38 WEEKS!!

38 Weeks! It feels very surreal to be writing an update with that number included! We are so thankful to have made it...full term for a "normal" pregnancy...with our little miracle! God is so good!

Yesterday was so full, and yet another not so gentle reminder that I have been on bed rest for 17 weeks! We got up and went to Waffle House for breakfast, which, believe it or not, was delicious. I learned that the boys and I can no longer share an All-Star breakfast (when did that happen?). Each of them ate 1/2 a waffle, raisin toast and bacon...and Landon even ate some eggs! I love my boys, but I draw the line when it comes to my cheese eggs and raisin toast, so I got my own! :) When did they get so big? After breakfast, the guys dropped me to get a much needed haircut. I cut off my hair (12 inches) to donate back in May and had my first "styled" haircut in years...but without a cut or trim in 5 months I was beginning to look a lot like Gidget, so we needed to take care of that! :) I am now ready to meet this baby - haircut, toes done - I think I should be okay until we get through the initial 4-6 week "4th trimester" stage!

On the way home, we made the not so brilliant decision to take the long way around to 400 and stumbled on the Alpharetta/John's Creek Founders Day parade. It was really fun to watch the boys reaction to the bands, horses and, of course, Santa...but with only 1 way in and out, we were pretty much stuck until it was over...over an hour later. At this point I had been upright for almost 4 hours...and I was feeling it! By the time we got home, I couldn't wait to get some Tylenol, a heating pad and my bed! I paid for my outing with an incredibly sore back and constant contractions all day! It even got to the point where I called a neighbor to see if she would be "on call" just in case I couldn't get them under control with water and rest. Obviously, I did! And believe me...it was worth it! It was so fun to be out together as a family, sitting at the table eating a meal together and admiring my boys in action! I am so thankful to be at this point (and I think Greg and the boys are too!)

Last night we had another reminder that we are at that delicate stage with Tanner called "the twos". He is all about doing things himself and we straddle that line between wanting to teach him how to do it himself and being worried that he will actually be able to do what we teach him, on his own, anytime. Example: it is wonderful that he wants to wiggle into his own shoes by himself...except when you are running late and trying to get out the door! Last night, long after bed time and Landon was fast asleep, I heard Tanner calling out for me. Greg was downstairs and heard it too and we met in the upstairs hallway headed to his room. Of course, Greg beat me in there and I could hear him busting out laughing. Tanner was standing in his crib, holding his pajamas, looking so proud of himself! Oh, the joys of having a two year old! :) It was pretty funny!

Hope you all had a fun, restful weekend! Make it a great week!

Love, The Powells!!