Last Day as a Family of 3!

Last night in the bathtub, Madelyn was playing with her ducks for a long time. She lined them up on the edge of the tub and named them all. There was Mommy, Daddy, Madelyn and Mason duck.

Anytime anyone mentions anything about the new baby Madelyn is quick to explain to them that it is her 'Baby Brother Mason'. I think that she is excited to become a family of 4 tomorrow! (we will see how excited she is she we actually bring Mason home!)

OB Appointment - 39 Weeks

Today was my last appointment before we meet Mason on Friday. He is still looking good and doing what he needs to be doing. My fluid levels were down even more (still in the 'high' range but much lower than previous weeks) and we are all set for Friday! She did not do another growth scan so we will see how big he in on Friday. His bag is packed (probably overly packed but not knowing how big he is going to be I packed newborn and 0-3 month outfits!), his clothes are put away and his room is ready. I just have to get myself packed and Madelyn all ready to spend the weekend with Gigi and Papa D! I plan on bringing my computer to the hospital so hopefully I will get a chance to post an update as soon as I can. Please keep us in your prayers on Friday, specifically that he is completely healthy and that the surgery goes perfectly! NICU staff will be in the room when he is born just to make sure he is doing well and there are no surprises. Pray that they are not needed!

First Day!

Today was my 4th first day of school as a 2nd grade teacher! I really enjoy this day of the school year because it is so fun to meet all the new kiddos (and they are usually well behaved!) and get a glimpse into what this new year will hold! Although this year will be a little bit different than previous years, since I will not be there for the first 2 six weeks, I think that it will be a great year. I was feeling pretty good all day long but had a few contractions during my lunch and decided that the first day was going to be my last day! It will be nice to be at home with Mason and Madelyn for the next few weeks but excited to get back to my little ducks around Thanksgiving.

ABC Shirt

Since my sister is attending TCU this year, we had to get Madelyn some team apparel. She loves this shirt and calls it her ABC shirt (anything with letters is called ABC in Madelyn's world :)).

Go Frogs!

My sister, Hallie, transfered to TCU this year and moved into her new apartment last weekend. Since she is so close now, we headed down to Ft. Worth today to visit Aunt Hallie! Madelyn had such a good time running around her apartment and we had a yummy lunch at Fuzzy's Taco!

More Tea Party!

Madelyn loves playing tea party at Gigi's house so much that Daddy bought her one to play with at our house. I love how she takes out all the pieces, lines them up and then serves them around the house.

Blog Slacker!

I know, I know...I have been slacking on updating the blog lately! I could give you all the excuses but I won't. Instead, I am going to work on posting a few tonight!

OB Appointment - 38 weeks

Today was my second to last appointment before this big boy comes (unless he comes earlier). Almost there! I have to admit that I am ready - I am getting very uncomfortable and tired. I have been back at work this week and a little bit of last week (no kids - just meetings and getting my room ready) and it has been really hard being active all day, I am feeling it every night. Anyway, the appointment went well. We had another non-stress test ultrasound and Dr. Patton says that Mason is still looking good. My fluid levels were back up a little bit but not as high as they had been. He is still head down but face up. Dr. Patton says that this is why my back and hips have been hurting so much lately. We have another ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday for a last check then I go into L&D for a few hours on Thursday to be monitored and get blood work and paperwork done then back on Friday for the c-section! A little more than a week - I am excited but starting to get really nervous. Pray that all goes well during the surgery and that Mason is a healthy little boy. :)

"Happy Birthday To You"

We do not usually keep decorations on the coffee table in the living room because Madelyn is very interested in them but we do replace them when we have people over. Madelyn had some fun playing the the (unlit) candles that sit on the coffee table. She would sing Happy Birthday and then pretend to blow them out! She is super silly and was showing off for her grandparents!

PS - Yes, Madelyn is wearing the same dress as several other posts. Pictures taken on the same day, just posted on different days! :)

Madelyn Loves Grandma!

Derek's grandparents came in town today and Madelyn is in love with her Great-Grandma! She has been telling her stories and giving her hugs all evening long! How cute :)

OB Appointment - 37 Weeks

Today was another appointment and another ultrasound but this time with a growth scan as well as a non-stress test! I love getting to see Mason every week and he is looking good. He was moving all around and doing his practice breathing like a pro. My fluid levels were still a little high (lower than last time but still in the high range) and Dr. Patton said that with his current size and my fluid levels, it is like I am carring twins!! No wonder I have been feeling HUGE lately. The growth scan shows that he is currently measuring around 8 pounds 6 ounces! YIKES...But, my doctor keeps saying that not only are ultrasound measurements not super accurate but also that size does not mean maturity so we are still set for a c-section at 39 weeks. We got put on the OR schedule for noon on August 28th!! I have to go in the day before for a few hours to get blood work done and get all the paperwork filled out then head back to L&D on the 28th around 10:30 to get the IV started and the surgery is scheduled for 12:00! I have been having some minor contractions the past few days (I even had a few during the ultrasound) and just generally not feeling very well so I am ready for him to be here!! I have two more appointments and lots to do until his arrival a little more than 2 weeks!

I have several back posts that I need to work on - I have not been in the blogging mood and my photoshop has been acting strange but I will get them up in the next few days!!

Daddy's Little Girl

Back to School

Today was Madelyn's first day at her new daycare. I do not officially have to go back to work until Friday but I wanted her to get used to the new school before I really had to go back and I was going to use this time to work in my classroom. Madelyn did much better than I expected. We walked down to her room and she was a little shy at first, staying by me but then saw all the toys. She went to go play and told me "Bye Bye Mommy!" She took a good nap and ate all her meals! I think that she likes it :).

Baby "Sprinkle"

Today my mom and sister threw Mason a little Baby "Sprinkle". It was lots of fun! It was very different opening blue things, but Mason gots lots of cute things! Of course, Madelyn was the center of attention most of the time!

Helping Mommy open the presents!

Mommy, Madelyn and Mason (not a big fan of this picture of my but Madelyn is cute and I have so few of me and her!)

Playing with Aunt Hallie's phone!

Drinking milk and getting tired!

Backpack, Backpack

Today I had a training at school so Madelyn spent the day with Gigi, Papa D and Aunt Hallie. When I came up there to pick her up she had a new toy to show Mommy. Gigi had bought her a Dora backpack that talks and sings...Madelyn is obsessed! She does not let it out of her sight and has to have it when watching Dora! Thanks Gigi! :)

Fun in the Backyard!

Trying to stay cool and have some fun!

Take a Guess!!

I have added a poll to the right to guess how much Mason will weigh when he is born in 23 short days!!

Some background information to use to make an educated guess :). We know that he is big but ultrasound measurements are almost always off. As of a few weeks ago the ultrasounds said he was already 6 1/2 pounds. Madelyn was big - she was 8 pounds 12 ounces. But, I have been having crazy dreams that they are all wrong and he weighs somewhere in the 7 pound range! I also have not gained any weight in almost a month - maybe he is slowing down?? Take a guess...what do you think Mason will weigh??

OB Appointment - 36 Weeks

Had another appointment today with another ultrasound. After doing some looking around and measurements (Mason looks wonderful and doing what he is supposed to be doing), Dr. Patton announced that my fluid level was back up and we needed to make a decision about this baby! We had been talking about an 'elective' c-section which Dr. Patton was recommending again today. So, I asked a few questions about the logistics of a c-section (the length of hospital stay, epidural vs. spinal block, etc) and we made a decision to schedule it for when I turn 39 weeks! Baby Mason's (tentative) birthday, as of today, will be August 28!!! I have another appointment next week in which I will get another ultrasound as well as set the time of the c-section and officially get on the OR list! A little scared and a lot excited that little Mason will be here in 24 days!

Love those curls...

Madelyn is getting much more hair lately...It may even be close to time for a 2nd haircut already!

Swimming Pool Fun!

Getting a little creative in pool play time! Madelyn had such a good time playing 'tea party' in the pool and then taking apart all the puzzles and letting Daddy put them back together again! Over and over...Fun day!