery shopping yielded ice cream, peanut butter crackers, and pecans (and some diet coke for Mom while she's here).

I'm trying not to think about everything that comes after delivery: the need to lose the weight, the sleepless nights and the lack of ability to work out. Ugh.

I told Ace this morning that Mommy would have a boo-boo on her belly after Lily comes so he can't snuggle with me for a while. He patted my chest and said, "Just up here snuggling?" I guess it's good I started trying to explain it to him early.

I'm dreading being without Ace. I know he will be having a blast with his Gabby, Pops, Honey, Sashi, B and Uncles James (how spoiled am I with all of that help?!) but I just know it will feel like a part of me is missing. I think it will be physically painful.

Banner & Day 6

6

6 Days Until Delivery

This time next week I will be holding the little bundle that is current kicking me. Got a call from the hospital yesterday to schedule my pre-op lab work for next Wednesday. I also discovered that delivery is at 10:30 am (they told me 8:30 originally but that was just the time that we have to be at the hospital). Two more hours with no food - when I'm used to having breakfast about 5:30am...YIKES.

Here's another project...

Lily Kate's birthday banner.

I have no original ideas of my own and my fantastic friend Kate just made one of these for her newborn - precious Gray. So I decided to steal her idea. She gave me tons of tips and answered all my phone calls from Hobby Lobby and WA-LA.

These babies cost $85 to $150 if you buy them online!!!! My cost was about $30 for canvas and paint.
I wish I would have used colors other than the green on green background but, by the time I decided that, I had put too many coats of paint on to go backwards. At least the flowers make it girly.

Nursery Photos!

Finally photos of the finished nursery.

I pulled the flowers out of the curtains so they matched.
The door shown goes to her closet, photos to post later.

I love how her bedding turned out - an alternative to bumpers.

Everything comes off with velcro for washing!

Changing table. (Lack of storage space for my antique headboard means it's going behind the changing table but it actually looks kind of elegant in person.)

My favorite project of all! These monkeys turned out soooo cute.

I put a few tiny monkeys around her room too.

Didn't realize until now that this will probably draw her to the outlet. Better get an outlet cover!

Above her closet door.

By the lightswitch.

Now all I need is the precious baby who will live in this room!