A Car, A Hospital Bag and A Full Term Baby!!

Dear Kacie,

You are spoiled already.

Your dad and I bought a new car on Monday. We pretend it is for us but it's really just so we could put your carseat in the car.

That's how much we love you.

Now, I hope that when you read this and I talk about the TV show Psych, you know what I am talking about.

Gus drives around in "The Blueberry" (pictured below)

When your dad and I were picking out a car we were not actually interested in the car we ended up buying. We were looking for more of a small SUV type car. One that would look 'cool' and yet still hold a car seat and allow us to grow as a family in it. But alas, 'cool' cars were not in our price range.

When we got in to this car though to test drive it, we surprisingly loved it!

So here it is, our new car!

Thanks to the Draegers for letting us use there curb to perfectly picture our new ride =)

It is a Mazda5. At first we just called it a mini, mini-van. It even has two seats in the back that fold up if we need them! It is perfect for us to grow in the next coming years because we will be adding more and more little people to our lives, And the back seats are definitely made for little people!

Anyway, as I was watching through a window at the dealership, waiting on paperwork to be completed, I saw a car and I was like "HEY! that looks like Gus's Blueberry!"

And then I was like "Wait! thats our car! We just bought a giant Blueberry!"

And, with that knowledge I just knew that this car was meant for us.

When we got home the first thing we did was put your car seat in the car... I guess it is technically considered a 'wagon' not a car but it is so weird having your little carseat in there!!!

Well, today is your 37 week pre-birthday. Do you know what that means?

FULL-TERM!!!!!!!!!!!

You are allowed to come now. I mean, you can stay in there just to make sure you are all developed and ready, but you can also start getting ready to come on June 16th... That's Father's Day and I think it would be the perfect time. 3 days early, the BEST gift to give your dad, and did I mention it would be 3 days early? Cause I'm ok with that!

There aren't many things left to do! Getting a car was our biggest thing and as you know, we did that! Now we can get you home from the hospital and we can figure out everything else as long as you are home!

I'm working on washing all of your teeny tiny clothes and I've started gathering things for my hospital bag. I've never really stayed in a hospital so I'm not really sure what I'm going to need but one of the best things about the hospital we picked is that it is like 5 minutes from home. I found several lists online of things people take so hopefully I will get it all!

We are down to less than a month. I can't believe it.

We are just so excited! I mean we are nervous too but when it comes down to it, we will figure it out and we have so many people available to help us if we have questions.

We can feel your body really well now. Your bum is right up at my rib cage and your little feet constantly poke out on my right side. It makes me so happy to feel you moving around in there! Your dad and I lay in bed poking at you trying to get you to respond. It's probably a little annoying for you but you'll be fine, my body was designed to protect you!

We love you so much Kacie!!!!!

Love,

Mom and Dad

28 Days... Wow!

Dear Kacie,

Happy 36 week pre-birth day!

4 weeks to go! (It better only be 4!)

You've definitely been getting bigger, not drastically like you should in the next month but you move so much and so strongly. My favorite thing is that I can feel your little feet pushing out on my right side. It certainly is not comfortable but I love it! I would love it more if you were squirming around in my arms but I'll take what I can get for now! It's just like this little lump on my side while you're pushing and then you stop... but it's so cool! Dad has felt it a few times but I try to make you kick me so he can feel it more!

I had to go talk to one of our tenants and she said "You are so tired aren't you?" and I was like "YES! I get up to go to the bathroom so many times I can't get a good nights sleep!"

Normally I wouldn't want people to be like "You look tired" but since I'm pregnant I'm like "Ya I am. This is a lot of work and it will wear ya out!"

It's a good thing I've got your dad to take care of me. Some days before he leaves for work I say to him "If you come home and it seems like I didn't move out of bed all day, then I probably didn't"

The apartment is a little messy... but we just pretend it's clean.

I've kind of narrowed it down to the last few things we need... It's hard though because I don't know what you will like or dislike, use or not use and I don't know how big you will be! I feel a little un-prepaired because I just can't get everything for you until you are here!

Gosh I am so anxious... can you just be here already?

And it certainly doesn't help that everyone keeps posting pictures of their adorable babies... It's like every post is someone and their cute kid!

I think the biggest thing that we need though is a car... right now we just have the truck and we are trying to sell it to get a car but it's not easy when you only have one car because we have to have the money from selling the truck in order to buy a car... but we have to have a car to get dad to work and to go look at cars that we want to buy... I don't know how that is supposed to work. Maybe we will just walk you home from the hospital. It's not that far.

Well, here is a picture of you... don't mind that I look like my eyes are dead, I'm tired, remember?

We love you!!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Daddy!

A long time

ago

in a galaxy

far, far

away...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best dad in the world!

I so wish that I could be in AZ to help celebrate the birth of such a great man!

I have always admired my dad. He is so, so patient. It seems to come naturally to him to simply allow things to happen as they are supposed to happen and then to calmly deal with the consequences. 

At an ASU football game... Is it obvious where we all get our squinty eyed smiles?

As you can tell from all the pictures I have here, my dad is always being goofy! He can always make an event a lot of fun. His sense of humor has always been a blessing in our home growing up because my daddy can always make a sad moment happy!

My mom took pictures for a HS spring formal, me and my dad were big a help...

My dad is so kind to everyone. He is always willing to go out of his way to serve. He always takes the extra time to make sure that peoples needs are met. He spends so much time giving his service to others, it is a rare moment you see him doing things for himself if others are in need.

Me and my siblings were so blessed to have a father that was and is willing to give up so much of his time to make sure that we are happy. No one else will ever fully know how much of a blessing my dad is in our family's life.

I am so excited to be starting a family of my own and making my dad a grandpa. I know that he will be the best popsicle (I'm trying to convince him that's a great name to be called) ever!

I'm so grateful that you were born on this day and that I was blessed to be sent to you as your daughter. You continually teach me how to be a better person and I love you sooooooo much!

I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

Love,

Kayla

Friday Night - Date Night

Dear Kacie,

Your 35th week birthday was on Wednesday! I really am having a hard time believing that it has been so long!

I remember that morning when we found out we were pregnant. I wanted to be pregnant so bad that I didn't want to believe the test in case it was false! The rest of the day was so... surreal! It was also nauseating - literally!

We got your stroller delivered to us yesterday!!!

You can't see the pattern well in the picture but it is seriously the cutest!! Your Grandparent's Gonthier bought this for you for the baby shower.

It was probably a good thing no one was with your dad and I when we tried to figure out how to work the car carrier... We kept saying "This is supposed to be able to be taken out of a small car, it HAS to be easy!" But don't worry, it only took us like 10 minutes to figure it out and we will practice some more before you get here!

Your daddy and I really enjoy going out on our Friday night date nights. As you know from previous posts, I have been tired lately but a few minutes ago I got a burst of energy. Date night's make me so excited! I love your daddy so much and it's so good to get out and spend time together, even if it's nothing spectacular. 

I remember when my parents would leave for date night. I imagine it is so different when you have kids. I don't think it will be easy for me to leave you with a babysitter for date night. But I know it will be important that your dad and I still spend time together alone. Don't be too concerned though, I'll sneak you on our date nights sometimes cause your dad and I are pretty sure you are going to be awesome. How could you not? You came from this:

Well dear baby, we are getting more and more anxious every day! Me mostly because I swear you are trying to break my rib off, but also because we love you so much already!!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Pica, Flat World and Monday's Face

I'm pretty sure I have Pica.

(if you don't know what that is click here)

I've never wanted to lick the brick walls of my apartment building so bad.

Actually I've never wanted to lick them at all!!

But the last few times it has rained and the past week as I have been watering the flowers, I stand there the whole time contemplating wether or not I should lick the wall or find a wet rock and suck on it.

Seriously it is so weird!!!

Next, I just think you should all know that my neighbor is a creeper.

And this is how I feel about them:

And just so we are clear, I am saying this as a neighbor, not an apartment manager. They would still be a creeper even if I was not the manager.

Also, I laughed so hard at this....

Is that bad????

Tired

Dear Kacie,

5 WEEKS and 4 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!

Hopefully you are as excited as your dad and I are!

I think you are! Last night you were moving around sooo much! Dad put his phone on my belly and we watched you twist and turn and bounce in there!

A few days ago I started wearing your dads clothes. Not that he is fat, but he just has bigger, or more loose clothing and they are so much more comfortable. I'll probably be in them a lot more for the next month and a half!

Here is your 34 weeks and 1 day old picture:
(it would have been your 34 weeks exactly picture except I didn't get dressed and I stayed in bed all day!)

There is a re-accuring theme in my latest blog posts and that is Tired. I try not to make these posts boring or repetitive but all my body wants to do is sleep. And it always starts with my eyes drooping uncontrollably. I guess it's because my pregnancy hormones make my muscles relax so I have lost control of my eyelids.

It's so awesome.....

There isn't much to report on. I think the most exciting part of our week is that you've started to let daddy feel you move again. Like a lot. I'm pretty sure you could control me from inside with all the pushing and jerking around you do in there.

I'm sorry you're so smooshed! But not really because it's good for your little developing body.

I was sitting in the chair last night and you were moving around a bunch. I was watching my stomach move and it was so weird to think about that you are just right there. Like, you are so close to me but I can't touch or see you. It really is so amazing.

I have one more baby shower tomorrow and then after that we will get to go out and finish buying everything that we need for you! We have quite a bit of stuff but I keep thinking of or being reminded of more!

5 and a half weeks is not a lot of time, but that does not mean that you can stay in there longer. As much as I feel that I am not ready for your arrival, I am also pretty sure that I am ready!

And, because I've been doing it lately, here is a funny picture:

I hope someday you love Oreos as much as your father and I do!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Complaints of a Manager...

Apparently this month was "Don't pay your rent on time" month, followed by the excuse "I came by like 2 or 3 times and no one answered" month.

Ladies and gentleman, I don't know how it works at other apartments, so maybe I am crazy (I'm not) but I have included a picture of my door.

You may be asking yourself, "What is that ugly hole in the middle of the door?"

And I would answer, "My husband and I just think it adds to the decor of our humble abode"

But then I would seriously answer, "OH. You mean this slot that is there so that you can put your rent in when I don't answer?"

And then we would stand there staring at each other in shock of how people are so dumb sometimes.

Never mind the fact that rent is technically due on the first of the month, or the fact that I saw and talked to you the other day so why didn't you pay rent then, or the fact that you had FIVE days to pay, or the fact that when you signed the lease I told you to leave a note IN THE SLOT saying that you stopped by so that I know you actually did try to pay your rent...

Oh, and it's not the manager's job to come collect your rent. I don't care how many times you say you came over. It's just not my job.

Well, I have like 500 other things I want to complain about so I'm going to go now...

33 Weeks

Dear Kacie,

Today you are 33 weeks and 1 day old.

Time flies when you are having fun!

And by 'fun' I mean being kicked in the ribs and having your bladder smooshed.

Is it just me or do I look tired?

I am tired. Especially on Sunday's after nursery. That calling is exhausting as it is but add 7 months of pregnancy and it'll wear you out! I always wish we had nap time in nursery. I think I deserve it.

Well, here's a list of things I will not miss about being pregnant:

1) I will not miss greasy hair roots. Seriously, if people see me in public, they probably think I never shower. But it's actually right after I shower that the grease is worse! So gross.

2) I will not miss not being able to lay on my back. After a few seconds I get short breathed(?) and my left arm starts going numb!

3) Recently you've decided that you do not like me to lay on my left side. When I do, I think you put my rib between your feet and wiggle it around while simultaneously punching the other side of me with your tiny hands.

4) I will not miss having to spread my legs apart like a man when I sit or bend over or try to shave.

5) I will not miss constantly feeling like the food I've just eaten is going to spill over my esophagus and out of my mouth. Or the heart burn.

6) I will not miss the alarmingly quick rate in which I am going through toilet paper! I mean really, did the bladder have to be the thing beneath the uterus? Why not the stomach? Maybe I'd eat less if my stomach were being squashed into a pancake!

Great. Now I want a pancake.

7) I will not miss this 'cold' that I feel like I have had for the past 6 months. And the fact that it snows in MAY does not help the issue!

8) I will not miss feeling like I haven't slept in days. How I want to be productive but my body just says "No"

I'm sure I can keep this list going of things I won't miss but I will spare you my sob story and move on to the things I will miss about being pregnant!

1) Being able to feel you move inside of me. Sometimes it's just uncomfortable but sometimes it is really cool to just lay there and think about the fact that you are a tiny human living inside of me!

Also, I feel kind of bad because lately every time you move I tell your dad and as soon as he puts his hand on my stomach, you stop moving! It's great for me because it's a sure way to get a little break from the uncomfortable part but sad for daddy cause he hasn't felt you move in a while!

2) The anxiety of knowing you are coming. Sometimes I hate this part but if I'm being honest it is such a fun feeling to know you are coming but not know when. And to think that one day we will be "Kyle and Kayla" and the next day we will be "mom and dad." Even though it can be pretty miserable, I am constantly reminded that this will never happen again. After you are born, we will never be 'alone' again and I love that thought!

3) Always knowing where you are and that you are safe. Never having to be separated from you.

That's about all I will miss! I'm so ready for you to be born!!!!!!!!!

Daddy and I went to our prenatal class on Saturday. It was really good because I have had questions about what to expect and they were able to answer them.

Someday Kacie I hope that you will be married and pregnant, starting your own family. But the most important thing I learned from my class is DO NOT watch a birth video while you are pregnant. There's only two ways a baby can come out and after that video, I'm not sure I'm ok with either of them!

But I'm also not ok with you staying inside of me for much longer. So we have a dilemma and I'm hoping you can just decide to be a little closer to the 7 pound babies when you are born.

I don't think that's too much to ask.

I think dad is really excited for you to be here so he will have someone to play with. I think I'm going to have to remind him that you are too little to be rough with. But I think he'll find that time will go fast and soon enough he can chase you around!

I told dad this morning that there are 48 days left. He thinks that's not a lot of time but I reminded him that he's not the one getting up 5 times a night to go to the bathroom.

And because it is funny, here's a picture:

We love you so much Kacie!!

Love,

mom and dad