Baby Shower

Stephanie, Carla and Michelle hosted a very fun (however uneventful baby shower-uneventful because I didn't go into labor as they were all hoping) for me this afternoon. Thanks to everyone who was able to stop by. It was good seeing all of you. We got some great things for the baby and can't wait to use them.

We've made it to February! Well, almost. Unless I go into labor and deliver in the next hour, this baby will definitely be born in February. When you ask? It's anyone's guess. Check out the contest link to wager your bets for this baby's stats. 

Why am I up so late? I decided to try finishing some bull sale stuff for Josh, then began to clean up my desk. That led to dusting the office. I am also having some back pain. Who knows if it will go anywhere, but I don't think I can sleep right now anyway. So, instead I'm blogging. I also had to upload the memory card from Josh's camera so it's ready for baby photos. 

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Old to New

Here's the before of the old dresser I bought. Josh wasn't too happy with me, but he did a great job repainting it. He also painted his old dark stained dresser. We replaced all the knobs on these pieces and the end tables I bought for our bedroom. Everything looks so nice now. I know it wasn't a project he would have chosen to do, but I really appreciate all him tackling it for me. He has been awesome about helping out lately. Thanks honey! 

Emma and Mackenzie singing

I took this on January 1st. Emma got her little pink Bible and was using it as a song book. It was so cute. 

Dressing up

Here's a photo from the other day when Emma was playing dress-up. Notice the leotard is inside out. MJ wanted me to take her picture too. 

Rough night

Last night was a rough night; not because of baby, but because of Emma. She went to bed fine, then woke up crying around 11 p.m. She and MJ both have had runny noses and coughs so I figured she wasn't feel very well. I rocked her a little bit then put her back down. I sat with her as she kept closing her eyes and drifting off. It was really peaceful just sitting by her bed watching her sleep. I got up to leave and didn't close the door. I thought for sure she was out; that's when the rough part started. She started crying again and came up the stairs after me. I decided to bring her to bed with us. Josh was reading a magazine so she kind of read it with him. Then, she got out of bed, took her clothes off and went into the bathroom. So I went to help her. No potty. Got back in bed. By this time I am really tired, but can't sleep (Apparently she couldn't either.) We all lay back down. At one point Josh says Emma you really need to go sleep in your bed. And you know what she does? She gets out of our bed and goes downstairs. I couldn't believe it. I thought this is just too good to be true. And it was. Josh went to check on her and she came back with him. Finally about midnight I gave her some medicine and we went and rocked. She finally fell asleep. I made it back to our bed at 2:30 a.m. What a night. Surprisely, I only slept in until 7:30 and feel just fine this morning. Thank goodness. 

This afternoon my wonderful sister-in-law Stephanie is hosting a baby shower for me so the girls and I are headed to that. It should be fun to see some friends and family I haven't gotten to chat with for awhile. I had some pangs in my back again this morning, but they have come and gone. 

Be sure and leave your comments for the baby stats contest! Have a great Saturday!

How about a contest?

Okay, so people have contests on their blogs all the time. I thought I'd have one myself seeing as we're all waiting on this baby. So, why don't you all throw out some guesses as to when Baby Malson is going arrive?! And I think I'll come up with a fun little prize too. (Not sure what yet, but it will be fun.)

So, whoever gets closest on these stats is the winner. 

Birthdate and time

Weight

Length

Good luck!! :)

We made it back from Honey Bears (actually quite awhile ago). MJ loved it. She is so excited to go back again and will probably ask every week when it's time to go back. She has to wait a whole month. I can't believe she'll be in Kindergarten next year. It made me a little sad thinking about it. I also saw all the other classes walking down the hall and thought that will be my little girl soon. 

I had something come up with a work project I thought was finished, so I've been trying to get it finalized. Am sending it to the printer now so that's a relief. Josh was a great help this morning and took care of lunch for all of us.

I was starting to feel something in my back and belly again, but it seems to have subsided. I guess this little one will keep us guessing as to when it will make its arrival. 

Another normal morning. I'm headed to Honey Bears with Mackenzie. It's a little program at the grade school for kids going to Kindergarten next year. She gets to tour the school and see classrooms, etc. We go one Friday a month. She's very excited. Emma gets to stay with Dad this morning. She's excited too! 

No news yet

Nothing too exciting happening today. The past two nights the baby has been moving like crazy and I've started to feel some back pain, but by morning things are back to normal. So, I don't anticipate having a baby today, but we'll see! 

She dressed herself

Last night after bath, Emma was all dressed in her pjs. After awhile she came bounding up the stairs dressed in her sister's pjs, socks and shoes. She kind of looks like a soccer player, doesn't she? Silly, silly girl! 

Mom, tell me about babies...

Me: Okay, what about babies? 

MJ: Like how do they get out?

Me: Get out of where? 

MJ: Your tummy? What happens first? 

Yup, that's the conversation little MJ and I had tonight. She asked how the baby would get out of my tummy. So, I told her about my uterus contracting, moving the baby down the birth canal, etc. I explained the other body parts too, making sure I went slow and she got to ask the questions. I didn't want to tell more than she was asking yet. I told her exactly where the baby would exit my body and she said, "Oh, I thought it would come out your belly button!" Good thing we cleared that up!

I kept asking do you have any more questions and she kept saying yes, one more. I kept waiting for the big one, "How did the baby get in your tummy?" but it didn't come. It is something I want to be prepared to answer for her, but I was a little relieved she didn't ask it yet. I thought during this pregnancy it might come up though. After awhile she seemed satisfied with the information and began to ask again about her and Emma's birth stories. Then she wanted to know stories about when she was a baby. Good thing I scrapbooked it all because I have a hard time remembering without looking back. I was able tell her a few things. Today she told me she really needed some Mom time. Tonight we made the baby blanket she's been wanting to make, so that was good. Then we read books and she asked to snuggle before bed. We both fell asleep. I can't believe how grown up she's getting, yet she still seems so little some days. She's an amazing little blessing that I thank God for every day. 

No Baby Yet

Well, whatever I was feeling was not a baby about to arrive, but my doctor checked me today and I'm at a 3. She thinks we'll have a new Malson by Saturday. We now have EVERYTHING packed-us, the baby, the girls, cameras, etc. Now we'll for sure be ready if we have to leave in the middle of the night like we did with Emma. The house is clean-thanks to my hubby who went after it yesterday. Yeah! He now has a new appreciation for cleaning up after the girls as he had to sweep the floor three times yesterday. As we were getting around I first thought, oh I'm not ready for this, but then I started getting that butterfly feeling in my stomach like yes, I'm so ready to meet and hold my new baby! Oh well. I know it will come when it's ready. We'll keep you posted. 

Baby update

Well, not quite yet, as I haven't left for my appointment, but things feel a little different this morning, so we have bags packed and arrangements made just in case this little one is thinking of making an appearance. Will keep you all posted! Say a prayer all goes well! Thanks! Love, Maggie

The sun is shining!

The sun is shining today! Yea! That's a big deal since we've been having an inversion for what seems like forever. It's still bitterly cold, but the blue sky is a welcome relief. I just watched Emma try to put on a leotard over her pjs, get frustrated, strip down to her undies and try again. The leo is wrong side out, but she got it on. Talk about independent! She was determined to do it herself. 

Nothing really going on. We had a nice weekend; I shut the computer off and tried not to worry about any deadlines. MJ and I played restaurant (sorry, no pictures though). Josh started painting a dresser I bought secondhand. He really couldn't see my vision for it, but I think now that the paint is going on he's trusting me a little more about it. I went consignment store shopping with Stephanie Saturday and found some great end tables for our bedroom. They were already painted black too, so that's one more project we don't have to do! They look really nice in the room. We moved some more stuff around including putting more toys/clothes downstairs. Still trying to get a few more things taken care of before baby. Josh was just convinced I was going to have that baby yesterday or today. No sign of it though. I think he's getting nervous about us getting to the birthing center and everything, especially if we have bad weather. Emma was delivered about thirty minutes after we arrived and that was 2 1/2 hours after my water broke. I'm hoping this labor goes that fast too! I think he will relax once he knows the baby is here. He knows I'm a little stressed right now and wants me to be able to relax too. He's such a sweetheart. I really picked a winner! 

Mackenzie's always been a good pretender, but it's been fun to see Emma really start to play pretend. I don't know how many times she's dragged her babies out this weekend. She and I also played with blocks. We practice the words and sounds on them then she stacks them up. Of course, she loves to knock them down too. The girls have been playing really well together lately. I have to be thankful for the little things! :)

We go to the doctor tomorrow, so we'll see if she thinks we're any closer.

Mommy, tell me about when I was born

The other night Mackenzie asked me to tell her about when she was born. This was the second time she had asked lately. I enjoyed reminiscing with her. Then she asked to hear about Emma's birth and she remembered different parts of it too. Sometimes I'm so tired at night and just want to get through the bedtime routine, but that's also the time MJ and I have some really good chats. She tells more more about her day and asks me questions. We get in some snuggle time that we haven't gotten during the day. I have to remind myself that these days/nights go by so fast and I will never regret the time spent with my children, only the time I didn't take for them. 

I can't believe we'll be welcoming a new baby into our family soon. I feel so much more nervous this time around; I don't know why. I keep thinking I may only have a few more days with just my two girls; what more can I do with them right now? I have no doubt I have enough love for all my children; God gives us a great capacity to love. But, I wonder how do I manage a newborn and have both of them still feel special and not get lost in the shuffle? It really didn't seem hard at all when Emma arrived, but somehow number three makes me nervous. MJ said she is quite excited and can't wait for the baby to be here; she's really ready to help out. Emma, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have much grasp on what's happening and I worry about how she'll adjust. When we ask where the baby is she lifts up my shirt and points to my belly button. It's cute, but the poor girl has no clue. She just loves attention and I just hope we can get her through the transition of a new baby. I so badly just want to be enjoying this time right now and yet there seems to be more anxiety in these last few weeks. Part of it is work deadlines, but they are really unavoidable right now. Please continue to pray for me that I can let go of what I can not control and just be at peace with whatever comes our way each day. 

Sorry for such a heavy post, but this blog is as much a way to update friends and family about what's happening with us as it is a way for me to journal and connect with others. I've debated about putting this kind of stuff on here, but I feel I have to be honest about how I feel. Writing has always been therapeutic for me too. I also don't have any cute pics of the girls that haven't been posted; maybe we'll get some tomorrow. I promised MJ some Mommy/Mackenzie time tomorrow and she could pick whatever she wants us to do. I'm excited to see what she comes up with. She mentioned baking something, making a baby blanket and playing chef with her kitchen. Should be a fun day! 

Well, now my hubby is calling for attention so I best be going!

This kid cracks me up!

These photos don't really capture quite how funny Emma was last night. She came bounding up the stairs and gave a little laugh when she got up there, like ta-da, look at me! She had put on Mackenzie's socks (the ones she had worn that day, no doubt) and had found her slippers (unmatched of course). She proceeded to run around the house like a crazy woman. I just couldn't help but laugh. She is just so funny. And she loves attention. We might be creating a monster. Fortunately, when she displays bad behavior, a little ignoring usually gets her to straighten up. I just love this girl! 

Is it possible to dream a contraction?

Okay, so this may sound crazy, but I really think I was awakened at 1 a.m. to a major contraction. It started in my back and came around to my belly, which is how my labors have been. I remember thinking, this can't be happening right now. I looked at the clock, saw how early it was, tried shifting around and fell back asleep. I think I felt a couple more throughout the night, but was so tired I didn't want to get up. I feel fine this morning, but just wondering if something is happening or if dreamed it all?

Even though I needed to get up early to work before the girls awoke, I really wanted to sleep in. However, neither is happening. They both joined us in bed at 6:00. I thought they would stay there with Josh and I'd get up. Wrong again, little Miss Emma is wide awake and already into things. Ah, you gotta love two-year-olds. 

Random thoughts

Just a few thoughts from this week.

The baby has been moving around quite a bit and I just love the feeling. I am going to miss it, but it will be even better to be holding this baby in my arms. No real news from my doctor's appointment. Just had heart rate and length checked. My doctor did remind me Emma came at 38 weeks, which would be next week. We'll just have to see what this little one decides to do.

My hubby has been nesting again. He's so helpful right now; I really appreciate it. He cleaned out the van, had it serviced and put two new tires on it. He picked up a dresser I purchased the other day to use as a changing table and got it put in the baby's room. He also brought up the bassinet to put in our room and put the carseat in the car. Tonight we watched Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares and ate popcorn in bed. He loves that show and I love having the time with him. He also took MJ to preschool and ballet for me today so I could keep working. Mackenzie started calling him her driver. We're still debating baby names. We have about 10 on our list. I think we're both getting nervous this baby won't have a name when it's born! 

I finished one magazine issue and moved onto the next two projects. I hope to get them both done, but do have a back-up plan if the baby decides to come early. 

Brownies for Breakfast

I guess like mother like daughter. I've been known to sneak a brownie or two for breakfast myself. While in the other room, I heard MJ holler, "Mom, Emma's in the brownies!" Here's what I found. You would think I'd put things a little more out of reach. But, even then I don't think it would help. Emma has now figured out how to scoot a chair over to the counter in the dining room, climb up onto the counter, open the cabinets and get into the snacks. Today I found her in a bag of candy! No place is safe from this child. I just have to pay attention more as any time I hear a chair scooting, she's probably about to get into something! :)

This week

We’re having an inversion this week, so everything is quite gloomy. Cold, wet and very foggy. Josh left Tuesday for the stock show in Denver and will be back Sunday. The girls and I are definitely ready for him to return. While I’ve gotten away with not cooking much this week, it will be nice to have him home soon. MJ had three great days at preschool. I’m so glad she loves school. Emma and I ran errands a couple mornings and had a few appointments. Other than that I’ve just been trying to meet deadline one.

Here's another update on Emma's speech therapy. She had her last session with the fill-in therapist on Monday and started back Wednesday with the regular one. L was really excited about all the progress Emma has made since October. She said she could tell definite improvement. We went through the goals we had established in August and were able to check off a few, as well as write new ones. As Emma is maturing, she wants to read more books and has more attention span to sit and listen, as well as practice saying words. Before nap and bedtime we have been going through alphabet letter books. Each book as four pictures and words that begin with a letter. One of the main goals from the start has been to get Emma to master the beginning sounds. That's where her language was stalled. She is much more willing to imitate words and can get all the syllables of complex words, even if the sounds aren't quite right. She is also starting to put together a few two and three word phrases. She's very animated when she talks and talks fast, so a lot of time her full sentences are still a lot of babble, but we aren't worried or focused on that right now. This is going to be a process. L also said she's always thought Emma's prognosis was good because she's so smart. Emma still leaves off the end of many words, so now we're working on saying the endings of the words. Speech progresses through mastering beginning, middle and ending sounds. She is also getting better at her vowel sounds. A lot of the therapy has been play-based. That's how it starts with kids this age. We also do listening exercises and are starting to do more drill-type therapy. It was neat to watch her go through the drills with L and see her do so well. I feel really good about how things are going and where she's at right now. As her birthday approaches, we'll have a transition meeting to determine what we'll do when she turns three, but I've already started looking into our options. For now, we'll continue as we have been. She's such a smart, happy and curious little girl. We're so thankful for that. 
In baby news, there is really nothing too exciting to report at this time. I had an appointment Tuesday. Blood pressure and heart rate were normal. The girls were with me. Mackenzie commented to the doctor that my appointments were always so short. Dr. H said that's because my babies haven't had any problems. We are thankful for that too! We go back again on Tuesday. My doctor mentioned the baby might come early, but probably not before the end of the month. I am hoping to wait until February. Best laid plans though, right?! :) We stopped by the birthing center and they had my paperwork so we're all set there. I got my little card that tells me what to pack. I guess maybe I should do that too. 

Our handy girls

The night we set up the crib, the girls were really eager to help; especially Emma. She loves picking up tools and trying to do what she's seen us do. In fact, the other day I asked Emma to go tell Josh I needed a screwdriver. She headed up stairs on her mission. A few minutes I heard Josh say, "Emma, what are you doing?" I came upstairs to find her with her sister's shoes on (backwards) and a screwdriver in her hand. She had put the shoes on, then opened the door to the garage, walked down the stairs and was trying to open the drawer to the toolbox where the screwdrivers are kept. That's where Josh found her. I just laughed outloud. This kid is really smart. She wants to be right in the middle of things and loves to help with everything. 

Emma was very intent in getting into all of her packages. And very excited once she got all the paper ripped off everything.

A little more Christmas

Last week we received another package of presents from family in Kansas. The girls had fun opening a few more gifts from my brother and sister, along with stocking stuffers from my mom's side of the family. We were sad to miss Christmas with them this year, but we have lots of memories from year's past and will hopefully see everyone sometime this year. 

Baby update

Nothing too exciting happened at the doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I had my Strep B test; haven't heard back, so no news is good news. She did check my cervix, and said I was no where close, so that is also good news. We go back next Tuesday. My doctor thinks this baby might come early, as Emma did, but I am hoping to go all the way to my due date. With three deadlines lingering and a busy family to take of, I need more time. Please pray for patience with myself and family has we get through this stressful time. I just want to get through this work stuff so when our new arrival comes, I can relax and enjoy that wonderful time. 

Blog Update

So in celebration of my first blogging anniversary (Jan. 18), I thought I'd give our layout a little update. I must admit, I took a shortcut and found a fun and simple background from Cutestblogontheblock.com. But, I did take a little time to make a personal header to match. I will take credit for redoing my photography blog myself, though. I am happy with how it turned out, but it did take quite awhile to get it that way. I decided I should probably spend my time working instead of playing with blog design, albeit that would be fun! :)

It's the New Year!

Can't believe it's the new year already! I've had to write a few checks and fortunately have been able to make myself write 2009 on them. We had a relaxing New Year. It seems Josh is in the "nesting" phase. Yes, I said Josh. And I am following closely behind. He's been in the sorting, organizing, donating, trashing, etc. mood. But, that is a good thing. There have been projects in the house that have gone undone. And we've lived here six months! That's hard to believe. We both feel like we have way too much stuff and want to simplify our lives more, so we've spent the last week/weekend trying to do just that. He also will be gone next week so I think he's a little nervous about leaving me home alone to try to finish everything myself.

We found some Christmas totes on sale and I packed up all the holiday stuff. We were able to downsize by about five cardboard boxes and everything fits nicely on one shelf in the garage. It had all been in the store room in the basement, so it's nice to see more bare shelves. It is amazing to me how long it takes to do a project like that though. I also tackled a bathroom closet that had been disorganized since move-in day. Such a good feeling to have it more functional now. We also set-up the crib in the playroom, reorganized the toy closet and moved a few things down to the girls' bedrooms. 

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm 35 weeks now. I'm hoping this baby is content with staying in the womb awhile longer. Fortunately, I'm not uncomfortable yet and need as many weeks as possible to get ready.

Emma was supposed to have speech this morning, but it was moved to next week. We got another snow storm last night, so the therapist couldn't come over. We've been working with picture/word flashcards and books. I am definitely seeing more progress with her. She's attempting everything now, which before if the sound seemed too hard she might not even try. She is able to get the syllables and more sounds come all the time. I am hopeful in a few years you won't even know she struggled with language. In the meantime, we'll keep working with her. She's such a happy, smart little girl. It's hard to watch your child struggle with something, but I know things are the way they should be right now. I am learning more patience and understanding, which I can always use more of. And thankfully, this is a small thing. We have been blessed with very healthy kids. So many other families have much bigger issues to deal with. 

Well, I best get to work. Have a good week!

Here are a few more photos from this summer. Stephanie took them for us when we were up in McCall.