37 weeks and counting...

I am 37 weeks and about 1 day now. Last week at 36 weeks I went to my doctor and everything was going well. I actually gained 2 pounds, I had been losing weight and it was good to see it go in the right direction. Still measuring 3 weeks small though. I have to do weekly Non-stress tests and weekly Ultrasounds to keep an eye on the baby. At that time my baby was about 5-5 1/2 pounds and looking strong. He told me that I was a 2 and 75% effaced. That was exciting because with Cameron I delivered at 37 weeks and was only a 1 and 80% when they started me.


Every time we asked Cameron what he wanted for his birthday he said "baby, bobo (blanket)" Last thursday we went to Gardner Village and walked around a bit. In the middle of the night I started having contractions and they were about 5 or 6 minutes apart. I started getting nervous when they got a little harder and closer. We went to the hospital and the nurse said they were now 2-4 minutes apart. It was so funny because it was Cameron's actual birthday and we thought he may acctually get a baby for his birthday. Unfortunately after the hour I wasn't progressing and was sent home. At least we got to have a fun day with my buddy for his birthday.


I have continued to wake up (almost at the exact same time) with contractions. They are very close together but not hard enough. Monday I went back to my doctor for my 37 week apt. This time I lost a 1/2 pound, but nothing to be worried about and am measuring at 32 weeks. Which they said was normal now since she has dropped. My protein goes back and forth between traces and 1+ and my Blood pressure was a little elevated, but not quite enough to induce me. I was a little disapointed that I was measuring the same as last week- a 2 and 75%. With out too many details my doctor said that my body is ready to have a baby, but just not getting there with all my contractions.


I knew I only had two days until Ryan had to go back to work. Now I don't mind baking her a little longer, but really don't want to deal with the stress of not having my husband around at night and going through the pains by myself until he can meet us at the hospital. Unfortunaly it didn't happen yet, so the next couple nights will be scary for me. (especially since I wake up at 2am until about 6am of night with contractions.) I have also had cramping and contractions pretty consistenly for about 48 hours, but they just aren't hard enough to do much. I did go to the hospital again the other day for other reasons (not contractions), but to get something checked out and I was pretty sure they wouldn't keep me. I was happy to find out I was now a 3 and 80%, so all my contractions did do something. They kept me there to see if I would change, since I was having contractions under 5 minutes apart. My protein was now a 1+ and my blood pressure was still elevated. After an hour they checked me again no progress. My blood pressure was the same but only a few numbers off what it would be to be concerned and start me. I was sent home again. (I knew it.) So I just have to deal with a these contractions and wait until they are a little harder. I just wish they didn't keep me up all night. Oh well, my little angel will come when she is ready. I can't wait to hold my little angel and see what she looks like.

Cameron's Birthday

On Friday our Cameron turned 2 years old. I can't believe he is getting so old. And he is going to be a big brother soon. Everytime I would ask him what he wanted for his birthday he would say Baby,bobo (blanket). Well he almost got his sister on his birthday, but it didn't happen. I will write about that later.

At 2 Years Old Cameron:
~Is finally starting to talk where people other than Mom know what he is saying
~Sleeps 12-13 hours at night, plus a 2 hour nap during the day.
~Loves to sing Popcorn Popping, Twinkle Twinkle and Sunbeam song.
~Is a big tease to everyone, especially his big sis Brooklynn.
~Likes storytime, although he doesn't listen to what I am reading, but gets his own book.
~Loves to play puppy, but doesn't like the real thing.
~He is ALL boy
~His favorite food or snack is cereal.
~Just learning to enjoy tv and movies.
~He loves phones and remotes, not fake ones... the real thing.
~Cameron is a both a mommy and daddy's boy. It depends on the day and situtation.
~Loves food, any and all. He will climb on chairs, get in the fridge, freezer, and counters to find it.
~He is very sweet and ALWAYS has to give hugs and kisses. Especially to stall at bedtime.



On Cam's birthday we went to Gardner Village on a witch hunt with the Oldroyd's (I will post those pictures soon.) Then back to Grandma Oldroyd's for pizza and cupcakes. First we lit the candle and he blew it out right away. Then when we were first singing Happy Birthday Cam had a HUGE smile on his face and was so excited he all of the sudden fell off the chair. OOPS! Too bad I didn't get a picture or video. It was funny. Don't worry he didn't get hurt.


We were going to make birthday breakfast on the morning of his birthday, but had a few issues (I will write what happened on my 37 week pregnancy post) We made up for it on Saturday morning. Brooklynn was a big help making it with daddy. Breakfast was all done and Cameron was still asleep. We opened his door and he was so excited for one of his favorite meals... pancakes.


At the Oldroyd party on Thursday Cameron was too distracted and didn't really open gifts, but now that they are opened he loves all his presents. Friday night we had just a family birthday celebration and gave him a couple more gifts and had a cake. I was surprised how much he liked the books. Cameron got a lot of fun gifts from cousins and us dinosaurs, two frisbee balls, clothes, sunglasses, a new bobo (blanket), books, a little backpack like his sisters (so he will stop carrying around her purses), a train and car. I am sure there are a few more, but he was spoiled.

Conference Weekend and Other fun stuff...

Over conference weekend Ryan had St. George Marathon and my doctor suggested because of my history it was best I stay home. So I started out the weekend having a girls night and went and saw a scary movie (since Ryan won't go with me) We had so much fun.

Conference and St. George Marathon

I was trying to think of what I could do with the kids. Saturday we decided to paint pumpkins. Of course this is Brooklynn's favorite thing to do.



Cameron got his hands dirty too and joined in.



Sunday we finished the pumpkins and put stickers all over them. Let me also add that Brooklynn loves conference and between the two days (8 hours) She acctually sat and watched about 2 hours.



Cam had more fun sticking the stickers to other things, but we eventually got some on his pumpkin.

We ended up having a lot of fun that weekend. Although we missed Ryan we kept busy. By the way Ryan did AWESOME at the race. It was his personal best and ran the 26.2 miles in 2 hours 49 minutes and 50 seconds. Ryan was 11th place in ages 30-35 and 47th place out of 5,900 people. Way to go Ry!

Muffin Tin Lunch

I don't always post them, but we still occasionally do Muffin Tin lunches. The kids love them and usually eat great when we do it. I gave the kids a new book I ordered from Brooklynn's school and so we had a Halloween/orange lunch.



Cam loves it!



Berkie does too!


The Hunger Games

Over a year ago my friends have a little book group and it was my turn to choose a book. My sister-in-law told me about a book she just read called Hunger Games and I told the group that was my choice and after explaining the plot I got some weird looks. So then the next time I told them I might change it and two girls told me NO! They had already started and LOVED it. So we got addicted to the series and so now we just discussed the third book at another meeting. Lindsay was so cute and ordered cupcakes from a neighbor who owns Sprinklebelle. Aren't they awesome? They taste good too.

Gracie's birthday party!

My neice Gracie had her 3rd birthday party a few weeks ago and we had a great time.


Ryan's sister and her family couldn't come to the park, so we are missing one of the little girls. But here are the others.We love our girls!


Here are our little trouble maker boys. Cam has decided to join thing 1 and thing 2 in their mischievous ways. But they sure are cute.


The kids had fun playing on the swings.


It was fun watching the kids do the pinata. Every time Cam hit it his tongue stuck out so far. Brooklynn was very dainty and girly when she hit it. It was Brady who finally broke it open.

Luke Alexander Dennis

My nephew Luke was born on September 13th at 5am. Here is a picture of my mom with him.


Luke is my brother Josh and his wife Johana's 3rd boy.


Luke is sure cute and he looks a lot more like his oldest brother Caleb.


We love you Luke, welcome to the family.

I ♥ faces- chalk

I haven't done one of these in a long time, but this one sounded fun. I had some energy today and so we played outside a three different times today and did some chalking. Isn't my girl so cute?

To see more I ♥ faces photographs click HERE

Miracle

{I know that I do a post every year. Sorry if you don't like it, but this is a big part of my life and I am so thankful for today.}

24 years ago my mom woke up to me screaming in the middle of the night. I was panicked, I started explaining that something happened to Josh and I described that he was in the mountains in a hole and he couldn't get out. Everyone was looking for him but couldn't help him. I described more of my dream to her. She explained to me Joshua was okay and sleeping in his room. It was just a dream. Well 3 years later when I was 7 years old this dream became very real.



September 22, 1989 my older brother Joshua Dennis was 10 years old and went missing in a mine. He got seperated from the other scouts and leaders and didn't have a light. He couldn't find his way back out. Family, friends, Tooele police and Search and Rescue scoured the mountain and mine for 5 long days. Wednesday September 27th the last day of the search, the mine was to be closed and sealed to prevent this from happening again. John Skinner knew where to find Josh, he dreamt about it. After being turned away day after day, finally they let him have one last look. John along with two search and rescue workers went in for our final hope. After about an hour Josh was brought out to the light safetly. I am very grateful for all the people who helped search, and for John Skinner's persistance and faith.



While Josh was still in the MTC, he wrote John Skinner a letter. "I've been pondering in my mind all day," said Josh, "the things that I'm thankful for, and the list never ends. I thought of you when I read this scripture in Mosiah 7:12, {'I am very thankful before God this day that I am yet alive, and am permitted to speak and I will endeavor to speak with boldness.'} P.S.," Josh ended the letter, "I'm glad you know what it means to search."



Some times we will be rescued and sometimes we will be the rescuers. I know I need to be rescued more often than I like. We need to remember to be open, listen to the spirit so we will know our purpose at every moment. Although we may never experience anything like this, we have our moments of darkness. We need to have faith, know that miracles do happen and we will see the light. {Love you Josh}

Today is a day that I realize all my blessings. I am thankful for husband and kids and grateful for their love and support. I need to take time and enjoy the moment more often.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in the years." ~Abraham Lincoln

To read the whole story that I wrote 2 years ago click HERE

My loves

The last two days have been hard. I have been tired and hurting and not wanting to do much. It doesn't help that Cameron is a wild boy and every 30 seconds is into something else and climbing on something. I have told people in the past how busy he is and I always get "the look." You know the one that people think I am just complaining and my child really isn't that hard. Until they see, I have had so many people lately tell me what a mover Cameron is and they can't believe he is such a busy boy. It is true he keeps me up and moving after him.


Brooklynn isn't as busy, but she is definately a girl and always wants me to play with her. She loves lots of attention and when she doesn't get it... Well life is OVER. Lately she has been a little more whiney than usual. I think it is more just that I can't do as much as the kids would like. Tonight we went to the store to get a couple things and we ended up staying there for over an hour. There was no shortage of tears either. Poor girl told me that her friend told her that her eyes are beautiful with out her glasses. She told me she doesn't like glasses anymore. She is more of an emotional challenge.



On the way home I heard the new Brad Paisley song. It reminds me of Cameron to the T. It is such a good song. I just can't believe how much I love both Brooklynn and Cameron. No matter the bad days, it is all worth it. They are always my babies and I will love them forever. Seriously who can resist these cute faces??? I can't.


There isn't a music video yet, but here is the song. Remember to click on the side and pause my other music. Enjoy!

Preschool

Brooklynn started Preschool last week and she was SO excited.


They had to bring a poster about themselves sometime in the next few weeks, but Brooklynn was so excited she wanted it ready for the first day.


I decided to have a special lunch for her first day. I wasn't really prepared ahead of time, so it wasn't really "school themed", but Muffin tin lunch is always fun.


Cam enjoyed the lunch too. It was really a weird day for him though, last year when Brooklynn was gone at preschool he was napping so for him to be awake with out his sister was strange. He didn't know what to do. He kept asking for BEBE. (Berkie)


We had a special gift for Brooklynn after her first day of preschool. This is what I gave all my neices and nephews for their first day of school too. The book I just added, because she LOVES Junie B. Jones and I have a box full of books and other misc. toys in my basement that I have bought and save for special occasions.


Second day came around and she still loves school. I hope that she continues to love to learn and read.

Labor Day

Ryan had to work the whole Labor Day weekend so we spent a few hours Monday at my mom's and then after with Ryan's family too.

At At my mom's the kids played outside to play some new games that my mom bought.


Unfortunately the kids were not interested in the games and just ran around.



Caleb loves it when Brooklynn comes over to play with him, but doesn't get along with Cameron so well. They still had fun though.


I take that back... Zack played with the games. Just not how it says in the rule book.