The end is in sight!

Quick Molly update! I went to my ob today for the last time before Miss Molly arrives! Today I'm 39 weeks and a few days and my actual due date is Monday. What a long road this has been! I was sick for half of the pregnancy (like sick, sick), then I had about 10 weeks that were pretty good, then the bedrest started and now she doesn't want to come out without being prodded at least! :) I know it will all be worth it in the end, though. So speaking of the end...if she doesn't arrive this weekend, I will be induced early Monday morning. We're looking forward to finally meeting our little Molly! I feel like we've been in this holding pattern for so long now, that it's just nice to have an end in sight. Hopefully we have this weekend to tie up some last few things, but overall I think we're ready!

My friend, Kelly, made a good point the other day which I'll try not to think about for the next 21 years.... Her daughter, Tessa, was born January 21st, and if Molly is born February 21st (Monday) they will both celebrate their golden birthdays on their 21st birthdays....dangerous!! :)

Here are a couple prego pics...yes, 2 different days and the same sweater. It's cute, comfortable and covers my belly! :)

Valentine's Day--39 weeks!

Jacob's birthday party, January 29th--almost 37 weeks

Happy 5th Birthday, Jacob!

Our sweet Jacob turned 5 on January 24th. It's so hard to believe what this year will bring for him...and I'm not ready for it! He'll go to kindergarten, start T-ball, lose his first teeth, ride a big boy bike, be a big brother to 2 siblings, get even taller, and so many other things I'm sure! Jacob has grown to be a sensitive, loving, friendly, empathetic boy who has many friends. For the most part he gets along very well with his brother, too, which is great! They could play for hours together imagining different scenarios with their toys. He's also become quite the story teller this year, which is so fun to watch develop and see his imagination emerge. Here are some pics of his family birthday party-- pirate themed, of course!!

More pirate booty!

His big boy bike and Batman helmet!

Poppy plays with Zach and we actually capture a good smile! :)

Happy Birthday to Jacob!

Grandma Wendy and Jakey!

Lovin' Oven is the best! What an awesome pirate cake!

Poppy Gaylord and Jacob share the same birthday!

Poppy Dave and Jacob

Helmet heads!

Grandma Marilyn and Poppy with the birthday boy!

The birthday boys enjoy a moment together!

Sledding Fun! (before the bedrest began...)

A few days before Christmas we had a nice snowfall, so I took the boys out across the street from our house where there is a smaller hill, which is just the right size for preschoolers. :) I fell a few times trying to help Zach up the hill, so I'm hoping that didn't start my preterm labor a few days later!! :) (I can't figure out how to remove the underline! Sorry!)

I love this picture of them! :)

Jacob was helping Zach up the hill...nice brother!

There was a layer of ice on top of the snow, which didn't make for good snow angels!

Yes, that snowball hit me!!

One of my favorite Jakey pictures!

Christmastime at the Strahan's (yes I know it's February now!)

I'm on an updating roll...so here are some Christmas pictures for you! We had a wonderful Christmas with our families and we are so very thankful for them. Yes, my pirates got not one, but two pirate ships, but of course they still fight over them. :)

Jacob's pirate ship! Finally! :)

Not fighting YET over it! :)

My anti-picture boy!

Uncle Jeff sporting his new Cardinals sweatshirt! Go Cards! (Ha ha, Dan...I can say that since I'm the one writing this blog!)

Grandma Wendy and her new 2011 photo calendar!

Poppy Dave shows off their photo book!

Zach had to see what was in Poppy G's new popcorn bowl, hoping it had popcorn!

Zach is letting Daddy play with his new Buzz Lightyear

The boys read stories with Uncle Andy and Aunt Malissa

Zach loves his new dragon castle!

Jacob impatiently awaits opening presents at the Wiegers' house!

Zach checks out his new walking and talking Rex!

Is it just me or does Dan look like the pregnant one here? Why is his hand on his belly?? :)

Our little techie, Zach, and his new laptop!

We have Toy Story fever!

Jakey loves his new space shuttle. For those of you with little boys--Fisher Price's Imaginext toys are the best!!!

They absolutely crashed on Christmas morning heading to our next destination....with their favorite toys in hand!

Jacob and Grandma Marilyn!

The Strahan girls! Kristen, Malissa, and me!

To add to our pirate collection--Captain Hook's Island... :)

And finally... Zach's new pirate ship! Argh, mateys!

Update on Molly!

Hi everyone!

Again I haven't updated in a while (I'm still trying to get caught up...), but I thought I should give an update on Miss Molly. I ended up on bedrest from Christmas until a little over a week ago, and then I was able to stop taking the medicine that stops labor and resume normal life again when I turned 36 weeks. At first my contractions really slowed down when we thought I'd go into labor right away, and then they sped up and we had a false alarm of getting the car all packed just to have them go away. Since then they have slowed down again, which is probably good because the Chicago area was just hit with a blizzard the past 2 days! So I am 37 weeks now and all ready for her to come. I have a feeling that she's gotten pretty comfortable so she may stay a while longer! :) I don't have my sd card right now, but I'll try to post a pregnancy pic soon. Hope you're all staying warm in this crazy Midwest weather!!