Waiting.....

Yup. Still waiting on this baby.

I had an appointment yesterday and I'm just 2-3 cm but still very very low (I know, same story different week). But my OB said she could practically break my water with her fingernail- I told her to go ahead....but she didn't.

I had told her that B had really decreased movement so she did a Non Stress Test (NST). Baby was very sleepy but I passed the test (which unfortunately meant no need to get baby out quickly). I was honestly torn during the test....I of course wanted baby to look good- but I'd love to have this baby ASAP!!!

She told me it could be this week (which I told her that she said that last week)....she told me I'd be holding my baby next week. We'll see. I made an appointment for next week (unfortunately I can't get in on monday and have to wait until wednesday)- BUT if no baby, we'll then formulate a plan!!! In the meantime, I'm trying to go for walks, take the steps and keep myself busy!!!

We're trying to use our time waiting wisely. We are enjoying time with Bubby. He's so into books right now and loves looking at them. He also loves watching our neighbors dogs!! He yells when they are outside. It's so cute. We're not dog people....we're in trouble!!!

As I type this I'm timing some contractions. I'm very anxious about going to LD again and leaving without a baby. I'm trying to be very conscientious that they are strong enough, long enough and coming quick enough for a long enough amount of time before we put our plan into action!!!

We'll keep you updated!!!

Updates...no baby yet....

37 weeks, 4 days

Who could of imagined that I would've made it this far? I know I didn't. When Max was born everything happened so fast and early- I never imagined that this pregnancy could make it term. It's something that I struggled with the entire pregnancy!!

We are so excited about this baby getting here!! It's really rough now, just waiting for B to arrive. When I decided to take off work early- it was so we could maybe make it past the 35 week mark Max arrived at. To now be almost 38 weeks is bittersweet!!! And with Max- my water broke and the birth happened so quickly!! Here we are now- I've been having contractions and pre-term labor for almost 6 weeks. Add that to the stress of being off work, an inconsistent work schedule for Jason, Max staying at Granny's a bunch (because I couldn't lift him)...we've been on an emotional strain. I'm on FMLA now (I've run out of my paid time) so any time B wants to arrive is perfect!!!

Jason and I are so eager to start this next chapter of our life.- as a family of 4!! Eek!!! I know that what's ahead will be exhausting and quite possibly difficult. But we have been praying for this so much. We are trusting God with our family, our finances, our time, and our future. He has guided and protected us thus far- so we're continue to trust Him.

That doesn't mean that this trust doesn't come without anxiety. I'm prone to both anxiety and depression. This time off has been so very difficult and I've worried about everything!! I've been clinging to my Bible verses and making them my mantra!!! My simplest right now is Mark 5:36 "don't be afraid, just believe."

We would appreciate your continued prayers. Max seems to know something is up and has been out of sorts. I'm trying to figure out what labor is and Jason is anxious wanting to take care of me but get extra hours at work in order to make up for me not working. And of course we're praying for B. A healthy full term baby is our hearts desire!!!

We'll keep everyone updated as we can!!!

another week...almost full term!!!!

I had an appt yesterday and everything is looking good. My doctor is pleased how things have slowed down (considering this all started at 32 weeks!!!). I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow!!! Praise the Lord!!! I'm so thankful that we decided to have me take off work because it's truly paying off and we'll have a full term baby!!!

I'm still the same - 2cm and the baby is very low. My doc isn't on call this weekend so she told me to take it easy and come back monday!! I think we're about to have this baby!!!

36 weeks!!!!

I've made it to 36 weeks!!! Had some labor scares on thursday night but we're still hanging in there!!!!



Poor 2nd babies...this is my first belly pic!!! Can you believe it? I took so many last time!!!

Check out Max's blog for more pictures!!!

(which also reminds me- I need a new name for Max's blog (and B)...)

Stockpiling.....

Thanks to many other bloggers I'm getting the Drugstore Game down. I can't believe how much money I'm saving combining coupons with store sales. I got diapers for 11 cents and wipes for less than a penny. I've gotten a ton of FREE shampoo and conditioner (yes FREE!!!). We have an area in our lovely basement (which reminds me that I still need to post pictures).

I feel like I'm very prepared for the postpartum time (I have all the supplies for me and diapers for baby). We have been stockpiling free hair products, very cheap deodorant, antacids, etc.

The amount we have saved is astonishing...I'm so thankful for what I've learned!!!

Nesting....

It's tough to "nest" when you're on modified bedrest!!! I've beent trying to get stuff ready in my little energy spurts. This whole process is tough because when I do too much I start contracting. When I lay around too much I get too stiff and uncomfortable.

I'm about done with Wal*greens system of register rewards, Easy saver rebates and coupons. I went to 2 stores and got conflicting info on their coupon policies. It's definitely not a system wide ruling and very very frustrating!!! However, they have Huggies on sale next week and with the sweet coupons I got from coupons.com I'll have to go back!!!!

Yesterday my mom helped me yesterday and I got a few more things stocked in my freezer stash!! We made 4 batches of muffins (each only 6 muffins) from packets I found on super sale. We also fried up a bunch of ground beef- I made 2 quart size bags of regular ground beef and 2 bags of taco meat. We can use those for spaghetti sauce or nachos or pizza toppings. We also had pasta for dinner and I have 4 single servings as leftovers (they may get frozen).

We're working on B's room now. Jason and his dad just moved the changing table and dresser between rooms. Jason's mom is going through some of the "junk" we had in the garage so we can hopefully pull the car back in. We're gonna try to get all the christmas stuff that has been in the garage back downstairs.

At my appt on thursday my doctor definitely could tell that I've been having contractions...I have progressed a little bit. So more taking it easy and trying to rest. It's still looking like maybe the week of St Patricks day....it's so crazy!!! I'm 35 weeks today!!! My OB doesn't think I'll deliver this week (shew) but probably the next week. We'll see. She was on the money with Max.

I have a few more goals before baby gets here. I'd like to make waffles for the freezer. I want to finish Max's big boy room complete with car decals on his walls. I'd like to clean our master bathroom and organize our stockpile. (and organize the diaper stockpile I've been working on!!

We'll see.

Wal*greens and freezer stuff

I had to run an errand with mom yesterday so I took her to Wags with me and tried it out again. Wal*greens is really tricky- much more difficult than C*V*S. You can stack coupons and they have lots of store coupons- but you can't have more coupons than items and sometimes coupons won't work (they don't let you get overage). Anyway- I did ok...just ok. I need to pay more attention at the checkout. I was so nervous about presenting my coupons in the right order that I didn't pay attention at what was ringing up....(you'll see).
Here's the round up:
-4 cadburry chocolate cream eggs 2/$1 (added to up my items purchased)

-2 bags of M&Ms. On sale 2/$5 used : $1/2 MQ and $1/2 Wags Q
(however the Wags coupon didn't go through and when she forced it through she somehow gave it to me for OOP: 2/$3....didn't realize that till I got home)

-Vaseline lotion $2.69 on sale used:$1.50/1 MQ OOP: $1.19
Earned $2 Register Rewards

-Reach Toothbrush $1.79 used $1/1 MQ and $.80/1 Wags Q OOP: free

- Revlon Toenail clippers (this was my mess up). $3.29 (should've been on sale I thought)
used $1/1 MQ and $1/1 Wags Q OOP: 1.29

-Nivea Lip $2.99 used $1/1 MQ and $1/1 Wags Q OOP: $.99

-Carmex lip balm $2.99 OOP: 2.99
Earned $2 Register Rewards

-Blink artificial tears $7.99 used $2/1 MQ OOP: 5.99
Earned $8 Register Reward (money maker!!)

-Colgate Max toothpaste $3.29 used $.75/1 MQ OOP: 2.54
Earned $3.50 Register Rewards (money maker)

So total OOP (with tax) 20.55
Total RR earned 15.50

Not too shabby
I have another Blink coupon so I may do that one again (we go through artificial tears alot working in a hospital) and there is another deal I may try to do.

Then today we went to the grocery and pizza sauce & crust mixes were on sale. So we stocked up and I made 6 full kits (gallon bag with smaller bags containing sauce, pepperoni, and cheese). Once the baby gets here and we get a sense of normal (and no bedrest) I'd like to make my own crusts, but until then $1 store bought mixes aren't too bad. I also got 4 muffin mixes that mom is gonna help me bake up and freeze on friday.

I have an OB appt tomorrow. I'm praying for no additional progress..we'll see!!!

34 weeks and some change....

I'm so glad I didn't work this weekend. I kept getting waves of contractions...none too close together but they do take my breath away.

We did get a couple things accomplished this weekend. I'm hoping to take some pictures of the basement this week and blog about it!!

I did get some good deals at wal*greens yesterday and had to stop at Meijer too. At Wal*greens I got the eye drops (7.99 with a coupon off and $8 in register rewards), a chap stick for 2.99 with $2 rr, and oreos for 1.99 buy 1 get 1 free!!!!

I went to wags with the intent to buy 3 bars of Johnson's buddy soap (I had a coupon that was about to expire!!!). Wags didn't have it so I went to Meijer. Didn't see it there with the baby stuff so decided to check the regular soap before I left!! I found it!! I got 3 bars of soap for like $.75. I wish I would've used this coupon when someone had them on sale for like $.99 but I was just getting started with coupons then. I'm hoping Johnsons renews that coupon because it's a great deal!!!

Jason is at work today and Bubby is at Grandma & Papa's. I'm on strict bedrest per Jason's request. I have been over doing it this weekend-even just a few errands really wipes me out. So I'm hoping to work on our taxes and make my march plan for wags and c*v*s and clip some coupons. We'll see. Mom is coming over after work and they'll bring Max back around then. It's my nephews birthday so I think we're making him a cake tonight to celebrate!!

Ok, think it's time to lay down. B is kicking me all over the place!!