Our final weeks as a family of three...

It's almost time - October 1st is almost here...and as I type this, it's just a little over 24 hours away.  The day that will be our baby boy's birth day.  Back when we started this pregnancy journey in January, not many people, including doctors and me, thought I would make it to October.  This pregnancy was not easy, the ups and downs of being "high risk," the comfort of seeing your baby literally grow inside you on an ultrasound every few weeks coupled with the fear of what happened with Kinsley happening all over again, the scary weeks early-on and mid-pregnancy of continuous "spotting," the joy of passing the 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 week marks...and getting ready to leap with joy past the 39 week mark tomorrow.  I remember clearly that we thought for sure we would be having a mid-to-late September baby, and here we are, just shy of October 1st - our baby boy's birthday at 39 weeks and 1 day.  We have spent these final weeks as a family of 3 "nesting," cleaning, shopping, organizing, playing and celebrating as we prepare for Carter's arrival in less than 48 hours.  I don't think it has truly sunk in yet for me - and it probably won't until we are pulling into Northside Hospital on Monday morning.

I had my final "high risk" appointment yesterday, and received the following words from the doctor after my ultrasound: "Congratulations. You made it!  It looks like you and baby are ready for Monday's delivery."  Ahhhh, it was music to my ears.  Blood pressure good, placenta good, fluid levels good, Carter's heartbeat great & an active 147 bpm's, and they did a final mearsurement of his torso / head / arms / legs, estimating him to be somewhere around 8 lbs...hoping for a big boy!

I can't believe that he will be here so soon!  I will "introduce" him in the next blog post (who knows when that will be) - until then, here is a look at some of the "baby sprinkles" that we had for him over the past couple of weeks: a family shower at my parent's house and a work shower at our Head of School's home.  Unlike with Kinsley's unexpected early arrival, every blanket and item of clothing for Carter has been washed, folded, and put away; diapers are stocked; crib linens are clean and awaiting a new baby boy - we are certainly prepared this time around, including Kinsley, who is ready to become a big sister and ready to finally meet her new baby brother!

~ Baby Shower #1 ~

Love that smile - excited about the party for baby Carter! 

Family of three - not for much longer!

Giving baby Carter kisses....

...and hugs.

Me and my girl.

Another Nap Nanny!  (Since Kinsley's original one is still her favorite chair in the whole house).

Love this wreath that my mom made for Carter!  Can't wait to hang it in our house!

Maggie was exhausted from all of the activity! 

~ Baby Shower #2 ~

First pair of overalls. 

Having a tea party with Mickey and Minnie!

38 Weeks!

Having another tea party - Kinsley was in charge of pouring the Goldfish in cups - oops.

Another at 38 Weeks! 

Off to Build-A-Bear on Sunday night so Kinsley could build Carter a new teddy bear - and build herself, what else, but a monkey, who she appropriately named "George."  :)

Carousel ride on our last night out as a family of three...

She had a blast "riding the horsies!"

On the way home, and giving extra big hugs to the new bear and monkey that she built - one for her and one for her baby brother, who we finally get to meet TOMORROW!!!