due date day

Today is baby's official due date.  

40 weeks.  

I could update the survey from 33 weeks, but as I was reading what I wrote then... nothing has really changed.  I feel great, I'm sleeping decent, baby is active.  No swelling, still some heartburn, clothes still fit but I'm mostly only wearing my swim suit to the pool these days.   

The only exciting (yet hopefully uneventful) upcoming event is the baby's arrival!  Yay!

  

~ this day ~

This picture - sitting on our deck on a beautiful summer night, enjoying an ice cream treat after a day of  pure fun - made me think of ------

this picture:

This reminder couldn't be more true.  Another baby blessing will join us any day now.  Any day.  I remember how "grown up" Lucas looked when he came to meet Hannah at the hospital.  Lately, I've noticed Hannah seems so much taller.  Surely she will "grow up" even more between the time I leave for the hospital and when she comes to meet the baby.  

Knowing that our family of four will soon be a family of five and wondering how the dynamics will change, I have been paying attention to their faces, their personalities.  Lucas likes to be responsible; he knows that it pleases Dad and I when he is a good helper.  He likes to water the flowers, set the table, help Hannah and is always protecting her.  He suggested we walk to Great Grandma's the other night to check on the green beans he helped Aunt Susan and Aunt Joan plant.  He loves to learn about things that are growing, new places and history.  He sat on Great Grandma's patio and told her all about swimming lessons.  Such a conversationalist.  Hannah, too, likes to be a helper.  She wants to watch everything I do in the kitchen and is never too far away from me.  I'm not suggesting her listening skills couldn't be sharpened a bit, but she is a good toy-picker-upper when asked.  She, too, loves to talk.  It makes me laugh that sometimes she talks so fast that no one (but me) can figure out what she's saying -- that's a benefit to being with my kiddos all the time.  She loves to swing on her playset and will ask to "go pway on my pwayset?" as early as 7AM somedays.  

Sometimes there are long days.  Too much fresh air and playing makes for tired kids.  There have been  melt downs, tears and frustration.  From the kids and mama.  But I wouldn't trade any of it for the blessings I get each day: smiles, laughs, hugs, kisses, cuddling.  

We are so blessed; I never take that for granted.  

We are all excited to meet Baby Perry #3.  More smiles, laughs, hugs, kisses, cuddling.

Relay for Life

My sister Karen's dear friend Amy organized a Relay for Life team in memory of Ann.  It was so nice of her to take the reigns on this and a great opportunity for our family to be together for a good cause.  

Team Yellow Duck was named such because of the Yellow Duck that Koen's niece gave Ann at the time of her diagnosis.  Yellow Duck accompanied Ann to every appointment, was at her bedside at home and at the hospital, even went through radiation with her.  Yellow Duck traveled to Iowa for her Iowa funeral and continues to keep vigil in Leuven.  

Hannah was so stinkin' excited to have Yellow Ducky on her shirt.  

In the time that has passed since the event, the kids love wearing their yellow duck shirts. 

Even baby gets one :)  

Lucas made a luminary for all of the cousins.  

The nieces and nephews.  

Our family team.  We were only missing two - Brent due to customers finally planting and Koen because he lives an ocean away!

It was very nice to participate in Relay for Life.  These kinds of events take on different meaning when you have a life changing experience, unfortunately.  The most moving part of the event was at dusk when volunteers lit the luminaries that lined the track.  They turned off the track lights and we were surrounded by the glow of the white bags flickering in honor of, in tribute of and in memory of so many loved ones.  The word emotional doesn't even touch it.  We walked the track in silence, only accompanied by the luminary glow.  It makes me wonder how this nasty cancer disease can just keep going and affect so many lives.  Hopefully, events like this can help make a difference in research and prevention.  

tum, ta, tum, tum, TUMS

Oh, Tums.  How I wish I didn't need you!

I have consumed almost two whole bottles of these this pregnancy... and it isn't over yet.  

I remember when I was little and my dad would clean out his jean pockets at the end of a day.  There were always coins, a pocket knife, the random lint ball or pieces of hay.  And usually a roll of Tums.  I think I might have eaten one once believing it to be a piece of candy.  It wasn't candy.  It tasted like a piece of blackboard chalk.  Gross.  

I have a very clear memory of the first time I had heartburn during Lucas' pregnancy.  I was 36 weeks pregnant and had been catching up with my friend, Megan.  She asked if I had experienced any heartburn.  I didn't think so, I wasn't sure.  That same exact night I was describing this burning feeling I was having and Brent said, "sounds like heartburn."  What?!  I started choking down Tums.  The heartburn was constant during the last six weeks (yes, 36+6 weeks = 42 weeks) of Lucas' pregnancy.  

I had some heartburn during Hannah's pregnancy... pretty regular from 32 weeks on.  

This time around the heartburn started around 21 weeks... and it hasn't stopped since.  

I've come full circle since eating what I thought was going to be a piece of candy from my dad's pocket to consuming multiple doses daily.  I don't think they taste that bad anymore.  Weird, huh?  The bottle says not to have more than 15 tablets in 24 hours.  I haven't had more than 15 in a day, but I have come pretty close a few times.  

**I am fully aware that having heartburn is really not that big of deal in the grand scheme of things.  My pregnancy has been healthy and happy.  The baby is healthy and (I think) happy.  But I felt the need to share my dependency on Tums.  

gardeners

the big screen

The Junior Cyclone Club hosted a movie night at Jack Trice Stadium a few weekends ago.  

When I saw the announcement a couple of months ago, I immediately put it on the calendar.  How fun would this be to sit on the football field and watch a movie?!?!  

This was a special date night for Lucas and I.  Daddy was super busy working and Hannah spent the evening having fun at Gramma Connie's.

The weather was perfect, we had good blanket neighbors, and I smuggled in Lucas' favorite movie treat - a sucker.  

Our view.  

I did text this picture to Brent.  

The most plush and perfect grass you could ever lay on.

The weather was perfect - 70's and mild breeze.  Perfect for getting cozy in a fuzzy blanket.  

My blanket buddy.

A great night.  

~anniversary~

a decade

double digits

ten

one-zero

Whoa.  

Seems like just yesterday.  

The most perfect, happy day.  

Wonderful examples of love, commitment, faith and parenting: our parents.

Here's to another five decades! 

preschool graduation

It's hard to imagine the school year is over and we have a preschool graduate living at our house.  

He's really headed to Kindergarten.  I can't believe it. 

We are so proud of him for having a good school year!

The last day of school started with a field trip to the park.  

Receiving his diploma from Miss Karen.

Pastor always got the big smiles from Lucas.

The graduates.

Great Grandma and Lucas.  

He was excited to show her his flower since he just recently helped plant her flowers and vegetables for the year.  

Lucas and Dad.

Mom and Lucas. 

Gramma Connie and Lucas. 

The family of four - almost five.  

The silly, happy grad. 

This girl was so well behaved - Hannah, that is.  

I wasn't so worried about Gramma's behavior :)  

Lucas made a special card for his teachers.

(And the photo cut off the r on the word teacher - oops).

Saying goodbye to the bunnies.  

Just about everyday at drop off Hannah had to see the bunnies... it will be a while before she sees them.  But next time, it will be when she starts attending preschool.  

What?!?!?!!?

Gramma Connie wanted to celebrate Lucas' big achievement with ice cream.  And you should know our family well enough by now that we don't turn down ice cream.  

Who doesn't eat a scoop of ice cream with a straw?

Graduation Day was gorgeous weather.  Papa Steve needed to stay in the field and keep planting before the rain started.  However, Lucas got to go home with Gramma and be delivered directly to the tractor and planter.  Then Papa texted me this picture: 

Two hours at the park playing with friends. 

Graduation ceremony.

Ice cream.

Riding in the tractor.

Several hours of play with Jonah when he got home.

Quite possibly the best day ever for this guy.