12 Days to go....

You should NEVER have your first child three weeks early! Then, with your second, have contractions for 2 weeks, then stop with 2-3 weeks left to go before your due date. Following my little bought of contractions at the 34-35 week mark, I rested as directed, then everything just stopped. I've been feeling pretty well actually the last couple weeks, until 2 days but we'll get to that.

So, I'm now OVER 38 weeks pregnant, that equals 9 1/2 months if you do the math. She can really come at any time. I won't be mad! But really, like I said, I felt pretty good until 2 days ago when in my nesting phase I decided to forgo the offer by my dear husband to clean the shower for me and do it myself. I scrubbed and scrubbed, and have not been able to stand up straight ever since! I have a kink in my back that is brutal! I've been babying it all I can. Icy Hot and Tylenol, rest. It feels better once I get moving around a bit but locks up as soon as I sit or lay down. Sleeping hasn't happened. I get so stiff and sore in bed I can't even move without yelping. The three day Memorial Day weekend has helped, each day is better. I keep saying, I'm nervous about going into labor like this, but more nervous about going into work tomorrow! I at least get drugs if I go into labor!!

I do plan on working until she comes or my due date...which is 12 days away...I'm scheduled this week and the following then done. They've been great accommodating me there. With my type of work, there are clearly limits in my condition and they've been great about it!

Ben is doing amazing! He's growing up every day! We've enjoyed quiet family time this weekend. It was cold and raining until today when it's hot and humid outside! So, we got outside this morning before it got too hot outside. It was nice!

He continually tries to "feed" his baby sister which consists of either shoving food in my mouth or onto my belly! It's so precious. He also has A LOT of energy! I LOVE nap time! He still crashes out for a good 2 hours in the afternoon. Now, I don't know if it's that he has more energy, or that I just can't keep up, but I love it when Brian gets home. I'm also anxious to have this baby so that we'll have visitors that can help entertain Ben a bit here and there! Yes, basically I just want to have her for all my own selfish reasons!

I just CAN'T WAIT!!!!

When it rains...

Well, as the saying goes - when it rains, it pours. Well it is pouring here in Chicago...

...because we both had showers this week!!!! What did you think, I was blogging about the weather?

Yes, in the fine tradition of the Murse and the Bro, I had a Man Baby Shower.

The great people at work got together and hosted a pizza lunch for me. I got some great clothes for Baby Girl Bishop and a spectacular Target gift card. The best part was probably the advice cards everyone gave me on how to raise "Daddy's little girl". I think the one I'll use was, "Teach her about baseball and she'll be cool in high school." No Murse's or Bro's were gifted - thank goodness.

Patti also had a rainy day today as her co-workers gussied up her desk in pink. She got a gift of baby clothes - but Ben, Abby, and I were not neglected. My one Miller Light bottle won't go to waste!

Okay, as for other girl news - nothing much. Patti is back working, but we've plateaued recently in activity. Baby Girl is bouncing everywhere, but she seems content to stay put for now. We'll see about tomorrow...

To leave you - my son is schizophrenic.

One minute later:

- Brian

Flash Forward 8 years...

So, Spring was apparently one day, because we've hit summer. Bright, sunny - hot.

We have a park near our house with 4 girls softball fields and a bazillion slides, swings, and monkey bars. As you guessed, it's Ben's favorite place to play. So, as it was such a nice day, we walked on over thinking it would be a great day to play nicely and quietly on the equipment.

BOY - were we wrong.

It's Oak Forest Girls Softball season. God bless my parents for putting up with Little League all those years, because the scene nearly gave me epilepsy.

It's slightly more intense than I remember - 8 million kids running around, golf carts zipping by, tents with food, raffles, auctions, bake sales. The concession stand had a line a mile long - which was only topped by the line for the moon bounce (shoes off!!!). The announcer had a sound system that rivaled Spinal Tap and the dial was definitely turned to 11. Too bad we missed the parade - seriously, there was a parade - but the floats were still there and bubble gum and lollipops littered the grass.

So we stayed awhile to witness the spectacle. We watched a little of the Buttercups vs the Angles. But we apparently missed the action yesterday when the Comets destroyed the Ladybugs 13-0 with a perfect game. The action should have been incredible.

So, with that, I flashed forward about 8 years. I'm sure the dial will have been turned to 12 by then. The spectacle will be that much more - and Patti and I will be that much more excited to have Baby Girl Bishop up to bat.

Ben and baseball - well, that's another story for another day.

Play Ball!

- Brian

PS - We need a vote here - best team name: Hustlers, Slyders, or Little Kisses?

Spring!!

It's spring and we're not the only ones in the neighborhood expanding our family! I couldn't help but get this little family walking up our street. Too cute!

Things here are going well. We're in the waiting game now. As of today I am 37 weeks pregnant which means I am OVER 9 months pregnant and ok to go at any time. I was put on restrictions over a week ago because of labor type symptoms but now that I am considered "full term" and baby looks good, I can do whatever I can tolerate. Which has equaled no more labor type symptoms so I will now likely be pregnant forever! Or, for the next few weeks anyway. I am definitely ready, tired, sore, but excited. Brian is, too. Every time I hiccup he asks "Are you ok? What was that?" He packed a suitcase over a week ago which still sits in his closet. He's at least ready.

Ben is doing great! He may be getting that there will actually be a baby and that Mommy's belly isn't just called "baby sister." I am trying desperately to keep up with him! I can't really explain to him that I can't do certain things, but only briefly! I love it when Brian gets home and Ben gets to really get some energy out. Abby, too. As you can see from the video today, Abby has found a new nap spot! They both fell asleep in there, we shut the door and didn't even realize Abby was still in there. Ben fell asleep without trouble, and Abby didn't want to come out! She's still mad that we took her bed away from her room in order to fit the crib!

The Science of BABIES!!!!

So. When a man loves a woman very very much....

Well, I hope all of your parents have already had that talk with you. Patti and I are pretty much past that now. She has officially gone on bed rest.

Been there, done that. She has officially come OFF bed rest and has gone back to work. As Samuel L. Jackson says - Hold on to your butts.

So - science of babies you say? Well, yes. More like math of babies - or using a watch of babies. Depends on your grade level...but spreadsheets are science, right?

May 1st, 2011 Time of day Interval Length 4:00 PM N/A 1min 4:30 PM 30:00 1min 5:00 PM 30:00 1min 5:30 PM 30:00 1min 6:00 PM 30:00 1min 6:30 PM 30:00 1min 6:55 PM 25:00 1min 7:17 PM 22:00 1min 7:39 PM 22:00 1min 8:18 PM 39:00 46sec 8:33 PM 15:00 1min 8:45 PM 12:00 N/A 8:58 PM 13:00 N/A 9:34 PM 36:00 N/A 9:51 PM 17:00 N/A 10:18 PM 27:00 N/A 10:38 PM 20:00 N/A 10:53 PM 15:00 N/A

May 6th, 2011
Time of day	Interval	Length
6:44 PM	N/A	N/A
6:57 PM	13:00	54 sec
7:20 PM	23:00	45 sec
7:30 PM	10:00	1 min
7:42 PM	12:00	N/A
7:59 PM	17:00	1 min
8:04 PM	05:00	N/A
8:23 PM	19:00	1 min
8:41 PM	18:00	1 min
9:24 PM	43:00	1 min

So, it's been a few weeks in a row with near misses - well, at least we thought they were near misses. Osama bin Laden was killed, Obama was strutting all about, but we were timing contractions. These were the first of the real contractions and caught our attention...but they didn't last very long.

May 10th, 2011 Time of day Interval Length 7:01 PM N/A N/A 7:07 PM 06:00 over 1 min 7:30 PM 23:00 34 sec 7:41 PM 11:00 1 min 7:57 PM 16:00 1 min 40 sec 8:33 PM 36:00 1 min 8:44 PM 11:00 1 min 9:16 PM 32:00 1 min 9:35 PM 19:00 1 min 11 sec May 18th, 2011 Time of day Interval Length 6:31 PM N/A N/A 6:36 PM 05:00 1 min 6:45 PM 09:00 1 min 6:49 PM 04:00 30 sec 7:06 PM 17:00 46 sec 7:13 PM 07:00 47 sec 7:30 PM 17:00 1 min 7:41 PM 11:00 35 sec ??? ??? ???

Now, these - INCLUDING TODAY - are getting our attention quite a bit more. Longer, stronger, and F-A-S-T. May 10th made me pack our bag. May 18th, well...we'll see....

Gotta love the science.

- Brian

I have decided to put some pictures from Ben's camera on. He loves running around seeing what he can capture. Some are pretty embarrassing for me...and Brian. But it's fun anyway.

Things here are plugging along. I've continued to take it easy. The contractions come and go but nothing too regular anymore. I was officially 36 weeks pregnant (that's 9months exactly) on Saturday (again, 40 weeks is considered full term).

On Thursday, baby girl had her first physical. It was called a biophysical profile. Since I was contracting and dilating a bit, and due to my tendency to have babies (uh um, Ben) early and fast, the doctor just wanted to make sure baby girl was healthy as can be, otherwise I'd be on strict bed rest. None of that, though! Baby girl is doing great. She scored a 10/10! Basically, they look at size, heart rate, her reaction to movement and contractions, and amount of amniotic fluid. She was perfect on all that! They estimated her weight to be about 5lbs 9oz, she's expanding her lungs perfectly, and in the proper position! Now, I'm just getting excited!

One more week and I'll be REALLY confident and probably ready to go. I had a little breakdown this morning because I am quite uncomfortable. I am tired, but bored, I want to move, but I can't. I want to play with Ben, but I shouldn't, I want to go for long walks and play at the playground, but shouldn't. I feel so bad for Abby and Ben. They just keep looking at me like "Mom....let's go!" Anything to make sure baby girl is ok and I know it will ALL be worth it! And I know this is NOTHING compared to what some women have to go through. At least in a week I'll likely be taken off restrictions and can do whatever I can tolerate. LOVE IT!