Reveal

in case you missed it on one of the other social media networks, we finally had our anatomy ultrasound.... 

yep.  another Burns Boy will be here soon.  

and he says "Hi!" to you all :)

See Below :)

The Story of Davis

Part One: The INDUCTION

It had been pretty apparent that our Little Man was in no hurry to come out to see us--by my pretty uneventful, yet excruciatingly long, last few weeks of birth.  The due date came and went, then our 40 week appt. Then our non-stress test (nst) and ultasound...still nothing.  Everything was pointing to induction, and i decided i'd just have to accept that...and that is exactly what happened, except a day earlier than expected due to low amnio levels found by our 2nd NST.  

So we went in for our routine appointment that morning.  It had been a long sleepless night already, i was planning on a nice nap when we got back and Mike was going do some last minute errands before #3's arrival the next day.  Of course, plans changed when they told us we were staying at the hospital for induction. 

waiting in triage at 41.5 weeks 

(man i'm so glad that part is over!)

The day was long and quite uneventful.  Even though we were ordered straight to L&D, it took a few hours to be placed in a delivery room.  Then it took another hour to get the pitocin started. Then we waited...and took some pictures as shown below ;)

My friend Hillary was keeping the twins until my mom could get there and then when everyone woke up from nap, they made a trip to visit us at the hospital.  At the time, my contractions were consistent, just neither strong or painful.  As it seemed it may be a long night, it was  the perfect time to see the kiddos.  

They weren't so excited that mommy was hooked up to the machines ("mommy owie?")  and didn't really want to sit with me touch me.  They were on the other hand VERY EXCITED about the awesome big cup of hospital ice i had--and ate on it the whole time they were there. 

Because kids and hospitals don't really mix...meaning they were full of energy and there was too much to get in to trouble with...they didn't stay long, we gave them kisses for the last time as a family of 4...which they had no idea about how their lives were about to change...and sent them off with Nana and a snack.  

then it was back to just Mike and me and this stubborn little baby

....waiting....

Part 2 to come...

How to Play with Baby Brother...

even though he seems to never be coming out...

just bring all your cars and trucks, pile them on Mommy's bed while she is "resting" and roll them all over mom's huge belly...super fun!

Over-Baked

We're still waiting on this baby and he seems to be in no hurry. 

Wish he'd share a bit of his patience with me.  

This belly is really starting to take over my life.  Oh i long for the days of being able to get in and out of the car/bed/bath/couch easily.  I'd really like to go to a restaurant and actually fit in the booth again (i'm actually not exaggerating) and it'd be nice to be able to be able to bend over again--i beginning to feel like i use my husband and kids as my personal servants 24 hours a day.  

anyway...it is nearly over.  our induction date is set for this Saturday if nothing happens before then.  I am still praying (and trying) really hard to get labor started before then, but in all honestly i'm beginning to lose hope in this happening naturally.  Either way, we'll be holding our sweet #3 in just a few days and that is pretty exciting. 

40 Weeks

today is the day this baby is due.  not that i put much stock into due dates.  

i will say my patience is wearing thin.  going from preemies to an almost overdue baby is driving me nuts...i felt done WEEKS ago.  obviously #3 doesn't share my sentiments.  

my appointment last week showed that i was dilated to 4 cm and the midwife was hopeful it would happen for us over the weekend.  again, obviously...it didn't.  

i have another appointment tomorrow.  we will be talking induction i am sure.  i would REALLY like to avoid that, my hope is to go through this process as naturally as we can.  my experience with induction, pitocin, etc. with the twins wasn't the best and i'd like to avoid it at all possible. 

at the same time--i'm so ready!  feel free to pray for contractions and pain to hurry up and come.  ;) i'll be thankful.  

here's my pics from today.  the sweet husband came home for lunch to take the kids and i out on a date to Jersey Mike's.  (my favorite preggo meal this time around).  So i put one of the few things left in my closet that fit on and documented this day wearing something other than muumuu's! (okay, i don't really own one, but close enough).

 up close and personal with #3

August from my iPhone

Holden smiling through his eyes

 many visits to chickfila....Nora can't get enough of that play area, and it's much cooler there than outside for mommy right now

 a very special treat...they were VERY excited...

 water day at the Sweatlands' house.  all the kids got a turn filling up the pool...and the ground around it

 they still have to sit at the door step before we go inside every single time we get home.  i still can't get enough of the cute faces when they do it.

 my bellly grew

 Daddy dressed Nora up like Sporty Spice

 Mommy put Daddy behind bars....crib bars that is....

we had many days of crafting and setting up for our "littlest"

 3 zoned out Burns

 Chickfila at Bfast this time...these kids LOVE "chickens" and biscuits. 

 Nora grew up before my very eyes and turned into a teenager...

 and Holden is a carpenter in training....he loves that orange tape measurer more than anything right now.  he just calls it his "orange". 

37 Weeks and a Ball

Of course a ball was planned for Mikes new unit as i'm about ready to pop...and of course maternity evening dresses are nearly impossible to find--especially when you need one quick. still i found a simple black dress to squeeze into with the most comfortable shoes i could find and my handsome husband and i went to the ball to meet some of his new coworkers and start integrating into this new unit.  

Although this ball wasn't at a nice fun hotel in the middle of Waikiki, and we weren't surrounded by lots of friends, and i wasn't wearing some awesome dress and in tip top shape--ready to dance and party, we still had a nice time.  It was a good mix of formal and military tradition, while still being somewhat casual in atmosphere and fun.  There was a fabulous live band, the 82nd chorus came to serenade us, the speaker was quite a character and our table mates were an entertaining bunch that made us laugh quite a bit.  We may have been home by 930 pm (that includes a Bo's run on the way home because the food was horrible) and my back and feet were killing me from all the standing and sitting in uncomfortable seats...but it was nice to get dressed up and to have some time together in the midst of all our busy-ness. 

 37 weeks

37 Weeks

Well I don't have a picture for you this week...but i got a story--well an experience, if you will, instead--along with some thoughts and explanations...so here goes.

It's no secret to most of those near me that this pregnancy has really had me on an emotional roller coaster.  I don't really remember it being this way with the twins.  Maybe the other physical problems with them outweighed any emotional issues--but this time they are out and blaring.  Can i get an "amen" from my husband?  

Anyway, without getting into some parenting debate about what's a mountain and what's a molehill...picking battles...and even worse the feared Cry It Out method...here's what happened. 

Nora didn't eat her dinner.  Any of it.  and well although that isn't unusual, it is a source of irritation and tears from time to time.  Mike and I are learning to not let it get to us as much, although we do still think eating good foods is important and believe there should be consequences when she doesn't even try. 

So we were eating earlier than usual and they had a big day of playing hard--inside and outside.  They have been extra sweet and obedient all day and Mike and I decided to let them watch a movie after dinner.  We told them, "when you finish eating, we'll watch a movie".  and boy do they LOVE movies.  As expected, Holden ate every last bite.  Nora on the other hand hardly swallowed 2 bites, neither of those two being a vegetable or meat--and lets face it.  Two pasta noodles doesn't count.  We told her if she didn't try to eat she couldn't watch.  I really thought that would be motivation enough--but tonight it just wasn't. 

If you know my daughter, you can probably imagine what happened next.  If you don't know her, let me paint you a picture.  

--there sitting in her chair was my beautiful sweet daughter, her wide eyes staring straight into mine, with a mouthful of half chewed pasta and green beans, bottom lip quivering and tears silently falling out of her eyes.  She KNOWS she didn't do what we expected, and she KNOWS she won't get to watch the movie.  

And the thing is, the majority of the time she's a super obedient child.  So there were no fits, no loud crying or screaming.  She got down off her chair, followed me up the stairs and into her room...she crawled into her bed and i tucked her in.  More silent tears started to fall.  I talked to her for a second, telling her Mommy and Daddy would miss her and we really wished she would have eaten her food so she could watch her movie.  We prayed and she cried a little louder at that point.  I kissed her and told her goodnight--walked out the door, my own heart breaking with hers.  

What! Heart Broken!?! OVER A DINNER NOT EATEN AND A MISSED MOVIE!   what is wrong with me?  Not pregnant, this would not be affecting me this way.  Usually, I let my kids cry and learn their lessons without letting my emotions get involved.  In general, with most discipline issues i'm not the usual bleeding heart mommy--i definitely lean towards the "no non-sense" approach.   

Anyway, from there it only got worse.  For the first time EVER my sweet, tender-hearted daughter (who may i just interject here--i did not expect her to turn out this way.  She was a tough baby--hard to console, irritable, not loving at all.  I just knew she was gonna give me a run for my money--i had the strong-willed child book ready and waiting... ha.  not even close) cried out "mommy" over and over in between sobs, while laying in her bed just as i left her.  And can I just tell you....this 37 weeks pregnant, very emotional momma Could. Not. Stand It.  It is one thing to hear your child cry, it's a whole different ball game to hear her cry out especially for you--calling your name.  I think for the first time in these almost 3 years i looked at Mike and asked him what i should do.  We sat there and talked about how she needed to learn her lesson and how I can't just go up there and make it all better and hold her--we have to stick to what we say--be consistent...do what we say we're going to do.  That's how you build trust and teach your children.  But the crying got louder.  I couldn't take it.  I caved (with my sweet husband's consent of course). 

I went upstairs, sat by her bed, held her hand and talked to her. I explained what happened again, explained why Mommy and Daddy had to put her to bed.  I acknowledged she was sad and she looked up at me and reiterated "Mommy, Nora sad".  Break. my. heart. again.  I resisted the urge to pick her up and hold her.  But instead readjusted her favorite lovies, tucked her in again, and told her i loved her.  She still had tears in her eyes, but took one hand and reached out to my face and touched my cheek, she told me she loved me and sweet dreams, then snuggled up to Meow and closed her eyes.  I walked out again, and that was it.  Not a sound.  

Success?? who knows? will she eat tomorrow?  who knows?   But that's really not the point of all of this.  the point is I am 37 weeks pregnant and my emotions are playing with my head.  I can't tell the big problems from the small, i can't keep my heart from messing with what i know is right.  Really.  This is driving me crazy.  

I look back at posts i had from when i was pregnant with the twins.  They were funny.  I had ridiculous stories, and funny experiences. It's definitely a different ball game this time.  Maybe it's the time---we did just move away from our home and friends of 6 years, we're in a new town trying to make new friendships and connections,  we're working hard trying to get a house just perfect (though it's hardly so) all before this baby comes, all while trying to find a balance with our families and friends just a few hours away now and still find time to spend together just the 4 of us --having some fun times as well as trying to create a routine so the kids can have a since of security and a feeling of home again.  

It's a lot.  

It's also what Army Life is all about. And i know that. 

Add on an emotional pregnant woman...you have me right now. 

and that my friends is probably the biggest reason for my blogging drought.  It'll pick up again, as will I.  Just give me time to settle--which may still be awhile, i'm aware.  

I gotta give a shout out to the best husband in the world.  He's been great. Trying to be as supportive as possible to me, as well as picking up the slack where i physically can't do so much anymore, all the while learning his new job and doing house project after house project.  He's our real life energizer bunny.  and i love him.  a lot.  

THIRTY TWO

Can you just pretend i posted this 3 weeks ago?   That is when i actually took the pictures.  My 32nd week of pregnancy, and the kids 32nd month of life.  Mike almost made the cut with his 32nd year of life...but he was about 8 weeks shy and we don't want to rush old age now, do we? ;)

 to expand on the preggo update (as of 35 weeks now): 

It's going okay.  I'm sore--most days a lot--every once in a while i get a good day where i can almost ignore it.  I'm obviously much smaller this time around which does make most things a bit easier.  I can still get out of bed without the help of my husband, i fit in the car--through door ways, etc.  okay i'm being a  bit ridiculous, but really it is nice not being stopped and asked 10 times a day when i'm due and "how many babies are in there?". 

between keeping up with the twins, working on the house and taking all my naps ;) we've been pretty busy.  People keep asking if we're ready for #3 and geez what does ready mean?  We did finally clean out his room and this weekend Mike and his brother, Kevin, painted the nursery.  I have finally started washing baby clothes and diapers that were packed away and we have been pulling out all the baby equipment making sure everything works.  

he doesn't have a name.  seems to be the popular question from everyone.  he will have a name one day.  i promise.  it's not so easy the second time around..we've already used our favorite name...and while trying to stay away from every name already used by family and friends...well that's just difficult.  

are we mentally ready?  who knows.  when i think about the no-sleep schedule after having such great sleeping babies for well over 2 years now, i get a little nervous.  am i ready to balance keeping my two    little ones busy and entertained while providing and caring for a newborn 24/7 and still keeping up my marriage and house...i dunno?  can you ever be? but other people do it and it's happening, so no reason to worry right?  

are we ready to meet this little boy that's been growing inside me for the past 8 months?  oh heck yes.  i'm ready to hold him, snuggle him and watch him grow up and develop into his own person.  and i think it goes without saying i'm ready to get him out of me.  it's really no secret i don't love being pregnant--but that doesn't mean it's not worth every second. 

we really have no birth plan.  military health care at its best....we're 35 weeks with an appointment next week to discuss our "options".  C-section...VBAC...who knows, i am truly not sure what is best for us and it's taken this long to get an appointment with someone to discuss it.  it's almost comical when my civilian friends find out they are  pregnant and know their c-section date all before their first trimester is up.  Heck, us military moms are lucky to be seen and ge a pee test before we're 12 weeks.  Let's just hope nothing happens before my appointment so i can at least make a sound decisions while not in labor.  All this being said, #3 will make it's way out one way or the other--that I AM sure of. 

and an update on these two cuties...

Nora: 

We just had a check-up...like months overdue...and all is well.  She is 37 1/2 inches tall (about 80th percentile) and 25 lbs (about 10th percentile). Long and lean, and ALL GIRL.  

She talks ALL.THE.TIME.  It cracks us up when it doesn't drive us crazy.  She giggles a lot and loves to sing.  Twinkle Twinkle is her favorite..she calls it "twinkle star" and then Jesus Loves Me. 

 She is in love with her stuffed cat, his official name is Meow.  Meow is her best friend.  She talks to him, reads to him, and can't sleep without him.  When she's scared or sad, it's one of the first things she wants.  She also loves our real kitties.  It's not unusual to find her reading to Lulu while Lu sleeps in her box.  Nora brings her lots of toys and talks to her about all kinds of things i can't understand.

 She's turned out to be quite a rule follower.  Of course she's two and often has her moments, but she likes order, routine and having a place for everything.  I really can't complain.  She also likes to boss Holden around, and we're starting to get the first of "tattling" when he doesn't do something right. 

She can still be nervous of new things and places with lots of people.  We've learned not to push her and let her warm up to things on her own.  That may mean it takes her a year to go down a slide...but in her own time, she seems to get over her fears and have a good time.  

She can be a finicky eater, although it has more to do with a chewing/texture problem than the actual taste of food.  We have a hard time getting her to eat meat (aside from her beloved breakfast sausage and hotdogs) but we're slowly making progress.  She LOVES sweets (of course) as well as biscuits.  If she's sees a McDonalds or Chickfila anywhere she immediately starts begging for a biscuit. 

She really is a joy, and as silly and girly as i always imagined a daughter of mine would be.  I'm a very lucky mommy.

Holden: 

At his check-up he weighed in at 31 lbs (about 60th percentile) and 38 3/4 inches (90th percentile).  

Holden is a sweet, sweet boy.  He has 2 sides--it's either go go go and running around crazy like you can imagine a little boy will do.  Or he can be quiet, sensitive and just sit back and observe.  His feelings are hurt quite easily and it's nothing unusual for him to wake up on a any given day, and things just not be quite right for him.  He doesn't easily adjust to changes and can also be weary of new things. 

He loves music of all kinds.  He likes to listen to it, sing it, and play it.  Whether it's his drums, the keyboard, or his ukelele--he loves to walk around a play.  

He also loves to play with cars and trains and planes as most boys do.  His favorite cars are the ones the bigger model cars that look like real cars and he can even tell you what each one is.  

He is very into colors and changes his favorite from week to week.  He picks out his shirts or what toys he's playing with based on the favorite color of he week.  

Holden loves men.  His Daddy, his uncles, his grandpas....  He would rather be with them than anybody.   When we go to play at another kid's house, he's happier hanging out with the men in the room than playing with the kids.  

Holden also has a goofy side.  He does things just to make his sister laugh--she thinks he's hilarious.  He poses and makes silly faces all the time just to get a reaction out of the people around him.  We are already expecting a call from school about being a clown in class.  

He has a fabulous memory.  He remembers people's names after meeting them once..and as many people as we have met in the past few months, that's pretty impressive.  We can tell him what something is one time and he usually has it down.  He also won't let us forget if we told him we were going to do something.  Gotta watch out about that...

Potty Training for both is proving to be as difficult as i thought it may be.  We're taking a break.  I'm just not sure they are ready. We made a valiant effort this summer with not much progress.  I'm hoping that a few months more will make the difference and we'll get this under control.  

It's true what they say about momma's and their boys.  He warms my heart everyday and he still makes time to hug and kiss me--which is more than i can say for princess norabird most days.  They are both getting so big i can hardly believe it, but they really are great kids with fun personalities.  It's a joy to be their mom. 

 here's the outtakes from our mini photo shoot...

30 Week Update

(although technically i'm 31) this pic was taken last week

it's been awhile...so here we are...growing...or should i say incubating in all this heat.

still, i'm nowhere NEAR as big as i was with the twins, thank goodness!  at this point with the twins i was miserable AND nearing the end of the pregnancy--hopefully we have a while more to go and grow...cause in all honesty, Daddy and I aren't ready yet!  # 3's room still is a huge storage/junk room--we have quite a bit of work still to do!