This is Brayden's World...We're Just Living In It!!

So recently we posted that things are falling into place supply wise for our little guy. We have purchased (and been given) copious amounts of clothing, we have purchased diapers, diapering supplies, bath stuff, the changing table pad, diaper pail, and we recieved our Pack and Play yesterday from Luke's Grandma and Papaw. We also now have our car seat in the car and ready thanks to our friend from church, Marlene, who teaches car seat safety. This stuff along with other such small items has sucessfully (we hope) gotten us pretty much prepared for Brayden to come. I'm sure we could always think of more to buy, as is always the case, but we are happy to report that we are ready as we'll ever be! Tomorrow I am finally going to allow myself to pack a bit for the hospital. I promised myself I would wait until I was considered "full term" and with that day being today...I feel I will no longer be jinxing myself and now feel safe to pack and plan a bit more. It seems that all thats left is to hurry up and wait for the big day!!!

An Exciting Time...

Recently the preparation for our little guy has kicked into high gear. We decided to cloth diaper, so after much research we settled on the type and quantity we would buy. This past Sunday we ordered the cloth diapers and diaper covers that we'll be using. Yesterday we got the cloth diapers in the mail, and I set out on the large task of washing and drying them to make them soft for baby buns...which if you dont know much about cloth diapering requires you to wash and dry the diapers 4-5 times before they are suitable. So as of right now we are still listening to the sweet hum of the washer and dryer (we are halfway done).

Today while we were wading in our backyard (we've had Texas monsoon season the past 12 hours...pictures included) the jolly postman brought our diaper covers. So, being the anxious ne parents that we are, we once again enlisted the help of my Truthful Teddy to practice diapering on...the results of all our exploits follow.

Self Explanatory...

For those of you who know Luke, or any Sanders man for that matter, you know that they can pretty much fall asleep anytime and anywhere as soon as they are no longer occupied with or interested in anything thats going on. I think Grammy says this is because they all have clear consciences...and this may be but its a funny quirk none the less. I've taken pictures of Luke in his "natural state" before with every intention of posting them, but ususally they end up being deleted from the camera. But tonight I resolved to actually post how cute he is. Its a fair bet that he will be asleep by 9 pm on any given night. Tonight was a special night, though. This picture was taken and 7:45...

35 Week Belly Shots

As promised...here I am in all my glory. As you can see, Luke was tired of being left out of all the belly shots.

In looking at myself on the camera I would be inclined to agree with those who have told me that I'm coming along nicely. The thing I wonder now is, can my body stretch much more before I topple over?

34 Week Dr's Appt.

Yesterday we had another appointment with our doctor to monitor the progress of our little guy. For anyone who has ever been pregnant, you know that most of these appointments last about 1-2 minutes at the most while your belly is measured and the doctor listens to the heartbeat. We are presently not into the appointments where any exploration of the lower region takes place...that will be next time (Luke doesnt like those kinds of appointments as you can probably imagine). So, due to the brevity of the appointment I have really nothing new to report other than we were told yesterday that Brayden is just perfect (really...those were the doctor's exact words)...which we and the grandparents knew from the beginning. I was also informed that I'm coming along nicely, which I'm sure should be a compliment, but at this stage of the game, when I feel like a bowling ball has been permanently affixed to my waist, I just want to give a dirty look. At any rate...the appointment was the same old same old, but we are just thankful that our little boy is healthy and THRIVING (I only emphasize this because of my size and the bruises I'm sure I now sport internally from all his antics). To prove how well he is thriving to you I will include pictures soon...I just havent been able to find a way to take them myself yet...so until then...

Sunny Day

Today one of the last decorative touches was put up in Brayden's room. Where there was a sport themed ceiling fan there is now a sun light from ikea. It was an experience to put it up without a ladder, but we managed thanks to one of the tall stools that sit at the bar in our kitchen plus some books stacked on top of the seat of the stool. Probably not the best idea...but it got the job done! Here is the fruit of our labor...well, Luke's labor and my supervision.

Mother's Day

I thought I would share with the class what my amazing husband did for me on my "first" Mother's Day. To start with, I wasnt expecting anything other than to be wished Happy Mother's Day from him because I dont know if I'm technically worthy of a big celebration having not given birth yet...but I should have known he would have something up his sleeve.

The morning started out normal with us getting ready for church and barely making it in time for Sunday School (I dont know what we'll do or how late we'll be when there's a baby to consider...). When we got home Luke started the grill to grill our pork chops for me. While the pork chops were cooking he came in from the garage looking sheepish/up to something with a big weed eater box in hand. Now, I though he was going to do something with it in the back yard, so I just moved on until he ushered me into the living room and presented me with the box. After I giggled at realizing that he had presents for me in it, I opened it to find a baby book and the Dr. Seuss book, "Are You My Mother?" which we both grew up having had read to us (and was a personal favorite of mine, as my mom can attest to...she even had the voices to go with it). The reason for the large box was for the third gift, a reflective visor for the windshield of my car since here in Texas your cars can get into temperatures rivaling that of an oven in the summer, which is not condusive putting a baby in without at least trying to take some precautions. Three gifts that I would NEVER have thought to ask for...but that he knew I would love.

The thing I love about Luke is that, even though the gifts were simple, he had thought about each one of them. He's just SO sweet! He's gonna be a good Daddy...and in about a month I will be more than happy to return the favor :) How lucky am I?

Updates...

Over the past couple of days my mom has been here with us, so while she was here I took advantage of her creative skills (which can be seen in the tree the painted for Brayden's room). The theme for the baby's room is classic Winnie the Pooh, and in the original book there is a sign above Pooh's door that reads, "MR. SANDERS" that Luke and I wanted to incorporate into the room, so I had my mom help me do that yesterday. We also have added the bedding to Brayden's room.

Also, you will note the picture of my ever growing belly...for those who enjoy these types of updates.

Enjoy our progress!

Dr.'s appt with Gigi

Today we had another appointment with my doctor (we are going every 2 weeks now) and my mom (Gigi), who is in town for a Mary Kay event in Dallas, got to come along with me to meet my doctor and hear our munchkin's heartbeat. The appointment went fine, as usual. He's still growing like a weed, which I'm informed is always a plus with babies in utero (tell that to my lungs and stomach that are at this very moment being kicked and readjusted care of Brayden). Mommy is also filling out nicely (that is according to me...I doubt my doctor would say such a thing to a pregnant woman). I'm also happy to report that his heartbeat is still strong and fast like his daddy's.

So...we will have another appointment in two weeks upon which time there will probably be another update that will be equally as informative and thrilling as this one. Until then...just console your hungry curiosity by reminding yourself that soon the boring updates will cease and the cute baby pictures will begin. :)

Dancing Baby

Yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. Now, I have an active and energetic baby (see the post about Games) who loves to move around and play when he's awake, but never has he been so entertaining as he was yesterday.
I have a friend from down here who is about a month ahead of me and I've watched her belly with amazement as it contorts and jumps all over the place. And truthfully I wondered if Brayden would ever do that...HAHA...so silly of me to wonder! Yesterday while sitting down for a bit my belly started to jump all around and swish from side to side. Then it would get really tight and my belly would go off to one side and take on looking like an alien was inhabiting my torso. And this went on for HOURS! It wasnt the painful rib flicks Brayden is so fond of...it was just swimming I guess. At any rate it was really cool and after little bit of watching it I decided to chance it and get up and get the video camera. Once I got back to sitting down he went right back at it...that is until I turned the video camera on to "record." Nothing...no movement. So I turned the recording off and he started up again...hmm...This went on for about 5 minutes until I gave up and just went back to watching him. I suppose his dancing will be reserved for those who see it in person. I wish I could have posted video of it for you guys...but you'll have to take my word for it (and Luke's-Brayden was still at it when Daddy got home and he thought it was pretty amazing, too).

Games

So recently there is a new game played in our house. No, Luke and I did not stumble on a new way to play dominoes. This game is played by the youngest member of the family, soon to make his grand entrance. Brayden has assumed a head down position (for now...and hopefully for good) and discovered my ribs with his precious little toes. Not only this, but he has also discovered that wrapping his toes under my ribs and then pulling them off in one swift motion makes for HOURS of entertainment...mostly about the time I lay down to try to sleep. At first it was funny that he had discovered something new in there, but after about the 10th time in a row that he did it I began to realize this isnt a good thing! So, I've been forced to contort my not-so-flexible torso into strange positions, all the while trying to not wake my snoring husband, to try to keep his toes from reaching my ribs. He still kicks his cute little feet to try to find the ever entertaining rib cage, but I can deal with that a lot easier that my ribs being kicked and flicked. That is until I wake up an hour later on my side stretched out with the flicking resumed. My mom informs me that this is payback! This could very well be. At any rate, just thought I'd share with the ones we love all about our new little game.