40 Weeks and a few pictures of my cuties.

On my due date.

Probably the grouchiest pregnant woman I know. I'm working on it.

And because I can't just leave you with a picture of preggo the grouch, here are a couple of pics of my sweeties.

Moses likes to help Sarah walk. "Sarah! Hold my hand, Sarah!!"

Family Fun.

This morning we went to Berg Park. It's a great place. We fed the ducks, went for a nice walk (come on labor!), and then the kids played in the water.

Ready to go!

Sissy and Papa, looking at the ducks.

Moses really loves feeding the ducks.

Sweet little blue eyed girl.

Lawsie.

The kids favorite part! The water area!

Busted. This is definitely not allowed. Eww.

This was Sarah's first time at the water area since she figured out walking.

She had a blast!

Friends.

More and more often I find these two off playing by themselves. Reading books, playing cars, rolling balls back and forth. It is so much fun to watch their friendship develop, and to see how sweet and thoughtful Moses is to his sassy little sister. She really lucked out in the big brother department. He didn't do too shabby, either.

When Sarah wakes up.

This little sweetie is just happy to be alive. She just chit chats with her toys until I come to get her.

"Hey Mama!"

"Hmm. What toy should I talk to next?"

"I think dolly needs this blanket.."

"Or this one..."

"No, this one is for Mama."

Such a precious little thing.

Preparing for Baby: Breastfeeding Addition

Breastfeeding and I have had our differences. Oh man. It was the hardest thing I had ever done next to birthing my son. Oh the pain, the agony, the moral conflict! I'm not kidding, either! When Sarah came along I had a few tricks up my sleeve to make those first few weeks easier, and now that we are waiting on #3 to make his or her arrival I feel pretty confident. Not that I don't think anything will go wrong or that there will be no bumps in the road, but I just know what to do this go around. Here are a few things I like to have on hand:

My boppy. Oh man, I love this thing. Not just for feedings, either!

If there are any Duggar's fans out there you may have seen Michelle using one of these to feed her babies. She just straps this thing on and walks around feeding the baby. Pretty amazing. They run about $35, but I scored one at Goodwill for $2.99. I'm excited to try it out.

Oh Soothies, how I love thee. They are so wonderful for those early days when you're so sore. AND, if you keep a glass of ice water nearby you can just stick these to the outside of your glass while you feed and when you put them back on it is sweet relief!

My wonderful lactation consultant gave me some of these. If you have any cracking or bleeding you can use these Medela Hydro Gel's. Kinda like Soothies, but these actually help you heal. Same kinda thing they use on burn victims, believe it or not.

Ah, my pump. This isn't a necessity, but I sure love mine! I have the Medela Pump in Style.

Dr. Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment

Homies. If you have never heard of this stuff, listen up! This is my ace in the hole. I'm not kidding. I asked for the RX from my midwife before the baby was even born this time so I could have it in my bag at the hospital. It treats inflammation, yeast, and bacteria. If you are dealing with yeast, they can even up the amount of Miconazole in it to 3 or 4%. You can read all about it HERE.

Be prepared for your doctor or midwife to have never heard of this stuff, and I have even had to tell the pharmacy how to make it. Honestly, I can not recommend this stuff enough for those first two weeks! Also, your insurance may not cover it. Last time I had to dish out $35 for the stuff and it was worth every single penny and more!

Some other things I like to have on hand are nursing pads, a ton of different nursing tank tops and of course the number to a fabulous lactation consultant! If you life in my area and need an awesome LC (that is FREE no less!) just ask!

Happy Monday!

38 weeks

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Read 'em and weep.

37 weeks 5 days

1 cm dilated

-3 station

2-3 more weeks to go.

In some ways three weeks is so close.. in others.. not so much. I will do my best to be patient. This child will be born at just the right time. Until then I think I will plan a haircut, pedicure, and lots of fun things with my babies.

Your Daily Hayes.

My silly family...

And of course daddy is always ready to get in on the fun!

37 weeks. And oh my word.

Here I am at 37 weeks and a couple of days. After I saw this picture I did something no pregnant woman should ever do. I got the measuring tape out. Forty five and a half inches around. That is three and three quarters feet. Around. Join me in a moment of silence. I would like to say that I am happy and glowy. Um, I'm not. I'm exhausted. I'm in pain. I pee constantly. The Braxton Hicks contractions have pulled out all the stops this go around and they are not just a "slight tightening". They hurt. Honestly, with the first two pregnancies I thought pregnant woman were kinda wimpy. It really wasn't that bad. This time, oh this time, I understand. Also, as I sat down to write this post I found the post from when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Sarah. You can read it HERE if you would like. This was what blew me away, though.

37 weeks with #3:

37 weeks with #2:

(I think my exact words when I saw this picture after seeing the above were, "Lord help us all.")

I did see the midwife last week and, thankfully, I am at 1cm. Not a whole lot else to report, but I can say I would like to go into labor next Tuesday right after my cleaning lady leaves. But I'd be cool with today, too.

And some happy gardening news, the gladiolus are finally blooming!!

Ah, sugar snap peas. How I love you.

And just for kicks, here is Moses just about two weeks before Sarah was born!

Now I realize how little he was.. how truly close together these three babies will be!

And because there is just something about a picture of my babies sleeping...

Try, try again!

Our sweet Sarah took her first steps today! Here is a video of her practicing her other new skill, standing up from sitting. She is trying so hard!!

Life lessons.

For Stacey and Hope....

For those that don't speak "Moses" he says, "Never. Touch. Poopoo's."

Obviously.

Postpartum meal planning.

It is that time again.. time to stock up the freezer and pantry in preparation for the arrival of another little Hayes. Here is the basic list for this time. I will include a quick how-to and, if I can, a link to the recipe if you're interested!

• Lasagna - I split a regular 9x13 of my favorite recipe into two 8x8 aluminum containers because we can't eat an entire 9x13. Works great! If you need a recipe, hit me up!
• Goulash - This is just my grans basic recipe. You can find the recipe HERE.. super easy and the kids love it!
• Enchiladas - This is another one that I split up into two 8x8's. My step-mom's recipe.. again if you need it just ask!
• Chicken potato casserole
• Chicken pot pie - HERE is the recipe. I make the chicken and veg mixture and freeze it in an 8x8. Thaw overnight. Then layer with about 6 sheets of filo (cooking spray between each layer) and bake.
• Sweet soy chicken
• Veggie pasta shells
• Red and white tortellini
• Burgers (boca burgers, too) - Confession: I used to make beef and turkey burgers and freeze them. Now I just buy them in bulk at Sam's club. Freeze the buns, too, and just pull them out as you need them.
• Hotdogs - Hebrew Nationals, of course.
• Meatloaf - Again, I think any recipe will work, but if you want mine just ask!
• Beef barley soup
• Spaghetti and meatballs - I buy beef meatballs in bulk and put them in the crockpot with spaghetti sauce.

I buy frozen and canned veggies and add them in to each meal as a side dish. I even buy frozen bread and dinner rolls to serve, too. This time I am also stocking up on some desserts and even some frozen Stouffer meals, too.

If you all have a favorite frozen meal recipe please let me know! I need some new ideas, especially some vegetarian options!!

Happy cooking!

Your Daily Mo

I tried to get a picture of him cruising around on his new "motorcycle", but he wanted Ele's picture taken. They're pretty cute.