Splash Mat Fun

Today Nolan had a play date with Madison, Grant, and Michael.  We went to a splash mat where the water was cool and the fun was free!!  Nolan didn't know what to think of all the water at first, but after he saw Madison and Grant running around playing he started to figure it out.  Nolan stayed on the outside of the splash mat at first, but by the end of our time playing he had ventured into the wet abyss.

 "I think I'll hang out here where it's dry"

 The whole splash mat, which was motion activated!

 Loving it now!!

 Pretty Girl Maddie

 Poot letting his truck test the water first

 The water was off.....

 and then it turned on......right into Poot's face.

Grant-O

Happy Bubba!!!!

Thanks to the Kellers for inviting us out for a fun day at the splash mat!!

Maternity Pictures

Last weekend, August 11th, our friend Amber took maternity pictures for us.  Amber brought her entourage, Chase and Kaya, with her to keep Nolan entertained during the pictures.  We started taking pictures around 9am and the weather was absolutely perfect!  The Connors came to Glen Carbon, so we were able to incorporate the Yanda Log Cabin into the maternity pics.  When I was pregnant with Nolan we also took some maternity pictures at the log cabin.  Nolan cooperated much more than I had anticipated!!  Amber did a great job!! Bill and I were very happy with the results.  You can view Amber's Photography Facebook page by clicking on this link, Amber Connor Photography.

Below are some of the pictures Amber took.  A few of the pictures are the same, only edited in different ways.

Prenatal Check Up for Baby P

Today was yet another Prenatal Check Up for Baby P.  My appointments with Dr. Hulsen are now once a week, but I decided to only take pics and post once a month.  Bill came with me to my check up today because an ultrasound was performed to determine whether the baby's head is up or down......... HEAD IS DOWN!! Thank goodness.  I was so worried about the baby being breach, but Dr. Hulsen is happy with the results of the ultrasound.

After the ultrasound, Bill went ahead and went home to pick up Nolan from the babysitter's while I stayed for my check up with Dr. Hulsen.  We listened to the heart beat, which was 135bpm.  Dr. Hulsen reviewed the ultrasound and determined the baby's current weight is about 5lbs 7oz.  Supposedly, the baby is supposed to gain 1/2 a pound a week from here on out.  Dr. Hulsen measured my belly and I'm measuring 36 cm, which again is right on track.

 35 weeks and 4 days

Since I'm now 9 months along, Dr. Hulsen will be checking my cervix at every weekly appointment.  Today when Dr. Hulsen checked my cervix I was shocked to hear the outcome!!  My cervix is already 80% thinned and I am dilated at 1 cm.  Baby P might be making an earlier appearance than September 16th.  Dr. Hulsen seems confident I will be pregnant for at least 4 more weeks.  He said if I were to go into labor this weekend, I will be 36 weeks on Sunday, he would not stop the labor from progressing.

It really hit home today that Baby P is coming and SOON!!  I have been procrastinating on washing clothes, bottles, burp cloths, and organizing things.  As soon as I arrived home today, I organized, washed, and even packed my hospital bag!

Bill and I have been preparing Nolan for Baby P's arrival as well.  I bought a series of books called "My New Baby" which helps illustrate a new baby and what goes along with being an older sibling to a new baby.  The other night I was Facetiming on my phone with Nana when she asked, "Nolan, where is your baby?"  Now, usually Nolan goes to my belly and lifts up my shirt to pat my belly, but instead he went to Bill, lifted up Bill's shirt, and patted Bill's belly, while saying, "Baby!"  We all laughed so hard.  Even Nolan started to laugh at us laughing.  I think Nolan is going to be a great big brother!!

I'll continue to keep everyone up to date on my weekly appointments.  Bill and I still do not know Baby P's gender, so no need to ask.  The baby is so cramped into my uterus now, we couldn't even tell where the hands where located, but the ultrasound technician said everything looks great.  We have finally decided on a boy name and we are still undecided on a girl name though.  I guess we better make a decision pretty quickly......

Little Picasso

Nolan enjoys coloring, so I bought finger paints the other day at Michael's.  Last night we decided to test them out.  I didn't know if Nolan would like the texture of the paint because it is gooey, but it didn't seem to bother him very much.  He kept asking, "what's that?" to find out which color was which.  He got the hang of the color blue and kept saying, "blue."  All the other colors he either called "blue" or asked, "what's that?"

Are you sure about this mama?

"BLUE!!"

Nolan would very lightly dab the paint onto the paper.  I had to show him how to smear the paint.  After awhile, Nolan climbed on top of the table and went to town with the different colors.

The finished product!

The Crayola Paints are amazing! The paint is very easy to clean off.  All I had to do was wipe the table off with a wet paper towel.  As soon as Nolan jumped into the bath the paint came off without any scrubbing.  Nolan has really sensitive skin too, so I was a little nervous the color would break him out, but no rash today!!

I'm sure we will have lots more fun to come with the finger paints.....