ONE MORE WEEK!

One week from today we will be able to meet sweet baby Kale Russell! We're SO excited!!

Payton's current favorites

*saying imagination
*putting on her sunglasses pretending they are attached to a stethoscope and "checking" mommy and Kale's temperature
*she recently saw my belly button (sticking out now) and said, "There's a spider coming out mommy!"
*taking orders with her new McDonald's toy register
*calling Aunt Stacy "Anastasia"!
*helping put laundry in the washer and "folding" out of the dryer
*"I love you so much mommy!"
*creating animals/things out of the clouds
*hopscotch
*talking/playing FOR OVER AN HOUR at bedtime (after we've put her down)
*picking out her own clothes
*saying "not a problem"
*saying "Hakuna Matata" with Aunt Megan
*dancing in the body that God gave her all around her room after bath/shower saying, "Look at my booty-booty mommy!" NOW WHO TAUGHT HER THAT ONE?

Progress - in all forms of the word

I feel like singing "Which one of these doesn't belong?" from Sesame Street with the pictures I've posted this week! Yes, I included a not-so-glamorous photo of myself (gasp, and let's admit - what is glamorous at this point anyway, right??) because I have had a few requests from friends to post "belly pictures". Well, there you go folks....that's as close as you're gonna get to my belly!!! Side note - those pants (although they may look foolish) are from Target and they are the MOST comfortable pair of sweats I have owned....highly recommend them!!

As you can see, too, Russ and his gang have made quite some progress on the basement recently. A few nights he has come straight home from baseball practice, worked in the basement for 3-4 hours and then finally takes a break (at 10:00 p.m.). I don't know how he does it, but I'm glad it's him and not me!

I have my next appointment tomorrow - we'll keep you posted!

School Shower

Thanks to some amazing parents, the students were able to host a shower for us at school last week. As you can see, both grandmothers were invited as well as Payton! It was truly an honor :) The students had a great time making these cute onesies for Kale.... Payton got to make one too! We are so blessed to have so many supportive people in our lives! The official countdown is on! 4 weeks from Wednesday and we will have our new little baby boy! So exciting!

All Dogs Go To Heaven

(not an actual picture - but sure looks like him)

This past week I learned that my parents had to say good-bye to our 12 year-old pet and companion, Roy. He was a great little guy and will be missed. Rest in peace little Roy - we love you!

Sprinkle

Gretch, me, Brenda

:)

Grandma Dianna, Grandma Rhonda and Aunt Megan

My good friend's Brenda and Gretchen hosted a baby shower for me this past weekend. It certainly was great to be surrounded by such good friends and family....thanks girls! Kale was blessed with many gifts, clothing and of course, diapers and wipes! Now, the real countdown begins!

Macrosomia??

I had my 33 week check-up yesterday - all is well! His head is down so who knows what Mother Nature will decide within the next couple of weeks. My doctor used the word "macrosomia" again at this appointment and therefore I am sharing it with you....here's a description from an online source I receive weekly updates from:

How large is "large"?
Babies weighing more than 9 pounds and 15 ounces (4,500 grams) are considered much larger than average. (Average newborn weight is 7 pounds and 8 ounces.) It's very difficult to determine whether a baby is truly macrosomic (literally "of large body") while she's still in the womb — only a post-birth weigh-in confirms it. But your healthcare provider may suspect macrosomia if you're measuring large for dates. An ultrasound can provide a more accurate idea of how big your baby really is. About 5 to 10 percent of babies are considered macrosomic.

No wonder I have trouble walking, sleeping, breathing, etc!!!!:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)