The countdown has begun...

Not that it hadn't already, but the official countdown to Aiden joining the family has begun. I went to the doctor today and found out that I am a "loose" 1 cm dilated and 70% efface. This is a decent jump from last Thursday's visit when I was 1 cm and 15%. We went ahead and scheduled for me to be induced next Friday, March 14, but she said that she thinks he'll be here before then. YIKES! I mean, I've know this day was coming, but it's still surreal.

So, full panic has kicked in, as I haven't packed my bag, Calvin's bag or gotten the car seat re-installed. Seriously, what the heck was I thinking by not having all this stuff done before today?

If Aiden joins us tomorrow, he'll share a birthday with Grandpa Paul (Scott's dad) and if he joins us on Thursday, he'll share a birthday with Momo (my mom).

Well, that's it for now. We'll definitely be posting more info. as things progress.

15 days (max.) and counting

Well, we've been given the thumbs up to be induced a week early, so that means that at my appointment next Tuesday we'll be setting my "appointment" to be induced. So, unless Aiden decides to join this world on his own, we've chosen March 14 as the magical day. One of my friends, Trish, works in the nursery at Williamson Medical Center, so I am very excited about that. We are excited to be able to have him at the same hospital as Calvin and are even more fortunate that she may be there. She was one of Dalton's nurses when he was at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, which makes me feel even better that we will have someone with such a strong background.

We had our last look at Aiden this morning and although it was hard to see him because he's so big, it was still pretty cool. We were able to see him moving his mouth, so we may have another pacifier baby on our hands. Either his head stopped growing or his body has caught up... he was measuring right on track with both measurements, which makes me feel a lot better. He weighed about 7 lbs, 5 oz, which is still pretty big. She did say that there is a 17 oz. margin of error, so he could be as little as 6 something or as big as 8 something. Guess we'll find out in a few weeks.

I've tried to plan ahead and get things started for Calvin's 2nd birthday. Hank & Christine will be visiting in May, so we're hoping to have his party while they're. Poor kid... we always seem to have his birthday party a couple of weeks late. Calvin's birthday always falls right in the middle of finals... FUN TIMES! Calvin is getting so big and is loving the heck out of his daddy these days. He is also a big fan of Uncle Mike and even dissed daddy for Uncle Mike this weekend. As I'm sure people can imagine, daddy was a little hurt.

Well, we'll make sure to keep this updated in case Aiden decides to join us before March 14. Until then, hope all is well with everyone!

SSDD

I went to the doctor yesterday for another check-up and she asked how I was feeling and when I replied "scared" she was like "why?". I told her that I was a little nervous that I had a 33-week baby and that his head was measuring 38 weeks. I told her that I was also a little nervous of his weight (which she confirmed was 5 lbs 13 oz) and she said that it was only the 69th percentile... easy for her to say... she's just going to be standing there saying push (okay, probably TMI, but that's what I was thinking).

I actually really like her, and when I had Calvin, scheduled his inducement for the day she was on-call. We talked a bit about being induced this time, as one of the other doctors told me that they would induce me a week early (I think it's more of a selfish thing on their part). So, my goal is to be induced on Friday, March 14 (a week before my due date), unless Aiden decides to join us earlier (earlier)... wow, it's been a long time since I've heard that (inside joke). So, as long as the forces are on our side, Aiden will be here no later than March 14... HOLY COW... THAT'S 4 WEEKS FROM FRIDAY!!!!

Calvin has a Valentine's Day party at school on Thursday, so Scott and I are both going to go. I'm making some heart-shaped cookies with pink & red icing to take with us. I'm pretty excited about them because they are my favorite cookies from growing up. They may also be attributed to the 11 lbs in 3 weeks weight gain that occurred around Christmas... but, what are you going to do?!?!

That's about it from our neck of the woods. We're (okay, I am) very (inpatiently) waiting for the arrival of Aiden and to not be pregnant anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love the outcome, but am just plain ready! Hope all is well with everyone and we'll give more updates as they occur.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Life with two boys and a husband

Aiden at his January 10 ultrasound

Aiden at his February 4 ultrasound

I had another ultrasound yesterday, so was able to see Aiden again. It's so hard at this stage in the pregnancy because there is really not a lot of room for him to move. He still looks healthy, which is always a good sign. They took his measurements again and he is approximately 5 lbs 8 oz, which is over 2 lbs more than he weighed three weeks ago. The ultrasound tech said that his chest cavity (which is part of how they determine his weight) was measuring approximately 35 weeks and his head is measuring approximately 38 weeks. Keep in mind that I won't be 34 weeks until Friday, so not really sure what to think of this. I mean, we all know that the big head thing runs in both sides of the family, but measuring 4 weeks ahead... what the heck?!?! Now, maybe Calvin was the same, but I just didn't know because I only had my 20-week ultrasound. Either way... labor is looking like it's going to be a ton of fun! The ultrasound tech asked me how big Calvin was and I told her that he was 8 lbs. She proceeded to say "well, this one will be at least that big." Can I get an epidural RIGHT NOW?!?!

When I was at the doctor the other week, she told me that I had the option of being induced up to a week early since I had gone to term with Calvin and there were no complications. That's looking like a really good plan right now. I think I've been having some mild contractions beginning this week, so I'm guessing Aiden isn't going to wait until 40 weeks anyways.

Calvin has (we think) begun the "terrible twos". He's a huge fan of screaming at the top of his lungs, throwing himself on the ground and telling us "no". Can't say I'm a huge fan of this, but am hoping that he gets it out of his system before Aiden comes. It's hard when you're walking to the car holding your 30 lb child's hand and he decides he wants to go the other car, so he throws himself to the ground kicking and screaming. This is especially fun when it's either a) raining and the ground is wet or b) you've got your arms full of stuff to take to work. Aww, the joys of parenthood... guess this is why we're having baby #2 so soon!!

I haven't posted in a while and want everyone who reads this to keep one of my friends in their thoughts and prayers. She had a beautiful baby boy on January 25 and on January 29 began 6 rounds of chemotherapy for her fight against breast cancer. It amazes me how strong she is and how she is handling all of this. She delivered a baby via c-section on a Friday, had surgery the following Monday and chemo the next day. And, the her son was in NICU the entire time. She has remained so positive throughout the process and continues to remain positive despite the effects of the chemo.

I too got tagged!

As I was reading my friend Lincoln's blog, I realized that I had been tagged to share some unknown information about myself, so here I go:


1) I am still sleeping very well in my big boy bunk bed and on some nights have started to go to sleep on my own (without mommy & daddy laying with me)... they usually beat me to sleep... silly parents!


2) I have been to Canada twice since I was born and once when I was in mommy's belly. I really like going there because my Gma, Papa and my two aunts spoil me to death!


3) I know pretty much all of my animal noises (or at least the common ones) and love to look at books and point to them and make the noise. With some of them, I even make the gesture (rooster, duck, snake, elephant, etc.). I also love The Wiggle's dvd where they're at the Australia Zoo with Steve Irwin... he sure is a cool guy!


4) I can point out most of my body parts, with my eyes being the favorite. I like to show the cats where there eyes are, but every time I do this, they run away... crazy cats!

5) I know where my little brother "hangs out" now and I like to point to where he is (in mommy's belly) and give him kisses.

6) I spend almost every weekend at Momo & Grandpa's house in Spring Hill. I really like going there because we always go to McDonald's for breakfast and then they take me grocery shopping with them. Oh, and I really enjoy eating grandpa's breakfast!

7) I have really taken a liking to bananas. As a matter of fact, I had one for breakfast yesterday, two for dinner last night and another one for breakfast this morning. I heard mommy tell Gma last night that I won't be going to the potty for a while... whatever that means.

8) My name (Cal Gardner) is already on the Stanley Cup....twice! I was named after my great-grandpa Cal who played for the Leafs in the 40s and 50s. Did you know that he once beat up Gordie Howe (who one of our cats is named after) in a hockey game and even scored the game-winning goal in a stanley cup game? He was also involved in Bill Barilko's famous last goal. He sounds like he was a really cool guy!!

So, that's about it for me. I'd love for any of my friends who have blogs like this (Parker, Ty-Ty & Beckham, etc.) to do the same thing. It was really neat to learn all the neat things about Lincoln.

Christmas 2007

Scott finished finals on December 21 and we were very fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with family (in Nashville). Gma C, Papa H, Aunt Ash & Aunt Linz came down from Canada, Uncle Mike came over from NC and Great-Grandma McLean came up from Florida. Not everyone stayed at our house (fortunately), but we did have a full house at Chrismas dinner when everyone, including Momo and Grandpa Wellock joined us. You never really realize how small your house is until you squeeze 11 people in a dining room. But, we had a great time and ate WAY TOO MUCH!!!!

As I'm sure everyone can imagine, Calvin was spoiled to death and we had to re-train him so that he didn't think that he would always get his way... GRANDPARENTS! One of the best moments so far in my parental life was when Calvin opened his new fire truck. It was one of those moments where I didn't know whether to smile or cry! The look on his face was sheer joy and excitement and I kick myself for not having the camera or video camera out for that moment. Of course, the truck is pretty much broken by now. How do you explain to a 20 month old that you're not supposed to sit on the truck or put it on a table and let it fall to the ground? Oh well, guess that's what boys do.

We managed to make two trips to Pump It Up, an indoors, inflatable playground, and Calvin fell in love! Apparently, children under 2 are free and so are parents, so we really took advantage of this. I think Scott and Lindsey had the most fun jousting. I would highly recommend everyone visit a place like this when children are the proper age.

Calvin has also started sleeping in a "big boy" bed. Scott had bunk beds when he was growing up, and I always wanted them, so we decided to purchase a new bedroom (w/ bunk beds) for Calvin. We decided that after Christmas it would be time to start transitioning him to his own bed and not a crib. We were really dreading this process, as we figured it would be like trying to get him to sleep through the night all over again. We have been very fortunate in that we have had NO problems with this transition. He still sleeps 12-13 hours a night and still takes a 2 hour nap during the day. THANK GOODNESS! If only potty training, or taking the pacifier away, is this easy.

I got to spend all day Thursday at doctor appointments, which is always fun. I had my annual appointment with my oncologist and everything looks good, so I will continue to go annually until they feel that I am "safe." I then went to have another ultrasound and was able to see our little monster, Aiden, again. It's amazing to see how much they change in just a month. They said he weighed about 3 lbs 3 oz., which is the 66th percentile. So, I'm assuming we'll have anotherbig baby... not that it really matters. I'm just fortunate and greatful that he appears healthy. I mean really, what more could you ask for?

That's about it from our neck of the woods... just counting down the days until we become parents of two boys (phew!) and keeping a positive outlook that I will be able to have my husband back sometime soon.

The Boys

Yesterday, on my "day off", I was able to see a lot of my boys. I had a 10 a.m. ultrasound appointment and we were able to see a lot more of Aiden. This has become a frequent occurance, as I have been having an ultrasound every 3-4 weeks and this is the 4th time we've been able to see our newest monster. Aiden is a wiggle worm, so they have to get their pictures taken quickly or he will change positions on them. Yesterday he kicked so hard you could see the wand jump on my belly. It's funny that I can feel him move, then see the ultrasound change. We got some really good pictures of Aiden and wanted to share them. He measured about 2 lbs, which is just amazing to me that something so small can tickle me so much.

Later that afternoon, Calvin had his 18 month well visit... about 6 weeks late. He weighed in at 27 lbs, 8 oz (67th percentile) and measured 33 3/4 inches (80th percentile). Believe it or not, his head was even normal, measuring in at the 59th percentile... pretty impressive considering the size of both mine & Scott's head. He only had to have one shot, so that was nice. Calvin was not impressed, but handled it like a champ. The doctor Calvin saw is actually Grandpa Paul & Grandma Sherri's neighbor, so that's always nice to have a personal connection with his pediatrician.

Aiden with his hands crossed, like he's praying

Aiden's left leg... those look like some solid Gardner thighs!

Aiden's most recent side shot... staring at his umbilical cord