I am so over things right now. I know one day I will look back on these days with fondness and wish I could go back- so I am trying to enjoy every second! BUT, its hard. I am nauseated- I even threw up my dinner tonight-- its like the morning sickness is BACK. NOTHING sounds good to eat. I can't cook because the thought makes me sick. The kids have been eating meat sandwiches and cereal for days. Well, the other day I made beef stew for Chris-- he really enjoyed it. I think its the only thing I have made in many weeks.

I also have sciatica down my legs-- baby Lucy will move and hit a nerve and the pain will shoot down my leg. Usually I can just wince and stay standing. Tonight it has gotten worse. I was standing by the dining room table helping Joey with his homework and screamed out in pain. -- Shooting nerve pain is no joke! Joey looked concerned and I explained how the baby was moving and causing my legs to hurt. I few min later the nerve pain was so excruciating I fell to the ground. I couldn't stay standing!  I stood up after about 30 seconds and Joey was staring at me " I thought you were going to have the baby down there!" He said. I started laughing. "Would you deliver the baby for me if I was?" I asked him. His response??  "I'm not a Doctor!!!"  How funny is THAT?

Chris my wonderful husband is on duty tonight. He just called me to ask how I was I told him the jist of what I have just written down. If my contractions are 10 min apart for an hour I am calling and making him come home!! Hopefully the baby waits for tomorrow.

My contractions totally stopped last night- thank goodness! I do NOT want to go into labor in the middle of the night- that would be way too much work to get the kids up and shuffled over to another house. The very BEST case scenario would be to have the baby while the big kids are at school!  Also, I really don't want an August baby- I already have two girls born in September and want baby Lucy to be a September baby also.  She probably will be! All I have to do is make it through today!

Today Chris has duty so he got up at 4am or something crazy. I was actually thinking about getting up with him but then I must have fallen back asleep. He will hopefully get "singled" and come home around 8pm tonight. He will still have to get up super early and return to the boat, but at least he will be here during the night, which would really ease my mind to have him here.

Today is all about staying busy. I think I am going to take the kids to a movie after school. 

Today was an interesting day. I walked the kids to school like usual and then Vangie and I proceeded on our regular 5 mile walk. I got about 1/2 way done and started to have the worst back pain and cramps in my lower belly. These were not regular "contractions"- I have contractions all the time, and those are a tightening of the uterus that last for about 30-45sec- 1min. This back-pain kind of wrapped around my back to the front. And the pain was constant!! I have never experienced this before with any of my pregnancies. It was probably 'Back Labor" which presents itself as back pain instead of front Uterus pain because of the way the baby is Laying.

I continued my walk and couldn't WAIT to get home- All I wanted to do was get home and relax.  I was in SO MUCH pain! I was just prayin that I didn't end up having the baby on the side of the road!  I finally got home, took a shower and ate a snack. The the back-pain disappeared (thank God!) but suddenly I was having contractions between 6-10 min apart.

I had originally planned  to go to the mall with Vangie and get my nails done- but with these contractions I didn't want to venture too far from home. After an hour of them I texted Chris and told him what was going on- I didn't want him to come home from work or anything but I wanted him to know I may call if things progressed.  I took a nap and the contractions stopped. I woke up an hour later and Chris called me- I told him the contractions were gone, but they may come back.

I then took Vangie to McDonald's for a happy meal and stopped at a closer nail salon to get a pedicure. My contractions were back- 6 min apart. I also felt sick to my stomach and just not myself. I called my neighbor and told her what was going on- I asked her if I went into labor today or tonight could I bring the kids over- she said yes and a huge stress was lifted off my shoulders. I got my pedicure, came home - all while having contractions. By 1:45 they had spread out to 10-15 min apart- I walked to get the kids and walked home and they were now 20 min apart. Chris was calling me every hour to check on me and all I could say was- they are 15min apart.... nothing new... they could pick up again or stop altogether! It is so frustration because even though this is my 4th pregnancy, every pregnancy is different and every labor is different!!

Now it is 7pm, I am still having contractions every 10-20 min.... and all I can say is they could stop altogether or start back up again! I just don't know!

Today is another beautiful day in Hawaii- made even more beautiful because my wonderful husband is home and has the day off!   Its 7am and I can hear the stirring of little people upstairs- the pitter-patter of their feet, drawers opening and closing.. the toilet flushing. Chris is asleep in bed with Vangie curled up beside him. If we didn't have children I know he would sleep until 10am at least.  But with three (almost 4!) Kids in the house that is pretty much impossible right now.  How old are children when they actually sleep in on the weekends?  Maybe they take after me, I have never been one to sleep in-

Last night Chris cleaned the showers at 9pm, now they look great.He also cleaned and vacuumed out the van, mowed our tiny lawn and installed the car seat base for baby Lucy's ride home.  Today we will be making a trip to the commissary-- and doing whatever else I can think of to stay busy and not sit here thinking about when I will go into labor!

Last night I was once again bombarded with contractions. They seem to start around 4pm and continue until I fall asleep at night. It does nothing but make me nervous that I am actually going to go into REAL labor and have to find something to do with the kids. If I was a first time mom I would actually think I WAS In labor-- but having done this before I know it is not the real deal until they stay 5 min apart for an hour and get more painful. Right now they are between 5-20 min apart and are noticeable, but I wouldn't consider them "painful" just yet.  I am praying that if I do have the baby before the 1st (when my babysitter and Grandma Tuy are on island) that I have her during the day so I don't have to wake anyone up in the middle of the night!

We arrived at the water park at around 1030 am- Traffic to get in was CRAZY, but once we were parked and into the park it was not that bad. The kids had  really great time. Chris was able to take Sophia and Joey on some major slide- Sophia  is a dare devil, she loves roller coasters and water slides are right up her alley.  We also got into the wave pool- and took the kids to the "kid zone" where they did some more slides. Vangie even went down a slide- It was pretty tall and looped around. I stood at the end and caught her- she came down like a speeding bullet! She liked the slide, but didn't want to do anymore- ha ha ha.

We left the water park around 1pm and drove across the Island to eat lunch at Macaroni Grill- for some reason I was craving pasta. It was AWESOME- it reminded me of Olive Garden-- and in case you didn't know there are NO olive gardens on the island!!!- I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. It was honestly the BEST restaurant meal I have had since moving here.  After Macaroni Grill we stopped at Sports authority to buy Joey his necessities for Flag Football- Cleats, shorts and a mouth guard. He starts practices on the 6th and is very excited.

Yesterday I cleaned the house for 5 hours! I basically did everything (except the showers- I am letting Chris do THOSE!) and now everything is cleaned and decluttered. The guest room is ready for Grandma Tuy to arrive on Wednesday- The baby blankets are washed and her bassinet is ready to go. Last night around 5pm I had the overwhelming urge to finish packing my hospital bag! I loaded the kids up and we headed for Target- I pretty much have everything but I needed a BABY BOOK for Lucy- so I can get her tiny little foot and hand prints-- and a few other small things. So now I am really ready- I just have to remember to grab the camera on the way out the door.

Last night Chris got home from his 40 hour work day and was EXHAUSTED, but in a good mood because he has the whole weekend off! Also, he passed his "submerged officer of the deck" board so he only has one more board to go until he gets his DOLPHIN PIN! I had him pick up pop-eyes for dinner, because just thinking about making anything makes me nauseated. Food is just not something I am enjoying too much lately. 

Anyway, I had been having contractions ALL AFTERNOON and around 8pm they started to become more frequent--  Chris could tell something was bothering me-  I did NOT want to go into labor last night- Chris was WAY too tired to stay up another night having a baby and my babysittter is not on-island until the 1st!!! I DID text my friend to ask her if I could drop the kids off if I DID go into labor and she of course said no problem, but that is not how I want things to go... Thankfully the contractions stopped around 11pm. Whew.

Today we are going to the WATER PARK. Everyone is super excited. Check back later for some awesome pictures of the kids at Wet-n-Wild!!

Last night I didn't sleep very well-  Chris had duty so Joey was roomie- and I never sleep the greatest when Chris has duty. But I also kept thinking about ALL the things around the house that needed to be done- It needed to be CLEANED, desperately!!! So after waking up several times It was finally 5:15 and I got out of bed to start the day. I started cleaning around 7:30 after the kids went to school and I cleaned until 1:30! Everything that I wanted to get done is finished- the babies things are completely organized and ready to go-  I also ordered my DREAM stroller today and it should be here next week! I am so excited!

Chris won't be home until later and I know he had a really rough night at work last night- he said something about getting maybe 3 hours of sleep so I know he is exhausted- but not too exhausted to go to WET-N-WILD TOMORROW!!!!

I read something on the internet about how a surge of energy and desire to clean aka "nesting" in your 9th month of pregnancy can mean that labor is within 24-48 hours... Mmmmmmm ....  I still think Lucy will stay put until next week. I AM having contractions all day long, but nothing in any sort of order or pattern... If I DO go into labor it better be after the water park tomorrow!

Last night Chris had duty so the kids and I watched Miss Universe before bed- Chris had actually recorded it for Sophia a few days ago because it was on past her bedtime. The girls LOVED it-  Sophia especially- she has been asking me to put in a pagent for about a year now.... But I could never be a "pageant mom". 

The kids could NOT get enough of the dresses, and hair an make-up and jewelry. And my little peanut gallery is quite vocal about their likes and dis-likes :

"I don't like her hair..." "Wow, look at that DRESS!" "She is soooo pretty!"  Joey's only comment was during the evening gown competition- he thought they should wear pants because the dresses looked "uncomfortable". lol. I let the kids stay up 30 min past their bedtime to see who the winner was- and Congrats to Miss Mexico! The kids were mesmerized by the awesome prizes Miss Universe got to take home- and Joey told me that I should compete next time. Let me just tell all the ladies out there: THIS is why you need a son- he really truly believes his MOMMY could compete in Miss Universe. I his eyes I am THAT beautiful. It melted my heart.

Sophia made herself a "birthday Countdown" calendar and hung it on her wall- she only has 10 days until her birthday!!! I WAS going to have a party for the girls- rent out the pool and invite all their friends and get pizza, etc. But it was just too stressful to think about organizing all that on top of not knowing if I'd still be pregnant, or in the hospital HAVING the baby or even if the baby is already here I am not sure how I will feel. So we scrapped that idea and we are just going to take the girls out for a "Fun Day" instead. - Filled with going to the hair salon, buying a new outfit and toy and eating lunch out.  Sophia and Evangeline are more excited about their "fun day" anyway.

I couldn't sleep last night- I kept thinking about all the things I need to get done before I go into labor-- and my days are dwindling. Today is a CLEANING day- I am forgoing my daily 6 mile walk and will channel that energy into scrubbing the house. Yesterday I ordered my car seat- don't worry, I have one I bought at a garage sale in case I need one before my new one is delivered-- And I am thinking about buying a new stroller- I have never had one where the car seat clicks in (like a 'travel system' and that looks SO convenient! Plus Phil and Ted just came out with the explorer 2010 like THIS MONTH were a newborn (aka lucy) and a toddler (aka Vangie) can ride together at the same time!!!  I am trying to find someplace who will deliver it to Hawaii without charging over  $100 for shipping- one of the downfalls of living here- nobody ships to Hawaii for free!!!!!

Yesterday Chris looked at me and said " This weekend I am going to clean the showers." I was a bit confused, was he talking about the showers at work? ... I thought he had the weekend off... " Are you talking about the showers HERE?" I asked him..

Chris: Yes, I didn't want to say anything because I don't want YOU to do it, but they have been driving me crazy." I found this amusing because honestly the showers are NOT dirty- I guess they could use a scrubbing, but what showers couldn't??  and because I can count on one hand the number of times Chris has cleaned the showers (my LEAST favorite chore). 

 I asked him if he was "nesting"....  and he told me that he just wants everything perfect for when the baby arrives. So, we MUST be getting close if my husband is cleaning!! I, of course am taking full advantage of this and already made him a "cleaning list" and posted it on the refrigerator. Hey, if he is in the cleaning mood I know a whole lot of other things that could benefit!

I realize that we are getting down to the last days of this pregnancy- of course I COULD be pregnant for up to 2 more weeks (ahhhhhhhh!) But I am thinking this is my last week- I need to get some stuff done! I need to buy diapers, buy and install a car seat and  pack my hospital bag- I sort of have it packed but not really.   I am not in a super hurry yet because this baby has explicit instructions to stay put until NEXT week.  Chris has duty today and tonight and I don't want to go into labor with him exhausted- I need him to enjoy his duty-free weekend coming up so he can be rested and useful to me in labor. This is not going to be a "go to the hospital at the first twinges of contraction / get an epidural stuck in my back / feel no pain what-so-ever / tell me when it's time to push " labor story...   
 
And also because We are going to WET-N-WILD on SATURDAY!!! The tickets normally sell for $42 a PIECE! But the local Christan radio station was selling them for just $10 a piece- of course we are going and we are going to have a blast!  So, baby Lucy is not allowed out until after that.  The best case scenario is she waits until after the 1st of September because 1) I want a September baby, 2) that's when Grandma Tuy flies in and 3) that is when my babysitter is back on-island.

Yesterday I had my 38.5 week OB apt. Stats as follows:

Baby Lucy is estimated to weigh 7lbs.... and is still growing (yikes!) I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks- how is that even possible?? Who really knows. Stretch marks? Nope- not even one after 4 pregnancies.

I am 1cm dilated, 60 % effaced and baby has "dropped"  -- all this information is basically irrelevant because nobody and nothing can tell you when your body will go into labor-- but it is nice to know that things are "moving along".  My midwife actually said "well, maybe I won't see you in here next week" as in, maybe I'll have the baby this  week. Yeah right. I carry babies to 40 wks. And I will admit these last two weeks are such a mental game. One minute I am so happy and just enjoying the end of my last pregnancy and the next minute I am depressed and am sure I will forever be pregnant and  that I cannot live one more day so huge and uncomfortable and would give ANYTHING to go into labor. Mood swings galore. It is not fun.

While at my apt I had my midwife look at my ears- which hurt SO BAD... and yes, they were "bulging"... whatever that means... she said to take some Benadryl or Claritin to dry my sinuses up. I told her that I don't like to take medication- and she said it was fine and that I shouldn't suffer needlessly. SO, last night I took some benadryl. Oh. My. Gosh. I felt SO DRUGGED all night. I fell into a deep coma and had the weirdest dreams. Chris said I snored  so loud that I woke him up numerous times- good payback for his habit of always hitting the snooze button.... Now I remember why I don't like to take medication- who WANTS to feel like that?? So all day I have been sick- achey, stuffy/runny nose, headache... but on the upside my ears feel better. I am hoping that tomorrow I will be close to feeling normal again.

Last night I started to have contractions... nothing too painful, but ones I could definitely feel. They were coming between 10-20 min apart- no regular pattern. I was pretty sure they would fizzle out like usual once I got into bed. I put the kids to bed at 8pm, and got to bed myself around 9:30- I was still feeling them. This made me VERY nervous.

Chris was on duty last night- I kept thinking What if they pick up? What if I have to call Chris to come home? I was wondering how close I would have to let them get to call him home from work- and honestly I wouldn't call him home unless they were 5 min apart for an hour- BUT then I was thinking how it would take him a while to call someone else in to take his place-- and since this is my 4th I am scared that my labor is going to be VERY fast once it gets started-- and then there was that whole dilemma about what to do with the kids if it DID turn into labor. My adrenalin was really flowing as I was waiting for the contractions to die down. This was NOT helping me to fall asleep AT ALL.
 
Finally I just told myself it it turned into labor I'd throw all the kids in the van and meet Chris at the hospital. Problem solved. I finally fell asleep around 11pm only to wake up 20 min later with a horrible sore throat/ ear ache / horrible cold! Sophia brought a cold home from school on Friday and I now I have it. The night was spent tossing and turning, blowing my nose 2,000 times and trying to get comfortable. Every time I blew my nose I would think " I really hope this doesn't make my water break!"  Thankfully I survived the night- although the amount of sleep I actually got is questionable!! I am just glad it is Monday!

Yesterday the Captain's wife, Erin held a baby-shower for me at her house. It was so nice of her! She had a beautiful cake and yummy food. Chris dropped me off and I was able to spend the afternoon visiting with the wardroom ladies of the USS Chicago. What fun! That is one of the better parts of being the wife of a Submarine Officer- the  camaraderie between the wives.

They had such an amazing idea for gifts- they each brought a basket, and that basket had a "theme"- after baby Lucy is born they will each make a meal for my family to match the theme of the basket. For instance, Erin, the captains wife, put together her basket with the theme  "movie night". Her basket had movie candy, popcorn, a couple movies- it was so cute. The meal she makes  will somehow relate to the basket. Jen's  basket was picnic theme- complete with cute plastic plates, silverwear, a plastic "picnic blanket" to throw on the ground, a cooler for drinks.... and lots more...very cool- and the kids are already begging me to go on a picnic later today. Katey's basket was themed "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs" and I bet her meal will be Italian!   Toni's basket... I can't remember the theme right now but It had margarita mix and great smelling shower gel so It awesome!  Sandra's gift was a beautiful soft baby blanket.   I feel so lucky and grateful to have such wonderful friends.  Thank you so much!!!

In other news, I fianlly heard from my babysitter!!! Turns out her Dad is sick back on the mainland and she is flying back to be with her family. I can understand why I didn't hear from her in a few days. I know what it is like to have a sick parent, and how helpless you feel being so far away. She is flying home to Pensylvania and will be back Sept 1st- which is great becasue I don't think baby Lucy will be born before then. My guess is the 4th-6th of September. 

Chris has duty today. This is really depressing. Since he got back from Chicago I have spent at most 1/2 a day with him. I am looking forward to NEXT weekend when he has both Saturday and Sunday off.  I wish it were Monday already. I am going to attempt to fill the day with cleaning, a picnic lunch and maybe taking the kids to the movies.

I have been carrying baby Lucy very high, right under my ribs like a little (or big) basketball. This was all fine and dandy until she started packing on the weight and getting longer- I was having horrible pain in my ribs from her kicking the crap out of me and excruciating heartburn. Oh, the heartburn was soooo bad- and from eating basically nothing- every-night I would lay down and be in agony- and unable to sleep much from the pain- which my TUMS could do NOTHING for...

Last night was the first night that I ate dinner (and pizza- statically proven to cause heartburn) at a normal time (6pm) and I had NO heartburn!!  Another bit of proof that she has finally "dropped" is I am blessed to be dealing with Sciatica down my legs. I will just be walking along and/or standing there and I will get a painful shock  down my leg- it kind of feels like a shock of electricitly. I remember having it the most when I was pregnant with Joey.  I will take the sciatica over heartburn ANYDAY.   And just because she has "dropped" does not mean she will come out today or tomorrow- I am still thinking she will wait until Grandma Tuy gets here in 10 more days! (or at least I am hoping!) 

Yesterday the kids did a 3 mile mountain hike-  possibly our last one before the baby gets here- although if you know me at all by now you can probably guess I will try to fit one in next weekend if I can- and Chris will be off both days next weekend so he will be able to come with me. I am still aiming to walk 6 miles a day this week- and Chris is home today which means I can walk outside without having to push the stroller- which I don't mind doing at all, but it is nice to get out by myself once in a while.

I made a little "Baby Lucy" countdown that I hung on the wall- (sot of like a Christmas Countdown calendar) everyday Sophia crosses out a day for me- the kids are so excited that she is almost here!

The kids have been learning to do more and more the older they get. One of the best things about them growing up is their ability to help out around the house. Earlier this week I got around to teaching Joey how to vacuum. He really likes it, I think it makes him feel "powerful". Vangie has begun feeding and watering Stella, and Sophia has graduated to filling the fountain.   Plus they help me out a ton by doing whatever I ask of them (mostly) without complaining. One of the very things they are very BEST at is putting away their clothes- this makes folding laundry go by so much faster.

Last night after the girls gymnastics class the kids has OPEN HOUSE at their school. I got to go to both classrooms and Sophia and Joey showed me their desks, there artwork and everything they do during the  day. I also got to speak with their teachers. Sophia's teacher told me that she is very smart, and consistently one of the top three kids and finishes her work first-  and after I told the teacher that I worked with Sophia all summer she said she could tell- and that I deserved a gold star, lol.  Sophia is sweet and helpful and never gets in trouble.  She is a pleasure to have in class.

Joey's teacher just LOVES him- she is a little old Asian lady who looks sort of like Grandma Tuy, and as she was talking to me about Joey she had his arm around him and was rubbing his hair. She told me Joey is the sweetest boy and has such a great personality! She said he was sure to be a "heart-breaker"- I already have lots of neighbor girls knocking on my door for him, so I guess I better get used to it!
She also said Joey is VERY smart in EVERYTHING.  He is always finishing first and then "engaging the class with his charm and wit."   Ms. Johnson told me that currently Joey is testing at a grade level 2.8 (basically 3rd grade!) and that by the end of the year she wants to see him testing at a 3.8. She asking me if he ever complained of being bored at school- because things are so easy for him- and thankfully he is not bored, I think he enjoys his classmates and leaning very much. His class is soon starting an "accelerated reader" program that Joey will be participating in- I am very excited to work more with both kids to see how much they can accomplish!

As for little Vangie, I will be purchasing a "pre-school" program to work with her at home starting in October- I need to get my little girl ready to start kindergarten next year and continue with the family traditon of excelling!

I remember when I was pregnant with Evangeline, Joey was 3.5 years old at the time and he would sit with me at night and we would watch shows on childbirth-  he knew from an early age where babies come out- all my kids know... (although they do not know the specifics on how babies get IN there)   Well, I think they all may soon  have an up close and personal VIEW of childbirth, as my babysitter is MIA!

We had a verbal agreement that she would be willing and able to watch the kids when I go into labor- the kids love her and she is always saying how great and easy to watch they are.... Well a few days ago I emailed her to make sure she was still planning on it, and that it would be okay if I called her to come over in the middle of the night....  Its been 3 days and I have had no response from her! I thought maybe she just hasn't checked her email so I texted her to see if she got my email.... no response! This is just so WEIRD.   

I have some really great neighbors who I know would watch the kids for me in a heartbeat If I needed them too, but I HATE to inconvience people. And lets face it, watching someone else's three kids is an inconvience unless you're getting paid. SO.... I am pretty sure they will just all come with me to the hospital and witness their first natural childbirth. It will either cement their decision to be a midwife or cement their decision to never have children of their own.  I guess only time will tell which!

It that time in pregnancy when I am trying to stay busy.... very busy! To keep my mind off the fact that this baby could be born at anytime, yet will most likely stay in for 16 more days. I am increasingly uncomfortable. I have horrific heartburn- mostly at night.... it will wake me up out of a dead sleep and keep me from falling back asleep. I quit eating by 6pm, but that doesn't help. I don't eat spicy foods... I've tried sleeping on an incline.... It is still there. I am pretty much resigned to having it, unless I want to eat dinner at 3pm and go to bed hungry. 

I am also starting to "go numb" at night. If I fall asleep on my right side I will wake up a couple hours later totally numb on that side- so I flip to the left side.... I wake up two hours later totally numb. What fun! 

I'm still walking 6 miles a day, every morning.  I am hoping the baby will "drop" more and thus help the heartburn go away. I am having several contractions a day, but nothing regular. This is all very common and my body is just getting ready for the BIG DAY, whenever that may be! 

Today I am organizing our files, mopping the kitchen on my hands and knees and other various cleaning projects until the kids get out of school at 12:20- then off to the pool!!

Chris arrived home from his Chicago adventure yesterday. The kids and I picked him up from the airport around 2pm- the kids are so funny... they run right up to him and jump on him and the girls always want him to carry them around when he first gets home from being away- Just looking at him carrying Vangie AND Sophia makes my back hurt.  We went out to dinner at my favorite restaurant here- The Kona Brewery... It is so nice because the kids are all old enough to sit down and behave themselves, and Chris and I are able to talk and have an adult conversation.  Yes, I KNOW we are starting all over with a new little one, but having just ONE little one is going to be a piece of cake- compared to having 3 in 3.5 years like we did before!!!   

 I have to admitt I was in heaven last night as Chris brushed all their teeth and tucked them in and I laid on the couch- bedtime is always the hardest time for me because I am exhausted from the day-- morning times, not problem! I am an early bird.  I also slept so much better last night knowing Chris was home, I just felt safer. Plus, I know if I go into labor Chris will be here!

He brought everyone presents- Sophia and Vangie got their own MAKE-UP cases. They LOVE IT. Sophia, of course has been in love with make-up for a while- but this is Vangie's first very own make-up and she was SOOOOO excited. They sat at the kitchen table and applied make-up for HOURS yesterday.  Joey got an awesome "White Sox" stuffed monkey that he really likes. What did Chris bring back for me??? Cash! I think I need to use it to take us out on a date.

Stella was also super excited that Daddy is now home- I swear that dog is SO IN LOVE with Chris- whenever he walks in the door she goes ballistic, wagging her tail and jumping on him- when he sits on the couch she is ALL OVER HIM. And he really doesn't even like her that much! (don't tell her I said that) She sheds all over and I think Chris is allergic to hr saliva because wherever she licks him becomes red and irritated.

Yesterday the kids also had their free "trial Class" at Hawaiian Twisters gymnastics-  Vangie is in the "Pre-School" class, Sophia is in the "Mini-Bounder" and Joey tried out the all boys "Bounder" class. They all LOVED the class. Vangie did great, I was worried she would not participate and be shy but she warmed right up to it- her favorite part was jumping on the trampoline. She is so light I think she is going to bounce right off! Sophia also did GREAT-  the staff there is really nice and helpful- Sophia needed extra instructions on a lot of moves because this was her first time, but someone was always there to help her out. Joey also loved the all-boys class.  And his teacher- I kid you not- looked JUST like an athletic Richard Pryor!!

However, Joey could not do most of the stuff because his wrist is still healing. His Dr. said it won't be 100% until October. I just wanted him to try the class and see if we liked the ambiance and teacher, which we do- so he will start gymnastics after flag football gets over this winter.  Just watching the little boys class was amazing- they were doing pull-ups and hanging sit-ups and all sorts or moves. I really think Joey would excell at gymnastics- he has the right build and I know he would like it.

I have made it to 37 weeks pregnant! I need a party or a medal or SOMETHING!  It has been a really long journey.  Even though Baby Lucy is now considered "Full Term" and could be born at any time, I know it's not over yet- I have the type of body that my midwife says "was made to be pregnant". (besides the morning sickness part!)  I have zero complications. I don't swell, I don't have high blood pressure, I don't get gestational diabetes, I don't gain too much weight,  and my body likes to stay pregnant until 40 weeks.
So, a little under 3 weeks to go? I am trying to mentally prepare myself for that- because I am SO READY to be done.From here on out it is really a "mental game". I have horrible heartburn and just the regular issues of being uncomfortable and heavy. (and HOT!)  I know that any time she spends in the womb from here on out just keeps her nice and healthy. She is gaining weight and just hanging out until she decides that it's time!

As for her birth, I plan on it being as natural as possible . I think the more interventions women agree too- the more likely things are to go wrong. By "Intervention" I mean being induced- whether by pitocin or other drug or by the Dr. breaking your water-- this OFTEN leads to things not going well, epidural, not progressing and Cesarean sections. A LOT of women get "induced" these days- they go into the hospital and get a drip of pitocin to start labor- because they are tired of being pregnant, they think its more convenient to "schedule" the birth and let's face it- its more convienient for the Dr. for you to deliver when he's there at the hospital that having to drag him out of bed in the middle of the night. 

I  don't want an epidural, or any pain medicine- yes, being totally numb may be what some women want but I like to "experience" life, not block it out with pain reliever. YES, it's painful-- childbirth is the most painful thing I can THINK of... but also the most rewarding ! All that pain goes away and you are holding a sweet little baby in your arms- there is nothing better than that.  I also hate being hooked up to monitors and laying in the bed- In labor I plan on walking, walking, walking and sitting on my birth ball. The hospital also has Jacuzzi tubs which I an hoping to use.   It's so exciting to think I will be holding baby Lucy soon!

Yesterday I had another one of my "mother of the year" moments.....

Joey had his "flag football meeting" last night at 5pm. Let me fill you in on some background- last year Joey played Basketball. At his Basketball meeting we found out what team he was on and he met his coach and team mates, that was it. SO.... I was expecting the same thing with the Flag football meeting. I get all the kids in the car and we drive over to the baseball diamond where this "meeting" is being held. We get there to find out that this isn't a "meeting"... this is tryouts!?!!? For flag football? For 2nd graders??  I guess they wanted to assess everyone's "ability" so they can equally divide up the teams. Fine. I agree with this, good idea.
 
Obviously I was the ONLY person there who was not aware that this was the plan- because Joey was the ONLY child there wearing his flip flops. Sigh. I felt horrible! It turned out to be not that bad. Joey ran his sprints just fine in flip flops, and caught the ball just fine too. I am pretty sure the coaches won't forget him... he will be "that boy who wore the flip flops to tryouts."

I also neglected to bring our water bottle with us. I filled it up but forgot it on the kitchen counter. The minute we get to football tryouts Vangie wantes water. "I don't have the water" I tell her. "Wattttterrrrrr!!!!! I wantttttt Waaaaattteeerrrrr!!!" This went on for a good 20 min. AGAIN, I felt like the best mom EVER.  I had to tell my 4 year old to "Suck it up! I have NO WATER. You will LIVE!" And in all honesty it wasn't that hot and we were sitting in the shade. Her whole "water meltdown" was just a ploy for my attention. Shortly after I got her to forget about the water she said she had to pee. Now, before you judge what I am about to tell you was my response you need to understand that 1) Vangie just pee'd before we left. 2) I also knew that this was ANOTHER ploy for my attention because it was the late afternoon and she was tired. And 3) There was NO bathrooms available.

Vangie: " I have to PEEEEEEEEEEEEE."
Me: "Oh Vangie, you JUST went pee, honey, your fine. Sit down next to mommy, we are almost done and then we will leave."
Vangie: (louder) I HAVE TO PEE REALLY BAD! (also holding herself and putting on the whole "have to pee" show for all the other parents to see..
Me: Evangeline, there are NO potty's... sit next to mommy and we will leave very shorty (we were seriously there less than an hour. AND, I know for a FACT that when Vangie wants to she can hold her pee like a camel.)
Vangie: NO! I WANT TO GO PEE RIGHT NOW!
Me:  Evangeline Schmitt!!! There are NO potty's here! You sit down right here beside me or you can just pee in your pants!!!  (another mother of the year award moment :)

Vangie started crying, but sat down next to me, and you know what? She forgot all about wanting water and wanting to pee. JUST like I KNEW she would.

What took her mind off water and pee'ing? That would be me bribing Sophia to let me pull out her tooth! Sophia hates to pull out her loose teeth. Her last tooth was SO LOOSE that it fell out while I was brushing her teeth one night. Now her other bottom tooth was loose- and the big tooth was already coming in underneath it- and was becoming crooked because with the baby tooth still in it was being pushed back- the dentist told  Sophia she needed to pull this baby tooth out as soon as possible. Every day I tell Sophia to wiggle her tooth and everyday she probably wiggles it for 5 seconds.

Yesterday at Joey's tryouts I wiggled it and it was VERY loose. I asked her if I could pull it out and of course she said NO WAY!  THEN I told her I would get her a chocolate shake if she let me pull it out- and she said okay! It took me two yanks and it was OUT.  Sophia was very excited to have it out. She put it under her pillow last night and the tooth-fairy left her a dollar in quarters.

I frequently visit a forum on the Internet called "baby-center". I love reading birth stories. Recently a lot of women "due" around the same time as me have been giving birth. Usually there story goes something like this:  " I went to bed, and got up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and my water broke!".... Seriously, this is my biggest fear at the moment- while Chris is 4,000 miles away. WHAT in the world would I do if my water broke in the middle of the night??? while all three kids are sound asleep in their beds?? Since it will be my 4th delivery, you can bet that it will be very quick- so I really wouldn't have a lot of time to organize things- maybe I would have a couple hours -- Evangeline was born an hour after getting to the hospital for crying out loud, this time I hope to make it in the front doors and not deliver in the car!

SO, lets say my water breaks at 2am. Do I call my neighbors who said they would help me if such an event occurs-- well, yes.... but would they even HEAR their phone ring? Maybe, maybe not. And they couldn't come HERE, because they have kids of their own.... so I would have to get all the kids UP, out of BED (which would take FOREVER... because when they are sound asleep they are dead to the world!) and take them to the neighbors house.... and drive myself to the hospital? Call a DIFFERENT neighbor, wake THEM up to drive me to the hospital? What about the kids school the next day? How would this neighbor even know what to do?? I could always call our babysitter to come stay with the kids at home.... but who knows how long I would be in the hospital... I can't expect her, or AFFORD for her to stay DAYS! I would of course call Chris, but honestly he never answers his phone so I could probably have the baby and be home already before he looked at his phone and realized that he mad a missed call from me.

 AHHHHHH. So, you can see why everynight when I go to sleep I say a little prayer that baby Lucy stays put until her Daddy gets back home--- 3 more days! 

Today Vangie and I walked the kids to school, and then continued on to complete our 5 mile loop that we do on most school days. It was really nice and overcast this morning- which felt great after yesterday and the blinding sunshine.

After our walk we drove to Whole Foods in downtown Honolulu to stock up on Almond milk (8 cartons) and Almond butter (4 containers). I guess you could say I like all things almond. Then we swung by the post office- Joey has outgrown basically 50% of his wardrobe so I mailed a box of his clothes to my sister in law, Krysti to pass down to her younger boys.  After the post office was Vangies gymnastics- but it was canceled due to a power outage, so home to eat lunch we went. Then we picked the kids up from school and took Joey to the Orthopedics department to get a brace for his healing arm- this way he can wear it when he is scootering, riding his bike and when his flag football season starts in October- although he has his cast off it will take a couple more months for his arm to be 100% healed.  We were at the hospital from 2:30-4:30.... mostly just waiting..... so it made for a long day.

Then it was home to clean up, make dinner, give baths, do homework...... it will be nice when Chris is home! Just knowing he is coming home in the evening gives me something to look forward too.  Then on to my favorite time of day- after dinner is finished and cleaned up, the baths are done and the kids are squeeky clean-  and I shut my front door and turn the A/C down. We all sit together and relax in front of the TV  for an hour before bedtime at 8pm. Another day is done- tomorrow will be here soon!

Today Vangie, Lucy and I went to my 36 wk OB apt.   Everything look fantastic.  Total weight gain so far- 20 pounds.  For some reason I though I had gained more- maybe all the "wow! You look huge!" comments that I have been getting from complete strangers! I weigh the exact amount I did at this stage when I was pregnant with Evangeline. My body has just gained enough for the baby and thankfully not a lot extra.I am sure my running and daily hour walks have helped keep the excess weight off- because gaining excess weight is pointless- it is just something you have to lose after you have the baby!
 
I look huge becasue I am carrying her all high up- she has not dropped into my pelvis yet. I cannot wait until she DOES "drop" becasue I am sick of feeling her kicking me in the ribs. The other night the ribs on my right side were killing me from her pounding on them with her foot. I also have horrible heartburn anyime I eat anything. 

 

The baby is in the head down position- thankfully- so no threat of a C-section- for which I am eternally grateful. I have been having a lot of cramping and Braxton Hicks contractions- totally normal at this point. My body is "gearing up" and since this is my 4th child labor and delivery should be pretty straight forward and quick. The only question is WHEN? I have a gut feeling she will come around Sep 2nd or 3rd, but only SHE really knows!  I also asked my midwife how big she thought the baby was at this point and she said "Oh, SMALL...not big at all. " and she was surprised when I told her all my other kids were 8lbs and over! I have a feeling baby Lucy is going to be bigger than my midwife thinks, but maybe I am wrong-- and trust me, It won't hurt my feelings at all if she is only 7lbs- less baby to push out.

I am almost 37 weeks- and 37 weeks is considered "full term". I am definitly excited about reaching that milestone. That means that she can come at any time and will be totally healthy and all the way developed. All the baby is doing in there from week 37 on is gaining weight.

This weekend started out pretty crappy due to our salon nightmare! But after that it could only go up! On Saturday after my workout I took the kids to the Hale Koa (the really nice military resort right on Waikiki Beach)  so they could swim in their really awesome pool. I brought our lunch in a cooler and we stayed there swimming from 10:30-1:30. Our neighbor and her daughter met us there so the kids were excited to have a friend to play with.

It was SO HOT on Saturday- when we got home from the pool I was sweating just sitting on the couch. Finally at 5pm I brought the kids inside, shut all the blinds and doors and turned the A/C down. We were all exhausted so Saturday all of us were in bed at 7:30pm.

This morning I was in the mood for the great outdoors and some fresh air.  We left early to hike the Aiea loop- a hilly, 5 mile hike . There are shorted ones we could have done, but this one is mostly all shaded- which is just what I needed after the heat from yesterday. We started out hike around 10am- the kids were really excited. I did not realize how MUDDY it was going to be!!! And since it was so muddy it was very, very slippery. The kids did great- Vangie even hiked the whole way.  By the end we were all COVERED in mud- each of us had fallen at least once- even me, on my butt in a big mud puddle- we were so muddy that I made the kids strip down into their underwear  and sprayed them down with the hose before they came inside to shower.

We are getting ready to head to the pool to end our weekend with some swimming and time with friends. Tomorrow will begin the 2nd week of school! I have a list to keep Vangie and I busy. We are in the middle of deep cleaning and de-cluttering before baby Lucy makes her arrival.  We have already deep cleaned the kitchen ( which included moving the fridge and stove out to clean behind them- yuck!)  and steam cleaned all the carpets. This week I plan on going through all the kids rooms and making a pile of things to take to Goodwill. 

Chris is staying busy in Chicago- he sent me the picture on the right from the top of the Sears Tower.... we really miss not having him hear and I have things planned every day this week to make the days pass quicker.

I had a horrible experience at the Oasis Salon on Hickam Airforce base today!!!

I had Joey's hair cut there a few weeks ago and it was a great experience! I always have a hard time getting him a good cut- his hair is so thick and course, if it is not cut right it looks horrible and sticks up all over. Plus he HATES to have it spiked or to wear any sort of hair gel. The last time we were there I was explaining to the stylist , Mindy, that I wanted it short all over, but not shaved, and straight short bangs across the front. I pulled out a picture to show her. "Oh" she said "that is a 'Ceasar' cut-- and sure enough, The Ceasar is a very popular cut and just what I wanted. She was so sweet and nice and did a GREAT job on Joey's hair, talking to him the whole time before we left she said  "any time you take him to get his hair cut, tell them you want a Caesar cut, and they will know just what you mean."

Fast forward to today- I made him this apt last week- I could have taken him anywhere but wanted the same stylist. Well, we get there and its not the same stylist- she had recently found employment elsewhere. This other stylist walks out and I say to her "I would really like for him to have a 'Ceasar haircut'. She looks at me with a smirk and says " What exactly is a Ceasar?? I have never heard of that."- and he tone of voice was basically that she thought I was an idiot.  I really didn't know WHAT to say -- I had this lady looking at me and speaking to me like I was beneath her.  "you know what?" I said- we'll just go" it had been a long day and even if I could explain to this lady what I wanted I didn't feel like spending almost $20 for this type of experience.

  I grabbed the kids and headed outside- she followed me, obviously mad I was leaving-- the manager of the place followed too- trying desperately to smooth things over.  " I can't believe your LEAVING-- " she said to me "You just need to EXPLAIN to me what you want so I can offer you GREAT customer service!" 
 
I told her that if she wanted to work on her customer service skills then she needed to think about her facial expressions and tone of voice, which were horrible from the beginning- and that I did not have the time or energy to deal with her, I would take my business elsewhere- I also explained that I was sorry that she was not familiar with the 'Ceasar' hairstyle, but that is what I had been told to say the LAST time I was there.   She stormed back inside and the manager was very upset- and a lot of people outside the salon were looking our way--  I told the manager that the last time I was there it was great, but I would NOT be coming back- and then I told her to cancel my own hair apt I had scheduled for myself later this month.  Then I got into the car and burst into tears. I know, totally hormonal- but the NERVE of that woman!!!   Why would I pay money to be treated to badly?? 

So, after THAT experience I decided we all needed some retail therapy . A couple days ago the kids got cards in the mail from our Michigan friends Merle and Diane- and in their cards were 10$ target gift-cards! So, we went to target and they each were able to pick something out and were so excited. Joey got Pokeman cards- Sophia got makeup (big surprise) and Evangeline knew exactly what she wanted- an outfit she saw the last time we were there-- And I got a new journal-- we all left feeling better!

Sophia:  "Joey, are you going to get married someday?"

Me: "Maybe, right Joey?"

Joey: " Everyone HAS to get married Sophie!"

Me: "No they don't, lots of people never get married."

Sophia:  with a look of disbelief  "Why??"

Me: "Well, if you never fall in love with someone you shouldn't get married. You only get married when you love someone SO MUCH that you can't live without them. Like Daddy, I loved him SO MUCH so we got married. But what if I never met Daddy? Then I never would have gotten married and none of you (me pointing to all the kids who are staring at me with wide eyes) would have never been born."

Joey: I would be so sad if I didn't have myself.

I couldn't help but laugh at Joey's comment. He summed up non-existing so perfectly. It is so weird to think that Chris and I created these little people- who are developing into such characters! They will all be somebody's first love, somebody's  wife or husband- somebody's Mom or Dad, best friend, mentor....   They will make an impact on their community and have already impacted so many- especially me. I cannot imagine my life without any of them--

In other news Chris left for his 10 day trip to Chicago today-- and I miss him already. I feel bad even writing this because so many women live MONTHS and MONTHS with their husbands deployed- and trust me, I know how that feels- Chris missed my whole 3rd trimester and birth of Joey, and didn't come back from deployment until Joey was 8 weeks old!  But I am still sad. Having him come home from work- even if it was 7:30 at night is still the highlight of my day. I know its my pregnancy hormones that are making this  10 day stretch seem so LONG, I hope it goes by fast.

I held a "lottery" to determine  which child sleeps in my bed on which night. When Chris is on duty or gone someone always sleeps in bed with me.  I folded up their names and put them in a bowl- they I picked one. Joey is the first, then Vangie and then Sophia. Sophia was very upset-- but I told her that a lottery was the most fair way to do it and they will ALL get the same amount of turns.

Dear Baby Lucy,

As you begin making preparations for your arrival  into this world in the next few weeks I would like you to take some things into consideration. First of all- you will NOT be an only child- sorry if you were banking on this, but you already have 2 older sister and an older brother. Life here is crazy, busy and wonderful. And BECAUSE there are other children involved and our life is busy I cannot just lay around for a month waiting on you to come! So, please plan your arrival in accordance with out family schedule:

You are "due" on the 4th of September- please don't come before the 1st- that is when your Grandma Tuy gets here and I could really use her help. Plus I have a hair appointment that day. I would really like to get my hair and eyebrows done so I don't show up at the hospital looking all white trash.  If you MUST come before the 1st you absolutely cannot come between August 5-15th- that is when your Daddy will be 3,500 miles away in Chicago and we will be up a creek without a paddle if you come then.

I think if you arrived on the 2nd or 3rd that would be the best--  that will give us all of Labor Day weekend to recover and return home from the hospital. The following week is really no good. Your brother Joey has a Dr. apt on the 7th, your sister Vangie has one on the 9th. Joey starts his Flag football season on the 6th.  See, Lucy--- there is just  no open date that next week.

If you feel the need to stay in late, please stay in until AFTER the 10th of Septmeber- that is the day I am renting out the pool for your sisters Sophia and Vangies birthday pool party. Did you know it is UNREFUNDABLE unless I give a 15 day notice?? I cannot be delivering a baby that day, it just won't work.

Also, one other thing- please arrive during daylight hours.-I don't feel like having you in the middle of the night, that would throw my sleep schedule off and I really like my sleep.

Thanks a bunch, Your Mother

This morning is the start of a new school year!!! The kids have been excited all week to start school (we'll see how long THAT  lasts...)  Sophia had her clothes all laid out for this morning and was motivated  to get  ready when I woke her up at 6:30.   

  Joey wanted to walk to school by himself-  but I had to drop some paper towels off to his teacher so I made him walk with us and told him tomorrow he can walk by himself if he wants. I promised him he could ride his bike this year but he needs to wait a couple more months so I can be sure his arm is 110% healed before I will let him ride his bike.  I took Sophia to her class and she was excited for me to leave so she could begin her day! Such a difference from last year and her two weeks of CRYING and begging for me not to leave.  Then I stopped by the school office to pay for their lunches-- because I REFUSE and HATE making home lunches- maybe that makes me a bad mother, but I have to draw the line somewhere!

After we dropped the big kids off Vangie and I went for a long walk, came home and have been ENJOYING THE SILENCE! We are doing nothing today but watching TV, napping and recovering from our summer-- Although I LOVE having all my minions home with me and I treasure all the things we do together the beginning of the school year is a much needed break and rest for me. I am almost 36 wks pregnant  and am starting to feel a little more tired , having these few quiet hours to get things done and rest will be great! Even Vangie will benefit because during the summer she doesn't nap at all because she doesn't want to miss anything. She has already fallen asleep on the couch-- which will mean a less cranky Vangie later today.

On a funny note- yesterday Chris and I took the kids to Target to get some last minute school things. We stopped at Starbucks to get a drink.
                              Starbucks man: "When are you due?" 
                                               Me:     "Sept 4th"
                             Starbucks Man:   "Wow, you look like you're due, like tomorrow!"
                                                Me:   "Gee... thanks??"  

How is one supposed to respond to such a compliment???