3rd baby 36 weeks

Here I am at 36 weeks today. I'm tired. In the past two weeks I really have felt like the maternity train ran me over. My face is often flushed (as pictured), my right hand has been very achy, last week was my last week of continuous jogging.  I was averaging about 9:30 min. miles that last week, but my back and belly could feel the strain after just 1.75 miles, so I decided this was the week to switch to walking. I've walked twice this week with both boys in the stroller. It's easier, but takes longer. I was in regular clothes today on my walk and I couldn't help but jog a little bit a couple times. I averaged 15 min. miles.

I've been sleeping worse lately too. Nightmares. Hot. Hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. You know, normal end of pregnancy symptoms.

We've had two classes with my doula, and afterward Matt told me he felt a lot better for me. He's a lot more confidant than when I first started talking about a vba2c, and I think he finds a lot of comfort in the fact that I have a doula and he won't have to be the only support person for me! I actually have to agree, haha. He longs for the "good old days" where fathers waited in the waiting room. I'm getting excited and a little scared to have a 3rd little guy to look after. It's close!  I'm very confident about the vba2c being successful.

Comparison pictures of the last two pregnancies are found here.

Christmas morning and beyond

Since I'm obviously not getting these posts up as fast as I'd hoped, I figured I ought to just post what I have for the rest of Dec.So, sorry for the picture purge! I need to catch up before the baby comes.  Matt had 4 weeks off of work and it was really quite fun! He got tons of work done the first two weeks and tons of play in the last two.

Christmas Morning

Notice Walter has his yogurt covered raisins in his hand. 

He had most of his stocking goodies eaten before the day was over.

Walter loved the guitars Santa brought. Dean didn't care that much. 

Walt has been rocking out ever since. He is hilarious to watch. He's got all the moves.

Walter got Dean these "gigantic scissors". Dean's pretending to give himself a haircut.

I never thought I'd be the mom of a houseful of boys with guns! The got pop guns and nerf guns and wii guns this year! They were in heaven.

Grandma & Grandpa Brasfield sent these nerf guns and they were definitely a favorite amongst the presents.

These bath pictures weren't actually on Christmas, but they feature one of the presents they got. Well, Dean got a shaving kit and Walt got a fishing set for the bath. Dean actually was more excited for the fishing, and Walter has loved the shaving kit. Guess we got that one wrong!

Christmas Dinner:

Ribeye Roast

Yorkshire pudding

 

Broccoli, gravy, and martinelli's. It was all delicious. We'll keep this tradition.

 

The rest of December:

My friend Destinee came to town. She was my roommate when I taught English in China 10 years ago. It was so fun to see her. She's 6 weeks pregnant with twins in this (can't tell) as a surrogate for friends. Awesome!

 

Walter and I were playing "construction site" with beans and trucks.  Dean took the pics.

Bowling

We wanted to take the boys bowling to break up the mario kart and other such after Christmas activities.  I was worse than horrible, but it was fun. Dean bowled half the time without the ramp and half the time with. He got a better score than me!

Walter is celebrating after his turn. They were great celebrators, even if they didn't get all or most of the pins down!

Matt whooped us all. This was taken by Walter I believe.

Christmas Eve 2011

While I didn't take any pictures of our meal, we ate a Mediterranean themed dinner comprised of Israeli Couscous with grilled vegetables, marinated grilled Chicken satays, and martinelli's sparkling juice. I think we'll make that a tradition. At least the theme. The food can vary.

After dinner we gave the boys baths and then had our Christmas Pageant.  Matt read Luke 2 and some out of Matthew as I tried my best to help them act it out.  It's hard when we have limited actors and we have multiple roles to fill! 

Mary, large with child. =)

Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus

 A shepherd watching his flock by night.

 

 The boys and I made some crowns after nap for our wisemen.

I'm not sure why, but this is the only picture I have of Dean and Matt. Good thing we have it all on video.

After the pageant we watched some of the nativity videos on the LDS.org site and the boys seemed to absorb a little more of the story.  We let them open their new PJs. Got it on video. Forgot pics.