Bumpdate: 40 Weeks! It's My Due Date!

Today's my due date! I am so glad I've made it this far in this pregnancy. We have had so much going on in the last few months with Drew studying for and taking 3 exams for his new job. I've been praying for quite some time that baby would wait until Drew's exams were over before he or she made their grand entrance! So I'm thankful baby has stayed in this long, but we trust in God's timing over any timing that we deem best and we know baby will be born on exactly the right day!

At my 40 week doctors appointment I was dilated to a 3 and "very thinned out" (she didn't give me a percentage). Drew is flying out to Arizona on April 6th for a week of training with Edward Jones so we want to make sure baby comes before then! If baby doesn't come on his/her own before then, I will go in to have my membranes stripped on the afternoon of the 1st to see if that will kick-start anything. If stripping my membranes on the 1st doesn't work, my doctor is going to break my water at 6 am on April 2nd! And if that doesn't kick start labor, I'll be induced later that morning. So, either way, it looks like Baby Hutcheson #3 is going to arrive in the very near future! =)

I'm trying to enjoy these last few days of having baby on the inside! Thankfully I'm not uncomfortable and still have a pretty good amount of energy! I'm not retaining water or swelling so that's good. I actually feel pretty great and am thankful that I'm not miserable!! But I am getting {very} excited to meet our newest sweet little bundle!

How far along: 40 weeks

Size of baby: Baby probably weighs somewhere around 7-8 pounds and is 19 to 22 inches long. About the size of ... a newborn baby!!!

Total weight gain: 23 pounds 

Baby's heart rate: 130

Stretch marks: One small stretch mark right above my belly button. That's it so far!

Morning Sickness: I said "so long" to Zofran a few months ago! Feeling good these days!

Gender: We don't know! Can't wait to find out! Only 4 more days at the most! 

Are you all as anxious as me to find out the gender of this baby?!?! I'm thinking you all pretty much want this to be me in the delivery room, am I right!?!? =)

Movement: Less movement these days but baby will almost always react if we talk to him/her or push on my belly. I can't imagine baby has much room to move around at this point!  

Sleep: Not sleeping the best... and I have the feeling it's about to get even worse! ;) 

Cravings: Apples and all things containing sugar! 

What I miss: Being able to get up and down easily and in and out of bed easily. It's quite a chore these days!

Symptoms: My lower back is still in a lot of pain. Looking forward to that being relieved soon! Braxton Hicks contractions coming more regularly.  

What I'm looking forward to: Having the birth of this baby over with so I don't have to think/worry about what could go wrong, the pain, or when it will be! ;)

Isaiah and Eloise: Isaiah and Eloise are doing well! I was getting dressed yesterday and Isaiah handed me my shirt and said, "Here mom. Put this on so your baby doesn't get cold." =) He's always looking out for the baby and it's so sweet! 

Little does Eloise know but she only has a few days left as the youngest member of the Hutcheson family! I know she's going to love the baby but I'm not sure how she's going to feel about having her status as baby of the family revoked. I'm expecting some hard days/weeks/months of adjusting but hoping that they will both do well with the new baby. They are certainly excited now and I'm hoping that feeling will stick around. ;)

40 weeks!

Eloise lovin on her baby sibling.

I think she's going to miss this belly. =)

Brownie Bird Nests: Super Duper Easy Easter Dessert!

With Easter less than a month away I thought I'd post a fun Easter themed dessert that's cute and yet super easy {and fun!} to make with the kids! Since I'm 39 weeks pregnant I am all about making easy things right now! ;)

So, without further ado, I present...

Brownie Bird Nests

All you need is a boxed brownie mix (or make your own home made!), the ingredients your brownie mix calls for, and mini robin eggs. 

Then get your own personal super hero to stir up the brownie mix for you. 

Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and divide the brownie batter equally. 

Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. 

Let the brownies cool for about 15 minutes, then remove them from the pan and smoosh three robin eggs in the middle of each. 

And finally, get your adorable taste testers to see if they approve! Isaiah loved them and ate two!

Eloise wasn't so sure. She ate all her eggs...

...but just licked the brownie. But she's not a huge fan of sweets so I'm not surprised. =)

ENJOY!

Bumpdate: 39 Weeks!

I have to say that I am so glad I've made it this far! Since Isaiah was born at 37 weeks, I didn't know how long this baby would stay inside but I had lots of things planned that I wanted to get done this past week so I'm glad baby has cooperated and stayed in longer! =) I will also say that from the very beginning of this pregnancy I never felt like I was going to go early with this baby and that there was a very real possibility baby would be born in April. I always felt like Isaiah was going to come early and he did but this time I just never felt it! 

Drew and I went away this past weekend for one last getaway before baby comes. We obviously had to stay somewhere close by so we just went to Grand Rapids and stayed in a hotel for the night. My amazing sister watched the kids for us (Thank You!) and we were able to relax for a little weekend getaway. We sat in the hot tub, watched t.v., went out to eat, and slept in. Pretty low key and relaxing. It was wonderful!! 

This week Drew started studying again for his third exam for Edward Jones. He takes his third exam on April 1st. He also has to fly to Arizona for his Edward Jones training on April 6th and will be gone a week. So now we are just hoping that baby comes after the 1st but before the 6th so that Drew can be done with his exam but still be here for the birth and to spend a few days with us before he has to leave for the week. The timing of this baby's arrival has been in God's hands from the very beginning and we trust that whenever baby comes will be the best time! 

Thankfully my in-laws are coming up on the 4th to be with me and the kids while Drew is gone! They are great and I know they will be a huge help! We are so looking forward to their visit!

At my 39 week doctors appointment I was dilated almost to a 2 and 50% effaced, so I'm making a little progress but still not much going on! I think baby is waiting for some warmer weather before he or she makes their appearance! Next week it's supposed to be in the 50's! Wahoo!!! Maybe that will encourage him or her to come out. =) 

39 weeks! Getting ready to go in the pool at our hotel this past weekend!

How far along: 39 weeks

Size of baby: Baby probably weighs somewhere around 7 pounds and is 19 or 20 inches long. About the size of a small watermelon!

Total weight gain: 22 pounds (I lost a pound from last week. Not sure how that happened?!?)

Baby's heart rate: 145

Stretch marks: One small stretch mark right above my belly button. That's it so far!

Morning Sickness: I said "so long" to Zofran a few months ago! Feeling good these days!

Gender: We don't know! Can't wait to find out! 

Movement: Less movement these days but baby will almost always react if we talk to him/her or push on my belly. I can't imagine baby has much room to move around at this point!  

Sleep: Not sleeping the best. Just not really sleepy at night and end up awake several times during the night for long periods of time. I'm not uncomfortable at all while I'm sleeping... in fact I still feel great! I'm just not sleepy! 

Cravings: Really been craving an extra hot, decaf, skim milk white chocolate mocha from Starbucks! I told Drew that's the very first thing I want after I have the baby! That and a raspberry, cream cheese scone from the Great Harvest Bread Company. YUM!!

What I miss: I miss being able to pick the kids up easily without hurting my lower back and having a mini watermelon in the way! 

Symptoms: Still have that pinched nerve, now on both sides of my lower back but relieving it with stretching and exercise. Having lots of cramping and a few contractions starting up. 

What I'm looking forward to: Finally meeting our sweet baby! Having my in-laws come for a visit soon! And warmer weather! 

Isaiah and Eloise: Isaiah said last week, "Mom, remember when you were in my tummy?" =) I told him that I was never in his tummy but he said, "Yes, you were mom. I was in your tummy and you were in mine too." Lol! =) 

Eloise got her hair braided last week - something I've been wanting to get done and am so glad I was able to before baby came! Now I won't have to worry about doing her hair every day when I have the new baby since the braids will be able to stay in for about a month. She loves the braids and the "princess" beads! She looks so much older with her hair braided, though! Not sure how I feel about that! 

Both kids are really looking forward to the arrival of their baby sibling. Isaiah is mainly excited about the present the baby is going to give him at the hospital and keeps wondering what in the world it could be!?!? =) Eloise can't wait to hold the baby. We put baby's carseat in the car just to have it ready to go and Eloise comments on it almost every time we get in the car saying, "This baby's carseat. Where's baby?" =) Hopefully baby will be here soon!

Bumpdate: 38 Weeks!

Well, I never made it to 38 weeks with Isaiah, so this is a first for me! =) Can't believe that soon we are going to have a new baby in the house! It hit me the other day when I did some clothes shopping and bought 4T, 2T and NEWBORN clothes! This is getting real!!!

At my last doctors appointment baby was head down (has been for a long time) with his/her feet right up under my ribs (not the best feeling in the world). ;) Fundal height measuring at 37 weeks. Still dilated to a 1 but a little more thinned out than last week! Baby was squirming all around and my doctor said he/she was being "very uncooperative" when she tried to get the heart rate!

Me and my friend Kristyn - pregnant together for the first time! I'm 38 weeks and she's 19 weeks! =) 

How far along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: Baby is most likely about 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 pounds and about 19 - 20 inches. About the size of a pumpkin!! 

Lol. I couldn't resist. I found this when I googled "pumpkin" to try to find a picture of a pumpkin to put here! 

Total weight gain: 23 pounds

Baby's heart rate: 135

Stretch marks: I think I got my first little stretch mark right above my belly button! It's red and I'm pretty sure it's a stretch mark!

Morning Sickness: I said "so long" to Zofran a few months ago! Feeling good these days!

Gender: We don't know! Someone asked me the other day if we know the gender and are just keeping it a secret. Trust me, I WISH! We have no clue whether baby is a boy or a girl. Even the ultrasound tech who did my 20 week ultrasound didn't look at the gender... so basically only God knows right now. ;) As it gets closer to baby's arrival I'm finding myself more and more anxious to find out and thinking why in the world did we wait!?!?! Thankfully I only have a few more days/weeks left and we will know! Can't wait! 

Movement: Less movement these days but baby is still pretty active. And it HURTS! This baby has a knack for kicking and jabbing in very uncomfortable places. 

38 weeks!

Sleep: Not sleeping well at all. I'm not uncomfortable while sleeping, just not..... sleepy! Waking up several times at night, unable to fall back asleep. Often up before six and can't go back down. 

Cravings: No real cravings. Still leaning towards sweet things but it's not uncontrollable. Still having my apple (or two!) a day! ;) 

What I miss: I miss being able to sit for long periods of time without my legs falling asleep. 

Symptoms: Still have that pinched nerve, now on both sides of my lower back but relieving it with stretching and exercise. Having lots of cramping and a few contractions starting up. I've been having lots of heartburn and indigestion- something I never had with Isaiah. It's not very fun! 

What I'm looking forward to: Looking forward to SPRING and hoping it brings warmer weather (I can hope, right?)! I thought being pregnant during the winter would help keep me warm, but not this winter!!!!

Isaiah and Eloise: The other day I asked Isaiah, "What are you going to do when you see the new baby for the first time?" He thought for a minute and then said in a baby voice, "I'm going to say, 'Welcome, new baby, to my home!'" Lol! That kid constantly cracks us up. 

We've been trying to prepare the kids that soon the "new baby" is going to be coming out of my belly but I'm not really sure they understand the concept. Eloise especially seems to think that the baby {is} is my belly and I'm pretty sure that even when the baby comes out she's still going to hug my belly and say baby. =) 

The baby "bought" gifts for both of the kids that he or she is going to give them when they come to the hospital to visit the baby for the first time. I am hoping that this will help the kids to see the new baby as someone friendly and not "threatening" to them and their relationship with mommy and daddy. They also bought a gift for the new baby that they will bring with them to the hospital. They are so excited to give the new baby what they bought! 

I also got their new Big Bro and Big Sis shirts in the mail last week. I ordered them off of Etsy and I'm so happy with how they turned out! I can't wait for them to wear them to the hospital when they meet their new sibling! 

These two are ready and excited for their new baby sibling!!!

Potty Training Eloise

Well, I think it's safe to safe that Eloise is fully potty trained! I've been waiting to write this blog post because it seems that as soon as I tell someone that she's pretty much potty trained she has an accident! Didn't want to test my luck!! But I think that now that she's been accident free for a few weeks and made it through several Bible studies and Sunday school classes (that's always the test right!?!) without an accident, I'm safe to write this post.

Eloise won't be two until next month and I really debated about whether or not I wanted to try to potty train her before the new baby came. On one hand, it's nice not to have to worry about two in diapers. It cuts down on costs! But on the other hand, having a newly potty trained toddler and a new baby is hard! A newly potty trained toddler can't "hold it in" for very long so I have to make sure I'm on the ball about taking her RIGHT when she says she has to go... which means that no matter where we are, in the car or the grocery store, or wherever.... when she's gotta go, she's gotta go! It's just sooo much easier to have a child who can just pee in their diaper instead of needing to find a potty for them at any given moment, know what I mean?!?!

We started potty training in January when Eloise was 21 months old. I potty trained Isaiah at 25 months old and he was {EASY}. It basically took him one day to get the hang of it and after 3 days he never had an accident again!! I wasn't expecting Eloise to be that easy because she was a lot younger but I wasn't expecting it to take as long as it did. It took her about two months to really get the hang of it full time. I think part of why it took her a bit longer was her age, and part of it was that she just has a different personality than Isaiah. Isaiah is a super flexible, go with the flow, let things roll off your back kind of kid. He adjusts to change and new things easily. Eloise, however, is an "I like my routine", hold on to and remember any grievance against her, slow to change kind of girl. (READ: Drama Queen!!) =)

But I think she's finally potty trained, just in time for the new baby to come! When did you potty train your kids?

Bumpdate: 37 Weeks!

A few days ago I had my 37 week doctors appointment! I've been having lots of cramping and some contractions starting up. My doctor said I'm dilated to 1 but still nice and thick so hopefully baby is planning to stay in a few weeks longer than Isaiah did! I am hoping and praying that Baby at least stays in until the 14th because Drew is taking his last exam for Edward Jones that day! After that I'm ready to have this baby (but watch, I'll probably be like 2 weeks overdue!)! 

How far along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: Baby has reached full term and likely measures somewhere around 18-20 inches and about 6-7 pounds! About the size of a winter melon.

Total weight gain: 22 pounds

Baby's heart rate: 145

Stretch marks: None yet! We'll see what these next few weeks bring! 

Morning Sickness: I said "so long" to Zofran a few months ago! Feeling good these days!

Gender: We don't know! Can't wait until we find out, we're getting more and more anxious to know!

Movement: Less movement these days but baby is still pretty active. And it HURTS! This baby has a knack for kicking and jabbing in very uncomfortable places. 

Sleep: Not sleeping well at all. I'm not uncomfortable while sleeping, just not..... sleepy! Waking up several times at night, unable to fall back asleep. Often up before six and can't go back down. 

Cravings: No real cravings. Still leaning towards sweet things but it's not uncontrollable. Still having my apple (or two!) a day! ;) 

What I miss: I miss being able to shave my legs without struggling to bend over and thus making my legs go numb and fall asleep!!! Seriously, I'm thinking about just having hairy legs for delivery. This is getting ridiculous! 

Symptoms: Still have that pinched nerve, now on both sides of my lower back but relieving it with stretching and exercise. Having lots of cramping and a few contractions starting up. A little low on energy but still taking care of the kids, cooking, and cleaning without any difficulties. All in all feeling pretty good!  

What I'm looking forward to: Drew finishing up the last test he is studying for for Edward Jones so that he can be home more and we can get the last minute things ready for baby! Also, looking forward to SPRING and hoping it brings warmer weather (I can hope, right?)! I thought being pregnant during the winter would help keep me warm, but not this winter!!!!

Isaiah and Eloise: Isaiah and Eloise are doing great! Isaiah talks a mile a minute and seriously {never} stops. He has quite the imagination and these days he loves to tell stories about giants and how he and daddy are going to fight them off and protect Mommy, Eloise, and the new baby. I love the things he thinks up!

Eloise is fully potty trained now (yay!) and also has a growing vocabulary. When she finishes her pee pees on the potty she says, "I'm so proud of me" because she hears us telling Isaiah and her often "I'm so proud of you!". It's so sweet. She is almost 2.... where is the time going? Can't believe my baby girl is growing up so fast!

They are both still so excited about the baby coming. Eloise still loves my belly and loves to lay her head on it and kiss it and feel the baby move. Then Isaiah will come over and push her hand away because he wants to feel the baby move too. It usually ends in a fight but it's sweet that they are fighting over feeling their baby sibling! I'm envisioning this baby being smothered in kisses and lots of love by his/her older siblings!

37 weeks with Isaiah! This was the day I had him. My water had broken earlier that morning and we were just about to head to the hospital!

37 weeks with Baby Hutcheson #3 (in the same shirt!)!

And... Can I just say.... Either Spring or this baby better get here {quick} because this winter coat is barely zipping anymore and I refuse to buy a maternity winter coat with less than 3 weeks left. ;) 

Maternity Photographs

Last week I was able to get maternity photos done, taken by Kim from Studio 9 Photography! She offered to do a maternity shoot for me completely free of charge! I'm so glad I did them as I never did any with Isaiah and I wish I had. Thirty-six  weeks pregnant and out for an hour in the freezing (did I mention FREEZING) cold made for an interesting adventure that was so worth it! =) I love how they turned out!

Should Christians be Happy ALL the Time?

Isaiah and Eloise love listening (and dancing) to music. We have a couple of kids praise and worship CD's and they both know how to pop them into the computer and get their music to play.

The other day their CD was playing and a very old and familiar children's song came on, "Happy All The Time." You would probably recognize the song if you heard it. The lyrics are basically a repetition of these lines:

I’m in right, outright, upright, downright

Happy all the time 

I’m in right, outright, upright, downright

Happy all the time

Since Jesus Christ came in

And took away my sin

I’m in right, outright, upright, downright

Happy all the time

At first I wasn't really paying attention to the lyrics, but the song is super catchy and I found myself singing it long after it was done playing. And as I sang it, the lyrics starting bothering me more and more. 

Here's why: As the song above suggests, there are many, many Christians who believe that we're supposed to be happy {all} of the time. And there are even some who believe that if we're not, we're sinning; that we're doing the wrong thing by allowing ourselves to feel sorrow or pain. 

Shouldn't Christians be smiling, happy people all of the time? I mean, we are followers of the one who suffered to the point of death and then was raised from the dead. We have so much to be happy about: there is a God, life after death, justice, renewal, peace.... Why would we ever be sad?

But here's where some Christians get confused. There is a difference between {happiness} and {joy}. The Greek work for happiness is Makarios and it refers to freedom from normal cares and worries. It is used to describe a person who is experiencing good fortune: money, health, children, etc. And it's also how we use the word in English. When things are going well for us, when our outward situations are good, we have money in the checking account, no death, and no illness, we feel {happy}. Life is good.

The Greek word for rejoice or joy is Chairo and means to experience or delight in God's grace. It is described by the ancient Greeks as the "culmination of being" and the "good mood of the soul." It is something that is found only in God and comes with virtue and wisdom. The ancient Greeks described the opposite of Chairo not as sadness, but as fear.

The Bible does not describe Jesus as always happy. In fact, Jesus was NOT far removed from sorrow and suffering. Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Jesus was "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain." Jesus knew sorrow and yet we count no one more faithful to God than him. Isn't there room for us to experience sorrow as well?

Nowhere in the Bible do we have a direct command to be happy all the time. What we do have in the Bible, however, is the command to have JOY.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4: 4-7

"But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:13

{Happiness} is that great feeling that you have when everything is going smoothly. {Joy} is what God gives you in the midst of trouble. Both happiness and joy have no fear - happiness because nothing is wrong, and joy because we have become willing to trust God that our suffering is serving a purpose for our greater good (Romans 8:28). 

We have happiness BECAUSE of our situation, we have joy IN SPITE OF our situation.

When Paul says in Philippians that we should rejoice, he is acknowledging that Christians {will} have problems. No matter how much faith we've got. Some people will get diseases no matter how many people pray for healing. Some people will die way before their time. Others will battle financial difficulties, infidelity, depression, infertility, abuse, and unspeakable heartache. And in the midst of it all we are told not to be happy, but to REJOICE. To believe that God has everything under control and is working out everything for HIS glory and OUR good.

We don't need to pretend to be happy all of the time. All of our feelings are a part of a life of faith. Just as the book of Psalms would not be complete without the Psalms of lament, so too would our lives not be complete without our laments, sorrows, and tears as part of our story of faith. 

What things are keeping you from joy today? What are you anxious about and trying to control? 

These last several months have been some of the most difficult ones Drew and I have ever experienced. As you may recall from this post, we have had a very draining year physically, financially, and spiritually. We are still living in limbo as Drew is studying for a second test he has to take before being fully hired on with Edward Jones, we have to move out of our current house in May and don't yet know where we will go, and finances are tight. Recently we've had a death on Drew's side of the family. My little sister is currently facing a debilitating illness that doctors have yet to diagnose, and, as she's currently living in Uganda with my family and cannot get stabilized enough to fly, we don't yet know how she will get back to the U.S. to get the medical treatment she needs. (You can read more about Janae's condition here). These are sad and scary things that are weighing heavy on my heart. 

Yet the great power of faith, TRUE JOY, is in knowing that even when we're not happy, even when we're sorrowful, even when our eyes are founts of tears and our hearts are filled with pain, God is with us. He is the only one who can give us joy in the midst of any and all circumstances, even when we don't feel happy. 

It's a Giveaway!

Anyone out there interested in winning a $25 Target gift card?!?! Well, you're in luck because today on the blog I'm featuring a giveaway!

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is answer these three questions:

1. Will Baby Hutcheson #3 be a boy or a girl?

2. When will Baby Hutcheson #3 be born?

3. How much will Baby Hutcheson #3 weigh when s/he is born?

Here are the rules:

1. Entries may be made via comments on THIS blog post or comments under the link to THIS post on my Facebook.

2. Your answers must be in exactly this format:

1. Your name.
2. Will Baby Hutcheson #3 be a boy or a girl?
3. When will Baby Hutcheson #3 be born?
4. How much will Baby Hutcheson #3 weigh when s/he is born?

3. You will earn 4 extra bonus points if you comment on this blog post instead of on Facebook!

4. The giveaway will close on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12.

5. The winner will be announced via Facebook and my blog once Baby is born and I have the time to tally who won the most points! =)

6. I will contact the winner to get a mailing address and will either mail or e-mail the gift card, whatever the winner prefers. 

36 weeks!

Here's some info that might help you in your guesses:

My official due date is March 29, 2014.

Isaiah was born three weeks early, to the day.

Isaiah weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 oz.

This pregnancy has been totally and completely opposite of my pregnancy with Isaiah.

(If you care) Here's how the scoring will work:

You will receive ONE point for guessing the correct gender of Baby Hutcheson #3.

You will receive FIVE points if Baby Hutcheson #3 is born on the exact day you guess. Otherwise, one point will be deducted for each day before or after your guess date, up to five days either way. If you are more than 5 days off either way, you will receive zero points. (For example, if you guess a date of March 29 and Baby is born March 27 you would receive three points. If you guess March 20 you would receive zero points.)

You will Receive TEN points if Baby Hutcheson #3 weighs exactly what you have guessed. Otherwise, one point will be deducted for each ounce less or greater than your guess, up to ten ounces either way. If your guess is more than 10 ounces off either way, you will receive zero points. (For example, if you guess a weight of 7 lbs 3 oz and Baby weighs 7 lbs 7 ounces, you would receive 6 points. If Baby weighs 8 lbs 3 oz, you would receive zero points.)

And, finally, FOUR bonus points if you post your entry via a comment on the blog instead of Facebook.

TOTAL number of points possible: TWENTY

So what are you waiting for!!?!? Enter now! And may the odds be ever in your favor! ;)