38 Weeks

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday.  I am now 38 weeks and 3 days....my due date is less than 2 weeks away.  Getting SO close!  At my 36 week appointment Abby was transverse (sideways), at my 37 week appointment she was breech and at my 38 week appointment she was oblique (picturing a clock, her head was at about 7:30....pointing toward my hip).  Our girl is definitely keeping these last few weeks interesting!  She is closer to where she needs to be than she was when she was breech, so I'm thankful for that; although, since no part of her is engaged, she can easily decide to flip back up top. I was dilated a big fat zero at 36 weeks and at my 38 week appointment I still wasn't even a ONE.  Crazy!  Apparently I need her head to get down so that I can start the dilating process. 

The end of this pregnancy has been so different than with my other three....I am not feeling the pressure down low that I usually do at this point, I'm hardly having any braxton hicks contractions, and I am just more doubtful that she could come any day.  It's not that I'm not excited about her coming because I am SO excited, but her not being in position and me not dilating at all has taken a little bit of the anticipation out of it....I'm not constantly thinking Will she come today?  Tomorrow?  This weekend?  (She totally still could.  My water could break and that would get this party started very quickly.)  Instead of the "when will she come?" questions, with every kick I feel I'm asking myself....Is she still in the same position?  Did she move?  Was that her head?  Or arm?  Or foot?  And she is moving around a lot so I'm basically thinking about her position all the time.  

We're still really praying she'll pop into place sometime over the week, but I am totally okay with a C-section if that's what needs to happen for both or either of us. Trusting that God will work it all out. I'm still doing these "exercises" that I have been told will help to get the baby to flip.  I usually get my knees on the edge of the couch and then put my head and forearms on the floor. Certainly not the most comfortable position for a very pregnant woman and my husband will be in serious trouble if he takes a picture of me doing it, but here is a cute picture of the girls copying me. 

They said they were trying to get their babies to flip.  

Abby's heart rate was good yesterday (144 bpm) and she was busy kicking all around.  

If she doesn't get head down before March 1st (ONE week from today) I will have a C-section on that day.  If she does there is a chance they may induce that day, but that's still up in the air.  Either way my baby will be in my arms soon and I can't wait!  

This morning I was doing a quick grocery trip run and noticed the milk expiration date was past my due date (March 5th)!  That, my friends, is super exciting to me!!  

Just a week or so more!  We love you Abby!  

Hannah - 4 years

I usually wait to do their big birthday post until after they have had their well check-up for that new age and then I include any details from that appointment along with their weight and height stats. Well, Hannah's well checkup is scheduled for March 3rd (Abby is due March 5th) and I can't get it moved up any.  If I have to have a c-section that will more than likely be on March 1st and her well check might get pushed back another week or so, so I decided to just go ahead and post.  

Here are a few things I'm treasuring about Hannah at this age...

-She loves movies and/or shows and gets so excited when she is allowed to watch one.  

-She likes to hold Claire's hand as we are walking out to the van in our driveway.  She walks Claire over to her door, waits until I pick Claire up to put her in the carseat and then walks around to her side of the car.  

-She can produce real tears faster than most people can blink.

-Yesterday she walked into my room and proudly said "I am sooooooo much taller than Claire."  

-She loves apples, pimento cheese sandwiches, pears, carrots, salad, and all things sweet.  

-She doesn't love yogurt or milk.  

-She likes her apples with the peel on and cut a certain way, she doesn't want to use a "baby" spoon but prefers to use a "big girl spoon" (small adult spoon).  

-I feel like I can confidently say that she would let herself dehydrate if it were not for my nagging her about drinking.  She is simply too busy with other things to bother drinking milk, juice or water.  

-She does this really quick nod/blink (at the same time) when she is happy about something we have told her.  Ex.  "Hannah, you only have 5 more minutes of rest time, go back to bed and you can get up when your light turns green."  Que her quick nod and blink thing.  It's cute!  

-She has a new fear of elevators.  Last Sunday I was riding the elevator at church with all three girls and Claire reached for the alarm button while I was talking to someone else on the elevator.  I kind of did a gasp thing and told Claire "no, no" right as she was pushing it.  I didn't scream or freak out but apparently I traumatized Hannah.  Claire must not have pushed the button hard enough because the alarm didn't go off.  As we got off the elevator Hannah was crying and she has had two other opportunities to ride an elevator since that incident and has cried both times, not wanting to get on.  Hopefully I haven't totally warped her.  Oh well.  

-She loves dresses and tights and cute shoes and really doesn't like pants of any kind.  If you see her in a pair of jeans just know she was strongly encouraged to put them on.  

-She falls asleep during "rest time" about once every other week.  When she does go to sleep she'll sleep for over an hour.  I use the term "rest time" loosely because she stays very busy in her room during that time.  She reads books for a little bit, sings, pulls out stuff from her closet, drawers....she often has some pretty big clean up once "rest time" is over.  

-Hannah got in a disagreement with Emily earlier in the week about what Abby would be wearing when she is born.  Emily insisted she would be naked and Hannah was equally sure she would be born with a blanket wrapped around her.  She said that is how she doesn't get cold in Mommy's tummy.

-Hannah is a little confused about how quickly her birthday rolls around and she asked me this morning if I would still have Abby in my tummy on her next birthday day (when she turns 5).  Umm NOOOOOOOOO!  

She got these new fleece footie pajamas for her birthday.  She loves them and wants to wear them every night.  

Here is a little interview I did with our sweet 4 year old....

What is your name?  Hannah

How old are you? 4

Where do you live? At home.

What is your favorite color?  Pink  

What is your favorite toy?  Minnie

What is your favorite food?   Carrots

What is your favorite drink?   Juice

What is your favorite thing to do?  Ride my Elsa and Anna Bike

What do you want to be when you grow up?   A princess.

Who is your teacher?  Mrs. Bradshaw

Who is your best friend?   Jacob

What is your favorite song?  Tarzan

What is your favorite book?  Jasmine

What is your favorite movie?  Tarzan

Who is the funniest person you know?  Emmy, no Claire, no Jacob....it's Jacob.   

Where is your favorite place to go?  The Star Restaurant (Also known as Hardee's)

What does your Mommy always say to you?   "Don't play on the computer."

What does your Daddy always say to you?  "Clean up."

We love you, Hannah Beth!  You bring us so much laughter and joy and you couldn't be any cuter if you tried.  We are so so thankful for you!  Love, Daddy, Mommy, Emily, Claire and Abby

Hannah's Family Birthday Dinner

We had a family birthday dinner for Hannah on Saturday night.  Her birthday actually fell on a Sunday this year, but we decided since Sunday would be a little busy we'd do it on Saturday.  She got to pick the menu. I gave her several options like pizza and others and she picked salad.  This 4 year old LOVES salad.  So, we fixed a big yummy salad and called it a meal.  For dessert I made Rice Krispie treats.   

Singing happy birthday to our girl!  

We had to get a family pic of our family party!  

After supper we took her into the living room and she waited for Bert to bring in her present from us.  She was SO surprised and excited!  It was absolutely precious!  

Happy birthday, Hannah!  You're a gift and a joy!  

These Days

Bert got this picture of them watching a show right after they had all woken up one morning in December.  I love that they all love to sit right beside each other.  

Katherine bought these dresses for Emily and Hannah for Christmas and she asked me to send her a picture.  I told them to stand beside each other so that I could take a picture for Aunt Katherine and they put their arms around each other and all three smiled. Sometimes I have to stand on my head to get them to smile but not this time.  I loved the randomness of this picture.  Claire had busted her bottom lip by falling off the couch minutes before I took it.  Hannah insists on wearing her white sandles with her tights.  

Doesn't Emmy look so old in this picture?!  

I caught Claire trying to sneak back out to the car to get her "cu-cake" (play food) that she left out there.  Got to keep an eye on this cute little stinker for sure.  

When Bert or I are leaving to go somewhere and Claire is staying at the house with the other parent she gets so sad and starts saying "Don't leeeave me!  I want go wif you."  She'll repeat it over and over until it just about breaks your heart.  

Emily had "Career Day" at school where they were supposed to dress up like what they wanted to do when they grow up.  She's been saying for a month or so now that she wants to be a doctor and we just happened to have a Doc McStuffins dress up outfit, so it worked out well for this uncreative, pregnant Mama!  She was SO excited about getting to wear this to school.  Cutie! 

Thankful for these days. Excited about adding Abby!  

Hannah's Valentine's Party

I got to go to Hannah's school Valentine's Party last Tuesday! They had a yummy snack and then opened up their Valentine's bags with all the Valentine's the classmates had made for each other. Hannah was super excited about everything she found in her bag!  

Her teacher has told me several times and told me again at the party that Hannah has the best manners.  It's always encouraging to hear.  She also said Hannah is one of two of the best snack eaters in the class.  Ha!  She's likes a good snack...who can blame her!? :)

I loved getting to spend the one on one time with my birthday girl!  

Hannah's 4th Birthday Party

Hananh turns 4 on Valentine's Day, but we decided to do her birthday party a week early this year. We had some family already coming into town for a baby shower so we thought it would be best to do both parties the same day.  Hannah was, and still is, slightly confused about the fact that her party wasn't on her actual birthday.  She's enjoyed talking about her birthday all week though! 

A few party decorations....

Emily made the hearts below as a decoration for Hannah's party!  She worked  hard on them and was very proud.  We were proud of her too...she loves making stuff for other people!

Family shot before the party!  

Uncle Stan drove up from Atlanta just to come to Hannah's party!  She was super excited to have him there! 

Getting ready to blow out her candles!

This picture was taken right after she blew out the candles.  It's kind of hard to tell from the picture but Emily is giving Hannah the biggest hug and they are both grinning form ear to ear.  Sisterly love at its finest!  

My sweet sister offered to come up with the games for the party and lead them during the party. Woohoo!  She knows that's already not my favorite thing and I'm 36 weeks pregnant.  Sooo....she spoils me. 

In this one, she had them trying to keep the balloons up in the air while the music played...

Then they played "hot potato" with an orange...

And finally they loved the pinata!  

Hannah got some help opening her presents! 

Of course, we had to take a picture of all the family that made it to her party!  

Hannah Elizabeth Watts, you are one loved little girl!  Happy 4th birthday!!  

Abigail's Baby Shower

My friends Becky and Dawnielle asked me if they could give me a pampering shower for me/baby shower for Abigial!  Becky had everything set up and ready at her house and called me the morning of the party to let me know that she had gotten sick during the night and wasn't going to be able to have the party at her house after all.  They didn't want to cancel it though so Dawnielle picked up all the party supplies from Becky and took everything to a room at the church.  I know it made for a crazy morning for Dawnielle but she's so chill and laid back about everything you wouldn't have known she'd been running around for the last two hours.  

Dawnielle and me...

My sister came up from Toccoa and you can see Jennifer's little Baylee Clark on the left side in the picture below. She is adorable and we loved having her there!  

Me with my mom and Bert's mom.  Linda and Jeff drove up from Jackson early Saturday morning and made it just in time for the party.  I was so glad she was able to make it!  These two Grandma's are the best and are excited about meeting their newest grandbaby!  

I'm so thankful for our sweet friends and family and the way that they loved on me and Abigail! Believe it or not, I was even more excited about her arrival after the shower, if that's even possible! 

Abigail - 36 week appointment

My 36 week appointment didn't go exactly as planned.  I was scheduled to be tested for Group B Strep and make sure Abby was head down.  When the doctor checked me he was surprised to find that I wasn't dilated at all.  I was surprised too....I was at least a 1 by 36 weeks with all of them. As he checked me, he had some concerns that she was not in a head-down position like she should be. He asked the nurse to get the handheld ultrasound machine to check her position. She did and he confirmed that she was transverse (sideways).  Ugh.  I was so disappointed.  I've never had a c-section and I can't say I'm dying too.  My labor and deliveries for Emily, Hannah and Claire have been great and I have so been praying for one more of those.:)

I wasn't exactly sure how she was positioned but I think I had some idea that she wasn't head down even before this appointment.  I probably mentioned to Bert 10 times that week before my appointment that I was worried she wasn't head down and to please pray that she was.  I talked to my sister as I was driving to my appointment and told her the same thing.  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that she wasn't, but I still was.

He talked to me about my different options to try to get her to turn. Bert and I are not totally comfortable with the External Version for several different reasons. Our biggest is it sometimes causes distress to the baby.  They do this procedure in the hospital with a team ready to do an emergency C-section.  Mostly, we want to do what is safest for Abby.  If a C-section is safest for her then I will happily do that.

Easily, my number one choice would be for her to turn on her own in the next couple weeks.  I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. They could try the Version at 39 weeks and if it were successful (50 percent chance) they would immediately break my water and induce labor so that she wouldn't have a chance to turn back.  If she doesn't turn on her own or if the Version isn't successful (if we  - us and doctors - decided to attempt it) I would probably have a c-section at around 39 weeks.  That is two weeks away people!!  I've made some progress on my "Abby to-do list", but I still have some work to do.  She'll be here so soon and I can't wait!!

I have my next appointment on Monday and they will check her position, do a ultrasound to check fluid level, and discuss my options at this point.  I'm looking forward to that appointment, praying she will turn, but definitely have a peace either way.

I love you sweet Abby!!

Wordless Wednesday

Clemson Girls Weekend 2016

This year we switched things up a bit and went to a different lake house.  We went to AJ's brother's lake house on lake Wateree and had a great time!  

We all met at a well known pizza place in Lugoff, SC when we got into town on Friday night.  It was yummy and we were all so excited to be together.  

This was our view for the weekend...beautiful! 

I believe this was our 8th girls weekend and every year we usually do our "update" (where we go around the circle and tell everyone how our year has been) on Friday night.  This is definitely my favorite part of the weekend.  I love getting detailed updates on what is going on in each of their lives and being able to ask them questions about what they are telling us or other questions that pop in our heads.  It's such a sweet time of encouragement, sometimes crying, sometimes stopping to gather around and pray for someone, and laughter. Usually it is between 2 and 3 am on Friday night before we finish our updates, so this year we decided to wait on our updates until Saturday.  In the picture below we moved our updates out to the porch for several hours so that we could enjoy the sunshine.  

Next year we'll have at least 3 more babies to add to our kid total (17 and counting), making it 20. Abigail is due in early March, one in early May and one in late July.

I was 35 weeks in the picture below.  No more trips planned until after we get our Abby here. :)  

Very thankful for these ladies and all they memories that we share together.  Also thankful for their hearts and the way they are pursing Christ in each of their lives.  This is one of my favorite weekends of the year!