Welcome Spring!

This has been the most beautiful weekend! Temps in the low 70's, abundant sunshine, the ability to leave the windows open at night...it doesn't get much better than this!

We spent Friday night doing baby things - we used some gift cards and headed over to Babies R Us and finished getting the last few things we need for LBC's arrival. Then yesterday we spent the day celebrating Monica's Bat Mitzvah. Monica is one of the children I was a nanny for over the last 8 years, and she turned 13 this week, therefore making it the time to become a Bat Mitzvah. It made me feel SO OLD to be waddling around pregnant at her party and realizing that she is now a teenager...seems like yesterday I was the teenager taking care of her and she was 5. Really put things into perspective! Last night we took all the new baby hangers we got and switched LBC's hanging clothes over. We also went through all the drawers and filled up a laundry basket full of blankets, burp cloths, onesies, etc that we will need in the first few weeks and they are currently in the laundry.

Today Matt did some work outside the house and got the patio furniture out for me - we are having Chip over this afternoon and will be grilling and eating outside - LOVE IT! I also went and got a mani/pedi with my friend Jessica, so now my toes & fingers are delivery room ready!

We are a bit apprehensive because I am feeling GREAT today and have more energy then I've had in weeks. We've heard that before labor starts it is common to get an adrenaline rush....so we will see if this is related :)

Either way - this weekend has been full of sunshine, happiness, a great nights sleep, friendship and cleaning. All we need now is LBC to complete this beautiful life.

Ultrasound on Tuesday to see how big LBC has gotten for the last time before the big induction decision is made...can't believe we are this close!

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Happy Birthday Aunt Jessie..

Today would have been Jessie's 23rd birthday...it is so hard to believe that two years ago I had her here in my home recovering from turning 21 at midnight and all the drinks she consumed between 12 and 2am. She was the light of our lives. It is especially hard today to realize that she won't be here to influence and know her nephew, because I know she would have taken her role as his aunt to the ultimate extreme and loved him like her own. So today, I just have a few things to say to the best little sister that God ever created:

Jez..
I miss you - they say that time heals pain, and maybe that is true, but missing you doesn't get easier and time doesn't stop love from continuing to grow. I was so extremely blessed to have had you in my life for 21 years. As I think about the child growing inside of me, I think of the stories about when mom was pregnant with you and I was the only one that was sure you were a girl, and because of that I got to name you. You & I had that special connection from the very beginning and even though you are gone, I like to think it is still there. I still see you, hear you and feel you when I need it most and I know you are never really that far away. I'm going to need you to stay really close for always because we're about to go through the biggest experience in our lives and I need my little sister for it. I love you, thanks for being who you were, are and always will be. We are truly the lucky ones for having had you. Keep shining in Heaven..I can feel your beautiful light.

Love you..love you more everyday,
Linds <3

Where has time gone?!

So much has happened in the last week and a half, I hardly can even separate the days they have all run together from time passing so quickly!

I had the most wonderful baby shower that was full of great food, adorable baby stuff and even more amazing friends & family. It is truly humbling to be in a room full of people who love & support you during a time like this, we are so blessed in so many ways.

As of today, LBC is now one week away from being considered "full term" which is 37 weeks. We now have at least once a week doctors appointments so between those, work, childbirth classes, getting things ready at home and trying to sleep at night in the midst of at least 3 bathroom wake ups, life has been pretty hectic. Swollen "cankles" have become a regular visitor to these 9 month prego feet, and I can feel my body changing to start preparing for the exciting events to come!

We are technically 28 days away from LBC's due date, which is crazy in itself. Now, due to LBC's size, we know he is arriving at least one week early so that puts us at 21 days away. WHAT?!

I promise to be better about updating this regularly again once I am done with work and on maternity leave - there just isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done right now. Things are great though and I wouldn't change a thing!

So many updates!

Wow - I really need to stop slacking on these updates, too many things to remember when I finally get to do this!

The last two weeks have been really long and my head is just now starting to slow down from the continual spin. Here's some new updates:

1) The Jason Aldean concert last Friday was awesome. Our seats were amazing and we had a great time. LBC loved the music - he was kicking up a storm the entire time. It was a great break from all the craziness!

2) Had an ultrasound this week - new picture below. LBC is currently weighing in at 6lbs 9oz in the 85th percentile. He's changing so much between each time that we get to see him. I am getting SO excited to see him in person, I can hardly stand it!

3) During the ultrasound on Tuesday, I told the doctor I wasn't feeling that well and have been having problems with headaches, dizziness, swelling, etc. She sent me to my regular OB's office and to make a long two day story short, after several tests we found out that I am anemic and have Gestational Diabetes. I am headed today after lunch time to meet with a Diabetes educator and get all the tools to test my blood sugar several times a day. If we can't get the sugar levels down enough, I will have to start taking insulin through the rest of the pregnancy. This is what has contributed to LBC's rapid growth over the last 6-12 weeks. Hopefully he will start to slow his role over the next few weeks. We will have another ultrasound in 2 1/2 weeks to see where he is at once he is considered "full term" and we will likely be planning an induction for 2 weeks later when I hit 39 weeks.

4) Physical Therapy started this week also - they are treating my out of alignment hips and spine and it is really helping me with the pain I had been having. Now if only I could sleep better at night!

5) Tomorrow is my baby shower!!!! After a month of waiting after that darn snowstorm, it is finally here and we are so excited! Especially now that we know we will have LBC in our arms in just about 30 days, it will be great to feel a bit more settled. Also on our to-do list for the next few days is to get a hospital bag packed. I'm at the point now where things start becoming unpredictable!

I promise to start getting better about blogging more often...more later this weekend!

xo,

Lindsay

Dear LBC..

Dear LBC,

I think it is so cute when you kick and show off your athletic moves inside the womb. However, today you are really pushing it a bit to far. I know you are cramped in there and I am sorry that I can't be 7 ft tall to provide you appropriate torso room for your quickly growing body, but pushing into the top of my belly and constricting my ability to breathe and generally be comfortable while sitting just isn't fair. In the same regard, pushing your head into my bladder doesn't really do either of us any benefit. Could you please ease it up a bit? Once you are here in the world with us, you will have all the room you will ever need.

I can't wait to meet you, please behave for just a few more weeks.

I love you,
Mommy

The week from hell.

Well, I am terribly delinquent in updating my blog over the last week, and have heard several comments on it, so I thought I'd quickly put something on here.

Remember this book?



If you change the name to Lindsay and change Day to Week, the pretty much sums up the last 96 hours. Work this week has been a completely nightmare - quite possibly the worst of my career thus far. It was back to back unexpected issues that kept popping up and throwing a wrench into my already over-crowded schedule. I am trying to get too much completed in anticipation of my upcoming maternity leave and am just about stretched to my limit.

We've also had multiple things going on in the evening, which makes a long day at work even longer. Fortunately I am in love with our child birth class that is taught by our doula, so though the class contributed to one of the very long days, it was relaxing and baby-related which always makes me happy! Tonight I am just getting home for the first time all day after having a long day at work directly followed by a executive committee and board meeting at the country club where I am Treasurer. Now I'm trying to unwind and get ready to deal with Friday and enjoy the weekend!

We are headed to State College tomorrow evening for the Jason Aldean concert which we scored 2nd row tickets for....I'm extremely excited and it will be the perfect way to end a horrible week!

Had a doctors appointment this week - LBC is doing great! I am being sent to a physical therapist on Monday morning because the doctors think my hips may be out of alignment from LBC's rapid growth and my pelvic bones starting to shift in preparation for childbirth. I've been getting extreme back & neck pain and horrible sciatic nerve pain that radiates down my legs by the end of the day from just shifting positions on the couch or trying to walk. Hopefully this trip to the PT will fix this, because I am really enjoying this time of the pregnancy otherwise. LBC has been extremely active and has started somewhat responding to my pokes and touches. We are getting so close - where has time gone?!

More this weekend...

xo,
Lindsay

A week of "8"s ...and an introduction of sorts!

Well, we've hit another milestone! I'm now 8 months pregnant, 80 % of the way through and just under 7/8 weeks until delivery!!

In honor of LBC's newest milestone, we thought we'd share some pictures of his nursery, which in turn will introduce LBC to the world as "Chase". We've been keeping his name a secret for quite some time, as we honestly grew rather tired of hearing everyone's opinion on the names we were selecting. However, we reached a point where we said oh well and are ready to share the name! I've always said that I would say his name before he was born because to me, this is who he is already. So, we'd like to introduce to you - Chase Gregory Coulter!! He will still be affectionately known as LBC for the weeks to come, but now you know who he will be known as in a few short weeks!

We are off to our first hypnobirthing class tonight which starts a 5 week series of classes to get us ready for the big day..I'm sure I will have lots to post on that later!

Love,
Lindsay, Matt & LBC aka Chase :)

This will be the changing table & dresser:





Crib shot:



View from the closet:



View from the hallway:



We got a little crafty this weekend & did these ourselves!!!