Duluth Fall Festival & Full Term

Friday followed suit with our normal routine- the doctor's visit.  I've had no change since last week other than my blood pressure.  My midwife (MW) has been concerned the past few weeks about how swollen I am and my BP keeps going up.  So they did some lab work and I've been told to keep an eye out for any other symptoms (of hypertension/preeclampsia).  I guess we'll find out result of lab work on Thursday.  

We toured Roswell Pediatrics (the Cumming office) on Tuesday and can finally say, we have a pediatrician!  Their facility was great!  It's a bit of a drive (time wise, not mileage) but I think it will be well worth it.  I'm happy they come visit you (well baby) in the hospital as well.  They also are one of the few doctors around us that has privileges at Northside.  So yay for crossing that last item off the list!  Guess you could say we are "ready" for her now.

Before I get on to the events of this past weekend, I have to again thank my mother for the huge weight she's lifted off my shoulder.  I've been so stressed about the organization and the cleanliness of our house and my mom (without hesitation) volunteered to come over and clean our house for us.  Now, this was a huge task, our house hasn't had a "deep clean" since we've moved in.  Now that it's clean, I feel so much calmer/relaxed when I get home.  I love it!

Now on to the Duluth tradition- the Duluth Fall Festival!

Main Street 

This past weekend was the perfect weekend for it (well too hot if you ask me).  Saturday started off eventful to say the least but we rushed to the Festival just in time to see the parade.  My dad (Mr. Councilman) and Madison were both in it.  Once the parade was over, we took a break and sat in Taylor Park then did a little bit of shopping.  I was so swollen and tired, that our "shopping" really became a job.  I've seen they estimated about 80,000-100,000 people were in attendance too, this did not make me any more comfortable.  We stayed Saturday long enough to see Madison do her cheer competition performance then headed home.  We had a little bit of down time before the doula came over for a meeting.  Sunday, we woke up bright and early (not my choice I must add) and headed to help my family out with the Road Race.  My sister in law, mom and step dad all participated.  Then I headed over to work at the concession stand for a few hours.  Upon my shift ending, we ate then headed out to complete our "shopping".  It was so hot and uncomfortable I really had no desire to shop.  I had one item I was looking for and found it then we called it a day.  (The items that we got you'll see later)

The Duluth Fall Festival always brings a sense of excitement to me.  It's the perfect opener for Fall and our family just all pulls together and volunteers and enjoys the festival together.  It's one of my favorite weekends of the year....this year just not so much.

~ADK

Last week of Summer

As summer comes to an end here, our little Fall package is approaching!  This past week was full of adventures.  I am now at 36 weeks and to the point where I go see the doctor every week.  Nothing much too new except that in the easiest terms possible (without telling TMI), the labor initiation stages have begun.  My body is preparing properly for birth already.  She is head down and "locked and ready".  I did have an exam and was only at 1 cm and 50% effaced.  Still got 4 more weeks to go so I am completely happy with that.  My personal goal is two more weeks then I will be fully ready for her to be here (I'd love it comfort wise if she came now- but know it is too early).

In other news, progress on the nursery is still be made (slowly).  I did get a chance to do yet another run to Babies R Us and I think I have everything we'll need for at least the first 3 months (cross your fingers).  We got good news on Adam's family side- his sister has a job assignment for a month in Nashville and will be available to see her niece!!!  We are so excited that she gets to make it down to see her.  As an Aunt myself, there is nothing like that first meeting.

In craft news, I was inspired by pinterest and decided to paint this for Adam's sister...

This past Saturday I attended my last GT game as a non-mom!  It was so great to see everybody.  It was incredibly hot!!!!  We left the game a little early but didn't miss too much since GT won 66-24!

Sunday was another Atlanta sports outing- Adam and I attended Madison's competition cheerleading performance at Turner Field for the Braves vs Mets game.  She was so excited and loved the experience.  She did a fabulous job as well!  It was also Hayden's first Braves game.  Again, we left a early (top of the 5th innning).  Unfortunately, this was not the same outcome as the GT game, the Braves ended up losing this game.

Unrelated- this past week one of my best friend's got engaged!  Have to do a shot out to her (Miss Ashley Green) and say big CONGRATULATIONS!  I am so excited and so happy for her.  I know she has found "the one" and can't wait to start planning and helping her with her wedding!  (Now hopefully she'll pick a date far enough out for me to lose this baby weight!)

My dad had his check up appointment for the tumor and everything is good!  His levels are down by 90%!!!  He'll have an MRI towards the end of October (to check the size) and get the results back in November.  So continue to keep him in your prayers!!!

This week is another jam packed one but so excited for this weekend cause it's the Duluth Fall Festival (time to stock up on cute craft ideas for Kinsley)!

~ADK

VT= VA Tech not Vermont

This past weekend Adam and I took a long weekend to journey up to VA for Adam's friend, Scotty's wedding.  Scotty was a groomsmen in our wedding and had asked Adam the same honor in his wedding.  We were so excited to go and see both him and Michelle tie the knot.  We were happily awaiting reuniting with some of the "Northern folks" as well.  Jesse, Adam's best man, was also Scotty's best man.  Anytime Adam, Jesse, and Scotty get together- memories are made!  We headed out Thursday after work (after dropping Benny off too).  The ride up continued into 2 am but really wasn't bad.  My sweet husband let me sleep (didn't even turn on the radio for fear of me not getting enough sleep) and woke me up every rest stop so I could stretch.  Upon making it to the hotel, we learned that Scotty was there (he was going to be rooming with Jesse) so we met up with him.  After a little wrong-room-assignment drama- we reached our room at 3am.  Jesse was pulling in the parking lot at the time so Adam headed back out to hang out till just about 5am Friday morning.  Then we had to wake up at 8am to get "rehearsal" day started.  While the boys went out to get fitted, I helped Michelle and the Bouvia family set up the chapel.  It was so much fun to get back into that "wedding mode".  Upon returning to the hotel, I took a nap then was awoken by my husband returning.  We changed then headed out to the gun range with the boys (the other two groomsmen and one's wife had arrived as well).  Here's a few shots of the boys:

Friday ended with what became a nightly tradition- FARKLE!!!  If you have not heard of this game, you need to look it up.  Think Yahtzee + gambling....highly addictive and very fun.  Jesse has many pictures from these celebrations/games all of which I think need to stay private LOL.  Needless to say, our night went well on into the morning.  (I had stepped out for an hour or so to go help do flowers as well- the boys didn't hold back while I was gone.)  O and Jesse, in true Jesse fashion, wanted pizza at 2 am and lucky DD here got to drive to a gas station so the boys could eat :) .  They loved the prego!!  Saturday was the wedding day and once again started early.  The boys took pictures at the VT campus (BEAUTIFUL) and even in the "man-van" (my van had been converted and renamed).  Then we were off to the wedding.  I can't say enough just how beautiful the wedding was.  Here's some shots.  It was definitely a good time and we made new friends (at least I did).  Adam and I wish Scott and Michelle the very best.

~ADK

Things My Belly Is Good For

So with being pregnant comes that ever growing belly.  Sometimes its not always a bad thing.  Here's my list:

1. Crumb catcher
2. An excuse to lie back and put my feet up
3. Place to rest my phone/iPad
4. Pillow for husband
5. Pillow for puggle
6. Corner bumper
7. Giving that "get out of my way" signal to others
8. Grabbing anyone and everyone's attention
9. Excuse to get a seat anywhere and everywhere
10. And last- to hold my ice cream bowl.

While the inconvenience list would be longer, figured I'd stay positive.

~ADK

Car Rides

Another doctor's appointment has came and gone.  Quite frankly, they are all useless to try to keep everyone updated on now- it's pretty much same routine- Yep, she's in there, still has a heartbeat, yep you're getting bigger.  So again, no exciting news to update y'all on- sorry!  I have one more 2 week out appointment, then I start going every week!  It really is getting close now (THANK GOD)!

Well with last week, the long weekend, brought our last trip down as a 3 unit family to camp.  While the car ride was the worst idea to date- we did make it.  It was nice to get away from all the hustle.  I only could enjoy the outdoors in the AM and late PM but I used that time to tire my little Benny out.  Speaking of Benny, he received a little boo-boo this weekend.  We're still not sure how it happened but he tore his thumb nail all the way upward (split it).  Poor little guy...update:  the split part did fall off Monday.  So now he has just a really short nail (down to the pink part).  Adam enjoyed the getaway- he loves getting out there on the tractor and working on the farm.  I'm sure my dad loves it too!  We headed back to our house Sunday morning and again, worst car ride ever!!!  Upon return, we both got to it and did lots of things around the house.  Come Monday we had the mindset "No Labor on Labor Day".  And that's just what we did (although I know of a bunch of stuff we should've been doing).

More on this car ride thing- for those that don't know...we're headed to VA this weekend (Thurs night - Sunday).  Adam is in a wedding for a good friend of ours.  While I don't have to go, I'd rather be with him and something happen then him be ~6 hours away and something happen.  So we are making the trip together.  Now after my unruly uncomfortableness (made that up) this past weekend on just a two hour ride- I'm really really dreading this ride.  By the time we'll hit the road it'll be probably ~8pm so maybe I'll be so tired I'll sleep and won't notice it but doubt that!  I was dead tired on Sunday and could not sleep cause of the pain (hips).  Not to mention my doc suggest me getting up and moving around at least every two hours.  So right away, we're at 3 stops right there.  I feel for my husband though, having to put up with me.  I think I'll be one happy camper once we finally reach VA!

Till next time...

~ADK

Changes

Had another doctor's appointment on the 19th, and everything is growing/going great.  My midwife felt around and said that she thinks she is now head down!  So :) for that!  (Although she is still moving a lot and has room to flip- but good news so far.)  I'm definitely getting to that "I'm over it" stage.  I can't get comfortable, can't sleep, can't breath, getting kicked in the ribs/bladder/etc, can't reach my toes, can't get up by myself sometimes...on and on.  It's a two-fold experience- it's truly amazing and I'm thankful I can get pregnant and am having a healthy pregnancy but man, it is rough.  I don't want to complain too much, cause someone else probably has it worse or could be one of those women who would give anything to even be pregnant.  I'm just counting down the days till I can hold our girl in my arms (and not in my belly).

We had our tour of Emory John's Creek Saturday following the appointment.  While it was a familiar place to me, it just did not compare to Northside.  We had a fairly large tour group which made asking questions kind of impossible.  Upon entering the delivery room (where I was a patient before)- Adam and I realized just how nice Northside was.  I'm happy that we get to choose a place, given that- Northside it was.  It really was an easy decision for us.  The room at Northside was twice the size and my favorite feature is that jacuzzi (Emory just had a shower).  The fact that it is about half the distance from our house helps too.  So another decision crossed off the list!  Now just to figure out pediatricians!

We had one "ped interview" Friday.  I'm one of those people that is skeptical on group practices because to me (and I've been a patient of one of those) you just become a number and the doctor's can never get to know you and you're symptoms personally.  Every visit seems to be one where you have to repeat your life's medical history to them cause they don't know who you are.  That being said, we toured a group practice.  And may be this is just new to me, but I was immediately taken back that we couldn't even meet with a doctor.  We talked with a front desk attendant only.  To me that is just crazy!!!  They are trying to "sell" their practice to me yet I can't even talk to one of their doctors?  Needless to say, we went, toured, and asked questions.  I have a list of pluses and minuses.  Finding a doctor really is going to be the hardest decision though.  Location and hospital privileges seems to be the gotcha for us.  If they're close to home, they typically don't have privileges at the hospital of our choice...vice versa.

Not that Kinsley needed more clothes (okay yes she does- for winter) but my mom and I went to this consignment store on Saturday.  They were having a "bag stuffer sale"- they have you a bag (like a Kroger bag) and as much stuff as you could stuff in there (from given rack) was yours for $15!  Mom and I went and grabbed breakfast and got there about 30 minutes prior to opening.  We were the second "group" in line.  We got the scoop from the people in front of us and made friends with them.  That lady had a 7 week old boy so once those doors opened, her and I were a team- she was handing me cute girl stuff, I was handing her boy stuff.  It turned out great.  The easiest thing we found was to grab a laundry basket and just yank away (believe me it was crazy in there).  We found a corner and started taking stuff off hangers and stuffing away.  Mom walked out with a bag (half Kinsley/half Hayden) and I had a bag.  So all and all $32 worth.  Once I got home, I started the wash and saw that it came out to be about 3/4 of a laundry basket full!

As September nears, changes are definitely happening.  There's a lot of woodworking and organization projects on Adam's end.  (I'll be sure to post the finished projects.)  My dad has started his medication and treatment is "underway".  My brother is having some tough decisions as well (can't announce quite yet).  He also has scheduled his knee surgery.  My cousin got a new car (proud of him).  My mom is now a beach condo owner (yay vacations).

Fall is around the corner- with that brings football, family, fall festival, soups, and a baby!

~ADK