No baby. {Yet.} I'm {still} here.
I am up to my eyeballs in this stuff, as preparing for a {currently} genderless child can prove to be a bit challenging... I've washed just enough, because let's face it: all they wear in the beginning are onesies and nightgowns anyway.
I don't parade around town with our newest arrival the day I am released from the hospital (as I like to follow the doctor's orders-heaven FORBID I do that...) so the smocked can wait. Obsessed with organizing I have been, as well as immersing myself in last minute details: the carseat, washing the swing cover, finding the boppy {yet to be located} registering at the hospital...making last minute arrangements...and all that other mind numbing stuff no one cares about unless you happen to be the expectant mother. Hurray!
We have an induction date set for Monday the 13th at 5 in the a.m. {woot woot} Here's to hoping I last that long. Our last ultrasound at 37 wks (I keep getting freebies because I was measuring a good 7 cm behind) - that's a whopping 7 weeks behind for you non baby experts out there (me) - it revealed that contrary to concerns, this baby is already a good 7lbs. 5 oz. For me, a small framed person, that lil tidbit of info means the baby is getting really LARGE. I realize it's not ten pounds or anything, but they nearly broke my tail bone getting Aiden out at 7.14. I'm not so worried about poundage as much as the size of this little m's head. We have that to think about, seeing as how large heads run in our fam: Aiden=115% Emmy=90%...and McDreamy is trying to avoid that one this go round. {Bless him and his little handsome doctor heart.}
So...induction here we come. {We would really appreciate your prayers!} Jamin and I have everything worked out, so I am sure the baby will now come around, oh... tonight or so. Things get a little tricky when you have other kids to think about...as I am sure some of you know. Our nurse, who delivered Aiden and Emmy and just so happens to be beyond awesome, has agreed to be there for our third, even though she's not even working that day. I have her all to myself! (They do all the work anyway) I also have Hair appointments squeezed in (so I have no root rot in the new baby pics despite the fact that my face looks like the elephant man) and a pedi (because we all know pedis are of the utmost importance when feet are in stirrups)...I mean everyone is totally looking at my toes. We even have a date night planned for Friday. Kid free. The last one for a while. Yeah. Now that I wrote that I can pretty much plan on having Malone in my arms tomorrow...
I'll admit it, I'm dying. Absolutely dying. Homestretch=absolute cliff hanger. This entire pregnancy I've been totally nonchalant, and now that little m is so close to arriving, I wake in the middle of the night wondering what on earth this baby is...anticipating its arrival...I guess the normal birthing stuff merely amped in the excitement of having no clue as to what he or she actually IS. I can pretty much count on this week DRAGGING by. I had a dream last night I gave birth in a beach chair on the beach. Only I was at the hospital. They had the epi in and everything. And there I was. My feet in stirrups, propped above the sand, watching the waves. Maybe a new birthing fad...
I've claimed girl from the beginning. Basing it on my womanly/motherly/female, Eve-like instincts. Jamin has, on the other hand, proclaimed little m to be a boy. For sheer argument's sake. {imagine that} And thus the battle has begun... I have more at stake than him. He guessed just to be difficult, and I proclaimed it was my womanhood driving me to this prophecy. As we both only want a healthy baby, it has become a battle to the finish. I guess we'll see. The suspense...IS KILLING ME. I want to be RIIIIIIIGHT. If he wins he's NOT allowed to rub it in my face. If I win, all is fair in love, birthing rights and double standards...
As most of you can imagine, the blog is about to slow to a snail's pace as far as posting goes, as I am merely trying to savor these last few days before we officially become a party of 5. So don't go anywhere. I'll be back. I'll let you know when no. 3 is here... I just won't be doing EIGHT separate posts a week...for a while...{Shew. I'm tired.}
Here are a few photos of our last days in retrospect:
We have this giant pool in our backyard. This heat is killing us, and it's big enough for all of us to clamber in and splash about. I guess you could say its borderline white trash in the above ground category, but its the perfect size for the kids. Check out my lil swimsuit model...
Jamin climbed in with them the other day. I think he enjoyed it as much as they did.
Just a little observation: I think Jamin may be possessed in this photo. Jury's still out...
In other news, Emmy had her first trim last week, and Aiden got his growth a little under control. Trademark surfer dude. It was time for Emerson. I hated to do it, but her hair looks much better now... less scraggly and thicker. She was borderline mullet status, and I had to prevent anything less than fabulous as far as she is concerned. Bows are of the utmost importance in outfit coordination, and her hair must be in top condition. She was a little angel as soon as our stylist handed her a lollipop...
Potential meltdown crisis averted. Hair saved in an envelope to be filed away in the baby book I never write in. At least it's dated. Everyone=happy.
We had a great time at my parent's house for the fourth. Aunt CiCi came down from Chattanooga and brought {as she usually does} a plethora of goodies for the kids. They absolutely adore her. We looked on from the garage in broad daylight while she lit some daytime-kid- appropriate fireworks she purchased just for them. (I winced, hoping they wouldn't explode in her face cause I'm jumpy like that) She is so thoughtful when it comes to her niece and nephew. She wins the cool Aunt award for sure.
Aiden was totally stoked about the parachute man CiCi brought. Right up his alley.
My mom with Emerson.
Later that night, we lit some more. Little Miss curious was afraid of nothing.
My dad giving Emerson her first sparkler...
Daddy helping Emmy with her sparkler...
There are about a thousand reasons as to why giving an 18 month old a sparkler could be a horrible idea. This would be one of them. {No face burns occurred in the capture of this classic photo-I do believe it to be frame worthy, however.}
And last but certainly not least, in the grand tradition of our Swiss Family Robinson wildlife experiences, we now have a caterpillar infestation {in our pecan tree} located in our back yard. I felt it necessary to document said infestation as it is of plague-like proportions. Classic Mills status. Nothing less will do for us. Strange black things were falling from above, and then we realized they were giant, fat fuzzy caterpillars and quickly took cover. Some of them fell inside the doorway every time we opened the back door. I captured as many as I could and we relocated them to a safer place. Far far away from our back yard. Aiden was quite relieved we didn't torch them. I was quite relieved I didn't step on one. Those things were big and juicy. Gross.
Finally: I've been meaning to do this for a while. For your entertainment...a compellation of Emmy's best bootay dance moves: 2009. Try and keep an eye on her if you aren't too distracted by Aiden's spaz/interpretive/break dance tribute to MJ himself...classic.
I thought the track we put it to only appropriate : Props to Jamin for his mad production skills...documentation for future embarrassment at its absolute finest.