HaPPy 4 MoNTH BiRTHDay!

Augustus celebrated his 4 month birthday at a Gaelic Storm concert at Celtic Fest. We took him over to the Sherrer/Chambers residence for a nice pre-fest cookout and then to the fest. He slept most of the time we were there. He tends to sleep through things quite often. When the concert started he wasn't too happy. He doesn't really care for loud noises and the clapping was just too much for him. We watched from a distance and danced on the patio. He still had fun.

Today he went in for his 4 month check up with Dr. Kamdar. His new nurse Michelle weighed and measured him....our little Bug is growing fast. He was 24 1/2" long and 16 lbs. 10 oz.! Dr. Kamdar called him a little Roly-Poly and he cried. She said it must have hurt his feelings. :( She then said he will be a football player. He liked that compliment. After all the mama-doctor talk he was due for his shots. Not fun. Augustus started working the charm on his doctor when she was talking about his shot schedule. He smiled and giggled...she told him "You are not supposed to flirt with your doctor!" and laughed. Then she told him it was a nice effort but he was still getting his shots...lol! I love his pediatrician. She is just the best. She always makes us feel at ease and answers each and every question fully. You never feel rushed like at the regular doctors office. She's a very sweet woman. And A-Goos-Goos (as she calls him) loves her also. The big surprise was his teething...we know he is drooling alot and chewing everything in site includes his hands and our hands but she said that he will probably start getting soon...oh dear God help us! We've stocked up on the Hylands so we should be all good!

Luckily his cousin Kerigan is visiting from Connecticut and he had her with him to keep him calm for his shots. She played with him until the moment came and then she no longer wanted to be there. She couldn't bear seeing him get his shots. Dr. Kamdar let her pick out a sticker while the nurse and I prepared him for his shots. He was a total trooper this time around. No tears!! Which was really awesome because usually I leave the room and Cole holds him while they give them to him. But Cole wasn't able to come this time so it was just me....and the nurse with the needles. 1 oral vaccine and 2 pokes later - surprisingly we still had a happy boy.

He's doing well and growing big and strong. We are going to start cereal in a bowl with a spoon to get some practice in. Then, next month we will start his purees'. I'm pretty excited to make those. It will be basic first...greens, then yellows, then fruits etc. She gave me a schedule of foods and when to start them. He is getting so big already I cannot believe I am even thinking about purees' yet. But they grow...that's the way it works. Size 3 diapers, 3-6 month clothes and purees' already.....wowza.

Two Peas In A Pod!

Tubby Time!

THaT'S JuST HoW i RoLL!

Augustus is learning how to roll! We clapped and shouted "Yay" ~ maybe a little too loud because he cried after! None the less, our boy is growing and has met a milestone...THE ROLL-OVER! I've tried catching it on video but he senses Mama is trying to do something important and stops! But the first roll was accomplished with great success and we will catch one in the future I am sure.

Chatterbox Drool Monster!

Augustus is now ALREADY 3 months & 2 weeks old. I know, I know - he's going to grow - that's how it works. But wow is it going fast. It seems like yesterday I was rubbing my belly and talking to him while he kicked. Now I am singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (one of his favorites) and "You are my sunshine" at bedtime!

One thing we've noticed is how many nicknames the poor kiddo already has! We're going to have to work on narrowing them down or he's not going to know what his real name is! So far: Bug (mommys favorite), Gus, Auggie, BUGustus, Mr. Baby (daddys favorite), the handsome guy, Ah-goos-goos (how his pediatrician pronounces his name),  poops-ma-goops, Augustus Gloop Isaac Newton Niswonger, and on and on. Cole and I have been making a point to call him by his full name: Augustus. It is afterall, his given name. We figure he can chose what he would like to be known as when he gets bigger. Who knows - he may want to be called Spiderman - never know!

In the short little 3 months we've been blessed with him he's already changed everything we expected of parenting. Of course being tired comes with it but waking up every 3 - 4 hours to see him smile at me is something I will just have to deal with - haha. I love that little smile and though being tired is tough - all worth it. If I was ever asked what it's like to be a new parent - I would say this: it's tiring, at times you question what you are doing and if it is right but it is also the best feeling in the world and for every negative the positives outweight and are worth it.

We have a little chatterbox drool monster living with us! He is a talker! I love watching him as he "talks"...his little mouth and tongue move about trying to form words and you can see in his eyes that he really is telling us something. He loves to carry on lunchtime chats with daddy. He really seems to react quite loudly when Cole talks to him. One day we will know what he is saying but for right now - I'm ok with the "words" that do not make sense.

He's got this personality that is just so amazing. He loves to giggle, smile and daddy taught him to stick out his tongue. So he does that alot! He knows he will get a giggle from us when he does it.

He loves sitting in his highchair also. No need for a Bumbo in this house! His highchair has an infant insert and he loves it! He's able to play with his favorite toys (besides his hands) - his linkables, his keys and his book that sounds like plastic crackling. We recently have been giving him cooling teething toys also. He wont hold them but if we hold them for him he likes to suck on them. This kid is pampered! The drooling has begun, hence the teethers. It started a few weeks ago. His hands are his favorite thing to chew on...we have tons of toys but his hands are what he loves!?!? Often times when he's napping we will hear that distinct sucking noise and there he is - awake and eating his fingers.

He's experienced his first fourth of July this summer. At first, the loud noises from the fireworks scared him but then he was ok and sat on my lap and watched them with his cousin Gaven nearby. It's so neat that they are the nearly the same age and experiencing so many "firsts" together. For example - this was their first "Annual Fourth of July Bash" at Ungle Doug & Aunt Lisa's Party Palace. One day when they are bigger they will get to enjoy the big jungle gym Uncle Doug built. It's huge and all of their little cousins already do!

Augustus met one of Grandma Gust's closest friends at the party. Her name is Norma. She got  a kick out of him! She talked to him and he held her finger and laughed at her. She just loved that he did that. I wonder if that's what it would've been like had he been able to meet Gram. I know she would have loved him. All of the kids loved her so much! She was always so great with all of us. I still think when he smiles and giggles in his sleep it's because she's talking to him or singing to him. I would have loved for them to meet each other. Cole sings this song that I remember Gram singing - "I love you a bushel and a peck...a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." - I wonder if that's her way of singing to Augustus ~ through Cole.

After being coated with sunblock he also went swimming again. His first go-round didn't go so well we tried it again and this time he really liked it! He went 3 times in one weekend so we are hoping now he will be ok with it. He has a new floaty that Nana Sherry bought him and while it's a little big yet this summer - I think it helped him feel better about being in the water. He just floats around and loves it!

Month Two! in pictures...

I apologize for not posting much...life is a little hectic right now and I am getting into a new groove! It's on my list to post more and keep you all updated! Here's a brief summary of Month Two:

He went to Walbridge for the first time and met lots of his new family members including his new cousin Gaven. They are 5 weeks apart! Future buddies like mommy and Gavens daddy Steven.

This was his first time to church at Cedarcreek.

His swing is his favorite place to be. He watches the mobile and loves the nature sounds it plays.

He napped for a whole 5 minutes in his crib for the first time. He isn't sleeping in it yet but we wanted to give it a try. Epic Fail. lol. ;)

His giggles are more frequent lately. His smile are too. He's learning his facial expressions will get a reaction from us. He likes to smile alot.

Floor time = FUN time!!

He also went in Aunt Kelie & Uncle Henry's pool for the first time. He didn't like it so we borrowed this awesome rocket raft and he seemed to feel more comfortable in it. He took a pretty long nap in it too!

He also met his "fur-cousin" Deisel...an English Mastiff. He's a gentle giant if you are in his circle. Thank God Augustus was accepted into his circle quickly. Deisel didn't seem to mind him much. Augustus probably thought he would get to ride him like a pony. Maybe one day he will!

He went to his first petting zoo at Youngs Jersey Dairy - he didn't seem to care. lol.

Month Three is upon us and we will have lots of new experiences to share. He will experience his first Fourth of July celebration at Uncle Doug & Aunt Lisa's Party Palace and he will meet his new best friend Landon = who is due July 23!

Our First Month as Parents ~ in Pictures!

Our First Day ~ boy, were we exhausted!

Bug & his Jaundice light...our little lightnin' bug. :)

Going home! 4/3/10

Our New Family!

                                       

                                             

We got to bring Bug home on Saturday, the day before Easter. We didn't have any plans to take him anywhere but it was still great to be home for his first Easter!

                                             

We spent the first few days adjusting to life on someone else's schedule - Bugs! My mom stayed with us for a few days after he was born and she helped us with any questions we had. It was so great having her here. When my mom left, my in-laws helped since they live close to us. It was really great having them bring us meals too - it really helped considering I was still healing from my surgery and wasn't moving as fast as usual.

Here are more photos of Bug and our lives together throughout his first month:

His First Bath!

His first visit with the Pediatrician.

Showing off how strong he is at 2 1/2 weeks!

Going to meet his Great Papaw & Mamaw

His Birth Announcement Photo.

Sleeping & being Handsome...the two things he does best!

My Birth Story

On Monday, March 29th the Dosh-Master told us that Bugs head had still not moved into the birth canal - a.k.a. he had not "dropped". He gave us 2 options: 1) we could wait one more week to see if he would or 2) I could be induced on Wednesday (March 31st). After discussing everything with him Cole and I decided to go ahead and schedule the induction. I was so scared but so excited.

On Tuesday March 30th, my mom arrived from Toledo and took me out for the day to help me relax. We then settled in for one long sleepless night. While we knew we needed the sleep Cole and I couldn't get settled enough to get any. At 4:30 we get ready to drive to the hospital. I was so nervous that I didn't even want to stop and get my cup of Timmy's because my tummy was so busy. We got to the hospital right on time at 5:30 a.m. After what felt like forever we were signed in and ready to go upstairs and get the process started. On our way down what felt like the longest hallway ever (not really a long one but I was scared so it seemed that way to me) we heard a new baby being born - thats when it all hit me. I just started tearing up and when we got into the birthing room I started crying. That's when Lisa (later refered to as Lisa #1) walked in and explained how everything would go throughout the day. She helped me get settled in and hooked me up to the IV.

~ The Process Begins ~ **Warning - it gets graphic here**

Around 7:00 a.m. Lisa #1 began the Cytotec applications. This was done to help my cervix ripen. In order for the birthing process to start the cervix has to thin out and mine was not...this is also part of the dialation process. Cytotex is a capsule placed under the cervix once every four hours. After the application, I had to lay flat for one hour and after that I could get up and walk or use the potty etc. She informed us that this was a long process and that I probably wouldn't have Bug until late that night but possibly not until the next day....saaay whhaaaat??? After the four hours she checked my cervix again and said I needed another dose. Still not much progress in the area.

Application #2 happened and the process continued. After this application - I had finally began dialating but was only at a 1. In other terms - not much at all and on to dose #3.

Application #3 happened in the afternoon. Now I had a new nurse - Lisa #2. She was going to be my nurse until the night shift nurse (Andrea) came in. At this point - everyone was tired. It had already begun to be a long day. Sitting in one room with casual walks here and there still makes you feel tired. But we kept on and hoped this application would help. The Dosh-Master came to visit and checked me to see what was happening. The answer: not much. It was 7:00 p.m. and I was only dialated to a 3. It was going to be an even longer day than we had thought.

                             

                                                      (Andrea & Lisa #2)

He decided to break my water and start the pitocin. This is when the fun began! And I say fun being completely facetious. Because my water was broken (that is just an experience all of it's own!) and the pitocin was started this meant labor was on its way. I started feeling contractions and while they weren't too bad - they weren't a fun time either. I finally asked for some pain medication. Lisa #2 gave me a half dose of Nubain. I swear the clock was moving on the wall when she did that!! She called me a "lightweight"...it was nice to have a bit of humor in all the seriousness.

Cole stayed right next to me throughout all of the applications and all of the craziness. We had a great support team with us that day - my mom, his mom and his dad. Throughout the day we had a few visitors but at this point - I was done with visitors and asked that no one else come to the room. I even turned my phone to vibrate and tried to focus on relaxing. Turning my phone on vibrate was a huge indication that I was ready to do this and no longer wanted to chit chat with anyone. I was in pain, I was tired and I was ready to meet my boy. The contractions continued and I tried so hard to get through them without getting the epidural. I really tried so hard to breath and focus. I had 3 things with me to help me: 1) my bible verses I memorized, 2) my picture of me and my gran and 3) my music. As the evening got later and the pain got stronger I had the lights dimmed and Cole turned my music on for me. We listened to Ray Lamontagne and I breathed through each contraction as it came. Cole held my hand and just calmed me. He helped me focus on breathing and reassured me of what a great job I was doing. It was harder as the evening progressed because the simple fact was my body was not progressing in the way it needed to for me to have a vaginal birth.

Later that evening (I'm guessing 11:00 p.m. but I was medicated at this point) I asked for the epidural. I  just couldn't handle it anymore. They called the anesthesiologist and she was there very quick! That was a feeling I will never forget and honestly I feel like that hurt me more than anything else. I still tear up when I think about that. It was just something I knew I needed but wish it didn't feel the way it did. The pressure and the pain in my spine just simply hurt.

As the time went by I continued to feel a very sharp pain in my abdomen. I kept saying the epidural didn't work and when they looked on the machines - I was having contractions and not feeling them so yes it did work. The pain I was in was a pain the epidural couldn't touch. I asked and received a second dose of the epidural. This still couldn't prevent that pain. The Dosh-Master came in and checked me again. My cervix was thinning out and I wasn't dialating any further. It was now decision time. I could continue for a few hours and hope to dialate or I could have a C-Section. This was a very hard decision. I was so scared to have a C-Section. I also felt as though I was giving up - it was like I was being defeated by my own body. It was so hard for me but I knew it was best for me and for Bug that I have the C-Section. The truth behind it all is that I probably never would have dialated far enough to have him vaginally because my pelvic area isn't large enough to give birth that way.

~ The Cesarean Section ~

This happened very fast...they transported me to the surgery room and took Cole to a different room so that he could change into the paper clothes. In this room - I lay flat on my back with about 5 new faces around me. Andrea (my night nurse) was with me and so was the anesthesiologist. They had me on the table and were preparing me for the spinal block. I was so afraid I would feel them cut into my body or that I would feel them pull my organs and move my insides....unrealistic but hey! I was a little freaked out right then! Cole was not allowed to be in the room yet and I was so scared without him. He always calms me and I felt alone. Andrea came to me and stood by my side. I asked her if I could hold her while they did the spinal block and she stood there next to be the whole time. It really helped. They laid me back down and then I couldn't feel anything from the chest down. It was really creepy!

They started working on my stomach and I asked for Cole. I needed him. They let him come in and he stayed right next to me. As they worked on me I kept falling asleep - the drugs were all kicked in and my body was just exhausted. Then I heard Cole crying. He said "It's our baby boy." At 1:13 a.m. on April 1st, 2010 - Augustus Isaac was born.

                             

                             

                              

And then my whole world changed...not only could I ~

hear my baby boy cry...

                              

I could see his face...

                               

And touch his skin...

                                 

And hold him close...

And now my life will never be the same.

Bug's HERE!

As you can see, I have not posted in a few weeks! That is because I AM A NEW MOMMY!!!

When things settle down a bit - I'll bring you all the details! Til' then......

39 weeks and holding!

This baby is just taking his sweet time joining us!

This past Tuesday we went to see the Dosh-Master again. And again we were told "No dialation. Cervix is closed." HOWEVER - this time it is "soft".......so that was one good sign that maybe he's not going to stay in there forever as I previously thought. Ha! Ha! He wanted to do a sonogram to make sure Bugs head was in the right position. So I got the jelly off my belly from the doppler and went back to the sonogram room. It's funny seeing him in there now compared to when we was just little...not that he's not little but when we saw him at 6 months it was clear what was what. Now that he's a bit bigger he's all smooshed in there and it makes it difficult to see his profile and such. D-Master showed us his little heart - it was beating beautifully! And then he showed us his little bladder - it was full, just like his mama's! LOL. And then we saw his head...his huge gigantic head that will work it's way out of a small small small area! I'm kidding - his head is normal size but comparing it to the - well, you know...it looks huge! He's in position but he's just not "there" yet so again we wait. We've heard lots of old wives tales about how to progress his birth and we talked to our doctor about them. He said "No. The baby will tell you when he is ready. Nothing will make him fall into that area." So....we just wait.

This week I've felt things I've not felt before - his movement is in a different area (lower) and he is pushing his little foot out much further than before. Last night while I was resting (or trying to anyway) he made this movement that made me jump! Well, I jumped about as fast and as far as my preggo butt could anyway. The vision I had was when the alien reaches out of Sigourney Weaver's tummy in that movie Alien but what really happened - I'm not sure. He just had a fast movement that was bigger than usual and I think it may have scared both of us! I could see his whole little bottom sticking out! He must have been stretching. Oh I just know I will miss those moments! But I am sure they will be filled by even better moments.

The past weeks we've been focused on "our plan" and what we will do to "pass the down time" while we are at the hospital before Bug visits. Cole came up with a great idea that I should find some pieces of scripture for him to read to me and for us to focus on while I am in labor. When I am having a hard moment I tend to go to my Bible as reciting scripture helps me calm down and brings my focus where it needs to be. So we were looking some up and Cole found something very interesting that I want to share:

"Octavian, later known as Caesar Augustus, is only mentioned once in The Bible, when he ordered that a census be taken of the Roman world (see Ancient Empires - Rome). That census caused the birth of Jesus Christ to occur in Bethlehem, exactly as prophesied (e.g. Micah 5:2), rather than in Nazareth where Joseph and Mary were then living.

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David [see also The Chosen People and Ruth], to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7 RSV)

From Cole: Just a little tidbit about Augustus' name where its mentioned in The Bible, but what is interesting is that his due date 4-1-10 is also the date of the current census! The one we are undergoing right now! AND our baby's namesake in The Bible is the person that ordered the first census ever!!! AND the census only occurs once every 10 years now!

So there you have it people. Just a little fun fact about our little Bug!

Long time ~ no blog.

So I haven't updated this in a while...been kind of busy, kind of tired and kind of lazy about it. My energy hasn't been super awesome lately.

Over the last month I've had two baby showers and both rocked!
One was here in Dayton. My friends Brittany & Cathy had it for me. It was very cute! Brit made a cake to match Bugs bedding! We had yummy food too: couscous salad, veggies & dip, a nice bread assortment from Panera (with my favorites - asiago, 2 cheeses, honey wheat), potato soup, roasted red pepper & tomato soup and of course, my craving - fresh fruit!

And my friends totally played to my addiction: Tim Hortons coffee!! It was awesome!!

We played some great games too! One was all about names over the centuries - very cool. The second game was a memory game using baby items that we got to keep! Everytime Brit left the room, she'd remove one item and you had to remember what was in there so you could right down what was missing! Then it was gift time! We received so many great gifts for Bug. Thanks again to everyone who came or sent gifts. :)

(Cathy & Brittany)

Thanks again Cathy & Brittany! We know how hard they worked and made it a very special day for us both. I should mention that the boys went for beers & food while the women were at the shower.

My second shower was in Walbridge (my hometown). My mom and my Aunts had this one. And my sister Leslie flew in from Connecticut to celebrate with us. It was Rubber Ducky Themed.

(Aunt Jenny, Aunt Shawn, Me, Aunt Debi, & Aunt Ferol)

(Mom, Me, Leslie)

We had homemade chicken salad & ham salad on croissants, veggies & dip, fruit, a pickle & olive tray and chips. My aunt had the same woman (whom I adore, Miss JoAnn) who made our bridal shower & wedding cake make our cake for my baby shower! We also had a ducky bath tub that was filled with ice and my AJ made my Grans famous punch. I don't have all the pictures back yet so I cannot post those. But everything tasted great!

(Aunt Lisa made these centerpieces. The duck suckers were made of chocolate!)

We played a "getting to know you" game and a baby alphabet game. You have to come up with a baby related item for each lettter of the alphabet. Some of the answers were so funny. We then went onto gifts. We were so blessed again by so many great gifts! Bug is one spoiled little boy already!!

                                        

(These were given to each person as a little extra Thank You before they left.)

Thank you again to Mom, Leslie & "The Aunts" (as Cole calls them) for such a great day! We sent the boys to the local tavern along with food to have a diaper party. They lucked out as it was the same day as the big Chili Cook-Off so they had lots of food to chose from! I made Cole's favorite snacks - chips & salsa and a cheese, sausage & cracker tray and ordered big sub sandwiches!

After coming home and getting all the gifts unpacked and put away we decided to finish his room. We received his bedding as a gift and got it all washed up. This is what it looks like in his room.

                                

So now his room is ready! We also have our bassinet made and ready in our bedroom. Our bassinet was an antique we bought from JoAnn - she is my seamstress and our cake baker! She said it went through her children and all of her grandbabies. It's a pretty special little place for our Bug. It will keep him close to us at night time. She also made the bedding and as a shower gift made him a beautiful blanket.

We also took our Lamaze classes. Although they have changed the name of those (at least at our hospital) to "Childbirthing Classes". They changed it because they realized most of that breathing stuff doesn't really work. Uhm...lol, sorry previous moms! Now the big focus is relaxation skills, help from your "birthing partner" (so PC), aromatheraphy and good ol' education of the birthing process! That 4 week class was good times!! We learned sooo much and I would highly recommend them to anyone who is going to have a baby! Not just for the moms but for the "birthing partner" too. We gained so much knowledge and were given alot of handouts and a book to help us. It was really a great class. Some of it though was absolutely hilarious! Cole had me laughing, I had him laughing and the girl who sat in front of me - well, she had all of us laughing!! Some of the videos are funny for reasons I won't mention on here and it's just such a stressful situation that you can either laugh or cry - so we laughed!

This past week I took a breastfeeding class and Kelie (my SIL) came with me because Cole had to work and lets be honest here people - guys do not want to sit through something like that! She and I learned ALOT too! Again, lots of handouts and a good book. No need for details about this class.

The hospital we will be at is really pretty awesome. They have such a great focus on Mom/Baby closeness. They really push the idea of keeping the baby in your room, breastfeeding, skin to skin contact with mom & baby, allowing daddy to be there for everything and providing a secure, relaxing environment for all. All of which were very important to Cole and I. They offer "Quiet Time" everyday where they prefer no visitors (but you can if you want to) and they want the moms & the babies to spend that time together bonding. I think it's so neat they do this. The staff that we've met thus far has been amazing too. All very kind and willing to take the time to answer our questions. The hospital tour was cool too. We went to the "Family Beginnings" area - this is the section where they do water births and go a  more natural way of birth. I was really interested in the water births since I love to take baths and I heard it helps with pain. Then I was told you couldn't have any pain meds except Nubain and if you did want the epidural you were moved to a new room - so I decided that wasn't the route for us! They showed us the c-section area and the birthing and post-partum rooms. Both rooms are kind of small but it's not like we'll be there long anyway!

We went for our 37 week visit to see the Dosh-Master this past week. He said Bug is doing well! His heartbeat was perfect and he's a "strong healthy baby" according to the Dosh. He also settled a dispute for Cole and I.....I think Bug will be between 7 & 7.5 lbs. Cole thinks Bug will be 8+ lbs. Doshi said I was right! THANK GOD! LOL. Although his weight definately does matter when he decideds to grace us with his presence. Which may be a few weeks still. I'm not dialated at all. But that's ok. Cole and I feel like he needs to stay in there as long as he needs to to be a healthy boy. We do not want him to come too early.

One amazing thing that happened in the time away from the blogosphere is Augustus' new little cousin was born! Here he is with Cole. Gaven is my cousin Steven & Michelle's (his girlfriend) little boy. Gus & Gaven will be great buds! I already know it!

(Gaven Jayce Lacourse)

Cole was really excited to meet Gaven. He said it made him even more excited for Gus to come! He doesn't believe me when I tell him Gus will be small like Gaven. He wont be as small as Gaven was born a little early but he will be little. Cole loves his little tiny hands and long skinny fingers! Cole will be such a great daddy.

(He's such a little peanut!)

So for now, we just wait. We go weekly to the Dosh-Master for check ups and wait for our little Bug to arrive. Cole gets more excited each time we visit Doshi and we both are just waiting...it's like waiting for Christmas morning when you are a little one. I've been taking (or trying to) it easy lately. I'm having some swelling in my ankles and feet and they hurt! I now know what "cankles" are...not pretty. I'm having some Braxton Hicks contractions more frequently now and am trying to prepare!

We've packed up Augustus' bag and our bags for the hospital. We worked off a list provided by my awesome friend Samantha and also one from the hospital. Now we just wait!