Getting Ready

First, Henry helped Daddy put together the crib.

Second, we brushed up on tongue twisters so that Cocks will have some classic entertainment.

Next, we went shopping.  Henry browsed through every department, row, and shelf in Babies R Us before selecting some toy stacking rings for the bath as a welcome home gift for Cocks.  Later, he made a card to go with the gift bag.

Then, we took some pictures outside Daddy's new office.  (Right at lunch/ nap time)

Before heading to a shower at Mama's office where a very thoughtful coworker bestowed some Annie's Gummy Rabbits upon Henry.

Then, another shower at friends' house where the kids played while a large group of very supportive, helpful, and loving adults celebrated the day that we hit full term.  

When I was pregnant with Henry, we didn't have Henry to help us get ready.  There's still lots more to do and not enough time, but we are ready, ready, ready!

We are officially...

Full Term!

Oh, happy day!  Joy, gratitude, and elation abound in my heart now.  We are safe.  And I am so ready.

Hooky TV Day

Henry has an official day off of school on Friday, so we didn't play hooky on our unofficial hooky Monday.  The result was that I missed him, so I decided to keep him home today, especially since Cory had an early meeting.  Unfortunately, I felt pretty nauseous and generally lethargic all day, and Henry watched about ten shows.  Yep.  Ten.  Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Handy Manny were watched to our total limit today.  I felt pretty guilty for not attempting any reading time and only a small amount of pretend play.  (Even our train trip was based on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse storyline.)

But, about halfway through one of the shows, Henry got up, walked over to me and said, "Mama, you're pretty."  It was almost enough to make me want to read him a book!

Who are we kidding, though?  The floodgate was open, and the boy was loving mindless TV.  If I tried to read him a book at that point, he probably would have thought of it as punishment.

Go Cocks! 36 Weeks

I made the trip to see Dr. Keith all by myself today.  It speaks volumes that I went alone with no trepidation for I had little doubt that all would still be well.  My fundal height remains about the same, and Cocks's heartbeat, although difficult to pinpoint this time due to his morning exercise routine, sounded strong and regular.  It's hard to believe that in one more week, we will be full term!

Kayce asked me to predict the delivery date today.  I am hesitant to name a date for many reasons, but I still hold firm to pre-40 weeks.  Delivery will be smooth and the weather will be temperate.  Please let me be correct!  Not only am I far larger than ever in my life, I am also very anxious to meet our littlest Hughes--to see him and to hold him.

Any D-Day guesses from my readers?

Amen

We have much to be thankful for on this day.  Perhaps the most prevalent on my mind is that Henry told me, "I love tomatoes now.  They're my favorite."  I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that the boy made the turn from the dark side to the tomato lovin' side.  Did he really mean it?  Time will tell.

Yuuuummmm...

There is nothing, nothing, better than a fresh garden tomato--especially one from our own garden.  It needs zilch but begs for salt, pepper, mayo, and white bread.

During summers past, we would make plans for fresh salsa, pizza toppings, tomato pie, mustard based tomato pie (Cooking Light, of course), tomato and cucumber salad, caprese salad, and giving away our little treasures.  Regular watering and trimming hasn't been top priority this year, although we are overrun with jalapeños, banana peppers, bell peppers.  I'm not allowed to cook.  I can, though, make a sandwich.  

Tomato sandwich, you are king.  I love you.

Grandjane, we really are going to have very low yield.  Don't hesitate to bring some more of yours over.

Go Cocks! 35 Weeks

We made what is now our weekly trek to visit Dr. Keith today where we listened to Cocks's heartbeat, a slightly speedier 155 beats per minute, and measured my fundal height, slightly longer than 36 centimeters. The 36 week-type measurement confirms my belief that Cocks is not just big but advanced.  I am guessing that delivery of a full term Baby Cocks will happen in the not too distant future, and it's easy to get dizzy with anticipation.  Meanwhile, I am increasingly frustrated with my physical limitations when it comes to executing my nesting instincts.  Poor Daddy is balancing it all, including my incessant list making along with his own recent office move.  Right now, my heaven would include cleaning my own windows and helping Cory settle into his new office space.  I already received pre-approval from Dr. Keith to do some more activity once we hit 37 weeks, and I plan on taking care of a few items.  They're on a separate list.

Last Sunday not only marked 35 weeks gestation for Baby Cocks but also the big half birthday for Henry.  Can you believe that we are parents of a three and a half year old?  Crazy!  My big boy keeps me entertained, and we recently started playing hooky on Mondays.  He stays home from school, and we watch movies and Jake and the Neverland Pirates, read books, snack all day, take a nap, and sit around talking.  This Monday, we watched Beauty and the Beast.  He was mesmerized.  I was thrilled.  I may never have a child who will sit with me through all of The Sound of Music, but Beauty and the Beast is a close second.

Happy Half Birthday to Henry and Happy Gettin' Close to Baby Cocks!