Here I am at 35 weeks!

Ok here it is!  I know it isn't the *best* picture (yes it is a self portrait from my cell phone) but there is no use trying to hide.  I have a big ol' belly with a big ol' baby in it!  I realized that this is me, how I carry, and I can't be ashamed of it!  I did have a bit of a scare yesterday...well I guess Tuesday night.  I have been refluxing like mad and ended up throwing up about midnight. This of course made me start contracting which totally freaked me out and made me realize that I am NOT ready for this kid to come yet.  Luckily, I called the Dr the next day and they told me to sit, drink a lot of water, and they put me on Zantac.  That seemed to do the trick!  Why did I wait so long to go on Zantac?!  I have only taken two pills and I haven't felt a singe of acid since.  I slept like a log last night and I am ready to tackle the world (well as much as I can).  I am not wishing for him to come early...just on time and healthy!  I have a few more things to check off my list but all in all I am feeling confident.  I just want to meet him!! 32 more days!

Seattle bound...one last time:)

I decided to make one last trip over the mountains before Sparky enters the world.  (I am 34 weeks for those who have lost count and only 34 more days until I get to meet this kid!)  We haven't been since Christmas which is very uncommon for us and my family has been picking up the slack by coming here to visit!  Chris was off in San Diego for a long weekend for a pediatric dental convention that I usually attend with him but after flying to LA I knew I wasn't up for the trip.  Instead, I decided to pack up the kids and go to my parent's house.  Partly it was selfish because I knew they would entertain the kids while I did nothing!  And they did.  It was glorious. I literally read 1/2 of book 2 and all of book 3 of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (this is a whole other post) but needless to say it was very relaxing.  I got to see my sister and kids and just veg out.  The drive was long.  This is how I know I can't travel for a bit.  I was achy when I got out of the car and really really tired.  This is what I don't remember about the last 2 pregnancies, the tired.  With Matthew I was busy working and with Maggie I was so nauseous, but Sparky it is the tired.  Maybe I am just too old for this:)  Anyway, here are a few pictures!

They ran outside as soon as they got there!

My dad is part of the VFW and was collecting donations at the grocery store.

Jake had a baseball game and it was friends and family night.  Anyone got to play.

Matthew was super excited to play!

I am seriously cracking up right now!

Sadly, ballet came to a close yesterday.  I am sad because Maggie seriously loved it and I looked forward to her getting to do an activity compared to Matthew's 1,000 activities that he is doing.  We are definitely doing it next year (need to take a break this summer...hmmm I wonder why).  Maggie loved her teacher and in the few months that she did it, she really improved a lot!  I am cracking up because of course we had to get the pictures and I opted to get them digitally.  I got the email this morning and here they are!  She looks so happy and cute!  This is my Maggie!

LA LA Land

I am sorry for the lapse between posts.  I just got back from a very relaxing (albeit short) weekend in LA.  I am sorry to say that I didn't take one blasted picture:(  I will just have to relay it via words!  I went to visit Amy and Jadon all alone with no kids to have one last hurrah before I can't travel anymore.  I will say flying at 33 weeks was very tiring.  Sparky was bouncing all around and one of the very concerned flight attendants wouldn't even offer me anything but water.  She was very worried that I would get dehydrated.  Anyway, Amy took the day off work Friday and picked me up at LAX.  She drove to Malibu so we could get some delicious lunch.  I had fish and chips and just soaking in the view.  It was awesome!  Then we really just relaxed the rest of the day and went to bed kind of early.  On Saturday, we woke up and went to the flower market.  That was really fun to walk around and pick out flowers.  If I wasn't flying I would have bought some to bring home.  Then we went to brunch and a very fancy place.  Again, it was so nice to enjoy and meal and conversation with two lovely ladies and not be interrupted once.  We talked about a bunch of stuff that didn't include kids! After, we went to this place called Happy Feet.  This was another experience on it's own!  It is a massage place where there are no bells and whistles.  You sit in a chair and receive basically a full body massage.  You do not take any clothes off, there are no scented candles or robes.  It is basic and it costs $30!  It was the first time in a long time that I didn't feel hugely pregnant.  It was awesome and really relaxing.  Last, we went to an awesome dinner at a fancy french restaurant and enjoyed a lovely meal.  I flew home early Sunday.  I wish I could have stayed for a week but I felt really lucky to jet away and have some time to myself.  Chris of course held down the fort while I was gone.  I missed them but I needed a little get away before my whole life changes in 41 days!!!!!

Texas Sheet Cake

I have come across a new recipe (for me at least) and I just HAD to share!!!  I follow a blog about food written by a relatively new friend named Alex.  She is married to Chris' friend from dental school, Greg and I have known her for a couple of years.  They live in Seattle but she told me she had a food blog and I was instantly stalking it:)  I have never been let down by this girl.  I have made a few things she has suggested and when I saw her post about this cake I knew I HAD to try it!  I wanted to make one for a friend that needed a little pick me up recently and of course being 8 months pregnant I made on simultaneously for myself (I didn't think she would appreciate a half eaten cake!!) This cake is quick, easy, delicious and for someone who isn't 100%-completely-in-love-with-chocolate-cake, a hit out of the park! (I am picky about my chocolate cake)  Here is the link to Alex's blog and you should check in on it from time to time because it is a good one!  http://www.yumsandloves.com/

Bloomsday 2012

I have done Bloomsday for the last 5 years so when my dad suggested we walk it together I was like "sure, why not?!"  Well maybe because I am 31+ weeks pregnant and haven't been going to the gym regularly:)  He assured me we would mosey and enjoy the sights.  That was good enough for me!  Not my best time but we did it and had a lot of fun!  It was cool to not worry about time (which was 2:43) and if I had to go to the bathroom (which I did).  We had an Otter Pop after Doomsday hill and chatted like two old ladies:)  I had a blast this year with my daddy!  xo

Happy 6th Birthday Matthew!

Man, time flies!  I can't believe he is 6!  It seems like only yesterday we were living in Ohio and I felt like I was the last person on the planet who needed to have their baby.  I was 10 days past due and begging my doctor to induce me.  I went in Monday morning May 1st all ready to have the baby (I really had no birth plan but really just to have him) and 17 hours later I was so tired and mad because not only was he 10 days late, he couldn't even come on his induction date!  He was quickly encroaching on MY birthday so c-section it was!  At 12:57 am on May 2nd, 2006 Matthew Christopher Herzog came into the world weighing 8lbs 5oz.  He was the perfect baby (he really was!) and I thought "I got this motherhood thing!" :)  Well, maybe not quite down pat but I continually work at it!  He really is the sweetest, most loving boy and this morning I woke up to find him nestled between me and Chris.  Now that I know him, it really doesn't surprise me that it took surgery to get him out.  He is so independent but loves to be near us.  I am so lucky to be his mother and so happy for him on his birthday!

May 2nd, 2006

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

4th birthday

5th birthday

6th birthday