40 weeks

Well, I made it to 40 weeks!  I was honestly hoping to have this little guy about 2 weeks ago, but I guess he's just super comfy in there.  

Today I had my regularly schedule Dr. appointment.  My blood pressure was up a little bit, I gained a couple pounds, and have some serious swelling going on in just one ankle.  Aside from all of that, my labs came back good, so I go back on Friday for another appointment.  She said to bring my bags just in case there are any further indicators of pre-eclampsia.  Otherwise, there is no plan for induction at this time.  I am really praying this little guy comes soon.  Not only are we anxious to meet him, but our daycare provider is on vacation next week.  Not exactly wanting Landon in the delivery room...

"But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure." Romans 8: 25

Saint Lucas fun days

Yesterday, Landon and I, along with Cathy and the kids, buzzed down to Saint Lucas for their fun days.  Here are a few of the highlights.

 

Watching Nolan play tee ball

Last night, Landon and I headed down to the Spillville park to watch Nolan play his last tee ball game.  Here's the future ball player warming up.

 

After practicing catching some balls in the outfield, it was time to practice hitting.   Here he is, patiently waiting his turn.  

Look at this form.  He is definitely a future Yankee.  

Landon and I had so much fun watching, and Nolan did such a great job.  I am so proud of him!

Just passing by...

Elke was going frantic the other night, barking up a storm, and wanting outside in the worst way.  Once I saw what was in the front yard, neither her, or Landon were going out. This was one big turtle.  

The last time we saw a turtle this big in our front yard, was the night before the 2008 flood.  It was raining, and a huge turtle was passing through.  What we didn't know was, he was headed for higher ground.  We woke up the next morning to over 6" of rain, and that was the highest the river ever got in our backyard.  Here is the link to flood pictures.  Since then, Jeremy and I have said if we see a turtle in our front yard again, we know what's about to come.

I was a little nervous as they were calling for rain the next day, but thankfully, this turtle was just passing by.

8 Years of wedded bliss...

8 years ago today, I married my best friend.  To save that I love him more today, than the day I married him would be an understatement.  I said to Jeremy last night, "I can't believe we've been married for 8 years already."  Jeremy said, "58 more to go."  Happy Anniversary to my love!

 

 

Where did you go Mr. Fish?

On Saturday, I went into Landon's room and noticed something was missing...

"Landon, have you seen Mr. Fish."  

I lifted and turned the fish bowl.  

Still no fish.  Seriously, where could he go?

Well, he had to go somewhere.  I moved everything off of Landon's dresser, moved the dresser, and found that Mr. Fish had taken his own life.  There he lay, under the dresser. 

Landon and I went down to the shop to tell Daddy about the disappointing news.  As we were leaving, I explained to Landon that Mr. Fish is now in heaven.  I said a few nice words about Mr. Fish, and asked Landon if there was anything he wanted to add.  Landon's response, "He was a big a$$ fish."  Ok then.  Rest in peace Mr. Fish,

38 weeks

Wow, we are definitely in the home stretch now!  Parts of me are super excited for this little guy to meet his family, but I'm not sure if it has really sunk in yet that he could come any time now.  I had a routine Dr. appointment today, and all is well.  I am continuing about all my normal daily activities, work, laundry, playing, etc., but I definitely feel like I am slowing down a little bit (or a lot).  I've been dilated to 1 cm, for two weeks now, but that obviously doesn't mean much.  We'll see what the next week brings!

 

Landon puts his hands on my tummy a lot, and feels the baby moving around on a daily basis.  As the nursery is ready and the bags are packed, Landon is more and more anxious to meet his brother.  I was making a phone call the other day when Landon asked me if I was calling his baby brother.  What an awesome big bro he is going to be!

What I'm reading (or should say read)

"Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear."

My mother-in-law recently told me about this book and let me borrow her copy.  I will not spoil anything for you, but I'm just saying, it was an awesome read!  I read the entire book on Saturday afternoon, (I also snuck in a 2 hour nap).  It was a fast read, and you will not want to put it down.  Seriously awesome.

Breakfast on the Farm

This morning, while Jeremy was hosting his jeep club, Landon, Grandma Debbie and I headed up to NICC to have "breakfast on the farm."

Thinking we were just going to go have breakfast and maybe pet a calf, I didn't realize we were in for so much more.  I also didn't realize it was so cold out.  Thankfully, Grandma Debbie helped keep Landon warm.

We got there around 8 am, just when things were getting started.  I was surprised to see so many people.  It was packed!  They started loading us up on trams, ours was pulled by a red tractor by the way Dad, and we buzzed around the farm.

There were different learning stations set up throughout the farm.  We learned about calves, how much the cows eat, freestall barns, etc.  By the way, did you know that a cow eats 100-150 pounds of food per day, and drinks 30-50 gallons of water per day.  Wow, I had no idea.  My favorite was the maternity (also referred to as the special needs) pen.  I know how you ladies are feeling!

More cows.

After the tour, it was time for some breakfast.  We had another commitment, so we had to scoot after that, but it was a fun learning experience.  Landon sure seemed to soak it all in.  I was thinking that was as close as Landon has ever been to a cow, and then I remembered him being able to pet one a couple years ago.

The photo above was taken at the Winneshiek County Fair in July 2009.

Now what bit Landon?

If you see that small brown dot on Landon's shoulder, I actually think he might have been stung by something.  When I noticed it last night, I wondered if he was a bee sting.  Last night it was not swollen at all, but Landon did not want me to touch it.  I gave him a dose of benadryl before bed, and left early this morning before he was awake.  When I picked Landon up from daycare tonight, I noticed the swelling had spread in a big way.

You can notice Landon's ear is swollen as well, and like his back and chest, his ear is very warm as well.  We did another dose of benadryl tonight, so we'll see how things look in the morning.  This could very well be just a mosquito bite, we all know how well Landon has reacted to those in the past.

Video of baby moving

I know our little guys days inside me, using my body as a punching bag are numbered.  I will never be able to recapture these moments, so here is just a quick little video of him moving around.

Girls Day!

Today was a girls day with my sisters and most favorite niece.  Cathy, Eryn and I buzzed down to Cedar Falls and met up with Jodi.  First stop, pedis!

I think I can now say I am ready for this baby to come, because my toes look fantastic!  While I very much dislike the pedicure process, it is soooo worth it. Besides, I can't reach my toes real good right now, and I'm not sure Jer really wanted to paint them.  Can you just imagine?

Even Eryn got in on the action, with her very first pedi and mani.  Despite this funny look she is giving her mother in this photo, I think she really enjoyed herself. 

The end result.

After lunch, we continued our day by doing what else, but shopping.  Now matter what we do, I always have a great time with these girls.  I just love them.  (Poor Eryn is missing from the photo because she took it.)

On a side note, look at this super cute cake in a jar my sister made.  Layers of cake, filling and butter-cream icing.  It was the most divine thing I have ever tasted.  Seriously.  Seriously.  **Jodi says if anyone is interested in buying some (and they freeze awesome by the way), just let her know.  If you don't know how to contact her, let me know and I can get you in touch with her. 

Ultrasound update

I went in yesterday for a quick ultrasound.  Dr. Schilling wanted to make sure the baby was head down and everything else was still on track.  Baby Merrill is definitely head down and everything looked great!  The ultrasound tech said the baby appears to have a lot of hair as well.    Look at this pudgy little face!

And, he is still a boy!

Calling Pilot Landon

Last night, Landon and I buzzed up to NICC in Calmar, where they were holding a farm safety clinic.  We did not attend the clinic, but got there just as they were finishing.  We got there just in time to see Grandpa Sam still in his fireman's uniform.  At first, Landon did not want to stand near Grandpa for a picture, but he quickly warmed up.  For as many times that he has been to the fire station, he has never seen Grandpa n his uniform.

Grandpa said the helicopter was about 4 minutes out, so we stood inside, behind some glass doors and patiently waited.  Quickly, all the kids came out of the safety clinic and rushed to the glass as well.  Not even a minute later, the helicopter flew over and came around the land.  When we got the a-ok, we headed out to check it out.

Landon thought it was awesome and asked if he could have a ride.  While I hope he never has to travel in this particular medical helicopter, another form of flying sounds like a good time.

He is a Merrill after all, and maybe being a pilot like his Grandpa Tim, Uncle Oliver and Daddy is somewhere in his future.

Bed update

Just thought I would update that Landon has been sleeping in his new bed, in his new room for over a week now.  I only slept with him the first night.  He has adjusted way better than I did.

36 weeks down, 4(ish) to go

Ok, I am either getting really big, or I need to stop taking such close ups!  I uploaded the pictures I took, and seriously could not believe that is me.  I really love being pregnant, but I look like I am ready to POP!

I also can not believe that I am in the very last stretch.  I am so excited to meet this little guy, it's unbelievable.  The other part of me, is not ready to leave work, nor do I feel like I am completely ready on the home front.  It is just a super busy month, and I am dealing with some guilt issues.  I guess he is going to come whether we are ready or not!

At my appointment last week, Dr. Schilling said I was dilated to 1 cm.  My response was, "It's my second pregnancy, aren't I automatically dilated to 1?"  She laughed and said no.  I do have to go in on Friday for another ultrasound to make sure he is head down.  She couldn't tell for sure when she examined me, and obviously we don't want him to be breech.  

I have been having a few random contractions and am definitly feeling some other changes going on.  I was pretty sure for a long time that I was going to go two weeks over.  Now, I'm not so sure.  I guess only time will tell!