Let the journey begin...

Today marks the day that we checkin to the hospital. I can't believe we're here! Oh wait, yes I can... have you seen my belly lately!?? HA! Our boy is still arriving (via c-section) on Tuesday morning, but I go in this evening to start a heprin drip. Heprin is another blood thinner, but easier to control and time so they can take me off of it in enough time before the surgery. We have been busy this weekend getting last minute things done around the house, spoiling our little girl, and packing our bags for the week ahead. I am suppose to be taking it easy, but I just can't sit still!! I'm all sorts of emotions right now - anxious, excited, nervous, did I mention anxious? I'm so ready for the surgery to be over and to finally hold this little boy that has been growing inside of me! I can't wait to see his handsome face! (which I have a feeling is going to be a mini-bobby) :) So, stay tuned to Tuesday when we can introduce our little man, and finally share his name!

Our family of 3... about to be a family of 4!

Watching a little Sunday football before we leave - awwww :)

Pumpkins + FALL!

Tomorrow marks the first day of FALL {my favorite season} and what better way to get in the spirit than to take Bridgette out to get pumpkins! Plus, I'm running out of time here ... so I need to get my pumpkins on display while I can! :) This morning we went to Calloway's Nursery, where they had a great selection of pumpkins and gourds all set up like a pumpkin patch. Bridgette was very busy the whole time picking up and organizing the little ones into their baskets, trying to pick up the big ones (HA!), and walking around to the different varieties. Here are some pics of our morning outing.

37 Weeks and our little boy is growing!

Well, the finish line is in site! Yesterday we had 2 check-ups: 1 with my doctor and 1 with the sonogram specialist (just to double check everything with lil'bean). Everything is looking good! I'm moving right along, my legs are looking better, and I am officially off of bed rest! Wahoo! Of course I still need to take it easy (we still don't want me to go into labor yet) but I can at least move around more than I have been. For those who know me... don't worry, Bob is still keeping a close eye on me and not letting me do too much!

As for our little boy: he has now turned from breach position to head down, he is measuring at 6lbs 8oz (75%), still very active, and in Bob's words "definitely a boy" from the pictures. There is no new date scheduled yet... because of the clot and blood thinners, we are just taking it a week at a time. And of course my doctor would like him to "cook" as long as possible before she takes him. So for now we just wait...

Thank you everyone for your love, support, prayers, and good thoughts through these past couple weeks! They are obviously working, so keep them coming! :) We still need to get this little boy here safe and sound with a healthy mommy to take care of him! We have 2 more appointments next week, so we will keep everyone posted! Love you all!

Our growing boy ...

... and my growing belly!

Bridgette's FIRST day of school!

Today was Bridgette's first day at CCDC (Christian Childhood Development Center) where she will be going Mondays and Wednesdays for mothers day out. I don't know who was more excited this morning... me or her!? I got up early to make her lunch, label everything, pack her bag, and get new her outfit laid out. It's like she knew something was going on, because once daddy got her dressed, she was prancing around the house like she was all that! ha! :) Well, drop off was easy (minus the monsoon we had outside)... she was happy and willing to leave us. It was us that were lingering at the door, trying to get just one more picture. Yes, we are those parents! Now pick up was a different story ... they said she was happy all day until parents started picking up the other kids in her class. Once she saw us, she burst into tears... poor little :) Maybe she thought we'd forgotten about her? Of course not! Either way, she played hard today (while mommy relaxed), didn't really nap much at school, and was exhausted this evening!

Bridgette showing off her new shoes + outfit

She finds her name on the wall outside

a quick pic with daddy before he hands her over

... and already playing with new toys and kids, hardly looking back!

Bridgette meets her teachers!

Next week Bridgette will start Mothers Day Out twice a week at CCDC. She will be going from 9-2:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Thursday was Meet the Teacher day, and we think she is going to LOVE it there! She got to see her classroom, meet some other kids she'll be with, and play with lots of new toys! Here's a preview of a "typical" day for her, along with a video Bob got on Thursday. This weekend we're going to get her ready with new shoes, a backpack, and then start labeling everything! ha! :)

What a week!

Last Thursday marked the start of some "unplanned" excitement for the Bloem household. I woke up (after not really sleeping at all) with some weird discomfort and heat in my right knee. Well, I've been dealing with some pain in my legs, varicose veins, and varicosities this pregnancy... but something told me this was different. We went to see my doctor that afternoon, who then sent us to the hospital for imaging on both legs. Yup... sure enough, the heat was telling me something - I had a blood clot in my right knee. They admitted me to the hospital, started blood thinner injections, and then we got to stay (and preview where we'll be in a few weeks) at Baylor Frisco from Thursday night to Monday morning. My doctor wanted me to be there so they could monitor our little boy, get a few days worth of the injections in, and start seeing some visible changes to my knee before sending me home.

Well, thank goodness she started seeing some change! We are now home and feeling more comfortable in our own space again. And Bridgette is glad to be back with her puppies too... although I don't think she minded one bit being spoiled by Mimi and Poppa over the weekend! (So glad they live close too!!) As for now I am on modified bed rest, still getting injections twice a day (thanks hubby!), and am to just relax and take it easy as much as possible! My due date will be rescheduled, but we're playing that by ear with some check ups I have next week. At most our little boy will arrive in about 2 1/2 weeks!

We just want to thank all of our friends and family for their support through this time!! All of the good thoughts, prayers, visits, and food have been much appreciated!! And we hope we can repay the hospitality back one day! We will keep everyone updated as the weeks to come unfold. Love you all!

Bridgette and I in front of the play area... she visited this area a lot!

Bridge and I sharing the wheelchair... I got to get out for a "ride" 3 times a day! Woo-hoo!

Feeling so loved...

Saturday night our sweet neighbors {also know as the Shirettes} hosted a little party for us to help celebrate the upcoming arrival of our little boy. The party was lots of fun, the food was delicious, and the best part was that we just had to walk across the street! Not only was everyone there, but both of our parents were able to celebrate in the fun too!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the "Shirettes", let me introduce you: it's the name we all came up with for each other when we started hanging out regularly...just about a year ago. (Boy time flies, it seems like a lot longer!) We live on Liptonshire Drive, also known as "the shire"... and since it's mostly us ladies doing the hanging, the term "Shirettes" just seemed appropriate. The friendships that we have made are awesome, and we have all turned into a little support system for each other. We are so blessed to live on a street with such great people, and to have a little "village" to help with our growing family! So, we would like to give a BIG thank you to all of our neighbors for putting this together and for Tamara & Jeremy hosting it at their house. Everyone has spoiled us and our kiddos, and we are feeling so very loved right now!!

Bob pointing to the guest of honor :)

Bob and his Dad teaching Mary Nell and Julie how to make caipirinhas*

*a delicious Brazilian cocktail made with cachaca, lime, and sugar

Bridgette with her Vovo e Vovo

Amy and I in our fun party pic pose

Jeremy, John, and Bob manning the grill

Tamara and I in front of the delicious spread!

Adrienne and I with our girls*

*Bridgette and Caroline both showed up in Tamara originals... that's right, Tamara MADE these dresses!

Me and my Moms!

"Wait, these gifts aren't for ME??!??"

(The next morning, Bridgette decided to re-open all of the gifts - HA!)