38 weeks :o)

I wrote this yesterday and forgot to publish it, oops...

I had another apt with Karen today. Kylie and I went to it together, Craig stayed here to work on his "nesting" project. Everything went well at the apt, baby sounds great, lots of good fluid and everything is on track. I have had a handful of contractions but nothing strong or consistent. Tomorrow and Thursday are the full moon, I am really hoping this baby doesn't decide to come meet us on the full moon, I am not feeling ready. I have a very long list of things I would like to get done, including maternity photos which we plan to take on Sunday. Just tonight my dad and his friend Patrick, came over and helped Craig knock down one of the walls in our upstairs. The project started because Melissa moved out and this was a good opportunity to re-carpet up there, if we were going to re-carpet, we needed to paint, if we are going to paint we might as well make the room the way we want it. Hence full demolition tonight, the wall is now gone and Craig has tomorrow off, so he is on a mission to get as much done as possible. We would like to have carpet put in on Saturday, but who knows. This is all assuming I am not in labor, stay in baby, stay in!!!!

Kylie has been a little more emotional lately, she senses the changes that are happening and wants to nurse all the time. She wants me to hold her and is constantly wanting to be as close to me as possible. I am trying to soak in every minute with her while she is still an "only child," things will change a lot when the new baby is here and I hope we can smoothly transition. I am increasing more uncomfortable, especially my back. Today I feel like my belly grew, I feel like I am looking like I am about ready to pop, but as the same time hoping I have a couple more weeks for this little one to continue to grow.

Tabitha, Undi and I are planning a little "mom's morning out" this coming Saturday. We are hoping to go get breakfast and maybe a mani/pedi while the dads get together and watch the kids. I am really looking forward to it.

This past Sunday we attended the YMCA Youth Circus for Portia's second birthday. It was so much fun! Kylie watched almost the whole thing, she was very entertained and since then she has been doing her own tricks all around the house. Kids can start to participate when they are 3 years old so it might be something we try out next year.

I took some newborn photos for Kerry of baby Olivia last week. She was not a big fan, but we got some good ones anyway.

Kylie has been telling very elaborate stories lately, she gets going and her hands are all over the place and her intonation is changing, it is so cute! On multiple occasions I have tried to capture some video, but she always catches me and says "no pictures mom." She has also learned how to eat edamame very well. She can get the seed out of the pod then tosses the empty shell into the discard bowl. It is funny to watch such a little person eat something that seems so grown-up. Kylie still sings all the time, she has started to expand her music choices in the car, she now requests The Sound of Music, Raffi and her CD from music class last year. At home she likes to sing Mary Poppins songs and Part of their World from The Little Mermaid. She is an amazing little girl, Craig and I often just look at each other and smile, we wonder how we got the pleasure of being her parents, we are truly lucky.

-Natalie

Happy Birthday Portia!

 Birthday Tea Party in the backyard.

 With real tea!!

 This was our one attempt to get them all looking the same way for a photo, not such an easy task.

 They got to play on the jungle gym too!

 Kylie said she wanted to be dressed up for the party, so of course she chose to wear her puffiest dress and all three of her tutus and don't forget the big purple flower! She knows how to dress for a party :o)

 The ball pit was another fun activity, Mish looked like she could have slept there, silly girl.