{Due} Date

A year ago today was the BIG day - you know that day every pregnant woman dreams about for nearly 9 months. That date that rolls off your tongue before people can even finish asking "When are you..." 

I know the whole science behind due dates and all, but honestly I think they were just created to give women a date to keep them from going crazy but really it makes them go more crazy because they (for some reason) think that there's just no way the baby could be born NOT on that day ... 

Anyway, the point is - a year ago on this day I woke up thinking for sure I'd have a baby because that's what is supposed to happen on that special day, but I didn't. I crossed 9 more days after that off the calendar before he finally did make his grand entry. But I promise you - he was 100%, totally worth the wait. Basically, I just wanted to reminice about my little not-so-little baby bump. Sigh. I would take that cute belly over the hernia induced third nipple I'm rocking these days, but that was also very much worth it. :)

I celebrated this day that's not really an anniversary by snuggling with Trice in bed until 10 AM this morning .. how's that for a "routine?"

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

38 Weeks

39 Weeks

We went and saw a movie after this picture was taken, and I was convinced my water would break and Poppy would be born a "movie star!"

40 Weeks

So so true.

In the middle of typing this post, Trice woke up for the 2nd time tonight and I stopped to go rock him back to sleep. I stood a little longer holding him before I could put him down and the tears started to flow. I'm pretty sure shoving him back in my belly would have just been pretty traumatic for everyone involved, but it did cross my mind...

I thought it would be fun to go back and read my blog post from my due date (I guess I actually wrote it the day AFTER my due date) and see what emotions I was experiencing then. I also cried reading this. It's just really amazing to me how much I've even changed as a person over this last year - certain things make me realize how my whole outlook on life has changed. And I feel like this post had to be made up because I know for a fact I was content keeping that sweet babe safe inside my tummy forever (That might have had something to do with the fact that I was TERRIFIED of child birth!) And to think - I want to do it all over again .. someday in the distant future (Despite the "Future Babies" Pinterest board, there is currently no poppy seed in this oven!)

So... for your reading pleasure..

{Over} Baked Poppy Seed

I'm pretty sure if my tummy had a smoke alarm, it would be going off. Poppy - you are officially over-baked. Now in 10 days when you are STILL in there, I'll write your official eviction notice. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the last few kicks and hiccups as well as a clean house and quality time with your daddy. Turns out, I'm not the first pregnant lady ever to go past her due date (even though it feels that way...) but I think everyone was so determined I would "pop" well before the 22nd that no one can believe you are still baking. And making it this far is not so much a bad thing .. in fact, Poppy's had plenty of time to cook in there and get ready for this world out here. But, really, Poppy - how much more cookin' do you need?

Benny and I both woke up GRUMPY today. We both left work Friday with the mindset we would not be returning today, so it was extremely difficult to get out of bed. I kept reminding him that while he had to go sit in an air-conditioned office all day (his life is rough...), I'd be going in and out of the heat all day, getting up and down off the floor, having little kids come at me forgetting I no longer have a lap, and driving little kids to the dentist .. and I'm the one whose got the baby in my tummy! Good thing I absolutely love my job - I wasn't QUITE ready to say goodbye to my little people anyway.

I got asked at least 15 times at the dentist, "Wow! When are you due? You are going to pop!" to which I sighed and replied,"Yesterday." (Thanks for the reminder, right?!) One lady said, "You just look plain miserable." (Was it the fact that I was sweating profusely or that my shirt was stretched to the point it was almost ripping from me trying to keep my belly from poking out at the bottom that gave that away?) Really, I don't think I look or act that miserable... do I?!

So what do we do? We wait, and wait, and wait some more. Poppy will come when he/she is ready and until then there's not a whole lot we can do. I figure it's a few more nights we get to pray for a smooth delivery and healthy baby. Oh look at me being all positive - doesn't it just make you sick? I'm too exhausted tonight to even go on a walk, so I'm just sitting here staring at Pinterest (Benny told me I could NOT start making a "Baby Edwards #2" board) and chowing down chocolate chip cookies (that I baked out of boredom yesterday). According to Benny, he had 2 and I ate the rest. I may have a slight case of pregnancy dementia, but I distinctly remember him eating at least 3. Benny can't remember a time in his life where I didn't have SOMETHING for him to do, but I honestly don't even have a to-do list at this moment. Although, he could hang up our amazing maternity pictures that came in the mail today (Thanks, Ash!) but I'll let him get in a few more uninterrupted nights of playing NCAA football...

We cannot wait to meet Poppy. At this point, if Poppy is a boy he will not have a name for at least 24 hours or possibly longer because I've suddenly decided on a new name rather than the one we've had picked out for 3 years, and Poppy's father is not budging. This could get interesting. Especially because I pre-made a "Welcome Home" sign for BOTH possibilities - boy and girl - complete with names (oh yes, I need to have this baby SOON), so Benny isn't sure how I plan on doing a last minute switch-a-roo, but trust me folks, it is possible. I even tried to change our girl name - by one letter - the other day and he just told me to move on. I've had WAY too many weeks to think about this... And then today when I texted him another possibility for a middle name, he informed me I should probably stop adding to list and start eliminating. The longer this baby cooks, the crazier this mama gets.

Benny's co-workers have started asking if this is all a conspiracy for him to get some time off work and one even asked if any of them have actually seen me "pregnant" because they're really starting to think it's all made up. I am starting to think they might be right and that all the toddlers know what they're talking about when they say I just have a basketball in my tummy. My boss is neighbors with my doctor, so every time his car is not at his house she assumes he is delivering my baby and I get a text asking if I'm in labor. Today I had to inform her that I'm not his only patient and he probably also has a life outside of delivering babies...

Well, Poppy, we will just have to see what the doctor says tomorrow. Maybe he will send me right up to labor and delivery and we'll be holding you by the end of the day? Wishful thinking .. but I'm hoping I've at least progressed. If not, your dad might be grumpy about the blisters on his feet from walking so many miles with me this weekend. But you just do what you need to do - we'll be all sorts of ready to love on you when you get here! (Oh, and while your uncle Jerad thinks you're holding out to be the New Year's baby, your great auntie Joyce promises you'll be here by September...)


And here's a part taken from my post at 38 Weeks that I thought was fun to go back and read (and add my own personal updateds):

Things I'll miss about pregnancy:
1. Baby kicking!
2. Benny touching my belly and reading to Poppy (I suppose he'll still read to Poppy when Poppy gets here..)
3. Hearing our baby's heartbeat at appointments
4. No longer eating for two - won't have a reason for 2nds anymore! (like I need a reason...) (**I decided breastfeeding is reason enough, so I'll probably just never stop doing that .. kidding**)
5. Planning the nursery - we've had SO much fun designing, building, planning, picking things out, etc.
6. Pants that don't button .. might try to wear those as long as I possibly can. 
7. The suspense of not knowing whether Poppy is a girl or boy...
8. Side Hugs - I can't reach Benny in a straight on hug anymore, so I have to turn to the side .. it makes us laugh. (**Turns out, we STILL have to do this because of my painful belly!**)
9. Nesting/Crafting Instinct - Although my house isn't any cleaner, it is more organized and I have become quite the crafter (and if you know me, you know I don't have a crafty bone in my body!)
10. All the questions/comments from my little ones. They crack me up!! They are so fascinated by my belly and say the funniest things.
11. Knowing baby is snuggled up in my tummy so close to me all day every day!

Things I won't miss about pregnancy:
1. Getting up to pee a thousand times a night. (Now I'll just get up to take care of baby!)
2. Running my belly into corners .. OUCH!
3. None of my clothes fitting!! (Including my maternity clothes now!)
4. Not being able to shave my legs or paint my toenails. (**People have time to do that with a baby?!**)
5. Non-stop tummy itching. Ugh. (probably my biggest complaint throughout the whole pregnancy)
6. Throwing out cake and brownie batter and raw cookie dough -- it makes me want to cry to not lick the spoon and bowl when I'm done ... but I won't put baby at risk! 
7. Lack of oxygen. 
8. CRAZY emotions - from rediculously happy to bawling sad in .2 seconds. (**Those didn't go away...**)
9. Peeing in the smallest cup ever made - if you've ever been pregnant, you know what I mean.  
10. 70 degrees feeling like 100 degrees 

What we've done to prepare in the final days: (No matter how many times Benny reminds me we aren't moving into the wilderness for the next 3 months, I still feel like that's what I'm preparing for..ha!)
1. Clean, clean, cleaned the house! I am a huge fan of this nesting thing ... my house will NEVER be this clean again. (**Ain't that the truth**)
2. Installed the car seat
3. Packed and re-packed and re-packed hospital bags
4. Wrote Poppy letters from each of us - we plan on doing this each year for his/her Birthday
5. Started filling out parts of the baby book
6. Stocked up on paper plates and plastic silverware (We will be taking a 3 month break from dishes.. or at least that's my hope!) -- (**Turned into 11 month break**)
7. Filled our pantry with easy-to-grab snacks.
8. Spent time together as a couple and with friends
9. NAPPED and slept in! I NEVER sleep in .. it's against my religion .. but I have been taking full advantage of it because I know I will never have a chance again! Haha.
10. Finalized daycare plans - which was a BIG deal for me... 
11. Made a phone tree of who needs to be notified by whom and a list of people we'd like to contact right away before the news hits the press (aka Facebook). Made sure dad knows where our hospital bags are and the most direct route to the hospital from wherever he may be at the time. I kind of like to plan...


I've loved pregnancy and really didn't have many complaints - just a few small annoyances! We have been truly blessed to have a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy to this point and we pray that it continues (It's DEFINITELY the final countdown!) I know that this has not been the case for so many people who have had incredibly complicated pregnancies, so we thank God every day for how smoothly mine has gone and we give kudos to them for being so strong through all the trials of theirs. We try not to complain about the small things knowing there's always someone out there who has it way harder. That doesn't mean I don't get a little hormonal at times, but for the most part, we just keep thanking God for Poppy. We're starting to get nervous about baby's arrival, but we are so excited to meet our little one and know that we will learn as we go just as any new parent does. We already have the deepest love for Poppy and know it will only grow the first time we hold him/her. We are thankful for all the support, prayers, advice, etc. we have been given along the way ... Poppy will be here soon!

{'Splorin}

If you are a mommy like me, you've probably found yourself thinking, "What else can I do with this child?!" Being an early childhood educator, I would take age-appropriate activities/materials into people's homes once/week to give them new ideas of things they could do with their children to promote development. So I thought when I had my own children that I would pull all these old tricks out of the bag and have the smartest child ever (or maybe I just thought that because I married Mr. Mensa - not sure what that is? Look it up .. you'll find Benny's picture). However, the laundry piled up, the sleep deprivation became unbearable, the lack of any sort of routine, the preparing of meals, the panicking over every bump and scrape, the puke, the poop, the full-time job of nursing somehow got in the way and I suddenly realized my child was 11 months old and I hadn't done all 6 billion things I wanted to do with him and his life was basically half over ... okay, that's a little over dramatic, but you get it.  

I reminded myself that he was getting everything he needed by just exploring. Babies learn by exploring. They love exploring. And trust me, Trice is quite the 'splorer. However, I wanted to offer him some new opportunities to expose him to different materials as well as keep him from getting bored and me from going stir crazy.

 I plan on sharing some of our activities each week. They can always be modified to your child's age/developmental level and using items you have in your house. Most of these activities were when we were engaging one-on-one so I could make sure they were done safely as some objects used are choking hazards. I just thought it'd be fun to have pictures of him doing some of these things and also to give other people ideas of what does/doesn't go over well so if you are getting bored of all the toys around the house, you'll have some quick and easy tricks to pull out of your sleeve. As you will see, they are nothing fancy. Most of these were just part of our daily play. I'm no super-mom, but Trice sure thinks I'm pretty fun. :)

                                                                 

1. Secret Fort

There's just something about being in things that babies love. It's their own little space. (My next post is actually going to be all about Trice being IN things) I set this up while Trice napped in his crib (yes, he napped in his crib once. It was epic). He saw the fort immediately when I brought him to the living room and dove out of my arms. He read books, played his instruments, hid the books under his pillow, pretended to be asleep, crawled through the holes and played peek-a-boo. I will do this again and just switch up what I put in there. This can be done with a blanket or towel, but I do like this little play hut I got at a garage sale for $1.

I LOVE this picture I snapped - he is a book lover, for sure. I, of course, got in there with him after taking this and we read together. He fits a little better than I do...

2. Sticky Tape
I normally do this activity by taping down a piece of contact paper sticky side up and we stick different objects to it, touch it, walk on it, crawl on it, etc. I didn't have any contact paper around (and was NOT about to go to Walmart), so I grabbed the tape.

**This was a little difficult to get off the high chair, so I will probably just lie something down next time with the sticky tape on it.**

Stiiiccccky .. 

3. Muffin Tin Play

Whoever invented the cupcake/muffin tin clearly was thinking of children. The possibilities are endless. Trice LOVES putting things in, taking things out .. so what better opportunity? He also LOVES these shapes from his shape sorter, but that's a little over his head and leads to major melt downs right now, so I knew he'd be excited to play with them in a different way. As the day went on, many different small objects made their way to the muffin tin. 

Things usually work better if you sit on them...

What ya doing up there, mommy?

3. Cupboard Play
If you want to get anything done in the kitchen .. EVER .. give your child a cupboard. Seriously, giving up two shelves was the best decision I ever made. I might just give the next baby a cupboard starting at birth. I have every intention of switching up the materials in there so when he opens it he'll get that great big grin on his face .. maybe tomorrow!

Squats

Drumming!

4. Water Play

PLEASE ignore his ridiculous outfit in some of these pictures. His swim shirt was dirty (who only has one shirt but 3 pairs of swim trunks .. silly) and since I'm OCD about him not getting a sunburn, he had to have a shirt.. this is what I found.. we were headed for a meltdown, and I went with it. The hat was just to make it look even more ridiculous. Also, that is indeed a sandbox turtle. Another awesome garage sale find. We were going to get Trice a little pool, but frugal Benny said No, no, no when we had this gem taking up space in the garage. It has worked perfect for this summer and I wish we had tried it earlier. It's now going to be my sensory tub and I have very big plans! 

Water play is incredible. There's nothing more fascinating or versatile. And all you need is a bowl and some random objects (or just splashing, but that may be short lived!)  I'm all about using stuff you have around the house. Cups, spoons, sponges, measuring cups, lids, tupperware, etc.

Here's a little indoor water play..

What do we have here, mom?!

Splash, Splash!

Diving in!

 

And a little outdoor water play...

Mmm.. yummy water!

Update: Today Trice's sippy cup fell off the table and exploded on the kitchen floor. You would have thought their was a gallon of water in it because it was everywhere. Before I could even think about grabbing a towel, he was rolling and splashing in it - soaked from head to toe .. and yep, he was drinking it. Good thing I swept this morning. He was having the time of his life so I let him have at it... and then cleaned it all up before he fell on his face. Total water baby!

Sopping wet baby.

5. Squeezing Sponges

Trice was a little behind in fine motor skills for awhile because we started him so late on solids which is a major fine motor activity. He caught up right away and is now pinching peas and cheerios like a boss. However, I'm always looking for ways to build stronger finger muscles ... so I used his love of water to my advantage.

Squuuuuueeze! Look at those little muscles working.

And last, but definitely not least, an activity we didn't technically do this week but do often...

6. Finger Painting

There are tons of recipes for home made finger paints or you can buy some. I'm usually kind of OCD about things Trice uses since he is still in the "stick everything including dirt in your mouth" stage, but I went ahead and bought finger paint for now. So far he hasn't tasted it .. surprisingly.

I've got some really fun ideas for next week ready to go so check back soon! :)