39 weeks 1 day

This is the longest now I have been pregnant. Wesley was born at 39 weeks. I thought for sure I would have this baby pretty early too, but all my last appointments have been disappointing -- not dilated, not contracting ... My 39 week appointment was particularly enervating because the doctor told me that if I come in at 40 weeks then they will schedule an induction. The last thing I want is an induction -- they have a higher risk of leading to C-sections and there is no way a true induction can be done au natural. I was "technically" induced with Wesley - i.e. I was on pitocin because of my water breaking - but it was a "whiff" according to the nurse. So I managed it without an epidural. I guess we just wait and see when this baby will be ready ...

I am pretty ready - I was looking at my list of things to do and get from my Getting Ready for Baby post:

• Swing - got it from a friend
• Co-sleeper - found one for $80 at a kids consignment shop (down the street from me, what could be better?)
• Booster chair - for Wesley. Just bought one.
• Stroller - the double we bought a while back off Craigslist for under $200, and my mom bought us the Uppa Baby rumble seat.
• Nursery - Done! It's been painted, decorated, and our office is now in the closet.

Bags are almost packed ... any day now ...

Bedhead

So, do you think we need to get our little man a haircut? This is what he looks like when waking up from a nap - curly, disheveled, fly away hair. Just like mommy & daddy's at that age (we were both curly top toddlers).

May blooms

 Columbine

 Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) *

 Bellflower

  Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' - Biokovo Cranesbill *

 Sundrop (Oenothera fruticosa)

 Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata) *

 Speedwell 'Hocus Pocus'  *

Geranium 'Max Frei' (Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei') *

Astilbe chinensis 'Milk & Honey' *

Catmint

yarrow *

* indicates the plants I planted

Office in a closet - our version

Last summer, we decided that our second baby should take the small bedroom, therefore pushing our office to ... the closet? I found some great photos of office in closets that showed me this was doable solution for a small house, like ours.

Of course, we had intended to get this done a long time ago but life gets in the way and on a recent day off -- that's what I call Mondays when my mom has Wesley and I can run ALL my errands -- I went to the Container Store and had an office in a closet designed using their Elfa system. I wanted something that could transition to a kids closet in about 3 years, so I didn't buy anything "extra."

This system of wire shelving and solid pieces cost around $250. Elfa can be pricey, but we liked it's versatility and the fact that we can add drawers and extras to this when we are ready to convert to a real clothes closet. Sitting here right now typing, all I can say is ... I love it!

A surprise sprinkling ...

I never would have guessed in a million years that my family was plotting to surprise me with -- not a baby shower -- but a sprinkle to welcome Baby #2!

They all told me that we were having brunch with the whole family, and as one never to say no to carved roast beef and an omelet station, the three of us showed up at Cantigny Golf Course only to be met by a table of family and friends saying "Surprise!"

Pink roses on the table, Red velvet cupcakes packed in boxes, pink Hershey kisses, and a barrage of pretty dresses and outfits ... it was a perfect sprinkle for a little girl yet to come.

April Blooms

A little late ...

Tulips

White bleeding heart

Corydalis

Variagated Jacob's Ladder 'Stairway to Heaven'

Virginia Bluebells

Standard Bleeding Heart

Judd Viburnum

Crabapple

Crabapple

Park pay (translation: park play)