Water Day and "Summer" Fun

Not much has happened with our construction.  Rain and a water shed report are stalling us.  There is the start of framing for the foundation.  We are hoping to finalize the permit Tuesday and then find a dry window for them to pour this week.  It would be nice to really get going.

Nick and I finished our semesters.  We are still dealing with the students surprised at their grades.   We both caught a plagiarism case.  My student was planning to fight it, which would have meant a mid June trial, but luckily the Dean of Students convinced her that matching websites (wikipedia, aboutpsychology and alley dog) word for word was a cut and dry case.

Zoey had her last day of preschool.  They celebrated with a water day.  They usually have big inflatables, but the diocese increased insurance requirements a few days before, so those could not be worked out.  But they had a lot of fun things and Zoey had a blast.

She did not want to pose for a picture with her teacher.  She did give her a big hug.  And in the car on the way home, she started to cry asking why she could not go back to Mrs. Smith.  It was so sad.  But I know she will love her new teacher in the fall.  She has grown and learned so much this year.  What a treat it has been watching her change.  We were so blessed that she had this teacher and this experience.

Here I am at 39 weeks, officially full term under the new more limited definition.  It is so against every aspect of my being to have so much up in the air and having to say maybe to so many things we set up.  But we have managed to squeeze in a lot of fun.  I even went to a free opera event at an outdoor theater with friends.  It was wonderful.  One of my friends did say, "Not to be a pessimist, but if things move quickly" what is the game plan.  But petunia seems content and I made it through the show.

Yesterday was a lovely, albeit warm, day, so we squeezed in some outdoor fun, which is a good thing since it is pouring today.  It is hard to remember that it is not quite summer break and Sam still have 8 days of school.   We did some bike riding training yesterday.  With all the craziness of life, neither girl has learned to really ride a bike.  Sam was hesitant (big understatement) at first, but did really well and will be pedaling around soon.  Zoey also did great for her first time with no training wheels.

And after bike riding and lunch, we hit the pool at my parents' house.  We are so lucky that they are so close.  They are such a blessing to move to be close to us and help us out.  We cannot thank them enough for all they have sacrificed.  They are still getting settled, but we will invade them soon when construction really gets going.  The girls love being able to drop in and see them and Nana and Papa have been treating the girls to lots of play time and taking them out to eat.  We have also been trying to help Nana and Papa get settled and spending some time in the pool Nick and Papa worked so hard to get in shape.

And tomorrow, Nick and I celebrate 13 years of marriage.  It seems like yesterday and forever ago.  We never dreamed what life had in store for us, but we have been blessed with 2 amazing girls.  And hopefully, the third will make her debut soon.  We have lived in 4 states and done 8 moves.  Last year, we celebrated by coming here to look at houses.  The year between has been full of challenges and blessings.  This year we may just be at the hospital celebrating becoming a family of 5, but only time will tell. She certainly is looking to expand her space.  I know that I am lucky to have an amazing man like Nick in my life.  He is an outstanding partner and an awesometastic father.  I look forward to what the future holds for us, but am hopeful that it unfolds here.  No more moves please!

A fair princess and our castle

Life has been especially crazy.  We are finishing finals week and our house construction has started.  Construction has not changed our lives too much, other than the fact that we no longer have a full fence, so we have to walk the dogs every time they need to go out.  We have been squeezing in fun and celebration as well.  Today was a mini-shower/celebration lunch with the UHCL psychology faculty.  It was also the first grade mother's day concert.

First, the construction update.  This huge dumpster is now full in our driveway.

This is the before picture, notice the nice two level deck, the trees and the brick...

Because those are all gone now.   Well, some of the bricks are still there, but they should be gone early next week.  The foundation should be poured next week once the ground is leveled.

Next some random fun.  Zoey and I went to a splash park, but our friends cancelled and she was not a huge fan by herself in the end, so we left quickly.  We will go back when it is warmer and Sam or other friends can join for sure. 

And a pregnancy update.  I am 37 weeks today. 

I had an ultrasound at almost 33 weeks and she was still breech, which would have possibly forced a C-section.  My doctor was willing to send me for an external cephalic version if she did not turn, but luckily the home remedies worked and she turned head down.

Here is the confirmation of head down ultrasound at 35 weeks.  Zoey turned a bit late too, so I was not too worried, but they did say my fluid levels were within range, but a bit high so she could flip back.  It was suggested I cut sugar, carbs, and even high sugar fruits to lower the fluid levels.  Boo!  I was also diagnosed as a group B strep carrier.  The main issue with this diagnosis is that I need antibiotics at least 4 hours before birth to transfer, which means I have to go to the hospital if my (her?) water breaks or if contractions are 5 minutes apart, which means I cannot labor at home as long as I want.  And my labors have had some twists.  With Sam, my contractions started 2 minutes apart and it was 13 hours later that she was finally born.  That was with an epidural and her trying to come out with her elbow by her head.  With Zoey, my water did not break, but I went in thinking I was going kind of early and was 8.5 cm when I got there and she was born about 2.5 hours later.  She was high risk and needed to be monitored for the dual vessel cord.  My OB was on C-section duty and sped me up by breaking water and forcing me to push before I was fully effaced, but I really wanted him to deliver because of the high risk.  So, all that is to say it may be hard to get in when they want without going in super early and that makes interventions more likely.  But once my current OB is back in town, I may be able to work out a solution to allow me to labor at home long enough to have the natural birth I want.

Here I am at 36 weeks.  I feel huge, but a lot of people say I do not seem as far along as I am. 

And it is hard to tell much with the different shots, but here I am at 36 weeks with Sam, Zoey and Fiona. 

Yep, I let her name slip.  She will be named Fiona, which is an Irish/Scottish name meaning fair, which she should be in all versions of meaning of that word.  We will also call her Fi, Fifi, and Fin(n) I am sure.  Fin fits as well because it is end in French and she shall be our last :)

Only time will tell if she will come early or late.  Sam was 1 day early and Zoey was 3 days late.  Maybe she shall come on her due date.  I still have some grading, so it would be good if she waits at least a week or so.