Winter Wonderland

I love fall. I love 65-70 degree days, crunchy leaves, crisp morning air, jeans and sweatshirts, football season, apples, and pretty much everything else to do with fall. So when I woke up to 4 inches of snow in our yard, I was a little bitter. I like winter too, but only when it's not stealing days from fall (and pretty much not anytime after March either!). But, fall is coming back this weekend, so we decided to make the most of our early winter days.

We moved this past weekend and are getting settled, but everyone's a little uneasy. We're adjusting to a new home, unpacking instead of playing, learning new routines, wrapping up details at our old house, and anticipating the arrival of our baby boy any day now. This afternoon, when Sydney was again refusing to nap (my amazing sleeper is struggling in the "different house" as she calls it), and Myles was restless, which he made clear by destroying pretty much every room, I decided it was time to get outside. Despite Sydney repeating over and over "Me no like snow, Mama!" we all got our snow gear on and headed outside. Turns out Sydney actually does like snow, imagine that.

We took a walk around the neighborhood after our time out back with hopes that pushing a double stroller for an hour would induce labor. I'm not overly anxious at this point, but excited to meet our baby boy and want as much time with him as possible during my maternity leave, which started earlier this week. With my anticipated due date being this Sunday, and my history of fast labors, I opted to get checked at my midwife appointment yesterday and found out I'm already 3 cm dilated. I have contractions daily, and as soon as I know they are the real thing, we are heading to the hospital! Hopefully next time I'll be sharing a birth announcement!

38 Weeks

Last weekend on our way to the annual Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself fashion show fundraiser. It probably goes without saying that I got a lot of comments on my very pregnant belly!

SOLD!

Three weeks ago, after five months on the market, and when we least expected it, our house went under contract! Despite the awkward timing with my due date looming so close, we are thrilled that it has sold and we can move forward. Constantly cleaning and leaving on a moments notice for showings was beyond old with two little ones. Although it doesn't meet our ultimate goal of shortening our commutes to work, we have decided to rent a home in Golden for the time being to keep Myles at the same school, with a plan to buy again next spring/summer. We secured a house to rent this past weekend and are moving in less than two weeks, just one week before my due date. This could be interesting...

Although I am ready to move on from our town home, it is the first place that Gilby and I bought together, and where we have brought home both of our babies. There are a lot of things I'm going to miss about it. Over the past 4 1/2 years we have pretty much done something to every room in the house, whether it be as simple as painting and installing new light fixtures, or more complex, like redoing the kitchen. Some photos for my memory --

Front

Front Entryway

Family Room

More Family Room

 Sunroom

Dining Room

Kitchen

 More Kitchen

Myles' Room

 Kids' Bathroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Guest Room turned Sydney's Room

Guest Bathroom

Big Sibs

I have no idea how much the kids understand about the fact that they are going to have a little brother in just a few short weeks. From the beginning, they have pointed to my belly when we ask where the baby is, and often lift up my shirt acting like they are going to give it a sweet kiss, only to cover me in a slobbery zerbert. They both love babies, but I just haven't thought the connection was there for either one of them. Lately, I've been wondering if I'm not giving them enough credit.

About a week ago, I went to get Sydney from her bed in the morning and the first thing she said was, "Baby in Mommy's tummy?" and then followed it up with, "Me hold the baby." She hasn't stopped since. Everyday, multiple times a day, she will ask, "Me hold the baby?" We tell her she can hold the baby as soon as he comes out, which makes her very excited, at least for a bit until she asks again, "Me hold the baby?" One night I told her that she can hold the baby after I push him out, to which she replied, "Me push him out." and proceeded to push on my stomach as if she were performing CPR. If only it were that easy! It seems as though big sister is getting pretty excited.

And although Myles has been through this before, he has been brushing up on his skills.

On this particular day, Sydney was napping and I was doing the dishes when I heard the bathroom sink running. I went to check on Myles, and found him up on the step stool giving one of Sydney's dolls a bath in the sink. He soaked her with water, dried her off with the towel, grabbed a diaper from the closet and had me help him put it on, strapped her in his chair, signed "eat" and asked for milk. I got him a bowl of cereal and a cup of milk, and he fed her oh-so-very carefully, sweet boy that he is.

As far as a baby update, I am now 37 weeks along and hoping that baby boy stays put for the next few weeks. We have some big things coming up (like moving to a new house) that would be less complicated without a newborn to care for at the same time. Regardless, I am grateful to have made it full term without any complications for me or baby. I am slowing down considerably and so sore and worn out at the day's end, which I don't so much remember from the first two times. I try not to complain too much (okay, I complain to Gilby a little a lot) because I know many people who would love to be in my position anticipating the arrival of a new little one, and I am ecstatic to be here as well.

The reactions I get from people are funny. I've been asked a few times if I'm having twins, and more than once I've walked into a patient's room at work only to have the mom ask if my due date was that day. At the zoo a few weeks ago one lady even did a double take and then asked her friend if she thought that was only one baby. I chuckled, looked back at her and said, "Yep, just one." But then there are others, bless their hearts, who insist they can't believe I'm so close to delivering, or that it looks like I just have a basketball under my shirt (mostly these are newer moms who are probably just taking pity on me having been there recently themselves!). I will be shocked if this baby isn't bigger than the other kids though, he feels huge to me! I would post a belly photo, but we haven't taken any! Maybe, in all of my spare time, I'll get around to that these next couple weeks. Ready or not, he's coming soon!

Myles Rides a Horse

We took Myles to ride a horse for the first time last week and he loved it! We had purchased a one hour riding lesson through a Groupon deal awhile back with Myles in mind. We've contemplated having him in hippotherapy/therapeutic horseback riding in the past, but with it being one more thing to find time for and budget for, we just haven't done it yet. We may have to revisit the thought after seeing how much he enjoyed himself!

Myles' horse, "Cupcake," was old and slow...perfect for a little 32 pound guy! Myles was a bit hesitant when Gilby first lifted him onto the horse, but as soon as they started walking, he was all smiles. After a few slow laps around the ring, his teacher decided to let him try to trot, which is when the real fun began and Myles couldn't stop laughing. As soon as she would stop to give Cupcake a break, Myles would say, "I want more," over and over. He was very assertive with his commands directed at Cupcake to "stop," and "go." He even quickly picked up how to work the reigns and was turning Cupcake in circles.

Gilby and I were very proud of Myles, but the best part was seeing the pure joy he experienced for an entire hour. Our boy works so hard at lots of things in life, so to see him ease into an activity with such enjoyment made our hearts happy.