Prettyin' Up the Porch

Gram came over today to spend the day with the kids & I while John got a bunch of appoitnments done for work (seriously, he drove from here to Rosamond to California City to Glendale back to Canyon Country and then home).

We dropped Jacob off at Lunch Bunch and then the girls headed to the nursery to pick out some flowers for our porch and Gram's front yard. Georgie was a big help.

Once we got home we all had lunch, Gram got Georgie down for a nap, and then she, Jake & I got to planting our flowers. Jacob liked helping arrange the flowers in the pot. He did not like having dirt on his hands. (What's with my kids, neither one of them can stand having dirty hands... it's weird. I encourage them to play & have fun & get dirty -- I don't care -- but they cannot handle dirty hands.)

Now our porch is all pretty...

False Alarm

7 hours of contractions 3 - 7 minutes apart (gaining in intensity), took a warm bath & went to bed to get a little sleep. Dreamt of contractions, my lower back was killing me. Woke up at 2am ... everything had stopped. Went back to sleep, started feeling some in my lower back again. Woke up at 5am... nothing. Never had a false alarm before. It's a little (lot) disappointing. Really thought she was coming last night. Plan to do some walking today...

what happened with Renee today...

*** WARNING: This might be too much information for you. Read at your own risk. ***

I ended up having Renee check me at my appointment today. I was a 3 and 'very stretchy' but still very thick. My cervix has already tilted forward (versus being tucked back up) so the baby has a straight shot. She did a little 'cervical stimulation' to ease my fears of a really, really late baby.

We also talked about a problem I've been having with some other things. I expressed my fear of having my 'flood gates' open once this baby finally comes out. Renee suggested I take a very, very small dose of Castor oil to help with that. Not enough to induce labor or mess up my bowels, just enough to get things moving so there isn't an issue as I'm pushing. I expressed my fears of Castor oil (I've heard many, many, many horror stories) but she reassured me that in a small dose it doesn't have the small response.

Once John & I left we talked in the car about my concerns, where my body is, and how aggressive we wanted to be (or not be). We decided to stop at CVS and pick up some Castor oil. We came home and I mixed one ounce with some pineapple juice.

And it didn't take long for the contractions to start.
Whether they came on because of the cervical stimulation or Castor oil or by themselves I have no idea. But they have not stopped...

Due Date

Although I expected to arrive at this date without a newborn in my arms, I was still a little hopeful that she'd come early. I just thought *maybe*, but here we are... on her due date and it's not looking hopeful.

Yesterday I had some pretty good contractions throughout the day. One even made me so hot I seriously wanted to strip, but that was the only one that I had to stop for.

Today I haven't had any.
I see Renee in a couple of hours, not really sure what I want her to do.

I am tired of being pregnant, but...

Haven't had much time to mentally prepare for this new one. With Jake I had all the time in the world. With Georgie I had a little less. With this one I've just been to so busy (but uncomfortable). Everything we need is ready... but am I? I just don't know. I get a bit overwhelmed at times. I am excited to meet her & have her join our family, but am I ready for all that entails? I just don't know. Maybe it's my apprehension that keeps her safe and comfy inside. I feel like I have some soul searching to do... and I need to jump on it. She's only getting bigger & bigger in there.

Thankfully the anxiety I was feeling earlier in the week has left. I don't feel desperate anymore. Just unprepared.

But, really, what can I do to prepare for the arrival of another sweet baby that I haven't already done?

It would've been fun for her to arrive today. All of her girl Meldrum cousins are born on the 29th of their birth months: Abi- July 29th, Hadley- September 29th, and Georgie- March 29th... but it's not looking like this one will join the 29th group, she's an individual and will have her own day.

And I'm ok with that.

Jacob has been really anxious lately. He is constantly asking when the baby is coming. I feel bad that I don't have an answer for him and can tell he's excited, but anxious as well. He's such a great big brother and will be so helpful once she does arrive.

I just hope the transition goes well for all of us: in labor, in birth, in adjusting to three kids, in the kids adjusting to a newborn and their alignment in our family.

The Stairs

When I visited with Renee on Thursday she mentioned that this baby girl is still pretty high up. (Georgie stayed high until the moment she fell, broke my water, and I was ready to push.) So I asked Renee if there was anything I could do to encourage this baby to drop, put pressure on my cervix, and get some things started. She mentioned some stairs (180 of them) at the end of Pico Canyon. So today, while the boys were in pre-school, Heather & I, along with Georgie & Andrew, headed over there.

They were a bit overwhelming at first.
But I made two trips to the top.

And I just might go again.
We'll just have to wait & see what happens.

{see me... that little turquoise spot all the way up at the top... yep, did that twice}

Saturday

Got a lot accomplished today.

• New tires on my car
• Recycling (Jake's finally tall enough to help instead of slow down the process)
• Costco
• Early dinner with Gram at Betito's
• Park (with the big slide)
  
• Ralph's
  
• Kids to bed early

It's been a great day!

Our Day

While Jacob was at Lunch Bunch this morning Georgie & I decided to bring in the final baby gear. First we had to dig through stacks in the garage to get the cradle, then find all the bedding, put the bedding in the washing machine, find the newborn bathtub, and finally deep clean the cradle and bathtub.

Georgie was very excited to have a small bed for her baby (although I'm pretty sure she was thinking her baby dolls and not the baby). She was such a good little helper, which I am grateful for because she was not at all happy when she didn't get to stay with Jake at Lunch Bunch.

She helped wipe down the bed and bathtub and then even carried them inside with me. When it was time to switch the bedding from washer to dryer she was right there by my side, still wanting to help. I'm hoping little things like this will help the transition for her go much more smoothly.

On our way to pick up Jacob she fell asleep in the car, all that work must've worn her out. I was glad though... because Jacob was able to help me prepare the bed with the freshly cleaned bedding and he was very excited about it.

A little while later, once Georgie woke up, we all headed outside to get the mail. Both kids were ecstatic when they realized what was inside the little box in our mailbox... their caterpillars!! Now we'll be spending the next month (ish) watching them transform from caterpillars to chrysalides to butterflies.

Tonight after dinner we made brownies. They were pretty excited about that too. Can you tell?

39.

Today marks 39 weeks.

She's moving & a-groovin' in there, but not really putting any pressure on places that make things happen. I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks, but I've had those almost my entire pregnancy. I keep thinking ... maybe ... but then I remember that when the real contractions start they feel completely different than these. I need to just relax and not worry about going late again. Because, most likely, that's what will happen.

Going 12 days late with Georgia was really, really, really hard -- emotionally and facing that again feels like too much this time. But, if it's what I have to do I can get through it... I've done it before.

My appointment with Renee went really well today. The kids & I headed over to her brand new birth center to check it out and it's beautiful. What an asset to our community to have a birth center so woman have another option for birth. Anyway... both baby girl & I check out perfectly. Renee and I decided that next week she'll check things out and, if I want her to, she'll start 'stirring things up'.

And as of right now... if I am still pregnant next week I will want her to.

With Georgie we waited until I was 41 weeks to get 'aggressive' but this time I might want to start earlier... but I might feel differently when it comes down to it. I really don't want to be aggressive with my labor or delivery, that's a huge part of why I chose a midwife to begin with. So... I just need to focus on what I can do to help encourage this baby to start moving further down and preparing for birth.

It's time to walk, walk, and walk some more. I'll also be doing some stairs to encourage her to drop. My body is preparing for childbirth, I just need to get this baby in position to make things happen.

And... I need to be positive. I need to not let others comments on how big I am or 'when is that baby coming?' or 'is it past your due date' or 'I'm surprised you're here' bother me. It's hard to be positive at this point... especially when I think that I REALLY could go another 3 weeks. I did with Georgia. But I need to be. A positive attitude - and relaxing - will do a world of good for my spirit.

{So, although I am still a week away from my due date,
please know that if I don't answer the phone or return your call
or seem a little irritated with your questions,
know that it really isn't you.
I just need to focus on me and being in the right frame of mind.
I know your questions come from love,
but they just make me anxious
and I already feel enough of that on my own.
Because, believe me,
I WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THOSE SAME QUESTIONS...
and I got nothing.
For you or me.
She'll come when she's ready.
No matter what I want...}

Life Changing Decisions

20 years ago today I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years. It's seems like it was just a few, short years ago... but here I am 20 years later.

I was 14, almost 15, at the time. Several of my friends were members of the church and had invited me to youth dances many times. They were fun. A couple of friends in my classes at school were taking the missionary discussions so we talked about that sometimes during class. One of them was bold enough to send the missionaries to our house.

When the Elders arrived the first time they brought along a ward missionary. They were aware that my mom was a member of the church. Unfortunately she wasn't home and Ben & I were too young to invite them in without her. But they were persistent and came back another day when she was home.

Having them in our home felt right. Everything they taught us felt like a 'review' not something new. When they invited us to be baptized we happily accepted.

Here we are 20 years later.
Both of us are active members of the church.
Both of us have been sealed in the temple.
Both of our children have been born in the covenant.
How blessed we are for that one life changing decision.
Because it really did change our lives.

LA Arboretum

Today was rainy and cloudy and cold but it didn't stop us from our planned trip to the LA Arboretum... we just packed hats, an umbrella, and rain coats for the kids and headed out the door anyway.

And I am so glad we did!
The gardens were beautiful.
Letting the kids run free was wonderful.
And the walking was good for me.
The company was perfect too.
We saw peacocks while waiting for Meme, Norah & Tommy to arrive

Norah & Tommy's welcome party!

We walked in the forest for a few minutes

and followed the ABC path into the maze (where they could've stayed all day long!)



And then we headed to the Willow Tree. While we were there it started to sprinkle so we (the mommy's) pushed the strollers under a big tree to wait it out. And the rain just came harder and harder.

Kyle, Jacob, Andrew, Georgia, Thomas, & Norah

Heather, Andrew & Kyle ........................ Melanie, Tommy & Norah

Eventually it just started pouring. So we decided to just eat there under the trees. The kids were soaking wet, we all were, but no one seemed to care.


We had such a great day! I am so glad we went... even if I was completely exhausted by just getting our things ready to get out the door. It was such a nice, cool day. The gardens were beautiful and I can't wait to go back and explore some more. Since it was raining so hard (& I'm a week from my due date) we didn't get to see as much of the Arboretum as any of us would have liked. Soon enough... we'll go see the rest of it!!

photos courtesy of heather keil

Sunday with Papa & Grandma

We had a really nice, albeit quick, visit with Papa & Grandma this weekend. Today they came over before church to spend some time, came to church with us, and then came back afterwards to play some more & have dinner.

The kids loved having them here.

Jacob loved that both Grandma & Papa played "Toy Story" on the Wii with him

while Georgie watched.

And both Jake & Georgia loved, loved, loved having their own special story time on the couch.

Tomorrow morning Papa & Grandma will be up & on the road early to head back home.
The only thing that could've made it a more perfect visit is if this baby girl had arrived. Soon enough.

Quick Visit with Papa & Grandma

Papa & Grandma arrived for a quick visit this afternoon. As soon as they got in town we met them over at their hotel and then headed to In-N-Out for lunch. After lunch we came back to our house to visit & enjoy one another's company. We also decided today was as good a day as any to get the pool blown up & cleaned out. The kids had fun playing in the freezing cold water while the rest of us did our best to avoid the hose.

Once the kids were sufficiently frozen and begging to get out of the pool we headed back into the house to visit some more. Later this evneing we all decided we needed something a little more 'healthy' to eat then the pizza Jake suggested so we headed to Souplantation for salad for the adults & mac-n-cheese for the kids (cause let's be honest, that's all my kids eat there anyway... well that, the "pizza" and ice cream!)

It was a great afternoon & evening.

I'm glad the pool's blown up... just in case.
(but nothing's going on yet... just so you know.)

Birthday Celebrations

While Jake was celebrating Flynn's 4th birthday at Lunch Bunch Georgie & I celebrated a few friends birthdays with brunch.

It was such a nice morning.
I love the women in our ward.
They really are amazing.







Vicki, Shauna, Sharon, & Jen
{Shauna & Jen are two of the birthday girls}









Kim, Rochelle, Kerrie, Megan {our host}, & me







Mandy {another birthday girl}
Mindy, Liz, Lori, & Carrie

A Little Love...

This afternoon we gathered with a few dear friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of this sweet baby girl. I am so grateful for the women in my life, for their influence, kindness, love, & friendship. They truly are amazing.

I felt a little awkward having another baby shower, especially since it's another girl, but I am a firm believer that every child is a special gift and they deserve some special recognition.

While the mommy's visited and talked 'baby', the kids ran all around the park playing and having a great time themselves.

Heather, Heather, & Meme brought the yummiest treats.

~Dear Friends~
Meme (& Tommy), Mandy, Eden, Heather (& Miley), me, Gram (& Georgie), Lisa, Mema, Jessica, Heather (& Andrew) {we're just missing Trish, but she had to leave early}


It was a really nice afternoon. Thanks so much to Heather for thinking of me and putting the party together. I sure love her!!


38 weeks & counting...
come on baby girl, we're ready for you!!

I forgot to tell you...

I got my blog book!!
It arrived the weekend John & I were in Newport.

And we love it!!

{you can look at the entire book right here, but i should warn you... it's about 250 pages}

In The Wake of Jake... & Georgia, 2008 by Kelsi Jean Doolittle Meldrum | BOOK INFO

Georgie Girl

As we were getting ready for church this morning I noticed Georgie Girl was awfully quiet sitting on the couch all by herself. It isn't often the girl is quiet... and she looked so sweet & cute sitting there... so I stopped and watched her for a little while.

She was taking such good care of her little baby.

It brought a ton of emotions to the surface.

My sweet Georgie Girl is going to be a big sister soon.
My sweet Georgie Girl is going to lose her place as baby... and the only girl.
My sweet Georgie Girl is going to have a real baby in the house... that she'll be more than helpful with.
My sweet Georgie Girl is going to have a sister. She will get to experience a relationship I never have. They will be sisters... and share things the way sisters should.
My sweet Georgie Girl's world is going to be rocked.
My sweet Georgie Girl.
Oh how I love her.

I hope she always knows that.

Beautiful Beach Day

For the past few days the weather here has been amazing. We've had above normal highs and its actually been quite hot. Thank goodness for the Santa Ana's though, otherwise we'd be miserably hot... and it's only April!

Today we all gathered at the beach.
It was wonderful.
I can never get enough of the beach.
Ever.
Eva. Eva.

{georgie, jake, tommy,
georgie & andrew building a castle, georgie & norah flying a kite,
jake & kyle checking out the waves, jacob}

We were also joined today by Eden & her kids, as well as her parents visiting from Utah. A few hours into our day the Gainor family from our ward came along too. Complete coincidence. Sounds like lots of our friends hit the beach today... all over Southern California. Such a beautiful beach day!

*good, clear, beautiful pictures taken by heather keil.