4 weeks and counting

We're heading towards the finish line. Baby #3 is due in 4 weeks.  I know there has been a real lack of belly photos on here this time, but I just can't seem to bring myself to take any.  

There are so many differences between being pregnant the fist time (and even the second) compared to the third.  Physically, I think the third time around has been more difficult.  I certainly got bigger, faster.  I always feel 4-5 weeks farther along then I really am.  For example, I've been sleeping on the couch for 2 months now and I still have a month to go!  With the other pregnancies I was only sleeping on the couch for a week or two.  Also the morning sickness this time lasted longer (almost half the pregnancy) and I've had NO energy the entire pregnancy.  I have to admit being tired while caring for two little kids has been difficult.  Thank goodness I have such a great husband.  Kyle is a super dad!  There are some benefits to being pregnant for the third time.  There's been very little stress.  I know what to expect and there is no real rush to get things "ready" for the baby.  I feel like we know what we're doing and are simply ready and excited to start our lives with 3 kids.

I am going to the doctor on a weekly basis for my checkups now.  So far there is no indication that I will go early.  It's all just a waiting game.  If I had to guess, I would say this baby will be here somewhere between November 12-20th although my due date isn't until Nov. 26th. 

Some key November dates to remember:

• my birthday - November 19th
• Thanksgiving - November 24th
• my niece's birthday -November 29th. 
• Also, don't forget this year has 11.11.11 although I don't think I'll root for that day.

So how are the other kids doing?  Great!

Carter:  Carter is loving school and always wants to play pretend.  He loves cooking/baking with Mom and Dad.  He has so much fun playing hide an go seek with his sister. He is so excited to be a fireman for halloween and loves scary halloween decorations just like his dad.  He likes to show you his silly faces (see below). And loves it when you take pictures of his silly faces.

Carter is all boy.  He loves to play catch with the football, build trains and race cars.  He is constantly talking about poopie because he thinks it's funny. He's a very emotional 3 year old.  He is so sweet and caring most of the time, but finds it difficult to express himself when he's angry.  We've had a challenging time teaching him to use words instead of hitting or spitting.  Kyle and I will be so happy when he grow out of that phase!  Carter is fully potty trained (even at night) and has very few accidents.  Carter's favorite shows right now are Fireman Sam, Rory the Racing Car and the movies Rio, Up and Ratatouille.  One of his favorite things to do is to have movie night.  We pull out their sleeping bags on the floor and watch movies together.  Carter is so much fun to be around and makes us laugh all the time.  He is a wonderful little boy!

Ryan: Ryan continues to be such a delight.  She is usually "go with the flow" and loves to play with her brother.  She might be the best hide-and-go-seek player we've ever met.  I swear she can hide quietly in our closet (behind Kyle's hanging clothes) forever just waiting for her moment to say "surprise!"  She loves to play on the swing set, draw with sidewalk chalk and color in coloring books.  Ryan has 3 dollies that she loves to hug, kiss and diaper.  She likes to play baseball and catch. She doesn't like to have her hair brushed or styled and hates to wear shoes and jackets. She's still a daddy's girl and will always run to him when she is hurt or doesn't feel well. Ryan is warming up to the idea of school.  Her teachers say she cries less and less every week.  Ryan is picking up new words every day.  She says stuff like Momma, Daddy and Carter.  She is good about telling us what she wants like a show, water, milk or for us to sit down.  She's trying to count but only knows the numbers two and six.  It cracks us up when she says: "Oh, Man!" and "On your mark, get set, go!"  We've introduced Ryan to the potty, but no action yet. She's been sleeping in a big girl bed for about a week and the transition has been easy!   We can't wait to see her become a big sister.