Progress

Well I am 1 centimeter dilated. I know it could be forever but things seem to be winding down. Last week Diana rotated so her back was to my back...I knew exactly when she did it because it HURT! Then as of yesterday, she rotated back into position...thanks goodness! It just makes for an easier push/smoother delivery.

My blood pressure was slightly elevated and I haven't been feeling too well so Dr. Bose ordered some blood work.

I go back on Monday already. Then, if I make it to Thursday (which is actually my due date AND Daddy's bday), I will be having an ultra-sound then put on a monitor for 45 minutes.

Dr. Bose explained that depending on the results of the blood work and my appointments, I could be rushed to Labor and Delivery or sent home...stay tuned.

Bragging About My Hubby's "Mini Deck Garden"

So....we usually attempt to grow flowers every year and every year we fail! This year? I have to give kudos to my hubby! He ROCKED the deck garden this year!

So the flowers look beautiful...red, white and purple petunias and 2 beautiful hisbiscus trees!

THEN...we ventured out and tried herbs and some veggies. WELL...we got Roma Tomatoes!!! They are beautiful AND delicious..yummo! There are more growing now...we just need to wait for them to ripen.

The basil and mint are also growing like mad...I have used basil in some of my homemade Italian dishes like my eggplant parm..lasagna and gravy. The mint? I am saving it for the mojitoes I will make for a girls night....thinking of hosting a Sex in the City party in the fall :)

Enjoy the pix! Thank you to my wonderful hubby and his green thumb this year!! Babe...you rock!

The Siblings

So...everyone always asks me..."How do the kids feel about the baby?" "Are they excited?" "Do you think the kids are nervous about having a baby in the house?"

I thought the blog would be a perfect place to describe my point of view of the kids or "The Siblings!"

In one word, they are EXCITED! Sure the novelty of a new baby may wear off and they may get aggravated or even angry from time to time with a fussy baby, however, they have been just wonderful.

I guess not many people can experience what I am about too. I mean, how many pregnant women out there are also responsible for older stepchildren? I am sure there are some...but not many. Yes...sometimes you feel alone because you wonder...."who can really understand my situation?" I am dealing with stressful teenage issues....the middle child starting to drive...the youngest about to finish middle school already...Most of the time, however, I feel even more safe AND excited.

Zack as everyone knows is just a wonderful human being. He always asks me if I need anything...he will go and get me my pillow and blanket for my naps on the couch...he has helped me with groceries and bending over EVERY TIME I drop something which is often...(if you know me you know I am a huge klutz!) What choked me up the most though? When he told me he loves to go under the baby's crib and just chill sometimes. He also tested out the rocker and practiced reading the baby books. Need I say more?

Ally has assembled most of our essential gear. No I am not kidding. With minimal help from Dad, she amazed us with her tenacity and passion for getting those things done...like the high chair...like the swing...like the stroller AND the pack and play...I told her she should be an Engineer...she said "I don't want to do a guy's job!" Yes I set her straight :) She also loves to keep tabs on the baby's clothes so often goes snooping in her closet. Ally also helped me unpack everything after our baby shower...she even organized Baby Diana's onesies in one of her drawers...she separated them in piles of 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 9+ months...she is so helpful and you can always depend on her during times of stress...she is another special kid.

Kayla? Last but not least. As you know Kayla is with us all the time now. She has really matured into a responsible and lovely young woman too. We are very proud of her work ethic and the way she is making an effort to reach out to new people, make friends and help those in need. It has been such piece of mind for me to have her home...she reminds me to call down to her (especially when Dad is working at a gig) if I need anything or should I go into labor...she has even offered to drive me to the hospital if Daddy is working. For someone who isn't a huge fan of kids, she too, has been wonderful. It is like having a roommate that I can vent too...talk politics with and just chill with. She has helped me to feel less alone and is just a pleasure to have around.

These kids have suffered through this pregnancy with me (all my complaining...fatigue...sickness, etc) AND have enjoyed some of the perks like my cravings along the way...chicken fingers....Mcflurrys....Coldstone Creamery...yeah we got it covered. We have enjoyed many a Friday night with some sweet treats! We have also gotten VERY silly about things at times...Ally and I made up a song for Bambi (our bulldog) about how her life is about to turn to shi....well you get the point!

Lastly, what I can tell you is this: This baby is so lucky to have 3 wonderful siblings...I feel grateful that she has three terrific human beings to look up to.
I know they will teach her about life...protect her and be there over the years...I hope she can return the love that they deserve...I will do my best to encourage their closeness for eternity.

So everyone....Blended families, though more challenging...also offer more rewards in life.

Thank You God.

Dear Diana At 37 Weeks!

Dear Diana,

It is almost time for your arrival! You are considered full term this week :) I have felt so melancholy over the last few weeks...I cry at the drop of a hat.

I will miss carrying you so much! I may never get to feel this again and that is okay...I am happy to share this with you...my little girl.

Daddy and I have been practicing swaddling with dolls...I have to admit...he is an expert. My swaddling skills can't even compare to his- I guess that will be one of his jobs. I have practiced reading to you in the new rocker...I hope you enjoy that as much as I am going to!

We had the car seats installed by our wonderful fire department...it was a great experience and Firefighter Wicker made sure that you will always be safe in our cars. Now we can take you everywhere we go! (Most importantly we can take you home from the hospital!) :)

I am looking forward to taking you to one of my favorite places and that is Griffin Park. It is such a nice time of year so we will be able to take some strolls...listen to the birds and have some fun!

Everyone is excited to meet you! All of our family and friends and friends from work and town...we will need to introduce you to the ladies at the coffee shop and hair salon and PTA as well as our doctors and co-workers and church....you will be one busy baby!! Get ready!

I am ready..this is the calm before the storm but I know we can do it....I look forward to meeting you...I am waiting...I am here to greet you...and I promise to always take care of you.

Love, Mommy

The Final Stretch

So I am 36 weeks...on Tuesday, I will be considered full term! We still can't believe it! Some days it seems like I have been pregnant forever. I am tired...in pain...can barely get through the work day...etc etc. Other days, I can't believe this time came so fast.

I cannot wait to meet our baby girl but I am very melancholy...I will miss being pregnant...miss feeling her move and miss the feeling of protecting her from the world.

On the other hand, I am constantly wondering...is she okay? What does she look like? Will she have hair? How much will she weigh? Oh...the curiosity is killing me!

We had our weekly appointment today and got our "Labor Talk." Dr. Bose explained all the amenities they have at Winchester Hospital and today, to me, it sounds like a hotel...private soothing showers for pain....a pool tub for pain...pain meds before the epidural...a birthing ball...etc etc...I am sure when I am having contractions, this will all seem less glamorous however today I am quite impressed.

I got an exam today too and although I am not dilated yet, my cervix has softened and is ready to go! Can you believe it?

We got a beautiful rocker for the nursery...yes another ebay special...can ya blame me? Rob put it together last night so I tested it out and it is comfy and will do the trick. It has a matching ottoman and all I have to do is point and flex my toes and everything moves quite nicely!

It is white wood with light green cushions...goes perfect! Stay tuned for some pix of the nursery...it is a little dreamland fit for a princess....our little princess! :)

The Birthday Boy!

So....Zack is officially a teenager!!! I still remember him climbing onto my lap the very first time I met him...he was 6! I was eating carrots and dip at Bainbridge's in Chelmsford and he says, in his little Forest Gump voice "I like carrots." This is a statement we all still use today.

I feel melancholy...he is no longer a little kid but he is such a special young man- one of a kind. He keeps us laughing and he always has a positive way of looking at things.

For his birthday, we surprised him with a brand new set of golf clubs and some practice balls and then Grammy and Papa got him a kickin' pair of golf shoes....he is ready to go!

What he asked for, however, was something unique and completely Zack...a birthday dinner with all of his favorite foods. So Rob and I both slaved over the stove for a couple of hours to make it happen...we had a ball!

The menu?
Dad's "Cheeseburger in Paradise Meatloaf"
Holly's Buffalo Chicken Dip with Tostitos AND Celery
Bagel Bites
Curly Spicy Fries

and for dessert?
Holly's Dirt Pudding Dessert complete with Gummy Worms

I need to also mention that last week, Zack hit his first ever career homerun!!!!!! All of the coaches agreed, "it couldn't have happened to a nicer kid!"

Happy Birthday Buddy- Love you :)

4th of July Weekend!!

So we decided to return to one of our favorite destinations for the 4th- Portsmouth, NH- nice and close to home this year and VERY low key. We enjoyed a nice beach day on Thursday including mega waves that almost knocked even ME over! Then we checked into the Sheraton Portsmouth, enjoyed the pool and grabbed dinner at The Old Ferry Landing- very cas...awesome food...got to eat out on the deck overlooking the harbor. Yesterday, we slept in, grabbed a legendary breakfast at The Friendly Toast...walked around and napped the whole afternoon! We did catch most of the Sox game before heading over to Hampton for dinner.

We met Grammy and Papa for dinner at Ocean 931...we celebrated Grammy and Zack's bdays and had a superb dinner including bday desserts for the guests of honor. We did try to catch the fireworks after BUT the traffic on the strip was insane so we headed back to Porsmouth for ice cream and called it a night.

We are relaxing at home for the remainder of the weekend...between baseball games and a trip to Cass's of course.

Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!