In the Mean Time...

Yes, we're still waiting. I'm beginning to have that "I'm going to be pregnant forever!" feeling. That probably means she'll be coming soon. In the mean time, we are trying to stay busy.

There are still things that Scott has been fixing on our vans. Friday, he changed the oil on the white van. Jonathan and Elijah were very interested in why Daddy was lying on the ground. Elijah said, "Daddy sleeping?"


Scott then invited them to watch him change the oil. I had to take some pictures of our little guys learning from their daddy.


They drained the oil and replaced the oil filter.


Then Elijah got bored and commenced to wondering around the yard playing with one of Scott's ratchets.


Jonathan was taking his job of helping Daddy seriously though. Scott showed him how to pour the oil.


Then Elijah held my hand to protect me from getting hit by the van, while Jonathan helped Scott back the van off the ramps.


Then Elijah and I sat inside the van and watched them check all the fluid levels.

After they finished, I drove the van to vote on the last day of early voting and then went to the store and did a little shopping. While I was out and about, Scott worked on our big van and Jonathan helped him replace some spark plugs.

I enjoyed doing a little last minute shopping. I had a few funny moments. Scott asked me to pick up some castorol for the van. I thought he was saying castor oil. I think I will just let the car have that. I'm not quite that desperate for the baby to come.

Then I went to the grocery department and got two gallons of milk, I arrived at the check out and realized I grabbed two different brands of milk. I decided to just pay the extra dollar not to have to go to the back of the store again.

Finally, I was checking out and the friendly older cashier started telling about her daughter that was a huge 8 lb baby. I just smiled and said, "Wow!" I like letting people enjoy their bragging rights. Just because my babies tend to be big doesn't make other babies small.

Well, it's very late right now but I wanted to publish this before bed. It's been a busy day. I've been having contractions and got sent home from the hospital today. Maybe we will have more happen after I wake up. Hope my next post will be filled with baby pictures.

Doctor's Appointment

We had to get up early this morning to go to my weekly appointment. The kids did really well getting ready and were excited because we were going in the big van.

I was glad that Scott was able to go with us for my last appointment before my due date. He even fixed the windshield wipers on our van before we left and I took this picture of the kids while he washed his hands.

My appointment went well. I measured one centimeter smaller than last week on my fundel height which my doctor said was probably because the baby has dropped a little. She did say that we don't want to go more than a week past my due date. She has to schedule inductions in advance. If the baby doesn't come on her own, I'm scheduled to be induced on Wednesday, May 30. I am praying that she'll be born before then.

We had our tires replaced this past weekend and today we were able to stop by there on our way home to get the lug nuts tightened. I took this picture of Scott and the kids last Saturday, staring through the window at our van. It reminded me of a nursery window in a hospital. I only had enough batteries on my phone to take one picture. Jonathan and Elijah are hidden behind Joshua and Ruth in this picture.


The countdown has begun for our baby's arrival. Pray with me that she comes swiftly and soon.

Ready and Waiting...

I finally feel like I've got everything ready for the baby's arrival. I have my hospital bag packed, set the bassinet up, and took our 9 month family picture. Now we are just in waiting mode. Here are some of the pictures we took today.


We have a tradition with every new baby we take a pregnant family picture. I was afraid that our tradition would have to change as the kids got older but they were all in a goofy mood tonight and had a blast seeing who could have the biggest belly. I think Elijah won on the cutest belly since they stuck a baby doll in his shirt. That's the baby dolls head sticking out the top. I love the grin on his face.



I also had Scott take this picture of just me and Elisabeth tonight. I really think the family picture is more fun though. :-)



And finally a picture of the bassinet which I put up today. I'm glad I got it done. When they said "some assembly required", they really meant it. It really wasn't too bad to put together. It would have been frustrating though if we had to put it together last minute.

We're playing the waiting game. There is so much going on this next couple of weeks. I would really like to be able to go to all the activities. My dad will be graduating from seminary with his doctorates degree next Saturday. We also received a birthday party invitation for next Saturday. Then the following Saturday is a family reunion that I would really like to go to.

With all these upcoming activities, I'm really curious when our baby will come. My doctor told me not to go more than 1 hour away from the hospital. We live an hour away!

I'm trying not to be nervous about it though. I really think things will go smoothly when the time comes. Right now, all we have to do is just hurry up and wait!

Mom's Night Out/ Baby Shower

Tuesday was a busy and fun day for me and the kids. We started the day off with my doctor's appointment. The kids really like the new location of the doctor's office. I actually like it too. I have 4 less red lights to go through at the new location. Saves me a few minutes even though it is basically not very far from where it used to be.

When my doctor checked for the baby's heartbeat, Elisabeth started kicking and moving. I told my doctor that if it were up to the baby she'd just go ahead and crawl out. :-)

For those that understand the numbers, my fundel height is 40 cm. I am 2 cm dialated and 70% effaced.

I'm not going to get too hopeful until I'm around 4 cm dialated. I was turned away from the hospital with false labor 2 or 3 times with Elijah. So I'll probably be skeptical this time around and think I'm having false labor and it be real labor. If that does happen at least it should go quick once we make the hour drive to the hospital.

After the doctor's appointment, I took the kids to the park for our homeschool park day. I had forgotten about the water park being turned on and didn't have the kids bring extra clothes to change into. I did earn bonus points toward mother of the year for letting them play in the water anyway.

After the park, we went home, started a load of laundry and then I just relaxed a little bit before Scott arrived home from work. Then I got ready to go to our homeschool group's Moms' Night Out where they were having a baby shower for Elisabeth.


Here I am pictured with my friend, Jennifer who was our hostess for the evening. We had a fabulous taco dinner followed by delicious cake for dessert. There were about 16 ladies plus two babies present as we gathered in Jennifer's living room.

Elisabeth and I received so many beautiful clothes and accessories. Pictured above is a beautiful dress that one of the young ladies had sewn for Elisabeth.


Another mother had made me a beautiful nursing cover. Out of 6 children this is the first time I have actually owned a real nursing cover. I have always just covered up with a blanket. I'm looking forward to getting to try it out with Elisabeth.


I also received a new diaper bag and a good supply of diapers, baby wipes, baby soaps, shampoos, and lotions. I always appreciate having a good supply of diapers.

I also received a mother care package of bath salt, lotions, and potpourri.

Then after opening the gifts, I enjoyed getting to visit with all the other mothers. I think that is what I enjoy most about our Mom's Nights. I love sharing stories and listening to other moms tell about what they've been doing or have done.

Now I've gotten most all of Elisabeth's clothes washed and put away. I can't wait to dress her up in all the beautiful clothing we've received. Our other two daughters are wanting to put all the outfits on her in one day. I can kind of understand. It will be hard to pick out just one outfit to bring her home in. Then we'll have to pick out which of all the beautiful dresses to bring her to church in on her first Sunday at church.

Only 2 more weeks until my due date! I'm continuing to exercise 3 days a week at our karate class, although much slower now. It's hard not to give up and just sit out the whole hour and a half. However I know it's good for me. I'm sure by continuing to do as much as I can in class will help the delivery to be easier, so I keep on trying. I'm hoping that with the extra exercise, I'll have Elisabeth closer to her due date and won't have to be induced.

Now I just need to get my nesting instinct to kick in and start packing my bag for the hospital. :-)

Family Pictures

I just got a hold of Scott's phone and was able to get the pictures that he took from it it. This first family picture was taken on Easter Sunday. We had the hardest time getting Elijah to stand still.


We had sibling poses that I shared on my Easter blog. I didn't have this picture to share at that time though. The girls wanted to pose with Elisabeth. I think this is such a sweet picture. It was Hannah's idea to hold my tummy that way. :-)


This was our most recent family picture taken after karate class last Tuesday. Our next karate family picture will have Elisabeth wearing her new little pink gi that was given to us by our karate instructor.

I need to take one more family picture this month. I need a profile shot of me to show how big I am in my last month before the baby is born. Traditionally Scott and the kids stuff pillows or something like that in the front of their shirts to make a silly pregnancy picture. But I'm thinking of coming up with some new tradition since the kids are getting older. Joshua will be 14 this summer and might not be as willing to participate in such silliness. He was rather hesitant 2 years ago before Elijah was born. We may come up with something new this year. That will give me something more to blog about once we finally take that last picture before the baby.

I'm especially looking forward to getting our family picture after our baby is born.

Keep checking back, I hope to continue my goal of blogging at least once a week, even after the baby is born.