Something in the Air - Updated with a Video

As my due date draws closer, I've been trying to slowly get all of our ducks in a row to prepare for the arrival of Baby Brother. This has included everything from nesting and organizing to preparing Axel for the change that is about to happen. Luckily I have a handful of friends who have dealt with the same transition in just the past couple of months. Even down to the same age gap. This has been extremely enlightening for me and I am so grateful that I've been able to pick their brains and receive helpful foresight and advice.

One of the biggest and most important things I keep hearing is that Axel and Jordan will need to become Best Buds when the baby comes. Now don't get me wrong, Jordan is an AMAZING daddy. I mean, world class, top notch, wonderful! But, Axel and I have an extremely deep and close bond that I pretty much consider untouchable. Those of you who are mothers will know exactly what I am referring to. Parents are parents and I know Jordan loves our Ax Man as much as I do, but a mother has this odd almost psychic connection with her child/children that a father can't touch. I've been wondering how Jordan can pick up on these things and take the reins so that if my attention shifts to Baby Brother, Axel won't feel left out. To be honest, I was doubting Jordans (or anyone else's) ability to be Axels best friend. Because I AM his best friend.

But, as is always the case.. I've been (softly) slapped in the face with something truly beautiful, and a reminder how how powerful families are...especially the power of fathers. In the past week or two Jordan and Axel have had this bizarre natural pull towards each other that I really can't describe as well as I'd like, but it's different than anything I've seen with them before. It's really as if nature is sensing the impending change and is guiding them to each other. It is the sweetest thing ever. When Axel wakes up he always gets so excited to see me. He does a little dance and wraps his arms so tightly around my neck when I pick him up from his crib. He still does all of this but now he also puts two hands on my cheeks, and asks "Dada?" or "Daaa-eeee?" (daddy).. Wondering if Jordan is home. Which, sadly he's already at work when Ax wakes up.

There are so many other examples I could record but I think the point is pretty clear. I am so grateful for our Eternal family and for the strong connections we have in this home. I am so grateful for the balance that Jordan and I have when it comes to parenting and our preferences.

I know that having two little ones will be a challenge as our routines change and we all adjust to having a newborn around, but I also know that the blessing of having children, and the sweet spirits they are in our home is the most fulfilling thing in the world. I am so grateful for my amazing family and am so excited to see how the next few months unfold for us!

I had to add this video to the post. You can't really see what's going on (other than the clutter on our living room floor.. ), but you can hear it. Jordan is pretending to run into Axel's feet. When I try to play this game, you can hear crickets. When Jordan plays it with Axel, well.. you can hear the reaction. I love this belly laugh!

Our Trip to L&D

We had a pretty interesting day today. With tomorrow being my birthday, we had big plans for our Saturday; first we were going to take Axel to the Madison Children's Museum, then have lunch with my family, and then do whatever we wanted... But things changed a bit..

Around 7am, while Axel and I were waking up, snuggling and watching sesame street I felt what I thought was a Braxton Hicks. But instead of the usual feeling it was really strong and kind of hurt. I changed positions and a few minutes later another one came. My entire stomach would get tight and hard, and I had a strong, painful pressure in my pelvis. In 30 minutes I had had about 6 of them. I text Jordan and called my mom and both suggested I call the on call doctor. I didn't want to because I didn't want to be "THAT pregnant lady". But as the contractions continued, I finally called and the doctor said I should go in. Jordan was at work so I had to wait for him to get home and then we left.

Jordan and Ax dropped me off because Jordan had an Elders Quorum meeting and I didn't think I could REALLY be in labor. I figured if things got serious they could come back, but whats the point of them just sitting there?

Once I checked in they hooked me up to the monitors and lo and behold, I had real contractions coming! I was pretty much in disbelief. Everyone always assured me that I'll definitely KNOW when I get a REAL contraction, and since I was so unsure I was positive they would send me straight home and tell me to drink more water or something. After about a half hour the contractions were coming every 2 minutes! They checked my cervix and luckily I wasn't dilated. I was 50% effaced but the nurse didn't seem concerned about that. They did some blood work and took a urine sample and both came back great. They also checked to see if my water had broken and it hadnt, so aside from the on-going contractions, things looked good. Eventually they gave me a muscle relaxer to try to stop the contractions and it worked! After a few hours the contractions tapered off completely and I was sent home.

I am so thankful that our little boy decided to stay put for awhile! As anxious as we are to meet him, we'd really prefer to meet him when his lungs and other parts are better developed!

The belly picture was taken early this morning, just before the contractions started (I'll be 32 weeks tomorrow). The second picture is at the hospital with the monitors on.

Back, with a Project!

Lately I haven't really had the ambition to blog. There's been plenty going on, but I've been keeping a low profile in the blogging world I guess.

Today I had to post my exciting new project that I just did this morning! It probably won't be exciting to anyone except for me but I'm going to share anyway. So when Jordan and I were engaged and registering for wedding gifts, we found a gorgeous comforter/bedding set at Target called "the kissing pleat comforter". I think it was about $80 for a queen. We didn't end up getting it as a wedding gift so we bought it ourselves shortly after we were married. Sadly, it was made kind of crappy and started to fall apart right away. So, we took it back and found something else. Since then, we've seen a few other versions of the kissing pleat set at places like Nordstroms and Anthropologie for over $300! Every time we see it, we swoon and sigh knowing that $300 ain't happening for something as simple as bedding.

Recently I've been looking for new projects and googled the kissing pleats. It turns out a few others have made their own versions, so I decided I could too! I found some fabric at walmart for only $3/yard. Jordan loves anything paisley (me, eh...I'm fine with or without it) and I thought he'd really like the print. I used an old white sheet we had at home for the underside and created our own, customized kissing pleats duvet cover! The total cost? $18! I'm going to have to get a little more fabric if I want pillow cases to match... So let's say $25.. But still! Such a steal! Jordan hasn't seen it yet and I'm excited for his reaction!

***just and update. I also thought I'd throw in the new bedding I made Axel. The original bedding I received from my shower registry was expensive and sadly didn't even last very long (I'm noticing a pattern here..), so I made him a new crib sheet and skirt, and also a pillow case with a matching blanket..