Next to Nothing

Ok. So, my contractions have slowed down to next to nothing. Even after a full day at work yesterday, taking care of Malachi (a very fussy one at that), going grocery shopping at 8:15pm, and sleeping less than 8 hours last night, I am not having many contractions at all. I guess I could easily go another 4 weeks. Aaaaagggghhhh! I don't think I'm ready for that. It's good news for my students, though, who want to keep me here as long as possible. I actually had a few girls ask me (jokingly) if I could just postpone this thing until the summer. I told them I wish I could, but I just can't. They totally understood, of course, but they are definitely still sad that I will be gone for at least 6 weeks.

I just can't get over how big Malachi is getting. His behaviors and attitudes are truly becoming more like a boy, not a baby or toddler. He is starting to try to say even more. Just last night, he was "counting." One, two, three. It didn't sound much like that, but Daniel does that a lot when he is playing. Malachi was playing with a toy, and I could definitely tell that is what he was trying to do. Hang in there, buddy. You are in for the ride of your life the next few weeks, especially since I just found out your Aunt Donna, Uncle Ken, and Cousin Christopher are coming to visit soon.

No Baby Yet

On my last post, I mentioned that I was having contractions. Apparently, I am having "Braxton Hicks" contractions. I don't believe in BH contractions. A contraction is a contraction is a contraction. Anywho, when I went to the doctor Thursday afternoon I was not dilated any. This is good news for the baby (whose name you will find out very soon). He needs to bake a little bit longer. I am a firm believer in letting the child bake as long as necessary. I am totally not in favor of inducing labor. Well, it looks like I will be enduring contractions for the next few weeks. I have a feeling that I will go early, but I don't think it will be more than two weeks early. So, I am giving myself 2-3.5 weeks. We'll see what God's plan is for this little boy. Thankfully my contractions are not unbearable. They are pretty easy to deal with most of the time, but they are more frequent the more active I am. This morning I was in "nesting" mode and did way too much. This evening my contractions were more frequent and a little bit more difficult. I just feel like an invalid, but Daniel reminds me that I just need to "take it easy."

At the beginning of this week, our baby boy also dropped farther down. Now, my pants won't stay up and my shirts won't go down far enough. This leaves me with even less to wear. At least I'm not swollen and am not on bed rest. Praise the Lord that he has truly taken care of both of us.

Random recent pictures of Malachi (our big boy)

18 Month Check-up

Malachi went with his Daddy to the Pediatrician today. We just transfered Malachi over (and the baby, too). So far, so good. Anywho, He is 24 lbs., 8 oz. He is 31 3/4 in. tall and a head circum. of 43 cm. He's getting big! We just went out last week and bought him 24 mo. shirts. He still needs 18 mo. pants, but most of the 18 mo. shirts were getting too short on the belly and arms. I can't believe how fast he is growing!!!

A side note. I am currently having contractions. They go in and out. They are nothing "regular" but are coming more frequently. Who knows. If this pregnancy is anything like my first, we could have a baby in the next week:)

Sleepover...over

The family who was having Kiev over for a "sleepover" loved her to death, but their 11 lb. dog just couldn't take it. Kiev is so playful that she just doesn't understand that she is a BIG dog. The little dog was losing clumps of hair in distress. The people in the family loved her, but their first priority is their dog. They wished that they could keep her (Kiev) but had to bring her back on Saturday afternoon. Kiev was definitely given a lot of play time at their house. When she came back, she laid around and didn't bother anyone all day. Thanks to the other family. So, now its back to the drawing board. I have had several other people who might want Kiev. She is such a good dog, but we are planning on moving into an apartment soon and just don't know how much attention and exercise she will get once the new baby comes. Keep us in your prayers please!

A Sleepover...

And I'm not invited. Sniff, sniff, sniff :(

Kiev is spending the weekend with a family who might be adopting her from us. It's kind of like a trial weekend. They want another dog, a big one, to give a little "protection" and companionship for their little dog and family. It is hard thinking about getting rid of Kiev, but it is nice to know that a great family might want her and give her much more time and attention than a full-time teacher, mom of about to be two, and pastor's wife can give. This is one of our answers to prayer, if they decide that they would like to keep her. So, right now I am sitting in an empty bedroom with no dog or dog bed. Sniff, sniff :(

Our BIG Happy Family

Happy New Year from our growing family to yours!
May Christ richly bless you like He has richly blessed us.

Lots of Words

Malachi's vocabulary has expanded in the past week or so. He can now say...

• apple ("ap-pa")
• orange ("arj")
• outside ("ou-sy")
• hot, all done/gone (with palms up and out)
• ball ("ba")
• Mom ("ma")
• Dad ("dad")
• that ("dat")
• Mmm...good ("mmm...gu")
  

There may be a few more that he is refining that we are just not sure about yet. Way to go, kid! Your on your way to sentences. Just today, you were telling Kiev to go away. You were playing with grandpa, and Kiev was interfering. I think you said, "No, dog!" (very forcefully, I might add).

Malachi, I will have to say that I am glad that your favorite word is still "apple" and not "no." Most of the time if you don't want something, you just shake your head back and forth. I guess a lot of that is just your nature. You go with the flow so well and rarely show your temper. We have worked on you not wining to get what you want and most of the time you "ask nicely" by holding up your arms to be picked up or out for food that you want. You sometimes utter phrases that we don't understand, but we are able to fulfill your needs. Thanks for being such a great son! I know that you will be good with your little brother.

Is It Time???

Ok. So after this week of work, I would like for the doctor to excuse me from work for the next month and a half. I still have to talk to HR people to get my days figured out since they don't actually pay you for maternity leave. I have to use my few sick days and personal days and borrow from the next years in order to get some pay. How retarded! Anywho, I also have to call a different person in HR to make sure that the insurance company is aware that I will be adding another child to the insurance whenever he decides to arrive. I have a writing test to prepare my students for and some of the people working around me are not very professional and add even more stress to my life. Why can't everyone just be like me? The world would be perfect then. Ok, not really. It's just that I get along with so many people, even those that I disagree with, and they don't add any extra stress to my life. However there are 2-3 people who feel that they are far superior than everyone else and choose to make lots of people's lives stressful.

Anyways, other than the stress which I am going to try to avoid from now on as much as possible, I am doing well. I am getting HUGE! Yes, when I lay down, I measure right on. You know, from pubic bone to the top of your uterus is the same inches as weeks that you are. At my appointment last week, I measured 32 in. and was 32 weeks. I was always right on with Malachi as well. Only this time, I am about 30 lbs. lighter than last time. I wake up every two hours to pee in the night. I am hot all the time (especially do to the fact that it has been in the 60's and 70's for the past few weeks). I get leg cramps more often. Occasionally, I have to wake up and pop a few antacids for heartburn. My muscles around my upper legs and lower belly are stretching. I can no longer sit on the floor comfortably to play with Malachi. My back hurts off and on, but I'm still doing fine. OK, so it's really not as bad as I make it sound, but I am definitely ready for this little boy to come. Oh wait, first I have to switch Malachi and the baby's doctor. If I don't, who will circumcise and care for my son afterwards? So, I'm not exactly "ready," but I am now tired of being pregnant. Who knows when this little one will come. We're all waiting somewhat patiently. Thanks for listening to my complaining and belly aching. I feel much better.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year from the Honeycutt's!

Last night we made a last minute run out to Krispy Kreme. Malachi didn't get to sleep until later (9pm), but he really enjoyed nibbling on our "Hot & Now" donuts. I made sure that I was a good Mommy and took along his soy milk, so he wouldn't be asking for our milk after eating the sweet donuts. Now we have leftovers (Yum!). They'll all be gone by tomorrow morning, I'm sure. I don't know if this is going to be an ongoing tradition, but it sure was good this time! Krispy Kreme is a nice treat every now and then. I would gain too much weight, though, if there was one closer to home.