31 weeks

It's been a busy pregnancy week around here. Monday marked the start of my 31st week which means I have about 8 weeks to go! It's unreal to me how quickly this pregnancy has flown by and there are days that, in the busyness of life, I forget that I am pregnant.

I am feeling bigger than a house although I am actually quite a bit smaller with this pregnancy than I was with Mackenzie. Sometimes this belly feels every bit as heavy as it looks:
The side view angle didn't turn out and taking another means I have to actually put aside my second dinner and get up to take one. Doesn't seem likely at this moment. But I did ditch my long locks for a new " baby on the way" hair cut. I left behind 8 inches of hair and use way less shampoo and time blow drying these days.

Today was our third trimester growth scan. It's not a " routine" ultra sound but one that I am required to have because I have an auto immune disorder which could inhibit the baby's growth. Luckily, that isn't he case and the ultra sound revealed that Mason is a BIG kid. His weight is on par for his gestational age ( 4 lbs 7 oz) but the boy is a budding basketball star with his legs measuring more than two weeks ahead! Because of those legs, Mason is in the 71% as an average and is measuring the size of a baby that is 33 weeks old . The tech grabbed this shot of him and at first , I admit, the picture looked a little creepy because he was in the process of rolling over when she took the picture. BUT looking at it more closely, I can see that his mouth is open and it looks almost like he's smiling! I also see the beginnings of some chubby cheeks and his sister's knobby chin. I love this boy so much already:
So with less than 8 weeks to go, I've got my " every two weeks" appointments schedule with Dr. Appleton, Mike's got his paternity leave scheduled, my mom is ready to pencil in her week off as soon as we get our official c-section date, the room is ready and Big Sister is keeping her eye on her dinner, increasingly worried that mommy might snatch it up if she isn't careful. All that's missing is our baby boy and, though he can't be heard, he is sure to make his presence known with lots of big movements and kicks, some that wake me up at night. Just 8 short weeks.....

Home, sweet home!

After waking with minor colds, Mack and I were up for a low key day. I had been saving a large box for a " rainy day" and this was the perfect time to put it to use!

After cutting out a door and windows, Mack's new house was ready for decorating. Good thing she had her helper on hand to supervise:
            
                                        
Mack feels that no house is complete with out a name, address, birdhouse and doorbell:
                                    
Mack's house, complete puppy!
                                        
                                    
After playing in her house all day long, Mack was very excited to show Mike her house and it wasn't long before the house was packed! :
                                    

Happy Birthday, Malachi!

In 2008, Samantha and I were pregnant at the same time AND had the exact same due date. Malachi came early and Mack came waaaaay late so they ended up being two weeks apart but it's been fun to watch them playing together the last few months. Here's a shot of them playing with Samantha-Made volcanos ( there isn't much she doesn't do, really) at Malachi's dinosaur themed birthday party:

                                                    

                                               

                                             

The planets align!

Here's the Colorado view of the planets aligning this past weekend:

                                             

Winter Wind

Colorado doesn't " do" gloomy very well. If it's day time, the sun is nearly always shining. And that sun shine-y goodness streaming through the windows is just enough to make you believe that it isn't cold outside.  One morning last week, we woke to the usual sunny day. Peering out the window and seeing that there appeared to be a decent wind , Mike declared that he would be taking Mackenzie on her first kite flying trip. I, seeing a good photo op, decided to tag along. There is a park three blocks from our house with lots of open space. Before we knew it, we had the kites loaded and were ready for some kite flying fun. The only problem, we found, was that it was 9 am and a mere 27 degrees outside. But we were all dressed and ready to go, so we thought we'd give it our best try. Since we'd be hypnotized by the sunshine, we also had forgotten that it's February and, well,  winter. One more thing- Colorado, a pretty windy place as it is, doesn't have very predictable winter winds. Mack and I watched as a frustrated Mike attempted time after time to get the kite in the air. Take off usually wasn't a problem; a large gust would barge through, carrying the kite with it. Of course, that would be the opportune time for the wind to suddenly die down, sending our kite ( and our hopes of a fun filled morning kite flying) crashing to the ground. Even though our kites saw virtually no air time, I did manage to get a few good shots in of Mack wearing the cape that Grammy sent to her a few weeks ago. Mack loves this cape so much. Her only rule? It MUST be worn with the cowboy boots I found for her at a local consignment shop last week:
                                
  

Two in the bed....

After a busy morning around the house, Mike took Mackenzie out for some errands and I began to plot my afternoon nap. In the quiet house, I finished that momentous last load of laundry and hurried upstairs, naptime with in my grasp,only to find my side of the bed taken up by two furry ( and drowsy) inhabitants. Guess it's Mike's side of the bed for me!

Opps!

I forgot to include these picture in my Valentine's day blog and , since Mack is her own biggest fan, she realized it while checking out the Valentines' blogs  I'd posted. Opps! Sorry, Kenzie girl! She was very proud of herself when I taught her how to cut out her own hearts and even more proud was I when she wrote everyone in our family's name on their heart ( Including Ellie, Duncan and Sydney) . She had so much cutting out hearts that she continued to cut long after we'd created a heart for everyone: