Full Term!

Well, I am officially considered "full term" as of today! 37 weeks...3 weeks until my due date, but he could come anytime and be just fine. I know he won't come for a while but a girl can wish can't she?

I saw the midwife on Tuesday. Drew was with me which was really fun. This being our 3rd he has gone to no appointments with me (except the ultrasound) so it was fun for him to ask some questions, listen to his heartbeat etc. I am 1 cm dilated, he is very low in my pelvis and he is in the perfect position for birth (of course he could decide to shift). He is also measuring small...around 6 lbs right now! This is very good news for me...the diet is paying off. We are anticipating an 8 lb bouncing baby boy if he is near his due date. Okay, both Lachlan and Cohen were late so he probably will be too...once again I can wish. You all know I won't be induced so hopefully he will be here before the New Year.

I have been in planning/nesting mode for weeks now. I've got all his clothes washed and all the gear out and ready. I have all my holiday cards ready to go next week. I bought all of the stuff I need for Lachlan's birthday party. I have all my packages wrapped for Christmas presents. I've got all Lach's birthday gifts wrapped. I have been baking Christmas cookies to give too. I have also been cleaning out closets, organizing and driving Drew a little crazy with jobs I need him to do. I just know I won't be doing a lot of anything except kiddos for the next few months...one thing I haven't got to is my outside windows...I have good intentions just can't get the energy.

Still exercising although the aches and pains are getting a little worse at times. The pelvis muscles are just really not enjoying anything extra right now...walks are about all I can handle. My hips feel double jointed...midwife says with the 3rd it is always worse. I have a lot of contractions on and off especially when I exercise. I welcome these knowing that it will eventually be the real thing.

I just thought I would give a little update. Expect one each week now until he is born...hope ya don't mind. Here are a couple pictures too of this big pregnant lady!
36 weeks pregnant
Cohen giving his brother a kiss

Miscellaneous photos

This picture was taken when my Mom and Sis took me to Bellevue for a little shopping and a night away! We shopped til we dropped and had a really relaxing fun time. Thank you two so much for making my birthday special (not until next month so no one needs to say "happy birthday" yet).

These were taken recently when we went out to Anacortes for a walk and some park play time. As you can see Drew and I played too. They have the best toys at Washington Park, not to mention beautiful scenery even on a cold fall day.



Please excuse the belly...it seems to be sticking out a lot these days!

Thanksgiving Day

We had such a nice Thanksgiving. It started with a visit to Donna and Terry's house to see all of their "kids". Terry has built a Jeep track for RC Jeeps and the boys were SO excited. I think we need some now!
The Jeeps
Terry
Lachlan
"Mom we need to get some of these"

After our little visit we headed to my parents for a feast! It was such a beautiful day yesterday. First sunny Thanksgiving in a long time. The kids were able to play outside most of the day. After stuffing outselves silly we took the kids for a bike ride. It was cold but just gorgeous.

Mom and Kaaran and The Bird
Feasting
Two of the boys...can you tell they have been playing?

Friends visit from far away

My Japanese sister, Hiroyo, and her husband Hideto and their sons Kaito and Gohta (their oldest son Rintaro had to stay home and go to schoool) came to see our family this week. They were in Florida for a conference and traveled all the way to Washington just to see us! They only stayed for four days, but we had such a nice time catching up! We will miss them when they leave tomorrow. Thank you for the visit!
The boys playing with the gifts brought from Japan
Hideto enjoying the ham...very expensive to buy in Japan
Kaito loving the Western food
Cohen could not get enough of baby Gohta

Yoyo and Hideto
This baby was very popular
Hannah and Gohta

Love for 60 years!

Drew's grandparents celebrated their 60th anniversary on the 8th. We had a wonderful meal and visit. It was so fun hearing about their wedding and the many years after. Grandma was 18 and grandpa was 19 when they married. Their love is an example for all of us!

Making serious progress!

Well the land clearing is underway. It is going super! I can't believe the progress Drew has made! The whole front area is ready to burn and today Drew worked mainly on the right side and the back (view area). This is all the progress in two days of excavator work.
The backyard (view area) before
Now
View of the house from the cleared area
Before (notice the big hemlock is gone in the next picture)
Now

Before-this is the driveway or front of the house
Now
Same area before
Now (My Dad on the tractor)

DADDY'S HELPERS

A day at the science center

Yesterday we spent the day at the Pacific Science Center. All the kids had the day off. They had a blast. We watched two Imax films, Whales and Dinosaurs Alive (3D), and tried to see all the exhibits we could. We spent a total of 4+ hours and it was fun for all of us.

It is just about impossible to get the kids to all cooperate at once-take a look at Cohen!
Digging for dinosaur bones...this was one of the favorites!

Even the bigger boys enjoyed the toddler area.
Cohen checking out a butterfly up close.