In the final 2 weeks

I'm prego and I know it.

Its been really fun to hear people say "oh when are you due?" That means I'm definately looking like a 3rd trimester mom.

And then I have mixed feelings about the next part:
"Oh your that far?  You're SO SMALL!"  Totally flattering, but, at the same time, yeah.  I really am looking small because my baby really is small.  So small that we have to do extra appointments and monitoring.  So far, everything looks normal, and like he's just in that "constitutionally" small category, but because of percentile charts, extra monitoring anyways.  Its kinda obnoxious-it means 2 extra appointments a week.  There the ultrasound which some weeks when its not just a biophysical profile but also a growth scan can take 2 hours on its own, and then theres the non stress test.  That one is supposed to be just 20 mins hooked up to monitors for his heart rate and to see if I'm contracting at all, but by the time they hook me up, let me monitor and then finally come back to me, it usually ends up being a whole nuther hour.  And they can't really "schedule" the appointment.  Its based on when they womens center has open beds (so if theres lots of laboring moms or admitted patients, goodbye my turn!).  Its just inconvenient.  And when I see a bill, probably expensive.....  but on the positive side, I get to know that baby boy is healthy and happy and so theres some good peace of mind.

I'm now offically 28 weeks.  And I have danced the whole time.  However, our session just finnished, and the next one doesn't start until my due date, so, now I'm done.

There were alot of skeptics who didn't think I would make it.  But I did.  3 hrs of Cha-cha, Rumba, Waltz, Foxtrot, and SAMBA all the way through.  It feels good.  The last few weeks I would get crampy if I tried to swing my hips too much, and usually by the end of the evening my back was pretty sore, but I perservered and proved alot of nay sayers wrong.  Now I feel a lot more confident in my stamina, and ability to push this kiddo out.

We've taken the breastfeeding class-learned mostly how to get help and when, and what to expect for normal newborn behaviors relating to nursing.

We've taken the birth class, learned some nice pain releif techniques and opened our communication channels.

We've got a car seat, a baby bed (pack and play for the first few months in our room) clothes galore, toys, blankets, rocking chair, diapers and wipes like you wouldn't imagine (I really made off like a bandit with my FABULOUS baby shower in January)

I'm feeling like I'm ready for this little mr to come join us already.  Just not tomorrow while Travis in in Anchorage for the day, and not from Sunday to Sunday while Lauren is out of town.  :)  But if he did come without her here (midwife) I wouldn't be soooo dissapointed.  Yeah I want Lauren there to help me through the birth ordeal, but, I also just want my baby.  I can wait, but I won't be heartbroken if Charley can't.

Liam is 5

My buddy boy, my sweet sweet baby brother.  This year, he's grown SO much.

He still gives us the biggest, wettest kisses.
He still gives unpromted "I love you's"
He now knows how to say raven (last year it was raisin)
He loves trucks, cars, space.
He is CURIOUS beyond comprehension, and he understands and thinks about the way things work
He says he wants to be a Dr-one that "Helps get babies out of mommies tummies"
  ----He's excited that he'll have a new nephew here shortly, and I think a bit preoccupied with the whole baby mommy relationship because of the baby in my tummy.
HE is a GREAT helper.
Playing with 2 yr old Ashton frustrates him......its pretty cute.  We will see how he does with his neices who are coming to visit in May (Clara and Lucy)

Happy 5th Birthday sir!