How Much Water Can You Drink?

August, I am so happy to see you!! July was just a crazy whirl-wind of a month. And as much fun as it was, I'm ready for things to chill out a little bit. We had the big kids for the month, then we had my in-laws and nephews visit for a week. They all stayed with us - 9 of us in our new 2 bedroom apartment. It was less crazy than New Years with everyone visiting in the loft, but it was still a bit crazy. The kids had a blast though, so totally worth it!

July 31st was Miles' 3rd birthday!!! I was seriously hoping we'd have a house by now so we could have his bday party there, but apparently it was not meant to be. I refuse to spend tons of money on a bday party he could care less about and won't remember. So a house party where friends can come relax and drink and kids can play in the yard is my dream. Maybe next year! This year we just had balloons, cupcakes and presents --- and he loved it!

I'm so proud of my big 3 year old boy! It's crazy to think that 3 years ago he was a teeny tiny newborn with a bald little head and the most wrinkly skin I've ever seen!! I miss that baby, but I couldn't be more thrilled with this toddler who makes me laugh and want to pull my hair out each and every day. Every nap and night when I'm laying down with him to put him to sleep (I know, I'm so bad) he delays sleep by repeatedly telling me "Love you momma." Then I say "love you too Miles." He says "love you too. Kiss" and then kisses me. Then he pretends to sleep for a second and starts all over - "love you momma". Then I laugh and he laughs and I just want to stop time forever!

In baby related news Natalie is doing great! I was sent to a maternal fetal specialist last week for low amniotic fluid. They checked her and said she is great! But my fluid is still a bit low, so I need to be checked weekly to make sure the numbers don't get worse. If they do it could mean a number of things - from being put in the hospital to be monitored right away to inducing labor at 37 weeks. Basically, since Natalie is okay it could be something wrong with my placenta causing the low numbers and they just want to be careful.

Scary - yes. But thankfully I feel like everything is being taken well taken care of. And although a monitored hospital birth wasn't exactly the plan -- I talked to Amy from the Birth Center last week and she made me feel a thousands times better. Of course, they have a plan for when something like this happens. IF that's what we have to do -- she will still be there for the birth, it can still be natural and a water birth if that's what we want. It will just be a Baylor in McKinney.

And - nothing is set in stone right now. Each week we will just play it by ear and see what my fluid levels are and they will make the decision then to wait another week or take a course of action.

In the mean time - I've been instructed to take it easy (no working out :(...) and drink a TON of water. I've taken it a bit further and included "eat a ton of candy" into those instructions. I'm also trying to convince Tony that "have your feet rubbed nightly" was also part of the plan - but as he was at the appointment there's no fooling him.

I will for sure keep the blog updated as I get more info.

And to lighten the mood - here are some really awesome 4D pictures of Ms. Natalie's face... which looks adorably smooshed. Her lips are my favorite! :)

That's her arm covering the left side of her face, she refused to move it. But at one point she started sucking her thumb and oh my gosh - talk about cute!! :)

And here's a picture of her hair for my mom. Apparently she's gonna be a monkey just like her momma!

Ya, that one I have no idea what I'm looking at - so I just took the Dr.'s word on it. But she said, and I quote, "Look at all that hair! WOW! That is a LOT of hair!" :)

And a gratuitous belly shot just for fun!