Happy DUE date!

What a wild month May was! We sort of thought we would have a baby during the month, just because Hazel was born at 38.5 weeks and I was feeling similar... but May came and went with lots of Braxton Hicks, slight contractions, and no baby. 

I also realize I've never given an update on the placenta previa news we had at the beginning of the year! 

We went in for an ultrasound at 36 weeks to check on it, rather than every 2-4 weeks like the doctor suggested. Our midwife told us that most of the big growth that's going to "move the placenta away" happens towards the end of pregnancy anyway, so we didn't feel it was necessary to pysch ourselves out once or twice a month. 

We went in with no expectation and fully trusting whatever God wanted to happen, but also feeling a very sweet assurance that everything was going to be fine. After all, I hadn't experienced any bleeding or anything of that nature the entire pregnancy. 

What used to be not even a measurable distance, became a distance so far the ultrasound tech didn't even bother measuring it. When we asked what her estimated guess was, she said, "Gosh, probably 7-8cm". 

BLESSINGS

So, fast-forward to the end of May when my absolutely incredible mother came to stay with us --- you'd better believe I was ready to get back on the horse (literally). 

Hazel had been looking forward to "Grandma coming to ride" for weeks, so I was not the only one stoked to ride. 

We walked, we trotted, we loped, we tripped, we bruised things during said-trip, and we had a blast! 5 months is definitely the longest I've gone without riding in my entire life and it was so nice to be back on, even if it was just an hour jaunt every day around our house. 

Have I mentioned how grateful I am for this mare? LaDee is the best of the best. 

The week leading up to the due date, we tried to get out and do as much as possible. We hiked Donaldson Cave (which has a million and a half stairs), went fishing, swam in rivers, went for walks, and ate delicious food. 

Truly, I'll never be able to repay my mom for her time, talents, and pure LOVE. While I took naps in between all these adventures and Walmart pickup orders, she made freezer meals so that we would have easy food for when baby boy comes. She played with Hazel, changed her, bathed her, read books to her, and she sacrificed her sleep (and arm, haha) so Hazel could lay on it all night. They truly were the cutest buddies and I LOVE seeing my daughter love my mom so much, and vice-versa. 

So, the due date has come and gone and we're still just waiting. Excited to meet this little boy!

We took Mom back to the airport today (bless her, she had already extended her trip 5 days in thoughts that maybe something would happen) and Hazel was one sad baby. 

In fact, she cried pretty good. I cried, too. And when I got back in the car from hugging my mom, Hazel noticed my tears and said, "Mommy sad." Then she thought about it and said, "Hazel sad. Mommy sad. Daddy sad. Grandma sad. Lots sad!!" 

While we are "lots sad", we are also LOTS grateful for a clean house, a chest freezer (literally) full of food, and all the fun we had with Grandma. Baby boy sure missed out. But we excited for him whenever he comes!!

Oh, and in case you're wondering ...😉