The latest ponderings...

Since last you tuned in I (Kate) have pondered a great many things. First, my belly button due to 2 little boy's pregnancies is no longer eligible for a belly piercing. I've always wanted to be "cute" or "cool" and have a little belly ring but it wouldn't be either to pierce the dimple that resides where the ring should go. Aww well. My husband will be glad to know I've given up on the idea as he was never in favor of it. I haven't given up on wanting a tattoo someday...maybe on the small of my back. I just haven't taken the time to research a Celtic symbol that I both like the look of and meaning. Also there would be the researching the actual studio to have the procedure done. If you have a favorite Celtic symbol or tattoo studio...please share. :)

On to another pondering...I was Gluten free for 5 days to see if that would help Sam feel a little better. It didn't, so I grabbed my tasty wheat products again in a hurry. Now we are considering going dairy-free to see if he feels better. Just a little fussy around feedings and quite gassy. Since he doesn't get to choose his foods yet it only seems fair that I do my best to choose things that agree with him. He will have plenty of years to make his own good or bad food choices. It has also been suggested to me that I cut refined sugars out of my diet. Apparently wheat, dairy and sugar are the reason why Americans are so unhealthy. At least wheat and dairy products have some nutrition attached to them where sugar has none. However trying to give up any of these during the holiday season is quite tricky. You have to either resist all tastyness all together or cook/bake with really weird stuff.

Still more pondering...how to be warm in a Victorian in Wisconsin in the winter. We have wraped many windows in plastic which has helped a lot. There are still some places, mostly in the entry area where you can feel the cold air blowing in. I have heard that Charlotte, NC is a nice place to live (warm). Far enough away from huricanes and tourists (known as terroists in RI) and close enough to the mountains to enjoy those as well. Perhaps we will move towards that direction someday.
That's all of the ponderings that I can think of for now. I'd better post at least pictures on the boys blog to satisfy those who crave them.

Sam is Here!

So if you have not heard...Samuel Rodger Shepard arrived at 2:32 am on November 20th. He weighed 8lbs 6 ozs and was 20.25 in long. As of Nov 28th he was up to 9lbs and 22 in.
He reminds us a lot of Ben in looks. Black hair and dark eyes. He has his dad's skin color. He is a quieter baby compared to what we remember about Ben's early days...This may to due to a calmer, second time momma and a gentler birth. He seldom cries and has taken to nursing like a pro.
Anyhoo..here's a picture or two. Be sure to check out the Shepard Boys blog for more updates in the future! Also there are many more pictures on my Facebook!

Turned!

As of Tuesday, Baby Brother has turned into a good postion for birth, finally. Due to lack of space it isn't likely that he will be able to switch around again. He was hanging out a little left (left is better than right) at the appointment but now seems to be right in the center...which hopefully means he's about ready to be born.

Due date (recently adjusted) was Wednesday...and we wait. My parents will be here sometime today for 2 weeks so we are hoping he gets motivated. Benjamin tells my belly every morning "Come out baby brother!" Sometimes he adds "I want to play football." That should be interesting.

:)

Blessingway

On Saturday night some good friends came over and had a "Blessingway" for me. Basically its a time for an expectant mother to be honored by her friends as she waits for labor to begin. There are books and websites out there if your interested. Here's how this one went...

Good friends brought over their idea of comfort food. The lights in the house were dimmed and many candles were lit for a soft light. We all talked a lot about our birth experiences. They washed and massaged my feet, curled my hair, and presented me with a wreath of flowers to wear. Also beads were strung on a single cord to represent each of their children which will be a necklace to wear during labor. Each guest also made a bracelet for themselves to remember me in prayer in the coming weeks. Candles were also lit to remember our "May Baby."

It was a lovely time that I will always remember.

5 things

Five things your partner should never say (I borrowed this and also the earlier 5 things post)
• "Mooooo!"
• "Ouch — a paper cut. I wonder if this is what labor feels like."
• "Is that a watermelon under your shirt or are you just glad to see me?"
• "My father called again to ask about your cervix."
• "Is that your underwear or did a parachute land on your butt?"

Actual conversation between husband and and a pregnant wife on Halloween...
W: "I need candy."
H: "What kind?" (as he walks towards where the candy is)
W: "The bowl."

39 weeks today...im'a getting a little punchy. :)

Jury Duty?

So I got a notice in the mail that I'm in a pool for possible jury duty. Such timing! I can't wait to explain to them our postpartum plans! Somehow I think the on-demand nursing schedule is going to conflict with their jury schedule.
Pretty much the plan is for my to be in bed (or on the couch during the day) nursing baby brother for the first 2 weeks. That's it. Nurse, eat, sleep. After that pretty much just around the house and maybe short walks for the next 2 weeks. All in all it will be about a month before baby and I venture out. I hope the happy new momma feelings prevent cabin fever!

Well Halloween is over, I got my hair cut last night so I guess I'm ready to have a baby! I've heard tell that its going to get into the 20's early next week. Since I don't have a winter coat to cover the belly...Well maybe Morgan has something I can borrow.

Turning...turning

As of yesterday around noon, baby brother was head down and transverse. To be exact he was ROT which means Right side, head down, Transverse. Mostly this means he's in between where we want him but right now still in a less ideal position. If your really interested in what this all means go to www.spinningbabies.com and look for the link of the left "Belly Mapping."

We had pictures taken at Target of Benjamin today. So totally adorable. He did all the poses and I think the photographer really enjoyed him. Perhaps he needs to find an agent!

Since its Halloween, I'm determined NOT to have a baby today but after today would be just fine with me. Benjamin is will be dressed up at Dale Jr. tonight for a little trick-o-treating and then Awana at church. He's really excited to put his Jr. costume on. I was eyeballing a queen costume at Target...but they were all gone today. The Chewbacca costume just wasn't going to go with the belly...ahh well.

Turn baby! Turn

Baby brother is hanging out more posterior then I'd like. What does that mean? Means unless he turns (which I'm pretty sure he's done before and turned back) he'd be born "Sunny side up" or face up. What does that mean for labor? Could mean long back labor. So! We are praying that baby brother will turn...you are invited to join our prayers. :)

In other news, I'd like to petition the clothing designers out there for maternity clothing for those with long torsos. Its chilly here in WI and my lower belly is a little tired of being exposed. Brrrr! Morgan snickers at me pulling my pants up and shirt down to no avail...not to mention that huge elastic band is tight on my already squished bladder! Time to have your baby when up get up in the morning, sigh and say to yourself...do I really have to get dressed today?

3 weeks to go!

Pictures of Benjamin and I on Saturday. I bought this dress to have something fallish to wear to church for the next several weeks. Be sure to check out the "Shepard Boys" blog (linked on the right) for updates on Benjamin and his brother when he arrives!

Growing Belly

You know your late in pregnancy when someone at the grocery store walking by says "Whoa, she's gonna blow! Pop it out baby, pop it out!" Also I've noticed that people skip to asking me if it's a boy or girl...I guess the fact that I'm due soon is obvious. My friend tells me that this is the stage of pregnancy when women used to stay home in their house until after they had the baby. I'm thinking that's not a bad idea. :)
Some interesting pregnacy thoughts that I found amusing...Five things you never thought you'd say •
"Let me just finish this can of frosting." •
"Would you mind tying my shoes?" •
"Does my stomach look too small to you?" •
"Can you please massage my perineum again?" •
"Help, I can't get out of bed."

Maybe a belly picture tomorrow...maybe not.

Baby belly

Not the cutest picture of the baby belly but oh well,
it is what it is. I'll have to try for "better" pictures. hmmm..

Yellow Monster!

Oh no! It's the yellow Monster!

Nah its just Benjamin trying to get his shirt on. We've told him to put his head in his shirt before his arms...but he'll figure it out.

Elizabeth I

With the new movie coming out shortly and my fascination with royalty, queens in particular (even better if they are redheads) I find myself drawn to Elizabeth I movies. So far my source has been the library. I've watched one by Masterpiece theatre and another by HBO mini series. I'm giving consideration to refering to myself in the plural first person as all "princes" would have in those days. Although I'm sure that will make my head hurt from trying not to slip it up.

Potty Wars!

Its on! Benjamin was doing quite well with potty "learning" but the last several days have been...frustrating. Today he has only really gone in his clothing and I'm ready to throw the towel in. He now wants some pants to wear. (he's running around in a T-shirt and undies.) I've told him that when he can show me he will keep them clean, he can have some pants to wear.
It has been suggested that maybe he is being difficult because of Baby brother on the way. Who knows what goes on in that little head...Pretty much just God really knows what's going on in there and so far I'm not getting a whole lot of advise on the matter. All I've heard is "Kate, don't worry he'll be potty trained before he goes off to college." Not soon enough for me! :)